Patents by Inventor Toshinori Sugiyama

Toshinori Sugiyama 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: 11828938
    Abstract: A small information display apparatus capable of displaying video information on a windshield as a virtual image is provided. An information display apparatus configured to display video information of a virtual image on a windshield of a conveyance includes: a liquid crystal panel arranged as a video display apparatus configured to form the video information; and a virtual image optical system provided with a windshield for displaying the virtual image at a front of the conveyance by reflecting video of the liquid crystal panel by means of the windshield. The virtual image optical system is configured by arranging a concave mirror and an optical element between the concave mirror and the video display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: MAXELL, LTD., Hitachi Industry & Control Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Toshinori Sugiyama, Kazuomi Kaneko, Shigeki Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20230375854
    Abstract: The present disclosure enables a space floating video having few ghosts to be obtained, and a space floating video apparatus suitable for inputting without causing fewer erroneous operations. The space floating video display apparatus includes: a display panel for displaying a video; a light source apparatus that supplies light of a specific polarization direction to the display panel; a retroreflection plate for reflecting video light from the display panel and displaying a space floating video of real image in air by means of the reflected light; and a light-shielding member that, among a plurality of space floating videos which are formed by the video light from the display panel, blocks a portion of the video light that is likely to form a space floating video other than desired space floating videos.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Koji FUJITA, Toshinori SUGIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20230331087
    Abstract: Information related to a vehicle can be displayed by projecting an image based on the information on a road surface or the like. An image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information to be displayed; and an image projection unit that projects the image based on the information to be displayed acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KUNII, Nobuyuki KAKU, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Hiroyuki NAKAMURA, Hiroshi CHIBA, Masahiro KISHIGAMI, Hiroyuki KAJIKAWA, Chohei ONO, Megumi KURACHI, Noriaki HARADA
  • Patent number: 11780365
    Abstract: An optical device for displaying a condensing mark includes a light source, and an optical element for condensing light emitted from the light source onto an irradiated surface. A lamp controller acquires a detection signal from a state detection device mounted on the vehicle and configured to detect a behavior of and peripheral environmental information of the vehicle, and light or blink the optical device. The optical device displays a plurality of condensing marks by arranging each of them side by side in at least the travelling direction of the vehicle on a lane orthogonal to a lane on which the vehicle exists, and one of the plurality of condensing marks to be displayed on a display region farthest from the vehicle is different in color from another one of the plurality of condensing marks to be displayed on a display region closest to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kishigami, Toshinori Sugiyama, Yasuhiko Kunii, Yuji Tsuchiya, Go Shimizu, Masayoshi Takori, Ryuya Kawaji
  • Publication number: 20230294592
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus that can be attached to a vehicle and can be effectively utilized for acquisition of road surface condition information, detection of a hidden vehicle, and the like is provided. The image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a vehicle; an image projection unit that projects an image based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and imaging means that acquires an image outside the vehicle, the image projection unit projects light in a wavelength band centered on a wavelength of 1.4 ?m and the imaging means provides the information related to the vehicle by imaging an image projected based on the light in the wavelength band centered on the wavelength of 1.4 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KUNII, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Takuya SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20230288724
    Abstract: An aerial floating image display apparatus includes: a display panel displaying an image; a light source apparatus; and a retroreflector capable of reflecting image light having been emitted from the display panel and causing the reflected light to display an aerial floating image that is an actual image in air, the light source apparatus includes: a light source of a point type or a surface type; a reflector reflecting light having been emitted from the light source; and a light guiding body guiding light having been emitted from the reflector toward the display panel, and a reflection surface of the reflector has a shape that is asymmetric across an optical axis of the light having been emitted from the light source. By such a configuration, the image can be preferably displayed outside a space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Koji FUJITA, Toshinori SUGIYAMA
  • Patent number: 11752870
    Abstract: Information related to a vehicle can be displayed by projecting an image based on the information on a road surface or the like. An image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information to be displayed; and an image projection unit that projects the image based on the information to be displayed acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kunii, Nobuyuki Kaku, Toshinori Sugiyama, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Hiroshi Chiba, Masahiro Kishigami, Hiroyuki Kajikawa, Chohei Ono, Megumi Kurachi, Noriaki Harada
  • Publication number: 20230266587
    Abstract: The information display apparatus configured to display video information of a virtual image on a reflecting surface of conveyance includes: a display configured to display the video information; and a virtual image optical system configured to display a virtual image at a front of the conveyance by reflecting light emitted from the display by means of the reflecting surface. The virtual image optical system includes a concave mirror and an optical element. The optical element is arranged between the display and the concave mirror, and is configured to correct distortion of the virtual image obtained so as to correspond to a viewpoint position of a driver on a basis of a shape of the concave mirror and a shape of the optical element. The information display apparatus further includes a virtual image double image conversion reducer configured to reduce double image conversion of the virtual image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Masahiko YATSU, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Kazuomi KANEKO
  • Patent number: 11709359
    Abstract: A HUD system and light source apparatus can be manufactured with miniaturization at low cost. A head-up display apparatus includes: an image display apparatus generating image light to be projected; an optical system performing predetermined correction to the image light emitted from the image display apparatus; and a concave mirror reflecting the image light corrected by the optical system to project it onto a windshield or combiner. The image display apparatus includes: a solid light source; a collimating optical system converting, into parallel light, the light from the solid light source; a lighting optical system configured by an optical member that polarizes a direction of a light beam generated by the collimating optical system and simultaneously expands a width of the light beam; and a display apparatus, the image display apparatus being configured to be arranged across and opposite the optical system on an optical axis of the concave mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Sugiyama, Koji Hirata, Yasuhiko Kunii, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Patent number: 11691560
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus that can be attached to a vehicle and can be effectively utilized for acquisition of road surface condition information, detection of a hidden vehicle, and the like is provided. The image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a vehicle; an image projection unit that projects an image based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and imaging means that acquires an image outside the vehicle, the image projection unit projects light in a wavelength band centered on a wavelength of 1.4 ?m and the imaging means provides the information related to the vehicle by imaging an image projected based on the light in the wavelength band centered on the wavelength of 1.4 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kunii, Toshinori Sugiyama, Takuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11675189
    Abstract: The information display apparatus configured to display video information of a virtual image on a reflecting surface of conveyance includes: a display configured to display the video information; and a virtual image optical system configured to display a virtual image at a front of the conveyance by reflecting light emitted from the display by means of the reflecting surface. The virtual image optical system includes a concave mirror and an optical element. The optical element is arranged between the display and the concave mirror, and is configured to correct distortion of the virtual image obtained so as to correspond to a viewpoint position of a driver on a basis of a shape of the concave mirror and a shape of the optical element. The information display apparatus further includes a virtual image double image conversion reducer configured to reduce double image conversion of the virtual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: MAXELL, LTD., HITACHI INDUSTRY & CONTROL SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Toshinori Sugiyama, Kazuomi Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20230176373
    Abstract: A light source apparatus and the like capable of improving the manufacturing yield are provided. The light source apparatus includes a light source, a collimator which is arranged to face the light source and includes a reflection portion for adjusting a focal length of light incident from the light source to the collimator, and a light guide arranged on an emission side of the collimator. The reflection portion of the collimator includes a normal focus area in which the light emitted from the light source and incident to the collimator is converted into substantially parallel light, a long focus area in which the light incident to the collimator is converted into slightly divergent light in comparison with the substantially parallel light, and a short focus area in which the light incident to the collimator is converted into slightly convergent light in comparison with the substantially parallel light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Toshimasa NAGAI, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Chohei ONO
  • Publication number: 20230118416
    Abstract: An information display device that displays image information as a virtual image on a projection surface, the device including: an opening portion at a part of the housing, image light generating means for generating image light, image light processing means for performing a predetermined optical process on the image light, and image projecting means for projecting the image light such that a viewer can recognize the image information as the virtual image in front of the projection surface, and an optical element in which a reflective polarizing plate is fixed to a substrate having a transmissive property with an adhesive agent or with a pressure-sensitive adhesive agent is provided in a part of an optical path inside the housing, as means for selectively reflecting a P-polarized light component of light in a visible light region, and a moisture-proof film is provided on a surface of the reflective polarizing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Masahiko YATSU, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Tomoki YAMAMOTO, Toshimasa NAGAI, Chohei ONO, Hiroyuki KAJIKAWA, Naoyuki OGURA
  • Publication number: 20230118314
    Abstract: An information display apparatus that displays image information on a vehicle includes a HUD apparatus projecting a large-scale virtual image onto a distant position and serving as a first information display apparatus 100 arranged between a windshield glass 6 of the vehicle and an instrument panel, and effectively displays a plurality of pieces of the image information by making coordination with a second information display apparatus 48 close to the windshield glass 6, the second information display apparatus causing a transparent dispersion sheet in the windshield glass to directly reflect a screen of a large-scale high-resolution image display panel so that the screen is observed by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Koji FUJITA, Eiji TAKAGI, Toshinori SUGIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20230108540
    Abstract: A light source device that supplies light in a specific polarization direction to an information display device includes a point-shaped or planar light source, an optical means for reducing the divergence angle of light from the light source, and a light guide having a reflection surface that reflects light from the light source to propagate to the information display device. The reflection surface of the light guide is arranged so as to face the information display device, and reflects specific polarized image light displayed on the information display device to be displayed on the window glass, which is an information display surface. Therefore, an information display system is realized in which the inside of the window glass can be visually recognized from the outside or the outside of the window glass can be visually recognized from the inside when image information is not displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Koji FUJITA, Eiji TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20230103912
    Abstract: Provided is a head-up display apparatus capable of preventing damage due to sunlight and ensuring user convenience. A reflection mirror M1 reflects an image created by a display panel and projects it onto a display region. A solar radiation sensor detects a sunlight intensity when a position of sun exists within a predetermined detection range. A blocking mechanism forms a projected light path of an image between the display region and the display panel when being turned off, and blocks the projected light path of the image and an incident light path of the sunlight which is direction opposite thereto when being turned on. A protection processor controls ON/OFF of the blocking mechanism based on an estimated temperature of the display panel, which is estimated by using a sunlight intensity from the solar radiation sensor, luminance of a light source, and an ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Tomoki YAMAMOTO, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Akio MISAWA, Nobutaka AMADA, Nagayasu TSUTSUMI, Yuji FUJITA, Souta SATO
  • Patent number: 11586040
    Abstract: An information display apparatus that displays image information on a vehicle includes a HUD apparatus projecting a large-scale virtual image onto a distant position and serving as a first information display apparatus 100 arranged between a windshield glass 6 of the vehicle and an instrument panel, and effectively displays a plurality of pieces of the image information by making coordination with a second information display apparatus 48 close to the windshield glass 6, the second information display apparatus causing a transparent dispersion sheet in the windshield glass to directly reflect a screen of a large-scale high-resolution image display panel so that the screen is observed by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Koji Fujita, Eiji Takagi, Toshinori Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11571952
    Abstract: A HUD device and an image display apparatus for solving a problem that a HUD image cannot be seen in a HUD device that displays a virtual image when wearing the sunglasses having polarization function are provided. A head up display device for a vehicle is provided with an image display apparatus configured to project an image onto a windshield or a combiner by polarized light and means of converting polarization of polarized light of the image projected from the image display apparatus, the means being provided on a part of a light path from the image display apparatus to the windshield or the combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Sugiyama, Koji Hirata, Yasuhiko Kunii, Masahiko Yatsu, Kazuomi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11561394
    Abstract: An information display apparatus and an information display method configured to display video information of a virtual image on a windshield of conveyance is provided. The information display apparatus includes: a display configured to display the video information; and a virtual image optical system configured to display a virtual image at a front of the conveyance by reflecting light emitted from the display by means of the windshield. The virtual image optical system includes a concave mirror and an optical element. A reflective film is formed on a reflecting surface of the concave mirror. A protective film for preventing moisture absorption is formed on a facing surface. By forming end surfaces of the two surfaces as a curved surface or an inclined surface and forming them on the end surfaces to block moisture, moisture absorption of plastic is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Shuji Kato, Toshinori Sugiyama, Michiaki Abe, Eiji Kawawa, Hiroyuki Kajikawa
  • Publication number: 20220388396
    Abstract: In an information display system that allows an observer to visually recognize image information displayed on an image display apparatus by superimposing the image on an external scenery through a window glass and a combiner, the system includes a light source apparatus that supplies light having a specific polarization direction at a narrow divergence angle to the image display apparatus, a reflection position of the image is changed by arranging a position and an angle of the image display apparatus with respect to the window glass so that the position and the angle change while a monitoring angle of the image visually recognized by the observer is constant, and a virtual image display distance of the image visually recognized by the observer and a size of the image of the virtual image can be changed by the arrangement state in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Toshinori SUGIYAMA, Koji FUJITA, Kouichi KAJIWARA, Eiji TAKAGI