Patents by Inventor Chikara Sawamura

Chikara Sawamura 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: 10261224
    Abstract: An optical element includes a transmission diffraction portion, which reflective portions and transmissive portions. The reflective portions are arranged at equal intervals along a given axis. Each reflective portion reflects light included in the visible light. The light reflected by the reflective portions forms a reflection image. The transmissive portions transmit the visible light. Each transmissive portion is sandwiched by two corresponding reflective portions that are adjacent to each other along the given axis. At least part of each reflective portion forms the reflection image by rendering a reflection angle of the light reflected by the reflective portions different from an angle of light incident on the reflective portions. The transmission diffraction portion forms diffracted images having different colors with diffracted light that is produced by diffracting light transmitted through the transmissive portions in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yashiki, Akira Kubo, Chikara Sawamura, Haruna Ooki
  • Publication number: 20180194156
    Abstract: A display member including a light transmission layer having a principal surface including a plurality of pixels; and a metal layer covering the principal surface, one or more of the pixels include a first region, one or more of the pixels include a second region, the first region has a plurality of first grooves or ridges each of which extends in a longitudinal direction in a first angle range of about ?10° to +10° with respect to a first direction, the second region has a plurality of second grooves or ridges each of which extends in a longitudinal direction in a second angle range of about ?65° to +65° with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second grooves or ridges form a diffraction structure, and the metal layer does not cover at least part of the first region and covers the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira KUBO, Chikara SAWAMURA, Kazuhiro YASHIKI
  • Patent number: 9720146
    Abstract: A display member according to this invention includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes a relief structure formation layer including a first region configured to display a predetermined color on a condition, and a second region different from the first region, a first layer made of a first material, and covering at least the first region, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material, and covering the first layer. The display member displays an image based on a distribution of the first region on the condition that the display member is observed in the oblique direction, and displays an image based on a distribution of the second region on a condition that the display member is observed with transmitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kubo, Chikara Sawamura, Kazuhiro Yashiki
  • Publication number: 20170082787
    Abstract: An optical element includes a transmission diffraction portion, which reflective portions and transmissive portions. The reflective portions are arranged at equal intervals along a given axis. Each reflective portion reflects light included in the visible light. The light reflected by the reflective portions forms a reflection image. The transmissive portions transmit the visible light. Each transmissive portion is sandwiched by two corresponding reflective portions that are adjacent to each other along the given axis. At least part of each reflective portion forms the reflection image by rendering a reflection angle of the light reflected by the reflective portions different from an angle of light incident on the reflective portions. The transmission diffraction portion forms diffracted images having different colors with diffracted light that is produced by diffracting light transmitted through the transmissive portions in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YASHIKI, Akira KUBO, Chikara SAWAMURA, Haruna OOKI
  • Patent number: 9272308
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical device that includes a relief structure formation layer, a first layer made of a first material having a refractive index different from that of a material of the relief structure formation layer, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material and covering the first layer. A ratio of an amount of the second material at a position of the second region to an apparatus area of the second region is zero or smaller than a ratio of an amount of the second material at the position of the second sub-region to an apparatus area of the second sub region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yashiki, Chikara Sawamura, Koji Umezaki, Akira Kubo
  • Publication number: 20140268261
    Abstract: A display member according to this invention includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes a relief structure formation layer including a first region configured to display a predetermined color on a condition, and a second region different from the first region, a first layer made of a first material, and covering at least the first region, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material, and covering the first layer. The display member displays an image based on a distribution of the first region on the condition that the display member is observed in the oblique direction, and displays an image based on a distribution of the second region on a condition that the display member is observed with transmitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira KUBO, Chikara SAWAMURA, Kazuhiro YASHIKI
  • Publication number: 20120064303
    Abstract: An optical device includes a relief structure formation layer, a first layer made of a first material having a refractive index different from that of a material of the relief structure formation layer, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material and covering the first layer. A ratio of an amount of the second material at a position of the second region to an apparatus area of the second region is zero or smaller than a ratio of an amount of the second material at the position of the second sub-region to an apparatus area of the second sub-region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YASHIKI, Chikara Sawamura, Koji Umezaki, Akira Kubo