Patents by Inventor Kazuhide Sawada

Kazuhide Sawada 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: 20150277822
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor; memory storing instructions causing the apparatus to perform: acquiring original image data including an object; specifying margin area, which is located at a periphery of the original image and in which the object is not located; specifying a non-printable area, which is located at a periphery of a print medium and to which the printing apparatus is not capable of printing; determining, on the basis of information representing the non-printable area and information representing the margin area, whether the printing apparatus is capable of printing the whole of the object of the original image within a printable area on the print medium, to which the printing apparatus is capable of printing, without performing a reducing process on the object; and generating print data, from the original image data, according to a result of the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Kazuhide SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20150281520
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus acquires scan data and information about a color specified by a user; executes first correction on the scan data such that brightness of a pixel subject to the first correction increases, the pixel subject to the first correction having a color that falls within a specified range of color, an achromatic color brighter than the specified color falling within the specified range of color, first corrected scan data being generated resulting from execution of the first correction; executes second correction on at least a part of the first-corrected scan data such that a color of a pixel subject to the second correction is changed to a predetermined color if the pixel subject to the second correction is a specified color pixel specified based on the information, second corrected scan data being generated resulting from execution of the second correction; and outputs the second corrected scan data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Kazuhide SAWADA
  • Patent number: 9106876
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the image processing device to perform: acquiring a plurality of hue values from a plurality of pixels of the image; determining an index value of the image based on the plurality of hue values, the index value representing a degree of change in hue of the image before and after executing a color conversion on the image; and setting a color conversion method to a first method when the index value represents that the degree of change in hue of the image is comparatively low, and setting the color conversion method to a second method when the index value represents that the degree of change in hue of the image is comparatively high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Patent number: 8848245
    Abstract: There is provided a print data generating device which generates print data for printing using plural kinds of color material. The device includes a processor, and a memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the device to perform acquiring pixel data including grayscale values of plural color components corresponding to the plural kinds of color material, acquiring plural limitation values which are determined for the plural color components in the pixel data, respectively, and according to fixing characteristics of color material of the respective color components, to a print medium, determining a total allowable amount in printing a color represented by the pixel data based on the limitation values, correcting the pixel data such that a total amount of color material for the pixel data does not exceed the total allowable amount if needed, and generating the print data based on the corrected pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20140240793
    Abstract: In an image processing device having an image processing unit, a first determination process determines whether each of the plurality of blocks is a single-color block, a non-single-color block, or a non-determinative block. Determination of the non-determinative block is made when neither a single block condition nor a non-single-block condition is met. A second determination process determines whether the non-determinative block is the single block or the non-single block based on a result of the first determination process with respect to a neighboring block neighboring the non-determinative block. The blank determination process determines whether the image is a blank image based on at least one of number of single color blocks determined in the first determination process or the second determination process and number of non-single-color blocks determined in the first determination process or the second determination process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20140092407
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the image processing device to perform: acquiring a plurality of hue values from a plurality of pixels of the image; determining an index value of the image based on the plurality of hue values, the index value representing a degree of change in hue of the image before and after executing a color conversion on the image; and setting a color conversion method to a first method when the index value represents that the degree of change in hue of the image is comparatively low, and setting the color conversion method to a second method when the index value represents that the degree of change in hue of the image is comparatively high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide SAWADA
  • Patent number: 8564860
    Abstract: An image processor includes an identifying unit, a first correcting unit, and a second correcting unit. The identifying unit identifies a white point value of an image represented by first image data. The white point value indicates a first color temperature. The first correcting unit performs a white balance correction on the first image data such that the white point value approaches a target white point value. The target white point value indicates a second color temperature. The second correcting unit performs a brightness correction for correcting the first image data corrected by the first correcting unit into second image data such that an image corresponding to the second image data is brighter as the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature and such that the image corresponding to the second image data is darker as the second color temperature is lower than the first color temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Patent number: 8416455
    Abstract: An image-processor includes an acquiring unit and a correcting unit. The acquiring unit acquires image data and ambient light data indicating a degree of a first color temperature with respect to a second color temperature. The first color temperature represents a color temperature for a first ambient light. The second color temperature represents a color temperature for a second ambient light. A first image, which corresponds to the image data, is perceived in the first ambient light as an image having one color appearance. The first image is perceived in the second ambient light as an image having another color appearance. The correcting unit corrects the image data such that a color appearance of the first image under the first ambient light are reproduced under the second ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Patent number: 8305641
    Abstract: An image-processing system for printing an image based on original image data. The storing unit stores at least one look-up table in association with at least one printing condition. The at least one look-up table is used to convert a color value in original image data into a limited color value that limits a total quantity of ink to be used in printing. The detecting unit detects, as a printing condition, at least one of a type of color material and a type of recording medium which are used for printing operation. The converting unit converts the color value data into the limited color value by using a look-up table that is assigned with a printing condition corresponding to the detected printing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhide Sawada, Masashi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8284466
    Abstract: An acquiring unit acquires image data and ambient light data indicating a first color for a first ambient light and a second color for a second ambient light. A third color of a first pixel data is closer to the first color than the second color. A fourth color of a second pixel data is closer to the second color than the first color. A correcting unit corrects the first pixel data such that a third color-appearance of a pixel according to the corrected first pixel data under the second ambient light is perceived as a color-appearance that is the same as a fourth color-appearance of a pixel according to the first pixel data under the first ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Patent number: 8134744
    Abstract: A method for setting a color conversion condition for use in an image forming device. The image forming device includes: a first color conversion unit that converts input image data into first output image data by using a first three-dimensional LUT; and second-first, second-second and second-third color conversion units for sequentially converting the input image data into intermediate image data ? and ? by using at least one LUT. The method includes: setting, in a form of values expressing a color conversion relationship on a second three-dimensional LUT, a relationship between the intermediate image data ? and the intermediate image data ? to ensure that first colorimetric data of an image formed on the basis of the first output image data is equal to third colorimetric data of an image that is formed on the basis of image data obtained by sequentially converting the same input image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Patent number: 8134763
    Abstract: A color conversion apparatus is for converting an input point defined in a three-dimensional first color space into an output point defined in a three-dimensional second color space. The color conversion apparatus includes: a position identifying unit; a first conversion unit; a second conversion unit; and an output point identifying unit. The position identifying unit identifies a two-dimensional position for the input point, the two-dimensional position being defined on a specific plane passing through a first white point, a first black point and the input point, the first white point and the first black point being defined in the first color space. The first conversion unit converts the input point into an intermediate point that is defined in a device-independent color space. The second conversion unit converts the intermediate point into a temporary output point that is defined in the three-dimensional second color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20100195907
    Abstract: An acquiring unit acquires image data and ambient light data indicating a first color for a first ambient light and a second color for a second ambient light. A third color of a first pixel data is closer to the first color than the second color. A fourth color of a second pixel data is closer to the second color than the first color. A correcting unit corrects the first pixel data such that a third color-appearance of a pixel according to the corrected first pixel data under the second ambient light is perceived as a color-appearance that is the same as a fourth color-appearance of a pixel according to the first pixel data under the first ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20100195172
    Abstract: An image processor includes an identifying unit, a first correcting unit, and a second correcting unit. The identifying unit identifies a white point value of an image represented by first image data. The white point value indicates a first color temperature. The first correcting unit performs a white balance correction on the first image data such that the white point value approaches a target white point value. The target white point value indicates a second color temperature. The second correcting unit performs a brightness correction for correcting the first image data corrected by the first correcting unit into second image data such that an image corresponding to the second image data is brighter as the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature and such that the image corresponding to the second image data is darker as the second color temperature is lower than the first color temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20100195127
    Abstract: An image-processor includes an acquiring unit and a correcting unit. The acquiring unit acquires image data and ambient light data indicating a degree of a first color temperature with respect to a second color temperature. The first color temperature represents a color temperature for a first ambient light. The second color temperature represents a color temperature for a second ambient light. A first image, which corresponds to the image data, is perceived in the first ambient light as an image having one color appearance. The first image is perceived in the second ambient light as an image having another color appearance. The correcting unit corrects the image data such that a color appearance of the first image under the first ambient light are reproduced under the second ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhide Sawada
  • Publication number: 20090237757
    Abstract: An image-processing system for printing an image based on original image data. The storing unit stores at least one look-up table in association with at least one printing condition. The at least one look-up table is used to convert a color value in original image data into a limited color value that limits a total quantity of ink to be used in printing. The detecting unit detects, as a printing condition, at least one of a type of color material and a type of recording medium which are used for printing operation. The converting unit converts the color value data into the limited color value by using a look-up table that is assigned with a printing condition corresponding to the detected printing condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhide SAWADA, Masashi UEDA
  • Publication number: 20090033966
    Abstract: A color conversion apparatus is for converting an input point defined in a three-dimensional first color space into an output point defined in a three-dimensional second color space. The color conversion apparatus includes: a position identifying unit; a first conversion unit; a second conversion unit; and an output point identifying unit. The position identifying unit identifies a two-dimensional position for the input point, the two-dimensional position being defined on a specific plane passing through a first white point, a first black point and the input point, the first white point and the first black point being defined in the first color space. The first conversion unit converts the input point into an intermediate point that is defined in a device-independent color space. The second conversion unit converts the intermediate point into a temporary output point that is defined in the three-dimensional second color space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhide SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20080170249
    Abstract: A method is provided for setting a color conversion condition for use in an image forming device. The image forming device includes: a first color conversion unit that converts input image data into first output image data by using a first three-dimensional LUT; a second-first color conversion unit that converts the input image data into intermediate image data ?; a second-second color conversion unit that converts the intermediate image data ? into intermediate image data ? by using a second three-dimensional LUT; a second-third color conversion unit that converts the intermediate image data ? into second output image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhide SAWADA
  • Patent number: 5763082
    Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder which comprises 0.01 to 1% by weight of a perfluoro(vinyl ether) unit and which has a heat of crystallization of 18.0 to 25.0 J/g. The molding powder provides a molded article which has a flex life of not less than 7 million cycles, a creep resistance (total deformation at 200.degree. C.) of not more than 20%, and a creep resistance (total deformation at 25.degree. C.) of not more than 15%. The polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder which is excellent in both creep resistance and flex fatigue resistance is provided as a molding material for parts which are repeatedly bent such as pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuo Kokumai, Yukiharu Nakamura, Mitsuru Kishine, Tetsuo Kitahaba, Hirokazu Yukawa, Kazuhide Sawada, Sang Bong Han, Tetsuo Shimizu, Takahisa Aoyama
  • Patent number: 5709944
    Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder which comprises 0.01 to 1% by weight of a perfluoro(vinyl ether) unit and which has a heat of crystallization of 18.0 to 25.0 J/g. The molding powder provides a molded article which has a flex life of not less than 7 million cycles, a creep resistance (total deformation at 200.degree. C.) of not more than 20%, and a creep resistance (total deformation at 25.degree. C.) of not more than 15%. The polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder which is excellent in both creep resistance and flex fatigue resistance is provided as a molding material for parts which are repeatedly bent such as pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuo Kokumai, Yukinaru Nakamura, Mitsuru Kishine, Tetsuo Kitahaba, Hirokazu Yukawa, Kazuhide Sawada, Sang Bong Han, Tetsuo Shimizu, Takahisa Aoyama