Patents by Inventor Makoto Usui

Makoto Usui 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: 20190315423
    Abstract: An electrical bicycle operating system includes a first switch unit that includes a first switch group configured to be mounted to a bicycle on a first side of a central longitudinal axis of the bicycle, the first switch group including a first switch and a second switch having a first position and a second position in the first switch group. Also included is a second switch unit that includes a second switch group configured to be mounted to the bicycle on an opposite side from the first side, the second switch group including a third switch having a same position as the first position. A control unit is configured to generate a first signal where the first switch unit is actuated, a second signal where the second switch unit is actuated, and a third signal where the first switch unit and the second switch unit are actuated concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Makoto Usui, Keijiro Nishi
  • Patent number: 10106223
    Abstract: A bicycle control system is provided that is configured to control a bicycle component using a threshold value that is appropriate for the rider. The bicycle control system includes a controller for controlling a bicycle component based on a threshold value and a parameter related to a running state of a bicycle. The controller changes the threshold value when an operating unit is operated, and the change amount of the threshold value when the operating unit is operated is determined based on an operating state of the operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Usui, Takashi Komemushi, Taihei Nishihara
  • Patent number: 10035560
    Abstract: A bicycle control device controls a motor to assist driving of a wheel of a bicycle. The bicycle control device includes a controller configured to control the motor and an operation unit configured to be operated to switch operation modes of the motor. The controller includes at least a walk mode as the operation modes. In a case that a rotation speed of a wheel becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined value while the motor is driven in the walk mode, the controller is configured to control the motor so as to gradually decrease output of the motor and then stop driving the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Jun Gao, Makoto Usui, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 10029759
    Abstract: A bicycle control device controls a motor to assist driving of a wheel of a bicycle. The bicycle control device includes a sole first operation switch and a controller. The controller is configured to switch, when the first operation switch is operated, between a ride mode that controls the motor in correspondence with manual driving force and a walk mode that drives the motor in correspondence with the operation of the first operation switch. After switching to the walk mode in accordance with the operation of the first operation switch, the controller is configured to drive the motor in correspondence with the operation of the first operation switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Jun Gao, Makoto Usui, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 10017225
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission control device is basically provided with a transmission controller that is programmed to switch between a first control state and a second control state. The bicycle transmission control device operates in accordance with the first control state for controlling a transmission based on a first signal that is input from a first detector, which detects a rotation of a crank. The bicycle transmission control device operates in accordance with the second control state for controlling the transmission based on a second signal that is input from a second detector, which detects a value reflecting a bicycle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Usui, Jun Gao, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Yuki Kataoka, Akinori Hashimoto, Masako Itsukashi
  • Publication number: 20180162486
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is basically provided with a controller. The controller includes a processor, a memory, and an I/O interface. The controller is arranged to communicate with an assist mechanism of a bicycle. The assist mechanism includes an assist motor arranged to impart a supplemental drive force to the bicycle to supplement a manual drive force of the bicycle. The controller is programmed to alternately set a first control state or a second control state. The controller controls the assist motor such that an output state of the assist motor with respect to a manual drive force of the bicycle is different in the first control state than in the second control state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Yusuke NISHIKAWA, Yasuhiro TSUCHIZAWA, Makoto USUI, Satoshi SHAHANA
  • Patent number: 9944348
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is provided for controlling a bicycle assist device. The bicycle control apparatus includes a controller that is configured to control an assist motor for assisting a manual drive force of a transmission with a plurality of sprockets. The controller is configured to control an output of the assist motor based on a rotational position of a sprocket of the plurality of sprockets when the transmission performs a shifting operation to switch a chain between two of the plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Shinichiro Noda, Satoshi Shahana, Makoto Usui, Yuki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9908587
    Abstract: A bicycle detection device is basically provided with a single sensor that is configured to output a first detection signal of a first state in response to a movement of a first operating member. The sensor is configured to output a second detection signal of a second state, which is different from the first state, in response to a movement of a second operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishikawa, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Makoto Usui, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 9896152
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission system comprises a first input device, a transmission, an assist device, and a controller. The first input device is configured to receive a first input operation from a user. The transmission is configured to transmit a pedaling torque to a wheel at a current gear ratio among a plurality of gear ratios. The assist device is configured to assist a rotation of the wheel at a current assist ratio among a plurality of assist ratios. The controller is configured to change the current gear ratio into a predetermined gear ratio without changing the current assist ratio based on the first input operation in a first condition. The controller is configured to change the current gear ratio into a predetermined gear ratio and change the current assist ratio into a predetermined assist ratio based on the first input operation in a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Yamamoto, Satoshi Shahana, Makoto Usui
  • Patent number: 9663187
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is provided with a controller for controlling an output of an assist motor according to a manual drive force. The controller is configured to selectively set a first control state and a second control state, in which output states of the assist motor with respect to the manual drive force are different from each other. The controller controls the output of the assist motor so that a response speed of the assist motor with respect to changes in the manual drive force in the first control state will be faster than the response speed of the assist motor with respect to changes in the manual drive force in the second control state, when a crank of a bicycle is rotated from a stopped state and/or when a rotational speed of the crank is less than or equal to a prescribed first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishikawa, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Makoto Usui, Satoshi Shahana
  • Publication number: 20170144726
    Abstract: A bicycle control device controls a motor to assist driving of a wheel of a bicycle. The bicycle control device includes a controller configured to control the motor and an operation unit configured to be operated to switch operation modes of the motor. The controller includes at least a walk mode as the operation modes. In a case that a rotation speed of a wheel becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined value while the motor is driven in the walk mode, the controller is configured to control the motor so as to gradually decrease output of the motor and then stop driving the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroyuki MIYOSHI, Jun GAO, Makoto USUI, Yasuhiro TSUCHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170144727
    Abstract: A bicycle control device controls a motor to assist driving of a wheel of a bicycle. The bicycle control device includes an input unit and a controller that switches, when the input unit is operated, between a ride mode that controls the motor in correspondence with manual driving force and a walk mode that drives the motor in correspondence with the operation of the input unit. After switching to the walk mode, the controller drives the motor in correspondence with the operation of the input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroyuki MIYOSHI, Jun GAO, Makoto USUI, Yasuhiro TSUCHIZAWA
  • Patent number: 9643497
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is basically provided with a memory device and a control device. The control device is programmed with an automatic switching function and a manual switching function. The automatic switching function automatically switches an assist ratio, which is a ratio of a manual drive force to a drag force of an electric assist motor, based on a relationship between a threshold value that is stored and a reference value that is indicative of one of a bicycle traveling environment and a bicycle traveling state. The manual switching function switches the assist ratio based on a manual operation. The control device is further programmed to update the threshold value is updated based on the reference value when switching the assist ratio by the manual switching function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Junya Fujita, Makoto Usui, Taihei Nishihara
  • Patent number: 9604696
    Abstract: A bicycle control device controls a motor to assist driving of a wheel of a bicycle. The bicycle control device includes an input unit and a controller that switches, when the input unit is operated, between a ride mode that controls the motor in correspondence with manual driving force and a walk mode that drives the motor in correspondence with the operation of the input unit. After switching to the walk mode, the controller drives the motor in correspondence with the operation of the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Jun Gao, Makoto Usui, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 9545855
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is configured to control a drive unit having a motor that assist in manual driving. The bicycle control apparatus includes an operating unit and a control unit. The operating unit is configured to be operated in accordance with first and second operating methods that are different from each other. The control unit is configured to change a setting state of a function that is set in advance without driving the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the first operating method. The control unit is configured to drive the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the second operating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Jun Gao, Ayumi Kato, Makoto Usui, Taihei Nishihara, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Publication number: 20170001687
    Abstract: A bicycle control system is provided that is configured to control a bicycle component using a threshold value that is appropriate for the rider. The bicycle control system includes a controller for controlling a bicycle component based on a threshold value and a parameter related to a running state of a bicycle. The controller changes the threshold value when an operating unit is operated, and the change amount of the threshold value when the operating unit is operated is determined based on an operating state of the operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Makoto USUI, Takashi KOMEMUSHI, Taihei NISHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20160347411
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission system comprises a first input device, a transmission, an assist device, and a controller. The first input device is configured to receive a first input operation from a user. The transmission is configured to transmit a pedaling torque to a wheel at a current gear ratio among a plurality of gear ratios. The assist device is configured to assist a rotation of the wheel at a current assist ratio among a plurality of assist ratios. The controller is configured to change the current gear ratio into a predetermined gear ratio without changing the current assist ratio based on the first input operation in a first condition. The controller is configured to change the current gear ratio into a predetermined gear ratio and change the current assist ratio into a predetermined assist ratio based on the first input operation in a second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tomohisa YAMAMOTO, Satoshi SHAHANA, Makoto USUI
  • Publication number: 20160350005
    Abstract: A data recording and reproducing system of the present disclosure includes a storage device that stores data, and a data management device that controls recording and reproducing of data in and from the storage device. The data management device includes a first storage, a database that manages information representing a recording region in the storage device for an object, and a controller that controls the storage device according to requests to record and reproduce data When accepting the request to record data, the controller refers to the database so as to store the data of the object in the storage device. Further, the controller stores first management information in the first storage in first management information, information, for specifying an object and index information representing a region in the storage device where the object is stored are related to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Akinori YUBA, Makoto USUI, Kazutaka MORITA
  • Publication number: 20160207589
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is provided for controlling a bicycle assist device. The bicycle control apparatus includes a controller that is configured to control an assist motor for assisting a manual drive force of a transmission with a plurality of sprockets. The controller is configured to control an output of the assist motor based on a rotational position of a sprocket of the plurality of sprockets when the transmission performs a shifting operation to switch a chain between two of the plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuhiro TSUCHIZAWA, Shinichiro NODA, Satoshi SHAHANA, Makoto USUI, Yuki KATAOKA
  • Patent number: 9377969
    Abstract: Recording failure area information includes information indicating an optical disk having a recording failure area in which data is missing, and indicating a position of the recording failure area in the optical disk, out of the optical disks constituting a disk array. A controller (110) includes a recording controller (121) which records data in data blocks of the optical disks by striping the data, and records, in at least one parity block, at least one parity data for use in recovering data in a data block in which the data is missing, out of the data blocks; and a management information updater (125) which records recording failure area information in a management information area of at least one of the optical disks, in the case where data is missing in at least one of optical disk drives at the time of data recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Takahashi, Kenji Takauchi, Atsushi Kiyomura, Makoto Usui