Patents by Inventor Naohisa Tatara
Naohisa Tatara 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).
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Publication number: 20220349547Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light source, a lighting control unit configured to control an emission timing of light emitted from the light source, and a rotary scanning unit configured to repeatedly perform scanning with the light emitted from the light source while rotating. The vehicle lamp illuminates a predetermined region with scan light. The rotary scanning unit performs plural repetitive scans in one rotation. The lighting control unit detects a rotation cycle of the rotary scanning unit, and controls the emission timing of the light source at a timing obtained by equally dividing the detected rotation cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2020Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki Takii, Naohisa Tatara
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Publication number: 20220242430Abstract: Provided is an information displaying technology for a vehicle that makes it possible to protect the privacy and security of a user who is outside of the vehicle when information is displayed to the user. A vehicle information display system (101) is provided with a plurality of display units (114) comprised of a display (116), drawing lights (117), and a road surface (119), and a control unit (111) for controlling the display units (114), and the control unit (111) includes a display destination selection unit (113) that selects a display unit (114) according to the information to be displayed. Furthermore, a sensor (121) is provided that measures the environment on which information is displayed. The display destination selection unit (113) selects the drawing lights (117) as the display destinations when information to be displayed includes information concerning the user U's security or privacy, and selects the display (116) when the condition of the road surface (119) is not suitable for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2020Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Yuichi Watano, Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 9358918Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a first lamp unit having a first irradiation range, the first lamp unit being configured such that the first irradiation range is adjustable in a horizontal direction, and a second lamp unit having a second irradiation range, the second lamp unit being configured such that the second irradiation range is adjustable in a vertical direction. A resolution of the second lamp unit with respect to the second irradiation range is higher than a resolution of the first lamp unit with respect to the first irradiation range.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 9327639Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a first lamp unit having a first irradiation range, the first lamp unit being configured such that the first irradiation range is adjustable in a horizontal direction, and a second lamp unit having a second irradiation range, the second lamp unit being configured such that the second irradiation range is adjustable in a vertical direction. A resolution of the second lamp unit with respect to the second irradiation range is higher than a resolution of the first lamp unit with respect to the first irradiation range.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 8952614Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes: a light source; a lamp housing that accommodates the light source inside; and a power receiving section that is provided so as to be integral with the lamp housing and is configured to receive electric power wirelessly to supply the electric power to the light source. A power supply device that supplies electric power from a battery mounted on a vehicle to a lamp disposed in the vehicle includes a power transmission section that is provided in the vehicle and configured to transmit the electric power of the battery; and a power receiving section that is provided so as to be integral with the lamp and configured to receive the electric power from the power transmission section. The power transmission section and the power receiving section are disposed to be opposed to each other and electrically coupled by electromagnetic induction.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Naoki Tatara
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Patent number: 8870424Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes headlamp units placed in a vehicle and a control unit which controls the illumination of the headlamp units. The headlamp units form a lower beam distribution pattern and an upper beam distribution pattern, and is configured so that a partial region of the upper beam distribution pattern can be non-illuminated. When the entirety of vehicle existent area of a vehicle-in-front travelling in front of a driver's vehicle is contained within the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the partial region is non-illuminated; when at least a part of the vehicle existent area is contained within a region of the upper beam distribution pattern which is other than the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the upper beam distribution pattern is not formed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 8851730Abstract: A transparent member 2 defines part of a lamp compartment 4. A light source 5a is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and shines light to the front through the transparent member 2. A detection device 6 is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and obtains information on what exists ahead. A stepped portion 7 is formed on an external surface of the transparent member 2 and guides drops of water which adhere to the external surface so as to avoid a detection enabled area of the detection device 6.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Michihiko Hayakawa
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Patent number: 8648535Abstract: In a vehicle lamp control apparatus, a control unit controls sub lamps in a first condition based on a main information signal including a turn signal or a steering angle signal, and in a second condition based on a sub information signal. A noticeability of the second condition is lower than a noticeability of the first condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naohisa Tatara
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Publication number: 20140029289Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a first lamp unit having a first irradiation range, the first lamp unit being configured such that the first irradiation range is adjustable in a horizontal direction, and a second lamp unit having a second irradiation range, the second lamp unit being configured such that the second irradiation range is adjustable in a vertical direction. A resolution of the second lamp unit with respect to the second irradiation range is higher than a resolution of the first lamp unit with respect to the first irradiation range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 8562192Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes headlamp units placed in a vehicle and a control unit which controls the illumination of the headlamp units. The headlamp units form a lower beam distribution pattern and an upper beam distribution pattern, and is configured so that a partial region of the upper beam distribution pattern can be non-illuminated. When the entirety of vehicle existent area of a vehicle-in-front travelling in front of a driver's vehicle is contained within the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the partial region is non-illuminated; when at least a part of the vehicle existent area is contained within a region of the upper beam distribution pattern which is other than the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the upper beam distribution pattern is not formed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naohisa Tatara
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Publication number: 20130272013Abstract: A transparent member 2 defines part of a lamp compartment 4. A light source 5a is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and shines light to the front through the transparent member 2. A detection device 6 is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and obtains information on what exists ahead. A stepped portion 7 is formed on an external surface of the transparent member 2 and guides drops of water which adhere to the external surface so as to avoid a detection enabled area of the detection device 6.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Naohisa TATARA, Michihiko HAYAKAWA
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Publication number: 20130020937Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes: a light source; a lamp housing that accommodates the light source inside; and a power receiving section that is provided so as to be integral with the lamp housing and is configured to receive electric power wirelessly to supply the electric power to the light source. A power supply device that supplies electric power from a battery mounted on a vehicle to a lamp disposed in the vehicle includes a power transmission section that is provided in the vehicle and configured to transmit the electric power of the battery; and a power receiving section that is provided so as to be integral with the lamp and configured to receive the electric power from the power transmission section. The power transmission section and the power receiving section are disposed to be opposed to each other and electrically coupled by electromagnetic induction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohisa TATARA, Naoki TATARA
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Publication number: 20120306368Abstract: In a vehicle lamp control apparatus, a control unit controls sub lamps in a first condition based on a main information signal including a turn signal or a steering angle signal, and in a second condition based on a sub information signal. A noticeability of the second condition is lower than a noticeability of the first condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Naohisa TATARA
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Patent number: 8007146Abstract: A vehicle lamp is arranged to switch between a low beam and a high beam. The high beam illuminates a first illumination area, which lies ahead of and square to a center of a vehicle, and a second illumination area, which includes portions lying horizontally further leftwards and right wards and vertically further upwards than the first illumination area. When switching from the low beam to the high beam, the luminous intensity of the second illumination area is increased and thereafter the luminous intensity of the first illumination area is increased. When switching from the high beam to the low beam, the luminance intensity of the first illumination area is decreased and thereafter the luminance intensity of the second illumination area is decreased.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Kazutami Oishi, Michihiko Hayakawa
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Patent number: 7922376Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle has a projection lens, a light source disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and having an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction, a reflector which reflects light from the light source toward the projection lens, and a rotary shade which is rotatable and shields a part of the light which is projected from the light source and reflected by the reflector. The rotary shade has a plurality of pattern forming sections, each of which respectively forms a corresponding light distribution pattern including an upper part irradiation pattern and a lower part irradiation pattern. A center of the lower part irradiating patterns is located lower than a horizontal line. A center of the upper part irradiating patterns is located above the horizontal line. The pattern forming sections form at least four different upper part irradiating patterns.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Masahito Naganawa
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Patent number: 7914186Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes a lamp unit serving to irradiate a light forward, and an actuator having a single output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely. The lamp unit is disposed in a lamp housing formed by a lamp body and a transparent cover for covering a front surface of the lamp body. The lamp unit includes a body coupling portion to be coupled to the lamp body and an actuator coupling portion to be coupled to the actuator. The lamp body includes a lamp unit coupling portion coupled to the body coupling portion and serving to support the lamp unit tiltably in vertical and transverse directions. The actuator is supported on the lamp body and includes an output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely in engagement with the actuator coupling portion of the lamp unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Masahiro Kusagaya
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Patent number: 7896512Abstract: The vehicle headlamp is provided with a main lamp unit fixed and arranged inside a lamp chamber and sub-lamp units as an auxiliary lamp capable of changing and forming light distribution patterns by using semiconductor light emitting elements as light sources. The sub-lamp units are respectively equipped with a vertically changing mechanism for changing the illuminating direction in a vertical direction, a laterally changing mechanism for changing the illuminating direction in a lateral direction and a pattern changing mechanism for changing a light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Takashi Hori, Kiyotaka Mochizuki
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Patent number: 7758218Abstract: A vehicular headlamp including a light amount control device that controls the amount of light from at least two of a plurality of light source units each having a light-emitting element as the light source. The light amount control device performs a contrasting control of the lamp to increase the amount of light from at least one of the light source units and decrease the amount of light from the other light source unit, thus enhancing the visibility by increasing the amount of light from one light source unit and enhancing the brightness in an area that the unit illuminates, and decreasing the amount of light from the other light source unit that illuminates an area where visibility is required less, lowering the power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Takashi Hori, Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 7744261Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a plurality of lamps having their own inherent respective light distribution characteristics. The plurality of lamps includes a first lamp to irradiate an area excluding a nearest field area just in front of a vehicle, and a second lamp which irradiates only the nearest field area. The plurality of lamps are operable to be simultaneously or selectively lit, and are operable so that irradiation lights of the lamps are combined so as to obtain a particular light distribution characteristic in accordance with various driving conditions of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyotaka Fukawa, Naohisa Tatara
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Publication number: 20090310378Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle has a projection lens, a light source disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and having an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction, a reflector which reflects light from the light source toward the projection lens, and a rotary shade which is rotatable and shields a part of the light which is projected from the light source and reflected by the reflector. The rotary shade has a plurality of pattern forming sections, each of which respectively forms a corresponding light distribution pattern including an upper part irradiation pattern and a lower part irradiation pattern. A center of the lower part irradiating patterns is located lower than a horizontal line. A center of the upper part irradiating patterns is located above the horizontal line. The pattern forming sections form at least four different upper part irradiating patterns.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohisa TATARA, Masahito NAGANAWA