Patents by Inventor Takafumi Aoki

Takafumi Aoki 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: 20250035754
    Abstract: An information processing system includes: a station; a mobile body able to move with respect to the station; and at least one processor. The station has a first light source and a MEMS mirror driven two-dimensionally, and makes light beam from the first light source be reflected by the MEMS mirror while driving the MEMS mirror to be emitted to a space around the station so as to scan the space two-dimensionally by the light beam. The mobile body has a first photo sensor configured to detect reception of the light beam. At least one of the at least one processor is configured to identify a value of a direction parameter indicating a relative direction of the mobile body with respect to the station, based on a timing at which the first photo sensor detected reception of the light beam during the scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Tatsuya AJIMIZU, Yoshitaka TAMURA, Takafumi AOKI, Yuki FUKUSHIMA, Hiroshi YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 12164709
    Abstract: This information processing system includes: a controller including an operation element, a restriction member, a resistance section using a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes with an applied-magnetic-field intensity and which serves as a resistance corresponding to the viscosity when the position of the operation element is displaced, and a magnetic field generation section to provide the magnetic field; and a circuit capable of controlling the magnetic field generation section. In a first state, a movable area of a position of the operation element is restricted to a basic movable area. In a second state, the magnetic field generation section is controlled so that the viscosity becomes a first viscosity, when the operation element is in a first area, and so that the viscosity becomes a second viscosity when the operation element is in a second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Aoki, Takanori Okamura, Yuki Taniguchi, Hiroki Ikuta, Masaya Takei
  • Publication number: 20240399244
    Abstract: A vibration control system includes: a reception section configured to receive eccentric motor drive data that is included in a program for an application and is for causing vibration of an eccentric motor vibration device; a vibration device for which a resonance frequency is higher than that of the eccentric motor vibration device and whose amplitude and frequency are controllable; and a vibration data generation section configured to generate vibration data for causing vibration of the vibration device based on the received eccentric motor drive data. The vibration data generation section generates the vibration data, which indicates a second waveform having an envelope with a change trend that correlates to a change trend of an envelope of a first waveform indicated by vibration of the eccentric motor vibration device vibrated by the eccentric motor drive data, the second waveform having a higher frequency than the first waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventor: Takafumi AOKI
  • Patent number: 12083420
    Abstract: A vibration control system includes: a reception section configured to receive eccentric motor drive data that is included in a program for an application and is for causing vibration of an eccentric motor vibration device; a vibration device for which a resonance frequency is higher than that of the eccentric motor vibration device and whose amplitude and frequency are controllable; and a vibration data generation section configured to generate vibration data for causing vibration of the vibration device based on the received eccentric motor drive data. The vibration data generation section generates the vibration data, which indicates a second waveform having an envelope with a change trend that correlates to a change trend of an envelope of a first waveform indicated by vibration of the eccentric motor vibration device vibrated by the eccentric motor drive data, the second waveform having a higher frequency than the first waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takafumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 11921939
    Abstract: This information processing system includes: a controller including an operation element to be displaced from an initial position by user's operation, a restoring force imparting section applying a restoring force for returning the displaced operation element to the initial position, a resistance section using a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes with a magnetic-field intensity and which becomes resistance when the operation element is displaced from/to the initial position, and a magnetic field generation section which provides the magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid; and a circuit capable of controlling the magnetic field generation section. The circuit controls a magnetic-field intensity so that the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid periodically changes at least between a first viscosity state and a second viscosity state in which the viscosity is lower than in the first viscosity state so that the operation element returns to the initial position by the restoring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Aoki, Takanori Okamura
  • Publication number: 20230280850
    Abstract: This information processing system includes: a controller including an operation element to be displaced from an initial position by user's operation, a restoring force imparting section applying a restoring force for returning the displaced operation element to the initial position, a resistance section using a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes with a magnetic-field intensity and which becomes resistance when the operation element is displaced from/to the initial position, and a magnetic field generation section which provides the magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid; and a circuit capable of controlling the magnetic field generation section. The circuit controls a magnetic-field intensity so that the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid periodically changes at least between a first viscosity state and a second viscosity state in which the viscosity is lower than in the first viscosity state so that the operation element returns to the initial position by the restoring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Takafumi AOKI, Takanori OKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20230280849
    Abstract: This information processing system includes: a controller including an operation element, a restriction member, a resistance section using a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes with an applied-magnetic-field intensity and which serves as a resistance corresponding to the viscosity when the position of the operation element is displaced, and a magnetic field generation section to provide the magnetic field; and a circuit capable of controlling the magnetic field generation section. In a first state, a movable area of a position of the operation element is restricted to a basic movable area. In a second state, the magnetic field generation section is controlled so that the viscosity becomes a first viscosity, when the operation element is in a first area, and so that the viscosity becomes a second viscosity when the operation element is in a second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Takafumi AOKI, Takanori OKAMURA, Yuki TANIGUCHI, Hiroki IKUTA, Masaya TAKEI
  • Publication number: 20230280848
    Abstract: This information processing system includes: a controller including a stick to be displaced from an initial position by a user's operation, restoring force imparting means applying a restoring force for returning a position of the displaced stick to the initial position, a resistance section using a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes in accordance with an intensity of a magnetic field and which serves as a resistance when the stick is displaced from/to the initial position, and a magnetic field generation section which provides the magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid; and a circuit capable of controlling the magnetic field generation section. The circuit changes the intensity of the magnetic field such that, when a displacement direction of the stick is a direction of approaching the initial position, the viscosity is greater than when the displacement direction is a direction of moving away from the initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Takafumi AOKI, Takanori OKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20230134976
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method capable of intuitively recognizing the three-dimensional shape of an organ by limiting the inspection range to the vicinity of the diagnostic target organ in image diagnosis. Given binary three-dimensional data representing an object in three-dimensional space, the image processing method partitions the object into individual segments with boundaries on narrow parts of the object's shape. A series of organs with no numerical differences in the boundaries on the image data can be segmented into individual organs at geometrically constricted locations because the connected organs can be identified by their shape. As a result, it is possible to examine a limited area specific to the target organ during image diagnosis, and to perform the examination while viewing the intuitive 3D shape of the organ during image interpretation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Koji Kobayashi, Koichi ITO, Takafumi AOKI
  • Publication number: 20220274014
    Abstract: A vibration control system includes: a reception section configured to receive eccentric motor drive data that is included in a program for an application and is for causing vibration of an eccentric motor vibration device; a vibration device for which a resonance frequency is higher than that of the eccentric motor vibration device and whose amplitude and frequency are controllable; and a vibration data generation section configured to generate vibration data for causing vibration of the vibration device based on the received eccentric motor drive data. The vibration data generation section generates the vibration data, which indicates a second waveform having an envelope with a change trend that correlates to a change trend of an envelope of a first waveform indicated by vibration of the eccentric motor vibration device vibrated by the eccentric motor drive data, the second waveform having a higher frequency than the first waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventor: Takafumi AOKI
  • Patent number: 11247533
    Abstract: A heating temperature is appropriately estimated according to an operation mode to achieve comfortable vehicle interior air conditioning. A vehicular air conditioning device 1 includes a compressor 2, an air flow passage 3, a radiator 4 for heating air to be supplied to a vehicle interior, a heat absorber 9 for cooling the air to be supplied to the vehicle interior, and a heat pump controller. The heat pump controller calculates a heating temperature TH being the temperature of air on a leeward side of the radiator and use the heating temperature in control, and calculates the heating temperature TH using an estimation formula which differs depending on the operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sanden Automotive Climate Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Aoki, Ryo Miyakoshi, Kouhei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11135508
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system includes a vibrator. The information processing system is configured to store a frequency model function representing a model of vibration frequency transition, wherein the frequency model function includes, as variables thereof, a frequency variable representing a frequency for a period in the model and a period variable for that period. The information processing system is configured to determine a value of the frequency variable and a value of the period variable. The information processing system is configured to generate vibration information representing a vibration pattern that is defined by a frequency transition obtained by applying the value of the frequency variable and the value of the period variable to the frequency model function. The information processing system is configured to control vibration of the vibrator based on the vibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Aoki, Fumisato Naruse, Hiroki Hamaue
  • Patent number: 10983490
    Abstract: Vibration instruction data transmitted from another apparatus is received, data related to the vibration instruction data is stored in a memory, and a vibration apparatus is vibrated using the data stored in the memory. On the other hand, vibration state data indicating a vibration state of the vibration apparatus is generated, and the vibration state data is transmitted to the other apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Yamashita, Takafumi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20210060421
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system includes a vibrator. The information processing system is configured to store a frequency model function representing a model of vibration frequency transition, wherein the frequency model function includes, as variables thereof, a frequency variable representing a frequency for a period in the model and a period variable for that period. The information processing system is configured to determine a value of the frequency variable and a value of the period variable. The information processing system is configured to generate vibration information representing a vibration pattern that is defined by a frequency transition obtained by applying the value of the frequency variable and the value of the period variable to the frequency model function. The information processing system is configured to control vibration of the vibrator based on the vibration information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Takafumi AOKI, Fumisato NARUSE, Hiroki HAMAUE
  • Patent number: 10912994
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game apparatus functions as a vibration control apparatus. When vibration data are simultaneously input from a plurality of programs during execution of the plurality of programs, the game apparatus drives a vibration motor incorporated in the game apparatus by preferentially using the vibration data from the program that is granted with a vibration control right. The vibration control right is authority of performing vibration control preferentially, and is basically granted to a program corresponding to an image being displayed forefront; however, when a plurality of images are displayed, the vibration control right is granted to a program having authority of acquiring an input from an input device (controller).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Yamashita, Takafumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 10796540
    Abstract: A sound source localization position indicating a position where a sound source is localized is set, and a sound signal for localizing the sound source at the set sound source localization position is generated and output. Then, a vibration signal for, in conjunction with the sound source localization position, vibrating a vibrator for imparting a vibration to a user is generated and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Obana, Takafumi Aoki, Kochi Kawai, Junichiro Miyatake, Kei Yamashita, Shoji Masubuchi, Masahiko Inami, Kouta Minamizawa
  • Publication number: 20200180401
    Abstract: A heating temperature is appropriately estimated according to an operation mode to achieve comfortable vehicle interior air conditioning. A vehicular air conditioning device 1 includes a compressor 2, an air flow passage 3, a radiator 4 for heating air to be supplied to a vehicle interior, a heat absorber 9 for cooling the air to be supplied to the vehicle interior, and a heat pump controller. The heat pump controller calculates a heating temperature TH being the temperature of air on a leeward side of the radiator and use the heating temperature in control, and calculates the heating temperature TH using an estimation formula which differs depending on the operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Takafumi AOKI, Ryo MIYAKOSHI, Kouhei YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 10639546
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game apparatus comprises a main body apparatus functions as a vibration control apparatus and a first controller and a second controller that are attachable to or detachable from the main body apparatus. For example, the game apparatus is used in a first mode that two controller are attached to the main body apparatus, a second mode that the two controllers are detached from the main body apparatus and used independently, a third mode that the two controllers are detached from the main body apparatus and used with being connected integrally to each other, or a fourth mode that a third controller different from the two controllers is used. A vibration source and a reception portion of the vibration are set in a virtual space, and vibration generated from the vibration source is conveyed to the reception portion with being attenuated according to a situation in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Yamashita, Takafumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 10603582
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game apparatus includes a main body apparatus that functions as a vibration control apparatus and a first controller and a second controller attachable to or detachable from the main body apparatus. For example, the game apparatus can be used in one of a first mode that two controllers are attached to the main body apparatus, a second mode that the two controllers are individually used in a separated state from the main body apparatus, a third mode that the two controllers are used in a state where the two controllers are detached from the main body apparatus and connected integrally to each other, and a fourth mode that a third controller that is different from the two controllers is used. For example, the same type of vibration motor is used for each controller, and a CPU incorporated in the main body apparatus controls a vibration waveform according to the usage mode of the game apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Yamashita, Takafumi Aoki, Yoshitaka Tamura
  • Patent number: 10556176
    Abstract: A vibration control system includes a first vibration command generation module that generates first vibration data representing a first time waveform, a second vibration command generation module that generates second vibration data representing a second time waveform, a selection module that selects, when the first vibration data generated by the first vibration command generation module and the second vibration data generated by the second vibration command generation module are input, vibration data representing a time waveform greater in amplitude every prescribed period based on an amplitude of the first time waveform represented by the first vibration data and an amplitude of the second time waveform represented by the second vibration data, and a vibration control module that causes a terminal to vibrate based on the vibration data selected by the selection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Aoki, Kei Yamashita