Patents by Inventor Kohei Uemura

Kohei Uemura 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: 20240036440
    Abstract: A lens barrel having excellent assemblability in the assembly of components thereof and having good optical performance. The lens barrel comprises an optical lens including a lens unit which has a flange on an outer peripheral thereof, a retaining member retaining the optical lens on one side of the lens unit in an optical axis direction, and a pressing member, which is positioned and fixed at a position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and biases and presses the optical lens toward one side in the optical axis direction, wherein a positioning unit positions the optical lens relative to the pressing member, using at least one projection in the flange/pressing member, protrudes in the optical axis direction, and at least one recess in the pressing member/flange, into which the projection is inserted, wherein the projection/recess has a tilted surface contacting the recess/projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Kohei UEMURA
  • Publication number: 20230393371
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens and a holding member holds the lens. A guide barrel guides the holding member linearly movably in an optical axis direction of the lens. A cam ring is rotatably held about an optical axis of the lens with respect to the guide barrel and surrounds the guide barrel. The cam ring has a first contact portion opposed to the fixed member fixed to the guide barrel, in the optical axis direction. The fixed member has a second contact portion opposed to the first contact portion in the optical axis direction. When the cam ring is moved by an external force to approach the fixed member in the optical axis direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are brought into contact with each other, whereby rotation of the cam ring about the optical axis is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei UEMURA, Toru ISHIMASA, Tatsuya NOI, Kota INOUE
  • Publication number: 20230384553
    Abstract: A retractable lens barrel includes a moving unit configured to move a first optical member in an optical system between an imaging position located on an optical axis and a shifted position shifted from the optical axis, a base member movably supporting the moving unit, a cylindrical member, and an operating member configured, when operated, to cause relative movement between the cylindrical member and the base member. The cylindrical member includes a sliding surface on which the moving unit slides and an engagement portion. The moving unit slides on the sliding surface and moves the first optical member from the imaging position to the retracted position as the lens barrel transitions from the imaging state to the retracted state. In a case where the lens barrel is in the retracted state, the moving unit is engaged with the engagement portion and restricted from moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventor: Kohei UEMURA
  • Publication number: 20230055253
    Abstract: An optical apparatus capable of adjusting a position of a lens with a simple configuration that enables miniaturization without deteriorating optical performance. Lens groups are arranged on an optical axis to be movable along the optical axis. A first shaft is arranged in parallel to the optical axis and has a fitting part fit in a predetermined lens group and a first fixing part. A support member rotatably supports the first shaft by holding the first fixing part. A center axis of the first fixing part and a center axis of the fitting part are eccentric. The first shaft is supported by the support member to be rotatable around the center axis of the first fixing part. The predetermined lens group is movable between an image pickup position on the optical axis and a retreat position that is separated from the optical axis by rotating around the first shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Toru Ishimasa, Kohei Uemura, Masato Shiono, Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 11442340
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an external apparatus is detachably attachable includes a controlling unit configured to make a vibration device vibrate by using a vibration parameter corresponding to a type of the external apparatus to be attached to the electronic apparatus, the vibration device being provided on at least one of the electronic apparatus and the external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuto Noda, Shinga Nakashima, Akira Watanabe, Takazumi Seo, Kohei Uemura, Toshihiro Ogawa, Hiroshi Toriumi
  • Patent number: 11391908
    Abstract: A lens barrel according to the present disclosure includes a booster transformer that is arranged on an inner circumference side of a cam barrel and constitutes a power supply for an actuator. The booster transformer is arranged on a side surface of a barrel. The booster transformer is configured to move in an optical axis direction together with the barrel in accordance with rotation of the cam barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Shiono, Keita Iwai, Kanae Nakamori, Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 11297235
    Abstract: An optical apparatus configured to correct an image blur by moving an image stabilization unit in a first direction different from an optical axis direction based on shake information obtained by a shake detector includes a vibration device configured to generate a vibration in order to transmit to a user a tactual sense according to an operation of an operation unit by the user. During an imaging and recording period, the vibration device generates the vibration having a vibration intensity in a second direction different from the first direction higher than that in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takazumi Seo, Toshihiro Ogawa, Kohei Uemura, Shinga Nakashima, Atsuto Noda, Akira Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20210356846
    Abstract: A lens barrel and an image pickup apparatus that can be downsized and have a high degree of freedom in design is provided. The lens barrel includes a fixed barrel, a guide barrel fixed to the fixed barrel, a cam barrel rotatably supported by the guide barrel, a driver that is supported by the fixed barrel and drives the cam barrel, and a deceleration mechanism that is disposed so as to connect the driver and the cam barrel and decelerates rotation from the driver to transmit the rotation to the cam barrel. The driver is disposed inside the cam barrel. At least part of the deceleration mechanism is disposed so as to overlap the cam barrel when viewed from a direction of an optical axis of an image pickup optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kohei Uemura, Mitsuhiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 11150732
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a vibration device configured to generate a vibration to transmit to a user a touch sense in response to an operation of a user on an operation unit, and a grip portion gripped by the user. A lens barrel is attached to a front surface side of the image pickup apparatus. The grip portion covers a rear surface side and the front surface side of the image pickup apparatus. The grip portion that covers the front surface side of the image pickup apparatus includes a protrusion portion. The vibration device is disposed inside the protrusion portion and on a side facing an optical axis of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinga Nakashima, Toshihiro Ogawa, Takazumi Seo, Akira Watanabe, Kohei Uemura, Atsuto Noda
  • Publication number: 20210105391
    Abstract: An optical apparatus configured to correct an image blur by moving an image stabilization unit in a first direction different from an optical axis direction based on shake information obtained by a shake detector includes a vibration device configured to generate a vibration in order to transmit to a user a tactual sense according to an operation of an operation unit by the user. During an imaging and recording period, the vibration device generates the vibration having a vibration intensity in a second direction different from the first direction higher than that in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Takazumi SEO, Toshihiro OGAWA, Kohei UEMURA, Shinga NAKASHIMA, Atsuto NODA, Akira WATANABE
  • Patent number: 10921543
    Abstract: A lens barrel that is difficult to be broken by external forces without upsizing the lens barrel or degrading optical performance. The lens barrel has a lens holding member, an exterior frame disposed on a subject side of the lens holding member, a guide member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the lens holding member to guide the lens holding member movably in the optical axis direction, and a cam ring held rotatably on an outer peripheral side of the guide member. The lens holding member and the exterior frame are engaged with respective different cam grooves disposed in the cam ring and are driven by the cam ring in a state of being urged by an elastic member in such directions as that the lens holding member and the exterior frame are separated from each other in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Publication number: 20210018820
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an external apparatus is detachably attachable includes a controlling unit configured to make a vibration device vibrate by using a vibration parameter corresponding to a type of the external apparatus to be attached to the electronic apparatus, the vibration device being provided on at least one of the electronic apparatus and the external apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Atsuto NODA, Shinga NAKASHIMA, Akira WATANABE, Takazumi SEO, Kohei UEMURA, Toshihiro OGAWA, Hiroshi TORIUMI
  • Publication number: 20200285019
    Abstract: A lens barrel according to the present disclosure includes a booster transformer that is arranged on an inner circumference side of a cam barrel and constitutes a power supply for an actuator. The booster transformer is arranged on a side surface of a barrel. The booster transformer is configured to move in an optical axis direction together with the barrel in accordance with rotation of the cam barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Masato Shiono, Keita Iwai, Kanae Nakamori, Kohei Uemura
  • Publication number: 20190391650
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a vibration device configured to generate a vibration to transmit to a user a touch sense in response to an operation of a user on an operation unit, and a grip portion gripped by the user. A lens barrel is attached to a front surface side of the image pickup apparatus. The grip portion covers a rear surface side and the front surface side of the image pickup apparatus. The grip portion that covers the front surface side of the image pickup apparatus includes a protrusion portion. The vibration device is disposed inside the protrusion portion and on a side facing an optical axis of the lens barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Shinga Nakashima, Toshihiro Ogawa, Takazumi Seo, Akira Watanabe, Kohei Uemura, Atsuto Noda
  • Patent number: 10462363
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a plurality of first image capturing optical system facing different directions. Each of the first image capturing optical systems includes a reflective element configured to bend an optical path to an image sensor. Optical paths in the first image capturing optical systems intersect with one another on an object side of each reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Publication number: 20190235195
    Abstract: A lens barrel that is difficult to be broken by external forces without upsizing the lens barrel or degrading optical performance. The lens barrel has a lens holding member, an exterior frame disposed on a subject side of the lens holding member, a guide member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the lens holding member to guide the lens holding member movably in the optical axis direction, and a cam ring held rotatably on an outer peripheral side of the guide member. The lens holding member and the exterior frame are engaged with respective different cam grooves disposed in the cam ring and are driven by the cam ring in a state of being urged by an elastic member in such directions as that the lens holding member and the exterior frame are separated from each other in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 10241349
    Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus includes a first optical element configured to move in a direction different from an optical axis, a first driver including a first magnet magnetized in a first magnetized direction and a first coil and configured to drive the first optical element by an electromagnetic action, a second optical element configured to move in a direction different from the optical axis, and a second driver including a second magnet magnetized in a second magnetized direction and a second coil and configured to drive the second optical element by an electromagnetic action. The first magnet is disposed outside a second area onto which the second magnet is projected in the second magnetized direction and the second magnet is disposed outside a first area onto which the first magnet is projected in the first magnetized direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Izumi, Youji Ochi, Kohei Uemura, Kaori Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20180241944
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a plurality of first image capturing optical system facing different directions. Each of the first image capturing optical systems includes a reflective element configured to bend an optical path to an image sensor. Optical paths in the first image capturing optical systems intersect with one another on an object side of each reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 10036871
    Abstract: A lens barrel which stably secures strength of a lens barrel without hampering miniaturization thereof. In an inner peripheral portion of a rotary cylinder rotatively driven while being inhibited from moving in a direction of an optical axis on an outer peripheral side of a straight advance cylinder which is movable in the direction of the optical axis while being inhibited from rotating on an outer peripheral side of a cam cylinder and has a through cam groove through which a first projecting portion of the cam cylinder passes, second projecting portions are provided on opposite sides of a straight advance groove of the rotary cylinder, with which the first projecting portion is to be engaged, in a circumferential direction. In an outer peripheral portion of the straight advance cylinder, circumferential grooves with which the second projecting portions are to be engaged are provided in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 9971122
    Abstract: A lens barrel that is capable of easily switching a state where a lens position is adjustable and a state where the lens position is not adjustable only by rotating a lens holding frame with respect to a support barrel. The lens holding frame holds a lens. The support barrel supports the lens holding frame at a first support position and a second support position that is reached by rotating the lens holding frame from the first support position around an optical axis with respect to the support barrel. The support barrel supports the lens holding frame so that the position of the lens is adjustable with respect to a reference axis at the first support position, and supports the lens holding frame so that the position of the lens is not adjustable with respect to the reference axis at the second support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura