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).

  • Patent number: 10578814
    Abstract: An optical transmission device according to the present disclosure includes: an optical connector connection unit to which a connector unit of an optical cable is attached; a light emitting end configured to emit light to transmit an optical signal via the optical cable, and configured to radiate light to a reflection surface of the connector; and a driving unit configured to drive the reflection surface to refract the light radiated to the reflection surface toward an optical transmission path of the optical cable through refraction on the reflection surface in the case where the connector unit is attached in first orientation, and configured to drive the reflection surface to refract the light radiated to the reflection surface toward the optical transmission path of the optical cable through refraction on the reflection surface in the case where the connector unit is connected in second orientation that is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Nakajima, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10539755
    Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling an electronic device, the method comprising starting control of emission of laser light from at least one light-emitting part of a receptacle, wherein the at least one light-emitting part comprises an optical member and a lens associated with the optical member, the start of the control of the emission of the laser light is based on a flow of current from a partner side electronic device to at least two electrical contacts of the receptacle and detection of a connection of a cable to the receptacle, and the at least one light-emitting part emits the laser light to communicate with the partner side electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Suzuki, Gen Ichimura, Hideyuki Suzuki, Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10502902
    Abstract: An optical communication connector, an optical communication cable, and an electronic device that have excellent maintenance properties and can prevent parallel light (collimated light) from being directly emitted to the outside of an optical connector during non-optical coupling. There is provided an optical communication connector device that includes a collimating lens configured to collimate light from an optical transmission path; a refracting section arranged on a leading end side with respect to the collimating lens, and configured to refract and eject light from the optical transmission path ejected from the collimating lens; and a scattering section configured to scatter at least a part of the light ejected from the refracting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto, Ryohei Takahashi, Satoshi Muto, Tatsushi Nashida, Shinpei Hirano, Naofumi Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20190339061
    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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORITA, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, KENJIRO UEDA, RYOHEI TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 10451827
    Abstract: An optical connector according to the present disclosure includes: optical transmission paths that have end faces aligned in a predetermined region, and transmit optical signals. The optical transmission paths correspond to transmission channels or reception channels. The optical transmission paths of the transmission channels are distributed and arranged on a periphery of the predetermined region as compared with a case where the optical transmission paths of the transmission channels are concentrated and arranged at a center of the predetermined region. This configuration can increase an output of an optical signal, and make it possible to improve transmission quality at a low cost while improving a safety standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Nakajima, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20190265424
    Abstract: An optical connector according to the present disclosure includes: optical transmission paths that have end faces aligned in a predetermined region, and transmit optical signals. The optical transmission paths correspond to transmission channels or reception channels. The optical transmission paths of the transmission channels are distributed and arranged on a periphery of the predetermined region as compared with a case where the optical transmission paths of the transmission channels are concentrated and arranged at a center of the predetermined region. This configuration can increase an output of an optical signal, and make it possible to improve transmission quality at a low cost while improving a safety standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Nakajima, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20190265420
    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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, RYOHEI TAKAHASHI, HIROSHI MORITA
  • Patent number: 10389436
    Abstract: There are provided a communication device, a communication system, and a communication method. A communication device includes a first receiver configured to receive a data signal and generate a level control signal based on an initial level of the data signal and on an error rate of the data signal; and a transmitter configured to transmit the level control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihisa Hyakudai, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10324265
    Abstract: An optical connector according to the present disclosure includes: optical transmission paths that have end faces aligned in a predetermined region, and transmit optical signals. The optical transmission paths correspond to transmission channels or reception channels. The optical transmission paths of the transmission channels are distributed and arranged on a periphery of the predetermined region as compared with a case where the optical transmission paths of the transmission channels are concentrated and arranged at a center of the predetermined region. This configuration can increase an output of an optical signal, and make it possible to improve transmission quality at a low cost while improving a safety standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Nakajima, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10317631
    Abstract: [Object] To have excellent maintenance properties and restrain parallel light (collimated light) from being directly emitted to the outside of an optical connector during non-optical coupling. [Solution] An optical communication connector according to the present disclosure includes: a collimating lens configured to collimate light from an optical transmission path; and a diffusion section arranged on a leading end side with respect to the collimating lens, and configured to diffuse the light from the optical transmission path output from the collimating lens. According to this configuration, in the optical communication in which insertion and removal are frequently performed, it is possible to achieve their safety during non-fitting at the same time while having an advantage because of a collimating signal since light from an optical transmission path is diffused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto, Satoshi Muto, Takeo Arai, Tatsushi Nashida, Shinpei Hirano, Naofumi Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20190162909
    Abstract: A laser hazard at the time of non-connection can be prevented with a simple structure. A cylindrical connector exterior, and a block that is incorporated in one end side of the connector exterior and in which a light emitting portion or a light incident portion is mounted toward another end side are included. The light emitting portion or the light incident portion is mounted on the block such that an optical axis direction of the light emitting portion or the light incident portion is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector exterior. For example, the connector exterior has a length at which at least a part of light emitted from the light emitting portion can be emitted to an inner side (inner wall) of the connector exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki TOBA, Masanari YAMAMOTO, Ryohei TAKAHASHI, Hiroshi MORITA
  • Publication number: 20190094479
    Abstract: There is provided a cable including at least one optical fiber cable, at least two electrical cables provided so as to sandwich the optical fiber cable, and plugs positioned at both ends and each having an electrical contact part connected to each of the electrical cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: KAZUYOSHI SUZUKI, GEN ICHIMURA, HIDEYUKI SUZUKI, KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10222567
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device including: a receptacle comprising at least two electrical contacts and a plurality of a light-emitting parts configured to emit laser light for performing communication by light to a sink device; and a light emission control part configured to control emission of laser light from the plurality of light-emitting parts, wherein the light emission control parts starts control of the emission of the laser light from the plurality of light-emitting parts by a current when a cable is connected to the receptacle and the current flow to the electrical contacts from the sink device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Suzuki, Gen Ichimura, Hideyuki Suzuki, Kazuaki Toba, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10142027
    Abstract: A communication device of the disclosure includes: a first terminal that outputs a power supply voltage; a second terminal coupled directly or indirectly to the first terminal; a communication section that operates on a basis of the power supply voltage to communicate with a communication peer; and a communication controller that sets the communication section to be in an ON state or in an OFF state on a basis of a voltage on the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihisa Hyakudai, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10090915
    Abstract: Light signal transmitter units 21-1 to 21-n of a transmitter device 20 perform optical communication with a receiver device 40 via optical fiber cables 61-1 to 61-n of an optical interface cable 61. A connection detection unit 22 detects whether connection to the receiver device is established via the optical interface cable, and a visible light source control unit 24 causes a visible light source unit 25 to emit visible light that can identify by an attribute a connection relationship with the receiver device connected via the optical interface cable, only when the connection to the receiver device 40 is not detected, and causes visible light superposition units 26-1 to 26-n to superpose the visible light on the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanari Yamamoto, Kazuaki Toba, Kazuyoshi Suzuki, Kazumoto Kondo, Yasuhisa Nakajima, Satoshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20180259724
    Abstract: [Object] To have excellent maintenance properties and restrain parallel light (collimated light) from being directly emitted to the outside of an optical connector during non-optical coupling. [Solution] An optical communication connector according to the present disclosure includes: a collimating lens configured to collimate light from an optical transmission path; and a diffusion section arranged on a leading end side with respect to the collimating lens, and configured to diffuse the light from the optical transmission path output from the collimating lens. According to this configuration, in the optical communication in which insertion and removal are frequently performed, it is possible to achieve their safety during non-fitting at the same time while having an advantage because of a collimating signal since light from an optical transmission path is diffused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, SATOSHI MUTO, TAKEO ARAI, TATSUSHI NASHIDA, SHINPEI HIRANO, NAOFUMI YONEDA
  • Publication number: 20180259715
    Abstract: [Object] To propose an optical communication connector, an optical communication cable, and an electronic device being novel and improved that have excellent maintenance properties and can prevent parallel light (collimated light) from being directly emitted to the outside of an optical connector during non-optical coupling. [Solution] There is provided an optical communication connector device including: a collimating lens configured to collimate light from an optical transmission path; a refracting section arranged on a leading end side with respect to the collimating lens, and configured to refract and eject light from the optical transmission path ejected from the collimating lens; and a scattering section configured to scatter at least a part of the light ejected from the refracting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TOBA, MASANARI YAMAMOTO, RYOHEI TAKAHASHI, SATOSHI MUTO, TATSUSHI NASHIDA, SHINPEI HIRANO, NAOFUMI YONEDA
  • Patent number: 9971097
    Abstract: A lens of a plug converts a light signal from an optical fiber cable to light of a predetermined divergence angle in order to emit the light. A plug housing fixes the optical fiber cable and the lens. The lens is positioned such that the light signal from the optical fiber cable becomes the light of the predetermined divergence angle at an emission surface side of the optical fiber cable. The light signal emitted from the plug becomes dispersed when entering into the eyeball of a nearby person, and therefore can be prevented from exerting adverse effect on visual function and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Suzuki, Kazumoto Kondo, Kazuaki Toba, Yasuhisa Nakajima, Satoshi Miyazaki, Masanari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9927587
    Abstract: There is provided an optical transmitter including an optical connector port and a light emitter. The optical connector port is configured to connect to a connector of an optical cable in a first orientation or a second orientation. The light emitter is configured to transmit the optical signal toward a first region of the connector that reflects the optical signal into an optical transmission line of an optical cable when the connector is connected in the first orientation, and transmit the optical signal toward a second region of the connector that reflects the optical signal into the optical transmission line of the optical cable when the connector is connected in the second orientation different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanari Yamamoto, Kazuaki Toba, Kazumoto Kondo, Kazuyoshi Suzuki, Satoshi Miyazaki, Yasuhisa Nakajima
  • Patent number: D819569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanari Yamamoto, Shinpei Hirano