Patents by Inventor Kazuyuki Shigeta
Kazuyuki Shigeta 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).
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Patent number: 11943518Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes at least one processor operatively coupled to at least one memory that function as an input unit configured to receive an image signal of a visible light pixel and an image signal of a near-infrared pixel, output from a sensor that includes a visible light pixel component and a near-infrared pixel component, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not an output signal of the near-infrared pixel is higher than a threshold and to produce a determination result, a detector configured to detect a saturated visible light pixel, and a switching unit configured to switch over saturation processing to be applied to the saturated visible light pixel on the basis of the determination result of the determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Patent number: 11317032Abstract: Provided is an imaging device including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a charge holding portion; a charge transfer unit that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding portion; an output unit that outputs a signal based on transferred charges; a first acquisition unit that acquires first image data based on charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit in a first exposure time period; a second acquisition unit that acquires second image data based on charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit in a second exposure time period that is a sum of exposure time periods for charges transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding portion for multiple times by the charge transfer unit and is longer than the first exposure time period; and a compression unit that reduces a gradation value of the second image data to generate a third image data.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Publication number: 20220103762Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first image sensor for receiving light of a first wave range, a second image sensor for receiving light of a second wave range other than the first wave range, an information acquisition unit for acquiring position information relating to the imaging apparatus and environment information relating to an imaging environment of the imaging apparatus, an estimation unit for estimating, for each subject to be imaged by the imaging apparatus, influence of an external factor of the imaging apparatus on a first image, which is obtained from the first image sensor, by using the position information and the environment information that are acquired by the information acquisition unit, and an image synthesis unit configured to synthesize the first image and a second image, which is obtained from the second image sensor, on the basis of the influence estimated by the estimation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Atsushi Kandori, Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Publication number: 20210289149Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor which function as an input unit receiving an image signal of a visible light pixel and an image signal of a near-infrared pixel, output from a sensor including a visible light pixel and a near-infrared pixel, a determination unit determining whether or not an output signal of a near-infrared pixel is higher than a threshold, a detector detecting a saturated visible light pixel, and a switching unit switching over saturation processing to be applied to a saturated visible light pixel on the basis of a determination result of the determination unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Patent number: 10965890Abstract: An imaging device includes pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit and a charge holding unit and a control unit that performs first control, which causes the pixels to perform an operation that includes an exposure operation of the photoelectric conversion unit, a reset operation of the charge holding unit, and a charge transfer operation from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit and updates charges held by the charge holding unit by the reset and charge transfer operations, and second control to read out a signal based on charges held by the charge holding unit from each of the pixels. The control unit repeats the first control at a predetermined cycle without inserting the second control in a first period before a trigger signal is externally input and changes the first control to the second control when the trigger signal is externally input after the first period.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Publication number: 20200213502Abstract: Provided is an imaging device including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a charge holding portion; a charge transfer unit that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding portion; an output unit that outputs a signal based on transferred charges; a first acquisition unit that acquires first image data based on charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit in a first exposure time period; a second acquisition unit that acquires second image data based on charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit in a second exposure time period that is a sum of exposure time periods for charges transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding portion for multiple times by the charge transfer unit and is longer than the first exposure time period; and a compression unit that reduces a gradation value of the second image data to generate a third image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Patent number: 10498997Abstract: An image sensing apparatus senses an image of an object illuminated with illumination light including an infrared ray. the apparatus includes an effective pixel region including an effective pixel configured to detect an infrared ray returning from the object, a black reference pixel region including a black reference pixel configured to obtain a black reference signal, and a control unit configured to control the black reference pixel such that charge accumulation in the black reference pixel for obtaining the black reference signal is performed in a period during which the object is not illuminated with the illumination light.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Publication number: 20190356870Abstract: An imaging device includes pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit and a charge holding unit and a control unit that performs first control, which causes the pixels to perform an operation that includes an exposure operation of the photoelectric conversion unit, a reset operation of the charge holding unit, and a charge transfer operation from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit and updates charges held by the charge holding unit by the reset and charge transfer operations, and second control to read out a signal based on charges held by the charge holding unit from each of the pixels. The control unit repeats the first control at a predetermined cycle without inserting the second control in a first period before a trigger signal is externally input and changes the first control to the second control when the trigger signal is externally input after the first period.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Patent number: 10477119Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensing unit having a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged. The plurality of pixels include a first pixel and a second pixel. Light sensitivity of the first pixel has a local maximum value near a first wavelength and a local maximum value near a second wavelength. The first wavelength and the second wavelength are in a near-infrared wavelength band. Light sensitivity of the second pixel has a local maximum value near the second wavelength. The light sensitivity of the second pixel at the first wavelength is not higher than 10% of the light sensitivity of the first pixel at the first wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Patent number: 10455177Abstract: In a state where an electric charge is held in a first charge holding unit, starting accumulation of an electric charge in a photoelectric conversion unit simultaneously in a plurality of pixel rows, and performing a first transfer operation for transferring an electric charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the first charge holding unit simultaneously in the plurality of pixel rows.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiki Tsuboi, Hisashi Takado, Takeshi Ichikawa, Kazuyuki Shigeta, Fumihiro Inui, Masahiro Kobayashi, Yusuke Onuki, Kazunari Kawabata
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Patent number: 10430935Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to output an image signal, a first image processing unit, and a second image processing unit. The first image processing unit includes a first signal processing unit that generates a first image signal from the input image signal, and a second image signal including a smaller number of signals than signals included in the first image signal and corresponding to a first imaging region. The second image processing unit includes a second input portion that receives the first image signal from a first output portion and a second signal processing unit. The second signal processing unit generates, from the first image signal, a third image signal that includes a smaller number of signals than the signals included in the first image signal and corresponds to a second imaging region that is only a part of the first imaging region.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Patent number: 10397499Abstract: There is provided an imaging device configured to acquire an image with the restrained influence of the blinking state of a light source while ensuring synchronicity of charge accumulation. For a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows, the imaging device intermittently turns on a first transfer switch at a same timing a plurality of times to transfer electric charges from a photoelectric conversion unit to a holding unit a plurality of times. The imaging device row-sequentially turns on a second transfer switch of the plurality of pixels to transfer electric charges transferred a plurality of times to and held by the holding unit, to an amplifying unit on a row basis.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuyuki Shigeta, Noriyuki Kaifu
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Patent number: 10244192Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image sensor comprising pixels and a controller. The pixels include a photoelectric converter, a holding unit, an output unit and a first and second transfer unit. The controller causes the sensor to repeatedly perform a holding operation that the first transfer unit transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the holding unit, and a transfer operation that the second transfer unit transfer the charge from the holding unit to the output unit. The controller causes the sensor to perform, as the holding operation, holding operations including a first holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a first exposure time and a second holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyuki Shigeta, Noriyuki Kaifu, Hisashi Takado
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Publication number: 20180315175Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to output an image signal, a first image processing unit, and a second image processing unit. The first image processing unit includes a first signal processing unit that generates a first image signal from the input image signal, and a second image signal including a smaller number of signals than signals included in the first image signal and corresponding to a first imaging region. The second image processing unit includes a second input portion that receives the first image signal from a first output portion and a second signal processing unit. The second signal processing unit generates, from the first image signal, a third image signal that includes a smaller number of signals than the signals included in the first image signal and corresponds to a second imaging region that is only a part of the first imaging region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventor: Kazuyuki Shigeta
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Publication number: 20180160062Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image sensor comprising pixels and a controller. The pixels include a photoelectric converter, a holding unit, an output unit and a first and second transfer unit. The controller causes the sensor to repeatedly perform a holding operation that the first transfer unit transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the holding unit, and a transfer operation that the second transfer unit transfer the charge from the holding unit to the output unit. The controller causes the sensor to perform, as the holding operation, holding operations including a first holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a first exposure time and a second holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Kazuyuki Shigeta, Noriyuki Kaifu, Hisashi Takado
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Patent number: 9912886Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image sensor comprising pixels and a controller. The pixels include a photoelectric converter, a holding unit, an output unit and a first and second transfer unit. The controller causes the sensor to repeatedly perform a holding operation that the first transfer unit transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the holding unit, and a transfer operation that the second transfer unit transfer the charge from the holding unit to the output unit. The controller causes the sensor to perform, as the holding operation, holding operations including a first holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a first exposure time and a second holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyuki Shigeta, Noriyuki Kaifu, Hisashi Takado
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Publication number: 20170163913Abstract: There is provided an imaging device configured to acquire an image with the restrained influence of the blinking state of a light source while ensuring synchronicity of charge accumulation. For a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows, the imaging device intermittently turns on a first transfer switch at a same timing a plurality of times to transfer electric charges from a photoelectric conversion unit to a holding unit a plurality of times. The imaging device row-sequentially turns on a second transfer switch of the plurality of pixels to transfer electric charges transferred a plurality of times to and held by the holding unit, to an amplifying unit on a row basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Kazuyuki Shigeta, Noriyuki Kaifu
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Publication number: 20170163921Abstract: In a state where an electric charge is held in a first charge holding unit, starting accumulation of an electric charge in a photoelectric conversion unit simultaneously in a plurality of pixel rows, and performing a first transfer operation for transferring an electric charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the first charge holding unit simultaneously in the plurality of pixel rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Toshiki Tsuboi, Hisashi Takado, Takeshi Ichikawa, Kazuyuki Shigeta, Fumihiro Inui, Masahiro Kobayashi, Yusuke Onuki, Kazunari Kawabata
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Patent number: 9602736Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor including a plurality of pixels and configured to sense an optical image formed from fluorescence or phosphorescence generated by excitation light from an excitation light source when periods during which pixels perform the photoelectric conversion sequentially end on the respective rows, a mechanical shutter configured to control exposure on the image sensor, and a control unit configured to control the image sensor and the mechanical shutter so as to prevent overlapping between an excitation period and a detection period, the excitation period being a period during which the excitation light source emits excitation light, the detection period being a period during which the plurality of pixels are commonly set in a state of performing the photoelectric conversion for detecting fluorescence or phosphorescence and the mechanical shutter is open.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuyuki Shigeta, Fujio Kawano
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Patent number: 9413964Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: pixels (1); signal lines each arranged correspondingly to each of columns of the plurality of pixels; a row scanning circuit (2) selecting the plurality of pixels row by row for outputting signals to the plurality of signal lines; and a first gain correcting circuit (6) correcting the signals in the plurality of signal lines by applying a gain to the signals so as to reduce a difference of a signal value due to the difference of the charge accumulation period between a first row and a second row, when a pixel region selected for reading out in a present frame is different from a pixel region selected for reading out in a previous frame so that a charge accumulation period of the first row of the plurality of pixels is different from a charge accumulation period of the second row of the plurality of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Fujio Kawano, Kazuyuki Shigeta