Patents by Inventor Koichi Futsuhara

Koichi Futsuhara 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: 8564388
    Abstract: The relay (KM) has at least first and second contact points (a1, a2), the states of which are switched from an open state to a close state by the drive of an electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) switch the states between the open state and the close state by enabling movable contact pieces (31) to move with respect to respective fixed contact pieces (30) by using a power transmission mechanism (21) movable by the drive of the electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) are set so that the second contact point (a2) is switched to the close state after the first contact point (a1) is switched to the close state and the first contact point (a1) is switched to the open state after the second contact point (a2) is switched to the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: National University Corporation Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Yuji Hirao, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Publication number: 20130033345
    Abstract: The relay (KM) has at least first and second contact points (a1, a2), the states of which are switched from an open state to a close state by the drive of an electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) switch the states between the open state and the close state by enabling movable contact pieces (31) to move with respect to respective fixed contact pieces (30) by using a power transmission mechanism (21) movable by the drive of the electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) are set so that the second contact point(a2) is switched to the close state after the first contact point(a1) is switched to the close state and the first contact point(a1) is switched to the open state after the second contact point(a2) is switched to the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: National University Corporation Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Yuji Hirao, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6657762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical barrier apparatus which scans a detection area with an optical beam, and when the scanning beam is blocked by an object so that a reflection beam is not received, notifies of object presence. An optical beam from an optical beam generating circuit (11) is reflected by a scan mirror (12) and a detection area (1) is scanned by a scanning beam (BM1). The scanning beam (BM1) is reflected by a reflector array (23) of another unit and received by a light receiving element (14), and the presence/absence of a pulse deficiency of light reception output is detected by a signal deficiency detection circuit (15). When the scanning beam (BM1) is blocked by an object (30) so that a part of the reflection beam from the reflector array (23) cannot be received and a pulse deficiency occurs in the light reception output, an output (Z1) from the signal deficiency detection circuit (15) becomes a logic value zero to thus notify of object presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Shirai, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6504485
    Abstract: Monitoring and control apparatus for fail-safe monitoring for normal operation of traffic signal lights provided at an intersection or the like where a plurality of roads intersect. The illumination conditions of respective signal lights are detected using as sensor device, and when the number of illuminated or non-illuminated signal lights is a predetermined number, a normal judgment output of logic value 1 corresponding to a high energy condition is generated while, when the number of illuminated or non-illuminated signal lights is not the predetermined number, an abnormal judgment output of logic value 0 corresponding to a low energy condition is generated. As a result, when a fault in the monitoring apparatus stops the output, the resultant output condition is the same as for a danger condition due to a signal light abnormality, resulting in an extremely safe signal light monitoring and control with excellent fail-safe characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Jinno, Yoshiharu Ozaki, Norihiro Okada, Heisaku Mazawa, Hidetoshi Fujimoto, Junya Toda, Koichi Futsuhara, Norihiro Asada
  • Patent number: 6459656
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information generating apparatus for transmitting and receiving elastic waves through a rail for a train. The information generating apparatus comprises elastic wave transmitting means for transmitting elastic waves to said rail, elastic wave receiving means for receiving elastic waves transmitted from said elastic wave transmitting means through said rail, and information generating means for generating information that is necessary for controlling/monitoring associated elements of a control system for performing control operations on said train, based on an elastic wave reception signal received by said elastic wave receiving means. The information generating means has detection means for detecting presence/absence of said train in said rail, based on a reception condition of an elastic wave received by said elastic wave receiving means and for generating information representing presence/absence of said train in said rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Futsuhara, Masayoshi Sakai, Toshihito Shirai, Akira Morisada, Hitoshi Nozawa, Katsuichi Inose
  • Publication number: 20020135849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical barrier apparatus which scans a detection area with an optical beam, and when the scanning beam is blocked by an object so that a reflection beam is not received, notifies of object presence. An optical beam from an optical beam generating circuit (11) is reflected by a scan mirror (12) and a detection area (1) is scanned by a scanning beam (BM1). The scanning beam (BM1) is reflected by a reflector array (23) of another unit and received by a light receiving element (14), and the presence/absence of a pulse deficiency of light reception output is detected by a signal deficiency detection circuit (15). When the scanning beam (BM1) is blocked by an object (30) so that a part of the reflection beam from the reflector array (23) cannot be received and a pulse deficiency occurs in the light reception output, an output (Z1) from the signal deficiency detection circuit (15) becomes a logic value zero to thus notify of object presence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Toshihito Shirai, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6434025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply unit which can fail-safely monitor not only for an excessive power supply output but also for an abnormal drop in output level. At the time of start-up, with the start signal from a start circuit, an AC signal is supplied to a primary side of a transformer and based on an AC output from a secondary side of the transformer, an output for supplying to an external load is generated and this output is monitored with a monitoring circuit. If the output level is within a set upper and lower limit threshold value range the output is judged to be normal and a high level normal verification signal is generated from the monitoring circuit, and with the high level normal verification signal, an AC signal is supplied to the primary side of the transformer, and the output supply to the external load is continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Shirai, Masayoshi Sakai, Koichi Futsuhara, Takayuki Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20020027831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information generating apparatus for transmitting and receiving elastic waves through a transmission medium and for generating information which is necessary for controlling/monitoring associated elements of a control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Futsuhara, Masayoshi Sakai, Toshihito Shirai, Akira Morisada, Hitoshi Nozawa, Katsuichi Inose
  • Publication number: 20020008629
    Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring apparatus and control apparatus for fail-safe monitoring for normal operation of traffic signal lights provided at an intersection or the like where a plurality of roads intersect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Jinno, Yoshiharu Ozaki, Norihiro Okada, Heisaku Mazawa, Hidetoshi Fujimoto, Junya Toda, Koichi Futsuhara, Norihiro Asada
  • Publication number: 20020006045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply unit which can fail-safely monitor not only for an excessive power supply output but also for an abnormal drop in output level. At the time of start-up, with the start signal from a start circuit, an AC signal is supplied to a primary side of a transformer and based on an AC output from a secondary side of the transformer, an output for supplying to an external load is generated and this output is monitored with a monitoring circuit. If the output level is within a set upper and lower limit threshold value range the output is judged to be normal and a high level normal verification signal is generated from the monitoring circuit, and with the high level normal verification signal, an AC signal is supplied to the primary side of the transformer, and the output supply to the external load is continued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: TOSHIHITO SHIRAI, MASAYOSHI SAKAI, KOICHI FUTSUHARA, TAKAYUKI YUASA
  • Patent number: 6334077
    Abstract: The present invention provides an operation apparatus for a press, of simple structure with lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Futsuhara, Masayoshi Sakai, Iwashige Takahashi, Yukio Hata
  • Patent number: 6292524
    Abstract: A counting apparatus having excellent fail-safe characteristics can be used in a rotation-stopped detection apparatus. As a first feature, timing of a high-frequency signal P2 is carried out by a counter 1 after completion of a counting of pulse signals P1. When the frequency of the timing output for the high-frequency signal is a predetermined value, a judgment signal, indicating that the counting is normal, is generated by a frequency discriminating circuit 30. As a second feature, a counter 100 is preset using a preset signal. Then, after verifying by an output from a self hold circuit 102 that the counter 100 has been reset, a counting output is generated from a self hold circuit 104. As a third feature, the counting apparatus is used as timer circuits 203, 300, 400, and the generation frequency of a rotation detection pulse signal IP based on a sensor signal, is obtained to thereby detect a rotation-stopped condition of a rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakai, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6292432
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information generating apparatus for transmitting and receiving elastic waves through a rail for a train. The information generating apparatus comprises elastic wave transmitting means for transmitting elastic waves to said rail, elastic wave receiving means for receiving elastic waves transmitted from said elastic wave transmitting means through said rail, and information generating means for generating information that is necessary for controlling/monitoring associated elements of a control system for performing control operations on said train, based on an elastic wave reception signal received by said elastic wave receiving means. The information generating means has judgment means for making a judgment on presence/absence of rupture in said rail, based on a reception condition of an elastic wave received by said elastic wave receiving means compared with a predetermined condition and for generating information representing presence/absence of rupture in said rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Futsuhara, Masayoshi Sakai, Toshihito Shirai, Akira Morisada, Hitoshi Nozawa, Katsuichi Inose
  • Patent number: 6272001
    Abstract: A transformer structured emergency stop switch (10) incorporates a first core member (14) wound with primary and secondary windings, and a second core member (15) which at normal times contacts with the first core member (14) under spring force and in an emergency is separated therefrom by a push button (16). Several transformer structured emergency stop switches (10) are connected in series to make up an emergency stop switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6246503
    Abstract: A laser beam generated from a laser beam generating means 201 is reflected on a semiconductor mirror galvanometer 102. A region 105 to be inspected is scanned with the reflected laser beam 106. The laser beam 106 passing through the region 105 to be inspected is received by a light receiving device array 130. A pulse train included in an output signal produced from the light receiving device array 130 are monitored by a signal processing circuit 206. If an obstacle introduces into the region 105 to be inspected and induces a pulse deficiency in the pulse train, the deficiency is detected by use of a pulse deficiency detecting circuit 204. A constitution mentioned above provides an optical barrier apparatus capable of reducing manufacturing costs without endangering a fail-safe property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Nihon Shingo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Asada, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6239956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fail-safe timing circuit and on-delay circuit which does not produce an erroneous output where the delay time is shortened, due to a fault. The timing circuit comprises: an oscillation circuit (11) which produces a timing output from a cathode terminal of a PUT after a predetermined time lapse from input of an input signal (VIN); and a monitoring circuit (12) for monitoring for the normalcy of the oscillation circuit (11). Moreover the on-delay circuit comprises a self hold circuit (13) with an output signal (Vo) generated from the monitoring circuit (12) only when the normalcy of the oscillation circuit (11) is verified by generation of a falling signal of a cathode terminal voltage of the oscillation circuit (11), input to a second terminal (b), and the input signal (VIN) input to a first terminal (a), which produces an output signal only when the two input signals are both at a higher level than a power source potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Shirai, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6184799
    Abstract: Monitoring and control apparatus for fail-safe monitoring for normal operation of traffic signal lights provided at an intersection or the like where a plurality of roads intersect. The illumination conditions of respective signal lights are detected using as sensor device, and when the number of illuminated or non-illuminated signal lights is a predetermined number, a normal judgment output of logic value 1 corresponding to a high energy condition is generated while, when the number of illuminated or non-illuminated signal lights is not the predetermined number, an abnormal judgment output of logic value 0 corresponding to a low energy condition is generated. As a result, when a fault in the monitoring apparatus stops the output, the resultant output condition is the same as for a danger condition due to a signal light abnormality, resulting in an extremely safe signal light monitoring and control with excellent fail-safe characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Jinno, Yoshiharu Ozaki, Norihiro Okada, Heisaku Mazawa, Hidetoshi Fujimoto, Junya Toda, Koichi Futsuhara, Norihiro Asada
  • Patent number: 6185028
    Abstract: A laser beam generated from a laser beam generating means 201 is reflected on a semiconductor mirror galvanometer 102. A region 105 to be inspected is scanned with the reflected laser beam 106. The laser beam 106 passing through the region 105 to be inspected is received by a light receiving device array 130. A pulse train included in an output signal produced from the light receiving device array 130 are monitored by a signal processing circuit 206. If an obstacle intrudes into the region 105 to be inspected and induces a pulse deficiency in the pulse train, the deficiency is detected by use of a pulse deficiency detecting circuit 204. A constitution mentioned above provides an optical barrier apparatus capable of reducing manufacturing costs without endangering a fail-safe property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nihon Shingo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Asada, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6178027
    Abstract: A laser beam generated from a laser beam generating means 201 is reflected on a semiconductor mirror galvanometer 102. A region 105 to be inspected is scanned with the reflected laser beam 106. The laser beam 106 passing through the region 105 to be inspected is received by a light receiving device array 130. A pulse train included in an output signal produced from the light receiving device array 130 are monitored by a signal processing circuit 206. If an obstacle intrudes into the region 105 to be inspected and induces a pulse deficiency in the pulse train, the deficiency is detected by use of a pulse deficiency detecting circuit 204. A constitution mentioned above provides an optical barrier apparatus capable of reducing manufacturing costs without endangering a fail-safe property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Nihon Shingo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Asada, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 6148055
    Abstract: A counting apparatus having excellent fail-safe characteristics can be used in a rotation-stopped detection apparatus. As a first feature, timing of a high-frequency signal P.sub.2 is carried out by a counter 1 after completion of a counting of pulse signals P.sub.1. When the frequency of the timing output for the high-frequency signal is a predetermined value, a judgment signal, indicating that the counting is normal, is generated by a frequency discriminating circuit 30. As a second feature, a counter 100 is preset using a preset signal. Then, after verifying by an output from a self hold circuit 102 that the counter 100 has been reset, a counting output is generated from a self hold circuit 104. As a third feature, the counting apparatus is used as timer circuits 203, 300, 400, and the generation frequency of a rotation detection pulse signal I.sub.P based on a sensor signal, is obtained to thereby detect a rotation-stopped condition of a rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakai, Koichi Futsuhara