Patents by Inventor Hitoshi Otani

Hitoshi Otani has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20020191839
    Abstract: An image forming process for easily making an image drawing (ortho-image) in an actual place while confirming it in real time. Measuring of control points (at least three points) is performed (S110), and preparation is made for forming an ortho-image based on image data thereof and survey data. Where photographing is carried out from a plurality of directions, additional image measuring is performed (S140). Then, ortho-image formation is performed on a PC (S160). Here, if a formed ortho-image is not what is desired, ortho-image correction is performed (S180). After a satisfactory image is obtained (S200), the process moves to a next area to be measured, and the same operation is repeated. On the other hand, unless a satisfactory image is obtained, additional image measuring (S140) is performed again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Tadayuki Ito, Hitoshi Otani, Nobuo Kochi
  • Publication number: 20020181764
    Abstract: A preferred shape measuring apparatus comprises a characteristic pattern extracting portion, in accordance with a pair of first images of a subject for measurement having characteristic patterns serving as references provided thereon in different angles and a pair of second images of the subject for measurement having no characteristic patterns serving as references provided thereon in the same angles as with the fist images, for calculating the difference between the first image and the second image taken in each direction thereby obtaining the characteristic patterns, positional relationship calculating portion for obtaining a positional relationship between the pair of the first images or the pair of the second images on the basis of the difference images obtained in the characteristic pattern extracting portion, a stereo model forming portion, in accordance with the positional relationship obtained in the positional relationship calculating portion, for mutually relating the fist images or the second imag
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Hitoshi Otani, Nobuo Kochi
  • Patent number: 6442292
    Abstract: A preferred shape measuring apparatus comprises a characteristic pattern extracting portion, in accordance with a pair of first images of a subject for measurement having characteristic patterns serving as references provided thereon in different angles and a pair of second images of the subject for measurement having no characteristic patterns serving as references provided thereon in the same angles as with the fist images, for calculating the difference between the first image and the second image taken in each direction thereby obtaining the characteristic patterns, positional relationship calculating portion for obtaining a positional relationship between the pair of the first images or the pair of the second images on the basis of the difference images obtained in the characteristic pattern extracting portion, a stereo model forming portion, in accordance with the positional relationship obtained in the positional relationship calculating portion, for mutually relating the fist images or the second imag
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Hitoshi Otani, Nobuo Kochi
  • Patent number: 6442293
    Abstract: An image forming process for easily making an image drawing (ortho-image) in an actual place while confirming it in real time. Measuring of control points (at least three points) is performed (S110), and preparation is made for forming an ortho-image based on image data thereof and survey data. Where photographing is carried out from a plurality of directions, additional image measuring is performed (S140). Then, ortho-image formation is performed on a PC (S160). Here, if a formed ortho-image is not what is desired, ortho-image correction is performed (S180). After a satisfactory image is obtained (S200), the process moves to a next area to be measured, and the same operation is repeated. On the other hand, unless a satisfactory image is obtained, additional image measuring (S140) is performed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Tadayuki Ito, Hitoshi Otani, Nobuo Kochi
  • Publication number: 20020012460
    Abstract: A stereo image measuring device capable of facilitating determination as to the correctness of the result of stereo image corresponding point measurement is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Nobuo Kochi, Hitoshi Otani
  • Publication number: 20020001406
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stereo image measuring device capable of carrying out high-speed and highly reliable three-dimensional measurement for a stereo image, easily correcting any omitted measurement, measurement errors or the like, and achieving a much higher speed, efficiency and reliability for measurement as a whole. A survey instrument measures a number of control points on site. A camera is, for example a digital camera, a film camera or the like. A control point search unit executes correlation between a control point measured beforehand by the instrument survey and an image. A search area setting unit sets a search area to be used for image correlation processing based on the control points correlated by the control point search unit, and sets respective data blocks, i.e., a reference data block and a search data block. An arithmetic operation unit executes orientation calculation, and image correlation processing (stereo matching) for the search area set by the search area setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Nobuo Kochi, Hitoshi Otani, Tadayuki Ito
  • Publication number: 20010055484
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stereo image photographing system capable of easily obtaining a stable, highly reliable and accurate stereo image when three-dimensional measurement is carried out by a general camera. A photographing unit includes a camera and an omni-directional prism. By collimating the prism on the photographing unit, a measuring unit measures position data thereof (measured value). A photographing position calculating unit calculates a proper photographing position based on a photographing condition set by a condition setting unit. To realize coincidence or rough coincidence between the data of the position (measured value) of the photographing unit measured by the measuring unit and the data of the photographing position calculated by the photographing position calculating unit, a photographing control unit allows a movement control unit and a driving unit to move the photographing unit, and outputs a timing signal for photographing to the photographing unit and the measuring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Nobuo Kochi, Mituharu Yamada, Hitoshi Otani
  • Patent number: 6005974
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extracting feature information from images of an object. The images of the object include a first in-focus image and a second soft focus image. The apparatus includes an optical system that includes at least one common image forming optical element. The optical system forms the first image and the second image of the object in different focus conditions. A photosensitive sensor converts the first image and the second image formed by the optical system to first and second image signals. An extracting feature device extracts the feature information of the object from a difference between the first image signals and the second image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Topcon Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Kochi, Shin-ichi Nakamura, Hitoshi Otani, Takayuki Noma
  • Patent number: 5881623
    Abstract: There is disclosed a construction in which the shaking of a cutting carriage due to a clearance is prevented, thereby enhancing cutting precision. The cutting carriage includes at least one rotary blade for cutting a sheet, and a pair of opposed driven rotary members held respectively against obverse and reverse surfaces of a guide track member, said pair of driven rotary members being rotated in accordance with the movement of the cutting carriage along said guide track member. The cutting carriage for sheet cutting can include a pair of rotary blades which are forcibly rotated respectively by the pair of driven rotary members when these driven rotary members are rotated. Preferably, the pair of rotary blades are held in press-contact with each other at a toe-in angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignees: Hitachi Metals, Ltd., HMY, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Otani, Junichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 4834530
    Abstract: A shape measuring apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunji Murai, Fumio Othomo, Hitoshi Otani
  • Patent number: 4803645
    Abstract: A coordinates measuring method in which the image information of the same point are derived as first, second and third information when viewed from at least three different directions, a first corresponding point is determined by deriving the correlation between the first and second information, and a second corresponding point is determined by deriving the correlation between the second and third information, and mismatching is decided when the first and second coordinates are not substantially coincident with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Hitoshi Otani