Patents by Inventor Shinichi Ohtsubo

Shinichi Ohtsubo 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: 11930282
    Abstract: Provided is a control device that includes a calculation unit that calculates, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions and a determination unit that determines a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohtsubo, Takeshi Akabane
  • Publication number: 20230209214
    Abstract: Provided is a control device that includes a calculation unit that calculates, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions and a determination unit that determines a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: SHINICHI OHTSUBO, TAKESHI AKABANE
  • Patent number: 11606495
    Abstract: Provided is a control device that includes a calculation unit that calculates, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions and a determination unit that determines a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohtsubo, Takeshi Akabane
  • Publication number: 20200267317
    Abstract: Provided is a control device that includes a calculation unit that calculates, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions and a determination unit that determines a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: SHINICHI OHTSUBO, TAKESHI AKABANE
  • Patent number: 10708483
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing device and an information processing method, a solid-state imaging device and a solid-state imaging device operation method, a program, and an electronic apparatus in which an IC having an AF lens drive control unit mounted therein is made compatible with various communication specifications that vary with the types of lens driver ICs to be connected. A digital analogue converter (DAC) code for controlling a lens driver IC that controls driving of an actuator that drives a focusing lens is generated. A communication format related to serial communication is set in accordance with the lens driver IC, and is stored. The DAC code is buried in the communication format, to form a format compatible with the lens driver IC. Control is performed to cause the DAC code to be transmitted to the lens driver IC through serial communication. The present technology can be applied to imaging apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Kaihatsu, Shinichi Ohtsubo, Riichi Ono, Hiroaki Anai
  • Patent number: 10681265
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a control device capable of effectively determining a lens position even in a case where a subject close to an image capturing device and a subject far from the image capturing device simultaneously exist in a region for detecting a phase difference between subject images. [Solution] Provided is the control device including: a calculation unit configured to calculate, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions; and a determination unit configured to determine a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohtsubo, Takeshi Akabane
  • Patent number: 10362249
    Abstract: [Object] To improve both trackability of a focus position and focusing accuracy with respect to a subject. [Solution] An image capturing device includes: an imaging element having a light receiving surface including detection pixels that receive light passed through different regions of an exit pupil of an imaging optical system, and detect a phase difference between two images obtained by splitting the exit pupil; a first detection unit configured to execute at least any of first focus detection based on a phase detection autofocus (AF) method and second focus detection based on a contrast detection AF method; a focusing control unit configured to drive at least one optical member included in the imaging optical system toward a focusing position detected by the focus detection; and a second detection unit configured to detect a change in a subject image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohtsubo, Takeshi Akabane
  • Publication number: 20180309923
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing device and an information processing method, a solid-state imaging device and a solid-state imaging device operation method, a program, and an electronic apparatus in which an IC having an AF lens drive control unit mounted therein is made compatible with various communication specifications that vary with the types of lens driver ICs to be connected. A digital analogue converter (DAC) code for controlling a lens driver IC that controls driving of an actuator that drives a focusing lens is generated. A communication format related to serial communication is set in accordance with the lens driver IC, and is stored. The DAC code is buried in the communication format, to form a format compatible with the lens driver IC. Control is performed to cause the DAC code to be transmitted to the lens driver IC through serial communication. The present technology can be applied to imaging apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Kaihatsu, Shinichi Ohtsubo, Riichi Ono, Hiroaki Anai
  • Publication number: 20180213172
    Abstract: [Object] To improve both trackability of a focus position and focusing accuracy with respect to a subject. [Solution] An image capturing device includes: an imaging element having a light receiving surface including detection pixels that receive light passed through different regions of an exit pupil of an imaging optical system, and detect a phase difference between two images obtained by splitting the exit pupil; a first detection unit configured to execute at least any of first focus detection based on a phase detection autofocus (AF) method and second focus detection based on a contrast detection AF method; a focusing control unit configured to drive at least one optical member included in the imaging optical system toward a focusing position detected by the focus detection; and a second detection unit configured to detect a change in a subject image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: SHINICHI OHTSUBO, TAKESHI AKABANE
  • Publication number: 20180213149
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a control device capable of effectively determining a lens position even in a case where a subject close to an image capturing device and a subject far from the image capturing device simultaneously exist in a region for detecting a phase difference between subject images. [Solution] Provided is the control device including: a calculation unit configured to calculate, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions; and a determination unit configured to determine a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: SHINICHI OHTSUBO, TAKESHI AKABANE
  • Patent number: 8624990
    Abstract: A signal processing device is provided which includes, an input terminal to receive input of an imaging start instruction signal, and a signal processing unit to output an exposure start instruction signal when the imaging start instruction signal is input to the input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ohtsubo
  • Patent number: 8582018
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a detector that repeatedly carries out a series of operation of generating an evaluation value to evaluate the degree of focusing of a position after driving of a lens toward one end part in the drive range of the lens, and detects the evaluation value of a position that is closer to the end part than the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing and is immediately adjacent or adjacent across a predetermined number of positions to the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing. The imaging device further includes a drive controller that makes the series of operation be repeatedly carried out toward the other end part in the drive range of the lens, and drives the lens to a position of a degree of focusing not smaller than the detected evaluation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Futami, Shinichi Ohtsubo, Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8565590
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a supplying section configured to supply a driving command for driving at least a portion of a lens in a specific direction to a focal-point adjustment device for changing or adjusting a focal-point distance in accordance with power supplied to the focal-point adjustment device; and an inference section configured to infer a position, at which the lens is located after being driven in accordance with the driving command in the specific direction, on the basis of the driving command supplied to the focal-point adjustment device and on the basis of error information serving as information on an error of a driving quantity by which the lens driven by the focal-point adjustment device is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohtsubo, Tsuyoshi Futami, Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20120114320
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a supplying section configured to supply a driving command for driving at least a portion of a lens in a specific direction to a focal-point adjustment device for changing or adjusting a focal-point distance in accordance with power supplied to the focal-point adjustment device; and an inference section configured to infer a position, at which the lens is located after being driven in accordance with the driving command in the specific direction, on the basis of the driving command supplied to the focal-point adjustment device and on the basis of error information serving as information on an error of a driving quantity by which the lens driven by the focal-point adjustment device is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohtsubo, Tsuyoshi Futami, Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20120105707
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a detector that repeatedly carries out a series of operation of generating an evaluation value to evaluate the degree of focusing of a position after driving of a lens toward one end part in the drive range of the lens, and detects the evaluation value of a position that is closer to the end part than the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing and is immediately adjacent or adjacent across a predetermined number of positions to the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing. The imaging device further includes a drive controller that makes the series of operation be repeatedly carried out toward the other end part in the drive range of the lens, and drives the lens to a position of a degree of focusing not smaller than the detected evaluation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Futami, Shinichi Ohtsubo, Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20100128143
    Abstract: A signal processing device is provided which includes, an input terminal to receive input of an imaging start instruction signal, and a signal processing unit to output an exposure start instruction signal when the imaging start instruction signal is input to the input terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ohtsubo