Patents by Inventor Akihito Saito

Akihito Saito 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: 11914219
    Abstract: A position detection unit generates a position detection value PFB that indicates the position of a control target. A temperature detection unit generates a temperature detection value that indicates the temperature. A correction unit corrects the position detection value PFB. A controller generates a control instruction value SREF such that the position detection value PFB_CMP subjected to the correction matches a position instruction value PREF that indicates the target position of the control target. A driver unit applies a driving signal that corresponds to the control instruction value SREF to an actuator. The correction unit corrects the position detection value PFB such that the relation between the position detection value PFB and the actual position exhibits linearity that is uniform independent of the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Publication number: 20230287815
    Abstract: A method for filling a silencer with a sound absorbing material in which an inside of a shell is partitioned into a plurality of silencing chambers by a separator and at least one silencing chamber is filled with the material, the method including: forming a hole at the silencing chamber to be filled with the material in the shell; inserting a filling nozzle into the silencing chamber from the hole; injecting the material from the filling nozzle into the silencing chamber S2 for filling; and externally sealing the hole opening to the shell with a hole sealing member. An outer peripheral flange portion is abutted on and welded to an outer surface of the shell to seal the hole with the hole sealing member 8 allowing stably holding the silencer and easily filling the silencer with the material irrespective of a shell shape and a structure inside the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke SUTO, Katsunori OKOSHI, Akihito SAITO, Takeshi MARUYAMA, Kazuyuki SHIRAI
  • Patent number: 11483459
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module including an imaging lens supported in such a manner as to be displaceable in a first direction, an image sensor supported in such a manner as to be displaceable in a second direction different from the first direction, a first actuator that carries out positioning of the imaging lens in the first direction, and a second actuator that carries out positioning of the image sensor in the second direction. Autofocus operation is carried out by one of the first actuator, and the second actuator and optical image stabilization operation is carried out by the other of the first actuator and the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Publication number: 20220157503
    Abstract: A coil module includes a substrate, a conductor layer, at least one element, and a sealing resin. The substrate includes a semiconductor material. The conductor layer is formed on the substrate and includes a wiring section and a coil section of a helical shape. The at least one element is mounted on the wiring section. The sealing resin covers the obverse surface of the substrate, the conductor layer, and the at least one element. The at least one element includes, for example, a magnetic detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Akihito SAITO, Isamu NISHIMURA, Yoshihiro SEKIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220059266
    Abstract: A coil module includes a conductor layer, at least one element, and a sealing resin. The conductor layer is formed along a predetermined plane and includes a wiring portion and a helical-shaped coil portion. The at least one element is mounted on the wiring portion. The sealing resin covers the conductor layer and the at least one element. The sealing resin is integrally formed of a single type of resin material and has a predetermined thickness in a first direction perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Akihito SAITO, Isamu NISHIMURA, Yoshihiro SEKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11218624
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including multiple pixels. A lens is provided on an optical path of incident light to the image sensor. An actuator includes a coil, and supports positioning of the lens according to a driving signal applied to the coil. A position detection coil is arranged such that it magnetically couples with the coil of the actuator. An actuator driver supplies a pulse-shaped driving signal to the coil of the actuator driver. A position detection circuit generates a position detection signal that indicates the position of the lens based on an induced electromotive force that occurs in the position detection coil according to the driving signal, and feeds back the position detection signal to the actuator driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: ROHM CO., LTD., SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihito Saito, Tatsuya Ninomiya, Nobuo Kohmura, Kento Nishizawa, Tatsuro Shimizu, Takahiro Akahane, Go Asayama, Yuki Urano
  • Publication number: 20210311283
    Abstract: A position detection unit generates a position detection value PFB that indicates the position of a control target. A temperature detection unit generates a temperature detection value that indicates the temperature. A correction unit corrects the position detection value PFB. A controller generates a control instruction value SREF such that the position detection value PFB_CMP subjected to the correction matches a position instruction value PREF that indicates the target position of the control target. A driver unit applies a driving signal that corresponds to the control instruction value SREF to an actuator. The correction unit corrects the position detection value PFB such that the relation between the position detection value PFB and the actual position exhibits linearity that is uniform independent of the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Jun MAEDE, Akihito SAITO, Yoshihiro SEKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11067767
    Abstract: A position detection unit generates a position detection value PFB that indicates the position of a control target. A temperature detection unit generates a temperature detection value that indicates the temperature. A correction unit corrects the position detection value PFB. A controller generates a control instruction value SREF such that the position detection value PFB_CMP subjected to the correction matches a position instruction value PREF that indicates the target position of the control target. A driver unit applies a driving signal that corresponds to the control instruction value SREF to an actuator. The correction unit corrects the position detection value PFB such that the relation between the position detection value PFB and the actual position exhibits linearity that is uniform independent of the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Publication number: 20210195073
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module including an imaging lens supported in such a manner as to be displaceable in a first direction, an image sensor supported in such a manner as to be displaceable in a second direction different from the first direction, a first actuator that carries out positioning of the imaging lens in the first direction, and a second actuator that carries out positioning of the image sensor in the second direction. Autofocus operation is carried out by one of the first actuator, and the second actuator and optical image stabilization operation is carried out by the other of the first actuator and the second actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 10999508
    Abstract: The present invention reduces magnetic fog noise of an actuator. An actuator is used jointly with a position detection element to locate a lens in a direction of a first axis. A coil is formed in a manner of setting a second axis perpendicular to the first axis as a length direction, and has a first side and a second side parallel to the second axis, and a third side and a fourth side parallel to the first axis. A permanent magnet produces magnetic fields perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis and being in opposite directions with respect to the first side and the second side, respectively. During use, the position detection element is configured near the third side. The coil is split into multiple parts in a width direction on at least the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Abe, Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 10897574
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an imaging element that captures an image transmitted through the imaging lens, a blur detection part configured to detect a blur, an actuator configured to determine a position of the imaging lens, and an actuator driver configured to control the actuator in accordance with a blur detection signal from the blur detection part. The shift of the image occurring when forcibly changing the position of the imaging lens is corrected by shift of an effective pixel area of the imaging element according to the forcible change amount of the position of the imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Publication number: 20200374428
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including multiple pixels. A lens is provided on an optical path of incident light to the image sensor. An actuator includes a coil, and supports positioning of the lens according to a driving signal applied to the coil. A position detection coil is arranged such that it magnetically couples with the coil of the actuator. An actuator driver supplies a pulse-shaped driving signal to the coil of the actuator driver. A position detection circuit generates a position detection signal that indicates the position of the lens based on an induced electromotive force that occurs in the position detection coil according to the driving signal, and feeds back the position detection signal to the actuator driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Akihito SAITO, Tatsuya NINOMIYA, Nobuo KOHMURA, Kento NISHIZAWA, Tatsuro SHIMIZU, Takahiro AKAHANE, Go ASAYAMA, Yuki URANO
  • Publication number: 20200336664
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an imaging element that captures an image transmitted through the imaging lens, a blur detection part configured to detect a blur, an actuator configured to determine a position of the imaging lens, and an actuator driver configured to control the actuator in accordance with a blur detection signal from the blur detection part. The shift of the image occurring when forcibly changing the position of the imaging lens is corrected by shift of an effective pixel area of the imaging element according to the forcible change amount of the position of the imaging lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Jun MAEDE, Akihito SAITO, Yoshihiro SEKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 10750091
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an imaging element that captures an image transmitted through the imaging lens, a blur detection part configured to detect a blur, an actuator configured to determine a position of the imaging lens, and an actuator driver configured to control the actuator in accordance with a blur detection signal from the blur detection part. The shift of the image occurring when forcibly changing the position of the imaging lens is corrected by shift of an effective pixel area of the imaging element according to the forcible change amount of the position of the imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 10674051
    Abstract: An actuator positions a movable portion including a lens in a first direction (Z-axis direction). An acceleration sensor generates first acceleration information ACC that indicates the acceleration applied to the image capture apparatus in the first direction. An actuator driver IC superimposes a correction value that corresponds to the first acceleration information on a base instruction value that corresponds to the target position to be set for the lens in the first direction. The actuator driver IC controls the actuator according to a corrected instruction value thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tanimukai, Akihito Saito, Jun Maede, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 10567628
    Abstract: A calibration method for an imaging device including a camera module including an imaging element and a lens installed on a path of light incident on the imaging element; a blur detection element configured to detect an amount of blur acting on the imaging device; and a gravity detection element configured to determine a direction of gravity acting on the imaging device. The calibration method includes: detecting a first angle corresponding to a deviation of a direction of a coordinate axis of the blur detection element with respect to the direction of gravity; detecting a second angle corresponding to a deviation of a direction of the camera module with respect to the direction of gravity; and acquiring a parameter for correcting a detection signal of the blur detection element based on the first angle and the second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimatani, Akihito Saito, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Publication number: 20190394399
    Abstract: The present invention reduces magnetic fog noise of an actuator. An actuator is used jointly with a position detection element to locate a lens in a direction of a first axis. A coil is formed in a manner of setting a second axis perpendicular to the first axis as a length direction, and has a first side and a second side parallel to the second axis, and a third side and a fourth side parallel to the first axis. A permanent magnet produces magnetic fields perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis and being in opposite directions with respect to the first side and the second side, respectively. During use, the position detection element is configured near the third side. The coil is split into multiple parts in a width direction on at least the third side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Shinichi ABE, Akihito SAITO, Yoshihiro SEKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 10491827
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging element; a lens disposed on a path of incident light to the imaging element; an actuator configured to displace the lens in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis; a position detecting element configured to generate a position detection signal indicating a displacement of the lens; and an actuator driver configured to feedback-control the actuator based on the position detection signal and a target code indicating a target displacement of the lens. The actuator driver includes: a correction circuit that converts a first detection code corresponding to the position detection signal into a second detection code having a linear relationship with an actual displacement of the lens; and a control circuit that controls the actuator so that the second detection code approaches the target code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihito Saito, Hiromichi Tanimukai, Jun Maede, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 10469752
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: imaging lens displaceable in first and second directions in plane perpendicular to optical axis; actuator positioning the imaging lens in the first and second directions; position detector generating first and second position detection signals Hx and Hy, Hx including crosstalk component caused by displacing the imaging lens in the second direction, and Hy including crosstalk component caused by displacing the imaging lens in the first direction; crosstalk compensator correcting Hx and Hy to reduce crosstalk components included in Hx and Hy; and driver controlling the actuator based on corrected first and second position detection signals Hx? and Hy?, wherein when ratio of Hy to Hx while driving the imaging lens in the first direction is ? and ratio of Hx to Hy while driving the imaging lens in the second direction is ?, the crosstalk compensator reduces crosstalk components included in Hx and Hy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Akihito Saito, Hiromichi Tanimukai, Yoshihiro Sekimoto
  • Publication number: 20190045095
    Abstract: An actuator positions a movable portion including a lens in a first direction (Z-axis direction). An acceleration sensor generates first acceleration information ACC that indicates the acceleration applied to the image capture apparatus in the first direction. An actuator driver IC superimposes a correction value that corresponds to the first acceleration information on a base instruction value that corresponds to the target position to be set for the lens in the first direction. The actuator driver IC controls the actuator according to a corrected instruction value thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Hiromichi TANIMUKAI, Akihito SAITO, Jun MAEDE, Yoshihiro SEKIMOTO