Patents by Inventor Tomoharu Nakamura

Tomoharu Nakamura 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: 11927341
    Abstract: There are provided a light emitting unit using a wavelength conversion member which may be put to practical use, and a display and a lighting apparatus which include the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit includes: a light source; an optical part including a light incident surface, the light incident surface facing the light source; a wavelength conversion member provided between the light source and the light incident surface; and a holding member holding the wavelength conversion member at a position between the light source and the light incident surface of the optical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11921312
    Abstract: There are provided a light emitting unit that enhances the uniformity of in-plane colors, as well as a display and a lighting apparatus that include such a light emitting unit thereon. The light emitting unit includes: a plurality of light emitting sections each having a light source and a wavelength conversion member, the wavelength conversion member converting a wavelength of light emitted from the light source; an optical component having a light incident surface in opposition to the plurality of light emitting sections; and a color unevenness prevention structure suppressing direct entering of light from the light source into the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SATURN LICENSING LLC
    Inventors: Shingo Ohkawa, Tomoharu Nakamura, Gen Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 11889235
    Abstract: An image display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an output unit including a light source and outputting projection light outputted from the light source along a predetermined axis; an irradiation target member to be irradiated with the projection light; a first optical member disposed opposite to the output unit along the predetermined axis and controlling an incident angle of the projection light to be incident on the irradiation target member; and a second optical member included in the output unit and adjusting an illumination range of the projection light to be incident on the first optical member such that the illumination range has an aspect ratio of substantially the same as an aspect ratio of an outer shape of the first optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nakamura, Hajime Kikuhara
  • Patent number: 11829061
    Abstract: An image display device according to an aspect of the present technology includes an emission portion, a transparent base material, an irradiation target, and an optical portion. The emission portion emits image light along a predetermined axis. The transparent base material includes a tapered surface having a tapered shape along the predetermined axis. The irradiation target is disposed at least a part around the predetermined axis along the tapered surface. The optical portion controls an incident angle of the image light on the irradiation target, the image light having been emitted from the emission portion, the optical portion being disposed in a manner that the optical portion faces the emission portion on the basis of the predetermined axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20230280615
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting device that makes it possible to emit, with high efficiency, light having higher uniformity. The light-emitting device includes a light source, a wavelength conversion unit, and a wall member. The light source is disposed on a substrate. The wavelength conversion unit includes a wavelength conversion member and a transparent member that contains the wavelength conversion member therein. The wavelength conversion member is disposed to face the light source in a thickness direction and converts first wavelength light from the light source to second wavelength light. The wall member is provided on a substrate and surrounds the light source in a plane that is orthogonal to the thickness direction. A region occupied by the wavelength conversion member is wider than a region surrounded by the wall member, and entirely overlaps with the region surrounded by the wall member in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Tomoharu NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20230141255
    Abstract: An image display device according to an embodiment of the present technology include an emission portion, an irradiation target, and an optical portion. The emission portion emits image light along a predetermined axis. The irradiation target is disposed at at least a part around the predetermined axis. The optical portion controls an incident angle of the image light on the irradiation target, the image light having been emitted from the emission portion, the optical portion being disposed in a manner that the optical portion faces the emission portion on the basis of the predetermined axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nakamura, Yusuke Oyama, Akira Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11630344
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting device that makes it possible to emit, with high efficiency, light having higher uniformity. The light-emitting device includes a light source, a wavelength conversion unit, and a wall member. The light source is disposed on a substrate. The wavelength conversion unit includes a wavelength conversion member and a transparent member that contains the wavelength conversion member therein. The wavelength conversion member is disposed to face the light source in a thickness direction and converts first wavelength light from the light source to second wavelength light. The wall member is provided on a substrate and surrounds the light source in a plane that is orthogonal to the thickness direction. A region occupied by the wavelength conversion member is wider than a region surrounded by the wall member, and entirety overlaps with the region surrounded by the wall member in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SATURN LICENSING LLC
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11619867
    Abstract: To provide a new method for displaying a video image on a whole circumference screen. Provided is an image display device including: an emission unit configured to emit image light along a predetermined axis; a screen arranged over a whole circumference around the predetermined axis and having a cylindrical shape with the predetermined axis as a substantially central axis; and an optical unit arranged to face the emission unit with the predetermined axis as a reference, and configured to control an incident angle of the image light emitted by the emission unit, the incident angle being with respect to the screen, in which a video image displayed by the image light incident on the screen is simultaneously displayed over a whole circumference around the predetermined axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuki Furue, Mitsuo Okumura, Yoshihito Ohki, Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11536959
    Abstract: An image display apparatus (100) according to the present invention includes a display unit and a projection unit. The display unit includes a curved first screen (43) and a curved second screen (44), the first screen extending along a predetermined axis (1), the curved screen having transparency and being disposed on a front side of the first screen (43) with a gap interposed therebetween. The projection unit includes an emitter (11) that emits light for displaying a first image from a region on the predetermined axis (1) and a second image superimposed on the first image, projects the first image onto the first screen (43), and projects the second image onto the second screen (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoya Yano, Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20220382103
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting device that makes it possible to emit, with high efficiency, light having higher uniformity. The light-emitting device includes a light source, a wavelength conversion unit, and a wall member. The light source is disposed on a substrate. The wavelength conversion unit includes a wavelength conversion member and a transparent member that contains the wavelength conversion member therein. The wavelength conversion member is disposed to face the light source in a thickness direction and converts first wavelength light from the light source to second wavelength light. The wall member is provided on a substrate and surrounds the light source in a plane that is orthogonal to the thickness direction. A region occupied by the wavelength conversion member is wider than a region surrounded by the wall member, and entirety overlaps with the region surrounded by the wall member in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20220333763
    Abstract: There are provided a light emitting unit using a wavelength conversion member which may be put to practical use, and a display and a lighting apparatus which include the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit includes: a light source; an optical part including a light incident surface, the light incident surface facing the light source; a wavelength conversion member provided between the light source and the light incident surface; and a holding member holding the wavelength conversion member at a position between the light source and the light incident surface of the optical part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11422441
    Abstract: An image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes: a light emission unit; an object to be irradiated; and a reflection portion. The light emission unit emits image light along a predetermined axis. The object to be irradiated is disposed at least partially around the predetermined axis. The reflection portion is disposed facing the light emission unit with reference to the predetermined axis and has a plurality of reflection regions that divides the emitted image light into a plurality of light beams and reflects the light beams toward the object to be irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11421854
    Abstract: There are provided a light emitting unit using a wavelength conversion member which may be put to practical use, and a display and a lighting apparatus which include the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit includes: a light source; an optical part including a light incident surface, the light incident surface facing the light source; a wavelength conversion member provided between the light source and the light incident surface; and a holding member holding the wavelength conversion member at a position between the light source and the light incident surface of the optical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20220239873
    Abstract: An image display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an output unit including a light source and outputting projection light outputted from the light source along a predetermined axis; an irradiation target member to be irradiated with the projection light; a first optical member disposed opposite to the output unit along the predetermined axis and controlling an incident angle of the projection light to be incident on the irradiation target member; and a second optical member included in the output unit and adjusting an illumination range of the projection light to be incident on the first optical member such that the illumination range has an aspect ratio of substantially the same as an aspect ratio of an outer shape of the first optical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: TOMOHARU NAKAMURA, HAJIME KIKUHARA
  • Publication number: 20220201261
    Abstract: An image display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an output section that outputs projection light along a predetermined axis; an irradiated member to be irradiated with the projection light; and a first optical member that is disposed downstream of the irradiated member on a light path of the projection light, and reflects or diffuses a portion of the projection light that has transmitted through the irradiated member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: TOMOHARU NAKAMURA, AKIRA TANAKA
  • Patent number: 11294228
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting device that makes it possible to emit, with high efficiency, light having higher uniformity. The light-emitting device includes a light source, a wavelength conversion unit, and a wall member. The light source is disposed on a substrate. The wavelength conversion unit includes a wavelength conversion member and a transparent member that contains the wavelength conversion member therein. The wavelength conversion member is disposed to face the light source in a thickness direction and converts first wavelength light from the light source to second wavelength light. The wall member is provided on a substrate and surrounds the light source in a plane that is orthogonal to the thickness direction. A region occupied by the wavelength conversion member is wider than a region surrounded by the wall member, and entirely overlaps with the region surrounded by the wall member in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11287665
    Abstract: An image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an emitter, an irradiation target object, an optical unit, and a polarization control unit. The emitter emits image light along a predetermined axis. The irradiation target object is disposed in at least a part of an area around the predetermined axis. The optical unit is disposed to be opposite to the emitter by using the predetermined axis as a reference and causes the emitted image light to enter the irradiation target object. The polarization control unit controls a polarization state of the image light that enters the irradiation target object in accordance with a shape of the irradiation target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11267381
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including: a seat back frame standing from a seat rear end side of a seat cushion, a left and right pair of cushion frames, the seat back frame being supported to be tiltable in a seat front-and-rear direction, and the seat back frame structuring a framework of a seat back; and a seat back panel that is provided at the seat rear side of the seat back frame, an upper frame structuring an upper end portion at the seat rear side of the seat back frame, an upper end portion of the seat back panel being disposed at the seat upper side relative to the upper frame, and the seat back panel displacing toward the seat lower side when an impact load is applied from the upper side of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Watanabe, Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20220050371
    Abstract: An image display device according to an aspect of the present technology includes an emission portion, a transparent base material, an irradiation target, and an optical portion. The emission portion emits image light along a predetermined axis. The transparent base material includes a tapered surface having a tapered shape along the predetermined axis. The irradiation target is disposed at at least a part around the predetermined axis along the tapered surface. The optical portion controls an incident angle of the image light on the irradiation target, the image light having been emitted from the emission portion, the optical portion being disposed in a manner that the optical portion faces the emission portion on the basis of the predetermined axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: Tomoharu NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220011656
    Abstract: To provide a new method for displaying a video image on a whole circumference screen. Provided is an image display device including: an emission unit configured to emit image light along a predetermined axis; a screen arranged over a whole circumference around the predetermined axis and having a cylindrical shape with the predetermined axis as a substantially central axis; and an optical unit arranged to face the emission unit with the predetermined axis as a reference, and configured to control an incident angle of the image light emitted by the emission unit, the incident angle being with respect to the screen, in which a video image displayed by the image light incident on the screen is simultaneously displayed over a whole circumference around the predetermined axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuki FURUE, Mitsuo OKUMURA, Yoshihito OHKI, Tomoharu NAKAMURA