Patents by Inventor Kei Tohyama

Kei Tohyama 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: 20240085764
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to an accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a direction in which the accessory is attached. The contacts include an attachment detection contact to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a communication request contact for a communication request from the accessory to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection and communication request contacts are disposed between a contact closest one end and a contact closest to another end in the first direction. The attachment detection contact is disposed between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the one end. In the first direction, a distance between the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact is shorter than that between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 11886099
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to an accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a direction in which the accessory is attached. The contacts include an attachment detection contact to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a communication request contact for a communication request from the accessory to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection and communication request contacts are disposed between a contact closest one end and a contact closest to another end in the first direction. The attachment detection contact is disposed between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the one end. In the first direction, a distance between the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact is shorter than that between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230400754
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus detachably attached to an accessory via an accessory shoe includes contacts electrically connectable to the accessory via the accessory shoe and arranged in a row. The contacts include a first signal contact used to transmit a data signal in a communication between the electronic apparatus and accessory, a second signal contact used to transmit a clock signal in synchronization with the data signal in the communication, and a third signal contact used to receive a communication request signal from the accessory. The first and second signal contacts are arranged next to each other. The third signal contact is disposed on an opposite side of the second signal contact with respect to the first signal contact. A transmission of the data signal via the first signal contact is executed in response to a reception of the communication request signal via the third signal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Yuhei Hattori, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 11796898
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus detachably attached to an accessory via an accessory shoe includes contacts electrically connectable to the accessory via the accessory shoe and arranged in a row. The contacts include a first signal contact used to transmit a data signal in a communication between the electronic apparatus and accessory, a second signal contact used to transmit a clock signal in synchronization with the data signal in the communication, and a third signal contact used to receive a communication request signal from the accessory. The first and second signal contacts are arranged next to each other. The third signal contact is disposed on an opposite side of than the second signal contact with respect to the first signal contact. A transmission of the data signal via the first signal contact is executed in response to a reception of the communication request signal via the third signal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuhei Hattori, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 11696019
    Abstract: An accessory is detachably attachable to an electronic apparatus including a display. The accessory includes a communication unit configured to communicate with the electronic apparatus and an operation unit. If an operation is performed on the operation unit after the communication unit transmits information indicating a type of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, the communication unit transmits, to the electronic apparatus, a request for causing the display to display a setting image related to the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Miyazaki, Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20230037909
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to an attachment direction of the accessory. The plurality of contacts include an attachment detection contact that is used to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a first clock contact that is used to communicate a first clock signal in communication between the electronic apparatus and the accessory. A potential of the attachment detection contact changes from a predetermined potential to a reference potential different from the predetermined potential after the accessory is attached to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection contact is disposed next to the first clock contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Kouji Ikeda, Kei Tohyama, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230034017
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to an attachment direction of the accessory. The plurality of contacts include first reference potential contacts that are contacts disposed at both ends of the plurality of contacts and are connected to a reference potential, and second reference potential contacts that are connected to the reference potential and are contacts disposed at both ends of part of the plurality of contacts other than the first reference potential contacts in a case where the accessory is connected to the part of the plurality of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230034671
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a row. The contacts include a plurality of functional signal contacts to which signals having functions that are different functions according to a type of the accessory are connected, reference potential contacts, to each of which a reference potential is connected, and contacts that are used to supply power to the accessory or to communicate with the accessory. The functional signal contacts include a first functional signal contact and a second functional signal contact. A distance from the first functional signal contact to a reference potential contact closest to the first functional signal contact and a distance from the second functional signal contact to a reference potential contact closest to the second functional signal contact are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromi Hayasaki, Kei Tohyama, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Takayuki Shu, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230029937
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an accessory shoe via which an accessory is to be detachably attached to the electronic apparatus. The accessory shoe includes a plurality of contacts that is electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a row, and include an attachment detection contact, a power supply contact, and a first reference potential contact that is connected to a reference potential. A potential of the attachment detection contact becomes the reference potential in a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection contact is disposed on one of both sides of the power supply contact, and the first reference potential contact is disposed on another side. The first reference potential contact is disposed outside the power supply contact in an arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20220393398
    Abstract: A shoe apparatus attachable to and detachable from an accessory shoe apparatus of an electronic apparatus in a first direction includes a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a shoe engagement portion engageable with the accessory shoe apparatus, and a terminal protecting portion configured to project from the shoe engagement portion toward a tip side in the first direction and to protect the plurality of connection terminals. The plurality of connection terminals are exposed in a direction orthogonal to the first and second directions from the terminal protecting portion, and include slopes that tilt in an exposed direction from inside to outside in the second direction on both sides in the second direction of the terminal protecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Okano, Kenji Ishii, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20220345639
    Abstract: An accessory is detachably attachable to an electronic apparatus including a display. The accessory includes a communication unit configured to communicate with the electronic apparatus and an operation unit. If an operation is performed on the operation unit after the communication unit transmits information indicating a type of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, the communication unit transmits, to the electronic apparatus, a request for causing the display to display a setting image related to the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Sho Miyazaki, Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20220082910
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus detachably attached to an accessory via an accessory shoe includes contacts electrically connectable to the accessory via the accessory shoe and arranged in a row. The contacts include a first signal contact used to transmit a data signal in a communication between the electronic apparatus and accessory, a second signal contact used to transmit a clock signal in synchronization with the data signal in the communication, and a third signal contact used to receive a communication request signal from the accessory. The first and second signal contacts are arranged next to each other. The third signal contact is disposed on an opposite side of the second signal contact with respect to the first signal contact. A transmission of the data signal via the first signal contact is executed in response to a reception of the communication request signal via the third signal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yuhei Hattori, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20220082905
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to an accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a direction in which the accessory is attached. The contacts include an attachment detection contact to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a communication request contact for a communication request from the accessory to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection and communication request contacts are disposed between a contact closest one end and a contact closest to another end in the first direction. The attachment detection contact is disposed between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the one end. In the first direction, a distance between the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact is shorter than that between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 10594918
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of confirming connection between a body and an accessory without performing communication therebetween. When transmitting first data to the accessory in synchronism with a clock signal and receiving second data from the accessory in synchronism with the clock signal, the body can perform data communication selectively by the first or second communication method. A body microcomputer changes the level of the first data from high level to low, and then further changes the same from low to high in a state where the clock signal is at high in the first communication method. The microcomputer detects a change in level of the second data responsive to the change in level of the first data, and detects accessory connection and compatibility with the second communication method based on detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Tohyama
  • Patent number: 9667866
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus reduced in wasteful electric power consumption due to execution of a GPS function and capable of adding the newest position information measured by the GPS function to an image photographed by interval photographing. An image pickup section has a plurality of image pickup modes including an interval mode for performing image pickup at photographing intervals of interval photographing. A GPS module acquires position information indicative of a position of the image pickup apparatus at GPS positioning intervals. The GPS positioning interval is set according to a user's operation. In a case where the image pickup section is set to the interval mode, GPS positioning interval is changed from the interval set according to a user's operation to an interval synchronized with the photographing interval of interval photographing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20170134637
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of confirming connection between a body and an accessory without performing communication therebetween. When transmitting first data to the accessory in synchronism with a clock signal and receiving second data from the accessory in synchronism with the clock signal, the body can perform data communication selectively by the first or second communication method. A body microcomputer changes the level of the first data from high level to low, and then further changes the same from low to high in a state where the clock signal is at high in the first communication method. The microcomputer detects a change in level of the second data responsive to the change in level of the first data, and detects accessory connection and compatibility with the second communication method based on detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventor: KEI TOHYAMA
  • Patent number: 9596363
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of confirming connection between a body and an accessory without performing communication therebetween. When transmitting first data to the accessory in synchronism with a clock signal and receiving second data from the accessory in synchronism with the clock signal, the body can perform data communication selectively by the first or second communication method. A body microcomputer changes the level of the first data from high level to low, and then further changes the same from low to high in a state where the clock signal is at high in the first communication method. The microcomputer detects a change in level of the second data responsive to the change in level of the first data, and detects accessory connection and compatibility with the second communication method based on detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20160191781
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of confirming connection between a body and an accessory without performing communication therebetween. When transmitting first data to the accessory in synchronism with a clock signal and receiving second data from the accessory in synchronism with the clock signal, the body can perform data communication selectively by the first or second communication method. A body microcomputer changes the level of the first data from high level to low, and then further changes the same from low to high in a state where the clock signal is at high in the first communication method. The microcomputer detects a change in level of the second data responsive to the change in level of the first data, and detects accessory connection and compatibility with the second communication method based on detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Kei Tohyama
  • Patent number: 9236905
    Abstract: A wireless communication system in which a master device and a slave device each performing wireless communication by a frequency hopping system can operate in synchronism with each other. In the master device, a master microcomputer outputs a first sync signal to a RTC unit after a transmission timing signal is received and a carrier frequency is changed a predetermined number of times according to a first change timing signal. In the slave device, a slave microcomputer outputs a second sync signal to a RTC unit after a reception timing signal is received and a carrier frequency is changed the predetermined number of times according to a second change timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20150181121
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus reduced in wasteful electric power consumption due to execution of a GPS function and capable of adding the newest position information measured by the GPS function to an image photographed by interval photographing. An image pickup section has a plurality of image pickup modes including an interval mode for performing image pickup at photographing intervals of interval photographing. A GPS module acquires position information indicative of a position of the image pickup apparatus at GPS positioning intervals. The GPS positioning interval is set according to a user's operation. In a case where the image pickup section is set to the interval mode, GPS positioning interval is changed from the interval set according to a user's operation to an interval synchronized with the photographing interval of interval photographing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Kei TOHYAMA