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).
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Patent number: 7782394Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
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Patent number: 7769285Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Kyoichi Miyazaki, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
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Publication number: 20100171868Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an imaging unit, a contrast detection unit, a defocusing amount detection unit, and a body microcomputer. The contrast detection unit is configured to detect a contrast value from an image signal of a subject acquired by the imaging unit, and is configured to detect the focal state of an optical image on the basis of the contrast value. The defocusing amount detection unit is configured to detect the focal state of the optical image by phase difference detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select either the contrast detection unit or the defocusing amount detection unit on the basis of lens information on the interchangeable lens side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Norikazu Katsuyama, Kenichi Honjo
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Patent number: 7737604Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: an actuator body (5) including an actuator body (50); a control circuit (150) for setting a driving frequency; power supply sources (191, 192) for applying a driving voltage having the driving frequency to the actuator body; and a memory (170) for storing data related to a difference between antiresonance and resonance frequencies of the actuator body (50). The control circuit (150) determines, based on a reference frequency where a current value of a current fed to the piezoelectric element (50) is local minimum and the data stored in the memory (170), a lower limit of a control range of the driving frequency so that the lower limit is equal to or higher than a frequency where the current value of the current fed to the piezoelectric element (50) is local maximum and determines the driving frequency to be a frequency in the control range.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Yusuke Adachi, Hideaki Mukae, Masaru Higashionji, Eiichi Nagaoka, Kenichi Honjo
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Publication number: 20100091175Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Norikazu Katsuyama
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Publication number: 20100073507Abstract: A camera body includes an imaging element, a hot shoe, and a camera controller. The imaging element is configured to convert an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal, and is configured to produce image data about the subject. The hot shoe allows the flash device to be mounted. The camera controller is configured to calculate an evaluation value on the basis of the image data produced by the imaging element, and is configured to perform video autofocusing on the basis of this evaluation value. The camera controller is configured to control the imaging element and the flash device so that when the camera controller decides that auxiliary light is needed, and the camera controller decides that the external auxiliary light source of the flash device mounted to the hot shoe is not compatible with video autofocusing, the image data is acquired while an external main light source of the flash device intermittently emits light during the video autofocusing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Kyoichi Miyazaki
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Publication number: 20100073551Abstract: The camera body includes an imaging element, a hot shoe, an internal light source, and a camera controller. The imaging element is configured to convert an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal, and is configured to produce image data for the subject. The hot shoe allows the flash device to be mounted. The internal light source is arranged to shine light on the subject. The camera controller is configured to calculate an evaluation value on the basis of the image data produced by the imaging element, and is configured to perform video autofocusing on the basis of the evaluation value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Hideki Yoshida, Keizo Ishiguro, Takayuki Hayashi
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Publication number: 20100066895Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention enables a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions, a release portion that receives an instruction of a user regarding a start of capturing of an image for recording by the image pickup element, an AF start instruction receiving portion that receives an instruction of the user regarding activation of an autofocus portion in the lens unit, and a control portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI
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Publication number: 20100066890Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention allows a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions and a control portion. When a mode for displaying an image on a first display portion among the plurality of display portions is set, the control portion causes the digital camera to come out of the mode and causes the display portion to display the setting information of the digital camera in accordance with an operation of the setting manipulation portion. Further, when a battery cover is opened, the control portion stops a display operation in the display portion. Further, when a voltage of a battery accommodated in a battery accommodating portion becomes lower than a predetermined value, the control portion selects a predetermined display portion to perform a warning display and turns off a power source after an elapse of a predetermined time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI
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Publication number: 20100066845Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention allows a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions, and a control portion that causes the plurality of display portions to selectively display the image data as a moving image in real time. When the receiving portion receives a control signal from a remote controller, the control portion causes a first display portion among the plurality of display portions to display an image. Further, when the digital camera is fixed to a tripod, the control portion causes a first display portion among the plurality of display portions to display an image. Further, when the display portion capable of being rotated among the plurality of display portions is rotated, the control portion causes the display portion that is being rotated to display an image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki
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Publication number: 20100066889Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention enables a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions, a control portion that causes the plurality of display portions to selectively display the image data generated by the image pickup element or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the image pickup element to predetermined processing as a moving image in real time, and a setting portion capable of switching displays of images with respect to the plurality of display portions. After the control portion causes the lens unit to perform an autofocus operation in accordance with setting of the displays of the images with respect to the plurality of display portions by the setting portion, the control portion switches the displays of the images with respect to the plurality of display portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki
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Patent number: 7646421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
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Publication number: 20090310012Abstract: 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, wherein when a release button 141 receives an instruction regarding start of an autofocus operation in a live view mode, the microcomputer 110 controls a movable mirror to enter an optical path to measure by an AF sensor 132, and thereafter, allow the movable mirror to retract from the optical path to return the digital camera to the 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
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Publication number: 20090303374Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kenichi HONJO, Naoto YUMIKI, Toshio MAKABE, Kenji MAEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
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Publication number: 20090268310Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi HONJO, Kouji Shibuno, Takayuki Hayashi, Keiji Sakamoto, Takumi Kuwahara, Hiroyuki Kawahara, Hironori Honsho, Naoto Yumiki, Masato Murayama
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Publication number: 20090268078Abstract: A digital camera comprises an interchangeable lens unit and a camera body. The interchangeable lens unit is provided to form an optical image of a subject. A flash memory is configured to hold a correction coefficient table used to electrically correct distortion produced by the optical system. The camera body has a CCD image sensor, a correction coefficient acquisition part, an operation part, and a correction processor. The correction coefficient acquisition part is configured to acquire the correction coefficient table held in the flash memory. The operation part is configured to produce correction data by performing an interpolation operation or an extrapolation operation on the information obtained from the correction coefficient table. The correction processor is configured to correct distortion in the image data on the basis of information produced by the operation part.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kyoichi Miyazaki, Kenichi Honjo, Yuichi Kimura, Shogo Sasaki, Masato Murayama
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Publication number: 20090251548Abstract: To provide 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) which is attachable to and detachable from the camera body (10). The camera body (10) has an imaging unit (120) 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Makoto Azuma, Shigeo Sakaue
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Publication number: 20090244325Abstract: A camera system that can maintain a good focus state regardless of the speed of zooming during variable proportion zooming is provided. The camera system has a control portion that, based on information on the speed of the change in the focal length, determines whether to control a focus lens drive portion in either a first control mode or a second control mode. If it determines that control is to be performed in the first control mode, then the control portion controls the focus lens drive portion so that it drives a focus lens in the direction that brings a predetermined captured object into focus based on estimated values for auto focusing that have been calculated from the image data at various positions by controlling the focus lens drive portion so that the captured object distance is moved forward and backward in the optical axis direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Koji Shibuno, Masato Murayama
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Publication number: 20090224630Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: an actuator body (5) including an actuator body (50); a control circuit (150) for setting a driving frequency; power supply sources (191, 192) for applying a driving voltage having the driving frequency to the actuator body; and a memory (170) for storing data related to a difference between antiresonance and resonance frequencies of the actuator body (50). The control circuit (150) determines, based on a reference frequency where a current value of a current fed to the piezoelectric element (50) is local minimum and the data stored in the memory (170), a lower limit of a control range of the driving frequency so that the lower limit is equal to or higher than a frequency where the current value of the current fed to the piezoelectric element (50) is local maximum and determines the driving frequency to be a frequency in the control range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yusuke ADACHI, Hideaki MUKAE, Masaru HIGASHIONJI, Eiichi NAGAOKA, Kenichi HONJO
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Publication number: 20090225176Abstract: An imaging device ICD, which realizes an image blurring compensation function which achieves image blurring compensation during a framing period and image blurring compensation during releasing, is provided. In the imaging device (ICD), an OIS unit control section (104) compensates image blurring occurring in an optical image by moving an optical axis of an imaging optical system (100), and compensates the image blurring by changing a position of cutout of image data outputted from an image sensor (106). An image shift amount calculation section (39x, 39y) detects image blurring information. A system controller (120) causes the OIS unit control section (104) to mainly move the optical axis during an exposure period based on the detected image blurring information, and to mainly change the position of the cutout of the image data during a period other than the exposure period, thereby compensating image blurring which occurs in a taken image.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventor: Kenichi Honjo