Patents by Inventor Takashi Kihara
Takashi Kihara 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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Patent number: 11930712Abstract: A housing includes a side wall that includes a button region that receives a pressing operation and a bottom wall that cooperates with the side wall to define a cavity. The bottom wall has first and second regions in which the first region is more easily displaced in response to the pressing operation than the second region. A press sensor is disposed on the bottom wall in the cavity and extends across portions of the first and second regions. A slit is located in the bottom wall between the side wall and the second region and causes the first region to be more easily displaced in response to the pressing operation than the second region.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Kihara
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Patent number: 11847289Abstract: A pressing sensor is provided that generates an output voltage of a first polarity by deforming with an operation plate when a part of a user's body touches the operation plate, and generates the output voltage of a second polarity by deforming with the operation plate when the part of the user's body is moved away from the operation plate. Moreover, a calculation unit calculates an electrical parameter integral value by time-integrating an electrical parameter that changes with the output voltage generated by the pressing sensor. The electrical parameter has a third polarity when the output voltage has the first polarity and has a fourth polarity when the output voltage has the second polarity. The calculation unit calculates a subtraction electrical parameter integral value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value having the third polarity per unit time from the electrical parameter integral value.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Takashi Kihara, Hidekazu Kano, Yuuki Tachibana
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Patent number: 11747222Abstract: A method for manufacturing a deformation detection sensor that includes: preparing a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers, at least one of which has a main surface on which a conductive member is formed; laminating the plurality of thermoplastic resin layers; after lamination, integrally forming the plurality of thermoplastic resin layers by hot pressing to obtain a laminated body configured so that a transmission line is formed from a first portion of the conductive member and the laminated body; and attaching a piezoelectric film to the laminated body so that a piezoelectric element is formed from a second portion of the conductive member, the laminated body, and the piezoelectric film.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kihara, Jun Endo, Masamichi Ando
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Publication number: 20230128599Abstract: A method for manufacturing a deformation detection sensor that includes: preparing a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers, at least one of which has a main surface on which a conductive member is formed; laminating the plurality of thermoplastic resin layers; after lamination, integrally forming the plurality of thermoplastic resin layers by hot pressing to obtain a laminated body configured so that a transmission line is formed from a first portion of the conductive member and the laminated body; and attaching a piezoelectric film to the laminated body so that a piezoelectric element is formed from a second portion of the conductive member, the laminated body, and the piezoelectric film.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Takashi KIHARA, Jun ENDO, Masamichi ANDO
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Patent number: 11566953Abstract: A deformation detection sensor that includes a conductive member, a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers, and a piezoelectric film. At least one of the thermoplastic resin layers has a main surface, and the conductive member is formed on the main surface thereof. The plurality of thermoplastic resin layers are laminated and integrally formed by hot pressing into a laminated body. A transmission line is formed form a first portion of the conductive member and the thermoplastic resin in the laminated body. The piezoelectric film is attached to the laminated body to form a piezoelectric element made of a second portion of the conductive member, the thermoplastic resin in the laminated body, and the piezoelectric film.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kihara, Jun Endo, Masamichi Ando
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Patent number: 11556177Abstract: A vibration device that includes a vibration unit that has a vibrator which vibrates in a plane direction; and a sensor arranged on at least a portion of the vibration unit around the vibrator in a plan view of the vibration unit, and the sensor is constructed to detect a pressing operation in a direction normal to a pressing surface of the vibration device.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Tominaga, Takashi Kihara, Hidekazu Kano, Jun Endo
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Publication number: 20220365630Abstract: A pressing sensor is provided that generates an output voltage of a first polarity by deforming with an operation plate when a part of a user's body touches the operation plate, and generates the output voltage of a second polarity by deforming with the operation plate when the part of the user's body is moved away from the operation plate. Moreover, a calculation unit calculates an electrical parameter integral value by time-integrating an electrical parameter that changes with the output voltage generated by the pressing sensor. The electrical parameter has a third polarity when the output voltage has the first polarity and has a fourth polarity when the output voltage has the second polarity. The calculation unit calculates a subtraction electrical parameter integral value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value having the third polarity per unit time from the electrical parameter integral value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Masamichi ANDO, Takashi KIHARA, Hidekazu KANO, Yuuki TACHIBANA
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Patent number: 11445093Abstract: A window camera includes: an image capturing unit, a housing, and a light-shielding member. The image capturing unit is configured to capture an image of outdoors from an indoor surface of a window. The housing includes an attachment surface having a rectangular shape and facing in parallel with the indoor surface. In the housing, the image capturing unit is provided to be recessed in the attachment surface such that an optical axis of the image capturing unit is aligned with an intersection of a pair of diagonal lines of the attachment surface. The light-shielding member protrudes from the attachment surface toward the indoor surface and has a rectangular frame shape along an outer shape of the attachment surface. The light-shielding member is formed of an elastic material and elastically deformable by pressing from the housing to close a gap between the indoor surface and the attachment surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryota Takeshige, Jumpei Hironaka, Junichi Matsuda, Yasuhiro Nomiyama, Takashi Kihara, Yuki Kitahara
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Patent number: 11417165Abstract: A vending machine interface includes a front panel, a product selection panel, and a piezoelectric element. The front panel bends in a normal direction when being pushed by a user. The product selection panel is disposed facing the front panel. A detection element is attached to the product selection panel and configured to detect bending of the front panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Kihara
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Patent number: 11409188Abstract: A camera fixed by suction to a transparent member and configured to capture an image through the transparent member includes: a planar portion having an opening; an auxiliary member attached to a surface of the planar portion and including a hole formed therein, the hole communicating with the opening of the planar portion, the auxiliary member having a plate shape and being brought into contact with the transparent member; and a suction portion causing the auxiliary member to be attached by suction to the transparent member by forming a negative pressure in the opening of the planar portion, in which the auxiliary member is softer than a material of the planar portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Junichi Matsuda, Jumpei Hironaka, Takashi Kihara, Yasuhiro Nomiyama, Ryota Takeshige
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Patent number: 11243632Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a first region for receiving a pressing operation and a second region located outside of the first region. A piezoelectric element outputs a stronger potential when a pressing operation is applied to the first region than when the pressing operation is applied to the second region.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Shozo Otera, Takashi Kihara, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20210364893Abstract: A camera fixed by suction to a transparent member and configured to capture an image through the transparent member includes: a planar portion having an opening; an auxiliary member attached to a surface of the planar portion and including a hole formed therein, the hole communicating with the opening of the planar portion, the auxiliary member having a plate shape and being brought into contact with the transparent member; and a suction portion causing the auxiliary member to be attached by suction to the transparent member by forming a negative pressure in the opening of the planar portion, in which the auxiliary member is softer than a material of the planar portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi MATSUDA, Jumpei HIRONAKA, Takashi KIHARA, Yasuhiro NOMIYAMA, Ryota TAKESHIGE
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Patent number: 11128299Abstract: A monitoring system for determining whether an object is touched by a living body includes a receiver and a piezoelectric sensor attached to a substrate such that when the substrate is attached to the object. The piezoelectric sensor generates an output signal as a function of whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and the object. A processor processes the output signal to determine whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and the object and outputs a contact information signal containing information indicative of whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and object based on the determination. A transmitter transmits the contact information signal to the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenichi Mori, Takashi Kihara, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Fumiya Isono
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Publication number: 20210240272Abstract: A vibration device that includes a vibration unit that has a vibrator which vibrates in a plane direction; and a sensor arranged on at least a portion of the vibration unit around the vibrator in a plan view of the vibration unit, and the sensor is constructed to detect a pressing operation in a direction normal to a pressing surface of the vibration device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Toru Tominaga, Takashi Kihara, Hidekazu Kano, Jun Endo
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Publication number: 20210211565Abstract: A window camera includes: an image capturing unit, a housing, and a light-shielding member. The image capturing unit is configured to capture an image of outdoors from an indoor surface of a window. The housing includes an attachment surface having a rectangular shape and facing in parallel with the indoor surface. In the housing, the image capturing unit is provided to be recessed in the attachment surface such that an optical axis of the image capturing unit is aligned with an intersection of a pair of diagonal lines of the attachment surface. The light-shielding member protrudes from the attachment surface toward the indoor surface and has a rectangular frame shape along an outer shape of the attachment surface. The light-shielding member is formed of an elastic material and elastically deformable by pressing from the housing to close a gap between the indoor surface and the attachment surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryota TAKESHIGE, Jumpei HIRONAKA, Junichi MATSUDA, Yasuhiro NOMIYAMA, Takashi KIHARA, Yuki KITAHARA
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Patent number: 11009410Abstract: A pressing sensor is provided that includes a first sensor element that outputs a voltage corresponding to an amount of displacement in shape of a receiving unit that receives a press operation; a press operation determining unit that determines whether the receiving unit is in a state of receiving a press operation; and a setting unit that, after elapse of a first prescribed time from a point of time at which the press operation determining unit determines that the receiving unit has received a press operation, sets an absolute value of a threshold that is smaller than an absolute value of the threshold before elapse of the first prescribed time, the absolute value of the threshold representing a difference from a ground voltage value for determining whether the receiving unit has ended reception of the press operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Fumiya Isono, Takashi Kihara, Hideki Kawamura
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Publication number: 20200335688Abstract: A housing includes a side wall that includes a button region that receives a pressing operation and a bottom wall that cooperates with the side wall to define a cavity. The bottom wall has first and second regions in which the first region is more easily displaced in response to the pressing operation than the second region. A press sensor is disposed on the bottom wall in the cavity and extends across portions of the first and second regions. A slit is located in the bottom wall between the side wall and the second region and causes the first region to be more easily displaced in response to the pressing operation than the second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventor: Takashi Kihara
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Patent number: 10809857Abstract: A display device includes a housing, an operation plate, an electrostatic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a controller, a storage unit, a display, and a communication unit. When an output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor indicates a first voltage value (Vth1) or larger, the controller determines that the piezoelectric sensor has detected a change in a first pressing force and performs first processing. When an output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor indicates a second voltage value (Vth2) or larger, the controller determines that the piezoelectric sensor has detected a change in a second pressing force. When the piezoelectric sensor detects the change in the second pressing force and the electrostatic sensor continuously detects a touch during a period from the detection of the first pressing force to the detection of the second pressing force, the controller executes second processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kihara, Hideki Kawamura
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Patent number: 10756252Abstract: An electronic device that includes a housing and a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor is disposed in contact with an inner wall surface of the housing while in a bent state. The piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric film, a coverlay, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a substrate having flexibility. The first electrode is disposed on a surface of the substrate. The first electrode includes a wide part and a narrow part. The coverlay covers a boundary between the wide part and the narrow part. The piezoelectric film covers a boundary between a part of the first electrode which is covered with the coverlay and a part of the first electrode which is not covered with the coverlay.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kihara, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Jun Endo
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Patent number: 10649573Abstract: The pressing operation detector of a display device detects a pressing of a housing via an area other than an area of the display surface. The display device executes a first processing when detecting only the pressing of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Kihara