Patents by Inventor Yoji Oki

Yoji Oki 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: 20230341609
    Abstract: To provide a light guide plate with reduced luminance unevenness. The light guide plate includes: a base portion having a one surface and a light incident surface disposed on one end side of the one surface and intersecting the one surface, and a plurality of convex lenses provided on a side facing the one surface of the base portion, each of the plurality of convex lenses extending in a first direction and aligned along a second direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction, where the base portion includes at least a first region relatively close to the light incident surface and a second region relatively far from the light incident surface, and where the first region is provided with a plurality of first bottom portions that are surfaces disposed between the convex lenses adjacent to each other in the second direction and inclined with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Kazumi CHIJIWA, Yoji OKI, Takeshi ASAKURA, Atsushi KURITA
  • Patent number: 11762240
    Abstract: A side-edge type surface light emitting apparatus includes: a light guide plate having a first light emitting surface, a light distribution controlling surface, and a light incident surface; a light source; an upper prism sheet disposed on the upper side of the light guide plate, the upper prism sheet having multiple first prisms on a lower side and a second light emitting surface on an upper side; and a first lower prism sheet disposed on the lower side of the light guide plate, the first lower prism sheet having multiple second prims on an upper side and a first flat surface on a lower side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lingwei Goh, Yoji Oki
  • Publication number: 20230013111
    Abstract: A side-edge type surface light emitting apparatus includes: a light guide plate having a first light emitting surface, a light distribution controlling surface, and a light incident surface; a light source; an upper prism sheet disposed on the upper side of the light guide plate, the upper prism sheet having multiple first prisms on a lower side and a second light emitting surface on an upper side; and a first lower prism sheet disposed on the lower side of the light guide plate, the first lower prism sheet having multiple second prims on an upper side and a first flat surface on a lower side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Lingwei GOH, Yoji OKI
  • Patent number: 10684405
    Abstract: A side-edge type surface light emitting apparatus includes: a light guide plate having a first light emitting surface, a light distribution controlling surface opposing the first light emitting surface and a light incident surface; a light source disposed on the light incident surface; a first prism sheet having multiple first prisms opposing the first light emitting surface and a second light emitting surface opposing the multiple first prisms; a light absorbing sheet opposing the light distribution controlling surface; and a second prism sheet having a flat surface opposing the light distribution controlling surface and multiple second prisms opposing the light absorbing sheet, the multiple second prisms being perpendicular to the light incident surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoji Oki, Lingwei Goh
  • Publication number: 20190369319
    Abstract: A side-edge type surface light emitting apparatus includes: a light optical plate having a first light emitting surface, a light distribution controlling surface opposing the first light emitting surface and a light incident surface; a light source disposed on the light incident surface; a first prism sheet having multiple first prisms opposing the first light emitting surface and a second light emitting surface opposing the multiple first prisms; a light absorbing sheet opposing the light distribution controlling surface; and a second prism sheet having a flat surface opposing the light distribution controlling surface and multiple second prisms opposing the light absorbing sheet, the multiple second prisms being perpendicular to the light incident surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoji OKI, Lingwei GOH
  • Patent number: 10036844
    Abstract: A surface light source device 100 comprises light sources 10 and 20, a light guide plate 30, and a prism sheet 40. A plurality of ridges 41 are formed on the incident surface of the prism sheet 40. Each ridge 41 includes first and second inclined surfaces 41a and 41b whose inclination angles with respect to a normal line 45a are A1 and A2, respectively, provided that 35.5°?A1?39° and 23°?A2?30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoji Oki, Kazumi Chijiwa
  • Publication number: 20170023725
    Abstract: A surface light source device 100 comprises light sources 10 and 20, a light guide plate 30, and a prism sheet 40. A plurality of ridges 41 are formed on the incident surface of the prism sheet 40. Each ridge 41 includes first and second inclined surfaces 41a and 41b whose inclination angles with respect to a normal line 45a are A1 and A2, respectively, provided that 35.5°?A1?39° and 23°?A2?30°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoji OKI, Kazumi CHIJIWA
  • Patent number: 8922726
    Abstract: A non-spectacled stereoscopic display apparatus includes: a light guide plate having a light distributing face, a light emitting face, and first and second light incident faces; first and second light sources disposed on the first and second light incident faces, respectively; a single-face prism sheet disposed on the light emitting face of the light guide plate; a transmissive display panel disposed on a light emitting face of the single-face prism sheet with no air gap therebetween, the transmissive display panel having a polarizing plate opposing the light emitting face of the single-face prism sheet; and a synchronous drive circuit adapted to synchronize the first and second light sources to display parallax images on the transmissive display panel. A polarizing direction of polarization anisotropy of the light emitting face of the single-face prism sheet coincides with a polarizing direction of the polarizing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Oki, Masatsuna Sawada
  • Patent number: 8847854
    Abstract: A non-spectacled stereoscopic display apparatus includes a light guide plate, first and second light sources, a single-face prism sheet, a transmissive display panel, a synchronous drive circuit adapted to synchronize the first and second light sources to display parallax images on the transmissive display panel, a phase difference plate, and an optically-modulating structure adapted to receive light emitted from the phase difference plate. The optically-modulating structure includes first and second transparent substrates, a prism array provided on the first transparent substrate, a first transparent electrode layer, a second transparent electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer, and first and second alignment layers for performing an aligning process upon liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. The phase difference plate is adapted to rotate a main polarization angle of the single-face prism sheet by a predetermined angle to coincide with an aligning direction of the liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Oki, Yasuo Toko, Masatsuna Sawada
  • Patent number: 8786804
    Abstract: A surface light source device having a local dimming function and an LCD unit using the device can include a light guide having a top surface including a plurality of linear convexes and a bottom surface including a plurality of dots. The device can also include a reflective sheet located adjacent the bottom surface, a prism sheet located adjacent the top surface, a diffusing sheet located adjacent the prism sheet, and a pair of LED light sources located adjacent both light incident surfaces of the light guide and divided into a plurality of groups. Each light emitted from the groups can be configured to be emitted independently from a respective one of local domains on a light-emitting surface of the device. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can provide a surface light source device having a local dimming function with a simple structure as with a conventional edge light type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Sakamoto, Atsushi Omori, Tsuneo Sekiguchi, Yoji Oki
  • Publication number: 20130249961
    Abstract: A non-spectacled stereoscopic display apparatus includes a light guide plate, first and second light sources, a single-face prism sheet, a transmissive display panel, a synchronous drive circuit adapted to synchronize the first and second light sources to display parallax images on the transmissive display panel, a phase difference plate, and an optically-modulating structure adapted to receive light emitted from the phase difference plate. The optically-modulating structure includes first and second transparent substrates, a prism array provided on the first transparent substrate, a first transparent electrode layer, a second transparent electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer, and first and second alignment layers for performing an aligning process upon liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. The phase difference plate is adapted to rotate a main polarization angle of the single-face prism sheet by a predetermined angle to coincide with an aligning direction of the liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoji Oki, Yasuo Toko, Masatsuna Sawada
  • Patent number: 8403550
    Abstract: A surface light source device can be configured to increase front luminance as compared to certain conventional light sources. The surface light source device can include a light guiding plate having a first end surface and a second end surface, a light exiting surface formed to have a light exiting portion and a tapered surface disposed opposite to the light exiting surface. A light source can be disposed along the first end surface of the light guiding plate, and a reflection sheet can be disposed on the tapered surface of the light guiding plate. A prism sheet having a prism surface can face toward the light exiting portion of the light guiding plate. The light exiting portion can be disposed a predetermined entrance length away from the first end surface along the light exiting surface so that the light exiting surface can form a predetermined taper angle with the tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Nakamura, Yoji Oki, Fumitoshi Isobe
  • Patent number: 8368842
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes providing a surface light source device with high brightness that can emit light from both surfaces and an LCD unit having the same qualities. The surface light device can include a light guide having a light incoming surface, a reflecting sheet located adjacent the light guide, a transparent sheet having a light incoming surface located adjacent the reflecting sheet and a light source located toward both light incoming surfaces. Light emitted from the light source can be configured to enter into the light guide and the transparent sheet via the light incoming surfaces. The light can be efficiently emitted in both directions from the light guide and the transparent sheet using the reflecting sheet. Therefore, an LCD unit that includes an LCD located adjacent the light guide and a second display located adjacent the transparent sheet can illuminate displays with higher brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Oki, Atsushi Kurita
  • Publication number: 20130027366
    Abstract: A non-spectacled stereoscopic display apparatus includes: a light guide plate having a light distributing face, a light emitting face, and first and second light incident faces; first and second light sources disposed on the first and second light incident faces, respectively; a single-face prism sheet disposed on the light emitting face of the light guide plate; a transmissive display panel disposed on a light emitting face of the single-face prism sheet with no air gap therebetween, the transmissive display panel having a polarizing plate opposing the light emitting face of the single-face prism sheet; and a synchronous drive circuit adapted to synchronize the first and second light sources to display parallax images on the transmissive display panel. A polarizing direction of polarization anisotropy of the light emitting face of the single-face prism sheet coincides with a polarizing direction of the polarizing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Yoji OKI, Masatsuna SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20120162576
    Abstract: A surface light source device having a local dimming function and an LCD unit using the device can include a light guide having a top surface including a plurality of linear convexes and a bottom surface including a plurality of dots. The device can also include a reflective sheet located adjacent the bottom surface, a prism sheet located adjacent the top surface, a diffusing sheet located adjacent the prism sheet, and a pair of LED light sources located adjacent both light incident surfaces of the light guide and divided into a plurality of groups. Each light emitted from the groups can be configured to be emitted independently from a respective one of local domains on a light-emitting surface of the device. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can provide a surface light source device having a local dimming function with a simple structure as with a conventional edge light type device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Norihiro SAKAMOTO, Atsushi OMORI, Tsuneo SEKIGUCHI, Yoji OKI
  • Publication number: 20110228557
    Abstract: A surface light source device can be configured to increase front luminance as compared to certain conventional light sources. The surface light source device can include a light guiding plate having a first end surface and a second end surface, a light exiting surface formed to have a light exiting portion and a tapered surface disposed opposite to the light exiting surface. A light source can be disposed along the first end surface of the light guiding plate, and a reflection sheet can be disposed on the tapered surface of the light guiding plate. A prism sheet having a prism surface can face toward the light exiting portion of the light guiding plate. The light exiting portion can be disposed a predetermined entrance length away from the first end surface along the light exiting surface so that the light exiting surface can form a predetermined taper angle with the tapered surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: JUNJI NAKAMURA, Yoji Oki, Fumitoshi Isobe
  • Publication number: 20100110334
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes providing a surface light source device with high brightness that can emit light from both surfaces and an LCD unit having the same qualities. The surface light device can include a light guide having a light incoming surface, a reflecting sheet located adjacent the light guide, a transparent sheet having a light incoming surface located adjacent the reflecting sheet and a light source located toward both light incoming surfaces. Light emitted from the light source can be configured to enter into the light guide and the transparent sheet via the light incoming surfaces. The light can be efficiently emitted in both directions from the light guide and the transparent sheet using the reflecting sheet. Therefore, an LCD unit that includes an LCD located adjacent the light guide and a second display located adjacent the transparent sheet can illuminate displays with higher brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Yoji OKI, Atsushi Kurita
  • Patent number: 7094520
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a die suitable for producing an optical panel having an optical pattern (e.g. dots or lines) integrally formed on at least one side of the optical panel, which is, for example, an edge light panel or a light diffusion panel, which is used in a backlight or front light for a liquid crystal display, and various illuminators such as electric signs. According to the present invention, there are provided an optical-panel molding die for integrally forming an optical pattern on at least one side of an optical panel, which comprises a metal substrate and a molding pattern corresponding to said optical pattern and formed of a photosensitive heat-resistant resin on one side of the metal substrate, the whole of the surface having the molding pattern of the metal substrate being covered with a layer of said heat-resistant resin; a process for producing the die; and a process for producing an optical panel by using the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Murata, Yoji Oki
  • Patent number: 6692133
    Abstract: A plane light source apparatus having a lamp as light source and a light guide plate for directing and emitting the light from the lamp, wherein said light guide has a light incident surface opposed to said lamp and where the light from the lamp enters, a light emitting surface for emitting light from the lamp, and an opposed surface opposed to the light emitting surface, said light emitting surface or said opposed surface extends in the direction opposed to said light incident surface, has a plurality of convexoconcave portions formed to collect substantially light propagating in said light guide plate, and said convexoconcave portions have a flat face formed at the bottom of the concave portion or at the top face of the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Katsu, Masaki Ohshima, Masaru Suzuki, Yoji Oki, Yasuyuki Daigo
  • Publication number: 20030173690
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a die suitable for producing an optical panel having an optical pattern (e.g. dots or lines) integrally formed on at least one side of the optical panel, which is, for example, an edge light panel or a light diffusion panel, which is used in a backlight or front light for a liquid crystal display, and various illuminators such as electric signs. According to the present invention, there are provided an optical-panel molding die for integrally forming an optical pattern on at least one side of an optical panel, which comprises a metal substrate and a molding pattern corresponding to said optical pattern and formed of a photosensitive heat-resistant resin on one side of the metal substrate, the whole of the surface having the molding pattern of the metal substrate being covered with a layer of said heat-resistant resin; a process for producing the die; and a process for producing an optical panel by using the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenzo Murata, Yoji Oki