Patents by Inventor Yasuji Hagiwara

Yasuji Hagiwara 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: 11954312
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch panel having an operation surface and configured to receive a touch input and a hover input by an operation body; a display device configured to display a plurality of selection items; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to highlight a selection item, a selection of the selection item being made by the hover input from the plurality of selection items, confirm the selection of the selection item by the hover input in a case where a duration during which the selection item is selected by the hover input reaches a first predetermined threshold, and confirm a selection of the selection item by the touch input in a case where the touch input is detected on the selection item before the duration reaches the first predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Hiroshi Shigetaka, Hirofumi Kuga, Masahiro Takata, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 11822782
    Abstract: An input device includes a display that displays buttons visible through an operation surface of a top panel, a detector that detects a center position of a finger facing the operation surface, and a distance from the operation surface to the finger, and a controller that controls the display based on a detector output and determines an input with respect to a button. The controller displays a cursor image on the display at a finger opposing position based on the finger center position, varies a cursor size according to the above described distance, determines a selected button based on the finger center position, and offsets a cursor center position from the finger center position, and surrounds the selected button with the cursor, in a case where the selected button protrudes from the cursor when the cursor center position is aligned to match the finger center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Soma, Yasuji Hagiwara, Keitaro Uchida, Masahiro Takata
  • Patent number: 11740649
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes an operation input part, a base, and a load detector. The operation input part includes an operation stick, two coupled parts configured to convert a tilt of the operation stick into two rotation angles orthogonal to each other, at least one return spring configured to return the operation stick to an upright position, and a frame accommodating the two coupled parts, the at least one return spring, and a part of the operation stick. The base has a plate shape and is provided below the frame. The load detector is provided on the frame or the base and is configured to detect a load applied to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Hosono, Masaru Komatsu, Sadayuki Yaginuma, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20230118137
    Abstract: An input device includes a display that displays buttons visible through an operation surface of a top panel, a detector that detects a center position of a finger facing the operation surface, and a distance from the operation surface to the finger, and a controller that controls the display based on a detector output and determines an input with respect to a button. The controller displays a cursor image on the display at a finger opposing position based on the finger center position, varies a cursor size according to the above described distance, determines a selected button based on the finger center position, and offsets a cursor center position from the finger center position, and surrounds the selected button with the cursor, in a case where the selected button protrudes from the cursor when the cursor center position is aligned to match the finger center position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro SOMA, Yasuji HAGIWARA, Keitaro UCHIDA, Masahiro TAKATA
  • Patent number: 11604533
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor unit for detecting a proximity state of an object at N detection positions, generating a composite detection signal in conformity with the sum of N detection signals obtained as a result of detection for N detection positions, and controlling a positive or negative polarity of the detection signal having a signal level in conformity with the proximity state at each of N detection positions, a sensor control unit for controlling the sensor unit for generating M composite detection signals having N polarity patterns set at N detection signals different from each other, and a signal regeneration unit for regenerating the signal level of the N detection signal based on the M composite detection signals generated by the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Naoyuki Hatano, Hiroshi Izumi, Koichi Miura, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20230065480
    Abstract: An input device includes a housing and a strain-generating body including a cylindrical portion with an upper end surface, the strain-generating body being secured to the housing. The input device includes four strain sensors, the four strain sensors being secured around the cylindrical portion of the strain-generating body. The input device includes an operation panel having a lower surface, the operation panel including a shaft, the shaft being situated on the lower surface and at a central portion of the operation panel, and the shaft being inserted into the cylindrical portion of the strain-generating body to be secured to the strain-generating body. The upper end surface of the cylindrical portion of the strain-generating body and the lower surface of the operation panel are in contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Kunio HOSONO, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20220291814
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch panel having an operation surface and configured to receive a touch input and a hover input by an operation body; a display device configured to display a plurality of selection items; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to highlight a selection item, a selection of the selection item being made by the hover input from the plurality of selection items, confirm the selection of the selection item by the hover input in a case where a duration during which the selection item is selected by the hover input reaches a first predetermined threshold, and confirm a selection of the selection item by the touch input in a case where the touch input is detected on the selection item before the duration reaches the first predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Toshiki NAKAMURA, Hiroshi SHIGETAKA, Hirofumi KUGA, Masahiro TAKATA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Patent number: 11424086
    Abstract: An operation device includes a housing, an operation member, and a detector. The housing includes an electrically conductive portion on a surface thereof. The operation member is supported by the housing such that the operation member is movable in response to an operation by an operation body, and is configured to be capacitively coupled to the operation body and to the electrically conductive portion. The detector is configured to detect whether the operation body is in proximity to the operation member based on a change in capacitance at the electrically conductive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuji Hagiwara, Daisuke Takai, Takashi Sasaki, Takeshi Masaki, Toshiki Nakamura, Masaki Ota, Hiroshi Shigetaka, Masahiro Takata
  • Patent number: 11417478
    Abstract: A multidirectional input apparatus with a switch includes a strain generating body including at least a cylindrical portion and a first plate portion; a plurality of strain sensors; a wiring substrate; a contact rubber configuring the switch together with an electrode on the wiring substrate; and a button. The contact rubber includes a base portion, a movable portion, and a deformable portion. The movable portion is movable to a first position when the deformable portion is not deformed, and to a second position when the deformable portion is deformed. A center of a lower surface of the button contacts an upper surface of the movable portion when the movable portion is at the first and second positions. When the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and contacts the electrode, a protruding portion on the lower surface of the button presses the wiring substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadayuki Yaginuma, Kunio Hosono, Tetsuo Muranaka, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20220100223
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes an operation input part, a base, and a load detector. The operation input part includes an operation stick, two coupled parts configured to convert a tilt of the operation stick into two rotation angles orthogonal to each other, at least one return spring configured to return the operation stick to an upright position, and a frame accommodating the two coupled parts, the at least one return spring, and a part of the operation stick. The base has a plate shape and is provided below the frame. The load detector is provided on the frame or the base and is configured to detect a load applied to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Kunio HOSONO, Masaru KOMATSU, Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20220091693
    Abstract: An input device having excellent usability is provided. The input device includes a touch input part configured to receive an input of a touch operation by an operator, a rotation input part disposed around the touch input part in plan view and configured to receive an input of a rotation operation by the operator, and a controller configured to disable the input of the touch operation on the touch input part in response to the input of the rotation operation of the rotation input part being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Toshiki NAKAMURA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20220013311
    Abstract: A multidirectional input apparatus with a switch includes a strain generating body including at least a cylindrical portion and a first plate portion; a plurality of strain sensors; a wiring substrate; a contact rubber configuring the switch together with an electrode on the wiring substrate; and a button. The contact rubber includes a base portion, a movable portion, and a deformable portion. The movable portion is movable to a first position when the deformable portion is not deformed, and to a second position when the deformable portion is deformed. A center of a lower surface of the button contacts an upper surface of the movable portion when the movable portion is at the first and second positions. When the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and contacts the electrode, a protruding portion on the lower surface of the button presses the wiring substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Kunio HOSONO, Tetsuo MURANAKA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Patent number: 11221640
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Kunio Hosono, Sadayuki Yaginuma, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20210271283
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuo MURANAKA, Kunio HOSONO, Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20210211129
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor unit for detecting a proximity state of an object at N detection positions, generating a composite detection signal in conformity with the sum of N detection signals obtained as a result of detection for N detection positions, and controlling a positive or negative polarity of the detection signal having a signal level in conformity with the proximity state at each of N detection positions, a sensor control unit for controlling the sensor unit for generating M composite detection signals having N polarity patterns set at N detection signals different from each other, and a signal regeneration unit for regenerating the signal level of the N detection signal based on the M composite detection signals generated by the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuo MURANAKA, Naoyuki HATANO, Hiroshi IZUMI, Koichi MIURA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Patent number: 11042179
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Kunio Hosono, Sadayuki Yaginuma, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20210181779
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuo MURANAKA, Kunio HOSONO, Sadayuki YAGINUMA, Yasuji HAGIWARA
  • Publication number: 20210159027
    Abstract: An operation device includes a housing, an operation member, and a detector. The housing includes an electrically conductive portion on a surface thereof. The operation member is supported by the housing such that the operation member is movable in response to an operation by an operation body, and is configured to be capacitively coupled to the operation body and to the electrically conductive portion. The detector is configured to detect whether the operation body is in proximity to the operation member based on a change in capacitance at the electrically conductive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Yasuji HAGIWARA, Daisuke TAKAI, Takashi SASAKI, Takeshi MASAKI, Toshiki NAKAMURA, Masaki OTA, Hiroshi SHIGETAKA, Masahiro TAKATA
  • Patent number: 10770644
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a substrate that is flexible and thermally deformable, and a composite piezoelectric body disposed on the substrate. Output in accordance with deformation of the composite piezoelectric body is obtained. The composite piezoelectric body includes a piezoelectric layer containing an organic binder containing piezoelectric particles, a first electrode layer stacked on a first surface side of the piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode stacked on a second surface side of the piezoelectric layer. The substrate is insert molded and integrated with a molded resin body having a curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heishiro Fudo, Yasuji Hagiwara, Daisuke Takai, Shoji Sakurai, Masahiro Ishida, Yo Tahara
  • Patent number: 10684639
    Abstract: A movement member which reciprocates includes a thick portion and a thin portion, a bearing portion formed in the thick portion is slidingly supported by the guide shaft, and a sliding portion formed in the thin portion is slidingly guided by the sliding guide portion. Power of the motor is transmitted to a pinion gear via a speed reduction gear and a speed reduction mechanism inside a gear box, and a movement reaction force is applied from the pinion gear to the rack portion. Since the rack portion is positioned on an axis Os, a force is effectively applied to the movement member by the power from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Sato, Shun Miyazaki, Yasuji Hagiwara, Keigo Wakana, Shoji Sakurai