Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Netsu

Hiroshi Netsu 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: 6805436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid storing device which can be manufactured inexpensively, which allows various liquids such as ink to be used in a chemically stable manner, and which can stably supply a liquid by reducing channel resistance irrespective of changes in position during operation to generate a predetermined negative pressure. To achieve this object, in one preferred mode, a plurality of thin plates are disposed at predetermined intervals to form a storing portion in which predetermined capillary force is generated. Furthermore, a predetermined gap is formed between the storing portion and a liquid outlet to form a guiding portion in which capillary force is generated which is stronger than the capillary force of the storing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ujita, Junji Shimoda, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20040135853
    Abstract: An ink reservoir (166) has a plurality of thin bodies (164) provided in a housing (161) at gaps from each other. Ink in the housing (161) is held by a capillary force generated by the thin bodies (164). An ink guide portion (167) which is set at a gap between one end of the liquid ink (166) and an inner wall of the housing (161) is provided so that a capillary force in the vicinity of an ink supply port (165) is larger than that of the liquid reservoir (166).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Netsu, Junji Shimoda, Toshihiko Ujita, Hideaki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6755500
    Abstract: For the sake of achieving both the size and weight reductions of a printing apparatus and increasing the reliability thereof, an ink tank is provided with a gas-permeable member that permits air to pass without permitting ink. The ink tank is capable of introducing ink through an ink inlet by negative pressure introduced in the ink tank through a common suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Hirano, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Patent number: 6637872
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus has a pressure limiting mechanism between a gas-liquid separator and a source of negative pressure required to suck and supply ink for refilling an ink tank, to prevent a fixed amount or more of negative pressure from being exerted on the gas-liquid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Patent number: 6629758
    Abstract: A joint device includes a supply pipe having an ink supply port, a closing device for opening and closing the ink supply port, a deformation device for deforming the closing device and an urging device for urging the deformation device. An ink jet recording apparatus includes the above joint device, a supply pipe, a closing device, a deformation device, and an urging device. An ink supplying device includes a negative-pressure introducing device introducing negative pressure into the ink tank an ink supplying device supplying the ink to the ink tank, a gas-liquid separating device provided between the ink tank and the negative-pressure introducing device, for transmitting gases therethrough while not transmitting the ink therethrough, and an isolation device separating the negative-pressure introducing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Okamoto, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Publication number: 20030128260
    Abstract: The present invention to provide a liquid reserving device which can be manufactured inexpensively, which allows various liquids such as ink to be used chemically stably, and which can stably supply a liquid by reducing channel resistance irrespective of changes in position during operation to generate a predetermined negative pressure. To achieve this object, in one preferred mode, a plurality of thin plates are disposed at predetermined intervals to form reserving portions in which predetermined capillary force is generated. Furthermore, a predetermined gap is formed between the reserving portion and a liquid outlet to form a guiding portion in which capillary force is generated which is stronger than the capillary force of the reserving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ujita, Junji Shimoda, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6540321
    Abstract: For the sake of achieving both the size and weight reductions of a printing apparatus and increasing the reliability thereof, an ink tank is provided with a gas-permeable member that permits air to pass without permitting ink. The ink tank is capable of introducing ink through an ink inlet by negative pressure introduced in the ink tank through a common suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Hirano, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Patent number: 6474797
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus, it is possible to assuredly execute replenishment of ink into an ink tank and control of a pressure within the ink tank during ink replenishment by a simple configuration, and reduce the size and the weight of the apparatus, and improve reliability of the apparatus. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink tank for receiving ink from an ink intake, an ink supply unit for receiving ink from a replenishing tank into the ink tank by a negative pressure introduced from a suction port of the ink tank in the inside of the ink tank, and a negative-pressure controller for causing the negative pressure within the ink tank to remain in an ink supply channel from the replenishing tank to the inside of the ink tank, so that the negative pressure within the ink tank does not return to an atmospheric pressure while receiving ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuji Kurata, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Patent number: 6447084
    Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus, an ink-supplying apparatus, and a method for supplying ink are configured so that a mode of ink supply is changed to another mode, for example the mode of supplying ink to an ink tank is changed to another in accordance with a fact that a next page is intended to be printed or not, when an ink tank that requires the supply of ink is detected, with the result that the printing speed is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Uetsuki, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Publication number: 20020101489
    Abstract: A liquid tank according to the present invention comprises negative-pressure introducing sections for introducing negative pressure into the liquid tank, a liquid intake section for taking a liquid in the liquid tank on the basis of the negative pressure introduced by the negative-pressure introducing sections, an atmosphere communication port that is closed when the liquid is introduced through the liquid intake section, and a gas-liquid separating element disposed in the negative-pressure introducing sections so as to pass through only a gas. The gas-liquid separating element has a joined portion formed at least on the outer periphery of the gas-liquid separating element and joined to he negative-pressure introducing sections, and a ventilation area that contributes to ventilation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Hideaki Okamoto, Hiroshi Netsu
  • Publication number: 20020063759
    Abstract: For the sake of achieving both the size and weight reductions of a printing apparatus and increasing the reliability thereof, an ink tank is provided with a gas-permeable member that permits air to pass without permitting ink. The ink tank is capable of introducing ink through an ink inlet by negative pressure introduced in the ink tank through a common suction port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Hirano, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Publication number: 20020012030
    Abstract: A joint device includes a supply pipe having an ink supply port, a closing device for opening and closing the ink supply port, a deformation device for deforming the closing device and an urging device for urging the deformation device. An ink jet recording apparatus includes the above joint device, a supply pipe, a closing device, a deformation device, and an urging device. An ink supplying device includes a negative-pressure introducing device introducing negative pressure into the ink tank an ink supplying device supplying the ink to the ink tank, a gas-liquid separating device provided between the ink tank and the negative-pressure introducing device, for transmitting gases therethrough while not transmitting the ink therethrough, and an isolation device separating the negative-pressure introducing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Hideaki Okamoto, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Publication number: 20010045976
    Abstract: An ink tank has a fixed-negative-pressure generating means between a gas-liquid separating means and a source of negative pressure required to suck and supply the ink, to prevent a fixed amount or more of negative pressure from being exerted on the gas-liquid separating means. An ink jet recording head is installed on the ink tank. An ink jet cartridge is also installed on the ink tank. An ink jet recording apparatus has an ink tank which supplies an ink to an ink jet recording head via an ink supplying port, a gas-liquid separating means in a suction port transmitting gases therethrough while not transmitting said ink therethrough, and a fixed-negative-pressure generating means between the gas-liquid separating means and a source of the negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Publication number: 20010040610
    Abstract: In an ink-jet recording apparatus, it is possible to assuredly execute replenishment of ink into an ink tank and control of a pressure within the ink tank during ink replenishment by a simple configuration, and reduce the size and the weight of the apparatus, and improve reliability of the apparatus. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink tank for receiving ink from an ink intake, an ink supply unit for receiving ink from a replenishing tank into the ink tank by a negative pressure introduced from a suction port of the ink tank in the inside of the ink tank, and a negative-pressure controller for causing the negative pressure within the ink tank to remain in an ink supply channel from the replenishing tank to the inside of the ink tank, so that the negative pressure within the ink tank does not return to an atmospheric pressure while receiving ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Tetsuji Kurata, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
  • Patent number: 6262705
    Abstract: A display device comprises a display panel having a ferroelectric liquid crystal, information electrodes and scan electrodes for changing orientations of the ferroelectric liquid crystal in the display panel, and a memory for storing display data. A scan electrode driver supplies a signal to a scan electrode whose ferroelectric liquid crystal is to be reoriented in accordance with the data stored in the memory, and a controller supplies data for designating the scan electrode whose ferroelectric liquid crystal is to be reoriented and data indicating an orientation status to the memory and the scan electrode driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Hideo Kanno, Hiroshi Netsu, Atsushi Mizutome
  • Patent number: 6204935
    Abstract: An image processor reads an original that includes an original image and an attribute instruction image, for designating the contents of the image processing that is performed on the original image. This ensures that image processing is performed in consonance with the contents of the attribute instructions that are indicated by the attribute instruction image. A scanner reads a format original wherein instructions for data attributes, such as a range for a character frame and a character color, are expressed with a bar code. The pattern of the read bar code is analyzed, and the attribute instruction data, such as the range for a character frame and a character color, are temporarily stored in a RAM. An original to be output is read by the scanner and is stored as image data in the RAM. Image processing (color conversion, etc.) that correspond to the attribute instruction data is performed on the image data, and a printer prints image data obtained by performing all of the instructed image processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsunenori Soma, Katsumi Masaki, Masayuki Takayama, Hiroshi Netsu, Masashi Takizawa, Makoto Nihei, Koji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6061152
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus which makes possible image processing based on attribute specification contents specified by an attribute specification image by reading an original including an original image and the attribute specification image which specifies the contents of processings to be performed on the original image.A scanner reads a format original containing bar codes indicating data attribute specifications such as character limit range, character color, etc. The read bar code patterns are analyzed and the attribute specification data such as character limit range, character color, etc. is stored in RAM once. Then, the original to be output is read and stored in RAM as image data. Processings (such as color conversion, etc.) corresponding to the aforementioned attribute specification data are performed in relation to this image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Nihei, Katsumi Masaki, Masayuki Takayama, Hiroshi Netsu, Masashi Takizawa, Koji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5990859
    Abstract: A display device comprises a display panel having a ferroelectric liquid crystal, information electrodes and scan electrodes for changing orientations of the ferroelectric liquid crystal in the display panel, and a memory for storing display data. A scan electrode driver supplies a signal to a scan electrode whose ferroelectric liquid crystal is to be reoriented in accordance with the data stored in the memory, and a controller supplies data for designating the scan electrode whose ferroelectric liquid crystal is to be reoriented and data indicating an orientation status to the memory and the scan electrode driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Hideo Kanno, Hiroshi Netsu, Atsushi Mizutome
  • Patent number: 5952990
    Abstract: A driving and switching off circuit is provided for a liquid crystal display device having a memory effect and a plurality of pixels, with each pixel capable of exhibiting two states in accordance with an electric field applied thereto. The circuit comprises a driving circuit for applying a drive signal to the display device to cause all of the pixels to uniformly exhibit one of the two states, a delay circuit for providing an end signal subsequent to the application of the drive signal and a switching circuit, responsive to the delay circuit, for switching off the display device subsequent to causing all the pixels to uniformly exhibit the one state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Hideo Kanno, Hiroshi Netsu, Atsushi Mizutome
  • Patent number: 5896118
    Abstract: A display system includes a display panel having matrix electrodes with scanning lines and information lines, a display information storage memory for storing display information, and a controller for comparing the information read out from the display information storage memory with write display information to be written in the display information storage memory. The controller stores address information for designating a scanning line corresponding to write display information different from the readout information and controls the matrix electrodes such that only scanning lines whose number is less than a predetermined number are scanned when the number of scanning lines corresponding to the stored address information is smaller than a predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Netsu