Patents by Inventor Atsushi Katou

Atsushi Katou 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: 20180074811
    Abstract: A telematics center includes an update software distribution unit that distributes update software for updating software of an ECU to a software updating device. The software updating device includes a storage device that stores update software distributed from the telematics center and stores update information regarding influence on the operation of a vehicle in a case where the updating of the software of the ECU is not successful and an ECU software updating unit that updates the software of the ECU by using the update software stored in the storage device, and controls the operation of the ECU software updating unit on the basis of the update information stored in the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Noboru KIYAMA, Atsushi KATOU
  • Publication number: 20170285654
    Abstract: An auto valet parking system operates a car in a parking lot and including: a parking lot map database which manages route information to each parking space; a vacant space information database which manages full and vacant information for each parking space; a facility migration information database which accumulates facility migration information indicative of behaviors of a parking lot user; a first unit which detects the full and vacant information for each parking space, searches for a route to the parking space and automatically parks the car in the parking space based on the route information; a second unit notifies the parking lot user of information on a parking position through a mobile terminal; and a third unit which searches for the vacant space as close as possible to conditions based on the facility migration information, and reflects the vacant space on the first unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Toru NAGAI, Atsushi KATOU, Yoshitaka ATARASHI, Mariko OKUDE
  • Publication number: 20170116856
    Abstract: The invention is to specify a poor visibility portion by using only a sensor standardly mounted on a connected car without any special measurement device or equipment and provide information thereon to a driver or an automatic driving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuo MUTO, Ichiro KATAOKA, Takashi OKADA, Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Atsushi KATOU, Katsuhiro SAMIZO
  • Patent number: 9529247
    Abstract: A projector including at least one light source, a polarization separation element that separates light from the light source into two linearly polarized light beams whose polarization axes are orthogonal to each other to emit the two linearly polarized light beams in the same direction, a TIR prism that transmits through the two linearly polarized light beams, a reflective light modulation element that receives the two linearly polarized light beams that have been emitted from the TIR prism to modulate and reflect the two linearly polarized light beams toward the TIR prism, a projection lens that enlarges and projects the two linearly polarized light beams that have been modulated by the reflective light modulation element and that have been transmitted through the TIR prism, and a rotating prism being rotatably arranged in an optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 9509966
    Abstract: A projector in an illumination optical system includes a laser light source, a synchronization signal processor that converts synchronization signals that are synchronized with video signals input from outside the projector into video signals to be used inside the projector, an LD driver that controls a lighting state of the laser light source according to the synchronization signals output from the synchronization signal processor, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, an LED driver that controls a lighting state of the LED light source according to the synchronization signals output from the synchronization signal processor, a rotational state detector that detects a rotational state of a phosphor wheel, and a phosphor wheel driver that, based on a detected result of the rotational state detector, controls the rotational state of the phosphor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Saitou, Atsushi Katou, Motoyasu Utsunomiya, Akihiro Osaka, Masateru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9357187
    Abstract: An image display method implemented in a projector that includes first to third display elements each of which spatially modulates incident light to display an image, synthesizes the images displayed by the first to third display elements, and projects the synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Publication number: 20150286127
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a compact projector of simple construction capable of capable of displaying three-dimensional images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 9140913
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal projector includes: liquid-crystal panel sections a first illumination section including a red light source, red light emitted from the red light source being applied to a liquid-crystal panel section; a second illumination section including a green light source, a blue light source and a polarizing beam splitter that splits green light emitted from the green light source into p-polarized light and s-polarized light, the green s-polarized light being applied to a liquid-crystal panel section, the green p-polarized light and blue light being applied to a liquid-crystal panel section on the same optical path; a cross dichroic mirror that combines images displayed on liquid-crystal panel sections; a projection lens that projects the combined image; and a control unit that controls on/off states of the red light source, the green light source and the blue light source based on an input video signal to display respective images on the liquid-crystal panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 9110361
    Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination optical system that includes: two solid-state light sources (11 and 12); first light guide (21) configured to guide light emitted from one solid-state light source in a first direction; second light guide (22) configured to guide light emitted from the other solid-state light source in a second direction different from the first direction; and optical path conversion units (31 and 32) including total reflection surfaces for totally reflecting the lights guided by the first light guide and the second light guide to enter the lights into third light guide (50). A projection display apparatus that uses the illumination optical system thus configured can enter light emitted from a plurality of light sources straight into an image forming element by one optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Publication number: 20150146100
    Abstract: A projector in an illumination optical system includes a laser light source, a synchronization signal processor that converts synchronization signals that are synchronized with video signals input from outside the projector into video signals to be used inside the projector, an LD driver that controls a lighting state of the laser light source according to the synchronization signals output from the synchronization signal processor, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, an LED driver that controls a lighting state of the LED light source according to the synchronization signals output from the synchronization signal processor, a rotational state detector that detects a rotational state of a phosphor wheel, and a phosphor wheel driver that, based on a detected result of the rotational state detector, controls the rotational state of the phosphor wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Saitou, Atsushi Katou, Motoyasu Utsunomiya, Akihiro Osaka, Masateru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9039187
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to realize a small etendu illumination optical system, a longer operating life and a higher brightness. The illumination optical system comprises: a laser light source that generates an excitation light; a fluorescent substance that generates a fluorescent light in response to the excitation light, a light tunnel that outputs the excitation light input at one end thereof to the fluorescent substance from the other end thereof, and that outputs the fluorescent light generated by the fluorescent substance from the one end thereof; and a mirror that is placed within a light path between the laser light source and the light tunnel, and that reflects the fluorescent light, the mirror having an aperture formed thereon that allows the excitation light to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 9033511
    Abstract: Provided is an illumination device that includes: light source (101); light guiding means (102) where light from light source (101) is supplied to one end surface, and light incident from the one end surface is propagated inside to exit from the other end surface; illuminating optical systems (103, 104, 106, and 107) that spatially separate a luminous flux output from the other end surface of light guiding means (102) into a plurality of luminous fluxes and that form, on display element (110), an optical image formed on the other end surface of light guiding means (102); reflective polarizing plate (109) that is located between illuminating optical systems (103, 104, 106, and 107) and display element (110) and that transmits first polarized light while reflecting second polarized light different in polarized state from the first polarized light toward illuminating optical systems (103, 104, 106, and 107); reflecting element (105) that is disposed at a position where the plurality of luminous fluxes are spatia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 9022580
    Abstract: This invention realizes an illumination optical system with a small etendue that has a longer lifetime and a high degree of brightness. The invention includes: a laser light source that generates excitation light; a phosphor that generates a fluorescent light by means of the excitation light; a light tunnel that projects the excitation light that is incident at one end towards the phosphor from another end, and projects a fluorescent light generated with the phosphor from the one end; and a dichroic mirror that is provided between the laser light source and the light tunnel, and that allows the fluorescent light or the excitation light to pass through, and reflects the remaining excitation or fluorescent light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Saitou, Atsushi Katou, Motoyasu Utsunomiya, Akihiro Osaka, Masateru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9016865
    Abstract: Illumination device includes a light source (101); an illumination optical system (102, 103, 104, 106, 107) that spatially splits each of the plurality of color light beams emitted from the light source, superimposes the split light beams of each of the plurality of color light beams, and emits the superimposed light beams to a display element (110); a reflective polarization plate (109) that is arranged between the illumination optical system (102, 103, 104, 106, 107) and the display element (110) and that transmits first polarized light and reflects second polarized light whose polarization state is different from that of the first polarized light toward the illumination optical system (102, 103, 104, 106, 107); a reflection element (105) that is arranged at a position where each of the plurality of color light beams is spatially split by the illumination optical system and that transmits the split light beams of each of the color light beams and reflects, of the split light beams of each of the color light
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8998419
    Abstract: Provided is an illuminating device that includes: first light guiding means (3) where light incident from one end surface is propagated inside to exit from the other end surface; illuminating optical system (1) that spatially separates a luminous flux from the other end surface of first light guiding means (3) into a plurality of luminous fluxes, and forms an optical image formed on the other end surface of first light guiding means (3) on display element (12); reflective polarizing plate (11) that is located between illuminating optical system (1) and display element (12), and transmits first polarized light while reflecting second polarized light different that is in polarized state from the first polarized light toward illuminating optical system (1); reflecting element (7) that is disposed at a position where the plurality of luminous fluxes are spatially separated, and that includes transmission regions through which the plurality of luminous fluxes are transmitted, and a reflecting film formed in a regi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8936368
    Abstract: This invention realizes an illumination optical system with a small etendue that has a longer lifetime and a high degree of brightness. The invention includes: a laser light source that generates excitation light having a first wavelength; a phosphor wheel including a blue fluorescent light generation region that generates fluorescent light having a second wavelength by means of the excitation light, and a green fluorescent light generation region that generates fluorescent light having a third wavelength by means of the excitation light; an LED light source that generates light having a fourth wavelength; and a dichroic mirror that reflects fluorescent light having the second wavelength and fluorescent light having the third wavelength and allows light having the fourth wavelength to pass therethrough, to thereby emit each of the lights in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Saitou, Atsushi Katou, Motoyasu Utsunomiya, Akihiro Osaka, Masateru Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20140347566
    Abstract: An image display method implemented in a projector that includes first to third display elements each of which spatially modulates incident light to display an image, synthesizes the images displayed by the first to third display elements, and projects the synthesized image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8833944
    Abstract: A red image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (111) by lighting red light source (101) for a predetermined period. A green image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (112) by lighting green light source (102) for the predetermined period. A green image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (113) by lighting green light source (103) for the first of first and second periods provided by dividing the predetermined period with a predetermined ratio. A blue image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (113) by lighting blue light source (104) for the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Publication number: 20140160364
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal projector includes: liquid-crystal panel sections a first illumination section including a red light source, red light emitted from the red light source being applied to a liquid-crystal panel section; a second illumination section including a green light source, a blue light source and a polarizing beam splitter that splits green light emitted from the green light source into p-polarized light and s-polarized light, the green s-polarized light being applied to a liquid-crystal panel section, the green p-polarized light and blue light being applied to a liquid-crystal panel section on the same optical path; a cross dichroic minor that combines images displayed on liquid-crystal panel sections; a projection lens that projects the combined image; and a control unit that controls on/off states of the red light source, the green light source and the blue light source based on an input video signal to display respective images on the liquid-crystal panel sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8708499
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes: light source (101); light guiding means (102) where light from light (101) is supplied to one end surface, and light incident from the one end surface is propagated inside to exit from the other end surface; illuminating optical systems (103 to 107) that form an optical image formed on the other end surface of light guiding means (102) on display element (22); reflective polarizing plate (109) that is located between illuminating optical systems (103 to 107) and display element (12), and transmits first polarized light while reflecting second polarized light whose polarized state is different from the first polarized light toward illuminating optical systems (103 to 107); phase plate (108) located between light guiding means (102) and reflective polarizing plate (109); and reflecting means (21) that is located on a side opposite the one end surface of light guiding means (102), and reflects, among lights by reflective polarizing plate (109), light incident via phase plate (108
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou