Patents by Inventor Minoru Sumiya

Minoru Sumiya 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).

  • Publication number: 20190329652
    Abstract: A display unit in a plate shape has a front surface configured to display an image. A circuit board is mounted with an electronic component. A protection plate in a plate shape is provided between the display unit and the circuit board and is affixed to the circuit board. The display unit includes multiple attachment portions projected from a rear surface on the opposite side of the front surface. The protection plate includes multiple contact portions, the separated portion, and multiple support portions. The contact portions are in contact with and affixed to the circuit board. The separated portion is separated from the circuit board. The support portions are in contact with and affixed to the attachment portions of the display unit. An electronic component is located between the circuit board and the separated portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Minoru SUMIYA
  • Patent number: 10365128
    Abstract: A display device includes a dial, a substrate, a plurality of light source parts, and a transmittance adjustment part. The transmittance adjustment part has a low transmittance part in which a transmittance of light is lower than a predetermined value and a high transmittance part in which a transmittance of light is higher than that of the low transmittance part, and adjusts a transmittance of light from the plurality of light source parts. Each of the light source parts includes a first light source and a second light source having different light-emission colors to be alternately switched on lighting. The low transmittance part is arranged within an area corresponding to the plurality of light source parts. The high transmittance part is located based on a midpoint position where the distance from the adjacent light source parts is equal in the circumferential direction between the light source parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minoru Sumiya
  • Patent number: 10195942
    Abstract: In a display device, when an ignition switch of a vehicle is off, an external light entering toward a front side of a meter panel is reflected on a smoke layer and a second light shielding layer, and a decorative part and a predetermined zone are, as a whole, viewed through a second opening as being in a ring shape with a width of the second opening and of a color tone based on the smoke layer and the second light shielding layer. When the ignition switch of the vehicle is on, the predetermined zone is illuminated in a predetermined color by a light emitted by a light source with a width of the first opening to be viewed as being wider than the decorative part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minoru Sumiya
  • Publication number: 20180201133
    Abstract: In a display device, when an ignition switch of a vehicle is off, an external light entering toward a front side of a meter panel is reflected on a smoke layer and a second light shielding layer, and a decorative part and a predetermined zone are, as a whole, viewed through a second opening as being in a ring shape with a width of the second opening and of a color tone based on the smoke layer and the second light shielding layer. When the ignition switch of the vehicle is on, the predetermined zone is illuminated in a predetermined color by a light emitted by a light source with a width of the first opening to be viewed as being wider than the decorative part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventor: Minoru SUMIYA
  • Publication number: 20180066967
    Abstract: A display device includes a dial, a substrate, a plurality of light source parts, and a transmittance adjustment part. The transmittance adjustment part has a low transmittance part in which a transmittance of light is lower than a predetermined value and a high transmittance part in which a transmittance of light is higher than that of the low transmittance part, and adjusts a transmittance of light from the plurality of light source parts. Each of the light source parts includes a first light source and a second light source having different light-emission colors to be alternately switched on lighting. The low transmittance part is arranged within an area corresponding to the plurality of light source parts. The high transmittance part is located based on a midpoint position where the distance from the adjacent light source parts is equal in the circumferential direction between the light source parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: Minoru SUMIYA
  • Patent number: 9481247
    Abstract: A vehicular display apparatus includes a meter main body, and a translucent window held in the meter main body. The translucent window has a translucent glass main body portion, a first extension portion extending in a display direction from an outer edge portion of the main body portion, a second extension portion extending in a backward direction from a leading end portion of the first extension portion, and an engaging tab extending in the backward direction from the second extension portion to be engaged with a catch portion. In the configuration, a warp length that is required for the engaging tab can be ensured by cooperation between the engaging tab and the second extension portion. Therefore, even when the position of the engaging tab is moved in the display direction to ensure a space between a vehicle component and an attachment structure, the attachment structure can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minoru Sumiya
  • Publication number: 20150151636
    Abstract: A vehicular display apparatus includes a meter main body, and a translucent window held in the meter main body. The translucent window has a translucent glass main body portion, a first extension portion extending in a display direction from an outer edge portion of the main body portion, a second extension portion extending in a backward direction from a leading end portion of the first extension portion, and an engaging tab extending in the backward direction from the second extension portion to be engaged with a catch portion. In the configuration, a warp length that is required for the engaging tab can be ensured by cooperation between the engaging tab and the second extension portion. Therefore, even when the position of the engaging tab is moved in the display direction to ensure a space between a vehicle component and an attachment structure, the attachment structure can be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Minoru Sumiya
  • Patent number: 8438916
    Abstract: A meter apparatus is mountable on a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having an output shaft that rotates at a predetermined idling speed during idling of the engine. When the vehicle satisfies a predetermined stop condition during rotation of the output shaft at the idling speed, the rotation of the output shaft is stopped temporarily. The meter apparatus includes a pointer needle that moves according to a rotation speed of the output shaft to indicate the rotation speed. The amount of movement of the pointer needle with respect to a change in the rotation speed of the output shaft is less when the rotation speed is in a low speed range below the idling speed than when the rotation speed is in a high speed range above the idling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takahira Katoh, Kenichi Hiura, Minoru Sumiya, Masahiro Kuno
  • Publication number: 20120055241
    Abstract: A meter apparatus is mountable on a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having an output shaft that rotates at a predetermined idling speed during idling of the engine. When the vehicle satisfies a predetermined stop condition during rotation of the output shaft at the idling speed, the rotation of the output shaft is stopped temporarily. The meter apparatus includes a pointer needle that moves according to a rotation speed of the output shaft to indicate the rotation speed. The amount of movement of the pointer needle with respect to a change in the rotation speed of the output shaft is less when the rotation speed is in a low speed range below the idling speed than when the rotation speed is in a high speed range above the idling speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahira Katoh, Kenichi Hiura, Minoru Sumiya, Masahiro Kuno
  • Publication number: 20120029837
    Abstract: An engine revolution meter for displaying an engine revolution number display value includes an obtaining device, a calculating device, and a determining device. The obtaining device obtains an engine revolution number measurement value corresponding to a measured revolution number of an engine of a vehicle. The calculating device calculates the display value based on the measurement value. The determining device determines whether the measurement value is greater or less than a reference value. When the determining device determines that the measurement value is less than the reference value, the calculating device calculates the display value in such a manner that the display value changes at a first rate different from a second rate at which the measurement value changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahira Katoh, Kenichi Hiura, Minoru Sumiya
  • Patent number: 8078358
    Abstract: A vehicle display unit for a vehicle includes a display panel, a transmitting panel, a peripheral wall member, and a sounding body. The display panel faces a vehicle interior of the vehicle and displays visual information to a vehicle occupant of the vehicle. The transmitting panel is disposed on a vehicle interior side of the display panel. The visual information is transmitted to the vehicle occupant through the transmitting panel. The peripheral wall member surrounds a space between the display panel and the transmitting panel in a circumferential direction of the display panel. The sounding body is attached on an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall member and is configured to provide auditory information for the vehicle occupant by generating a sound wave. The peripheral wall member has a communicating hole, which opens toward the sounding body and communicates with the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Shirou Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20090248245
    Abstract: A vehicle display unit for a vehicle includes a display panel, a transmitting panel, a peripheral wall member, and a sounding body. The display panel faces a vehicle interior of the vehicle and displays visual information to a vehicle occupant of the vehicle. The transmitting panel is disposed on a vehicle interior side of the display panel. The visual information is transmitted to the vehicle occupant through the transmitting panel. The peripheral wall member surrounds a space between the display panel and the transmitting panel in a circumferential direction of the display panel. The sounding body is attached on an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall member and is configured to provide auditory information for the vehicle occupant by generating a sound wave. The peripheral wall member has a communicating hole, which opens toward the sounding body and communicates with the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIO
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Shirou Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7482915
    Abstract: A center panel is closer to a viewer in the viewing direction than a speedometer A is and overlapped with the speedometer. The center panel includes an attachment portion extending from a rear side of the center panel towards a dial plate of the speedometer. The center panel is fixed to a printed circuit board of the speedometer via the attachment portion. Accordingly, when a combination meter is viewed, the attachment portion is concealed rearward of the center panel to be invisible. The center panel looks floating separately from the speedometer towards a viewer, which provides a combination meter having excellent visibility and aesthetic cosmetic appearance. Thus, a vehicular display device having excellent visibility and aesthetic cosmetic appearance can be provided by improving a method for supporting a displaying unit on a pointer instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Shoji Kurikawa, Yoshinori Araki, Yutaka Imai, Yoshiyuki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7196635
    Abstract: A circuit board is divided into two portions: a flexible printed circuit board; and a printed circuit board. On the flexible circuit board, movements whose layouts on the flexible circuit board are changed based on a design change in a dial plate due to a model change in a vehicle, light emitting diodes, a connector, a buzzer, and a changing-over switch are mounted. On the printed circuit board, a controller that radiates electrical noise during its operation is mounted. This enables a countermeasure for radiating of the electrical noise from the controller to be completed within the printed circuit board. This also enables a circuit design of the flexible printed circuit board to be easily performed. Man power for designing a combination meter can be thereby decreased; further, the combination meter capable of restricting generation of the electrical noise is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Hideyuki Nakane
  • Publication number: 20060290486
    Abstract: A center panel is closer to a viewer in the viewing direction than a speedometer A is and overlapped with the speedometer. The center panel includes an attachment portion extending from a rear side of the center panel towards a dial plate of the speedometer. The center panel is fixed to a printed circuit board of the speedometer via the attachment portion. Accordingly, when a combination meter is viewed, the attachment portion is concealed rearward of the center panel to be invisible. The center panel looks floating separately from the speedometer towards a viewer, which provides a combination meter having excellent visibility and aesthetic cosmetic appearance. Thus, a vehicular display device having excellent visibility and aesthetic cosmetic appearance can be provided by improving a method for supporting a displaying unit on a pointer instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Shoji Kurikawa, Yoshinori Araki, Yutaka Imai, Yoshiyuki Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20060181399
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a first display unit, a second display unit and a control unit. The control unit controls the first display unit to display at the same time multiple indication marks indicative of respective warning items to be warned. While the first display unit displays the multiple indication marks, the control unit controls the second display unit to display a supplemental description describing at least one of the respective warning items. Here, the supplemental description supplementally explains at least one of the multiple indication marks, so that a correspondence between the supplemental description and one of the indication marks can be indicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Sumiya
  • Publication number: 20050012607
    Abstract: A circuit board is divided into two portions: a flexible printed circuit board; and a printed circuit board. On the flexible circuit board, movements whose layouts on the flexible circuit board are changed based on a design change in a dial plate due to a model change in a vehicle, light emitting diodes, a connector, a buzzer, and a changing-over switch are mounted. On the printed circuit board, a controller that radiates electrical noise during its operation is mounted. This enables a countermeasure for radiating of the electrical noise from the controller to be completed within the printed circuit board. This also enables a circuit design of the flexible printed circuit board to be easily performed. Man power for designing a combination meter can be thereby decreased; further, the combination meter capable of restricting generation of the electrical noise is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Hideyuki Nakane
  • Patent number: 5572342
    Abstract: A liquid crystal displaying device uses an inexpensive incandescent lamp or xenon lamp without sacrificing luminous intensity of a reflector, while maintaining an ease of installation. In the displaying device, a liquid crystal displaying panel, an incandescent lamp, a reflector, a lens and a heat-ray absorbing filter have a common optical axis and are secured to a bracket. The lamp is held by a socket and installed on the bracket transversely to the optical axis of the reflecting surface of the reflector. Further, the liquid crystal displaying panel has polarizing plates on both sides thereof. A coating to diffuse light from the lamp is disposed on one of the polarizing plates on the light incident side of the displaying panel. The polarizing direction of the polarizing plate on the other side of the displaying panel is selected so that the polarizing direction of the incident light waves on a reflective layer which is disposed on the front windshield glass provides a transversal or horizontal wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Higuchi, Hideki Okuyama, Minoru Sumiya