Canon Receives 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award' and 'JPA Chairman's Award' at the Reiwa 8 National Invention Awards
Canon Inc. has been awarded the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for its SPAD sensor technology and the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPA) Chairman's Award for the design of its Aplio me ultrasonic diagnostic system at the Reiwa 8 National Invention Awards.
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## Canon Receives Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and JPA Chairman's Award at the Reiwa 8 National Invention Awards
Canon Inc. announced that it received the 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award' for its 'Invention of a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) Sensor with Low Noise' (Patent No. 7379606) and the 'Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPA) Chairman's Award' for the 'Design of a Compact and High-Function Ultrasonic Diagnostic System' (Design No. 1756898) at the Reiwa 8 National Invention Awards, hosted by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
The National Invention Awards recognize inventions that have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology in Japan.
The 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award' honors the SPAD sensor utilized in Canon’s ultra-high sensitivity camera, the MS-500. This technology is expected to be widely applied in night-time surveillance, automotive accident prevention, and medical imaging.
The 'JPA Chairman's Award' honors the design of the 'Aplio me' ultrasonic diagnostic system, launched in October 2023. Its compact and high-performance design meets the diverse needs of clinical environments and supports early disease detection.
### Key Winners
- Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award: Kazuhiro Morimoto, Masato Shinohara (Device Development Headquarters)
- JPA Chairman's Award: Satoshi Shinada, Sakiko Tanimoto, Takahiro Yamamoto (Corporate Design Center)
- Invention Implementation Achievement Award: Fujio Mitarai (Chairman and CEO)
### Overview of SPAD Sensor Invention
By effectively controlling charge movement, the sensor reduces noise by approximately 1/1000 and increases sensitivity by roughly 7 times compared to conventional types, enabling imaging in extremely low-light conditions.
### Overview of Aplio me Ultrasonic Diagnostic System Design
Focusing on the user experience for both clinicians and patients, the device features a compact design with reduced depth. This creates more space, supports natural working postures, and offers a reassuring aesthetic for patients.
Canon Inc. announced that it received the 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award' for its 'Invention of a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) Sensor with Low Noise' (Patent No. 7379606) and the 'Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPA) Chairman's Award' for the 'Design of a Compact and High-Function Ultrasonic Diagnostic System' (Design No. 1756898) at the Reiwa 8 National Invention Awards, hosted by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
The National Invention Awards recognize inventions that have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology in Japan.
The 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award' honors the SPAD sensor utilized in Canon’s ultra-high sensitivity camera, the MS-500. This technology is expected to be widely applied in night-time surveillance, automotive accident prevention, and medical imaging.
The 'JPA Chairman's Award' honors the design of the 'Aplio me' ultrasonic diagnostic system, launched in October 2023. Its compact and high-performance design meets the diverse needs of clinical environments and supports early disease detection.
### Key Winners
- Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award: Kazuhiro Morimoto, Masato Shinohara (Device Development Headquarters)
- JPA Chairman's Award: Satoshi Shinada, Sakiko Tanimoto, Takahiro Yamamoto (Corporate Design Center)
- Invention Implementation Achievement Award: Fujio Mitarai (Chairman and CEO)
### Overview of SPAD Sensor Invention
By effectively controlling charge movement, the sensor reduces noise by approximately 1/1000 and increases sensitivity by roughly 7 times compared to conventional types, enabling imaging in extremely low-light conditions.
### Overview of Aplio me Ultrasonic Diagnostic System Design
Focusing on the user experience for both clinicians and patients, the device features a compact design with reduced depth. This creates more space, supports natural working postures, and offers a reassuring aesthetic for patients.
FAQ
キヤノンが令和8年度全国発明表彰で受賞した賞は何ですか？
経済産業大臣賞と日本弁理士会会長賞を受賞しました。
経済産業大臣賞を受賞した発明の名称は何ですか？
「低ノイズを実現した単一光子計測イメージセンサーの発明」（特許第7379606号）です。
日本弁理士会会長賞を受賞した対象製品は何ですか？
超音波診断装置「Aplio me」（意匠第1756898号）です。
SPADセンサーの特徴は何ですか？
光子を計測することで極低照度下でも撮影可能で、ノイズを従来比約1/1000に低減し感度を約7倍に向上させました。
Aplio meのデザインの工夫点は何ですか？
本体をコンパクトかつスリムにすることで検査空間を広げ、医療従事者の自然な姿勢を確保し、患者に安心感を与える設計となっています。