Patents by Inventor Kenji Mizutani

Kenji Mizutani 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: 20140226989
    Abstract: Provided is a node device in an optical communication system in which a plurality of node devices are connected by a plurality of optical fibers, including: at least a first optical transceiver that consumes a first power consumption amount during standby; at least a second optical transceiver that consumes a second power consumption amount greater than the first power consumption amount during standby; and a power consumption control unit that preferentially selects the second optical transceiver as an optical transceiver to be maintained by the node device, the second optical transceiver being in a fast startup standby mode in which startup time from a standby state is shorter than allowable time of interruption time of a communication service in the optical communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8731276
    Abstract: A motion space presentation device includes: a work area generation unit configured to generate a three-dimensional region in which the movable robot operates; an image capture unit configured to capture a real image; a position and posture detection unit configured to detect an image capture position and an image capture direction of the image capture unit; and an overlay unit configured to selectively superimpose either an image of a segment approximation model of the movable robot as viewed in the image capture direction from the image capture position, or an image of the three-dimensional region as viewed in the image capture direction from the image capture position, on the real image captured by the image capture unit, according to the difficulty in recognizing each image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Mizutani, Taichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140133863
    Abstract: A network apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers (110) each of which has a frequency variable characteristic and communicates on an allocated channel, a channel allocation unit (154) which allocates channels of standby transceivers that are not connected to a network and are set to a standby state, among the plurality of transceivers (110) so that the channels are different from each other, a tuning unit (158) which tunes the standby transceivers to the frequencies of the allocated channels by changing respective parameters, and a selection unit (156) which preferentially selects and uses a transceiver having a short channel setting time among the standby transceivers, when a path is newly set in the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8694515
    Abstract: Provided is an image search device which relatively easily searches a large amount of stored images for images that a user wishes to use for interpolation, and which includes: an interpolation range computing unit (103) which computes, as an interpolation range, a range of an area including a first photographing location where a first interpolation target image was taken and a second photographing location where a second interpolation target image was taken; an interpolation image candidate obtaining unit (104) which obtains, as candidate images, images whose photographing location are included in the interpolation range from the plurality of images; and an interpolation image selecting unit (106) which selects, from the candidate images, an image having a greater subject distance, which is a distance between a subject and an imaging device when the image was taken, as a traveling speed between the first photographing location and the second photographing location increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoyo Takata, Kenji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8654187
    Abstract: A work recognition device, which recognizes processes in a user's work, includes a whole-state observation time determination unit that determines, as a whole-state observation time, from among observation times of chronological first observation values generated by a first sensor to represent movements of a user's hand, an observation time of observing a first observation value representing a predetermined movement of the hand; and an observation value selection unit that selects a second observation value corresponding to the time determined by the determination unit from among chronological second observation values generated by a second sensor to represent scenes in the user's work. Additionally, a process recognition unit specifies a process in the work, by comparing the second observation value selected by the selection unit to pieces of knowledge data associated with work processes in which the user performs predetermined movements of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20130289923
    Abstract: A device that supports an operator in checking an operation of an electronic circuit mounted on a board includes the following units. A waveform obtainment unit obtains a measured waveform as a signal waveform of a voltage or current measured by the operator bringing a probe into contact with the board. A similarity calculation unit calculates a similarity between the measured waveform and each of simulated signal waveforms which are signal waveforms of a voltage or current at respective nodes on the electronic circuit and are obtained by simulating the operation of the electronic circuit. A position determination unit determines, based on node information indicating positions of the nodes, a node position on the electronic circuit which corresponds to a simulated signal waveform having a maximum similarity. A notification unit notifies the operator of the node position determined on the electronic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Kenji MIZUTANI, Nobuyuki OTSUKA
  • Publication number: 20130279918
    Abstract: A node device and a power saving method in an optical communication network system that can achieve both of a reduction in startup period and a reduction in power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Kenji Mizutani, Masahiro Sakauchi
  • Publication number: 20130222737
    Abstract: A display device that economically improves light entry efficiency and non-uniformity of luminance of a light guide plate includes a plurality of light sources arranged at specified intervals so as to face a plane of incidence of the light guide plate to illuminate a liquid crystal module from the rear such that the light guide plate is illuminated with light from the light sources passing through the plane of incidence of the light guide plate. An optically anisotropic member is disposed on the plane of incidence and is configured such that a refractive index along a vertical direction with respect to the plane of incidence of the light guide plate is relatively small and a refractive index along a parallel direction with respect to the plane of incidence is large compared to the relatively small refractive index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji MIZUTANI
  • Patent number: 8494677
    Abstract: A motion path search device includes a motion space identification unit which identifies, as first spaces, three-dimensional spaces passed through by a movable part in direct teaching operations performed by an operator, and a spatial difference calculation unit that calculates a first differential space that is a part of one of the first spaces identified as a result of one of the direct teaching operations and that has no overlap with another of the first spaces identified as a result of another of the direct teaching operations that precedes the one of the direct teaching operations. A feedback unit provides the operator with information regarding the first differential space, and a path search unit searches for a motion path of the movable part within a first accessible space resulting from combining the first spaces after the direct teaching operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20130163726
    Abstract: The X-ray equipment related to the embodiment is configured from a plurality of pressure rising units, a switching unit, and a switching control unit. The plurality of pressure rising units are connected to the battery unit and generate direct current voltage. The switching unit switches over the plurality of pressure rising units and supplies direct current voltage to the X-ray generating unit. The switching control unit transmits switching instructions to the switching unit for switching over the pressure rising unit after receiving voltage supply instructions with respect to the X-ray generating unit until said voltage supply instructions terminate. The switching control unit controls discharging of the condenser inside the pressure rising unit switched over by the switching instructions and the control of commencing charging of the condenser inside the pressure rising unit following termination of discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Takahiro KUROKI, Kenji MIZUTANI, Seiichirou NAGAI, Hiroaki SATO
  • Patent number: 8457168
    Abstract: A semiconductor optical waveguide-A having an optical amplification function and a semiconductor optical waveguide-B having a light control function are integrated together on the same substrate. A facet of the semiconductor optical waveguide-A facing an isolation trench and a facet of the semiconductor optical waveguide-B facing the isolation trench are configured as a composite optical reflector/optical connector using an optical interference. The facet of the semiconductor optical waveguide-A achieves an optical reflectivity not higher than the reflectivity corresponding to a cleaved facet and not smaller than several percent, and an optical coupling coefficient of not lower than 50% between the semiconductor optical waveguide-A and the semiconductor optical waveguide-B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kudo, Shinya Sudo, Kenji Sato, Kenji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8433164
    Abstract: An optical joint (1) includes a 2×2 MMI coupler (30) and a 2×2 MMI coupler (31) joined to the 2×2 MMI coupler (30). The 2×2 MMI coupler (30) includes a port (32) and a port (33) at one side. The 2×2 MMI coupler (31) includes a port (34) and a port (35) at one side. A light-absorbing region (20) is connected to the port (33), and a light-absorbing region (second light-absorbing section) (21) is connected to the port (34). A reflecting boundary (22) that reflects light propagated through the 2×2 MMI coupler (30) or the 2×2 MMI coupler (31) is formed at the junction portion between the 2×2 MMI coupler (30) and the 2×2 MMI coupler (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Okamoto, Kenji Sato, Tomoaki Kato, Kenji Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20130094853
    Abstract: In order to realize a multiplexer/demultiplexer in which utilization efficiency of a frequency is high, wavelength characteristics of a transmission band is flat, the cost is low, the size is small, and a wavelength and a band are variable, the multiplexer/demultiplexer includes: first light branching means for branching inputted light into plurality of pieces of light and outputting the branched pieces of light; a plurality of light wavelength separating means for separating and outputting light outputted from the first light branching means for each of predetermined frequency bands; and an optical coupling means for making outputs having frequency bands different from each other among outputs from the light wavelength separating means gather and be outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Mizutani, Akio Tajima, Masahiro Sakauchi, Tomoyuki Hino, Masahiro Hayashitani, Hiroyuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 8284807
    Abstract: An object is to provide a wavelength-tunable laser apparatus that prevents a grid-hopping upon wavelength change, and a wavelength changing method thereof. A wavelength-tunable laser apparatus 101 according to the present invention includes a semiconductor optical amplifier 102 and a periodic wavelength-selection filter 106. Further, the wavelength-tunable laser apparatus 101 includes a phase control unit 111 that concurrently controls a current applied to the semiconductor optical amplifier 102 and a phase tuning of a wavelength-tunable laser under an open-loop control. Thus, dark-tuning can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Mizutani, Kenji Sato, Koji Kudo
  • Publication number: 20120239193
    Abstract: A motion path search device includes: a motion space identification unit which identifies, as first spaces, three-dimensional spaces swept through by a movable part in direct teaching operations performed by an operator; a spatial difference calculation unit which calculates a first differential space that is a part of one of the first spaces identified as a result of one of the direct teaching operations and has no overlap with an other of the first spaces, identified as a result of an other of the direct teaching operations that precedes the one of the direct teaching operations; a feedback unit which provides the operator with information regarding the first differential space; and a path search unit which searches for a motion path of the movable part within a first accessible space resulting from combining the first spaces after the direct teaching operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Kenji MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20120209428
    Abstract: A motion path search device which searches for a motion path of a movable part of a robot capable of being taught a motion by direct teaching in which the robot is directly moved by an operator includes: a first space identification unit which identifies a space swept through by the movable part of the robot in the direct teaching; a second space identification unit which identifies a space swept through by at least a portion of a body of the operator in the direct teaching; a space combining unit which calculates, as an accessible space, a union of the space identified by the first space identification unit and the space identified by the second space identification unit; and a path search unit which searches for a motion path of the movable part within the accessible space calculated by the space combining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Kenji MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20120182155
    Abstract: The danger presentation device includes: a worker position acquisition unit configured to acquire a worker position which is a position of a worker; a worker view range determination unit configured to determine a view range of the worker depending on the worker position acquired by the worker position acquisition unit; a position/posture determination unit configured to determine a position/posture which contains at least one of a position of a robot and a posture of the robot at a specific time in which at least a part of the robot which operates in accordance with a motion planning is included in the view range; and an image generation unit configured to generate image data for illustrating the position/posture determined by the position/posture determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Taichi Sato, Kenji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8189631
    Abstract: The present invention provides an external resonator-type wavelength tunable laser device that can properly fulfill a wavelength tuning function even with the use of a planar wavelength tunable reflector involving a considerable level of residual reflection. The external resonator-type wavelength tunable laser device includes a planar reflection structure enabling a reflection spectral peak wavelength to be varied and a semiconductor element as a semiconductor gain medium. The semiconductor gain medium is composed of a multiple quantum well in which product ?·L of optical confinement constant ? and semiconductor gain medium length L (?m) of a gain layer is at least 25 ?m and at most 40 ?m and in which gain peak wavelength ?0 (nm) observed during carrier injected with a maximum modal gain equal to an internal loss of the semiconductor gain medium is larger than ?3·?R/2+(?c+35) and smaller than (?(?·L)/7+8)·?R+(?(?·L)+?c+45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Sudo, Kenji Sato, Koji Kudo, Kenji Mizutani, Jan De Merlier
  • Patent number: 8144738
    Abstract: In an external cavity wavelength tunable laser device including an external cavity (20) which includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (2) and performs laser oscillation operation by feeding back external light, a wavelength tunable mirror (7) having at least a single peak reflection spectrum characteristic within a laser wavelength tuning range is placed on one end of the external cavity (20), and a Fabry Perot mode interval determined by the effective length of the external cavity (20) is not less than 1/10 times and not more than 10 times the reflection band full width half maximum of the wavelength tunable mirror (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Sato, Jan De Merli, Kenji Mizutani, Koji Kudo, Shinya Sudo, Mads L. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8108407
    Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus, which can present to a user only a related word matching a user search intent, includes: an associative dictionary storage unit for storing words included in plural pieces of text to be searched and relevance degrees between the words; an appearance frequency storage unit for storing an appearance frequency that is the number of pieces of text in which the words stored in the associative dictionary storage unit appear, among the plural pieces of text to be searched; and a related word obtaining unit that obtains a related word to be presented to the user, from the relevance degree between the search word entered by the user and another word among the words, the appearance frequency, and the user search intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tsuzuki, Kenji Mizutani, Kazutoyo Takata, Satoshi Matsuura