Patents by Inventor Satoru Arakane

Satoru Arakane 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: 20210291561
    Abstract: There is provided image recording apparatus including: memory and controller. The controller is configured to store, in the memory, first identification information for identifying recorded image and minimum margin value being a minimum value of partial image margins of recorded partial images. The controller is configured to obtain second identification information for identifying image-to-be-recorded. In a case that second identification information is same as first identification information stored, the controller is configured to determine whether the minimum margin value is smaller than threshold or not, and then: in a case that the minimum margin value is smaller than threshold, the controller is configured to derive an edge position of the sheet, and then execute ejection based on the derived edge position; and in a case that the minimum margin value in not smaller than threshold, the controller is configured to execute the ejection without deriving the edge position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Satoru ARAKANE
  • Patent number: 11097533
    Abstract: A controller is configured to: when both a first conveyor and a second conveyor are operating concurrently, determine whether a reference current value exceeds a threshold value, the reference current value being obtained based on at least one of a first driving current that is a driving current of the first conveyor and a second driving current that is a driving current of the second conveyor; in response to determining that the reference current value exceeds the threshold value, continue an operation of an earlier-driven conveyor that is one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor that is started at earlier timing, and temporarily stop an operation of a later-driven conveyor that is one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor that is started at later timing; and after a driving current of the earlier-driven conveyor drops to a particular standard, restart the operation of the later-driven conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Yuta Arakawa, Yusuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11090958
    Abstract: A control device includes a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to control a print execution device to perform printing on a first sheet and a second sheet, when at least one specific condition is not satisfied with respect to the first sheet being printed, after final partial printing on the first sheet, start final conveyance of the first sheet in a state where a plurality of nozzles are located within a sheet range in which the first sheet is placed in a main scanning direction, and when the at least one specific condition is satisfied, after the final partial printing on the first sheet, move a print head to such a position that the plurality of nozzles are located outside the sheet range in the main scanning direction, before starting the final conveyance of the first sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Arakane
  • Publication number: 20210237446
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a head having a nozzle; a carriage; a receiver; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute: a first flushing processing; a second flushing processing including at least one of a discharge flushing driving and a non-discharge flushing driving of driving; and a printing processing. The first flushing processing is executed in a case that a first count value is not less than a first threshold value, the first count value being an elapsed time since a completion of the first flushing processing. The second flushing processing is executed in a case that a second count value is not less than a second threshold value, the second count value being an elapsed time since a completion of the printing processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru ARAKANE, Shotaro IIDA, Shin HASEGAWA, Yasuhiro NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20210237472
    Abstract: A head unit includes: X (X?2) of first type nozzles configured to discharge a first type liquid droplet, and W (1?W<X) of a second type nozzle configured to discharge a second type liquid droplet. The head unit generates first data forming a first dot pattern and indicating a preceding first type dot area as an area in which the first type liquid droplet is to be discharged, and a preceding second type dot area as an area in which the second type liquid droplet is to be discharged; and second data for forming a second dot pattern and indicating a succeeding first type dot area as an area in which the first type liquid droplet is to be discharged, and a succeeding second type dot area as an area in which the second type liquid droplet is to be discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventor: Satoru ARAKANE
  • Publication number: 20210229456
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print execution section and a controller. The print execution section includes: a printing head having nozzles from which ink is discharged; a main-scan section configured to execute main-scan in which the printing head moves along a main-scan direction relative to a printing medium; and a sub-scan section configured to execute sub-scan in which the printing medium moves along a sub-scan direction relative to the printing head. The controller obtains object image data indicating an object image formed by pixels, generates pieces of partial printing data by processing the object image data in an order from a downstream side toward an upstream side in the sub-scan direction, and causes the print execution section to execute, a plurality of times, the sub-scan and partial printing in which ink is discharged from the printing head during the main-scan by use of the pieces of partial printing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru ARAKANE, Tsuyoshi ITO, Hirotoshi MAEHIRA
  • Publication number: 20210162771
    Abstract: A controller of a liquid ejection device is configured to receive a preparation signal instructing preparation to eject the liquid, the preparation signal being externally issued upon issuance of an ejection instruction to eject the liquid toward a target medium. The controller is configured to start receiving ejection data after the preparation signal is received, the ejection data being externally transmitted on condition that the ejection instruction is issued and after the preparation signal is issued. The controller is configured to control the liquid ejection head to eject the liquid toward the target medium through the multiple nozzles based on the ejection data. After receiving the preparation signal and before receipt of the ejection data is completed, the controller is configured to control the liquid ejection head to eject liquid through the multiple nozzles and examine at least a part of the nozzles for ejection-defectiveness based on the determination signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru ARAKANE
  • Publication number: 20210162770
    Abstract: A printer includes a print engine and a controller configured to, when a particular condition is satisfied, control the print engine to perform first partial printing to form first dots corresponding to a first portion of a target image without forming second dots corresponding to a second portion of the target image, perform sub scanning over a first distance after the first partial printing and before second partial printing, and perform the second partial printing to form the second dots without forming the first dots, and when the particular condition is not satisfied, control the print engine to perform the first partial printing to form at least a part of the first dots, perform the sub scanning over a second distance different from the first distance after the first partial printing and before second partial printing, and perform the second partial printing to form the second dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru ARAKANE, Tsuyoshi ITO, Hirotoshi MAEHIRA
  • Publication number: 20210155010
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a processor sets a target printing method for printing a target image to one of a bidirectional printing method and a unidirectional printing method. In a case where the bidirectional printing method is set as the target printing method: the processor executes both a first generation process and a second generation process. The first generation process generates first partial print data by converting a set of partial image data using a first color conversion profile. The second generation process generates second partial print data by converting another set of partial image data using a second color conversion profile. In a case where the unidirectional printing method is set as the target printing method, the processor executes a third generation process generating third partial print data by converting a set of partial image data using a third color conversion profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Masashi Kuno, Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 11010648
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs a first generation process generating first partial print data by a first color conversion process using a first profile corresponding to a first direction, and a second generation process generating second partial print data using a second color conversion process using a second profile. When a color difference is smaller than a reference, the apparatus sets a printing direction to the first direction, and outputs the first partial print data to a print execution unit for printing the first partial print data while the main scan moves in the first direction. When the color difference is larger than or equal to the reference, the apparatus sets the printing direction to the second direction, and outputs the second partial print data to the print execution unit for printing the second partial print data while the main scan moves in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shota Morikawa, Masashi Kuno, Satoru Arakane
  • Publication number: 20210144262
    Abstract: An evaluation table includes: a first pixel value set; a second pixel value set next to and having a larger pixel value sum than the first pixel value set; a third pixel value set having a larger pixel value sum than the second pixel value set; a fourth pixel value set next to and having a larger pixel value sum than the third pixel value set; a fifth pixel value set having a larger pixel value sum than the fourth pixel value set; and a sixth pixel value set next to and having a larger sum than the fifth pixel value set. Each of a difference between pixel value sums of the first and second pixel value sets and a difference between pixel value sums of the fifth and sixth pixel value sets is larger than a difference between pixel value sums of the third and fourth pixel value sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Shota MORIKAWA, Satoru ARAKANE
  • Patent number: 11001076
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured to generate a plurality of pieces of partial printing data by executing a generating process including a color conversion process. A printing execution device performs N-th and (N+1)-th partial printing. An area in which the N-th partial printing is performed includes an overlap area, and first and second non-overlap areas respectively arranged on upstream and downstream sides, in the conveying direction, with respect to the overlap area. In the overlap area, dots are formed by both the N-th and (N+1)-th partial printings. The color conversion process includes a first converting process for the first non-overlap area with reference to a first profile, a second converting process for the second non-overlap area with reference to a second profile, and a third converting process for the overlap area, the third converting process being different from both the first and second converting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Masashi Kuno, Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10994536
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a head; a driving element; a controller configured to output, to the driving element, a driving signal having a first voltage level or a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level; and a moving mechanism causing one of the recording medium and the head to move relative to the other of the recording medium and the head. The controller sets the voltage level of the driving signal to be the first voltage level in a case that the controller causes the head to move relative to the recording medium at the first velocity; and the controller sets the voltage level of the driving signal to be the second voltage level in a case that the controller causes the head to move relative to the recording medium at the second velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Tomohiro Nodsu
  • Patent number: 10987938
    Abstract: An image processing device is communicable with a printer and includes a controller. The printer is configured to repeatedly and alternately execute a partial print and a sub scan to form an image. The image is made up of a plurality of partial images arranged in a sub scanning direction. The partial print forms a target partial image while performing a main scan. The controller is configured to perform: setting; generating; and outputting. The setting sets a printing direction for the partial print to one of first and second directions. The generating generates partial print data for the partial print by executing a color conversion process on target partial image data using a color conversion profile. The color conversion profile is selected from first and second profiles respectively corresponding to the first and second directions. The outputting outputs the partial print data and direction information specifying the printing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Masashi Kuno, Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10974520
    Abstract: In an image processing device, a controller is configured to perform: selecting; generating; and outputting. The selecting selects a target partial image one by one from a plurality of partial images. The target partial image is represented by target partial image data. The generating generates partial print data for a partial print by executing an image process on the target partial image data. The partial print forms the target partial image while moving a print head in a printing direction. The partial print forms the target partial image while moving a print head in a printing direction. The image process includes a color conversion process. The color conversion process is executed on the target partial image data using one of a first profile and a second profile selected in accordance with the printing direction set for the partial print. The outputting outputs the partial print data to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Kuno, Shota Morikawa, Satoru Arakane
  • Patent number: 10967632
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including a conveyer, a carriage, a head and a controller. In a case of recording an image on a recording medium, the controller executes: obtaining information regarding a supply state of liquid from a liquid tank to the head in a case of executing each of recording passes; determining a moving velocity of the carriage with respect to each of the recording passes, based on the obtained information regarding the supply state; and adjusting a conveyance amount, by which the recording medium is conveyed in each of conveying operations, depending on moving velocities of the carriage determined with respect to two continuous recording passes, respectively, included in the recording passes, so as to adjust length in the conveyance direction of an overlap area in which recording areas by the two continuous recording passes overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Arakane
  • Publication number: 20210094315
    Abstract: A liquid droplet discharge apparatus includes: a conveyor which conveys a recording medium in a sub-scanning direction; a head unit including first-kind nozzles and at least one second-kind nozzle; a moving device configured to move the head unit in a main scanning direction intersecting with the sub-scanning direction; and a controller. The controller executes: a first data generation process for generating a first data being used for forming a first image; a second data generation process for generating a second data being used for forming a second image; and a forming process for forming dots by controlling the head unit, the moving device, and the conveyor based on the first data and the second data to discharge liquid droplets on the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru ARAKANE, Hirotoshi MAEHIRA
  • Publication number: 20210094324
    Abstract: When a specified image is recorded while ranging over a boundary between a first dot recording range and a second dot recording range, a controller of an image recording apparatus judges whether or not a predetermined condition is fulfilled, the predetermined condition including at least one of a first condition which relates to a duty and a second condition which relates to a positional deviation in a scanning direction of a landing position of a liquid. If the predetermined condition is fulfilled, the dot belonging to a correcting portion is formed by correcting discharge in which the liquid in a discharge amount smaller than a set discharge amount is discharged. If the predetermined condition is not fulfilled, the dot belonging to the correcting portion is formed by ordinary discharge in which the liquid in the set discharge amount is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru ARAKANE, Masao MIMOTO, Tsuyoshi ITO
  • Publication number: 20210086534
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including an image recording head; a scanner; a conveyer; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute first and second recording modes in which the controller causes the image recording head to accelerate to first and second velocities, to move at the first and second velocities, and then to decelerate from the first and second velocities, while causing the image recording head to record the image at least during moving at the first and second velocities, respectively. In a case that the controller has determined, based on printing data, that the image is to be recorded during a first velocity changing period, the controller executes the second recording mode, the first velocity changing period includes a first acceleration and deceleration periods in which the image recording head accelerates and decelerate, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Satoru Arakane
  • Patent number: 10953661
    Abstract: When a correction request is received, a printing correction pattern is printed. Thereafter, a screen prompting to scan the printed correction pattern is displayed. When the scan notification screen is displayed, if the scanning request is received, an image is scanned. Next, the driving information is corrected based on a scanned image. When a particular standby condition is satisfied without the scanning request being received, a process of setting non-completion information is performed. When a particular standby release condition is satisfied without the scanning request is received, a screen corresponding to the satisfied standby release condition is displayed at a particular timing. When the correction request is input when a screen different from the scan notification screen is displayed, information regarding necessity determination of the pattern printing process is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Yuka Hattori, Kenji Kawamoto, Tony Lee