Patents by Inventor Ryuichiro Takamoto

Ryuichiro Takamoto 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: 10252762
    Abstract: An operation control apparatus and a bicycle display device are provided that are configured for improving the usability. The operation control apparatus includes a controller, which is configured to operate a bicycle electronic apparatus that can be mounted on a bicycle. The operation control apparatus is configured to cause a predetermined control target to execute a predetermined operation of the bicycle electronic apparatus according to an operation of an operating unit inputted to the controller. The controller is configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation, according to at least one of the configuration, the type and the function of the bicycle electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ayumi Kato, Jun Gao, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Hiroyuki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 10086708
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a power supply sensor and a controller. The power supply sensor detects a power level of a power supply being supplied from the power supply to two electrical bicycle components. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components in response to receiving at least one signal from at least one input member. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components at different starting times while the power level is below a prescribed power level. The controller is configured to simultaneously operate the two electrical bicycle components while the power level is above the prescribed power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Toyoto Shirai, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Ryuichiro Takamoto
  • Patent number: 9815522
    Abstract: A bicycle shifting apparatus comprises a shifting controller. The shifting controller is configured to control one of a front shifting device and a rear shifting device to change one of a front shift position and a rear shift position in response to a user input. The shifting controller is configured to control the other of the front shifting device and the rear shifting device to change the other of the front shift position and the rear shift position with a delay time period in conjunction with the one of the front shifting device and the rear shifting device in response to the user input. The shifting controller is configured to change the delay time period based on at least one of a gear ratio, the rear shift position, and a current rotational speed of a bicycle crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tachibana, Kazuhiro Fujii, Yuta Mizutani, Keijiro Nishi, Yuki Kataoka, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Ayumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170158285
    Abstract: A bicycle shifting apparatus comprises a shifting controller. The shifting controller is configured to control one of a front shifting device and a rear shifting device to change one of a front shift position and a rear shift position in response to a user input. The shifting controller is configured to control the other of the front shifting device and the rear shifting device to change the other of the front shift position and the rear shift position with a delay time period in conjunction with the one of the front shifting device and the rear shifting device in response to the user input. The shifting controller is configured to change the delay time period based on at least one of a gear ratio, the rear shift position, and a current rotational speed of a bicycle crank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi TACHIBANA, Kazuhiro FUJII, Yuta MIZUTANI, Keijiro NISHI, Yuki KATAOKA, Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Ayumi KATO
  • Publication number: 20170029057
    Abstract: An operation control apparatus and a bicycle display device are provided that are configured for improving the usability. The operation control apparatus includes a controller, which is configured to operate a bicycle electronic apparatus that can be mounted on a bicycle. The operation control apparatus is configured to cause a predetermined control target to execute a predetermined operation of the bicycle electronic apparatus according to an operation of an operating unit inputted to the controller. The controller is configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation, according to at least one of the configuration, the type and the function of the bicycle electronic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ayumi KATO, Jun GAO, Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Hiroyuki MIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 9545855
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is configured to control a drive unit having a motor that assist in manual driving. The bicycle control apparatus includes an operating unit and a control unit. The operating unit is configured to be operated in accordance with first and second operating methods that are different from each other. The control unit is configured to change a setting state of a function that is set in advance without driving the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the first operating method. The control unit is configured to drive the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the second operating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Jun Gao, Ayumi Kato, Makoto Usui, Taihei Nishihara, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 9229712
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface is configured to communicate with at least one electric bicycle component and at least one manually operated input member. The controller is electrically coupled to the communication interface, and programmed to control the at least one electric bicycle component based on operation of the at least one manually operated input member. The controller is programmed to decide an operation mode of the at least one electric bicycle component differently based on a number of manually operated input member coupled to the controller via the communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Mao Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20150367750
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is configured to control a drive unit having a motor that assist in manual driving. The bicycle control apparatus includes an operating unit and a control unit. The operating unit is configured to be operated in accordance with first and second operating methods that are different from each other. The control unit is configured to change a setting state of a function that is set in advance without driving the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the first operating method. The control unit is configured to drive the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the second operating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Jun GAO, Ayumi KATO, Makoto USUI, Taihei NISHIHARA, Yasuhiro TSUCHIZAWA
  • Patent number: 9008923
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur adjusting apparatus for adjusting a bicycle derailleur includes a controller. The bicycle derailleur includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle, a movable member, a linkage coupled between the base member and the movable member, and an actuator configured to move the movable member of the bicycle derailleur among a plurality of derailleur positions. The controller is configured to control the actuator based on a travel value indicative of a travel distance of the movable member between adjacent derailleur positions to update the derailleur positions of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Yoshiyuki Kasai
  • Patent number: 8998756
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission control apparatus comprises a control unit that provides a first signal to operate a first derailleur a gear shift distance from a first origin sprocket to a first destination sprocket. The control unit receives a condition signal that indicates a condition resulting from at least one of the first derailleur and a second derailleur; and an adjustment controller moves the first derailleur an adjustment distance less than the gear shift distance in response to the condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Publication number: 20150073656
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface is configured to communicate with at least one electric bicycle component and at least one manually operated input member. The controller is electrically coupled to the communication interface, and programmed to control the at least one electric bicycle component based on operation of the at least one manually operated input member. The controller is programmed to decide an operation mode of the at least one electric bicycle component differently based on a number of manually operated input member coupled to the controller via the communication interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Mao KURODA
  • Patent number: 8882618
    Abstract: A rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a chain guide, a friction element, a one-way clutch and an electric actuator. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain guide is coupled to the movable member to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the movable member. The friction element is operatively arranged between the movable member and the chain guide to frictionally provide rotational resistance in a first rotational direction of the chain guide. The one-way clutch is operatively disposed between movable member and the chain guide to engage the friction element as the chain guide rotates in the first rotational direction. The electric actuator is operatively coupled to the one-way clutch to control the one-way clutch between a clutch-on mode and a clutch-off mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Atsuhiro Emura, Tsuyoshi Miyake, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Mao Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20140303857
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur adjusting apparatus for adjusting a bicycle derailleur includes a controller. The bicycle derailleur includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle, a movable member, a linkage coupled between the base member and the movable member, and an actuator configured to move the movable member of the bicycle derailleur among a plurality of derailleur positions. The controller is configured to control the actuator based on a travel value indicative of a travel distance of the movable member between adjacent derailleur positions to update the derailleur positions of the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Yoshiyuki KASAI
  • Publication number: 20140213397
    Abstract: A rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a chain guide, a friction element, a one-way clutch and an electric actuator. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain guide is coupled to the movable member to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the movable member. The friction element is operatively arranged between the movable member and the chain guide to frictionally provide rotational resistance in a first rotational direction of the chain guide. The one-way clutch is operatively disposed between movable member and the chain guide to engage the friction element as the chain guide rotates in the first rotational direction. The electric actuator is operatively coupled to the one-way clutch to control the one-way clutch between a clutch-on mode and a clutch-off mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Sota YAMAGUCHI, Atsuhiro EMURA, Tsuyoshi MIYAKE, Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Yoshiyuki KASAI, Mao KURODA
  • Publication number: 20120253606
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a controller that is configured to operate a first electrical bicycle component in response to receiving a first signal from a first input member, and to operate a second electrical bicycle component in response to receiving a second signal from a second input member. The controller is configured to prohibit operation of the second electrical bicycle component upon starting operation of the first electrical bicycle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO, Yoshiyuki KASAI, Mao KURODA, Tadashi ICHIDA, Toyoto SHIRAI
  • Publication number: 20120253601
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a power supply sensor and a controller. The power supply sensor detects a power level of a power supply being supplied from the power supply to two electrical bicycle components. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components in response to receiving at least one signal from at least one input member. The controller operates the two electrical bicycle components at different starting times while the power level is below a prescribed power level. The controller is configured to simultaneously operate the two electrical bicycle components while the power level is above the prescribed power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Toyoto SHIRAI, Yoshiyuki KASAI, Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8025597
    Abstract: A bicycle component position correcting device is basically provided with a first sensor, a second sensor, a comparison unit and a position adjuster. The first sensor detects a current absolute value of a positioning angle of a movable part of a bicycle component. The second sensor detects both a movement direction of the movable part and an amount of movement of the movable part. The comparison unit compares the current absolute value of the positioning angle of the movable part to a prestored reference value of the positioning angle of the movable part in response to a component operation command. The position adjuster selectively outputs an adjustment command to the movable part that adjusts the absolute value of the positioning angle of the movable part in accordance with both detected results of the first and second sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Takamoto
  • Patent number: 7874567
    Abstract: A bicycle shifting control apparatus controls an electrical power supplied from a power supply to first and second gear shifting devices that are operated by first and second gear shift operating devices, respectively. The bicycle shifting control apparatus includes a first power supply sensor and a controller. The first power supply sensor detects a power level of the power supply. The controller receives a power level signal from the first power supply sensor. The controller performs a stopping operation of the first gear shifting device in response to the first power supply sensor detecting the power level of the power supply being below a first prescribed power level, but the controller transmits a second gear shift signal from the second gear shift operating device to the second gear shifting device to perform a second shifting operation of the second gear shifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Takumi Onogi, Kazuhiro Fujii, Masahiko Fukuda, Haruyuki Takebayashi, Ryuichiro Takamoto
  • Patent number: 7805268
    Abstract: A bicycle component calibration device and method are provided that assist the user in determining that an adjustment was made. Basically, when a calibration command in inputted to indicate a selected adjustment amount in a selected adjustment direction, the bicycle component (e.g., a derailleur) initially moves farther than the selected adjustment amount in a first direction by an adjustment indicating amount in response to the calibration command, and then subsequently moves the bicycle component in a second direction to the selected adjustment position in which the second direction is opposite to the first direction. The adjustment indicating amount is greater than the selected adjustment amount of the calibration command. Finally, the selected adjustment position is set as an adjusted position of the bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Takamoto
  • Patent number: 7798929
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a movable bicycle device comprises a power supply sensor that detects an abnormal power supply characteristic, and a control unit operatively coupled to the power supply sensor. The control unit provides a first signal to command the bicycle device to move in a first manner when the power supply has a first characteristic, and the control unit provides a second signal to command the bicycle device to move in a different second manner when the power supply has a second characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Masahiko Fukuda