Patents by Inventor Akira Kurozuka

Akira Kurozuka 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).

  • Publication number: 20190018239
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a light source device and an image display device. The light source device includes a laser light source configured to emit laser light having a wavelength in a range from 635 nm to 645 nm inclusive, a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature around the light source device, and a laser control circuit configured to control the laser light source. The laser control circuit approximates, with use of a quartic expression, change in threshold current of the laser light source relative to temperature, and approximates, with use of a quadratic expression, change in slope efficiency of the laser light source relative to temperature, to obtain threshold current and slope efficiency of the laser light source corresponding to detection temperature of the temperature sensor, and controls the laser light source in accordance with the threshold current and the slope efficiency thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO, SUSUMU URAGAMI, HIROYUKI FURUYA
  • Publication number: 20180374407
    Abstract: Provided is an image display device capable of effectively enhancing image quality of a display image with a simple configuration. The image display device includes a light source, a screen configured to be two-dimensionally scanned with laser light to draw an image on the screen, a scanning unit configured to scan the screen with the laser light, a mirror drive circuit configured to drive the scanning unit, and an optical system configured to generate a virtual image of the image drawn on the screen. On the screen, a plurality of lens regions are arranged so as to individually line up in two directions different from each other. Rows of the lens regions in one of the two directions are inclined relatively at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to main scan directions of the laser light to the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: HIROYUKI FURUYA, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO, SUSUMU URAGAMI
  • Publication number: 20180364480
    Abstract: The image display device further includes a scanning unit that uses light from the light source to scan the movable screen and the fixed screen, and an optical system that uses light from the movable screen and the fixed screen to generate a virtual image, a drive unit that moves the movable screen, a structure body that supports the fixed screen at a fixed position such that the fixed screen is closer to the optical system than the movable screen is, and a magnetic cover that covers a movable part of the drive unit. The structure body covers an area around an opening of the magnetic cover to shield the movable part of the drive unit from stray light travelling backward via the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: HIROYUKI FURUYA, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO, SUSUMU URAGAMI
  • Publication number: 20180356632
    Abstract: The image display device includes a light source, screens on which images are formed by being irradiated with light from the light source, a scanning unit that scans the screens by using the light from the light source, an optical system that generates a virtual image by using light from the screens, and a drive unit that includes a holder for integrally supporting the screens and moves the screens together with the holder The screens are aligned in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the holder caused by the drive unit, and are installed at positions that are shifted from each other by a certain distance in the movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: HIROYUKI FURUYA, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO, SUSUMU URAGAMI
  • Publication number: 20180239140
    Abstract: An image display device includes a light source, a screen, a scanning unit, an optical system, a drive unit, a support base, and a fixed base. The screen is irradiated with light from the light source, and an image is thus formed on the screen. The scanning unit scans the light from the light source along multiple scanning lines on the screen. The optical system forms a virtual image using the light from the screen. The drive unit moves the screen in an optical axis direction. The support base supports the drive unit. The fixed base supports the support base via a damper. The support base is supported by the fixed base such that the support base has support rigidity higher in a first direction in which a visual distance of a display image is changed in association with the movement of the screen than in directions other than the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: SUSUMU URAGAMI, HIROYUKI FURUYA, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10031336
    Abstract: An image display device includes a light source, a screen, an optical system and a driving unit. The screen is irradiated with light from the light source to form an image. The optical system generates a virtual image with the light from the screen. The driving unit moves the screen in an optical axis direction. The driving unit includes a holder, one or more elastic members and a driving source. The holder holds the screen. The one or more elastic members support the holder so as to enable the holder to reciprocally move in the optical axis direction. The driving source generates force for moving the holder in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Uragami, Takahisa Shiramizu, Akira Kurozuka, Hiroyuki Furuya
  • Publication number: 20180157037
    Abstract: A display device displays a virtual image of a first picture and a virtual image of a second picture by using a display medium. This display device includes a light source that emits light, a fixed screen, a movable screen, a driver, and a scanner. The fixed screen is fixedly disposed on an optical path between the light source and the display medium. The movable screen is also disposed on this optical path. The driver moves the movable screen along the optical path. The scanner scans the fixed screen and the movable screen with the light emitted from the light source, thereby forming the first picture on the fixed screen and the second picture on the movable screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: KEN'ICHI KASAZUMI, TOSHIYA MORI, HIROAKI OKAYAMA, SATOSHI KUZUHARA, HIROYUKI FURUYA, AKIRA KUROZUKA, SHINSUKE NAKAZONO
  • Publication number: 20180139418
    Abstract: Image display device includes; light source; screen on which an image is drawn by being scanned two-dimensionally by laser light; scanner that causes the laser light to scan the screen; mirror drive circuit that chives scanner; and an optical system that generates a virtual image of the image drawn on screen. On screen, there are arranged a plurality of lens regions so as to be arranged individually in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and mirror drive circuit sets a plurality of scan lines such that a pitch of the scan lines can become smaller than a pitch of lens regions in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: HIROYUKI FURUYA, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO, SUSUMU URAGAMI
  • Publication number: 20180113307
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display device that can easily perform control for driving a movable screen. Display device includes light source that emits a light beam, scanner that causes the light beam from light source to scan, movable screen in which a first image is formed by transmitting the light beam from scanner, projection unit that projects the first image formed in movable screen on windshield and displays a virtual image of the first image in a space in front of windshield, and driver that causes movable screen to reciprocate in a first direction separating from scanner and in a second direction approaching scanner. Movable screen reciprocates in a posture inclined to moving directions of movable screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: KEN'ICHI KASAZUMI, TOSHIYA MORI, HIROAKI OKAYAMA, SATOSHI KUZUHARA, HIROYUKI FURUYA, HIROSHI GOTOU, AKIRA KUROZUKA
  • Patent number: 9900567
    Abstract: An image display device includes a light source, a screen, an optical system, a screen driving mechanism unit, a memory unit, and a screen driving circuit unit. An image is formed on the screen by being irradiated with light from the light source. The screen driving mechanism unit moves the screen in an optical axis direction of the light. A smoothed movement profile is obtained by smoothing a movement profile used as a target for moving the screen so as to make a moving speed of the screen vary gently. The memory unit stores screen driving waveform information that has been generated so that the screen follows the smoothed movement profile. The screen driving circuit unit drives the screen driving mechanism unit, based on the screen driving waveform information stored in the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Uragami, Hiroyuki Furuya, Takahisa Shiramizu, Akira Kurozuka, Yuta Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20170264872
    Abstract: An image display device includes a light source, a screen, an optical system, a screen driving mechanism unit, a memory unit, and a screen driving circuit unit. An image is formed on the screen by being irradiated with light from the light source. The screen driving mechanism unit moves the screen in an optical axis direction of the light. A smoothed movement profile is obtained by smoothing a movement profile used as a target for moving the screen so as to make a moving speed of the screen vary gently. The memory unit stores screen driving waveform information that has been generated so that the screen follows the smoothed movement profile. The screen driving circuit unit drives the screen driving mechanism unit, based on the screen driving waveform information stored in the memory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: SUSUMU URAGAMI, HIROYUKI FURUYA, TAKAHISA SHIRAMIZU, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170227763
    Abstract: A light source device includes a laser light source, a first adjustment mechanism, a second adjustment mechanism, and a mirror. The laser light source emits laser light. The first adjustment mechanism is configured such that the laser light from the laser light source is incident thereto, and performs an emission angle adjustment of the laser light and a focus adjustment of the laser light. The second adjustment mechanism is configured such that the laser light from the first adjustment mechanism is incident thereto, and performs a positional adjustment of the incident laser light. The mirror is configured such that the laser light from the second adjustment mechanism is incident thereto, and emits the incident laser light in a predetermined direction. An image display apparatus includes the above light source device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: SUSUMU URAGAMI, HIROYUKI FURUYA, TAKAHISA SHIRAMIZU, AKIRA KUROZUKA, YUTA YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170212347
    Abstract: An image display device includes a light source, a screen, an optical system and a driving unit. The screen is irradiated with light from the light source to form an image. The optical system generates a virtual image with the light from the screen. The driving unit moves the screen in an optical axis direction. The driving unit includes a holder, one or more elastic members and a driving source. The holder holds the screen. The one or more elastic members support the holder so as to enable the holder to reciprocally move in the optical axis direction. The driving source generates force for moving the holder in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: SUSUMU URAGAMI, TAKAHISA SHIRAMIZU, AKIRA KUROZUKA, HIROYUKI FURUYA
  • Patent number: 9690094
    Abstract: An optical device includes: an optical element having an optically functional surface which is pivotable; a base supporting the optical element; and a package housing the optical element and the base, in which the package includes: a wall that surrounds the optical element and the base; a window that closes a first opening defined by the wall, and forms an optical path to the optically functional surface, the window being transmissive to light; and a bottom plate that closes a second opening defined by the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Akihiro Morikawa, Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono
  • Patent number: 9520813
    Abstract: An actuator drive device is configured to drive an actuator. The actuator drive device includes a storage section for storing a drive condition of the actuator, a processor for calculating and outputting drive signal D(t) based on a drive base signal V(t) calculated based on the drive condition with respect to time t, and a generator for outputting, based on the drive signal D(t) calculated, a driving signal for driving the actuator. The drive base signal V(t) is a sum of a fundamental wave and at least one harmonic wave of the fundamental wave. The processor is operable to determine the coefficient ak such that the drive base signal V(t) changes linearly from a minimum value to a maximum value with respect to a time. This actuator drive device improves the linearity of the driving of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Yamamoto, Shinsuke Nakazono, Akira Kurozuka
  • Publication number: 20160131895
    Abstract: An optical device includes: an optical element having an optically functional surface which is pivotable; a base supporting the optical element; and a package housing the optical element and the base, in which the package includes: a wall that surrounds the optical element and the base; a window that closes a first opening defined by the wall, and forms an optical path to the optically functional surface, the window being transmissive to light; and a bottom plate that closes a second opening defined by the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Akira KUROZUKA, Akihiro MORIKAWA, Toshiaki HORIE, Shinsuke NAKAZONO
  • Patent number: 9329384
    Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a movable plate having a reflecting surface, a first support portion, a first drive part, a first frame, and a monitor part for detecting the rotation of the movable plate. The first support portion is connected to the movable plate. The first drive part is formed in the first support portion and rotates the movable plate about a first axis. The first frame contains the movable plate and the first support portion, and is connected to the first support portion. The monitor part extends from that portion of the outer periphery of the movable plate which is most distant from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Nakazono, Akira Kurozuka, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki
  • Patent number: 9291816
    Abstract: A scanning mirror includes a mirror unit configured to reflect a laser beam, a supporter configured to cause the mirror unit to rotate and oscillate, and an oscillation sensor configured to output a monitor signal indicating oscillation of the mirror unit. A photodetector detects an intensity of the laser beam. When a value of the monitor signal falls out of a predetermined range of a normal operation and a value of the intensity detected by the photodetector fails to decrease, a breaking signal for causing the supporter to oscillate more than a breaking limit angle of the supporter is input. This scanning mirror and an image projection device using this scanning mirror can display an image at sufficient brightness safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD
    Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Yuta Yamamoto, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
  • Patent number: 9287488
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator device includes a vibrator and a driver to vibrate the vibrator. The vibrator includes a lower vibration layer configured to vibrate and an upper vibration layer coupled to an upper surface of the lower vibration layer and configured to vibrate together with the lower vibration layer. The driver includes an upper electrode layer on a lower surface of the lower vibration layer, a piezoelectric layer on a lower surface of the upper electrode layer, and a lower electrode layer on a lower surface of the piezoelectric layer. The lower vibration layer of the vibrator is made of organic material. The upper vibration layer is mainly made of inorganic material. The lower vibration layer has a smaller longitudinal elastic modulus than the upper vibration layer. The piezoelectric actuator device has a large resistance to disturbance vibrations and a large warping amount of the vibrator without increasing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichiro Hiraoka, Kazuki Komaki, Shinsuke Nakazono, Akira Kurozuka, Toshiaki Horie
  • Patent number: 9285588
    Abstract: The present application discloses a see-through display device a light source configured to emit light, a projection optical system configured to project image light generated from the light; a transmissive hologram including a first surface which the image light enters from the projection optical system; and an interface configured to cause Fresnel reflection of the image light deflected by the hologram. The hologram includes a first interference fringe recorded by object light and reference light which are incident on the first surface by means of two-light flux interference. The image light incident on the first surface is deflected by the first interference fringe toward the interface. The interface reflects the image light toward the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Shikii, Kenichi Kasazumi, Keiji Sugiyama, Kakuya Yamamoto, Akira Kurozuka