Patents by Inventor AKIRA HASHIYA

AKIRA HASHIYA 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: 20240061117
    Abstract: A measurement device includes: a light source which emits laser light to irradiate a moving body and which can vary the frequency of the laser light; an interference optical system that separates the laser light into reference light and output light, and generates interference light by interfering the reference light with at least one reflected light beam generated when at least one light beam obtained from the output light is reflected by the moving body; a light detector that detects the interference light; and a processing circuit that processes a signal outputted from the light detector. The processing circuit generates and outputs a plurality of attribute data pertaining to the moving body on the basis of measurement data on the moving body obtained by processing the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: YASUHISA INADA, KAZUYA HISADA, KAZUKI NAKAMURA, YUMIKO KATO, AKIRA HASHIYA
  • Publication number: 20240004044
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a light source, a calibrating optical system, an interference optical system, a photosensitive device, a storage device, and a processing circuit. The interference optical system separates the light into reference light and output light and generates first interfering light and second interfering light. The photosensitive device outputs a first detection signal corresponding to an intensity of the first interfering light and a second detection signal corresponding to an intensity of the second interfering light. The processing circuit sends out, to the light source, a control signal that sweeps a frequency of the light that is emitted from the light source, updates, on the basis of the second detection signal, the correcting data stored in the storage device, and generates measurement data on the basis of the correcting data thus updated and the first detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: AKIRA HASHIYA, YUMIKO KATO, KAZUYA HISADA, YASUHISA INADA
  • Patent number: 11835840
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a first waveguide that propagates light by total reflection; and a second waveguide. The second waveguide includes: a first multilayer reflective film; a second multilayer reflective film that faces the first multilayer reflective film; and a first optical waveguide layer directly connected to the first waveguide and located between the first and second multilayer reflective films. The first optical waveguide layer has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index and propagates the light transmitted through the first waveguide. The first multilayer reflective film has a higher light transmittance than the second multilayer reflective film and allows part of the light propagating through the first optical waveguide layer to be emitted to the outside. By changing the thickness of the first optical waveguide layer and/or its refractive index, the direction of the part of the light emitted from the second waveguide is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Hashiya, Yasuhisa Inada, Taku Hirasawa, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Nobuaki Nagao
  • Publication number: 20230273501
    Abstract: An optical device includes a plurality of optical waveguide units arranged in a first direction. Each of the optical waveguide units includes a first mirror having a first reflecting surface, a second mirror having a second reflecting surface facing the first reflecting surface, and at least one optical waveguide region located between the first mirror and the second mirror. The distance between the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface is different for each of the optical waveguide units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: MASAHIKO TSUKUDA, AKIRA HASHIYA, KAZUKI NAKAMURA, YASUHISA INADA
  • Patent number: 11644540
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: first and second mirrors; an optical waveguide layer disposed between the first and second mirrors; a pair of electrodes sandwiching the optical waveguide layer; and a driving circuit that applies a voltage to the pair of electrodes. The first mirror emits part of light propagating through the optical waveguide layer to the outside. The optical waveguide layer contains a liquid crystal material or an electrooptical material. The alignment direction of the liquid crystal material or the direction of a polarization axis of the electrooptical material is parallel or perpendicular to the direction in which the optical waveguide layer extends. The driving circuit applies the voltage to the pair of electrodes to change the refractive index of the liquid crystal material or the electrooptical material to thereby change the light emission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nagao, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Yasuhisa Inada, Akira Hashiya, Taku Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20220365403
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first substrate with a first surface spreading in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, a second substrate with a second surface facing the first surface, a film bonded to the first surface and/or the second surface through a siloxane bond, and at least one optical guide layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, the optical guide layer including a dielectric member in contact with the film and guiding light in the first direction and/or the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: TAKAIKI NOMURA, KAZUKI NAKAMURA, AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA
  • Publication number: 20220317481
    Abstract: An optical device includes a plurality of optical waveguides, and a planar optical waveguide. The plurality of optical waveguides each extend in a first direction, and are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The planar optical waveguide is connected directly or indirectly with the plurality of optical waveguides. The plurality of optical waveguides each allow light to propagate in the first direction. The planar optical waveguide includes a first mirror and a second mirror, and an optical waveguide layer. The first mirror and the second mirror face each other, and extend in the first direction and the second direction. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first mirror and the second mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA, KAZUKI NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220317259
    Abstract: A light projection apparatus includes a first mirror and a second mirror facing each other and extending in a first direction and an optical waveguide layer being located between the first mirror and the second mirror, having a structure in which a refractive index and/or a thickness can be changed, and guiding light in the first direction. The first mirror has light transmissivity higher than that of the second mirror, at least part of the light propagating in the optical waveguide layer is emitted outside therefrom, and an emission angle of light to be emitted from the first mirror can be changed in a range from an angle ?1 to an angle ?2 (>?1) by the refractive index and/or the thickness of the optical waveguide layer being changed. First light emitted at the angle ?1 is projected vertically downward relative to second light emitted at the angle ?2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kenji Narumi, Akira Hashiya, Tokuzou Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 11435571
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a first mirror; a second mirror opposed to the first mirror; two non-waveguide regions sandwiched between the first mirror and the second mirror; an optical waveguide region disposed between the two non-waveguide regions; and two intermediate regions. The average refractive index of the optical waveguide region is higher than the average refractive index of each intermediate region. The average refractive index of each intermediate region is higher than the average refractive index of each non-waveguide region. The first mirror allows part of light propagating through the optical waveguide region to be emitted as emission light in a third direction. By changing the refractive index and/or thickness of the optical waveguide region, the third direction, which is the emission direction of the emission light, is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Inada, Akira Hashiya, Taku Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20220137480
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a first waveguide that propagates light by total reflection; and a second waveguide. The second waveguide includes: a first multilayer reflective film; a second multilayer reflective film that faces the first multilayer reflective film; and a first optical waveguide layer directly connected to the first waveguide and located between the first and second multilayer reflective films. The first optical waveguide layer has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index and propagates the light transmitted through the first waveguide. The first multilayer reflective film has a higher light transmittance than the second multilayer reflective film and allows part of the light propagating through the first optical waveguide layer to be emitted to the outside. By changing the thickness of the first optical waveguide layer and/or its refractive index, the direction of the part of the light emitted from the second waveguide is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Akira Hashiya, Yasuhisa Inada, Taku Hirasawa, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Nobuaki Nagao
  • Patent number: 11256156
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a first waveguide that propagates light by total reflection; and a second waveguide. The second waveguide includes: a first multilayer reflective film; a second multilayer reflective film that faces the first multilayer reflective film; and a first optical waveguide layer directly connected to the first waveguide and located between the first and second multilayer reflective films. The first optical waveguide layer has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index and propagates the light transmitted through the first waveguide. The first multilayer reflective film has a higher light transmittance than the second multilayer reflective film and allows part of the light propagating through the first optical waveguide layer to be emitted to the outside. By changing the thickness of the first optical waveguide layer and/or its refractive index, the direction of the part of the light emitted from the second waveguide is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Hashiya, Yasuhisa Inada, Taku Hirasawa, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Nobuaki Nagao
  • Patent number: 11256043
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first waveguide that propagates light in a first direction; and a second waveguide including a first mirror, a second mirror, and an optical waveguide layer. The first mirror extends in the first direction and has a first reflecting surface, and the second mirror extends in the first direction and has a second reflecting surface. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first and second mirrors and propagates the light in the first direction. A forward end portion of the first waveguide is disposed inside the optical waveguide layer. In a region in which the first and second waveguides overlap each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first reflecting surface, at least part of the first waveguide and/or at least part of the second waveguide includes at least one grating whose refractive index varies periodically in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Hashiya, Yasuhisa Inada, Taku Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20220019022
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first mirror having a first reflecting surface and extending along a first direction, a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface and extending along the first direction, and an optical waveguide layer, located between the first mirror and the second mirror, that causes light to propagate along the first direction. A transmittance of the first mirror is higher than a transmittance of the second mirror. A reflection spectrum of at least either the first mirror or the second mirror with respect to light arriving from a direction normal to the reflecting surface includes, in a wavelength region in which a reflectance is higher than or equal to 90%, a local maximum point and first and second points of inflection located closer to a long-wavelength side than the local maximum point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA, MASANORI ERA
  • Publication number: 20210165081
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first mirror, a second mirror facing the first mirror, an optical waveguide layer, located between the first mirror and the second mirror, that contains a material whose refractive index changes when a voltage is applied, first and second electrodes directly or indirectly holding the optical waveguide layer therebetween, the first electrode including a plurality of electrode sections arranged in a first direction, and a control circuit. The light is emitted via the first mirror from the optical waveguide layer, or the light is taken into the optical waveguide layer via the first mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: HIROYUKI TAKAGI, TAKU HIRASAWA, AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA
  • Publication number: 20210033787
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a waveguide array including a plurality of waveguides arranged in a first direction. Each waveguide includes: an optical waveguide layer that propagates light supplied to the waveguide in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first mirror having a first reflecting surface intersecting a third direction; and a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first and second mirrors and has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index for the light. The width of the first mirror and the width of the second mirror are each larger than the width of the optical waveguide layer. The first mirror has a higher light transmittance than the second mirror and allows part of the light propagating through the optical waveguide layer to be emitted in the third direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Akira HASHIYA, Yasuhisa INADA, Taku HIRASAWA, Yoshikazu YAMAOKA, Nobuaki NAGAO
  • Patent number: 10877215
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a waveguide array including a plurality of waveguides arranged in a first direction. Each waveguide includes: an optical waveguide layer that propagates light supplied to the waveguide in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first mirror having a first reflecting surface intersecting a third direction; and a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first and second mirrors and has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index for the light. The width of the first mirror and the width of the second mirror are each larger than the width of the optical waveguide layer. The first mirror has a higher light transmittance than the second mirror and allows part of the light propagating through the optical waveguide layer to be emitted in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hashiya, Yasuhisa Inada, Taku Hirasawa, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Nobuaki Nagao
  • Publication number: 20200393547
    Abstract: An optical device includes: two non-waveguide regions arranged in a second direction intersecting a first direction with a spacing therebetween; an optical waveguide region that is located between the two non-waveguide regions, contains a liquid crystal material, and propagates light in the first direction; and an alignment film that aligns the liquid crystal material. Each of the two non-waveguide regions includes a low-refractive index member having a lower refractive index than the liquid crystal material. The alignment film is located between the liquid crystal material and the low-refractive index members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: KEIICHI NODA, AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA, TAKU HIRASAWA, SHOGO TOMITA
  • Publication number: 20200379314
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a first multilayer reflective film mirror; a second multilayer reflective film mirror facing the first multilayer reflective film mirror; an optical waveguide layer that is located between the first and second multilayer reflective film mirrors and propagates light whose wavelength in a vacuum is ?; and a first transparent electrode layer located at at least one position of a position between the first multilayer reflective film mirror and the optical waveguide layer, a position between the second multilayer reflective film mirror and the optical waveguide layer, a position between two adjacent layers included in the first multilayer reflective film mirror, and a position between two adjacent layers included in the second multilayer reflective film mirror. The transmittance of the first multilayer reflective film mirror for the light is higher than the transmittance of the second multilayer reflective film mirror for the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA, TAKU HIRASAWA
  • Publication number: 20200363596
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first waveguide that propagates light in a first direction; and a second waveguide including a first mirror, a second mirror, and an optical waveguide layer. The first mirror extends in the first direction and has a first reflecting surface, and the second mirror extends in the first direction and has a second reflecting surface. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first and second mirrors and propagates the light in the first direction. A forward end portion of the first waveguide is disposed inside the optical waveguide layer. In a region in which the first and second waveguides overlap each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first reflecting surface, at least part of the first waveguide and/or at least part of the second waveguide includes at least one grating whose refractive index varies periodically in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: AKIRA HASHIYA, YASUHISA INADA, TAKU HIRASAWA
  • Patent number: RE49093
    Abstract: A light-emitting apparatus includes; a light-emitting device including a photoluminescent layer that receives excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength ?a in air, and a light-transmissive layer located on or near the photoluminescent layer; and an optical fiber that receives the light from the photoluminescent layer at one end of the optical fiber and emits the received light from the other end thereof. A surface structure is defined on at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer, and the surface structure has projections or recesses or both and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength ?a in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nagao, Taku Hirasawa, Yasuhisa Inada, Mitsuru Nitta, Akira Hashiya, Yasuhiko Adachi