Patents by Inventor Minoru Yokoshi

Minoru Yokoshi 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: 7668556
    Abstract: A communication system including a communication terminal apparatus and a wireless key apparatus in wireless communication is provided. The communication terminal apparatus includes a first communication unit operable to receive a first wireless signal, and a first control unit operable to determine a distance between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus based on the received first wireless signal, wherein the first control unit limits a predetermined function of the communication terminal apparatus based on determining the distance. The wireless key apparatus includes a second communication unit operable to receive a second wireless signal, and a second control unit operable to determine the distance between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus based on the received second wireless signal, whereby the second control unit decreases transmission power associated with the second communication unit based on the determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Yokoshi, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Katsutoshi Itoh, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7577447
    Abstract: In a case when a wireless communication is carried out between a communication terminal apparatus and a wireless key apparatus in which one of the two apparatuses which carry out the communication becomes a master and the other one becomes a slave, the slave detects a signal from the master and the wireless communication is carried out by a wireless communication system executing the wireless connection between the two apparatuses, it is constituted such that each of the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus includes communication means for carrying out the wireless communication, and control means; and in a case when the wireless communication state between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus is a non-connection state, the side which becomes the master is to transmit a signal asking for a “response from the slave” intermittently by changing the period into a plurality of steps in response to the non-connection time period and the side which becomes th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7509118
    Abstract: A head set apparatus capable of a wireless communication by a predetermined wireless communication system. The wireless communication system includes at least a first communication mode and a second communication mode. The first communication mode enables a data transfer with a partner apparatus and a second communication mode carries out a wireless communication with the partner apparatus with a period shorter than that of the communication in the first communication mode while the wireless connected state remains. The head set apparatus includes a communication section for carrying out a wireless communication by the predetermined wireless communication system and a control section for making the head set function as a head set when the communication state in the communication means is in the first communication mode and for making the head set function as a wireless key for security when the communication state is in the second communication mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7468959
    Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus and a wireless key apparatus including judgment means for judging or presuming the wireless communication state or the wireless communication distance in a communication circuit. The communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus are wireless-connected, and in a case when a communication state for carrying out a wireless communication intermittently is set in each communication circuit and there is judgment or presumption of a predetermined state in the judgment means in a state in which the wireless connection is maintained, the mode setting relating to the function limitation or the notification mode setting relating to the function limitation is to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7436798
    Abstract: A communication system that includes a communication terminal apparatus and a wireless key apparatus and in which wireless communication is possible. A first communication mode attempts a wireless connection in a first period in order to carry out a wireless communication between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus and a second communication mode carries out a wireless communication between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus in a second period longer than that of the connection mode of the wireless connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7340215
    Abstract: It was constituted such that in a case when a function of the communication terminal apparatus 10 is limited in response to a wireless communication state between the communication terminal apparatus 10 and the wireless key apparatus 50, it is controlled in the wireless key apparatus 50 such that a communication connection with the communication terminal apparatus 10 is to be carried out; the function of the terminal apparatus 10 is to limited in the communication terminal apparatus 10 in a case when a predetermined communication state cannot be maintained with respect to the wireless key apparatus 50 and at the same time; and in a case when it is detected that the terminal apparatus 10 exists in a predetermined region such as in the vicinity of the apparatus 10 or the like, the function of the terminal apparatus 10 is not to be limited regardless of the communication state with respect to the wireless key apparatus 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Yokoshi, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Katsutoshi Itoh, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7336929
    Abstract: A portable terminal monitors a signal level of a short-range wireless signal from a wireless communication apparatus. If the signal level drops so low that a state of connection for short-range wireless communications cannot be maintained between the two apparatuses, use of predetermined functions of the portable terminal is limited. A short-range wireless communication facility of the portable terminal and the wireless communication apparatus move into a particular operation mode if communications do not occur therebetween at least for a predetermined time period. In monitoring the signal level of the wireless signal from the wireless communication apparatus in the particular operation mode, the portable terminal reduces a response speed at which to detect a signal level change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Katsutoshi Itoh, Makoto Natori, Minoru Yokoshi, Osamu Yoshimura, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7228142
    Abstract: According to the present invention makes, even if two of mobile communication terminal apparatuses such as a wireless key apparatus and a mobile telephone terminal apparatus or the like are utilized in various possessing states, it is made possible to maintain a stable distance detection accuracy. In a communication apparatus in which A distance to a connection partner terminal is detected according to a certain parameter and in a case when the distance exceeds a predetermined value, a function limitation or notification to a user is carried out, it is identified that the two of the mobile communication terminals lie in a predetermined appropriate distance according to a manual or automatic method and the proper distance identification information and further receiving state and transmission power at that time if they are necessary are communicated mutually and a parameter used for a distance detection is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Natori, Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060035624
    Abstract: It was constituted such that in a case when a function of the communication terminal apparatus 10 is limited in response to a wireless communication state between the communication terminal apparatus 10 and the wireless key apparatus 50, it is controlled in the wireless key apparatus 50 such that a communication connection with the communication terminal apparatus 10 is to be carried out; the function of the terminal apparatus 10 is to limited in the communication terminal apparatus 10 in a case when a predetermined communication state cannot be maintained with respect to the wireless key apparatus 50 and at the same time; and in a case when it is detected that the terminal apparatus 10 exists in a predetermined region such as in the vicinity of the apparatus 90 or the like, the function of the terminal apparatus 10 is not to be limited regardless of the communication state with respect to the wireless key apparatus 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Minoru Yokoshi, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Katsutoshi Itoh, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060019678
    Abstract: In a case when a wireless communication is carried out between a communication terminal apparatus and a wireless key apparatus in which one of the two apparatuses which carry out the communication becomes a master and the other one becomes a slave, the slave detects a signal from the master and the wireless communication is carried out by a wireless communication system executing the wireless connection between the two apparatuses, it is constituted such that each of the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus includes communication means for carrying out the wireless communication, and control means; and in a case when the wireless communication state between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus is a non-connection state, the side which becomes the master is to transmit a signal asking for a “response from the slave” intermittently by changing the period into a plurality of steps in response to the non-connection time period and the side which becomes th
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060002335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an idea in which, for example, an operation for limiting a function of a communication terminal apparatus such as a mobile telephone terminal or the like functions preferably by using a wireless communication. In the present invention, a communication system which includes a communication terminal apparatus and a wireless key apparatus and in which a wireless communication is possible is constituted by a predetermined wireless communication system which at least includes a first communication mode for attempting a wireless connection in a first period in order to carry out a wireless communication between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus and a second communication mode for carrying out a wireless communication between the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus in a second period longer than that of the connection mode in case of the wireless connected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060002337
    Abstract: In a case when a mode relating to a function limitation of the communication terminal apparatus or a notification mode relating to that function limitation is set in response to the communication state between the communication terminal apparatus 10 and the wireless key apparatus 50, the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus include judgment means for judging or presuming the wireless communication state or the wireless communication distance in the communication circuit, the communication terminal apparatus and the wireless key apparatus are wireless-connected, and in a case when a communication state for carrying out a wireless communication intermittently is set in each communication circuit and there is judgment or presumption of a predetermined state in the judgment means in a state in which the wireless connection is maintained, the mode setting relating to the function limitation or the notification mode setting relating to the function limitation is to be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060003776
    Abstract: According to the present invention makes, even if two of mobile communication terminal apparatuses such as a wireless key apparatus and a mobile telephone terminal apparatus or the like are utilized in various possessing states, it is made possible to maintain a stable distance detection accuracy. In a communication apparatus in which A distance to a connection partner terminal is detected according to a certain parameter and in a case when the distance exceeds a predetermined value, a function limitation or notification to a user is carried out, it is identified that the two of the mobile communication terminals lie in a predetermined appropriate distance according to a manual or automatic method and the proper distance identification information and further receiving state and transmission power at that time if they are necessary are communicated mutually and a parameter used for a distance detection is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Makoto Natori, Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060003700
    Abstract: A portable terminal monitors a signal level of a short-range wireless signal from a wireless communication apparatus. If the signal level drops so low that a state of connection for short-range wireless communications cannot be maintained between the two apparatuses, use of predetermined functions of the portable terminal is limited. A short-range wireless communication facility of the portable terminal and the wireless communication apparatus move into a particular operation mode if communications do not occur therebetween at least for a predetermined time period. In monitoring the signal level of the wireless signal from the wireless communication apparatus in the particular operation mode, the portable terminal reduces a response speed at which to detect a signal level change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Katsutoshi Itoh, Makoto Natori, Minoru Yokoshi, Osamu Yoshimura, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060003815
    Abstract: A head set apparatus capable of a wireless communication by a predetermined wireless communication system, wherein the predetermined wireless communication system includes at least a first communication mode which enables a data transfer with a partner apparatus to be communicated and a second communication mode for carrying out a wireless communication with the partner apparatus with a period shorter than that of the communication in the first communication mode while the wireless connected state remains; and the head set apparatus includes communication means for carrying out a wireless communication by the predetermined wireless communication system and control means for making the head set function as a head set when the communication state in the communication means is in the first communication mode and for making the head set function as a wireless key for security when the communication state is in the second communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Itoh, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Minoru Yokoshi, Takeshi Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20060003788
    Abstract: It is constituted such that a function limitation is to be applied to a communication terminal apparatus of a mobile telephone terminal or the like at a place far from wireless key by a constant distance and it is also constituted such that after the function limitation is applied once, it is made impossible for the function limitation to be released until the communication terminal. The transmission power is controlled in response to the state by utilizing a phenomenon that the communication possible distance between the apparatuses changes according to the amount of the transmission power wireless-communicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Minoru Yokoshi, Mitsuyoshi Yasuda, Katsutoshi Itoh, Makoto Natori, Osamu Yoshimura, Takeshi Itagaki