Patents by Inventor Isamu Nakao

Isamu Nakao 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: 20220184611
    Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic system comprising a microfluidic chip including a substrate having a vibrating section that, when irradiated by light, causes at least a portion of a substrate to vibrate, and at least one microfluidic structure arranged adjacent to the vibrating section such that vibration of the at least a portion of the substrate causes a vibration stimulus within the at least one microfluidic structure, the vibration stimulus causing a change in position of at least one particle when present in the at least one microfluidic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Masuhara, Nobuaki Kuribara, Tasuku Yotoriyama, Isamu Nakao
  • Patent number: 11231436
    Abstract: The flow rate of light scattering fluid is measured more easily and at a higher speed. A flow rate measuring method according to the present disclosure includes: generating two or more speckle images by continually imaging light scattering fluid to be measured, while defining time shorter than spatial correlation disappearance time corresponding to time in which spatial correlation between speckle patterns generated by the light scattering fluid disappears as exposure time, at a time interval shorter than the spatial correlation disappearance time; and calculating direction and speed of flow of the light scattering fluid from time variation of the speckle patterns between the two or more speckle images, in which the speckle images are imaged by using an imaging device mounted with an area sensor and a pixel group of a part of the area sensor or by using an imaging device mounted with a line sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isamu Nakao, Noriyuki Kishii, Tetsuro Kuwayama, Kensei Jo
  • Publication number: 20210364410
    Abstract: To provide a technology for confirming that a desired particle is recovered in single cell analysis. The present technology provides a particle confirming method including a correlating step of correlating ID information possessed by a particle trapped in a well in a particle trapping region with position information of the well, a discharging step of discharging the particle from the well, an ID information acquiring step of acquiring ID information of the particle after the discharging step, and a confirming step of confirming the position of the well in which the particle has been trapped, on the basis of the acquired ID information. In addition, the present technology also provides a particle trapping chip and a particle analyzing system to be used for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hosokawa, Tasuku Yotoriyama, Shin Masuhara, Isamu Nakao
  • Publication number: 20210321887
    Abstract: A medical system (1) includes first light irradiation means (11) for irradiating an image capturing target with coherent light, image capturing means (12) for capturing a speckle image obtained from scattered light caused by the image capturing target irradiated with the coherent light, speckle contrast calculation means (1312) for calculating a speckle contrast value for each pixel on the basis of the speckle image, motion detection means (1311) for detecting motion of the image capturing target, speckle image generation means (1313) for generating a speckle contrast image on the basis of the speckle contrast value and the motion of the image capturing target detected by the motion detection means, and display means (14) for displaying the speckle contrast image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: TAKANORI FUKAZAWA, KAZUKI IKESHITA, DAISUKE KIKUCHI, TETSURO KUWAYAMA, KENJI TAKAHASHI, MINORI TAKAHASHI, ISAMU NAKAO, KENTARO FUKAZAWA, GORO FUJITA, FUMISADA MAEDA, TAKESHI MATSUI, TAKASHI YAMAGUCHI, HIROSHI YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 11025812
    Abstract: To provide an image analyzing technology capable of obtaining an image with less shading and with enough speckle contrast. An imaging apparatus includes: a light source that irradiates an imaging object with coherent light with a first irradiation condition and a second irradiation condition; a speckle imaging unit that captures a first speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object irradiate at the first irradiation condition, and a second speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object irradiate at the second irradiation condition; and an information processing unit that separates speckle images at boundaries of average luminance difference formed in the first speckle image and the second speckle image, connecting the separaged speckle images at the boundaries, and analyzes the combined speckle combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ichiki, Isamu Nakao, Tetsuro Kuwayama, Noriyuki Kishii, Yusaku Nakashima, Takeshi Matsui
  • Publication number: 20210102969
    Abstract: The flow rate of light scattering fluid is measured more easily and at a higher speed. A flow rate measuring method according to the present disclosure includes: generating two or more speckle images by continually imaging light scattering fluid to be measured, while defining time shorter than spatial correlation disappearance time corresponding to time in which spatial correlation between speckle patterns generated by the light scattering fluid disappears as exposure time, at a time interval shorter than the spatial correlation disappearance time; and calculating direction and speed of flow of the light scattering fluid from time variation of the speckle patterns between the two or more speckle images, in which the speckle images are imaged by using an imaging device mounted with an area sensor and a pixel group of a part of the area sensor or by using an imaging device mounted with a line sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicants: Sony Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu NAKAO, Noriyuki KISHII, Tetsuro KUWAYAMA, Kensei JO
  • Publication number: 20200267305
    Abstract: To provide an image analyzing technology capable of obtaining an image with less shading and with enough speckle contrast. An imaging apparatus includes: a light source that irradiates an imaging object with coherent light with a first irradiation condition and a second irradiation condition; a speckle imaging unit that captures a first speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object irradiate at the first irradiation condition, and a second speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object irradiate at the second irradiation condition; and an information processing unit that separates speckle images at boundaries of average luminance difference formed in the first speckle image and the second speckle image, connecting the separaged speckle images at the boundaries, and analyzes the combined speckle combined image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: HIROSHI ICHIKI, ISAMU NAKAO, TETSURO KUWAYAMA, NORIYUKI KISHII, YUSAKU NAKASHIMA, TAKESHI MATSUI
  • Patent number: 10681259
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging technique capable of detecting a focus even in an imaging apparatus of a speckle image. The imaging apparatus includes a coherent light source that irradiates an imaging object with coherent light, an incoherent light source that irradiates the imaging object with incoherent light, a speckle imaging unit that captures a speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object irradiated with the coherent light, a non-speckle imaging unit that captures a non-speckle image obtained from reflected light of the imaging object irradiated with the incoherent light, and a focus detection unit that detects a focus of the speckle imaging unit on the basis of a focal position of the non-speckle imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ichiki, Isamu Nakao, Tetsuro Kuwayama, Noriyuki Kishii, Yusaku Nakashima, Takeshi Matsui
  • Publication number: 20200060557
    Abstract: A control apparatus according to an aspect of the present technology includes a signal generation section. The signal generation section generates speckle data on the basis of an image signal of a subject imaged by using laser light as illumination, and generates a control signal for controlling output from a laser light source that emits the laser light on the basis of the generated speckle data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: TAKESHI MATSUI, TETSURO KUWAYAMA, HIROSHI YOSHIDA, ISAMU NAKAO, FUMISADA MAEDA, GORO FUJITA, AKIO FURUKAWA
  • Patent number: 10574977
    Abstract: A floating image display unit according to an embodiment of the technology includes an optical plate and one or a plurality of reflectors. The optical plate includes a plurality of optical elements arranged in a matrix on a substrate having a normal in a Z-axis direction, and each of the optical elements is configured to regularly reflect an entering light beam of a Z-axis direction component and recursively reflect an entering light beam of an XY-axis direction component. The one or the plurality of reflectors are configured to reflect light outputted from a light emitter or a light irradiation target object disposed on rear surface side of the optical plate, thereby causing the light to obliquely enter a rear surface of the optical plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kaneda, Isamu Nakao, Hiroyuki Ono, Yohei Fukuma
  • Publication number: 20190293554
    Abstract: A fluid located at a certain depth in an imaging object can be imaged with high sensitivity and accuracy. As a result, an imaging technique by which information regarding the fluid can be accurately obtained is provided. An imaging apparatus includes: a light irradiation unit that irradiates a plurality of positions of an imaging object with coherent light as spots; a light detection unit that detects light, the light being emitted from the light irradiation unit and propagated in the imaging object; and an imaging unit that captures a speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object, the scattered light being detected by the light detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Nakao, Takuya Kishimoto, Noriyuki Kishii
  • Publication number: 20190045112
    Abstract: The imaging apparatus includes a coherent light source that irradiates an imaging object with coherent light, an incoherent light source that irradiates the imaging object with incoherent light, a speckle imaging unit that captures a speckle image obtained from scattered light of the imaging object irradiated with the coherent light, a non-speckle imaging unit that captures a non-speckle image obtained from reflected light of the imaging object irradiated with the incoherent light, and a focus detection unit that detects a focus of the speckle imaging unit on the basis of a focal position of the non-speckle imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ichiki, Isamu Nakao, Tetsuro Kuwayama, Noriyuki Kishii, Yusaku Nakashima, Takeshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 10176787
    Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, an image display method is provided. The method includes detecting a position of a user, detecting a position of a physical object, and defining a non-display area of a display based on the position of the user and the position of the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nakao
  • Publication number: 20180356643
    Abstract: A spatial image display apparatus includes: a display section including a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array, the plurality of pixels configured to radiate light rays at different radiation angles with each other respectively so as to form a planar image including a plurality of image points disposed in a two-dimensional array in a space apart from an array face of the plurality of pixels, wherein two or more predetermined number of pixels out of the plurality of pixels radiate the predetermined number of light rays so as to intersect to form one of the image points, and an interval of two adjacent light rays out of the predetermined number of light rays having passed one of the image points is equal to or less than a predetermined observation interval at a predetermined observation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Nakao, Hiroyuki Ono, Kazumasa Kaneda, Yohei Fukuma
  • Patent number: 10152953
    Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, an image display method is provided. The method includes detecting a position of a user, detecting a position of a physical object, and defining a non-display area of a display based on the position of the user and the position of the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nakao
  • Publication number: 20180321081
    Abstract: The present technology provides a speckle imaging device including: an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated; an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained from the imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an image generation unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from a captured image captured by the imaging unit; and a leveling processing unit that generates a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: EIICHI TANAKA, YUSAKU NAKASHIMA, ISAMU NAKAO, NORIYUKI KISHII, TAKUYA KISHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 10031023
    Abstract: Provided is a highly accurate imaging technology that utilizes the speckle interference. The present technology provides a speckle imaging device including: an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated; an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained from the imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an image generation unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from a captured image captured by the imaging unit; and a leveling processing unit that generates a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Tanaka, Yusaku Nakashima, Isamu Nakao, Noriyuki Kishii, Takuya Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 10001653
    Abstract: A spatial image display apparatus includes a display element including a plurality of pixels which are two-dimensionally arranged, and an imaging device that has a substrate including a plurality of dihedral corner reflectors arranged, the display element is disposed in a first space on one main surface of the substrate, and the imaging device forms a real image of a display image by the display element, in a second space on the other main surface of the substrate. The plurality of pixels are arranged in a period corresponding to a frequency that is equal to or less than a minimum spatial frequency at which an MTF value relative to a spatial frequency of the imaging device is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Isamu Nakao
  • Publication number: 20180110422
    Abstract: A technology is provided that is capable of reducing the size of an apparatus and improving the work environment of surgical operations as compared with those of related-art technologies. The present technology provides an illumination light transmission apparatus having a non-speckle illumination light source configured to radiate a non-speckle illumination light; a speckle illumination light source configured to radiate a speckle illumination light; a fiber bundle configured by a plurality of optical fibers into a bundle; and an optical control block configured to guide at least one of the non-speckle illumination light and the speckle illumination light into the fiber bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu NAKAO, Eiichi TANAKA, Akio FURUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180003557
    Abstract: Provided is a highly accurate imaging technology that utilizes the speckle interference. The present technology provides a speckle imaging device including: an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated; an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained from the imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an image generation unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from a captured image captured by the imaging unit; and a leveling processing unit that generates a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: EIICHI TANAKA, YUSAKU NAKASHIMA, ISAMU NAKAO, NORIYUKI KISHII, TAKUYA KISHIMOTO