Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Namba
Mitsuo Namba 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).
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Patent number: 8442696Abstract: Setting safety function, as appropriate, according to a user environment is enabled, thereby enhancing safety function. According to selection information from a safety function selection unit 120, a function setting unit 116 sets arbitrary function among a plurality of functions as safety function pertaining to usage of a gas. When operating conditions for safety function are fulfilled, a monitoring unit 112 detects malfunction, which would arise during usage of a gas, and outputs a safety signal to a control unit 114 in accordance with the set safety function. In accordance with a safety signal from the monitoring unit 112, the control unit 114 cuts off a gas supply when an event fulfilling operating conditions for the set function has arisen. When an event fulfilling operating conditions for an unset function has arisen, a communication unit 124 reports occurrence of malfunction pertaining to unset function to the monitoring center 200.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Patent number: 8250932Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to set security functions as necessary depending on usage environment, etc. and to improve the security functions; a function setting section 1116 sets security function information received from the outside via a communication line as security functions regarding the user of gas. According to the set security function, in the case that the operation conditions of the security function are satisfied, a monitoring section 112 detects a problem during the use of gas and outputs a security signal to a control section 114. Based on the security signal from the monitoring section 112, the control section 114 shuts off the supply of gas in the case that a phenomenon satisfying an operation condition of the set function having been set has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Patent number: 8166999Abstract: A use condition of gas equipment is monitored. An abnormality determination unit 26 determines whether or not a use flow volume obtained by detecting a flow velocity obtained by measuring a signal transfer time in a medium using a flow velocity detection unit 17 and converting the detected flow velocity into a flow volume using a flow volume calculation unit 25. When the shutoff unit 27 shuts off a fluid path 1 when it is determined that there is abnormality, a return signal is output from a return unit 28 to a shutoff unit 27 in order to use the gas again by opening the fluid path. Simultaneously, when a return time-counting unit 29 starts the time-counting operation, and then, a predetermined time period has been elapsed, the flow volume calculation unit 25 determines whether or not a predetermined flow volume of greater flows in order to identify whether or not all of the gas plugs of the gas equipment connected to the downstream of the gas shutoff apparatus 27 are closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kouichi Ueki, Shigetada Sazawa, Kazutaka Hamada, Mitsuo Namba, Fujio Hori, Sadamu Kawashima, Isao Masuda, Hisanori Yamashita, Kazutaka Asano
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Publication number: 20110077874Abstract: A conventional appliance monitoring apparatus handles only the amount of gas used and security information for the case of a gas cutoff and can not address social needs for a desire to obtain information about influence (e.g., an amount of CO2 emission) of use of the gas combustion appliance on a terrestrial environment. A CO2 emission calculation unit 4 calculates an amount of CO2 emission based on a gas appliance used by a client output from an appliance determination unit 2, a gas flow signal thereof, and CO2 emission data pertaining to the gas appliance stored in a CO2 emission data storage unit 3. Thus, it is possible to determine the amount of CO2 emission produced by using the gas appliance by the client.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicants: Panasonic Corporation, The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanInventors: Tsuyoshi Honda, Hiroshi Takechi, Kouji Murase, Kenji Yasuda, Mitsuo Namba, Kazuo Kubo, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20110066387Abstract: A convention appliance monitoring apparatus handles only the amount of gas used and security information for the case of a gas cutoff and can not address social needs for a desire to obtain information about influence (e.g., an amount of CO2 emission) of use of the gas combustion appliance on a terrestrial environment. Based on a gas appliance used by a client and a gas flow signal pertaining the gas appliance which are output from an appliance determination unit 2, CO2 emission data on the gas appliance stored in a CO2 emission data storage unit 3, and CO2 emission data which are to be compared with the gas appliance and stored in a comparative CO2 emission data storage unit 4, a CO2 emission calculation unit 5 calculates an amount of CO2 emission, an comparative amount of CO2 emission and a difference between the amount of CO2 emission and the comparative amount of CO2 emission.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicants: Panasonic Corporaiton, The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanInventors: Tsuyoshi Honda, Akira Matsuda, Kouji Murase, Kenji Yasuda, Mitsuo Namba, Kazuo Kubo, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20110012738Abstract: It is an object to acquire in real time information about the type of an appliance used at home, a cumulative time elapsed from installation of the appliance, and the like; preliminarily acquire inspection timing; and prevent occurrence of a problem in the appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hirozumi Nakamura, Mitsuo Yokohata, Yasuo Koba, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20110010110Abstract: A challenge to be met by the present invention is to enable appropriate setting of safety function according to a use environment and enhance safety function. An IC card (118) stores data pertaining to the quantity of available gas and at least one safety function program. An IC card reading unit (122) reads information stored in the IC card (118). From the read information, an IC card determination unit (126) determines whether or not the IC card (118) is normal. A safety function detection unit (128) detects a safety function program from the read information and stores the program in a safety function storage unit (130). When the IC card (118) is normal, a function setting unit (116) imparts a safety function program to a monitoring unit (112). A remaining available quantity count unit (124) determines a remaining quantity of available gas from the read quantity of available gas and a flow determined by a flow computing unit (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20110000310Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to set security functions as necessary depending on usage environment, etc. and to improve the security functions; a function setting section 1116 sets security function information received from the outside via a communication line as security functions regarding the user of gas. According to the set security function, in the case that the operation conditions of the security function are satisfied, a monitoring section 112 detects a problem during the use of gas and outputs a security signal to a control section 114. Based on the security signal from the monitoring section 112, the control section 114 shuts off the supply of gas in the case that a phenomenon satisfying an operation condition of the set function having been set has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicants: Panasonic Corporation, The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanInventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20110004353Abstract: Setting safety function, as appropriate, according to a user environment is enabled, thereby enhancing safety function. According to selection information from a safety function selection unit 120, a function setting unit 116 sets arbitrary function among a plurality of functions as safety function pertaining to usage of a gas. When operating conditions for safety function are fulfilled, a monitoring unit 112 detects malfunction, which would arise during usage of a gas, and outputs a safety signal to a control unit 114 in accordance with the set safety function. In accordance with a safety signal from the monitoring unit 112, the control unit 114 cuts off a gas supply when an event fulfilling operating conditions for the set function has arisen. When an event fulfilling operating conditions for an unset function has arisen, a communication unit 124 reports occurrence of malfunction pertaining to unset function to the monitoring center 200.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20100330515Abstract: An object of the invention is to appropriately control the use limit function of an appliance according to the concentration level of CO gas. A gas shutoff device is made up of a flow rate registration unit 28 for registering as an appliance flow rate, an average flow rate found by classifying and storing in a flow rate storage unit 26 after flow rate detection, a CO gas leakage determination unit 29 for inputting an output signal responsive to the concentration level of CO gas from a CO alarm 20, an appliance estimation unit 30, when a signal is output by the CO gas leakage determination unit 29 and the flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration unit 28, for storing a flow rate pattern group stored in the flow rate storage unit 26 and the registered flow rate and estimating a CO gas leakage appliance, an appliance flow rate storage unit 31 for storing the flow rate pattern group, and a communication unit 35 for reporting appliance information.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kouichi Ueki, Kazutaka Asano, Tadanori Shirasawa, Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20080115840Abstract: A use condition of gas equipment is monitored. An abnormality determination unit 26 determines whether or not a use flow volume obtained by detecting a flow velocity obtained by measuring a signal transfer time in a medium using a flow velocity detection unit 17 and converting the detected flow velocity into a flow volume using a flow volume calculation unit 25. When the shutoff unit 27 shuts off a fluid path 1 when it is determined that there is abnormality, a return signal is output from a return unit 28 to a shutoff unit 27 in order to use the gas again by opening the fluid path. Simultaneously, when a return time-counting unit 29 starts the time-counting operation, and then, a predetermined time period has been elapsed, the flow volume calculation unit 25 determines whether or not a predetermined flow volume of greater flows in order to identify whether or not all of the gas plugs of the gas equipment connected to the downstream of the gas shutoff apparatus 27 are closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2005Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Kouichi Ueki, Shigetada Sazawa, Kazutaka Hamada, Mitsuo Namba, Fujio Hori, Sadamu Kawashima, Isao Masuda, Hisanori Yamashita, Kazutaka Asano
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Patent number: 5866802Abstract: A piping leakage detecting apparatus includes a high pressure gas supply source, a gas implement connected to the high pressure gas supply source via a pipeline, and a switching device mounted on the pipeline for selectively opening and closing the pipeline. A pressure detecting device is mounted between the gas implement and the switching device for detecting the gas pressure inside the pipeline. A leakage judging device is provided to judge that gas leaks when no gas is being used and when a pressure drop is detected based on an output from the pressure detecting device, while the pipeline is being opened and closed by the switching device.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanInventors: Kunio Kimata, Yasukiyo Ueda, Shinichi Nakane, Mitsuo Namba
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Patent number: 5866803Abstract: A gas leakage detection system permits the detection of gas leakage within a field of a definite scope to be performed easily and reliably. The gas leakage detection system comprises: gas supply amount detection means (1) that detects the amount of gas supplied at the main side of a gas line that branches out to individual gas users, gas usage detection means (2) that detects the amount of gas used by each of said individual gas users, and leakage determination means (3) that finds the total amount of gas used as the sum of the amounts of gas used by the individual gas users, compares this total amount of gas used against the aforementioned amount of gas supplied, and thus determines whether or not there is any leakage of gas between the main side of the gas line and the individual gas users.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Mitsuo Namba, Tsuneo Asayama, Satoshi Takahashi
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Patent number: 5261268Abstract: A gas leak detection system comprises a flow sensor for detecting the amount of gas flowing through a gas flow passage, a flow signal generator for producing a flow signal representing the quantity of gas flow detected by the flow sensor, a pressure sensor installed in the gas flow passage at a point upstream of the flow sensor for detecting the gas pressure in the gas flow passage, a pressure signal generator for producing a pressure signal representing fluctuations in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and a computing device electrically connected with the flow signal generator and the pressure signal generator. When it is found that no flow signal is being produced, the pressure fluctuation is compared with a prescribed pressure fluctuation range and a leak signal is produced when the pressure fluctuation value falls within the prescribed range.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1992Date of Patent: November 16, 1993Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & IndustryInventor: Mitsuo Namba
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Patent number: 4881948Abstract: A gas flow rate is measured and therefrom "consumption state" defined by combination of maximum flow rate, increase of total amount and a consumption time of the gas is detected, and then, the consumption state is compared with a "reference consumption condition" representing a predetermined consumption state; and when the "consumption state" exceeds the "reference consumption condition", a gas control means interrupt supply of the gas; and thereafter, after restoration of the gas control means to gas supply state, the actual gas consumption state is measured for a predetermined time counted by timer when the gas flow rate exceeds a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1989Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanInventors: Shinichi Nakane, Takashi Uno, Hiroshi Horii, Shinzo Kato, Mitsuo Namba, Reppei Uematsu