Patents by Inventor Akihiro Matouge

Akihiro Matouge 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).

  • Patent number: 6582118
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a wheel train mounted for undergoing rotation and a transmission wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the wheel train. A contact point spring is connected to the transmission wheel for rotation therewith. The contact point spring extends substantially linearly through a rotational center of the transmission wheel. First and second detection patterns contact the contact point spring during rotation of the transmission wheel to generate a rotational position detecting signal corresponding to a rotational position of the transmission wheel. The first and second detection patterns are disposed at an angle of substantially 180 degree relative to the rotational center of the transmission wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima, Takayuki Satodate, Akihiro Matouge, Akihiko Inada, Mitsuru Ishii, Yoshio Koyama, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Kawata, Yuko Sasaki, Eriko Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 6584040
    Abstract: To provide an electronic timepiece enabling reliable detection of a state of rotation of an indication wheel such as a date dial. An ultrasonic motor 1130 has an ultrasonic rotor pinion 1134b. A date dial 1120 is disposed on a main plate 1102 in such a way as to rotate relative thereto. The ultrasonic rotor pinion 1134b is meshed with an intermediate date driving gear wheel 1142a. A date driving wheel 1150 is rotatably disposed on the main plate 1102. A date driving gear wheel 1150b is meshed with an intermediate date driving pinion 1142b. A date driving gear portion 1150b is meshed with a dial gear portion 1120a. A contact point spring 1160 is disposed on a spring guiding portion 1150d. The contact point spring 1160 rotates integrally with the date driving wheel 1150 through the rotation of the date driving wheel 1150. The state of rotation of the date driving wheel 1150 can be detected by contact of the contact point spring 1160 with the contact point pattern 1174.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima, Takayuki Satodate, Akihiro Matouge, Akihiko Inada, Mitsuru Ishii, Yoshio Koyama, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Kawata, Yuko Sasaki, Eriko Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 6088300
    Abstract: A calendar electronic timepiece comprises a signal generating circuit for generating a date signal, a driving circuit for outputting a driving signal in accordance with the date signal generated by the signal generating circuit, and an ultrasonic motor driven by the driving signal outputted by the driving circuit. The ultrasonic motor is comprised of a piezoelectric vibrator having an electrode pattern and being driven by the driving signal outputted from the driving circuit to undergo expansion and contraction movement, a vibrating member connected to the piezoelectric vibrator and vibrationally driven by expansion and contraction movement of the piezoelectric vibrator, and a date dial disposed on the vibrating member to be frictionally driven by expansion and contraction movement of the piezoelectric vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima, Takayuki Satodate, Akihiro Matouge, Akihiko Inada, Mitsuru Ishii, Yoshio Koyama, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Kawata, Yuko Sasaki, Eriko Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 6088302
    Abstract: To provide an electronic timepiece enabling reliable detection of a state of rotation of an indication wheel such as a date dial.An ultrasonic motor 1130 has an ultrasonic rotor pinion 1134b. A date dial 1120 is disposed on a main plate 1102 in such a way as to rotate relative thereto. The ultrasonic rotor pinion 1134b is meshed with an intermediate date driving gear wheel 1142a. A date driving wheel 1150 is rotatably disposed on the main plate 1102. A date driving gear wheel 1150b is meshed with an intermediate date driving pinion 1142b. A date driving gear portion 1150b is meshed with a dial gear portion 1120a. A contact point spring 1160 is disposed on a spring guiding portion 1150d. The contact point spring 1160 rotates integrally with the date driving wheel 1150 through the rotation of the date driving wheel 1150. The state of rotation of the date driving wheel 1150 can be detected by contact of the contact point spring 1160 with the contact point pattern 1174.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima, Takayuki Satodate, Akihiro Matouge, Akihiko Inada, Mitsuru Ishii, Yoshio Koyama, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Kawata, Yuko Sasaki, Eriko Takakuwa