Patents by Inventor Tomio Aoki

Tomio Aoki 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: 20240139583
    Abstract: A lower limb exercise device that enables a user to perform a lower limb exercise effectively is achieved. A lower limb exercise device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure enables a user to perform a lower limb exercise while the user is seated on a chair. The lower limb exercise device includes exercise equipment for the user to perform the lower limb exercise, and a restriction mechanism configured to restrict movement of at least one caster of the chair from a reference arrangement range of the caster during the lower limb exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eisuke AOKI, Tomio Ikeda, Tadashi Odashima, Takahiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 11969372
    Abstract: A knee brace includes a thigh fixing part, a shank fixing part, an outer leg joint that couples the thigh fixing part with the shank fixing part, and an inner leg joint that couples the thigh fixing part with the shank fixing part. When the wearer P flexes his/her knee joint, a lower arm is rotated with respect to an upper arm along with a rotation fulcrum shaft sliding in a long groove and a cam shaft sliding in a cam groove. When the outer leg joint and the inner leg joint are extended, the lower arm of the outer leg joint is configured to be moved relatively forward with respect to the lower arm of the inner leg joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eisuke Aoki, Takahiro Takeda, Tomio Ikeda, Tadashi Odashima
  • Patent number: 11911331
    Abstract: A leg brace configured to be attached to a leg of a user, includes a rear thigh link extending along a thigh of the user, and a lower-leg link rotatably connected to the rear thigh link and extending along a lower leg of the user. A handle is provided in the thigh link, the handle being configured to project forward when the user is in the sitting position. The rear thigh link and the lower-leg link are connected to each other near the knee joint of the user. Specifically, the rear thigh link and the lower-leg link are connected to each other at a rear connection part disposed near the knee joint. Further, the rear thigh link and the handle are also connected to each other near the knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eisuke Aoki, Tomio Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20240065083
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a display device that can enhance thermal diffusion performance of a display panel in its plane direction. The display device includes a plate-shaped display cell that displays an image, and a thin plate-shaped heat conduction member stuck on a rear face side of the display cell. The heat conduction member is formed with a thickness of approximately 0.3 to 1.0 mm. The technology according to the present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a television receiver or a display in which an OLED cell is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ikuma, Song Han, Yohei Shimizu, Yoshimi Saito, Yuji Arai, Tomio Aoki, Yasutake Furukoshi
  • Patent number: 10923050
    Abstract: A surface light source device which illuminates a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit from the back surface includes P×Q surface light source units with individually controlled light sources. Each of the light sources includes a plurality of light-emitting element units. Each of the light-emitting element units includes at least one red light-emitting element that emits red light, at least one green light-emitting element that emits green light, and at least one blue light-emitting element that emits blue light. The center of mass of a luminance profile based on each of a plurality of red light-emitting elements, a plurality of green light-emitting elements, and a plurality of blue light-emitting elements in each surface light source unit substantially coincides with the center of mass of the surface light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masatake Hayashi, Shozo Masuda, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20200234661
    Abstract: A surface light source device which illuminates a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit from the back surface includes P×Q surface light source units with individually controlled light sources. Each of the light sources includes a plurality of light-emitting element units. Each of the light-emitting element units includes at least one red light-emitting element that emits red light, at least one green light-emitting element that emits green light, and at least one blue light-emitting element that emits blue light. The center of mass of a luminance profile based on each of a plurality of red light-emitting elements, a plurality of green light-emitting elements, and a plurality of blue light-emitting elements in each surface light source unit substantially coincides with the center of mass of the surface light source unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masatake Hayashi, Shozo Masuda, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 10650756
    Abstract: A surface light source device which illuminates a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit from the back surface includes P×Q surface light source units with individually controlled light sources. Each of the light sources includes a plurality of light-emitting element units. Each of the light-emitting element units includes at least one red light-emitting element that emits red light, at least one green light-emitting element that emits green light, and at least one blue light-emitting element that emits blue light. The center of mass of a luminance profile based on each of a plurality of red light-emitting elements, a plurality of green light-emitting elements, and a plurality of blue light-emitting elements in each surface light source unit substantially coincides with the center of mass of the surface light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masatake Hayashi, Shozo Masuda, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8400392
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight control apparatus for controlling a backlight used in a liquid crystal display, the backlight having a lighting area that includes a plurality of blocks in each of which a backlight luminance is individually allowed to change. The apparatus includes a backlight control unit that calculates the backlight luminance of each block so that the absolute value of the difference between a backlight lighting ratio and 1 is at or below a first value, and controls the backlight so as to yield the calculated backlight luminances of the respective blocks, the backlight lighting ratio being the ratio between backlight set values of neighboring blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kimura, Masatake Hayashi, Tomio Aoki, Yoshihiro Katsu, Mitsuyasu Asano
  • Patent number: 8334942
    Abstract: A backlight device and a liquid crystal display are provided. A liquid crystal display apparatus including a direct backlight device which has an LED assembled into a light-guiding plate and in which an brightness uniformity is controlled or improved is provided by controlling or improving the brightness uniformity. A backlight device 10 includes a light emitting diode 21 as a light source assembled into a light-guiding plate 30, in which an edge portion 32 on the bottom surface 30B side of a concave portion 31 in a light-guiding plate 30, where the light emitting diode 21 is assembled, is formed at to have the shape of an inclined or curved surface that has an angle except a right angle with respect to the bottom surface 30B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomio Aoki
  • Publication number: 20100033649
    Abstract: A surface light source device which illuminates a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit from the back surface includes P×Q surface light source units with individually controlled light sources. Each of the light sources includes a plurality of light-emitting element units. Each of the light-emitting element units includes at least one red light-emitting element that emits red light, at least one green light-emitting element that emits green light, and at least one blue light-emitting element that emits blue light. The center of mass of a luminance profile based on each of a plurality of red light-emitting elements, a plurality of green light-emitting elements, and a plurality of blue light-emitting elements in each surface light source unit substantially coincides with the center of mass of the surface light source unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masatake Hayashi, Shozo Masuda, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7658529
    Abstract: A surface light source device which illuminates a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit from the back surface includes P×Q surface light source units with individually controlled light sources. Each of the light sources includes a plurality of light-emitting element units. Each of the light-emitting element units includes at least one red light-emitting element that emits red light, at least one green light-emitting element that emits green light, and at least one blue light-emitting element that emits blue light. The center of mass of a luminance profile based on each of a plurality of red light-emitting elements, a plurality of green light-emitting elements, and a plurality of blue light-emitting elements in each surface light source unit substantially coincides with the center of mass of the surface light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masatake Hayashi, Shozo Masuda, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7438450
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly includes a liquid crystal display, and a surface light source device that illuminates the liquid crystal display from a back surface. The surface light source device includes a housing including a bottom plate, a light source that is arranged on the bottom plate and illuminates the liquid crystal display, and a plurality of radiator fins arranged at a spacing from each other. Each of the radiator fins includes a first fin portion formed by bending a part of the bottom plate in a direction away from the liquid crystal display, the first fin portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the bottom plate, and a second fin portion formed by bending a part of the first fin portion in a direction away from the liquid crystal display, the second fin portion extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masayoshi Morita
  • Publication number: 20080129680
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight control apparatus for controlling a backlight used in a liquid crystal display, the backlight having a lighting area that includes a plurality of blocks in each of which a backlight luminance is individually allowed to change. The apparatus includes a backlight control unit that calculates the backlight luminance of each block so that the absolute value of the difference between a backlight lighting ratio and 1 is at or below a first value, and controls the backlight so as to yield the calculated backlight luminances of the respective blocks, the backlight lighting ratio being the ratio between backlight set values of neighboring blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kimura, Masatake Hayashi, Tomio Aoki, Yoshihiro Katsu, Mitsuyasu Asano
  • Publication number: 20080123022
    Abstract: A surface light source device which illuminates a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit from the back surface includes P×Q surface light source units with individually controlled light sources. Each of the light sources includes a plurality of light-emitting element units. Each of the light-emitting element units includes at least one red light-emitting element that emits red light, at least one green light-emitting element that emits green light, and at least one blue light-emitting element that emits blue light. The center of mass of a luminance profile based on each of a plurality of red light-emitting elements, a plurality of green light-emitting elements, and a plurality of blue light-emitting elements in each surface light source unit substantially coincides with the center of mass of the surface light source unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masatake Hayashi, Shozo Masuda, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20070279930
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly includes a liquid crystal display, and a surface light source device that illuminates the liquid crystal display from a back surface. The surface light source device includes a housing including a bottom plate, a light source that is arranged on the bottom plate and illuminates the liquid crystal display, and a plurality of radiator fins arranged at a spacing from each other. Each of the radiator fins includes a first fin portion formed by bending a part of the bottom plate in a direction away from the liquid crystal display, the first fin portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the bottom plate, and a second fin portion formed by bending a part of the first fin portion in a direction away from the liquid crystal display, the second fin portion extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Aoki, Masayoshi Morita
  • Publication number: 20060203513
    Abstract: A backlight device and a liquid crystal display are provided. A liquid crystal display apparatus including a direct backlight device which has an LED assembled into a light-guiding plate and in which an brightness uniformity is controlled or improved is provided by controlling or improving the brightness uniformity. A backlight device 10 includes a light emitting diode 21 as a light source assembled into a light-guiding plate 30, in which an edge portion 32 on the bottom surface 30B side of a concave portion 31 in a light-guiding plate 30, where the light emitting diode 21 is assembled, is formed at to have the shape of an inclined or curved surface that has an angle except a right angle with respect to the bottom surface 30B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventor: Tomio Aoki
  • Patent number: 5968661
    Abstract: A steel sheet for a heat-shrink band, which is to be thermally expanded and fitted over the outer periphery of the panel portion of a cathode ray tube, which has at least a 20% elongation at an ambient temperature and at least a 40 kg/mm.sup.2 stress of yielding point after the heating and cooling, in particular one comprised by a dual phase cold rolled steel sheet comprising a ferrite phase and a martensite phase or a cold rolled steel sheet containing a retained austenite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Saito, Shiro Kenmotsu, Tomio Aoki, Kunikazu Tomita, Yasuyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 5965974
    Abstract: A heat-shrink band for a cathode ray tube (CRT) has a light weight, corrects the deformation of an object, such as a panel of a CRT due to the air pressure, effectively prevents implosion of the CRT, can suppress the color deviation, and in addition is excellent in formability. The method of fabricating the heat-shrink band includes a composition of cold rolled steel sheet such that the heat-shrink band offers both a high elongation characteristic at an ambient temperature and a high stress of yielding point characteristic after the heat-shrink process. The reduction of the weight of the heat-shrink band contributes to an overall reduction of the weight of the CRT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Saito, Shiro Kenmotsu, Tomio Aoki