Patents by Inventor Tomoko Katsuhara

Tomoko Katsuhara 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: 12203817
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a convexly curved surface shape and includes: a capacitive sensor electrode layer including a plurality of sensing parts; a first reference electrode layer having elasticity and facing a first surface of the sensor electrode layer; a second reference electrode layer having elasticity and facing a second surface of the sensor electrode layer; an elastic layer having elasticity and provided between the first reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer; and a gap layer having elasticity and provided between the second reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer. The sensor electrode layer includes: a curved part; and a plurality of extension parts extending from a concavely curved side of the curved part. The extension parts include the sensing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Hiroki Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20250012651
    Abstract: A tactile sensor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pin-hole layer, an optical sensor, a plurality of light sources, a deformation layer, and a marker. The pin-hole layer has a plurality of pin-holes and a plurality of first through holes. The optical sensor is disposed at a position opposed to the plurality of pin-holes via a predetermined gap. The plurality of light sources is disposed in a layer between the pin-hole layer and the optical sensor, at locations respectively opposed to the plurality of through holes. The deformation layer is disposed at a position on a side opposite to the plurality of light sources in a positional relationship with respect to the pin-hole layer. The marker is disposed on a surface of the deformation layer or inside of the deformation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: TOMOKO KATSUHARA, HIROYUKI SHIGEI, TETSUYA NARITA, TEPPEI TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20240355182
    Abstract: An information processor according to the present disclosure includes a deviation amount predictor that predicts, on the basis of a first sensor value acquired by bringing a tactile sensor into contact with a connector and a second sensor value acquired by bringing the tactile sensor into contact with a first candidate location of an insertion target for the connector, a positional deviation amount between the connector and the insertion target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: TAKAYOSHI TAKAYANAGI, HIROTAKA SUZUKI, YU ISHIHARA, TOMOKO KATSUHARA
  • Patent number: 12078561
    Abstract: An optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light emitting substrate and a circuit board. The light emitting substrate includes a light emitting device. The circuit board is provided at a position opposing the light emitting device. The circuit board includes a light transmitting section and one or multiple light receiving devices. The light transmitting section transmits light of the light emitting device. The one or multiple light receiving devices receive light reflected by a reflective layer of the light of the light emitting device exiting through the light transmitting section. For example, the one or multiple light receiving devices are formed on a first major surface of the circuit board. For example, the light emitting substrate is disposed at a position opposing a second major surface, of the circuit board, on an opposite side to the first major surface, and is stacked on the circuit board with a first bump interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Hiizu Ohtorii, Kei Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20240231383
    Abstract: An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first information processing device to be provided to a movable body and a second information processing device to be provided to a portion that differs from the movable body. The first information processing device includes a sensor portion, a generation portion, a control portion, and an integration portion. The sensor portion senses a first external environment. The generation portion uses sensor data acquired from the sensor portion to generate a first map. The control portion controls motion of a manipulator on the basis of the first map. The integration portion uses position information of inside the first external environment, with which portion the manipulator is in contact, integrates the first map and a second map acquired from the second information processing device with each other, and generates an integration map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: ALEXANDRE WILLIAM CONUS, TETSUYA NARITA, TOMOKO KATSUHARA, NOBUKAZU HIRAI, TETSURO GOTO
  • Publication number: 20240134390
    Abstract: An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first information processing device to be provided to a movable body and a second information processing device to be provided to a portion that differs from the movable body. The first information processing device includes a sensor portion, a generation portion, a control portion, and an integration portion. The sensor portion senses a first external environment. The generation portion uses sensor data acquired from the sensor portion to generate a first map. The control portion controls motion of a manipulator on the basis of the first map. The integration portion uses position information of inside the first external environment, with which portion the manipulator is in contact, integrates the first map and a second map acquired from the second information processing device with each other, and generates an integration map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: ALEXANDRE WILLIAM CONUS, TETSUYA NARITA, TOMOKO KATSUHARA, NOBUKAZU HIRAI, TETSURO GOTO
  • Patent number: 11966550
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a sensor that includes a first sensor layer of a capacitance type including a plurality of first detection units arranged two-dimensionally and a second sensor layer of a capacitance type including a plurality of second detection units arranged two-dimensionally, the first sensor layer being provided on the second sensor layer, and a control unit that scans the plurality of first detection units and the plurality of second detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Goto, Ken Kobayashi, Kei Tsukamoto, Tomoko Katsuhara
  • Publication number: 20240077373
    Abstract: A force sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of force sensors. Each of the force sensor includes a plurality of sensor sections having force detection directions different from each other, and a flexible rubber member that is provided to cover the plurality of sensor sections. The rubber member is configured to transmit a force inputted from outside to the plurality of force sensors by deformation corresponding to the force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: TOMOKO KATSUHARA, HIDETOSHI MIYASHITA, RUI KAMADA, KIYOKAZU MIYAZAWA, TOSHIMITSU TSUBOI, HAYATO HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 11885695
    Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor electrode layer including a capacitive sensing unit, a first reference electrode layer provided to face a first surface of the sensor electrode layer, and a first elastic layer that is provided between the first reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer, and is configured to be elastically deformed by shear force added in an in-plane direction. At least one of the first reference electrode layer or the first elastic layer includes a first probe portion that is displaced in an in-plane direction in accordance with elastic deformation of the first elastic layer, and changes an electrostatic capacitance of the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Yoshiaki Sakakura, Manami Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 11867580
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: an exterior body; a pressure-sensitive sensor having a sensing face; and a support supporting the pressure-sensitive sensor such that inner faces the exterior body is opposed to the sensing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Akira Ebisui, Taizo Nishimura, Ken Kobayashi, Tetsuro Goto, Yoshiaki Sakakura, Kei Tsukamoto, Hayato Hasegawa, Manami Miyawaki
  • Publication number: 20230364803
    Abstract: To provide a control apparatus, a control system, a control method, and a robot by which a movement of the robot can be made a movement suitable for a surrounding environment. A control apparatus includes a control unit. The control unit controls an operation of a robot on the basis of a map of an operation region that reflects weighting of placement stability information of an object that forms the operation region of the robot, the map being generated using surrounding environment information of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya NARITA, Tomoko KATSUHARA, William Alexandre CONUS, Nobukazu HIRAI, Tetsuro GOTO
  • Patent number: 11725992
    Abstract: A sensor includes a capacitive sensor electrode layer, a reference electrode layer, and an elastic layer provided between the sensor electrode layer and the reference electrode layer. A thickness of the elastic layer is 100 ?m or less, and a weight per unit area of the elastic layer is less than 3 mg/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Kobayashi, Akira Ebisui, Yoshiaki Sakakura, Tomoko Katsuhara, Hayato Hasegawa, Manami Miyawaki
  • Publication number: 20230041550
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a convexly curved surface shape and includes: a capacitive sensor electrode layer including a plurality of sensing parts; a first reference electrode layer having elasticity and facing a first surface of the sensor electrode layer; a second reference electrode layer having elasticity and facing a second surface of the sensor electrode layer; an elastic layer having elasticity and provided between the first reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer; and a gap layer having elasticity and provided between the second reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer. The sensor electrode layer includes: a curved part; and a plurality of extension parts extending from a concavely curved side of the curved part. The extension parts include the sensing parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: TOMOKO KATSUHARA, HIROKI KANEKO
  • Publication number: 20230043375
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a sensor that includes a first sensor layer of a capacitance type including a plurality of first detection units arranged two-dimensionally and a second sensor layer of a capacitance type including a plurality of second detection units arranged two-dimensionally, the first sensor layer being provided on the second sensor layer, and a control unit that scans the plurality of first detection units and the plurality of second detection units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Tetsuro GOTO, Ken KOBAYASHI, Kei TSUKAMOTO, Tomoko KATSUHARA
  • Publication number: 20230003591
    Abstract: A force sensor module includes multiple force sensors disposed in series. The force sensors each include multiple sensor sections, a support substrate, and an organic member. The multiple sensor sections have respective force detection directions different from each other. The support substrate is separately provided for each of the force sensors and supports the multiple sensor sections. The organic member is provided in common to the force sensors. The organic member fixes the multiple force sensors in series and has a groove at a location corresponding to a gap between two support substrates adjacent to each other. The organic member is flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Tomoko KATSUHARA, Kei TSUKAMOTO, Hiizu OHTORII
  • Patent number: 11536619
    Abstract: A sensor includes: an electrostatic-capacity-type sensor electrode layer having a plurality of sensing units; a reference electrode layer opposed to one main face of the sensor electrode layer; and a deformable layer disposed between the reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer, the deformable layer being to deform elastically due to application of pressure. The deformable layer is recessed between the sensing units or discontinuous between the sensing units. The reference electrode layer has a shaped portion between the sensing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Hiroto Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20220397469
    Abstract: An optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light emitting substrate and a circuit board. The light emitting substrate includes a light emitting device. The circuit board is provided at a position opposing the light emitting device. The circuit board includes a light transmitting section and one or multiple light receiving devices. The light transmitting section transmits light of the light emitting device. The one or multiple light receiving devices receive light reflected by a reflective layer of the light of the light emitting device exiting through the light transmitting section. For example, the one or multiple light receiving devices are formed on a first major surface of the circuit board. For example, the light emitting substrate is disposed at a position opposing a second major surface, of the circuit board, on an opposite side to the first major surface, and is stacked on the circuit board with a first bump interposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Tomoko KATSUHARA, Hiizu OHTORII, Kei TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220390303
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: an exterior body; a pressure-sensitive sensor having a sensing face; and a support supporting the pressure-sensitive sensor such that inner faces the exterior body is opposed to the sensing face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko KATSUHARA, Akira EBISUI, Taizo NISHIMURA, Ken KOBAYASHI, Tetsuro GOTO, Yoshiaki SAKAKURA, Kei TSUKAMOTO, Hayato HASEGAWA, Manami MIYAWAKI
  • Patent number: 11520446
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor including a sensor electrode unit including: a sensing unit of a capacitance type that detects pressing; and a temperature detection sensing unit of a capacitance type provided in an area corresponding to the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuro Goto, Tomoko Katsuhara, Akira Ebisui
  • Patent number: 11402283
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: an exterior body; a pressure-sensitive sensor having a sensing face; and a support supporting the pressure-sensitive sensor such that inner faces the exterior body is opposed to the sensing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Katsuhara, Akira Ebisui, Taizo Nishimura, Ken Kobayashi, Tetsuro Goto, Yoshiaki Sakakura, Kei Tsukamoto, Hayato Hasegawa, Manami Miyawaki