Patents by Inventor Masahiko Sano

Masahiko Sano 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: 10400993
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluorescent-material-containing member includes: providing a fluorescent member including a fluorescent material, the fluorescent member having a first main surface side including a plurality of projections; disposing a powder of a light-reflective member between the projections of the fluorescent member; obtaining a sintered body by sintering the powder of the light-reflective member, and removing part of the sintered body from at least one of a first main surface side and a second main surface side of the fluorescent member to obtain the fluorescent-material-containing member including a first surface arranged on the first main surface side has and defined by the fluorescent member and the light-reflective member, and a second surface arranged on the second main surface side has and defined by the fluorescent member and the light-reflective member or defined solely by the fluorescent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoichi Yamada, Takayoshi Wakaki, Masahiko Sano
  • Patent number: 10396242
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device including a substrate, an electrode and a light emitting region is provided. The substrate may have protruding portions formed in a repeating pattern on substantially an entire surface of the substrate while the rest of the surface may be substantially flat. The cross sections of the protruding portions taken along planes orthogonal to the surface of the substrate may be semi-circular in shape. The cross sections of the protruding portions may in alternative be convex in shape. A buffer layer and a GaN layer may be formed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Niki, Motokazu Yamada, Masahiko Sano, Shuji Shioji
  • Patent number: 10359156
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of LEDs arranged in rows and columns above the substrate, and a wavelength converting member above the plurality of LEDs. The wavelength converting member includes a plurality of fluorescent portions arranged in rows and columns and a lattice-shaped light shielding portion between the plurality of fluorescent portions. One or more row-direction spacing regions are located directly below a corresponding one of the rows of the fluorescent portions, and one or more column-direction spacing regions are located directly below a corresponding one of the columns of the fluorescent portions. One or more row-direction light-shielding regions of the light-shielding portion are respectively located directly above a corresponding one of the rows of the LEDs, and one or more column-direction light-shielding regions of the light-shielding portion are respectively located directly above a corresponding one of the columns of the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko Sano
  • Patent number: 10333030
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, a phosphor layer, a reflective film, and a light-transmissive member. The light emitting element emits first light. The phosphor layer is provided on a light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element, and contains a phosphor being excited by the first light to emit second light with a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the first light. The reflective film is provided on the phosphor layer, reflects the first light, and transmits the second light. The light-transmissive member is in contact with the reflective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dai Wakamatsu, Masahiko Sano
  • Patent number: 10324242
    Abstract: An optical component includes a phosphor member, an optical filter arranged over the phosphor member at a light extraction side of the phosphor member, and a light scattering member arranged on over the optical filter. An excitation spectrum of the phosphor member has a first local maximum wavelength in the visible region and a second local maximum wavelength in the ultraviolet region. The optical filter is configured to reflect a portion of light at the first local maximum wavelength and a portion or all of light at the second local maximum wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Sano, Dai Wakamatsu, Masami Kumano
  • Patent number: 10263152
    Abstract: A nitride semiconductor element includes a sapphire substrate including: a main surface extending in a c-plane of the sapphire substrate, and a plurality of projections disposed at the main surface, the plurality of projections including at least one projection having an elongated shape in a plan view; and a nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the main surface of the sapphire substrate. The at least one projection has an outer edge extending in a longitudinal direction of the elongated shape, the outer edge extending in a direction oriented at an angle in a range of ?10° to +10° with respect to an a-plane of the sapphire substrate in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Shimooka, Masahiko Sano, Naoki Azuma
  • Publication number: 20190062627
    Abstract: A fluorescent member includes: a plurality of fluorescent particles; an inorganic binder; and a plurality of pores. An upper surface of the fluorescent member is a light extraction surface of the fluorescent member. The plurality of pores are localized in a vicinity of at least one of the plurality of fluorescent particles in a cross section that is parallel to the upper surface of the fluorescent member and extends through the fluorescent particles and the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru TAKASONE, Masahiko SANO, Hiroyuki INOUE, Shoichi YAMADA, Takafumi SUGIYAMA
  • Patent number: 10180237
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laser light, a wavelength conversion member, a base member and a lid. The wavelength conversion member includes a plurality of projected portions each extending along a first direction on an upper surface side thereof and arranged side by side in a second direction. Each of the plurality of projected portions has a first surface extending along the first direction. The first surface is inclined with respect to a reference surface. The laser light source and the wavelength conversion member are arranged so that an optical axis of first light from the laser light source extends along the second direction when viewed from above and is inclined with respect to the reference surface, and light directly incident to the first surface along a direction parallel to the optical axis of the first light is regularly reflected toward an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Sano, Hiroaki Yuto, Naoki Eboshi, Toru Takasone
  • Publication number: 20180229491
    Abstract: A light emitting device can further improve light extraction efficiency. A method of manufacturing such a light emitting device can also prove advantageous. The light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a light-transmissive member which is disposed on a light extracting surface side of the light emitting element, and a reflecting layer disposed on an element bonding surface of the light transmissive member where the light emitting element is disposed and adjacent to the light emitting element. The light-transmissive member, in a plan view, has a planar dimension greater than the light extracting surface of the light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Daisuke SANGA, Masatsugu ICHIKAWA, Shunsuke MINATO, Toru TAKASONE, Masahiko SANO
  • Publication number: 20180158988
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device including a substrate, an electrode and a light emitting region is provided. The substrate may have protruding portions formed in a repeating pattern on substantially an entire surface of the substrate while the rest of the surface may be substantially flat. The cross sections of the protruding portions taken along planes orthogonal to the surface of the substrate may be semi-circular in shape. The cross sections of the protruding portions may in alternative be convex in shape. A buffer layer and a GaN layer may be formed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu NIKI, Motokazu YAMADA, Masahiko SANO, Shuji SHIOJI
  • Patent number: 9982868
    Abstract: A phosphor-containing member includes a base portion made of a diffuse reflective ceramic, and a plurality of phosphor portions each containing a phosphor and made of a ceramic. The plurality of phosphor portions are disposed directly on an upper surface of the base portion and are spaced apart from each other. A light emitting device includes the phosphor-containing member and a light source that is spaced apart from the phosphor-containing member and configured to irradiate light for exciting the phosphors on an upper surface of each of the phosphor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Sano, Toshiaki Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20180080631
    Abstract: A phosphor-containing member includes a base portion made of a diffuse reflective ceramic, and a plurality of phosphor portions each containing a phosphor and made of a ceramic. The plurality of phosphor portions are disposed directly on an upper surface of the base portion and are spaced apart from each other. A light emitting device includes the phosphor-containing member and a light source that is spaced apart from the phosphor-containing member and configured to irradiate light for exciting the phosphors on an upper surface of each of the phosphor portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Masahiko SANO, Toshiaki YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 9914288
    Abstract: A light emitting device can further improve light extraction efficiency. A method of manufacturing such a light emitting device can also prove advantageous. The light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a light-transmissive member which is disposed on a light extracting surface side of the light emitting element, and a reflecting layer disposed on an element bonding surface of the light transmissive member where the light emitting element is disposed and adjacent to the light emitting element. The light-transmissive member, in a plan view, has a planar dimension greater than the light extracting surface of the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Sanga, Masatsugu Ichikawa, Shunsuke Minato, Toru Takasone, Masahiko Sano
  • Publication number: 20180069164
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a mount substrate; two or more light emitting devices mounted on the mount substrate such that adjacent light emitting devices face each other at lateral surfaces thereof; a light transparent member positioned on upper surfaces of the light emitting devices, the light transparent member having a plate shape and being positioned to receive incident light emitted from the light emitting devices; and a covering member. In a plan view, the light transparent member is larger than each of the light emitting devices. The covering member contains a light reflective material and covers at least a lateral surface of the light transparent member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke MINATO, Masahiko SANO
  • Publication number: 20180058644
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of LEDs arranged in rows and columns above the substrate, and a wavelength converting member above the plurality of LEDs. The wavelength converting member includes a plurality of fluorescent portions arranged in rows and columns and a lattice-shaped light shielding portion between the plurality of fluorescent portions. One or more row-direction spacing regions are located directly below a corresponding one of the rows of the fluorescent portions, and one or more column-direction spacing regions are located directly below a corresponding one of the columns of the fluorescent portions. One or more row-direction light-shielding regions of the light-shielding portion are respectively located directly above a corresponding one of the rows of the LEDs, and one or more column-direction light-shielding regions of the light-shielding portion are respectively located directly above a corresponding one of the columns of the LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko SANO
  • Publication number: 20180047874
    Abstract: A nitride semiconductor element includes a sapphire substrate including: a main surface extending in a c-plane of the sapphire substrate, and a plurality of projections disposed at the main surface, the plurality of projections including at least one projection having an elongated shape in a plan view; and a nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the main surface of the sapphire substrate. The at least one projection has an outer edge extending in a longitudinal direction of the elongated shape, the outer edge extending in a direction oriented at an angle in a range of ?10° to +10° with respect to an a-plane of the sapphire substrate in the plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro SHIMOOKA, Masahiko SANO, Naoki AZUMA
  • Publication number: 20180040775
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, a phosphor layer, a reflective film, and a light-transmissive member. The light emitting element emits first light. The phosphor layer is provided on a light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element, and contains a phosphor being excited by the first light to emit second light with a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the first light. The reflective film is provided on the phosphor layer, reflects the contact with the reflective film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dai WAKAMATSU, Masahiko SANO
  • Patent number: 9865773
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device including a substrate, an electrode and a light emitting region is provided. The substrate may have protruding portions formed in a repeating pattern on substantially an entire surface of the substrate while the rest of the surface may be substantially flat. The cross sections of the protruding portions taken along planes orthogonal to the surface of the substrate may be semi-circular in shape. The cross sections of the protruding portions may in alternative be convex in shape. A buffer layer and a GaN layer may be formed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Niki, Motokazu Yamada, Masahiko Sano, Shuji Shioji
  • Patent number: 9853194
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes at least one light emitting device; a light transparent member that receives incident light emitted from the light emitting device; and a covering member. The light transparent member is a light conversion member that has an externally exposed light emission surface and a side surface contiguous to the light emission surface. The covering member contains a light reflective material, and covers at least the side surface of said light transparent member. A content of said light reflective material is not less than 30 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Minato, Masahiko Sano
  • Publication number: 20170363269
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laser light, a wavelength conversion member, a base member and a lid. The wavelength conversion member includes a plurality of projected portions each extending along a first direction on an upper surface side thereof and arranged side by side in a second direction. Each of the plurality of projected portions has a first surface extending along the first direction. The first surface is inclined with respect to a reference surface. The laser light source and the wavelength conversion member are arranged so that an optical axis of first light from the laser light source extends along the second direction when viewed from above and is inclined with respect to the reference surface, and light directly incident to the first surface along a direction parallel to the optical axis of the first light is regularly reflected toward an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiko SANO, Hiroaki YUTO, Naoki EBOSHI, Toru TAKASONE