Patents by Inventor Norimitsu Baba

Norimitsu Baba 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: 11520295
    Abstract: A watch includes a case, and a solar cell disposed inside the case and including a substrate made of resin and having a surface, a power generating unit having, at the surface, a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode that are stacked in order, a first antenna including a third electrode that is provided at the surface and that is disposed at a position not to overlap the power generating unit in a plan view viewed in a direction orthogonal to the surface, and a protective layer disposed covering the power generating unit and the first antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20220236694
    Abstract: An electronic watch includes a plurality of hands configured to display time, a power generator, an power storage unit configured to store power generated by the power generator, an indicator hand configured to display a power storage amount in the power storage unit in a plurality of stages, a controller configured to perform control switching between a normal time display mode in which time is displayed by the hand and a power save mode in which at least one of the hands is stopped. The controller detects the power storage amount and updates display of the based on the power storage amount by the indicator hand during the power save mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventor: Norimitsu BABA
  • Patent number: 11073621
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a dial, a solar battery on a rear surface side of the dial, and an antenna on a rear surface side of the solar battery so as to receive a radio wave. The solar battery includes a solar cell for generating power and a first non-power generating section which transmits the radio wave to the antenna. The solar cell includes a metal electrode, a semiconductor layer on the dial side of the metal electrode, and a transparent electrode on the dial side of the semiconductor layer. The metal electrode and the transparent electrode are excluded from the first non-power generating section, and the semiconductor layer is included within at least a portion of the first non-power generating section. The solar battery further includes a non-conductive member which regulates light transmittance on the dial side of the semiconductor layer in the first non-power generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Norimitsu Baba, Keiichi Mukaiyama
  • Publication number: 20210223743
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece of the present disclosure includes a first indicator wheel marked with numerals including a date, a second indicator wheel marked with a plurality of pieces of information, and a dial including a window configured to enable visual recognition of the numerals and the information. The electronic timepiece is configured to switch between a date display configured to use the numerals to display a date, and a function display obtained by combining the numerals and the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: Norimitsu BABA
  • Publication number: 20200401085
    Abstract: A watch includes a case, and a solar cell disposed inside the case and including a substrate made of resin and having a surface, a power generating unit having, at the surface, a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode that are stacked in order, a first antenna including a third electrode that is provided at the surface and that is disposed at a position not to overlap the power generating unit in a plan view viewed in a direction orthogonal to the surface, and a protective layer disposed covering the power generating unit and the first antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Norimitsu BABA
  • Publication number: 20190094384
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a dial, a solar battery on a rear surface side of the dial, and an antenna on a rear surface side of the solar battery so as to receive a radio wave. The solar battery includes a solar cell for generating power and a first non-power generating section which transmits the radio wave to the antenna. The solar cell includes a metal electrode, a semiconductor layer on the dial side of the metal electrode, and a transparent electrode on the dial side of the semiconductor layer. The metal electrode and the transparent electrode are excluded from the first non-power generating section, and the semiconductor layer is included within at least a portion of the first non-power generating section. The solar battery further includes a non-conductive member which regulates light transmittance on the dial side of the semiconductor layer in the first non-power generating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Norimitsu BABA, Keiichi MUKAIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180267483
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes: an information display unit; a storage unit which stores a plurality of pieces of region information and a daylight savings time observation rule corresponding to the region information; a selection unit which selects one of the plurality of pieces of region information stored in the storage unit; a determination unit which determines whether it is a region where daylight savings time is observed or not, based on the daylight savings time observation rule corresponding to the region information selected by the selection unit; and a display control unit which causes the information display unit to display that it is the region where daylight savings time is observed, if it is determined as the region where daylight savings time is observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Norimitsu BABA
  • Patent number: 10009116
    Abstract: Either the electronic timepiece or the communication device of a communication system has a first communicator, and the other has a second communicator. The first communicator has a first transmitter including a transmission coil and a drive circuit configured to drive the transmission coil, and is configured to transmit signals by communicating through electromagnetic coupling; and an first receiver including a photodetector and a detection circuit that detects the output value of the photodetector, and configured to receive signals by optical communication. The second communicator has an second transmitter including a light-emitting device and a drive circuit that drives the light-emitting device, and configured to transmit signals by optical communication; and a second receiver including a reception coil and a detection circuit that detects the output value of the reception coil, and configured to receive signals by communicating through electromagnetic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norimitsu Baba, Hirokazu Nishijima
  • Patent number: 9998226
    Abstract: A control circuit sets a detection period D1 in which the control circuit detects an output value of a solar cell and receives an optical signal, and charging periods C1, C2 in which a storage battery can be charged, during a reception period for receiving a data signal of transmission data transmitted from a communication target; controls a charging control circuit to disconnect the solar cell and the storage battery, and causes a detection circuit to detect the output value of the solar cell, during the detection period D1; and controls the charging control circuit to connect the solar cell and the storage battery during the charging periods C1, C2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 9798014
    Abstract: A satellite signal receiving device having a receiver circuit that receives a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning information satellite further includes a solar cell that converts light energy to electrical energy; a generating state detection circuit that detects a generating state of the solar cell to obtain a detection value, which is a power generating evaluation time, which is a time during which the solar cell output is continuously in a high illuminance state; and a control circuit that controls the receiver circuit and the generating state detection circuit, sets a threshold value for the power generating evaluation time, and compares the detection value with the threshold value and operates the receiver circuit when the detection value is greater than or equal to the threshold value. The control circuit changes the threshold value for the power generating evaluation time when satellite signal reception failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 9720383
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece enables a simple construction, and an electronic device has the electronic timepiece. A wristwatch has a button or external operating member; a controller that sets the operating mode of the wristwatch based on an input operation of the button. Based on the continuous input time that the button is operated continuously, the controller changes the operating mode between a timekeeping mode that receives a satellite signal from one or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information contained in the received satellite signal; and a positioning mode that receives satellite signals from three or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information and positioning information contained in the received satellite signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Honda, Norimitsu Baba, Jun Matsuzaki, Toshikazu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9639067
    Abstract: A timepiece can acquire time information in a short time, reduce power consumption, and display the correct time. A timepiece comprises a receiver to receive a satellite signal, and a time information generator to generate internal time information. The receiver runs a first reception process that acquires first information including week information from the satellite signal, a second reception process that acquires second information including leap second information from the satellite signal, or a third reception process that acquires third information including hour, minute and second information from the satellite signal. In the first reception timing, after the internal time information is initialized, the receiver runs the first reception process and runs the second reception process after running the first. In a next reception timing, after the first reception timing, the receiver runs the third reception process if the first and second information are acquired in the first reception timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20160342140
    Abstract: A control circuit sets a detection period D1 in which the control circuit detects an output value of a solar cell and receives an optical signal, and charging periods C1, C2 in which a storage battery can be charged, during a reception period for receiving a data signal of transmission data transmitted from a communication target; controls a charging control circuit to disconnect the solar cell and the storage battery, and causes a detection circuit to detect the output value of the solar cell, during the detection period D1; and controls the charging control circuit to connect the solar cell and the storage battery during the charging periods C1, C2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Norimitsu BABA
  • Publication number: 20160299475
    Abstract: Either the electronic timepiece or the communication device of a communication system has a first communicator, and the other has a second communicator. The first communicator has a first transmitter including a transmission coil and a drive circuit configured to drive the transmission coil, and is configured to transmit signals by communicating through electromagnetic coupling; and an first receiver including a photodetector and a detection circuit that detects the output value of the photodetector, and configured to receive signals by optical communication. The second communicator has an second transmitter including a light-emitting device and a drive circuit that drives the light-emitting device, and configured to transmit signals by optical communication; and a second receiver including a reception coil and a detection circuit that detects the output value of the reception coil, and configured to receive signals by communicating through electromagnetic coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Norimitsu BABA, Hirokazu NISHIJIMA
  • Patent number: 9448540
    Abstract: A satellite signal receiving device including: a reception unit is configured to searche for positioning information satellites including a GNSS satellite used in a global navigation satellite system and an RNSS satellite used in a regional navigation satellite system, and receive satellite signal transmitted from a satellite locked onto by the search; a reception control unit is configured to control the reception unit; and a region determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the current location is in a region where satellite signal transmitted from the RNSS satellite can be received; the reception control unit prioritizing searching for an RNSS satellite when the region determination unit determines the current location is in a region where satellite signal transmitted from the RNSS satellite can be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 9448541
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece can determine the reception state in detail, and can display the reception state with high precision. A GPS wristwatch 1 has a reception unit that receives a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning information satellite; a reception level calculating unit 47 that calculates a reception level from the signal strength of the satellite signal; and a reception level display unit 48 that displays the reception level calculated by the reception level calculating unit 47. The reception level calculating unit 47 selects a specific number of satellite signals received from the positioning information satellites in order of greatest signal strength, and calculates the reception level from the signal strengths of the selected satellite signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikazu Akiyama, Katsuyuki Honda, Norimitsu Baba, Jun Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20160252886
    Abstract: A satellite signal receiving device having a receiver circuit that receives a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning information satellite further includes a solar cell that converts light energy to electrical energy; a generating state detection circuit that detects a generating state of the solar cell to obtain a detection value, which is a power generating evaluation time, which is a time during which the solar cell output is continuously in a high illuminance state; and a control circuit that controls the receiver circuit and the generating state detection circuit, sets a threshold value for the power generating evaluation time, and compares the detection value with the threshold value and operates the receiver circuit when the detection value is greater than or equal to the threshold value. The control circuit changes the threshold value for the power generating evaluation time when satellite signal reception failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20160231711
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece enables a simple construction, and an electronic device has the electronic timepiece. A wristwatch has a button or external operating member; a controller that sets the operating mode of the wristwatch based on an input operation of the button. Based on the continuous input time that the button is operated continuously, the controller changes the operating mode between a timekeeping mode that receives a satellite signal from one or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information contained in the received satellite signal; and a positioning mode that receives satellite signals from three or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information and positioning information contained in the received satellite signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Honda, Norimitsu Baba, Jun Matsuzaki, Toshikazu Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20160209814
    Abstract: A timepiece can acquire time information in a short time, reduce power consumption, and display the correct time. A timepiece comprises a receiver to receive a satellite signal, and a time information generator to generate internal time information. The receiver runs a first reception process that acquires first information including week information from the satellite signal, a second reception process that acquires second information including leap second information from the satellite signal, or a third reception process that acquires third information including hour, minute and second information from the satellite signal. In the first reception timing, after the internal time information is initialized, the receiver runs the first reception process and runs the second reception process after running the first. In a next reception timing, after the first reception timing, the receiver runs the third reception process if the first and second information are acquired in the first reception timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 9367043
    Abstract: A solar cell, a charge state detection circuit and a voltage detection circuit as a generating state detection circuit that detects the generating state of the solar cell, and a control circuit are provided. The control circuit operates a GPS receiver circuit when a detection value detected by the voltage detection circuit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, and resets the threshold value if satellite signal reception by the GPS receiver circuit fails, or if the detection value detected by the voltage detection circuit remains less than the threshold value for a preset generating state detection time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba