Patents by Inventor Akiyoshi Murakami

Akiyoshi Murakami 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: 7715280
    Abstract: The invention provides a rechargeable electronic timepiece that restarts the operation of a clock circuit by inputting a power source, thereby securely confirming the clock operation. The electronic timepiece includes a first power source (2), a clock circuit (8) connected to the first power source, a power source input detecting circuit (86) for detecting an input of a second power source (3), a switch circuit (7, 9) for connecting the first power source and the second power source, and a control circuit (87) for controlling the switch circuit to connect the first power source and the second power source so that the first power source is charged by the second power source thereby operating the clock circuit when the power source input detecting circuit detects an input of the second power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Murakami, Motoki Funahashi, Masahiko Hitomi, Yoichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7701807
    Abstract: Impact detecting resistors (141), (143) of an impact detecting circuit (104) detect a counter electromotive force of a step motor (105) generated due to an impact. This counter electromotive force is amplified applying a predetermined period and a predetermined chopper-width by a chopper-amplifying waveform shaping circuit (118). Therefore, even a light impact can be detected. Inverters (145), (146) compare these impact detecting signals (S22), (S23) with a threshold value and detect an impact when the signals exceeds the threshold value. A controlling circuit (102) provides a lock pulse to the step motor (105) through signal lines (AA), (BB) when an impact is detected, brakes rotation of a rotor (162) thereby preventing a deviation of the time displayed with a second hand (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Kitazawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Haruhiko Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20070115760
    Abstract: Impact detecting resistors (141), (143) of an impact detecting circuit (104) detect a counter electromotive force of a step motor (105) generated due to an impact. This counter electromotive force is amplified applying a predetermined period and a predetermined chopper-width by a chopper-amplifying waveform shaping circuit (118). Therefore, even a light impact can be detected. Inverters (145), (146) compare these impact detecting signals (S22), (S23) with a threshold value and detect an impact when the signals exceeds the threshold value. A controlling circuit (102) provides a lock pulse to the step motor (105) through signal lines (AA), (BB) when an impact is detected, brakes rotation of a rotor (162) thereby preventing a deviation of the time displayed with a second hand (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Isao Kitazawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Haruhiko Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7113452
    Abstract: When a stem switch (8) is pulled out, a switch signal forming unit 9 outputs a signal (RS) indicating that effect, a control unit (13) receives the signal (RS) and starts clocking by a timer (13a). The control unit (13) receives a signal (HS) output from an electricity-generation detecting unit (12) within the clocking period, detects the electricity generating operation of an electricity generating unit (10), and outputs a signal (CS) indicating that effect. A narrow pulse forming unit (7) forms a narrow pulse having a width of such a degree that the motor (5) is not driven based on the signal (CS), and outputs the narrow pulse to a motor driving circuit (4). The motor driving circuit (4) flows a fine current through a coil (4a) which drives the motor (5) based on the narrow pulse. An external device detects a variation of the narrow pulse, thereby confirming whether electricity is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fujita, Akiyoshi Murakami, Haruhiko Higuchi, Motoki Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20060120221
    Abstract: The invention provides a rechargeable electronic timepiece that restarts the operation of a clock circuit by inputting a power source, thereby securely confirming the clock operation. The electronic timepiece includes a first power source (2), a clock circuit (8) connected to the first power source, a power source input detecting circuit (86) for detecting an input of a second power source (3), a switch circuit (7, 9) for connecting the first power source and the second power source, and a control circuit (87) for controlling the switch circuit to connect the first power source and the second power source so that the first power source is charged by the second power source thereby operating the clock circuit when the power source input detecting circuit detects an input of the second power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Murakami, Motoki Funahashi, Masahiko Hitomi, Yoichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7009914
    Abstract: In detecting power generation of an electronic timepiece having a conventional power generating unit, voltage output by the power generating unit is limited by output from a storage unit since the power generating unit and the storage means are connected when the power generation state is detected, and voltage equal to or larger than voltage output from the storage unit cannot be detected. An electronic timepiece is provided which can overcome the problem and can check an operation of the power generating unit securely irrespective of the state of the storage means. In an electronic timepiece driven by power stored from a power generating unit (1) into a storage unit (4), the electronic timepiece includes a power generation detecting unit (2) that detects a power generation state of the power generating unit (1) and a switch unit (7) that separates the power generating unit (1) and the storage unit (4) when the power generation state of the power generating unit (1) is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Higuchi, Akiyoshi Murakami, Motoki Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20050249047
    Abstract: In detecting power generation of an electronic timepiece having a conventional power generating unit, voltage output by the power generating unit is limited by output from a storage unit since the power generating unit and the storage means are connected when the power generation state is detected, and voltage equal to or larger than voltage output from the storage unit cannot be detected. An electronic timepiece is provided which can overcome the problem and can check an operation of the power generating unit securely irrespective of the state of the storage means. In an electronic timepiece driven by power stored from a power generating unit (1) into a storage unit (4), the electronic timepiece includes a power generation detecting unit (2) that detects a power generation state of the power generating unit (1) and a switch unit (7) that separates the power generating unit (1) and the storage unit (4) when the power generation state of the power generating unit (1) is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Haruhiko Higuchi, Akiyoshi Murakami, Motoki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 6830864
    Abstract: A method for transferring a transparent conductive film onto one surface of a sheet base material made of a plastic material, wherein the transparent conductive film as an object to be transferred is preliminarily formed on a substrate side which is superior in heat resistance to the plastic material, the transparent conductive film being sandwiched between a peelable layer which can be peeled off at the time of transfer and a protective film for protecting the transparent conductive film on the substrate side which is superior in heat resistance to the plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Bekku, Tadahiro Furukawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Kazumi Arai, Hisashi Sato
  • Patent number: 6542438
    Abstract: A data transmitting/receiving system is configured so as to send data to an analog-type watch, without the need to make direct electrical contact thereto and without influencing the drive of the hands of the watch. When a timing signal that is sent from the watch is received, a data transmitting unit performs transmission. The watch does not receive data at other times, and this receiving operation is performed intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Higuchi, Akiyoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6483781
    Abstract: A multifunction electronic watch 10 having a large variety of added functions, and providing an electronic watch and drive method therefor that have a high value as a product and a configuration enabling separate use of an energy-saving mode and a function information operating mode, this electronic watch 10 having a reference signal generation means 1, a time information generation means 2, which generates time information TJ based on a reference signal S3R from the reference signal generation means 1, a function information generation means for generating function information FJ, a display drive means 4, which outputs drive signals DRT and DRF for the purpose of displaying the function information FJ and the time information TJ on an appropriate display means, and a display means 5, which displays the function information FJ and the time information TJ based on the drive signals DRT and DRF from the display drive means 4, this electronic watch having an energy-saving operating condition with a power consump
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Igarashi, Masao Sakuyama, Akiyoshi Murakami, Kenji Shimoda, Noritoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020154575
    Abstract: When a stem switch (8) is pulled out, a switch signal forming unit 9 outputs a signal (RS) indicating that effect, a control unit (13) receives the signal (RS) and starts clocking by a timer (13a). The control unit (13) receives a signal (HS) output from an electricity-generation detecting unit (12) within the clocking period, detects the electricity generating operation of an electricity generating unit (10), and outputs a signal (CS) indicating that effect. A narrow pulse forming unit (7) forms a narrow pulse having a width of such a degree that the motor (5) is not driven based on the signal (CS), and outputs the narrow pulse to a motor driving circuit (4). The motor driving circuit (4) flows a fine current through a coil (4a) which drives the motor (5) based on the narrow pulse. An external device detects a variation of the narrow pulse, thereby confirming whether electricity is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kenji Fujita, Akiyoshi Murakami, Haruhiko Higuchi, Motoki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 6413693
    Abstract: A method for transferring a transparent conductive film onto one surface of a sheet base material made of a plastic material, wherein the transparent conductive film as an object to be transferred is preliminarily formed on a substrate side which is superior in heat resistance to the plastic material, the transparent conductive film being sandwiched between a peelable layer which can be peeled off at the time of transfer and a protective film for protecting the transparent conductive film on the substrate side which is superior in heat resistance to the plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Bekku, Tadahiro Furukawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Kazumi Arai, Hisashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20020055057
    Abstract: A method for transferring a transparent conductive film onto one surface of a sheet base material made of a plastic material, wherein the transparent conductive film as an object to be transferred is preliminarily formed on a substrate side which is superior in heat resistance to the plastic material, the transparent conductive film being sandwiched between a peelable layer which can be peeled off at the time of transfer and a protective film for protecting the transparent conductive film on the substrate side which is superior in heat resistance to the plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Ichiro Bekku, Tadahiro Furukawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Kazumi Arai, Hisashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20010043512
    Abstract: A multifunction electronic watch 10 having a large variety of added functions, and providing an electronic watch and drive method therefor that have a high value as a product and a configuration enabling separate use of an energy-saving mode and a function information operating mode, this electronic watch having 10 having a reference signal generation means 1, a time information generation means 2, which generates time information TJ based on a reference signal S3R from the reference signal generation means 1, a function information generation means for generating function information FJ, a display drive means 4, which outputs drive signals DRT and DRF for the purpose of displaying the function information FJ and the time information TJ on an appropriate display means, and a display means 5, which displays the function information FJ and the time information TJ based on the drive signals DRT and DRF from the display drive means 4, this electronic watch having an energy-saving operating condition with a power
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Igarashi, Masao Sakuyama, Akiyoshi Murakami, Kenji Shimoda, Noritoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010043511
    Abstract: A data transmitting/receiving system is configured so as to send data to an analog-type watch, without the need to make direct electrical contact thereto and without influencing the drive of the hands of the watch. When a timing signal that is sent from the watch is received, a data transmitting unit performs transmission. The watch does not receive data at other times, and this receiving operation is performed intermittently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: HARUHIKO HIGUCHI, AKIYOSHI MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 5959941
    Abstract: An electronic watch with a chronograph function comprises a motor, a current time counter, a hand position counter, a coincidence detector and a backward/forward movement determining unit. When a chronograph mode is selected, a second hand moves backward or forward to a 12-o'clock (zero) position depending upon its position in a time measurement and indication mode. The electronic watch reliably resumes the time measurement and indication after it functions as a chronograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Murakami, Kenji Shimoda, Michiko Yagi, Kenji Fujita
  • Patent number: 5889736
    Abstract: In an electronic watch having an electrical generation means, an electrical power storage means which stores electrical energy generated by the electrical generation means, an oscillator circuit, a control section which operates in response to a clock of the oscillator circuit, and a display section which is controlled by the control section, and which displays the time and also selectively displays a function other than the time, a voltage detection means which detects the voltage of the electrical power storage means and a control section management means which, in response to a detection signal from the voltage detection means controls the operation of the control section are provided, and hysteresis is provided between the operation starting point and operation ending point of the control section, which control such operations as storage of hand positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fujita, Isamu Kobayashi, Kiyotaka Igarashi, Akiyoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 5881025
    Abstract: An information display apparatus is provided which has a first display means that displays a first information and a second display means that displays either the first information or second information that differs from the first information, an annunciating means which externally annunciates this condition based on a prescribed signal, when the second display means is displaying the second information, if the second information coincides with the first information being displayed by the first display means, and a switching means to enable selection of at least one of selection, changing, or repeated selection of one of the first information and the second information displayed to be displayed by the second display means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 5176971
    Abstract: A technique related to color filters to be arranged on the light-receiving surface of a color liquid crystal display device, color video camera, and the like. The color filter consists of a substrate (10) and a colored filter layer (12) formed thereon. The colored filter layer (12) comprises, for example, three groups of filter picture elements (14R), 14G, 14B) having spectral characteristics respectively corresponding to red, green and blue. Each group of filter picture elements are made of polyimide resin and dye contained therein. Further, each group of the filter picture elements (R, G, B) are arranged in direct contact with one surface of the substrate (10) without using any intermediate protecting film. The first group of filter picture elements patterned on one surface of the substrate (10) are subjected to heat treatment at a high temperature of about 250.degree. C., for example, to increase their resistance against the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Shimamura, Tadahiro Furukawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Toshio Haga
  • Patent number: RE41686
    Abstract: In an electronic watch having an electrical generation means, an electrical power storage means which stores electrical energy generated by the electrical generation means, an oscillator circuit, a control section which operates in response to a clock of the oscillator circuit, and a display section which is controlled by the control section, and which displays the time and also selectively displays a function other than the time, a voltage detection means which detects the voltage of the electrical power storage means and a control section management means which, in response to a detection signal from the voltage detection means controls the operation of the control section are provided, and hysteresis is provided between the operation starting point and operation ending point of the control section, which control such operations as storage of hand positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fujita, Isamu Kobayashi, Kiyotaka Igarashi, Akiyoshi Murakami