Patents by Inventor Shoji Yamamoto

Shoji 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: 9696425
    Abstract: An optical distance measuring apparatus including a light source, a variable mirror scanning the light on an object, a receiving device receiving light from the object, a detected signal amplifying unit detecting a light receiving signal obtained by the receiving device, an amplification control unit detecting a set target value of light sensitivity of the receiving device or sets the light sensitivity based on a light quantity of reflected light, and a distance calculation unit detecting a flight time of the ranging light from a light emitting signal and calculating a distance up to the object, wherein in a first scan period, the amplification control unit detects the set target value based on a light quantity of the reflected light, and in a second scan period, the amplification control unit sets sensitivity of the receiving device to the set target value and the distance calculation unit calculates the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Yoshiho Seo
  • Patent number: 9651205
    Abstract: A lighting device has a reflection sheet; an LED having an optical element arranged at a predetermined distant position away from the reflection sheet and being used for emitting light in a direction in parallel with a light emitting surface of the lighting device in a space between the reflection sheet and the optical element; and an optical sheet provided on the light emitting surface side of the optical element. A light shielding pattern is provided at a position corresponding to the LED on the light emitting surface side of the optical element, and the light shielding pattern is configured by stacking a plurality of light shielding layers in which the light shielding layer positioned closest to the optical element side is made of a white ink, and in which at least one of the other light shielding layers is made of a mixed color ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Satoshi Ouchi, Junichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9562651
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises: an LED module; a heat sink releasing heat generated by the LED module; and a light source supporting body having a locking part locking to the heat sink so as to hold the LED module on the heat sink. This avoids the necessity of screws used for attaching the LED module to the heat sink, and hence reduces the number of components and realizes easy attaching work for the light source. Thus, workability is improved in comparison with the conventional art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Echigo, Yu Shinohara, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9552072
    Abstract: In an image projection device in which a projected image can be controlled or operated by gesture, the responsiveness (operability) and/or the usability are improved. The image projection device includes a sensor element to detect a gesture and a control section to generated an operation signal to control (for example, to scroll images or to feed image frames) a projected image projected according to a gesture detected by the sensor element, wherein the control section generates the operation signal when the sensor element detects a gesture in a first direction parallel to the projection surface of the projected image, and when the sensor element detects a gesture in a second direction perpendicular to the projection surface, the control section suspends generation of the operation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Yoshiho Seo, Hiroyuki Urata
  • Publication number: 20160309127
    Abstract: A projection type video display device includes a video projecting unit that displays a video by projecting the video onto a video projection plane, sensors and that detect an operator who operates the projection type video display device, operation detecting units and that detect a motion of the operator based on outputs of the sensors, and a control unit that controls the video projecting unit based on a detection result of the operation detecting unit. Preferably, a sensing area in which detections by the sensors are performed when a direction of the video projection plane is vertical and is set to differ from that when the direction of the video projection plane is horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Sakiko NARIKAWA, Naoki MORI, Takashi MATSUBARA, Yoshiho SEO, Shoji YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160290582
    Abstract: A solid state light source device includes N (an integer of two or more) sets of solid state light source assemblies having a plurality of solid state light source cells arranged in a matrix pattern a multiple lens block including N incidence faces facing the N sets of solid state light source assemblies and causing light emitted from the solid state light source cells to be incident through multiple lens cells of a matrix pattern and one emission face composing the light incident from the N incidence faces and a dichroic filter that is obliquely arranged on the incidence faces inside the multiple lens block and selectively reflects or transmits incident light based on the incident light wavelength. Light distribution characteristics and color temperature of light exiting the emission face of the multiple lens block are controlled by a ratio of power supplied to the solid state light source cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Yuki NAGANO, Shoji YAMAMOTO, Yoshiho SEO
  • Patent number: 9459448
    Abstract: A beam scanning type display apparatus includes a reflection angle variable mirror that scans a beam light, at least two light detectors disposed at a predetermined distance in a beam scanning direction of the mirror that detects a light amount of screen reflection light, a distortion correction calculation unit that obtains a drive correction value of the mirror by calculating an irradiation distance and a screen inclination, from a light amount of a reflection light detected by the light detectors at two different scanning timings and an inclination angle of the mirror at this time, and a mirror driving unit that controls an inclination angle of the mirror by the drive correction value. A drive correction value of the mirror driving unit is obtained at a plurality of timings of a scanning period of beam light, and beam light is scanned at the corrected inclination angle of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Yoshiho Seo, Keiichi Betsui
  • Publication number: 20160105653
    Abstract: Provided is an image projection device that carries out high precision gesture detection. An image projection device has a projection unit that optically projects image and a gesture detection unit that detects human gestures and generates a signal for operating the projected image on the basis of the detection results. The gesture detection unit controls a range for detecting gesture according to the direction that the projection unit projects light and/or the placement state of the image projection device. The device has a laser light source and photodiode for detecting gestures, or has a pyroelectric sensor for detecting infrared rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji YAMAMOTO, Yoshiho SEO, Koji HIRATA, Hiroyuki URATA, Takashi MATSUBARA
  • Publication number: 20150185859
    Abstract: In an image projection device in which a projected image can be controlled or operated by gesture, the responsiveness (operability) and/or the usability are improved. The image projection device includes a sensor element to detect a gesture and a control section to generated an operation signal to control (for example, to scroll images or to feed image frames) a projected image projected according to a gesture detected by the sensor element, wherein the control section generates the operation signal when the sensor element detects a gesture in a first direction parallel to the projection surface of the projected image, and when the sensor element detects a gesture in a second direction perpendicular to the projection surface, the control section suspends generation of the operation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Shoji YAMAMOTO, Yoshiho SEO, Hiroyuki URATA
  • Patent number: 9070996
    Abstract: In a connector, a flange portion is provided at an end portion of an electric wire fixing portion. A rib is provided on outer surface of the electric wire fixing portion. A biding band winding space is provided between an end of the rib and the flange portion. An interval therebetween has a width equal to a width of the binding band. The electric wire is fixed by the binding band wound on the binding band winding space. A band passing hole is formed between the end of the rib and the flange portion. A plurality of side ribs are symmetrically provided at both sides of the rib. The binding band is inserted through the band passing hole, in response to a volume of the electric wire or in response to a size of a radius of curvature of the electric wire led out from the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tohru Kobayashi, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20150176773
    Abstract: A lighting device has a reflection sheet; an LED having an optical element arranged at a predetermined distant position away from the reflection sheet and being used for emitting light in a direction in parallel with a light emitting surface of the lighting device in a space between the reflection sheet and the optical element; and an optical sheet provided on the light emitting surface side of the optical element. A light shielding pattern is provided at a position corresponding to the LED on the light emitting surface side of the optical element, and the light shielding pattern is configured by stacking a plurality of light shielding layers in which the light shielding layer positioned closest to the optical element side is made of a white ink, and in which at least one of the other light shielding layers is made of a mixed color ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Satoshi Ouchi, Junichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9022793
    Abstract: There is provided a lever type connector. In the lever type connector in which an electric wire cover is attached to a connector housing to which a lever is already fitted, a false fitting preventing projection that protrudes from the electric wire cover and prevents the false fitting of the electric wire cover when this projection comes into contact with the lever is provided, and the false fitting preventing projection protrudes outward rather than the connector housing and an outer surface of the lever. The false fitting preventing projection absorbs an impact applied from the outside, and serves as a cushioning member against at least the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kobayashi, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8991918
    Abstract: A child seat attachment structure comprising a lower anchor comprising a fixing portion that is fixed to a configuration member configuring a vehicle body or a vehicle seat, a leg portion that extends from the fixing portion towards a vehicle top side, and a coupling portion that is provided at an upper end portion of the leg portion and that fixes a child seat to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat by connecting to a connector of the child seat; and a contacted portion that restricts displacement of the coupling portion of the lower anchor towards a vehicle front side with respect to the fixing portion by making contact with a portion of the lower anchor when the child seat fixed to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat has moved towards the vehicle front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakakita, Shoji Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8911268
    Abstract: A connector includes a connector housing having a terminal accommodating chamber, and a terminal fitting, and a lance. The terminal fitting includes: a lance sliding part formed in a shape of a flat face parallel to an inserting direction of the terminal fitting; a lance abutting part formed in a shape of a flat face which is different in level from the lance sliding part by a stepped part; and a lance engaging part. The lance includes a terminal engaging part which engages the lance engaging part; a terminal slide part which slides on the lance sliding part during an inserting process of the terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber; and a chamfered part and a terminal abutting part which are located between the terminal engaging part and the terminal slide part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kobayashi, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140319144
    Abstract: A synthetic resin cap mounted on a lip section of a container filled with a carbonated beverage includes a top plate section and a cylindrical section extending downward from a circumferential edge of the top plate section, wherein an annular inner seal projection fitted into the lip section and an outer seal projection abutting an outer surface of the lip section are formed at an inner surface of the top plate section. An annular abutting convex section abutting the inner surface of the lip section is formed at an outer surface of the inner seal projection. The outer seal projection has an inner surface having an inner diameter reduced toward a distal end, and a minimum inner diameter section, which is a lower end of the inner surface, abuts the outer surface of the lip section at a position spaced apart from an opening end section toward a container main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Closure Systems International Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuo Tsuzuki, Fuminori Takazawa, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140300887
    Abstract: An optical distance measuring apparatus including a light source, a variable mirror scanning the light on an object, a receiving device receiving light from the object, a detected signal amplifying unit detecting a light receiving signal obtained by the receiving device, an amplification control unit detecting a set target value of light sensitivity of the receiving device or sets the light sensitivity based on a light quantity of reflected light, and a distance calculation unit detecting a flight time of the ranging light from a light emitting signal and calculating a distance up to the object, wherein in a first scan period, the amplification control unit detects the set target value based on a light quantity of the reflected light, and in a second scan period, the amplification control unit sets sensitivity of the receiving device to the set target value and the distance calculation unit calculates the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji YAMAMOTO, Yoshiho SEO
  • Publication number: 20140254174
    Abstract: One of a radiator plate (21) and a globe cover (13) is provided, on a part which makes contact with the other one, with a plurality of cutout sections (41), and the other one is provided, at positions corresponding to the respective cutout sections (41), with a plurality of projections (31). By engaging the cutout sections (41) and the projections (31), the globe cover (13) is attached to the radiator plate (21). This makes it possible to prevent, for a long term, the globe cover (13) which encloses a light source so as to cover the light source from being detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shoji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8827492
    Abstract: To provide a back light unit that reduces an uneven brightness and has a spatially uniform brightness distribution. According to an aspect of the present invention, the back light unit comprises an LED and a light guide plate for guiding light from the LED to a liquid crystal panel side, wherein a recess is provided on the back surface side of the light guide plate, wherein a plurality of LEDs are housed in the recess, and wherein a light amount limiting member is provided at a position facing the recess on s light exit surface side of the light guide plate. The light amount limiting member is configured, for example, by applying an ink with a predetermined optical property to a transparent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Satoshi Ouchi, Mayumi Nagayoshi, Hajime Inoue
  • Publication number: 20140240808
    Abstract: A beam scanning type display apparatus includes a reflection angle variable mirror that scans a beam light, at least two light detectors disposed at a predetermined distance in a beam scanning direction of the mirror that detects a light amount of screen reflection light, a distortion correction calculation unit that obtains a drive correction value of the mirror by calculating an irradiation distance and a screen inclination, from a light amount of a reflection light detected by the light detectors at two different scanning timings and an inclination angle of the mirror at this time, and a mirror driving unit that controls an inclination angle of the mirror by the drive correction value. A drive correction value of the mirror driving unit is obtained at a plurality of timings of a scanning period of beam light, and beam light is scanned at the corrected inclination angle of the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji YAMAMOTO, Yoshiho SEO, Keiichi BETSUI
  • Patent number: 8807819
    Abstract: An illumination unit of the present invention includes a tabular light guide plate having a light emitting surface for emitting light coming from an LED as planar light, wherein a recessed portion is formed in the opposite surface of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and wherein the LED is provided in the recessed portion so that the optical axis of the LED becomes parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. Then, a dimming pattern is provided at a location corresponding to the LED of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and the dimming pattern includes a main portion covering the LED on the light emitting surface side, and protrusions radially extending toward a light emitting direction of the LED around the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Masayuki Tanabe, Mika Tanimura, Shoji Yamamoto, Kenji Takano, Yoshifumi Shimane, Yasuaki Ohara, Reiji Nakamura