Patents by Inventor Takafumi Kobayashi

Takafumi Kobayashi 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: 20240137128
    Abstract: An optical transmission system including an optical transmission device and an optical reception device that receives, via an optical transmission line, a signal transmitted from the optical transmission device, the optical transmission system including a transmission-mode selection unit that selects transmission mode information in descending order of priority out of transmission mode information, which is combinations of a plurality of parameters concerning transmission performance, the transmission mode information being a plurality of kinds of the transmission mode information common to the transmission performance of the optical transmission device and the optical reception device, a signal transmission unit that transmits, to the optical reception device, a signal modulated based on the selected transmission mode information, and a signal reception unit that receives the signal and modulates the received signal based on the transmission mode information selected by the transmission-mode selection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Tetsuro Inui, Hideki Nishizawa, Seiji Okamoto, Akira Hirano, Shokei Kobayashi, Fumikazu Inuzuka, Seiki Kuwabara, Takafumi Tanaka, Kei Kitamura, Takuya Oda
  • Publication number: 20240110951
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive effect element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductors each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi KOBAYASHI, Norikazu OTA, Kenzo MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20240069478
    Abstract: A sheet type discrimination device includes: a first light source unit that irradiates a sheet with light having a first wavelength and light having a second wavelength; a detection unit that detects light from the sheet and acquires a detection value based on the light; and a control unit that derives a determination result of a type of the sheet, wherein the first light source unit and the detection unit are located on a same side with respect to the sheet, the detection value includes: a first detection value; and a second detection value, and the control unit discriminates first-type recycled paper by first processing using the first detection value, and discriminates second-type recycled paper different from the first-type recycled paper by second processing using the second detection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Daisuke KOBAYASHI, Shohei DOKIYA, Makoto OOKI, Takafumi YUASA, Takaki UEMURA, Masahiko TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 11913373
    Abstract: A variable capacity turbocharger includes a housing, a turbine impeller at least partially located in the housing, a scroll flow path located in the housing and encircling the turbine impeller, a first nozzle ring and a second nozzle ring facing each other in the housing, a nozzle flow path located between the first nozzle ring and the second nozzle ring and fluidly coupling the scroll flow path to the turbine impeller, a gap formed between the first nozzle ring and the housing, and a bearing hole located in the first nozzle ring and including an opening adjacent to the gap. The gap is located on an opposite side of the first nozzle ring to the nozzle flow path. Additionally, the gap is connected to the scroll flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Katsunori Hayashi, Yuji Kobayashi, Takafumi Ueda, Kazuhiro Onitsuka, Fumihiko Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 11885835
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive dal element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductor each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi Kobayashi, Norikazu Ota, Kenzo Makino
  • Publication number: 20230358827
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit that outputs an output magnetic field, a magnetic field detection unit that the output magnetic field can be applied, and a magnetic shield that shields external magnetic fields. The length of the magnetic field conversion unit in the third direction is greater than the length in the second direction. The magnetic shield overlaps the magnetic field conversion unit and the magnetic field detection unit. The magnetic field detection unit includes a Wheatstone bridge circuit in which a first bridge circuit including first and second magnetic field detection units and a second bridge circuit including third and fourth magnetic field detection units are connected in parallel. The first through fourth magnetic field detection units include two magnetoresistive units, and two of the magnetoresistive units have magnetoresistive effect elements that include magnetization fixed layers whose magnetization directions differ from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Takafumi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11747409
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit that outputs an output magnetic field, a magnetic field detection unit that the output magnetic field can be applied, and a magnetic shield that shields external magnetic fields. The length of the magnetic field conversion unit in the third direction is greater than the length in the second direction. The magnetic shield overlaps the magnetic field conversion unit and the magnetic field detection unit. The magnetic field detection unit includes a Wheatstone bridge circuit in which a first bridge circuit including first and second magnetic field detection units and a second bridge circuit including third and fourth magnetic field detection units are connected in parallel. The first through fourth magnetic field detection units include two magnetoresistive units, and two of the magnetoresistive units have magnetoresistive effect elements that include magnetization fixed layers whose magnetization directions differ from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Takafumi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20230176151
    Abstract: A method of designing a magnetic sensor that can easily accommodate various design conditions is provided. The method has: preparing magnetic sensors, wherein, for each magnetic sensor, magnetization directions of the first to fourth magnetically pinned layers form first to fourth angles ?1 to ?4 relative to a specific reference angle, respectively, and ?1=?3, ?2=?4, ?1??2, and each magnetic sensor has a value of ?1-?2 that is different from values of ?1-?2 of remaining magnetic sensors, for each magnetic sensor, obtaining a relationship between an angular range of the magnetization direction of the first to fourth magnetically free layers and an output range of the magnetic sensor, wherein the angular range satisfies a specific linear relationship between the magnetization direction and the output of the magnetic sensor, and selecting a magnetic sensor that satisfies required conditions for the angular range and the output range from among the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi UMEHARA, Kentaro HARADA, Takafumi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20230135336
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element and a support member. A top surface of the support member includes an inclined portion. The MR element includes an MR element main body, a lower electrode, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a first end closest to a lower end of the inclined portion and a second end closest to an upper end of the inclined portion. The MR element main body is located at a position closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo MAKINO, Takafumi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11598827
    Abstract: A method of designing a magnetic sensor that can easily accommodate various design conditions is provided. The method has: preparing magnetic sensors, wherein, for each magnetic sensor, magnetization directions of the first to fourth magnetically pinned layers form first to fourth angles ?1 to ?4 relative to a specific reference angle, respectively, and ?1=?3, ?2=?4, ?1??2, and each magnetic sensor has a value of ?1-?2 that is different from values of 01-02 of remaining magnetic sensors, for each magnetic sensor, obtaining a relationship between an angular range of the magnetization direction of the first to fourth magnetically free layers and an output range of the magnetic sensor, wherein the angular range satisfies a specific linear relationship between the magnetization direction and the output of the magnetic sensor, and selecting a magnetic sensor that satisfies required conditions for the angular range and the output range from among the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Umehara, Kentaro Harada, Takafumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11573276
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element and a support member. A top surface of the support member includes an inclined portion. The MR element includes an MR element main body, a lower electrode, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a first end closest to a lower end of the inclined portion and a second end closest to an upper end of the inclined portion. The MR element main body is located at a position closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo Makino, Takafumi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20220349921
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive dal element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductor each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi KOBAYASHI, Norikazu OTA, Kenzo MAKINO
  • Patent number: 11459169
    Abstract: In an aircraft water tank, a mouthpiece is attached to an inner liner, and an overflowing adhesive is received in an annular missing portion provided to an expanded portion of the mouthpiece through the gap between a skirt portion and the inner liner. Further, a sealant fills the part of the annular missing portion, which is exposed from an end of a plate portion for the expanded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hayato Kato, Takafumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11422166
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive effect element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductors each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi Kobayashi, Norikazu Ota, Kenzo Makino
  • Publication number: 20220260654
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit that outputs an output magnetic field, a magnetic field detection unit that the output magnetic field can be applied, and a magnetic shield that shields external magnetic fields. The length of the magnetic field conversion unit in the third direction is greater than the length in the second direction. The magnetic shield overlaps the magnetic field conversion unit and the magnetic field detection unit. The magnetic field detection unit includes a Wheatstone bridge circuit in which a first bridge circuit including first and second magnetic field detection units and a second bridge circuit including third and fourth magnetic field detection units are connected in parallel. The first through fourth magnetic field detection units include two magnetoresistive units, and two of the magnetoresistive units have magnetoresistive effect elements that include magnetization fixed layers whose magnetization directions differ from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Takafumi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20220229124
    Abstract: A method of designing a magnetic sensor that can easily accommodate various design conditions is provided. The method has: preparing magnetic sensors, wherein, for each magnetic sensor, magnetization directions of the first to fourth magnetically pinned layers form first to fourth angles ?1 to ?4 relative to a specific reference angle, respectively, and ?1=?3, ?2=?4, ?1??2, and each magnetic sensor has a value of ?1-?2 that is different from values of 01-02 of remaining magnetic sensors, for each magnetic sensor, obtaining a relationship between an angular range of the magnetization direction of the first to fourth magnetically free layers and an output range of the magnetic sensor, wherein the angular range satisfies a specific linear relationship between the magnetization direction and the output of the magnetic sensor, and selecting a magnetic sensor that satisfies required conditions for the angular range and the output range from among the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi UMEHARA, Kentaro HARADA, Takafumi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11385303
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a conductor that constitutes a coil, and a detection circuit including a plurality of MR elements. The coil includes an upper coil portion. The upper coil portion includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. An average cross-sectional area of the upper coil portion in the first conductor portion of the upper coil portion is smaller than that of the upper coil portion in the second conductor portion. The first conductor portion is located at a position where a first partial magnetic field occurring from the first conductor portion is applied to an MR element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo Makino, Takafumi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20210302511
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element and a support member. A top surface of the support member includes an inclined portion. The MR element includes an MR element main body, a lower electrode, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a first end closest to a lower end of the inclined portion and a second end closest to an upper end of the inclined portion. The MR element main body is located at a position closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo MAKINO, Takafumi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20210293857
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive effect element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductors each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi KOBAYASHI, Norikazu OTA, Kenzo MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20210293902
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a conductor that constitutes a coil, and a detection circuit including a plurality of MR elements. The coil includes an upper coil portion. The upper coil portion includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. An average cross-sectional area of the upper coil portion in the first conductor portion of the upper coil portion is smaller than that of the upper coil portion in the second conductor portion. The first conductor portion is located at a position where a first partial magnetic field occurring from the first conductor portion is applied to an MR element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo MAKINO, Takafumi KOBAYASHI, Hiroshi YAMAZAKI