Patents by Inventor Kentaro Hamana

Kentaro Hamana 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: 11967835
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a power supply antenna, a directivity control unit, a position information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The power supply antenna emits, to a plurality of power reception apparatuses, a radio wave that is based on a power supply signal. The directivity control unit controls directivity of the power supply antenna. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information indicating a position of a moving obstruction. The control unit determines, based on the position information, a power reception apparatus, among the plurality of power reception apparatuses, to which power is supplied while avoiding the obstruction. The control unit controls the directivity control unit to steer the radio wave toward the determined power reception apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manh Tai Nguyen, Kentaro Hamana, Akito Murai, Yoshiki Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20230113648
    Abstract: A host unit in a wireless power transmission system transmits power to a secondary unit during a communication-directivity control period and a power transmission period that are temporally divided from each other. The host unit transmits power such that a transmission output power of a power transmission radio wave during the power transmission period is greater than a transmission output power of a communication signal during the communication-directivity control period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro HAMANA, Manh Tai NGUYEN, Akito MURAI
  • Publication number: 20220360114
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a power supply antenna, a directivity control unit, a position information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The power supply antenna emits, to a plurality of power reception apparatuses, a radio wave that is based on a power supply signal. The directivity control unit controls directivity of the power supply antenna. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information indicating a position of a moving obstruction. The control unit determines, based on the position information, a power reception apparatus, among the plurality of power reception apparatuses, to which power is supplied while avoiding the obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Manh Tai NGUYEN, Kentaro HAMANA, Akito MURAI, Yoshiki SUGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220294273
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting apparatus is provided with: a power transmitting circuit for transmitting power for a load device to a wireless power receiving apparatus; a signal transmitting circuit for transmitting a control signal for the load device to the wireless power receiving apparatus; a signal receiving circuit for obtaining an estimated received power level indicating a level of the power transmitted from the wireless power transmitting apparatus and received by the wireless power receiving apparatus; and a control circuit. The control circuit periodically allocates time slots to wireless power receiving apparatuses for wireless power transmission. When the received power level is smaller than a threshold in a first time slot allocated to one wireless power receiving apparatus, the control circuit extends a second time slot allocated to the one wireless power receiving apparatus, the second time slot preceding or following the first time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Kentaro HAMANA, Tetsuya NOSAKA, Manh Tai NGUYEN, Akito MURAI, Yoshiki SUGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220263643
    Abstract: A noise cancellation device for a wireless communication system is provided to include wireless communication devices each using a digital phase modulation and each performing half-duplex communication. The wireless communication devices is configured as an array, and the noise cancellation device is provided for suppressing an wrap-around signal from other wireless communication device by combining a cancellation signal obtained by controlling at least one of a phase and an amplitude of a transmission carrier signal with a received wireless signal based on a baseband signal of the received wireless signal. The noise cancellation device includes a controller configured to determine whether a number of bits per one frame of the baseband signal to be transmitted is an odd number or an even number, and to invert the cancellation signal when the number of bits per one frame of the baseband signal to be transmitted is an even number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Yoshiki SUGIMOTO, Akito MURAI, Kentaro HAMANA, Manh Tai NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20220248242
    Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus is provided with: a signal receiving circuit configured to wirelessly receive a measurement value of a sensor from a slave apparatus; a position estimator configured to estimate a position of the slave apparatus; a storage device configured to store a history of the position of the slave apparatus; and a master control circuit configured to display the measurement value of the sensor and the position of the slave apparatus on a display device. When the master control circuit fails to receive the measurement value of the sensor from the slave apparatus, the master control circuit displays, on the display device, a latest position stored in the storage device, together with an error message indicating that communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the slave apparatus is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Akito MURAI, Kentaro HAMANA, Manh Tai NGUYEN, Yoshiki SUGIMOTO
  • Patent number: 10244617
    Abstract: Provided is a power converter which is applied to a power converter equipped with a switching element provided on a line, and a radiator connected to a predetermined potential such as a ground potential. A noise eliminator in which a conductive member is covered with insulator is provided between the switching element (semiconductor switch) and the radiator (heatsink). A flexible connecting line connected to a conductive member of the noise eliminator is connected to an on-board line disposed on a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Nagaoka, Hiroyuki Onishi, Takeo Nishikawa, Kentaro Hamana
  • Publication number: 20180042104
    Abstract: Provided is a power converter which is applied to a power converter equipped with a switching element provided on a line, and a radiator connected to a predetermined potential such as a ground potential. A noise eliminator in which a conductive member is covered with insulator is provided between the switching element (semiconductor switch) and the radiator (heatsink). A flexible connecting line connected to a conductive member of the noise eliminator is connected to an on-board line disposed on a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo NAGAOKA, Hiroyuki ONISHI, Takeo NISHIKAWA, Kentaro HAMANA
  • Patent number: 8639068
    Abstract: An optical transmission module has an optical transmission path in which optical transmission is performed between a first circuit board and a second circuit board disposed opposite the first circuit board. The optical transmission path has a folded structure having a bending radius. A circumferential portion drawn by the bending radius is provided substantially perpendicular to board surfaces of the first circuit board and the second circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Hayami Hosokawa, Naru Yasuda, Kentaro Hamana
  • Patent number: 8508396
    Abstract: It is possible to reduce a noise component mixed in an analog signal while suppressing increase of power consumption. An amplification unit amplifies the inputted analog signal and converts the amplified signal into a digital signal of a predetermined format for output. The amplification unit includes: an analog circuit unit for processing an analog signal; and a digital circuit unit for processing a digital signal; wherein the circuits are arranged on a substrate. The analog circuit unit includes: an amplification circuit for amplifying the inputted analog signal; and an LPF for cutting off a high frequency component of the amplified analog signal. The digital circuit unit includes: a rectification circuit which rectifies a waveform of the signal whose high-frequency component is cut off; and digital output circuit which converts the waveform-rectified signal into a digital signal of a predetermined format for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Enami, Keisuke Uno, Hayami Hosokawa, Kentaro Hamana, Tetsuya Nosaka
  • Patent number: 8467689
    Abstract: A serializer is equipped with a plurality of input terminals into which a plurality of binary signals are input in parallel, and converts the plurality of input binary signals into serial binary signals and transmits the serial binary signals to an optical transmission module. One input terminal out of the plurality of input terminals is assigned as an input terminal for preventing bit continuation by inserting “1” signals or “0” signals into the serial binary signals so that a predetermined number of bits of the same value may not be inserted continuously. Due to this structure, bit continuation can be prevented even for a signal generating source with no coding function by a simple configuration without increasing cost and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nosaka, Kentaro Hamana, Naru Yasuda, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8457499
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser drive apparatus comprises a bias current setting section (232) which sets a bias current value on the basis of the drive temperature so that the temperature characteristic of the bias current value with respect to the drive temperature may be a linear function having a slope except zero and a drive current setting section (233) for setting the drive current value on the basis of the drive temperature so that the temperature characteristic of the drive current value with respect to the drive temperature may be a function having a slope except zero. The temperature characteristic of the bias current and that of the drive current are functions different from each other. With this, low cost, space-saving, and power-saving of a semiconductor laser are achieved, and a semiconductor laser drive apparatus enabling a good transmission characteristic on the reception side and a high optical output over the whole drive temperature range when driving the semiconductor laser can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Hamana, Akira Enami, Yukari Terakawa, Keisuke Uno, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8428402
    Abstract: This invention provides an optical transmission module that is of low cost and that can be mounted even in a narrow space. An optical transmission module of the present invention includes a light reception processing section for converting an optical signal transmitted by an optical wiring to an electric signal, a reception side substrate part including an electric wiring for transmitting the electric signal, and a reception side connector section for providing the electric signal to the light reception processing section and the reception side substrate part. The light reception processing section and the reception side connector section are mounted on a same substrate surface of the reception side substrate part, and the reception side substrate part includes a bending portion bent so that the substrate surfaces oppose each other at the back in the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Hamana, Ryo Yamamoto, Naru Yasuda, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8391722
    Abstract: A transmission device has a light emitting element for converting an electric signal to an optical signal and transmitting the same, and a drive section for outputting the optical signal from the light emitting element and driving the light emitting element by providing the electric signal to the light emitting element. The electric signal provided by the drive section to the light emitting element is a waveform deformed signal having a waveform in which a time required for a fall is longer than a time required for a rise in a binary signal having a signal of high level and a signal of low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Enami, Keisuke Uno, Kentaro Hamana, Tetsuya Nosaka, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20130051746
    Abstract: An optical waveguide has a clad, a core surrounded by the clad and having an index of refraction larger than an index of refraction of the clad, an incident end face that makes light enter the core; and an exiting end face that makes light exit from the core. Two side faces of the optical waveguide are formed so as to have an angle change. The two side faces are translationally symmetric with each other, or two side faces excluding a portion of the side faces are translationally symmetric with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Yamamoto, Kentaro Hamana, Yuji Hirose, Yuichi Suzuki, Naru Yasuda, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8346094
    Abstract: A light transmission system has a light transmission module having a light transmission path that transmits a data signal as an optical signal, wherein the light transmission module converts the optical signal transmitted through the light transmission path to an electrical signal and outputs the converted optical signal as a binarization signal, an electrical transmission path that outputs a clock signal as a binarization signal, a reception processing unit that performs a reception process on each of the data signal and the clock signal, and a first delay unit that delays a rise start time of the clock signal with respect to a rise start time of the data signal for the binarization signal. A delay amount of the clock signal by the first delay unit is a time less than or equal to a maximum value of a data dependency jitter (DDJ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Hamana, Naru Yasuda, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20120134681
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser drive apparatus comprises a bias current setting section (232) which sets a bias current value on the basis of the drive temperature so that the temperature characteristic of the bias current value with respect to the drive temperature may be a linear function having a slope except zero and a drive current setting section (233) for setting the drive current value on the basis of the drive temperature so that the temperature characteristic of the drive current value with respect to the drive temperature may be a function having a slope except zero. The temperature characteristic of the bias current and that of the drive current are functions different from each other. With this, low cost, space-saving, and power-saving of a semiconductor laser are achieved, and a semiconductor laser drive apparatus enabling a good transmission characteristic on the reception side and a high optical output over the whole drive temperature range when driving the semiconductor laser can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Hamana, Akira Enami, Yukari Terakawa, Keisuke Uno, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8078022
    Abstract: An optical cable module is mainly provided with: an optical waveguide (10), a light-receiving element (11) and a supporting substrate (14) at its end portion of the light releasing side. The end portion of the optical waveguide (10) is fixed in its relative positional relationship with the light-receiving element (11). The end face of the optical waveguide (10) is not made perpendicular to the light axis (X-axis), and is diagonally cut so as to form an optical path conversion mirror (10D). Assuming that a light ray (indicated by a solid line in the Figure) that passes through the center of the light-axis cross section of a core (10A), and is reflected by the optical path conversion mirror (10D), and then reaches a light-receiving face at a light axis reflection position, the center of the light-receiving element (11) is placed with a gap from the light axis reflection position, in the optical cable module (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Hamana, Akira Enami, Naru Yasuda, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20110222815
    Abstract: This invention provides an optical transmission module that is of low cost and that can be mounted even in a narrow space. An optical transmission module of the present invention includes a light reception processing section for converting an optical signal transmitted by an optical wiring to an electric signal, a reception side substrate part including an electric wiring for transmitting the electric signal, and a reception side connector section for providing the electric signal to the light reception processing section and the reception side substrate part. The light reception processing section and the reception side connector section are mounted on a same substrate surface of the reception side substrate part, and the reception side substrate part includes a bending portion bent so that the substrate surfaces oppose each other at the back in the normal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Hamana, Ryo Yamamoto, Naru Yasuda, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20110176586
    Abstract: It is possible to reduce a noise component mixed in an analog signal while suppressing increase of power consumption. An amplification unit amplifies the inputted analog signal and converts the amplified signal into a digital signal of a predetermined format for output. The amplification unit includes: an analog circuit unit for processing an analog signal; and a digital circuit unit for processing a digital signal; wherein the circuits are arranged on a substrate. The analog circuit unit includes: an amplification circuit for amplifying the inputted analog signal; and an LPF for cutting off a high frequency component of the amplified analog signal. The digital circuit unit includes: a rectification circuit which rectifies a waveform of the signal whose high-frequency component is cut off; and digital output circuit which converts the waveform-rectified signal into a digital signal of a predetermined format for output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Enami, Keisuke Uno, Hayami Hosokawa, Kentaro Hamana, Tetsuya Nosaka