Patents by Inventor Kiyomi Sakamoto

Kiyomi Sakamoto 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: 20050027441
    Abstract: In a main device, a processor receives information about a destination point, and further generates guide image data representing a guide image for guiding a user who is driving a vehicle. A display unit displays the guide image generated by the processor, thereby guiding the driving user to the destination point. When it is determined, while guiding the driving user, that the user is going to get off the vehicle, the processor generates navigation data Dnvg including the information about the destination point, and transfers the navigation data to a sub-device. In the sub-device, a processor generates, based on the received navigation data Dnvg, guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user who is traveling to the destination point on foot. A display unit displays the guide image generated by the processor. Thus, it is possible to provide a navigation system that is convenient to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6839630
    Abstract: In a main device, a processor receives information about a destination point, and further generates guide image data representing a guide image for guiding a user who is driving a vehicle. A display unit displays the guide image generated by the processor, thereby guiding the driving user to the destination point. When it is determined, while guiding the driving user, that the user is going to get off the vehicle, the processor generates navigation data Dnvg including the information about the destination point, and transfers the navigation data to a sub-device. In the sub-device, a processor generates, based on the received navigation data Dnvg, guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user who is traveling to the destination point on foot. A display unit displays the guide image generated by the processor. Thus, it is possible to provide a navigation system that is convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20040260410
    Abstract: Once attached to a slot of a personal digital assistant PDA, a card module CM executes an application-specific program and transmits a result obtained thereby to the personal digital assistant PDA. The thus received execution result is outputted from an output part. Accordingly, the output part can be provided for shared use among several card modules CM for output of the execution result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20040243754
    Abstract: Once attached to a slot of a personal digital assistant PDA, a card module CM executes an application-specific program and transmits a result obtained thereby to the personal digital assistant PDA. The thus received execution result is outputted from an output part. Accordingly, the output part can be provided for shared use among several card modules CM for output of the execution result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20040198617
    Abstract: A lubricant composition for ball joints exhibits excellently low friction not only at ordinary temperatures but also from higher to lower temperatures, and will not leak out of ball joints at higher temperatures. A ball joint has the lubricant composition sealed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Kinoshita, Takashi Arai, Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6779066
    Abstract: Once attached to a slot of a personal digital assistant PDA, a card module CM executes an application-specific program and transmits a result obtained thereby to the personal digital assistant PDA. The thus received execution result is outputted from an output part. Accordingly, the output part can be provided for shared use among several card modules CM for output of the execution result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6744431
    Abstract: A model transforming data generating portion 4 extracts parameter data corresponding to a given road area from two-dimensional map data in a two-dimensional map data storage portion 3. Subsequently, the model transforming data generating portion 4 reads out pattern data corresponding to the specified road area from a pattern model storage portion 5 and generates model transforming data. An image data generating portion 6 transforms a corresponding three-dimensional map display model by using the generated model transforming data to generate three-dimensional image data. The generated three-dimensional image data is given to and displayed in a display 7. The operator operates an input portion 2 on the basis of the contents displayed in the display 7 to correct the generated model transforming data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyomi Sakamoto, Yutaka Takahira, Teruaki Ata, Yoshiki Ueyama
  • Patent number: 6728635
    Abstract: The present landmark update system enables route guidance through the use of landmark information which remains always the latest for route guidance, and operates as follows: a navigation device 1 communicates with a landmark server 30 so as to receive to-be-updated landmark information 1001 for guiding the user by utilizing landmarks. Information about any landmark displayed is transferred to the landmark server 30 as cumulative information 1002. The landmark server 30 manages the cumulative information 1002 so that compilation data 1003 is generated for transfer to a retailer terminal 40 corresponding to the displayed landmark(s). The retailer terminal 40 refers to the compilation data 1003 so as to generate landmark information which is considered optimum, and transfers it to the landmark server 30 as registering landmark information 1004.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hamada, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Teruaki Ata, Atsushi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040056842
    Abstract: The present invention provides a trackball and an in-vehicle device controller using the trackball. The trackball provides a stable operational feel and are easy to operate even in an environment in a vehicle where vibration and movement are present. A trackball 2 includes a ball 21 made of a non-magnetic material and having embedded therein bar members 26 to 28 made of a magnetic material and arranged on three axes orthogonal to one another, a case 22 enclosing the ball 21 such that at least an upper portion of the ball 21 is exposed, magnetic members 31 to 34 fixed to the case 22 on two axes penetrating through the center of the ball 21 and orthogonal to each other so as to allow magnetic coupling to ends of the bar members, and a magnetic member 35 fixed to the case 22 on an axis penetrating through the center of the ball 21 and orthogonal to the two axes so as to allow magnetic coupling to an end 28B of the bar member 28.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Atsushi Iisaka, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Atsushi Yamashita, Michiharu Honda, Takatoshi Ono, Takefumi Inoue, Kiyotaka Sasanouchi
  • Patent number: 6700505
    Abstract: Based on searched route information and map data, a target intersection for guidance is specified. For the specified target intersection, lane data regarding the number of lanes and lane control of roads being connected thereto is read, and then recommended lane information which indicates which lane to take when entering the target intersection and to exit therefrom is generated. Based on information about the target intersection and the lane data, a simplified intersection image of the target intersection for lane guidance is generated. Based on the recommended lane information, a running path which passes through the recommended lanes for entering into and exiting from the target intersection is generated, and is combined with the intersection image. Then, lane guidance information for displaying the resultant intersection image is outputted with a predetermined timing. As such, guidance can be visually made on a screen indicating which lanes to take to enter into and exit from the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamashita, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Hamada, Teruaki Ata
  • Patent number: 6667281
    Abstract: A grease composition suitable for use with vehicle electrical equipment and vehicle engine starters is disclosed, which has excellent abrasion resistance and anti-seizure property, long service life, excellent lubricity at low temperatures, and has no adverse effect on electric contacts. The composition contains: (A) a silicon-free synthetic oil having a kinematic viscosity of 10 to 60 mm2/s at 40° C.; (B) a urea thickener; (C) melamine cyanurate; and (D) polytetrafluoroethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignees: Nippon Oil Corporation, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Syouzou Ikejima, Yasuyuki Wakahara, Hirotugu Kinoshita, Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6668227
    Abstract: There is provided a navigation apparatus which displays information concerning facilities or the like which are present in a broad range ahead of a user. An information processing section 4 of a navigation apparatus identifies a facility type to be displayed. Next, a predicted road along which a user is expected to travel is determined, and a reference intersection is selected from among the intersections on the predicted road. The information processing section 4 computes a network of roads beginning from the selected reference intersection, and acquires facility information in the neighborhood thereof. Furthermore, the information processing section 4 generates facility information image data for displaying the acquired facility information on a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hamada, Yuji Hamada, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Atsushi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20030195700
    Abstract: There is provided a navigation apparatus which displays information concerning facilities or the like which are present in a broad range ahead of a user. An information processing section 4 of a navigation apparatus identifies a facility type to be displayed. Next, a predicted road along which a user is expected to travel is determined, and a reference intersection is selected from among the intersections on the predicted road. The information processing section 4 computes a network of roads beginning from the selected reference intersection, and acquires facility information in the neighborhood thereof. Furthermore, the information processing section 4 generates facility information image data for displaying the acquired facility information on a map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hamada, Yuji Hamada, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Atsushi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20030191585
    Abstract: A navigation system for providing different modes of navigation guidance to drivers is provided. A smart card 2 stores user information. In a main apparatus 3, a parameter table storage section 33 stores parameters which are used for controlling the outputting of navigation guidance to an entity. A control section 37 acquires at least one parameter from the parameter table storage section 33 based on the user information stored in the smart card 2, and thereafter generates information necessary for providing navigation guidance for the entity in accordance with the acquired parameter(s). A display section 38 or an audio output section 39 outputs various information generated by the control section 37.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyomi Sakamoto, Noboru Nomura, Shinji Kubota
  • Publication number: 20030191579
    Abstract: A travel route searching apparatus 1a includes at least a storage unit 11 and a processor 15. The storage unit 11 stores one or more pieces of travel point data including at least one travel point. The processor 15 selects one of the pieces of travel point data from the storage unit 11, and then obtains a start point and an end point that are required for a travel route search. Furthermore, the processor 15 obtains cartographic data of an area required for the travel route search, and then uses the obtained cartographic data to search for a travel route from the obtained start point via the travel point included in the selected travel point data selected to the obtained end point. Thus, it is possible to provide a travel route searching apparatus that requires only a small number of operations for designating travel points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyomi Sakamoto, Ikuo Terauchi
  • Publication number: 20030176966
    Abstract: There is provided a map displaying apparatus for improving the visual recognition of a object displayed as a 3D image. A map data acquisition section 11 acquires map data to be displayed for navigation purposes. A displayed state estimation section 12 receives the map data acquired by the map data acquisition section 11, and estimates a displayed state of the displayed object based on the map data. A display mode determination section 13 determines whether the displayed state as estimated by the displayed state estimation section 12 satisfies a predetermined criterion or not, thereby determining whether to modify a default display mode or not. When determining that a modification is to be applied, the display mode determination section 13 modifies the default display mode to determine an actual display mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamashita, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Hamada, Yuji Hamada, Keiichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6606558
    Abstract: In a navigation device (Unv), a processor 1 reads directional object data (Ddr) from a storage 4 onto a working area 3. The directional object data (Ddr) has a message plane and a plain plane, thereby representing a directional object whose planes are each facing in a different direction. Based on the positional relationship between the user's current position and the directional object, the processor 1 determines whether to render the message plane or the plain plane of the directional object. In the case of the message plane, the processor 1 renders it opaque. On the other hand, the processor 1 renders the plain plane transparent or translucent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hamada, Kiyomi Sakamoto, Teruaki Ata, Yuji Hamada, Atsushi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20030139302
    Abstract: The grease composition of the present invention contains, in a lubricant base oil, 0.01 to 10% by mass of a fatty acid salt, 0.01 to 10% by mass of carbonate, 2 to 30% by mass of a thickener, and 0.1 to 20% by mass of a sulfur type extreme-pressure agent on the basis of the total amount of composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: NIPPON OIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamio Akada, Akihiko Kominami, Mitsuru Kishimoto, Akira Kohno, Hirotsugu Kinoshita, Souichi Nomura, Takashi Arai, Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6597354
    Abstract: A model transforming data generating portion 4 extracts parameter data corresponding to a given road area from two-dimensional map data in a two-dimensional map data storage portion 3. Subsequently, the model transforming data generating portion 4 reads out pattern data corresponding to the specified road area from a pattern model storage portion 5 and generates model transforming data. An image data generating portion 6 transforms a corresponding three-dimensional map display model by using the generated model transforming data to generate three-dimensional image data. The generated three-dimensional image data is given to and displayed in a display 7. The operator operates an input portion 2 on the basis of the contents displayed in the display 7 to correct the generated model transforming data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyomi Sakamoto, Yutaka Takahira, Teruaki Ata, Yoshiki Ueyama
  • Patent number: 6532010
    Abstract: A model transforming data generating portion 4 extracts parameter data corresponding to a given road area from two-dimensional map data in a two-dimensional map data storage portion 3. Subsequently, the model transforming data generating portion 4 reads out pattern data corresponding to the specified road area from a pattern model storage portion 5 and generates model transforming data. An image data generating portion 6 transforms a corresponding three-dimensional map display model by using the generated model transforming data to generate three-dimensional image data. The generated three-dimensional image data is given to and displayed in a display 7. The operator operates an input portion 2 on the basis of the contents displayed in the display 7 to correct the generated model transforming data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyomi Sakamoto, Yutaka Takahira, Teruaki Ata, Yoshiki Ueyama