Patents by Inventor Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
Mitsuyoshi Okamoto 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).
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Patent number: 9274402Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging unit that images a subject image and generates image data; a receiving unit that receives a mode setting to either one of a full AF mode of executing auto focus control by referring to data corresponding to an entire region of an image to be indicated by the image data and a partial AF mode of executing the auto focus control by referring to data corresponding to a partial region of the image to be indicated by the image data; and a controller that, in response to whether the mode is the full AF mode or the partial AF mode, generates first distance image data regarding a depth of the entire region of the image to be indicated by the image data or second distance image data regarding a depth of the partial region of the image to be indicated by the image data.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Yoshinori Okazaki
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Patent number: 9169079Abstract: The conveyance rollers are arranged at a predetermined roller pitch in the conveyance direction and arranged in rows so as to be capable of supporting at least the side ends of an object being conveyed. The conveyance rollers are formed along the conveyance direction by a repetition unit composed of the drive rollers and the free rollers. The roller pitch of the conveyance rollers is set based on the dimension of the object, and the smaller of distances from respective ends in the conveyance direction of the object to the position of the center of gravity of the object. The arrangement ratio of the drive rollers in the conveyance rollers is set based on the smaller of the distances from the respective ends in the conveyance direction of the object to the position of the center of gravity of the object, and the roller pitch.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Kazunaka Nishitsuji
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Patent number: 9077892Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20150138429Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus of the present disclosure includes a focus lens, an image sensor that captures an object image formed via the focus lens and generates image data, and a controller that calculates a value relating to an in-focus position based on (i) first image data generated by the image sensor when the focus lens is at a first position and (ii) second image data generated by the image sensor when the focus lens is moved from the first position by a first moving amount and located at a second position, and the controller changing a next moving amount of the focus lens from the first moving amount based on the calculated value relating to the in-focus position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Motonori OGURA, Mitsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Shigenori YATSURI
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Publication number: 20150138430Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image-capturing apparatus for determining an object distance with higher accuracy. An image-capturing apparatus includes an optical system that forms an object image of an object, the optical system including a focus lens, an image sensor that captures the object image formed via the optical system and generates image data, and a controller that determines an object distance according to information representing a state of the optical system based on (i) first image data generated when the focus lens is at a first focus lens position and (ii) second image data generated when the focus lens is at a second focus lens position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Motonori OGURA, Mitsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Shigenori YATSURI
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Publication number: 20140375872Abstract: An auto-focusing device including: an imaging unit which generates image data of a subject image; an optical system which includes a focus lens; a lens driver which drives the focus lens; a lens position detector which detects a position of the focus lens; a region detector which detects a predetermined region of the subject image; an evaluation value calculating unit which calculates an AF evaluation value; a movement determining unit which determines whether a subject is moving closer or away based on whether the predetermined region has been enlarged or reduced from the region before; and a lens controller which controls the lens driver, wherein the lens controller controls a moving direction and a moving speed of the focus lens in an autofocus operation based on a determination result of the movement determining unit, the AF evaluation value, and a position detection result for the focus lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Kenichi HONJO, Mitsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Koji SHIBUNO
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Publication number: 20140293116Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging unit that images a subject image and generates image data; a receiving unit that receives a mode setting to either one of a full AF mode of executing auto focus control by referring to data corresponding to an entire region of an image to be indicated by the image data and a partial AF mode of executing the auto focus control by referring to data corresponding to a partial region of the image to be indicated by the image data; and a controller that, in response to whether the mode is the full AF mode or the partial AF mode, generates first distance image data regarding a depth of the entire region of the image to be indicated by the image data or second distance image data regarding a depth of the partial region of the image to be indicated by the image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Mitsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Yoshinori OKAZAKI
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Publication number: 20140216899Abstract: The conveyance rollers are arranged at a predetermined roller pitch in the conveyance direction and arranged in rows so as to be capable of supporting at least the side ends of an object being conveyed. The conveyance rollers are formed along the conveyance direction by a repetition unit composed of the drive rollers and the free rollers. The roller pitch of the conveyance rollers is set based on the dimension of the object, and the smaller of distances from respective ends in the conveyance direction of the object to the position of the center of gravity of the object. The arrangement ratio of the drive rollers in the conveyance rollers is set based on the smaller of the distances from the respective ends in the conveyance direction of the object to the position of the center of gravity of the object, and the roller pitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Kazunaka Nishitsuji
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Patent number: 8797447Abstract: A camera system having a camera body and an interchangeable lens is made more convenient to use. A camera system 1 includes an interchangeable lens unit 2 and a camera body 3. A body microcomputer 10 of the camera body 3 decides whether or not the interchangeable lens unit 2 is compatible with moving picture mode on the basis of lens information about the interchangeable lens unit 2. If the interchangeable lens unit 2 is not compatible with moving picture mode, the body microcomputer 10 prevents the operation of an imaging sensor 11 from being set to moving picture mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoto Yumiki, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
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Patent number: 8767119Abstract: An interchangeable lens mountable to a camera body, includes a focus lens operable to adjust a focus state of a subject, a driver operable to drive the focus lens by repeatedly performing slight advancing and retreating of the focus lens along an optical axis, a lens-side obtaining unit operable to obtain a control signal for driving the driver from the camera body, and a lens-side transmission unit operable to transmit, to the camera body, information about a direction of slight advancing and retreating operations of the focus lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno, Akihiro Okamoto
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Patent number: 8717451Abstract: The camera body includes a synchronizing signal generator that generates a synchronizing signal, a body controller that controls the camera body and generates a command to control the interchangeable lens. The body controller performs control to send the interchangeable lens a command to set the interchangeable lens to a synchronous mode in which operation of the interchangeable lens is controlled in synchronization with the synchronizing signal and a command to set the interchangeable lens to an asynchronous mode which is a mode other than the synchronous mode. The interchangeable lens includes a lens controller that controls the operation of the interchangeable lens. The lens controller controls the operation of the interchangeable lens in the synchronous mode or the asynchronous mode according to the command received from the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Kenji Kawazoe, Naotake Kitahira, Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20140092269Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes a first detecting unit for detecting an autofocus evaluation value, a second detecting unit for detecting that a position of a focus lens comes close to a focus position before running past the focus position, and a signal generating unit. In an autofocus control, the signal generating unit generates a control signal for controlling a driving unit to drive the focus lens at a first speed before the second detecting unit detects that the position of the focus lens comes close to the focus position, and to drive the focus lens at a second speed lower than the first speed based on a change rate of the autofocus evaluation value after the second detecting unit detects that the position of the focus lens comes close to the focus position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: MITSUYOSHI OKAMOTO, KOJI SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 8629933Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an image data generating unit for capturing a subject image to generate image data, a detecting unit for detecting a contrast value of an image represented by the image data generated by the image data generating unit, and a signal generating unit for generating a control signal controlling the driving unit. In an autofocus control, the signal generating unit generates the control signal controlling the driving unit to drive the focus lens at a first speed until a predetermined time elapses after the first detecting unit starts to detect the contrast value of the image and to drive the focus lens at a second speed higher than the first speed after the predetermined time elapses.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 8611739Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to move the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, an obtaining unit configured to periodically obtain an evaluation value of a subject image formed via the focus lens, a determining unit configured to determine a target position to which the focus lens is moved based on the evaluation value, and a controller configured to control an operation of the driver based on the determined target position. The controller controls the driver to move the focus lens at a first speed for a first period including a backlash period which is defined from start of the operation of the driver to start of an actual movement of the focus lens, and controls the driver to move the focus lens at a second speed faster than the first speed for a second period after the end of the first period.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno
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Publication number: 20130300915Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: MITSUYOSHI OKAMOTO, KOJI SHIBUNO
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Patent number: 8570428Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body (100) and an interchangeable lens (200). The camera body includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image formed by the interchangeable lens in a predetermined capturing cycle to generate image data, a body controller that generates a synchronizing signal having a first cycle correlated with the capturing cycle, and a sending unit that sends the generated synchronizing signal to the interchangeable lens. The body controller further sends information indicating a second cycle different from the first cycle to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a focus lens (230), a drive unit (233) that drives the focus lens along an optical axis, a receiving unit (250) that receives the synchronizing signal and the information indicating the second cycle sent from the camera body, and a lens controller (240) that controls an operation of the interchangeable lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naotake Kitahira, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Kenji Kawazoe, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 8554068Abstract: In a camera system according to the present invention, a lens controller obtains an exposure synchronizing signal that is generated by a camera controller from a camera body, causes a configuration formed of a first encoder, a second encoder and a counter to detect the position of a focus lens according to the obtained exposure synchronizing signal, and notifies the camera body of the detected position of the focus lens. The camera controller associates the position of the focus lens or the mechanism member obtained from the lens controller with an AF evaluation value based on the exposure synchronizing signal, and controls an autofocus operation of the camera system based on the position and AF evaluation value that are associated with each other. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of an autofocus operation with a contrast system.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kouji Shibuno, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Taizo Aoki
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Patent number: 8542314Abstract: In a camera system including an interchangeable lens and a camera body, a lens controller performs control to detect a position of a focus lens in synchronous with a predetermined timing received from the camera body, store it in a storage unit, and transmit it to the camera body when receiving a position information request signal for requesting transmission of position information stored in the storage unit. The body controller performs control so that a timing of transmission of the position information request signal does not overlap a timing of transmission of the timing signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Koji Shibuno, Junji Takahata, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Naotake Kitahira
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Patent number: 8542989Abstract: A camera system (1) includes an interchangeable lens (200) and a camera body (100). The camera body (100) includes a body controller (140) configured to generate a command, and a sending unit (150) configured to send the generated command to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens (200) includes a movable member (230, 260), a driving unit (233, 261) configured to drive the movable member, a receiving unit (250) configured to receive a command from the camera body, and a lens controller (240) configured to control the driving unit according to the received command. Further, a prediction unit (140, 240) is provided in either one of the camera body and the interchangeable lens, which predicts whether an operation of the driving unit of the interchangeable lens according to the received command will be completed within a predetermined time.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Koji Shibuno, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
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Patent number: 8525916Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno