Patents by Inventor Isamu Washizuka

Isamu Washizuka 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: 5058996
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel for displaying information of plural digits comprises transparent segment electrodes, reflection electrodes and a liquid crystal composition sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred form employing the typical seven-segment font, the transparent segment electrodes in the respective digit positions are divided into two groups. The reflection electrodes are continuously provided in common to the respective digit positions in such a manner that the reflection electrodes are provided even at the spaces positioned between adjacent digit positions and divided into four electrodes with the use of thin gaps provided longitudinally of the liquids crystal display panel. Both the respective two groups of the transparent electrodes and the respective four reflection electrodes are connected to receive selection signals for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Yoshio Takeda
  • Patent number: 4912462
    Abstract: An input device for a word information storage and retrieval device such as an electronic dictionary includes a single multiconduct bar switch, a detection circuit, a shift circuit, and a display. The single bar switch corresponds to a plurality of letters or characters, such that the single bar switch is operable to input each one of the plurality of letters of characters depending on the actuated position of the bar switch. The detection circuit is responsive to the single bar switch for detecting the actuated position of the single bar switch and for detecting which of the plurality of letters or characters is input. The display is responsive to the detection circuit for displaying a detected one of the plurality of letters or characters input. The shift circuit is operable to shift the selection of the detected one of the plurality of letters or characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Mitsuhiro Saiji
  • Patent number: 4875036
    Abstract: The disclosed is an input and liquid crystal display unit including a flat liquid crystal display unit allowing input of data by manual writing having a plurality of partial display areas which are divisible into multiple units. The display unit overlays a magnetic tablet for inputting the designated data into the unit for display on the partial display areas. The display is driven to only some of said partial display areas to display the input pattern in the information on the partial display areas by applying a high duty cycle scan voltage to the common electrodes of the partial display areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Yukihiro Inoue, Yoshio Okajima
  • Patent number: 4858125
    Abstract: An electronic cane having a grip and a stick contains, inside of the grip, sensors for sensing physical parameters of the surrounding environment and of the user of the cane. Predetermined maximum and minimum values of the parameters are programmed and an alarm is activated if a parameter is outside of the range. The circuitry for performing these functions is in a retractable case. A panic button is also provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Shinji Tsugei, Tomohiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 4809192
    Abstract: In a language translator with a speech synthesizer, fixed words and variable words messages with translation are selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Kosuke Nishimura, Mitsuhiro Saiji
  • Patent number: 4760918
    Abstract: A pocketbook type electronic apparatus includes a pocketbook which comprises inner and outer covers between which is contained an electronic apparatus. When the covers are in a closed position, operation of said electronic apparatus is nevertheless possible. The covers are provided with transparent sections corresponding to the positions of the operating keys, display apparatus and solar cell of the electronic apparatus. Also disclosed is a pocketbook type electronic apparatus wherein the body of the electronic apparatus comprises one of the covers wherein the operating surface of the electronic apparatus is positioned on the outside of such cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Akira Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 4740913
    Abstract: A display device for an electronic dictionary such as an electronic translator or an electronic language dictionary is featured by displaying ornamental patterns formed with ornamental data and word data when the dictionary is left unoperated. The display device includes a memory circuit for storing the ornamental data and the word data, a mixing circuit responsive to the memory circuit for mixing the ornamental data and the word data, and a display responsive to the mixing circuit for displaying the mixed ornamental patterns. In a specific form of the present invention, the ornamental patterns are displayed by shifting or running the overall data across the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Mitsuhiro Saiji
  • Patent number: 4701862
    Abstract: In a talking alarm clock, coincidence of real-time and preset alarm-time causes output of a fixed-plus-variable word message. Fixed words are stored in a ROM, while variable words are entered and stored in a circulating analog semiconductor memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Kosuke Nishimura, Mitsuhiro Saiji
  • Patent number: 4692740
    Abstract: A key input device to be attached to an electronic apparatus includes a keyboard having a plurality of key switches, and an exchangeable connector that is connectable to a body of the electronic apparatus for enabling the keyboard to be selected so that information is inputted into the electronic apparatus by the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Kiyoshi Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 4655551
    Abstract: An arrangement of a liquid crystal display unit includes a display panel having a plurality of terminals, a plurality of flexible films made of electrically nonconductive material and an LSI chip bonded into each flexible film. A plurality of electrodes are deposited on each film, with the films being provided in association with the display panel to electrically connect each LSI chip with the display panel terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Masuaki Morino, Tamaki Mashiba
  • Patent number: 4651294
    Abstract: A portable electronic computer or calculator is characterized in that it calculates a functional operation on the previously calculated result by simply actuating a function key switch while the result is being displayed. It is unnecessary to actuate any entry key switch. In a specific form of the present invention, the computer may calculate a functional operation on numerical data in response to input of a function command, the numerical data being either newly inputted or previously calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Koichi Oda
  • Patent number: 4648070
    Abstract: An electronic translator comprises a specifying device for specifying letters to be input. An input device cooperates with the specifying device to input the specified letters into the electronic translator. The translator also includes a memory for memorizing a plurality of words containing the input letters, an access circuit for addressing the memory to retrieve such words and a display responsive to the access circuit for displaying the retrieved words and translated equivalent words. The specifying device is operated with only a few keys to enable input of any letter of the alphabet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu Washizuka
  • Patent number: 4639225
    Abstract: A portable general-purpose electronic apparatus which is characterized in that; a memory unit can be inserted into the housing via an inlet so that any desired display information memorized by the memory unit can be displayed on a screen display, and as a result, a variety of information can be conveniently displayed by merely changing the memory unit. Consequently, an extremely useful general-purpose electronic apparatus can be realized by memorizing any desired information, for example, such as game function and other data of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu Washizuka
  • Patent number: 4603396
    Abstract: Disclosed hereinbelow is an automatic graphic printer which is characterized in that; it automatically sets the scale information of the graphic axes as a function of the sample data value, and therefore, even if designation of an information related to complex scales is deleted, such a scale information based on the sample data can be automatically set, and as a result, any of the conventional graphs can be drawn within a shorter period of time than before by using simplified designation means. In addition, plotting position of the sample data can be set in any suitable position on the graph so that an optimum scale can easily be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Mitsuhiro Saiji
  • Patent number: 4597056
    Abstract: An input device, for enabling a first word represented in a first language is adapted for an electronic translator for obtaining a second word represented in a second language, equivalent to the first word, in response to the input of the first word. The input device includes a specifying circuit for specifying a letter, an input circuit for controlling the specifying circuit to input the letter into the electronic translator to at least partially define the first word, a memory for memorizing a plurality of words containing the first letter, an access circuit provided for addressing the memory to retrieve the words, and a display responsive to the access circuit for displaying the words. The access circuit is operated in response to the operation of the input circuit so that the memory develops words starting with the input letter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu Washizuka
  • Patent number: 4533213
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel for displaying information of plural digits comprises transparent segment electrodes, reflection electrodes and a liquid crystal composition sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred form employing the typical seven-segment font, the transparent segment electrodes in the respective digit positions are divided into two groups. The reflection electrodes are continuously provided in common to the respective digit positions in such a manner that the reflection electrodes are provided even at the spaces positioned between adjacent digit positions and divided into four electrodes with the use of thin gaps provided longitudinally of the liquid crystal display panel. Both the respective two groups of the transparent electrodes and the respective four reflection electrodes are connected to receive selection signals for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Yoshio Takeda
  • Patent number: 4448542
    Abstract: A timepiece has a time set mode and another time-related mode. It comprises a logic circuit for recognizing the time set mode and an electroacoustic transducer responsive to the logic circuit for providing a particular sound in succession when the timepiece is in the time set mode. The present timepiece makes it easy for the user, especially a blind or weak-eyed person, to recognize that the time set mode is in effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Yutaka Ikemoto, Hiroshi Tsuda
  • Patent number: 4412210
    Abstract: An electronic calculator is provided which generates confirmation sounds identifying actual depression of any keys of a keyboard. The calculator includes a piezoelectric acoustic element which is responsive to key signals derived from a processor unit when any keys of the keyboard are manually operated. The calculator generates these sounds only for a fixed period of time starting with actual depression of any keys. The processor unit generates key-strobe signals which are input to the keys on the keyboard. Each key has its own key-strobe signal, and, when depressed, the signal is passed to the processor uniquely identifying each key. The processor generates sound instruction signals indicative of normal and erroneous operational states in the calculator in accordance with the received key-strobe signals. An audible confirmation or alarm sound is then generated in accordance with the sound instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Shintaro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4408096
    Abstract: A timepiece having a speech synthesizer output device is disclosed herein. The speech synthesizer is responsive to sound input such as human voices (e.g., what time is it?) or the sound of clapping of hands to provide an audible indication of time information. The intensity of the audible indication is varied with the intensity of the sound input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Mitsuhiro Saiji
  • Patent number: 4316081
    Abstract: An electronic digital tape measure includes a flexible tape, a detector, and a digital display. A keyboard unit and a control circuit may be further included for acting as an electronic calculator. The flexible tape is constructed by allocating a number of magnetic balls a predetermined space from each other and by locating a number of non-magnetic balls to provide the space therebetween. The chain of the balls is covered by flexible synthetic resin or the like. While the flexible tape has no special structure, a holding member is provided within the detector for grasping the flexible tape to be driven in unison with the movement of the flexible tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Iwao Tateishi