Patents by Inventor Koji Tanabe

Koji Tanabe 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: 20140168146
    Abstract: A touch panel includes first conductive layers being light-transmittable, and second conductive layers being light-transmittable and facing the first conductive layers with a gap. Each of the first conductive layers includes a resin being light-transmittable, metal filaments dispersed in the resin, and fine metal particles dispersed in the resin. The fine metal particles electrically connect the metal filaments to each other. The touch panel has a secure operability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keishiro MURATA, Koji TANABE
  • Publication number: 20140118637
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a light transmissive substrate, an upper electrode, a light transmissive upper adhesive layer, a light transmissive conductive layer, a lower electrode, a lower light transmissive adhesive layer, and a protrusion. The upper electrode is formed on a lower surface of the substrate. The upper adhesive layer is formed on the lower surface of the substrate and a lower surface of the upper electrode. The conductive layer is formed on a lower surface of the upper adhesive layer. The lower electrode is formed on the lower surface of the upper adhesive layer and connected to the conductive layer. The lower adhesive layer is formed on the lower surface of the upper adhesive layer, a lower surface of the conductive layer, and a lower surface of the lower electrode. The protrusion is formed in the upper adhesive layer so as to connect the upper electrode and lower electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji TANABE, Keishiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20140027263
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a translucent substrate; a plurality of translucent lower conductive layers formed along a first direction of an upper surface of the substrate; a translucent curable insulating layer covering entire surfaces of the lower conductive layers; and a plurality of translucent upper conductive layers formed in a second direction perpendicular to the lower conductive layers on an upper surface of the curable insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Koji TANABE, Keishiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20140000944
    Abstract: The touch panel includes a light transmissive substrate, a first light transmissive conductive layer, and a second light transmissive conductive layer. The first conductive layer is provided on an upper surface of the substrate, and extending in a roughly band-shaped form in a first direction. The second conductive layer is provided on the upper surface of the substrate, insulated from the first conductive layer, and extending in a roughly band-shaped form in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first conductive layers and the second conductive layers are plurally provided. The second conductive layer includes conductive parts provided on the upper surface of the substrate, and a connecting part provided for connecting the conductive parts in the second direction, and provided above the first conductive layer, and material of the connecting part is resin containing dispersed conductive fine wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Koji TANABE, Keishiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20130300711
    Abstract: A touch panel includes optically transparent upper conductive layers arranged in a predetermined direction and optically transparent lower conductive layers facing the upper conductive layers with a predetermined gap. One conductive layer of each of the upper conductive layers and each of the lower conductive layers has substantially a strip shape elongating in a longitudinal direction. The one conductive layer includes an optically transparent resin and metal filaments which are dispersed in the resin and which elongate in the longitudinal direction. In this touch panel, the conductive layer has a stable resistance, hence detecting a position accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji TANABE, Tetsutaro NASU, Keishiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20130267030
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the efficiency of establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells by increasing, in a nuclear reprogramming step of somatic cell, the level of activated form of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of Ras family members, PI3 kinase, RalGEF, Raf, AKT family members, Rheb, TCL1 and S6K. The invention also provides a method of producing induced pluripotent stem cells by contacting a somatic cell with a nuclear reprogramming substance and one or more of such proteins and nucleic acids that encode such proteins. The invention further provides an induced pluripotent stem cell that has an exogenous nucleic acid encoding such a protein, as well as agents for use in the aforesaid methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shinya Yamanaka, Kazutoshi Takahashi, Koji Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8508492
    Abstract: In a touch panel, one of conductive layers on a bottom of an upper substrate and on a top of a lower substrate is formed of belt-shaped conductive layers. The other is a single conductive layer facing the belt-shaped conductive layers. The single conductive layer is provided with a pair of electrodes in positions corresponding to both ends in a direction where the belt-shaped conductive layers extend. When the upper substrate is pressed while a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes, the top and lower conductive layers contact with each other. Then, a voltage value corresponding to the pressed position in the direction where the belt-shaped conductive layers extend is generated from any of the belt-shaped conductive layers. From the voltage value and the position of the belt-shaped conductive layer from which the voltage value is generated, a pressed position on the upper substrate can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Hirotoshi Watanabe, Hidetoshi Hiraoka, Kenichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20130183757
    Abstract: Provided is a method of improving the efficiency of iPS cell establishment, comprising bringing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of proteins belonging to cyclin D family and nucleic acids that encode the same into contact with a somatic cell, in the step of nuclear reprogramming of the somatic cell. Also provided are a method of producing an iPS cell comprising the step of bringing the factor(s) and nuclear reprogramming substance(s) into contact with a somatic cell, an iPS cell comprising a nucleic acid that encodes a protein belonging to cyclin D family that can be obtained by the method of producing an iPS cell, and a method of somatic cell production by forcing the iPS cell to differentiate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shinya Yamanaka, Kazutoshi Takahashi, Koji Tanabe, Hong Hyenjong
  • Patent number: 8441461
    Abstract: In a touch panel, upper conductive layers on a bottom surface of an upper substrate and lower conductive layers on a top surface of a lower substrate are formed in belt shapes and extend in directions intersecting each other. End portions of the upper conductive layers are connected by an upper resistive layer, and end portions of the lower conductive layers are connected by a lower resistive layer. Then, a voltage is applied between ends of the lower resistive layer and the upper resistive layer sequentially, and voltages at the end portions of the upper resistive layer and the lower resistive layer are detected. Pressed positions can be detected with such a simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Kenichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20130057486
    Abstract: A touch panel includes an upper substrate, upper conductive layers on an upper surface of the upper substrate, a lower substrate having an upper surface facing a lower surface of the upper substrate, lower conductive layers provided on the upper surface of the lower substrate, and an adhesive layer bonding the lower surface of the upper substrate to the upper surface of the lower substrate. The adhesive layer is curable with ultraviolet ray. This touch panel prevents adhesive from being attached and having a pressing mark, thus being operated easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Kenichi MATSUMOTO, Koji TANABE
  • Patent number: 8378992
    Abstract: A touch panel includes multiple belt-like lower electrodes formed on a light transparent base sheet and multiple belt-like upper electrodes placed away from the lower electrodes with a predetermined distance therebetween and in a direction crossing with the lower electrodes at right angles. The lower and upper electrodes are made of light transmissive and electrically conductive resin, so that they can be formed in a simple way such as printing. The foregoing structure thus allows obtaining the touch panel manufactured in a simple way at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Yousuke Chikahisa, Koji Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20120214243
    Abstract: Provided are a method of improving iPS cell establishment efficiency, comprising the step of transferring Lin28B or a nucleic acid that encodes Lin28B to a somatic cell, particularly to a somatic cell on which Lin28 is ineffective or less effective than Lin28B in improving iPS cell establishment efficiency, and a method of producing an iPS cell, comprising the step of transferring Lin28B or a nucleic acid that encodes Lin28B and a nuclear reprogramming substance to a somatic cell. Also provided are an iPS cell comprising a nucleic acid that encodes Lin28B, that can be obtained by the method of producing an iPS cell, and a method of somatic cell production by forcing the iPS cell to differentiate into a somatic cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shinya Yamanaka, Koji Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8232491
    Abstract: A movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in an approximate dome shape is attached to the lower surface of a transparent base sheet, and the base sheet is provided at the upper or the lower surface with a fluorescent layer in the location above the movable contact point. Since, in the make-up, light can be made available for illumination in many colors other than that generated from a light emitting device, a movable contact element, as well as a switch formed using the contact element, that offers various illuminating modes can be implemented in a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue, Koji Tanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa
  • Patent number: 8212787
    Abstract: A touch panel has a plurality of band-like optically transmissive lower electrodes and upper electrodes formed at predetermined intervals in directions perpendicular to each other on an upper surface of an optically transparent base sheet. A dome-like movable contact is formed from a conductive metal sheet which is mounted under the touch panel. A light guide sheet with a plurality of convex-concave light emitting portions is formed on an optically transparent substrate, which is disposed between the touch panel and the movable contact. Accordingly, uniform illumination can be attained by using only one or two light emitting elements, and it is possible to obtain a movable contact body capable of inexpensive and reliable illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Yousuke Chikahisa, Koji Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8199122
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive conductive sheet is provided by having a plurality of ferromagnetic conductive particles dispersed in a transparent elastic member joined together and linearly aligned with the thickness direction thereby forming a linear aggregate and then having the linear aggregate segmented into a plurality conductive elements, held linearly aligned with the thickness direction, with predetermined gaps formed therebetween. Further, a touch panel having good transparency and allowing stabilized operation is provided by interposing the pressure sensitive conductive sheet between an upper conductive layer on the lower face of an upper substrate and a lower conductive layer on the upper face of a lower substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Yamamoto, Koji Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8189127
    Abstract: According to the input device of the present invention, phase-difference plate (11) with ¼ wavelength is disposed on the top surface of upper substrate (1) of touch panel (12). As a result of passing through phase-difference plate (11), lamplight 9a that illuminates LCD element (8) goes outside as outgoing-light 9c with a phase-shift of ¼ wavelength. With the structure above, a user wearing polarized sunglasses—even if they have an absorption axis in a direction the same as that of lamplight 9a—can easily recognize the displays shown by LCD element (8) on the back surface of touch panel (12). The structure offers a user-friendly input device with good visibility of LCD element (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Matsumoto, Koji Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8164015
    Abstract: A movable contact unit includes a light-guide sheet, a cover sheet, a movable contact, and a light-transmissive light-guide portion. The light-guide sheet includes a film-shaped substrate, and a convex and concave luminescent portion provided on the substrate. The cover sheet faces the substrate. A dome-shaped resilient movable contact made of a thin metal sheet is attached to the cover sheet at a position corresponding to the luminescent portion. The light-guide portion is provided on the cover sheet at a position other than an area where the movable contact is disposed or on the light-guide sheet at a position other than an area where the light-guide portion is disposed. If the light-guide portion is provided on the light-guide sheet, the movable contact may be attached to the light-guide sheet without using the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Yousuke Chikahisa, Tsutomu Aisaka, Koji Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8143541
    Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a light guiding sheet which is light transmittable, and a movable contact provided on the light guiding sheet. The light guiding sheet has a portion having the movable contact provided thereon and a portion having plural grooves provided therein. The grooves constitute a light inlet for introducing light into the light guiding sheet. This movable contact assembly can illuminate a switch preferably with a simple structure, providing the switch with an easily operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa, Tsutomu Aisaka
  • Patent number: 8104942
    Abstract: A light guide sheet and a movable contact element using the sheet are inexpensive and provide adequate illumination. In the light guide sheet, light-transmissive upper conductive layers, reflective layers, and lower conductive layers are laminated in this order in predetermined positions on the bottom surface of a light-transmissive, film-like cover sheet. The reflective layers have reverse particles dispersed therein, whose top and bottom surfaces are reversed between light color and dark color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20110315534
    Abstract: A light guide sheet guides light emitted from a light introducer. The light guide sheet includes a film-shaped substrate, a light emitting section formed on the substrate, and a belt-shaped light-blocking section. The light emitting section reflects or scatters light transmitting in the substrate to the outside. The light-blocking section is formed in the substrate by coloring a position of the substrate to a color. In the position, the light emitting section is not formed. The color absorbs the light which is emitted from the light introducer. The light emitting section can alternatively be composed of a plurality of projections and/or a plurality of recesses. Such a light-blocking section is formed in a position of the substrate where the projections and/or the recesses are not formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Naoki Tatehata, Hirotoshi Watanabe, Tsutomu Aisaka