Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Abe

Mitsuo Abe 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: 11650714
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display, an operation receiver, and a controller. The display displays a menu screen including menu items. The operation receiver receives a user operation on the menu screen. The controller controls the display according to the user operation via the operation receiver. The menu screen further includes: first tab information indicating a category for classifying the menu items; second tab information indicating a plurality of sub categories included in the category; and third tab information indicating, for each of the sub categories, a menu item set number in which menu items in one sub category are partitioned to be displayed per a set on the menu screens. The controller changes menu items to be displayed on the menu screen, according to a user operation input via the operation receiver with the first, second, and third tab information displayed on the menu screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Abe, Kyosuke Osuka
  • Patent number: 11503245
    Abstract: The controller of a digital camera executes copying of image data between memory cards loaded in the digital camera. The controller stores target medium information in a memory. The target medium information indicates, among the loaded memory cards, a memory card in which image data is recorded last or a memory card from which image data is read last. Based on the target medium information, the controller sets a copy direction. The copy direction indicates, among the loaded memory cards, a copy source memory card and a copy destination memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Abe
  • Patent number: 11089224
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a plurality of video modes for capturing videos with respective video quality, the imaging apparatus comprising: a display that displays information indicating the plurality of video modes; an operation receiver that receives a user operation for designating a video mode in the plurality of video modes based on the displayed information; and a controller that sets the video mode designated via the operation receiver for the imaging apparatus. Each of the video modes has elements corresponding to items associated with the video quality. Combinations of the elements of different items are limited in the plurality of video modes. The controller receives, via the operation receiver, a user operation for setting a refining condition associated with at least one of the items, and refines, from the plurality of video modes, a video mode to be displayed on the display in accordance with the set refining condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Abe, Manabu Watanabe, Kyosuke Osuka
  • Publication number: 20210200392
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display, an operation receiver, and a controller. The display displays a menu screen including menu items. The operation receiver receives a user operation on the menu screen. The controller controls the display according to the user operation via the operation receiver. The menu screen further includes: first tab information indicating a category for classifying the menu items; second tab information indicating a plurality of sub categories included in the category; and third tab information indicating, for each of the sub categories, a menu item set number in which menu items in one sub category are partitioned to be displayed per a set on the menu screens. The controller changes menu items to be displayed on the menu screen, according to a user operation input via the operation receiver with the first, second, and third tab information displayed on the menu screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Mitsuo ABE, Kyosuke OSUKA
  • Publication number: 20210067734
    Abstract: The controller of a digital camera executes copying of image data between memory cards loaded in the digital camera. The controller stores target medium information in a memory. The target medium information indicates, among the loaded memory cards, a memory card in which image data is recorded last or a memory card from which image data is read last. Based on the target medium information, the controller sets a copy direction. The copy direction indicates, among the loaded memory cards, a copy source memory card and a copy destination memory card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventor: Mitsuo ABE
  • Publication number: 20210029301
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a plurality of video modes for capturing videos with respective video quality, the imaging apparatus comprising: a display that displays information indicating the plurality of video modes; an operation receiver that receives a user operation for designating a video mode in the plurality of video modes based on the displayed information; and a controller that sets the video mode designated via the operation receiver for the imaging apparatus. Each of the video modes has elements corresponding to items associated with the video quality. Combinations of the elements of different items are limited in the plurality of video modes. The controller receives, via the operation receiver, a user operation for setting a refining condition associated with at least one of the items, and refines, from the plurality of video modes, a video mode to be displayed on the display in accordance with the set refining condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Mitsuo ABE, Manabu WATANABE, Kyosuke OSUKA
  • Patent number: 10425577
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processor, a display unit, an operation unit, and a controller. The image processor combines data of a plurality of images to generate data of a still image deeper in depth of field, the plurality of the images that are generated by shooting an object image while changing a focus position. The display unit displays a range designation screen displaying an image together with a plurality of image areas. The operation unit receives a designation, performed by the user, of an image area in the range designation screen. When a first and a second image area in the range designation screen are designated by the user, the controller sets a combining range having a focus position located between the first and the second image area. The display unit performs a first display-highlighting on the image areas included in the combining range set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Abe, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10412321
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes imaging unit that captures a subject image while changing an in-focus position to generate a plurality of pieces of image data, image processor that synthesizes the plurality of pieces of image data generated by the imaging unit to generate still image data having a deeper depth of field than a depth of field of each of the plurality of pieces of image data, and controller that controls the image processor. Controller causes image processor to detect a main subject from an image indicated by one image data in the plurality of pieces of image data, determine a range for synthesizing the plurality of pieces of image data based on a position of the detected main subject, and synthesize pieces of image data focused within the determined range to generate the still image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Abe
  • Patent number: 10282825
    Abstract: In the imaging apparatus, the image processor combines the data of the plurality of the images so as to generate data of a still image deeper in depth of field. The image processor performs alignment of two images to be combined. In a case where the alignment achieves success, the image processor combines the data of the two images. In a case where the alignment ends in failure and yet where a difference between focus positions of the two images is smaller than a predetermined value, the image processor does not combine the data of the two images. In a case where the alignment ends in failure and yet where the difference between the focus positions of the two images is not smaller than the predetermined value, the image processor combines the data of the two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Abe, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20180167565
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes imaging unit that captures a subject image while changing an in-focus position to generate a plurality of pieces of image data, image processor that synthesizes the plurality of pieces of image data generated by the imaging unit to generate still image data having a deeper depth of field than a depth of field of each of the plurality of pieces of image data, and controller that controls the image processor. Controller causes image processor to detect a main subject from an image indicated by one image data in the plurality of pieces of image data, determine a range for synthesizing the plurality of pieces of image data based on a position of the detected main subject, and synthesize pieces of image data focused within the determined range to generate the still image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Mitsuo ABE
  • Publication number: 20180075617
    Abstract: In the imaging apparatus, the image processor combines the data of the plurality of the images so as to generate data of a still image deeper in depth of field. The image processor performs alignment of two images to be combined. In a case where the alignment achieves success, the image processor combines the data of the two images. In a case where the alignment ends in failure and yet where a difference between focus positions of the two images is smaller than a predetermined value, the image processor does not combine the data of the two images. In a case where the alignment ends in failure and yet where the difference between the focus positions of the two images is not smaller than the predetermined value, the image processor combines the data of the two images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: MITSUO ABE, HIROFUMI ISHII
  • Patent number: 9912877
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus performs search processing for shooting frame images while moving the focus lens and obtaining a frame image which is focused on each AF area, performs moving image shooting processing for recording a moving image while moving the focus lens after ending the search processing, and performs still image generation processing for generating a still image from among a plurality of frame images composing the recorded moving image data, by referring to a result of the search processing after the moving image shooting processing. When a user performs an operation of changing a focus position on a subject during a period from an end of the search processing to an end of the moving-image shooting processing, the imaging apparatus displays a message that calls user's attention on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Abe
  • Publication number: 20180041697
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processor, a display unit, an operation unit, and a controller. The image processor combines data of a plurality of images to generate data of a still image deeper in depth of field, the plurality of the images that are generated by shooting an object image while changing a focus position. The display unit displays a range designation screen displaying an image together with a plurality of image areas. The operation unit receives a designation, performed by the user, of an image area in the range designation screen. When a first and a second image area in the range designation screen are designated by the user, the controller sets a combining range having a focus position located between the first and the second image area. The display unit performs a first display-highlighting on the image areas included in the combining range set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: MITSUO ABE, MITSUYOSHI OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170244883
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus performs search processing for shooting frame images while moving the focus lens and obtaining a frame image which is focused on each AF area, performs moving image shooting processing for recording a moving image while moving the focus lens after ending the search processing, and performs still image generation processing for generating a still image from among a plurality of frame images composing the recorded moving image data, by referring to a result of the search processing after the moving image shooting processing. When a user performs an operation of changing a focus position on a subject during a period from an end of the search processing to an end of the moving-image shooting processing, the imaging apparatus displays a message that calls user's attention on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Mitsuo ABE
  • Patent number: 9413923
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a display unit, an imaging unit adapted to successively capture an image of a subject and successively generate image data, and a controller adapted to control a display of a display object displayed on the display unit to change the display object in a specific direction at a predetermined timing in a predetermined recording mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehito Yamaguchi, Mitsuo Abe, Yuhiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9270887
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image processor configured to apply image processing on image data to generate image data for recording, a display unit configured to display an image based on image data generated by an imaging unit, and a controller configured to control displaying of image on the display unit. The controller controls the image processor to apply image processing on the image data generated by the imaging unit based on a shooting instruction from a user, and causes an image based on the image data captured by the imaging unit and information indicating progress of the image processing to be displayed on the display unit in parallel with the image processing, and causes an image based on the image data for recording generated by the image processing to be displayed on the display unit after completion of the image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironari Tokunaga, Mitsuo Abe
  • Patent number: 9113090
    Abstract: An imaging device is configured so that the user can select either automatic determination mode or selection mode. In automatic determination mode, when a first combination imaging mode is selected for capturing and combining a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific first number of combinations. In selection mode, when a second combination imaging mode is selected for capturing a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific second number of combinations. The first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Abe, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20140071324
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image processor configured to apply image processing on image data to generate image data for recording, a display unit configured to display an image based on image data generated by an imaging unit, and a controller configured to control displaying of image on the display unit. The controller controls the image processor to apply image processing on the image data generated by the imaging unit based on a shooting instruction from a user, and causes an image based on the image data captured by the imaging unit and information indicating progress of the image processing to be displayed on the display unit in parallel with the image processing, and causes an image based on the image data for recording generated by the image processing to be displayed on the display unit after completion of the image processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: HIRONARI TOKUNAGA, MITSUO ABE
  • Publication number: 20130314563
    Abstract: An imaging device is configured so that the user can select either automatic determination mode or selection mode. In automatic determination mode, when a first combination imaging mode is selected for capturing and combining a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific first number of combinations. In selection mode, when a second combination imaging mode is selected for capturing a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific second number of combinations. The first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: MITSUO ABE, HIROFUMI ISHII
  • Publication number: 20120188332
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a display unit, an imaging unit adapted to successively capture an image of a subject and successively generate image data, and a controller adapted to control a display of a display object displayed on the display unit to change the display object in a specific direction at a predetermined timing in a predetermined recording mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: TAKEHITO YAMAGUCHI, MITSUO ABE, YUHIRO KOBAYASHI