Patents by Inventor Akira Kitamura

Akira Kitamura 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: 11948349
    Abstract: Provided are a learning method, a learning device, a generative model, and a program that generate an image including high resolution information without adjusting a parameter and largely correcting a network architecture even in a case in which there is a variation of the parts of an image to be input. Only a first image is input to a generator of a generative adversarial network that generates a virtual second image having a relatively high resolution by using the first image having a relatively low resolution, and a second image for learning or the virtual second image and part information of the second image for learning or the virtual second image are input to a discriminator that identifies the second image for learning and the virtual second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kudo, Yoshiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 11923862
    Abstract: A first reception processing unit performs a process of receiving a first signal transmitted on a first transmission line, a second reception processing unit performs a process of receiving a second signal transmitted on a second transmission line, and an output speed control unit controls output speeds of the first signal and the second signal subjected to the reception process. A system switching unit selects and outputs the first signal or the second signal subjected to a reception process, and an output processing unit performs a process for output to another apparatus on the output from the system switching unit. A reception side clock output unit outputs a clock signal giving a processing timing of each process, and a clock frequency control unit adjusts a frequency of the clock signal giving the processing timing to the output processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumikazu Inuzuka, Kei Kitamura, Akira Hirano, Masahito Tomizawa, Takuya Ohara
  • Patent number: 11916685
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes redundant first communication devices configured to communicate with a communication apparatus provided in a first network, and redundant second communication devices configured to communicate with a communication apparatus provided in a second network. The second communication devices include respective first ends that are ends of redundant communication paths of the first communication devices, and the first communication devices include respective second ends that are ends of redundant communication paths of the second communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Kitamura, Fumikazu Inuzuka, Akira Hirano, Masahito Tomizawa, Takuya Ohara
  • Patent number: 11879022
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a depolymerized cellulose ether having yellowness reduced. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing a depolymerized cellulose ether comprising a depolymerization step of depolymerizing a cellulose ether with an aqueous solution of acid in the presence of a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinnosuke Inada, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Publication number: 20230365719
    Abstract: There is provided a method for efficiently produce hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) having excellent flowability, where acetic acid in a reaction product mixture subjected to a wash and recovery step can be reduced. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing HPMCAS including an esterification step of esterifying hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with acetic anhydride and succinic anhydride in acetic acid as a solvent to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCAS; a water addition step of adding water to the reaction product solution to obtain a water-added reaction product solution; an acetic acid removal step of removing at least a portion of both the solvent acetic acid and acetic acid derived from the acetic anhydride from the water-added reaction product solution to obtain a mixture having an acetic acid content reduced; and a wash and recovery step of washing the mixture and recovering the HPMCAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Akiko Miki, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Publication number: 20230312761
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose having a high storage modulus (thermal gel strength) and a small number of undissolved fibers. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose including steps of: bringing sheet-shaped pulp having a pore volume of 0.55 ml/g or more and less than 1.00 ml/g or chip-shaped pulp obtained by cutting the sheet-shaped pulp into contact with a first alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain an alkali cellulose mixture, removing a liquid from the alkali cellulose mixture to obtain alkali cellulose, reacting the alkali cellulose with an alkylating agent and a hydroxyalkylating agent to obtain a first reaction mixture, mixing the first reaction mixture with a second alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain a second reaction mixture, and purifying the second reaction mixture to obtain a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Patent number: 11767371
    Abstract: There is provided a method for efficiently produce hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) having excellent flowability, where acetic acid in a reaction product mixture subjected to a wash and recovery step can be reduced. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing HPMCAS including an esterification step of esterifying hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with acetic anhydride and succinic anhydride in acetic acid as a solvent to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCAS; a water addition step of adding water to the reaction product solution to obtain a water-added reaction product solution; an acetic acid removal step of removing at least a portion of both the solvent acetic acid and acetic acid derived from the acetic anhydride from the water-added reaction product solution to obtain a mixture having an acetic acid content reduced; and a wash and recovery step of washing the mixture and recovering the HPMCAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Miki, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Patent number: 11634510
    Abstract: There are provided a method for efficiently producing a water-soluble cellulose ether without using a special apparatus, and a novel water-soluble cellulose ether. More specifically, there are provided a method for producing a water-soluble cellulose ether including a first pulverization step of pulverizing a starting water-soluble cellulose ether to obtain a first pulverization product, and a first sieving step of sieving the first pulverization product by using a first sieve whose mesh surface is coated with an inorganic metal compound to obtain a first-sieve-passed water-soluble cellulose ether fraction; and a novel water-soluble cellulose ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kitamura, Mitsuhiro Yoshida, Mitsuo Narita
  • Patent number: 11618108
    Abstract: Molded solder includes first metal powder and second metal powder. The first metal powder has a first solidus temperature and a first liquidus temperature and includes an alloy containing metal elements. The second metal powder has a melting temperature or a second solidus temperature and a second liquidus temperature and includes single metal element or an alloy containing metal elements. The melting temperature and the second liquidus temperature are higher than the first liquidus temperature. The molded solder is so constructed that a mixture of the first metal powder and the second metal powder are press-molded. The molded solder is so constructed that a first solidus temperature of a solder becomes higher when the molded solder becomes the solder after the first metal powder has been melted by heating the molded solder at a temperature equal to or higher than the first liquidus temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TAMURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Sakamoto, Akira Kitamura, Hiroaki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11421043
    Abstract: There is provides a method for producing sieved low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC) at improved yield, while maintaining flowability and tablet properties. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing sieved L-HPC including a first sieving step of sieving L-HPC having a hydroxypropoxy group content of 5 to 16% by mass with a sieving shaker with horizontal movement of a sieve surface to obtain first sieve-residual L-HPC and first sieve-passed L-HPC, a second sieving step of sieving the first sieve-residual L-HPC with a sieving shaker with vertical movement of a sieve surface to obtain second sieve-residual L-HPC and second sieve-passed L-HPC, and a step of combining the first sieve-passed L-HPC and the second sieve-residual L-HPC to obtain the sieved L-HPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Miki, Akiko Tsuchida, Akira Kitamura, Yasuyuki Hirama
  • Patent number: 11365266
    Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose ether having a high viscosity while keeping the same degree of polymerization as that in the production of a shaped pulp without changing a raw material or production facility. More specifically, provided is a method for producing a cellulose ether including steps of: cutting or pulverizing pulp to obtain sheet-like, chip-like, or powdery cellulose pulp, wherein the pulp is formed in a form of roll whose surface layer on at least one of the circumferential side and the ends is removed, or in a form of bale whose surface layer on at least one side is removed; bringing the obtained cellulose pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain alkali cellulose; reacting the alkali cellulose with an alkylating agent to obtain a reaction product mixture; and subjecting the reaction product mixture to purification to obtain the cellulose ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro Matsusue, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuhiro Yoshida, Mitsuo Narita
  • Patent number: 11319385
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), the method not requiring any special device and facilitating removal of impurities. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing HPMCAS, including an esterification step of esterifying hypromellose with an acetylating agent and a succinoylating agent in the presence of an aliphatic carboxylic acid to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCAS; a precipitation step of precipitating the HPMCAS by mixing the reaction product solution with water to obtain a suspension of the precipitated HPMCAS; a neutralization step of neutralizing the suspension with a basic substance to obtain a neutralized suspension; and a washing step of washing the HPMCAS contained in the neutralized suspension to obtain the washed HPMCAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taishi Kitaguchi, Akiko Tsuchida, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Patent number: 11319384
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing hypromellose phthalate (HPMCP), the method not requiring any special device, and facilitating removal of impurities. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing HPMCP, including an esterification step of esterifying hypromellose with a carboxybenzoylating agent in the presence of an aliphatic carboxylic acid to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCP; a precipitation step of precipitating the HPMCP by mixing the reaction product solution with water to obtain a suspension of the precipitated HPMCP; a neutralization step of neutralizing the suspension with a basic substance to obtain a neutralized suspension; and a washing step of washing the HPMCP contained in the neutralized suspension to obtain the washed HPMCP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akiko Tsuchida, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Publication number: 20220127379
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a depolymerized cellulose ether, the method suppressing the formation of coarse aggregates during the contact with an acid aqueous solution in a depolymerization reaction, and reducing the amounts of aggregates and black contaminants, while suppressing yellowness. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing a depolymerized cellulose ether, the method including a depolymerization step of depolymerizing a cellulose ether by bring the cellulose ether of 45 to 95° C. into contact with an acid aqueous solution of 55 to 98° C. to obtain a depolymerized cellulose ether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Kentaro Miki, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Publication number: 20220127380
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a depolymerized cellulose ether having yellowness reduced. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing a depolymerized cellulose ether comprising a depolymerization step of depolymerizing a cellulose ether with an aqueous solution of acid in the presence of a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Shinnosuke Inada, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Publication number: 20220106460
    Abstract: There is provided a method for efficiently produce hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP) having excellent flowability, where acetic acid in a reaction product mixture subjected to a wash and recovery step can be reduced. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing HPMCP including an esterification step of esterifying hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with phthalic anhydride in acetic acid as a solvent to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCP; a water addition step of adding water to the reaction product solution to obtain a water-added reaction product solution; an acetic acid removal step of removing at least a portion of the acetic acid from the water-added reaction product solution to obtain a mixture having an acetic acid content reduced; and a wash and recovery step of washing the mixture and recovering the HPMCP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Akiko Miki, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Publication number: 20220106410
    Abstract: There is provided a method for efficiently produce hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) having excellent flowability, where acetic acid in a reaction product mixture subjected to a wash and recovery step can be reduced. More specifically, there is provided a method for producing HPMCAS including an esterification step of esterifying hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with acetic anhydride and succinic anhydride in acetic acid as a solvent to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCAS; a water addition step of adding water to the reaction product solution to obtain a water-added reaction product solution; an acetic acid removal step of removing at least a portion of both the solvent acetic acid and acetic acid derived from the acetic anhydride from the water-added reaction product solution to obtain a mixture having an acetic acid content reduced; and a wash and recovery step of washing the mixture and recovering the HPMCAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Akiko Miki, Taishi Kitaguchi, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita
  • Patent number: 11136415
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) having high hydroxypropoxy content, low ash content, and low insoluble fiber content. More specifically, provided is a method for producing HPMC having a methoxy degree of substitution of from 1.4 to 2.2 and a hydroxypropoxy molar substitution of from 0.5 to 1.0, including steps of: bringing sheet-like or chip-like pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain a reaction product mixture containing alkali cellulose, removing a liquid portion from the reaction product mixture to obtain the alkali cellulose, reacting the alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent to obtain a crude HPMC, disintegrating the crude HPMC into a disintegrated crude HPMC, dispersing the disintegrated crude HPMC in water to obtain a slurry, filtering the slurry to obtain a cake, and washing the cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kitamura, Mitsuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11089804
    Abstract: An oil-in-water type composition which can provide a chewy texture both in a non-cooked state and a heated state and does not show water/oil separation, including: an alkyl cellulose, a 1% by mass aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20° C. of from 4,000 to 11,000 mPa·s when measured with a Brookfield type viscometer and a 1.5% by mass aqueous solution of which has a storage modulus G? (65° C.) at 65° C. of from 2,500 to 4,500 Pa; an edible oil or fat; and water. Also provided is a food using the alkyl cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD., SE TYLOSE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamamoto, Akira Kitamura, Mitsuo Narita, Heiko Nebel, Anita Hirte
  • Patent number: 11021628
    Abstract: Regarding coating of fine particles or the like, provided are a coating composition containing methyl cellulose having small adhesiveness, resistance to generation of lumps, ability to form uniform coating, and ability to form a coating composition easily with water of normal temperature; a method for producing the coating composition; and a solid preparation. More specifically provided are a coating composition including methyl cellulose having such a viscosity that a viscosity at 20° C. of a 2% by weight aqueous solution of the methyl cellulose is 1 to 15 mPa·s and having such a dissolution start temperature that a dissolution start temperature of a 12% by weight aqueous liquid of the methyl cellulose is 10 to 25° C. and a solvent; a solid preparation obtained by coating of the coating composition; and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naosuke Maruyama, Takuya Yokosawa, Akira Kitamura