Patents by Inventor Akifumi Aono

Akifumi Aono 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: 11934045
    Abstract: This eyewear is provided with: a frame; a lens which is supported by the frame, and which includes an optical characteristic varying portion having an optical characteristic which is varied by means of electric control; a communication portion for receiving information from an external terminal; and a control portion for controlling the optical characteristic varying portion on the basis of the information received from the external terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuki Kan, Takafumi Ohto, Akihiro Muramatsu, Eiichiro Hikosaka, Akifumi Aono
  • Patent number: 11914231
    Abstract: This lens is provided with: a transparent first substrate; a transparent second substrate provided facing the first substrate in the thickness direction of the first substrate; a first optical characteristic varying portion which is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and which has an optical characteristic which is varied by means of electric control; and a second optical characteristic varying portion which is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, is provided displaced with respect to the first optical characteristic varying portion in the thickness direction, and which has a optical characteristic which is varied by means of electric control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Hikosaka, Yoshinobu Okada, Akifumi Aono
  • Patent number: 11886048
    Abstract: A lens that includes an electroactive region where an optical characteristic changes by electric control comprises: a transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate disposed facing the first transparent substrate; and an intermediate layer disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; and including a mark including information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kamibeppu, Hirofumi Asada, Akifumi Aono, Akihiro Muramatsu, Toshifumi Hino
  • Patent number: 11614641
    Abstract: Eyewear having: an optical module; an input unit; a sensing unit; a storage unit that stores at least conditions that change optical properties of the optical module; and a control unit that performs electric control of the optical module, in accordance with a set mode, by using electric control. The set modes include: a first mode in which the control unit electrically controls the optical module on the basis of a condition stored in the storage unit and a detection value for the sensing unit; and a second mode in which the control unit electrically controls the optical module on the basis of instructions received by the input unit. The conditions stored in the storage unit are updated on the basis of the detection value for the sensing unit when the input unit has received an instruction in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Muramatsu, Akifumi Aono, Ryuki Kan, Takafumi Ohto, Sho Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11513368
    Abstract: This lens unit comprises: a lens having a liquid crystal lens; a rim part that covers the peripheral edge section of the lens; a control unit that controls the liquid crystal lens; a conductive part that electrically connects the control unit and an electrode end section of the liquid crystal lens which is exposed at the peripheral edge section of the lens, and that is disposed between the rim part and the peripheral edge section of the lens; and a knob part that protrudes from the lens or rim part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Hikosaka, Ryuki Kan, Akihiro Muramatsu, Akifumi Aono
  • Publication number: 20220137434
    Abstract: A lens that includes an electroactive region where an optical characteristic changes by electric control comprises: a transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate disposed facing the first transparent substrate; and an intermediate layer disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; and including a mark including information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi KAMIBEPPU, Hirofumi ASADA, Akifumi AONO, Akihiro MURAMATSU, Toshifumi HINO
  • Patent number: 11314119
    Abstract: A lens includes: a substrate that includes a diffraction region where a plurality of protruding strips are coaxially and alternately formed. The diffraction region includes a first diffraction region and a second diffraction region that is located in at least a part of a region different from the first diffraction region. The second diffraction region includes: groove spaces lying between adjacent ones of the protruding strips with one another; and a communication space communicating between adjacent ones of the groove spaces with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Okada, Eiichiro Hikosaka, Toshifumi Hino, Akifumi Aono, Akihiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 11249327
    Abstract: Provided is a lens that includes a lens body and an internal electrode at least a part of which is exposed to an outer edge part of the lens body. The lens is configured so that in the outer edge part of the lens body, the shape of a first region that includes an exposed part where the internal electrode is exposed and the shape of a second region that does not include the exposed part are different. This configuration makes it possible to provide a lens that can be easily attached to a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kamibeppu, Hirofumi Asada, Akifumi Aono, Akihiro Muramatsu, Toshifumi Hino
  • Publication number: 20220035180
    Abstract: This eyewear is provided with: a frame; a lens which is supported by the frame, and which includes an optical characteristic varying portion having an optical characteristic which is varied by means of electric control; a communication portion for receiving information from an external terminal; and a control portion for controlling the optical characteristic varying portion on the basis of the information received from the external terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Ryuki KAN, Takafumi OHTO, Akihiro MURAMATSU, Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Akifumi AONO
  • Publication number: 20210341759
    Abstract: This lens is provided with: a transparent first substrate; a transparent second substrate provided facing the first substrate in the thickness direction of the first substrate; a first optical characteristic varying portion which is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and which has an optical characteristic which is varied by means of electric control; and a second optical characteristic varying portion which is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, is provided displaced with respect to the first optical characteristic varying portion in the thickness direction, and which has a optical characteristic which is varied by means of electric control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Yoshinobu OKADA, Akifumi AONO
  • Publication number: 20210132418
    Abstract: This eyewear comprises: a frame; an input unit which is disposed in the frame and accepts a first instruction operation and a second instruction operation that are different from each other; an optical module which is held in the frame and has an optical characteristic that changes by electric control; and a control unit which changes the optical characteristic of the optical module by selectively executing an upper-class function by the first instruction operation, and selectively executing a lower-class function by the second instruction operation. Consequently, the eyewear enabling execution of a larger number of functions with a simpler manipulation can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Akihiro MURAMATSU, Yoshinobu OKADA, Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Akifumi AONO, Ryuki KAN, Takafumi OHTO, Sho TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20210055602
    Abstract: A lens includes: a substrate that includes a diffraction region where a plurality of protruding strips are coaxially and alternately formed. The diffraction region includes a first diffraction region and a second diffraction region that is located in at least a part of a region different from the first diffraction region. The second diffraction region includes: groove spaces lying between adjacent ones of the protruding strips with one another; and a communication space communicating between adjacent ones of the groove spaces with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshinobu OKADA, Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Toshifumi HINO, Akifumi AONO, Akihiro MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20210033890
    Abstract: This lens unit comprises: a lens having a liquid crystal lens; a rim part that covers the peripheral edge section of the lens; a control unit that controls the liquid crystal lens; a conductive part that electrically connects the control unit and an electrode end section of the liquid crystal lens which is exposed at the peripheral edge section of the lens, and that is disposed between the rim part and the peripheral edge section of the lens; and a knob part that protrudes from the lens or rim part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Ryuki KAN, Akihiro MURAMATSU, Akifumi AONO
  • Publication number: 20210026159
    Abstract: An eyewear lens according to the present invention is configured so as to be provided with: a transparent first substrate having a principal surface; a second substrate disposed facing the principal surface, the transmittance thereof with respect to light in a predetermined wavelength region being different from that of the first substrate; an electric element in which optical characteristics thereof is changed by electrical control, the electric element being provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and an adhesive layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Akihiro MURAMATSU, Yoshinobu OKADA, Hirofumi ASADA, Akifumi AONO
  • Patent number: 10859865
    Abstract: The lens comprises: a first transparent substrate that includes a diffraction region in which a plurality of convex strips and groove sections are formed in alternation in concentric circles; a second transparent substrate that faces the first transparent substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed in a space present between the diffraction region and the second transparent substrate; and a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode that impress a voltage on the liquid crystal layer. The diffraction region comprises a first diffraction region and a second diffraction region that is disposed in at least part of a portion different from the first diffraction region. The space comprises: groove-shaped spaces present between the groove sections and the second transparent substrate; and a communicating space disposed between at least part of the convex shapes of the second diffraction region and the second transparent substrate, and communicating between neighboring groove-shaped spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Okada, Eiichiro Hikosaka, Toshifumi Hino, Akifumi Aono, Akihiro Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20200133031
    Abstract: Eyewear having: an optical module; an input unit; a sensing unit; a storage unit that stores at least conditions that change optical properties of the optical module; and a control unit that performs electric control of the optical module, in accordance with a set mode, by using electric control. The set modes include: a first mode in which the control unit electrically controls the optical module on the basis of a condition stored in the storage unit and a detection value for the sensing unit; and a second mode in which the control unit electrically controls the optical module on the basis of instructions received by the input unit. The conditions stored in the storage unit are updated on the basis of the detection value for the sensing unit when the input unit has received an instruction in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Akihiro MURAMATSU, Akifumi AONO, Ryuki KAN, Takafumi OHTO, Sho TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20200133025
    Abstract: Eyewear having: a frame; an optical module held by the frame and changing optical properties by electric control; a sensing unit that obtains information pertaining to a usage environment; and a control unit that, on the basis of the information obtained by the sensing unit, changes the optical properties of the optical module. The control unit switches between a mode in which optical properties of can be changed and a mode in which optical properties cannot be changed, on the basis of the information obtained by the sensing unit, and changes the optical properties of the optical module when in the mode in which optical properties can be changed. As a result, eyewear is provided that can switch between modes that change or do not change optical properties, in accordance with the usage environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Akihiro MURAMATSU, Yoshinobu OKADA, Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Akifumi AONO
  • Publication number: 20200004049
    Abstract: The lens comprises: a first transparent substrate that includes a diffraction region in which a plurality of convex strips and groove sections are formed in alternation in concentric circles; a second transparent substrate that faces the first transparent substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed in a space present between the diffraction region and the second transparent substrate; and a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode that impress a voltage on the liquid crystal layer. The diffraction region comprises a first diffraction region and a second diffraction region that is disposed in at least part of a portion different from the first diffraction region. The space comprises: groove-shaped spaces present between the groove sections and the second transparent substrate; and a communicating space disposed between at least part of the convex shapes of the second diffraction region and the second transparent substrate, and communicating between neighboring groove-shaped spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yoshinobu OKADA, Eiichiro HIKOSAKA, Toshifumi HINO, Akifumi AONO, Akihiro MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20190324294
    Abstract: Provided is a lens that includes a lens body and an internal electrode at least a part of which is exposed to an outer edge part of the lens body. The lens is configured so that in the outer edge part of the lens body, the shape of a first region that includes an exposed part where the internal electrode is exposed and the shape of a second region that does not include the exposed part are different. This configuration makes it possible to provide a lens that can be easily attached to a frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi KAMIBEPPU, Hirofumi ASADA, Akifumi AONO, Akihiro MURAMATSU, Toshifumi HINO
  • Patent number: 10423011
    Abstract: A lens includes a lens body, and an electro-active section (liquid crystals and a diffraction section) that is provided to a region of part of the lens body. The lens includes a pair of electrodes that are embedded in the lens body, that are electrically connected to a focal length modification section, that extend downward from an upper side end of the lens body, and that are disposed substantially parallel to each other spaced apart in a width direction orthogonal to an up-down direction of the lens body. Lower ends of the pair of electrodes are disposed spaced apart from the electro-active section in the up-down direction of the lens body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Blum, Sophie Adams, David Boyd, Richard Clompus, Mark Graham, Joshua Haddock, Robert Hall, Venki Iyer, William Kokonaski, Charles Willey, Yongping Wang, Claudio Dalla Longa, Tsuyoshi Kamibeppu, Akifumi Aono, Akihiro Muramatsu