Patents by Inventor Masanari Yamamoto

Masanari Yamamoto 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: 20220295137
    Abstract: A cable may be satisfactorily used that has a specific function such as a register that holds specification data and a current consumption unit such as an element for adjusting signal quality. The cable is connected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. A determination unit determines whether or not the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device. A control unit performs control to operate in a compatible mode when the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device and operate in a non-compatible mode when the first electronic device is not a compatible electronic device on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit. Furthermore, an electronic device is connected to an external device via the cable. The determination unit determines whether or not the cable is a compatible cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, KAZUO YAMAMOTO, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11442523
    Abstract: It is made possible to consume current without adversely affecting the others. A cable is connected between a first device and a second device. A power line that supplies a current from the first device to the second device, and a current consumption unit that receives supply of a current from the first device through the power line, are included. A detection unit that detects that the second device is in the operating state, and a control unit that cancels a stop state of current consumption of the current consumption unit in response to the detection information, are further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Kazuaki Toba, Kazuo Yamamoto, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11375270
    Abstract: The cable is connected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. A determination unit determines whether or not the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device. A control unit performs control to operate in a compatible mode when the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device and operate in a non-compatible mode when the first electronic device is not a compatible electronic device on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit. Furthermore, an electronic device is connected to an external device via the cable. The determination unit determines whether or not the cable is a compatible cable. The control unit performs control to operate in the compatible mode when the cable is a compatible cable and operate in the non-compatible mode when the cable is not a compatible cable on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Kazuaki Toba, Kazuo Yamamoto, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20220179157
    Abstract: Provided is an optical connector capable of implementing a floating function while keeping a depth direction short. The optical connector includes a connector body and a regulation portion. The connector body is disposed inside the connector housing. The regulation portion regulates a movable region on a rear surface side of the connector body, the movable region being in one direction orthogonal to a front-rear direction of the connector housing with respect to the connector housing. For example, the regulation portion includes a guiderail portion provided in the connector housing or the connector body. For example, the movable region is an arc-shaped region having a center on a front surface side of the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220149942
    Abstract: To relax the accuracy with respect to a positional deviation, and thus to reduce costs. An optical waveguide is included that performs propagation only in a reference mode at a first wavelength. Communication is performed using light that has a second wavelength and includes a component of at least a first order mode in addition to a component of the reference mode. Here, the second wavelength is a wavelength that enables the optical waveguide to perform propagation in at least the first order mode in addition to the reference mode. For example, a light path adjuster that adjusts a light path such that input light is guided to a core of the optical waveguide, is further included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, YUSUKE OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220131609
    Abstract: To relax the accuracy with respect to a deviation with respect to an optical axis or an angular deviation, and thus to reduce costs. An optical waveguide is included that performs propagation only in a reference mode at a first wavelength. Communication is performed using light of a second wavelength that enables the optical waveguide to perform propagation in at least a first order mode in addition to the reference mode. When light entering the optical waveguide deviates with respect to an optical axis or deviates angularly, propagation is performed in at least the first order mode in addition to the reference mode, the first order mode being generated due to the deviation with respect to the optical axis or the angular deviation. This results in a reduction in a loss of coupling of optical power. This makes it possible to relax the accuracy with respect to a deviation with respect to an optical axis or an angular deviation, and thus to reduce costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, YUSUKE OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220091346
    Abstract: To satisfactorily prevent a laser hazard caused in a non-fitting state using a simple structure. A connector body is included that includes a lens and a diffusion section, the lens performing formation with respect to light that exits a light emitter, and causing light obtained by the formation to exit the lens, the diffusion section causing the light obtained by the formation performed by the lens to diffusely exit the diffusion section. For example, the diffusion section includes a microlens array or a diffusion plate. For example, a position regulator that regulates a fitting position at which the connector body fits a facing connector, is further included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, YUSUKE OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220075129
    Abstract: To successfully reduce a coupling loss in optical power on the reception side that occurs due to an axial deviation on the transmission side. A connector body is included that includes a lens performing formation with respect to light that exits a light emitter, and causing light obtained by the formation to exit the lens. The lens includes a circular first lens portion situated in a center portion of the lens, and a ring-shaped second lens portion situated around an outer circumference of the first lens portion. The second lens portion changes a light path of a portion of input light when the portion of the input light is input to the second lens portion, such that the light path of the portion of the input light is oriented toward a direction of an optical axis of the lens, the input light being input light of which an optical axis deviates from the optical axis of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, YUSUKE OYAMA
  • Patent number: 11245955
    Abstract: In a case where a main stream and a control signal are transmitted in parallel between two devices, transmission of the main stream is continued without interruption of the transmission of the main stream even in a case where communication quality of the control signal is deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto, Hiroshi Morita
  • Publication number: 20220035111
    Abstract: The coupling loss of optical power on a reception side due to an axis deviation on a transmission side is satisfactorily mitigated. A connector body including an optical path adjusting unit and a lens is provided. The optical path adjusting unit adjusts an optical path such that the diameter of incident light is reduced while the incident angle is kept. The lens collects light whose optical path has been adjusted, and causes the light to be incident on a light receiver. For example, light incident on the optical path adjusting unit is collimated light. Furthermore, for example, the optical path adjusting unit has a through hole in a central portion. While the incident angle of light to the light receiver satisfies an NA, the focal distance of the lens is decreased. This can mitigate the coupling loss of optical power on a reception side due to an axis deviation on a transmission side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, YUSUKE OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220026648
    Abstract: The coupling loss of optical power on a reception side due to an axis deviation on a transmission side is satisfactorily mitigated. A connector body including a first lens and a second lens is provided. The first lens converges light emitted from a light-emitting body. The second lens shapes and emits the light converged by the first lens. For example, the second lens shapes light emitted from the first lens into collimated light. The focal distance of the second lens can be increased while increase in the distance from the light-emitting body to the second lens is inhibited and the diameter of light from the light-emitting body is restricted so as to be within the diameter of the second lens. The coupling loss of optical power on the reception side due to the axis deviation on the transmission side can be mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, YUSUKE OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220014813
    Abstract: A cable may be satisfactorily used that has a specific function such as a register that holds specification data and a current consumption unit such as an element for adjusting signal quality. The cable is connected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. A determination unit determines whether or not the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device. A control unit performs control to operate in a compatible mode when the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device and operate in a non-compatible mode when the first electronic device is not a compatible electronic device on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit. Furthermore, an electronic device is connected to an external device via the cable. The determination unit determines whether or not the cable is a compatible cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, KAZUO YAMAMOTO, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11216213
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus is capable of accessing a register of a cable satisfactorily. An inquiry about the presence or absence of a register in a cable connected between the transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus is performed. In response to the inquiry, information indicating the presence or absence of the register is received from the cable. When the information indicates the presence of the register, the register of the cable is accessed so that acquisition of storage data or writing in the storage data is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanari Yamamoto, Hiroshi Morita, Kazuaki Toba, Kazuo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11194103
    Abstract: A first optical connector, a second optical connector, a first lock member, and a second lock member are equipped. The first optical connector is attached to an electronic device, and corresponds to a receptacle. The second optical connector is attached to an end an optical cable, is fittable to the first optical connector, and corresponds to a plug. The first lock member is attached to the electronic device at a position corresponding to the first optical connector not to prevent fitting of the second optical connector to the first optical connector. The second lock member is attached to the optical cable at a position corresponding to the second optical connector not to prevent fitting of the second optical connector to the first optical connector. The second lock member is fittable to the first lock member in a state of fitting between the first optical connector and the first optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanari Yamamoto, Kazuaki Toba, Ryohei Takahashi, Shinpei Hirano, Yoshitaka Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20210320828
    Abstract: It is made possible to favorably perform signal transfer between a plurality of daisy-chain-connected devices. There is a communication line for performing communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. A data generating section generates first data to be transmitted to the first electronic device. Then, a data input section inputs the first data to a first position on the communication line. In addition, a first data suppressing section is provided at a second position on the communication line, the second position being closer to the second electronic device than the first position is, and the first data suppressing section prevents the first data from being sent to the second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, KAZUO YAMAMOTO, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11146851
    Abstract: A cable may be satisfactorily used that has a specific function such as a register that holds specification data and a current consumption unit such as an element for adjusting signal quality. The cable is connected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. A determination unit determines whether or not the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device. A control unit performs control to operate in a compatible mode when the first electronic device is a compatible electronic device and operate in a non-compatible mode when the first electronic device is not a compatible electronic device on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit. Furthermore, an electronic device is connected to an external device via the cable. The determination unit determines whether or not the cable is a compatible cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Kazuaki Toba, Kazuo Yamamoto, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20210209053
    Abstract: To enable preferable signal transmission between a plurality of daisy-chained devices at low cost. A transmission device generates a plurality of signals having different voltage levels and outputs the signals to a communication line at different timings. For example, the plurality of signals having different voltage levels is generated by a plurality of drivers or one driver. A receiving side can immediately determine whether or not it is information to be passed to the subsequent stage on the basis of only a difference in voltage level without logically analyzing contents of a signal, and cost of components such as a memory, verification cost, or the like are unnecessary so that the cost can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, KAZUO YAMAMOTO, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11054247
    Abstract: An optical axis or a diameter of light of even a light beam having a non-uniform intensity distribution is stably obtained. An outer shape of a range of a light intensity having a specified ratio with respect to a total light intensity on a cross-section of a light beam is obtained. An approximate circle is obtained from this outer shape. For example, the approximate circle is calculated by using the least-squares method. An optical axis and/or a diameter of light of the light beam is obtained on the basis of this approximate circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto, Kenjiro Ueda, Ryohei Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20210181424
    Abstract: Provided is an optical communication connector that includes a control unit (42). The control unit (42) controls alignment of a ferrule (170) and a lens (162). The ferrule (170) is to fix a fiber (23). The control unit (42) varies a shape of a shape variation member (21) on the basis of a communication quality of light entering the fiber (23) via the lens (162) to control the alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11022764
    Abstract: Laser hazard at disconnection can be prevented with a simple structure. A tubular connector exterior, and a block that is incorporated on one end side of the connector exterior and on which a light emission portion or a light incident portion is mounted toward the other end side are provided. The light emission portion or the light incident portion is mounted on the block so that the optical axis direction thereof is tilted relative to the longitudinal direction of the connector exterior. The light emission portion is a lens through which light output from a light transmission path is collimated and emitted. At least part of the collimated light emitted through the lens is incident on a light diffusion portion provided inside the connector exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto, Ryohei Takahashi, Hiroshi Morita