Patents Assigned to Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 9176333
    Abstract: A light modulator element includes a liquid crystal element which has a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules aligned along a first direction, and two transparent electrodes disposed in opposition to each other with the liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and which controls the phase of linear polarization light and passing through said liquid crystal layer by applying an electric voltage between said two transparent electrodes; a polarizer plate which is disposed between a light source and said liquid crystal element and which has the transmission axis along the first direction or along a direction orthogonal to said first direction; and a rotation mechanism which supports the liquid crystal element and the polarizer plate and which rotates the liquid crystal element and the polarizer plate integrally in one unit with the optical axis of the liquid crystal element as the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Yokoyama, Nobuyuki Hashimoto, Makoto Kurihara, Kenji Matsumoto, Ayano Tanabe, Yuka Saito
  • Patent number: 9175620
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine fitted with a combustion pressure detection device includes: an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, a pressure detection device having a housing, a diaphragm, and a detection member, and having a shoulder part. The diaphragm is provided on the front end side of the housing and the detection member arranged inside the housing and behind the diaphragm, allowing it to detect the pressure working via the diaphragm. Also provided is a second seal member in a ring shape that seals the opening in the combustion chamber and the housing in the shoulder part of the housing in the pressure detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Takahashi, Yoshihiko Soga, Tsuyoshi Misaizu
  • Publication number: 20150311403
    Abstract: To provide an LED lighting apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same that can improve the bonding strength between an aluminum substrate and a printed wiring substrate. An LED lighting apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same, the LED lighting apparatus includes an aluminum substrate, a plurality of reflectivity-enhanced layers formed on the aluminum substrate, an LED device bonded on said plurality of reflectivity-enhanced layers, a printed wiring substrate bonded onto a region on the aluminum substrate other than a region where the plurality of reflectivity-enhanced layers are formed, a wire for connecting between the printed wiring substrate and the LED device, a frame member formed so as to surround said LED device, and a phosphor resin deposited over a region inside the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicants: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd., Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Katoh, Sadato Imai
  • Publication number: 20150311405
    Abstract: Provided is an LED device which is compact while having good luminous efficiency and a focused light distribution. This LED device is provided with: a reflective frame around the outer periphery of the LED device; an LED die which has a transparent insulating substrate, a semiconductor layer formed on the bottom surface of the transparent insulating substrate, and an outer connection electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer; and a fluorescent member which is disposed on at least the top surface of the LED die and which converts the wavelength of the light emitted from the LED die. On the inside of the reflective frame is an inclined surface in contact with the lateral surface of the fluorescent member, and the inclined surface is formed such that the inner diameter of the reflective frame widens from the bottom surface towards the top surface of the LED die. Also provided is a manufacturing method of the LED device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicants: CITIZEN HOLDING CO., LTD., CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nodoka Oyamada, Kenji Imazu, Shusaku Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 9170567
    Abstract: In a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, a time to be spent on acquisition and tracking is reduced and also a reception success probability is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Kato
  • Patent number: 9167637
    Abstract: An LED drive circuit includes: a rectifier circuit that outputs a full-wave rectification waveform voltage; a primary LED row that includes a first partial LED row and a second partial LED row; an auxiliary LED row; a bypass circuit that is connected to part connecting the first partial LED row and the second partial LED row and that returns current from the first partial LED row to the rectifier circuit; and a current limiting circuit that limits the current flowing through the auxiliary LED row wherein the primary LED row and the auxiliary LED row are connected in parallel to the rectifier circuit; and the bypass circuit blocks the current passing through the bypass circuit in accordance with the current flowing through the primary LED row, and controls and blocks the current flowing through the auxiliary LED row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9159887
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element with a pair of element electrodes as a first element electrode and a second element electrode positioned at the lower surface of the light-emitting element; a phosphor plate disposed on the upper surface of the light-emitting element; a first resin covering the lower surface and the peripheral side surface of the light-emitting element with the first element electrode and the second element electrode partly appearing from the first resin; and a second resin provided in the phosphor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sadato Imai
  • Patent number: 9159892
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an LED light source device and a manufacturing method for the same that can maintain high reflectance over an extended period of time notwithstanding the interaction between light and heat. More specifically, the invention provides an LED light source device that includes a substrate, an electrode formed on the substrate, a white inorganic resist layer deposited over the substrate so as to cover a surface thereof everywhere except where the electrode is formed, and an LED element connected to the electrode, wherein the white inorganic resist layer contains fine white inorganic particles dispersed or mixed into an inorganic binder, and a method for manufacturing such an LED light source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mizue Fukushima, Kenji Imazu, Hiroshi Tsukada, Ryo Tamura
  • Patent number: 9156036
    Abstract: There is provided a workpiece separation apparatus permitting input of a mixture of workpieces and chips stably within a flow current and separating them accurately and efficiently. The workpiece separation apparatus includes an input cylinder inserted within a separating container, and a fluid supplying means arranged so as to supply fluid to the separating container from a part lower than a lower end of the input cylinder, and configured such that the fluid overflows and flows out of the upper end of the separating container due to a flow current generated within the separating container, and such that the level of the fluid rises up in the input cylinder and the fluid does not flow out of the upper end of the input cylinder, but is maintained substantially in a resting state and at a level above the level of the upper end of the separating container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co. Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozen Yanakawa, Hiroshi Kasuya, Kyota Kotake, Satoru Akimoto, Takahiro Mogi, Youji Takeuchi, Umeo Tsuyusaki
  • Patent number: 9146008
    Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, a lighting device includes a substrate that includes a pair of electrodes as a first electrode and a second electrode, groups each including a same number of light-emitting elements that are electrically connected to one another in series in each group and that are arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first light-transmitting member including a first phosphor and covering at least one light-emitting element and a second light-transmitting member including a second phosphor and covering at least one light-emitting element that is uncovered by the first light-transmitting member, the first phosphor in the first light-transmitting member and the second phosphor in the second light-transmitting member being configured to be excited to emit light with emission spectrum different from each other, and the first light-transmitting member being enclosed by the second light-transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Arata Shimozawa
  • Patent number: 9146026
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a lighting device includes light-emitting elements that are mounted in a circular mounting area to be directed in a same direction in the circular mounting area between a first connecting electrode and a second connecting electrode disposed on a substrate, the light-emitting elements are divided into groups each including the same number of light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements within each group are electrically connected in series with one another by metallic wires and electrically connected in series to the first connecting electrode and to the second connecting electrode. The groups each include the same number of light-emitting elements that are electrically connected in parallel between the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode. As another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a method of manufacturing a lighting device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuya Funakubo
  • Patent number: 9142368
    Abstract: Provided is a push switch that can be made thin without requiring that a notch be made into a mounting board. The push switch includes a substrate having a L-shaped cross section and wherein the substrate has a front surface, a back surface and a side face, an accommodating recess provided on the front surface, a center contact provided so as to be substantially centralized in the accommodating recess, a pair of peripheral contacts each provided at a circumferential edge of the accommodating recess, a movable contact spring constructed so as to extend across the pair of peripheral contacts and designed to be brought into contact with the center contact when pressed, a connection pad provided on the back surface and electrically connected to the mounting substrate, and an electrode provided on the side face and electrically connected to the connection pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9142936
    Abstract: The present invention is a laser light source device having: a silicon substrate having a first flat surface and a second flat surface which is formed at a position lower than the first flat surface by a level difference in the thickness direction; a first junction having a microbump structure comprising Au formed on the first flat surface; a second junction having a microbump structure comprising Au formed on the second flat surface; a first optical element and a second optical element for emitting laser light, which are joined to the first junction by a surface activation technique; a reflective member for reflecting the laser light from the first optical element toward a multiplexer, the reflective member being joined to the second junction by the abovementioned technique; and a multiplexer for directly receiving the laser light from the second optical element and multiplexing the laser light from the first optical element and the laser light from the second optical element, the multiplexer being joined to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ide, Takeo Komiyama, Kaoru Yoda
  • Patent number: 9136669
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a laser light source that includes a laser element and an optical element that are optically coupled efficiently and directly. A laser light source includes, a laser element which has a ridge part and emits laser light from a light emission part, an optical element which has a waveguide for guiding the laser light that is incident on an incidence part; and a substrate for joining the laser element and the optical element close so as to be optically coupled directly, and, in this laser light source, the laser element and the optical element are joined to the substrate in a state in which a position of the incidence part is shifted a predetermined distance upward or downward with respect to a position of the light emission part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masafumi Ide
  • Patent number: 9120933
    Abstract: In order to provide a white hard decorative member being remarkably enhanced in scratch resistance and abrasion resistance and having a high-quality color impression, and furthermore supply a product capable of freely controlling the color tone, corrosion resistance performance, and etching performance, the white hard decorative member includes a base material having thereon an alloy adherence layer having a high adherence effect, an alloy gradient adherence layer in which the reaction gas content is gradually increased, an abrasion-resistant layer having high hardness, and an alloy color-up gradient layer in which the reaction gas content is gradually decreased, which are formed by using a film of an alloy combining a metal having a high adherence effect to a metal and high brightness, a metal having high film hardness and high corrosion resistance, and a metal for enhancing the corrosion performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kotaro Takazaki
  • Patent number: 9122060
    Abstract: A scanning image projector includes a laser light source, an MEMS scanner having a reflecting mirror which vibrates around first and second axes that are orthogonal to each other, and an MEMS control unit having a high speed drive circuit which causes resonant vibration of the reflecting mirror at high speed around the first axis, a low speed drive circuit which causes non-resonant vibration of the reflecting mirror at low speed around the second axis, and an offset drive circuit which offsets a position on the second axis in a non-resonant vibration region where the low-speed vibration is caused by a predetermined amount, wherein the MEMS control unit displays an image in a predetermined display region by drive signals from the high and the low speed drive circuits, and moves a position of the display region in the non-resonant vibration region by an offset signal from the offset drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaaki Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20150241847
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a hairspring material for a mechanical timepiece, a variation in Young's modulus of which can be made smaller than that of conventional ones. [Solution] The hairspring material for a mechanical timepiece of the present invention comprises an alloy which contains 37.5 to 39.5% by mass of Ni, 9.2 to 9.9% by mass of Cr, 0.35 to 0.55% by mass of Ti and 0.6 to 0.9% by mass of Be, based on the total amount of the alloy, and contains a remainder including Fe and unavoidable impurities, said alloy being an alloy containing, as the unavoidable impurities, C (carbon), Mn in an amount of more than 0% by mass but not more than 0.5% by mass and Al in an amount of more than 0% by mass but less than 0.03% by mass, the amount of said C (carbon) being limited to not more than 0.03% by mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicants: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., NEOMAX MATERIALS CO., LTD., HITACHI METALS, LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshirou Hirai, Shinichi Matsumoto, Kenji Tsuchiya, Shinji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: D737692
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marie Yoshida
  • Patent number: D742553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Funakubo, Yuichi Miura
  • Patent number: D742554
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kanemaru