Patents by Inventor Katsuro MIURA

Katsuro MIURA 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: 11446934
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a feeding tray on which a sheet can be mounted; a first conveying passage; an image forming unit disposed along the first conveying passage and configured to record an image on the sheet; a cutting unit disposed along the first conveying passage downstream of the image recording unit and configured to cut the sheet; a second conveying passage connected to the first conveying passage; and a controller configured to perform: conveying the sheet mounted on the feeding tray to the image recording unit; recording an image on the sheet by the image recording unit; cutting the recorded sheet at a cutting position on the sheet to divide the sheet into a first sheet on which the image has been recorded and a second sheet on which the image has not been recorded; discharging the first sheet; and conveying the second sheet to the second conveying passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Takashi Ohama
  • Patent number: 11438481
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided, including a platen glass having opposed upper and lower surfaces, a support frame supporting a peripheral portion of the platen glass, a reading device reciprocable in a first direction and disposed on an inner side of the support frame so as to be nearer to the lower surface than to the upper surface, a guide formed on an inner bottom surface on the inner side of the support frame and extending in the first direction so as to guide reciprocation of the reading device, a controller that controls operations of the reading device, a harness connecting the reading device and the controller to each other, and a harness accommodating portion accommodating the harness and constituted by a groove having a recessed shape, extending in the first direction, and formed at the inner bottom surface at a position located in front of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Katsuro Miura
  • Patent number: 11214081
    Abstract: A print engine performs printing on a print medium conveyed by a conveyor. The cutter cuts the print medium conveyed by the conveyor. The first sensor is provided upstream of the cutter in the conveyance direction and detects a leading end and a trailing end of the print medium. The second sensor detects a conveyance amount of the print medium conveyed by the conveyor. The controller determines a print medium length that is a length of the print medium in the conveyance direction, based on the conveyance amount detected by the second sensor from when the first sensor detects the leading end of the print medium until when the first sensor detects the trailing end of the print medium, determines a cutting position of the print medium based on the determined print medium length, and controls the cutter to cut the print medium at the determined cutting positon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuro Miura
  • Publication number: 20210245525
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a feeding tray on which a sheet can be mounted; a first conveying passage; an image forming unit disposed along the first conveying passage and configured to record an image on the sheet; a cutting unit disposed along the first conveying passage downstream of the image recording unit and configured to cut the sheet; a second conveying passage connected to the first conveying passage; and a controller configured to perform: conveying the sheet mounted on the feeding tray to the image recording unit; recording an image on the sheet by the image recording unit; cutting the recorded sheet at a cutting position on the sheet to divide the sheet into a first sheet on which the image has been recorded and a second sheet on which the image has not been recorded; discharging the first sheet; and conveying the second sheet to the second conveying passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Katsuro MIURA, Takashi OHAMA
  • Publication number: 20210178785
    Abstract: A print engine performs printing on a print medium conveyed by a conveyor. The cutter cuts the print medium conveyed by the conveyor. The first sensor is provided upstream of the cutter in the conveyance direction and detects a leading end and a trailing end of the print medium. The second sensor detects a conveyance amount of the print medium conveyed by the conveyor. The controller determines a print medium length that is a length of the print medium in the conveyance direction, based on the conveyance amount detected by the second sensor from when the first sensor detects the leading end of the print medium until when the first sensor detects the trailing end of the print medium, determines a cutting position of the print medium based on the determined print medium length, and controls the cutter to cut the print medium at the determined cutting positon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuro MIURA
  • Patent number: 10924618
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a main body extending in a widthwise direction and a depth direction; an image reader provided on an upper portion of the main body and extending in the widthwise direction and the depth direction; and an operation panel provided adjacent to one edge of the image reader which extends in the depth direction. The operation panel is provided at a front end portion of the main body. The operation panel is shorter than the image reader in the depth direction. A connector to which a connecting cable is connected is provided at a back surface of the operation panel located on an opposite side of the operation panel from the front end portion. At least a space is defined at the upper portion and extends in the depth direction from the back surface of the operation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Katsuro Miura
  • Publication number: 20200314271
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a main body extending in a widthwise direction and a depth direction; an image reader provided on an upper portion of the main body and extending in the widthwise direction and the depth direction; and an operation panel provided adjacent to one edge of the image reader which extends in the depth direction. The operation panel is provided at a front end portion of the main body. The operation panel is shorter than the image reader in the depth direction. A connector to which a connecting cable is connected is provided at a back surface of the operation panel located on an opposite side of the operation panel from the front end portion. At least a space is defined at the upper portion and extends in the depth direction from the back surface of the operation panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru NAMBA, Katsuro MIURA
  • Publication number: 20200314282
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a platen glass having upper and lower surfaces; a support frame supporting a peripheral portion of the platen glass; a reading device reciprocable in a first direction and disposed on an inner side of the support frame so as to be nearer to the lower surface than to the upper surface; a guide formed on an inner bottom surface on the inner side of the support frame and extending in the first direction so as to guide reciprocation of the reading device; a controller that controls operations of the reading device; a harness connecting the reading device and the controller to each other; and a harness accommodating portion accommodating the harness, constituted by a groove having a recessed shape, extending in the first direction, and formed at the inner bottom surface at a position located in front of the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Katsuro Miura
  • Patent number: 10567611
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a transport unit, a first reader, a controller, and a positioning mechanism. The controller controls the transport unit to transport a second medium different in thickness from a first medium in a first transport direction and then in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism moves the first reader from a first position to a second position by using a drive force by which the transport unit transports the second medium in the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism maintains the first reader at the second position while the second medium transported by the transport unit in the second transport direction is passing the first reader, and moves the first reader from the second position to the first position after the first reader reads the image on the first side of the second medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Miyase, Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
  • Patent number: 10491771
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus, having a body, a feeder tray, a conveyer, a first reader, and a shifting device, is provided. The body includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a conveyance guide. The feeder tray being at a closed position covers the first inlet and the feeder tray being at an open position exposes the first inlet. The conveyer conveys a readable medium guided by the conveyer guide. The first reader reads an image on a first side of the readable medium conveyed by the conveyer. The shifting device shifts the first reader to a first position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the closed position to the open position and to a second position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie, Satoshi Miyase
  • Publication number: 20190306364
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a transport unit, a first reader, a controller, and a positioning mechanism. The controller controls the transport unit to transport a second medium different in thickness from a first medium in a first transport direction and then in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism moves the first reader from a first position to a second position by using a drive force by which the transport unit transports the second medium in the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism maintains the first reader at the second position while the second medium transported by the transport unit in the second transport direction is passing the first reader, and moves the first reader from the second position to the first position after the first reader reads the image on the first side of the second medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Satoshi Miyase, Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
  • Patent number: 10382636
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a hinge connected to the reading unit, and a cover connected to the hinge. The image reading apparatus further includes a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to a particular gear of the hinge, as a planet gear engages with the particular gear during movement of the cover from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuro Miura
  • Publication number: 20190199876
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus, having a body, a feeder tray, a conveyer, a first reader, and a shifting device, is provided. The body includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a conveyance guide. The feeder tray being at a closed position covers the first inlet and the feeder tray being at an open position exposes the first inlet. The conveyer conveys a readable medium guided by the conveyer guide. The first reader reads an image on a first side of the readable medium conveyed by the conveyer. The shifting device shifts the first reader to a first position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the closed position to the open position and to a second position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro MIURA, Tianjin XIE, Satoshi MIYASE
  • Patent number: 10230859
    Abstract: A multifunction device includes a scanner and a printer disposed below the scanner. The scanner includes a support surface to support a document, and a scanning unit to scan the document. The scanning unit includes a sensor including reading elements arranged in a main scanning direction, and a moving member holding the sensor and configured to move in a sub-scanning direction. The scanner is connected to the printer pivotably between a first position at which the scanner conceals an upper portion of the printer, and a second position at which the scanner exposes the upper. In response to the moving member moving in the sub-scanning direction, a responsive mechanism shifts the lock mechanism between an operative state in which the lock mechanism restricts pivoting of the scanner relative to the printer, and an inoperative state in which the lock mechanism permits pivoting of the scanner relative to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuro Miura
  • Publication number: 20180288254
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a hinge connected to the reading unit, and a cover connected to the hinge. The image reading apparatus further includes a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to a particular gear of the hinge, as a planet gear engages with the particular gear during movement of the cover from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuro MIURA
  • Patent number: 10023412
    Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet selectively along a first conveying path and a second conveying path which are connected at a junction into a common path portion. A reading unit reads an image of a sheet conveyed in the common path portion. A shutter is disposed in the second conveying path at a position upstream of the junction in a sheet conveying direction. The shutter is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is disposed in the common path portion and movable between a third position and a fourth position in response to the shutter moving between the first position and the second position, respectively. In a case where a detection sensor detects that the actuator is at the fourth position, a controller controls the conveying device to convey the sheet along the second conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakashima, Katsuro Miura, Noriyuki Kawamata, Tianjin Xie
  • Patent number: 10027828
    Abstract: A first hinge connects a scanner to a printer, which is below the scanner, to allow the scanner to pivot about a first axis extending along a first direction. The first hinge includes a first support portion supported by the scanner, a second support portion supported by the printer, and a first pivot portion defining the first axis. A housing of the scanner includes a side surface near the first axis and extending along the first direction and along a second direction perpendicular to a document support surface of the scanner, and an accommodating portion recessed in a third direction which is from the side surface toward the scanning unit. The first support portion includes a first end portion at which the first pivot portion is located, and a second end portion which includes an accommodated portion. The accommodated portion is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuro Miura
  • Patent number: 9868608
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus, including a conveyer to convey a sheet in a predetermined conveying direction along a predetermined conveyer path, and a discharger forming a part of the conveyer to discharge the sheet from the conveyer path, is provided. The discharger includes a driving roller, a pinch roller arranged to confront the driving roller across the conveyer path, and an urging member to urge the pinch roller against the driving roller. The conveyer includes a chute member. The chute member includes a guiding face defining a part of the conveyer path, a supporting face to support one end of the urging member, and a contact face located on a particular face of the chute member opposite from the supporting face. The sheet conveying apparatus includes a plate member made of metal arranged to extend in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction and to contact the contact face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
  • Publication number: 20170327331
    Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet selectively along a first conveying path and a second conveying path which are connected at a junction into a common path portion. A reading unit reads an image of a sheet conveyed in the common path portion. A shutter is disposed in the second conveying path at a position upstream of the junction in a sheet conveying direction. The shutter is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is disposed in the common path portion and movable between a third position and a fourth position in response to the shutter moving between the first position and the second position, respectively. In a case where a detection sensor detects that the actuator is at the fourth position, a controller controls the conveying device to convey the sheet along the second conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakashima, Katsuro Miura, Noriyuki Kawamata, Tianjin Xie
  • Patent number: 9771233
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device, including: a conveyor; a first supporter configured such that, when located at its closed position, a first surface thereof partially forms an exterior surface of the device and such that, when located at its open position, a second surface thereof supports the sheet to be supplied to the conveyor; a second supporter configured such that, when located at its closed position, a first surface thereof partially forms the exterior surface of the device and such that, when located at its open position, a second surface thereof supports the sheet output from the conveyor; and a link configured such that, when the first supporter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the link transmits a force from the first supporter to the second supporter and thereby moves the second supporter from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the first supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Takayuki Akimatsu