Patents by Inventor Norio Ohkubo

Norio Ohkubo 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: 20100097204
    Abstract: Face-to-face detection by infrared-ray communication is effective in grasping interaction between persons. However the problem here is that infrared rays have a high directivity and detection fails unless the persons face each other right in front. Sensor signals having a high directivity and sensor signals having a low directivity are obtained from a sensor terminal (TR) carried by a person. Firstly, information on relative position is obtained with a sensor (TRIR) of infrared rays or the like having a high directivity and an initial group is formed at an application server (AS). A feature amount such as sound that has a low directivity and can sense surrounding environmental information is extracted from among the terminals (TRs) belonging to the initial group by personal feature extraction (ASIF), correlation with terminals (TRs) not belonging to a group is obtained, and thereby whether or not those terminals (TRs) belong to an identical group is judged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuo Sato, Norio Ohkubo, Norihiko Moriwaki, Yoshihiro Wakisaka
  • Publication number: 20100085202
    Abstract: A network system including: a first sensor device which includes a first sensor unit which detects an action of a detection object; and a first transmission unit which transmits first data regarding the action and first identification information to a server via a first base station: a second sensor device which includes; a second sensor unit which obtains sensing data; and a second transmission unit which transmits second data including the sensing data and second identification information to the server via a second base station; wherein the server is configured to: associate the first and second data based on the detection of the action; to access predetermined normal data correlating data; and, detect an abnormal condition if a combination of the action detected via the first sensor unit and the sensing data obtained by the second sensor unit conflict with the correlated normal data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihiro WAKISAKA, Shunzo YAMASHITA, Toshiyuki ODAKA, Norio OHKUBO
  • Patent number: 7675410
    Abstract: The position of a node is identified. There is provided a module for identifying the position of a node using a locator node that sniffs communication of the node in a sensor network system capable of continuously tracking a situational change in the state, position or the like of people or an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Aritsuka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7656274
    Abstract: Face-to-face detection by infrared-ray communication is effective in grasping interaction between persons. However the problem here is that infrared rays have a high directivity and detection fails unless the persons face each other right in front. Sensor signals having a high directivity and sensor signals having a low directivity are obtained from a sensor terminal (TR) carried by a person. Firstly, information on relative position is obtained with a sensor (TRIR) of infrared rays or the like having a high directivity and an initial group is formed at an application server (AS). A feature amount such as sound that has a low directivity and can sense surrounding environmental information is extracted from among the terminals (TRs) belonging to the initial group by personal feature extraction (ASIF), correlation with terminals (TRs) not belonging to a group is obtained, and thereby whether or not those terminals (TRs) belong to an identical group is judged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Sato, Norio Ohkubo, Norihiko Moriwaki, Yoshihiro Wakisaka
  • Patent number: 7642925
    Abstract: A sensor device wherein when a first sensor detects a detection object, the first sensor changes its output voltage level, and when the processor unit detects the change of the output voltage level of the first sensor as an interrupt signal, the drive voltage level of the first sensor is switched from the first signal level to the second signal level which is different from the first signal level and the drive voltage level of the second sensor is switched from the second signal level to the first signal level which is different from the second signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Wakisaka, Shunzo Yamashita, Toshiyuki Odaka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20090198475
    Abstract: An analysis sever capable of performing analysis among a large amount of sensor data in order to obtain an analysis result that a reader desires and outputting the result instantaneously. The analysis server rearranges the sensor data acquired from a sensor node into time series data. The analysis is performed separately for time trigger analysis (D) and for event trigger analysis (F) depending on analysis contents. In the time trigger analysis (D), analysis processing that is basically needed when visualizing a state of an organization is performed. In the event trigger analysis (F), an analysis result obtained by the time trigger analysis (D) is processed using the reader's desired information and is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Nobuo Sato, Satomi Tsuji, Kazuo Yano, Norihiko Moriwaki, Norio Ohkubo, Yoshihiro Wakisaka
  • Publication number: 20080297373
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sensor node capable of transmitting and receiving a large amount of data or data desired to be reliable without missing data, while preventing battery exhaustion and unnecessary compression of the transmission bandwidth. A name-tag type sensor node includes a detector for detecting connection of an external power supply. When the detector detects that the external power is supplied, the name-tag type sensor node transmits and receives a large amount of data, such as bulk transmission data, at an increased frequency by means of a data selector, a communication timing controller, and a wireless communication controller. Alternatively, the name-tag type sensor node transmits and receives the data desired to be reliable, such as rewriting data of firmware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Miki Hayakawa, Norihiko Moriwaki, Kazuo Yano, Satomi Tsuji, Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20080169919
    Abstract: Face-to-face detection by infrared-ray communication is effective in grasping interaction between persons. However the problem here is that infrared rays have a high directivity and detection fails unless the persons face each other right in front. Sensor signals having a high directivity and sensor signals having a low directivity are obtained from a sensor terminal (TR) carried by a person. Firstly, information on relative position is obtained with a sensor (TRIR) of infrared rays or the like having a high directivity and an initial group is formed at an application server (AS). A feature amount such as sound that has a low directivity and can sense surrounding environmental information is extracted from among the terminals (TRs) belonging to the initial group by personal feature extraction (ASIF), correlation with terminals (TRs) not belonging to a group is obtained, and thereby whether or not those terminals (TRs) belong to an identical group is judged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Nobuo SATO, Norio OHKUBO, Norihiko MORIWAKI, Yoshihiro WAKISAKA
  • Publication number: 20080164997
    Abstract: The position of a node is identified. There is provided a module for identifying the position of a node using a locator node that sniffs communication of the node in a sensor network system capable of continuously tracking a situational change in the state, position or the like of people or an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Aritsuka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20080143512
    Abstract: A wireless terminal comprising a radio transceiver for communicating with a base station, an infrared transceiver for communicating with another wireless terminal, a congestion control unit for detecting whether radio communication with the base station is in a collision-free state, and a communication control unit for performing radio communication with the base station by the radio transceiver after detecting unoccupied state in the radio channel by the congestion control unit and transmitting identification information to another wireless terminal by the infrared transceiver when the radio communication with the base station is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihiro WAKISAKA, Norio OHKUBO, Norihiko MORIWAKI, Miki HAYAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20080118076
    Abstract: By individuals in an organization possessing a portable node and acquiring sound information, an electronic device and a system that analyze human behavior, group formation, and an activity level of the organization and a system is provided. In an electronic device that has a radio communication unit and a microcomputer, sound is converted into an electrical signal by a microphone, and sound waveform information and characteristic information of sound are obtained using an amplifier, a filter, and an envelope generating circuit. An envelope signal being characteristic information of sound is compared with a reference value by a comparator. Characteristic information of sound when the signal does not reach the reference value, and sound waveform information when greater than the reference value are transmitted from the radio communication unit. The server learns human behavior, group formation; and an activity level of an organization by receiving and analyzing these pieces of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Norio Ohkubo, Nobuo Sato, Yoshihiro Wakisaka
  • Publication number: 20080068194
    Abstract: A sensor device wherein when a first sensor detects a detection object, the first sensor changes its output voltage level, and when the processor unit detects the change of the output voltage level of the first sensor as an interrupt signal, the drive voltage level of the first sensor is switched from the first signal level to the second signal level which is different from the first signal level and the drive voltage level of the second sensor is switched from the second signal level to the first signal level which is different from the second signal level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihiro WAKISAKA, Shunzo Yamashita, Toshiyuki Odaka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20070262863
    Abstract: A sensor network system with its ability to specify the position of a terminal is disclosed. This system includes a locator node operative to catch a communication of a sensor node. Using this locator node, a present position of the sensor node is specified, thereby permitting services to be done based on the sensor node's position and ID information. A node position specifying method for use in the network system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Aritsuka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7289034
    Abstract: A radio terminal device realizing reduced power consumption and prompt detection of detection object by using a first sensor and a second sensor whose ON/OFF states are opposite and whose operations are synchronized. When the first sensor detects a detection object, the first output voltage level is changed. When a processor detects the change of the output voltage level as an interrupt signal, the drive voltage level of the first sensor is switched to low and the drive voltage level of the second sensor is switched to high. Moreover, when the second sensor detects a detection object, the output voltage level of the second sensor is changed. When the processor detects the change of the output voltage level as an interrupt signal, the drive voltage level of the second sensor is switched to low and the drive voltage level of the first circuit is switched to high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Wakisaka, Shunzo Yamashita, Toshiyuki Odaka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7176601
    Abstract: A piezoelectric power generation system which performs a highly efficient power generation using a piezoelectric element without dependency on the direction of an externally driven vibration. The piezoelectric power generation system includes a vibrator having a beam in the form of a rod, and an impact element such as a steel ball. At one end of the beam is fixed the impact element, and at the other end of the beam, the beam is fixed to the base. The outer circumference of the impact element carries the cylinder shaped piezoelectric element. When the base vibrates due to an externally driven vibration, the vibrator vibrates in synchronization with the given vibration in the radial direction of the base to cause the impact element of the base to impact with the inner surface of the cylindrical piezoelectric element, forcing the piezoelectric element to deform and thereby generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Tanaka, Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20070019452
    Abstract: Provided is a technique of reducing time and labor of replacing and charging the battery. This invention provides an electronic apparatus, which has a name written on a front side thereof, including: a radio communication apparatus; a secondary battery; a solar battery on the front side; and a display unit on a backside thereof, in which the solar battery is installed to be tilted to make a distance between an upper side thereof and the display unit smaller than a distance between a lower side thereof and the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Norio Ohkubo, Norihiko Moriwaki, Yoshihiro Wakisaka, Shunzo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7112911
    Abstract: Unnecessary moment in a vibrator is remarkably reduced and the power generation efficiency in capacitance-type vibrational power generation is remarkably improved. A vibrator provided in a variable-capacitance type vibrator has a structure in that one ends of oscillation plates extending in a longitudinal direction thereof sandwiches a mass and the other ends thereof sandwiches a spacer, respectively, wherein the oscillation plates are arranged parallel to each other. A space portion between the oscillation plates and in which the mass and the spacer are not in contact with each other functions as a spring. By holding the mass by the two oscillation plates, the mass can be oscillated while it is in parallel to an opposing electrode. Therefore, generation of unnecessary moment in a direction other than an oscillation direction can be remarkably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Tanaka, Norio Ohkubo, Masafumi Kanetomo
  • Publication number: 20060190885
    Abstract: There is provided a method of displaying calculated delay which can easily grasp the state of the entire logical block and acquire the detailed information on delay violation paths. A display screen has a first window displaying a path delay list of a combination of a source and a sink of a path and a second window displaying a cell delay list of cells corresponding to the route of the path. A path is selected on the first window to display the detail of the corresponding path on the second window. It is easily possible to grasp the state of the entire logical block and acquire the detailed information on delay violation paths. The design period of a semiconductor integrated circuit can be reduced largely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20060164040
    Abstract: A determining circuit determines whether power is supplied from a power generator or power is supplied from a battery, and an operation interval control circuit performs control of an intermittent operation in the sensor node based upon the determination result. For example, when power supplying from the battery continues for a predetermined time, a processing for extending the operation interval of the sensor node or a processing for putting the sensor node in a continuous standby state is performed, thereby reducing the wasteful power consumption of the battery. Then, when power supplying from the power generator is recovered, the sensor node is switched to an ordinary operation. Accordingly, an electronic equipment with a power generator and a battery as a power source in which the life of the battery is extended and the battery replacement is almost unnecessary is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventor: Norio Ohkubo
  • Patent number: D629785
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yachida, Norio Ohkubo