Patents by Inventor Hideo Morimoto
Hideo Morimoto 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: 6894507Abstract: A capacitance element electrode is formed on a first surface of FPC, and a displacement electrode is formed on a second surface of the FPC. The FPC is folded at its connecting portion in such a manner that the first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other, whereby a capacitance element is formed between the capacitance element electrode and the displacement electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Nitta CorporationInventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20050057266Abstract: In a capacitance type sensor of the present invention, a capacitance element is constituted between a displacement electrode and a capacitance element electrode. A return-switch movable electrode is arranged above and spaced from the displacement electrode, to be placed in contact with the displaying electrode due to a displacement of a direction button. When the direction button is operated, the return-switch movable electrode is first displaced into contact with the displacement electrode. Then, the both make a displacement while keeping a contact state. When the displacement electrode is displaced to change the spacing to the capacitance element electrode, changed is the capacitance value of the capacitance element. Based on this change, a force is recognized. Herein, in the course of a transit from a state the displacement electrode and the return-switch electrode are not in contact to a state of their contact, the output signal varies necessarily beyond a threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2004Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Patent number: 6867601Abstract: A sensor unit having capacitance element electrodes and a displacement electrode being opposite thereto is disposed on a substrate. A detective button is supported onto the substrate in such a manner that the detective button is positioned above the sensor unit to define a specified space between the supporting member for supporting the detective button and the displacement electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Nitta CorporationInventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Patent number: 6842015Abstract: A capacitance element electrode (E1) and a reference electrode (E31) are formed on a substrate (20) so as to be opposite to a displacement electrode (40). A dome-shaped movable switch electrode (E21) is disposed so as to be in contact with the reference electrode (E31) and at a distance from a fixed switch electrode (E11) formed inside the reference electrode (E31), and to cover the fixed switch electrode (E11). When an operation is applied to a detective member (30) and a portion of the movable switch electrode (E21) in the vicinity of its top is displaced to be brought into contact with fixed switch electrode (E11), a switch is turned ON. On the other hand, from a change in capacitance value of a capacitance element (C1) formed between the displacement electrode (40) and the capacitance element electrode (E1), the intensity of the force to the detective member (30) can be recognized.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Nitta CorporationInventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Patent number: 6820494Abstract: In a capacitance type sensor of the present invention, a two-layer structure of a sensor unit is provided by capacitance elements comprising capacitance element electrodes and a displacement electrode arranged opposite to the capacitance element electrodes, and domed switches comprising contact electrodes and switching electrodes spaced apart from the contact electrodes being arranged to overlap with each other with respect to a displacement direction of an operating button.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: NITTA CorporationInventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040104735Abstract: Capacitance element electrodes (E1 to E5) and a grounded reference electrode (E0) are formed on a substrate (20). At a position opposite to these electrodes (E0 to E5), a displacement electrode (40) is disposed that is Z-axially deformable as a detective member (30) is externally operated to move Z-axially. The displacement electrode (40) cooperates with the reference electrode (E0) and capacitance element electrodes (E1 to E5) to form capacitance elements (C0 to C5), respectively. Each of the capacitance elements (C1 to C5) is connected in series with the capacitance element (C0) with respect to a signal externally input. Changes in the capacitance values of the capacitance elements (C1 to C5) as the detective member (30) is moved are detected to sense the displacement of the detective member (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040104727Abstract: In a capacitance type sensor of the present invention, a two-layer structure of a sensor unit is provided by capacitance elements comprising capacitance element electrodes and a displacement electrode arranged opposite to the capacitance element electrodes, and domed switches comprising contact electrodes and switching electrodes spaced apart from the contact electrodes being arranged to overlap with each other with respect to a displacement direction of an operating button.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040080216Abstract: A movable switch electrode (E21) which is contactable with a capacitance element electrode (E1) formed on a substrate (20) and is spaced apart from a fixed switch electrode (E11) formed in an interior of the capacitance element electrode (E1) and having a domed form to cover the fixed switch electrode (E11) is set in place. When a detective member (30) is operated and a force applied from a displacement electrode (40) to the movable switch electrode (E21) reaches a specified value, the movable switch electrode (E21) is elastically deformed and depressed drastically with buckling at the nearly top portion thereof and is brought into contact with the fixed switch electrode (E11). This brings the switch into the ON-state. At this time, an operator is given a pronounced click feeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040055396Abstract: In a sensor sheet of the present invention, a large number of sensor cells, each having capacitance element electrodes corresponding to an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis direction and a displacement electrode arranged to form capacitance elements between the capacitance element electrodes and the displacement electrode, are arranged in matrix. This arrangement enables measurement of a distribution of three-dimensional components of the force applied from outside over the overall sensor sheet on the basis of the components of force detected in each of the large number of sensor cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040056669Abstract: In a resistance type sensor of the present invention, a sensor unit having variable contact resistances and a wakeup switch formed in two layers is produced by folding a FPC forming thereon pressure-sensitive resistive inks, a displacement electrode connected to ground, and a displacement electrode held at a power-supply voltage Vcc. Accordingly, whenever operation is applied to an operating button, the displacement electrode and the displacement electrode are reliably contacted with each other, first, and, then, resistance values of the variable contact resistances are changed while the displacement electrodes are kept in their contacted state. This enables the operation applied to the operating button to be detected reliably.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040008039Abstract: A sensor unit having capacitance element electrodes and a displacement electrode being opposite thereto is disposed on a substrate. A detective button is supported onto the substrate in such a manner that the detective button is positioned above the sensor unit to define a specified space between the supporting member for supporting the detective button and the displacement electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20040008038Abstract: A capacitance element electrode is formed on a first surface of FPC, and a displacement electrode is formed on a second surface of the FPC. The FPC is folded at its connecting portion in such a manner that the first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other, whereby a capacitance element is formed between the capacitance element electrode and the displacement electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20030222660Abstract: In a capacitance type sensor of the present invention, a capacitance element is constituted between a displacement electrode and a capacitance element electrode. A return-switch movable electrode is arranged above and spaced from the displacement electrode, to be placed in contact with the displaying electrode due to a displacement of a direction button. When the direction button is operated, the return-switch movable electrode is first displaced into contact with the displacement electrode. Then, the both make a displacement while keeping a contact state. When the displacement electrode is displaced to change the spacing to the capacitance element electrode, changed is the capacitance value of the capacitance element. Based on this change, a force is recognized. Herein, in the course of a transit from a state the displacement electrode and the return-switch electrode are not in contact to a state of their contact, the output signal varies necessarily beyond a threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Patent number: 6530283Abstract: An intermediate displacement board (120) composed of a metal plate is arranged on a printed circuit board (110) having electrode patterns (E1-E7) and then a strain generative body (130) composed of silicon rubber is arranged on top thereof. Then, the arrangement is fixed to the printed circuit board (110) with attachments (140). Depressing a displacement portion (133) causes a connecting portion (132) to be deflected and an electrode (F0) to be brought into contact with the electrodes (E1, E2) to make them conductive, thereby allowing the pushbutton switch to be turned ON. Depressing further the displacement portion (133) causes an elastic deformation portion (134) to be elastically deformed and crushed and the intermediate displacement board (120) to be pushed downward. The capacitance of capacitors (C3-C7), which are constituted by the electrodes (E3-E7) and the intermediate displacement board (120), are varied according to the depression of the intermediate displacement board (120).Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignees: Wacoh Corporation, Nitta CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro Okada, Nobumitsu Taniguchi, Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20030039757Abstract: The present invention provides a thermosetting coating composition having a storage stability sufficient to be formed into a one-pack coating despite a small content of organic solvent contained therein and having a sufficient curability, and a method of forming a coating film by which the content of the organic solvent present in a coating at the time of application can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: NIPPON PAINT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroto Yoneda, Takashi Irie, Akihiro Kanakura, Yoshifumi Ichinose, Yuji Okura, Hideo Morimoto
-
Publication number: 20020190727Abstract: A capacitance element electrode (E1) and a reference electrode (E31) are formed on a substrate (20) so as to be opposite to a displacement electrode (40). A dome-shaped movable switch electrode (E21) is disposed so as to be in contact with the reference electrode (E31) and at a distance from a fixed switch electrode (E11) formed inside the reference electrode (E31), and to cover the fixed switch electrode (E11). When an operation is applied to a detective member (30) and a portion of the movable switch electrode (E21) in the vicinity of its top is displaced to be brought into contact with fixed switch electrode (E11), a switch is turned ON. On the other hand, from a change in capacitance value of a capacitance element (C1) formed between the displacement electrode (40) and the capacitance element electrode (E1), the intensity of the force to the detective member (30) can be recognized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
-
Patent number: 6373265Abstract: An electrostatic capacitive touch sensor including a substrate having a group of fixed electrodes formed thereon; and a movable electrode plate that is integrally molded by using rubber or resin having an elastic property as a whole and that has at least a face which opposes the group of fixed electrodes and is made of a conductive rubber or a conductive resin. The group of fixed electrodes and the movable electrode plate form a plurality of variable electrostatic capacitive sections, and in response to the magnitude and the direction of a force applied onto the movable electrode plate, the electrostatic capacitances of the respective variable electrostatic capacitive sections are allowed to change.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignees: Nitta Corporation, Wacoh CorporationInventors: Hideo Morimoto, Kazuhiro Okada
-
Publication number: 20010024693Abstract: A method is provided for forming high-appearance multi-layer coating films by sequentially providing an undercoating film with a water-based intermediate coat and a topcoat while controlling the imbibing or inversion at each interface between the respective coating films.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Inventors: Hideo Morimoto, Etsuyuki Ito
-
Publication number: 20010011994Abstract: A capacitance type sensor includes a substrate, a group of electrodes fixed on an upper face of the substrate, a movable electrode plate having an electrode on its lower side and a gap between the group of fixed electrodes on the substrate and the electrode on the movable electrode plate. The gap is formed with a solder layer, a conductive elastomer layer, a conductive paint layer, or a conductive adhesive material layer provided on the substrate. The electrode on the movable electrode plate is made of conductive rubber plate or conductive elastomer plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2001Publication date: August 9, 2001Inventors: Hideo Morimoto, Kazuhiro Okada
-
Patent number: 6269694Abstract: A sensor for detecting levels of fluids and particulate matter is based on differences in dielectric constants of the various materials. The difference is reflected in different capacitance across electrodes immersed to different depths in such materials. A square-wave clock pulse is input into circuit composed of the capacitance and a resister in series. The output voltage is fed into a logic unit (such as exclusive-OR), which converts the exponential decay of the voltage into a pulse of uniform height with duration proportional to the time constant (proportional to the capacitance) of the exponential decay. The pulse is optionally fed through a low-pass filter to give a signal proportional to the duration.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Nitta CorporationInventor: Hideo Morimoto