Patents Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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Patent number: 11966365Abstract: A terminal device may, in a case where a first association instruction is acquired, store a first association between a label file and a first database file, and, in a case where a second association instruction is acquired, store a second association between a first object area and a first field name. The terminal device may, in a case where a first print instruction is acquired, create N pieces of first print data and send the N pieces of first print data to a label printer. The terminal device may, in a case where a disassociation instruction is acquired under the state where the first association and the second association are stored, disassociate the first association between the label file and the first database file without disassociating the second association between the first object area and the first field name.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryoji Ban
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Publication number: 20240126488Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a consumer receptacle and a controller to determine whether the processing apparatus is in a contracted status where a delivery contract for consumables is concluded or in an uncontracted status before the delivery contract is concluded. The consumable receptacle is configured to hold any of an exclusive consumable that is unusable when the processing apparatus is in the uncontracted status and a non-exclusive consumable different from the exclusive consumable. When the processing apparatus is in the contracted status, and the non-exclusive consumable is held in the consumable receptacle, the controller determines whether a specific condition for execution of a first particular process in which the non-exclusive consumable is consumed is satisfied. The controller allows the execution of the first particular process when the specific condition is satisfied, whereas restricting the execution of the first particular process when the specific condition is not satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Taichiro KIMOTO, Shunsuke MINAMIKAWA, Koichi TSUGIMURA, Yushi DEURA, Yuki KITAHASHI
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Publication number: 20240124254Abstract: An image recording apparatus, having a conveyer including a pair of conveyer rollers, a recorder, a first sensor, and a controller, is provided. The controller, after a part of an image is recorded on a sheet-formed medium, within a period between a point before the first sensor detects an upstream end of the sheet-formed medium and a point after the first sensor detects the upstream end of the sheet-formed medium, controls the conveyer to convey the sheet-formed medium in a plurality of segmented actions, corrects a conveyance amount to convey the sheet-formed medium after the first sensor detects the upstream end of the sheet-formed medium to a third conveyance amount, which is smaller than the conveyance amount, and after the sheet-formed medium is conveyed by the third conveyance amount, controls the recorder to record another part of the image on the sheet-formed medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Gakuro KANAZAWA
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Patent number: 11958285Abstract: A printer includes a platen roller, a substrate, a heating element, a first defining part, and a second defining part. The platen roller conveys a medium in a conveyance direction. The substrate has a front surface which faces the platen roller in a facing direction intersecting an axis direction of the platen roller and the conveyance direction. The heating element is provided on the front surface of the substrate. The heat sink is in contact with a back surface of the substrate. The first defining part and the second defining part define the conveyance path. The first defining part is provided on a further upstream side than the heating element in the conveyance direction. The second defining part is provided at the heat sink on a further downstream side than the substrate in the conveyance direction. and has a contact surface with which the medium comes into contact.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koshiro Shimoda
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Patent number: 11962735Abstract: A printing system controls a printing member to perform printing based on a print job for which a charged fee is already settled. The printing system receives a first instruction to suspend the printing started by the printing member and suspends the printing started by the printing member in response to reception of the first instruction. The printing system receives a second instruction as to a post suspending process to be executed after the printing is suspended. The printing system performs one of a post fee-settlement process and a restart process, as the post suspending process. The post fee-settlement process is related to provision of a benefit corresponding to refunding at least part of the charged fee. The restart process is to restart the suspended printing to complete the print job after a reason that the first instruction is made is resolved.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ayaka Hotta, Shunsuke Minamikawa, Tetsuya Okuno, Haruka Azechi, Yushi Deura
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Patent number: 11960948Abstract: In a printing device, a head ejects ink on each of a plurality of printing media. Each of the plurality of printing media is classified into one of a plurality of media types. A control device acquires image data, and performs a halftone process to convert the image data to print data for controlling the head to eject the ink. The control device controls the head to eject the ink to print the image on the basis of the print data. Before the controlling, the control device acquires media information indicating, as an indicated media type, a media type from among the plurality of media types; and performs a decision process to decide a target conversion method from among a plurality of conversion methods on the basis of the indicated media type. The halftone process converts the image data to the print data according to the target conversion method.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shota Morikawa, Kodai Mizuno, Hitomi Miwa
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Patent number: 11962740Abstract: In an image processing device a controller is configured to perform: a first display operation; and a second display operation to display at least one of a target color and a non-target color in a manner different from the at least one of the target color and the non-target color in a printing target image displayed by the first display operation. The target color is a color targeted for color calibration and included in a color calibration space. The color calibration space is defined by a predetermined number of first grid points and a plurality of second grid points. The first grid points define a first polyhedron with a minimum volume enclosing the specified color. The second grid points define a plurality of second polyhedra with the minimum volume together with the first grid points. The color calibration space is a space enclosed by the second grid points.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Kanzaki
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Patent number: 11958290Abstract: There is provided droplet discharging apparatus including: nozzle configured to discharge liquid by energy generating element; first signal generator configured to generate, based on first and second data representing first and second driving waveforms, first time division multiplex signal; first separator configured to separate first or second driving waveform signal representing the first or second driving waveform from the first time division multiplex signal; second signal generator configured to generate, based on third and fourth data representing third and fourth driving waveforms, second time division multiplex signal; and second separator configured to separate third or fourth driving waveform signal representing the third or fourth driving waveform from the second time division multiplex signal. The energy generating element is driven by the first or second driving waveform signal separated by the first separator, or by the third or fourth driving waveform signal separated by the second separator.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsushi Maeda
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Patent number: 11960780Abstract: A communication device may receive a specific signal from a first external device; after the specific signal has been received from the first external device, cause an output unit of the communication device to output specific information obtained by using a public key; after the specific information has been outputted, receive an authentication request in which the public key is used from the first external device; in a case where the authentication request is received from the first external device, send an authentication response to the first external device; after the authentication response has been sent to the first external device, receive connection information from the first external device; and in a case where the connection information is received from the first external device, establish, by using the connection information, a wireless connection between the communication device and a second external device.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Shibata
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Publication number: 20240118656Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a frame on which a toner cartridge is attachable, a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory. The drum cartridge relays information stored in the toner memory to the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is attached to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyasu YABUKI, Takashi SUZUKI, Tadao KYOTANI
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Patent number: 11951747Abstract: A tank includes: a tank body defining a storage chamber; a recessed portion provided at the tank body; a slider positioned in the recessed portion; a fitting portion provided at the slider; and a sealing member. The recessed portion has an injection opening in communication with the storage chamber, and a connection opening through which a liquid container is connectable. The slider includes a nozzle extending toward the connection opening in an extending direction and having a communication opening communicable with the injection opening. The slider is movable toward and away from the connection opening in the extending direction while rotating relative to the recessed portion. The fitting portion can be fitted with the liquid container. The sealing member can provide a liquid tight sealing to a gap between the slider and the recessed portion, and allow liquid flow between the communication opening and the injection opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masahiro Hayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Satoru Oki, Nanami Abe
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Patent number: 11951752Abstract: A controller includes a print controller configured to cause the print execution engine to convey the print medium in a conveying direction and execute a plurality of partial printings. The print controller causes the print execution engine to execute first and second partial printings. On a print medium, first and second target ranges on which printing is to be performed by the first and second partial printings, respectively, form an overlapping range. The first and second target ranges include first and second non-overlapping ranges, respectively, that do not overlap the second and first target ranges, respectively. The print controller generates print data based on non-overlapping range data and overlapping range data. The generating the print data includes increasing a density of at least a portion of the image to be printed in the overlapping range as compared with a density of the images to be printed in the non-overlapping ranges.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoru Arakane
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Patent number: 11953849Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a main body casing; a fixing unit which fixes a developer to a sheet by means of heating and pressurization; a fan which is provided to discharge air inside the main body casing to outside of the main body casing; and a controller. The fixing unit includes a heating unit which heats the sheet; and a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the heating unit. When the fixing unit is fixing the developer to the sheet, the controller is configured to: determine a heating unit temperature based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; stop the fan in a case of determining that the heating unit temperature is not less than a threshold value; and drive the fan in a case of determining that the heating unit temperature is less than the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuya Koyama
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Patent number: 11954385Abstract: An editing device is configured to edit print data including first print data and second print data via a display device for creating a composite label with a printing device. The composite label includes a first label and a second label and is created by superposing the second label over the first label. A set of program instructions, when executed by a controller of the editing device, causes the editing device to perform displaying an editing screen on the display device. The editing screen has a first region, a second region, and a composite region. The displaying displays a first label image based on the first print data in the first region, a second label image based on the second print data in the second region, and a composite label image formed by superposing the second label image over the first label image in the composite region.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Misato Osuka, Ryuichi Kanda, Masashi Iwamoto, Yuichiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 11956393Abstract: A reading device includes a reading sensor, a platen on which a first original and a second original being longer in a first direction can be placed, and a controller. the controller moves the reading sensor from an initial position to a standby position, causes the reading sensor to detect edges of the original while moving by a predetermined distance in the first direction, detect edges of the original while moving toward the initial position when a first edge in the first direction and a second edge in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction are detected or when neither of the edges are detected, detect edges while moving in a direction away from the initial position when the first edge is not detected and the second edge is detected, and acquire a content of the original while moving toward the initial position when the first edge is detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Maeda
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Patent number: 11953855Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a drum cartridge as a first cartridge including a photosensitive drum; a second cartridge accommodating toner; and a drawer movable between an inside position where the drawer in its entirety is positioned inside the housing and an outside position where at least a part of the drawer is positioned outside the housing. The drum cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drawer. The drawer includes: a side plate configured to receive the photosensitive drum; and a locking member supported by the side plate. The locking member is movable relative to the side plate between a locking position where the locking member locks the photosensitive drum to the side plate and an unlocking position where the locking member unlocks the photosensitive drum from the side plate in an attached state of the drum cartridge to the drawer.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Yasuo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 11953844Abstract: The present disclosure features an image forming apparatus having a first developing unit having a first developing roller; and a first toner supply unit configured to supply toner to the first developing unit, the first toner supply unit having: a first container configured to accommodate the toner therein, the first container having a first inlet opening through which the toner is received in the first container and a first outlet opening through which the toner in the first container is discharged; a first lid configured to close the first inlet opening; and a first shutter configured to open the first outlet opening when the first lid closes the first inlet opening, and to close the first outlet opening when the first lid opens the first inlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 11952691Abstract: A controller acquires sewing data for sewing an applique piece on a sewing target material, the applique piece having a shape having a hole, the hole being a closed area surrounded by at least part of the applique piece, identifies a contour of the applique piece while distinguishing an inner contour and an outer contour, the inner contour being the contour defining the hole of the applique piece, the outer contour being the contour other than the inner contour, determines, based on the acquired sewing data, whether an inner stitch and an outer stitch are arranged at positions closer to each other than a particular distance or at positions overlapping each other, and outputs an error notification in response to determining that the inner stitch and the outer stitch are arranged at positions closer to each other than the particular distance or at positions overlapping each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 11956227Abstract: A communication device may obtain email information inputted by a user, the email information including an email address and server information for using a mail server. The communication device may send a first email by using the server information included in the email information. The communication device may register a first password and the email information in a memory in a case where a registration request is received from a terminal device which has received the first email. The communication device may send a second email by using the server information in the memory in a case where a first change instruction is obtained after the first password and the email information have been registered. The communication device may change the first password in the memory to a second password in a case where a change request is received from the terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoru Yanagi
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Patent number: 11956705Abstract: A system and method for providing an authentication state of a function execution device to a communication terminal is described. In some examples, the authentication state indicates whether authentication information is needed from the communication terminal before the communication terminal can request performance of one or more functions performable by the function execution device. In other examples, the communication terminal may provide to the communication terminal the authentication information irrespective of whether the function execution terminal has previously provided its authentication state to the communication terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Suzuki