Patents by Inventor Kiyosi Gotou

Kiyosi Gotou 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: 10966302
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch switched to conduct and interrupt a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. An input device receives a dimming level representing a value of light output of the load. A controller controls the bidirectional switch according to the dimming level. The controller controls the bidirectional switch to keep the bidirectional switch in an off-state from a start point of a half cycle of the AC voltage of the AC power supply to a first time point when a first time period therefrom elapses, and to turn the bidirectional switch to an on-state at the first time point. The controller turns the bidirectional switch to the off-state at a second time point when a second time period elapses from the first time point. The controller keeps the bidirectional switch in the off-state from the second time point to an end point of the half cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Tomohiro Miyake, Takeo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10736188
    Abstract: A power supply is electrically connected between a pair of input terminals and is configured to be supplied with electric power from an AC power supply to generate control electric power. A voltage detector is configured to detect a voltage of the control electric power. A controller is configured to be supplied with the control electric power from the power supply to operate. The controller is configured to control a bidirectional switch based on a detection signal from a phase detector so as to switch the bidirectional switch from an ON state to an OFF state at a switching time point when a variable time corresponding to a dimming level elapses from a starting point of a half period of an AC voltage. A stopper is configured to halt generation of the control electric power by the power supply when the voltage detected by the voltage detector is higher than or equal to a prescribed threshold during an OFF time period from the switching time point to an end time point of the half period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Eiichirou Niikura, Kengo Miyamoto, Tomohiro Miyake
  • Publication number: 20200221556
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch switched to conduct and interrupt a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. An input device receives a dimming level representing a value of light output of the load. A controller controls the bidirectional switch according to the dimming level. The controller controls the bidirectional switch to keep the bidirectional switch in an off-state from a start point of a half cycle of the AC voltage of the AC power supply to a first time point when a first time period therefrom elapses, and to turn the bidirectional switch to an on-state at the first time point. The controller turns the bidirectional switch to the off-state at a second time point when a second time period elapses from the first time point. The controller keeps the bidirectional switch in the off-state from the second time point to an end point of the half cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Tomohiro MIYAKE, Takeo SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 10616975
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch is switched so as to conduct and interrupt a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. A power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and produces control power by electric power from an AC power supply. A controller receives the control power from the power supply to be activated. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from a start point of a half cycle of AC voltage to a first time point when a first time period elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an on-state from the first time point to a second time point when a second time period according to the dimming level elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from the second time point to an end point of the half cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Tomohiro Miyake, Takeo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10390401
    Abstract: A lighting control device includes a bidirectional switch, an inputter, a controller, and a corrector. The bidirectional switch is configured to switch between conduction and non-conduction of a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. The inputter is configured to receive a dimming level specifying the magnitude of a light output of a load. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional switch so as to retain the bidirectional switch in an ON state for an on time having a length determined in accordance with the dimming level within a prescribed range in each of half periods of an AC voltage of an AC power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Tomohiro Miyake, Eiichirou Niikura, Kengo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10356867
    Abstract: In a light-dimming device according to an example of the present invention, a controller is configured to be supplied with control electric power from an electricity accumulator to operate and to retain a bidirectional switch in an on state for an on time having a length according to a dimming level in every half period of an AC voltage of an AC power supply in a lighting mode. A charger including a first charger and a second charger causes a current to flow from a pair of input terminals and to the electricity accumulator. An impedance of the second charger which is a charger in a case of causing a current to flow to the electricity accumulator in the lighting mode is lower than an impedance of the first charger which is a charger in a case of causing a current to flow to the electricity accumulator in a non-lighting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Eiichirou Niikura, Kengo Miyamoto, Tomohiro Miyake
  • Patent number: 10306732
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch is switched so as to conduct and interrupt a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. A power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and produces control power by electric power from an AC power supply. A controller receives the control power from the power supply to be activated. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from a start point of a half cycle of AC voltage to a first time point when first time elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an on-state from the first time point to a second time point when second time according to the dimming level elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from the second time point to an end point of the half cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Tomohiro Miyake, Takeo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190090326
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch is switched so as to conduct and interrupt a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. A power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and produces control power by electric power from an AC power supply. A controller receives the control power from the power supply to be activated. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from a start point of a half cycle of AC voltage to a first time point when a first time period elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an on-state from the first time point to a second time point when a second time period according to the dimming level elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from the second time point to an end point of the half cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Tomohiro MIYAKE, Takeo SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20190029089
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch is configured to switch between conduction and non-conduction of a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. An inputter is configured to receive a dimming level specifying the magnitude of a light output of a load. A controller is configured to control the bidirectional switch so as to retain the bidirectional switch in an ON state for an on time having a length determined in accordance with the dimming level within a prescribed range in each of half periods of an AC voltage of an AC power supply. A corrector is configured to determine whether or not a target waveform has an anomaly with reference to a prescribed determination condition. The corrector is configured to correct the prescribed range so as to narrow the prescribed range when the target waveform has the anomaly. The target waveform is a waveform of at least one of a voltage and a current input to the pair of input terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Tomohiro MIYAKE, Eiichirou NIIKURA, Kengo MIYAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10165642
    Abstract: A signal source generates a drive signal according to a dimming level. A discharge part includes a series circuit having a Zener diode and a rectifier element connected in series. The series circuit enables passage of a reverse current of the Zener diode. In the discharge part, the series circuit is electrically connected between a control terminal and the signal source to enable the reverse current of the Zener diode to flow from the control terminal to the signal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Tomohiro Miyake, Eiichirou Niikura, Kengo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10070492
    Abstract: The dimming device includes a pair of input terminals, a bidirectional switch, an inputter, a power supply, a controller, and a current limiter. The power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and is supplied with electric power from an AC power supply to generate control electric power. The controller is supplied with the control electric power from the power supply to operate. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional switch in accordance with a dimming level. The current limiter stops generation of the control electric power by the power supply when a current larger than or equal to a specified value flows from the AC power supply through the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyosi Gotou, Tomohiro Miyake, Eiichirou Niikura, Kengo Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20180242417
    Abstract: A power supply is electrically connected between a pair of input terminals and is configured to be supplied with electric power from an AC power supply to generate control electric power. A voltage detector is configured to detect a voltage of the control electric power. A controller is configured to be supplied with the control electric power from the power supply to operate. The controller is configured to control a bidirectional switch based on a detection signal from a phase detector so as to switch the bidirectional switch from an ON state to an OFF state at a switching time point when a variable time corresponding to a dimming level elapses from a starting point of a half period of an AC voltage. A stopper is configured to halt generation of the control electric power by the power supply when the voltage detected by the voltage detector is higher than or equal to a prescribed threshold during an OFF time period from the switching time point to an end time point of the half period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Eiichirou NIIKURA, Kengo MIYAMOTO, Tomohiro MIYAKE
  • Publication number: 20180235048
    Abstract: In a light-dimming device according to an example of the present invention, a controller is configured to be supplied with control electric power from an electricity accumulator to operate and to retain a bidirectional switch in an on state for an on time having a length according to a dimming level in every half period of an AC voltage of an AC power supply in a lighting mode. A charger including a first charger and a second charger causes a current to flow from a pair of input terminals and to the electricity accumulator. An impedance of the second charger which is a charger in a case of causing a current to flow to the electricity accumulator in the lighting mode is lower than an impedance of the first charger which is a charger in a case of causing a current to flow to the electricity accumulator in a non-lighting mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Eiichirou NIIKURA, Kengo MIYAMOTO, Tomohiro MIYAKE
  • Publication number: 20180199407
    Abstract: The dimming device includes a pair of input terminals, a bidirectional switch, an inputter, a power supply, a controller, and a current limiter. The power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and is supplied with electric power from an AC power supply to generate control electric power. The controller is supplied with the control electric power from the power supply to operate. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional switch in accordance with a dimming level. The current limiter stops generation of the control electric power by the power supply when a current larger than or equal to a specified value flows from the AC power supply through the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Tomohiro MIYAKE, Eiichirou NIIKURA, Kengo MIYAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180192490
    Abstract: A signal source generates a drive signal according to a dimming level. A discharge part includes a series circuit having a Zener diode and a rectifier element connected in series. The series circuit enables passage of a reverse current of the Zener diode. In the discharge part, the series circuit is electrically connected between a control terminal and the signal source to enable the reverse current of the Zener diode to flow from the control terminal to the signal source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Tomohiro MIYAKE, Eiichirou NIIKURA, Kengo MIYAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180153021
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch is switched so as to conduct and interrupt a bidirectional current between a pair of input terminals. A power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and produces control power by electric power from an AC power supply. A controller receives the control power from the power supply to be activated. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from a start point of a half cycle of AC voltage to a first time point when first time elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an on-state from the first time point to a second time point when second time according to the dimming level elapses. The controller causes the bidirectional switch to be in an off-state from the second time point to an end point of the half cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Kiyosi GOTOU, Tomohiro MIYAKE, Takeo SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8541978
    Abstract: A feed control device includes a contact device, an output detector, a contact weld sensor, and an alarm device. The output detector is configured to detect the presence of power feeding into the side of an electrically-powered car from an external power supply. The contact weld sensor is configured to sense that the contact device is welded based on a detection result of the output detector if detecting the presence of power feeding from the external power supply to a feed line for the contact device when a state signal representing charge permission is not entered. The alarm device is configured, if the contact weld sensor senses that the contact device is welded, to indicate the occurrence of weld to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyoya Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Fukuo, Tatsuya Mukai, Shiro Mori, Hirotoshi Watanabe, Shinichi Nakamura, Kouji Kakiuchi, Yoji Minami, Kazuhiro Kondou, Kiyosi Gotou
  • Patent number: 8363364
    Abstract: A branch wire L5 from the voltage detection circuit 14 is inserted in the zero-phase-sequence current transformer ZCT in the direction from the load side to the external power supply side. For this configuration, the zero-phase-sequence current transformer ZCT is to detect unbalance of the sum of current flowing in the first and second conductive wires L1, L2 and the current flowing in the branch wire L5. Therefore, the present invention can accurately detect occurrence of electrical leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Watanabe, Tatsuya Mukai, Shiro Mori, Naoki Fukuo, Kiyosi Gotou, Kouji Kakiuchi, Shinichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110121780
    Abstract: A feed control device includes a contact device, an output detector, a contact weld sensor, and an alarm device. The output detector is configured to detect the presence of power feeding into the side of an electrically-powered car from an external power supply. The contact weld sensor is configured to sense that the contact device is welded based on a detection result of the output detector if detecting the presence of power feeding from the external power supply to a feed line for the contact device when a state signal representing charge permission is not entered. The alarm device is configured, if the contact weld sensor senses that the contact device is welded, to indicate the occurrence of weld to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Naoki Fukuo, Tatuya Mukai, Shiro Mori, Hirotoshi Watanabe, Sinichi Nakamura, Kouji Kakiuchi, Youji Minami, Kazuhiro Kondou, Kiyosi Gotou
  • Publication number: 20110122536
    Abstract: A branch wire L5 from the voltage detection circuit 14 is inserted in the zero-phase-sequence current transformer ZCT in the direction from the load side to the external power supply side. For this configuration, the zero-phase-sequence current transformer ZCT is to detect unbalance of the sum of current flowing in the first and second conductive wires L1, L2 and the current flowing in the branch wire L5. Therefore, the present invention can accurately detect occurrence of electrical leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Watanabe, Tatsuya Mukai, Shiro Mori, Naoki Fukuo, Kiyosi Gotou, Kouji Kakiuchi, Shinichi Nakamura