Patents by Inventor Osamu Yabe

Osamu Yabe 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: 11949466
    Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Tengxing Wang, Erik G. De Jong, Zaki Moustafa, Xinping Zeng, Vincent Chauvin, Osamu Yabe
  • Publication number: 20240093752
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is configured in such a manner that a main valve (a valve member) is in abutment with only a ridge portion (a second protrusion portion) on the inner peripheral side of a seat portion (a first seat portion) in a state of being mounted on a piston. This configuration can reduce the radial contact width between the main valve and the seat portion, and contribute to preventing or reducing variations in the valve-opening point and the damping force by managing the radial dimension of the ridge portion on the inner peripheral side of the seat portion to allow the contact diameter between the main valve and the seat portion to be kept constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Chihiro YABE, Osamu YUNO, Takao NAKADATE
  • Publication number: 20240074550
    Abstract: A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface and an engagement ribbon forming loops on the engagement surface of the base for receiving a hook of a buckle. The engagement ribbon can be interwoven with the base to provide secure anchoring for the hook within one of the loops. The woven portions of the watchband can be securely coupled to end structures, such as the buckle, retaining rings, and/or a connector. The watchband provides adjustable lengths to accommodate different fit configurations as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy S. Lui, Clement C. Tissandier, Donald L. Olmstead, Molly J. Anderson, Osamu Yabe, Seul Bi Kim, Yoji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20240074549
    Abstract: A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface, contact loops on the contact surface for contacting a user, and engagement loops on the engagement surface for engaging hooks. The hooks can be provided on the engagement surface, opposite some of the contact loops. Edge sections of the base can wrap around a central section to define an end of the base. A tab can extend from an end of the base to facilitate attachment, adjustment, and/or removal of the watch band. The tab can further help maintain the assembled parts in place to enhance durability of the watchband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Donald L. OLMSTEAD, Ayumi KUSANO, Clement C. TISSANDIER, Eiryo SHIRAISHI, Mengxi ZHAO, Molly J. ANDERSON, Osamu YABE, Seul Bi KIM, Tirshathah A. HUNTER, Yoji HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20240065390
    Abstract: Bands for wearable devices include multiple band retainers used to maintain engagement between an assembly (e.g., a pair) of bands. Some band retainers may be permanently affixed with the band at a certain location of the band, while other band retainers can be removable. The removable band retainers can be moved to different locations of the band, thus allowing the band retainer to retain another band at different locations. As a result, the assembly of bands can be used with different users, and in particular, users with different wrist sizes. Moreover, using multiple band retainers can provide an engagement force between the bands to withstand higher-impact events, such as swimming and diving. Additionally, bands and band retainers may include one or more liquid-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Brodine, Molly J. Anderson, Clement C. Tissandier, Osamu Yabe, Mengxi Zhao, Timothy S. Lui, Chia Tse Yeh, Kai-Yu Chung, Jen-Chun Hsu, Tatsuya Sano, Peng Li
  • Patent number: 11860588
    Abstract: A watch can include a watch body and a band for securing the watch to the user. The watch body can detect an identification of the band or combination of band portions, which can serve as an input to initiate actions performed by the watch body. For example, a type, model, color, size, or other characteristic of a band can be determined and used to select a corresponding action performed by the watch body. Identification of the band can be performed by components of the watch body that also serve other purposes. The watch body can respond to the identification of a particular band by performing particular functions, such as changing an aspect of a user interface or altering settings of the watch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Maegan K. Spencer, Ryan C. Perkins, Benjamin J. Kallman, Daniel J. Hiemstra, Colin M. Ely, William C. Lukens, Osamu Yabe, Jorge L. Rivera Espinoza, David D. Dashevsky, Eugene C. Cheung, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Tyler S. Bushnell, Zaki Moustafa
  • Publication number: 20230270215
    Abstract: A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy S. LUI, Osamu Yabe, Zebinah P. Masse, Clayton J. McCoy, Benjamin A. Stevenson, Hsiang Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 11666124
    Abstract: A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Lui, Osamu Yabe, Zebinah P. Masse, Clayton J. McCoy, Benjamin A. Stevenson, Hsiang Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 11652509
    Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Tengxing Wang, Erik G. De Jong, Zaki Moustafa, Xinping Zeng, Vincent Chauvin, Osamu Yabe
  • Patent number: 11611372
    Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Tengxing Wang, Erik G. De Jong, Zaki Moustafa, Xinping Zeng, Vincent Chauvin, Osamu Yabe
  • Publication number: 20230079679
    Abstract: Characteristics of a watch band can change when placed in different configurations, and each of these characteristics can be correlated with each of the various configurations. The characteristics can be measured to detect in which of the various configurations the watch band is in. For example, the watch band can include an adjustable capacitor that changes it capacitance when the watch band changes its configuration. For example, the capacitance can change based on stretching of the watch band, bending of the watch band, and/or securement and release of an engagement element. The watch or another device can perform one or more operations based on the detected characteristic and configuration of the watch band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: William LEITH, Daniel W. LABOVE, Rimple BHATIA, Osamu YABE, Yoji HAMADA, Timothy S. LUI
  • Patent number: 11602201
    Abstract: A band for securing an electronic device to a user may include a monolithic band body having proximal and distal ends for coupling to a body of the electronic device. The monolithic band body may include an elastic material that is elastically stretchable between (1) a fitted mode where the electronic device is secured to a limb of the user, and (2) a stretched mode for fitting over the limb of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott W. Slabaugh, Tatsuya Sano, Jen-Chun Hsu, Osamu Yabe, Zaki Moustafa, Motohide Hatanaka, Hsiang Hung Chen, Eiryo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11540599
    Abstract: Watch bands can be provided with an ability to dynamically adjust the fit of a watch against a wrist of a user. One or more of a variety of tensioning elements can be provided with a shape memory polymer that responds to a stimulus to adjust a fit of the band. Such stimulus can be from user or actively applied by the watch. The shape memory polymer can be a composite material that provides high durability under cyclic stretching and high speed response of shape recovering while avoiding a drastic moduli drop by shape recovering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Yokoyama, Osamu Yabe, Eiryo Shiraishi, Naoto Matsuyuki
  • Publication number: 20220411369
    Abstract: The present invention provides a production method suitable for industrial production of (2S,3S)-3-amino-2-(3-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)pyrrolidine having a protecting group at the 1-position. The present invention is a method for producing N-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-L-phenylalanine salt of (2S,3S)-3-amino-2-(3-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)pyrrolidine having a protecting group at the 1-position, which comprises Step 2: a step of subjecting 2-(3-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-3-(methoxyimino)pyrrolidine having a protecting group at the 1-position to a reduction reaction; and Step 3: a step of subjecting the product obtained in Step 2 to optical resolution using salt formation with N-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-L-phenylalanine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Atsuko NISHIGUCHI, Osamu YABE, Yoshihiro BANNO
  • Patent number: 11503885
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Patent number: 11241068
    Abstract: A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Lui, Osamu Yabe, Zebinah P. Masse, Clayton J. McCoy, Benjamin A. Stevenson, Hsiang Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 11165141
    Abstract: A watch band for a watch can include an antenna that is operable for wireless communication with other devices. The antenna can be embedded within a body of the watch band to protect the antenna from an external environment and to conceal it from view. The antennas can adaptably stretch, bend, and flex with the watch band body, thereby avoiding damage from applied forces while also maintaining the compliance and comfort of the watch band while worn by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chun Hsu, Yi-Chia Chen, Osamu Yabe
  • Publication number: 20210137226
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Patent number: 10893726
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Publication number: 20200323315
    Abstract: A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy S. LUI, Osamu YABE, Zebinah P. MASSE, Clayton J. MCCOY, Benjamin A. STEVENSON, Hsiang Hung CHEN