Patents by Inventor Hiroki Matsuoka

Hiroki Matsuoka 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: 20180162120
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus sequentially performs a discharging operation of discharging pressurized liquid from a nozzle, a discharge stopping operation of stopping the discharging operation, a pressure reducing operation of reducing the pressure in a liquid ejecting unit, and a wiping operation of wiping a nozzle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Hiroki MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20180056664
    Abstract: A liquid supplying device includes a first intermediate storage and a second intermediate storage that store liquid and are provided such that the liquid can be supplied from a liquid ejecting unit which ejects the liquid, a liquid supply source holding unit that holds a liquid supply source which accommodates the liquid and that can supply the liquid accommodated in the liquid supply source to the first intermediate storage and the second intermediate storage, and a pressure regulating mechanism that can regulate pressures inside the first intermediate storage and inside the second intermediate storage. In the liquid supplying device, the inside of one intermediate storage, out of the first intermediate storage and the second intermediate storage, is depressurized, and the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source to the one intermediate storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kaoru KOIKE, Ryoji FUJIMORI, Hiroki MATSUOKA, Toshihiro SHINBARA, Tsuyoshi HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170182973
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a belt shaft pivot-mounted in a retractor frame, wherein the belt shaft shows an at least two-part design with a first and a second part. A load limiting device includes at least two parts, which can be moved relative to each other and have teeth, with which they alternately engage and disengage. Each of the parts of the load limiting device is allocated to a different part of the belt shaft. A tensioning device is located on the second part of the belt shaft and, upon activation, abruptly drives the belt shaft in the winding direction. One of the parts of the load limiting device, via a transmission device, is connected in a rotationally-fixed manner to the second part of the belt shaft through the first part, which is a hollow shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Günter Clute, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8826524
    Abstract: Provided is a fitting tool for a liquid absorber which is included in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid from nozzle openings formed in a nozzle forming surface and fits the liquid absorber for absorbing the liquid in a cap which is capable of being abutted to the liquid ejecting head so as to cover the nozzle openings, the fitting tool including: a holding portion which holds the liquid absorber; and a locking portion which has elasticity and is locked to a portion of the cap when the holding portion is inserted into the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Atsushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8783826
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects fluid; a transporting section that transports in a direction of transportation a medium on which the fluid lands; and a mist sucking section that sucks air including a mist portion when the nozzle ejects the fluid, so as to move the mist portion from a route that extends from the nozzle to the spot on the medium where the fluid lands. The mist portion is a portion of mist, which is part of the fluid ejected by the nozzle that does not land on the medium and is floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Koike, Toshio Kumagai, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8657285
    Abstract: Provided are a sheet transport apparatus and a sheet transport method preventing false detection of multiple feeding when feeding sheets of different thicknesses. The sheet transport apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver disposed opposite each other across a sheet transport path, a type detector for discriminating between a first sheet and a second sheet thicker than the first sheet while one or the other of the sheets is being fed along the transport path, and a multiple feed detector for detecting the presence or absence of multiple feeding of sheets along the transport path, based on an output produced by the ultrasonic sensor and on a detection result supplied from the type detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Kazuya Mizukami, Yoshikazu Morita
  • Publication number: 20140002543
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects fluid; a transporting section that transports in a direction of transportation a medium on which the fluid lands; and a mist sucking section that sucks air including a mist portion when the nozzle ejects the fluid, so as to move the mist portion from a route that extends from the nozzle to the spot on the medium where the fluid lands. The mist portion is a portion of mist, which is part of the fluid ejected by the nozzle that does not land on the medium and is floating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru KOIKE, Toshio KUMAGAI, Hiroki MATSUOKA
  • Patent number: 8579422
    Abstract: A flow path unit includes: a tank that accumulates a discharge fluid; a main flow path pipe that is connected to the tank and that includes a horizontal section that transfers the discharge fluid in the horizontal direction; a diverging flow path pipe that diverges in plurality from the main flow path pipe and in which each is respectively connected to a plurality of discharge units that discharge the discharge fluid; a pump; a bypass flow path pipe that is connected to the main flow path pipe; a valve that switches the flow or otherwise of the discharge fluid in the bypass flow path pipe by opening and closing; and a control unit that switches between a first control state of recycling the discharge fluid in a flow path that passes through the horizontal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Toshio Kumagai, Kaoru Koike
  • Patent number: 8550591
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects fluid; a transporting section that transports in a direction of transportation a medium on which the fluid lands; and a mist sucking section that sucks air including a mist portion when the nozzle ejects the fluid, so as to move the mist portion from a route that extends from the nozzle to the spot on the medium where the fluid lands. The mist portion is a portion of mist, which is part of the fluid ejected by the nozzle that does not land on the medium and is floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Koike, Toshio Kumagai, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20130069299
    Abstract: Provided are a sheet transport apparatus and a sheet transport method preventing false detection of multiple feeding when feeding sheets of different thicknesses. The sheet transport apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver disposed opposite each other across a sheet transport path, a type detector for discriminating between a first sheet and a second sheet thicker than the first sheet while one or the other of the sheets is being fed along the transport path, and a multiple feed detector for detecting the presence or absence of multiple feeding of sheets along the transport path, based on an output produced by the ultrasonic sensor and on a detection result supplied from the type detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Kazuya Mizukami, Yoshikazu Morita
  • Patent number: 8316200
    Abstract: A microcomputer includes a flash memory and a flash controller that controls access to the flash memory, the flash memory including a protection information storage section that stores protection information, the protection information indicating whether or not access to a given area of the flash memory is available; the flash controller including a flash protection section that performs a protection process relating to access to a given area of the flash memory based on the protection information; and the flash protection section performing the protection process relating to access to the flash memory when an access target is data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Keisuke Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120188316
    Abstract: A flow path unit includes: a tank that accumulates a discharge fluid; a main flow path pipe that is connected to the tank and that includes a horizontal section that transfers the discharge fluid in the horizontal direction; a diverging flow path pipe that diverges in plurality from the main flow path pipe and in which each is respectively connected to a plurality of discharge units that discharge the discharge fluid; a pump; a bypass flow path pipe that is connected to the main flow path pipe; a valve that switches the flow or otherwise of the discharge fluid in the bypass flow path pipe by opening and closing; and a control unit that switches between a first control state of recycling the discharge fluid in a flow path that passes through the horizontal section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki MATSUOKA, Toshio KUMAGAI, Kaoru KOIKE
  • Publication number: 20120050404
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects fluid; a transporting section that transports in a direction of transportation a medium on which the fluid lands; and a mist sucking section that sucks air including a mist portion when the nozzle ejects the fluid, so as to move the mist portion from a route that extends from the nozzle to the spot on the medium where the fluid lands. The mist portion is a portion of mist, which is part of the fluid ejected by the nozzle that does not land on the medium and is floating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaoru KOIKE, Toshio KUMAGAI, Hiroki MATSUOKA
  • Patent number: 8079212
    Abstract: In an exhaust purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, heating control is executed for supplying fuel to exhaust purification catalysts, thereby increasing the catalyst bed temperature. The heating control is suspended when the vehicle is determined to be driving downhill. Adverse influences due to deactivation of the exhaust purification catalysts during the heating control are reliably avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Yukihisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8075091
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects fluid; a transporting section that transports in a direction of transportation a medium on which the fluid lands; and a mist sucking section that sucks air including a mist portion when the nozzle ejects the fluid, so as to move the mist portion from a route that extends from the nozzle to the spot on the medium where the fluid lands. The mist portion is a portion of mist, which is part of the fluid ejected by the nozzle that does not land on the medium and is floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Koike, Toshio Kumagai, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7959254
    Abstract: A capping device provided in a liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle-forming surface in which a nozzle for ejection liquid is formed. The capping device includes a cap, a liquid absorber, and a fixing member. The cap is capable of contacting the liquid ejection head in such a manner as to encompass the nozzle. The liquid absorber is accommodated in the cap. The fixing member fixes the liquid absorber accommodated in the cap to the cap. The fixing member is arranged in the cap such that an upper end of the fixing member is at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the liquid absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Atsushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7849677
    Abstract: A regeneration controller for an exhaust purification apparatus (36, 38) of an engine (2) that appropriately burns particulate matter accumulated in the exhaust purification apparatus. The regeneration controller includes an ECU (70) that determines whether an estimated accumulation amount (PMsm) of particulate matter deviates from an actual accumulation amount. When the estimated accumulation amount is less than or equal to a maximum value (BUpm) and an exhaust pressure difference (?P/GA) is greater than a correction reference value (Dp), the ECU adds a correction value corresponding to the exhaust pressure difference to the estimated accumulation amount. This causes the estimated accumulation amount to approach the actual accumulation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigehiro Matsuno, Yasuhiko Otsubo, Tatsuhisa Yokoi, Hiroki Matsuoka, Takayoshi Inaba
  • Publication number: 20100306981
    Abstract: A capping device provided in a liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle-forming surface in which a nozzle for ejection liquid is formed. The capping device includes a cap, a liquid absorber, and a fixing member. The cap is capable of contacting the liquid ejection head in such a manner as to encompass the nozzle. The liquid absorber is accommodated in the cap. The fixing member fixes the liquid absorber accommodated in the cap to the cap. The fixing member is arranged in the cap such that an upper end of the fixing member is at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the liquid absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki MATSUOKA, Atsushi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 7841169
    Abstract: A regeneration controller for preventing a large amount of particulate matter from being suddenly burned without increasing the frequency a heating process is performed. The regeneration controller includes an ECU(70) for heating an exhaust purification apparatus to eliminate the particulate matter accumulated in the exhaust purification apparatus when an estimated accumulation amount is greater than a reference accumulation amount. The ECU(70) obtains the estimated accumulation amount by estimating the amount of particulate matter accumulated in the exhaust purification apparatus. Furthermore, the ECU (70) changes modes for heating an exhaust purification apparatus when the regeneration controller is heated and an estimated accumulation amount is within a mode change range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhisa Yokoi, Yasuhiko Otsubo, Shigehiro Matsuno, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7806507
    Abstract: A capping device provided in a liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle-forming surface in which a nozzle for ejection liquid is formed. The capping device includes a cap, a liquid absorber, and a fixing member. The cap is capable of contacting the liquid ejection head in such a manner as to encompass the nozzle. The liquid absorber is accommodated in the cap. The fixing member fixes the liquid absorber accommodated in the cap to the cap. The fixing member is arranged in the cap such that an upper end of the fixing member is at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the liquid absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Atsushi Yoshida