Patents by Inventor Kazuya Higuma

Kazuya Higuma 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).

  • Patent number: 11696026
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a first acquiring unit configured to acquire a hyperfocal length of a lens apparatus that is attachable to, detachable from, and communicable with an image pickup apparatus, using information acquired by communication between the lens apparatus and the image pickup apparatus, and a second acquiring unit configured to acquire a position of a focus lens in the lens apparatus according to the hyperfocal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Higuma, Yasuhiro Hatakeyama, Gaku Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20220353428
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus attachable to and detachable from a lens apparatus includes an image sensor, an acquiring unit configured to acquire a hyperfocal length of the lens apparatus, and a setting unit configured to enable a user to change a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion for acquiring the hyperfocal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hatakeyama, Kazuya Higuma, Gaku Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20220353429
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a first acquiring unit configured to acquire a hyperfocal length of a lens apparatus that is attachable to, detachable from, and communicable with an image pickup apparatus, using information acquired by communication between the lens apparatus and the image pickup apparatus, and a second acquiring unit configured to acquire a position of a focus lens in the lens apparatus according to the hyperfocal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuya Higuma, Yasuhiro Hatakeyama, Gaku Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9674420
    Abstract: The interchangeable lens apparatus includes a memory to store first correction information to be used to correct focus state information on a focus state of its image capturing optical system, the focus state being detected in the image capturing apparatus by using a signal from an image sensor thereof, and a lens calculator configured to produce, by performing an interpolation process on the first correction information by using image sensor information that is information on the image sensor and received from the image capturing apparatus, second correction information corresponding to the image sensor information. The lens calculator sends the second correction information to the image capturing apparatus in a case where the lens calculator performs the interpolation process and sends the first correction information to the image capturing apparatus in a case where the image capturing apparatus performs the interpolation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Publication number: 20150365583
    Abstract: The interchangeable lens apparatus includes a memory to store first correction information to be used to correct focus state information on a focus state of its image capturing optical system, the focus state being detected in the image capturing apparatus by using a signal from an image sensor thereof, and a lens calculator configured to produce, by performing an interpolation process on the first correction information by using image sensor information that is information on the image sensor and received from the image capturing apparatus, second correction information corresponding to the image sensor information. The lens calculator sends the second correction information to the image capturing apparatus in a case where the lens calculator performs the interpolation process and sends the first correction information to the image capturing apparatus in a case where the image capturing apparatus performs the interpolation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 7883281
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens system includes an interchangeable lens capable of communication between the interchangeable lens and a camera body. The interchangeable lens includes a camera identifying unit that identifies a camera body from information obtained by the communication between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. In response to a data transmitting request instruction transmitted from the camera body through the communication, the camera identifying unit converts reply data into a format adapted for the camera body on the basis of an identifying result of the camera identifying unit, and transmits the reply data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Publication number: 20090060486
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens system includes an interchangeable lens capable of communication between the interchangeable lens and a camera body. The interchangeable lens includes a camera identifying unit that identifies a camera body from information obtained by the communication between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. In response to a data transmitting request instruction transmitted from the camera body through the communication, the camera identifying unit converts reply data into a format adapted for the camera body on the basis of an identifying result of the camera identifying unit, and transmits the reply data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 7467900
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an interchangeable lens that can be connected to a new type camera and also to an old type camera, for example by requesting a release lock or not requesting a release lock, can be provided with a camera determination unit and a failure determination unit. Further, a camera body can be provided with an interchangeable lens determination unit, which can be set by a user so that an information request is ignored if an old type lens transmits a request for the release lock, where in the case of a new type lens, the camera body can perform a failure information communication with the lens, and an operation of the camera can be changed in accordance with the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 7236696
    Abstract: A camera comprising the following components is disclosed: a vibrating motor which drives a focus lens of an image-taking optical system, and a control circuit which controls the vibrating type motor to repeatedly drive and stop the focus lens, extracting higher frequency components from an image signal obtained from an image pickup device in each stopped state of the focus lens, and performing focus adjusting operation in accordance with a focus adjustment state of the image-taking optical system determined on the basis of the higher frequency components. The control circuit causes traveling wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member of the vibrating type motor when the focus lens is driven and causes standing wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member while the focus lens is stopped during the focus adjusting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Higuma, Ryoichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20070014562
    Abstract: A camera comprising the following components is disclosed: a vibrating motor which drives a focus lens of an image-taking optical system, and a control circuit which controls the vibrating type motor to repeatedly drive and stop the focus lens, extracting higher frequency components from an image signal obtained from an image pickup device in each stopped state of the focus lens, and performing focus adjusting operation of moving the focus lens to an in-focus position in accordance with a focus adjustment state of the image-taking optical system determined on the basis of the higher frequency components. The control circuit causes traveling wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member of the vibrating type motor when the focus lens is driven and causes standing wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member while the focus lens is stopped during the focus adjusting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Kazuya Higuma, Ryoichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7133077
    Abstract: A camera comprising the following components is disclosed: a vibrating motor which drives a focus lens of an image-taking optical system, and a control circuit which controls the vibrating type motor to repeatedly drive and stop the focus lens, extracting higher frequency components from an image signal obtained from an image pickup device in each stopped state of the focus lens, and performing focus adjusting operation of moving the focus lens to an in-focus position in accordance with a focus adjustment state of the image-taking optical system determined on the basis of the higher frequency components. The control circuit causes traveling wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member of the vibrating type motor when the focus lens is driven and causes standing wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member while the focus lens is stopped during the focus adjusting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Higuma, Ryoichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20060171707
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an interchangeable lens that can be connected to a new type camera and also to an old type camera, for example by requesting a release lock or not requesting a release lock, can be provided with a camera determination unit and a failure determination unit. Further, a camera body can be provided with an interchangeable lens determination unit, which can be set by a user so that an information request is ignored if an old type lens transmits a request for the release lock, where in the case of a new type lens, the camera body can perform a failure information communication with the lens, and an operation of the camera can be changed in accordance with the failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 6856764
    Abstract: A camera which drives a focusing lens to a target position in a short period of time while maintaining required stop accuracy in accordance with the status of an image-taking optical system, is disclosed. The camera comprises the image-taking optical system and a pulse generator that outputs pulse signals in accordance with movement of the focusing lens. A stop judging unit selectively carries out, in accordance with the status of the image-taking optical system, a first stop judgement of the focusing lens by detecting that the count value of pulse signals has reached a target count value, and a second stop judgement of the focusing lens by detecting that the output signal from the pulse generator does not change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 6798989
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus capable of accelerating the motor speed to a target speed and stabilizing the motor speed in a short time is disclosed. The motor control apparatus includes a speed detection unit which outputs a signal according to the speed of the motor (or movable unit which uses the motor as a drive source). It also includes a control unit which applies, during the acceleration control of the motor to a target speed, an electric brake to the motor when the speed detected based on the signal from the speed detection unit exceeds the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Publication number: 20040036796
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus capable of accelerating the motor speed to a target speed and stabilizing the motor speed in a short time is disclosed. The motor control apparatus includes a speed detection unit which outputs a signal according to the speed of the motor (or movable unit which uses the motor as a drive source). It also includes a control unit which applies, during the acceleration control of the motor to a target speed, an electric brake to the motor when the speed detected based on the signal from the speed detection unit exceeds the target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Publication number: 20040037548
    Abstract: A camera which drives a focusing lens to a target position in a short period of time while maintaining required stop accuracy in accordance with the status of an image-taking optical system, is disclosed. The camera comprises the image-taking optical system and a pulse generator that outputs pulse signals in accordance with movement of the focusing lens. A stop judging unit selectively carries out, in accordance with the status of the image-taking optical system, a first stop judgement of the focusing lens by detecting that the count value of pulse signals has reached a target count value, and a second stop judgement of the focusing lens by detecting that the output signal from the pulse generator does not change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Publication number: 20030020825
    Abstract: A camera comprising the following components is disclosed:
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuya Higuma, Ryoichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6128443
    Abstract: A camera which performs data communication with a mounted interchangeable lens includes a command generating circuit for generating a command which is not directly related to the data communication; and a control circuit for discontinuing the data communication with the mounted interchangeable lens when the command is generated while the data communication is being performed with the mounted interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 6100654
    Abstract: This invention relates to a driving device for a vibration wave motor and, more particularly, to a driving device for setting the level of a driving periodic signal to a low level in driving within a predetermined range of high driving frequencies, and to a high level in driving within a predetermined range of low driving frequencies, thereby reducing the power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Izukawa, Kazuya Higuma