Patents by Inventor Masashi Kuno

Masashi Kuno 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: 8964242
    Abstract: A print controller controls a print executing unit having a print head in which L nozzles are arranged in a first direction. A pitch of first nozzles in the first direction is set to a first predetermined nozzle pitch. The print controller generates print data based on image data. The print data causes the print executing unit to execute N pass printing. A pitch of lines formed through N pass printing is one N-th of the first predetermined nozzle pitch. At least one of the L number of first nozzles is unused for forming dots on the printing medium in each pass printing. Combinations of the first nozzles used in the N number of pass processes are different from one another. A movement distance of the print head when the first moving process is executed once is different from that when the second moving process is executed once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8928960
    Abstract: A control device performs: acquiring an optical measured scan value; setting a measured offset using the measured scan value by reference to predetermined correlations; and determining a control value using the measured offset amount. The control value is used for controlling an amount of colorant to be ejected during printing. In the predetermined correlations, a first pair of scan values is associated with a first pair of offsets. A second pair of scan values is associated with a second pair of offsets. The first and second pair has a first and second scan difference between the scan values, respectively. The first and second pair of offsets has a first and second offset difference between the offsets, respectively. The first scan difference is different from the second scan difference. The first offset difference is same as the second offset difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8885222
    Abstract: An image processor includes a color conversion unit that generates color converted image data by converting color data and an error diffusion process performing unit that generates print data by performing an error diffusion process on the color converted image data. The error diffusion process performs a first error diffusion process on remaining data and performing a second error diffusion process on edge data such that an amount of ink used in the edge region by performing the second error diffusion process on the edge data is less than an amount of ink used in the edge region by performing first error diffusion process on the edge data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8810858
    Abstract: In a print control device, an executing unit executes an error diffusion process in which one of a first and second setting processes is executed. In the first setting process, the executing unit determines whether a first condition is satisfied. The first condition includes that the corrected value of the pixel data is larger than the first threshold value and that the first allowance condition determined by a first probability is satisfied. After the executing unit determines that the first condition is not satisfied, the executing unit determines whether a second condition is satisfied. The second condition includes that the corrected value of the pixel data is larger than the second threshold value. In the second setting process, the executing unit determines whether the second condition is satisfied. After the executing unit determines that the second condition is not satisfied, the executing unit determines whether the first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8810851
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, the generating unit generates print data indicating whether a dot having one of a plurality of sizes is formed or not, by performing a halftone process on original image data. The correcting unit generates corrected print data by correcting the print data. The dividing unit divides the edge part data of the print data into a plurality of block data. The index value determining unit determines, for each block data, an index value relating to an amount of ink to be used based on the plurality of dot data included in the each block data. The changing unit changes, for each block data, the size information of at least one dot data among the plurality of dot data included in the each block data based on the index value such that the amount of ink to be used becomes reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8804196
    Abstract: In an error diffusion process, a random number acquiring unit acquires a random number included in a first random number range that depends on the gradation value of the target pixel data, in a case that the gradation value of the target pixel data is in a first range. The first correcting unit corrects the gradation value of the target pixel data into a first corrected gradation value by using the random number. The dot value setting unit sets a dot value of the target pixel data to either a first dot value or a second dot value. The first random number range corresponding to the gradation value smaller than the second threshold value includes a specific random number such that the first correcting unit corrects the gradation value into the first corrected gradation value greater than the second threshold value by using the specific random number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8789906
    Abstract: In a case where N1 lines (N1 being less than N which is a number of nozzles included in one nozzle line) of target line image data represent N1 lines of target line images to be printed by only one specific color of ink, and (N?N1) lines of remaining line image data include line image data which represents a line image to be printed by two or more colors of ink, the controlling device may select only the N1 lines of target line image data, so as to determine the opposite direction of the direction of the main scanning of a previous time as the direction of the main scanning of a present time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Maehira, Masashi Kuno, Sadaaki Miyazaki, Toru Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20140176966
    Abstract: A print controller controls a print executing unit having a print head in which L nozzles are arranged in a first direction. A pitch of first nozzles in the first direction is set to a first predetermined nozzle pitch. The print controller generates print data based on image data. The print data causes the print executing unit to execute N pass printing. A pitch of lines formed through N pass printing is one N-th of the first predetermined nozzle pitch. At least one of the L number of first nozzles is unused for forming dots on the printing medium in each pass printing. Combinations of the first nozzles used in the N number of pass processes are different from one another. A movement distance of the print head when the first moving process is executed once is different from that when the second moving process is executed once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8760709
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, the generating unit generates print data indicating whether a dot having one of a plurality of sizes is formed or not, by performing a halftone process on original image data. The correcting unit generates corrected print data by correcting the print data. The dividing unit divides the edge part data of the print data into a plurality of block data. The index value determining unit determines, for each block data, an index value relating to an amount of ink to be used based on the plurality of dot data included in the each block data. The changing unit changes, for each block data, the size information of at least one dot data among the plurality of dot data included in the each block data based on the index value such that the amount of ink to be used becomes reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Publication number: 20140146089
    Abstract: A controller configured to control a display unit configured to change a maximum luminescence level is provided, the controller including a setting acquirer acquiring a setting value associated with the maximum luminescence level, an image data acquirer acquiring target image data, a feature value acquirer acquiring a feature value correlated with a brightness of a target image expressed by the target image data, using pixel values contained in the target image data, a corrector applying to the target image data a correction for adjusting the brightness of the target image using the setting value associated with the maximum luminescence level and the feature value correlated with the brightness of the target image, and a display controller controlling the display unit to display the target image expressed by the corrected target image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi KUNO
  • Patent number: 8730519
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a process section; a generation section; and a supply section. The process section includes: an index value determination section; and an adjustment section. The index value determination section is configured to determine an index value for each of a plurality of target pixels included in edge image data. The adjustment section is configured not to adjust a pixel value of the target pixel in a first case where the density of the target pixel is determined to be relatively low based on the index value of the target pixel, and configured to adjust the pixel value of the target pixel so as to reduce the density of the target pixel in a second case where the density of the target pixel is determined to be relatively high based on the index value of the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8714679
    Abstract: A print control device includes a processor operating as a determining unit and a direction setting unit. The determining unit determines that a condition is satisfied for a boundary block when an index value of the boundary block indicates that an estimated amount is larger than a first value, and that the condition is satisfied for an internal block when an index value of the internal block indicates that the estimated amount is larger than a second value. The second value is larger than the first value. The direction setting unit sets, for each part data, a direction of main scanning to a specific direction when the part data includes the block that satisfies the condition. The direction setting unit sets the direction of main scanning to a direction opposite to a previously set direction when the part data does not include the block that satisfies the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8717379
    Abstract: A color conversion table creating device for creating a color conversion table for converting first color data defined in a first color space to second color data defined in a second color space different from the first color space, includes a first data acquiring unit, a reference value determining unit, a lightness judging unit, a third data determining unit, and a creating unit. The first data acquiring unit is configured to acquire a plurality of sets of first data defined in the first color space. The first data sets are determined by measuring test patches each corresponding to a set of second data defined in the second color space. The first data sets include a set of black color data corresponding to data representing black in the second color space. Each first data set has a lightness value. The reference value determining unit is configured to determine a reference value based on a lightness value of the black color data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Publication number: 20140071504
    Abstract: A control device performs: acquiring an optical measured scan value; setting a measured offset using the measured scan value by reference to predetermined correlations; and determining a control value using the measured offset amount. The control value is used for controlling an amount of colorant to be ejected during printing. In the predetermined correlations, a first pair of scan values is associated with a first pair of offsets. A second pair of scan values is associated with a second pair of offsets. The first and second pair has a first and second scan difference between the scan values, respectively. The first and second pair of offsets has a first and second offset difference between the offsets, respectively. The first scan difference is different from the second scan difference. The first offset difference is same as the second offset difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi KUNO
  • Publication number: 20140071497
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the image processing device to perform: acquiring a calibration value based on a plurality of test images that are printed on a recording medium, the calibration value indicating an amount of calibration; calibrating a target value by using the calibration value, the target value being used to determine a dot formation state of each pixel of an image in a halftone process; and generating print data by performing the halftone process on each pixel based on the calibrated target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi KUNO
  • Patent number: 8643904
    Abstract: An image processing device converts original image data to converted image data by performing a scaling process and a color conversion process on the original image data; determines, for each pixel in the converted image data, whether or not at least one set of original pixel data corresponding to the converted pixel includes predetermined data; and produces output image data based on the converted image data. The image processing device selects, for each pixel in the converted image data, a first halftone method when no set of original pixel data corresponding to the converted pixel includes the predetermined data, and a second halftone method when the at least one set of original pixel data corresponding to the converted pixel includes the predetermined data. The image processing device produces output pixel data for each converted pixel in the selected halftone method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Publication number: 20130335781
    Abstract: In a print control device, an executing unit executes an error diffusion process in which one of a first and second setting processes is executed. In the first setting process, the executing unit determines whether a first condition is satisfied. The first condition includes that the corrected value of the pixel data is larger than the first threshold value and that the first allowance condition determined by a first probability is satisfied. After the executing unit determines that the first condition is not satisfied, the executing unit determines whether a second condition is satisfied. The second condition includes that the corrected value of the pixel data is larger than the second threshold value. In the second setting process, the executing unit determines whether the second condition is satisfied. After the executing unit determines that the second condition is not satisfied, the executing unit determines whether the first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi KUNO
  • Publication number: 20130335782
    Abstract: In an error diffusion process, a random number acquiring unit acquires a random number included in a first random number range that depends on the gradation value of the target pixel data, in a case that the gradation value of the target pixel data is in a first range. The first correcting unit corrects the gradation value of the target pixel data into a first corrected gradation value by using the random number. The dot value setting unit sets a dot value of the target pixel data to either a first dot value or a second dot value. The first random number range corresponding to the gradation value smaller than the second threshold value includes a specific random number such that the first correcting unit corrects the gradation value into the first corrected gradation value greater than the second threshold value by using the specific random number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi KUNO
  • Patent number: 8599430
    Abstract: An image processing device creates reduced image data based on original image data indicative of an original image. The original image is divided into original grids each corresponding to a set of original pixel data. The reduced image is divided into reduced grids each corresponding to a set of reduced pixel data. The image processing device acquires, for each set of reduced pixel data, original pixel data corresponding to the original grid whose part is superposed on the reduced grid corresponding to the each set of reduced pixel data when the reduced image is partially superposed on the original image such that the reduced image is shifted. The reduced pixel data is produced by calculating a weighted average of the original pixel data based on size ratio of the part of original grid superposed on the reduced grid to a size of the reduced grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno
  • Patent number: 8547594
    Abstract: The present invention provides a profile calibrating device, method and program capable of performing color matching with no significant loss in precision relative to absolute color matching while preventing strange sensation in the rendered black and white colors. The profile correcting device includes a first profile acquiring unit, a second profile acquiring unit, a first connecting unit, and a second correcting unit. The first profile acquiring unit acquires a first profile representing correspondence relationship between input color values and first colorimetric values. The second profile acquiring unit acquires a second profile representing correspondence relationship between the input color values and second colon metric values. The first correcting unit corrects the second colorimetric value for the white value, and the second colon metric value for the black value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Kuno