Patents by Inventor Keigo Wakana

Keigo Wakana 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: 11926285
    Abstract: A remote communication system includes a portable device; and a fixed system. The fixed system includes main communication modules; and a position estimating unit configured to estimate a position of the portable device, based on an incident angle of a signal from the portable device, upon detecting the signal by antennas provided in the main communication modules. When there are two main communication modules for which the incident angle is known, the position of the portable device is estimated based on the incident angle. When there is one main communication module for which the incident angle is known, the position of the portable device is estimated based on the incident angle and a received radio wave intensity of the signal. When there is no main communication module for which the incident angle is known, the position of the portable device is estimated based on the received radio wave intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kishimoto, Keigo Wakana, Daisuke Takai, Yukimitsu Yamada, Mitsuharu Nakasato, Kazuma Sato
  • Publication number: 20210354662
    Abstract: A remote communication system includes a portable device; and a fixed system. The fixed system includes main communication modules; and a position estimating unit configured to estimate a position of the portable device, based on an incident angle of a signal from the portable device, upon detecting the signal by antennas provided in the main communication modules. When there are two main communication modules for which the incident angle is known, the position of the portable device is estimated based on the incident angle. When there is one main communication module for which the incident angle is known, the position of the portable device is estimated based on the incident angle and a received radio wave intensity of the signal. When there is no main communication module for which the incident angle is known, the position of the portable device is estimated based on the received radio wave intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshihisa KISHIMOTO, Keigo WAKANA, Daisuke TAKAI, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Mitsuharu NAKASATO, Kazuma SATO
  • Patent number: 11073594
    Abstract: A position estimating device includes a processor, and a memory storing program instructions that cause the processor to obtain a plurality of position data of a transmitter, the plurality of position data being output from respective positioning devices, calculate a density of the plurality of position data based on the plurality of obtained position data output from the respective positioning devices, the density of the plurality of position data being a value indicating how close positions indicated by the plurality of position data are, and estimate a position of the transmitter based on the plurality of position data output from the respective positioning devices and the calculated density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keigo Wakana, Yukimitsu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20200400775
    Abstract: A position estimating device includes a processor, and a memory storing program instructions that cause the processor to obtain a plurality of position data of a transmitter, the plurality of position data being output from respective positioning devices, calculate a density of the plurality of position data based on the plurality of obtained position data output from the respective positioning devices, the density of the plurality of position data being a value indicating how close positions indicated by the plurality of position data are, and estimate a position of the transmitter based on the plurality of position data output from the respective positioning devices and the calculated density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Keigo WAKANA, Yukimitsu YAMADA
  • Patent number: 10794706
    Abstract: A position detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of fixed stations 20; and a sensor unit 10 including an inertial sensor that detects movement history of a mobile body 51 and a distance sensor that detects separation distances between the mobile body 51 and the fixed stations 20. A position of the mobile body 51 is determined by detecting a first arrival position P1 obtained based on the movement history, a second arrival position P2 obtained based on the separation distances, and a relative distance L1 between the first arrival position P1 and the second arrival position P2, and by comparing a range value R1 obtained based on the movement history with the relative distance L1. The range value R1 is changed based on the movement history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keigo Wakana, Yukimitsu Yamada, Daisuke Takai
  • Patent number: 10684639
    Abstract: A movement member which reciprocates includes a thick portion and a thin portion, a bearing portion formed in the thick portion is slidingly supported by the guide shaft, and a sliding portion formed in the thin portion is slidingly guided by the sliding guide portion. Power of the motor is transmitted to a pinion gear via a speed reduction gear and a speed reduction mechanism inside a gear box, and a movement reaction force is applied from the pinion gear to the rack portion. Since the rack portion is positioned on an axis Os, a force is effectively applied to the movement member by the power from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Sato, Shun Miyazaki, Yasuji Hagiwara, Keigo Wakana, Shoji Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10649065
    Abstract: In a position detection system that has a plurality of transmitters/receivers placed at least three positions: processing is executed to measure distances among the plurality of transmitters/receivers, each distance being measured a plurality of times, and obtain a minimum value for each distance; processing is executed to obtain an angle between each two adjacent straight lines, each of which is one of straight lines that mutually connect the plurality of transmitters/receivers, by using minimum values, each of which is the minimum value for each distance; and if the absolute value of the difference between 180 degrees and the sum of angles, each of which is the angle between each two adjacent straight lines, inside a triangle formed by straight lines that interconnect three of the plurality of transmitters/receivers is smaller than a predetermined value, processing is executed to take the minimum values as the true values of the distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keigo Wakana, Daisuke Takai, Yukimitsu Yamada, Toshiki Nakamura, Hironori Takayama
  • Publication number: 20200025863
    Abstract: A mobile station M is moved close to a mobile terminal unit 20 as a target object. In ST1, the absolute position of the mobile station M in an absolute coordinate system (Abs) set in a measurement area is calculated. In ST2, the relative position of the mobile terminal unit 20 in a relative coordinate system (Rel) set by the mobile station M is detected. In ST3, the orientation of the mobile station M in the absolute coordinate system (Abs) is detected. In ST4, the relative coordinate system (Rel) is rotated. In ST5, the absolute position of the mobile terminal unit 20 in the absolute coordinate system (Abs) is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Keigo WAKANA, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Daisuke TAKAI
  • Patent number: 10391395
    Abstract: An operating device includes a moving member that reciprocates, a motor that applies a force for moving forward and a force for moving rearward to the moving member, a position sensing unit that detects a position to which the moving member is moved, and a control device that varies a load applied to the motor in accordance with an output signal from the position sensing unit. According to the operating device, a reaction force that acts on a finger or the like can be changed in accordance with the position of the moving member that is operated by using a hand or the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Sato, Shun Miyazaki, Yasuji Hagiwara, Shoji Sakurai, Keigo Wakana
  • Patent number: 10386455
    Abstract: A position detection system performs first through third processes to measure, using high-frequency signals, a position of a slave device in a measurement area surrounded by parent devices. The first process measures distances between the slave device and each of the master devices a plurality of times, to obtain a minimum value of each of the distances. The second process obtains a position of an intersection point of two arcs among arcs respectively having the minimum value of each of the distances as a radius from respective centers of the master devices when a number of intersection points of the two arcs within the measurement area is one. The third process regards a center of gravity of the intersection points as a true position of the slave device when the intersection points are densely arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keigo Wakana, Daisuke Takai, Yukimitsu Yamada, Toshiki Nakamura, Hironori Takayama
  • Publication number: 20190011527
    Abstract: A position detection system performs first through third processes to measure, using high-frequency signals, a position of a slave device in a measurement area surrounded by parent devices. The first process measures distances between the slave device and each of the master devices a plurality of times, to obtain a minimum value of each of the distances. The second process obtains a position of an intersection point of two arcs among arcs respectively having the minimum value of each of the distances as a radius from respective centers of the master devices when a number of intersection points of the two arcs within the measurement area is one. The third process regards a center of gravity of the intersection points as a true position of the slave device when the intersection points are densely arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Keigo WAKANA, Daisuke TAKAI, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Toshiki NAKAMURA, Hironori TAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190011528
    Abstract: In a position detection system that has a plurality of transmitters/receivers placed at least three positions: processing is executed to measure distances among the plurality of transmitters/receivers, each distance being measured a plurality of times, and obtain a minimum value for each distance; processing is executed to obtain an angle between each two adjacent straight lines, each of which is one of straight lines that mutually connect the plurality of transmitters/receivers, by using minimum values, each of which is the minimum value for each distance; and if the absolute value of the difference between 180 degrees and the sum of angles, each of which is the angle between each two adjacent straight lines, inside a triangle formed by straight lines that interconnect three of the plurality of transmitters/receivers is smaller than a predetermined value, processing is executed to take the minimum values as the true values of the distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Keigo WAKANA, Daisuke TAKAI, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Toshiki NAKAMURA, Hironori TAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180259340
    Abstract: A position detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of fixed stations 20; and a sensor unit 10 including an inertial sensor that detects movement history of a mobile body 51 and a distance sensor that detects separation distances between the mobile body 51 and the fixed stations 20. A position of the mobile body 51 is determined by detecting a first arrival position P1 obtained based on the movement history, a second arrival position P2 obtained based on the separation distances, and a relative distance L1 between the first arrival position P1 and the second arrival position P2, and by comparing a range value R1 obtained based on the movement history with the relative distance L1. The range value R1 is changed based on the movement history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Keigo WAKANA, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Daisuke TAKAI
  • Publication number: 20180120943
    Abstract: A tactile sensation reproduction apparatus including an input device including an operation body that is moved by a finger, a detection member that detects a moved position of the operation body, and a motor that provides a force to the operation body; a control unit; and a display panel that is controlled by the control unit, wherein the display panel displays a simulation image of a hand and a finger and a simulation image of an object to be touched by a hand or a finger, and wherein upon detecting that the operation body is pressed by a finger by a detection signal from the detection member, the control unit controls an output of the motor such that a force that stimulates the reaction force in accordance with the moved distance of the operation body is applied to the hand or the finger from the operation body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Wataru SATO, Yasuji HAGIWARA, Yuzuru KAWANA, Keigo WAKANA
  • Publication number: 20170212548
    Abstract: A movement member which reciprocates includes a thick portion and a thin portion, a bearing portion formed in the thick portion is slidingly supported by the guide shaft, and a sliding portion formed in the thin portion is slidingly guided by the sliding guide portion. Power of the motor is transmitted to a pinion gear via a speed reduction gear and a speed reduction mechanism inside a gear box, and a movement reaction force is applied from the pinion gear to the rack portion. Since the rack portion is positioned on an axis Os, a force is effectively applied to the movement member by the power from the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Kunio SATO, Shun MIYAZAKI, Yasuji HAGIWARA, Keigo WAKANA, Shoji SAKURAI
  • Publication number: 20170203208
    Abstract: An operating device includes a moving member that reciprocates, a motor that applies a force for moving forward and a force for moving rearward to the moving member, a position sensing unit that detects a position to which the moving member is moved, and a control device that varies a load applied to the motor in accordance with an output signal from the position sensing unit. According to the operating device, a reaction force that acts on a finger or the like can be changed in accordance with the position of the moving member that is operated by using a hand or the finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Kunio SATO, Shun MIYAZAKI, Yasuji HAGIWARA, Shoji SAKURAI, Keigo WAKANA
  • Patent number: 8149257
    Abstract: A printer includes printing unit provided on a conveying path of a recording sheet and sheet feed unit provided on the downstream and upstream sides of the printing unit in a conveying direction of a recording sheet. The printer includes a platen roller, a first sheet feed roller, a second sheet feed roller, a first branch transmission gear group, a second branch transmission gear group, and thrust amount adjusting unit. A tooth trace of one of the gears of each of the first and second branch transmission gear groups has an inclination angle with respect to an axial direction, and the first and second branch transmission gear groups are formed of first and second idler gears including inclined gear portions of which inclined directions of tooth traces are the same as each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenko Motoki, Minoru Sato, Hitoshi Funaki, Keigo Wakana
  • Publication number: 20100238256
    Abstract: A printer includes printing unit provided on a conveying path of a recording sheet and sheet feed unit provided on the downstream and upstream sides of the printing unit in a conveying direction of a recording sheet. The printer includes a platen roller, a first sheet feed roller, a second sheet feed roller, a first branch transmission gear group, a second branch transmission gear group, and thrust amount adjusting unit. A tooth trace of one of the gears of each of the first and second branch transmission gear groups has an inclination angle with respect to an axial direction, and the first and second branch transmission gear groups are formed of first and second idler gears including inclined gear portions of which inclined directions of tooth traces are the same as each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zenko MOTOKI, Minoru Sato, Hitoshi Funaki, Keigo Wakana
  • Publication number: 20090074498
    Abstract: A ribbon cassette structure integrated with a paper feed tray includes a ribbon cassette that includes a pair of bobbin receiving units and is integrated with a paper feed tray. One of the pair of bobbin receiving units that are connected to each other, and the paper feed tray are pivotally connected to each other so as to be opened or closed between an open state where the one of the pair of bobbin receiving units and the paper feed tray are mostly separated from each other, and a closed state where the one of the pair of bobbin receiving units and the paper feed tray come in contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takashi Nakai, Mitsuo Tsushima, Hitoshi Funaki, Susumu Arauchi, Keigo Wakana, Teru Nishiyama, Yasutoshi Inoue