Patents by Inventor Takefumi Inoue
Takefumi Inoue 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: 10620723Abstract: An input device includes a housing, an operation unit, a vibrating body, a piezoelectric element, a picker, and a signal processing unit. The operation unit is movable relative to the housing. The vibrating body has elasticity. The vibrating body includes a first end partially fixed to the housing, and a second end provided so as to be vibratable. The piezoelectric element is provided to the vibrating body. The piezoelectric element is configured to convert vibration energy of the vibrating body into electrical energy as the vibrating body vibrates. The picker flicks the vibrating body to allow the vibrating body to vibrate in conjunction with the operation unit. The signal processing unit is configured to receive power generated by the piezoelectric element to operate and transmit, through wireless communications, detection information to be generated as the operation unit moves.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiro Konishi, Hidenori Katsumura, Masahisa Niwa, Takefumi Inoue, Hideki Takahashi, Masaki Sawada
-
Publication number: 20200084299Abstract: The control system includes a transmitter, and a receiver system. The transmitter includes a manual operation unit and is configured to, when the manual operation unit is operated, cause self-power generation to send an operation signal via wireless communication. The receiver system is configured to, when receiving the operation signal via wireless communication, control a plurality of target devices associated with the operation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Yushi NAKAMURA, Masato HANASHIMA, Takefumi INOUE
-
Publication number: 20190113985Abstract: An input device includes a housing, an operation unit, an attaching portion, a photovoltaic unit, and a signal processor. The operation unit is movable relative to the housing. The attaching portion is used for attaching the housing. The photovoltaic unit is held by the housing, and generates electric power with use of light incident from a side where the attaching portion is disposed in the housing. The signal processor operates by receiving the electric power generated by the photovoltaic unit, and transmits detection information generated in response to movement of the operation unit via wireless communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: MASAKI SAWADA, MASAHISA NIWA, TAKEFUMI INOUE, HIDEKI TAKAHASHI, TOSHIHIRO KONISHI
-
Publication number: 20190025944Abstract: An input device includes a housing, an operation unit, a vibrating body, a piezoelectric element, a picker, and a signal processing unit. The operation unit is movable relative to the housing. The vibrating body has elasticity. The vibrating body includes a first end partially fixed to the housing, and a second end provided so as to be vibratable. The piezoelectric element is provided to the vibrating body. The piezoelectric element is configured to convert vibration energy of the vibrating body into electrical energy as the vibrating body vibrates. The picker flicks the vibrating body to allow the vibrating body to vibrate in conjunction with the operation unit. The signal processing unit is configured to receive power generated by the piezoelectric element to operate and transmit, through wireless communications, detection information to be generated as the operation unit moves.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Toshihiro KONISHI, Hidenori KATSUMURA, Masahisa NIWA, Takefumi INOUE, Hideki TAKAHASHI, Masaki SAWADA
-
Publication number: 20180373351Abstract: An input device of the present disclosure has a stationary part, an operation input part that is provided above the stationary part, and is movable with respect to the stationary part, a detector configured to detect information regarding operation of the operation input part, and an attachment part provided in the stationary part so as to project downward from a second surface of the stationary part. The attachment part has a holder and a coupler configured to couple to the stationary part. A holding force maintaining a state where the holder is attached to an object is smaller than a coupling force between the coupler and the stationary part. When a force is applied to the holder from above, the holding force of the holder allows the holder to be fixed to the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Masaki SAWADA, Masahisa NIWA, Takefumi INOUE, Hideki TAKAHASHI, Toshihiro KONISHI
-
Patent number: 8339368Abstract: An input device includes an input section formed of a display sheet and a coordinate input sheet, and a switch section allowing a push-input and placed on a substrate at a place corresponding to a display section of the display sheet. A foamed layer containing air and working as an insulating resin layer is placed between the input section and the substrate. The input section is supported via the foamed layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takefumi Inoue, Naoki Tatehata
-
Patent number: 8232491Abstract: A movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in an approximate dome shape is attached to the lower surface of a transparent base sheet, and the base sheet is provided at the upper or the lower surface with a fluorescent layer in the location above the movable contact point. Since, in the make-up, light can be made available for illumination in many colors other than that generated from a light emitting device, a movable contact element, as well as a switch formed using the contact element, that offers various illuminating modes can be implemented in a simple structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue, Koji Tanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa
-
Patent number: 7944631Abstract: A lens actuator has a carrier, a cover, a first spring, a second spring, a coil, and a magnet. The carrier with a cylindrical shape is provided with a hollow section formed along a first direction, and has a holding section formed on one side of the first direction. The hollow section has a shape configured to mount a lens barrel therein. The cover, which is disposed on the side having the holding section of the carrier, has a supporting section that meets with the holding section of the carrier. The first spring and the second spring make a resilient contact with each of both surfaces in the first direction of the carrier. The coil is circumferentially disposed on the carrier so as to face the magnet. Of the coil and the magnet, one is mounted on the carrier and the other is disposed on the outer or the inner periphery of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norifumi Sata, Shinsuke Kimoto, Takefumi Inoue, Takuo Osaki
-
Patent number: 7773745Abstract: An opening mechanism has a guide mechanism which holds the movable body in such a manner as to be slidable in the predetermined direction with respect to the planar solid body. This structure allows the solid body, the movable body and the guide bodies to be made of planar materials such as a steel plate, thereby enabling the opening mechanism to have a thinner profile. In addition, these components can be produced by a comparatively simple process such as press working, making it possible to provide a less expensive opening mechanism. A thin electronic device using this opening mechanism is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takefumi Inoue, Koji Sakai
-
Patent number: 7751134Abstract: A lens actuator is provided for moving a movable part including a lens, with respect to a fixed part in the optical axis direction of the lens. The lens actuator includes (a) a magnet disposed on the surface of the movable part facing the fixed part and magnetized in the optical axis direction, (b) a coil disposed on the surface of the fixed part facing the magnet, and (c) a pair of magnetic materials disposed on both sides of the magnet in the optical axis direction, to direct magnetic flux from the magnet toward the coil.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norifumi Sata, Takefumi Inoue, Shinsuke Kimoto, Masaya Watada
-
Patent number: 7718910Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a movable contact having a dome shape, a base sheet contacting an upper surface of the movable contact, a columnar portion provided on an upper surface of the base sheet, and a light guide sheet provided on an upper surface of the columnar portion. The light guide sheet has a light-receiving surface for introducing light into the light guide sheet, and allows the introduced light to be emitted from an upper surface of the light guide sheet. The base sheet includes a dome portion having a concave lower surface, and a flat portion connected with an outer edge of the dome portion. The columnar portion is positioned on the upper surface of the dome portion away from the outer edge of the dome portion of the base sheet. This movable contact assembly provides a switch illuminating its upper surface and being activated easily with a preferable feeling.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20100007973Abstract: A lens actuator has a carrier, a cover, a first spring, a second spring, a coil, and a magnet. The carrier with a cylindrical shape is provided with a hollow section formed along a first direction, and has a holding section formed on one side of the first direction. The hollow section has a shape configured to mount a lens barrel therein. The cover, which is disposed on the side having the holding section of the carrier, has a supporting section that meets with the holding section of the carrier. The first spring and the second spring make a resilient contact with each of both surfaces in the first direction of the carrier. The coil is circumferentially disposed on the carrier so as to face the magnet. Of the coil and the magnet, one is mounted on the carrier and the other is disposed on the outer or the inner periphery of the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norifumi SATA, Shinsuke Kimoto, Takefumi Inoue, Takuo Osaki
-
Patent number: 7619173Abstract: The disclosed relates to a light-guide-sheet used in operation panel of a various electronic equipment, and a movable-contact-unit and a switch using the same, which have a simplified structure free from uneven illumination and a cheap cost price. Therefore, the light-guide-sheet is provided with the light-guide-member including an inlet, a generally strip-shaped guide-path coupled with the inlet, and generally circularly and irregularly shaped light-emitters coupled with the guide-path, each formed from a polymer having an index of refraction different from that of base-film and formed in grooves provided on a base-film.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Takefumi Inoue
-
Patent number: 7522155Abstract: A trackball device including (i) a sphere, (ii) a support for rotatably supporting the sphere, (iii) a rotation detector for detecting rotation of the sphere, and (iv) a controller. The controller generates a specific output signal responsive to a signal from the rotation detector. The trackball device further includes an informer for generating auxiliary information that gives feedback of the situation to an operator according to how the sphere rotates. This structure can provide a trackball device having excellent user-friendliness. Because this trackball device gives feedback of the position of a pointer on a display to the operator, the operator doesn't have to look at the display. Thus, this trackball device is especially preferred for incorporation into a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takatoshi Ono, Takefumi Inoue
-
Patent number: 7511597Abstract: The main body of the actuator structure is generally formed into a “pitchfork”shape. The middle bar of the pitchfork forms a Y-bend at its forward end. The Y-bend is disposed so that each tip of the bend is adjacent to the outer bar on each side of the pitchfork. At least a coil is fixed on each bar of the main body. The forward ends of the Y-bend abut against a movable member. In the structure above, applying a current to a coil generates minute movements in each tip of the Y-bend, thereby moving the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norifumi Sata, Takefumi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20080314722Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a movable contact having a dome shape, a base sheet contacting an upper surface of the movable contact, a columnar portion provided on an upper surface of the base sheet, and a light guide sheet provided on an upper surface of the columnar portion. The light guide sheet has a light-receiving surface for introducing light into the light guide sheet, and allows the introduced light to be emitted from an upper surface of the light guide sheet. The base sheet includes a dome portion having a concave lower surface, and a flat portion connected with an outer edge of the dome portion. The columnar portion is positioned on the upper surface of the dome portion away from the outer edge of the dome portion of the base sheet. This movable contact assembly provides a switch illuminating its upper surface and being activated easily with a preferable feeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20080302642Abstract: A movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in an approximate dome shape is attached to the lower surface of a transparent base sheet, and the base sheet is provided at the upper or the lower surface with a fluorescent layer in the location above the movable contact point. Since, in the make-up, light can be made available for illumination in many colors other than that generated from a light emitting device, a movable contact element, as well as a switch formed using the contact element, that offers various illuminating modes can be implemented in a simple structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue, Koji Tanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa
-
Patent number: 7457061Abstract: A lens actuator includes a carrier having a tubular shape having a through-hole provided therein. The through-hole is arranged to mount a lens therein. The lens actuator further includes plural springs contacting upper and lower surfaces of the carrier, a coil fixed to the carrier, a first yoke, a second yoke, and a magnet contacting the first yoke and the second yoke. The coil is placed between the first yoke and the second yoke. This lens actuator moves the lens by a long distance, and has a small size.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norifumi Sata, Shinsuke Kimoto, Takefumi Inoue, Masaya Watada
-
Publication number: 20080198625Abstract: The disclosed relates to a light-guide-sheet used in operation panel of a various electronic equipment, and a movable-contact-unit and a switch using the same, which have a simplified structure free from uneven illumination and a cheap cost price. Therefore, the light-guide-sheet is provided with the light-guide-member including an inlet, a generally strip-shaped guide-path coupled with the inlet, and generally circularly and irregularly shaped light-emitters coupled with the guide-path, each formed from a polymer having an index of refraction different from that of base-film and formed in grooves provided on a base-film.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Takefumi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20080180820Abstract: A lens actuator is provided for moving a movable part including a lens, with respect to a fixed part in the optical axis direction of the lens. The lens actuator includes (a) a magnet disposed on the surface of the movable part facing the fixed part and magnetized in the optical axis direction, (b) a coil disposed on the surface of the fixed part facing the magnet, and (c) a pair of magnetic materials disposed on both sides of the magnet in the optical axis direction, to direct magnetic flux from the magnet toward the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Norifumi Sata, Takefumi Inoue, Shinsuke Kimoto, Masaya Watada