Patents by Inventor Michihiro Yamagata

Michihiro Yamagata 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: 20160037022
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a lens optical system including a lens and having first through nth optical regions (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2), an image sensor including pixel groups each including first through nth pixels, an optical element array disposed between the lens optical system and the image sensor and including optical components each guiding light that has passed through the first through nth optical regions to the respective first through nth pixels in each of the pixel groups, and an optical absorption member on which light reflected by the imaging surface of the image sensor is incident. The optical absorptance of the optical absorption member is substantially uniform across the entire wavelength bands of light that passes through the first through nth optical regions and is substantially uniform across the entire optical absorption member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: KEIICHI MATSUZAKI, MICHIHIRO YAMAGATA, NORIHIRO IMAMURA, KENJI NARUMI
  • Patent number: 9253414
    Abstract: An imaging-observation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: an image capturing section that shoots a subject under multiple different shooting optical conditions at the same time and sequentially generates a plurality of images under those multiple different shooting optical conditions; a display control section that accepts an operator's input; an image synthesizing section that synthesizes together the plurality of images in accordance with the input to the display control section at a synthesis ratio specified by the input and sequentially generates synthetic images one after another; and a display section that presents the synthetic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Yamagata, Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Takashi Okada, Yoshimitsu Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20150373264
    Abstract: Provided is a digital mirror apparatus including: a camera that captures an image of a user; a display having a display surface located at a position that allows the user to visually identify the display; a controller; a memory; and a control panel operable by the user, wherein the controller: horizontally flips a live image of the user that is being captured by the camera to generate a mirror image; reads a reference image to be compared with the mirror image; superimposes the reference image on the mirror image to display on the display a display image in a region of the display in which the reference image and the mirror image overlap one another; and stores one frame of the live image in the memory, based on an operation performed on the control panel by the user while the display image is displayed on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Naomi ANZUE, Michihiro YAMAGATA, Norihiro IMAMURA, Yoshimitsu NOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9118907
    Abstract: An imaging device in the present disclosure includes: an imaging unit including an imaging optical system configured to form an image of an object and an imaging element configured to convert an optical image formed by the imaging optical system into an image signal and output the image signal; a distance-measuring section configured to obtain distance information of the object; an image display section configured to display an image of the image signal; an object recording section configured to previously register and record an object to be shot; and a distance designation section configured to designate a distance at which the object is to be shot. The imaging optical system performs a focusing operation for the distance designated by the distance designation section. The imaging unit performs shooting exposure when the object recorded previously by the object recording section is located at the distance designated by the distance designation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Yamagata, Kenichi Hayashi, Keiki Yoshitsugu
  • Publication number: 20150212294
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a lens optical system, a color image sensor that includes at least first pixels and second pixels, and a first optical element array disposed between the lens optical system and the color image sensor. In the imaging apparatus, the lens optical system includes optical regions, and the optical regions include a first optical region and a second optical region that differ in terms of at least one selected from the group of spectral transmittance characteristics and transmissive polarization characteristics. The first pixels include respective spectral filters having mutually different spectral transmittance characteristics, and the second pixels include respective spectral filters having at least one type of spectral transmittance characteristics. The first optical element array directs light that has passed through the first optical region to the first pixels and directs light that has passed through the second optical region to the second pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: NORIHIRO IMAMURA, MICHIHIRO YAMAGATA, TSUGUHIRO KORENAGA
  • Publication number: 20150192758
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an optical system, an image sensor, an optical element array which is positioned between the optical system and the image sensor, a memory that stores a group of coefficients configured with a matrix of n rows and n columns in which elements are expressed by Rik (i and k being integers that satisfy 1?i?n and 1?k?n), and a processor that receives the group of coefficients from the memory and calculates n converted pixel signals x?1, x?2, . . . , x?n from n pixel signals x1, x2, . . . , xn by the following equation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: MICHIHIRO YAMAGATA, NORIHIRO IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20150154439
    Abstract: An electronic mirror device 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure displays a user's facial mirror image, and can shift, according to the user's facial orientation or line of sight, the location where the facial image is displayed to a location where he or she can view his or her own facial image easily. The electronic mirror device 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an image capturing section 102 which captures the user's facial image, an image data generating section 120 which outputs image data representing the user's facial mirror image based on image data representing the user's facial image that has been captured, a display section 103 which displays the image data representing the user's facial mirror image, and a display location shifting section 130 which shifts a location where the mirror image is displayed on the display section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Naomi Anzue, Norihiro Imamura, Michihiro Yamagata, Yoshimitsu Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20150029321
    Abstract: A measuring system includes: a projecting section Q which is configured to project an image in a predetermined pattern as light within multiple regions of an object; an image capturing section A which is configured to capture the object including those multiple regions; and an arithmetic section G which is configured to calculate and output the degree of light propagated through those multiple regions of the object based on the object's image information that has been gotten by the image capturing section A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Norihiro IMAMURA, Michihiro YAMAGATA, Yoshimitsu NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140300721
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: a polarized light source which emits illuminating light including a component of light that oscillates parallel to a first polarization axis; an image capturing unit IP which is configured to get simultaneously first, second, third and fourth pieces of image information S101, S102, S104 including pieces of information about light beams that fall within first, second, third and fourth wavelength ranges, respectively, based on light beams that have returned at the same point in time from an object that is irradiated with the illuminating light, the light beam falling within the fourth wavelength range having been emitted from the polarized light source and reflected from the object, oscillating parallel to a second polarization axis that is different from the first polarization axis, and belonging to the same wavelength range as the component of the illuminating light; a first arithmetic processing section S201 which is configured to generate a fir
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Michihiro Yamagata, Tsuguhiro Korenaga
  • Publication number: 20140247493
    Abstract: An objective lens element which has excellent compatibility with optical discs having different base material thicknesses is provided. An objective lens element 141 has optically functional surfaces on an incident side and an exit side. Either one of the optically functional surfaces is divided into an inner part 131B including a rotational symmetry axis and an outer part 131F which is a ring-shaped region surrounding the inner part 131B. On the inner part 131B, a plurality of discontinuous steps are provided. The plurality of steps change in height in the same direction from the optical axis toward the outer part, and each of the steps causes a constant optical path difference longer than the wavelength ?1 to the first incident light beam 61 and causes a constant optical path difference shorter than the wavelength ?2 to the second incident light beam 62.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko HAYASHI, Yasuhiro TANAKA, Michihiro YAMAGATA, Yoshiaki KOMMA, Kazuhiko ISHIMARU
  • Patent number: 8792027
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device capable of taking more light into light receiving regions is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Michihiro Yamagata, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Kazuhiro Yamada, Kazuyoshi Itoh, Yasuyuki Ozeki
  • Patent number: 8767518
    Abstract: An objective lens element that can suppress occurrence of an aberration is disclosed. Sawtooth-like diffraction structures having different height and cycles (pitches) are provided on an inner part R21 and an outer part R22, respectively. A curved surface M211 extending at an intermediate level of recesses and projections of the sawtooth-like diffraction structure provided on the inner part R21, and a curved surface M212 extending at an intermediate level of recesses and projections of the sawtooth-like diffraction structure provided on the outer part R22 are smoothly connected to each other. Even when wavelength of the light source and/or the environmental temperature change, a phase shift does not occur between the inner part R21 and the outer part R22, and a decrease in diffraction efficiency and occurrence of an aberration can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hayashi, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Michihiro Yamagata, Fumitomo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8760989
    Abstract: An objective lens element which has excellent compatibility with optical discs having different base material thicknesses is provided. An objective lens element 141 has optically functional surfaces on an incident side and an exit side. Either one of the optically functional surfaces is divided into an inner part 131B including a rotational symmetry axis and an outer part 131F which is a ring-shaped region surrounding the inner part 131B. On the inner part 131B, a plurality of discontinuous steps are provided. The plurality of steps change in height in the same direction from the optical axis toward the outer part, and each of the steps causes a constant optical path difference longer than the wavelength ?1 to the first incident light beam 61 and causes a constant optical path difference shorter than the wavelength ?2 to the second incident light beam 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hayashi, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Michihiro Yamagata, Yoshiaki Komma, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 8743185
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging optical system having a function to adjust a stereo base, an imaging device that includes the stereoscopic imaging optical system, and a camera that includes the imaging device, are provided. The stereoscopic imaging optical system includes two imaging lens systems arranged in parallel, and two diaphragms arranged in the imaging lens systems, respectively. At least one of the diaphragms is decentered with respect to an optical axis to adjust the stereo base. Further, a condition (1.8?SBmax/(fT×tan(?T))?45, where SBmax is a maximum value of the stereo base, fT is a focal length of the optical system at a telephoto limit, and ?T is a half view angle (°) at the telephoto limit) is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Yamaguchi, Michihiro Yamagata, Keiki Yoshitsugu
  • Publication number: 20140071317
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus disclosed in this application includes: a lens optical system (L) including a first optical region and a second optical region; an image pickup device (N) including at least a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels where light transmitted through the lens optical system (L) enters; an area segmented optical attenuator device (W) including a first light control part and a second light control part, which are located in the first optical region and the second optical region, respectively; a control section (V) for changing at least one of a transmittance of the first light control part of the area segmented optical attenuator device and a transmittance of the second light control part of the area segmented optical attenuator device; and an array-patterned optical device (K), which is placed between the lens optical system and the image pickup device, for causing light transmitted through the first optical region to enter the plurality of first pixels and causing lig
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michihiro Yamagata, Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga
  • Publication number: 20140071247
    Abstract: An image pickup device N according to an embodiment includes: an objective lens L with first and second regions D1, D2; an image sensor N with multiple groups of pixels Pg, in each of which first, second, third and fourth pixels P1 to P4 are arranged in two rows and two columns on an image capturing plane Ni; and an array of optical elements K which includes a plurality of optical elements M. The first and second pixels P1, P2 have a first spectral transmittance characteristic, and in each group of pixels Pg, the first and second pixels P1, P2 are arranged at mutually different positions in the second direction. Each of the plurality of optical elements M is arranged at such a position as to face groups of pixels Pg that are arranged in a row in the first direction among the multiple groups of pixels Pg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Michihiro Yamagata, Atsushi Morimuar, Kenya Uomori
  • Publication number: 20140055664
    Abstract: An image capture device according to the present disclosure includes: a lens optical system L; an image sensor N on which light that has passed through the lens optical system L is incident and which includes at least a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels; and an array of optical elements K which is arranged between the lens optical system and the image sensor. The lens optical system has a first optical region D1 which transmits mostly light vibrating in the direction of a first polarization axis and a second optical region D2 which transmits mostly light vibrating in the direction of a second polarization axis that is different from the direction of the first polarization axis. The array of optical elements makes the light that has passed through the first optical region D1 incident on the plurality of first pixels and also makes the light that has passed through the second optical region D2 incident on the plurality of second pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Michihiro Yamagata, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Norihiro Imamura, Takamasa Ando
  • Publication number: 20140055661
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus disclosed in the present application includes a lens optical system L, an imaging device N including a plurality of first and second pixels P1 and P2, and an arrayed optical device K, wherein: the lens optical system L includes a first optical region D1 which primarily passes therethrough light oscillating in a direction of a first polarization axis and a second optical region D2 which passes therethrough light oscillating in every direction; and the arrayed optical device K makes light having passed through the first optical region D1 incident on the first pixels P1 and makes light having passed through the second optical region D2 incident on the second pixels P2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Michihiro Yamagata
  • Publication number: 20140055575
    Abstract: A lens optical system L having areas D1 and D2; an image pickup element N including a plurality of first and second pixels which include a filter having a first spectral transmittance characteristic, a plurality of third pixels which include a filter having a second spectral transmittance characteristic, and a plurality of fourth pixels which include a filter having a third spectral transmittance characteristic; and an array-form optical element K including a plurality of optical components M1 and M2 are included. The plurality of optical components M1 and M2 are arrayed in n number of rows from first through n?th rows (n is an integer of 2 or greater) on a surface of the array-form optical element K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Michihiro Yamagata
  • Publication number: 20140028825
    Abstract: An imaging-observation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: an image capturing section that shoots a subject under multiple different shooting optical conditions at the same time and sequentially generates a plurality of images under those multiple different shooting optical conditions; a display control section that accepts an operator's input; an image synthesizing section that synthesizes together the plurality of images in accordance with the input to the display control section at a synthesis ratio specified by the input and sequentially generates synthetic images one after another; and a display section that presents the synthetic images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Michihiro YAMAGATA, Norihiro IMAMURA, Tsuguhiro KORENAGA, Takashi OKADA, Yoshimitsu NOGUCHI