Patents by Inventor Sadao Yamamoto

Sadao Yamamoto 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).

  • Publication number: 20120146940
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern formed of intersecting first and second conductors. A signal supplying circuit generates transmission signals each comprised of a first code and a second code having an equal code length and having a predetermined relationship to each other, and supplies the generated transmission signals to the first conductors. A signal detection circuit is connected to the second conductors and detects reception signals, at least one of which corresponds to a variation of capacitance between the conductor pattern and a pointer. A correlation arithmetic operation circuit calculates, for each of the reception signals, first and second correlation values between the reception signal and first and second correlation value arithmetic operation signals corresponding to the first and second codes, respectively. A synthesis circuit calculates, for each pair of the first and second correlation values, a synthesis correlation value, based on which the pointer is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadao Yamamoto, Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8159467
    Abstract: Meshed touchscreen pattern. A conductive pattern implemented within a touchscreen (e.g., using indium tin oxide (ITO) such as may be deposited on a substrate composed of polyester or some other material) provides paths for signals traveling through the touchscreen. By monitoring these signal in accordance with some means (e.g., cross point detection, zone detection, etc.) an estimate may be made as to a location of user's interaction with the touchscreen (e.g., finger or stylus touching of the touchscreen). The conductive pattern includes a number of conductors aligned in various directions (e.g., row and column conductors) across the touchscreen, and they are separated by a dielectric layer (e.g., air, SiO2, or any other desirable dielectric layer). The conductors include a great deal of interlacing and meshing as achieved by spurs, extensions, and/or protrusions (e.g., of any desired shape) extending from one conductor into an adjacent conductor within the conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wacom Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael S. Gray, Patrick T. Gray, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110234508
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus is provided, which is capable of detecting a pointed position and a pressure applied by a pointer on a detection sensor. The detection sensor includes a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction crossing with the first direction, and a pressure sensitive material disposed between the first and second conductors and having a variable resistance characteristic. When a pointer is positioned in the proximity of (but not in contact with) the detection sensor or when a pressure applied to the detection sensor by the pointer in contact with the detection sensor is equal to or lower than a threshold, detection signals corresponding to variation in electrostatic capacity between the first and second conductors are supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Sadao Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20110193776
    Abstract: A position detection apparatus of the electrostatic coupling type is provided, to detect not only a position of a pointer but also information other than the position information such as, for example, pointer pressure or side switch information. The pointer transmits two codes such that a pressure applied to a pen tip is associated with a time difference between the two codes. A position detector carries out a correlation matching operation between signals generated in reception conductors and correlation calculation codes corresponding to the two codes, to thereby detect a position on a sensor section pointed to by the pointer from a result of the correlation matching operation and based on at least one of the codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Sadao Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20110157063
    Abstract: A portable information processing system is provided which includes a display unit having an electronic display and a display unit interface, an electronic tablet mountable on the display unit, and a hand-holdable, hand-guidable electronic position indicator for transmitting the signals for receipt by the electronic tablet. The electronic tablet includes a transparent window positioned in overlaying arrangement on the electronic display when the electronic tablet is mounted on the display unit to permit viewing of the electronic display through the transparent window, an input processing system adapted to receive signals and process character information and coordinate information based on the signals, and an electronic tablet interface for communicating with the display unit interface of the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Sadao YAMAMOTO, Masahiko ABE
  • Publication number: 20110148806
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus and a pointer detection method of the cross point electrostatic coupling type are disclosed, by which a pointer on a conductor pattern can be detected at a higher speed. The pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern, a spread code supplying circuit, a reception conductor selection circuit, an amplification circuit, an analog to digital conversion circuit, and a correlation value calculation circuit. The spread code supplying circuit supplies a plurality of spread codes at the same time. The correlation value calculation circuit determines correlation values between signals output from the analog to digital conversion circuit and the correlation calculation codes respectively corresponding to the spread codes. A pointer is detected based on the determined correlation values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110153263
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus and a pointer detection method of the cross point electrostatic coupling type are disclosed, by which a pointer on a conductor pattern can be detected at a higher speed. The pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern, a spread code supplying circuit, a reception conductor selection circuit, an amplification circuit, an analog to digital conversion circuit, and a correlation value calculation circuit. The spread code supplying circuit supplies a plurality of spread codes at the same time. The correlation value calculation circuit determines correlation values between signals output from the analog to digital conversion circuit and the correlation calculation codes respectively corresponding to the spread codes. A pointer is detected based on the determined correlation values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110148785
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus and a pointer detection method of the cross point electrostatic coupling type are disclosed, by which a pointer on a conductor pattern can be detected at a higher speed. The pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern, a spread code supplying circuit, a reception conductor selection circuit, an amplification circuit, an analog to digital conversion circuit, and a correlation value calculation circuit. The spread code supplying circuit supplies a plurality of spread codes at the same time. The correlation value calculation circuit determines correlation values between signals output from the analog to digital conversion circuit and the correlation calculation codes respectively corresponding to the spread codes. A pointer is detected based on the determined correlation values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100321333
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern with first conductors disposed in a first direction and second conductors disposed in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a code string signal production circuit for producing signals based on orthogonal code strings with phases different from each other and supplying the produced signals to the first conductors. The apparatus also includes a signal detection circuit connected to the second conductors for detecting a signal corresponding to a variation of electrostatic capacitance between the conductor pattern and a pointer, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit for converting the signal output from the signal detection circuit into a digital signal comprising a word string of multiple bits, and a correlation detection circuit for determining correlation values between the code strings and the word string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100321334
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern with first conductors disposed in a first direction and second conductors disposed in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a code string signal production circuit for producing signals based on orthogonal code strings with phases different from each other and supplying the produced signals to the first conductors. The apparatus also includes a signal detection circuit connected to the second conductors for detecting a signal corresponding to a variation of electrostatic capacitance between the conductor pattern and a pointer, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit for converting the signal output from the signal detection circuit into a digital signal comprising a word string of multiple bits, and a correlation detection circuit for determining correlation values between the code strings and the word string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100321331
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern with first conductors disposed in a first direction and second conductors disposed in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a code string signal production circuit for producing signals based on orthogonal code strings with phases different from each other and supplying the produced signals to the first conductors. The apparatus also includes a signal detection circuit connected to the second conductors for detecting a signal corresponding to a variation of electrostatic capacitance between the conductor pattern and a pointer, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit for converting the signal output from the signal detection circuit into a digital signal comprising a word string of multiple bits, and a correlation detection circuit for determining correlation values between the code strings and the word string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100321332
    Abstract: A pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern with first conductors disposed in a first direction and second conductors disposed in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a code string signal production circuit for producing signals based on orthogonal code strings with phases different from each other and supplying the produced signals to the first conductors. The apparatus also includes a signal detection circuit connected to the second conductors for detecting a signal corresponding to a variation of electrostatic capacitance between the conductor pattern and a pointer, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit for converting the signal output from the signal detection circuit into a digital signal comprising a word string of multiple bits, and a correlation detection circuit for determining correlation values between the code strings and the word string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Oda, Yoshihisa Sugiyama, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100110029
    Abstract: A position detecting device includes: a display unit having a first electrode formed of a transparent conductive film, a plurality of second electrodes, and display material interposed between the first electrode and the second electrodes; a display driver configured to drive the display unit based on a video signal input to the display driver; and a position detecting section configured to detect a position of an indicator on the first electrode and to output the detected position. The display unit may comprise, for example, an “electronic paper,” such that the display state of the display unit can be maintained even after a drive power applied between the first electrode and the second electrodes is discontinued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadao Yamamoto, Naoto Onoda
  • Patent number: 7685538
    Abstract: A method of triggering functions in a computer application comprises the steps of: providing a digitizer having a pointing device, wherein the digitizer and pointing device are operably associated with a computer having an operating system and an application; applying pressure to the digitizer with the pointing device; sensing the applied pressure; triggering in the application a first function if the sensed applied pressure exceeds a first pressure threshold; and triggering in the application a second function if the sensed applied pressure exceeds a second pressure threshold. The second pressure threshold is greater than the first pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Fleck, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100045615
    Abstract: Meshed touchscreen pattern. A conductive pattern implemented within a touchscreen (e.g., using indium tin oxide (ITO) such as may be deposited on a substrate composed of polyester or some other material) provides paths for signals traveling through the touchscreen. By monitoring these signal in accordance with some means (e.g., cross point detection, zone detection, etc.) an estimate may be made as to a location of user's interaction with the touchscreen (e.g., finger or stylus touching of the touchscreen). The conductive pattern includes a number of conductors aligned in various directions (e.g., row and column conductors) across the touchscreen, and they are separated by a dielectric layer (e.g., air, SiO2, or any other desirable dielectric layer). The conductors include a great deal of interlacing and meshing as achieved by spurs, extensions, and/or protrusions (e.g., of any desired shape) extending from one conductor into an adjacent conductor within the conductive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michael S. Gray, Patrick T. Gray, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100045614
    Abstract: Extended touchscreen pattern. A conductive pattern implemented within a touchscreen (e.g., using indium tin oxide (ITO) such as may be deposited on a substrate composed of polyester or some other material) provides paths for signals traveling through the touchscreen. By monitoring these signal in accordance with some means (e.g., cross point detection, zone detection, etc.) an estimate may be made as to a location of user's interaction with the touchscreen (e.g., finger or stylus touching of the touchscreen). The conductive pattern includes a number of conductors aligned in various directions (e.g., row and column conductors) across the touchscreen, and they may be co-planar or separated by a dielectric material. A conductor aligned in one direction includes one or more extended areas that complementarily align with a conductor aligned in another direction. The extended areas of one conductor may be viewed as filling voids (e.g., holes, notches, etc.) of another conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick T. Gray, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090139780
    Abstract: In a position detecting apparatus, electric power of a position pointer is turned on only when the position pointer is put within a particular range from a tablet to minimize consumption of a battery disposed in the position pointer. When the position pointer is brought close to the tablet, a control signal transmitted from the tablet is detected by a resonant circuit of the position pointer, and MOSFETs serving as a power switch are turned on by the detected signal. In response, electric power is supplied from a battery via the MOSFETs to circuit elements of the position pointer, and thus an operation of the position pointer starts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Yuji KATSURAHIRA, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7474300
    Abstract: In a position detecting apparatus, electric power of a position pointer is turned on only when the position pointer is put within a particular range from a tablet to minimize consumption of a battery disposed in the position pointer. When the position pointer is brought close to the tablet, a control signal transmitted from the tablet is detected by a resonant circuit of the position pointer, and MOSFETs serving as a power switch are turned on by the detected signal. In response, electric power is supplied from a battery via the MOSFETs to circuit elements of the position pointer, and thus an operation of the position pointer starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Katsurahira, Sadao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20080164077
    Abstract: A position detecting device usable with a display is provided. The position detecting device includes a detector formed of a transparent member on a view-surface side of the display, and a shielding device disposed at a rear-surface side of the display configured to shield the detector from interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Sadao YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080150914
    Abstract: A position detecting device usable with a display having a display-surface side and a rear-surface side opposite to the front side is provided. The position detecting device includes a position indicator, a detector, and a driving coil. The detector is provided on the display-surface side of the display and is configured to detect signals transmitted from the position indicator. The driving coil is provided on the rear-surface side of the display and is configured to supply electric current to the position indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Sadao YAMAMOTO