Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Niitsuma

Hirofumi Niitsuma 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: 8476542
    Abstract: A flat-type input unit capable of outputting information regarding a position where a finger touches as coordinate data is provided in a casing of an input device. A main-switch unit and sub-switch units operated by the flat-type input unit are also provided in the casing. When ON output signals are simultaneously supplied from the main-switch unit and one of the sub-switch units, the flat-type input unit determines a position where the finger touches by performing a detection operation. It can be determined on the basis of the position whether the main-switch unit or the sub-switch unit is controlled. Moreover, since pressing any position of the flat-type input unit can cause the main-switch unit to supply an ON output signal, a confirmation input can be performed easily with the ON output signal supplied from the main-switch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuji Hagiwara, Hayato Hosoya, Hirofumi Niitsuma, Kazunori Nakano
  • Publication number: 20080223706
    Abstract: A flat-type input unit capable of outputting information regarding a position where a finger touches as coordinate data is provided in a casing of an input device. A main-switch unit and sub-switch units operated by the flat-type input unit are also provided in the casing. When ON output signals are simultaneously supplied from the main-switch unit and one of the sub-switch units, the flat-type input unit determines a position where the finger touches by performing a detection operation. It can be determined on the basis of the position whether the main-switch unit or the sub-switch unit is controlled. Moreover, since pressing any position of the flat-type input unit can cause the main-switch unit to supply an ON output signal, a confirmation input can be performed easily with the ON output signal supplied from the main-switch unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Yasuji Hagiwara, Hayato Hosoya, Hirofumi Niitsuma, Kazunori Nakano
  • Patent number: 7414612
    Abstract: In an analog input device, a rubber member is provided between a key top and a movable electrode of an analog-quantity generating unit. A dead zone can be removed or reduced by forming a bottom portion of the rubber member of a flat or curved face. Furthermore, since first round surfaces are connected to an outer side face, the linearity of the input (e.g., a load)-output (voltage) characteristic can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hirofumi Niitsuma, Kazutoshi Watanabe, Junichi Inamuara, Isao Sato
  • Publication number: 20050012730
    Abstract: In an analog input device, a rubber member is provided between a key top and a movable electrode of an analog-quantity generating unit. A dead zone can be removed or reduced by forming a bottom portion of the rubber member of a flat or curved face. Furthermore, since first round surfaces are connected to an outer side face, the linearity of the input (e.g., a load)-output (voltage) characteristic can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Hirofumi Niitsuma, Kazutoshi Watanabe, Junichi Inamuara, Isao Sato
  • Publication number: 20030103035
    Abstract: A computer having a built-in device incorporated inside an accommodation space of a base. The built-in device has a tray, with a numerical keypad being provided on the tray. A switching device for transmitting a numerical keypad operation signal to a circuit in the base when the tray has slid to a protruding position from an accommodation position is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Watanabe, Hirofumi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 5164712
    Abstract: Disclosed is an X-Y direction input device for moving a cursor on a screen in a suitable direction, the device comprising a rotatable rotation operating member, a first rotary type electric part for detecting a rotational amount of the rotating operating member, a slide operating member capable of being reciprocated in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotation operating member, and a second rotary type electric part for detecting an amount of movement of the slide operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Niitsuma