Patents by Inventor Minoru Uchiyama

Minoru Uchiyama 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: 20240085660
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens unit and a magnification-varying lens unit, and a processor configured to control driving of the focus lens unit. The processor is configured to acquire a detected position of the magnification-varying lens unit from a zoom position detector, and determine a target position of the focus lens unit according to a predicted position of the magnification-varying lens unit based on locus information indicating a relationship between a position of the magnification-varying lens unit and a position of the focus lens unit that is in focus at the position of the magnification-varying lens unit, and the detected position of the magnification-varying lens unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: MINORU UCHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220403932
    Abstract: A piston ring includes a plurality of first ring pieces placed inside the ring groove in a stacking manner such that the first ring pieces adhere to each other in the axis direction. The first ring pieces include respective piston ring gap portions each having end surfaces separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the first ring pieces such that the end surfaces face each other via a ring gap having a predetermined dimension. The respective piston ring gap portions of the first ring pieces are displaced from each other in the circumferential direction. A closing member is provided to close the piston ring gap portions of the first ring pieces in the radial direction of the first ring pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Takashi KOYAMA, Takashi SUZUKI, Naoki TSUNEISHI, Minoru UCHIYAMA, Yuzuru SHIRATORI, Yuuichiro WADA
  • Patent number: 11394867
    Abstract: The lens apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical system including a plurality of lens units configured to move in adjusting an in-focus state of a subject image, a detection unit configured to detect respective positions of the plurality of lens units, an acquisition unit configured to acquire position information regarding a single position representing the respective positions of the plurality of lens units corresponding to a current subject distance, based on the respective positions of the plurality of lens units and relational information indicating a relation between a subject distance and the respective positions of the plurality of lens units, and a control unit configured to control the respective positions of the plurality of lens units based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 11070726
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens is connected to a camera body through an adapter apparatus. The adapter apparatus can communicate with the interchangeable lens through a plurality of communication methods and includes a communication unit configured to control the communication with the lens apparatus, and a setting unit configured to switch a communication setting in the adapter apparatus between a first setting and a second setting. The first setting is compliant with a first communication method as a communication method in an initial communication to be performed at a start-up of the interchangeable lens, and the second setting is compliant with a second communication method different from the first communication method. When the second setting is set as the communication setting, the adapter apparatus sets the first setting as the communication setting and transmits a signal for switching a power state to the interchangeable lens through the first communication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20200382716
    Abstract: The lens apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical system including a plurality of lens units configured to move in adjusting an in-focus state of a subject image, a detection unit configured to detect respective positions of the plurality of lens units, an acquisition unit configured to acquire position information regarding a single position representing the respective positions of the plurality of lens units corresponding to a current subject distance, based on the respective positions of the plurality of lens units and relational information indicating a relation between a subject distance and the respective positions of the plurality of lens units, and a control unit configured to control the respective positions of the plurality of lens units based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20200099859
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens is connected to a camera body through an adapter apparatus. The adapter apparatus can communicate with the interchangeable lens through a plurality of communication methods and includes a communication unit configured to control the communication with the lens apparatus, and a setting unit configured to switch a communication setting in the adapter apparatus between a first setting and a second setting. The first setting is compliant with a first communication method as a communication method in an initial communication to be performed at a start-up of the interchangeable lens, and the second setting is compliant with a second communication method different from the first communication method. When the second setting is set as the communication setting, the adapter apparatus sets the first setting as the communication setting and transmits a signal for switching a power state to the interchangeable lens through the first communication method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9684225
    Abstract: A controller controls a focus lens driver so as to maintain an in-focus state associated with a magnification variation, based on information on a tracking curve that represents a position of the focus lens corresponding to an object distance and a focal length of an image-pickup optical system. The controller controls the focus lens driver so as to prevent the focus lens from being moved for focusing based on a difference between an actual position of the focus lens and the position of the focus lens indicated by the tracking curve in a case the focus lens driver is driving the focus lens based on information on the tracking curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9591200
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an accessory is detachably attached includes an imaging unit configured to convert an object image into an electrical signal, a signal generation unit configured to generate a vertical synchronizing signal that is synchronized with a timing of exposure of the imaging unit and output the generated vertical synchronizing signal, a control unit configured to control communication with the accessory based on the vertical synchronizing signal, a first terminal configured to send a clock signal generated by the control unit to the accessory, and a second terminal configured to communicate data with the accessory based on the clock signal, in which the control unit controls a signal level at the first terminal to a predetermined level when the communication of the data ends, and then changes the signal level in synchronization with the output of the vertical synchronizing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Kudo, Yoshihiko Aihara, Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9509943
    Abstract: A lens apparatus detachably attachable to an image pickup apparatus, the lens apparatus includes a variable magnification lens arranged to move along an optical axis when changing magnification, a focus lens (105) arranged to move along the optical axis so as to perform focusing, position detection means for detecting a position of the focus lens, lens control means for acquiring normalized position information of the focus lens based on position information of the focus lens, and a memory arranged to store electronic cam data representing a position relation of the variable magnification lens and the focus lens corresponding to a plurality of object distances and, and a sensitivity of the focus lens calculated based on the normalized position information of the focus lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20150241756
    Abstract: A controller controls a focus lens driver so as to maintain an in-focus state associated with a magnification variation, based on information on a tracking curve that represents a position of the focus lens corresponding to an object distance and a focal length of an image-pickup optical system. The controller controls the focus lens driver so as to prevent the focus lens from being moved for focusing based on a difference between an actual position of the focus lens and the position of the focus lens indicated by the tracking curve in a case the focus lens driver is driving the focus lens based on information on the tracking curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9030592
    Abstract: The interchangeable lens includes a focus actuator to move a focus lens, a memory storing speed control data for the focus actuator and end position data showing infinity side and close side end positions of a movable range of the focus lens, a lens controller to control the drive speed of the focus actuator by using the speed control data. The lens controller receives, from an image pickup apparatus, timing information showing a timing relating to acquisition of focus information, performs an end reachability determination for predictively determining, by using the timing information, the speed control data and the end position data, whether or not the focus lens reaches the infinity side or close side end position by a scheduled focus information acquisition timing, and sends information showing a result of the end reachability determination to the image pickup apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20150109471
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an accessory is detachably attached includes an imaging unit configured to convert an object image into an electrical signal, a signal generation unit configured to generate a vertical synchronizing signal that is synchronized with a timing of exposure of the imaging unit and output the generated vertical synchronizing signal, a control unit configured to control communication with the accessory based on the vertical synchronizing signal, a first terminal configured to send a clock signal generated by the control unit to the accessory, and a second terminal configured to communicate data with the accessory based on the clock signal, in which the control unit controls a signal level at the first terminal to a predetermined level when the communication of the data ends, and then changes the signal level in synchronization with the output of the vertical synchronizing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Keisuke Kudo, Yoshihiko Aihara, Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8989568
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens detachable from a camera includes a variator lens configured to change a focal length by moving in an optical axis direction, a focus lens configured to change a focusing state of an object image by moving in the optical axis direction, a diaphragm configured to adjust an amount of light, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of change in image magnification corresponding to information about a position of the variator lens, a position of the focus lens, and an aperture value of the diaphragm, and a lens control unit configured to transmit the amount of change in image magnification to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Ohara, Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8941774
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an accessory is detachably attached, said accessory including an optical member, includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a vertical synchronizing signal and output the generated vertical synchronizing signal, an imaging unit configured to accumulate charges in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal and output an imaging signal, a control unit configured to generate a clock signal and control data communication with the accessory based on the clock signal, a first terminal for sending the clock signal to the accessory, and a second terminal for communicating data with the accessory, in which the control unit, after the data communication via the second terminal, notifies timing at which the vertical synchronizing signal is output using the clock signal via the first terminal by changing a signal level of the first terminal after a lapse of a predetermined time while the signal level is kept at a predetermined level, and controls the accessory to dr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Kudo, Yoshihiko Aihara, Minoru Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20140267831
    Abstract: A lens apparatus detachably attachable to an image pickup apparatus, the lens apparatus includes a variable magnification lens arranged to move along an optical axis when changing magnification, a focus lens (105) arranged to move along the optical axis so as to perform focusing, position detection means for detecting a position of the focus lens, lens control means for acquiring normalized position information of the focus lens based on position information of the focus lens, and a memory arranged to store electronic cam data representing a position relation of the variable magnification lens and the focus lens corresponding to a plurality of object distances and, and a sensitivity of the focus lens calculated based on the normalized position information of the focus lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru UCHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140248043
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens detachable from a camera includes a variator lens configured to change a focal length by moving in an optical axis direction, a focus lens configured to change a focusing state of an object image by moving in the optical axis direction, a diaphragm configured to adjust an amount of light, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of change in image magnification corresponding to information about a position of the variator lens, a position of the focus lens, and an aperture value of the diaphragm, and a lens control unit configured to transmit the amount of change in image magnification to the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ohara, Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8781313
    Abstract: A lens apparatus detachable from an image pickup apparatus includes a focus lens, a driver configured to drive the focus lens, a first position detector configured to detect a position of the focus lens, and a controller configured to correct the position of the focus lens detected by the first position detector to a position of the focus lens in a predetermined optical characteristic, to transmit a corrected position of the focus lens to the image pickup apparatus, to correct driving information of the focus lens in the predetermined characteristic received from the image pickup apparatus to driving information of the focus lens in a current optical characteristic, and to instruct the driver to drive the focus lens in accordance with the position of the focus lens detected by the first position detector and corrected driving information of the focus lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8761592
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens detachable from a camera includes a variator lens configured to change a focal length by moving in an optical axis direction, a focus lens configured to change a focusing state of an object image by moving in the optical axis direction, a diaphragm configured to adjust an amount of light, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of change in image magnification corresponding to information about a position of the variator lens, a position of the focus lens, and an aperture value of the diaphragm, and a lens control unit configured to transmit the amount of change in image magnification to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Ohara, Minoru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8730381
    Abstract: The image pickup system includes a camera and an interchangeable lens having an image-taking optical system. The camera includes an image sensor to photoelectrically convert an object image formed by the image-taking optical system and to be moved in an optical axis direction, and a camera controller configured to control movement of the image sensor such that focus variation caused due to variation of magnification of the interchangeable lens is reduced. The camera controller is configured to acquire image sensor moving data corresponding to the interchangeable lens attached to the camera, and controls the movement of the image sensor by using the image sensor moving data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20130308931
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens detachable from a camera includes a variator lens configured to change a focal length by moving in an optical axis direction, a focus lens configured to change a focusing state of an object image by moving in the optical axis direction, a diaphragm configured to adjust an amount of light, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of change in image magnification corresponding to information about a position of the variator lens, a position of the focus lens, and an aperture value of the diaphragm, and a lens control unit configured to transmit the amount of change in image magnification to the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ohara, Minoru Uchiyama