Patents by Inventor Eiji Shinohara

Eiji Shinohara 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).

  • STORING STRUCTURE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20160190839
    Abstract: One aspect includes an apparatus, including: a storage part having a storage hole defined therein to store a pen-type input device by insertion; and a power-supplying terminal within the storage hole that moves toward and away from the pen-type input device from a side part of the storage hole; wherein, the power-supplying terminal moves outwardly from the side of the side part of the storage hold during the insertion of the pen-type input device into the storage hole; and wherein the power-supplying terminal moves inwardly and away from a side of the pen-type input device during extraction of the pen-type input device from the storage hole. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Ryo Otsuka, Yoshihisa Ishihara, Hiroshi Matsunaga, Eiji Shinohara
  • COUPLING STRUCTURE FOR INPUT DEVICES
    Publication number: 20160139637
    Abstract: A coupling structure capable of coupling a metal plate-like member and a resin chassis member with high assembling efficiency and sufficient coupling strength while preventing damage to parts is disclosed. The coupling structure is a structure for coupling a housing plate as a resin chassis member to a base plate as a metal plate-like member in a direction to overlap the housing plate with the base plate. The housing plate includes a latch having a pair of arm members extending along a direction parallel with a coupling face to the base plate and whose distal ends are spaced out from each other, and the base plate includes a coupling hook formed upright toward the side of the housing plate and engaged between the pair of arm members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: TOSHIHISA DOI, MITSUO HORIUCHI, EIJI SHINOHARA
  • Electronic apparatus with a torque variable structure connecting housing components
    Patent number: 9310848
    Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided an electronic apparatus in which two housings are detachable and rotatable, and in which when one housing is detached from the other housing, and having a bracket for attachment and detachment that is easily rotated. An electronic apparatus may include an upper housing having a display; a lower housing which is rotatably connected with a bracket from which the upper housing is detachable by hinges; and a torque variable structure which changes rotational torque of the bracket at the hinges. The torque variable structure is capable of reducing the rotational torque of the bracket at the hinges in a state in which the upper housing is detached from the bracket, rather than a state in which the upper housing is mounted on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takane Fujino, Eiji Shinohara, Hiroyuki Noguchi
  • Detachable electronic device with cover portion
    Patent number: 9292050
    Abstract: An embodiment provides an electronic device, including: a detachable display portion; a base body; the base body including an attachment portion to which the detachable display portion attaches; the attachment portion being located a depth from a rear edge of the base body; and a cover extending from a point of the base body behind the attachment portion and proximate to the rear edge of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Noguchi, Eiji Shinohara, Kazuo Nakada, Tomoyuki Takahashi
  • IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20160046140
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus which has a function of performing an erasing process of erasing an image formed on a recording medium and an image forming process of forming an image on the recording medium is provided. The image forming apparatus automatically performs the erasing process when a state where an operation panel does not receive a process request from a user continues during a predetermined time or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Eiji Shinohara
  • Expandable electronic stylus
    Patent number: 9229547
    Abstract: An extendable electronic stylus is described. The extendable electronic stylus has a distal end that provides an electronic input to an electronic device and a first cam with an elongated member that extends between a proximal end of the stylus and its distal end. The stylus also includes a second cam that rotates relative to the first cam when the proximal end of the stylus is pushed in a distal direction. The pushing of the proximal end of the stylus causes a surface of the second cam to contact the first cam surface. The stylus also includes a cover with a first look surface. The rotation of the second cam relative to the first cam cause a second lock surface of the second cam to abut the first lock surface, thereby locking the second cam in a fixed position relative to the first cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Noguchi, Gang Ji, Eiji Shinohara
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9207606
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus which has a function of performing an erasing process of erasing an image formed on a recording medium and an image forming process of forming an image on the recording medium is provided. The image forming apparatus automatically performs the erasing process when a state where an operation panel does not receive a process request from a user continues during a predetermined time or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Shinohara
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9197783
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus having a function to erase an image formed on a recoding medium is provided. The image forming apparatus has an operation panel which, in a first mode in which an image forming process and an erasing process are not executable, accepts selection of any mode of a second mode in which the image forming process and the erasing process are executable, and a third mode in which the image forming process is not executable and the erasing process is executable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Shinohara
  • Image processing apparatus, developer cartridge, and image forming method
    Patent number: 9116488
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a sheet feeding unit that feeds sheets for printing, an image forming section that forms a developer image, including a developer supply section for supplying a developer a identification element that stores image forming information containing information about whether the accommodated developer is an erasable developer and arranged in the developer supply section, a identification element detecting unit that reads the image forming information from the identification element, and a control section that forms the image on the basis of the image forming information read from the identification element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eiji Shinohara
  • Electronic device having a hinge unit
    Patent number: 9086848
    Abstract: A laptop personal computer (PC) is disclosed. The laptop PC includes a hinge unit that turns around a vertical axis and rotates around a horizontal axis, and the hinge unit connects a main body chassis to a display chassis. The hinge unit includes an inside, through which cables connecting a main body and a display pass. A path is provided, along which the cables are installed, and the path includes a part that is parallel to the vertical axis and is apart from the vertical axis and having a part overlapping with the horizontal axis towards the vertical axis. The cover is provided at the display chassis for covering the cables overlapping with the horizontal axis. This can eliminate the necessity of a cover for the cables on the side of the hinge unit, thus making the laptop PC thinner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kinoshita, Gang Ji, Hiroyuki Noguchi, Eiji Shinohara
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING INPUT DEVICE NOISE
    Publication number: 20150185779
    Abstract: Stabilizing systems are disclosed herein that can reduce the amount of noise produced by an input device and can contribute to a stable feeling in operation even with a short pushing stroke. In some embodiments, a stabilizer bar is coupled to a base plate by hooks with semi-circular cut-outs that allow the stabilizer bar to slide and tilt relative to the base plate. The stabilizer bar is also coupled to an input element by hooks having semi-circular cut-outs and a spring tab that allow the stabilizer bar to rotate relative to the input element. Bias forces generated by the spring tabs and the tension in the stabilizer bar maintain the bar in firm engagement with the hooks, preventing collisions and clattering noises during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Doi, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Eiji Shinohara
  • Portable tablet folio stand
    Patent number: 9025327
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention include a portable tablet folio stand that is designed for use in multiple modes. The stand can allow a user to view the tablet from multiple angles, such as a movie viewing angle and a working angle. In the movie viewing angle, the tablet is optimally positioned for viewing the tablet screen, for instance to watch videos. In the working angle, the tablet is optimally positioned for performing tasks such as typing on the tablet. In some embodiments, the tablet stand can be configured to be portable and detachably coupled to a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Noguchi, Eiji Shinohara, Hideaki Hasegawa, Hisashi Shima, Tomoyuki Takahashi, Aaron Michael Stewart
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH DAMAGE PREVENTION FEATURES
    Publication number: 20150092331
    Abstract: One embodiment provide an electronic device, including: a housing having an upper face and a lower face; a keyboard disposed in the upper face of the housing; a display part including a display; a hinge mechanism connecting the housing to the display part in a rotatable fashion; and a link mechanism that operates in conjunction with rotation of the display part to buffer the rotation of the display part when the display part is rotated beyond a predetermined angle with respect to the housing. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kinoshita, Eiji Shinohara
  • EXPANDABLE ELECTRONIC STYLUS
    Publication number: 20150084933
    Abstract: An extendable electronic stylus is provided. In general, the extendable electronic stylus can be configured to provide an electronic input to an electronic device and can be configured to be removably and replaceably disposed in the electronic device. In one exemplary embodiment, an extendable electronic stylus can be configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the stylus has a first longitudinal length and a second configuration in which the stylus has a second longitudinal length that is greater than the first longitudinal length. The stylus can be configured to be stored in an electronic device in the first configuration. The stylus can include a movement mechanism configured to move the stylus between the first and second configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Noguchi, Gang Ji, Eiji Shinohara
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 8977181
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an image erasing unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit performs an image forming process of forming an image on an image bearing body by a toner and transferring the toner image from the image bearing body onto a recording medium, and a refresh process of forming an image on the image bearing body by a toner and removing the toner image from the image bearing body. The control unit controls the image forming unit such that the image forming unit performs the refresh process together with the erasing process performed by the erasing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Shinohara
  • POSITION DETECTION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150022189
    Abstract: A detection unit is disposed at a position facing a first magnet with a spacer member interposed therebetween, the first magnet is disposed between the spacer member and a second magnet so that a polarity of the first magnet corresponds to a polarity of the second magnet opposite to the polarity of the first magnet, a magnetic force generated from the second magnet reaches a position distant from the detection unit in a space to be detected as compared to a magnetic force generated from the first magnet, a magnetic field is generated by composition of the magnetic force generated from the first magnet and the magnetic force generated from the second magnet, and the detection unit detects the approach of an object to be detected by detecting a change of a magnetic field that occurs when an influence of the magnetic force generated from the second magnet is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Yukiko YASUDA, Ichiro TOKUNAGA, Eiji SHINOHARA
  • Locking mechanism
    Patent number: 8922994
    Abstract: An assembly can include a first component; a second component; and an interconnection mechanism for pivotable interconnection of the first component and the second component about a pivot axis where the interconnection mechanism includes a latch mechanism to latch the second component to the interconnection mechanism, an actuator to unlatch the latch mechanism, an obstruction to obstruct actuation of the actuator, and a sliding bar slidable in a first direction to move the obstruction to an obstructing position that obstructs actuation of the actuator and slidable in a second direction to move the obstruction to an unobstructing position that permits actuation of the actuator. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Ltd. Pte.
    Inventors: Jennifer Greenwood Zawacki, Vincent James DeCaro, Jason Pratt Parrish, Kishiko Itoh, Hiroyuki Noguchi, Eiji Shinohara, Kazuo Nakada
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH ROTATABLE DISPLAY AND KEYBOARD
    Publication number: 20140362507
    Abstract: An electronic device capable of maintaining a high level of operability and which prevents damage to the keyboard and other input systems when converted from a laptop PC to a tablet PC. The electronic device includes a main body part having a keyboard and a display part having a display. The main body part and the display part may rotate from a 0-degree position where the display and the keyboard face each other up to a 360-degree position where the back faces of the display and the keyboard face each other through a 180-degree position where the display and the keyboard are parallel with each other while facing the same direction. The electronic device includes an upper leg portion that can advance and retreat from an upper face of the main body part in response to rotational movement of the display part from the 180-degree position to the 360-degree position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kinoshita, Eiji Shinohara, Seita Horikoshi, JR.
  • DEVICES AND METHODS FOR OPENING A COMPUTING DEVICE WITH A USER CUE
    Publication number: 20140226274
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for opening a computing device with a user cue. In one exemplary embodiment, a computing device can include a lid and a base hingedly connected together to allow the computing device to be opened and closed. The computing device can be configured to provide a cue when the lid is opened at or beyond a certain angle with respect to the base. The cue can have a variety of configurations, but in an exemplary embodiment, the cue can be configured to be palpably felt by the user opening the computing device. The cue can include a change in torque force needed to open the lid when the angle between the lid and the base reaches a predetermined threshold angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Dante Gomez, Eiji Shinohara, Hiroki Hirano
  • ELECTRONIC APPARATUS WITH A TORQUE VARIABLE STRUCTURE CONNECTING HOUSING COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20140218855
    Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided an electronic apparatus in which two housings are detachable and rotatable, and in which when one housing is detached from the other housing, and having a bracket for attachment and detachment that is easily rotated. An electronic apparatus may include an upper housing having a display; a lower housing which is rotatably connected with a bracket from which the upper housing is detachable by hinges; and a torque variable structure which changes rotational torque of the bracket at the hinges. The torque variable structure is capable of reducing the rotational torque of the bracket at the hinges in a state in which the upper housing is detached from the bracket, rather than a state in which the upper housing is mounted on the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takane Fujino, Eiji Shinohara, Hiroyuki Noguchi