Patents Assigned to Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 10178910
    Abstract: A drawer apparatus capable of locking and unlocking a drawer without position control and motor stop control is provided. A lock frame is released from the hook to be brought into an operable state by unidirectional rotation of a DC motor in an engaged state. A drawer is released from an anchor to be advanced out of the retracted position when the lock frame operates. A planetary gear unit is pushed by the lock frame. A small-diameter planetary gear is thereby shifted from the engaged state to a default state. The anchor is engaged with the drawer when the advanced drawer is pushed back to the retracted position. The hook is engaged with a lock when the advanced drawer is pushed back to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryo Kurebayashi
  • Patent number: 10116829
    Abstract: Information on printer maintenance or an updating of software is notified without giving uncomfortable feeling to a user by an unintentional change of screen displays. The invention comprises an application activating unit which issues an application binding command in response to a print instruction of a data generated by an application executed by a mobile, an additional information acquiring unit which acquires an additional information according to a predetermined information acquiring command included in the application binding command when a print result information is acquired from the printer, and an information providing unit which provides the mobile with the additional information in addition to the print result information. A user is notified of necessary information on printer maintenance or an updating of software in addition to the print result information upon completion of printing intentionally instructed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Miura
  • Patent number: 10055180
    Abstract: The invention facilitates a setting state updating operation of the printer. An updating system of a setting state of a printer comprises an application activating unit which issues an application binding command upon detection of a predetermined operation when an application is executed by a mobile. The application binding command designates a printing application and a predetermined setting state updating command. The updating system further comprises a setting state updating unit which executes an updating of the setting state of the printer in the printing application activated by the application activating unit according to the predetermined setting state updating command included in the application binding command. A predetermined operation in the application triggers activation of the printing application for an automatic updating of the printer setting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Miura
  • Patent number: 10057845
    Abstract: The present invention enables a processing to be executed by the closest information processing apparatuses selected by a portable terminal without exclusive use of the information processing apparatus by the portable terminal. The control system comprises a distance detecting unit which detects a printer at the shortest distance from a portable POS terminal based on the intensity of radio waves emitted from the plurality of printers and received by the portable POS terminal by using the BLE and a processing execution control unit which instructs the detected printer to execute the processing by using the wireless LAN. Even while the portable POS terminal transmits printing data to the printer by using the wireless LAN, the other portable POS terminals are allowed to use the BLE to receive the radio waves from the plurality of printers including the particular printer, thereby detecting the closest printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Saeki, Kazumasa Hosozawa, Yuji Mori
  • Patent number: 10026026
    Abstract: The present invention enables successful printing whether printing data contains a character code of either code page or Unicode without an addition of an apparatus for code conversion and without expansion of printer memory for storing Unicode font set. Upon receipt of the input of printing data containing the character code of the code page, a first print control unit is selected to control printing of a string represented by the code page with a font available for the code page. Upon receipt of the input of printing data containing the character code of Unicode, a second print control unit is selected to convert the character code of Unicode to the character code of the code page and to control printing of a string represented by the Unicode with a font available for the code page on the basis of the code page after conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Oishi, Shinichiro Suzuki, Koji Miura
  • Patent number: 9908731
    Abstract: A paper conveying mechanism includes an elastic urging member provided on each side surface of an upper guide. The urging member includes a projecting portion that projects toward a side guide forming each end of a paper conveying path. An outer width of the upper guide inclusive of the projecting portion is greater than an inner width of the side guides. When a printer cover is closed, the upper guide is urged by the urging member substantially to the center of the inner width of the side guides, thereby producing gaps of substantially equal size on both sides of the upper guide in the paper width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Morishita, Yuji Suzuki, Yasuhiko Hagi
  • Patent number: 9904273
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a tool post having a tool unit for machining a workpiece, operation control means for controlling the operation of the tool unit in accordance with a plurality of commands described in a numerical control program and movement limiting means for inhibiting entry of the tool unit into a no-entry region. The plurality of commands include a limit value setting command for calculating a limit value of a position of the tool unit avoiding interference with a machine element located within a movable region of the tool unit and for determining the no-entry region by the calculated limit value. Upon reading the limit value setting command out of the numerical control program, the operation control means calculates the limit value and determines the no-entry region by the calculated limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ikegaya
  • Patent number: 9744596
    Abstract: The invention provides a machine tool eliminating the need of keeping the removed feed-mechanism-protection cover outside the machine. The machine tool comprises a headstock provided with a main spindle for gripping a workpiece; a driving unit provided with a feed mechanism extended along a main spindle axis to move the headstock in a main spindle axial direction; a supporting bed provided with a guide bush in a removable manner; a first cover mounted on the headstock to protect a portion of the feed mechanism with respect to the main spindle axial direction; and a second cover removably mounted on the headstock on the front side of the first cover to protect another portion of the feed mechanism. The second cover is detachably attached to the first cover when removed from the headstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsu Kawarasaki
  • Patent number: 9724760
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a main spindle, a tool post body provided with a first tool mounting part and a second tool mounting part facing each other with a workpiece inbetween in a predetermined facing direction, and a tool post body driving unit for moving the tool post body in at least the facing direction. The tool post body comprises a first tool post unit provided with the first tool mounting part, a second tool post unit provided with a portion of the second tool mounting part with a relative interval with respect to the first tool post unit in the facing direction kept constant, a third tool post unit provided with the remaining portion of the second tool mounting part with a relative interval kept variable; and a relatively-driving unit for moving the third tool post unit in the facing direction with respect to the first tool post unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 9692287
    Abstract: A vibration electricity generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed unit provided with a coil and a movable unit provided with a magnet. The movable unit is supported on the fixed unit in a suspended manner via a pair of coil springs. The movable unit is thus configured to vibrate in the up and down direction with a rather simple structure. A coil supporting member of the fixed unit is configured to cover a coil accommodating portion from both thickness direction sides thereof and a friction reducing treatment is applied to the surfaces of both thickness direction sides of the coil supporting member. The coefficient of kinetic friction is thus maintained low enough and a pair of guide shafts conventionally used are not required, thereby the electricity generation efficiency being improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Yasunori Tsukuda
  • Patent number: 9659420
    Abstract: In a security system, a security control apparatus 300 includes an authentication processing unit 31 for perform an authentication on whether the mobile terminal is a permitted terminal, a distance determining unit 32 for determining whether the mobile terminal is located within a predetermined distance from a printer 100, and an unlocking unit 33 for transmitting an unlock instruction signal to the printer 100 when the authentication is successful and it is determined that the mobile terminal is located within the predetermined distance from the printer 100. Therefore, a locking mechanism of the printer 100 cannot be unlocked even if the authentication is successful, and the locking mechanism of the printer 100 can be unlocked when it is further determined the mobile terminal is located within the predetermined distance from the printer 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaharu Matsushima, Hiromichi Takikita
  • Patent number: 9626135
    Abstract: Upon completion of print data transmission, the host terminal sends to a network printer a finish command via a print port and further a forced disconnection request command via another communication port. If the finish command is lost due to a network failure, the network printer forcibly disconnects the host terminal from the print port of the network printer in response to the forced disconnection request command, thereby allowing the other host terminals to use the network printer without waiting the elapse of the time-out period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Ogino, Yuji Mori, Toshiharu Takada
  • Patent number: 9164711
    Abstract: A desired printer can be reliably selected and the setting of which printer is permitted to communicate with which mobile terminal can be easily altered. A mobile terminal acquires printer identification information from a printer by NFC communication, and transmits the printer identification information and mobile terminal identification information to a server, thereby requesting an authentication. The mobile terminal transmits print data to the printer to instruct a printing execution when the authentication is successful. Therefore, the desired printer can be reliably selected by placing the mobile terminal close to the desired printer. Any stolen mobile terminal can be disabled for any printer only by rewriting the centrally managed information on the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Mori
  • Patent number: 9079436
    Abstract: A movable BF guide is provided in a movable-blade receiving area into which a movable blade slides along a fixed blade while being pressed against the fixed blade in a process of cutting recording paper. The movable-blade receiving area is blocked by the BF guide when the cutting process is not performed, thus preventing the entry of the end portion of the downstream connected recording paper into the movable-blade receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Masaaki Morishita
  • Patent number: 8888389
    Abstract: A printer and a cutter apparatus configured to provide a sure full cut without producing an undesirable flake of paper. The cutter apparatus comprises a fixed blade, a first movable blade disposed on one side in a width direction of the paper and configured to move back and forth with respect to the fixed blade, a second movable blade disposed on the other side in the width direction of the paper with a gap provided with respect to the first movable blade and configured to move back and forth with respect to the fixed blade, and an urging member configured to urge each of the first movable blade and the second movable blade in a direction reducing the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Morishita, Tomoyuki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140254191
    Abstract: The configuration is provided with three flexible arms extending in the same circumferential direction, as a suspension for supporting the magnetic circuit unit in displaceable fashion in the vertical direction with respect to a coil support member. This assures sufficient length of each of the flexible arms, enhancing the vibration characteristics. Next, arm insertion slots having approximately the same vertical Width as the flexible arms are formed at three locations in the circumferential direction in the coil support member. The distal end of each flexible arm is then inserted into the arm insertion slot, doing so in the aforementioned same circumferential direction, causing a barb to engage an engaging part and detain the flexible arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD., KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto YASUIKE, Yasunori Tsukuda, Atsushi Sugimoto, Osamu Endo, Naoki Tatara
  • Patent number: 8746117
    Abstract: Provided is a printer in which a cut-off paper is pushed into a paper stacking portion without an additional power source while reducing the maximum load applied to driving means for driving a movable blade. A printer includes a movable blade for cutting a paper disposed between a fixed blade and a movable blade as it moves in a forward direction and separating a printed part as a cut-off paper; driving means for moving the movable blade in a reciprocating manner; a pushing member which is driven to push a cut-off paper in a thickness direction of the cut-off paper; a paper stacking portion for stacking the cut-off paper pushed by the pushing member; and a driving force transferring mechanism for transferring a driving force of the driving means to the pushing member to drive the pushing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kondo, Takeshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20140125000
    Abstract: A movable BF guide is provided in a movable-blade receiving area into which a movable blade slides along a fixed blade while being pressed against the fixed blade in a process of cutting recording paper. The movable-blade receiving area is blocked by the BF guide when the cutting process is not performed, thus preventing the entry of the end portion of the downstream connected recording paper into the movable-blade receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Masaaki Morishita
  • Patent number: 8702331
    Abstract: A movable BF guide is provided in a movable-blade receiving area into which a movable blade slides along a fixed blade while being pressed against the fixed blade in a process of cutting recording paper. The movable-blade receiving area is blocked by the BF guide when the cutting process is not performed, thus preventing the entry of the end portion of the downstream connected recording paper into the movable-blade receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Masaaki Morishita
  • Patent number: D769366
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsunori Hiraguchi