Patents by Inventor Kenichi Okada

Kenichi Okada 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: 10121603
    Abstract: Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell element comprising at least one dye-sensitized solar cell, wherein the dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first base material including a transparent substrate, a second base material which faces the first base material, an annular sealing portion which bonds the first base material and the second base material, and an oxide semiconductor layer which is provided between the first base material and the second base material, wherein the second base material has a flexibility, wherein the second base material includes an annular bonding edge portion which is bonded to the sealing portion and a main body portion in an inner side of the bonding edge portion, and wherein a portion of the main body portion is a convex bending portion which is bent to be convex toward a side opposite to the first base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Okada, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Katsuyoshi Endo
  • Publication number: 20180301928
    Abstract: A power storage system includes a power generator that generates power by harvesting energy, a storage battery that is charged with a generated power of the power generator and that supplies power to a device, a voltage detector that detects a detected voltage of the storage battery, a primary battery for a backup power supply, a first switch disposed between the primary battery and the storage battery, and a switcher that compares the detected voltage with a predetermined threshold voltage and controls the first switch according to a comparison of the detected voltage and the predetermined threshold voltage. The switcher turns on the first switch to charge the storage battery with the backup power supply from the primary battery when the detected voltage decreases to the predetermined threshold voltage or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Okada
  • Patent number: 10096431
    Abstract: The dye-sensitized solar cell element includes at least one dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC), a first current extracting portion and a second current extracting portion for extracting current from the at least one DSC. The DSC comprises a first electrode having a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive layer provided on the surface of the substrate, a second electrode facing the first electrode and having a metal substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer provided on the first electrode, and an annular sealing portion bonding the first electrode with the second electrode. The first current extracting portion is included in the conductive film of one DSC of the at least one DSC, the second current extracting portion is connected with the metal substrate of the second electrode of one DSC of the at least one DSC, and the first and second current extracting portions are disposed next to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Okada, Naoshi Yamada, Katsuyoshi Endoh, Hiroki Usui
  • Patent number: 9997954
    Abstract: A power storage system includes: a first storage battery that is configured to be supplied with power generated by a power generation element performing environmental power generation and to supply power to an external load apparatus; a second storage battery that is configured to have a capacity larger than a capacity of the first storage battery, and to supply power to the external load apparatus; a first switch unit that performs switching between an electrical connection state and disconnection state between the first storage battery and the second storage battery; and a first changeover unit that compares a voltage of the first storage battery with a first threshold voltage which is equal to or higher than a voltage causing the external load apparatus to be operated, and controls the first switch unit according to a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Ryoji Yanagimoto, Yuji Yamada, Kenjiro Yano, Kenichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9947483
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell element has at least one dye-sensitized solar cell, the dye-sensitized solar cell is equipped with a conductive substrate having a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive layer provided on one surface of the transparent substrate, a counter substrate facing the conductive substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer provided on the conductive substrate or the counter substrate, and an annular sealing portion bonding the conductive substrate and the counter substrate. The transparent conductive layer has a main body portion disposed on an inner side of the sealing portion, a groove is formed in the transparent conductive layer, and at least a part of the groove has a first groove formed along an external shape of the sealing portion, and an insulating material also continuously covers an edge portion of the main body portion as well as enters into at least a part of the first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Okada, Katsuyoshi Endoh, Hiroki Usui, Ong-on Topon
  • Patent number: 9893527
    Abstract: A power storage system includes a power generation element that performs environmental power generation, a first storage battery that receives power generated by the power generation element and supplies the power to a load device, a second storage battery that has a capacitance smaller than that of the first storage battery and is connected in series with the first storage battery, a first switcher that is connected in parallel to the second storage battery, short-circuits both terminals of the second storage battery in a closed state, and releases a short-circuited state of the second storage battery in an open state, and a switching unit that controls the opened and closed states of the first switcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Okada, Ryoji Yanagimoto
  • Patent number: 9893389
    Abstract: A power storage system of the invention, includes: a power generator; a first storage battery; a second storage battery having smaller capacitance than that of the first storage battery; a first switcher that connects or disconnects the first storage battery to or from a power supply line and a load device; a second switcher that connects or disconnects the second storage battery to or from the power supply line and the load device; a first switching unit that compares a voltage supplied to the load device with first and second predetermined threshold voltages and controls the first switcher according to a result of the comparison; and a second switching unit that compares the voltage supplied to the load device with third and fourth predetermined threshold voltages and controls the second switcher according to a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Okada, Ryoji Yanagimoto
  • Patent number: 9870684
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of segments compiled from at least one media source, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments contains at least one image frame within which a specific target object is found to be captured, and a providing unit configured to provide image frames of the obtained plurality of segments for display along a timeline and in conjunction with a tracking status indicator that indicates a presence of the specific target object within the plurality of segments in relation to time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: QiHong Wang, Kenichi Okada, Ken Miyashita, Yasushi Okumura
  • Publication number: 20170294691
    Abstract: A power storage system of the invention, includes: a power generator; a first storage battery; a second storage battery having smaller capacitance than that of the first storage battery; a first switcher that connects or disconnects the first storage battery to or from a power supply line and a load device; a second switcher that connects or disconnects the second storage battery to or from the power supply line and the load device; a first switching unit that compares a voltage supplied to the load device with first and second predetermined threshold voltages and controls the first switcher according to a result of the comparison; and a second switching unit that compares the voltage supplied to the load device with third and fourth predetermined threshold voltages and controls the second switcher according to a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Okada, Ryoji Yanagimoto
  • Publication number: 20170279275
    Abstract: A power storage system includes a power generation element that performs environmental power generation, a first storage battery that receives power generated by the power generation element and supplies the power to a load device, a second storage battery that has a capacitance smaller than that of the first storage battery and is connected in series with the first storage battery, a first switcher that is connected in parallel to the second storage battery, short-circuits both terminals of the second storage battery in a closed state, and releases a short-circuited state of the second storage battery in an open state, and a switching unit that controls the opened and closed states of the first switcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Okada, Ryoji Yanagimoto
  • Publication number: 20170264881
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus including an acquisition block configured to acquire a detection result associated with a user attention to an object displayed on a display screen capable of displaying stereoscopic image, and a display control block configured to animation-display the object in the direction of depth in accordance with the user attention on the basis of the acquired detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoya NARITA, Lyo TAKAOKA, Kenichi OKADA, Shunichi KASAHARA, Ritsuko KANO
  • Patent number: 9737808
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an attribute management unit configured to manage a variable attribute value associated with each one or more characters existing in a real space, a detection unit configured to detect an interaction event between a first character and a real object by using an image captured by a camera that captures the real space, and a setting unit configured to set a rule for changing the attribute value of the first character depending on the interaction event. In a case where the detection unit has detected the interaction event, the attribute management unit changes the attribute value of the first character in accordance with the rule set by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexis Andre, Akichika Tanaka, Yasuhiro Takeda, Tetsu Natsume, Kenichi Okada, Takatoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9720644
    Abstract: A system that acquires captured voice data corresponding to a spoken command; sequentially analyzes the captured voice data; causes a display to display a visual indication corresponding to the sequentially analyzed captured voice data; and performs a predetermined operation corresponding to the spoken command when it is determined that the sequential analysis of the captured voice data is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junki Ohmura, Michinari Kohno, Kenichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9706108
    Abstract: A method for an information processing apparatus includes causing display of an image, and recognizing a subject in a selected portion of the image. The method also includes identifying image settings modes based on the subject recognized in the selected portion of the image, and causing display of icons corresponding to the image setting modes identified. One of the image setting modes is then specified based on selection of one of the icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Takahashi, Kenichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9536677
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode; a second electrode that faces the first electrode; an electrolyte that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an annular encapsulation unit that surrounds the electrolyte together with the first electrode and the second electrode, and connects the first electrode and the second electrode. In the dye-sensitized solar cell, the sealing portion has a resin sealing section formed of a resin. At least one interface of a first interface between the first electrode and the sealing portion, and a second interface between the second electrode and the sealing portion, constitutes a wide width section having the broadest sealing width among the sealing widths of the sealing portion, and the sealing portion has a narrow width section having a narrower sealing width than the wide width section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Okada, Katsuhiro Doi
  • Patent number: 9536676
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell module includes a plurality of dye-sensitized solar cells electrically connected in series. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode that comprises a transparent substrate, and a transparent conductive film provided on the transparent substrate, a second electrode that faces the first electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer that is provided on the first electrode or the second electrode, and an annular sealing section that joins the first electrode and the second electrode. The transparent substrate is composed of a transparent substrate that is common to the plurality of dye-sensitized solar cells. The second electrodes of two adjoining dye-sensitized solar cells are separated apart from each other. The sealing section includes an annular first sealing section that is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the first sealing sections that are adjoining are integrated together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kouki Shimohira, Kenichi Okada
  • Publication number: 20160379506
    Abstract: A scent presentation method is provided that includes generating a random number, determining a presentation condition based on the generated random number, and presenting a scent through pulse ejection based on the determined presentation condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kenichi OKADA, Sho Kanzaki, Shohei Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20160329737
    Abstract: A power storage system includes: a power generation element that performs environmental power generation; a storage battery that is supplied with power generated by the power generation element; a DC/DC converter that converts an output voltage from the power generation element into a predetermined voltage; a first switch unit that switches whether directly supply the output voltage from the power generation element to the storage battery or to supply thereto via the DC/DC converter; and a first changeover unit that compares a voltage of the storage battery with a first threshold voltage, and controls the first switch unit according to a comparison result, in a case where a voltage of the voltage or higher of the storage battery bringing the DC/DC converter into a main boost mode is the first threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO, Ryoji YANAGIMOTO, Yuji YAMADA, Kenjiro YANO, Kenichi OKADA
  • Publication number: 20160322859
    Abstract: A power storage system includes: a first storage battery that is configured to be supplied with power generated by a power generation element performing environmental power generation and to supply power to an external load apparatus; a second storage battery that is configured to have a capacity larger than a capacity of the first storage battery, and to supply power to the external load apparatus; a first switch unit that performs switching between an electrical connection state and disconnection state between the first storage battery and the second storage battery; and a first changeover unit that compares a voltage of the first storage battery with a first threshold voltage which is equal to or higher than a voltage causing the external load apparatus to be operated, and controls the first switch unit according to a comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO, Ryoji YANAGIMOTO, Yuji YAMADA, Kenjiro YANO, Kenichi OKADA
  • Publication number: 20160322173
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element including at least one photoelectric conversion cell. The photoelectric conversion cell includes a conductive substrate having a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive layer provided on the transparent substrate, a counter substrate facing the conductive substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer provided on the conductive substrate or the counter substrate, and an annular sealing portion adhering the conductive substrate and the counter substrate. An insulating material is provided at least between the conductive substrate and the sealing portion, and the insulating material is colored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIKURA, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi OKADA, Katsuyoshi ENDOH