Patents by Inventor Tetsuo Muranaka
Tetsuo Muranaka 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: 11604533Abstract: There is provided a sensor unit for detecting a proximity state of an object at N detection positions, generating a composite detection signal in conformity with the sum of N detection signals obtained as a result of detection for N detection positions, and controlling a positive or negative polarity of the detection signal having a signal level in conformity with the proximity state at each of N detection positions, a sensor control unit for controlling the sensor unit for generating M composite detection signals having N polarity patterns set at N detection signals different from each other, and a signal regeneration unit for regenerating the signal level of the N detection signal based on the M composite detection signals generated by the sensor unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Naoyuki Hatano, Hiroshi Izumi, Koichi Miura, Yasuji Hagiwara
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Publication number: 20230065480Abstract: An input device includes a housing and a strain-generating body including a cylindrical portion with an upper end surface, the strain-generating body being secured to the housing. The input device includes four strain sensors, the four strain sensors being secured around the cylindrical portion of the strain-generating body. The input device includes an operation panel having a lower surface, the operation panel including a shaft, the shaft being situated on the lower surface and at a central portion of the operation panel, and the shaft being inserted into the cylindrical portion of the strain-generating body to be secured to the strain-generating body. The upper end surface of the cylindrical portion of the strain-generating body and the lower surface of the operation panel are in contact with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Kunio HOSONO, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
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Patent number: 11417478Abstract: A multidirectional input apparatus with a switch includes a strain generating body including at least a cylindrical portion and a first plate portion; a plurality of strain sensors; a wiring substrate; a contact rubber configuring the switch together with an electrode on the wiring substrate; and a button. The contact rubber includes a base portion, a movable portion, and a deformable portion. The movable portion is movable to a first position when the deformable portion is not deformed, and to a second position when the deformable portion is deformed. A center of a lower surface of the button contacts an upper surface of the movable portion when the movable portion is at the first and second positions. When the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and contacts the electrode, a protruding portion on the lower surface of the button presses the wiring substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Sadayuki Yaginuma, Kunio Hosono, Tetsuo Muranaka, Yasuji Hagiwara
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Publication number: 20220013311Abstract: A multidirectional input apparatus with a switch includes a strain generating body including at least a cylindrical portion and a first plate portion; a plurality of strain sensors; a wiring substrate; a contact rubber configuring the switch together with an electrode on the wiring substrate; and a button. The contact rubber includes a base portion, a movable portion, and a deformable portion. The movable portion is movable to a first position when the deformable portion is not deformed, and to a second position when the deformable portion is deformed. A center of a lower surface of the button contacts an upper surface of the movable portion when the movable portion is at the first and second positions. When the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and contacts the electrode, a protruding portion on the lower surface of the button presses the wiring substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Kunio HOSONO, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
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Patent number: 11221640Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Kunio Hosono, Sadayuki Yaginuma, Yasuji Hagiwara
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Publication number: 20210271283Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Tetsuo MURANAKA, Kunio HOSONO, Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
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Publication number: 20210211129Abstract: There is provided a sensor unit for detecting a proximity state of an object at N detection positions, generating a composite detection signal in conformity with the sum of N detection signals obtained as a result of detection for N detection positions, and controlling a positive or negative polarity of the detection signal having a signal level in conformity with the proximity state at each of N detection positions, a sensor control unit for controlling the sensor unit for generating M composite detection signals having N polarity patterns set at N detection signals different from each other, and a signal regeneration unit for regenerating the signal level of the N detection signal based on the M composite detection signals generated by the sensor unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Tetsuo MURANAKA, Naoyuki HATANO, Hiroshi IZUMI, Koichi MIURA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
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Patent number: 11042179Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Kunio Hosono, Sadayuki Yaginuma, Yasuji Hagiwara
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Publication number: 20210181779Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Tetsuo MURANAKA, Kunio HOSONO, Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
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Publication number: 20190033997Abstract: An input control device includes a reception unit configured to receive a first input from a screen input device that detects an operation performed on an operation screen, and a second input from one or more other input devices, a setup unit configured to set, on a basis of the second input, decision criteria for deciding whether an operation performed on at least a part of a target region in the operation screen is valid, and a decision unit configured to decide whether the operation performed on at least a part of the target region is valid, on a basis of the first input and the decision criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Kazuhito Oshita, Masaru Komatsu, Hiroshi Shigetaka, Koichi Miura, Tetsuo Muranaka, Naoyuki Hatano
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Patent number: 8248382Abstract: An input device includes a plurality of X scanning electrodes and a common detection electrode that forms capacitances together with the X scanning electrodes. A first driving signal is sequentially supplied to the X scanning electrodes, and a second driving signal is supplied to the X scanning electrodes other than the X scanning electrodes adjacent to the X scanning electrode supplied with the first driving signal. It is possible to detect two X scanning electrodes simultaneously approached by the fingers by detecting a current generated in the detection electrode when the first driving signal P and the second driving signal N are supplied.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuo Muranaka
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Publication number: 20120044013Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance-type input device includes X driving electrodes and Y driving electrodes on an operation face operated by a finger. A correction electrode and a correction detection electrode are provided to be opposed at a place which is not affected by the finger operating the operation face. Driving voltage is sequentially applied to the X driving electrodes by an X driving unit, and the voltage is also applied to the correction electrode. An input detection signal for detecting a contact position of the finger and a correction detection signal obtained from the correction detection electrode changed on the basis of environmental changes are detected by the same detection unit, and the correction detection signal and the input detection signal are corrected in a data processing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuo MURANAKA
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Patent number: 7834860Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance type input device includes a plurality of electrodes, and detects coordinate position on the basis of a variation in an electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes. The device corrects an erroneous operation in which the device is not properly operated but certain coordinate positions are continuously detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuo Muranaka
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Patent number: 7656314Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes an operation unit. A coordinate input unit capable of detecting that an operating body is in contact with the operation unit and detecting a position coordinate on the operation unit of a position where the operating body contacted the operation unit. A data processing unit outputs an operation processing signal on the basis of a detection signal received from the coordinate input unit. The data processing unit outputs an operation confirmation processing signal for the input operation after an input operation is performed while the operating body is contacting the operation unit, when tapping is performed on the operation unit, with the operating body kept in contact with the operation unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Akihiro Shinohe, Shuzo Ono
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Publication number: 20090289918Abstract: An input device includes a plurality of X scan electrodes, a plurality of Y scan electrodes, and common detection electrode forming capacitance with the X scan electrodes and the Y scan electrodes. In the cycles, a second driving signal is supplied to the same Y scan electrode, and in each of the cycles, a first driving signal is sequentially supplied to the X scan electrodes. Two positions touched by fingers are detected from detection current to be obtained by the detection electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTDInventor: Tetsuo MURANAKA
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Publication number: 20090229893Abstract: An input device includes a plurality of X scanning electrodes and a common detection electrode that forms capacitances together with the X scanning electrodes. A first driving signal is sequentially supplied to the X scanning electrodes, and a second driving signal is supplied to the X scanning electrodes other than the X scanning electrodes adjacent to the X scanning electrode supplied with the first driving signal. It is possible to detect two X scanning electrodes simultaneously approached by the fingers by detecting a current generated in the detection electrode when the first driving signal P and the second driving signal N are supplied.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuo Muranaka
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Publication number: 20070242053Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance type input device includes a plurality of electrodes, and detects coordinate position on the basis of a variation in an electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes. The device corrects an erroneous operation in which the device is not properly operated but certain coordinate positions are continuously detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuo Muranaka
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Publication number: 20070132724Abstract: An input device having a substrate having a first region and a second region. The first region is configured to receive movement operations by an input mechanism, such as to control a pointer or cursor on a display. The second region has an input pad, such as a number pad, to generate absolute signals in response to contact by the input mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuo Muranaka
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Publication number: 20070052688Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes an operation unit. A coordinate input unit capable of detecting that an operating body is in contact with the operation unit and detecting a position coordinate on the operation unit of a position where the operating body contacted the operation unit. A data processing unit outputs an operation processing signal on the basis of a detection signal received from the coordinate input unit. The data processing unit outputs an operation confirmation processing signal for the input operation after an input operation is performed while the operating body is contacting the operation unit, when tapping is performed on the operation unit, with the operating body kept in contact with the operation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Akihiro Shinohe, Shuzo Ono