Patents by Inventor Tadashi Ichida

Tadashi Ichida 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: 9284016
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichirou Takamoto, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Mao Kuroda, Tadashi Ichida, Toyoto Shirai
  • Publication number: 20160068222
    Abstract: A bicycle shifter is provided as part of a bicycle electric system. The bicycle shifter basically includes a transmission cable winding element, an operating unit and a detection device. The operating unit operatively coupled to the transmission cable winding element. The detection device is arranged to detect a movement of the operating unit. The detection device outputs a signal according to the movement of the operating unit with respect to the winding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Noriaki TAKAHASHI
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8825322
    Abstract: A bicycle component controlling includes at least a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor detects a first operating condition, whether a rider is sitting on a bicycle seat. A second sensor is provided that detects a second operating condition. The sensors output signals indicative of the respective operating conditions. The controller is operatively connected to at least the first sensor and possibly the second sensor. The controller is configured to generate a component control command to control a bicycle component based on at least the first signal and the possibly the second signal. The bicycle component is a component other than an automatic transmission and a suspension when the second sensor is not provided. If the second sensor is provided, a suspension and automatic transmission is controlled, or components other than an automatic transmission and a suspension is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Ikemoto, Tadashi Ichida, Nobukatsu Hara, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8781680
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension control setting device includes a control device, an indicating unit, a selecting unit and a communication unit. The control device includes a plurality of setting information relating to a plurality of operating states for a bicycle suspension device. The indicating unit is operatively connected to the control device to indicate the setting information to a user. The selecting unit is operatively connected to the control device to selectively select at least one of the setting information that is to be indicated by the indicating unit. The communication unit includes at least one of a wireless connection section and a wired connection section configured to detachably connect to a bicycle suspension control apparatus to transmit the setting information selected by the selecting unit to the bicycle suspension control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Hideki Ikemoto, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8755969
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension control apparatus includes a user operating device and a control device. The control device is operatively coupled to the user operating device to selectively control a front bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states and a rear bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states. The control device is configured to selectively change the operating states of both the front and rear bicycle suspensions to different ones of the operating states in response to a single operation of the user operating device. The control device controls the front and rear bicycle suspensions such that a first operating state change operation of one of the front and rear bicycle suspensions occurs later than a second operating state change operation of the other of the front and rear bicycle suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Hideki Ikemoto, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8655548
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a controller and a detecting member. The controller is configured to control an operation of an electrical bicycle component by selectively outputting a control parameter. The detecting member detects an electrical connecting state between the controller and a manually operated input member for changing a setting of the electrical bicycle component. The controller outputs a predetermined control parameter based on the electrical connecting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8475305
    Abstract: A computer-controlled apparatus for setting destination speed stages of a bicycle transmission comprises a shift command unit and a transmission control unit. The shift command unit generates shift commands, and the transmission control unit receives the shift commands and generates transmission command signals for causing the bicycle transmission to move to a destination speed stage. When the shift command unit is operated for a first time interval, the transmission control unit generates a first transmission command signal for causing the bicycle transmission to move through one speed stage to a first destination speed stage. When the shift command unit is operated for a second time interval greater than the first time interval, the transmission control unit generates a second transmission command signal for causing the bicycle transmission to move through a plurality of speed stages to a second destination speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Ichida
  • Patent number: 8360909
    Abstract: A control mechanism for controlling a bicycle transmission to set a speed stage of a bicycle comprises a shift command communication path for communicating electronic shift commands to select a speed stage of the bicycle, a transmission command communication path for communicating information for controlling the operation of the bicycle transmission, and a transmission control unit operatively coupled to the shift command communication path and to the transmission command communication path for receiving the shift commands and for generating the information for controlling the operation of the bicycle transmission. When the transmission control unit receives at least one shift command requesting a shift through N speed stages to a destination speed stage, where N is an integer greater than one, the transmission control unit generates information for causing the bicycle transmission to move to the destination speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Ichida
  • Patent number: 8282519
    Abstract: An electric derailleur motor unit is provided for a motorized derailleur assembly. The electric derailleur motor unit has a derailleur motor support, a derailleur motor, a drive train and an output shaft. The derailleur motor is mounted to the derailleur motor support and has a driving shaft. The drive train has at least one intermediate gear operatively coupled to the driving shaft of the derailleur motor and a worm gear operatively coupled to the intermediate gear such that rotation of the driving shaft of the derailleur motor rotates the intermediate gear which in turn rotates the worm gear. The output shaft is operatively coupled to the derailleur motor and rotatably supported on the derailleur motor support. The output shaft has an output gear engaged with the worm gear of the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120253600
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a controller and a detecting member. The controller is configured to control an operation of an electrical bicycle component by selectively outputting a control parameter. The detecting member detects an electrical connecting state between the controller and a manually operated input member for changing a setting of the electrical bicycle component. The controller outputs a predetermined control parameter based on the electrical connecting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Toyoto SHIRAI
  • 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: 20120245809
    Abstract: A computer-controlled apparatus for setting destination speed stages of a bicycle transmission comprises a shift command unit and a transmission control unit. The shift command unit generates shift commands, and the transmission control unit receives the shift commands and generates transmission command signals for causing the bicycle transmission to move to a destination speed stage. When the shift command unit is operated for a first time interval, the transmission control unit generates a first transmission command signal for causing the bicycle transmission to move through one speed stage to a first destination speed stage. When the shift command unit is operated for a second time interval greater than the first time interval, the transmission control unit generates a second transmission command signal for causing the bicycle transmission to move through a plurality of speed stages to a second destination speed stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Tadashi Ichida
  • Publication number: 20120221205
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension control setting device includes a control device, an indicating unit, a selecting unit and a communication unit. The control device includes a plurality of setting information relating to a plurality of operating states for a bicycle suspension device. The indicating unit is operatively connected to the control device to indicate the setting information to a user. The selecting unit is operatively connected to the control device to selectively select at least one of the setting information that is to be indicated by the indicating unit. The communication unit includes at least one of a wireless connection section and a wired connection section configured to detachably connect to a bicycle suspension control apparatus to transmit the setting information selected by the selecting unit to the bicycle suspension control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Hideki IKEMOTO, Toyoto SHIRAI
  • Publication number: 20120221204
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension control apparatus includes a user operating device and a control device. The control device is operatively coupled to the user operating device to selectively control a front bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states and a rear bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states. The control device is configured to selectively change the operating states of both the front and rear bicycle suspensions to different ones of the operating states in response to a single operation of the user operating device. The control device controls the front and rear bicycle suspensions such that a first operating state change operation of one of the front and rear bicycle suspensions occurs later than a second operating state change operation of the other of the front and rear bicycle suspensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Hideki IKEMOTO, Toyoto SHIRAI
  • Publication number: 20120221203
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension control apparatus includes a user operating device and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the user operating device to selectively control a pair of bicycle suspensions between a plurality of operating states. The controller selectively changes the operating states of both of the suspensions to different ones of the operating states in response to a single operation of the user operating device. The controller includes a receiving part, a storage part and a control part. The receiving part receives combination information indicating at least one combination of the operating states from among combinations of the operating states of the suspensions. The storage part stores the combination information received by the receiving part. The control part controls the suspensions based on the combination information stored in the storage part when the user operating device is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Hideki IKEMOTO, Toyoto SHIRAI
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100218633
    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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi ICHIDA, Takumi ONOGI, Kazuhiro FUJII, Masahiko FUKUDA, Haruyuki TAKEBAYASHI, Ryuichiro TAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: RE43562
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus is provided for a bicycle having a plurality of front sprockets and a plurality of rear sprockets, wherein a front derailleur shifts a chain among the plurality of front sprockets and a rear derailleur shifts the chain among the plurality of rear sprockets. The apparatus comprises a shift unit that provides signals for shifting the front derailleur and the rear derailleur; and a prohibiting unit operatively coupled to the shift unit and providing signals so that the chain is prohibited from engaging at least one of i) a laterally innermost front sprocket in combination with a laterally outermost rear sprocket, and ii) a laterally outermost front sprocket in combination with a laterally innermost rear sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Tadashi Ichida