Patents by Inventor Tomoyuki Ichikawa

Tomoyuki Ichikawa 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: 20230057635
    Abstract: A process management method includes a work time acquisition step, an image acquisition step, and an association step. The work time acquisition step includes acquiring work time information about a work time for which a person performs work, including a predetermined operation, in a work area. The image acquisition step includes acquiring image information about an image captured by an image capture device and covering at least the work area. The association step includes associating the work time information acquired in the work time acquisition step and the image information acquired in the image acquisition step with each other as association information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka HAYASHI, Masashi NAKAYAMA, Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Yu OGASAWARA
  • Patent number: 11558943
    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: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Ryosuke Matsuhana, Satoshi Kikuchi, Naoki Kawabata, Norito Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20220353966
    Abstract: An automotive lamp includes a temperature-sensing element having an electrical state that changes according to the temperature T of a semiconductor light source, and a constant current driver that generates a driving current ILED that corresponds to the temperature T. The maximum value of the temperature differential of the driving current ILED in a first temperature range from a reference temperature T0 to a first temperature T1 (T1>T0) is smaller than the maximum value of the temperature differential of the driving current ILED in a second temperature range from the first temperature T1 to a second temperature T2 (T2>T1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Toru ITO, Atsushi OZAWA
  • Patent number: 11477871
    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: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Ryosuke Matsuhana, Satoshi Kikuchi, Naoki Kawabata, Norito Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20220271327
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary battery of the present invention includes at least four steps as follows: an initial charging step of charging the lithium-ion secondary battery, which has not been subjected to initial charging, under a temperature environment ranging of equal to or higher than ?20° C. and equal to or lower than 15° C.; an aging step of leaving the lithium-ion secondary battery under a temperature environment ranging of equal to or higher than 30° C. and equal to or lower than 80° C. after the initial charging step; a short circuit detecting step of detecting the presence or absence of a short circuit of the lithium-ion secondary battery by measuring a voltage drop quantity of the lithium-ion secondary battery and comparing the voltage drop quantity with a reference value; and a sorting step of sorting out a lithium-ion secondary battery in which no short circuit is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: ENVISION AESC JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Shinsuke ENOMOTO, Naoyuki IWATA
  • Patent number: 11355783
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary battery of the present invention includes at least four steps as follows: an initial charging step of charging the lithium-ion secondary battery, which has not been subjected to initial charging, under a temperature environment ranging of equal to or higher than ?20° C. and equal to or lower than 15° C.; an aging step of leaving the lithium-ion secondary battery under a temperature environment ranging of equal to or higher than 30° C. and equal to or lower than 80° C. after the initial charging step; a short circuit detecting step of detecting the presence or absence of a short circuit of the lithium-ion secondary battery by measuring a voltage drop quantity of the lithium-ion secondary battery and comparing the voltage drop quantity with a reference value; and a sorting step of sorting out a lithium-ion secondary battery in which no short circuit is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ENVISION AESC JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Shinsuke Enomoto, Naoyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 11350505
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source includes multiple light-emitting elements coupled in series. A driving circuit receives an input voltage, and supplies a driving current to the semiconductor light source. A bypass circuit is coupled to a part of the multiple light-emitting elements. When a low-voltage state occurs, the bypass circuit is set to the enabled state, thereby bypassing the driving current. An auxiliary power supply circuit is coupled in series with the part of the multiple light-emitting elements. When an expected current does not flow through the auxiliary power supply circuit after the bypass circuit is set to the disabled state, a judgement unit judges that an open-circuit fault has occurred in the part of the multiple light-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20220154905
    Abstract: A light source module is switchable between a high beam and a low beam, and is mounted on a vehicle. A first light source is arranged such that its output light is irradiated to a low-beam region by a first optical system. A second light source is arranged such that its output light is irradiated to a high-beam region by a second optical system. A lighting circuit supplies a driving current to the first light source in response to a turn-on instruction for either the high beam or the low beam. Furthermore, the lighting circuit supplies the output current to the second light source in response to a turn-on instruction for the high beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Norikazu SAITO, Atsushi OZAWA
  • Publication number: 20220156677
    Abstract: A process management system includes a first acquirer, a second acquirer, and a processing unit. The first acquirer is configured to acquire first time information on an amount of time for which a person is present in a work area. The second acquirer is configured to acquire second time information on an amount of motion time for which the person makes a prescribed motion in the work area. The processing unit acquires, in accordance with the first time information and the second time information, work information on work which the person carries out, the work including the prescribed motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Masataka HAYASHI, Masashi NAKAYAMA, Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20220090767
    Abstract: A light-emitting module includes: a semiconductor light-emitting element; a circuit board on which a lighting control circuit configured to perform control to turn on and off the semiconductor light-emitting element is provided; and an element metal plate on which the semiconductor light-emitting element is mounted. The circuit board is a resin substrate in which a wiring portion connecting the semiconductor light-emitting element and the lighting control circuit is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Suzuki, Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20220030684
    Abstract: An automotive lamp includes a first semiconductor light source and a second semiconductor light source configured to emit different colors, and to mix the two colors, so as to generate mixed-color light. A first driving circuit supplies a first driving current stabilized to a first target amount to the first semiconductor light source. A second driving circuit supplies a second driving current stabilized to a second target amount to the second semiconductor light source. Upon detecting an abnormal non-lighting state in the first semiconductor light source, the first abnormal state detection circuit stops the operation of the second driving circuit. Upon detecting an abnormal non-lighting state in the second semiconductor light source, the second abnormal state detection circuit stops the operation of the first driving circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20220022300
    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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Ryosuke MATSUHANA, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Naoki KAWABATA, Norito TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20220022299
    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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Ryosuke MATSUHANA, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Naoki KAWABATA, Norito TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20210410248
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source and a constant current circuit are arranged in series between an input terminal and a ground terminal. When an input voltage at the input terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a load dump circuit cuts off or reduces a current that flows through the constant current circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Tetsuya SUZUKI, Atsushi OZAWA, Toru ITO
  • Patent number: 11197356
    Abstract: This lighting circuit comprises a current source and a thermal sensing element. The thermal sensing element senses the temperature of a semiconductor light source. The current source generates a drive current that shows a positive correlation with the temperature when the temperature is in a normal range and that shows a negative correlation with the temperature when the temperature falls within a temperature range higher than the normal range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACIURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Masato Harazaki
  • Publication number: 20210376426
    Abstract: In an initial state, a battery is in the following state. A laminate has a thickness T0 from a first electrode to a first electrode. A first position is spaced from the end portion of a separator on the first position side by a distance L0 in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the laminate. The end portion of a separator on the first position side protrudes toward the first position from the end portion of the second electrode on the first position side, by a distance G in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the laminate. The laminate is designed such that, even if the laminate swells in the thickness direction of the laminate, the thickness of the laminate from the first electrode to the first electrode is smaller than 4×{(T0/2)2+L02?(L0?G)2}1/2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210378070
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Satoshi KIKUCHI, Ryosuke MATSUHANA
  • Patent number: 11046236
    Abstract: The light source of the present disclosure spot-irradiates a distant place in front of a vehicle. The turn on/off circuit supplies a driving current ILD to the light source 120 to turn on the light source. The swivel mechanism swivels the light source. The turn on/off circuit reduces a light quantity of the light source as a swivel angle ? of the swivel mechanism is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20210168918
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source includes multiple light-emitting elements coupled in series. A driving circuit receives an input voltage, and supplies a driving current to the semiconductor light source. A bypass circuit is coupled to a part of the multiple light-emitting elements. When a low-voltage state occurs, the bypass circuit is set to the enabled state, thereby bypassing the driving current. An auxiliary power supply circuit is coupled in series with the part of the multiple light-emitting elements. When an expected current does not flow through the auxiliary power supply circuit after the bypass circuit is set to the disabled state, a judgement unit judges that an open-circuit fault has occurred in the part of the multiple light-emitting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210160989
    Abstract: A driving circuit receives an input voltage, and supplies a driving current to a semiconductor light source. A plurality of m (m?2) bypass switches are coupled in parallel with multiple light-emitting elements, respectively. A bypass control unit generates m-phase gate pulse signals having a duty cycle that corresponds to the input voltage and phases shifted in increments of 360°/m, and controls the m bypass switches according to the m-phase gate pulse signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA