Patents by Inventor Itaru Maekawa

Itaru Maekawa 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: 9025513
    Abstract: In the game device, a period coefficient acquirer 102 extracts a first period coefficient as a factor for determining a communication period from game data. A communication manager 108 manages the status of connection with at least one communication terminal and a period coefficient deriving unit 106 derives a second period coefficient as a factor for determining a communication period from the status of connection. A period determiner 104 determines a communication period for communication with a game controller based on the first period coefficient and the second period coefficient. A correspondence table holder 120 retains a correspondence table of the status of connection and the second period coefficient, and a period coefficient deriving unit 106 refers to the correspondence table and derives the second period coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Itaru Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8934468
    Abstract: Each station makes a transition to a power saving state autonomously in response to the reception of signals from the other stations in the same group and the transmission of its own signal. Each station sets its transmission timing such that it does not overlap the transmission timing of the other stations, by referring to data elements included in a beacon signal. The transmission timing in the stations is determined for each transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Itaru Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8819430
    Abstract: There is provided a communication device, which includes a physical layer which performs close-range one-to-one communication with a device B through electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling, an authentication information changing unit which dynamically changes device information for mutual authentication according to a type of data selected on an application, a protocol selection unit which selects one protocol that can be utilized by the communication device and the device B, a start information transmission unit which transmits the device information and information showing the selected protocol to the device B in order to make the device B start an application corresponding to the type of data and the selected protocol, and a protocol conversion unit which converts a protocol utilized by the application into a protocol utilized by the physical layer in order to transfer data between the applications of the communication device and the device B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Ihori, Itaru Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8725074
    Abstract: A communication device of the present invention includes a physical layer for performing close-range one-to-one communication with a device of a communication counterpart by electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling; one or a plurality of PCL Emulations for converting a protocol of a higher level application to a protocol for communicating at the physical layer; and a PCL common for performing negotiation with the device of the communication counterpart without the higher level application started after the connection with the communication counterpart is established or at the same time as the connection establishment to select one PCL Emulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ito, Itaru Maekawa, Hidemasa Yoshida, Akihiro Ihori, Shinsuke Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8619666
    Abstract: A wireless communications system for performing data communications between a data transmission side wireless communications device and a data receiving side wireless communications device. In the system, random back-off access control is performed until a connection is established between the data transmission side wireless communications device and the data receiving side wireless communications device. Then, after the connection is established, asymmetric IFS access control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiro Nishiyama, Yasunori Maeshima, Satoshi Konya, Nobuo Namekawa, Tomonari Yamagata, Yuhei Hashimoto, Itaru Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8533370
    Abstract: There is provided a radio communication device including: a host connection interface which is connected to a host apparatus and receives commands input from the host apparatus; a radio communication interface which performs radio communication with another radio communication device; and a controlling unit which controls operation of the host connection interface and the radio communication interface, wherein the controlling unit controls the host connection interface to output device information indicating that the device itself is a peripheral device capable of accessing a storage medium to the host apparatus in response to a command indicating inquiry about information regarding the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Tanaka, Itaru Maekawa, Hidemasa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8423041
    Abstract: A game apparatus according to a preferred embodiment includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module performs communication utilizing Bluetooth protocols, whereas the second wireless communication module performs communication utilizing IEEE protocols. The first radio communication module and the second radio module have a common reference communication cycle, and each communicates in communication cycles of an integral multiple of the reference communication cycle. A control unit sets offset time between the start time of a communication by the first wireless communication module until the start time of a communication by the second wireless communication module. In so doing, the control unit monitors the communication load of the first wireless communication module and sets the offset time based on a monitored result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Itaru Maekawa, Andrew Xavier Estrada
  • Patent number: 8331859
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes: a communication circuit section that processes a high-frequency signal for transferring data; a transfer path for the signal connected to the circuit section; a ground; a coupling electrode supported opposite and away in height from the ground; a resonance section that increases a current flowing into the electrode via the path; and a main body housing that assumes a plurality of placement postures and houses the respective components, one end surface of the housing serving as a reading surface in which the electrode is disposed offset from a center of the reading surface. An infinitesimal dipole is formed from a line segment connecting between a center of a charge in the electrode and a center of an image charge in the ground. The signal is transferred toward a communication partner disposed oppositely to form an angle of substantially 0 degrees with a direction of the dipole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Itaru Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20120177024
    Abstract: A game apparatus according to a preferred embodiment includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module performs communication utilizing Bluetooth protocols, whereas the second wireless communication module performs communication utilizing IEEE protocols. The first radio communication module and the second radio module have a common reference communication cycle, and each communicates in communication cycles of an integral multiple of the reference communication cycle. A control unit sets offset time between the start time of a communication by the first wireless communication module until the start time of a communication by the second wireless communication module. In so doing, the control unit monitors the communication load of the first wireless communication module and sets the offset time based on a monitored result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Itaru Maekawa, Andrew Xavier Estrada
  • Patent number: 8180363
    Abstract: A game apparatus according to a preferred embodiment includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module performs communication utilizing Bluetooth protocols, whereas the second wireless communication module performs communication utilizing IEEE protocols. The first radio communication module and the second radio module have a common reference communication cycle, and each communicates in communication cycles of an integral multiple of the reference communication cycle. A control unit sets offset time between the start time of a communication by the first wireless communication module until the start time of a communication by the second wireless communication module. In so doing, the control unit monitors the communication load of the first wireless communication module and sets the offset time based on a monitored result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Itaru Maekawa, Andrew Xavier Estrada
  • Publication number: 20110131631
    Abstract: There is provided a communication device, which includes a physical layer which performs close-range one-to-one communication with a device B through electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling, an authentication information changing unit which dynamically changes device information for mutual authentication according to a type of data selected on an application, a protocol selection unit which selects one protocol that can be utilized by the communication device and the device B, a start information transmission unit which transmits the device information and information showing the selected protocol to the device B in order to make the device B start an application corresponding to the type of data and the selected protocol, and a protocol conversion unit which converts a protocol utilized by the application into a protocol utilized by the physical layer in order to transfer data between the applications of the communication device and the device B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Ihori, Itaru Maekawa
  • Patent number: 7949376
    Abstract: Each station makes a transition to a power saving state autonomously in response to the reception of signals from the other stations in the same group and the transmission of its own signal. Each station sets its transmission timing such that it does not overlap the transmission timing of the other stations, by referring to data elements included in a beacon signal. The transmission timing in the stations is determined for each transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Itaru Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20110106984
    Abstract: There is provided a radio communication device including: a host connection interface which is connected to a host apparatus and receives commands input from the host apparatus; a radio communication interface which performs radio communication with another radio communication device; and a controlling unit which controls operation of the host connection interface and the radio communication interface, wherein the controlling unit controls the host connection interface to output device information indicating that the device itself is a peripheral device capable of accessing a storage medium to the host apparatus in response to a command indicating inquiry about information regarding the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Tanaka, Itaru Maekawa, Hidemasa Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100267336
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes: a communication circuit section that processes a high-frequency signal for transferring data; a transfer path for the signal connected to the circuit section; a ground; a coupling electrode supported opposite and away in height from the ground; a resonance section that increases a current flowing into the electrode via the path; and a main body housing that assumes a plurality of placement postures and houses the respective components, one end surface of the housing serving as a reading surface in which the electrode is disposed offset from a center of the reading surface. An infinitesimal dipole is formed from a line segment connecting between a center of a charge in the electrode and a center of an image charge in the ground. The signal is transferred toward a communication partner disposed oppositely to form an angle of substantially 0 degrees with a direction of the dipole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Itaru MAEKAWA
  • Patent number: 7697896
    Abstract: A game apparatus according to a preferred embodiment includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module performs communication utilizing Bluetooth protocols, whereas the second wireless communication module performs communication utilizing IEEE802.11 protocols. The first radio communication module and the second radio module have a common reference communication cycle, and each communicates in communication cycles of an integral multiple of a reference communication cycle. A control unit sets offset time between from the start time of a communication by the first wireless communication module until the start time of a communication by the second wireless communication module. In so doing, the control unit monitors the communication load of the first wireless communication module and sets the offset time based on a monitored result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Itaru Maekawa, Jun Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20100048130
    Abstract: A communication device of the present invention includes a physical layer for performing close-range one-to-one communication with a device of a communication counterpart by electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling; one or a plurality of PCL Emulations for converting a protocol of a higher level application to a protocol for communicating at the physical layer; and a PCL common for performing negotiation with the device of the communication counterpart without the higher level application started after the connection with the communication counterpart is established or at the same time as the connection establishment to select one PCL Emulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu ITO, Itaru Maekawa, Hidemasa Yoshida, Akihiro Ihori, Shinsuke Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7535881
    Abstract: A communication terminal is provided with a transmission control unit for controlling a transmission mode in which a broadcast signal is transmitted a plurality of times, and a reception control unit for controlling a reception mode in which the broadcast signal transmitted from another communication terminal is monitored. The transmission control unit and the reception control unit execute the transmission mode and the reception mode cyclically and alternately. To achieve power saving, time reserved for execution of the transmission mode in a cycle is set to be longer than time reserved for execution of the reception mode in the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Itaru Maekawa, Kazushige Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20080123582
    Abstract: In the game device, a period coefficient acquirer 102 extracts a first period coefficient as a factor for determining a communication period from game data. A communication manager 108 manages the status of connection with at least one communication terminal and a period coefficient deriving unit 106 derives a second period coefficient as a factor for determining a communication period from the status of connection. A period determiner 104 determines a communication period for communication with a game controller based on the first period coefficient and the second period coefficient. A correspondence table holder 120 retains a correspondence table of the status of connection and the second period coefficient, and a period coefficient deriving unit 106 refers to the correspondence table and derives the second period coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Itaru MAEKAWA
  • Publication number: 20080095089
    Abstract: A wireless communications system for performing data communications between a data transmission side wireless communications device and a data receiving side wireless communications device. In the system, random back-off access control is performed until a connection is established between the data transmission side wireless communications device and the data receiving side wireless communications device. Then, after the connection is established, asymmetric IFS access control is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Fumihiro Nishiyama, Yasunori Maeshima, Satoshi Konya, Nobuo Namekawa, Tomonari Yamagata, Yuhei Hashimoto, Itaru Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20070111790
    Abstract: A game apparatus according to a preferred embodiment includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module performs communication utilizing Bluetooth protocols, whereas the second wireless communication module performs communication utilizing IEEE protocols. The first radio communication module and the second radio module have a common reference communication cycle, and each communicates in communication cycles of an integral multiple of the reference communication cycle. A control unit sets offset time between the start time of a communication by the first wireless communication module until the start time of a communication by the second wireless communication module. In so doing, the control unit monitors the communication load of the first wireless communication module and sets the offset time based on a monitored result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Itaru Maekawa, Andrew Estrada