Patents by Inventor Masao Higuchi

Masao Higuchi 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: 20240032885
    Abstract: A lung sound analysis system includes an acquisition means for acquiring time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds of a heart failure patient, a detection means for detecting abnormal lung sounds from the acquired time-series acoustic signals, an observation acquisition means for transmitting, to a terminal device of a medical specialist, analysis object lung sound information in which the acquired time-series acoustic signals and a result of the detection are associated with each other, and receiving, from the terminal device, analysis object lung sound information to which an observation by the medial specialist on the time-series acoustic signals is added, and a generation means for generating learning data for detecting abnormal lung sounds on the basis of the analysis object lung sound information to which the observation by the medial specialist is added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao HIGUCHI, Mitsuru Noma, Reishi Kondo, Yumi Arai
  • Publication number: 20230320690
    Abstract: An analysis device includes a detection unit that detects abnormality in lung sounds for each of auscultation positions on the basis of time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds of each of the auscultation positions; a determination unit that determines severity of heart failure of a patient on the basis of a detection result of abnormality in the lung sounds of each of the auscultation positions detected by the detection unit and condition information representing a condition of the patient; and an output unit that decides whether or not to output predetermined information to an external device on the basis of a result of determination by the determination unit, and performs output corresponding to a result of decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Mitsuru Noma, Reishi Kondo, Yumi Arai
  • Publication number: 20230301616
    Abstract: A lung sound analysis system includes a storage means for storing therein the history of auscultation observations on lung sound data of each of auscultation positions of a subject who is a heart failure patient, a calculation means for calculating appearance frequency of abnormal sounds for each of the auscultation positions on the basis of the history, a determination means for determining the sequence of the auscultation positions at which lung sounds are to be auscultated from the subject, on the basis of the calculated appearance frequency, and an acquisition means for giving guidance on the auscultation positions of the subject to an operator according to the determined sequence, and acquiring time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds from a guided auscultation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Mitsuru Noma, Reishi Kondo, Yumi Arai
  • Publication number: 20230293103
    Abstract: An analysis device includes a detection unit that detects abnormality in lung sounds for each of auscultation positions on the basis of time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds of each of the auscultation positions; a determination unit that determines severity of heart failure of a patient on the basis of a detection result of abnormality in the lung sounds of each of the auscultation positions detected by the detection unit and condition information representing the condition of the patient; and a decision unit that decides an instruction to be output to the patient on the basis of a result of the determination by the determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Mitsuru Noma, Reishi Kondo, Yumi Arai
  • Publication number: 20230293136
    Abstract: A lung sound analysis system includes an acquisition means for acquiring time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds of a subject who is a heart failure patient, a determination means for determining a pause phase of breathing of the subject, a dividing means for dividing the time-series acoustic signals into those in a period of the pause phase of breathing of the subject and those in a period other than the pause phase, according to a result of the determination, and a detection means for detecting abnormality in the lung sounds from the time-series acoustic signals in the period other than the pause phase after the division.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Mitsuru Noma, Reishi Kondo, Yumi Arai
  • Publication number: 20230293138
    Abstract: A lung sound analysis system includes a storage means for storing time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds at the time of discharge from hospital of a subject who is a heart failure patient, as reference signals; an acquisition means for acquiring time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds at the determination object time after the discharge from the hospital of the subject, as determination object signals; and a detection means for detecting abnormality in the lung sounds from the determination object signals on the basis of the reference signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20230284998
    Abstract: A lung sound analysis system includes an acquisition means for acquiring time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds of a subject who is a heart failure patient, a determination means for determining a pause phase of breathing of the subject, a dividing means for dividing the time-series acoustic signals into those in a period of the pause phase of the subject and those in a period other than the pause phase, according to a result of the determination, a calculation means for calculating an index value representing the quality of the time-series acoustic signals in the period other than the pause phase, from the intensity of the time-series acoustic signals in the period of the pause phase and the intensity of the time-series acoustic signals in the period other than the pause phase after the division, and a warning means for giving warning based on the calculated index value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Mitsuru Noma, Reishi Kondo, Yumi Arai
  • Patent number: 9831828
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus is provided that tests bypass diodes in a solar cell string constructed by connecting a plurality of solar cell modules, which include solar cells and the bypass diodes, in series for failures in the open position. The solar cell testing apparatus includes a unidirectional element that is connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the solar cell string, and a voltage applier that applies a test voltage across the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the solar cell string to which the unidirectional element is connected. The solar cell testing apparatus also includes a current detector that detects a current flowing in the solar cell string, and a processor that executes processes that measure a current value of a shorted current of a solar cell string and tests for failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: HIOKI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Fumio Tokutake
  • Publication number: 20170338770
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus is provided that tests bypass diodes in a solar cell string constructed by connecting a plurality of solar cell modules, which include solar cells and the bypass diodes, in series for failures in the open position. The solar cell testing apparatus includes a unidirectional element that is connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the solar cell string, and a voltage applier that applies a test voltage across the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the solar cell string to which the unidirectional element is connected. The solar cell testing apparatus also includes a current detector that detects a current flowing in the solar cell string, and a processor that executes processes that measure a current value of a shorted current of a solar cell string and tests for failures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: HIOKI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao HIGUCHI, Fumio TOKUTAKE
  • Patent number: 9762179
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus tests bypass diodes in a solar cell string, which is constructed of solar cell modules including solar cells and the bypass diodes, for open-position failures and includes: a unidirectional element connected between positive and negative electrodes of the solar cell string so as to permit passage of the current outputted when the solar cells generate power; a voltage applier that apples a test voltage, which exceeds a sum of forward direction voltages of the bypass diodes and sets the negative electrode potential higher than the positive electrode potential, across the positive and negative electrodes; a current detector that detects a current flowing in the solar cell string; and a processor that tests for open-position failures by comparing currents detected before and after application of the test voltage with the unidirectional element connected between the electrodes of the solar cell string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HIOKI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Fumio Tokutake
  • Patent number: 9674410
    Abstract: An electronic device module includes a metallic casing having at least one boss formed therein, an electronic device unit placed inside the casing, connector terminals for external device connection electrically connected to the electronic device unit, and a metallic ground shell disposed so as to surround the connector terminals, having a front surface covered with a metal coated layer and including at least one boss insertion portion formed, a head of the at least one boss inserted into the at least one boss insertion portion and the coated layer positioned on a periphery of the corresponding at least one boss insertion portion being welded to each other to electrically connect and fix the ground shell to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuichi Uchiyama, Masao Higuchi, Tadashi Ishiwa, Masayoshi Nitta
  • Publication number: 20160329863
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus tests bypass diodes in a solar cell string, which is constructed of solar cell modules including solar cells and the bypass diodes, for open-position failures and includes: a unidirectional element connected between positive and negative electrodes of the solar cell string so as to permit passage of the current outputted when the solar cells generate power; a voltage applier that apples a test voltage, which exceeds a sum of forward direction voltages of the bypass diodes and sets the negative electrode potential higher than the positive electrode potential, across the positive and negative electrodes; a current detector that detects a current flowing in the solar cell string; and a processor that tests for open-position failures by comparing currents detected before and after application of the test voltage with the unidirectional element connected between the electrodes of the solar cell string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: HIOKI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao HIGUCHI, Fumio TOKUTAKE
  • Patent number: 9270056
    Abstract: In a connector that includes a board connector mounted on a board and a cable connector attached to ends of both a shielded cable and a non-shielded cable and connected to the board connector, the cable connector includes contacts connected respectively to the core wires of the shielded cable and the non-shielded cable and a shield shell that surrounds only the contacts connected to the core wires of the shielded cable, and the board connector includes board contacts connected respectively to the contacts of the cable connector and a shield shell that surrounds only the board contacts connected to the contacts surrounded by the shield shell of the cable connector. The connector properly shields the contacts connected to the core wires of the shielded cable in both of the mutually connected connectors and makes it easy to perform impedance matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Tadashi Ishiwa, Masayoshi Nitta
  • Publication number: 20150056859
    Abstract: In a connector that includes a board connector mounted on a board and a cable connector attached to ends of both a shielded cable and a non-shielded cable and connected to the board connector, the cable connector includes contacts connected respectively to the core wires of the shielded cable and the non-shielded cable and a shield shell that surrounds only the contacts connected to the core wires of the shielded cable, and the board connector includes board contacts connected respectively to the contacts of the cable connector and a shield shell that surrounds only the board contacts connected to the contacts surrounded by the shield shell of the cable connector. The connector properly shields the contacts connected to the core wires of the shielded cable in both of the mutually connected connectors and makes it easy to perform impedance matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masao HIGUCHI, Tadashi ISHIWA, Masayoshi NITTA
  • Publication number: 20150029337
    Abstract: An electronic device module includes a metallic casing having at least one boss formed therein, an electronic device unit placed inside the casing, connector terminals for external device connection electrically connected to the electronic device unit, and a metallic ground shell disposed so as to surround the connector terminals, having a front surface covered with a metal coated layer and including at least one boss insertion portion formed, a head of the at least one boss inserted into the at least one boss insertion portion and the coated layer positioned on a periphery of the corresponding at least one boss insertion portion being welded to each other to electrically connect and fix the ground shell to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi UCHIYAMA, Masao HIGUCHI, Tadashi ISHIWA, Masayoshi NITTA
  • Patent number: 8662915
    Abstract: A connector for connecting an FFC to a substrate includes a plurality of signal contacts, a ground contact, and a housing. The signal contacts are arranged to come into contact with signal terminals of the FFC. The ground contact comes into contact with the ground terminal of the FFC. The housing holds the plurality of signal contacts and the ground contact. A first distance from an end of the housing to a contact point of each signal contact with each signal terminal is set to be substantially equal to a second distance from an end of the housing to a contact point of the ground contact with the ground terminal. The first and second distances are measured along a direction in which one of the FFC and the FPC is inserted into or removed from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouhei Ueda, Masao Higuchi, Yoshihiro Sugi
  • Patent number: 8182277
    Abstract: A connector has a housing, an insertion slot, an actuator and a biasing member. Into the insertion slot, a connection target is inserted along an insertion direction. The actuator has a pusher. The actuator is held on the housing so as to be turnable between an open position and a close position. The actuator allows the connection target to be inserted into the insertion slot when the actuator is positioned at the open position. The pusher pushes the inserted connection target along a thickness direction of the connection target when the actuator is turned to the close position after the connection target is inserted into the insertion slot. The thickness direction is perpendicular to the insertion direction. The biasing member is operable to bias the pusher toward the inserted connection target when the actuator is located at the close position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yokoo, Nobukazu Kato, Masao Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20120045930
    Abstract: Provided is a technique for reducing the depth of a connector. A connector for connecting an FFC to a substrate includes a plurality of signal contacts, a ground contact, and a housing. The signal contacts are arranged to come into contact with signal terminals of the FFC. The ground contact comes into contact with the ground terminal of the FFC. The housing holds the plurality of signal contacts and the ground contact. Assuming that the back surface of the housing in a direction in which the FFC is inserted into or removed from the connector is set as a reference, a first distance to a contact point of the ground contact with respect to the signal terminals is set to be substantially equal to a second distance to a contact point of the ground contact with respect to the ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Kouhei UEDA, Masao Higuchi, Yoshihiro Sugii
  • Publication number: 20110112658
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control apparatus and the like capable of performing exclusive control in a network without adding a new configuration to an existing apparatus to be controlled and, even in the case where the apparatus to be controlled or the like drops from the network, capable of maintaining and continuing the original exclusive control state. In a bus system S in which an apparatus C to be controlled and a control apparatus CC are exclusively associated with each other and the operation of one apparatus C to be controlled is controlled by one control apparatus CC, exclusive control information indicating correspondence between operation of each of the apparatuses C to be controlled and a control apparatus CC which controls the operation is stored similarly in all of the control apparatuses CC with respect to each of the apparatuses to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Ryuichiro Morioka, Gaku Yamamura
  • Patent number: 7941230
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control apparatus and the like capable of performing exclusive control in a network without adding a new configuration to an existing apparatus to be controlled and, even in the case where the apparatus to be controlled or the like drops from the network, capable of maintaining and continuing the original exclusive control state. In a bus system S in which an apparatus C to be controlled and a control apparatus CC are exclusively associated with each other and the operation of one apparatus C to be controlled is controlled by one control apparatus CC, exclusive control information indicating correspondence between operation of each of the apparatuses C to be controlled and a control apparatus CC which controls the operation is stored similarly in all of the control apparatuses CC with respect to each of the apparatuses to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Higuchi, Ryuichiro Morioka, Gaku Yamamura