Patents by Inventor Seiji Nagao

Seiji Nagao 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: 11039059
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20200267308
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji NAGAO
  • Patent number: 10681258
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Patent number: 10277797
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20180324350
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji NAGAO
  • Publication number: 20170078560
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji NAGAO
  • Patent number: 9538069
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20150334294
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventor: Seiji NAGAO
  • Patent number: 9154687
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20140111669
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Seiji NAGAO
  • Patent number: 8643767
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Patent number: 8237814
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus, which is capable of starting up in a shooting mode and in a playback mode, and capable of switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode, includes: a memory which stores an image file corresponding to a shot picture image; a display which displays the picture image, and a selector which selects at least one image file from a plurality of image files stored in the memory, wherein in a case of starting up in the playback mode, when there is an image file selected by the selector, the selected image file is displayed on the display, and when there is no selected image file, a latest image file which is lastly shot and stored in the memory is displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Nagao, Kohsuke Arai, Tomoyuki Nozawa, Taijiroh Morihisa
  • Patent number: 8031238
    Abstract: In an image-capturing apparatus, recorded position information is stored upon receiving instruction of storing the recorded position information, and real-time position information is stored upon a photograph is taken, which is stored together with a captured-image. The image-capturing apparatus executes mode changeover from a recorded position information use mode to a real-time position information use mode when a timing of the mode changeover matches a mode change condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Uchiyama, Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20110134311
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Seiji NAGAO
  • Patent number: 7653303
    Abstract: A digital camera and a digital camera printing system which confirms whether there exists flawed photographic images, and the type of flaws which exist in order to avoid wasting photographic printing paper. The digital camera printing system includes a storing unit for storing photographic images; a determination unit for determining whether the photographic images are of flawless or flawed photographic images; and a print-out executing unit for executing print out of the photographic images stored in the storing unit. It is possible to select executions between an all-print-out mode for printing out all images which include the flawed and flawless photographic images, and a list print-out for printing out a list of the flawed photographic images together with the flawless photographic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20100002095
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus, which is capable of starting up in a shooting mode and in a playback mode, and capable of switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode, includes: a memory which stores an image file corresponding to a shot picture image; a display which displays the picture image, and a selector which selects at least one image file from a plurality of image files stored in the memory, wherein in a case of starting up in the playback mode, when there is an image file selected by the selector, the selected image file is displayed on the display, and when there is no selected image file, a latest image file which is lastly shot and stored in the memory is displayed on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Seiji Nagao, Kohsuke Arai, Tomoyuki Nozawa, Taijiroh Morihisa
  • Publication number: 20080225128
    Abstract: In an image-capturing apparatus, recorded position information is stored upon receiving instruction of storing the recorded position information, and real-time position information is stored upon a photograph is taken, which is stored together with a captured-image. The image-capturing apparatus executes mode changeover from a recorded position information use mode to a real-time position information use mode when a timing of the mode changeover matches a mode change condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroaki UCHIYAMA, Seiji Nagao
  • Patent number: 7340766
    Abstract: A control system for digital camera makes it possible to control a digital camera from a personal computer and to operate the digital camera simultaneously from both of the digital camera side and the personal computer side by means of performing a communication between the digital camera on which a WWW server function is equipped and the personal computer having a WWW browser function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Nagao, Kazumitsu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7233356
    Abstract: A digital camera and an image editing system capable of inputting information corresponding to each photographed image every time a picture is taken. When an editing mode transfer switch is depressed in a photographing mode, a memo setting screen is displayed Then, if a text-based input title is selected, a soft keyboard is displayed, and text data is inputted from a touch panel on the by operating a touch pen so as to edit a memo. Then, the operation returns to the photographing mode, and a shutter button is depressed, so that image data is fetched from a imaging element to be stored in a memory card as an image file. At this time, memo information is stored in a header of the file format. When transmitting the image file, the file is also sent together with the memo information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao
  • Patent number: 7218769
    Abstract: A control unit of an image data management system receives image information and information regarding the image information, which are associated with each other, from an image photographing device via a communication unit, and stores the received information in a storage unit. The control unit receives an acquisition request for acquiring the image information and the information regarding the image information, which are associated with each other, from a terminal device via the communication unit, reads out the image information and the information regarding the image information, which are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit, in accordance with the acquisition request, and sends the read-out information to the terminal device which has sent the acquisition request via the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nagao