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).

  • Patent number: 12633475
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Ota, Tetsu Numata, Masatoshi Ono, Masashi Ito
  • Patent number: 12608033
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignees: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Kimura, Reiji Koyama, Tetsu Numata, Shigeto Gorai, Akihiro Kusaka
  • Publication number: 20260036442
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an input device and a method of manufacturing the input device. The input device according to the embodiment includes a main housing including a metal side plate, an interlocking unit pivotably provided in the main housing, and a rotation detection device configured to detect a rotation angle of the interlocking unit, wherein the rotation detection device includes a housing, a sensor electrode provided in the housing, a reference electrode facing the sensor electrode, a movable plate rotatably provided in the housing so as to be disposed between the sensor electrode and the reference electrode, and a shield plate provided on an outer wall of the housing, and wherein the shield plate is connected to a metal side plate of the main housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2025
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Inventors: Masaki OTA, Tetsu NUMATA, Takenori TAKAHASHI, Masatoshi ONO, Kunji SASAKI, Jilong WANG, Yingxu SUN
  • Patent number: 12461605
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Hosono, Tetsuo Muranaka, Tetsu Numata, Sadayuki Yaginuma
  • Publication number: 20250195994
    Abstract: A game machine includes: an operation part including an operation surface on which an operation is performed by an operator; a signal output part to output an output signal in accordance with an operation position to which an operation is performed on the operation surface, and magnitude and direction of load applied to the operation part; an operation-position detector to detect the operation position in accordance with one or more of output signals, each being the output signal, output from the signal output part; a load detector to detect the magnitude and the direction of the load applied to the operation part in accordance with one or more of the output signals output from the signal output part; a processor to calculate state of an object arranged in a game space; and a storage to store control data associating operation contents by the operator with the state of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Takayuki OHASHI, Tetsu NUMATA, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Masaki OTA, Yasuji HAGIWARA, Yasuo KOTERA
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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