Kentaro Nishimura

Title: Kentaro Nishimura: Optical Measurement and Scanning Innovations

Introduction

Kentaro Nishimura is an inventor based in Osaka, Japan, whose patent work addresses optical measurement and optical scanning technologies. He works at Hokuyo Automatic Co., Ltd. His portfolio includes 2 patents.

Latest Patents

Nishimura’s listed patents include “Optical Rangefinder and Optical Rangefinding Method.” The invention describes a time-of-flight (TOF) rangefinder that estimates an object’s distance using voltage pulses from photon-counting light-receiving elements. It generates a histogram of measured flight times, calculates a representative time from qualifying histogram regions, and corrects that value using a frequency-error characteristic established in advance under varying reflected-light intensities.

His other listed patent, “Beam, Swinging Element, and Optical Scanning Apparatus,” concerns a beam that connects a base substrate to a coil substrate. Its soldering structure uses adjacent connecting parts with different cross-sectional areas, a design intended to support the beam’s connection within an optical scanning apparatus.

Career Highlights

Nishimura’s patent work spans two related areas: optical distance measurement and components for optical scanning systems. Both inventions focus on the design and processing details that enable optical devices to measure or direct light.

Collaborations

Nishimura’s listed coworkers include Yoko Awata and Naoki Chatani. Their names provide context for the colleagues associated with his work, though the available information does not specify their roles in these patents.

Conclusion

Kentaro Nishimura’s patents reflect contributions to TOF rangefinding and optical scanning hardware, developed in connection with his work at Hokuyo Automatic Co., Ltd.