Patents by Inventor Yoshikazu Yamano

Yoshikazu Yamano 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: 10670919
    Abstract: A backlight device includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a shape of a matrix, a reflective sheet having partition walls arranged to surround each of the plurality of light sources in four directions and reflecting light emitted from the plurality of light sources, a luminance uniformity plate located above the reflective sheet and uniforming luminance of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources and light reflected by the reflective sheet, and a support member supporting the luminance uniformity plate. The reflective sheet has an opening portion in a portion, of at least one partition wall of the partition walls arranged in the four directions, which is other than four corners, and the support member has a shield portion disposed in the opening portion and shielding the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamano, Hisanori Sasaki, Yasuhiro Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 10613386
    Abstract: A backlight device includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a shape of a matrix, a reflective sheet having partition walls arranged to surround each of the plurality of light sources in four directions and reflecting light emitted from the plurality of light sources, a luminance uniformity plate located above the reflective sheet and uniforming luminance of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources and light reflected by the reflective sheet, and a diffuser panel located above the luminance uniformity plate and diffusing light exiting from the luminance uniformity plate. A gap between the partition wall and the luminance uniformity plate is 5% to 30% of an optical distance defined by a distance between the reflective sheet and, the diffuser panel, and a gap between the luminance uniformity plate and the diffuser panel is not greater than 50% of the optical distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanori Sasaki, Yoshikazu Yamano, Yasuhiro Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 10466536
    Abstract: A backlight device includes: a reflection sheet having a reflection surface which is divided into a plurality of reflection regions by a plurality of partitions that are each a ridge-shaped projection; light sources disposed in the respective reflection regions; a luminance uniformizing plat that transmits light incident from a first surface opposed to the reflection surface, and emits the light from the second surface; and a diffusion plate that diffuses and emits the light emitted from the second surface. The luminance uniformizing plate includes a high light-transmittance region between a region opposed to each of the light sources and a region opposed to a vertex portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of partitions, the high light-transmittance region being higher in light-transmittance per unit area than the region opposed to the light source and the region opposed to the vertex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamano, Hisanori Sasaki, Yasuhiro Kumamoto
  • Publication number: 20180239197
    Abstract: A backlight device includes: a reflection sheet having a reflection surface which is divided into a plurality of reflection regions by a plurality of partitions that are each a ridge-shaped projection; light sources disposed in the respective reflection regions; a luminance uniformizing plate that transmits light incident from a first surface opposed to the reflection surface, and emits the light from the second surface; and a diffusion plate that diffuses and emits the light emitted from the second surface. The luminance uniformizing plate includes a high light-transmittance region between a region opposed to each of the light sources and a region opposed to a vertex portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of partitions, the high light-transmittance region being higher in light-transmittance per unit area than the region opposed to the light source and the region opposed to the vertex portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshikazu YAMANO, Hisanori SASAKI, Yasuhiro KUMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180107068
    Abstract: A backlight device includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a shape of a matrix, a reflective sheet having partition walls arranged to surround each of the plurality of light sources in four directions and reflecting light emitted from the plurality of light sources, a luminance uniformity plate located above the reflective sheet and uniforming luminance of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources and light reflected by the reflective sheet, and a diffuser panel located above the luminance uniformity plate and diffusing light exiting from the luminance uniformity plate. A gap between the partition wall and the luminance uniformity plate is 5% to 30% of an optical distance defined by a distance between the reflective sheet and, the diffuser panel, and a gap between the luminance uniformity plate and the diffuser panel is not greater than 50% of the optical distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Hisanori SASAKI, Yoshikazu YAMANO, Yasuhiro KUMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180107067
    Abstract: A backlight device includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a shape of a matrix, a reflective sheet having partition walls arranged to surround each of the plurality of light sources in four directions and reflecting light emitted from the plurality of light sources, a luminance uniformity plate located above the reflective sheet and uniforming luminance of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources and light reflected by the reflective sheet, and a support member supporting the luminance uniformity plate. The reflective sheet has an opening portion in a portion, of at least one partition wall of the partition walls arranged in the four directions, which is other than four corners, and the support member has a shield portion disposed in the opening portion and shielding the opening portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshikazu YAMANO, Hisanori SASAKI, Yasuhiro KUMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140301107
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a light source device having one or more light emitting diodes; a board on which the light source device is provided; a light guide plate having an entrance surface facing a light exit surface of the light source device to allow entry of light therefrom, and a light emission surface which emits the light having entered through the entrance surface, the light guide plate configured to propagate the light having entered through the entrance surface and emit the light through the light emission surface; and an engagement member fixed on the board and engaging the board with the light guide plate, the engagement member configured to prevent relative motion, between the board and an engaged portion of the light guide plate engaged with the board, in a direction in which the light exit surface and the entrance surface face each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Tomonori MIZUTANI, Hisanori SASAKI, Yoshikazu YAMANO
  • Patent number: 8810720
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that does not let a user experience a sense of discomfort by touching a support attaching part. The imaging device includes: a support attaching part that is disposed on a support attaching surface and includes a screw hole; and a support attaching part cover that moves between a first position covering the support attaching part and a second position uncovering the support attaching part without generating convexness with regard to the support attaching surface. When a support is attached to the support attaching part, the support attaching part cover moves from the first position to the second position; and when the support is removed from the support attaching part, the support attaching part cover moves from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamano, Yasuhiro Miyamoto, Makoto Iyoda, Shinya Ogasawara, Tomonori Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8754981
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of reducing increase in the temperature of a supporting device coupling section is provided. The imaging apparatus includes a supporting device fixing portion having a screw hole to which a supporting device can be coupled, a supporting device receiving portion which has an exposed surface formed around the entrance of the screw hole and is configured to receive the supporting device, and an exterior section having an outer surface formed around an opening. The supporting device fixing portion and the supporting device receiving portion are formed as separate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Iyoda, Yoshikazu Yamano, Shinya Ogasawara, Tomonori Mizutani, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20130308255
    Abstract: A thin display device includes a display unit and an exterior case. The exterior case accommodates the display unit therein. When accommodated in a packing case, the exterior case 8 is held by shock-absorbing members at upper and lower corner regions. A back cabinet of the exterior case is mounted on the display unit so as to cover a back side of the display unit. The display unit includes bead portions for reinforcement on peripheries of the upper and lower corner regions held by the shock-absorbing members. The display unit also includes a plurality of screw-fitting portions on the bead portions. The back cabinet is threadedly mounted on the screw-fitting portions. It is possible to prevent the thin display device from being damaged by a mechanical impact during transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hisanori Sasaki, Yoshikazu Yamano, Motonari Ogura
  • Patent number: 8494359
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a protection ring which protects a supporting device coupling section such that it is difficult for a user to touch the supporting device coupling section is provided. A supporting device can be coupled to a camera body, and the camera body includes a supporting device coupling section and a protection ring. The supporting device coupling section has a screw hole to which the supporting device can be coupled, and a supporting device coupling surface which is formed and exposed around the entrance of the screw hole. The protection ring includes a return spring which restricts the position of the protection ring, a return spring stopper which supports the return spring, and a supporting device contact surface which protrudes outward of the exposed surface formed around the entrance of the screw hole of the supporting device coupling section, in a direction toward a housing outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Ogasawara, Makoto Iyoda, Yoshikazu Yamano, Tomonori Mizutani, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20120274841
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of reducing increase in the temperature of a supporting device coupling section is provided. The imaging apparatus includes a supporting device fixing portion having a screw hole to which a supporting device can be coupled, a supporting device receiving portion which has an exposed surface formed around the entrance of the screw hole and is configured to receive the supporting device, and an exterior section having an outer surface formed around an opening. The supporting device fixing portion and the supporting device receiving portion are formed as separate portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Iyoda, Yoshikazu Yamano, Shinya Ogasawara, Tomonori Mizutani, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20120274840
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that does not let a user experience a sense of discomfort by touching a support attaching part. The imaging device includes: a support attaching part that is disposed on a support attaching surface and includes a screw hole; and a support attaching part cover that moves between a first position covering the support attaching part and a second position uncovering the support attaching part without generating convexness with regard to the support attaching surface. When a support is attached to the support attaching part, the support attaching part cover moves from the first position to the second position; and when the support is removed from the support attaching part, the support attaching part cover moves from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamano, Yasuhiro Miyamoto, Makoto Iyoda, Shinya Ogasawara, Tomonori Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20120275778
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a protection ring which protects a supporting device coupling section such that it is difficult for a user to touch the supporting device coupling section is provided. A supporting device can be coupled to a camera body, and the camera body includes a supporting device coupling section and a protection ring. The supporting device coupling section has a screw hole to which the supporting device can be coupled, and a supporting device coupling surface which is formed and exposed around the entrance of the screw hole. The protection ring includes a return spring which restricts the position of the protection ring, a return spring stopper which supports the return spring, and a supporting device contact surface which protrudes outward of the exposed surface formed around the entrance of the screw hole of the supporting device coupling section, in a direction toward a housing outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Ogasawara, Makoto Iyoda, Yoshikazu Yamano, Tomonori Mizutani, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7162726
    Abstract: A disk apparatus of the present invention, in which a cartridge accommodating a disk-like recording medium and having an opening opened or closed by a shutter member is loaded to the disk apparatus, includes a loading chassis; a cartridge transporting member provided on the loading chassis for transporting the cartridge from a removal position to a play position; a traverse unit for carrying a pickup for recording or reproducing a signal onto or from the disk-like recording medium; a traverse transporting member provided on the loading chassis for transporting the traverse unit from a standby position to the play position; and a driving section provided on the loading chassis for driving the cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member. The cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member can slide in a direction of transporting the cartridge. One of the cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member is disposed on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Umesaki, Yoshikazu Yamano, Kiyonari Saruwatari
  • Publication number: 20050005278
    Abstract: A disk apparatus of the present invention, in which a cartridge accommodating a disk-like recording medium and having an opening opened or closed by a shutter member is loaded to the disk apparatus, includes a loading chassis; a cartridge transporting member provided on the loading chassis for transporting the cartridge from a removal position to a play position; a traverse unit for carrying a pickup for recording or reproducing a signal onto or from the disk-like recording medium; a traverse transporting member provided on the loading chassis for transporting the traverse unit from a standby position to the play position; and a driving section provided on the loading chassis for driving the cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member. The cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member can slide in a direction of transporting the cartridge. One of the cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member is disposed on the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Umesaki, Yoshikazu Yamano, Kiyonari Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 6782547
    Abstract: A disk apparatus of the present invention, in which a cartridge accommodating a disk-like recording medium and having an opening opened or closed by a shutter member is loaded to the disk apparatus, includes a loading chassis; a cartridge transporting member provided on the loading chassis for transporting the cartridge from a removal position to a play position; a traverse unit for carrying a pickup for recording or reproducing a signal onto or from the disk-like recording medium; a traverse transporting member provided on the loading chassis for transporting the traverse unit from a standby position to the play position; and a driving section provided on the loading chassis for driving the cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member. The cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member can slide in a direction of transporting the cartridge. One of the cartridge transporting member and the traverse transporting member is disposed on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Umesaki, Yoshikazu Yamano, Kiyonari Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 6292455
    Abstract: A disk drive unit 1 includes fixed and movable frames, 4 and 5. The movable frame has a turntable 20 for rotatably supporting the disk 15, an optical head 18 for optically reading information recorded in one surface of the disk supported on the turntable, and a guide 17 for moving the optical head in a radial direction of the supported disk. A support mechanism 12 for movably supporting the movable frame on the fixed frame has a damper 30 made of elastic material and is designed to have a specific damping feature with respect to first to third directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyonari Saruwatari, Kiyoshi Umesaki, Yoshikazu Yamano, Makoto Kanbayashi
  • Patent number: 5386330
    Abstract: A tape recorder operates with a Digital Method Compact Cassette (DCC) where the DCC has a hole in its upper surface. When the DCC is placed in the tape recorder, the DCC is moved parallel to the direction of insertion of the DCC and is then moved down. The tape recorder also includes a holder for holding the DCC, a first supporting member for supporting the holder, a projection disposed on the first supporting member, a transfer part for transferring the DCC in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion, a second supporting member rotatably mounted on the transfer part for supporting the lower surface of the DCC, and a spring for urging the second supporting member toward the lower surface of the DCC. The projection mates with the hole in the upper surface of the DCC. The second supporting member has an extending part and the first supporting member has a contact surface which makes contact with the extending part of the second supporting member when the parallel movement of the DCC is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Kage, Yoshikazu Yamano, Yasunari Toyama
  • Patent number: 5379168
    Abstract: A tape recorder apparatus is compatible with both analog and digital audio tape cassettes 1, 2, upper surfaces of the cassettes being formed with different engaging holes 1a, 2a, respectively. This tape recorder apparatus includes a holder 3 for selectively receiving either of these two different kinds of tape cassettes 1, 2; and a retainer member 4 which is swingably supported about a shaft 4d and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the holder 3. This retainer member 4 has a pair of engaging hooks 4a, 4c disposed along an insertion direction of the tape cassette 1 or 2. Each of these engaging hooks 4a, 4c exclusively engages with either of different engaging holes 1a, 2a formed on the two different kinds of tape cassettes 1, 2 when a respective tape cassette 1 or 2 is completely inserted in the holder 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Kage, Yasunari Toyama, Yoshikazu Yamano