Patents by Inventor Tetsu Numata

Tetsu Numata 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: 20250073572
    Abstract: A haptic sensor has: a distortion generating body; first distortion sensors for detecting a rotation manipulation; and second distortion sensors for detecting a tilt manipulation. The distortion generating body has: a base in a plate-like shape; a first column disposed on one surface of the base; and a plurality of second columns disposed on a single circumference, the center of which is the first column, on another surface of the base. On the base of the distortion generating body, the first distortion sensors are placed on a circumference shared between the first distortion sensors and the plurality of second columns. On the base of the distortion generating body, the second distortion sensors are placed around the first column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Tetsu NUMATA, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Kunio HOSONO, Masaki OTA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20250076995
    Abstract: An input device includes a strain generation body having an operation shaft, a load sensor configured to detect a load in a horizontal direction applied to the operation shaft, an operation member disposed in an upper portion of the operation shaft, the operation member being configured to be operated in a pressing operation, a switch section configured to detect the pressing operation performed by using the operation member, and a controller configured to output a detection value of the load in the horizontal direction detected by the load sensor and a detection value of the pressing operation detected by the switch section to an external device. The controller is configured not to update the output value of the detection value of the load in the horizontal direction while the pressing operation is being detected by the switch section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Kunio HOSONO, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Tetsu NUMATA, Sadayuki YAGINUMA
  • Publication number: 20250073573
    Abstract: A controller has: a case; a manipulation unit, in a plate-like shape, disposed in the case so as to be exposed from the case; and a haptic sensor that detects a rotation manipulation for the manipulation unit. The haptic sensor has a distortion generating body fixed to the center of the manipulation unit and also has a distortion sensor disposed on the distortion generating body. The manipulation unit has non-slip portions, which are paired in the left-right direction, in the vicinity of both ends of the upper surface of the manipulation unit in the left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Tetsu NUMATA, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Masaki OTA, Kunio HOSONO, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20240404771
    Abstract: A switch to be attached to a panel having an opening in a surface includes: a stationary member to be attached to the panel; a movable member to be placed at a distance from the panel, the movable member having a manipulation surface separated from the panel in the opening with a gap intervening between the manipulation surface and the panel, the manipulation surface being exposed from the opening; and a vibration element disposed between the stationary member and the movable member, the vibration element vibrating the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Hajime SUZUKI, Hiroshi WAKUDA, Ko OWADA, Tetsu NUMATA, Kunio SATO
  • Patent number: 12125650
    Abstract: A switch to be attached to a panel having an opening in a surface includes: a stationary member to be attached to the panel; a movable member to be placed at a distance from the panel, the movable member having a manipulation surface separated from the panel in the opening with a gap intervening between the manipulation surface and the panel, the manipulation surface being exposed from the opening; and a vibration element disposed between the stationary member and the movable member, the vibration element vibrating the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Suzuki, Hiroshi Wakuda, Ko Owada, Tetsu Numata, Kunio Sato
  • Publication number: 20240274381
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a housing made of an insulating material; an operation lever supported by the housing in a tiltable manner; a tilt detection sensor configured to detect a tilt of the operation lever; and an electrostatic detection circuit configured to detect an electrostatic capacitance formed between an electrostatic detection electrode and a surrounding object, wherein the housing includes a dome-shaped dome portion and an opening provided at a top of the dome portion, the operation lever is inserted through the opening, and the electrostatic detection electrode has an annular portion disposed to surround the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Masaki OTA, Tetsu NUMATA, Masatoshi ONO, Masashi ITO
  • Patent number: 12051552
    Abstract: A switching device includes a switch unit with a contact structure and a first operation shaft. The switching device includes a second flange with a contact portion to be in contact with the first operation shaft, and includes a second operation shaft. The switching device includes a holding member with an engagement portion to be engaged with an upper surface of the second flange. The switching device includes a switch operator in which the holding member is inserted. When a lateral pressing force is applied to the switch operator, a second contact portion between the second flange and the engagement portion serves as a support, and thus the second operation shaft rotates with the support. The first operation shaft rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second operation shaft, so that the contact structure is electrically conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignees: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Gorai, Tetsu Numata, Akihiro Kusaka, Shunsuke Kimura, Reiji Koyama
  • Patent number: 11953929
    Abstract: When an operation knob 10 formed of silicone rubber is pushed laterally, a stem 7 tilts with a contact portion (i) as a fulcrum, a push button portion 6b is pushed, and a contact point in a switch mechanism portion 6a operates to turn on a switch circuit. Even if, by a large operating force F3 being applied, the operation knob 10 is extended and the inner surface portion 15, which is a ceiling surface of an internal space 13 of the operation knob 10, rides on an upper end portion 7c, a reinforcing surface 19 provided on the inner surface portion 15 slides on the upper end portion 7c, and the operation knob 10 returns to the initial shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Gorai, Tetsu Numata, Akihiro Kusaka, Shunsuke Kimura, Reiji Koyama
  • Patent number: 11762472
    Abstract: An input device and an input module are provided that vibrate in a direction along the surface of a cantilevered operation unit. The input device includes a fixed member rotatably supporting a rotation shaft, an operation unit having an end rotatably supported by the rotation shaft and being rotatable relative to the fixed member, and a vibrating element that generates vibration of the operation unit in the axial direction of the rotation shaft in response to a rotation operation performed on the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Hajime Suzuki, Hiroshi Wakuda, Ko Owada, Tetsu Numata, Toshiki Tachioka
  • Publication number: 20220350412
    Abstract: An input device and an input module are provided that vibrate in a direction along the surface of a cantilevered operation unit. The input device includes a fixed member rotatably supporting a rotation shaft, an operation unit having an end rotatably supported by the rotation shaft and being rotatable relative to the fixed member, and a vibrating element that generates vibration of the operation unit in the axial direction of the rotation shaft in response to a rotation operation performed on the operation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hajime SUZUKI, Hiroshi WAKUDA, Ko OWADA, Tetsu NUMATA, Toshiki TACHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20220351924
    Abstract: A switch to be attached to a panel having an opening in a surface includes: a stationary member to be attached to the panel; a movable member to be placed at a distance from the panel, the movable member having a manipulation surface separated from the panel in the opening with a gap intervening between the manipulation surface and the panel, the manipulation surface being exposed from the opening; and a vibration element disposed between the stationary member and the movable member, the vibration element vibrating the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hajime SUZUKI, Hiroshi WAKUDA, Ko OWADA, Tetsu NUMATA, Kunio SATO
  • Publication number: 20220244751
    Abstract: A push button device for an endoscope includes: a connection member having a bottomed tubular shape and provided to a finger placement member, the finger placement member having elasticity and disposed on an exterior member of the endoscope; a first stem that has an upper end portion inserted and fitted into the connection member and that is slidably and swingably disposed; a second stem slidably and swingably provided and configured to move in conjunction with motion of the first stem; an immobile member slidably and swingably holding the first stem and the second stem; and a switch configured to be switched by displacement of the second stem moving in conjunction with the motion of the first stem when the finger placement member is pushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke KIMURA, Reiji KOYAMA, Tetsu NUMATA, Shigeto GORAI, Akihiro KUSAKA
  • Publication number: 20220246374
    Abstract: A switching device includes a switch unit with a contact structure and a first operation shaft. The switching device includes a second flange with a contact portion to be in contact with the first operation shaft, and includes a second operation shaft. The switching device includes a holding member with an engagement portion to be engaged with an upper surface of the second flange. The switching device includes a switch operator in which the holding member is inserted. When a lateral pressing force is applied to the switch operator, a second contact portion between the second flange and the engagement portion serves as a support, and thus the second operation shaft rotates with the support. The first operation shaft rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second operation shaft, so that the contact structure is electrically conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Shigeto GORAI, Tetsu NUMATA, Akihiro KUSAKA, Shunsuke KIMURA, Reiji KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220240755
    Abstract: A push button mechanism for an endoscope includes: a first stem having a first longitudinal direction and having a first end portion connected inside a finger placement member; a second stem having a first end face in contact with a second end portion of the first stem and slidably provided along a second longitudinal direction having a predetermined angle relative to the first longitudinal direction; a switch configured to be switched by the second stem sliding in the second longitudinal direction in contact with the second end portion of the first stem moving in conjunction with the finger placement member; and an immobile member including a space in which the second end portion of the first stem is housed, and the space has a sectional shape similar to the second end portion formed in a deformed shape and prevents rotation of the first stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke KIMURA, Reiji KOYAMA, Tetsu NUMATA, Shigeto GORAI, Akihiro KUSAKA
  • Publication number: 20220236759
    Abstract: When an operation knob 10 formed of silicone rubber is pushed laterally, a stem 7 tilts with a contact portion (i) as a fulcrum, a push button portion 6b is pushed, and a contact point in a switch mechanism portion 6a operates to turn on a switch circuit. Even if, by a large operating force F3 being applied, the operation knob 10 is extended and the inner surface portion 15, which is a ceiling surface of an internal space 13 of the operation knob 10, rides on an upper end portion 7c, a reinforcing surface 19 provided on the inner surface portion 15 slides on the upper end portion 7c, and the operation knob 10 returns to the initial shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Shigeto GORAI, Tetsu NUMATA, Akihiro KUSAKA, Shunsuke KIMURA, Reiji KOYAMA
  • Patent number: 8975542
    Abstract: A switching substrate on which switching portions are mounted is attached at an angle to a case. The length in the pressing direction of a first push button of a push button unit is larger than the length in the pressing direction of a second push button. A first contact portion about which the push button unit rotates when the first push button is pressed and a second contact portion about which the push button unit rotates when the second push button is pressed are at substantially the same height from the surface of the switching substrate. Therefore, the rotation angle when a first operating surface is pressed can be made equal to the rotation angle when a second operating surface is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ko Owada, Tetsu Numata, Shigeto Gorai
  • Patent number: 8115588
    Abstract: A novel game controller is provided. The game controller includes: a lower operation button supported by a rotation shaft so as to be capable of a rotating operation; a resistor arranged on an internal substrate; and a conductive member to be pressed against the resistor by a rotating operation on the lower operation button, the conductive member having elasticity. The resistor outputs an analog signal in accordance with a contact area of the conductive member, thereby realizing an analog input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsu Numata, Koichi Morito
  • Publication number: 20070281787
    Abstract: A novel game controller is provided. The game controller includes: a lower operation button supported by a rotation shaft so as to be capable of a rotating operation; a resistor arranged on an internal substrate; and a conductive member to be pressed against the resistor by a rotating operation on the lower operation button, the conductive member having elasticity. The resistor outputs an analog signal in accordance with a contact area of the conductive member, thereby realizing an analog input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Tetsu Numata, Koichi Morito
  • Patent number: 6567074
    Abstract: In an operating unit, push buttons are integrally formed via a connecting section, and the top face of the connecting section abuts the bottom face of a panel. On side-faces of the push buttons, an outwardly protruding flange is integrally formed. The top face of the flange is set to be at a position higher than that of the top face of the connecting section. When one of the push buttons is pressed down, the operating unit is rotated about a point in the inside of another of the push buttons as a fulcrum so as to turn on the output of a switch member. Because the operating unit is rotated about the inside point as the fulcrum, other switch members cannot be switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Numata, Toshio Furudate
  • Publication number: 20020015021
    Abstract: In an operating unit, push buttons are integrally formed via a connecting section, and the top face of the connecting section abuts the bottom face of a panel. On side-faces of the push buttons, an outwardly protruding flange is integrally formed. The top face of the flange is set to be at a position higher than that of the top face of the connecting section. When one of the push buttons is pressed down, the operating unit is rotated about a point in the inside of another of the push buttons as a fulcrum so as to turn on the output of a switch member. Because the operating unit is rotated about the inside point as the fulcrum, other switch members cannot be switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsu Numata, Toshio Furudate