Patents by Inventor Takashi Niwa

Takashi Niwa 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: 8518632
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electroforming mold, a first photoresist layer is formed on an upper surface of a bottom conductive film of a substrate, and the first photoresist layer is divided into a first soluble portion and a first insoluble portion. A conductive material is thermally deposited on an upper surface of the first photoresist layer within a predetermined temperature range, to thereby form an intermediate conductive film. An intermediate conductive film is patterned. A second photoresist layer is formed on an exposed upper surface of the first photoresist layer after the intermediate conductive film is removed, and on an upper surface of the intermediate conductive film remaining after patterning. The second photoresist layer is divided into a second soluble portion and a second insoluble portion. Next, the first and second photoresist layers are developed, and the first and second soluble portions are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Niwa, Matsuo Kishi, Koichiro Jujo, Hiroyuki Hoshina
  • Patent number: 8491183
    Abstract: A detent escapement for a timepiece capable of decreasing energy loss with respect to a free oscillation of a balance and improving a timekeeping accuracy is provided. In addition, a detent escapement of a timepiece capable of realizing miniaturization and suppressing variations in the accuracy of a finished product due to assembly errors is provided. A one-side actuating spring of a detent 7 is formed so that a maximum stress portion, which is generated at the time of operating due to the contact of an unlocking stone 4 when a balance 5 is return-rotated, is present to be perpendicular to a first straight line L1 which connects the center of the balance staff 9 and a fulcrum 23a of the blade 23, and to be the side opposite to the balance by a second straight line L2 which passes through the fulcrum 23a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Koda, Hiroki Uchiyama, Matsuo Kishi, Miei Sato, Takashi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20130114389
    Abstract: A near-field optical head which can be manufactured using a silicon process and illuminate and detect sufficient light from a very small aperture at all times in a state of stably proximate to a media. The near-field optical head (3000) is structured by a very small aperture (3008) formed at an apex of a taper, a light introducing part (3002) for propagating light in a direction generally parallel with a media, and a light reflection layer (3001) for reflecting the light propagated through the light introducing part (3002) toward the very small aperture (3008). Furthermore, a focusing function is structurally provided for illuminating the light focused on the very small aperture (3008).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Kenji KATO, Takashi NIWA, Susumu ICHIHARA, Norio CHIBA, Manabu OUMI, Nobuyuki KASAMA, Yasuyuki MITSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20130070571
    Abstract: A detent escapement 100 of the present invention includes an escape wheel and pinion 110, a balance 120 having an impulse pin 122 and an unlocking jewel 124, and a blade 130 having a locking jewel 132. A straight line which passes through a rotation center of the blade with a rotation center of the balance as a starting point in a state where the balance is positioned at the oscillation center is defined as a rotation reference line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Masayuki Koda, Hiroki Uchiyama, Takashi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20130023192
    Abstract: Condensation is suppressed from developing on a front face of an instrument panel main body. A instrument panel of the present invention is configured including: an instrument panel main body formed with a center air conditioning outlet and a center defroster outlet; a first panel that is joined to the instrument panel main body and is formed with a top side wall section that configures the vehicle top-bottom direction top side of a center air conditioning duct and a first wall section that configures part of a center defroster duct; and a second panel that is joined to the instrument panel main body and is formed with a bottom side wall section that configures the center air conditioning duct in combination with the top side wall section and a second wall section that configures the center defroster duct in combination with the first wall section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Takashi Niwa, Yasunobu Yamazaki, Totu Kondo
  • Publication number: 20120325374
    Abstract: To provide a decorative component, a timepiece, and a manufacturing method of the timepiece capable of improving workability for color development and of enhancing decorativeness. A surface of an oscillating weight 160 develops a color by forming anode oxide films 22a and 22b on the surface of the oscillating weight body 164 which is formed using titanium or a titanium alloy, and on the surface of the oscillating weight body 164, of the portions at which the anode oxide films 22a and 22b are formed, a nitridization treatment layer 21 is formed at the portion at which the anode oxide film 22a is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Takuya MURAZUMI, Akiko Araki, Takashi Niwa, Matsuo Kishi
  • Publication number: 20120300596
    Abstract: In a detent escapement 100, a blade 130 includes a plurality of blade components that includes a one side actuating spring 140 which includes a portion capable of contacting the unlocking stone 124, and a one side actuating spring support arm 133 which determines a position of an unlocking stone contact portion 140G which is positioned in a tip of the one side actuating spring 140. At least two of the blade components are formed of the same material as each other, and each thickness is the same as each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Masayuki Koda, Takashi Niwa
  • Patent number: 8320228
    Abstract: A near-field optical head has a planar substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, and an inverted pyramidal hole extending through the first and second surfaces. The inverted pyramidal hole has at least one fine aperture formed at an apex thereof and disposed in the first surface and having at least one curved slant surface. An optical waveguide extends into the inverted pyramidal hole of the planar substrate for propagating light along an optical path. A mirror is disposed in the optical waveguide for bending in the direction of the fine aperture the optical path of the light propagated through the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kato, Takashi Niwa, Susumu Ichihara, Norio Chiba, Manabu Oumi, Nobuyuki Kasama, Yasuyuki Mitsuoka
  • Patent number: 8289819
    Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus has a medium with a linear tracking mark extending in a scanning direction and a linear data mark extending in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. A light control unit irradiates the data mark with a first near-field light polarized in the scanning direction and irradiates the tracking mark with a second near-field light polarized in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. A detector detects light scattered by the data mark and the tracking mark irradiated with the first near-field light and the second near-field light, respectively. A signal processing unit processes a first output signal from the detector corresponding to the detected light scattered by the data mark and processes a second output signal from the detector corresponding to the detected light scattered by the tracking mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Manabu Oumi, Yasuyuki Mitsuoka, Norio Chiba, Nobuyuki Kasama, Kenji Kato, Takashi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20120231071
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed which have as a component thereof an inhibitor of the enzymatic production of 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG) from fructoselysine and/or an inactivator of 3DG, and which are useful for the treatment or prophylaxis of a condition or disease state that is alleviated by inhibiting such 3DG production. Methods of using such compositions, e.g., for improving the appearance, texture and/or elasticity of aging skin, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Annette Tobia, Marcy Alice, Bangying Su, Takashi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20120218870
    Abstract: A detent escapement 100 includes an escape wheel 110, a balance 120 which has an impulse pallet 122 and an unlocking stone 124, and a blade 130 which has a locking stone 132. A one side actuating spring 140 which can contact the unlocking stone 124 is provided in the blade 130. When a working reference line 129, which is a line connecting the rotation center of the balance 120 and the rotation center of the blade 130, is set to a reference, the one side actuating spring 140 is disposed at an angle so that a distance of the tip of the one side actuating spring from the working reference line is increased as the tip is separated from the rotation center of the balance 120 in a side opposite to the side at which the escape wheel 110 is present. The one side actuating spring 140 is disposed between the locking stone support arm 131 and the one side actuating spring support arm 133.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Masayuki Koda, Takashi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20120152748
    Abstract: A part, a timepiece, and a manufacturing method of the part capable of avoiding the limitations on the member which is used, expanding variation in the design, being easily manufactured, and improving the aesthetic appearance are provided. In an oscillating weight in which a body of the oscillating weight to which anodizing can be applied and a conductive weight are fixed to each other, an insulating layer is interposed between the body of the oscillating weight and the weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Akiko Araki, Takuya Murazumi, Takashi Niwa, Matsuo Kishi
  • Publication number: 20120155229
    Abstract: A decorative part, a timepiece, and a manufacturing method of the decorative part capable of stabilizing and improving the aesthetic appearance while using a fixing member are provided. In an oscillating weight which includes a body of an oscillating weight and screws for fixing the body of the oscillating weight to a weight, the body of the oscillating weight and the screws are a member to which an anodizing can be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Akiko Araki, Takashi Niwa, Takuya Murazumi, Matsuo Kishi
  • Publication number: 20120155228
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a timepiece part which has small variation in hardness and a metallic luster is provided. Configuration includes a heat treatment process that heat-treats a timepiece part and coarsens a plurality of crystals of titanium or the like, a shape processing process that processes the shape of the timepiece part, an etching process that etches titanium or the like, mirror-finishes the surfaces of each crystal, and makes the normal directions of the surfaces of each crystal to be different from one another, and an anodizing process that performs anodizing on the surface of the timepiece part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Takuya Murazumi, Akiko Araki, Takashi Niwa, Matsuo Kishi
  • Publication number: 20120063274
    Abstract: A detent escapement for a timepiece has an escape wheel and a balance that freely oscillates about a balance staff and includes an impulse jewel that contacts a wheel tooth of the escape wheel and an unlocking stone. A blade includes a locking stone that contacts the wheel tooth of the escape wheel and is supported so as to be capable of approaching to and separating from the escape wheel. A one-side actuating spring contacts the unlocking stone and is elastically deformed along the approaching and separating direction with respect to the blade. The blade is constituted of a blade main body and a blade adjustment portion that is separated from the blade main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroki Uchiyama, Matsuo Kishi, Takashi Niwa, Masayuki Koda, Miei Sato
  • Publication number: 20120063273
    Abstract: A detent escapement for a timepiece capable of decreasing energy loss with respect to a free oscillation of a balance and improving a timekeeping accuracy is provided. In addition, a detent escapement of a timepiece capable of realizing miniaturization and suppressing variations in the accuracy of a finished product due to assembly errors is provided. A one-side actuating spring of a detent 7 is formed so that a maximum stress portion, which is generated at the time of operating due to the contact of an unlocking stone 4 when a balance 5 is return-rotated, is present to be perpendicular to a first straight line L1 which connects the center of the balance staff 9 and a fulcrum 23a of the blade 23, and to be the side opposite to the balance by a second straight line L2 which passes through the fulcrum 23a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Masayuki Koda, Hiroki Uchiyama, Matsuo Kishi, Miei Sato, Takashi Niwa
  • Patent number: 8021534
    Abstract: To provide an electroforming mold for manufacturing a multi-step structure minute component and a method for manufacturing the same, for which height control is possible and manufacturing process does not become complicated. On the upper face of a film of an electroconductive layer 2 formed on the upper face of a substrate 1, a resist 3 is formed in which a first soluble portion 3b and a first insoluble portion 3a are formed. Next, a light-absorbing body 10 is formed on the upper face of the resist, exposure and development are carried out, in addition a film of an electroconductive layer 2 is formed on the upper face thereof, and a light-absorbing body 10 and an electroconductive layer 5 on the upper face of the light-absorbing body 10 are removed by liftoff. Further, a resist is formed on the upper face thereof, in which a second soluble portion 6b and a second insoluble portion 6a are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Niwa, Susumu Ichihara, Koichiro Jujo, Hiroyuki Hoshina
  • Publication number: 20110080810
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece bearing, a movement, and a portable timepiece helping to achieve an improvement in terms of time indication accuracy. A timepiece bearing 180 includes: a bearing member 181 provided at at least one end portion 145 of a shaft member 143 rotating around an axis C and regulating movement of the shaft member in axial and radial directions; an elastic member 182 having an force facing in axial direction to the bearing member; and a frame member 166 containing the bearing member, wherein the elastic member is provided so as to establish connection between the bearing member and the frame member; the frame member is supported by and fixed to a support member 167; and the shaft member is rotatable around the axis, with the shaft member and the bearing member being held in contact with each other by the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Masashi Hiraoka, Masahiro Nakajima, Takashi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20110045249
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a sliding component of high wear resistance having a lubricating oil retaining structure and a structure helping to supply a lubricating oil regardless of the contact angle between itself and the mating component. There is provided a precision machinery component having at least three layers stacked together, characterized in that a portion substantially parallel to the stacking direction has a sliding portion coming into contact with another component, and that at least a part of the sliding portion has a recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Miei Sato, Natsuki Miyoshi, Matsuo Kishi, Naoki Amano, Takashi Niwa
  • Patent number: 7887995
    Abstract: An electroforming mold has a first negative type photosensitive material formed on an electroconductive substrate, and a first through-hole extends through the firs photosensitive material to expose the electroconductive substrate. An electroconductive layer formed on an upper face of the first photosensitive material surrounds the first through-hole. A second negative type photosensitive material formed on an upper face of the electroconductive layer has a second through-hole that overlies and exposes both the first through-hole and a peripheral part of the electroconductive layer that surrounds the first through-hole. Because the electroconductive substrate and the electroconductive layer are separated from one another, the first and second through-holes precipitate an electroformed object independently during use of the electroforming mold resulting in a uniform electroformed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Niwa, Susumu Ichihara, Koichiro Jujo, Hiroyuki Hoshina