Patents by Inventor KAZUNORI YAMAMURA

KAZUNORI YAMAMURA 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).

  • Publication number: 20240094820
    Abstract: An information processing system includes an information processing apparatus and an input device, where the input device includes a vibrating unit, the information processing apparatus includes a touch sensor and a display unit, and the touch sensor and the display unit are superimposed on each other. A controller of the information processing apparatus or the input device monitors input operation of the input device to the touch sensor to enable a sound mode when detecting a sound output request, and to enable a vibration mode when detecting the input operation, the sound mode is a drive mode to cause the vibrating unit to present sound, and the vibration mode is a drive mode to vibrate the vibrating unit in response to contact of the input device with the touch sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Keiichi Yoshitomi, Yoshitsugu Suzuki, Kazunori Yamamura
  • Patent number: 11513680
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a display unit, a touch sensor disposed on the display unit and detects contact with an object on the display unit, a main system, and an embedded system. The embedded system generates image data of an input area for a virtual input device, output image data of the input area to the main system by using a first general-purpose interface protected by the main system, and output input information, which is based on detection information detected in the input area by the touch sensor, via the virtual input device to the main system by using a second general-purpose interface protected by the main system. The main system displays, on the display unit, the image data of the input area output by the embedded system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Imanishi, Seiichi Kawano, Kazunori Yamamura, Yoshitsugu Suzuki, Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Ryohta Nomura
  • Publication number: 20220113865
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a display unit, a touch sensor disposed on the display unit and detects contact with an object on the display unit, a main system, and an embedded system. The embedded system generates image data of an input area for a virtual input device, output image data of the input area to the main system by using a first general-purpose interface protected by the main system, and output input information, which is based on detection information detected in the input area by the touch sensor, via the virtual input device to the main system by using a second general-purpose interface protected by the main system. The main system displays, on the display unit, the image data of the input area output by the embedded system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Imanishi, Seiichi Kawano, Kazunori Yamamura, Yoshitsugu Suzuki, Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Ryohta Nomura
  • Patent number: 10664057
    Abstract: To appropriately control an input portion by haptic feedback an electronic device has a vibration generator vibrating an input portion in response to contact with the input portion, a driving circuit portion supplying a driving signal having an acceleration period including a first pulse of a predetermined pulse width vibrating the vibration generator by resonance and a deceleration period including a second pulse of a phase opposite to the phase of the first pulse to the vibration generator, and a vibration control portion changing the number of first pulses included in the driving signal supplied to the vibration generator by the driving circuit portion according to the operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Fusanobu Nakamura, Kazunori Yamamura, Jake Laurence Pat Santiago
  • Patent number: 10528140
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system configured to apply an impact to an electronic device is provided. The haptic feedback system includes a haptic actuator that makes reciprocating motion, a drive circuit that applies to the haptic actuator a drive voltage composed of a predetermined number of basic pulse voltages for acceleration, and a controller that controls an average voltage of a subset of the basic pulse voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Kazunori Yamamura, Jake Laurence Pat Santiago
  • Patent number: 10444841
    Abstract: A haptic actuator for generating haptic feedbacks to provide perceptions of different characteristics is provided. The haptic actuator includes a vibration mechanism and a striking mechanism. The vibration mechanism, in response to a receipt of a predetermined electric power, applies a steady vibration to a vibrating body. The striking mechanism, in response to the receipt of an electric power larger than the predetermined electric power, strikes the vibrating body in order to provide a haptic feedback to the vibrating body. The haptic actuator is able to apply a vibration according to the vibration mechanism and a vibration according to the striking mechanism to the vibrating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Fusanobu Nakamura, Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Atsushi Nagashima, Kazunori Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20190310709
    Abstract: To appropriately control an input portion by haptic feedback an electronic device has a vibration generator vibrating an input portion in response to contact with the input portion, a driving circuit portion supplying a driving signal having an acceleration period including a first pulse of a predetermined pulse width vibrating the vibration generator by resonance and a deceleration period including a second pulse of a phase opposite to the phase of the first pulse to the vibration generator, and a vibration control portion changing the number of first pulses included in the driving signal supplied to the vibration generator by the driving circuit portion according to the operating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Fusanobu Nakamura, Kazunori Yamamura, Jake Laurence Pat Santiago
  • Patent number: 10198919
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are disclosed. The system includes a command module that generates haptic commands; a haptic actuator; a drive circuit that applies a first driving voltage in response to a first haptic command and applies a second driving voltage in response to a second haptic command. The apparatus includes a haptic actuator; a DC power supply; a first power supply circuit that outputs a first DC voltage; a second power supply circuit that outputs a second DC voltage higher than the first DC voltage; a drive circuit that applies a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage; and a controller that designates an operating mode. The method includes generating a first haptic command and a second haptic command; applying a first driving voltage to a haptic actuator; and applying a second driving voltage to the haptic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Atsushi Nagashima, Fusanobu Nakamura, Kazunori Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20180341292
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus capable of separating a portable information device and an accessory device easily while preventing the coupled state of both devices from being released accidentally. The electronic apparatus includes: a state detector provided in either the portable information device or the accessory device to detect whether the electronic apparatus is in a predetermined stable position; an intention detector that detects whether there is an intention of detaching the portable information device from the accessory device; and a control unit that operates a coupling mechanism when it is detected from an output of the state detector that the electronic apparatus is in the stable position, and when it is detected from an output of the intention detector that there is the intention of detaching the portable information device from the accessory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: FUSANOBU NAKAMURA, MITSUHIRO YAMAZAKI, ATSUSHI NAGASHIMA, KAZUNORI YAMAMURA
  • Patent number: 10139862
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus capable of separating a portable information device and an accessory device easily while preventing the coupled state of both devices from being released accidentally. The electronic apparatus includes: a state detector provided in either the portable information device or the accessory device to detect whether the electronic apparatus is in a predetermined stable position; an intention detector that detects whether there is an intention of detaching the portable information device from the accessory device; and a control unit that operates a coupling mechanism when it is detected from an output of the state detector that the electronic apparatus is in the stable position, and when it is detected from an output of the intention detector that there is the intention of detaching the portable information device from the accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fusanobu Nakamura, Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Atsushi Nagashima, Kazunori Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20180335850
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system configured to apply an impact to an electronic device is provided. The haptic feedback system includes a haptic actuator that makes reciprocating motion, a drive circuit that applies to the haptic actuator a drive voltage composed of a predetermined number of basic pulse voltages for acceleration, and a controller that controls an average voltage of a subset of the basic pulse voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: MITSUHIRO YAMAZAKI, KAZUNORI YAMAMURA, JAKE LAURENCE PAT SANTIAGO
  • Publication number: 20180059794
    Abstract: A haptic actuator for generating haptic feedbacks to provide perceptions of different characteristics is provided. The haptic actuator includes a vibration mechanism and a striking mechanism. The vibration mechanism, in response to a receipt of a predetermined electric power, applies a steady vibration to a vibrating body. The striking mechanism, in response to the receipt of an electric power larger than the predetermined electric power, strikes the vibrating body in order to provide a haptic feedback to the vibrating body. The haptic actuator is able to apply a vibration according to the vibration mechanism and a vibration according to the striking mechanism to the vibrating body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: FUSANOBU NAKAMURA, MITSUHIRO YAMAZAKI, ATSUSHI NAGASHIMA, KAZUNORI YAMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180061194
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are disclosed. The system includes a command module that generates haptic commands; a haptic actuator; a drive circuit that applies a first driving voltage in response to a first haptic command and applies a second driving voltage in response to a second haptic command. The apparatus includes a haptic actuator; a DC power supply; a first power supply circuit that outputs a first DC voltage; a second power supply circuit that outputs a second DC voltage higher than the first DC voltage; a drive circuit that applies a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage; and a controller that designates an operating mode. The method includes generating a first haptic command and a second haptic command; applying a first driving voltage to a haptic actuator; and applying a second driving voltage to the haptic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Atsushi Nagashima, Fusanobu Nakamura, Kazunori Yamamura