Patents by Inventor Yoshihide SAWADA

Yoshihide SAWADA 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: 10168523
    Abstract: An image generating system that generates a focal image of a target object on a virtual focal plane located between a plurality of illuminators and an image sensor (b) carries out the following (c) through (f) for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the focal image, (c) carries out the following (d) through (f) for each of the positions of the plurality of illuminators, (d) calculates a position of a target point that is a point of intersection of a straight line connecting a position of the pixel on the focal plane and a position of the illuminator and a light receiving surface of the image sensor, (e) calculates a luminance value of the target point in the captured image by the illuminator on the basis of the position of the target point, (f) applies the luminance value of the target point to the luminance value of the pixel, and (g) generates the focal image of the target object on the focal plane by using a result of applying the luminance value at each of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yumiko Kato, Yoshihide Sawada, Masahiro Iwasaki, Yasuhiro Mukaigawa, Hiroyuki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20180255240
    Abstract: An image generation apparatus includes first and second light sources, an image sensor, a mask, and a processing circuit. The image sensor acquires a first image when the first light source is energized and acquires a second image when the second light source is energized. The processing circuit obtains a pixel value based on a direct light component or a pixel value based on a component other than the direct light component corresponding to a focal point by using pixel values of first pixel regions of the first image, pixel values of second pixel regions of the second image, the ratios of the direct light and the light other than the direct light from the first light source, and the ratios of the direct light and the light other than the direct light from the second light source and generates a cross-sectional image of a substance on the focal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA, YASUHIRO MUKAIGAWA, TAKUYA FUNATOMI, HIROYUKI KUBO, FUSATAKA KUNIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 10048485
    Abstract: An image output device according to the present disclosure includes: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image with a first resolution; a high-resolution image acquisition unit that acquires an image with a second resolution, being an image of higher resolution than the image with the first resolution; an enlargement input unit that accepts input of an enlargement ratio; a determination unit that determines whether or not an evaluation score determined based on the accepted enlargement ratio is higher than a certain value; and a transmission unit that transmits the image with the second resolution if the evaluation score is determined to be higher than the certain value, and does not transmit the image with the second resolution if the evaluation score is determined not to be higher than the certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taichi Sato, Hideto Motomura, Yoshihide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20180210185
    Abstract: An image generating apparatus is provided with a first light source and a second light source, an image sensor, a mask including a light-transmitting part and a light-blocking part, and a dark image processing unit. The image sensor acquires a first image of the material when illuminated by the first light source, and acquires a second image of the material when illuminated by the second light source. The image sensor includes a first pixel region and a second pixel region. The light-blocking part is positioned between the first pixel region and the first light source. The light-blocking part is positioned between the first pixel region and the first light source. The dark image processing unit uses first pixel information corresponding to a first pixel region in the first image and second pixel information corresponding to a second pixel region in the second image to generate a third image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA, YASUHIRO MUKAIGAWA, TAKUYA FUNATOMI, HIROYUKI KUBO, FUSATAKA KUNIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 9990709
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a divider that generates a plurality pieces of third image information on the basis of a plurality of pieces of first image information and a plurality of pieces of second image information, a determiner that determines, on the basis of information regarding a sample, a filter to be used for the plurality of pieces of third image information, and a processor that deconvolutes each of the plurality of pieces of third image information using the determined filter. An image sensor that has received first resulting light emitted from a sample that has received first light emitted from a first angle outputs the plurality of pieces of first image information. The image sensor that has received second resulting light emitted from the sample that has received second light emitted from a second angle outputs the plurality of pieces of second image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Sawada, Yasuhiko Adachi, Taichi Sato, Hideto Motomura
  • Publication number: 20180105186
    Abstract: An information processing system that appropriately estimates a driving conduct includes: a detector that detects a vehicle environment state, which is at least one of surroundings of a vehicle and a driving state of the vehicle; a behavior learning unit configured to cause a neural network to learn a relationship between the vehicle environment state detected by the detector and a behavior of the vehicle implemented after the vehicle environment state; and a behavior estimation unit configured to estimate a behavior of the vehicle by inputting, into the neural network that learned, the vehicle environment state detected at a current point in time by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto MOTOMURA, Mohamed Sahim KOURKOUSS, Yoshihide SAWADA, Toshiya MORI, Masanaga TSUJI
  • Publication number: 20180060511
    Abstract: An apparatus generates motor function estimation information by performing a process including calculating, using a sensor value of a subject, a feature vector corresponding to a feature value of a feature in a time segment, acquiring a first weight vector using the feature vector and a motor ability value of the subject, calculating a gradient vector with respect to the feature vector, determining a new time segment in the predetermined time period and a new feature value based on the new time segment, calculating, using the sensor value, a feature candidate vector corresponding to a feature value of the new feature in the new time segment, determining a feature candidate vector satisfying a predetermined condition associated with a gradient vector based on a difference between the feature candidate vector and the feature vector, and correcting the first weight vector to a second weight vector using the feature candidate vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: YOSHIKUNI SATO, TORU NAKADA, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20180025271
    Abstract: A learning apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one circuit. The circuit (a) obtains a first neural network that has learned by using source learning data and obtains target learning data, the target learning data including a plurality of first data items each of which is given a first label and a plurality of second data items each of which is given a second label, (b) obtains a plurality of first output vectors by inputting the plurality of first data items to a second neural network and obtains a plurality of second output vectors by inputting the plurality of second data items to the second neural network, and (c) generates a first relation vector corresponding to the first label by using the plurality of first output vectors and generates a second relation vector corresponding to the second label by using the plurality of second output vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: YOSHIHIDE SAWADA, TORU NAKADA, YOSHIKUNI SATO
  • Publication number: 20180025475
    Abstract: An image generating apparatus is provided with: first and second light sources that illuminate a material; an image sensor on which the material is disposed; a mask which includes a light-transmitting part that transmits light and a light-blocking part that blocks light, and which is positioned between the image sensor and the first and second light sources; and a light and dark image processing unit. The image sensor acquires first and second images of the material when illuminated by the first and second light sources, respectively. The light and dark image processing unit derives a difference between a luminance value of a pixel included in the first image and a luminance value of a pixel included in the second image at the same position as the pixel included in the first image, and thereby generates a third image of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA, YASUHIRO MUKAIGAWA, TAKUYA FUNATOMI, HIROYUKI KUBO
  • Publication number: 20180019546
    Abstract: A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Hiroyuki MORI, Taichi SATO, Yoshihide SAWADA, Tsuyoshi TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9824189
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for estimating a position in an image which an operator who observes the image is likely to observe as the candidate of a next position is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a next observation estimating unit that estimates a position selected from among a plurality of positions using a parameter indicating an operation history and information regarding an estimation result at least at a current time on the basis of a probability value obtained from a predetermined probability distribution and a displayed image generating unit that generates an image to be displayed so that at least the candidate of the next position is visually recognizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Sawada, Taichi Sato, Hideto Motomura
  • Patent number: 9799992
    Abstract: A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Hiroyuki Mori, Taichi Sato, Yoshihide Sawada, Tsuyoshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20170270662
    Abstract: An image generation device generates a plurality of reference in-focus images of an object placed on a surface of an image sensor by using a plurality of images captured by the image sensor using sensor pixels when the object is irradiated with light by a plurality of illuminators. Each of the reference in-focus images is an in-focus image corresponding to one of a plurality of virtual reference focal planes that are located between the image sensor and the plurality of illuminators. The plurality of reference focal planes pass through the object and are spaced apart from one another. The image generation device generates a three-dimensional image of the object by using the reference in-focus images and displays the three-dimensional image on a display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, TAICHI SATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20170269344
    Abstract: An image generation apparatus includes a plurality of irradiators, and a control circuit. The control circuit performs an operation including generating an in-focus image of an object in each of a plurality of predetermined focal planes, extracting a contour of at least one or more cross sections of the object represented in the plurality of in-focus images, generating at least one or more circumferences based on the contour of the at least one or more cross sections, generating a sphere image in the form of a three-dimensional image of at least one or more spheres, each sphere having one of the circumferences, generating a synthetic image by processing the sphere image such that a cross section appears, and displaying the resultant synthetic image on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, TAICHI SATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20170272704
    Abstract: An image generation device generates an image of an object placed on a surface of an image sensor by using a plurality of images each of which is captured by the image sensor when the object is irradiated with a corresponding one of a plurality of illuminators. The object includes first object and one or more second objects included in the first object. The image generation device determines a section of the first object including a largest number of feature points of second objects, generates an in-focus image using the section as a virtual focal plane, and causes the in-focus image to be displayed on a display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, TAICHI SATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20170241898
    Abstract: An electronic prepared slide includes: an image sensor that has a light receiving surface and receives, on the light receiving surface, light that has passed through a specimen disposed above the light receiving surface; and a removable nonvolatile transparent film that is disposed on the light receiving surface and seals the light receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Toru OKINO, Shota YAMADA, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Tsuyoshi TANAKA, Manabu KAMOSHIDA, Hideto MOTOMURA, Yoshihide SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20170192219
    Abstract: An image generating system that generates a focal image of a target object on a virtual focal plane located between a plurality of illuminators and an image sensor (b) carries out the following (c) through (f) for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the focal image, (c) carries out the following (d) through (f) for each of the positions of the plurality of illuminators, (d) calculates a position of a target point that is a point of intersection of a straight line connecting a position of the pixel on the focal plane and a position of the illuminator and a light receiving surface of the image sensor, (e) calculates a luminance value of the target point in the captured image by the illuminator on the basis of the position of the target point, (f) applies the luminance value of the target point to the luminance value of the pixel, and (g) generates the focal image of the target object on the focal plane by using a result of applying the luminance value at each of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: YUMIKO KATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA, MASAHIRO IWASAKI, YASUHIRO MUKAIGAWA, HIROYUKI KUBO
  • Publication number: 20170059844
    Abstract: An image output device according to the present disclosure includes: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image with a first resolution; a high-resolution image acquisition unit that acquires an image with a second resolution, being an image of higher resolution than the image with the first resolution; an enlargement input unit that accepts input of an enlargement ratio; a determination unit that determines whether or not an evaluation score determined based on the accepted enlargement ratio is higher than a certain value; and a transmission unit that transmits the image with the second resolution if the evaluation score is determined to be higher than the certain value, and does not transmit the image with the second resolution if the evaluation score is determined not to be higher than the certain value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: TAICHI SATO, HIDETO MOTOMURA, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20160341947
    Abstract: An image acquisition device according to the present disclosure includes a lighting system and an irradiation direction decision section. In a module, a subject and an imaging element are integrally formed. The lighting system sequentially irradiates the subject with illumination light in a plurality of different irradiation directions based on the subject such that the illumination light transmitted through the subject is incident on the imaging element. The module acquires a plurality of images according to the plurality of different irradiation directions. Before the plurality of images are acquired according to the plurality of different irradiation directions, the irradiation direction decision section decides the plurality of different irradiation directions based on a difference between a first preliminary image and a second preliminary image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: TAICHI SATO, YOSHIHIDE SAWADA, YASUHIKO ADACHI, HIDETO MOTOMURA
  • Patent number: 9438793
    Abstract: An exemplary image forming apparatus includes: an illumination system which sequentially emits illuminating light beams from multiple different irradiation directions; an image sensor which captures a plurality of different images in the multiple different irradiation directions, respectively; an image processing section which forms a high-resolution image; and a memory which stores data about the ratio of light rays that have been incident on a photoelectric conversion section of each pixel of the image sensor to light rays that have passed through the upper surface of a plurality of subpixels included in the pixel with respect to each of the multiple irradiation directions. The image processing section forms the high-resolution image based on the data that has been retrieved from the memory by extracting, as a vector, a set of pixel values associated with the multiple irradiation directions from pixel values that form each of the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Adachi, Yoshihide Sawada, Yoshikuni Sato, Hideto Motomura