Patents by Inventor Satoshi Kikuchi

Satoshi Kikuchi 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: 20240068925
    Abstract: A particle analyzer (100) includes: a light source that emits excitation light (EL1) including light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less; a lens structure (41) that collects excitation light (EL1) at a predetermined position (51s) in a flow path (53); a detection unit (7) that detects light (FL) emitted from a particle as the particle (51) flowing through the predetermined position is excited by the excitation light (EL1); and a processing unit (120) that processes detection data acquired by the detection unit (7). The lens structure (41) includes a plurality of lenses (411) arranged along an optical axis of the excitation light (EL1); and a lens frame (412) holding the plurality of lenses (411). At least one (G12) of the plurality of lenses (411) is positioned in the lens frame (412) by abutting on a lens adjacent to the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hatakeyama, Satoshi Nagae, Masanobu Nonaka, Kenji Ishida, Naomichi Kikuchi, Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 11916183
    Abstract: The power storage device includes power storage units arranged with a conductive plate interposed therebetween in the vertical direction, each of the power storage units includes an electrode stack including bipolar electrodes stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and a sealing member provided around the electrode stack so as to seal a housing space formed between adjacent electrodes of the electrode stack. At least one of the power storage units is provided with an overhang member on an outer peripheral surface of the sealing member. The overhang member includes an inclined portion that extends from the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member toward the outside of the power storage unit and inclines downward as it leaves away from the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member, and a top portion formed at a lower end of the inclined portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Daiki Terashima, Satoshi Morioka, Takuro Kikuchi, Motoyoshi Okumura, Kojiro Tamaru, Hiromi Ueda, Satoshi Hamaoka, Masahiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 11729875
    Abstract: A scanning light source includes a light source, and scans the output light of the light source ahead of a lamp. A control apparatus controls the lighting on/off state of the semiconductor light source in synchronization with the scanning operation of the scanning light source. The control apparatus judges the presence or absence of an abnormal state with at least one from among (i) a timing immediately before switching from a lighting-on state to a lighting-off state and (ii) a timing immediately before switching from a lighting-off state to a lighting-on state as a judgment timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kikuchi, Kentarou Murakami, Toshiyuki Tsuchiya, Takao Muramatsu, Shohei Yanagizu, Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20230245591
    Abstract: A surgical simulator and a simulation method are disclosed. The surgical simulator includes a blood vessel model. The blood vessel model includes an aorta model simulating a case of replacing a part of the thoracic aorta of a human body with an artificial blood vessel. The aorta model includes a simulated vessel and an artificial blood vessel, or a medical device, connected to the simulated vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouji OZAKI, Ayumi HATTORI, Satoshi KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230169582
    Abstract: A power trading system includes an alternative power storage device (power storage device and battery pallet) managed by an operator of a P2P power trading market. In a case where nonfulfillment trading occurs in which fulfillment of power trading is difficult, a trading alternative unit of a trading market server performs power trading (alternative trading) related to the nonfulfillment trading by using the alternative power storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromitsu KIGURE, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Yuki KUDO, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Patent number: 11653434
    Abstract: A lighting circuit turns on a plurality of semiconductor light sources. Multiple current sources are each coupled to a corresponding semiconductor light source. A switching converter supplies a driving voltage VOUT across each of multiple series connection circuits each formed of the semiconductor light source and the current source. A converter controller employing a ripple control method turns on a switching transistor of the switching converter in response to a voltage across any one of the multiple current sources decreasing to a bottom limit voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Ryosuke Matsuhana, Satoshi Kikuchi, Naoki Kawabata, Norito Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20230133117
    Abstract: Upon receipt of a reported value (an amount of power generation by a renewable energy facility) in a time slot from an agent of a prosumer (facility), a processor of a transaction market server calculates a predicted amount of power generation of the renewable energy facility in the time slot (S1 to S13). The processor sets a first threshold for the predicted amount of power generation and determines a normal range of the reported value (S15). The processor compares the reported value with the predicted amount of power generation, and when the reported value is outside the normal range, prohibits the facility with the renewable energy facility from using a renewable energy tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230128848
    Abstract: A market electricity price prediction unit is configured to predict a transaction price of electricity traded in an electricity transaction market. A user use prediction unit is configured to predict a use plan of a vehicle by a user of the vehicle. An electricity transaction plan preparation unit is configured to prepare an electricity transaction plan based on a prediction result of the market electricity price prediction unit and a prediction result of the user use prediction unit. The user inquiry performing unit is configured to make an inquiry to the user about the electricity transaction plan before an electricity transaction according to the electricity transaction plan is contracted in the electricity transaction market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230117558
    Abstract: An agent is an information processing apparatus that puts in a bid to allow a vehicle to conduct transaction of power reception/provision through a transaction market server. In the event of nonfulfillment of transaction which means that the vehicle does not conduct transaction of power reception/provision, the transaction market server performs penalty processing for imposing a penalty on a user of the vehicle. The agent includes a bid processing unit and an indicator value calculator. The bid processing unit is configured to put in a bid to the transaction market server. The indicator value calculator calculates an indicator value that represents an extent of the penalty imposed on the user in the penalty processing. When the indicator value reaches a threshold value, the bid processing unit suspends a bid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230120979
    Abstract: A power trading system includes a power trading platform (a power trading computer) and a vehicle agent (a bidding computer) that places a bid on the power trading platform. The vehicle agent includes a bidding unit and a generation unit. The bidding unit places a bid for power trading by transmitting bid data in a predetermined format to the power trading computer. The generation unit transcribes transcribed information included in the bid data for a contracted bid and generates the bid data for a cancellation bid so as to cancel the contracted bid. The transcribed information includes attribute information indicating an attribute of electric power related to power trading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230124457
    Abstract: An automatic bidding system includes a vehicle agent (a computer). A vehicle agent includes a bidding agent (a bidding unit) that places an automatic bid for power trading related to electric power of a user in accordance with an automatic bidding algorithm, and an information collection agent (an information collection unit) that acquires user information indicating a preference of the user. The bidding agent is configured to set a parameter of the automatic bidding algorithm using the user information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230108612
    Abstract: An array-type light-emitting device includes multiple pixel circuits electrically coupled in parallel and spatially arranged in a matrix. A power supply circuit supplies electric power to the array-type light-emitting device. A DC/DC converter has an output coupled to a power supply terminal of the array-type light-emitting device via a power supply line. A power supply control circuit sets a target value that corresponds to a light distribution pattern, and controls the DC/DC converter such that the control target voltage approaches the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu OTA, Masashi KATO, Shohei YANAGIZU, Satoshi KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230109041
    Abstract: A server device includes a processor and a memory storing a program executed by the processor. The processor is configured to accept a tender for a transaction of electricity transfer in a parking lot, contract the transaction of electricity transfer corresponding to the tender, and perform charge control for charging at least one vehicle out of a plurality of vehicles located in the parking lot, the at least one vehicle having placed the tender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230107441
    Abstract: A power transaction market includes a first individual market and a second individual market. The first individual market is configured to implement transactions of electric power between power resources in a normal state of the power system. The second individual market is configured to implement transactions of electric power between the power resources in an emergency state in which supply of electric power from the power system is stopped. A management device that manages transactions of electric power between the power resources is configured to impose a penalty on a participant who does not implement a contract for a transaction of electric power in each of the first and second individual markets. The management device is configured to set the penalty in the second individual market to a higher value than the penalty in the first individual market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuki KUDO, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230097499
    Abstract: In a power transaction management server, a registration unit receives power transaction information including positional information of a corresponding charging/discharging facility and tender conditions for a transaction of electric power and registers the received power transaction information in a storage device for each individual transaction market. An input unit receives information of a mobile object participating in a power transaction market. The information of the mobile object includes information indicating a geographical range in which the mobile object is able to supply or receive electric power. A setting unit sets retrieval conditions based on the information of the mobile object. A retrieval unit retrieves an individual transaction market matching the retrieval conditions out of a plurality of individual transaction markets. A provision unit provides the power transaction information in the individual transaction market matching the retrieval conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuki KUDO, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230102260
    Abstract: A market electric power price predicting unit predicts a trading price of electric power traded in a P2P electric power trading market. The trading price includes a price of renewable energy electric power and a price of non-renewable energy electric power. A renewable energy index setting unit sets a renewable energy index indicating a degree of the renewable energy electric power in electric power purchased in the P2P electric power trading market. A trading price setting unit sets a desired trading price in an electric power trading plan from a prediction result of the trading price of the electric power and the renewable energy index. A trading plan creating unit creates the electric power trading plan based on the desired trading price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Hiromitsu KIGURE, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA
  • Patent number: 11617247
    Abstract: Multiple current sources are coupled in series to corresponding light-emitting elements. Switching converter supplies driving voltage to the multiple light-emitting elements and current sources. Pulse modulator generates pulse signal that transits to on level when the smallest from among voltages across both ends of the multiple current sources falls to bottom limit voltage, and subsequently transits to off level. Frequency stabilization circuit controls pulse modulator such that the frequency of pulse signal approaches its target. Dummy load circuit is configured to lower driving voltage in the enable state, to be set to the enable state when switching transistor continues to be off for a predetermined time, and to be set to the disable state in response to the next turn-on of the switching transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norito Takahashi, Satoshi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20230093633
    Abstract: A variable light distribution light source includes an array-type light-emitting device. The array-type light-emitting device includes a power supply terminal and multiple pixel circuits electrically coupled and spatially arranged in a matrix. A power supply circuit includes a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the array-type light-emitting device. An output of a DC/DC converter is coupled to the power supply terminal VDD of the array-type light-emitting device via an output terminal. A voltage setting circuit generates a controllable correction voltage. A feedback circuit generates a feedback voltage based on the correction voltage and the control target voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of the DC/DC converter, and supplies the feedback voltage to a feedback pin of a converter controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu OTA, Masashi Kato, Shohei Yanagizu, Satoshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11612034
    Abstract: A lighting circuit turns on multiple semiconductor light sources. Multiple current sources are each coupled in series with a corresponding one from among the semiconductor light sources. A switching converter supplies a driving voltage VOUT across each of multiple series connection circuits formed of the multiple semiconductor light sources and the multiple current sources. A converter controller controls a switching transistor of the switching converter based on a relation between a voltage across one from among the multiple current sources and a reference voltage having a positive correlation with the temperature Tj.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Satoshi Kikuchi, Ryosuke Matsuhana
  • Publication number: 20230071134
    Abstract: A server device includes a processor and a memory for storing a program executed by the processor. A plurality of units includes a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The processor accepts a bid of the second unit regarding a transaction for electric power transfer with the first unit, and executes a contract process for causing the third unit to perform the electric power transfer with the first unit, when the second unit does not perform the electric power transfer with the first unit at a scheduled time of the electric power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu KIGURE, Yuki KUDO, Kazutaka KIMURA, Kazuki OBATA, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Yuta MANIWA