Patents by Inventor Masachika Watanabe

Masachika Watanabe 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: 7598025
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized to provide a hologram silver halide photographic material having high sensitivity and diffraction efficiency, providing an excellent image and having less color residue and noise in a transparent part, a hologram, a method for producing the same. In the present invention, a hologram silver halide photographic material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer formed on a support, wherein an average particle diameter of silver halide particles in a silver halide emulsion is 0.03 ?m to 0.07 ?m; a film thickness of the silver halide emulsion layer is 4 ?m to 9 ?m; a silver/gelatin ratio of the silver halide emulsion layer is 0.3 to 0.6; and the silver halide emulsion layer contains sensitizing dye of specific structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: Konica Minolta Opto Inc., Dia Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Michiue, Tomonobu Moriya, Masashi Iwasaki, Toshihiro Kubota, Masachika Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi, Tomoko Kumasawa, Kenji Ueda
  • Publication number: 20090219592
    Abstract: The invention provides a process capable of fabricating a cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram with efficiency yet without recourse to complicated steps such as an alignment step. This is achievable as follows. A volume hologram layer is formed on a substrate, and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is then formed on another substrate comprising a center substrate film that is subjected to bondable treatment. The volume hologram layer is applied to the center substrate film that is subjected to bondable treatment, and placed in a state where the volume hologram layer and cholesteric liquid crystal layer are laminated together via the substrate. The substrate is peeled off the volume hologram layer, and an adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the volume hologram layer off which the substrate is peeled off, followed by the provision of the substrate on the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Masanori Umeya, Koji Eto, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20090197187
    Abstract: The invention provides a hologram in which a visually unidentifiable microtext or other micropattern of the order of 10 ?m is recorded, and a process for the fabrication of the same. A volume hologram recording material 2 is located on the side of a reflection type volume hologram master 1 onto which copying illumination light 11 is incident, and the copying illumination light 11 incident onto the recording material 2 and light 12 diffracted through the master 1 interfere together in the volume hologram recording material 2 thereby copying the reflection type volume hologram master.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi YAMAUCHI, Kenji Ueda, Masachika Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090195846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security-conscious hologram which can apply a sufficient three-dimensional appearance to a reconstructed image in both its vertical and horizontal directions, and which is difficult to illegally copy and easily told from any illegal copy forged from it, and a holographic process of recording it The hologram H2 is of a combined reflection and volume type, wherein a subject image P is recorded, and minute reflection images F and O? from a light source are recorded at least in front of, or in the rear of, the subject image P, both in a reconstructible fashion, and a viewing position E is moved along a hologram surface, so that the subject image P and the minute reflection images F and O? are viewable at varied relative positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi YAMAUCHI, Masachika Watanabe, Tomoko Kumasawa
  • Patent number: 7545545
    Abstract: The invention provides a process capable of fabricating a cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram with efficiency yet without recourse to complicated steps such as an alignment step. This is achievable as follows. A volume hologram layer is formed on a substrate, and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is then formed on another substrate comprising a center substrate film that is subjected to bondable treatment. The volume hologram layer is applied to the center substrate film that is subjected to bondable treatment, and placed in a state where the volume hologram layer and cholesteric liquid crystal layer are laminated together via the substrate. The substrate is peeled off the volume hologram layer, and an adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the volume hologram layer off which the substrate is peeled off, followed by the provision of the substrate on the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Masanori Umeya, Koji Eto, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7538919
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security-conscious hologram which can apply a sufficient three-dimensional appearance to a reconstructed image in both its vertical and horizontal directions, and which is difficult to illegally copy and easily told from any illegal copy forged from it, and a holographic process of recording it. The hologram H2 is of a combined reflection and volume type, wherein a subject image P is recorded, and minute reflection images F and O? from a light source are recorded at least in front of, or in the rear of, the subject image P, both in a reconstructible fashion, and a viewing position E is moved along a hologram surface, so that the subject image P and the minute reflection images F and O? are viewable at varied relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamauchi, Masachika Watanabe, Tomoko Kumasawa
  • Publication number: 20090104539
    Abstract: A volume hologram layer (2) is formed on a substrate (1), and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer (3) is then formed on the hologram layer (2). After the substrate (1) is peeled off the volume hologram layer (2), an adhesive layer (4) is formed on the surface of the volume hologram layer (2) with the substrate (1) peeled off, and another substrate (5) is then formed on the adhesive layer (4). Finally, a label form of cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram is shaped out of the resulting multilayer structure; it is thus possible to fabricate cholesteric liquid crystal media having a volume hologram with efficiency yet without recourse to any complicated steps such as an alignment step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Masanori Umeya, Koji Eto, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20090059158
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical diffusion device, which can exhibit discontinuously different optical properties only in desired regions without creating any difference in grades and/or breaks, facilitate control of the optical diffusion properties, and prevent the occurrence of the stray light, as well as provides a projection screen and a design member, both using the optical diffusion device. An exemplary optical diffusion device according to this invention includes a base, and a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer layer provided on the base and composed of a plurality of diffusion regions arranged on a plane. A diffusion angle of one of the diffusion regions (e.g., first diffusion regions) of the cholesteric liquid crystal polymer layer is different from a diffusion angle of another of the diffusion regions (e.g., second diffusion regions).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Umeya, Masachika Watanabe, Minoru Azakami
  • Publication number: 20080002047
    Abstract: Optical system for guiding subject light incident through a photo-taking lens 20 toward a finder 100 through a prism 90 is prepared and a plate-like diffractive element 50 is provided on the optical path. Light from an LED 70 to be turned on when a focusing state is achieved is introduced into the plate-like diffractive element 50 via a light guide member 60, and “auxiliary light indicating a focusing state” to travel upward in the drawing from the plate-like diffractive element 50 is generated and synthesized with the subject light. The auxiliary light shall have a linear polarization property. The subject image and the focusing state indication can be visually recognized on the finder 100. Part of the light toward the finder 100 is branched through a mirror 110 and then guided toward photometric unit 140. Auxiliary light separating unit 130 for excluding auxiliary light based on the difference in polarization property is provided in front of the photometric unit 140.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Yasuyuki Oyagi, Norihisa Moriya, Toru Iwane
  • Patent number: 7268926
    Abstract: A hologram laminate and a hologram label allow traces of separation of the hologram to be clearly left on both the adherend and the hologram label and hence makes it possible to prevent reuse of the hologram and is excellent in graphical design function and suitable for certification purposes. The hologram laminate has a colored layer, a release pattern, a transparent film, a hologram layer and a surface protective layer laminated on an adherend in the order mentioned. The hologram layer includes a volume hologram layer having a relief hologram forming relief interference fringe pattern formed on a surface thereof. When the hologram is separated between the adherend and the transparent film, the colored layer is left on the adherend in a pattern corresponding to the release pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miwa Ishimoto, Masachika Watanabe, Hiroyuki Ohtaki, Kenji Ueda
  • Publication number: 20070195391
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a hologram having a pattern made up of pixels in which a photosensitive material for forming a hologram is stacked on either a reflection-type hologram or a transmission type hologram. According to one aspect of the invention, the photosensitive material is stacked on a reflection-type relief hologram and reconstructing illumination light of a given wavelength is struck on the reflection-type relief hologram through the photosensitive material, so that interference fringes produced by interference of the light diffracted from the reflection type relief hologram and the incident light are recorded in the photosensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Shingo Nishikawa, Kenji Ueda, Toshikazu Segawa, Tsuyoshi Hotta, Yuko Kuwabara, Masachika Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070183011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process by which a multi-image type hologram wherein one 3D image changes over to another depending on a viewing direction can be fabricated in simple construction and a multi-image type hologram fabricated by that process. According to the process for the fabrication of a multi-image type hologram wherein one image changes over to another depending on a viewing direction, the area of a hologram recording material is divided into a plurality of sub-areas 111, 112 and 113. Objects to be displayed on different images are holo-graphically recorded in the respective sub-areas, using reference light having the same angle of incidence, thereby recording the first-stage hologram 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi YAMAUCHI, Masachika WATANABE, Tomoko KUMASAWA, Makio KURASHIGE, Akiko KITAMURA, Mitsuru KITAMURA, Kenji UEDA
  • Publication number: 20070172779
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized to provide a hologram silver halide photographic material having high sensitivity and diffraction efficiency, providing an excellent image and having less color residue and noise in a transparent part, a hologram, a method for producing the same. In the present invention, a hologram silver halide photographic material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer formed on a support, wherein an average particle diameter of silver halide particles in a silver halide emulsion is 0.03 ?m to 0.07 ?m; a film thickness of the silver halide emulsion layer is 4 ?m to 9 ?m; a silver/gelatin ratio of the silver halide emulsion layer is 0.3 to 0.6; and the silver halide emulsion layer contains sensitizing dye of specific structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicants: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Konica Minolta Opto Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Michiue, Tomonobu Moriya, Masashi Iwasaki, Toshihiro Kubota, Masachika Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi, Tomoko Kumasawa, Kenji Ueda
  • Patent number: 7215451
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a hologram having a pattern made up of pixels in which a photosensitive material for forming a hologram is stacked on either a reflection-type hologram or a transmission type hologram. According to one aspect of the invention, the photosensitive material is stacked on a reflection-type relief hologram and reconstructing illumination light of a given wavelength is struck on the reflection-type relief hologram through the photosensitive material, so that interference fringes produced by interference of the light diffracted from the reflection type relief hologram and the incident light are recorded in the photosensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Nishikawa, Kenji Ueda, Toshikazu Segawa, Tsuyoshi Hotta, Yuko Kuwabara, Masachika Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070097299
    Abstract: The invention provides a process capable of fabricating a cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram with efficiency yet without recourse to complicated steps such as an alignment step. This is achievable as follows. A volume hologram layer is formed on a substrate, and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is then formed on another substrate. The volume hologram layer and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer are laminated together via a bonding layer. Further, a bonding for lamination onto an application member is formed on either the volume hologram layer side or the cholesteric liquid crystal layer side to obtain a cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Masanori Umeya, Koji Eto, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20070097471
    Abstract: The invention provides a process capable of fabricating a cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram with efficiency yet without recourse to complicated steps such as an alignment step. This is achievable as follows. A volume hologram layer is formed on a substrate, and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is then formed on another substrate comprising a center substrate film that is subjected to bondable treatment. The volume hologram layer is applied to the center substrate film that is subjected to bondable treatment, and placed in a state where the volume hologram layer and cholesteric liquid crystal layer are laminated together via the substrate. The substrate is peeled off the volume hologram layer, and an adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the volume hologram layer off which the substrate is peeled off, followed by the provision of the substrate on the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Masanori Umeya, Koji Eto, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20070085334
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an authenticity indicator that cannot be easily forged, that is clearly distinguishable, and that can be elaborately designed. An authenticity indicator 101 is in the form of a sheet and can be checked for its authenticity by observing the light reflected from it. The authenticity indicator comprises a first reflective layer 12 comprising a reflective area 12a that reflects specified light, and a second reflective layer 15 that reflects specified light. The reflective area of the first reflective layer has a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure. The second reflective layer comprises a volume hologram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Masanori Umeya, Minoru Azakami, Tsuyoshi Yamauchi, Koji Eto
  • Publication number: 20070070477
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a hologram observation sheet with a transmission type hologram formed integrally with other members, to be attached with various members for the use as for example an advertising medium or a decoration member. To achieve the object, the invention provides a hologram sheet comprising: a transparent substrate, a hologram layer formed on the transparent substrate and having a transmission type Fourier transform hologram region having the function of transforming a light beam incident from a point light source to a desired optical image, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Koji Eto, Yasuyuki Oyagi, Mitsuru Kitamura, Masachika Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070008597
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a computer-generated hologram optical element with little decline of the image converting function even when a pollutant such as oil and water is adhered to the surface. To achieve the object, the present invention provides a computer-generated hologram optical element comprising: a transmission type Fourier transform hologram comprising a substrate, and an image converting layer formed on the substrate and having a function as a Fourier transform lens; a diffraction function layer disposed on the image converting layer of the transmission type Fourier transform hologram and having a certain refractive index difference with respect to the image converting layer; and a protection layer formed on the diffraction function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Masachika Watanabe, Mitsuru Kitamura, Koji Eto
  • Publication number: 20070008596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security-conscious hologram which can apply a sufficient three-dimensional appearance to a reconstructed image in both its vertical and horizontal directions, and which is difficult to illegally copy and easily told from any illegal copy forged from it, and a holographic process of recording it. The hologram H2 is of a combined reflection and volume type, wherein a subject image P is recorded, and minute reflection images F and O? from a light source are recorded at least in front of, or in the rear of, the subject image P, both in a reconstructible fashion, and a viewing position E is moved along a hologram surface, so that the subject image P and the minute reflection images F and O? are viewable at varied relative positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamauchi, Masachika Watanabe, Tomoko Kumasawa