Patents by Inventor Akira Egawa

Akira Egawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20110025984
    Abstract: A projector includes: spatial light modulation devices; and a cooling duct configured to flow a cooling air for sequentially cooling the spatial light modulation devices, the cooling duct has a first flow path formed by portions including the light entrance surface of at least one of the spatial light modulation devices for the respective color lights, a second flow path formed by portions including the light exit surface of the corresponding spatial light modulation device, and a junction area where the cooling air flowing through the first flow path and the cooling air flowing through the second flow path join each other, and the junction area is disposed at a downstream position of the cooling air with respect to the spatial light modulation device provided for a predetermined color light whose light amount is the maximum in the respective color lights that enter the light entrance surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Takagi, Kaname Nagatani, Akira Egawa, Tetsuo Shimizu, Joji Karasawa, Fumihide Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20110019704
    Abstract: A laser beam source device includes: a light source which emits light having fundamental wavelength; a wavelength conversion element which converts the light having fundamental wavelength into light having conversion wavelength; a resonance element which transmits first light converted into the conversion wavelength light and reflects light not converted; an optical path conversion element which releases second light contained in the light reflected by the resonance element and converted into the conversion wavelength light in the same direction as the direction of the first light, and releases the light not converted toward the light source; and a supporting member. The resonance element is disposed in such a position that one end surface of the resonance element on the second light side is shifted to the supporting member from one end surface of the wavelength conversion element on the second light side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira EGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110019159
    Abstract: A projector includes: an optical system includes a light source, a light modulation element for modulating light emitted from the light source to form an optical image, and a projection lens for projecting the optical image, the optical system is structured such that an illumination optical axis of the light source and a projection optical axis of the projection lens cross each other substantially at right angles in the plan view; and a cooling fan configured to the light modulation element, and has a rotation axis crossing each other substantially at right angles with a discharge direction where a cooling air is discharged, the cooling fan is disposed in the vicinity of the projection lens and on the side where the light source is provided such that the rotation axis extends in the thickness direction of the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Egawa, Kaname Nagatani, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Patent number: 7866827
    Abstract: An optical device according to an aspect of the invention includes: a plurality of optical elements; a base which supports the plurality of optical elements; and a plurality of element holders which holds the plurality of optical elements and each includes a holder side flow passage for cooling liquid to flow therein, the plurality of element holders holding the plurality of optical elements to connect the plurality of optical elements and the cooling liquid flowing in the holder side flow passage in a heat transferable manner. The base includes a plurality of plate members which are layered on each other to form at least one base side flow passage for the cooling liquid to flow therein. The plurality of element holders and the base can be connected to each other, so that the holder side flow passage and the at least one base side flow passage communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Egawa, Satoshi Kinoshita, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Publication number: 20100328621
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a light modulation unit configured to modulate a light according to image information, including an element substrate having a pixel electrode and a switching element connected with the pixel electrode, and an opposed substrate disposed opposed to the element substrate; a frame configured to hold the light modulation unit; and an incident side dustproof glass disposed in close contact with a light incident side end surface of the opposed substrate, the incident side dustproof glass having the plane size larger than the plane size of the opposed substrate is disposed on the light incident side of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Egawa, Kaname Nagatani, Kunihiko Takagi, Tetsuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100321645
    Abstract: A light source unit includes: an arc tube having a light-emitting portion; a secondary reflector covering part of the periphery of the light-emitting portion and being provided with a secondary reflecting surface for reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting portion; a primary reflector having a primary reflecting surface for reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting portion and the light reflected from the secondary reflector; a first electrode; and a second electrode; wherein the second electrode is arranged at a position which causes an ionic wind to be induced by applying a voltage between the second electrode and the first electrode and causes air between the secondary reflecting surface and the light-emitting portion to flow, and either one of the first electrode or the second electrode is arranged between the arc tube and the secondary reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaname NAGATANI, Kunihiko TAKAGI, Tetsuo SHIMIZU, Yuji TAKADO, Akira EGAWA, Satoshi KINOSHITA
  • Patent number: 7852885
    Abstract: There are provided a light source device and an image display apparatus. The light source device includes a first optical element that deflects a propagation direction of laser beams, a second optical element that separates laser beams, and a third optical element that defects the laser beams separated by the second optical element. The light source device further includes a light emitting unit that has one or more light emitting element emitting laser beams, an external resonator that reflects laser beams toward the first optical element and guides laser beams back to the light emitting unit, and a wavelength converting element that converts laser beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Takagi, Akira Egawa
  • Publication number: 20100302433
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels at least part of which form a plurality of focus detection pixel pairs, each receiving light rays passing through different pupil areas of an image forming optical system; a detection unit configured to detect a defocus amount, based on a phase difference between signals output from the focus detection pixel pairs in a focusing area; a judging unit configured to determine if a subject corresponds to a predetermined pattern, based on the signals output from the pixels other than the focus detection pixel pairs around the focus detection pixel pairs in the focusing area; and a focus control unit configured to drive the image forming optical system to be in an in-focus state based on the detected defocus amount. The judging unit changes the defocus control based on the determination result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Egawa
  • Patent number: 7830929
    Abstract: A laser beam source device includes: a light source which emits light having fundamental wavelength; a wavelength conversion element which converts the light having fundamental wavelength into light having conversion wavelength; a resonance element which transmits first light converted into the conversion wavelength light and reflects light not converted; an optical path conversion element which releases second light contained in the light reflected by the resonance element and converted into the conversion wavelength light in the same direction as the direction of the first light, and releases the light not converted toward the light source; and a supporting member. The resonance element is disposed in such a position that one end surface of the resonance element on the second light side is shifted to the supporting member from one end surface of the wavelength conversion element on the second light side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Egawa
  • Patent number: 7817700
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a laser light source device, includes: providing a first laser element having a first emitter, a second laser element having a second emitter, and a reflection member; adjusting a relative angle between the first laser element and the reflection member; adjusting a relative angle of the second laser element relative to the first laser element by using the reflection member; and adjusting a relative rotation angle between the first laser element and the second laser element and a relative position between the first laser element and the second laser element, so that the light emitted from the first emitter is incident into the second emitter and so that the light emitted from the second emitter is incident into the first emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Miyamae, Akira Egawa, Arvydas Umbrasas
  • Publication number: 20100259732
    Abstract: A light source device includes a light emitting tube having a light emitting section that emits light, a first sealing section on one side of the light emitting section formed integrally with the light emitting section, and a second sealing section on the other side of the light emitting section formed integrally with the light emitting section. A secondary reflecting mirror having a secondary reflecting surface covers part of a periphery of the light emitting section and reflects light emitted from the light emitting section. A primary reflecting mirror having a primary reflecting surface reflects the light emitted from the light emitting section and the light reflected by the secondary reflecting mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo SHIMIZU, Kaname NAGATANI, Kunihiko TAKAGI, Akira EGAWA, Yuji TAKADO, Satoshi KINOSHITA
  • Patent number: 7806531
    Abstract: A projector includes: a casing having a surface; a cooling medium flowpath provided inside the casing, through which a cooling medium is allowed to flow; and a radiator in which a part of the cooling medium flowpath is arranged, the radiator being deployable by rotating with respect to the casing, and adapted to be accommodated in the casing and along the surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Zakoji, Takeshi Seto, Akira Egawa, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Patent number: 7801196
    Abstract: A light source device includes a plurality of first laser emission units and a plurality of second laser emission units for emitting light. The plurality of first laser emission units and the plurality of second laser emission units are disposed on a flat surface. The first laser emission units and the second laser emission units are composed so that a drive for light emission is sequentially switched. Each of the second laser emission units is disposed between the adjoining first laser emission units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Egawa
  • Patent number: 7787036
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging area having, in a vertical direction, a plurality of lines having a plurality of pixels in a horizontal direction, wherein each of the plurality of lines includes an light-shielded area and an effective pixel area that is not light-shielded, a first correction unit configured to correct a shading component in the vertical direction that is included in an image signal from the effective pixel area of the plurality of lines, according to a first correction signal from the light-shielded area of the plurality of lines, and a second correction unit configured to correct the image signal output from the first correction unit according to a second correction signal obtained by multiplying the first correction signal, which is in the same line as the image signal, by a coefficient for decreasing a signal level of the first correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Egawa
  • Patent number: 7782377
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an image sensing apparatus which can shorten the time required for the creation of correction data by reducing the amount of data used for the creation of correction data. In order to achieve the above object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes a plurality of pixels, a first calculating unit which creates correction data by performing computation using signals which are acquired by image sensing in an unexposed state and smaller in number than said plurality of pixels, and a second calculating unit which corrects image data of the plurality of pixels, acquired by image sensing in an exposed state, by using the correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyanari, Akira Egawa
  • Publication number: 20100207503
    Abstract: A light source device includes: an arc tube having a light emitting portion that emits light; a sub-reflection mirror that covers a part of the periphery of the light emitting portion and reflects the light emitted from the light emitting portion; a main reflection mirror that reflects the light emitted from the light emitting portion and the light reflected by the sub-reflection mirror; and a base that is formed separately from the main reflection mirror and to which the main reflection mirror is secured, wherein an arc tube securing portion for positioning and securing the arc tube is formed in the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Egawa, Kaname Nagatani, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Patent number: 7757752
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a corrugated plate that has a corrugation; a fluid-flux portion that stores the corrugated plate, and makes a fluid flow; a first structure that constitutes the fluid-flux portion; and a second structure that constitutes the fluid-flux portion, and is provided on a heat source side with respect to the first structure, wherein at least a portion constituting the fluid-flux portion in the second structure has a flat plate shape. The flat plate shape of the portion constituting the fluid-flux portion in the second structure enables easy manufacturing of the heat exchanger. The flat plate shape in the second structure further enables a close contact of the fluid-flux portion to the heat source, resulting in a heat exchange with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Egawa, Kunihiko Takagi, Koichi Saito, Kenji Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 7729042
    Abstract: A light source device includes: a light source unit configured to emit light; a wavelength conversion element configured to convert the wavelength of light emitted from the light source unit; a light source housing configured to accommodate at least the light source unit and the wavelength conversion element; and a temperature control unit configured to control temperature of the wavelength conversion element. The temperature control unit is disposed outside the light source housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Egawa
  • Patent number: 7686456
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to image display apparatus and methods. In one example, an image display apparatus comprises a plurality of light source devices that supply color light components. A spatial light modulation device modulates the color light components from the light source devices according to an image signal. A control unit adjusts a display light emitted from the spatial light modulation device by controlling at least one of the light source devices or the spatial light modulation device. At the time of starting, the control unit adjusts the display light in accordance with an adjustment signal until an amount of light corresponding to at least one of the color light components reaches a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Egawa
  • Patent number: 7680165
    Abstract: A light source device includes: a plurality of laser light sources that emit laser light; and a light source driving section that drives at least one of the laser light sources by a first driving value that is a value less than a threshold level of at least one of the laser light sources, or by a second driving value that is a value greater than a threshold level of at least one of the laser light sources, and that varies at least one of the number of laser light sources that are driven by the first driving value and the number of laser light sources that are driven by the second driving value in the laser light sources, thereby controlling the total output of laser light emitted from the laser light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Egawa, Kiyoto Sudo, Kazuhisa Mizusako