Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Watanabe

Nobuyuki Watanabe 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: 20180084169
    Abstract: Provided is an image acquisition system according to the present invention includes: a display device that has a display surface on which an image is displayed; a dome-shaped reflective member that is disposed so as to cover at least a part of the display surface of the display device, that includes a reflective surface reflecting light from the display surface, on an inner surface thereof, and has a through-hole that passes between an interior and an exterior; and a photographing device that photographs light radiated from the display surface via the through-hole, while a subject is disposed at a position between the reflective member and the display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Takuji HORIE, Takashi MIYOSHI, Kensuke ISHII, Arata SHINOZAKI, Saori MATSUMOTO, Nobuyuki WATANABE, Hiroyuki FUKUDA
  • Patent number: 9906729
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a stage on which an object is configured to be placed; an imaging unit having an imager configured to image the object; a movement mechanism configured to perform a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit in at least one direction within a placement plane for placing the object; a tilt mechanism configured to tilt at least one of an imaging surface of the imager and the stage relative to a moving direction of the movement mechanism; and a tilt angle setting unit configured to set a tilt angle of the tilt mechanism based on at least a magnification of the imaging unit and a size of an effective area on the imaging surface, the effective area being an area into which observation light from the object is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Watanabe, Hiroyuki Fukuda, Yoko Abe
  • Patent number: 9787905
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives an image signal and generates a display image having an image range associated with a display area of a display unit from an image based on the image signal. The image processing apparatus includes a position-of-interest-calculating-unit, a frame-out-accuracy-calculation-unit, an alteration-variable-decision-unit and an image-alteration-unit. The position-of-interest-calculating-unit calculates a position of interest as a position of an object of interest in the image. The frame-out-accuracy-calculation-unit calculates a frame-out accuracy representing an accuracy that the position of interest deviates from the image range based on the position of interest and the image range. The alteration-variable-decision-unit decides a processing variable of alteration processing performed with respect to the image in conformity with the frame-out accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Watanabe, Naoyuki Miyashita, Hideaki Furukawa, Hiroshi Matsuzaki, Takahiro Yano
  • Publication number: 20170046846
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an image acquisition unit, a candidate value estimation unit, a band characteristics evaluation unit, an effective frequency determination unit and a candidate value modification unit. The acquisition unit acquires images. The estimation unit estimates, for each pixel of the images, a candidate value of a 3D shape. The evaluation unit calculates, for each pixel, a band evaluation value of a band included in the images. The determination unit determines an effective frequency of the pixel based on statistical information of the band evaluation value. The modification unit performs data correction or data interpolation for the candidate value based on the effective frequency and calculates a modified candidate value representing the 3D shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki WATANABE
  • Patent number: 9509977
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an image acquisition unit, a candidate value estimation unit, a band characteristics evaluation unit, an effective frequency determination unit and a candidate value modification unit. The acquisition unit acquires images. The estimation unit estimates, for each pixel of the images, a candidate value of a 3D shape. The evaluation unit calculates, for each pixel, a band evaluation value of a band included in the images. The determination unit determines an effective frequency of the pixel based on statistical information of the band evaluation value. The modification unit performs data correction or data interpolation for the candidate value based on the effective frequency and calculates a modified candidate value representing the 3D shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20160344958
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels in which photoelectric conversion units that generate signal charges are arranged in a matrix, a plurality of first charge accumulation circuits that hold the signal charges and output the signal charges as a first pixel signal, a plurality of charge transfer circuits that transfer the signal charges to the first charge accumulation circuit, and a plurality of second charge accumulation circuits that hold signal charges based on the signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion units and output the signal charges as a second pixel signal in which the number of pixels is reduced to a predetermined number, and the charge transfer circuit transfers the signal charges in the same exposure period to the second charge accumulation circuit when transferring the signal charges of the same exposure to the first charge accumulation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Kondo, Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20160341311
    Abstract: A vehicle parking lock device includes an automatic transmission to transmit a drive force from a drive source. The automatic transmission includes a hydraulic actuator and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic actuator restricts rotation of a parking gear. The hydraulic circuit includes an accumulator and a line pressure controller. Pressure is accumulated in the accumulator with line pressure. Hydraulic pressure accumulated in the accumulator is supplied to the hydraulic actuator so that the hydraulic actuator is in a parking lock activation position when the drive source has stopped. Pressure in the accumulator is accumulated with the line pressure when the drive source has started. The line pressure controller boosts the line pressure to a level higher than or equal to a pressure necessary to fully fill up the accumulator in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied after the drive source has started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki WATANABE, Yutaka ISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 9300904
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured comprising a necessary/unnecessary determination data generating unit configured to generate necessary/unnecessary determination data; an image encoding unit assigning identification information respectively to, and recording, in a recording unit, each piece of data after division of each moving image of a moving image after encoding, a necessary/unnecessary determining unit configured to determine an unnecessary moving image frame based on necessary/unnecessary determination data; and a moving image file managing unit configured to rewrite information indicating a state of data at a recording unit in the recording unit corresponding to a moving image frame determined as unnecessary moving image frame by the necessary/unnecessary determining unit into information that there is no data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Miyoshi, Akio Kosaka, Hidekazu Iwaki, Arata Shinozaki, Mitsunori Kubo, Takayuki Nakatomi, Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150309299
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a stage; an imaging unit having an imaging surface for receiving observation light from an object on the stage; a first moving mechanism for performing a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit along at least one direction within a placement plane for placing the object; a second moving mechanism for performing a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit along a direction orthogonal to the placement plane; a computation unit that causes the imaging unit to image a first region of the object while operating the first moving mechanism to acquire information on the first region, and calculates a focus tendency of the object; and a control unit that controls the second moving mechanism based on the focus tendency, and adjusts an imaging characteristic of the observation light when the imaging unit images a second region of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki WATANABE
  • Patent number: 9140358
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes an input member, a planetary gear set, a plurality of engagement mechanisms, an output member, a shift position detecting unit, an input rotational speed detecting unit, a control unit, and a switching mechanism. When a shift position is changed from a forward drive range to a reverse drive range, the control unit performs a reverse preparation mode in which a rotational speed of an element to be fixed by the switching mechanism is lower than or equal to a predetermined speed by setting an engagement mechanism in one of a connection mode and a fixed mode. Upon performing the reverse preparation mode, the control unit engages the engagement mechanism that connects the element fixed by the switching mechanism to the input member and, thereafter, engages the engagement mechanism that makes the rotational speed of the input member lower than or equal to the predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Tachibanada, Yutaka Ishikawa, Soichi Sugino, Naomichi Tonokura, Nobuyuki Watanabe, Takashi Ohtani, Mitsuo Ueda
  • Publication number: 20150264270
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a stage on which an object is configured to be placed; an imaging unit having an imager configured to image the object; a movement mechanism configured to perform a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit in at least one direction within a placement plane for placing the object; a tilt mechanism configured to tilt at least one of an imaging surface of the imager and the stage relative to a moving direction of the movement mechanism; and a tilt angle setting unit configured to set a tilt angle of the tilt mechanism based on at least a magnification of the imaging unit and a size of an effective area on the imaging surface, the effective area being an area into which observation light from the object is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki WATANABE, Hiroyuki FUKUDA, Yoko ABE
  • Publication number: 20150249790
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives an image signal and generates a display image having an image range associated with a display area of a display unit from an image based on the image signal. The image processing apparatus includes a position-of-interest-calculating-unit, a frame-out-accuracy-calculation-unit, an alteration-variable-decision-unit and an image-alteration-unit. The position-of-interest-calculating-unit calculates a position of interest as a position of an object of interest in the image. The frame-out-accuracy-calculation-unit calculates a frame-out accuracy representing an accuracy that the position of interest deviates from the image range based on the position of interest and the image range. The alteration-variable-decision-unit decides a processing variable of alteration processing performed with respect to the image in conformity with the frame-out accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki WATANABE, Naoyuki Miyashita, Hideaki Furukawa, Hiroshi Matsuzaki, Takahiro Yano
  • Publication number: 20150242722
    Abstract: A program for setting an image processing condition includes: a store unit to store a first identifier of an image data output unit whose image processing condition including plural print setting items is to be set; a first input unit to prompt a user to input first setting information on a first print setting item for the image data output unit having the first identifier; a second input unit to prompt the user to input second setting information on a second print setting item for the image data output unit having the first identifier; an identifier providing unit to provide a second identifier, which is an identification name of the image processing condition having the first and second setting information inputted; and a registration unit to register the image processing condition having the second identifier, in connection with the first identifier, in a setting-information storage as a readable storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: Nobuyuki WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20140303860
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes an input member, a planetary gear set, a plurality of engagement mechanisms, an output member, a shift position detecting unit, an input rotational speed detecting unit, a control unit, and a switching mechanism. When a shift position is changed from a forward drive range to a reverse drive range, the control unit performs a reverse preparation mode in which a rotational speed of an element to be fixed by the switching mechanism is lower than or equal to a predetermined speed by setting an engagement mechanism in one of a connection mode and a fixed mode. Upon performing the reverse preparation mode, the control unit engages the engagement mechanism that connects the element fixed by the switching mechanism to the input member and, thereafter, engages the engagement mechanism that makes the rotational speed of the input member lower than or equal to the predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya TACHIBANADA, Yutaka ISHIKAWA, Soichi SUGINO, Naomichi TONOKURA, Nobuyuki WATANABE, Takashi OHTANI, Mitsuo UEDA
  • Publication number: 20140218565
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured comprising a necessary/unnecessary determination data generating unit configured to generate necessary/unnecessary determination data; an image encoding unit assigning identification information respectively to, and recording, in a recording unit, each piece of data after division of each moving image of a moving image after encoding, a necessary/unnecessary determining unit configured to determine an unnecessary moving image frame based on necessary/unnecessary determination data; and a moving image file managing unit configured to rewrite information indicating a state of data at a recording unit in the recording unit corresponding to a moving image frame determined as unnecessary moving image frame by the necessary/unnecessary determining unit into information that there is no data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Takashi MIYOSHI, Akio KOSAKA, Hidekazu IWAKI, Arata SHINOZAKI, Mitsunori KUBO, Takayuki NAKATOMI, Nobuyuki WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8798130
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that performs image registration processing between a plurality of images through a motion vector calculation sets a plurality of motion vector measurement regions on an image, calculates a motion vector in each of the plurality of motion vector measurement regions, specifies a region of interest on the image, determines whether or not each of the plurality of motion vector measurement regions is included in the region of interest, calculates a contribution of each motion vector such that the contribution of the motion vector of a motion vector measurement region included in the region of interest is larger than the contribution of the motion vector of a motion vector measurement region not included in the region of interest, and determines an inter-image motion vector by integrating the motion vectors calculated respectively in the plurality of motion vector measurement regions in accordance with the calculated contribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Yoshino, Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8755979
    Abstract: A safety control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a speed range detector, an oil temperature detector, a vehicle speed detector, a speed-range shifting device, a shift inhibiting device, and a maximum-speed limiting device. The shift inhibiting device is configured to inhibit an automatic downshift and a manual downshift by a driver if the speed-range shifting device performs a forcible upshift. The maximum-speed limiting device is configured to limit a maximum vehicle speed to a third vehicle speed if an oil temperature reaches a second oil temperature which is higher than a first oil temperature and if a vehicle speed is not lower than a second vehicle speed which is higher than a first vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Nobuyuki Watanabe, Kazuhiko Imamura, Ryuichi Mori
  • Patent number: 8749672
    Abstract: A multi-spectral imaging device includes pixels R, G, B, ?1, ?2, . . . , ?12 composing color sensors for four or more colors having mutually differing spectral sensitivity characteristics. In a first signal readout mode, an image signal including all of four or more types of signals read from the pixels composing the color sensors for the four or more colors is read from the multi-spectral imaging device. In a second signal readout mode, an image signal having a smaller number of colors than that of the first signal readout mode is read such that a narrower gamut than a gamut that can be reproduced by the image signal read in the first signal readout mode is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Komiya, Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130261913
    Abstract: A safety control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a speed range detector, an oil temperature detector, a vehicle speed detector, a speed-range shifting device, a shift inhibiting device, and a maximum-speed limiting device. The shift inhibiting device is configured to inhibit an automatic downshift and a manual downshift by a driver if the speed-range shifting device performs a forcible upshift. The maximum-speed limiting device is configured to limit a maximum vehicle speed to a third vehicle speed if an oil temperature reaches a second oil temperature which is higher than a first oil temperature and if a vehicle speed is not lower than a second vehicle speed which is higher than a first vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka ISHIKAWA, Nobuyuki WATANABE, Kazuhiko IMAMURA, Ryuichi MORI
  • Publication number: 20130258058
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an image acquisition unit, a candidate value estimation unit, a band characteristics evaluation unit, an effective frequency determination unit and a candidate value modification unit. The acquisition unit acquires images. The estimation unit estimates, for each pixel of the images, a candidate value of a 3D shape. The evaluation unit calculates, for each pixel, a band evaluation value of a band included in the images. The determination unit determines an effective frequency of the pixel based on statistical information of the band evaluation value. The modification unit performs data correction or data interpolation for the candidate value based on the effective frequency and calculates a modified candidate value representing the 3D shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki WATANABE