Patents by Inventor Michihiko Ootsuka

Michihiko Ootsuka 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: 8436935
    Abstract: In an image pickup device of the present invention, in the case where a mode switch 116 selects a finder mode, a focusing lens is driven at a first speed when a focusing operation is performed in a focus control unit 203. In the case where the mode switch 116 selects a live view mode, the driving speed of the focusing lens is switched in a range lower than the first speed in accordance with brightness of an object detected by a photometric unit 114 when the focusing operation is performed in the focus control unit 203. With such a configuration, a lens driving control method is changed by AF control of a phase difference detection system and AF control of a hill climbing system, and a driving system suitable for each AF system is performed, whereby the focusing operation can be performed normally at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kouji Shibuno, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 8251602
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Publication number: 20110115966
    Abstract: In an image pickup device of the present invention, in the case where a mode switch 116 selects a finder mode, a focusing lens is driven at a first speed when a focusing operation is performed in a focus control unit 203. In the case where the mode switch 116 selects a live view mode, the driving speed of the focusing lens is switched in a range lower than the first speed in accordance with brightness of an object detected by a photometric unit 114 when the focusing operation is performed in the focus control unit 203. With such a configuration, a lens driving control method is changed by AF control of a phase difference detection system and AF control of a hill climbing system, and a driving system suitable for each AF system is performed, whereby the focusing operation can be performed normally at a high speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kouji Shibuno, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Publication number: 20110085792
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 7874747
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Publication number: 20090269049
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 7511757
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a CMOS sensor that captures a subject image formed by an interchangeable lens to generate image data, a liquid crystal monitor that displays the generated image data, and a microcomputer having a live view mode that controls so that the generated image data is displayed as a moving image in real time on the liquid crystal monitor, and a burst mode that generates a plurality of image data with a single image pickup operation, wherein the microcomputer controls so that, in a live view mode, every time image data is generated in a burst mode, the generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. Consequently, the generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor every time image data is generated in the burst mode, whereby the ease of use can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Mokunaka, Hiroshi Ueda, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Publication number: 20070291321
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a CMOS sensor that captures a subject image formed by an interchangeable lens to generate image data, a liquid crystal monitor that displays the generated image data, and a microcomputer having a live view mode that controls so that the generated image data is displayed as a moving image in real time on the liquid crystal monitor, and a burst mode that generates a plurality of image data with a single image pickup operation, wherein the microcomputer controls so that, in a live view mode, every time image data is generated in a burst mode, the generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. Consequently, the generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor every time image data is generated in the burst mode, whereby the ease of use can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Hiroshi UEDA, Michihiko OOTSUKA