Patents by Inventor Tomoyuki Yamai

Tomoyuki Yamai 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).

  • Patent number: 11275477
    Abstract: In an input device capable of reliably detecting, when an operator brings an operating body close to or into contact with an operation plane, absolute position information irrespective of a contact area size, third electrode arrays are disposed closer to the operation plane relative to second electrode arrays in a normal direction of the operation plane, the second electrode arrays have a portion protruding from the corresponding third electrode arrays when viewed in the normal direction, and assuming that a change amount of electrostatic capacitance between first and third electrode arrays occurred by an operation of the operating body is denoted by ?C1 and a change amount of electrostatic capacitance between the first and second electrode arrays occurred by an operation of the operating body is denoted by ?C2, a position of the operating body in the normal direction is calculated based on a ratio ?C1/?C2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hashida, Toru Takahashi, Toru Sawada, Yoshifumi Masumoto, Shinichi Higuchi, Koji Tsukamoto, Tomoyuki Yamai, Akihiro Takeda, Sadakazu Shiga
  • Patent number: 11194434
    Abstract: An input device includes a plurality of first transparent electrodes, a plurality of second transparent electrodes, coupling portions each electrically connecting two adjacent second transparent electrodes of the second transparent electrodes, and bridge portions each electrically connecting two adjacent first transparent electrodes of the first transparent electrodes. The first and second transparent electrodes are arranged in directions orthogonal to each other and are formed of a material containing conductive nanowires. The bridge portions each include a bridge wiring part, an insulating layer, and a buffer layer. The buffer layer is disposed between each of the coupling portions and the insulating layer. The buffer layer is formed of a light-transmissive, inorganic oxide-based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Yasuyuki Kitamura, Manabu Yazawa, Ken Yamamura, Tomoya Kuwabara, Sota Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11119617
    Abstract: A transparent electrode member includes a translucent base, and first transparent electrodes that are arranged side by side in a first direction on a first surface of the base, that are translucent, and that are electrically connected to each other. Each of the first transparent electrodes has a dispersion layer including a matrix composed of an insulating material and conductive nanowires dispersing in the matrix. A coupling member that electrically connects two adjacent first transparent electrodes to each other is composed of a conductive region. The density of the conductive region in peripheral regions of each first transparent electrode is higher than that in a central region of the first transparent electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Yuta Hiraki
  • Publication number: 20210255739
    Abstract: In an input device capable of reliably detecting, when an operator brings an operating body close to or into contact with an operation plane, absolute position information irrespective of a contact area size, third electrode arrays are disposed closer to the operation plane relative to second electrode arrays in a normal direction of the operation plane, the second electrode arrays have a portion protruding from the corresponding third electrode arrays when viewed in the normal direction, and assuming that a change amount of electrostatic capacitance between first and third electrode arrays occurred by an operation of the operating body is denoted by ?C1 and a change amount of electrostatic capacitance between the first and second electrode arrays occurred by an operation of the operating body is denoted by ?C2, a position of the operating body in the normal direction is calculated based on a ratio ?C1/?C2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Junji HASHIDA, Toru TAKAHASHI, Toru SAWADA, Yoshifumi MASUMOTO, Shinichi HIGUCHI, Koji TSUKAMOTO, Tomoyuki YAMAI, Akihiro TAKEDA, Sadakazu SHIGA
  • Patent number: 11073953
    Abstract: A transparent electrode member has a transparent electrode layer formed of a dispersion layer which includes a matrix and conductive nanowires dispersed therein to provide an optical adjustment region including a conductive portion having a first dispersion density and an optical adjustment portion having a second dispersion density smaller than the first dispersion density. The transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of first and second electrodes each having the optical adjustment region, and a first wire provided between and electrically connecting two adjacent first electrodes. A region of an insulating layer is formed between the first wire and the second electrodes, and between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The first wire and a part of the first electrodes in a vicinity of the first wire are formed of a non-adjustment region of the dispersion layer including the conductive portion while lacking the optical adjustment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Eiichi Komai, Yuta Hiraki, Manabu Yazawa, Keita Tashiro, Hideaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10969915
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor has: a base material; a plurality of first transparent electrodes arranged along a first direction on one main surface of the base material; a plurality of second transparent electrodes arranged along a second direction that closes the first direction, the second transparent electrode including conductive nanowires; a link that electrically connects two adjacent first transparent electrodes to each other; a bridge wiring part provided at a portion where the bridge wiring part closes the link, the bridge wiring part electrically connecting two adjacent second transparent electrodes to each other and including an amorphous oxide material; and a reflection reduction layer that has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the second transparent electrode and lower than the refractive index of the bridge wiring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Manabu Yazawa, Yuta Hiraki, Keita Tashiro, Yasuyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10886037
    Abstract: A conductor includes (i) a substrate, (ii) a transparent conductive film formed on the substrate and including a silver nanowire, (iii) a metal film formed over the transparent conductive film such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the transparent conductive film, and (iv) a buffer film provided between the transparent conductive film and the metal film, the buffer film having adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, and not impeding conductivity between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is formed of an organic material having respective functional groups capable of bonding to the transparent conductive film and the metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yui Abe, Yoshihiro Taguchi, Mitsuo Bito, Yoshiyuki Asabe, Yasuyuki Kitamura, Tomoyuki Yamai, Koji Oguma, Tomofumi Oba
  • Publication number: 20200371642
    Abstract: An input device includes a plurality of first transparent electrodes, a plurality of second transparent electrodes, coupling portions each electrically connecting two adjacent second transparent electrodes of the second transparent electrodes, and bridge portions each electrically connecting two adjacent first transparent electrodes of the first transparent electrodes. The first and second transparent electrodes are arranged in directions orthogonal to each other and are formed of a material containing conductive nanowires. The bridge portions each include a bridge wiring part, an insulating layer, and a buffer layer. The buffer layer is disposed between each of the coupling portions and the insulating layer. The buffer layer is formed of a light-transmissive, inorganic oxide-based material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Yasuyuki KITAMURA, Manabu YAZAWA, Ken YAMAMURA, Tomoya KUWABARA, Sota TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200363908
    Abstract: A transparent electrode member includes a translucent base, and first transparent electrodes that are arranged side by side in a first direction on a first surface of the base, that are translucent, and that are electrically connected to each other. Each of the first transparent electrodes has a dispersion layer including a matrix composed of an insulating material and conductive nanowires dispersing in the matrix. A coupling member that electrically connects two adjacent first transparent electrodes to each other is composed of a conductive region. The density of the conductive region in peripheral regions of each first transparent electrode is higher than that in a central region of the first transparent electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Yuta HIRAKI
  • Patent number: 10747383
    Abstract: A transparent electrode member has a transparent base material, a transparent electrode placed on the first surface of the base material, and an insulating layer placed in an insulating region positioned in at least part of the circumference of a region in which the transparent electrode is placed, when viewed from the direction of the normal to the first surface. The transparent electrode has a dispersion layer that includes a matrix composed of an insulating material and also includes conductive nanowires dispersed in the matrix. The transparent electrode also has a region composed of the conductive part and regions composed of optical adjustment parts when viewed from the direction of the normal to the first surface. The conductive region has conductivity higher than the optical adjustment part. In the dispersion layer, the dispersion density of conductive nanowires in the optical adjustment part is lower than that in the conductive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Eiichi Komai, Yuta Hiraki, Manabu Yazawa, Keita Tashiro, Hideaki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20200133416
    Abstract: A transparent electrode member has a transparent electrode layer formed of a dispersion layer which includes a matrix and conductive nanowires dispersed therein to provide an optical adjustment region including a conductive portion having a first dispersion density and an optical adjustment portion having a second dispersion density smaller than the first dispersion density. The transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of first and second electrodes each having the optical adjustment region, and a first wire provided between and electrically connecting two adjacent first electrodes. A region of an insulating layer is formed between the first wire and the second electrodes, and between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The first wire and a part of the first electrodes in a vicinity of the first wire are formed of a non-adjustment region of the dispersion layer including the conductive portion while lacking the optical adjustment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Eiichi KOMAI, Yuta HIRAKI, Manabu YAZAWA, Keita TASHIRO, Hideaki TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 10564010
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a base material provided with a pattern of a light-transmissive conductive film. The light-transmissive conductive film contains metal nanowires. The pattern includes a detection pattern of a plurality of detection electrodes arranged with intervals, a plurality of lead-out wirings linearly extending in a first direction from corresponding ones of the detection electrodes, and a resistance-setting section connected to at least any one of the lead-out wirings and including a portion extending in a direction not parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Yasuyuki Kitamura, Yuta Hiraki, Setsuo Ishibashi, Mitsuo Bito, Manabu Yazawa
  • Patent number: 10372280
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a base material provided with a pattern of a light-transmissive conductive film. The light-transmissive conductive film contains metal nanowires. The pattern includes a detection pattern formed of a plurality of detection electrodes arranged with intervals and a plurality of lead-out wirings linearly extending in a first direction from the corresponding ones of the plurality of the detection electrodes. At least one of the detection electrodes of the detection pattern includes a current path-setting section for elongating the linear path length of the current from the detection electrode toward the lead-out wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Mitsuo Bito, Yasuyuki Kitamura, Yuta Hiraki, Setsuo Ishibashi, Manabu Yazawa
  • Publication number: 20190235667
    Abstract: A transparent electrode member has a transparent base material, a transparent electrode placed on the first surface of the base material, and an insulating layer placed in an insulating region positioned in at least part of the circumference of a region in which the transparent electrode is placed, when viewed from the direction of the normal to the first surface. The transparent electrode has a dispersion layer that includes a matrix composed of an insulating material and also includes conductive nanowires dispersed in the matrix. The transparent electrode also has a region composed of the conductive part and regions composed of optical adjustment parts when viewed from the direction of the normal to the first surface. The conductive region has conductivity higher than the optical adjustment part. In the dispersion layer, the dispersion density of conductive nanowires in the optical adjustment part is lower than that in the conductive part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Eiichi KOMAI, Yuta HIRAKI, Manabu YAZAWA, Keita TASHIRO, Hideaki TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190220117
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor has: a base material; a plurality of first transparent electrodes arranged along a first direction on one main surface of the base material; a plurality of second transparent electrodes arranged along a second direction that closes the first direction, the second transparent electrode including conductive nanowires; a link that electrically connects two adjacent first transparent electrodes to each other; a bridge wiring part provided at a portion where the bridge wiring part closes the link, the bridge wiring part electrically connecting two adjacent second transparent electrodes to each other and including an amorphous oxide material; and a reflection reduction layer that has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the second transparent electrode and lower than the refractive index of the bridge wiring part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Manabu YAZAWA, Yuta HIRAKI, Keita TASHIRO, Yasuyuki KITAMURA
  • Patent number: 10026523
    Abstract: A conductor includes: a transparent conductive film which is formed on a transparent substrate and includes a silver nanowire; and a metal film of which at least a portion is formed to overlap the transparent conductive film, in which a portion in which the transparent conductive film and the metal film overlap each other includes a buffer film which has adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film and does not impede conduction between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is, for example, an ITO film, and at this time, an upper surface of the transparent conductive film is a reverse-sputtered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yui Abe, Yoshihiro Taguchi, Mitsuo Bito, Yoshiyuki Asabe, Yasuyuki Kitamura, Tomoyuki Yamai, Koji Oguma, Tomofumi Oba
  • Patent number: 9965124
    Abstract: A method for patterning a light transmitting electrically conductive member uses a light transmitting laminate material in which an electrically conductive layer including an overcoat layer and silver nanowires embedded therein is formed on a surface of a light transmitting base film and includes a step of treating a surface of the electrically conductive layer which is not covered with a resist layer using an iodine solution to at least partially iodize the silver nanowires and a step of applying a thiosulfate solution to the surface of the electrically conductive layer which is not covered with the resist layer to remove a silver iodide exposed to a surface of the overcoat layer. Since a white cloudy or a whitened silver iodide is removed, the optical transmission characteristics of the non-electrically conductive region can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamai, Mitsuo Bito, Yasuyuki Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20180047478
    Abstract: A conductor includes (i) a substrate, (ii) a transparent conductive film formed on the substrate and including a silver nanowire, (iii) a metal film formed over the transparent conductive film such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the transparent conductive film, and (iv) a buffer film provided between the transparent conductive film and the metal film, the buffer film having adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, and not impeding conductivity between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is formed of an organic material having respective functional groups capable of bonding to the transparent conductive film and the metal film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Yui ABE, Yoshihiro TAGUCHI, Mitsuo BITO, Yoshiyuki ASABE, Yasuyuki KITAMURA, Tomoyuki YAMAI, Koji OGUMA, Tomofumi OBA
  • Publication number: 20170307413
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a base material provided with a pattern of a light-transmissive conductive film. The light-transmissive conductive film contains metal nanowires. The pattern includes a detection pattern of a plurality of detection electrodes arranged with intervals, a plurality of lead-out wirings linearly extending in a first direction from corresponding ones of the detection electrodes, and a resistance-setting section connected to at least any one of the lead-out wirings and including a portion extending in a direction not parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Yasuyuki KITAMURA, Yuta HIRAKI, Setsuo ISHIBASHI, Mitsuo BITO, Manabu YAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170308206
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a base material provided with a pattern of a light-transmissive conductive film. The light-transmissive conductive film contains metal nanowires. The pattern includes a detection pattern formed of a plurality of detection electrodes arranged with intervals and a plurality of lead-out wirings linearly extending in a first direction from the corresponding ones of the plurality of the detection electrodes. At least one of the detection electrodes of the detection pattern includes a current path-setting section for elongating the linear path length of the current from the detection electrode toward the lead-out wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YAMAI, Mitsuo BITO, Yasuyuki KITAMURA, Yuta HIRAKI, Setsuo ISHIBASHI, Manabu YAZAWA