Patents by Inventor Akio Kanou

Akio Kanou 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: 9939849
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes an electronic device and an extension device. The electronic device includes a first connector to which a first AC adapter is connected, a first control IC including a first power supply controller, and a first charger IC to charge a first battery with power from the first AC adapter in response to an instruction from the first power supply controller. The extension device includes a second connector to which a second AC adapter is connected, a second control IC including a second power supply controller, and a second charger IC to charge a second battery with power from the second AC adapter in response to an instruction from the second power supply controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki Hirosawa, Yutaka Horie, Akio Kanou
  • Patent number: 9785212
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes an electronic device and an extension device to which the electronic device is detachable from and attachable. The electronic device includes a first battery, and a voltage step-down circuit to charge the first battery with first power supplied from the extension device after stepping down or without stepping down voltage of the first power. The extension device includes a second battery, and a voltage step-up circuit to supply the electronic device with second power supplied from the second battery after stepping up or without stepping up voltage of the second power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki Hirosawa, Yutaka Horie, Akio Kanou
  • Patent number: 9768563
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus connectable to an external apparatus includes a first connector and a detector. The first connecter is electrically connected to a second connector of the external apparatus. Each of the first connector and the second connecter includes a plurality of terminals. The detector is configured to detect a state of a first terminal of the first connector. The first terminal of the first connector is configured to be set to a predetermined state via at least a connection line connecting two terminals of the second connector to each other while the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki Hirosawa, Yutaka Horie, Akio Kanou
  • Publication number: 20160134137
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes an electronic device and an extension device to which the electronic device is detachable from and attachable. The electronic device includes a first battery, and a voltage step-down circuit to charge the first battery with first power supplied from the extension device after stepping down or without stepping down voltage of the first power. The extension device includes a second battery, and a voltage step-up circuit to supply the electronic device with second power supplied from the second battery after stepping up or without stepping up voltage of the second power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki HIROSAWA, Yutaka HORIE, Akio KANOU
  • Publication number: 20160126757
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes an electronic device and an extension device. The electronic device includes a first connector to which a first AC adapter is connected, a first control IC including a first power supply controller, and a first charger IC to charge a first battery with power from the first AC adapter in response to an instruction from the first power supply controller. The extension device includes a second connector to which a second AC adapter is connected, a second control IC including a second power supply controller, and a second charger IC to charge a second battery with power from the second AC adapter in response to an instruction from the second power supply controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki HIROSAWA, Yutaka HORIE, Akio KANOU
  • Publication number: 20160118815
    Abstract: On embodiment relates to an electronic apparatus, including a component configured to receive a power supply as a load; first and second battery drivers configured to manage charging and discharging of first and second batteries and cause them to perform the power supply to the load, respectively; and a controller configured to, upon detection of elapse of a predetermined period from when the first battery is brought into a fully-charged condition, prohibit the power supply to the load from the second battery or a power supply to the load from an external power source, and permit the power supply to the load from the first battery, until a remaining amount of the first battery falls below a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akio KANOU, Tomonori TSUTSUI
  • Publication number: 20160111830
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus connectable to an external apparatus includes a first connector and a detector. The first connecter is electrically connected to a second connector of the external apparatus. Each of the first connector and the second connecter includes a plurality of terminals. The detector is configured to detect a state of a first terminal of the first connector. The first terminal of the first connector is configured to be set to a predetermined state via at least a connection line connecting two terminals of the second connector to each other while the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideki HIROSAWA, Yutaka HORIE, Akio KANOU
  • Publication number: 20150180269
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a power supply device. The power supply device includes: a body housing; a cover which covers a body housing; a receiving module; and a transmitting module. The receiving module receives power from an external contactless power supply module. The transmitting module is disposed in the cover, and supplies power to an external apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Akio Kanou
  • Publication number: 20150006763
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, electronic device includes: an certification module configured to use certifying information outputted from a certification device including a use certifying function of the electronic device to certify the certification device; and a control module configured to control the electronic device to be charged or discharged in accordance with modes previously set to the electronic device when the certification device is not certified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akio Kanou