Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Watanabe

Hirofumi Watanabe 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: 20150214413
    Abstract: A phototransistor includes a first emitter region, a first base region having at least a portion exposed to a light-receiving side, and a first collector region in this order from the light-receiving side in a depth direction. The first collector region includes a second collector region and a third collector region that is in contact with a downstream side of the second collector region in the depth direction and has a resistance lower than that of the second collector region. The phototransistor further includes a first region that is spaced away from the first base region at an outer side of the first base region on a light-receiving side surface thereof, the first region having a conductivity type opposite to that of the first collector region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki NEGORO, Yoshihiko MIKI, Katsuyuki SAKURANO, Keiji TSUDA, Hirofumi WATANABE
  • Patent number: 9088758
    Abstract: A mark information recording apparatus includes an output unit and a recording unit. The output unit is configured to output, for displaying a partial image being a part of an entire image having an arbitrary resolution among entire images generated at a plurality of different resolutions with respect to a single target, the partial image. The recording unit is configured to associate mark information with information on a position within the entire image and information on the resolution of the output partial image and record the mark information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Kimoto, Masato Kajimoto, Seiji Miyama, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150171129
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device are disclosed. The method includes forming a trench, in a vertical direction of a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements arranged on the semiconductor device, at positions between the photoelectric converting elements that are next to each other, forming a first conductive-material layer in and above the trench by implanting a first conductive material into the trench after an oxide film is formed on an inner wall of the trench, forming a first conductor by removing the first conductive-material layer excluding a first conductive portion of the first conductive-material layer implanted into the trench, and forming an upper gate electrode above the first conductor, the upper gate electrode configured to be conductive with the first conductor. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an image sensor, a trench, a first conductor, and an upper gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Sakurano, Takaaki Negoro, Katsuhiko Aisu, Kazuhiro Yoneda, Yasukazu Nakatani, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9059065
    Abstract: Provided is a method of varying the gain of an amplifying photoelectric conversion device and a variable gain photoelectric conversion device which are capable of achieving both signal processing under low illuminance and high-current processing under high light intensity, and thereby capable of securing a wide dynamic range. An amplifying photoelectric conversion part includes a photoelectric conversion element and amplification transistors forming a Darlington circuit. The sources and the drains of field-effect transistors are connected to the bases and the emitters of the amplification transistors, respectively. The gates of the field-effect transistors each function as a gain control part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Kazuhiro Yoneda, Hirofumi Watanabe, Katsuhiko Aisu, Takaaki Negoro, Toshitaka Ota, Yasushi Nagamune
  • Patent number: 9060440
    Abstract: A supporting structure comprises a base member to support a printed circuit board, a holder standing upright from the base member and supporting the printed circuit board; and a support standing upright from the base member and supporting the printed circuit board sidewise. The support includes a column standing upright from the base member, and having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of the holder, and an abutment portion to abut on a side surface of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Watanabe, Kazuhiko Nakano, Daisuke Yasukawa
  • Publication number: 20150154749
    Abstract: [Object] To cause a client termination specialized for image display processing to display a pathological image stored in a server without needing complicated setting processing. [Solving Means] The information processing apparatus includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit is communicable with an image server apparatus capable of storing a pathological image and another information processing apparatus capable of displaying the pathological image. The control unit is capable of controlling the communication unit to send a display request for sending the pathological image to the other information processing apparatus and causing the other information processing apparatus to display the pathological image, to the image server apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kyusojin, Kenji Yamane, Naoki Tagami, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150130809
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprising an image selecting portion configured to select an image to be displayed having a resolution determined based on a change speed of a display area, such as a movement, enlargement, reduction, a rotation or a change of focus position of the display area. Preferably when the display area stands still or is moved at low speed the high resolution image is displayed, and the low resolution is displayed when the change speed of the display area is fast. The apparatus relates particularly to an image observed with a microscope, and allows an image to be displayed without delay thereby facilitating diagnosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Naoki Tagami, Hiroshi Kyusojin, Kenji Yamane, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150075156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake control apparatus including a master cylinder that generates a hydraulic braking pressure in response to operation of a brake pedal, an electric motor that drives the master cylinder, a housing in which the master cylinder and the electric motor are assembled, and a control unit adapted to perform drive control of the electric motor. The control unit has a bottom formed at least partially integral with the housing and includes a circuit board mounting thereon drive elements to drive the electric motor. The brake control apparatus includes a heat radiating seat located on an inner surface of the bottom of the control unit at a position apart from the electric motor and closer to the master cylinder than the electric motor and brought into thermal contact with the circuit board so as to radiate heat of the drive elements toward the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kazuhiko NAKANO, Hirofumi WATANABE, Daisuke YASUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20150070546
    Abstract: An imaging device includes at least one pixel having a phototransistor which converts light energy into signal charge and varies an amplification factor relative to the intensity of the received light energy, wherein the signal charge of the phototransistor is read out while receiving the light energy with the phototransistor for each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Negoro, Hirofumi Watanabe, Katsuhiko Aisu, Kazuhiro Yoneda, Katsuyuki Sakurano
  • Patent number: 8969810
    Abstract: An infrared sensor device includes a plurality of infrared sensors that is provided in a plurality of divided areas in which an infrared-receiving area is radially divided in one plane; a detector that detects presence or absence of movement of an object in the infrared-receiving area for each of the divided areas based on an output of the infrared sensor; and a determiner that determines whether the object is in a detection area in a predetermined distance range from the infrared sensor, based on an arrangement pattern of the divided areas in which the movement of the object is detected, in an alignment of the divided areas in the infrared-receiving areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nagahisa, Katsuhiko Aisu, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8959908
    Abstract: Provided is a brake controller which can be made smaller. The brake controller (100) has a hydraulic control mechanism (150), which comprises a master cylinder (250) which generates a hydraulic fluid pressure on the basis of an input piston (182) and a control piston (190) that move when a braking operation is performed, motors (290, 296), and a moving mechanism (200) which moves the aforementioned control piston as the aforementioned motors turn, and a motor control unit (300) for regulating the turning of the aforementioned motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kikuchi, Daisuke Yasukawa, Hirofumi Watanabe, Takuya Obata, Takayuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 8929079
    Abstract: An electronic control device comprises a circuit board having a heat generating part mounted thereon; a case for installing therein the circuit board, the case having a heat receiving portion that is in contact with the heat generating part; at least two first fixing units that are constructed and arranged to fix a peripheral portion of the circuit board to the case; and at least one second fixing unit that is arranged to fix a given area of the circuit board to the case while pressing the given area against the heat receiving portion through the heat generating part, the given area being an area where the heat generating part is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Watanabe, Kazuhiko Nakano, Daisuke Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 8876225
    Abstract: The invention achieves a further downsizing of an actuator control unit. The actuator control unit has a control circuit controlling an actuator, and a bus bar electrically connected to the control circuit and arranged such as to be partially embedded in an inner portion of a resin case and be partially exposed to an outer portion of the resin case. It is preferable to have a projection portion extending in a wiring direction of the bus bar between two bus bars wired adjacently, having a greater height than an embedded plane of the bus bar in the resin case, and made of an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yasukawa, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140283513
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a master cylinder configured to generate a brake pressure according to a depressing force of a brake pedal; an electric motor configured to operate the master cylinder; a control board configured to control the electric motor; and a board receiving portion arranged along an outer circumference of the master cylinder. The board receiving portion receives the control board such that a component-mounting surface of the control board faces in an axial direction of the master cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi WATANABE, Daisuke YASUKAWA, Kazuhiko NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20140278540
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores pathological image data items associated with patient information, and correspondence relationship information that indicates a correspondence relationship between a first different information processing apparatus accessible to the patient information, and a second different information processing apparatus accessible to the pathological image data items and inaccessible to the patient information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi KYUSOJIN, Kenji YAMANE, Yutaka HASEGAWA, Hirofumi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20140239158
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a first pn junction comprised of at least two semiconductor regions of different conductivity types, and a first field-effect transistor including a first source connected with one of the semiconductor regions, a first drain, a first insulated gate and a same conductivity type channel as that of the one of the semiconductor regions. The first drain is supplied with a second potential at which the first pn junction becomes zero-biased or reverse-biased relative to a potential of the other of the semiconductor regions. When the first source turns to a first potential and the one of the semiconductor regions becomes zero-biased or reverse-biased relative to the other semiconductor regions, the first pn junction is controlled not to be biased by a deep forward voltage by supplying a first gate potential to the first insulated gate, even when either of the semiconductor regions is exposed to light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE, RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Toshitaka Ota, Yasushi Nagamune, Hirofumi Watanabe, Takaaki Negoro, Kazunari Kimino
  • Publication number: 20140211078
    Abstract: An image pickup module is provided with: lenses; a lens support unit that supports the lenses in a freely movable manner in the optical axis direction; an image pickup unit that detects light from the lenses and outputs an image signal; an operation information storage unit in which information about the operating state of the image pickup unit is stored; and a lens drive control unit including a drive circuit for driving the lenses in the optical axis direction and a drive method switching circuit for switching the drive method therefor between linear drive and pulse drive. The drive method switching circuit of the lens drive control unit is made so as to switch the drive method in accordance with the operating state information stored in the operation information storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8785777
    Abstract: An actuator control device includes a circuit device that is resin-molded by a plurality of metal molds including at least one movable metal mold to include a first bus bar and a second bus bar. The first bus bar and the second bus bar each include a flat plate-like portion that includes two main flat-face portions having large surface areas, and two sub flat-face portions that are adjacent to the main flat-face portions and have smaller surface areas than the surface areas of the main flat-face portions. One of the main flat-face portions of the first bus bar faces one of the main flat-face portions of the second bus bar. The facing direction differs from the mold release direction of the movable metal mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yasukawa, Hirofumi Watanabe, Kazuhiko Nakano, Kenji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8783738
    Abstract: A vehicle latch device including: a releasing unit that rotates about a support shaft provided on a holding member of an electric actuator and includes a cam pin and an output unit that disengages a latch from a ratchet by rotation of the releasing unit about the support shaft, where a driving force of the electric actuator being input to the cam pin; and a gear member that rotates about the support shaft, connects the electric actuator to the releasing unit, and inputs a driving force of the electric actuator into the input unit. The cam pin is arranged to be superimposed on a plane of rotation of the gear member, and the vehicle latch device further includes a cover member that is attached to the holding member and covers at least the support shaft, the input unit, the electric actuator, and the gear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Watanabe, Fuyuki Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 8772722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature sensor using a work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element that outputs, as a detecting signal of radiant rays, a work function difference between gate electrodes of first and second field-effect transistors sensing the radiant rays. The temperature sensor includes at least a pair of a first work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element having a positive output temperature coefficient; and a second work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element having a negative output temperature coefficient of which an absolute value is equal to an absolute value of the output temperature coefficient of the first work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Noguchi, Hirofumi Watanabe