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).
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Patent number: 10576873Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a laser light source that is able to emit laser light and emits laser light generated by the laser light source forward from an emission end, and an optical mechanism that performs scanning with the laser light and depicts a figure in an irradiation destination.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Toshiaki Tsuda, Noriko Sato, Masanobu Mizuno, Osamu Kuboyama, Takeshi Masuda
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Patent number: 10569695Abstract: A converter controller controls a switching converter. A current detection circuit generates a current detection signal VCS that corresponds to a coil current IL of the switching converter. An error amplifier amplifies the difference between the current detection signal VCS and an analog signal VADIM that indicates a current to be supplied to a semiconductor light source, so as to generate an error signal VERR. A hysteresis comparator compares the current detection signal VCS with an upper threshold signal VTHH and a lower threshold signal VTHL determined according to the error signal VERR, and generates a control pulse SCNT that corresponds to a comparison result. A driver drives a switching transistor according to the control pulse SCNT.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Satoshi Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20200010012Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a laser light source that is able to emit laser light and emits laser light generated by the laser light source forward from an emission end, and an optical mechanism that performs scanning with the laser light and depicts a figure in an irradiation destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Toshiaki TSUDA, Noriko SATO, Masanobu MIZUNO, Osamu KUBOYAMA, Takeshi MASUDA
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Patent number: 10531547Abstract: A first light source illuminates a first region. A second light source is configured to provide lower luminance than that of the first light source. The second light source illuminates a second region that overlaps the first region, and that has a larger area than that of the first region. A lighting circuit drives the first light source and the second light source according to a common lighting instruction. The lighting circuit gradually turns on the first light source and the second light source with different gradual changing time periods in response to the lighting instruction.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Masayasu Ito, Naoki Tatara, Satoshi Yamamura
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Patent number: 10530564Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes: a data frame sequence generation part that generates a data frame sequence; a synchronization frame generation part that generates a synchronization frame constituted by n synchronization words each being either a first synchronization word or an inverted one of the first synchronization word; a communication frame generation part that generates a communication frame by adding the synchronization frame to a top portion of the data frame sequence; and a transmission part that transmits the communication frame. A reception apparatus includes: a reception part that receives the communication frame as a reception frame; a first synchronization detection part that performs first synchronization detection by detecting an arrangement pattern of the synchronization words in the synchronization frame of the reception frame; and a data reproduction part that reproduces data included in the reception frame according to the first synchronization detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20200006800Abstract: Secondary battery includes: battery electrode assembly that has a quadrangular planar shape, and includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode laminated with a separator interposed therebetween; and an exterior container that is formed of flexible films, and contains battery electrode assembly. The exterior container has recessed emboss portion that contains battery electrode assembly therein. Four corners of an outer peripheral portion of battery electrode assembly are either folded to be contained inside emboss portion, or inserted between flexible films outside emboss portion. A length of at least one side among four sides forming the quadrangular planar shape of battery electrode assembly is shorter than an inner dimension of emboss portion in the direction in which the one side extends.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA
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Patent number: 10510997Abstract: A film-covered battery houses, in a film covering material 4 obtained by stacking a heat sealing layer 13, a barrier layer 12, and a protective layer 11, a battery element 6 obtained by arranging positive and negative electrodes through separators and has a sealing portion that seals a periphery of the film covering material 4 housing the battery element 6. The sealing portion 18 includes an agglomeration/sealing portion 19 and a first interface bonding portion 15 provided so as to be adjacent to the battery element housing portion side of the agglomeration/sealing portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Ikuo Kojima
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Patent number: 10457193Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a laser light source that is able to emit laser light and emits laser light generated by the laser light source forward from an emission end. The vehicle lamp includes a light-shielding member that shields the emission end from light from above to at least a horizontal position in front of the emission end.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Toshiaki Tsuda, Noriko Sato, Masanobu Mizuno, Osamu Kuboyama, Takeshi Masuda
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Patent number: 10454129Abstract: Secondary battery 1 includes: battery electrode assembly 5 that has a quadrangular planar shape, and includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode laminated with a separator interposed therebetween; and an exterior container that is formed of flexible films 7, and contains battery electrode assembly 5. The exterior container has recessed emboss portion 8 that contains battery electrode assembly 5 therein. Four corners 4a of an outer peripheral portion of battery electrode assembly 5 are either folded to be contained inside emboss portion 8, or inserted between flexible films 7 outside emboss portion 8. A length of at least one side among four sides forming the quadrangular planar shape of battery electrode assembly 5 is shorter than an inner dimension of emboss portion 8 in the direction in which the one side extends.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10420196Abstract: A lighting circuit for a light source includes a drive circuit that supplies a lamp current to the light source, detects the lamp current, and executes feedback control such that the lamp current approaches a target current, and an overcurrent protection circuit that is inserted between the drive circuit and the light source and that restricts the lamp current flowing into the light source so that the lamp current does not exceed an overcurrent threshold value. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a transistor, an inductor, a rectifier, a current sensor that generates a current detection signal according to the lamp current, and an overcurrent protection controller that controls ON/OFF of the transistor based on the current detection signal and the overcurrent threshold value. The transistor, the inductor and the rectifier are disposed in a T-shape.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20190274209Abstract: A first light source illuminates a first region. A second light source is configured to provide lower luminance than that of the first light source. The second light source illuminates a second region that overlaps the first region, and that has a larger area than that of the first region. A lighting circuit drives the first light source and the second light source according to a common lighting instruction. The lighting circuit gradually turns on the first light source and the second light source with different gradual changing time periods in response to the lighting instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Masayasu ITO, Naoki TATARA, Satoshi Yamamura
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Patent number: 10391936Abstract: A first photosensor is sensitive to the wavelength of excitation light, insensitive to the wavelength of fluorescent light, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a first current corresponding to the amount of light received. A second photosensor is sensitive to the fluorescent light wavelength, insensitive to excitation light wavelength, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a second current corresponding to the received light amount. A first current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a first detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a first resistor. A second current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a second detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a second resistor. If (i) a relation between the magnitudes of the first detection voltage and the second detection voltage has reversed, or (ii) if the first detection voltage deviates from a normal voltage range, a judgment unit asserts an abnormality detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10383193Abstract: A lighting circuit utilizes a buck converter that supplies a drive current to a light source and is feedback-controlled so that the drive current comes close to a target current. An open-circuit detection circuit compares a potential difference between and input voltage and an output voltage of the buck converter with a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20190161006Abstract: A first photosensor is sensitive to the wavelength of excitation light, insensitive to the wavelength of fluorescent light, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a first current corresponding to the amount of light received. A second photosensor is sensitive to the fluorescent light wavelength, insensitive to excitation light wavelength, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a second current corresponding to the received light amount. A first current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a first detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a first resistor. A second current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a second detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a second resistor. If (i) a relation between the magnitudes of the first detection voltage and the second detection voltage has reversed, or (ii) if the first detection voltage deviates from a normal voltage range, a judgment unit asserts an abnormality detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA
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Patent number: 10305072Abstract: A heat-sealable insulating film for installation in a secondary battery including a positive electrode member and a negative electrode member being formed from a collector foil and an active material layer formed to cover one end on the collector foil, wherein an adhesive layer is adhered by heat-sealing to cover at least a boundary of an exposed part of the collector foil and the active material layer of the positive electrode member or the negative electrode member, a peripheral edge of the positive electrode member or the negative electrode member has a cross-sectional surface including the collector foil and the insulating film, and the insulating film consists of at least two layers of a base material layer made of a polyolefin resin and the adhesive layer made of a polyolefin resin modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignees: Toray Advanced Film Co., Ltd., Automotive Energy Supply CorporationInventors: Youichi Matsuura, Yoshitaka Fukagai, Satoshi Yamada, Etsuo Ogami, Satoshi Okano, Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20190110345Abstract: A load driving apparatus receives an input voltage from a power supply, and supplies electric power to a load under processor control. The processor outputs first and second signals via first and second pins in a conjunction such that they are negated when the load is instructed to suspend operation. An output circuit supplies electric power to the load. A protection switch is provided on a driving path that extends from the power supply to the load and returns to the power supply. When the first signal is asserted (negated), a control circuit sets the output circuit to an operation state (suspension state). The control circuit turns on the protection switch on assertion of the second signal, and turns it off on negation of this signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki ICHIKAWA, Toshiaki TSUDA
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Patent number: 10247381Abstract: An automotive lamp includes: a light source; a light emitting member that receives light from the light source and emits light; and a support member that supports the light emitting member. The support member includes a translucent light emitting member accommodating unit. The light emitting member accommodating unit includes a recess in which the light emitting member is accommodated. A light incidence surface and side surfaces of the light emitting member are in contact with the light emitting member accommodating unit in a state in which the light emitting member is accommodated in the recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuda, Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10237938Abstract: A drive circuit is configured to drive a light emitting unit which is provided in a vehicle lamp and includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements connected in series. The drive circuit includes a drive voltage generation unit configured to reduce an input voltage from a battery to generate a drive voltage for driving the semiconductor light emitting elements, and a control unit configured to perform ON/OFF control for a bypass switch connected in parallel to a part of the semiconductor light emitting elements and to perform interlock dimming control when the input voltage becomes a first threshold value or lower. The interlock dimming control selects a dimming mode and increases an ON ratio per unit time of the bypass switch as the input voltage drops in the dimming mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10230250Abstract: A charging apparatus comprises a charge control unit. The charge control unit charges a secondary battery at a first current value until the voltage of the secondary battery reaches a predetermined first voltage value. The charge control unit, on detecting that the voltage has reached the first voltage value, performs control to charge the secondary battery at a second current value that is lower than the first current value, until a predetermined second voltage value is reached.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignees: NEC Corporation, NEC Energy Devices, Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Shiraishi, Takuya Hasegawa, Tomoyuki Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10220779Abstract: A first photosensor is sensitive to the wavelength of excitation light, insensitive to the wavelength of fluorescent light, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a first current corresponding to the amount of light received. A second photosensor is sensitive to the fluorescent light wavelength, insensitive to excitation light wavelength, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a second current corresponding to the received light amount. A first current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a first detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a first resistor. A second current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a second detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a second resistor. If (i) a relation between the magnitudes of the first detection voltage and the second detection voltage has reversed, or (ii) if the first detection voltage deviates from a normal voltage range, a judgment unit asserts an abnormality detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa