Patents by Inventor Akitoshi Kitazawa

Akitoshi Kitazawa 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: 10887556
    Abstract: A rear-view camera and light system for a vehicle having a rear-view camera, a back light, and a brake light and an attachment structure that attaches the system to a center hub of a spare tire at the back of the vehicle. The rear-view camera and light system includes a mounting base having a plate like shape and configured to attach to a mounting bracket provided on about a center of a back of a vehicle for mounting a spare tire, a mounting post having a cylindrical shape with a hollow therethrough and configured to attach to the mounting base at one end, and a camera/light unit having circular shape and configured to attach to another end of the mounting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin Diaz, Milan Rabrenovic, Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20180178723
    Abstract: A rear-view camera and light system for a vehicle having a rear-view camera, a back light, and a brake light and an attachment structure that attaches the system to a center hub of a spare tire at the back of the vehicle. The rear-view camera and light system includes a mounting base having a plate like shape and configured to attach to a mounting bracket provided on about a center of a back of a vehicle for mounting a spare tire, a mounting post having a cylindrical shape with a hollow therethrough and configured to attach to the mounting base at one end, and a camera/light unit having circular shape and configured to attach to another end of the mounting post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Melvin Diaz, Milan Rabrenovic, Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20090127422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a user to easily mount an overhead display unit on a pair of mounting rails formed on the ceiling of a vehicle. The display screen can be rotated and retracted into a receptacle formed between the mounting rails so that the elongated side of the display unit is stored therein in parallel with the mounting rails. The longer side of the display unit is stored in the receptacle in parallel with the pair of mounting rails. One embodiment uses a turntable for rotatably mounting the display screen where the display screen is attached to the turntable substantially apart from a center of the turntable. Another embodiment has a rotary disk at the back of a display screen to turn the display screen after the display is pulled out from the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 7239040
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for easily and safely releasing a brake interlock function of a vehicle audio/video system. The vehicle audio/video system is designed to enable both a driver and a passenger to watch a video with a display unit. For safety reasons, a brake interlock function is incorporated to disable the display unit when the vehicle is in motion. The brake interlock function is released if the display unit is installed for passengers in the rear seats. Various release devices including a mechanical and an electrical switch are disclosed for releasing the brake interlock function for the display unit in the vehicle audio/video system. The release device is established within a display compartment mounted on a front or middle seat when the display unit is installed in the display compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20070034763
    Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a user to easily mount an overhead display unit on a pair of mounting rails formed on the ceiling of a vehicle. The display screen can be rotated and retracted into a receptacle formed between the mounting rails so that the elongated side of the display unit is stored therein in parallel with the mounting rails. The longer side of the display unit is stored in the receptacle in parallel with the pair of mounting rails. One embodiment uses a turntable for rotatably mounting the display screen where the display screen is attached to the turntable substantially apart from a center of the turntable. Another embodiment has a rotary disk at the back of a display screen to turn the display screen after the display is pulled out from the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20050023899
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for easily and safely releasing a brake interlock function of a vehicle audio/video system. The vehicle audio/video system is designed to enable both a driver and a passenger to watch a video with a display unit. For safety reasons, a brake interlock function is incorporated to disable the display unit when the vehicle is in motion. The brake interlock function is released if the display unit is installed for passengers in the rear seats. Various methods and apparatuses including a mechanical and an electrical switch are disclosed for releasing the brake interlock function for the display unit in the vehicle audio/video system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 6633347
    Abstract: A display assembly to be mounted on a ceiling portion of a space includes a casing having a downwardly directed face and a receptacle cavity of a substantially rectangular shape and opening into the face; and a display unit having a display screen to be received within the receptacle cavity. The display unit is connected to the casing so as to be controllable in attitude. The display assembly is provided with a rotary body rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the face of the casing. The display unit is supported on the rotary body for pivoting about a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis. When the rotary body is placed at a predetermined rotational position, the display unit is pivoted relative to the rotary body to be received within the receptacle cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20020085129
    Abstract: A display assembly to be mounted on a ceiling portion of a space includes a casing having a downwardly directed face and a receptacle cavity of a substantially rectangular shape and opening into the face; and a display unit having a display screen to be received within the receptacle cavity. The display unit is connected to the casing so as to be controllable in attitude. The display assembly is provided with a rotary body rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the face of the casing. The display unit is supported on the rotary body for pivoting about a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis. When the rotary body is placed at a predetermined rotational position, the display unit is pivoted relative to the rotary body to be received within the receptacle cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: D859496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin Diaz, Milan Rabrenovic, Akitoshi Kitazawa