Patents by Inventor Masatoshi Yonekubo

Masatoshi Yonekubo 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: 9618744
    Abstract: A partially transmissive reflective film is provided on a second transparent substrate, and a reflector is provided on a first transparent substrate. The partially transmissive reflective film and the reflector are held parallel to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Thereby, light is incident from a protrusion portion on which the reflector of the first transparent substrate is formed, the light is reflected by the partially transmissive reflective film and the reflector, and the incident light is guided by an air layer between the partially transmissive reflective film and the reflector. A refractive index of the air layer is lower than that of the second transparent substrate. A part of the guided light is extracted from the partially transmissive reflective film, and is emitted from the second transparent substrate on a side opposite to a surface on which the partially transmissive reflective film is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Patent number: 9568730
    Abstract: An optical device includes a light guide plate; a first diffraction element that is a transmission type diffraction element provided on a first face of the light guide plate and that diffracts and ejects at least a portion of light which is guided along inside the light guide plate; a second diffraction element that is a transmission type diffraction element provided on the first face of the light guide plate and that diffracts at least a portion of light proceeding to the light guide plate; and a third diffraction element that is a reflection type diffraction element provided on a face which is an opposite face of the light guide plate from the first face, and that diffracts at least a portion of light which enters an inside of the light guide plate via the second diffraction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Fumika Yamada, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Osamu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9541757
    Abstract: A light flux diameter-expanding element (pupil expanding element) which is used in a retina scanning type display apparatus includes a first diffraction grating having a grating pattern extending in a first direction X, a second diffraction grating, a third diffraction grating, and a fourth diffraction grating, and expands a diameter of the incident light flux in a second direction Y so as to emit the light. In addition, the light flux diameter-expanding element includes a fifth diffraction grating having a grating pattern extending in the second direction Y, a sixth diffraction grating, a seventh diffraction grating, and an eighth diffraction grating, and expands a diameter of the incident light flux in the first direction X so as to emit the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Yokoyama, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Publication number: 20160259113
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a first light-emitting element formed of a light-emitting diode and a light-guide plate having on a side surface thereof a first light-incident portion opposing the first light-emitting element. The light-guide plate in plan view has a shape having a curved surface on the side surface thereof at a distance from the first light incident portion. A plurality of first bevels facing the first light-incident portion at a certain angle exceeding (90°—critical angle) with respect to a virtual line extending from a center of the first light-incident portion are provided in at least part of an area of the curved surface in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kobayashi, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Patent number: 9405121
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a plurality of light source sections, a light combining section that combines light fluxes, an optical scan section that swings around a first axis and a second axis to deflect a combined light from the light combining section for scanning, and a controller that controls an amplitude of the optical scan section around the first axis to be greater than that of the optical scan section around the second axis, wherein an optical axis of each of the light fluxes from the plurality of light source sections to the optical scan section and the first axis are present in a first plane, the optical scan section has a light reflection surface configured to be perpendicular to the first plane, and the light reflection surface is irradiated with the combined light and traveling in a direction inclined to a normal to the light reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ishida, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Publication number: 20160161755
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes an image light generator that generates video light modulated based on a video signal, a light diffracting section (first diffractive optical element) that diffracts the video light outputted from the image light generator, a light sweeper (optical scanner) that spatially scans the video light, and a reflector including a light diffracting section (second diffractive optical element) that diffracts the video light scanned by the light sweeper, and the light diffracting section (first diffractive optical element) is provided on an optical path between the image light generator and the light sweeper. The light diffracting section (first diffractive optical element) preferably has a fixed interval between interference fringes, and the light diffracting section (second diffractive optical element) preferably has portions where intervals between interference fringes differ from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Masatoshi YONEKUBO, Daisuke ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20160139407
    Abstract: A light flux diameter-expanding element (pupil expanding element) which is used in a retina scanning type display apparatus includes a first diffraction grating having a grating pattern extending in a first direction X, a second diffraction grating, a third diffraction grating, and a fourth diffraction grating, and expands a diameter of the incident light flux in a second direction Y so as to emit the light. In addition, the light flux diameter-expanding element includes a fifth diffraction grating having a grating pattern extending in the second direction Y, a sixth diffraction grating, a seventh diffraction grating, and an eighth diffraction grating, and expands a diameter of the incident light flux in the first direction X so as to emit the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Osamu Yokoyama, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Publication number: 20160124223
    Abstract: A virtual image display apparatus includes a first light guide that not only causes a display light flux incident through a first light incident surface to repeatedly undergo internal reflection to travel in a first direction away from the first light incident surface but also causes part of the display light flux to exit to the outside through areas of a first light exiting surface that is at least one of interfaces with the outside and extends in the first direction, a first light-incident-side diffraction grating that diffracts light incident thereon to cause the diffracted light to enter the first light guide, and a first light-exiting-side diffraction grating that diffracts light incident from the first light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Akira SHINBO, Osamu YOKOYAMA, Masatoshi YONEKUBO
  • Publication number: 20160124232
    Abstract: A light-transmissive layer and a partially reflective layer are mutually laminated in a luminous flux diameter enlargement element. When manufacturing the luminous flux diameter enlargement element, a light-transmissive first substrate, on which a first reflective layer is formed on a first surface, a light-transmissive second substrate, on which a first partially reflective layer is formed on a first surface, and which is formed so as to have equivalent thickness to the first substrate, and a third substrate, on which a second reflective layer is formed on a first surface, are laminated toward the same direction as a lamination direction of the respective first surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Ide, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Publication number: 20160124226
    Abstract: An optical device which is disposed between a light source section of a display apparatus and a projection target member, includes a first luminous flux diameter enlargement element in which a first light-transmissive layer and a first partially reflective layer are alternately laminated in a first direction, and a second luminous flux diameter enlargement element in which a second light-transmissive layer and a second partially reflective layer are alternately laminated in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first partially reflective layer and the second partially reflective layer are formed from dielectric multilayered films that have the same film configuration. In addition, the optical device includes a retardation element that is formed from a ½? retardation plate between a first emission surface of the first luminous flux diameter enlargement element and a second incidence surface of the second luminous flux diameter enlargement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Ide, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Kunihiko Yano
  • Publication number: 20160033767
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a plurality of light source sections, a light combining section that combines light fluxes, an optical scan section that swings around a first axis and a second axis to deflect a combined light from the light combining section for scanning, and a controller that controls an amplitude of the optical scan section around the first axis to be greater than that of the optical scan section around the second axis, wherein an optical axis of each of the light fluxes from the plurality of light source sections to the optical scan section and the first axis are present in a first plane, the optical scan section has a light reflection surface configured to be perpendicular to the first plane, and the light reflection surface is irradiated with the combined light and traveling in a direction inclined to a normal to the light reflection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Daisuke ISHIDA, Masatoshi YONEKUBO
  • Patent number: 9182600
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a plurality of light source sections, a light combining section that combines light fluxes, an optical scan section that swings around a first axis and a second axis to deflect a combined light from the light combining section for scanning, and a controller that controls an amplitude of the optical scan section around the first axis to be greater than that of the optical scan section around the second axis, wherein an optical axis of each of the light fluxes from the plurality of light source sections to the optical scan section and the first axis are present in a first plane, the optical scan section has a light reflection surface configured to be perpendicular to the first plane, and the light reflection surface is irradiated with the combined light and traveling in a direction inclined to a normal to the light reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ishida, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Patent number: 9170422
    Abstract: An image display apparatus including a plurality of light source sections, a light combining section that combines light fluxes, an optical element that inclines an optical axis, and an optical scan section that deflects light for scanning, wherein an optical axis of the light flux from each of the plurality of light source sections to the optical scan section is present in a first plane, the optical scan section has a light reflection surface that is perpendicular to the first plane and swings around a first axis present in the first plane and a second axis parallel to the direction of a normal to the first plane, and an angle of radiation of the light flux in the direction of the normal to the first plane is greater than that of the light flux in an in-plane direction in the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ishida, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Shuichi Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20150277117
    Abstract: An optical device includes a light guide plate; a first diffraction element that is a transmission type diffraction element provided on a first face of the light guide plate and that diffracts and ejects at least a portion of light which is guided along inside the light guide plate; a second diffraction element that is a transmission type diffraction element provided on the first face of the light guide plate and that diffracts at least a portion of light proceeding to the light guide plate; and a third diffraction element that is a reflection type diffraction element provided on a face which is an opposite face of the light guide plate from the first face, and that diffracts at least a portion of light which enters an inside of the light guide plate via the second diffraction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Fumika Yamada, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Osamu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20150279114
    Abstract: A virtual image display device includes: an image generator generating a picture light beam modulated based on a video signal; and an optical element including a plane of incidence to which the picture light beam emitted from the image generator is input, and an exit surface emitting the picture light beam after a cross-sectional area of the picture light beam input to the plane of incidence has been enlarged. The optical element includes a first light guide and a second light guide connecting the plane of incidence and the exit surface and guiding the picture light beam. A first light branching layer is disposed between the first and second light guides, and partially reflects and partially transmits the picture light beam. The picture light beam emitted from the image generator obliquely enters the first light branching layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Masatoshi YONEKUBO
  • Publication number: 20150277124
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes: a light source which generates a light beams having various angle components; and a first optical element includes a plurality of light guiding materials are bonded to each other via a half mirror layer. The first optical element includes a first surface and a second surface, an incident surface is formed so as to intersect the first surface at a first angle, an emitting surface is formed so as to intersect the first surface at a second angle. A first part of the light is a light reflected by the second surface, and is incident on the emitting surface. The first optical element is formed so that the first part of the light is reflected by the emitting surface, with angles of the first angle and the second angle, and with a refractive index of the plurality of light guiding materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Ide, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Takashi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20150153569
    Abstract: A partially transmissive reflective film is provided on a second transparent substrate, and a reflector is provided on a first transparent substrate. The partially transmissive reflective film and the reflector are held parallel to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Thereby, light is incident from a protrusion portion on which the reflector of the first transparent substrate is formed, the light is reflected by the partially transmissive reflective film and the reflector, and the incident light is guided by an air layer between the partially transmissive reflective film and the reflector. A refractive index of the air layer is lower than that of the second transparent substrate. A part of the guided light is extracted from the partially transmissive reflective film, and is emitted from the second transparent substrate on a side opposite to a surface on which the partially transmissive reflective film is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Publication number: 20150062715
    Abstract: A first diffraction optical element is disposed on a light incident surface of a light guide, a second diffraction optical element is disposed on a light emitting surface of the light guide, and a reflection layer is disposed on an end surface of the light guide. A diffraction grating of the first diffraction optical element and a diffraction grating of the second diffraction optical element has an inclined portion respectively. The inclined portion of the first diffraction optical element and the inclined portion of the second diffraction optical element are inclined in same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Fumika Yamada, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Osamu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20140340749
    Abstract: In a display apparatus, image light emitted from an image forming device is incident on an image light incidence portion of a light guide member after being diffracted by a second diffractive optical element, and emitted from an image light emission portion after moving forward in the light guide member. The image light emitted from the image light emission portion is diffracted by a first diffractive optical element and reaches the eyes of an observer. On a position where unnecessary external light is made incident on the light guide member, an external light noise reduction element which has a polarizing member and the like is provided. For this reason, even when the unnecessary external light is made incident on the light guide member, it is possible to inhibit the unnecessary external light from reaching the eye of the observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumika YAMADA, Masatoshi YONEKUBO, Osamu YOKOYAMA
  • Patent number: 8820943
    Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a first optical system, an aperture disposed on the light exiting-side of the first optical system, a second optical system disposed on the light exiting-side of the aperture, and a reflector disposed on the optical path between the first optical system and the second optical system, the reflector having a reflection surface that reflects the light having exited from the first optical system toward the second optical system. The optical axis of the second optical system is disposed along the optical axis of the first optical system. The reflection surface of the reflector is disposed along the optical axis of the first optical system. At least part of the first and second optical systems that is on the side opposite the reflection surface of the reflector is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Matsubara, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Hidefumi Sakata