Patents by Inventor Shunji Minami
Shunji Minami 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: 7079453Abstract: The present invention relates to a timepiece and an electronic apparatus, which comprise a casing, a digital face and a time counting module, both being provided in the casing. A bulb-shaped solar battery element is mounted on the digital face. The bulb-shaped solar battery element is allowed to receive the external light sufficiently to generate the electric power efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shunji Minami, Narutoshi Minami, Makoto Sawada
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Publication number: 20040174774Abstract: An electronic timepiece apparatus comprises a time-display hand unit having a dial plate and hands that sweep above the dial plate, a first liquid crystal display unit which is disposed above the time-display hand unit, and a second liquid crystal display unit which is disposed below the time-display hand unit. Information displayed on the second liquid crystal display unit is visible from above the first liquid crystal display unit through the dial plate and the first liquid crystal display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Tasaka, Hiroyuki Abe, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 6697303Abstract: With a dial for a timepiece comprising a decoration member 21 having a plurality of through holes 22 formed vertically on a luminescent member 10, the cross-sectional area of lower-side holes 24 of the decoration member 21 is formed to be larger than that of upper-side holes 23. Therefore, even if a substrate is thick, the diameter of the upper-side holes 23 of the through holes 22 can be formed to be small sufficiently. Moreover, compared to a dial size 20 for a timepiece wherein the decoration member 21 is placed on the luminescent member 10, the diameter of the through holes 22 of the decoration member 21 is small. Thus, it is possible to take in enough light from the luminescent member 10 through the lower-side holes 24 to ensure the sufficient amount of light through the through holes 22. It is possible to obtain sufficient illuminance for the dial.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masao Amano, Shunji Minami
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Publication number: 20040008588Abstract: The present invention relates to a timepiece and an electronic apparatus, which comprise a casing, a digital face and a time counting module, both being provided in the casing. A bulb-shaped solar battery element is mounted on the digital face. The bulb-shaped solar battery element is allowed to receive the external light sufficiently to generate the electric power efficiently.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Casio Computer Co. , Ltd.Inventors: Shunji Minami, Narutoshi Minami, Makoto Sawada
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Patent number: 6512721Abstract: A dial for timepiece is provided which includes a decoration member having a through hole, and a luminescent member disposed under the decoration member. A first surface processed layer is provided on an upper surface of the decoration member, and a second surface processed layer having a light-transmissive property is provided on an upper surface of the luminescent member. When the luminescent member is turned on, light emitted from the luminescent member is transmitted through the second surface processed layer and passes through the through hole of the decoration member. Because the transmitted light illuminates the upper surface side of the decoration member partially in accordance with the through hole, the dial is visible even in a dark place. In addition, decoration effects can be achieved by both the first surface processed layer and the second surface processed layer in accordance with the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masao Amano, Shunji Minami
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Publication number: 20030007425Abstract: With a dial for a timepiece comprising a decoration member 21 having a plurality of through holes 22 formed vertically on a luminescent member 10, the cross-sectional area of lower-side holes 24 of the decoration member 21 is formed to be larger than that of upper-side holes 23. Therefore, even if a substrate is thick, the diameter of the upper-side holes 23 of the through holes 22 can be formed to be small sufficiently. Moreover, compared to a dial size 20 for a timepiece wherein the decoration member 21 is placed on the luminescent member 10, the diameter of the through holes 22 of the decoration member 21 is small. Thus, it is possible to take in enough light from the luminescent member 10 through the lower-side holes 24 to ensure the sufficient amount of light through the through holes 22. It is possible to obtain sufficient illuminance for the dial.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Masao Amano, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 6341428Abstract: A tilt detecting device for use in various electronic apparatuses such as a watch, electronic notebook or the like. The tilt detecting device includes a projection in a part of a ball containing portion formed in an interior of an insulation case. In the insulation case, two conductive pins are disposed thereon in parallel with each other with a predetermined space, which have a large diameter portion, a small diameter portion and a step between them. In the ball containing portion, a conductive ball is contained therein, which is movable along in a longitudinal direction of the two conductive pins in the ball containing portion when the insulation case is inclined. Only when the insulation case is inclined, the conductive ball is at a position on the large diameter portions to be electrically in contact with the two conductive pins to output a corresponding detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayoshi Tanazawa, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 6266297Abstract: An analog hand mechanism having hands in a watch case, and a plate-like luminescent device in the watch case, to illuminate the analog hand mechanism. A metallic layer or a metallic ink layer, for giving a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from the surface of the luminescent device, is disposed on at least a side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the luminescent device.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 6249487Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided which enables miniaturization and has not only good electromagnetic shielding characteristics but also good resistance to impact. The electronic apparatus includes: an instrument case having an upper case and a case back, an electromagnetic shielding body which is contained in the instrument case, and electronic members, for example, an analog board, a digital board and the like, which are disposed in the shielding body. The body comprises a pair of half body members of shielding material. One of the pair is a first shielding member having a standing and surrounding periphery and an opening at an end. The other of the pair is a second shielding member having a standing and surrounding periphery and an opening at an end. The openings and of the first and second shielding members are opposed to each other so that they can be coupled with each other by fitting one of the standing and surrounding peripheries into the other thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junro Yano, Naohiko Sakurazawa, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 6208591Abstract: A translucent or transparent panel member which has a protrusion on the upper surface thereof is disposed on the upper surface of a plate-like luminescent member, to form a luminescent device. The luminescent device is manufactured by forming a protrusion on the upper surface of the panel member, providing a masking layer on the peripheral side surface and the upper surface, of the protrusion, forming a printed layer on the upper surface of the panel member, forming a printed layer on the upper surface of the protrusion after removing the masking layer from the protrusions, and arranging the panel member on the upper surface of the plate-like luminescent member. Such a plate-like luminescent device is arranged in the timepiece case to illuminate the analog hand mechanism. Such a plate-like luminescent device is also arranged in an electronic apparatus case to illuminate a liquid crystal display device of the electronic apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohiko Sakurazawa, Shunji Minami, Hiroyuki Sonoda
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Patent number: 6115929Abstract: A tilt detecting device for use in various electronic apparatuses such as a watch, electronic notebook or the like. The tilt detecting device includes a projection in a part of a ball containing portion formed in an interior of an insulation case. In the insulation case, two conductive pins are disposed thereon in parallel with each other with a predetermined space, which have a large diameter portion, a small diameter portion and a step between them. In the ball containing portion, a conductive ball is contained therein, which is movable along in a longitudinal direction of the two conductive pins in the ball containing portion when the insulation case is inclined. Only when the insulation case is inclined, the conductive ball is at a position on the large diameter portions to be electrically in contact with the two conductive pins to output a corresponding detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayoshi Tanazawa, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 6020943Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device which is used for various types of electronic apparatuses, e.g., an electronic watch, an electronic pocket notebook, and the like, and an electronic device. In the device or apparatus, a solar battery member having a lot of light passing openings for passing light is provided between a liquid crystal display member and a plate-like light emitting member disposed at a position lower than that of the liquid crystal display member.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Norihisa Usui, Shunji Minami, Koji Namiki
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Patent number: 5930204Abstract: The watch and method of manufacture thereof includes an analog hand mechanism having hands in a watch case, and a plate-like luminescent device in the watch case, to illuminate the analog hand mechanism. A metallic layer or a metallic ink layer, for giving a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from the surface of the luminescent device, is disposed on at least a side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the luminescent device.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 5880796Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device which is used for various types of electronic apparatuses, e.g., an electronic watch, an electronic pocket notebook, and the like, and an electronic device. In the device or apparatus, a solar battery member having a lot of light passing openings for passing light is provided between a liquid crystal display member and a plate-like light emitting member disposed at a position lower than that of the liquid crystal display member.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Norihisa Usui, Shunji Minami, Koji Namiki
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Patent number: 5838640Abstract: An analog hand mechanism having hands in a watch case, and a plate-like luminescent device in the watch case, to illuminate the analog hand mechanism. A metallic layer or a metallic ink layer, for giving a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from the surface of the luminescent device, is disposed on at least a side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the luminescent device.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 5768217Abstract: A thin antenna 20 having a satisfactory length, its making method, and an electronic device such as a wristwatch having such antenna. The antenna 20 is formed on a lower surface of a transparent plate 5 by printing an ornamental layer 22 on a lower surface of the transparent plate 5, forming a conductive ink layer 23 on the ornamental layer 22, and further forming plated metal layers 24, 25 on the conductive ink layer 23. Since the antenna 20 is thin as a whole, it may be provided within a small electronic device such as a wristwatch.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 5212966Abstract: A resin band is formed by molding a first resin member by injection molding to cover a net member excluding its periphery, and by molding a second resin member by injection molding to cover a periphery of the net member exposed from the first resin member. In the resin band formed in this manner, the adhesion strength of the first and second resin members is increased by the net member, and the resin band can be colored in two colors by changing the colors of the first and second resin members.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shunji Minami
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Patent number: 5050138Abstract: An electronic wrist watch having a sound producing unit and an electrooptic data display unit, has a single flat plate member a lower surface of which is contacted with a user's hand, and a case member which is attached to one end of the plate member so as to be freely opened and closed over the plate member. A switch input section for data input is mounted on an upper surface of the plate member. An analog display unit for displaying time with hands, and a sound emitting section are mounted on the upper surface of the case member so as not to overlap each other. An electrooptic data display unit for displaying data is mounted on the lower surface of the case member. A sound producing unit and an electronic circuit for driving the analog display unit and the sound producing unit are housed in the case member.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1990Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wataru Yamada, Yukio Kido, Hiroyuki Abe, Shunji Minami, Shigeru Katoh, Junro Yano
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Patent number: 4985878Abstract: A case member is coupled to a plate member so as to be movable between an opening position and a closing position with respect to the plate member. A switch input section is mounted on the upper surface of the plate member. An analog display unit for displaying time with hands is arranged on the upper surface of the case member. An electrooptic data display unit for displaying data is arranged on the lower surface of the case member. An electronic circuit for driving the analog display unit and the electrooptic data display unit is housed in the case member. The switch input section on the plate member is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the case member. Data input from the switch input section to the electronic circuit is processed thereby and is displayed on the electrooptic data display unit. When the case member is set at the closing position, only the analog display unit is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1989Date of Patent: January 15, 1991Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wataru Yamada, Yukio Kido, Hiroyuki Abe, Shunji Minami, Shigeru Katoh, Junro Yano
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Patent number: 4900343Abstract: Several embodiments of induction systems for internal combustion engines that improve the charging efficiency, particularly at low speeds are disclosed. Each embodiment employs a plenum chamber upstream of the engine throttle valve and a reed type check valve admits air to the plenum chamber so as to improve charging efficiency at low speeds by maintaining an air flow in the induction system. In accordance with some embodiments, a supercharger is also employed which discharges into the plenum chamber upstream of the throttle valve. This arrangement minimizes pulsation effects from the supercharger being transmitted to the engine intake ports. In addition, the reed type check valve can be employed in many of the embodiments to bypass the supercharger under conditions when the supercharger is not generating any significant boost.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1988Date of Patent: February 13, 1990Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shunji Minami, Yasuo Nakao, Kazuhiko Nomura