Patents by Inventor Kazuo Takai

Kazuo Takai 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: 9797711
    Abstract: A signal processing device of a scanning-type distance measurement device includes: a distance calculation unit for, on the basis of a predetermined correlation relationship between measured light and reflection light, calculating, for each predetermined scan angle, the distance from the scanning-type distance measurement device to an object; a to-be-monitored object determination unit for performing a to-be-monitored object determination process, in which, when the distance calculation unit calculates a distance within a to-be-monitored region for N number of scans (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) consecutively in a specific scan angle direction, it is determined that there is an object to be monitored in the specific scan angle direction; and a signal output unit which, when it is determined by the to-be-monitored object determination unit that there is an object to be monitored, outputs a to-be-monitored object detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Takai, Tsuyoshi Hosoda
  • Patent number: 9423591
    Abstract: A metal elastic member to be used for beams 4 for supporting a movable unit 3 at respective ends with respect to a fixed unit 2 in a miniature machine including at least one movable unit 3, the fixed unit 2 and the beams 4 , and capable of swinging the movable unit about an axis P with the beams 4 serving as torsional rotation axes, includes a metal bar 4a having a predetermined length, a fixed unit pad 4b that is provided at a first end of the metal bar 4a and is fixed to the fixed unit 2, and a movable unit pad 4c formed on the other end side of the metal bar 4a and fixed to the movable unit 3. At least the metal bar 4a is molded to have a sectional area of 1 mm2 or less by using a physical or chemical processing method excluding a mechanical processing method and swings the movable unit 3 within a frequency of 150 Hz to 500 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mori, Norihiro Asada, Kazuo Takai
  • Patent number: 9195060
    Abstract: Scanning distance measuring equipment includes a light emitter/receiver and a deflector for deflecting and reflecting measurement light emitted from the light emitter/receiver to outside through an optical window. The deflector is provided with a first deflection mechanism including a movable unit swingable about a first axis and a drive unit for driving to swing the movable unit; a second deflection mechanism for driving to rotate the first deflection mechanism about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a contactless power supply unit including a second coil that is located to rotate about the second axis along with the rotating second deflection mechanism, and a first coil that is located to face the second coil on a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mori, Norihiro Asada, Kazuo Takai
  • Publication number: 20140151535
    Abstract: Scanning distance measuring equipment includes a light emitter/receiver and a deflector for deflecting and reflecting measurement light emitted from the light emitter/receiver to outside through an optical window. The deflector is provided with a first deflection mechanism including a movable unit swingable about a first axis and a drive unit for driving to swing the movable unit; a second deflection mechanism for driving to rotate the first deflection mechanism about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a contactless power supply unit including a second coil that is located to rotate about the second axis along with the rotating second deflection mechanism, and a first coil that is located to face the second coil on a common axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro MORI, Norihiro ASADA, Kazuo TAKAI
  • Publication number: 20140132187
    Abstract: A metal elastic member to be used for beams 4 for supporting a movable unit 3 at respective ends with respect to a fixed unit 2 in a miniature machine including at least one movable unit 3, the fixed unit 2 and the beams 4, and capable of swinging the movable unit about an axis P with the beams 4 serving as torsional rotation axes, includes a metal bar 4a having a predetermined length, a fixed unit pad 4b that is provided at a first end of the metal bar 4a and is fixed to the fixed unit 2, and a movable unit pad 4c formed on the other end side of the metal bar 4a and fixed to the movable unit 3. At least the metal bar 4a is molded to have a sectional area of 1 mm2 or less by using a physical or chemical processing method excluding a mechanical processing method and swings the movable unit 3 within a frequency of 150 Hz to 500 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mori, Norihiro Asada, Kazuo Takai
  • Publication number: 20130346019
    Abstract: A signal processing device of a scanning-type distance measurement device includes: a distance calculation unit for, on the basis of a predetermined correlation relationship between measured light and reflection light, calculating, for each predetermined scan angle, the distance from the scanning-type distance measurement device to an object; a to-be-monitored object determination unit for performing a to-be-monitored object determination process, in which, when the distance calculation unit calculates a distance within a to-be-monitored region for N number of scans (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) consecutively in a specific scan angle direction, it is determined that there is an object to be monitored in the specific scan angle direction; and a signal output unit which, when it is determined by the to-be-monitored object determination unit that there is an object to be monitored, outputs a to-be-monitored object detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Takai, Tsuyoshi Hosoda
  • Patent number: 6912363
    Abstract: An optical module for use in detecting a plurality of different wavelengths by making use of the multiple wavelength selectivity of an etalon. The optical module includes a semiconductor laser, a lens for converting a beam emitted from the semiconductor laser into a substantially parallel beam, a beam splitter for splitting the converted beam into a reflected beam and a transmitted beam, and a light-receiving element disposed such that one of the split beams is incident thereupon through an etalon, wherein a center of the reflected beam from the etalon occurring as the beam is incident upon the etalon is arranged to return to a region other than a beam-emitting portion of the semiconductor laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: OpNext Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Furuichi, Kazumi Kawamoto, Katsumi Kuroguchi, Atsuhiro Yamamoto, Keiichi Yamada, Tsutomu Okumura, Kazuo Takai, Shohei Hata
  • Publication number: 20030076564
    Abstract: An optical module for use in detecting a plurality of different wavelengths by making use of the multiple wavelength selectivity of an etalon. The optical module includes a semiconductor laser, a lens for converting a beam emitted from the semiconductor laser into a substantially parallel beam, a beam splitter for splitting the converted beam into a reflected beam and a transmitted beam, and a light-receiving element disposed such that one of the split beams is incident thereupon through an etalon, wherein a center of the reflected beam from the etalon occurring as the beam is incident upon the etalon is arranged to return to a region other than a beam-emitting portion of the semiconductor laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroaki Furuichi, Kazumi Kawamoto, Katsumi Kuroguchi, Atsuhiro Yamamoto, Keiichi Yamada, Tsutomu Okumura, Kazuo Takai, Shohei Hata
  • Patent number: 5725116
    Abstract: A screw cap comprises a main cap portion 1 having screw threads on its inner circumferential surface and a number of splines 6 axially extending on its outer circumferential surface, and a ring portion 11 having a projection 12 on its inner circumferential surface and a number of splines 13 extending on its outer circumferential surface and continuous from the splines 6 of the main cap portion. The ring portion 11 is spaced apart from and connected integrally with the lateral wall of the main cap body by fragile connector strips 15 which are partial extensions of the splines 6 or 13 lying over the distance A between the main cap body 1 and the ring portion 11. Thus the cap has a totally uniform, continuous appearance suitable for containers of products which should desirably look high-graded or uncontaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Cosmo Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Takai
  • Patent number: 4945895
    Abstract: A medical procedure involving direction of the operative end of a medical instrument via observation through a remote small caliber fiber optic bundle disposed through a prepositioned needle lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Vance Products Incorporated
    Inventors: Kazuo Takai, Scott Genty, Frederick D. Roemer