Patents by Inventor Hitokazu Shitanaka
Hitokazu Shitanaka 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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Patent number: 10020137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Hideaki Eto, Naoaki Matsui
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Patent number: 9988068Abstract: A steering wheel input device includes a first steering switch disposed on a front face of a steering wheel and a second steering switch disposed on a rear face of the steering wheel. When the second steering switch is operated, an icon corresponding to the second steering switch is displayed on the first steering switch. The steering wheel input device allows various operations to be implemented. Furthermore, an operator can intuitively operate the steering wheel input device.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Sho Sonoda, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Tsuyoshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 9734967Abstract: An operating panel device includes an operating ring, and a display device which is disposed to face a back surface of the operating ring. The display device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is located inside the operating ring, and the second portion is located outside the operating ring. The third portion connects the first portion and the second portion. A display of the first portion changes in conjunction with a rotational operation applied to the operating ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Fukui, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Seiichi Nishimura, Sho Sonoda, Hitokazu Shitanaka
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Publication number: 20170117106Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: HITOKAZU SHITANAKA, HIDEAKI ETO, NAOAKI MATSUI
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Publication number: 20160297462Abstract: A steering wheel input device includes a first steering switch disposed on a front face of a steering wheel and a second steering switch disposed on a rear face of the steering wheel. When the second steering switch is operated, an icon corresponding to the second steering switch is displayed on the first steering switch. The steering wheel input device allows various operations to be implemented. Furthermore, an operator can intuitively operate the steering wheel input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: SHO SONODA, HITOKAZU SHITANAKA, TSUYOSHI TANAKA
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Publication number: 20160155585Abstract: An operating panel device includes an operating ring, and a display device which is disposed to face a back surface of the operating ring. The display device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is located inside the operating ring, and the second portion is located outside the operating ring. The third portion connects the first portion and the second portion. A display of the first portion changes in conjunction with a rotational operation applied to the operating ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: SATORU FUKUI, TSUYOSHI TANAKA, SEIICHI NISHIMURA, SHO SONODA, HITOKAZU SHITANAKA
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Patent number: 8586882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Hideaki Eto
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Patent number: 8531407Abstract: An input apparatus includes: a display plate having a plurality of display sections; an electrostatic touch panel provided at a lower face of the display plate; an operation body on which the display plate and the electrostatic touch panel are placed; a plurality of light-emitting elements for illuminating the plurality of display sections of the display plate from a lower side of the display plate through the electrostatic touch panel; and a control section that is electrically connected to the electrostatic touch panel and the plurality of light-emitting elements, and that controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements in accordance with touch operation to the electrostatic touch panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporatinInventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Kouichi Santo
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Publication number: 20110303519Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: TSUYOSHI TANAKA, HITOKAZU SHITANAKA, HIDEAKI ETO
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Publication number: 20090140994Abstract: An input apparatus includes: a display plate having a plurality of display sections; an electrostatic touch panel provided at a lower face of the display plate; an operation body on which the display plate and the electrostatic touch panel are placed; a plurality of light-emitting elements for illuminating the plurality of display sections of the display plate from a lower side of the display plate through the electrostatic touch panel; and a control section that is electrically connected to the electrostatic touch panel and the plurality of light-emitting elements, and that controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements in accordance with touch operation to the electrostatic touch panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Kouichi Santo
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Patent number: 7501722Abstract: A switch device includes a substantially disk-shaped operator; a substantially ring-shaped indicator provided between the operator and the light emitting elements disposed below the operator; and a visible portion formed in the center of an inner periphery of the operator. Since the indicator carrying indications of equipment functions in characters, symbols, figures or the like is formed separately from the operator, the indications will never turn sideways or upside down owing to the rotation of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Masaki Kontani
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Publication number: 20080231615Abstract: Disclosed here is an input device used for input operations of electronic equipment. According to the input device, an illuminating display section is disposed on an operation knob, and the controller of the device effects on/off control of the illuminating display section in connection with showing indications on the display of the device. With the structure above, the on/off state of the illuminating display section allows a user to easily confirm the current operating status of the electronic equipment, without looking at indications shown in the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hitokazu Shitanaka
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Patent number: 7321101Abstract: A switch device includes a operation body, a membrane switch pushed by the operation body, and plural push switches activated by pushing the operation body via the membrane switch. The membrane switch includes plural contact switches electrically connected upon being pushed by the operation body. The switch device is activated easily without operating errors.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Hirobe, Takayoshi Kishimoto, Kenji Otomo, Hitokazu Shitanaka
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Patent number: 7310084Abstract: A multi-way operation switch of the present invention includes an operation unit that is horizontally movable and rotatable; a plurality of first switch contacts for turning on and off the electrical coupling by horizontally moving the operation unit; and a second switch contact for turning on and off the electrical coupling by rotating the operation unit. This configuration allows the user to hold a single operation unit and operate multiple electronic apparatuses and setting modes by simply horizontally moving and rotating the operation unit. Accordingly, a smaller multi-way operation switch that is less prone to erroneous operation and which is easier to operate is achievable.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Koichi Santo
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Publication number: 20070188024Abstract: The switch device disclosed includes: a substantially disk-shaped operator; a substantially ring-shaped indicator provided between the operator and the light emitting elements disposed below the operator; and a visible portion formed in the center of an inner periphery of the operator. Since the indicator carrying indications of equipment functions in characters, symbols, figures or the like is formed separately from the operator, the indications will never turn sideways or upside down owing to the rotation of the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Masaki Kontani
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Publication number: 20070089977Abstract: A switch device includes a operation body, a membrane switch pushed by the operation body, and plural push switches activated by pushing the operation body via the membrane switch. The membrane switch includes plural contact switches electrically connected upon being pushed by the operation body. The switch device is activated easily without operating errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiro HIROBE, Takayoshi KISHIMOTO, Kenji OTOMO, Hitokazu SHITANAKA
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Publication number: 20050284737Abstract: A multi-way operation switch of the present invention includes an operation unit that is horizontally movable and rotatable; a plurality of first switch contacts for turning on and off the electrical coupling by horizontally moving the operation unit; and a second switch contact for turning on and off the electrical coupling by rotating the operation unit. This configuration allows the user to hold a single operation unit and operate multiple electronic apparatuses and setting modes by simply horizontally moving and rotating the operation unit. Accordingly, a smaller multi-way operation switch that is less prone to erroneous operation and which is easier to operate is achievable.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2005Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Koichi Santo
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Patent number: 6580039Abstract: Disclosed is a multidirectional switch and an operation unit containing the switch, to be used for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, for example. Respective operating areas of an operation body are positioned at a middle area between push button switches. Therefore, a pressing force applied to an operating area causes a swaying motion of a swaying body, and push structure of the swaying body push two switching contacts at substantially the same time, resulting in electrical connection/disconnection. The configuration of the multidirectional switch eliminates such constituent components as a coil spring, supporting pin, and the like, yet it provides an inexpensive multidirectional switch that has a superior operational feeling with a smaller number of constituent components.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric IndustrialInventors: Yoshiyuki Nakade, Shigeyoshi Umezawa, Naoaki Matsui, Hitokazu Shitanaka
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Patent number: 6359243Abstract: A multi-directional operating switch has a box-shaped case having an opening in an upper surface, a substrate disposed under the case, a tilting body having a manipulation shaft and disposed tiltably between the case and the substrate, and a plurality of switch units turned on and off by a depressing boss on a bottom fringe of a bowl-shaped section of the tilting body. An inner peripheral wall of the opening is provided with a plurality of recessed grooves elongated in an axial direction in positions corresponding with respective directions where the plurality of switch units are disposed, and an outer periphery of the manipulation shaft is provided with a plurality of protuberances for engagement with a corresponding one of the plurality of recessed grooves when the manipulation shaft is tilted.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakade, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Shigeyoshi Umezawa, Naoaki Matsui
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Publication number: 20010027912Abstract: A multidirectional switch and an operation unit containing the switch, to be used for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, etc. Respective operating areas of an operation body are positioned at the middle area between push button switches. Therefore, a pressing force applied on an operating area causes a swaying motion with a swaying body and push means of swaying body push two switching contacts at substantially the same time, resulting in the electrical connection/disconnection. The configuration of the present invention eliminates such constituent components as coil spring, supporting pin, etc., yet it provides a inexpensive multidirectional switch that has a superior operational feeling with a less number of constituent components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakade, Shigeyoshi Umezawa, Naoaki Matsui, Hitokazu Shitanaka