Patents by Inventor Masanori Ishikawa

Masanori Ishikawa 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).

  • Patent number: 7586692
    Abstract: The image-pickup apparatus includes a controller that controls the energization of the actuator for driving the aperture stop. The controller receives from a lens apparatus information on a time period for controlling the energization of the actuator, the information being set corresponding to the type of the actuator. During an image-pickup period in a state in which the aperture stop has been driven to a target aperture position, the controller outputs to the lens apparatus an instruction for stopping the energization of the actuator or reducing the energization amount thereof in response to the elapse of the time period. This can reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Sugita, Masanori Ishikawa, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Patent number: 7548257
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can prevent displacement of subject images due to the initializing operation of the image stabilizing unit from being seen by a photographer through a finder. The apparatus comprises an image-stabilizing unit which includes a movable unit movable for image stabilization and balls movable in conjunction with the movement of the movable unit, and a controller which controls operations of the movable unit. The controller causes the movable unit to perform a specific operation for moving the balls to a specific position within a disappearance period of a subject image in a finder for observing the subject, the specific operation being a different operation from an image stabilization operation of the image-stabilizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sawako Ito, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7515199
    Abstract: Provided are a lens apparatus and an optical apparatus having the same, the lens apparatus including a lens holding member holding a lens, a supporting member for supporting the lens holding member movably in the direction of the optical axis of the lens, a first drive mechanism for moving the supporting member in the direction of the optical axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the lens holding member in the direction of the optical axis, wherein a focusing lens can be moved to an in-focus position within a short time and highly accurately by an AF system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tohru Kawai, Masanori Ishikawa, Seiichi Kashiwaba, Mitsuru Shinohara, Shigeki Sato, Yuki Nagao
  • Publication number: 20090080875
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a photographic optical system including an image stabilizing unit supported by a support member via a plurality of elastic members, an actuator configured to drive the image stabilizing unit in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis thereof, a position detection unit configured to detect a position in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the image stabilizing unit, a gravitational direction determination unit configured to determine a gravitational direction based on an output from the position detection unit, a setting unit configured to set a holding position at which the image stabilizing unit is held based on information concerning the gravitational direction output from the gravitational direction determination unit, and a control unit configured to control the actuator based on information concerning the holding position to move the image stabilizing unit to the holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Patent number: 7466910
    Abstract: An optical device includes a base member, an image-stabilizing lens, a lens holding member mounted to the base member and configured to hold the image-stabilizing lens, a driving unit configured to drive the lens holding member in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, a plurality of elastic members fixed between the base member and the lens holding member, a vibration detecting unit configured to detect vibration, and a control circuit configured to control the position of the lens holding member on the basis of vibration information from the vibration detecting unit. The center position of the driving range of the image-stabilizing lens is controlled on the basis of vibration information obtained during a predetermined period between the time when a first trigger signal is input and the time when a second trigger signal is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akada, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Patent number: 7460772
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is provided which uses image shake information generated by a shake correction unit to improve an image by reducing the amount of image shake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Mitsuru Shinohara, Yuki Nagao
  • Patent number: 7412913
    Abstract: An oil pump driving apparatus including a rotation shaft in driving connection with a torque converter, a drive sprocket rotatable about the rotation shaft and adapted to be connected with a driven sprocket disposed on the oil pump via the chain, a first sleeve disposed on a radial outside of the rotation shaft so as to be rotatable together with the torque converter, the first sleeve being engaged with the drive sprocket, a second sleeve fixedly disposed on a radial inside of the first sleeve, a first bearing supporting the first sleeve so as to be rotatable relative to the second sleeve, and a second bearing supporting the drive sprocket so as to be rotatable relative to the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Masanori Ishikawa, Yuji Takahashi, Hiromu Soya
  • Patent number: 7385632
    Abstract: A camera system has a recording portion for recording an object image, a display portion for displaying an object image, a first blur correction portion for correcting blur of the object image displayed on the display portion by signal processing, and a second blur correction portion for optically correcting blur of the object image recorded by the recording portion. The camera system includes a controller for switching between a first blur correction mode in which the first blur correction portion is operated, a second blur correction mode in which the second blur correction portion is operated and a third blur correction mode in which both the first blur correction portion and the second blur correction portion are operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shinohara, Tohru Kawai, Masanori Ishikawa, Seiichi Kashiwaba, Shigeki Sato, Yuki Nagao
  • Publication number: 20080129830
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical apparatus having a vibration detector that detects vibration, a holding member that holds an image stabilizing optical system, an elastic member that elastically supports the holding member so that the holding member can shift within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, a drive unit that generates a drive force resisting against an elastic force of the elastic member, a drive circuit that drives the drive unit, a control circuit that controls the position of the holding member, a temperature sensor that measures temperature, and a viscous damper that damps movement of the holding member in the drive direction. The control circuit changes the image stabilizing drive control characteristic of the drive circuit to compensate for changes in viscosity of the viscous damper with temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Inoue, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20080074965
    Abstract: The image-pickup apparatus includes a controller that controls the energization of the actuator for driving the aperture stop. The controller receives from a lens apparatus information on a time period for controlling the energization of the actuator, the information being set corresponding to the type of the actuator. During an image-pickup period in a state in which the aperture stop has been driven to a target aperture position, the controller outputs to the lens apparatus an instruction for stopping the energization of the actuator or reducing the energization amount thereof in response to the elapse of the time period. This can reduce power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Sugita, Masanori Ishikawa, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20080031605
    Abstract: An optical device includes a base member, an image-stabilizing lens, a lens holding member mounted to the base member and configured to hold the image-stabilizing lens, a driving unit configured to drive the lens holding member in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, a plurality of elastic members fixed between the base member and the lens holding member, a vibration detecting unit configured to detect vibration, and a control circuit configured to control the position of the lens holding member on the basis of vibration information from the vibration detecting unit. The center position of the driving range of the image-stabilizing lens is controlled on the basis of vibration information obtained during a predetermined period between the time when a first trigger signal is input and the time when a second trigger signal is input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akada, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Patent number: 7275453
    Abstract: A simple and convenient analyzing apparatus is provided which easily, conveniently, and efficiently collects a material in the state of fine particles adhered to a target object, extracts the object to be analyzed, and analyzes the extracted object. An apparatus for detecting fine particles in a gas which sucks the gas under measurement from the target object by using a suction pump, extracts the fine particles contained in the gas under measurement, and performs measurement by using a spectrometer is embodied such that an inertial impactor for collecting the fine particles having diameters not less than a specified particle diameter is disposed upstream of the spectrometer, the fine particles are collected in the fine particle collector of the inertial impactor, the collector containing the collected fine particles is heated such that the collected fine particles are vaporized into a gas, and the vaporized fluid to be examined is supplied to the spectrometer to be measured thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Ishikawa, Naoya Sasaki, Katsumi Nagumo, Shigenori Morishima, Hiroshi Naka
  • Publication number: 20070146883
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which is capable of acquiring images with a good quality and saving power. The optical apparatus comprises a movable unit which is supported by an elastic member and movable for image stabilization and a controller. The controller performs a first control operation which controls drive of the movable unit with respect to a first position as the center of movement where the weight of the movable unit itself and a supporting force of the elastic member are balanced, and a second control operation which controls drive of the movable unit with respect to a second position as the center of movement, the second position being shifted from the first position in the direction opposite to the gravity direction toward the optical axis of an optical system that forms an object image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akada, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20070132855
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can prevent displacement of subject images due to an initializing operation of the image stabilizing unit from being seen by a photographer through a finder. The apparatus comprises an image-stabilizing unit which includes a movable unit movable for image stabilization and balls movable in conjunction with the movement of the movable unit, and a controller which controls operations of the movable unit. The controller causes the movable unit to perform a specific operation for moving the balls to a specific position in response to mounting of the optical apparatus on another optical apparatus, the specific operation being a different operation from an image stabilization operation of the image-stabilizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Inoue, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20070133091
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can prevent displacement of subject images due to the initializing operation of the image stabilizing unit from being seen by a photographer through a finder. The apparatus comprises an image-stabilizing unit which includes a movable unit movable for image stabilization and balls movable in conjunction with the movement of the movable unit, and a controller which controls operations of the movable unit. The controller causes the movable unit to perform a specific operation for moving the balls to a specific position within a disappearance period of a subject image in a finder for observing the subject, the specific operation being a different operation from an image stabilization operation of the image-stabilizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Sawako Ito, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue
  • Publication number: 20070019104
    Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus is disclosed which allows a reduction in degradation of images associated with a changed image magnification due to movements in a focus direction during image pick-up operation. The image pick-up apparatus has an image pick-up controller which performs a plurality of image pick-up operations for producing a single image and performs focus adjustment operation before each of the image pick-up operations to produce a first plurality of images, and an information producer which produces information on an image magnification of each of the first plurality of images. The image-pickup apparatus also has an image producer which produces a second plurality of images based on the first plurality of images and the information on the image magnification, and an image combiner which combines the second plurality of images to produce a single image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Inoue, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Mitsuru Shinohara, Yuki Nagao
  • Publication number: 20060242979
    Abstract: A vehicle with an air conditioner comprises an instrument panel center member disposed vertically behind an evaporator and fixed to a vehicle structure. The evaporator is disposed obliquely in such a manner that its maximum-area face has a crossing angle relative to a horizontal face and a distance between its front and rear ends is a specified length or greater. The evaporator is configured so as to be rotated between a vehicle dash panel being moved rearward and the instrument panel center member at a frontal crash of a vehicle in such a manner that the distance between its front end and rear end becomes shorter. Accordingly, the evaporator can be prevented from being pushed into a vehicle cabin at the vehicle frontal crash, thereby ensuring the safety of the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7106363
    Abstract: The following lens apparatus is disclosed. That is, a lens apparatus, which forms an optical image by means of an image taking optical system, is detachably mountable to a camera comprising an image pickup device for photoelectric conversion of the optical image, comprising: an optical element, included in the abovementioned image taking optical system and being movable at least in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and a control circuit, which controls the driving of the optical element at an amplitude that is in accordance with information about the pixels of the image pickup device that has been acquired from the camera side. The lens apparatus, which can perform optimal control of the optical element even in combination with various digital cameras that respectively differ in the specifications concerning the pixels of the image pickup device, can thus be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Ishikawa, Seiichi Kashiwaba, Shigeki Sato
  • Publication number: 20060033817
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which allows a selection of a type of image stabilization to be used from optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization as required to provide an excellent output image. The image-taking apparatus has an image generator which is operable in a first mode in which it performs electronic image stabilization processing based on a plurality of images sequentially taken with an image-pickup device to generate an output image and a second mode in which it generates an output image without performing the electronic image stabilization processing on an image taken with the image-pickup device. The image-taking apparatus also has a controller which causes image stabilization operation to be performed through driving of an optical system in both of the first and second modes and selects one of the first mode and the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Masanori Ishikawa, Tohru Kawai, Jun Sugita, Mitsuru Shinohara, Isamu Go, Yuki Nagao
  • Patent number: 6999684
    Abstract: A camera system which is capable of performing highly accurate focusing in a short time by using two kinds of AF methods, is disclosed. The camera system calculates the target driving amount of the focusing lens based on the result of detection by a first focus detection unit, and performs a first driving control to drive the focusing lens toward a position corresponding to the target driving amount and a second driving control to drive the focusing lens based on the result of detection by the second focus detection unit. When the remaining driving amount to the target driving amount of the focusing lens by the first driving control becomes a predetermined amount, the camera system switches from the first driving control to the second driving control without stopping the focusing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Sato, Toru Kawai, Masanori Ishikawa, Seiichi Kashiwaba