Patents by Inventor Koichi Mizutani

Koichi Mizutani 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).

  • Publication number: 20240123979
    Abstract: An automatic brake control apparatus to be applied to a vehicle is configured to: detect, with an ultrasonic sensor, a position of an obstacle on reverse travel of the vehicle, in which the ultrasonic sensor is disposed in a rear part of the vehicle; set a brake operation area on plane coordinates corresponding to the detected position by the ultrasonic sensor; and actuate an automatic brake. The brake operation area includes a low-speed operation area and a high-speed operation area. The low-speed operation area is set on the reverse travel at a lower speed than a setting vehicle speed, and the high-speed operation area is set on the reverse travel at a higher speed than the setting vehicle speed. The high-speed operation area is wider than the low-speed operation area at least in a vehicle widthwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Yuna AKIYAMA, Koichi MIZUTANI, Masayoshi KOIJI, Yusuke HAMADA, Kazuki MUTO, Tsubasa TAKASE
  • Patent number: 11932022
    Abstract: Convenience of an ink bottle and a bottle set is improved. An ink bottle includes: a container portion that contains ink; a guiding portion that is formed in one end portion of the container portion, and includes an outflow port from which the ink in the container portion flow out; and a cover that covers at least an end portion of the container portion on the opposite side of the guiding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Ryoichi Tanaka, Manabu Akahane, Koichi Toba, Takumi Nagashima, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Tadashi Watanabe, Noriyuki Fukasawa
  • Publication number: 20230060636
    Abstract: In an ultraviolet light emitting device made of a group III nitride semiconductor, a contact layer is provided on a reflective insulating film along a bottom surface, a side surface, and an upper surface of a hole. The contact layer and an n layer are in contact with each other via a plurality of holes. The contact layer is made of Si-doped n-GaN. A lower surface of the contact layer is in contact with the n layer, and an upper surface thereof is in contact with an n electrode. The contact layer is not in contact with the n layer except for regions of the holes. The n electrode is provided on almost the entire upper surface of the contact layer. Therefore, a contact area between the n electrode and the contact layer is wider than a contact area between the contact layer and the n layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Koichi MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20220246793
    Abstract: To suppress current leakage between the semiconductor layer below the mask and the buried layer above the mask. To reduce the drive voltage and improve the emission efficiency by improving the efficiency of carrier injection into the active layer. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a substrate, a mask, a columnar semiconductor, a buried layer, a cathode electrode, and an anode electrode. The substrate has a conductive substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the conductive substrate, and a p-type semiconductor layer disposed on the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor layer has a high resistance, thereby enhancing insulation between the n-type semiconductor layer and the buried layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Koji OKUNO, Koichi MIZUTANI, Masaki OYA, Kazuyoshi IIDA, Satoshi KAMIYAMA, Tetsuya TAKEUCHI, Motoaki IWAYA, Isamu AKASAKI
  • Publication number: 20220246789
    Abstract: A buried layer forming step includes three steps of a facet structure forming step, a c-plane forming step, and a flattening step. In the facet structure forming step, a buried layer grows to form a periodic facet structure that matches an arrangement pattern of columnar semiconductors. In the c-plane forming step, the buried layer grows such that a {0001} plane (upper surface) is formed in a region of the buried layer corresponding to an upper portion of the columnar semiconductor. In the flattening step, lateral growth of the buried layer is promoted and the c-plane formed in the c-plane forming step is widened to flatten a surface of the buried layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Koji OKUNO, Koichi MIZUTANI, Masaki OYA, Kazuyoshi IIDA, Naoki SONE, Satoshi KAMIYAMA, Tetsuya TAKEUCHI, Motoaki IWAYA, Isamu AKASAKI
  • Patent number: 10919450
    Abstract: An image display device includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a rearview and a sideview from a host vehicle, and a display unit configured to display, as a display image, a captured image captured by the image capturing unit or a generated image generated based on the captured image. The display unit includes a first area for displaying the display image that includes an area to the rearview of the host vehicle and a second area, being arranged adjacent to the first area, for displaying the display image that includes an area to the sideview of the host vehicle, and the displayed image displayed in the second area is image-processed in such a manner that an aspect ratio changes with respect to an aspect ratio of the display image displayed in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junya Seki, Eisuke Konishi, Koichi Mizutani, Masayuki Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 10836311
    Abstract: An information-presenting device includes an imaging unit, a display unit, an object-recognition unit, an exit location indicator unit and an entry location indicator unit. The imaging unit captures an image of a side view from a host vehicle. The display unit displays an image captured by the imaging unit or a image generated based on the captured image. The object-recognition unit recognizes an object lateral to the host vehicle moving relative to the host vehicle. The exit location indicator unit displays an exit location indicator at or near a location where the object is last displayed in the display unit when the object departs from a display range of the display unit. The entry location indicator unit displays an entry location indicator in a window through which an occupant views outside of the vehicle or in a peripheral region of the window. The entry location indicator indicates a location where the object is predicted to appear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junya Seki, Eisuke Konishi, Koichi Mizutani, Masayuki Murakoshi
  • Publication number: 20180304811
    Abstract: An information-presenting device includes an imaging unit, a display unit, an object-recognition unit, an exit location indicator unit and an entry location indicator unit. The imaging unit captures an image of a side view from a host vehicle. The display unit displays an image captured by the imaging unit or a image generated based on the captured image. The object-recognition unit recognizes an object lateral to the host vehicle moving relative to the host vehicle. The exit location indicator unit displays an exit location indicator at or near a location where the object is last displayed in the display unit when the object departs from a display range of the display unit. The entry location indicator unit displays an entry location indicator in a window through which an occupant views outside of the vehicle or in a peripheral region of the window. The entry location indicator indicates a location where the object is predicted to appear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Junya SEKI, Eisuke KONISHI, Koichi MIZUTANI, Masayuki MURAKOSHI
  • Publication number: 20180304813
    Abstract: An image display device includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a rearview and a sideview from a host vehicle, and a display unit configured to display, as a display image, a captured image captured by the image capturing unit or a generated image generated based on the captured image. The display unit includes a first area for displaying the display image that includes an area to the rearview of the host vehicle and a second area, being arranged adjacent to the first area, for displaying the display image that includes an area to the sideview of the host vehicle, and the displayed image displayed in the second area is image-processed in such a manner that an aspect ratio changes with respect to an aspect ratio of the display image displayed in the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Junya SEKI, Eisuke KONISHI, Koichi MIZUTANI, Masayuki MURAKOSHI
  • Patent number: 9922554
    Abstract: A driving environment risk determination apparatus includes a driver status acquisition module that acquires a status of a driver who drives another vehicle running in the vicinity of a subject vehicle that is equipped with the driving environment risk determination apparatus, an other-vehicle status acquisition module that acquires a driving status of the another vehicle, a driving environment acquisition module that acquires a driving environment in the vicinity of the subject vehicle, a risk determination module that calculates a degree of risk from information acquired through the driver status acquisition module, the other-vehicle status acquisition module, and the driving environment acquisition module and thereby determines whether the degree of risk is minor or major.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa Mikuni, Koichi Mizutani, Yusuke Hamada, Takahito Suzuki, Hideki Sato, Hidemichi Takagi
  • Patent number: 9921302
    Abstract: A detection system includes: a detection portion that has an output function outputting a detection wave toward surroundings of a vehicle, and a detection function detecting an object around the vehicle based on a reflected wave; a determination section that determines that the object is definitely present around the vehicle when a number of times of detection of the object by the detection function exceeds a predetermined number of times; a control section that causes operation of the detection function without operation of the output function when the vehicle travels at a predetermined speed or higher; and an adjustment section that adjusts and increases the predetermined number of times designated for the determination section when the object is detected by the detection function operated by the control section during traveling of the vehicle at the predetermined speed or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeo Tsuzuki, Koichi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9758176
    Abstract: When the speed of a vehicle is not lower than a prescribed value, an operation disabling signal is output from an operation disabling controller to a car navigation system, and the operation of the car navigation system is disabled. However, even when the operation disabling signal is being output to the car navigation system, in the cases where assistance control for a driving operation is being performed on the basis of a risk determination result, and where a prediction result of the risk to the vehicle is that the risk to the vehicle does not increase before a prescribed time elapses, then an operation enabling signal is output from the operation enabling controller to the car navigation system, whereby it becomes possible to operate the car navigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Mizutani, Hideaki Endo, Naoya Kidokoro, Hiroshi Numagami
  • Publication number: 20170254888
    Abstract: A detection system includes: a detection portion that has an output function outputting a detection wave toward surroundings of a vehicle, and a detection function detecting an object around the vehicle based on a reflected wave; a determination section that determines that the object is definitely present around the vehicle when a number of times of detection of the object by the detection function exceeds a predetermined number of times; a control section that causes operation of the detection function without operation of the output function when the vehicle travels at a predetermined speed or higher; and an adjustment section that adjusts and increases the predetermined number of times designated for the determination section when the object is detected by the detection function operated by the control section during traveling of the vehicle at the predetermined speed or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Takeo Tsuzuki, Koichi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9290177
    Abstract: An equipment operation controller implements control to disable an operation of equipment that is operated inside a vehicle cabin and not perform functions of the equipment according to such the operation, when a vehicle is traveling at or above a prescribed speed. However, even when the vehicle is traveling at or above the prescribed speed, if a travel assistance unit implements a control for travel assistance and a determination unit determines to permit the operation of the equipment then the operation of the equipment is enabled. The determination unit determines whether or not to permit the operation of the equipment, based on a risk evaluated based on information on the outside of the vehicle acquired by an outside information acquisition unit, and a state of the vehicle, and determines to permit the operation of the equipment when the risk is equal to or lower than a prescribed level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Endo, Naoya Kidokoro, Hiroshi Numagami, Koichi Mizutani, Takemi Oguri
  • Patent number: 9281757
    Abstract: A voltage conversion device includes: first and second loop circuits having a common inductance element. Electric current alternately flows through the first or second loop circuit as a first switching element of the first loop circuit is turned on or off. A magnetic field that is formed when the first switching element is turned on and that penetrates through the first loop circuit and a magnetic field that is formed when the first switching element is turned off after it is turned on and that penetrates through the second loop circuit have the same direction. All elements that constitute the first and second loop circuits are arranged on the same surface of a substrate. The second loop circuit is connected to a second direct-current power source. The first loop circuit is connected to a first direct-current power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki Naito, Akihiko Nojima, Takashi Imai, Nobuyuki Ishihara, Junzo Ooe, Koichi Mizutani, Masaru Inada, Kouichi Yamanoue, Shigeki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9276466
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit includes a PWM drive circuit (12) that performs the PWM driving of a switching element (Q1) at a duty ratio (D) commensurate with an input target voltage (VS), and generates from an input voltage (VB) an output voltage (VTL) whose target value is the target voltage (VS), by the PWM drive circuit (12) driving the switching element (Q1). The switching power supply circuit further includes a control circuit (13) and a target voltage limiting circuit (14) that together fix the duty ratio (D) regardless of the target voltage (VS), when a difference between the input voltage (VB) and the target voltage (VS) is less than or equal to a predetermined constant value (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Koichi Mizutani, Kouichi Yamanoue
  • Publication number: 20160035222
    Abstract: A driving environment risk determination apparatus includes a driver status acquisition module that acquires a status of a driver who drives another vehicle running in the vicinity of a subject vehicle that is equipped with the driving environment risk determination apparatus, an other-vehicle status acquisition module that acquires a driving status of the another vehicle, a driving environment acquisition module that acquires a driving environment in the vicinity of the subject vehicle, a risk determination module that calculates a degree of risk from information acquired through the driver status acquisition module, the other-vehicle status acquisition module, and the driving environment acquisition module and thereby determines whether the degree of risk is minor or major.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Tsukasa MIKUNI, Koichi MIZUTANI, Yusuke HAMADA, Takahito SUZUKI, Hideki SATO, Hidemichi TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 9117972
    Abstract: The light-emitting device has a semiconductor layer including a p-layer, a light-emitting layer, and an n-layer, which are formed of a Group III nitride semiconductor, and an n-electrode on the n-layer. The device also has a device isolation trench which runs along the outer periphery of the semiconductor layer and which provides the semiconductor layer with a mesa shape; and an insulation film continuously provided on first to third regions, the first region being an outer peripheral region of the n-layer, the second region being the side surface of the trench, and the third region being the bottom surface of the device isolation trench. The n-electrode consists of two pad portions and a wire trace portion. The outer peripheral wire trace portion is formed as a frame completely contouring the periphery of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Mizutani, Ryohei Inazawa, Yuhei Ikemoto, Tomoyuki Tainaka
  • Patent number: 9088202
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a voltage conversion apparatus having a first loop circuit and a second loop circuit which share an inductance component, in which a current passes through the first and second loop circuits alternately in accordance with ON/OFF operation of a first switching element provided in the first loop circuit, characterized in that a direction of a magnetic field through the first loop circuit generated at the ON operation of the first switching element in the first loop circuit is the same as a direction of a magnetic field through the second loop circuit generated at the OFF operation of the first switching element in the first loop circuit subsequent to the ON operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Koichi Mizutani, Shinji Sekido, Junzo Oe, Takayuki Naito, Takashi Imai, Kouichi Yamanoue, Shigeki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20150120086
    Abstract: An equipment operation controller implements control to disable an operation of equipment that is operated inside a vehicle cabin and not perform functions of the equipment according to such the operation, when a vehicle is traveling at or above a prescribed speed. However, even when the vehicle is traveling at or above the prescribed speed, if a travel assistance unit implements a control for travel assistance and a determination unit determines to permit the operation of the equipment then the operation of the equipment is enabled. The determination unit determines whether or not to permit the operation of the equipment, based on a risk evaluated based on information on the outside of the vehicle acquired by an outside information acquisition unit, and a state of the vehicle, and determines to permit the operation of the equipment when the risk is equal to or lower than a prescribed level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki ENDO, Naoya KIDOKORO, Hiroshi NUMAGAMI, Koichi MIZUTANI, Takemi OGURI