Patents by Inventor Masaya Watada

Masaya Watada 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).

  • Lens actuator, and electronic device using the same
    Patent number: 7751134
    Abstract: A lens actuator is provided for moving a movable part including a lens, with respect to a fixed part in the optical axis direction of the lens. The lens actuator includes (a) a magnet disposed on the surface of the movable part facing the fixed part and magnetized in the optical axis direction, (b) a coil disposed on the surface of the fixed part facing the magnet, and (c) a pair of magnetic materials disposed on both sides of the magnet in the optical axis direction, to direct magnetic flux from the magnet toward the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norifumi Sata, Takefumi Inoue, Shinsuke Kimoto, Masaya Watada
  • Lens actuator
    Patent number: 7457061
    Abstract: A lens actuator includes a carrier having a tubular shape having a through-hole provided therein. The through-hole is arranged to mount a lens therein. The lens actuator further includes plural springs contacting upper and lower surfaces of the carrier, a coil fixed to the carrier, a first yoke, a second yoke, and a magnet contacting the first yoke and the second yoke. The coil is placed between the first yoke and the second yoke. This lens actuator moves the lens by a long distance, and has a small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norifumi Sata, Shinsuke Kimoto, Takefumi Inoue, Masaya Watada
  • Lens actuator, and electronic device using the same
    Publication number: 20080180820
    Abstract: A lens actuator is provided for moving a movable part including a lens, with respect to a fixed part in the optical axis direction of the lens. The lens actuator includes (a) a magnet disposed on the surface of the movable part facing the fixed part and magnetized in the optical axis direction, (b) a coil disposed on the surface of the fixed part facing the magnet, and (c) a pair of magnetic materials disposed on both sides of the magnet in the optical axis direction, to direct magnetic flux from the magnet toward the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Norifumi Sata, Takefumi Inoue, Shinsuke Kimoto, Masaya Watada
  • Lens actuator
    Publication number: 20080025164
    Abstract: A lens actuator includes a carrier having a tubular shape having a through-hole provided therein. The through-hole is arranged to mount a lens therein. The lens actuator further includes plural springs contacting upper and lower surfaces of the carrier, a coil fixed to the carrier, a first yoke, a second yoke, and a magnet contacting the first yoke and the second yoke. The coil is placed between the first yoke and the second yoke. This lens actuator moves the lens by a long distance, and has a small size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Norifumi Sata, Shinsuke Kimoto, Takefumi Inoue, Masaya Watada