Patents by Inventor Satoshi Kitamura
Satoshi Kitamura 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).
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Publication number: 20060287151Abstract: A generator for a human powered vehicle comprises a hub shaft structured to be mounted to the human powered vehicle, a hub shell mounted to rotate relative to the hub shaft, a power generating mechanism including a coil and a magnet that rotate relative to each other, and a rotating member structured to rotate relative to the hub shaft, wherein at least one of the coil or the magnet rotate together with the rotating member. A transmission communicates rotation from an input member to an output member corresponding to a plurality of gear ratios, and a switching unit couples the rotating member to the transmission so that the rotating member rotates at a plurality of speeds relative to the hub shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.Inventors: KAZUHIRO TAKEDA, SATOSHI KITAMURA, TAKUMI ONOGI
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Patent number: 7144027Abstract: A control apparatus for an electrically operated bicycle transmission comprises a power supply sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the power supply sensor. The power supply sensor senses a power characteristic of a power supply, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission when the power characteristic falls below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the control apparatus comprises a running condition time sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the running condition time sensor. The running condition time sensor senses a time interval of a running condition of a bicycle, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission to a predetermined gear ratio when the time interval of the running condition passes a selected value.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kazuhiro Takeda
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Publication number: 20060226879Abstract: A bicycle electric power unit supplies electric power to a bicycle motor unit having a power source, a power source controller, a power source voltage detector, a first power source switch and a second power source switch. The power source controller turns off the first power source switch when the power source voltage detector detects a voltage of a specific value or less. The first power source switch supplies electric power to the power source controller when the power source is on and blocks the electric power to the power source controller when the power source is off. The first power source switch is turned off by the power source controller when the power source is on. The second power source switch is disposed between the power source and the motor unit. The second power source is turned on and off by the power source controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2005Publication date: October 12, 2006Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
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Patent number: 7119668Abstract: A bicycle display apparatus comprises a display device adapted to be mounted to the bicycle, wherein the display device displays various types of information to a rider; a light sensor; and a display control element operatively coupled to the display device and to the light sensor for controlling the display device in accordance with signals from the light sensor. An apparatus provided for shifting a bicycle transmission having a plurality of gear positions comprises a running condition detector that detects a running condition of the bicycle; a light sensor; and a gearshift control element operatively coupled to the running condition detector and to the light sensor and providing a control signal for controlling the bicycle transmission in accordance with signals from the light sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kouji Uno, Kazuhiro Fujii
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Patent number: 7116008Abstract: A bicycle signal processing device includes a first bicycle signal processing element that generates a first signal having a first impedance, an external output terminal having an exposed output contact surface, and an impedance converting circuit coupled between the first bicycle signal processing element and the external output terminal for converting the first signal to a second signal having a second impedance at the external output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kouji Oohara
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Patent number: 7089100Abstract: A bicycle information processing apparatus comprises a memory for storing information related to the bicycle; an information processing unit that accesses the memory and processes information stored in the memory; and a power supply sensor that detects an ability of a power supply to supply power so that the memory may be accessed without damaging information stored therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Satoshi Kitamura, Haruyuki Takebayashi
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Patent number: 7084472Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged photo diodes and a plurality of microlenses having substantially hemispherical shapes which cover the respective photo diodes. The microlens has a multilayer structure including at least a transparent resin upper layer which forms at least a portion of the substantially hemispherical shape, and a colored lower layer provided on a portion of the transparent resin upper layer which is located above the photo diode, with an interface between the colored lower layer and the transparent resin upper layer having a shape conforming to a surface of the photo diode.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenzo Fukuyoshi, Tadashi Ishimatsu, Satoshi Kitamura, Keisuke Ogata
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Publication number: 20060135500Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel oral pharmaceutical suspension of Cefdinir crystal. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel kit for preparation of an oral pharmaceutical suspension containing crystal forrn C Cefdinir.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2005Publication date: June 22, 2006Applicant: Astellas Pharma Inc.Inventors: Naozumi Ohnishi, Shuhei Deguchi, Satoshi Kitamura
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Patent number: 7045910Abstract: A bicycle power supply apparatus comprises a battery unit for storing power from a power supply and for supplying power to electrical components; a power switch operatively coupled to the battery unit for selectively switching power from the battery unit to the electrical components; and a switch control unit that receives power from the power supply and controls the power switch according to the power received from the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Haruyuki Takebayashi
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Patent number: 7042123Abstract: A bicycle gearshift system is mounted on the rear part of the frame of the bicycle. The bicycle gearshift system includes an electrically powered rear derailleur, a rear hub, a charger part, and a gearshift control part. The electrically powered rear derailleur is mounted on the rear part of the frame. The rear hub is also mounted to the rear part of the frame. The rear hub has an electrical generator mechanism that generates electricity through the rotation of the wheel. The charger part is mounted on the rear hub and stores the electrical energy that was generated by the generator part. The gearshift control part is equipped on the electrically powered rear derailleur, where gearshift control of the electrically powered rear derailleur is performed through the energy that is stored in the charger part.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Koken Ueno, Kazuhiro Takeda, Masahiko Fukuda
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Publication number: 20050285461Abstract: A bicycle gearshift system is mounted on the rear part of the frame of the bicycle. The bicycle gearshift system includes an electrically powered rear derailleur, a rear hub, a charger part, and a gearshift control part. The electrically powered rear derailleur is mounted on the rear part of the frame. The rear hub is also mounted to the rear part of the frame. The rear hub has an electrical generator mechanism that generates electricity through the rotation of the wheel. The charger part is mounted on the rear hub and stores the electrical energy that was generated by the generator part. The gearshift control part is equipped on the electrically powered rear derailleur, where gearshift control of the electrically powered rear derailleur is performed through the energy that is stored in the charger part.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: December 29, 2005Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Koken Ueno, Kazuhiro Takeda, Masahiko Fukuda
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Publication number: 20050275978Abstract: An electrical control apparatus comprises a current sensor and a current inhibiting circuit that inhibits current flow between first and second terminals of a bicycle dynamo when current sensed by the current sensor is below a selected value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2005Publication date: December 15, 2005Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
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Publication number: 20050264238Abstract: A bicycle lamp protection apparatus protects bicycle lamps from overvoltage that are illuminated by electric power from a dynamo. The bicycle lamp protection apparatus includes a casing and an overvoltage protection circuit. The casing houses the overvoltage protection circuit and has a mounting part that can be mounted to the bicycle. The overvoltage protection circuit is housed in the casing and prevents the overvoltage from being supplied to the bicycle lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Tadashi Ichida
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Patent number: 6950140Abstract: A photovoltaic element, a light shielding portion, a planarized layer, a color filter, another planarized layer and an undercoat layer are formed successively on a semiconductor substrate, followed by forming resin lenses. The undercoat layer positioned between adjacent resin lenses is subjected to an etching treatment with the resin lenses used as a resist mask so as to form ditches extending in the X- and Y-directions and other ditches extending in the XY-direction. Further, a transparent resin layer having a predetermined thickness is formed to cover the resin lenses and the ditches, thereby obtaining a solid image-pickup device comprising a micro lens array including a plurality of micro lenses.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenzo Fukuyoshi, Tadashi Ishimatsu, Satoshi Kitamura
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Publication number: 20050122681Abstract: A heat dissipating apparatus for a bicycle electronic component comprises an electronic component that generates heat; a case having a thermally conductive portion, wherein the electronic component is supported by the case, and wherein the case includes a structure for mounting the case to a bicycle; and a thermally conductive member disposed between the electronic component and the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Noriyasu Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6899649Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a bicycle shift control device that uses power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission, wherein the shift control device includes an input transmission member that requests assistance of the rotating member and an output transmission member that is assisted by the rotating member. The control apparatus comprises an input transmission member drive member that moves at least to a neutral position, to an upshift position and to a downshift position; an input drive member position sensor operatively coupled to the input transmission member drive member; and a motor operatively coupled to the input transmission member drive member. A control unit is operatively coupled to the input drive member position sensor and to the motor to move the input transmission member drive member to at least one of the neutral position, the upshift position and the downshift position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Satoshi Kitamura, Haruyuki Takebayashi
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Publication number: 20050098978Abstract: A control apparatus for an electrically operated bicycle transmission comprises a power supply sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the power supply sensor. The power supply sensor senses a power characteristic of a power supply, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission when the power characteristic falls below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the control apparatus comprises a running condition time sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the running condition time sensor. The running condition time sensor senses a time interval of a running condition of a bicycle, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission to a predetermined gear ratio when the time interval of the running condition passes a selected value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kazuhiro Takeda
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Patent number: 6857975Abstract: A rotation direction detection apparatus is configured to detect the direction of rotation of a pulley that is rotatably mounted to a chain guide, and includes a rotation sensor, a detection element and a shielding mechanism. The rotation sensor is fixed to the chain guide. The detection element is mounted to the pulley such that it can be detected by the rotation sensor. The shielding mechanism has a shielding arm that is mounted to move between a shielding position where the rotation sensor cannot detect the detection element and a detection position where the rotation sensor can detect the detection element. The shielding mechanism has a linking member that moves the shielding arm in tandem with the rotation of the pulley in first or second rotational directions. The shielding mechanism has a positioning protrusion that positions the shielding arm at either the shielding position or the detection position.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
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Patent number: 6835148Abstract: A bicycle control device is provided that uses power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle mechanism, wherein the control device includes an input member that requests assistance of the rotating member and an output member that is assisted by the rotating member, and wherein the input member electrically moves from a first position to a second position and then to a third position. A method of operating the control device comprises the steps of providing an input signal for moving the input member from the first position to the second position and then to the third position; sensing a position of the input member with an input position sensor; and determining whether the input position sensor indicates the input member is in the third position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Haruyuki Takebayashi, Tadashi Ichida, Satoshi Kitamura
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Patent number: 6835069Abstract: A bicycle electrical control apparatus comprises a first control unit that provides first electrical signals; a second control unit that provides second electrical signals; and an electrical connecting cord having a first end coupled to the first control unit and a second end coupled to the second control unit for communicating the first electrical signals from the first control unit to the second control unit. A first connecting terminal is fastened to one of the first and second ends of the electrical connecting cord, a second connecting terminal is disposed on one of the first and second control units, and the first connecting terminal is detachably connected to the second connecting terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Tadashi Ichida