Patents by Inventor Satoshi Natsume

Satoshi Natsume 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: 9077842
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens apparatus attached to a camera apparatus detachably, and a camera apparatus separating a beam into color beams of three colors and displays an image synthesizing first, second and third image signals, wherein the lens apparatus includes a memory unit storing correcting data in an image height direction of the second and third image signals on the first image signal for correcting aberration of the image taking optical system, and a lens controlling unit extracting the correcting data of the image taking optical system state, wherein the camera apparatus includes a camera controller moving the second and third image signals in the image height direction, and displaying an image obtained by superimposing the color image signals, wherein the image pickup apparatus includes a controller, and wherein the lens controlling unit adjusts the correcting data, and the memory unit stores the adjusted correcting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 8873943
    Abstract: A lens system includes an operating unit for operating a lens apparatus, an operation-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the operating unit via a transmission line, and a lens-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the lens apparatus via a transmission line. The operation-side and lens-side communication units perform wireless communication to/from each other. The operation-side communication unit includes a command selecting unit selecting a command to be transmitted to the lens-side communication unit from commands input from the operating unit, and an answer interpolating unit generating an interpolated answer by interpolating answers with respect to commands that are not selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20140111871
    Abstract: A lens system includes an operating unit for operating a lens apparatus, an operation-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the operating unit via a transmission line, and a lens-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the lens apparatus via a transmission line. The operation-side and lens-side communication units perform wireless communication to/from each other. The operation-side communication unit includes a command selecting unit selecting a command to be transmitted to the lens-side communication unit from commands input from the operating unit, and an answer interpolating unit generating an interpolated answer by interpolating answers with respect to commands that are not selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi NATSUME
  • Patent number: 8644695
    Abstract: A lens system includes an operating unit for operating a lens apparatus, an operation-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the operating unit via a transmission line, and a lens-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the lens apparatus via a transmission line. The operation-side and lens-side communication units perform wireless communication to/from each other. The operation-side communication unit includes a command selecting unit selecting a command to be transmitted to the lens-side communication unit from commands input from the operating unit, and an answer interpolating unit generating an interpolated answer by interpolating answers with respect to commands that are not selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 8638388
    Abstract: The lens apparatus is detachably attachable to a camera apparatus. The lens apparatus includes an image taking optical system, a memory configured to store aberration correction data being used for image correction processing corresponding to aberration of the image taking optical system, the image correction processing being performed on an image captured by the camera apparatus through the image taking optical system, and a data sending part configured to send the aberration correction data to the camera apparatus. The data sending part is configured to select partial data that is part of the aberration correction data depending on one of a position and a state of an optical adjustment member included in the image taking optical system and information on an image pickup element provided in the camera apparatus, and to send the partial data to the camera apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20120300112
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens apparatus attached to a camera apparatus detachably, and a camera apparatus separating a beam into color beams of three colors and displays an image synthesizing first, second and third image signals, wherein the lens apparatus includes a memory unit storing correcting data in an image height direction of the second and third image signals on the first image signal for correcting aberration of the image taking optical system, and a lens controlling unit extracting the correcting data of the image taking optical system state, wherein the camera apparatus includes a camera controller moving the second and third image signals in the image height direction, and displaying an image obtained by superimposing the color image signals, wherein the image pickup apparatus includes a controller, and wherein the lens controlling unit adjusts the correcting data, and the memory unit stores the adjusted correcting data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20110037881
    Abstract: The lens apparatus is detachably attachable to a camera apparatus. The lens apparatus includes an image taking optical system, a memory configured to store aberration correction data being used for image correction processing corresponding to aberration of the image taking optical system, the image correction processing being performed on an image captured by the camera apparatus through the image taking optical system, and a data sending part configured to send the aberration correction data to the camera apparatus. The data sending part is configured to select partial data that is part of the aberration correction data depending on one of a position and a state of an optical adjustment member included in the image taking optical system and information on an image pickup element provided in the camera apparatus, and to send the partial data to the camera apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 7813053
    Abstract: A lens apparatus including an optical element includes a motor configured to drive the optical element; a position detector configured to detect a relative position of the optical element; and a controller configured to detect an origin of the optical element by returning the optical element to the origin by controlling the motor. The controller controls the motor so that a speed of the optical element moving to the origin is higher than a speed of the optical element moved by an operation of an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 7755695
    Abstract: A camera system is disclosed which allows different types of lens apparatuses to be used in combination with a single image-taking apparatus without requiring changes of focus control signals on the side of the image-taking apparatus depending on the type of a lens apparatus mounted on the image-taking apparatus. The camera system includes an image-taking apparatus which outputs a focus control signal and a lens apparatus which includes a focus lens and is mounted on the image-taking apparatus. The lens apparatus includes a controller which produces a drive signal according to a type of focus of the lens apparatus based on the focus control signal and controls drive of the focus lens based on the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Natsume, Kazumasa Yoshikawa, Yasuyuki Tomita, Katsumi Karasawa, Takashi Kameyama, Seiji Sato, Hidekazu Suto, Hirotsugu Terada
  • Patent number: 7680405
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens operation device connected to a lens apparatus and adapted to operate a function which the lens apparatus has. The structure of the lens operation device includes: a plurality of switches including an auxiliary switch; and a controller for detecting the function of the lens apparatus and for assigning execution of the function to the auxiliary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 7602433
    Abstract: The drive controlling apparatus has a memory of storing preset drive information of each of the optical adjusting members, and a controller for performing a preset drive control for controlling the drive of each of the optical adjusting members on the basis of the preset drive information. The controller performs the preset drive control so as to include the state in which the plurality of optical adjusting members are simultaneously driven. Furthermore, the drive controlling apparatus has a selection member being operated for selecting a set condition of the drive speed of the plurality of optical adjusting members out of a plurality of set conditions. The controller sets the drive speed in the preset drive control in accordance with the set conditions selected with the selection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20090231729
    Abstract: A lens apparatus including an optical element includes a motor configured to drive the optical element; a position detector configured to detect a relative position of the optical element; and a controller configured to detect an origin of the optical element by returning the optical element to the origin by controlling the motor. The controller controls the motor so that a speed of the optical element moving to the origin is higher than a speed of the optical element moved by an operation of an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 7511758
    Abstract: There are provided an optical apparatus and a camera system in which preset image-taking is possible without performing focusing adjustment for objects, even during image-taking of the objects at different distances by using a preset function. In the optical apparatus comprising a storage section which stores preset information, a preset control section which performs preset operation by using the preset information, a focusing control section which controls focusing operation, and a controller which controls the preset operation by preset control section and the focusing operation by the focus control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20070058962
    Abstract: A lens apparatus comprising an image pickup optical system having a focus lens, a focus state detection unit which detects focus state of the image pickup optical system, a distance detection unit which determines the distance to the subject, an actuator which drives the focus lens, a controller which controls the operation of the actuator according to the output from the focus state detection unit and a distance range setting unit which sets a distance range in focus operation for the focus lens, wherein the controller compares distance information from the distance detection unit and distance range set by the distance range setting unit to control the operation of the actuator which drives the focus lens based on the comparison results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Satoshi NATSUME, Masayuki Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20070014559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens operation device connected to a lens apparatus and adapted to operate a function which the lens apparatus has. The structure of the lens operation device includes: a plurality of switches including an auxiliary switch; and a controller for detecting the function of the lens apparatus and for assigning execution of the function to the auxiliary switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventor: Satoshi NATSUME
  • Patent number: 7158179
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device including an optical member, a memory unit for storing preset driving information about driving of the optical member, a driving unit for driving the optical member, an operation unit having an operation member, and a control unit for performing drive control of the driving unit. The control unit changes the preset driving information in accordance with the operation of the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Yoshikawa, Satoshi Natsume, Masayuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7079182
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical apparatus comprising an optical member, a memory unit for memorizing preset speed information, and preset position information or preset direction information a memory instructing operation unit to be operated for causing the memory unit to memorize the preset speed information, and a control unit for executing preset drive control on the optical member, wherein the control unit is adapted to cause the memory unit to memorize arbitrary preset speed information, or arbitrary preset speed information and arbitrary preset direction information, in response to the operation of the memory instructing operation unit, and to drive the optical member either to a position corresponding to the memorized preset position information with a speed corresponding to the memorized preset speed information, or with a speed corresponding to the memorized preset speed information and with a direction corresponding to the memorized preset direction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Yoshikawa, Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20050110891
    Abstract: There are provided an optical apparatus and a camera system in which preset image-taking is possible without performing focusing adjustment for objects, even during image-taking of the objects at different distances by using a preset function. In the optical apparatus comprising a storage section which stores preset information, a preset control section which performs preset operation by using the preset information, a focusing control section which controls focusing operation, and a controller which controls the preset operation by preset control section and the focusing operation by the focus control section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20050094023
    Abstract: A camera system is disclosed which allows different types of lens apparatuses to be used in combination with a single image-taking apparatus without requiring changes of focus control signals on the side of the image-taking apparatus depending on the type of a lens apparatus mounted on the image-taking apparatus. The camera system includes an image-taking apparatus which outputs a focus control signal and a lens apparatus which includes a focus lens and is mounted on the image-taking apparatus. The lens apparatus includes a controller which produces a drive signal according to a type of focus of the lens apparatus based on the focus control signal and controls drive of the focus lens based on the drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Satoshi Natsume, Kazumasa Yoshikawa, Yasuyuki Tomita, Katsumi Karasawa, Takashi Kameyama, Seiji Sato, Hidekazu Suto, Hirotsugu Terada
  • Publication number: 20040190887
    Abstract: The drive controlling apparatus has a memory of storing preset drive information of each of the optical adjusting members, and a controller for performing a preset drive control for controlling the drive of each of the optical adjusting members on the basis of the preset drive information. The controller performs the preset drive control so as to include the state in which the plurality of optical adjusting members are simultaneously driven. Furthermore, the drive controlling apparatus has a selection member being operated for selecting a set condition of the drive speed of the plurality of optical adjusting members out of a plurality of set conditions. The controller sets the drive speed in the preset drive control in accordance with the set conditions selected with the selection member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume