Patents by Inventor Makiko Sugiura

Makiko Sugiura 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: 20230166638
    Abstract: A seat reclining position control device includes: a seat on which an occupant of a vehicle sits; an adjustment part configured to adjust an angle of a backrest of the seat; a sleep state detection unit configured to detect a sleep state of the occupant; a control unit that operates the adjustment unit to control the angle; and a vehicle interior detection unit configured to detect a vehicle interior state of the vehicle. The control unit implements a seat angle control to adjust the angle of the backrest for the occupant in the sleep state based on the vehicle interior state to a suitable sleeping angle suitable for sleeping when the sleep state detection unit detects the sleep state of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Ayako KOTANI, Yukari ITOU, Akihiro HAYASHI, Makiko SUGIURA, Kunihiko CHIBA
  • Publication number: 20220292948
    Abstract: A driver is awakened by measuring a drowsiness level of the driver; detecting a behavior of the driver indicating that the drive is aware of drowsiness; setting an intensity of an awakening stimulus based on the drowsiness level and a detection result of the behavior; and generating the awakening stimulus according to the intensity. The intensity is set to be higher when the behavior of the driver is detected under a same drowsiness level than when the behavior of the driver is not detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ayako KOTANI, Michiru MATSUWAKI, Makiko SUGIURA
  • Publication number: 20170184707
    Abstract: An optical component for reflecting incident light at a predetermined reflection angle, includes: a scan portion having a reflection surface and scanning the reflection angle; and a package accommodating the scan portion, and having a main body of a box shape with one open surface and a lid which covers the one open surface and transmits the incident light and reflected light. The lid includes at least one base portion having a counter surface facing the reflection surface and a back surface opposed to the counter surface, and a diffraction lens portion arranged on at least one of the counter surface and the back surface and having a periodic concavo-convex shape so as to widen the reflection angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Makiko SUGIURA, Shuichi YAMASHITA, Naohisa NIIMI
  • Patent number: 9528930
    Abstract: An adhering matter determination portion includes an irradiation portion, a light receiving portion and a determination portion. The irradiation portion radiates a light to a plurality of different areas of a transparent plate. The light receiving portion converts reflected waves reflected at the different areas into electrical signals. The determination portion compares at least one of detection signals outputted from the light receiving portion with a determination threshold. When the detection signal is lower than the determination threshold, the determination portion determines that there is an adhering matter on the transparent plate. The determination portion compares the detection signals. When a difference of the detection signals is higher than a condensation determination value, the determination portion determines that the adhering matter is raindrops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Ishikawa, Jun Tarui, Kiyoshi Otsuka, Makiko Sugiura, Takahiko Yoshida, Tomohide Ariki
  • Publication number: 20160370461
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light-emission unit, a controller, a light-reception unit that receives a first reflected light which is reflected at the transparent plate and a second reflected light that is reflected at an external object outside of the transparent plate, a calculator that, based on the light received by the light-reception unit, calculates whether an adhered substance is adhered to the transparent plate, and calculates a relative position of the external object, and a fixing portion that fixes the light-emission unit and the light-reception unit with respect to the transparent plate, wherein the calculator calculates whether the adhered substance is adhered to the transparent plate and calculates the relative position of the external object based on the light received by the light-reception unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Makiko SUGIURA, Takahiko YOSHIDA, Katsunori MICHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 9348027
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor device includes a substrate, a piezoelectric vibrator, and a Q-factor adjuster. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a pair of detection electrodes that face each other in a thickness direction of the substrate and a piezoelectric body interposed between the electrodes. The piezoelectric vibrator provides a membrane structure which is formed on a surface of the substrate and has rigidity lower than that of a remaining portion of the substrate. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted by the piezoelectric vibrator, and its reflected wave is received by the same piezoelectric vibrator. The Q-factor adjuster adjusts a Q-factor of the piezoelectric vibrator so that the Q-factor can be larger during a transmission period where the piezoelectric vibrator transmits the ultrasonic wave than during a reception period where the piezoelectric vibrator receives the ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9234983
    Abstract: A rain sensor equipped to a transparent substrate includes a light emitter emitting irradiation lights toward the transparent substrate, light receivers receiving reflected lights of the irradiation lights being reflected on the transparent substrate, a defining section defining an incident angle of each reflected light with respect to each light receiver, and a detection section detecting rainfall amount based on signals output from the light receivers. The light emitter emits the irradiation lights toward an irradiation region defined on the transparent substrate. The irradiation region is divided into multiple detection regions. The detection regions correspond to respective light receivers. The defining section defines the incident angle of each reflected light reflected on the detection region such that each reflected light enters corresponding light receiver. The detection section detects the rainfall amount based on the signals output from the light receivers corresponding to the irradiation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Yasuaki Makino, Junichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9221171
    Abstract: A complex device includes: a substrate having a thick portion, a cavity and a membrane for bridging the cavity; and multiple piezoelectric elements having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode. A part of the piezoelectric elements has a projecting portion arranged on the upper electrode. The part of piezoelectric elements (30) provides a vertical pressure detection element. The piezoelectric elements further have an ultrasonic element other than the vertical pressure detection element. The ultrasonic element is arranged over at least the cavity of the substrate in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20150346089
    Abstract: An adhering matter determination portion includes an irradiation portion, a light receiving portion and a determination portion. The irradiation portion radiates a light to a plurality of different areas of a transparent plate. The light receiving portion converts reflected waves reflected at the different areas into electrical signals. The determination portion compares at least one of detection signals outputted from the light receiving portion with a determination threshold. When the detection signal is lower than the determination threshold, the determination portion determines that there is an adhering matter on the transparent plate. The determination portion compares the detection signals. When a difference of the detection signals is higher than a condensation determination value, the determination portion determines that the adhering matter is raindrops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Junichi ISHIKAWA, Jun TARUI, Kiyoshi OTSUKA, Makiko SUGIURA, Takahiko YOSHIDA, Tomohide ARIKI
  • Patent number: 9166081
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light receiving portion, a definition portion, and a selection portion. The definition portion defines an incident angle of an incident light that enters the light receiving portion. The selection portion selects a wavelength of the incident light that enters the light receiving portion. The definition portion has a light shielding film disposed above the light receiving portion, and an opening formed in the light shielding film. The selection portion has a slit formed in the light shielding film disposed within a region surrounded by the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Takahiko Yoshida, Kiyoshi Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20150276615
    Abstract: An optical sensor is attached to a transparent board and includes: a light emitting element that applies light to the transparent board; a plurality of light receiving elements that receive light from the light emitting element, reflected by the transparent board; and a detection unit that detects the amount of rainfall based on output signals of the light receiving elements. The light emitting element applies light to one irradiation region in the transparent board. The light receiving elements correspond to the one irradiation region and the detection unit detects the amount of rainfall based on output signals of the light receiving elements corresponding to the one irradiation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Kiyoshi Otsuka, Tomohide Ariki
  • Publication number: 20150179830
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light receiving portion, a definition portion, and a selection portion. The definition portion defines an incident angle of an incident light that enters the light receiving portion. The selection portion selects a wavelength of the incident light that enters the light receiving portion. The definition portion has a light shielding film disposed above the light receiving portion, and an opening formed in the light shielding film. The selection portion has a slit formed in the light shielding film disposed within a region surrounded by the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Takahiko Yoshida, Kiyoshi Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20150062569
    Abstract: An optical sensor that a deterioration of detecting accuracy is suppressed is provided, and an optical sensor that an increase of the number of components and an increase of a physical constitution are suppressed is provided. The optical sensor has a light receiving element having a light receiving surface to receives light, a detector detecting an inclination of the light receiving surface in the vertical direction, and a correction portion correcting an output signal of the light receiving element based on an output signal of the detector. Furthermore, the optical sensor includes a raindrop detector detecting a raindrop, a light detector detecting an incident light, and a storage part storing these things. The raindrop detector includes a light emitting element, a first light receiving element, (212), and a first lens. The light detector includes a second light receiving element and a second lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Hiroshi Ando, Kazuki Makino
  • Patent number: 8970090
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is disclosed. The ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric element and an acoustic matching member. The piezoelectric element is configured to detect ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and reflected by a detection target object located in a detection target space. The acoustic matching member is configured to conduct the received ultrasonic wave to the piezoelectric element. The piezo electric element is covered with the acoustic matching member including a principal oscillation portion and a supplement oscillation portion. Thickness of a part of the supplement oscillation portion, the part covering the piezoelectric element, is smaller than a predetermined thickness threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiko Akiyama, Mitsuyasu Matsuura, Toshiki Isogai, Makiko Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20150036143
    Abstract: A rain sensor equipped to a transparent substrate includes a light emitter emitting irradiation lights toward the transparent substrate, light receivers receiving reflected lights of the irradiation lights being reflected on the transparent substrate, a defining section defining an incident angle of each reflected light with respect to each light receiver, and a detection section detecting rainfall amount based on signals output from the light receivers. The light emitter emits the irradiation lights toward an irradiation region defined on the transparent substrate. The irradiation region is divided into multiple detection regions. The detection regions correspond to respective light receivers. The defining section defines the incident angle of each reflected light reflected on the detection region such that each reflected light enters corresponding light receiver. The detection section detects the rainfall amount based on the signals output from the light receivers corresponding to the irradiation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Yasuaki Makino, Junichi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20140214209
    Abstract: A complex device includes: a substrate having a thick portion, a cavity and a membrane for bridging the cavity; and multiple piezoelectric elements having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode. A part of the piezoelectric elements has a projecting portion arranged on the upper electrode. The part of piezoelectric elements (30) provides a vertical pressure detection element. The piezoelectric elements further have an ultrasonic element other than the vertical pressure detection element. The ultrasonic element is arranged over at least the cavity of the substrate in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20140157902
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor device includes a substrate, a piezoelectric vibrator, and a Q-factor adjuster. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a pair of detection electrodes that face each other in a thickness direction of the substrate and a piezoelectric body interposed between the electrodes. The piezoelectric vibrator provides a membrane structure which is formed on a surface of the substrate and has rigidity lower than that of a remaining portion of the substrate. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted by the piezoelectric vibrator, and its reflected wave is received by the same piezoelectric vibrator. The Q-factor adjuster adjusts a Q-factor of the piezoelectric vibrator so that the Q-factor can be larger during a transmission period where the piezoelectric vibrator transmits the ultrasonic wave than during a reception period where the piezoelectric vibrator receives the ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8616061
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a circuit device. The circuit device determines that the receiving device receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from an object, when an output voltage of the receiving device is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The circuit device includes a humidity detection section configured to detect an ambient humidity of the transmitting and receiving devices and a threshold adjustment section configured to calculate, based on the detected ambient humidity, a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave that is received by the receiving device after propagating over a round-trip distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the object. The threshold adjustment section reduces the first threshold, when the output voltage corresponding to the calculated sound pressure is less than a second threshold that is greater the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Yasuyuki Okuda, Takaaki Kawai, Takahiko Yoshida, Hisanaga Matsuoka, Toshiki Isogai, Mitsuyasu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8613226
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter includes a first ultrasonic sensor, a second ultrasonic sensor, a volume-flow operation portion, a temperature operation portion, a pressure operation portion, and a correction operation portion. The ultrasonic sensors transmit and receive a plurality of ultrasonic waves of different frequencies and are disposed on opposite sides of a flow channel in which fluid flows. The volume-flow operation portion calculates a volume flow of the fluid based on a propagation time difference of the ultrasonic wave. The temperature operation portion analyzes signals from one of the ultrasonic sensors and calculates a temperature of the fluid. The pressure operation portion analyzes signals from one of the ultrasonic sensors and calculates a pressure of the fluid. The correction operation portion corrects the volume flow with the temperature and the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Takahiko Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120174673
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a circuit device. The circuit device determines that the receiving device receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from an object, when an output voltage of the receiving device is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The circuit device includes a humidity detection section configured to detect an ambient humidity of the transmitting and receiving devices and a threshold adjustment section configured to calculate, based on the detected ambient humidity, a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave that is received by the receiving device after propagating over a round-trip distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the object. The threshold adjustment section reduces the first threshold, when the output voltage corresponding to the calculated sound pressure is less than a second threshold that is greater the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: NIPPON SOKEN, INC., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Yasuyuki Okuda, Takaaki Kawai, Takahiko Yoshida, Hisanaga Matsuoka, Toshiki Isogai, Mitsuyasu Matsuura