Patents by Inventor Kazuhiro Saito

Kazuhiro Saito 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).

  • IMAGE PROCESSOR
    Publication number: 20140286435
    Abstract: The image processor includes a ? multiplier circuit that approximately multiplies an input value X by ?. The ? multiplier circuit includes a loop operation circuit that repeatedly perform a predetermined operation by loops, and a setting circuit that sets a required number of loops in the loop operation circuit. The loop operation circuit includes a register that receives an input of an input value, a bit shift circuit that performs bit shift by 2 bits to the right on a value output from the register, and an adder circuit that adds an input value and a value output from the bit shift circuit, and inputs the added value to the register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeaki KOMURO, Nobuyuki TAKASU, Kazuhiro SAITO
  • Image forming apparatus and gradation correction method for the same
    Patent number: 8837001
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a gradation correction method for the same are provided. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms a plurality of patch bands in a plurality of positions in a main scanning direction on an image bearing member, each of the plurality of patch bands having a plurality of gradation patches disposed in a sub-scanning direction; a density detection section that detects densities of the plurality of patch bands; and a control section that performs gradation correction based on detection results from the density detection section. The plurality of patch bands differs from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Tanaka, Takashi Harashima, Katsuyuki Hirata, Daiki Yamanaka, Kazuhiro Saito
  • Solid-state imaging apparatus and method of driving the same
    Patent number: 8836838
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix, a reference signal generating circuit adapted to generate a ramp signal, a counter circuit adapted to perform a counting operation according to output of the ramp signal, comparators arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to compare signals read out of the pixels with the ramp signal, and memories arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to store digital data, wherein if output of the comparator is not changed during an AD conversion period, digital data of a predetermined value is stored in the memory. The solid-state imaging apparatus implements overflow handling using a simplified circuit configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Nakamura, Hiroki Hiyama, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuhiro Saito
  • Photoelectric conversion apparatus, focus detection apparatus, and image pickup system
    Patent number: 8817156
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels each including a first photoelectric conversion unit, a second photoelectric conversion unit, and a pixel output unit shared by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the second photoelectric conversion unit. The unit pixels are arranged in a first direction, and the first and second photoelectric conversion units are arranged in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Maeda, Daisuke Inoue, Yukihiro Kuroda, Tomohisa Kinugasa, Kazuhiro Saito
  • Apparatus, focus detection apparatus, and image pickup system
    Patent number: 8803054
    Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion apparatus, an error can occur due to a voltage drop through a MOS transistor. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, to reduce the error, a circuit block disposed between a unit pixel and an output line includes a differential amplifier circuit and a switch that is disposed in a feedback path of the differential amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Tomohisa Kinugasa
  • Image forming apparatus and image forming method
    Patent number: 8804194
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a storage unit, an image processing unit and a control unit. The image processing unit (i) calculates a summed height of a color toner image formed on a sheet by summing up a height of the color toner image on the basis of input image data, (ii) calculates, on the basis of a target value for glossiness stored in the storage unit, a target total height of the color toner image and a clear toner image to realize the target value for glossiness, and (iii) calculates a height of the clear toner image by subtracting the summed height from the target total height. On the basis of the calculated height of the clear toner image, the control unit adjusts the height of the clear toner image formed on the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hideaki Tanaka, Katsuyuki Hirata, Takashi Harashima
  • Powder delivery member, and powder storage container and image forming apparatus respectively using such powder delivery member
    Patent number: 8768221
    Abstract: A powder delivery member includes: a rotation shaft portion disposed rotatably within a powder storage container with powder stored therein; a delivery portion for delivering the powder along the axial direction of the rotation shaft portion; and, a powder discharge portion which, is disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the powder discharge port of the powder storage container, and is capable of storing therein the powder delivered thereto from the delivery portion, and also which, when it is rotated along the peripheral direction of the rotation shaft portion with the powder stored therein, can deliver the stored powder to the powder discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Saito
  • Ramp signal output circuit, analog-to-digital conversion circuit, imaging device, method for driving ramp signal output circuit, method for driving analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and method for driving imaging device
    Patent number: 8760213
    Abstract: A circuit configured to output a ramp signal having a potential varying depending on time includes a voltage supply unit configured to supply a plurality of voltages having different amplitudes, a current supply unit, an integration circuit configured to output the ramp signal, and a capacitive element. The voltage supply unit is connected to one terminal of the capacitive element. The integration circuit and the current supply unit are connected to another terminal of the capacitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hiroki Hiyama, Tetsuya Itano, Kohichi Nakamura
  • DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140161472
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a developing device including: a developer housing section configured to house a developer including toner and carrier; a carrier replenishing section configured to supply the carrier to the developer housing section; a carrier concentration detecting section provided at a position near a carrier replenishment position at which the carrier is received from the carrier replenishing section in the developer housing section, the carrier concentration detecting section being configured to detect a carrier concentration in the developer housing section; and a carrier replenishment determination section configured to determine whether the carrier is properly supplied to the developer housing section on the basis of a result of detecting by the carrier concentration detecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro SAITO, Tomohiro KAWASAKI, Kazuteru ISHIZUKA, Tatsuya FURUTA, Seiko ITAGAKI
  • Steam turbine, method of cooling steam turbine, and heat insulating method for steam turbine
    Patent number: 8727705
    Abstract: A steam turbine 10 is provided with a double-structure comprising an inner casing 20 and an outer casing 21. A turbine rotor 22, in which plural stages of moving blades 24 are circumferentially implanted, is operatively disposed in inner casing 20. A diaphragm outer ring 25 and a diaphragm inner ring are disposed along the circumferential direction in inner casing 20. Stationary blades 27 are circumferentially provided between diaphragm outer ring 25 and the diaphragm inner ring, so that diaphragm outer ring 25, the diaphragm inner ring and stationary blades 27 form a stage of stationary blades. The stages of the stationary blades are arranged alternately with the stages of moving blades 24 in the axial direction of turbine rotor 22. A cooling medium passage 40 for passing a cooling medium CM which is supplied through a supply pipe 45 is formed between inner casing 20 and diaphragm outer ring 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Asako Inomata, Katsuya Yamashita, Kazuhiro Saito, Takao Inukai, Kunihiko Wada, Kazutaka Ikeda, Takeo Suga
  • Solid-state imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 8723099
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix and configured to generate a signal by photoelectric conversion, a plurality of pixel output lines connected to each column of the unit pixels, a plurality of column amplifiers configured to amplify a signal of the pixel output lines, and a driving circuit configured to generate a control signal of the column amplifiers. Each of the column amplifiers includes first and second input terminals, an output terminal, an input capacitance between the first and second input terminals, and a first switch between the second input and output terminals. The driving circuit is configured to generate the control signal so as to make a period for switching the first switch from a conductive state to a non-conductive state longer than a period for switching the first switch from the non-conductive state to the conductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Itano, Hiroki Hiyama, Kazuhiro Saito, Kohichi Nakamura, Koichiro Iwata, Yu Maehashi, Takeshi Akiyama
  • Solid-state imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 8711259
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal from pixel; and a reference signal generating circuit configured to generate a ramp signal, wherein feedback capacitor elements having the same structure are electrically connected to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the amplifier circuit and to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit respectively, and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the amplifier circuit and the feedback capacitor element and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit and the feedback capacitor element are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yu Maehashi, Hiroki Hiyama, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuhiro Saito, Kohichi Nakamura
  • Photoelectric conversion apparatus, focus detection apparatus, and image pickup system
    Patent number: 8698930
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels each including a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit, and a pixel output unit shared by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the second photoelectric conversion unit. The first photoelectric conversion unit is configured to be depleted when it is reset, while the second photoelectric conversion unit is configured not to be depleted when it is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohisa Kinugasa, Daisuke Inoue, Yukihiro Kuroda, Kouji Maeda, Kazuhiro Saito
  • PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140098272
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns, a plurality of comparators provided correspondingly to the respective columns, a reference signal generation unit configured to supply a reference signal to the plurality of comparators, a counter configured to generate a count signal that includes a plurality of bits in synchronization with a first clock signal, a synchronization unit configured to synchronize the plurality of bits with a second clock signal to generate a synchronized count signal and to output the generated synchronized count signal, and a plurality of memories provided correspondingly to the respective comparators, the memories each being configured to store the synchronized count signal in response to a change in an output of a corresponding one of the comparators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Kohichi Nakamura, Koichiro Iwata, Kazuhiro Saito, Takeshi Akiyama, Tetsuya Itano, Hiroki Hiyama, Takashi Muto
  • IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140098269
    Abstract: A method drives an imaging system including: a plurality of pixels; an amplifier having an input node connected to the plurality of pixels via an input capacitor, and an output node connected to the input node via a feedback capacitor; and a reset unit configured to reset the input node to a base potential. The method includes the steps of: causing the input capacitor to hold noise output from one of the plurality of pixels; adding signals output from the two or more pixels in the feedback capacitor; and obtaining a difference between a signal applying a gain to a base signal output from the amplifier according to the reset of the input node of the amplifier and the signal added in the feedback capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Yasushi Matsuno
  • Solid-state imaging apparatus, A/D converter, and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8692920
    Abstract: In an A/D converter, a first analog signal which is input to an input terminal in a state in which the input terminal and a reference voltage line are connected via a first capacitor is converted into digital data when a reference signal is supplied to the reference signal line in a state in which the reference signal line and a first input terminal of a comparator are connected via the first capacitor. A second analog signal which is input to the input terminal in a state in which the input terminal and the reference voltage line are connected via a second capacitor is converted into digital data when the reference signal is supplied to the reference signal line in a state in which the reference signal line and the first input terminal of the comparator are connected via the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Hiyama, Kohichi Nakamura, Kazuhiro Saito, Tetsuya Itano
  • PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE TESTING METHOD, AND IMAGING SYSTEM MANUFACTURING METHOD
    Publication number: 20140092286
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of blocks including a plurality of pairs, each of the pairs including a comparator provided correspondingly with a column in the pixel array and a memory provided correspondingly with the comparator, and a block information supply unit configured to supply block information which indicates a location of a block, to the plurality of memories included in the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroki Hiyama, Kohichi Nakamura, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kazuhiro Saito
  • METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140063308
    Abstract: A method for driving an imaging apparatus, a method for driving an imaging system, an imaging apparatus, and an imaging system are disclosed in which the number of times of operation which generates digital signals based on an offset component of a comparing circuit is fewer than the number of times of operations which generate digital signals based on photoelectric conversion signals output by a plurality of rows of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Saito
  • SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140043511
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of first unit pixels configured to generate a signal by a photoelectric conversion; a first output line connected to the plurality of first unit pixels; and a first amplifier configured to amplify a signal from the first output line, wherein the first amplifier includes an operational amplifier (401), an initializing switch (404) having one terminal connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier, and an offset adjusting unit (402) connected between the other terminal of the initializing switch and an input terminal of the operational amplifier, and the offset adjusting unit has a transistor having a source and a drain connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Iwata, Kazuhiro Saito, Kohichi Nakamura, Takeshi Akiyama
  • Measuring variations in head-disk clearance in a hard disk drive
    Patent number: 8649119
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring variations in head-disk clearance in a hard disk drive. User generated data is randomly selected at a controller of the hard disk drive wherein the user generated data is stored on a disk associated with the hard disk drive. A reference point associated with the user generated data is stored on a storage medium associated with the hard disk drive. The user generated data is read at the controller. The user generated data is analyzed with the reference point using more than two frequencies, at the controller, to obtain a variation in measurement of the head-disk clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Marchon, Kazuhiro Saito, Roger Wood, Bruce Wilson