Patents by Inventor Hiroto Kawaguchi
Hiroto Kawaguchi 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).
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Publication number: 20240026871Abstract: [Object] To provide a technology or the like capable of improving driving efficiency of a diaphragm pump. [Solving Means] A diaphragm pump (10) according to the present technology includes a first diaphragm (1a), a second diaphragm (1b), and an adjustment portion (11). The first diaphragm (1a) includes a first member including a first elastic portion (5a), and a first drive unit that elastically deforms the first elastic portion (5a) by drive of the first drive unit. The second diaphragm (1b) includes a second member that includes a second elastic portion (5b) and forms a space (13) with the first member, a fluid flowing in the space, and a second drive unit that elastically deforms the second elastic portion (5b). The adjustment portion (11) is provided to at least one of the first diaphragm (1a) or the second diaphragm (1b) and is for adjusting a resonant frequency of the at least one of the first diaphragm (1a) or the second diaphragm (1b).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: TAKUMA MATSUSHITA, HIROSHI SUZUKI, HIROTO KAWAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20240026872Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a flow-path space forming portion, an inflow opening, an outflow opening, and a drive mechanism. The flow-path space forming portion includes a flexible portion that have flexibility, and a facing portion that faces the flexible portion, the flow-path space forming portion forming a flow path space between the flexible portion and the facing portion, the flow path space being a flow path of fluid. The inflow opening is provided to an outer peripheral portion of the flow path space, as viewed from a facing direction in which the flexible portion and the facing portion face each other, the inflow opening being an opening through which the fluid flows into the flow path space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2021Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: HIROTO KAWAGUCHI, HIROSHI SUZUKI, KENTARO YOSHIDA
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Publication number: 20240009554Abstract: A haptic presentation apparatus includes a base material, an elastic layer, and a fluid transport apparatus. The base material forms a first space and includes a first through hole. The elastic layer covers a surface of the base material including the first through hole. The fluid transport apparatus injects fluid between the elastic layer and the base material via the first through hole. The elastic layer is expanded by injecting the fluid from the fluid transport apparatus such that an internal pressure of a second space between the elastic layer and the base material is higher than an internal pressure of the first space, and the fluid injected into the second space is vented to outside of the second space via a second through hole by stopping driving of the fluid transport apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Hiroto KAWAGUCHI, Hironobu ABE, Hiroshi SUZUKI
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Patent number: 11801440Abstract: [Object] To provide a haptic presentation apparatus capable of quickly deforming a surface. [Solving Means] A haptic presentation apparatus includes a base material, an elastic layer, and a fluid transport apparatus. The base material forms a first space and includes a first through hole. The elastic layer covers a surface of the base material including the first through hole. The fluid transport apparatus injects fluid between the elastic layer and the base material via the first through hole. The elastic layer is expanded by injecting the fluid from the fluid transport apparatus such that an internal pressure of a second space between the elastic layer and the base material is higher than an internal pressure of the first space, and the fluid injected into the second space is vented to outside of the second space via a second through hole by stopping driving of the fluid transport apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Hironobu Abe, Hiroshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 11536619Abstract: A sensor includes: an electrostatic-capacity-type sensor electrode layer having a plurality of sensing units; a reference electrode layer opposed to one main face of the sensor electrode layer; and a deformable layer disposed between the reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer, the deformable layer being to deform elastically due to application of pressure. The deformable layer is recessed between the sensing units or discontinuous between the sensing units. The reference electrode layer has a shaped portion between the sensing units.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Hiroto Kawaguchi
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Publication number: 20220372965Abstract: [Object] To provide a valve module suitable for a compact fluid control apparatus and a fluid control apparatus and an electronic apparatus using the same. [Solving Means] A valve module according to the present technology includes a movable member and a support member. The movable member is constituted by a film elastically deformable by a fluid and having a first surface positioned on a side of a member having an opening through which the fluid passes and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface. The support member has higher rigidity than rigidity of the movable member, covers a part of a region of the second surface, in which the opening is not located as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second surface, and is fixed to the member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: HIROTO KAWAGUCHI, HIROSHI SUZUKI, YUYA HORIUCHI, TAKUMA MATSUSHITA, DAISUKE MIZUTA
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Publication number: 20220260067Abstract: [Object] To provide a fluid control apparatus having a diaphragm structure and small flow path resistance. [Solving Means] A fluid control apparatus according to the present technology includes a first space, two flat plate members, a drive mechanism, a second space, a first check valve, and a second check valve. The first space has an inlet and an outlet. The two flat plate members face each other via the first space, and at least one of the flat plate members is an elastic body having flexibility. The drive mechanism bends the elastic body. The second space adjoins the first space, communicates with the first space via the inlet, and has a suction port. The first check valve allows fluid to flow from the suction port to the first space via the inlet. The third space adjoins the first space, communicates with the first space via the outlet, and has a discharge port. The second check valve allows the fluid to flow from the first space to the discharge port via the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2020Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Hiroshi SUZUKI, Masahiro SATO, Koji FUKUMOTO, Yuya HORIUCHI, Hironobu ABE, Hiroto KAWAGUCHI, Kazuhiro HONGO, Takuma MATSUSHITA, Daisuke MIZUTA, Kentaro YOSHIDA
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Publication number: 20220096925Abstract: [Object] To provide a haptic presentation apparatus capable of quickly deforming a surface. [Solving Means] A haptic presentation apparatus includes a base material, an elastic layer, and a fluid transport apparatus. The base material forms a first space and includes a first through hole. The elastic layer covers a surface of the base material including the first through hole. The fluid transport apparatus injects fluid between the elastic layer and the base material via the first through hole. The elastic layer is expanded by injecting the fluid from the fluid transport apparatus such that an internal pressure of a second space between the elastic layer and the base material is higher than an internal pressure of the first space, and the fluid injected into the second space is vented to outside of the second space via a second through hole by stopping driving of the fluid transport apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Hiroto KAWAGUCHI, Hironobu ABE, Hiroshi SUZUKI
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Patent number: 11229837Abstract: [Object] To provide a haptic presentation apparatus capable of quickly deforming a surface. [Solving Means] A haptic presentation apparatus includes a base material, an elastic layer, and a fluid transport apparatus. The base material forms a first space and includes a first through hole. The elastic layer covers a surface of the base material including the first through hole. The fluid transport apparatus injects fluid between the elastic layer and the base material via the first through hole. The elastic layer is expanded by injecting the fluid from the fluid transport apparatus such that an internal pressure of a second space between the elastic layer and the base material is higher than an internal pressure of the first space, and the fluid injected into the second space is vented to outside of the second space via a second through hole by stopping driving of the fluid transport apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Hironobu Abe, Hiroshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 11125547Abstract: A sensor includes an elastic base material including a first surface and a second surface, a first sensor which detects a change in a capacitance caused by expansion/contraction of the first surface, and a second sensor which detects a change in a capacitance caused by expansion/contraction of the second surface. The first sensor faces the second sensor with the base material therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroto Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 11079213Abstract: A sensor includes an elastic base material including a first surface and a second surface, a first sensor which detects a change in a capacitance caused by expansion/contraction of the first surface, and a second sensor which detects a change in a capacitance caused by expansion/contraction of the second surface. The first sensor faces the second sensor with the base material therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroto Kawaguchi
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Publication number: 20210208012Abstract: A sensor includes: an electrostatic-capacity-type sensor electrode layer having a plurality of sensing units; a reference electrode layer opposed to one main face of the sensor electrode layer; and a deformable layer disposed between the reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer, the deformable layer being to deform elastically due to application of pressure. The deformable layer is recessed between the sensing units or discontinuous between the sensing units. The reference electrode layer has a shaped portion between the sensing units.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoko KATSUHARA, Hiroto KAWAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20210069583Abstract: [Object] To provide a haptic presentation apparatus capable of quickly deforming a surface. [Solving Means] A haptic presentation apparatus includes a base material, an elastic layer, and a fluid transport apparatus. The base material forms a first space and includes a first through hole. The elastic layer covers a surface of the base material including the first through hole. The fluid transport apparatus injects fluid between the elastic layer and the base material via the first through hole. The elastic layer is expanded by injecting the fluid from the fluid transport apparatus such that an internal pressure of a second space between the elastic layer and the base material is higher than an internal pressure of the first space, and the fluid injected into the second space is vented to outside of the second space via a second through hole by stopping driving of the fluid transport apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Hiroto KAWAGUCHI, Hironobu ABE, Hiroshi SUZUKI
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Patent number: 10936128Abstract: The sensor device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, an electrode substrate, a first support, and a second support. The first conductive layer is formed to be deformable sheet-shaped. The second conductive layer is disposed to be opposed to the first conductive layer. The electrode substrate includes multiple first electrode wires and multiple second electrode wires and is disposed to be deformable between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the multiple second electrode wires being disposed to be opposed to the multiple first electrode wires and intersecting with the multiple first electrode wires. The first support includes multiple first structures, the multiple first structures connecting the first conductive layer and the electrode substrate. The second support includes multiple second structures, the multiple second structures connecting the second conductive layer and the electrode substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Shogo Shinkai, Kei Tsukamoto, Tomoko Katsuhara, Hayato Hasegawa, Fumihiko Iida, Takayuki Tanaka, Tomoaki Suzuki, Taizo Nishimura, Hiroshi Mizuno, Yasuyuki Abe
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Patent number: 10871846Abstract: A sensor panel includes a sensor section that detects magnetic force of a contacting surface or a region in the vicinity of the contacting surface on a basis of a change in capacitance and is allowed to output a signal depending on the change in capacitance along with information on a position where the change in capacitance has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Taizo Nishimura, Hiroto Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Mizuno, Shogo Shinkai, Fumihiko Iida, Akira Ebisui, Kei Tsukamoto, Tomoko Katsuhara
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Publication number: 20200309508Abstract: A sensor includes an elastic base material including a first surface and a second surface, a first sensor which detects a change in a capacitance caused by expansion/contraction of the first surface, and a second sensor which detects a change in a capacitance caused by expansion/contraction of the second surface. The first sensor faces the second sensor with the base material therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventor: HIROTO KAWAGUCHI
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Patent number: 10671180Abstract: Provided are an input device and an electronic apparatus each including capacitive elements and being capable of allowing a plurality of information items to be separately input by simple operations. The input device includes: a capacitive element; a conductor that can be electrostatically coupled to the capacitive element; an operation portion that allows a load to be applied to the conductor; and a retaining portion that retains the conductor apart from the capacitive element. The retaining portion is capable of displacing the conductor with respect to the capacitive element in a stepwise manner in accordance with the load that is applied to the conductor through intermediation of the operation portion, and is capable of retaining the conductor at a plurality of positions with respect to the capacitive element.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Taizo Nishimura, Hiroto Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Mizuno, Takashi Itaya, Akira Ebisui, Tomoko Katsuhara, Yoshiteru Taka
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Patent number: 10615793Abstract: An input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an operation member, an electrode substrate, and a first support. The operation member includes a plurality of key regions and is configured to be deformable. The electrode substrate includes a first capacitive element arranged opposed to each of the plurality of key regions and a second capacitive element arranged around the first capacitive element. The electrode substrate is capable of electrostatically detecting a change of a distance from each of the plurality of key regions. The first support includes a plurality of first structures and a first space. The plurality of first structures connect between the electrode substrate and the operation member. The first space is formed between the plurality of first structures and capable of changing the distance between each of the plurality of key regions and the electrode substrate according to an input operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Shogo Shinkai, Tetsuro Goto, Toshio Kano
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Publication number: 20200097106Abstract: The sensor device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, an electrode substrate, a first support, and a second support. The first conductive layer is formed to be deformable sheet-shaped. The second conductive layer is disposed to be opposed to the first conductive layer. The electrode substrate includes multiple first electrode wires and multiple second electrode wires and is disposed to be deformable between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the multiple second electrode wires being disposed to be opposed to the multiple first electrode wires and intersecting with the multiple first electrode wires. The first support includes multiple first structures, the multiple first structures connecting the first conductive layer and the electrode substrate. The second support includes multiple second structures, the multiple second structures connecting the second conductive layer and the electrode substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Shogo Shinkai, Kei Tsukamoto, Tomoko Katsuhara, Hayato Hasegawa, Fumihiko Iida, Takayuki Tanaka, Tomoaki Suzuki, Taizo Nishimura, Hiroshi Mizuno, Yasuyuki Abe
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Patent number: 10540034Abstract: To provide an input device having optimal portability and electronic apparatus including the same. The input device includes an input section, a control section, a power supply section, and a support section. The input section has a detection surface, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a pressing position and a pressing amount on a detection surface. The control section determines the pressing position and the pressing amount based on the detection signal. The power supply section supplies electricity to the input section and the control section. The support section is user wearable, and supports the input section, the control section, and the power supply section.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Manabu Kodate, Munetake Ebihara, Sayaka Izumi