Patents by Inventor Shota MORIKAWA

Shota MORIKAWA 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: 20200039233
    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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Masashi Kuno, Shota Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20200039234
    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: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Satoru Arakane, Masashi Kuno, Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10491781
    Abstract: A controller performs: acquiring target image data; calculating a particular value of a first end image by using the target image data, the first end image being an image to be printed in a first end region parallel to a first end of a print medium; determining print processing to be performed by using the particular value, including: when a particular condition is satisfied, determining first print processing as the print processing, the particular condition including a first condition that uniformity of the first end image is higher than or equal to a first standard; and when the particular condition is not satisfied, determining second print processing as the print processing, the first print processing being processing in which banding is less likely to occur in the first end image than the second print processing; and controlling the printer to print an image based on the target image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10462332
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a processor acquires first and second profiles. The processor generates a third profile. The processor acquires a first boundary defining a first boundary value. The processor determines a second boundary by using first and second boundary output values. The second boundary defines a second boundary value. The first boundary output value is determined from output values in the first profile on the basis of the first boundary. The second boundary output value is determined from output values in the second profile on the basis of the first boundary. The first and second boundary values define first, second, and third ranges. The third profile maps a specific input value in the second range to an output value by using a value to which the first profile maps the specific input value and a value to which the second profile maps the specific input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10363735
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus repeats an ejection process for ejecting color materials by moving a print head in one of a forward direction and a reverse direction in a main scanning direction, and a moving process for moving a print medium in a sub-scanning direction. In a case where an L-th band image satisfies both of a first color condition and a second color condition, a direction of the ejection process is determined to be the same direction as the direction of moving of the print head in the ejection process for another band image including a predetermined number or more of pixels. Where the L-th band image does not satisfy at least one of the first color condition and the second color condition, the direction process of the ejection process is determined to be an opposite direction to moving of the print head in an (L?1)-th ejection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20190222716
    Abstract: A controller performs: acquiring target image data; calculating a particular value of a first end image by using the target image data, the first end image being an image to be printed in a first end region parallel to a first end of a print medium; determining print processing to be performed by using the particular value, including: when a particular condition is satisfied, determining first print processing as the print processing, the particular condition including a first condition that uniformity of the first end image is higher than or equal to a first standard; and when the particular condition is not satisfied, determining second print processing as the print processing, the first print processing being processing in which banding is less likely to occur in the first end image than the second print processing; and controlling the printer to print an image based on the target image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20190199888
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a processor acquires first and second profiles. The processor generates a third profile. The processor acquires a first boundary defining a first boundary value. The processor determines a second boundary by using first and second boundary output values. The second boundary defines a second boundary value. The first boundary output value is determined from output values in the first profile on the basis of the first boundary. The second boundary output value is determined from output values in the second profile on the basis of the first boundary. The first and second boundary values define first, second, and third ranges. The third profile maps a specific input value in the second range to an output value by using a value to which the first profile maps the specific input value and a value to which the second profile maps the specific input value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventor: Shota MORIKAWA
  • Patent number: 10200570
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus a controller acquires target image data representing an image including first and second type of objects. The controller specifies, as a specific type color material, one of first and second type of color materials whose remaining amount is smaller than that of the other, and determines a first reduction index value indicating a first degree of reduction in an amount of the specific type color material for printing the first type of object. The controller creates processed data by performing a reduction process on the target image data to reduce an amount of the specific type of color material for printing the first type of object on the basis of the first reduction index value. An amount of the specific type color material for printing the second type object is not reduced on the basis of the first reduction index value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Shimahashi, Akidi Yoshida, Shota Morikawa, Kazuyuki Miyaki
  • Publication number: 20190009523
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus repeats an ejection process for ejecting color materials by moving a print head in one of a forward direction and a reverse direction in a main scanning direction, and a moving process for moving a print medium in a sub-scanning direction. In a case where an L-th band image satisfies both of a first color condition and a second color condition, a direction of the ejection process is determined to be the same direction as the direction of moving of the print head in the ejection process for another band image including a predetermined number or more of pixels. Where the L-th band image does not satisfy at least one of the first color condition and the second color condition, the direction process of the ejection process is determined to be an opposite direction to moving of the print head in an (L?1)-th ejection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10133522
    Abstract: A method includes generating color correspondence information correlating L number of first reference color specification values in a first color space with L number of determined second color specification values in a second color space on a one-to-one basis. The L number of determined second color specification values includes (L?Q) number of unmodified second reference color specification values, (Q?N) number of modified second reference color specification values modified in a first modification process but not in the second modification process, and N number of remodified second reference color specification values which are modified in both the first modification process and the second modification process, where L is an integer greater than or equal to two, Q is an integer greater than or equal to one and smaller than or equal to L, and N is an integer greater than or equal to one and smaller than or equal to Q.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shota Morikawa, Takuya Shimahashi, Akidi Yoshida, Kazuyuki Miyaki
  • Patent number: 10091398
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a controller configured to perform: setting characteristic information including first characteristic information and second characteristic information; and converting a target image data using the characteristic information. The first and second characteristic information correlate input values with output values in a specific color space. The input values includes a specific input value within a specific range. The specific input value is correlated with a first specific output value by the first characteristic information, and is correlated with a second specific output value by the second characteristic information. The first specific output value indicates that a colorant consumption quantity for the specific input value is changed from an original colorant consumption quantity by a first colorant quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shota Morikawa, Takuya Shimahashi, Akidi Yoshida, Kazuyuki Miyaki
  • Patent number: 9937726
    Abstract: A controller provided in a control device calculates an index value indicative of an amount of a specific type of ink in a specific type of color to be used in printing at least a part of a target image including a first image and a second image. In response to determining that the index value is not greater than a threshold value, the controller controls a printer to print the first image and the second image using the specific type of ink for reproducing the specific type of color. In response to determining that the index value is greater than the threshold value, the controller controls the printer to print the first image using the specific type of ink and to print the second image using a different type of ink different from the specific type of ink for reproducing the specific type of color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9925794
    Abstract: In a print data generation apparatus, a print data generation apparatus generates print data. The print data includes post-replacement data obtained by the color replacement on pre-replacement data. The post-replacement data includes a plurality of post-replacement pixel values. Each post-replacement pixel value includes a plurality of post-replacement color components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Miyaki, Takuya Shimahashi, Shota Morikawa, Akidi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20180007238
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus a controller acquires target image data representing an image including first and second type of objects. The controller specifies, as a specific type color material, one of first and second type of color materials whose remaining amount is smaller than that of the other, and determines a first reduction index value indicating a first degree of reduction in an amount of the specific type color material for printing the first type of object. The controller creates processed data by performing a reduction process on the target image data to reduce an amount of the specific type of color material for printing the first type of object on the basis of the first reduction index value. An amount of the specific type color material for printing the second type object is not reduced on the basis of the first reduction index value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Takuya SHIMAHASHI, Akidi YOSHIDA, Shota MORIKAWA, Kazuyuki MIYAKI
  • Publication number: 20170282589
    Abstract: In a print data generation apparatus, a print data generation apparatus generates print data. The print data includes post-replacement data obtained by the color replacement on pre-replacement data. The post-replacement data includes a plurality of post-replacement pixel values. Each post-replacement pixel value includes a plurality of post-replacement color components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuyuki MIYAKI, Takuya SHIMAHASHI, Shota MORIKAWA, Akidi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20170286024
    Abstract: A method includes generating color correspondence information correlating L number of first reference color specification values in a first color space with L number of determined second color specification values in a second color space on a one-to-one basis. The L number of determined second color specification values includes (L?Q) number of unmodified second reference color specification values, (Q?N) number of modified second reference color specification values modified in a first modification process but not in the second modification process, and N number of remodified second reference color specification values which are modified in both the first modification process and the second modification process, where L is an integer greater than or equal to two, Q is an integer greater than or equal to one and smaller than or equal to L, and N is an integer greater than or equal to one and smaller than or equal to Q.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Shota MORIKAWA, Takuya SHIMAHASHI, Akidi YOSHIDA, Kazuyuki MIYAKI
  • Publication number: 20170289408
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a controller configured to perform: setting characteristic information including first characteristic information and second characteristic information; and converting a target image data using the characteristic information. The first and second characteristic information correlate input values with output values in a specific color space. The input values includes a specific input value within a specific range. The specific input value is correlated with a first specific output value by the first characteristic information, and is correlated with a second specific output value by the second characteristic information. The first specific output value indicates that a colorant consumption quantity for the specific input value is changed from an original colorant consumption quantity by a first colorant quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Shota MORIKAWA, Takuya SHIMAHASHI, Akidi YOSHIDA, Kazuyuki MIYAKI
  • Publication number: 20170157947
    Abstract: A controller provided in a control device calculates an index value indicative of an amount of a specific type of ink in a specific type of color to be used in printing at least a part of a target image including a first image and a second image. In response to determining that the index value is not greater than a threshold value, the controller controls a printer to print the first image and the second image using the specific type of ink for reproducing the specific type of color. In response to determining that the index value is greater than the threshold value, the controller controls the printer to print the first image using the specific type of ink and to print the second image using a different type of ink different from the specific type of ink for reproducing the specific type of color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9616659
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a controller for controlling a print execution unit. The print execution unit repeatedly performs ejection processing of ejecting a droplet of color material onto a printing medium. The controller is configured to perform: specifying an estimate value for a target partial image by using color gap information, the target partial image being selected among a plurality of partial images included in an N-th band image; determining whether the estimate value satisfies an estimate condition; determining an ejection execution direction with respect to an N-th ejection processing to be a first direction in response to determination that the estimate value satisfies the estimate condition; and determining the ejection execution direction with respect to the N-th ejection processing to be opposite to the ejection execution direction with respect to an (N?1)-th ejection processing in response to determination that the estimate value does not satisfy the estimate condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9604452
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a controller for controlling a print execution unit. The print execution unit repeatedly performs ejection processing of ejection droplet of color material onto a printing medium. The controller is configured to perform: specifying an estimate value for a target pixel image by using at least one pixel value corresponding to at least one of a plurality of pixels included in target partial data representing the target partial image, the target partial image being selected among a plurality of partial images included in an N-th band image and representing a part of an object; specifying an object type of the object; and determining an ejection execution direction with respect to an N-th ejection processing to be one of a first direction and a second direction according to the estimate value and the object type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shota Morikawa