Patents by Inventor Akira Taniguchi

Akira Taniguchi 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: 7896804
    Abstract: First and second illumination and image pickup units are provided in the container body having opposite reference view field directions and are respectively freely tilted in an arbitrary direction within predetermined inclination angles from the reference view field direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Sumihiro Uchimura, Akira Taniguchi, Toshiaki Noguchi, Fumiyuki Onoda, Katsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7896801
    Abstract: An endoscope is provided wherein a variable rigidity portion is not restricted by a physical mechanism, and which allows a surgeon, in performing a rigidity varying operation, to operate the rigidity varying operation along with other operations without releasing inputting sections. The endoscope of the invention includes an inserting section and an operating section. The inserting section has variable-rigidity actuators. The operating section has a rigidity-variation controlling section, a trackball, and scope switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Sumihiro Uchimura, Akira Taniguchi, Fumiyuki Onoda, Toshiaki Noguchi, Katsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7888286
    Abstract: A method of selectively controlling morning glory spp., by treating a lower portion of a hill of morning glory spp. with one compound or a combination of two or more compounds selected from glufosinate, L-glufosinate, bialaphos, paraquat, diquat and agriculturally acceptable salts of the compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer CropScience AG
    Inventors: Seok Weon Seo, Akira Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7883460
    Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion portion provided with a freely curvable curving portion; a grip portion provided at a base end side of the insertion portion and grasped by an operator. There provided at the grip portion and in its periphery is an instructing operation element with a function of implementing a curve instructing operation of the curving portion and a function of implementing the other instructing operation different from the above described curve instructing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Sumihiro Uchimura, Akira Taniguchi, Fumiyuki Onoda, Toshiaki Noguchi, Katsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7862504
    Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes: a tubular member equipped with a propulsion power generating portion; a rotating portion for rotating the tubular member provided with the propulsion power generating portion around the longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and a distal portion which is provided on a more distal side than the tubular member rotated by the rotating portion, is slidably provided to the tubular member, and is disposed with an observation portion for observing a body to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Kura, Takahiro Kishi, Akira Suzuki, Akira Taniguchi, Makoto Abe, Katsutaka Adachi
  • Publication number: 20100323934
    Abstract: A grease composition which provides, in the working range of 150° C. to ?40° C., an enhanced temperature control performance, a reduced low-temperature rotational torque and an improved boot resistance; and a constant velocity joint wherein the grease composition is filled; are provided. A grease composition for a constant velocity joint comprising the following components (A) to (E): (A) a base oil containing 10 to 95% by mass of an ester synthetic oil produced from an aliphatic alcohol and an aromatic carboxylic acid and 90 to 5% by mass of a synthetic hydrocarbon oil; (B) a thickener; (C) molybdenum disulfide; (D) molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate e; and (E) zinc dithiophosphate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Shinya Kondo, Akira Taniguchi, Ko Tanimura, Shinichi Takabe, Takaaki Shibata, Shinya Chuujou
  • Patent number: 7850601
    Abstract: The endoscope has an elongated insertion portion, an operation portion provided at the rear end of the insertion portion, and a contact-less endoscope exterior body in which no electrical contact is exposed on the outer surface thereof including the insertion portion and the operation portion. Inside the endoscope exterior body, there are disposed an image pickup apparatus for picking up images and a signal processing portion for performing signal processing for the image pickup apparatus. The endoscope comprises a battery of a water-tight structure for supplying power for the image pickup apparatus and the signal processing portion, and a charging apparatus of a water-tight structure for charging the battery with power supplied in a contact-less fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Sumihiro Uchimura, Akira Taniguchi, Fumiyuki Onoda, Toshiaki Noguchi, Katsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7837616
    Abstract: An objective optical system is provided at a tip end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope. A plurality of markers capable of transmitting an electromagnetic wave is placed at a target portion in an affected area. Each of the plurality of markers is adapted to transmit at least an information for defining the three-dimensional coordinates of the shape of the target area. At the rear end or the tip end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, a sensor is provided for electromagnetically detecting the information defining the three-dimensional coordinates of the shape of the target area and for determining the relative positional relation between the insertion portion and the three-dimensional coordinates of the shape of the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tsuji, Akira Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20100230004
    Abstract: A tablet filling instrument 1 for dispensing tablets into a vial 9 in accordance with prescription data and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets in an outlet 113 includes a pair of holding members 111 each provided with at least one slope extending from an upper end located within the instrument 1 to a lower end located in the outlet 113, the holding members 111 being designed to receive at the upper ends the vial 9 filled with the tablets and to allow the vial 9 to slide down under its own weight to the lower ends with supporting a flange 9a around an outer periphery of the vial 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Akira Taniguchi, Takafumi Imai, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Publication number: 20100181334
    Abstract: There is provided a tablet discharging method capable of discharging a vial to an outlet corresponding to a size of the vial even if the size of the vial is changed. The tablet discharging method is related to removing a vial from a stocker accommodating a large number of vials according to a prescription data, dispensing tablets into the vial to fill the vial and discharging the vial filled with the tablets. The tablet discharging method includes the following steps of: determining a vial of an appropriate size according to a prescription data; checking for a stock of the determined vial; fixing a size by changing the determined vial to a vial of a size larger than that of the determined vial when the vial of the determined size is out-of-stock; and discharging the vial filled with the tablets to an outlet holding the vial of the fixed size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Takafumi Imai, Akira Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20100154928
    Abstract: There is provided a tablet filling device, which can smoothly supply vials without any stop of the device even if the vials cause a jam within a stocker. The tablet filling device is related to removing a vial 9 from a stocker 21 accommodating a large number of vials 9 according to a prescription data, dispensing tablets into the vial 9 to fill the vial, and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets. The stocker 21 includes: a vial removing device 24 configured to scoop the vial 9 accommodated in the stocker 21 upward to remove the vial; and a vial conveying device 23 configured to convey the vial 9 toward the vial removing device 24. When a jam of the vial 9 occurs, the vial conveying device 23 is reversely driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Taniguchi, Minoru Tano, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Patent number: 7706859
    Abstract: Position detecting elements are disposed in an endoscope insertion portion at predetermined intervals. Even when the endoscope insertion portion is bent, position data representing the detected positions of the elements is used to infer or detect the shape of the insertion portion. A virtual element is disposed between adjoining elements so that a predetermined condition will be met. Position data of the virtual element is used together with the actually detected position data in order to interpolate data for the purpose of detecting the shape of the insertion portion. Consequently, as if a larger number of elements were disposed, the shape of the insertion portion can be detected highly precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Chieko Aizawa, Fumiyuki Onoda, Sumihiro Uchimura, Akira Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20090149702
    Abstract: A holding cable of the invention includes: a tubular body including at one end thereof a fixing connector and at the other end thereof a coupling portion, the tubular body being configured by consecutively including a plurality of tubular members having at end portions thereof inner fitting portions and outer fitting portions, the inner and outer fitting portions being connecting portions configured as bendable joint portions; and a wire for bringing the bendable joint portions into a fixed state and fixing and holding the tubular body in an arbitrary posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Fumiyuki ONODA, Akira TANIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 7544313
    Abstract: An electrically conductive resin composition of a polyamide type, characterized in that, (A) 95 to 40% by mass of polyamide resin, (B) 5 to 30% by mass of electrically conductive carbon black, (C) 10 to 40% by mass of an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer having a reactive functional group which is able to react with a terminal group of the polyamide resin and/or an amide group of the main chain and (D) 1 to 10% by mass of a high-density polyethylene resin are compounded; the polyamide resin (A) forms a continuous phase; the ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (C) in particles having an average particle diameter of not more than 2 ?m is present by being dispersed in the continuous phase of the polyamide resin (A); and not less than 80% by mass of the electrically conductive carbon black (B) is present by being dispersed in the polyamide resin phase (A) which is a continuous phase, as well as a cap for fuel tank comprising it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Taniguchi, Satoshi Sakai, Hiroyuki Nakagawa, Kazuhisa Ishida, Kiyomitsu Terashima
  • Publication number: 20080176776
    Abstract: In order to provide for a grease composition which has a good compatibility with boots made of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, and which also gives low wear and low friction, a grease composition for use in constant velocity joints is suggested, comprising a) a base oil composition; b) at least one tri-nuclear molybdenum compound of the formula Mo3SkLnQz, wherein L are independently selected ligands having organo groups with a sufficient number of carbon atoms to render the compound soluble or dispersible in the oil, n is from 1 to 4, k varies from 4 though 7, Q is selected from the group of neutral electron donating compounds such as amines, alcohols, phosphines, and ethers, and z ranges from 0 to 5 and includes non-stoichiometric values; c) at least one urea derivative thickener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicants: GKN Driveline International GmbH, Kyodo Yushi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jisheng E., Shinya Kondo, Frank Reher, Akira Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20080146876
    Abstract: A separate operation section is provided with a current-state display section, a cumulative display section, an air feed switch, a water feed switch, a sub-water feed switch and a suction switch. When air feed, water feed and suction are performed by the operation section, the air feed amount, water feed amount and suction amount are detected and displayed on the current-state display section and cumulative display section of the separate operation section. Thereby, the air feed amount, water feed amount and suction amount can be understood. In addition, by selectively operating the air feed switch, water feed switch, sub-water feed switch and suction switch, a operation control can be performed on the separate operation section side, in place of the air feed, water feed and suction operations of the operation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Toshiaki NOGUCHI, Akira TANIGUCHI, Masanobu KOITABASHI, Kouji NAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080146875
    Abstract: A direction of movement, an insertion amount and an insertion force amount at a time when an insertion section of an endoscope is inserted in a large intestine, which is an object of an inspection, are detected by detection unit. The direction of movement, the insertion amount and the insertion force amount of the insertion section are displayed on a display device which is separably disposed. Thereby, a high-precision insertion operation can simply and easily be realized, and a handling operability is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Toshiaki NOGUCHI, Akira TANIGUCHI, Masanobu KOITABASHI, Kouji NAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080073620
    Abstract: An electrically conductive resin composition of a polyamide type, characterized in that, (A) 95 to 40% by mass of polyamide resin, (B) 5 to 30% by mass of electrically conductive carbon black, (C) 10 to 40% by mass of an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer having a reactive functional group which is able to react with a terminal group of the polyamide resin and/or an amide group of the main chain and (D) 1 to 10% by mass of a high-density polyethylene resin are compounded; the polyamide resin (A) forms a continuous phase; the ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (C) in particles having an average particle diameter of not more than 2 ?m is present by being dispersed in the continuous phase of the polyamide resin (A); and not less than 80% by mass of the electrically conductive carbon black (B) is present by being dispersed in the polyamide resin phase (A) which is a continuous phase, as well as a cap for fuel tank comprising it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Akira Taniguchi, Satoshi Sakai, Hiroyuki Nakagawa, Kazuhisa Ishida, Kiyomitsu Terashima
  • Publication number: 20080026945
    Abstract: A method of selectively controlling morning glory spp., by treating a lower portion of a hill of morning glory spp. with one compound or a combination of two or more compounds selected from glufosinate, L-glufosinate, bialaphos, paraquat, diquat and agriculturally acceptable salts of the compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Bayer CropScience AG
    Inventors: Seok Weon Seo, Akira Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20070262084
    Abstract: [Object] To reliably bias drugs to a rotor side without upsizing a device, with little layout limitations, and without damaging the drugs. [Means for Settlement] Biasing means that biases drugs stored in a cassette 3 to a rotor 23 side to arrange the drugs includes a casing 35; a constant load spring 36 provided in the casing 35 and having a spring part 41 fixed to the rotor 23 side of the cassette 3 at its tip; a locking plate 42 provided in the casing 35 and having a gear part 46 that engaged with and disengaged from a locking rack 26 formed in the cassette 3; and a pressing block 43 projected so as to be pressed from the contact surface of the casing 35 in contact with the drugs and rotating the locking plate 42 by pressing to release the gear part 46 from the locking rack 26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Yuyama MFG. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Akira Taniguchi