Patents by Inventor Koji Shibuno
Koji Shibuno 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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Publication number: 20210075976Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imager configured to capture a subject image formed via an optical system including a focus lens to generate image data; a focusing driver configured to adjust a focus lens position at which the focus lens is positioned along an optical axis in the optical system; and a controller configured to perform image processing for scaling an image indicated by the image data based on the focus lens position, wherein the focusing driver moves the focus lens position back and forth in predetermined wobbling period, and wherein the controller controls a correction factor to follow a change in which the focus lens position swings in a period longer than the wobbling period, the correction factor defining the scaling of the image in the image processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Koji SHIBUNO, Masahiro MURAKAMI
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Publication number: 20200412968Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imager and a controller, wherein the controller calculates the evaluation value over a detection range with respect to position of the focus lens to perform the focusing operation, and in response to an instruction to reduce or increase a distance to a subject to be focused, the controller sets, in the detection range with respect to position of the focus lens, a region including a position close to a closest end or an infinite end with respect to a current position of the focus lens according to a direction specified by the instruction, as a focusing region, and adjusts the position of the focus lens within the set focusing region in the focusing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventor: Koji SHIBUNO
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Publication number: 20200412938Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imager configured to capture a subject image formed via an optical system including a focus lens, to generate image data; a display configured to display an image indicated by the image data; an operation member configured to receive a user operation; and a controller configured to control a focusing operation for adjusting a position of the focus lens along an optical axis in the optical system according to an evaluation value for a focus state, wherein the controller is operable to cause the display to display a graph indicating the evaluation value for a focus state in each position of the focus lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventor: Koji SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 10277801Abstract: The image capture device includes an optical system including a focus lens, a CCD that captures a subject image input via the optical system and generates an image signal, an image processor that generates image data by performing predetermined processing on the image signal generated by the CCD, and a controller. The controller performs a scan operation for detecting a focus position for each of a plurality of partial regions of image data while moving the focus lens and records a moving image by moving the focus lens while switching a moving speed of the focus lens based on information on the focus position obtained for each of the plurality of partial regions as a result of the scan operation. The plurality of partial regions is a plurality of regions obtained by dividing an image region of the image data.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Oogami, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Kohei Fukugawa, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 10250805Abstract: An imaging device of the present disclosure includes: an optical system including a focus lens; an imaging system configured to generate image data based on an image obtained by the optical system; a DFD processing unit configured to calculate DFD distance information regarding a subject distance based on a plurality of blur signals and a plurality of pieces of image data having different focusing positions, the image data being obtained from the imaging system following drive of the focus lens; a measuring unit configured to measure a variation of a subject image of the image data; and a control unit configured to control the DFD processing unit to calculate the DFD distance information when the variation is equal to or more than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 10003736Abstract: An image pickup device includes an optical system, an image pickup unit that captures a subject image through the optical system and generates a captured image, and a controller that calculates an evaluation value from a region corresponding to an AF frame in the captured image and drives the optical system according to the calculated evaluation value to perform an automatic focus operation. The controller includes a normal illumination mode set when brightness of the captured image is a predetermined value or more, and a first low-illumination mode and a second low-illumination mode set when the brightness of the captured image is less than the predetermined value. In the first low-illumination mode, a first automatic focus (AF) frame that is larger than an AF frame set in the normal illumination mode is set. In the second low-illumination mode, a second AF frame that is smaller than the first AF frame is set.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20180139380Abstract: The image capture device includes an optical system including a focus lens, a CCD that captures a subject image input via the optical system and generates an image signal, an image processor that generates image data by performing predetermined processing on the image signal generated by the CCD, and a controller. The controller performs a scan operation for detecting a focus position for each of a plurality of partial regions of image data while moving the focus lens and records a moving image by moving the focus lens while switching a moving speed of the focus lens based on information on the focus position obtained for each of the plurality of partial regions as a result of the scan operation. The plurality of partial regions is a plurality of regions obtained by dividing an image region of the image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Tomohiro OOGAMI, Mitsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Kohei FUKUGAWA, Koji SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 9794487Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit that captures light which is formed into an image through an optical system capable of housing a lens with operating force by a user; an operating unit operated by the user; a display unit that displays an image; and a controller that is capable of setting a playback mode which is an operating mode to display on the display unit an image represented by image data stored in a storage medium, and an operating mode other than the playback mode, and that sets the playback mode when the lens is housed, regardless of whether or not operation to set the playback mode has been accepted through the operating unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 9769378Abstract: An imaging apparatus in the present disclosure includes an imaging unit for capturing an object image and generating image data, a focus lens for focusing the object image onto the imaging unit, an operation unit for receiving an instruction of a user, and a controller. The operation unit can set a first focus point and a second focus point that is different from the first focus point. The controller obtains information on a first focus position that is a position of the focus lens to focus on an object image at the first focus point and a second focus position that is a position of the focus lens to focus on an object image at the second focus point, before receiving from a user an instruction for capturing a moving image.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Shibuno, Yusuke Obata
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Publication number: 20170264816Abstract: An image pickup device includes an optical system, an image pickup unit that captures a subject image through the optical system and generates a captured image, and a controller that calculates an evaluation value from a region corresponding to an AF frame in the captured image and drives the optical system according to the calculated evaluation value to perform an automatic focus operation. The controller includes a normal illumination mode set when brightness of the captured image is a predetermined value or more, and a first low-illumination mode and a second low-illumination mode set when the brightness of the captured image is less than the predetermined value. In the first low-illumination mode, a first automatic focus (AF) frame that is larger than an AF frame set in the normal illumination mode is set. In the second low-illumination mode, a second AF frame that is smaller than the first AF frame is set.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventor: KOJI SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 9544494Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an imaging unit configured to generate image data by imaging an object image; a displaying unit configured to display the image data and a focus area superimposed on the image data, the focus area being a set of a plurality of focus frames; a determination unit configured to determine a number and positions of arbitrary focus frames selected from the focus area; and a control unit configured to control the imaging unit and the determination unit, and to perform focus processing on an image. The control unit performs the focus processing according to a plurality of selected focus frames when the determination unit determines that the plurality of selected focus frames are located at positions not adjacent to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kyosuke Osuka, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 9519202Abstract: An auto-focusing device including: an imaging unit which generates image data of a subject image; an optical system which includes a focus lens; a lens driver which drives the focus lens; a lens position detector which detects a position of the focus lens; a region detector which detects a predetermined region of the subject image; an evaluation value calculating unit which calculates an AF evaluation value; a movement determining unit which determines whether a subject is moving closer or away based on whether the predetermined region has been enlarged or reduced from the region before; and a lens controller which controls the lens driver, wherein the lens controller controls a moving direction and a moving speed of the focus lens in an autofocus operation based on a determination result of the movement determining unit, the AF evaluation value, and a position detection result for the focus lens.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 9285655Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to output image data, an optical system that includes a focus lens and is configured to form an image of the subject on the imaging unit, a finder that allows a user to view the subject, a proximity sensor configured to sense proximity of an object to the finder, and a controller configured to perform a focus operation to drive the focus lens to focus on the image of the subject when the proximity sensor senses proximity of an object, and fix the position of the focus lens after completion of the focus operation until a predetermined condition is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20160073012Abstract: An imaging apparatus in the present disclosure includes an imaging unit for capturing an object image and generating image data, a focus lens for focusing the object image onto the imaging unit, an operation unit for receiving an instruction of a user, and a controller. The operation unit can set a first focus point and a second focus point that is different from the first focus point. The controller obtains information on a first focus position that is a position of the focus lens to focus on an object image at the first focus point and a second focus position that is a position of the focus lens to focus on an object image at the second focus point, before receiving from a user an instruction for capturing a moving image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: KOJI SHIBUNO, YUSUKE OBATA
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Publication number: 20150271475Abstract: An imaging device of the present disclosure includes: an optical system including a focus lens; an imaging system configured to generate image data based on an image obtained by the optical system; a DFD processing unit configured to calculate DFD distance information regarding a subject distance based on a plurality of blur signals and a plurality of pieces of image data having different focusing positions, the image data being obtained from the imaging system following drive of the focus lens; a measuring unit configured to measure a variation of a subject image of the image data; and a control unit configured to control the DFD processing unit to calculate the DFD distance information when the variation is equal to or more than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventor: Koji SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 9137447Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of wirelessly communicating with a display device, including: an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate a captured image; a peaking processor configured to adjust emphasis of in-focus part in the captured image according to an image quality setting of image displayed on the display device of a peaking image to be sent to the display device, to generate a peaking image including emphasized in-focus part of the captured image, when a mode for performing a peaking process on the captured image is set; and a sending unit configured to send the peaking image to the display device by wireless communication.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20150222809Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an imaging unit configured to generate image data by imaging an object image; a displaying unit configured to display the image data and a focus area superimposed on the image data, the focus area being a set of a plurality of focus frames; a determination unit configured to determine a number and positions of arbitrary focus frames selected from the focus area; and a control unit configured to control the imaging unit and the determination unit, and to perform focus processing on an image. The control unit performs the focus processing according to a plurality of selected focus frames when the determination unit determines that the plurality of selected focus frames are located at positions not adjacent to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Kyosuke OSUKA, Koji SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 9077892Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 8982246Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains lens information including information indicating resolution of an optical system with respect to a position of a zoom lens, an imaging sensor that captures a subject image formed through the optical system to output image information, an image processor that performs digital zoom to electronically enlarge a subject image by performing image processing on the image information outputted from an imaging sensor, and a controller that determines, based on the obtained lens information, whether the zoom lens is located in a predetermined position and controls the image processor to perform the digital zoom on the image information outputted from the imaging sensor, when the zoom lens is located in the predetermined position. The predetermined position is a position of the zoom lens where resolution of the optical system is larger than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20150036001Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of wirelessly communicating with a display device, including: an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate a captured image; a peaking processor configured to adjust emphasis of in-focus part in the captured image according to an image quality setting of image displayed on the display device of a peaking image to be sent to the display device, to generate a peaking image including emphasized in-focus part of the captured image, when a mode for performing a peaking process on the captured image is set; and a sending unit configured to send the peaking image to the display device by wireless communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Koji SHIBUNO