Patents by Inventor Rikoku Nakamura

Rikoku Nakamura 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: 11506555
    Abstract: In piezoelectric sensors, conventional amplification factor adjustment methods involving the cutting of a wiring pattern or use of a laser trimmable resistor are unable to adjust the amplification factor when the sensor is in a completed state. As a result, the production process becomes complex and production costs increase. Further, because the amplification factor adjustment is carried out in a different state from that of the finished product, the problem that the amplification factor is not set correctly in the finished product also occurs. A non-volatile memory is incorporated in an integrated circuit in which there are integrated piezoelectric sensor circuit elements. The amplification factor is adjusted by writing data from a writing terminal to change an amplification resistor a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Masanori Yomoyama
  • Patent number: 10247634
    Abstract: A disconnection detection circuit includes: a pull-up resistor to which the detection signal is fed and which connects a signal line connected to the wiring cable to a power supply or a pull-down resistor which connects the signal line to a GND; and a voltage clip circuit 105 which includes a high-voltage clip circuit which is connected between the signal line and the power supply and which clips the voltage of the signal line to the maximum specified voltage and a low-voltage clip circuit which is connected between the signal line and the GND and which clips the voltage of the signal line to the minimum specified voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Masanori Yomoyama, Tetsuya Aiba, Yuta Kanamori
  • Publication number: 20190086281
    Abstract: In piezoelectric sensors, conventional amplification factor adjustment methods involving the cutting of a wiring pattern or use of a laser trimmable resistor are unable to adjust the amplification factor when the sensor is in a completed state. As a result, the production process becomes complex and production costs increase. Further, because the amplification factor adjustment is carried out in a different state from that of the finished product, the problem that the amplification factor is not set correctly in the finished product also occurs. A non-volatile memory is incorporated in an integrated circuit in which are integrated piezoelectric sensor circuit elements. The amplification factor is adjusted by writing data from a writing terminal to change an amplification resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicants: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku NAKAMURA, Masanori YOMOYAMA
  • Patent number: 10054509
    Abstract: There is provided a pressure detection device (10) including: a pressure detection element (21) which receives pressure (P) so as to output a detection signal (Qi) corresponding to the pressure (P); and a processing circuit (30) which processes and outputs the detection signal (Qi) output from the pressure detection element (21), where on a circuit board (40) on which a conductor pattern is formed, an integrated circuit (IC1) including an analog circuit which uses a reference voltage (Vr) set to a predetermined voltage value as an operation reference and converts the detection signal (Qi) into a voltage waveform is mounted, and the processing circuit (30) includes an input circuit 50 which feeds the detection signal (Qi) to the integrated circuit (IC1) and a shield pattern (SHP1) which surrounds the region of at least a part of the input circuit (50) and to which the reference voltage (Vr) is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Masanori Yomoyama, Hitoshi Satsuta
  • Patent number: 9945750
    Abstract: A processing circuit is provided which includes at least an integrator circuit which uses a reference voltage set to have a predetermined magnitude as an operation reference and which integrates a detection signal so as to convert the detection signal into a voltage waveform and a base voltage adjustment circuit which is connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the integrator circuit and which adjusts the magnitude of a base voltage that is a potential when the detection signal in an output signal output from the integrator circuit is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Masanori Yomoyama, Hitoshi Satsuta
  • Publication number: 20170146421
    Abstract: There is provided a pressure detection device (10) including: a pressure detection element (21) which receives pressure (P) so as to output a detection signal (Qi) corresponding to the pressure (P); and a processing circuit (30) which processes and outputs the detection signal (Qi) output from the pressure detection element (21), where on a circuit board (40) on which a conductor pattern is formed, an integrated circuit (IC1) including an analog circuit which uses a reference voltage (Vr) set to a predetermined voltage value as an operation reference and converts the detection signal (Qi) into a voltage waveform is mounted, and the processing circuit (30) includes an input circuit 50 which feeds the detection signal (Qi) to the integrated circuit (IC1) and a shield pattern (SHP1) which surrounds the region of at least a part of the input circuit (50) and to which the reference voltage (Vr) is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicants: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku NAKAMURA, Masanori YOMOYAMA, Hitoshi SATSUTA
  • Publication number: 20170138810
    Abstract: A disconnection detection circuit includes: a pull-up resistor to which the detection signal is fed and which connects a signal line connected to the wiring cable to a power supply or a pull-down resistor which connects the signal line to a GND; and a voltage clip circuit 105 which includes a high-voltage clip circuit which is connected between the signal line and the power supply and which clips the voltage of the signal line to the maximum specified voltage and a low-voltage clip circuit which is connected between the signal line and the GND and which clips the voltage of the signal line to the minimum specified voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicants: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku NAKAMURA, Masanori YOMOYAMA, Tetsuya AIBA, Yuta KANAMORI
  • Publication number: 20170131170
    Abstract: A processing circuit is provided which includes at least an integrator circuit which uses a reference voltage set to have a predetermined magnitude as an operation reference and which integrates a detection signal so as to convert the detection signal into a voltage waveform and a base voltage adjustment circuit which is connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the integrator circuit and which adjusts the magnitude of a base voltage that is a potential when the detection signal in an output signal output from the integrator circuit is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicants: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku NAKAMURA, Masanori YOMOYAMA, Hitoshi SATSUTA
  • Patent number: 7728685
    Abstract: A temperature detection circuit (18) detects temperature around an oscillation circuit (20) equipped with voltage variable capacitors (23, 24). According to its temperature detection signal, a temperature compensation circuit (30) produces a voltage signal as a temperature compensation signal. That voltage signal is supplied to the voltage variable capacitors (23, 24) in order to sustain oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit (20) at a substantially constant level. When a switch element (1) is, turned on by a non-TCXO signal, both terminals of each voltage variable capacitor (23, 24) are brought to the same potential (ground potential). Consequently, each voltage variable capacitor has a predetermined capacitance and temperature compensation function is made ineffective. In that state, initial frequency regulation is performed under normal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Finetech Miyota Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Takuo Furuki, Takashi Masuda
  • Publication number: 20090115542
    Abstract: A temperature detection circuit (18) detects temperature around an oscillation circuit (20) equipped with voltage variable capacitors (23, 24). According to its temperature detection signal, a temperature compensation circuit (30) produces a voltage signal as a temperature compensation signal. That voltage signal is supplied to the voltage variable capacitors (23, 24) in order to sustain oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit (20) at a substantially constant level. When a switch element (1) is, turned on by a non-TCXO signal, both terminals of each voltage variable capacitor (23, 24) are brought to the same potential (ground potential). Consequently, each voltage variable capacitor has a predetermined capacitance and temperature compensation function is made ineffective. In that state, initial frequency regulation is performed under normal temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicants: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN MIYOTA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Takuo Furuki, Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6507248
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated voltage-controlled crystal oscillator intended to present the conditions for circuit constants in an oscillator circuit that can improve the oscillator's frequency tuning range with respect to the variable capacitance range of a variable-capacitance element. The voltage-controlled crystal oscillator comprises a crystal, an amplifier, and a load capacitor, wherein the load capacitor includes a voltage-controlled variable-capacitance element integrated on a semiconductor substrate and a DC cut capacitor element connected in series with the voltage-controlled variable-capacitance element, and the DC cut capacitor element has a capacitance value (Ccut) whose ratio to a maximum capacitance value (Cvmax) of the voltage-controlled variable-capacitance element (Ccut/Cvmax) is more than 0.5 and not more than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rikoku Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20010045869
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated voltage-controlled crystal oscillator intended to present the conditions for circuit constants in an oscillator circuit that can improve the oscillator's frequency tuning range with respect to the variable capacitance range of a variable-capacitance element. The voltage-controlled crystal oscillator comprises a crystal, an amplifier, and a load capacitor, wherein the load capacitor includes a voltage-controlled variable-capacitance element integrated on a semiconductor substrate and a DC cut capacitor element connected in series with the voltage-controlled variable-capacitance element, and the DC cut capacitor element has a capacitance value (Ccut) whose ratio to a maximum capacitance value (Cvmax) of the voltage-controlled variable-capacitance element (Ccut/Cvmax) is more than 0.5 and not more than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rikoku Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6301198
    Abstract: In an electronic timepiece, in which electric power generated by a solar cell (101) is accumulated in an accumulator device (104) and a time keeping means (105) is driven with the accumulated electric power, an electrically on-off controllable switch (102) is provided in a circuit for charging the accumulator device (104) by the solar cell (101), a voltage comparison means (103) intermittently brings the switch (102) into the off-state at predetermined intervals and compares the generated voltage (Vs) by the solar cell and the accumulated voltage (Vb) in the accumulator device (104), and keeps the switch (102) in the off-state as it is when Vs≦Vb and brings the switch (102) into the on-state when Vs>Vb in accordance with the comparison result. Thereby, a reverse flow of an electric current from the accumulator device (104) can be prevented and a voltage drop on charging is eliminated, resulting in enhancement in charging efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Otaka, Rikoku Nakamura, Shigeru Morokawa
  • Patent number: 6023252
    Abstract: An LCD device comprising an LCD for changing the size of a displayed unit of pixels by electrically connecting a plurality of display electrodes in parallel with one another for time-sharing matrix driving liquid crystal pixels arranged as a matrix wherein image data is independently inputted into upper and lower half portions of the LCD, a display controller for outputting upper and lower side image data to be displayed on the upper and lower half portions of the LCD and synchronous signals. The LCD device further comprises an upper side image data-holding memory and a lower side image data-holding memory for dividing image data in a given display area from a screenful of image data outputted from the display controller into new upper and lower side image data to be written and held in the upper and lower side image data-holding memories. The upper and lower side image data held in the upper and lower side memories are read out to be repeatedly displayed on the upper and lower half portions of the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takakazu Yano, Takahiko Sato, Rikoku Nakamura, Shigeru Morokawa