Patents by Inventor Fumihiro Minamizawa

Fumihiro Minamizawa 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: 8040538
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a first input unit that allows a user to input a biometric data of the user; a storage that stores a setting data corresponding to the biometric data; a setting unit that sets the setting data corresponding to the biometric data as a setting condition when the biometric data is inputted by the first input unit; a processing unit that performs a processing in accordance with the setting condition; a transmission unit that transmits the biometric data to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 7965872
    Abstract: A multifunction apparatus that includes: a read unit; a storage unit storing a fingerprint in association with at least one of a function of the multifunction apparatus, a set item and a set value; a call unit that reads from the storage unit at least one of the function, set item and set value associated with the fingerprint read by the read unit; an instruct unit that instructs execution of an operation based on at least one of the function, set item and set value read by the call unit; and an execute unit. When fingerprints are read sequentially by the read unit, the call unit sequentially reads at least one of the function, set item and set value associated with each of the fingerprints, and when the instruct unit instructs the execution, the execute unit executes the operation based on at least one of the thus read function, set item and set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 7503640
    Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a nozzle row which jets a black ink, and nozzle rows which jet color inks, and a nozzle row which jets a special color ink. These nozzle rows are arranged in a scanning direction, and further, the nozzle row jetting the special color ink is positioned at an extreme end with respect to the scanning direction. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a small size printer which is capable of jetting the special color ink. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the special color ink from getting mixed into a nozzle which jets an ink of other type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroto Sugahara, Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Publication number: 20070245156
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a first input unit that allows a user to input a biometric data of the user; a storage that stores a setting data corresponding to the biometric data; a setting unit that sets the setting data corresponding to the biometric data as a setting condition when the biometric data is inputted by the first input unit; a processing unit that performs a processing in accordance with the setting condition; a transmission unit that transmits the biometric data to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumihiro MINAMIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20070122015
    Abstract: A multifunction apparatus that includes: a read unit; a storage unit storing a fingerprint in association with at least one of a function of the multifunction apparatus, a set item and a set value; a call unit that reads from the storage unit at least one of the function, set item and set value associated with the fingerprint read by the read unit; an instruct unit that instructs execution of an operation based on at least one of the function, set item and set value read by the call unit; and an execute unit. When fingerprints are read sequentially by the read unit, the call unit sequentially reads at least one of the function, set item and set value associated with each of the fingerprints, and when the instruct unit instructs the execution, the execute unit executes the operation based on at least one of the thus read function, set item and set value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Publication number: 20070076050
    Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a nozzle row which jets a black ink, and nozzle rows which jet color inks, and a nozzle row which jets a special color ink. These nozzle rows are arranged in a scanning direction, and further, the nozzle row jetting the special color ink is positioned at an extreme end with respect to the scanning direction. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a small size printer which is capable of jetting the special color ink. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the special color ink from getting mixed into a nozzle which jets an ink of other type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroto Sugahara, Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6700674
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is capable of automatically transmitting image data through two communication routes, a communication route via an internet and a public communication switched network. The facsimile apparatus has the capability of establishing a priority order for transmitting data through the two communication routes. In a normal transmission, the data will be transmitted through the highest priority communication route. In another mode, if communication cannot be made through the first communication route, normally the highest priority communication route, the system will automatically attempt to transmit the data through the second communication route. In a final mode, when it is determined that a transmission is urgent, the apparatus executes a two-route transmission operation. In the two-route transmission operation, if e-mail is the highest priority, the apparatus transmits the data together with e-mail to a personal computer of the addressee via the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Otsuka, Fumihiro Minamizawa, Satoshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6697166
    Abstract: A multifunction device, an example of the image processing apparatus, performs copy operation when a copy button is depressed. For the copy operation, an image reader unit reads image information from a document, and an ink jet printer unit records the read image information onto a recording sheet. The multi-function device further has CPUs for determining whether image information is to be read from a document as color data or monochrome data, and ROMs storing first default values that provide varying recording densities for copying the image information onto a recording sheet, in accordance with the result of determination by the CPUs. The CPUs also function to change the recording density for copying the image information onto a recording sheet, on the basis of the first default values stored in the ROMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6694403
    Abstract: During a normal update process, a password transmitted from a personal computer is compared with password already stored in a flash memory. When the passwords match, a transmitted program is written over the stored program. When a change mode is set by a user, the transmitted password is not compared with the stored password. The transmitted program is written over the stored program. Alternatively, even when the two passwords are compared and the two passwords do not match, if the change mode is being set, the transmitted program is written over the stored program. Accordingly, during the change mode, regardless of whether or not the transmitted password matches the stored password, the transmitted program is written over the stored program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiro Minamizawa, Kazuhiro Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6657743
    Abstract: The invention provides a communication terminal which can automatically print required image information received via the Internet. Specifically, a communication terminal is provided with receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet and a printer for printing the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. The communication terminal operates such that if image information received by the receiving means complies with a predetermined format, printing instructing means instructs the printer to print the image information and the printer prints the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. Another aspect of the invention provides a communication terminal in the form of a facsimile device that receives information via the Internet and can handle two kinds of data, G3 and TIFF, without enlarging memory capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Otsuka, Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6427004
    Abstract: When CPU of a communication apparatus judges that a telephone line is not closed-and-connected and also judges that a transmission original is set, CPU performs processing of setting a transmission concentration. If it judges that no transmission original is set, the volume of a ringing sound is set. Further, when CPU judges that the telephone line is connected and closed and also judges that a telephone receiver is not on hook, it performs processing of setting a receiver volume. If it judges that the telephone receiver is on hook, it sets the volume of voices of a communication partner which are output from a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiro Minamizawa, Junji Hatamura
  • Publication number: 20020029314
    Abstract: During a normal update process, a password transmitted from a personal computer is compared with password already stored in a flash memory. When the passwords match, a transmitted program is written over the stored program. When a change mode is set by a user, the transmitted password is not compared with the stored password. The transmitted program is written over the stored program. Alternatively, even when the two passwords are compared and the two passwords do not match, if the change mode is being set, the transmitted program is written over the stored program. Accordingly, during the change mode, regardless of whether or not the transmitted password matches the stored password, the transmitted program is written over the stored program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumihiro Minamizawa, Kazuhiro Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6323962
    Abstract: A facsimile machine including a first facsimile-data transmitter including a first connector connectable to an external computer via a first communication line, and a second connector connectable to a second facsimile-data transmitter via a second communication line, the first facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via the first communication line, facsimile data transmitted from the second facsimile-data transmitter via the second communication line, the machine also including a facsimile-data receiver, and a control device which controls the first facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit the facsimile data to the external computer, and controls the facsimile-data receiver to receive the facsimile data, in place of the external computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Itoh, Fumihiro Minamizawa, Yuji Asano
  • Patent number: 6298421
    Abstract: During a normal update process, a password transmitted from a personal computer is compared with password already stored in a flash memory. When the passwords match, a transmitted program is written over the stored program. When a change mode is set by a user, the transmitted password is not compared with the stored password. The transmitted program is written over the stored program. Alternatively, even when the two passwords are compared and the, two passwords do not match, if the change mode is being set, the transmitted program is written over the stored program. Accordingly, during the change mode, regardless of whether or not the transmitted password matches the stored password, the transmitted program is written over the stored program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiro Minamizawa, Kazuhiro Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6288791
    Abstract: A multifunction apparatus has a receiver that receives a picture signal and a converter that converts the picture signal received by the receiver into image data. A memory is provided for storing the image data obtained through conversion by the converter. The memory is usable also for an operation other than an operation related to the conversion by the converter unit. A detector detects an amount of memory space available in the memory. A conversion mode changer changes a mode of conversion by the converter unit, on the basis of result of the detection by the detector unit. The multifunction apparatus improves the quality of image data and efficiently and fully uses the memory, thereby reducing the memory capacity required and reducing the manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6209985
    Abstract: A recording apparatus uses a first recording head capable of recording in black on a recording medium, and a second recording head capable of recording in black on the recording medium at a recording speed that is lower than a recording speed of the first recording head. The second recording head and the first recording head are interchangeably mountable in the recording apparatus. A detection device detects which one of the first recording head and the second recording head is set. If the detection device detects that the second recording head is set, a storage device stores information received from an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6208434
    Abstract: This invention permits copying of multiple documents when only a small amount of memory is available. When a single copy mode is selected from an operator panel, a document's color image is read by the scanner section, stored line-by-line in a buffer, color corrected, converted to binary print-use data using the error diffusion method, and printed on a line-by-line basis by a recording section. When a multiple copy mode is selected, one line of a read color image is subjected to color correction and data-compressed using a simple binary conversion into print-use data, so that one line of obtained image data is compressed before being stored in the copy-use storage area. When the image data on one sheet has been processed and stored, printing is performed by a recording section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6195172
    Abstract: A multi-function peripheral device serving as a peripheral device of an information processing device has a plurality of functions including a scanner function for retrieving an image from a document. The multi-function peripheral device uses multitask processing to execute at least a first task, which uses the scanner function, simultaneously with at least a second task. The multi-function peripheral device includes: a simultaneous operation determination unit that determines whether the first task using the scanner function is being performed simultaneously with the second task; and a retrieval speed control unit that reduces retrieval speed of the scanner function when the simultaneous operation determination unit determines that the first task using the scanner function is being performed simultaneously with the second task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6064490
    Abstract: A peripheral multifunction device includes a CPU performing data transmission and reception between the device and an information processing unit in a multiplex communication mode so that a plurality of functions of the device are performed and a storage unit for storing various data including the data received by the CPU. The CPU further judges a remaining capacity of the storage unit. A processing of storing in the storage unit the data concerning at least one of the functions of the peripheral multifunction device when the judged remaining capacity of the storage unit is at or below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 6065074
    Abstract: A multi-function peripheral device serves as a peripheral device for an information processing unit and is capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of tasks of a plurality of functions by multi-task processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Minamizawa