Patents by Inventor Hiroki Kikuchi

Hiroki Kikuchi 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: 20160261203
    Abstract: A secondary-side module comprises: a synchronous rectification controller that controls a synchronous rectification transistor; and a shunt regulator that generates a current that corresponds to the difference between an output voltage VOUT of a DC/DC converter and the target value of the output voltage, which are housed in a single package. The multiple pins to be connected to the shunt regulator are all laid out along a first side of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 9438128
    Abstract: A synchronous rectifier controller is provided on a secondary side of an insulation-type synchronous DC/DC converter and controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. A driver circuit controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. A photo coupler connection terminal is coupled to an input side of the photo coupler. An error amplifier amplifies an error between a voltage detection signal according to an output voltage of the DC/DC converter and its target voltage, and to draw a current according to the error from an input side of the photo coupler via the photo coupler connection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20160190942
    Abstract: When a pulse generator detects that a switching transistor on a primary side of a DC/DC converter turns off, the pulse generator sets a pulse signal S1 to an on level configured as an instruction to turn on a synchronous rectification transistor. When the pulse generator detects that the current that flows through the secondary winding of a transformer becomes substantially zero, the pulse generator sets the pulse signal S1 to an off level configured as an instruction to turn off the synchronous rectification transistor. After a predetermined time-up period elapses after the detection of the turn-on of the switching transistor, a forced turn-off circuit forcibly turns off the synchronous rectification transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20160181935
    Abstract: An isolated DC/DC converter includes: a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a switching transistor connected to the primary winding of the transformer; a rectification element connected to the secondary winding of the transformer; a photo coupler; a feedback amplifier connected to an input side of the photo coupler and configured to generate an error current which increases as an output voltage of the DC/DC converter decreases; a primary side controller having a feedback terminal and configured to switch the switching transistor with a larger duty ratio as a feedback voltage of the feedback terminal becomes lower; and a feedback circuit connected to an output side of the photo coupler and the feedback terminal and configured to reduce the voltage of the feedback terminal as a feedback current flowing through the output side of the photo coupler increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Manabu OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160181932
    Abstract: An isolated DC/DC converter includes: a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a switching transistor connected to the primary winding of the transformer; a rectification element connected to the secondary winding of the transformer; a photo coupler; a feedback amplifier connected to an input side of the photo coupler and configured to generate an error current which increases as an output voltage of the DC/DC converter decreases; a primary side controller having a feedback terminal and configured to switch the switching transistor with a larger duty ratio as a voltage of the feedback terminal becomes higher; and a non-inversion type feedback circuit connected to the output side of the photo coupler and the feedback terminal and configured to increase the voltage of the feedback terminal as a feedback current flowing through the output side of the photo coupler increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Manabu OYAMA, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20160181934
    Abstract: A synchronous rectification controller is arranged on the secondary side of an insulated synchronous rectification DC/DC converter. The synchronous rectification controller controls a synchronous rectification transistor M. An automatic shutdown circuit judges, based on the voltage VDS across the synchronous rectification transistor, whether the operation mode of a primary-side controller is a burst mode or a non-burst mode. When judgment has been made that the operation mode is the burst mode, the automatic shutdown circuit instructs a driver to suspend the switching of the synchronous rectification transistor M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20160072399
    Abstract: The synchronous rectifier controller is provided at the secondary side of the insulation-type synchronous DC/DC converter and controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. The controller is coupled to the output of the feedback photo coupler and drives the switching transistor according to the feedback signal. The synchronous rectifier controller includes a driver circuit and an abnormal detection circuit and is configured as a single module. The driver circuit drives the synchronous rectifier transistor. The abnormal detection circuit detects an abnormal condition in the secondary side of the DC/DC converter. FAIL terminal is coupled to notify outside of an occurrence of the abnormal condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20160036339
    Abstract: Asynchronous rectifier controller is provided on a secondary side of an insulation-type synchronous DC/DC converter and controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. A driver circuit controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. A photo coupler connection terminal is coupled to an input side of the photo coupler. An error amplifier amplifies an error between a voltage detection signal according to an output voltage of the DC/DC converter and its target voltage, and to draw a current according to the error from an input side of the photo coupler via the photo coupler connection terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroki KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160036340
    Abstract: The feedback IC is provided at the secondary side of the DC/DC converter and is coupled to the photo coupler. The error amplifier amplifies an error between a voltage detection signal according to an output voltage of the DC/DC converter and a target voltage, and draws a current according to the error from the input side of the feedback photo coupler via the photo coupler connection terminal. The abnormal detection circuit asserts an abnormal detection signal when an abnormal condition in a secondary side of the DC/DC converter is detected. The protection circuit is coupled to the photo coupler connection terminal, and acts on the feedback photo coupler via the photo coupler connection terminal so that a feedback operation by the error amplifier is invalid and an on-period of the switching transistor is shorten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 9244102
    Abstract: A comparator compares a first input voltage and a second input voltage to generate a comparative output depending on a result of the comparison. The comparator includes a first input terminal configured to receive the first input voltage, a second input terminal configured to receive the second input voltage, a differential pair including a first input transistor whose control terminal is connected with the first input terminal and a second input transistor whose control terminal is connected with the second input terminal, a tail current source configured to supply a tail current to the differential pair, and a load circuit connected to the first input transistor and the second input transistor, and the tail current source increases the tail current, as the first input voltage approaches the second input voltage, depending on the first input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20150334366
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a parallax control processing section performing an image processing for modifying a parallax magnitude, on each of a plurality of parallax images obtained through shooting from a plurality of respective view point directions different from one another, with use of shooting information related to a shooting condition for each of the parallax images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Shinichiro Tajiri, Hiroki Kikuchi, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9177508
    Abstract: A current driving circuit is connected to an LED terminal LEDi, and generates an intermittent driving current ILEDi that corresponds to a dimming pulse signal PWMi. An error amplifier generates a feedback voltage VFB that corresponds to the difference between a detection voltage VLEDi and a predetermined reference voltage VREF. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal having a duty ratio that corresponds to the feedback voltage VFB. A fault detection comparator COMP_OPENi generates a fault detection signal OPEN_DET which is asserted when the detection voltage VLEDi is lower than a predetermined threshold voltage VOPEN—DET. A forced turn-off circuit instructs the current driving circuit to suspend the generation of the driving current ILEDi during a predetermined period after a switching power supply starts to operate. The fault detection circuit detects whether or not the fault detection signal OPEN_DETi has been asserted in a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kikuchi, Masao Yonemaru
  • Patent number: 9172944
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a parallax control processing section performing an image processing for modifying a parallax magnitude, on each of a plurality of parallax images obtained through shooting from a plurality of respective view point directions different from one another, with use of shooting information related to a shooting condition for each of the parallax images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Tajiri, Hiroki Kikuchi, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9089023
    Abstract: A driving circuit for a light emitting element is disclosed. The driving circuit includes a DC-DC converter configured to generate a drive voltage between a first line and a second line; a current driver, configured to be connected to the light emitting element in series between the first line and the second line, configured to supply a drive current to the light emitting element; a protection resistor configured to be connected to the light emitting element in series between the first line and the current driver; and a controller configured to control the DC-DC converter such that a first detection voltage, which corresponds to a voltage between both ends of the current driver, approaches a predetermined reference voltage and perform a predetermined protection process if the drive voltage between the first line and the second line exceeds a predetermined first threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kikuchi, Junichi Hagino
  • Publication number: 20150155704
    Abstract: A control circuit used in a switching converter having a coil, a switching transistor, and a detection resistor, includes: a current detection terminal configured to receive a detection voltage obtained by superimposing a voltage detection signal on a current detection signal; a sample hold circuit configured to sample-hold the detection voltage in an OFF period of the switching transistor to generate a sample hold voltage; a variable amplifier configured to amplify a difference between the sample hold voltage and the detection voltage; a duty controller configured to generate a pulse modulation signal; a driver configured to control the switching transistor based on the pulse modulation signal; and an overcurrent protection circuit configured to compare the detection voltage with a predetermined threshold voltage and change the pulse modulation signal to an OFF level of a switching transistor when the detection voltage is identical to the predetermined threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroki KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 8933998
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an image display device comprising a rotating section having a plurality of light emitting elements. The rotating section rotates about a center and presents an image. A sensor detects an object, and a display controller controls presentation of the image based at least in part on detection of an object by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Ito, Naoya Eguchi, Hiroki Kikuchi, Shinichiro Tajiri, Izushi Kobayashi, Hiroaki Yasunaga
  • Publication number: 20140340615
    Abstract: A driving circuit for a light emitting element is disclosed. The driving circuit includes a DC-DC converter configured to generate a drive voltage between a first line and a second line; a current driver, configured to be connected to the light emitting element in series between the first line and the second line, configured to supply a drive current to the light emitting element; a protection resistor configured to be connected to the light emitting element in series between the first line and the current driver; and a controller configured to control the DC-DC converter such that a first detection voltage, which corresponds to a voltage between both ends of the current driver, approaches a predetermined reference voltage and perform a predetermined protection process if the drive voltage between the first line and the second line exceeds a predetermined first threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki KIKUCHI, Junichi HAGINO
  • Patent number: 8854439
    Abstract: A stereoscopic picture is viewable from all directions with high reproducibility without complicating a stereoscopic display mechanism, compared to related art. A cylindrical rotation section 104 rotating around a rotation shaft as a rotation center, a two-dimensional light-emitting element array 101 mounted in the rotation section and having a light-emission surface formed of a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix, and a slit 102 arranged in a circumferential surface of the rotation section in a position facing the light-emission surface are included. As the two-dimensional light-emitting element array 101, a two-dimensional light-emitting element array including a curved portion with a concave surface which is formed as a light-emission surface is used. The plurality of light-emitting elements emit light, which corresponds to orientation of the light-emission surface, to outside of the rotation section through the slit 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Ito, Naoya Eguchi, Hiroki Kikuchi, Shinichiro Tajiri, Izushi Kobayashi, Hiroaki Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 8829547
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a light emitting chip arranged on a substrate; a resin lens which covers the light emitting chip and focuses irradiation light from the light emitting chip; a mask which covers a region of an upper layer surface of the substrate, other than the resin lens; and a low surface tension film formed on a region of the upper layer surface of the substrate, other than in the proximity of the light emitting chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Izushi Kobayashi, Katsuhisa Ito, Hiroki Kikuchi, Yukitoyo Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8820977
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a light emitting chip arranged on a substrate; and a resin lens formed to cover the light emitting chip, wherein the center of the light emitting chip and the center of the resin lens are offset so that the centers do not match each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Izushi Kobayashi, Katsuhisa Ito, Hiroki Kikuchi, Yukitoyo Ohshima