Patents by Inventor Shozo Fukuda

Shozo Fukuda 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: 9001202
    Abstract: A transfer pathway of a mounting head 10 in a component-mounting round during which the mounting head 10 moves back and forth between a component feeding unit 4 and a substrate conveyance mechanism 2 is derived by a transfer pathway calculation unit 25 for each component-mounting round from mounting program data 21a. A focusing processing unit 24 controls an optical system focusing mechanism 18, thereby matching a focusing point of a line sensor camera 14 achieved during imaging operation to the transfer pathway of the mounting head 10 based on data pertaining to the derived transfer pathway. Further, an optical system zooming mechanism 17 adjusts an imaging range according to the focusing point. Accordingly, even when a long substrate 3 is taken as an object, it is possible to detect with high precision whether or not a component exists on the pickup nozzle 11 of the mounting head 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Yamasaki, Yasuichi Okada, Shozo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9001201
    Abstract: A transfer pathway of mounting heads 10 in a component-mounting round during which the mounting head 10 moves back and forth between a component feeding unit 4 and a substrate conveyance mechanism 2 is derived by a transfer pathway calculation unit 25 for each component-mounting round from mounting program data 21a. On the basis of data pertaining to the thus-derived transfer pathway, image data output from a line sensor camera assigned to a head transfer range segment that the transfer pathway of the mounting head 10 crosses in each of component-mounting rounds are selected and captured by an image selection processing unit 24. The image data output from the line sensor camera whose focusing point substantially matches the imaging target can be used for detecting whether or not a component still exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Yamasaki, Yasuichi Okada, Shozo Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20130010101
    Abstract: A transfer pathway of a mounting head 10 in a component-mounting round during which the mounting head 10 moves back and forth between a component feeding unit 4 and a substrate conveyance mechanism 2 is derived by a transfer pathway calculation unit 25 for each component-mounting round from mounting program data 21a. A focusing processing unit 24 controls an optical system focusing mechanism 18, thereby matching a focusing point of a line sensor camera 14 achieved during imaging operation to the transfer pathway of the mounting head 10 based on data pertaining to the derived transfer pathway. Further, an optical system zooming mechanism 17 adjusts an imaging range according to the focusing point. Accordingly, even when a long substrate 3 is taken as an object, it is possible to detect with high precision whether or not a component exists on the pickup nozzle 11 of the mounting head 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Yamasaki, Yasuichi Okada, Shozo Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20120320188
    Abstract: A transfer pathway of mounting heads 10 in a component-mounting round during which the mounting head 10 moves back and forth between a component feeding unit 4 and a substrate conveyance mechanism 2 is derived by a transfer pathway calculation unit 25 for each component-mounting round from mounting program data 21a. On the basis of data pertaining to the thus-derived transfer pathway, image data output from a line sensor camera assigned to a head transfer range segment that the transfer pathway of the mounting head 10 crosses in each of component-mounting rounds are selected and captured by an image selection processing unit 24. The image data output from the line sensor camera whose focusing point substantially matches the imaging target can be used for detecting whether or not a component still exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Yamasaki, Yasuichi Okada, Shozo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7809180
    Abstract: An image generation method for distinguishing a shape of a component includes: a color image taking step (S101) of taking an image of the component in color, and a conversion step (S102, S104) of converting the color image taken in the color image taking step (S101) into a black-and-white grayscale image in which the shape of the component is shown in black-and-white grayscale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanabe, Shozo Fukuda, Hirotake Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20080037890
    Abstract: An image generation method for distinguishing a shape of a component includes: a color image taking step (S101) of taking an image of the component in color, and a conversion step (S102, S104) of converting the color image taken in the color image taking step (S101) into a black-and-white grayscale image in which the shape of the component is shown in black-and-white grayscale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanabe, Shozo Fukuda, Hirotake Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7299539
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 7155817
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 7050623
    Abstract: Adjustment of image pickup conditions through alternative selection of two cameras different in resolution, adjustment of image lightness of a to-be-recognized component based on component information of the component, and performing control allows an image of the component to be picked up by either one of the cameras under the image pickup conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Fukuda, Iwao Kanetaka, Akira Noudo, Eiichi Hachiya
  • Publication number: 20040148764
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Publication number: 20040148768
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 6718630
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 6584683
    Abstract: In an electronic component mounting method and apparatus, an electronic component is taken out from an electronic component feed position, a posture of the component is detected, and the component is mounted on a board based on a detected result. The method includes acquiring image data with a camera of the component from the feed position, processing acquired image data with a plurality of algorithms for detecting postures of components, and detecting a posture of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Yoshida, Yoshihiro Mimura, Shozo Fukuda, Kanji Hata
  • Patent number: 6542238
    Abstract: An electronic component mounting apparatus (1) includes a device for illuminating a mark (9) on a printed circuit board (14) for recognition. The illumination device (10) includes a light path adjustable member (5). This light path adjustable member (5) is disposed between an illumination source unit (2) and the object (9) to be illuminated. At least one of the light incidence side and the emission side of the light path adjustable member (5) is divided into a plurality of subareas (6), (7), (8), each having a different index of refraction. Each of the subareas (6), (7), (8) emits light at a respective different index of refraction. The emitted light can be collected on a specific area containing the object (9), and appropriate illumination light can thus be emitted to the object (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Tsuboi, Kazuyuki Nakano, Shozo Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20020069525
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder makes an interference with another component mounted on the substrate. If the judgement is affirmative, an mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, the judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Publication number: 20010049876
    Abstract: In an electronic component mounting method and apparatus, an electronic component is taken out from an electronic component feed position, a posture of the component is detected, and the component is mounted on a board based on a detected result. The method includes acquiring image data with a camera of the component from the feed position, processing acquired image data with a plurality of algorithms for detecting postures of components, and detecting a posture of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Noriaki Yoshida, Yoshihiro Mimura, Shozo Fukuda, Kanji Hata
  • Patent number: 5923772
    Abstract: A visual recognition apparatus of the invention can acquire an image exclusive of a background of a subject of image processing, thereby rendering the image of the subject fit for the image processing. More specifically, a mirror-surfaced collar covering a retainer has a specified configuration and a specified positional relationship with a lighting element and a camera such that a light from the lighting element toward the retainer is reflected by the mirror-surfaced collar for deviation from a light path to enter the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Fukuda, Masamichi Morimoto, Atsushi Tanabe, Shuichi Yokota
  • Patent number: 4383808
    Abstract: An improved vulcanizing press for manufacturing tires is disclosed which is constructed such that a molding die assembly is clamped by means of a plurality of hydraulic cylinder units, wherein the respective hydraulic cylinder units are provided with a booster for serving to pressurize hydraulic liquid to actuate a ram slidably contained in a hydraulic chamber and a pilot operated check valve for controlling supply of hydraulic liquid into said hydraulic chamber or discharge of the same therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kubo, Akira Hasegawa, Katsuyoshi Sakaguchi, Shozo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 4239426
    Abstract: A method of transporting by conveyance through pipelines and storing a fluid mixed fuel consisting of pulverized coal and a liquid fuel is characterized in that, during transportation, the mixed fuel is conveyed as a fluid of low viscosity with an increased liquid fuel proportion and, while in storage, the liquid fuel proportion is kept small by extraction of the liquid fuel alone from the mixed fuel in the storage tank. Arrangements for practicing the method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Electric Power Development Co. Ltd., Misui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Nakabayashi, Kenichi Nagata, Shozo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 4111811
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for collecting effluent oil floating on a water surface. The improvements exist in that the apparatus utilizes a pair of side plates disposed in a forwardly opened arrangement, a weir which is inclined in a rear-downward direction with its opposite side edges contacted to the inner wall surfaces of the side plates under the water surface, and a slant plate which has its rear end positioned above the rear end of the weir in the rear of said side plates and has its opposite side edges fixedly secured to the inner wall surfaces of the side plates. Also, an oil leakage preventing plate is positioned midway between the rear end of the weir and the rear end of the slant plate and has its opposite side edges fixedly secured to the inner wall surfaces of the side plates to form a water discharge port between the oil leakage preventing plate and the rear end of the weir and to form an oily water intake port between the oil leakage preventing plate and the rear end of the slant plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shozo Fukuda, Yajuro Seike, Masafumi Iizuka, Hironao Kasai, Mamoru Enami