Patents by Inventor Keisuke Kuroda

Keisuke Kuroda 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: 11754593
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes a detection circuit, a correction circuit, and a comparator circuit. The detection circuit generates a first detection signal, based on an output signal of a capacitive detection element that detects inertial force. The correction circuit corrects non-linearity of the first detection signal and outputs a second detection signal thus corrected. The comparator circuit compares the first detection signal and the second detection signal with each other and outputs a comparison signal representing a result of comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takuya Kajiwara, Junji Nakatsuka, Masaaki Nagai
  • Patent number: 11486511
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve drive device which supplies a hold current with a prescribed fluctuation range to an electromagnetic coil of an electromagnetic valve after a current peak when a supply of electricity starts has passed includes: a power supplier which intermittently applies a drive voltage to the electromagnetic coil; a detector which detects the hold current; a first comparator which compares a detected current by the detector with a first threshold value; a filter which performs integration processing on an output of the first comparator; a second comparator which compares an output of the filter with a second threshold value to generate an output signal used for generating a control signal for controlling the power supplier; and a control signal generator which generates the control signal for controlling the power supplier based on the output signal of the second comparator, wherein the filter is a count-up/down type digital filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD., NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogawa, Motoaki Kato, Kengo Nomura, Keisuke Kuroda, Makoto Kawajiri
  • Patent number: 11466650
    Abstract: This fuel includes: a first switching element disposed between a booster circuit boosting a battery power and one end of a solenoid; a second switching element disposed between a battery and one end of the solenoid; a third switching element disposed between the other end of the solenoid and a ground; a fourth switching element disposed between one end of the solenoid and a ground; and a control unit configured to control open/closed states of the first switching element, the second switching element, the third switching element, and the fourth switching element. The control unit is configured to open the fourth switching element during a valve closing detection period of detecting closing of a fuel injection valve and to detect the closing of the fuel injection valve on the basis of a change in voltage of the other end of the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD., PANASONIC SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogawa, Motoaki Kato, Kengo Nomura, Keisuke Kuroda, Takashi Ryu
  • Patent number: 11448174
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driving device which drives a fuel injection valve having a solenoid coil, includes: a regenerative switching element disposed between a first end portion of the solenoid coil and the ground; and a control unit configured to control the regenerative switching element to be in an ON state or an OFF state, wherein the control unit includes: a voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the first end portion of the solenoid coil; and an abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of the regenerative switching element on the basis of the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD., NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Motoaki Kato, Atsushi Ogawa, Kengo Nomura, Keisuke Kuroda
  • Patent number: 11428183
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driving device that drives an electromagnetic valve for injecting a fuel, includes: a first charging route that charges a bootstrap capacitor from a battery without intervention of a boost circuit; a second charging route that charges the bootstrap capacitor from the boost circuit; and a switching control unit that switches a charging route for charging the bootstrap capacitor to the first charging route or the second charging route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignees: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD., NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Motoaki Kato, Atsushi Ogawa, Kengo Nomura, Keisuke Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20220155334
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes a detection circuit, a correction circuit, and a comparator circuit. The detection circuit generates a first detection signal, based on an output signal of a capacitive detection element that detects inertial force. The correction circuit corrects non-linearity of the first detection signal and outputs a second detection signal thus corrected. The comparator circuit compares the first detection signal and the second detection signal with each other and outputs a comparison signal representing a result of comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Keisuke KURODA, Takuya KAJIWARA, Junji NAKATSUKA, Masaaki NAGAI
  • Publication number: 20220155337
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes detection circuitry and correction circuitry. The detection circuitry includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit. The first detection unit generates at least one detection signal based on an associated one of output signals corresponding to each of at least two directions. The second detection unit has a broader detection range than the first detection unit and generates at least one correction signal based on the associated one of the output signals corresponding to each of the at least two directions. The correction circuitry corrects an associated one of the detection signals corresponding to each of the at least two directions with at least an associated one of the correction signals corresponding to at least one direction, other than one direction subjected to correction, out of the at least two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Keisuke KURODA, Takuya KAJIWARA, Junji NAKATSUKA, Masaaki NAGAI
  • Publication number: 20220099209
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve drive device which supplies a hold current with a prescribed fluctuation range to an electromagnetic coil of an electromagnetic valve after a current peak when a supply of electricity starts has passed includes: a power supplier which intermittently applies a drive voltage to the electromagnetic coil; a detector which detects the hold current; a first comparator which compares a detected current by the detector with a first threshold value; a filter which performs integration processing on an output of the first comparator; a second comparator which compares an output of the filter with a second threshold value to generate an output signal used for generating a control signal for controlling the power supplier; and a control signal generator which generates the control signal for controlling the power supplier based on the output signal of the second comparator, wherein the filter is a count-up/down type digital filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Atsushi OGAWA, Motoaki KATO, Kengo NOMURA, Keisuke KURODA, Makoto KAWAJIRI
  • Publication number: 20220099059
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driving device which drives a fuel injection valve having a solenoid coil, includes: a regenerative switching element disposed between a first end portion of the solenoid coil and the ground; and a control unit configured to control the regenerative switching element to be in an ON state or an OFF state, wherein the control unit includes: a voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the first end portion of the solenoid coil; and an abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of the regenerative switching element on the basis of the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Motoaki Kato, Atsushi Ogawa, Kengo Nomura, Keisuke Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20220099042
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driving device that drives an electromagnetic valve for injecting a fuel, includes: a first charging route that charges a bootstrap capacitor from a battery without intervention of a boost circuit; a second charging route that charges the bootstrap capacitor from the boost circuit; and a switching control unit that switches a charging route for charging the bootstrap capacitor to the first charging route or the second charging route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Motoaki KATO, Atsushi OGAWA, Kengo NOMURA, Keisuke KURODA
  • Patent number: 10948311
    Abstract: A sensor includes a detection element that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a physical quantity, a detection circuit that outputs a physical quantity signal corresponding to the physical quantity, first to third diagnosis circuits. The first diagnosis circuit is configured to receive a signal input to the detection circuit and a signal output from the detection circuit, to output an error signal in a case where the detection circuit is abnormal. The second diagnosis circuit is configured to input a diagnosis signal to the first diagnosis circuit. The second diagnosis circuit is configured to input, to the first diagnosis circuit, another of the signal input to the detection circuit and the signal output from the detection circuit. The third diagnosis circuit monitors whether or not the diagnosis signal is input from the second diagnosis circuit to the first diagnosis circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takeshi Mori
  • Patent number: 10921347
    Abstract: A sensor is provided including: an element outputting detection signals according to magnitude of physical quantity; a drive circuit outputting a driving signal to the element and receiving a monitor signal from the element; a detection circuit that includes amplifiers amplifying the detection signals and a first synchronous demodulation circuit performing synchronous demodulation on a signal from the amplifier, receives the detection signals, and outputs a physical quantity signal according to the physical quantity; a processing circuit processing a signal from the first synchronous demodulation circuit; a first diagnostic circuit that receives a signal into the processing circuit and a signal from the processing circuit, and outputs a first error signal when abnormalities occur in the processing circuit; and a second diagnostic circuit that outputs a diagnostic signal to the first diagnostic circuit, instead of the signal into the processing circuit or instead of the signal from the processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takeshi Mori
  • Publication number: 20200191105
    Abstract: This fuel includes: a first switching element disposed between a booster circuit boosting a battery power and one end of a solenoid; a second switching element disposed between a battery and one end of the solenoid; a third switching element disposed between the other end of the solenoid and a ground; a fourth switching element disposed between one end of the solenoid and a ground; and a control unit configured to control open/closed states of the first switching element, the second switching element, the third switching element, and the fourth switching element. The control unit is configured to open the fourth switching element during a valve closing detection period of detecting closing of a fuel injection valve and to detect the closing of the fuel injection valve on the basis of a change in voltage of the other end of the solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Atsushi OGAWA, Motoaki KATO, Kengo NOMURA, Keisuke KURODA, Takashi RYU
  • Patent number: 10649000
    Abstract: A connection assembly includes a sensor substrate, a layer substrate coupled to the sensor substrate so as to face an upper surface of the sensor substrate, and a wire connected between the sensor substrate and the layer substrate. The sensor substrate includes first and second projections provide on the upper surface of the sensor substrate and extending in an extension direction along the upper surface of the sensor substrate. The wire has a first end sandwiched between the layer substrate and the first projection, and a second end sandwiched between the layer substrate and the second projection. The connection assembly provides reliable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Shinohara, Hitoshi Yoshida, Kazuo Goda, Rie Okamoto, Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Masako Yamaguchi, Hideki Ueda, Takanori Aoyagi, Yuki Maegawa, Takuya Kajiwara, Keisuke Kuroda, Takeshi Mori
  • Publication number: 20200132012
    Abstract: A solenoid valve drive control circuit includes: a timing generator circuit that outputs a timing signal for controlling a driver circuit, in accordance with a solenoid valve opening and closing instruction signal; and a valve closing detector circuit that detects a valve closing timing after the timing generator circuit outputs the timing signal for instructing a solenoid valve to close, by monitoring a solenoid valve outflow terminal voltage in the solenoid valve as a signal voltage. The valve closing detector circuit includes a measurement circuit that (i) detects each timing signal reaching a threshold voltage sequentially outputted from a threshold voltage selector circuit, and (ii) outputs a signal indicating the valve closing timing when a change in a measurement value that is obtained through measurement of a time interval of each timing satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Keisuke KURODA, Makoto KAWAJIRI, Ken MARUYAMA, Takashi RYU, Atsushi OGAWA, Motoaki KATO, Kengo NOMURA
  • Patent number: 10534015
    Abstract: A sensor is provided including: an element outputting detection signals according to magnitude of physical quantity; a drive circuit outputting a driving signal to the element and receiving a monitor signal from the element; a detection circuit that includes amplifiers amplifying the detection signals and a first synchronous demodulation circuit performing synchronous demodulation on a signal from the amplifier, receives the detection signals, and outputs a physical quantity signal according to the physical quantity; a processing circuit processing a signal from the first synchronous demodulation circuit; a first diagnostic circuit that receives a signal into the processing circuit and a signal from the processing circuit, and outputs a first error signal when abnormalities occur in the processing circuit; and a second diagnostic circuit that outputs a diagnostic signal to the first diagnostic circuit, instead of the signal into the processing circuit or instead of the signal from the processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takeshi Mori
  • Patent number: 10284091
    Abstract: A controller controls a bi-directional converter which includes: a first input/output terminal and a second input/output terminal for receiving and outputting a voltage stepped up by a step-up operation and a voltage stepped down by a step-down operation; a first switching element; a second switching element; and an inductor. The controller includes: a first driver which controls the first switching element via a first resistance circuit; a second driver which controls the second switching element via a second resistance circuit; and an operation mode setter which selects one of the step-up operation and the step-down operation, wherein at least one of the first resistance circuit and the second resistance circuit is a variable resistance circuit which has a resistance value that varies for the step-up operation and the step-down operation, in accordance with selection made by the operation mode setter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takashi Ryu
  • Publication number: 20190120655
    Abstract: A sensor includes a detection element that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a physical quantity, a detection circuit that outputs a physical quantity signal corresponding to the physical quantity, first to third diagnosis circuits. The first diagnosis circuit is configured to receive a signal input to the detection circuit and a signal output from the detection circuit, to output an error signal in a case where the detection circuit is abnormal. The second diagnosis circuit is configured to input a diagnosis signal to the first diagnosis circuit. The second diagnosis circuit is configured to input, to the first diagnosis circuit, another of the signal input to the detection circuit and the signal output from the detection circuit. The third diagnosis circuit monitors whether or not the diagnosis signal is input from the second diagnosis circuit to the first diagnosis circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Keisuke KURODA, Takeshi MORI
  • Patent number: 10088497
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a CV conversion circuit, an AD conversion circuit, and first and second registers. The CV conversion circuit outputs a voltage corresponding to the capacitance changes between a movable electrode and each of first and second fixed electrodes disposed to face the movable electrode. The AD conversion circuit is connected to the CV conversion circuit and has a first detection range and a second detection range. The first register is connected to the AD conversion circuit and holds a first value. The second register is connected to the AD conversion circuit and holds a second value. The first value contains information about an acceleration in the first detection range, and the second value contains information about an acceleration in the second detection range. The first and second values indicate accelerations in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Mori, Keisuke Kuroda, Hitoshi Yoshida, Kazuo Goda, Takumi Taura, Hideki Ueda
  • Patent number: 10088495
    Abstract: A capacitive physical quality detection device includes a sensor part, a control circuit, and a CV conversion circuit. The sensor part includes a movable electrode, a first fixed electrode, and a second fixed electrode. The CV conversion circuit is configured to receive a reference voltage and to output a voltage corresponding to a capacitance change. In a first time period, the control circuit applies a first signal to the first fixed electrode, and applies a second signal, which is opposite in phase to the first signal, to the second fixed electrode. In a second time period, the control circuit applies the reference voltage to the first fixed electrode and applies the second signal to the second fixed electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takeshi Mori