Patents by Inventor Akihisa Itoh

Akihisa Itoh 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: 20240036652
    Abstract: A sensory control method includes a step of receiving, a step of converting, and a step of outputting. In the step of receiving, a sensitivity parameter is received. In the step of converting, the received sensitivity parameter is converted into, among a plurality of physical parameters included in physical properties relating to a sensory presentation, a physical parameter correlated with the sensitivity parameter. In the step of outputting, a sensory presentation signal based on the physical parameter obtained as a result of the conversion is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Yukimitsu YAMADA, Takeshi SHIRASAKA, Munemitsu ABE, Hisato SHIMOMURA, Takashi UENOMACHI, Akihisa ITOH, Toshio KAWANO, Naoki ITO, Kenichiro SAMESHIMA, Hideo KAWASE, Shota TAKEUCHI
  • Patent number: 7593006
    Abstract: In the case where the operator is moving the cursor on the computer screen through the use of a mouse, when the cursor display moves to a position which coincides with any of the menu display, a boundary position of the menu display or a position which coincides with the icon display, pressure sensing power generating means within the mouse is actuated to give a shock force or the like to the operator. This enables the operator to recognize the grasp in the operating state by not only visual judgment but also by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Hara, Kouichi Ogino, Kazuhito Ooshita, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 7348965
    Abstract: In a coordinates input apparatus having a coordinates input surface that is operated by a coordinates pointer, a pointing mark on a screen being moved in accordance with the operation of the coordinates pointer, the coordinates input surface is divided by boundaries into at least nine divided regions, a function switch is allocated to each of the divided regions, and a predetermined function is associated with the function switch, the predetermined function being executed when the coordinates pointer is moved from a first divided region to a second divided region across one of the boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 7339577
    Abstract: An input device including a main device composed of a coordinate input device, an operating surface having input portions displayed thereon, and a switch device having switches connected in parallel, and a control device which selects one of a first mode in which an item signal is generated in accordance with an indication item at an input portion when the input portion is operated, and a second mode in which a position signal corresponding to an operating position on the operating surface is generated independently of the indication item at the input portion. The item signal is generated on the basis of an absolute coordinate signal output from the coordinate input device and a switch signal output from the switch device in the first mode, and the position signal is generated on the basis of a relative coordinate signal output from the coordinate input device in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadamitsu Sato, Akihisa Itoh, Hiroshi Shigetaka
  • Patent number: 7218314
    Abstract: A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input element. The coordinate input element includes a transparent coordinate detector and a controller having a control circuit which drives and controls the coordinate detector and which corrects electrostatic capacitance noise disturbing the coordinate detector. The coordinate input device also includes a liquid crystal display device provided on the back side of the coordinate input element, a casing for holding the coordinate input element and the liquid crystal display device, and an L-shaped and a reverse L-shaped push button switches provided on the upper surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20060125788
    Abstract: In the case where the operator is moving the cursor on the computer screen through the use of a mouse, when the cursor display moves to a position which coincides with any of the menu display, a boundary position of the menu display or a position which coincides with the icon display, pressure sensing power generating means within the mouse is actuated to give a shock force or the like to the operator. This enables the operator to recognize the grasp in the operating state by not only visual judgment but also by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Osamu Hara, Kouichi Ogino, Kazuhito Ooshita, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 7042445
    Abstract: In the case where the operator is moving the cursor on the computer screen through the use of a mouse, when the cursor display moves to a position which coincides with any of the menu display, a boundary position of the menu display or a position which coincides with the icon display, pressure sensing power generating means within the mouse is actuated to give a shock force or the like to the operator. This enables the operator to recognize the grasp in the operating state by not only visual judgment but also by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Hara, Kouichi Ogino, Kazuhito Ooshita, Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20060077187
    Abstract: A coordinate input apparatus includes a sensor (i.e., a detection unit) for detecting an operation status on an operation surface by a coordinate indicator, and a front light (i.e., a lighting unit) disposed on the sensor, for illuminating the operation surface. In the case where the operation surface of the coordinate input apparatus is illuminated, light emitted from a LED is propagated within the light guide plate and then output from the prism surface. The light is reflected from the reflection plate, and directs toward the operation surface with its direction being changed. Accordingly, the operation surface can be illuminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Hitoshi Shigetaka, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 6983336
    Abstract: A personal computer system enables simultaneous use of a relative-coordinate-mode input device and an absolute-coordinate-mode input device, thereby allowing correct input of absolute coordinate data, such as for characters. A pad-type first input device and a stick-type second input device are provided for a notebook computer. The first input device outputs both absolute coordinate data and relative coordinate data. The second input device outputs only relative coordinate data. When the absolute coordinate data is output, the relative coordinate data format is converted into the same format as the absolute coordinate data, and ID information for distinguishing the relative coordinate data from the absolute coordinate data is added to part of the relative coordinate data format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Shoji Suzuki, Kouichi Miura, Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20040123001
    Abstract: A personal computer system enables simultaneous use of a relative-coordinate-mode input device and an absolute-coordinate-mode input device, thereby allowing correct input of absolute coordinate data, such as for characters. A pad-type first input device and a stick-type second input device are provided for a notebook computer. The first input device outputs both absolute coordinate data and relative coordinate data. The second input device outputs only relative coordinate data. When the absolute coordinate data is output, the relative coordinate data format is converted into the same format as the absolute coordinate data, and ID information for distinguishing the relative coordinate data from the absolute coordinate data is added to part of the relative coordinate data format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Shoji Suzuki, Kouichi Miura, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 6681268
    Abstract: A personal computer system enables simultaneous use of a relative-coordinate-mode input device and an absolute-coordinate-mode input device, thereby allowing correct input of absolute coordinate data, such as for characters. A pad-type first input device and a stick-type second input device are provided for a notebook computer. The first input device outputs both absolute coordinate data and relative coordinate data. The second input device outputs only relative coordinate data. When the absolute coordinate data is output, the relative coordinate data format is converted into the same format as the absolute coordinate data, and ID information for distinguishing the relative coordinate data from the absolute coordinate data is added to part of the relative coordinate data format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Shoji Suzuki, Kouichi Miura, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 6603459
    Abstract: An operating device which enables various input operations. A two-direction input device is provided in front of a flat input member. When an operation button is moved in a Y1 or Y2 direction, a switch device is turned ON. In a case where one of the switch devices is ON, the operation button can be pressed, and at this time, a press switch device is turned ON. In use of this two-direction input device, a series of operations such as selection and determination of menu displayed on a display screen can be quickly performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Matsufusa, Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20030043113
    Abstract: In a coordinates input apparatus having a coordinates input surface that is operated by a coordinates pointer, a pointing mark on a screen being moved in accordance with the operation of the coordinates pointer, the coordinates input surface is divided by boundaries into at least nine divided regions, a function switch is allocated to each of the divided regions, and a predetermined function is associated with the function switch, the predetermined function being executed when the coordinates pointer is moved from a first divided region to a second divided region across one of the boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20020186210
    Abstract: A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input element. The coordinate input element includes a transparent coordinate detector and a controller having a control circuit which drives and controls the coordinate detector and which corrects electrostatic capacitance noise disturbing the coordinate detector. The coordinate input device also includes a liquid crystal display device provided on the back side of the coordinate input element, a casing for holding the coordinate input element and the liquid crystal display device, and an L-shaped and a reverse L-shaped push button switches provided on the upper surface of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20020180707
    Abstract: An input device including a main device composed of a coordinate input device, an operating surface having input portions displayed thereon, and a switch device having switches connected in parallel, and a control device which selects one of a first mode in which an item signal is generated in accordance with an indication item at an input portion when the input portion is operated, and a second mode in which a position signal corresponding to an operating position on the operating surface is generated independently of the indication item at the input portion. The item signal is generated on the basis of an absolute coordinate signal output from the coordinate input device and a switch signal output from the switch device in the first mode, and the position signal is generated on the basis of a relative coordinate signal output from the coordinate input device in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadamitsu Sato, Akihisa Itoh, Hiroshi Shigetaka
  • Publication number: 20010043190
    Abstract: An operating device which enables various input operations. A two-direction input device is provided in front of a flat input member. When an operation button is moved in a Y1 or Y2 direction, a switch device is turned ON. In a case where one of the switch devices is ON, the operation button can be pressed, and at this time, a press switch device is turned ON. In use of this two-direction input device, a series of operations such as selection and determination of menu displayed on a display screen can be quickly performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Matsufusa, Akihisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20010017614
    Abstract: In the case where the operator is moving the cursor on the computer screen through the use of a mouse, when the cursor display moves to a position which coincides with any of the menu display, a boundary position of the menu display or a position which coincides with the icon display, pressure sensing power generating means within the mouse is actuated to give a shock force or the like to the operator. This enables the operator to recognize the grasp in the operating state by not only visual judgment but also by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Hara, Kouichi Ogino, Kazuhito Ooshita, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 6097370
    Abstract: Disclosed is an X-Y direction input device which requires a smaller number of parts and is less costly. Frictional force applying means comprises a rolling contact roller held in rolling contact with a rotated spherical body, a resilient member inserted in a through hole formed at the axial center of the rolling contact roller, and support members holding both ends of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Oura, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 6037929
    Abstract: Disclosed are a coordinate input system and a method of controlling the coordinate input system, which can protect work of a user under progress against troubles even when the user touch an operating surface of a pad by mistake during key input operation on a keyboard. When the user operates a coordinate detecting device (PD) such as a pad, the operating action is sent to a coordinate outputting device (PC) such as a personal computer and analyzed by a data analyzer (12). If the user enters key inputs through a keyboard (19), a controller (15) instructs a mode converter (13) not to inform the operating action detected and sent from the data analyzer (12). After that, the controller (15) clears a timer built in a measuring unit (14) each time an key input is entered. Subsequently, if the key input operation is stopped, the measuring unit (14) actually starts counting of the timer. If the timer value exceeds a certain threshold, this is informed to the controller (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogura, Akihisa Itoh
  • Patent number: 5999170
    Abstract: An input pen for use in operating an operating surface of a capacitance-detecting coordinate device includes a rod-like body, a conductive section connected to one end of the body, a conductive ball joint mounted at the tip of the conductive section to turn relative to the conductive section, a conductive operating section integrally joined to the conductive ball joint and projecting from the tip of the conductive section, and a slide switch mounted at the inner tip of the conductive section. The slide switch operates to electrically connect or disconnect the conductive section and the conductive ball joint when the body is pressed toward one end thereof with the conductive operating section in contact with the operating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ooura, Akihisa Itoh