Patents by Inventor Hideaki Eto

Hideaki Eto 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: 11507229
    Abstract: A molded body for an electronic function includes a first film in which one surface thereof constitutes an external appearance surface, a second film in which an electronic component is mounted on a surface thereof facing a surface of the first film opposite to the external appearance surface, and a first resin that fills a space between the first film and the second film. The first resin has a cavity, and the cavity is filled with a second resin, and the electronic component is disposed in the cavity and surrounded by the second resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morioka, Takashi Morimoto, Hideaki Eto, Tomoya Moriura, Wahei Agemizu
  • Patent number: 11402951
    Abstract: An input device includes: an inputter to which an operation is input by a user; a frame that holds the inputter and moves in a first direction in response to the operation input by the user; a substrate disposed on a side to which the frame moves in the first direction; a first elastic body disposed between the frame and the substrate; a load sensor that detects a load applied to the inputter, based on the movement of the frame in the first direction; a restrictor that restricts the movement of the frame in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and a second elastic body disposed between the restrictor and the movable portion. The second elastic body has a repulsion elasticity lower than a repulsion elasticity of the first elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Eto, Takeshi Masutani, Kai Masamoto
  • Patent number: 11379046
    Abstract: An input device includes: a surface layer; a design sheet disposed on a front surface side or a back surface side of the surface layer; a cushion layer disposed on the back surface side of the surface layer and having a void therein; a plate-shaped frame disposed on a side of the cushion layer opposite to the surface layer; a main body that movably holds the frame in a first direction, in which the surface layer and the frame are stacked, when the surface layer is pressed; and a push-in detector mechanically connected to the frame. The design sheet includes a first portion in which a design is disposed and a second portion in which the design is not disposed in a plan view, and each of the surface layer and the cushion layer extends across the first portion and the second portion in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kontani, Hideaki Eto
  • Publication number: 20220137707
    Abstract: An input device includes: a surface layer; a design sheet disposed on a front surface side or a back surface side of the surface layer; a cushion layer disposed on the back surface side of the surface layer and having a void therein; a plate-shaped frame disposed on a side of the cushion layer opposite to the surface layer; a main body that movably holds the frame in a first direction, in which the surface layer and the frame are stacked, when the surface layer is pressed; and a push-in detector mechanically connected to the frame. The design sheet includes a first portion in which a design is disposed and a second portion in which the design is not disposed in a plan view, and each of the surface layer and the cushion layer extends across the first portion and the second portion in the plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Masaki KONTANI, Hideaki ETO
  • Patent number: 11183346
    Abstract: An input device includes: a substrate; a first detection electrode that detects input to the input device; a light emitter that emits light when the input is performed; a body plate disposed on the front surface side of the substrate and through which the light is transmitted; and a light guide including an incident surface from which the light enters and a light exit surface from which the light entered from the incident surface exits. A design portion that is light transmissive is disposed on an opposite side of the body plate to the substrate. A penetration hole penetrates through the substrate at a position opposite the design portion. The light guide is disposed in the penetration hole with the incident surface oriented facing a light emitting surface of the light emitter and the light exit surface oriented facing the design portion with the body plate interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Go Nakatani, Hideaki Eto
  • Publication number: 20210157427
    Abstract: A molded body for an electronic function includes a first film in which one surface thereof constitutes an external appearance surface, a second film in which an electronic component is mounted on a surface thereof facing a surface of the first film opposite to the external appearance surface, and a first resin that fills a space between the first film and the second film. The first resin has a cavity, and the cavity is filled with a second resin, and the electronic component is disposed in the cavity and surrounded by the second resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: HIROSHI MORIOKA, TAKASHI MORIMOTO, HIDEAKI ETO, TOMOYA MORIURA, WAHEI AGEMIZU
  • Publication number: 20210157425
    Abstract: An input device includes: an inputter to which an operation is input by a user; a frame that holds the inputter and moves in a first direction in response to the operation input by the user; a substrate disposed on a side to which the frame moves in the first direction; a first elastic body disposed between the frame and the substrate; a load sensor that detects a load applied to the inputter, based on the movement of the frame in the first direction; a restrictor that restricts the movement of the frame in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and a second elastic body disposed between the restrictor and the movable portion. The second elastic body has a repulsion elasticity lower than a repulsion elasticity of the first elastic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki ETO, Takeshi MASUTANI, Kai MASAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210134540
    Abstract: An input device includes: a substrate; a first detection electrode that detects input to the input device; a light emitter that emits light when the input is performed; a body plate disposed on the front surface side of the substrate and through which the light is transmitted; and a light guide including an incident surface from which the light enters and a light exit surface from which the light entered from the incident surface exits. A design portion that is light transmissive is disposed on an opposite side of the body plate to the substrate. A penetration hole penetrates through the substrate at a position opposite the design portion. The light guide is disposed in the penetration hole with the incident surface oriented facing a light emitting surface of the light emitter and the light exit surface oriented facing the design portion with the body plate interposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Go NAKATANI, Hideaki ETO
  • Patent number: 10962702
    Abstract: An input device includes: a light source that emits light; a first sheet including a design portion; a second sheet having a conductive pattern on which the light source is mounted and in which a touch sensor electrode is disposed in a position different from the light source; a body that is sandwiched between the first sheet and the second sheet to be integral therewith, and transmits the light emitted by the light source; and a guide disposed in a light path from the light source to the design portion, the guide guiding light transmitting through an inside of the body toward the design portion and being distinguished from the body. The light source and the light guide are disposed along a surface of the second sheet on a side facing the body. The body is integral with the light source and the light guide and encapsulates them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Yamane, Hideaki Eto, Wahei Agemizu, Masahiro Kasano, Go Nakatani, Hiroshi Morioka
  • Publication number: 20200110212
    Abstract: An input device includes: a light source that emits light; a first sheet including a design portion; a second sheet having a conductive pattern on which the light source is mounted and in which a touch sensor electrode is disposed in a position different from the light source; a body that is sandwiched between the first sheet and the second sheet to be integral therewith, and transmits the light emitted by the light source; and a guide disposed in a light path from the light source to the design portion, the guide guiding light transmitting through an inside of the body toward the design portion and being distinguished from the body. The light source and the light guide are disposed along a surface of the second sheet on a side facing the body. The body is integral with the light source and the light guide and encapsulates them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru YAMANE, Hideaki ETO, Wahei AGEMIZU, Masahiro KASANO, Go NAKATANI, Hiroshi MORIOKA
  • Patent number: 10020137
    Abstract: An input apparatus includes a pressing part, a spacer, a rotating cam, and a sensor. The pressing part is capable of reciprocating along a first direction. The spacer is disposed in the first direction with respect to pressing part and is capable of reciprocating along the first direction with reciprocation of the pressing part. The rotating cam is disposed at a side of the spacer opposite to the pressing part and rotates in a plane perpendicular to the first direction with reciprocation of the spacer. The sensor detects rotation of the rotating cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Hideaki Eto, Naoaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9978540
    Abstract: An input operation device according to the present disclosure includes first to third light-emitting sections, a first light guide body, and a second light guide body. A lower end of the first light guide body faces the first light-emitting section and the second light-emitting section. The first mark emits light on the first light guide body when light is incident on the first light guide body from the first light-emitting section, and the second mark emits light on the first light guide body when light is incident on the first light guide body from the second light-emitting section. The upper surface section of the second light guide body emits light when light is incident on the second light guide body from the third light-emitting section. At least one of the first light-emitting section, the second light-emitting section, and the third light-emitting section can change light emission luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hideaki Eto, Masami Ito, Shohroh Mochida, Shinji Kadoriku
  • Patent number: 9931933
    Abstract: The input device includes a press switch configured to be pressed in a direction of a predetermined axis, a first operation member configured to be moved along the predetermined axis to press the press switch, a second operation member disposed circularly around the first operation member and configured to be tilted relative to the predetermined axis to press the press switch, a first touch sensor disposed on the first operation member and configured to detect contact of a finger of a right hand with the first operation member, and a second touch sensor disposed on the second operation member and configured to detect contact of the finger of the right hand with the second operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Shimada, Hideaki Eto
  • Publication number: 20170250037
    Abstract: An input operation device according to the present disclosure includes first to third light-emitting sections, a first light guide body, and a second light guide body. A lower end of the first light guide body faces the first light-emitting section and the second light-emitting section. The first mark emits light on the first light guide body when light is incident on the first light guide body from the first light-emitting section, and the second mark emits light on the first light guide body when light is incident on the first light guide body from the second light-emitting section. The upper surface section of the second light guide body emits light when light is incident on the second light guide body from the third light-emitting section. At least one of the first light-emitting section, the second light-emitting section, and the third light-emitting section can change light emission luminance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi TANAKA, Hideaki ETO, Masami ITO, Shohroh MOCHIDA, Shinji KADORIKU
  • Publication number: 20170117106
    Abstract: An input apparatus includes a pressing part, a spacer, a rotating cam, and a sensor. The pressing part is capable of reciprocating along a first direction. The spacer is disposed in the first direction with respect to pressing part and is capable of reciprocating along the first direction with reciprocation of the pressing part. The rotating cam is disposed at a side of the spacer opposite to the pressing part and rotates in a plane perpendicular to the first direction with reciprocation of the spacer. The sensor detects rotation of the rotating cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: HITOKAZU SHITANAKA, HIDEAKI ETO, NAOAKI MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20170024063
    Abstract: The input device includes a press switch configured to be pressed in a direction of a predetermined axis, a first operation member configured to be moved along the predetermined axis to press the press switch, a second operation member disposed circularly around the first operation member and configured to be tilted relative to the predetermined axis to press the press switch, a first touch sensor disposed on the first operation member and configured to detect contact of a finger of a right hand with the first operation member, and a second touch sensor disposed on the second operation member and configured to detect contact of the finger of the right hand with the second operation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: RYO SHIMADA, HIDEAKI ETO
  • Patent number: 9279717
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a case; a slider slidable in a first direction and mounted to the case; a movable member mounted on an upper surface of the slider so as to be slidable in a second direction; a first reflection portion provided on any one of the movable member, the case, and the slider; a first light-emitting device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion; and a first light-receiving device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion, wherein the first reflection portion has a plurality of steps confronting the side facing the first light-emitting device, and a distance between the first reflection portion and the first light-emitting device in a third direction varies according to an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Miyazaki, Hideaki Eto, Yosuke Ohashi, Takeshi Miyaoka
  • Patent number: 9124275
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a transparent plate, an upper substrate having an upper surface situated on a lower surface of the transparent plate and stacked on the transparent plate in a downward direction, an upper conductive layer provided between the lower surface of the transparent plate and the lower surface of the upper substrate, a lower substrate having an upper surface situated on the lower surface of the upper substrate and stacked on the upper substrate in the downward direction, and a lower conductive layer provided between the lower surface of the upper substrate and the upper surface of the lower substrate and facing the upper conductive layer across the upper substrate. The upper surface of the transparent plate has a dome shape projecting upward on a cross section in a first direction perpendicular to the downward direction and on a cross section in a second direction perpendicular to the downward direction and the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMANT CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Santo, Hideaki Eto, Takuma Besshi, Tsutomu Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20140239163
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a case; a slider slidable in a first direction and mounted to the case; a movable member mounted on an upper surface of the slider so as to be slidable in a second direction; a first reflection portion provided on any one of the movable member, the case, and the slider; a first light-emitting device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion; and a first light-receiving device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion, wherein the first reflection portion has a plurality of steps confronting the side facing the first light-emitting device, and a distance between the first reflection portion and the first light-emitting device in a third direction varies according to an area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya MIYAZAKI, Hideaki ETO, Yosuke OHASHI, Takeshi MIYAOKA
  • Patent number: 8586882
    Abstract: A multi-directional switch includes switches, a wiring board having an electrode, a pressure-sensitive body disposed over the electrode, a detection pin disposed on the upper surface of the pressure-sensitive body, and an operating body configured to push the detection pin and the switches by being tilted. The degree of a pushing force exerted by the operating body onto the detection pin changes the contact resistance between the pressure-sensitive body and the electrode. The multi-directional switch enables an electronic apparatus connected thereto to perform diverse functions by reflecting changes in the contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Hideaki Eto