Patents by Inventor Masaaki Nishihara

Masaaki Nishihara 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).

  • Publication number: 20230331004
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveying belt, a recording head, and a flushing controller. The conveying belt includes the plurality of openings formed as a plurality of rows of openings, each row composed of openings arranged at predetermined intervals in a widthwise direction of the conveying belt. The openings of each of the plurality of rows of openings include overlapped portions at which the openings are over-lapped with the openings of any other of the plurality of rows of openings along a widthwise direction of the conveying belt. The flushing controller allows the recording head to do flushing by allowing each of all the nozzles inclusive of the nozzles facing the overlapped portions to eject ink a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masaaki NISHIHARA, Takenori YAMAMOTO, Masayuki MIYAKE, Tatsuya CHUTO
  • Publication number: 20230182471
    Abstract: A data-generating unit of an inkjet recording apparatus recognizes, based on a detection signal of a recording medium output from a recording medium detection sensor, an open part region that is a region of an open part located in a position shifted from a recording medium detected by the recording medium detection sensor in a transport direction among regions of a plurality of open parts included in an open part reading data read by an open part detection sensor to generate flushing data in accordance with the open part region. A flushing control unit recognizes at least one non-image-forming period in which the open part corresponding to the region passes a position facing the recording head by running of the transport belt, based on the detection signal, and causes the recording head to execute flushing, based on flushing data, in the at least one non-image-forming period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Masaaki NISHIHARA, Takenori YAMAMOTO, Masayuki MIYAKE, Tatsuya CHUTO, Toshihiko TANAKA, Ryo SHIOMI
  • Patent number: 11673386
    Abstract: A measurement method of nozzle overlapping width, in a main scanning direction intersecting a conveying direction of a recording medium, in an inkjet recording apparatus including a plurality of heads each having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink, includes a first step (S120), a second step (S130), and a third step (S140). The first step (S120) includes forming an image for measurement on the recording medium, using image data including combination patterns of droplet sizes, different with respect to each of blocks extending along the main scanning direction. The second step (S130) includes selecting the block having uniform density along the main scanning direction, in the image for measurement. The third step (S140) includes determining the nozzle overlapping width using a droplet size ratio adopted to form the image for measurement, on a basis of a position of the selected block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki Nishihara
  • Patent number: 11386312
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print engine, a sheet transportation unit, an optical sensor, and an image processing unit. The print engine is configured to physically print an image to be printed on a print sheet. The sheet transportation unit is configured to transport the print sheet along a predetermined transportation path. The optical sensor is arranged so as to face the transportation path, and configured to detect a color of a test chart on a colored print sheet transported along the transportation path. The image processing unit is configured to perform color correction of the image to be printed on the colored print sheet, on the basis of the detected color of the test chart on the colored print sheet so as to restrain color change of the image due to a surface color of the colored print sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Yuki Fukasawa, Atsushi Kimura, Shin Ishikawa, Hikaru Miyaji, Kosuke Nakajima, Yosuke Morishita, Masaaki Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20220212465
    Abstract: A measurement method of nozzle overlapping width, in a main scanning direction intersecting a conveying direction of a recording medium, in an inkjet recording apparatus including a plurality of heads each having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink, includes a first step (S120), a second step (S130), and a third step (S140). The first step (S120) includes forming an image for measurement on the recording medium, using image data including combination patterns of droplet sizes, different with respect to each of blocks extending along the main scanning direction. The second step (S130) includes selecting the block having uniform density along the main scanning direction, in the image for measurement. The third step (S140) includes determining the nozzle overlapping width using a droplet size ratio adopted to form the image for measurement, on a basis of a position of the selected block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki NISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 11267241
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder, a sheet conveyor, a line head, an image sensor, a moving mechanism, and a controller. The image sensor has a reading width in the main scanning direction smaller than main scanning direction widths of a largest printable size paper sheet. In setting for using a large width sheet, a controller controls a moving mechanism to move the image sensor toward one side so that a one side edge of the large width sheet can be read. Based on read image data obtained by reading, the controller recognizes a deviation direction and a deviation amount of a position of the conveyed large width sheet in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Masaaki Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20210081731
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print engine, a sheet transportation unit, an optical sensor, and an image processing unit. The print engine is configured to physically print an image to be printed on a print sheet. The sheet transportation unit is configured to transport the print sheet along a predetermined transportation path. The optical sensor is arranged so as to face the transportation path, and configured to detect a color of a test chart on a colored print sheet transported along the transportation path. The image processing unit is configured to perform color correction of the image to be printed on the colored print sheet, on the basis of the detected color of the test chart on the colored print sheet so as to restrain color change of the image due to a surface color of the colored print sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Yuki Fukasawa, Atsushi Kimura, Shin Ishikawa, Hikaru Miyaji, Kosuke Nakajima, Yosuke Morishita, Masaaki Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20200398555
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder, a sheet conveyor, a line head, an image sensor, a moving mechanism, and a controller. The image sensor has a reading width in the main scanning direction smaller than main scanning direction widths of a largest printable size paper sheet. In setting for using a large width sheet, a controller controls a moving mechanism to move the image sensor toward one side so that a one side edge of the large width sheet can be read. Based on read image data obtained by reading, the controller recognizes a deviation direction and a deviation amount of a position of the conveyed large width sheet in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki NISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 10497274
    Abstract: In a question generating device, a reader reads a document and generates a document image. An extracting section extracts an original form character part on the basis of a marked character part included in the document image. The original form character part represents an original form of a plurality of candidate character parts that are candidate answers to a question generated from the document image. A setting section sets as the plurality of candidate character parts, the original form character part and at least one character part formed by either or both adding a character to and deleting a character from the original form character part. A selecting section selects a candidate character part of the highest priority from among the plurality of candidate character parts. A generating section generates the question using the candidate character part of the highest priority as the answer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20180122257
    Abstract: In a question generating device, a reader reads a document and generates a document image. An extracting section extracts an original form character part on the basis of a marked character part included in the document image. The original form character part represents an original form of a plurality of candidate character parts that are candidate answers to a question generated from the document image. A setting section sets as the plurality of candidate character parts, the original form character part and at least one character part formed by either or both adding a character to and deleting a character from the original form character part. A selecting section selects a candidate character part of the highest priority from among the plurality of candidate character parts. A generating section generates the question using the candidate character part of the highest priority as the answer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki NISHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20180061263
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus that effectively supports grading of answer sheets. An answer-processing unit obtains image data of answered answer sheets for all answerers, extracts all answer fields and name fields as image data, correlates and records the image data in a scanning-data DB. A collective-output unit generates, prints and outputs a collected answer collection for which only the same answer field is extracted. A grading-processing unit obtains graded collective-printing output for grading, and extracts and records that output as image data. Moreover, the grading-processing unit determines a score by identifying “Os”, Xs” and the like that are added to the image data. A result-output unit obtains the image data and total score of an answerer for which a specification was received (person that is the object of printing), and prints and outputs a graded answer sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki NISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 9773425
    Abstract: Provided is a choice question creating apparatus creating a choice question on a question document. It includes an image reading part reading a question document to acquire image data; a character recognizing part executing recognition on image data, acquiring document text data; a sentence extraction part extracting from document text data; a correct answer identifying part identifying word as correct answer from sentence; a word dictionary database in which words are classified into categories and registered; a choice creating part selecting specific number of words from category in word dictionary database including correct answer, and arranges words selected, and word as correct answer identified by correct answer identifying part to create choice group; a question sentence transforming part deleting correct answer from sentence to transform it into question sentence, and a layout part arranging transformed question sentence, and created choice group to create a choice question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Shimada, Takayuki Mashimo, Toshihiko Tanaka, Takashi Harada, Nobuto Fujita, Masaaki Nishihara, Hikaru Miyaji, Yukio Shibata
  • Publication number: 20170092146
    Abstract: Provided is a choice question creating apparatus creating a choice question on a question document. It includes an image reading part reading a question document to acquire image data; a character recognizing part executing recognition on image data, acquiring document text data; a sentence extraction part extracting from document text data; a correct answer identifying part identifying word as correct answer from sentence; a word dictionary database in which words are classified into categories and registered; a choice creating part selecting specific number of words from category in word dictionary database including correct answer, and arranges words selected, and word as correct answer identified by correct answer identifying part to create choice group; a question sentence transforming part deleting correct answer from sentence to transform it into question sentence, and a layout part arranging transformed question sentence, and created choice group to create a choice question.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Akira SHIMADA, Takayuki MASHIMO, Toshihiko TANAKA, Takashi HARADA, Nobuto FUJITA, Masaaki NISHIHARA, Hikaru MIYAJI, Yukio SHIBATA
  • Patent number: 8552962
    Abstract: A display apparatus driving circuit capable of reducing the amount of heat generated at a driving unit while suppressing degradation in image quality is provided. A display apparatus driving circuit according to the present invention includes: a source driver for driving a display unit; a heat detecting circuit for detecting amount of heat generated at the source driver, and outputting a heat detection signal when the detected amount of generated heat is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value; and a heat reduction circuit for changing, when the heat detection signal is received, a driving method of the display unit to reduce the amount of heat generated at said source driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Otani, Hiroshi Kojima, Masaaki Nishihara, Tomoya Ishikawa, Tooru Suyama
  • Publication number: 20120171751
    Abstract: A new supply source of enzymes useful for modification of phospholipids for example, and a method for producing 2-acyl lysophospholipid, a method for producing monoacylglycerol, and a method for producing ceramide, as well as a new method for degumming fat and oil. A novel microorganism is provided, which belongs to Moritella species and is capable of producing enzymes provided with: phospholipase A1 activity; phospholipase C activity; lysophospholipase C activity; and sphingomyelinase activity. By use of those enzymes, the following processes may be effected: hydrolysis of phospholipids for production of 2-acyl lysophospholipid and diacylglycerol; hydrolysis of sphingomyeline for production of ceramide; and degumming of fat and oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF MARINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: KOHJI YAMAGUCHI, KAZUNAGA YAZAWA, MASAAKI NISHIHARA, JUN IWASAKI, MASAZUMI KAMATA
  • Publication number: 20110316823
    Abstract: A display apparatus driving circuit capable of reducing the amount of heat generated at a driving unit while suppressing degradation in image quality is provided. A display apparatus driving circuit according to the present invention includes: a source driver for driving a display unit; a heat detecting circuit for detecting amount of heat generated at the source driver, and outputting a heat detection signal when the detected amount of generated heat is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value; and a heat reduction circuit for changing, when the heat detection signal is received, a driving method of the display unit to reduce the amount of heat generated at said source driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki OTANI, Hiroshi Kojima, Masaaki Nishihara, Tomoya Ishikawa, Tooru Suyama
  • Patent number: 7993887
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new supply source of phospholipase A1, which is useful for phospholipid modification and lipid biochemical research, and offers a method capable of efficiently manufacturing a large amount of high DHA content phospholipids and lysophospholipids. A novel microorganism HFKI-0020 (FERM AP-20545) of the genus Pseudomonas which produces enzymes with phospholipase A1 activity can be used as a new supply source of enzymes with the phospholipase A1 activity. A lipid-modifying agent containing an effective dose of enzymes with the phospholipase A1 activity produced by those novel microorganisms allows the efficient mass-production of lysophospholipids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
    Inventors: Masaaki Nishihara, Masazumi Kamata, Kohji Yamaguchi, Kazunaga Yazawa
  • Publication number: 20090104672
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new supply source of enzymes useful for modification of phospholipids for example, and also provides a method for producing 2-acyl lysophospholipid, a method for producing monoacylglycerol, and a method for producing ceramide, as well as a new method for degumming fat and oil. A novel microorganism is provided, which belongs to Moritella species and is capable of producing enzymes provided with: phospholipase A1 activity; phospholipase C activity; lysophospholipase C activity; and sphingomyelinase activity. By use of those enzymes, the following processes may be effected: hydrolysis of phospholipids for production of 2-acyl lysophospholipid and diacylglycerol; hydrolysis of sphingomyeline for production of ceramide; and degumming of fat and oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kohji Yamaguchi, Kazunaga Yazawa, Masaaki Nishihara, Jun Iwasaki, Masazumi Kamata
  • Publication number: 20090029428
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new supply source of phospholipase A1, which is useful for phospholipid modification and lipid biochemical research, and offers a method capable of efficiently manufacturing a large amount of high DHA content phospholipids and lysophospholipids. A novel microorganism HFKI-0020 (FERM AP-20545) of the genus Pseudomonas which produces enzymes with phospholipase A1 activity can be used as a new supply source of enzymes with the phospholipase A1 activity. A lipid-modifying agent containing an effective dose of enzymes with the phospholipase A1 activity produced by those novel microorganisms allows the efficient mass-production of lysophospholipids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
    Inventors: Masaaki Nishihara, Masazumi Kamata, Kohji Yamaguchi, Kazunaga Yazawa