Patents by Inventor Kenichi Honjo

Kenichi Honjo 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: 20110001858
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus with improved convenience, which can perform various types of processing using an imaging device while performing phase difference detection, is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) for performing photoelectric conversion to convert light into an electrical signal, the imaging device (10) configured so that light passes through the imaging device (10), a phase difference detection unit (20) for receiving the light having passed through the imaging device (10) to perform phase difference detection, a focus lens group (72) for adjusting a focus position, and a body control section (5) for controlling the imaging device (10) and controlling driving of the focus lens group (72) at least based on a detection result of the phase difference detection unit. The body control section (5) performs a focus operation based on a detection result of the phase difference detection unit during exposure of the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Masato Murayama
  • Publication number: 20110001871
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing phase difference detection while allowing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) including light receiving sections (11b, 11b, . . . ) and a substrate (11a) on which the light receiving sections (11b, 11b, . . . ) are provided and which has through holes (18a, 18a, . . . ). The imaging device (10) is configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light. The imaging unit (1) further includes a phase difference detection unit (2) configured to perform phase difference detection on received light which has passed through the imaging device (10) via the through holes (18a, 18a, . . . ).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo
  • Patent number: 7859584
    Abstract: A camera system 100 has an imaging optical system L, an imaging component 45, a liquid crystal monitor 16, and an image display controller 15. The liquid crystal monitor 16 allows a plurality of images acquired by the imaging component 45 to be displayed. The image display controller 15 controls the display component to display an image A1, which is part of the image acquired by the imaging component 45, as a reference image A on the liquid crystal monitor 16, and to display part of the image acquired by the imaging component 45 at a different timing from that of the image A1 as a comparative image B on the liquid crystal monitor 16. The image display controller 15 controls the display component to display the image A1 as a reference image A in a state of being inverted around a symmetry axis 51a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Santo, Naoto Yumiki, Kenichi Honjo
  • Publication number: 20100310245
    Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi HONJO, Kouji Shibuno, Takayuki Hayashi, Keiji Sakamoto, Takumi Kuwahara, Hiroyuki Kawahara, Hironori Honsho, Naoto Yumiki, Masato Murayama
  • Publication number: 20100302411
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, and the microcomputer 110 controls so that movable mirrors 121a and 121b to enter an optical path of an image pickup optical system after the amount of light from a subject is obtained based on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130, a strobe 137 emits light, and measurement results of an AE sensor 133 are obtained. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI, Toshio MAKABE, Kenji MAEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
  • Publication number: 20100295955
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a receiving portion 155 that receives a control signal from a remote controller, and a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein when the receiving portion 155 receives the control signal from the remote controller, the microcomputer 110 controls so as to shift the digital camera to a live view mode. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 7835635
    Abstract: There is provided an interchangeable lens, a camera body, a camera system, and a method for controlling the same, with which a highly efficient and stable image blur correction effect can be obtained. A camera system 1 has a camera body 10 and an interchangeable lens 20 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 10. The camera body 10 has an imaging unit for imaging a subject through the interchangeable lens 20, and a sequence microcomputer 100 capable of sending and receiving information to and from a lens microcomputer 200 and for controlling the imaging operation of an imaging unit 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Makoto Azuma
  • Publication number: 20100284676
    Abstract: An imaging device disclosed herein is a device for acquiring image data about a subject, comprising an image acquisition section, a housing, a flash device, and a flash controller. The image acquisition section is configured to continuously acquire a plurality of image data from an optical image of a subject. The housing holds the image acquisition section. The flash device is configured to emit a flash of light, with which the emission angle of the flash light with respect to the housing can be varied. The flash controller is configured to control the flash device so that the emission angle of the flash light when the plurality of image data are being continuously acquired will differ for at least two image data out of the plurality of image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dai SHINTANI, Kenichi HONJO, Yoshihiro KANDA
  • Publication number: 20100277636
    Abstract: A focus area contains one or more areas, into which an image signal captured by an image sensor (14) is segmented by an image segmentation section (15). The focus area follows movement of an object in accordance with feature point positional information of an image extracted by a feature point extraction section (34) and a feature point positional calculation section (35). Further, after a low-pass filter (36) extracts a low frequency component of a time-series oscillation frequency using the feature point positional information, and a focus area selection section calculates a display position, the focus area is displayed on a display section (17). Therefore, an imaging device, which does not cause discomfort even when the focus area displayed on the display section (17) fluctuates by tracking movement of the object, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Kyoichi Miyazaki, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7826731
    Abstract: A camera system (1) includes a camera body (1), and an interchangeable lens (2) that is detachably mounted to the camera body (1). The camera system (1) includes an imaging sensor (11), an imaging optical system (L), a viewfinder optical system (19), a liquid crystal monitor (16), a quick return mirror (4), a shaking detection unit (21), an image blur correction unit (47), a sequence microcomputer (12), and a lens microcomputer (20). The image blur correction unit (47) corrects the blurring of an image that occurs due to the movement of the camera system (1), depending on the movement that is detected by the shaking detection unit (21). The lens microcomputer (20) makes the image blur correction unit (47) perform a correction operation in the case of a monitor photographing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Kenichi Honjo
  • Publication number: 20100271530
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI, Toshio MAKABE, Kenji MAEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
  • Publication number: 20100271531
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI, Toshio MAKABE, Kenji MAEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
  • Publication number: 20100271532
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI, Toshio MAKABE, Kenji MAEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
  • Publication number: 20100265379
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI, Toshio MAKABE, Kenji MAEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
  • Patent number: 7804645
    Abstract: An image stabilizer of the present invention is provided with a lens module 101 that holds a lens and an imaging element, an inner frame that turnably supports the lens module 101, and driving portion that turns the lens module 101 relative to the inner frame 11, with the driving portion including a bimorph 14. An image stabilizer thereby can be provided that allows the overall size and profile of an imaging apparatus to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Morita, Hideaki Mukae, Hironori Honsho, Kenichi Honjo, Daisuke Ito, Tetsuya Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20100238321
    Abstract: A camera body 3 includes a cross control key 27 and a body microcomputer 10. The body microcomputer 10 can acquire lens information related to an interchangeable lens unit 2 from the interchangeable lens unit 2. The body microcomputer 10 decides whether or not the interchangeable lens unit 2 is compatible with electric zoom on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer 10 also activates zoom operation at the cross control key 27 on the basis of this decision result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Hiroshi Ueda, Naoto Yumiki, Norikazu Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 7801435
    Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Keiji Sakamoto, Takumi Kuwahara, Hiroyuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 7796350
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens barrel and a program rewriting system, in which a program included in the interchangeable lens barrel is easily changeable, are provided. An interchangeable lens barrel 2 is detachable from a camera body 1, and includes a storage section 36 for storing a first program concerning a function of the interchangeable lens barrel 2, a connection section 38 for connecting to an external input/output device 60, a reception section 32 for receiving a second program concerning the function of the interchangeable lens barrel from the input/output device 60 through the connection section 38, and a rewriting section 37 for replacing the stored first program with the received second program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hiroshi Ueda, Makoto Azuma, Kenichi Honjo
  • Patent number: 7796160
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a receiving portion 155 that receives a control signal from a remote controller, and a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein when the receiving portion 155 receives the control signal from the remote controller, the microcomputer 110 controls so as to shift the digital camera to a live view mode. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 7787045
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, and the microcomputer 110 controls so that movable mirrors 121a and 121b to enter an optical path of an image pickup optical system after the amount of light from a subject is obtained based on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130, a strobe 137 emits light, and measurement results of an AE sensor 133 are obtained. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiro Ishimaru