Patents by Inventor Katsunori Kawabata

Katsunori Kawabata 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: 10352533
    Abstract: In a light source device, an axis extends from a light-emitting face and perpendicularly to the light-emitting face. A reflective surface includes a curved surface defined by rotating a first arc which is a part of an ellipse around the axis. The ellipse has a first focal point and a second focal point which are located on the light-emitting face. The second focal point is located adjacently to the first arc with respect to a center of the ellipse. A distance from the first focal point to the axis is shorter than a distance from the second focal point to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Daijo, Hiroyuki Yoshioka, Katsunori Kawabata, Yoshimichi Enno
  • Patent number: 10309618
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes: first lenses individually corresponding to LEDs; a light control member including light transmission channels individually corresponding to the first lenses and a light blocker surrounding the light transmission channels; and second lenses individually corresponding to the light transmission channels. Each first lens includes a light concentrator for producing concentrated light by concentrating light emitted from a corresponding LED, and a reflector surrounding the light concentrator to produce reflected light by reflecting light emitted from the corresponding LED in a direction across the concentrated light. Each first lens outputs illumination light including the concentrated light and the reflected light produced from the corresponding light emitting diode. Each light transmission channel transmits the illumination light output from a corresponding first lens. The light blocker prevents transmission of the illumination light emitted from each first lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Enno, Hiroyuki Yoshioka, Katsunori Kawabata, Takao Kondo, Kazuhiro Daijo, Koji Uenoyama, Yoshihiro Muragaki
  • Publication number: 20180003361
    Abstract: In a light source device, an axis extends from a light-emitting face and perpendicularly to the light-emitting face. A reflective surface includes a curved surface defined by rotating a first arc which is a part of an ellipse around the axis. The ellipse has a first focal point and a second focal point which are located on the light-emitting face. The second focal point is located adjacently to the first arc with respect to a center of the ellipse. A distance from the first focal point to the axis is shorter than a distance from the second focal point to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro DAIJO, Hiroyuki YOSHIOKA, Katsunori KAWABATA, Yoshimichi ENNO
  • Publication number: 20170219186
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes: first lenses individually corresponding to LEDs; a light control member including light transmission channels individually corresponding to the first lenses and a light blocker surrounding the light transmission channels; and second lenses individually corresponding to the light transmission channels. Each first lens includes a light concentrator for producing concentrated light by concentrating light emitted from a corresponding LED, and a reflector surrounding the light concentrator to produce reflected light by reflecting light emitted from the corresponding LED in a direction across the concentrated light. Each first lens outputs illumination light including the concentrated light and the reflected light produced from the corresponding light emitting diode. Each light transmission channel transmits the illumination light output from a corresponding first lens. The light blocker prevents transmission of the illumination light emitted from each first lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimichi ENNO, Hiroyuki YOSHIOKA, Katsunori KAWABATA, Takao KONDO, Kazuhiro DAIJO, Koji UENOYAMA, Yoshihiro MURAGAKI
  • Patent number: 9383627
    Abstract: A flash device of the present invention includes a flash main body, a light emitting section rotatably coupled to the flash main body, and a variable mechanism that can vary the angle in the vertical direction of the light emitting section between a normal irradiation direction angle and a desired irradiation direction angle different from the normal irradiation direction angle. The flash device further includes a drive section for driving the variable mechanism, a vertical direction angle detecting section for detecting the angle in the vertical direction of the light emitting section, and a control device for changing, with the drive section, the angle in the vertical direction of the light emitting section to the desired irradiation direction angle based on a detection signal of the vertical direction angle detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Ueda, Takashi Umehara, Kazuhiko Ooyama, Katsunori Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20150355528
    Abstract: The strobe device of the present invention is provided with a light source, a reflector, and an optical panel. Reflector is provided with a side opening and a front opening. The optical panel has: wedge-shaped side light guide sections that are integrally formed with both side portions of an incidence-side lens surface; and planar side reflecting sections that are integrally formed with both side portions of an object-side lens surface. Consequently, the strobe device having a reduced thickness and a reduced size is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: TAKASHI KITAMURA, KATSUNORI KAWABATA, HIRO AOKI
  • Publication number: 20150103506
    Abstract: A strobe device of the present invention includes a light source; an optical element; and reflector having reflecting surface. Reflecting surface includes first reflecting surface formed closer to reflector than from specific reflecting region in reflecting surface; and second reflecting surface formed closer to the optical element. Further, first reflecting surface has a shape curved so as to have its center of curvature inside reflector. Second reflecting surface has a shape curved so as to have its center of curvature outside reflector and to be more remote from an optical axis with decreasing distance to the optical element. This prevents light emitted from the light source from illuminating part other than a desired region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshioka, Katsunori Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20150036042
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the illumination direction angle of a strobe device includes the steps of: transmitting to a specific strobe device, a first signal related to the present illumination direction angle of the strobe device being adjusted; based on the first signal, causing the illumination direction angle of the specific strobe device to correspond to the illumination direction angle of the strobe device being adjusted; changing the illumination direction angle of the specific strobe device to a state desirable for the strobe device being adjusted; transmitting, to the strobe device being adjusted, the amount of further change in the illumination direction angle of the specific strobe device, as a second signal; and changing the illumination direction angle of the strobe device being adjusted, based on the second signal. With this method, the illumination direction angle of the strobe device can be remotely adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi Umehara, Kazuhiko Ooyama, Katsunori Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8899765
    Abstract: A stroboscopic device includes a light emitter disposed in a light-emitter casing, a light controller member disposed in an opening of the light-emitter casing, and a prism member disposed at a position near the light emitter where an opening of a reflector is not covered. The light emitter includes a flash discharge tube and a reflector for reflecting the light rays from the flash discharge tube in an irradiation direction. The light controller member controls the light rays from the light emitter. The prism member bends the light rays emitted from the flash discharge tube into an optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshioka, Katsunori Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20140240950
    Abstract: A flash device of the present invention includes a flash main body, a light emitting section rotatably coupled to the flash main body, and a variable mechanism that can vary the angle in the vertical direction of the light emitting section between a normal irradiation direction angle and a desired irradiation direction angle different from the normal irradiation direction angle. The flash device further includes a drive section for driving the variable mechanism, a vertical direction angle detecting section for detecting the angle in the vertical direction of the light emitting section, and a control device for changing, with the drive section, the angle in the vertical direction of the light emitting section to the desired irradiation direction angle based on a detection signal of the vertical direction angle detecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Ueda, Takashi Umehara, Kazuhiko Ooyama, Katsunori Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20130343047
    Abstract: A strobe device of the present invention includes a cylindrical flashtube, a reflector for reflecting light coming from the flashtube, a trigger circuit for applying a trigger voltage to the reflector, and a conductive abutting section that is disposed on at least one of the flashtube and reflector and abuts on at least the other of the flashtube and reflector. The conductive abutting section is disposed in the axial direction of the flashtube. Thus, a strobe device that generates light of stable brightness can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Murai, Yasushi Ogino, Hiroshi Saiki, Katsunori Kawabata, Satoshi Amari
  • Patent number: 8339051
    Abstract: The electronic flash unit disclosed comprises: a transformer (14) to vary voltages of a power supply; an accumulator (16) composed of a main capacitor (17) to charge an electric energy supplied from the transformer (14); a lamp unit (4) provided with a flashlamp (20), set inside of a reflector (19), that flashes by discharging of energy storages in the main capacitor (17) upon applying a voltage on a trigger terminal (21); and a trigger circuit (10) to generate the voltage to apply on the trigger terminal (21), wherein at least the lamp unit (4) is coated with an insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohiko Ina, Arata Sakamoto, Shohei Uno, Toshinori Maki, Katsumi Horinishi, Naoyuki Furutsuka, Hajime Mitsui, Kazue Nakagawa, Katsuji Ishikawa, Hisashi Ogura, Mitsuo Fuke, Katsunori Kawabata, Takashi Umehara, Katsushi Sumisaki
  • Publication number: 20120243201
    Abstract: A stroboscopic device includes a light emitter disposed in a light-emitter casing, a light controller member disposed in an opening of the light-emitter casing, and a prism member disposed at a position near the light emitter where an opening of a reflector is not covered. The light emitter includes a flash discharge tube and a reflector for reflecting the light rays from the flash discharge tube in an irradiation direction. The light controller member controls the light rays from the light emitter. The prism member bends the light rays emitted from the flash discharge tube into an optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshioka, Katsunori Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7652434
    Abstract: The electronic flash unit disclosed comprises: a transformer (14) to vary voltages of a power supply; an accumulator (16) composed of a main capacitor (17) to charge an electric energy supplied from the transformer (14); a lamp unit (4) provided with a flashlamp (20), set inside of a reflector (19), that flashes by discharging of energy storages in the main capacitor (17) upon applying a voltage on a trigger terminal (21); and a trigger circuit (10) to generate the voltage to apply on the trigger terminal (21), wherein at least the lamp unit (4) is coated with an insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Photo & Lighting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Ina, Arata Sakamoto, Shohei Uno, Toshinori Maki, Katsumi Horinishi, Naoyuki Furutsuka, Hajime Mitsui, Kazue Nakagawa, Katsuji Ishikawa, Hisashi Ogura, Mitsuo Fuke, Katsunori Kawabata, Takashi Umehara, Katsushi Sumisaki
  • Publication number: 20070170869
    Abstract: The electronic flash unit disclosed comprises: a transformer (14) to vary voltages of a power supply; an accumulator (16) composed of a main capacitor (17) to charge an electric energy supplied from the transformer (14); a lamp unit (4) provided with a flashlamp (20), set inside of a reflector (19), that flashes by discharging of energy storages in the main capacitor (17) upon applying a voltage on a trigger terminal (21); and a trigger circuit (10) to generate the voltage to apply on the trigger terminal (21), wherein at least the lamp unit (4) is coated with an insulation material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: PANASONIC PHOTO & LIGHTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Ina, Arata Sakamoto, Shohei Uno, Toshinori Maki, Katsumi Horinishi, Naoyuki Furutsuka, Hajime Mitsui, Kazue Nakagawa, Katsuji Ishikawa, Hisashi Ogura, Mitsuo Fuke, Katsunori Kawabata, Takashi Umehara, Katsushi Sumisaki
  • Publication number: 20050007030
    Abstract: The electronic flash unit disclosed comprises: a transformer (14) to vary voltages of a power supply; an accumulator (16) composed of a main capacitor (17) to charge an electric energy supplied from the transformer (14); a lamp unit (4) provided with a flashlamp (20), set inside of a reflector (19), that flashes by discharging of energy storages in the main capacitor (17) upon applying a voltage on a trigger terminal (21); and a trigger circuit (10) to generate the voltage to apply on the trigger terminal (21), wherein at least the lamp unit (4) is coated with an insulation material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Hirohiko Ina, Arata Sakamoto, Shohei Uno, Toshinori Maki, Katsumi Horinishi, Naoyuki Furutsuka, Hajime Mitsui, Kazue Nakagawa, Katsuji Ishikawa, Hisashi Ogura, Mitsuo Fuke, Katsunori Kawabata, Takashi Umehara, Katsushi Sumisaki
  • Patent number: 6011929
    Abstract: A flash apparatus capable of varying the emission angle according to the present invention is characterized in that a light controller provided in front of a reflector for diffusing or condensing supplied light is configured to comprise a diffusion controlling portion having light diffusive action only with respect to a longitudinal direction of a bar-like light source and a condensation controlling portion having condensing action to omnidirectionally condense supplied light. By this, the flash apparatus capable of varying the emission angle can control and restrict prism action at the light controller by diffusing light emitted from the bar-like light source in respect to the longitudinal direction of the bar-like light source even when the bar-like light source and the light controller are close to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: West Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Fuke, Katsunori Kawabata, Katsumi Horinishi
  • Patent number: 5911085
    Abstract: In order to vary a light emission angle, a light source is moved so that its position relative to a reflector is varied. In one mode, by compulsively moving the light source to one end of a movement range of the light source, the one end is set as an original position. In another mode, after the light source is compulsively moved to the one end, by detecting that the light source has reached a position preset in the movement range while the light source is being moved to the other end of the movement range, a distance by which the light source is moved from the one end to the preset position is detected and stored as control information. The subsequent operation to move the light source to a desired control position is controlled based on the original position which is the one end or based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: West Electric Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Fuke, Takashi Umehara, Katsunori Kawabata, Katsumi Horinishi
  • Patent number: 5852751
    Abstract: By more widely diffusing light from a rod light source, particularly in the direction of the length of the rod light source than conventional strobe lights and image recorders, a strobe light of the present invention and an image recorder containing the strobe light provide luminous intensity distribution characteristics including a light emitting angle large enough to cover, for example, landscape images and the angle of coverage of imaging lenses with a short focal length. This allows the light emitting angle in the direction of the length of the rod light source to increase during wide-angle imaging, with little variation in the luminous intensity distribution characteristics in the direction at right angles to the direction of the length of the rod light source, as compared with known-arrangement strobe lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: West Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Kawabata, Katsumi Horinishi
  • Patent number: 5734934
    Abstract: An emission angle variable flash apparatus of the invention alters an angular aperture to be formed by side reflection plates disposed oppositely to both side surfaces of a reflector in linkage with a change of a distance between a Xe tube and a reflector on their optical axis, thereby enhancing the efficiency of utilization of flash from a light source and expanding a variable range of an emission angle in the horizontal direction. As a result, the emission angle variable flash apparatus of the invention is made smaller in size than in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: West Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Horinishi, Akira Iwamoto, Mitsuo Fuke, Katsunori Kawabata, Shinji Ando