Patents by Inventor Kazuo Koike

Kazuo Koike 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: 7822353
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an operations section that operates the image forming apparatus, the operations section being rotatably supported by an apparatus main body; an operations section holding unit that holds the operations section at a predetermined angle with respect to the apparatus main body; an external force detecting unit that detects an external force applied to the operations section in a rotational direction of the operations section; an operations section rotating unit that rotates the operations section in a direction of the external force; and a control unit to activate the operations section rotating unit in response to detection of the external force by the external force detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Takashi Inoue, Hideharu Shiota
  • Patent number: 7787794
    Abstract: A setting angle adjusting device, includes a first input part configured to input an instruction for changing a setting angle of an operations panel in a first direction; a second input part configured to input an instruction for changing the setting angle of the operations panel in a second direction different from the first direction; a rotation part configured to change the setting angle of the operations panel; and a driving part configured to rotate the rotation part in a designated direction as corresponding to either the first input part or the second input part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20100182654
    Abstract: An image forming device including: a scanning device configured to acquire an image data of a manuscript; a processing device configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the image data; a main body of the image forming device having a first operation section configured to input an instruction to the image forming device; and a second operation section arranged at the main body of the image forming device. The image forming device acquires the image data of the manuscript and forms the image on the recording medium in accordance with an operation of at least one of the first and the second operation sections, the second operation section being operable at a low position compared to a position of the first operation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi
  • Patent number: 7735306
    Abstract: A rear discharge type mower apparatus comprising a blade housing having a top plate, a front wall and at least one side wall; a support shaft supported by the blade housing and extending vertically; a rotatable blade supported by the support shaft, a tip end of the blade forming a rotation path; and a guide plate located rearwardly of the front wall and having a shape extending along the rotation path of a corresponding blade, and forming an opening for ejecting cut grass rearwardly. The guide plate has a first end located in an upstream position with respect to a rotating direction of the corresponding blade, and a second end located in a downstream position with respect to the rotating direction of the corresponding blade; and an auxiliary plate extending from an area of the first end into inside the rotation path of the corresponding blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masaji Kure, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Koji Fujiwara, Kazuo Samejima, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuo Koike, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Patent number: 7684721
    Abstract: In an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, an image forming device body has a first reading unit and a processing unit, wherein the first reading unit acquires image information of a document and the processing unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information. An image input device has a second reading unit which acquires image information of a document. The image input device is arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Hiroshi Takeda, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Kazuo Koike
  • Patent number: 7667685
    Abstract: An operations panel is disclosed that comprises plural operations blocks attached to a main body of an electronic apparatus; a selection information output unit that outputs a selection information item indicating a selection item selected in the operations block; a display operations block that is removably attachable to the main body, including a display unit that shows display selection items used for selecting operational functions, a selection detecting unit that detects the selected display selection item, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to show the selection items corresponding to the operations blocks together with the display selection item when the display operations block is removed from the main body; and a selection information retrieving unit that retrieves, as the selection information item, a selection result detected by the selection detecting unit of the display operations block removed from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara
  • Publication number: 20090316954
    Abstract: An input apparatus for enabling a user to enter an instruction into a main apparatus has high durability and offers superior operability. The input apparatus includes a table device having a table with a variable size. An image of plural virtual keys that is adapted to the size of the table is projected by a projector unit onto the table. Position information about a finger of the user that is placed on the table is detected by a position detecting device contactlessly. One of the plural virtual keys that corresponds to the position of the finger of the user detected by the position detecting device is detected by a key detecting device based on information about the image of the plural virtual keys and a result of the detection made by the position detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Publication number: 20090316193
    Abstract: An input apparatus for a user to input an instruction into a body apparatus is disclosed. The input apparatus includes: a projection unit configured to project images of a plurality of virtual keys onto a projection area on a floor surface; a position detection unit configured to detect position information of a foot of the user put on the projection area; and a key detection unit configured to detect a virtual key corresponding to a position of the foot of the user from among the virtual keys based on information on the images of the virtual keys and a result of detection by the position detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Tasuku KOHARA, Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Publication number: 20090282799
    Abstract: A rear discharge type mower apparatus includes a blade housing, a support shaft supported by the blade housing, a rotatable blade supported by the support shaft, and a front guide plate having a shape extending substantially along the rotation path of a corresponding blade. The front guide plate forms an opening for ejecting cut grass rearwardly and has a downstream plate portion located in a downstream position with respect to a rotating direction of the corresponding blade and having an end defining one end of the opening. The downstream plate portion extends rearwardly of the blade housing and a distance from a center of rotation to the downstream plate portion is progressively decreased toward a rear end of the blade housing. At least a part of the downstream plate portion is located radially inside of the rotation path of the corresponding blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaji Kure, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Koji Fujiwara, Kazuo Samejima, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuo Koike, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Publication number: 20090201527
    Abstract: An operations panel is disclosed that comprises plural operations blocks attached to a main body of an electronic apparatus; a selection information output unit that outputs a selection information item indicating a selection item selected in the operations block; a display operations block that is removably attachable to the main body, including a display unit that shows display selection items used for selecting operational functions, a selection detecting unit that detects the selected display selection item, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to show the selection items corresponding to the operations blocks together with the display selection item when the display operations block is removed from the main body; and a selection information retrieving unit that retrieves, as the selection information item, a selection result detected by the selection detecting unit of the display operations block removed from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara
  • Patent number: 7568392
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus for a mower includes a floor defining a downward recess with respect to a floor surface, and an air speed measuring device or air pressure measuring device disposed in the recess for measuring a speed or pressure of air blown by the mower. The measuring device has air speed detecting elements or air pressure detecting elements. The air speed detecting elements or air pressure detecting elements have detecting heights including a height level with the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Masatoshi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090178382
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mower with a mower deck, a plurality of cutting chambers mutually communicated and arranged in a lateral direction within the mower deck, and a blade mounted in each cutting chamber to be rotatable about a vertical axis. A grass clippings guide in form of a vertical wall is disposed in an upper area within the cutting chamber, to guide the grass clippings flowing within the cutting chamber toward a center of rotation of the blade. A shield member is disposed for preventing entry of grass clippings between the grass clippings guide and a peripheral wall of the cutting chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihito Sugio, Kazuo Sameshiima, Akira Minoura, Masatake Murakawa, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuo Koike, Masato Asahara, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Osami Fujiwara, Koji Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20090066644
    Abstract: An input control device and an image forming apparatus capable of proving an easy-to-use operating environment even for a user having difficulties operating such conventional devices and apparatuses due to his/her height, color vision deficiency, weak vision, use of a wheelchair, and the like is disclosed. In the input control device, based on the detected distance between an instruction item on the display and an operation direction means (such as a user's finger), the display mode of the instruction item is changed (by, for example, changing positions, colors, and combinations). Further, as the operation direction means approaches, the size of the instruction item on the display becomes larger, thereby improving the operability especially for a user with color vision deficiency or weak vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Endoh, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Tasuku Kohara, Taisuke Omi, Takashi Inoue, Hiroki Tsuruoka, Yoshiaki Nishizaki
  • Publication number: 20090060612
    Abstract: The height of an image reading unit or an operating panel in an image forming apparatus is adjusted to facilitate their operation depending on the physical characteristics of a user, such as his height or use of a wheel chair. A second operating panel and a second automatic document feeder (ADF) are disposed on the side of the image forming apparatus, so that a user on a wheel chair can access them easily. The second ADF houses plural sheet trays that are configured to open or close together. When the sheet trays are closed, a first operating panel disposed at the top of the apparatus is activated while the second operating panel on the side is deactivated. When the sheet trays are open, the second operating panel is activated while the first operating panel is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Patent number: 7448194
    Abstract: A mower comprising: a cutting blade housing; rotating cutting blades; a rear plate disposed rearwardly the rotating cutting blades; a rear vertical wall that is supported by the cutting blade housing and that forms a first ventilation hole in a center portion in the transverse direction of the cutting blade housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Akihito Sugio, Kazuo Samejima
  • Patent number: 7437865
    Abstract: A mower comprising: a cutting blade housing; rotating cutting blades; and a front baffle plate disposed forwardly of a rotation zone of each of the rotating cutting blades; wherein the front baffle plate comprises: an upstream-side cutting blade plate portion and a downstream-side cutting blade plate portion having a concave curved guide surface wherein the front baffle plate is configured such that the distance between a rotation zone of the upstream-side cutting blade and a boundary between the upstream-side cutting blade plate portion and the downstream-side cutting blade plate portion in the baffle plates is greater than the distance between the boundary and a rotation zone of the downstream-side cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corproation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Publication number: 20080199201
    Abstract: In an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, an image forming device body has a first reading unit and a processing unit, wherein the first reading unit acquires image information of a document and the processing unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information. An image input device has a second reading unit which acquires image information of a document. The image input device is arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Hiroshi Takeda, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Kazuo Koike
  • Publication number: 20080089017
    Abstract: A setting angle adjusting device, includes a first input part configured to input an instruction for changing a setting angle of an operations panel in a first direction; a second input part configured to input an instruction for changing the setting angle of the operations panel in a second direction different from the first direction; a rotation part configured to change the setting angle of the operations panel; and a driving part configured to rotate the rotation part in a designated direction as corresponding to either the first input part or the second input part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080072561
    Abstract: A mower comprising: a cutting blade housing; rotating cutting blades; and a front baffle plate disposed forwardly of a rotation zone of each of the rotating cutting blades; wherein the front baffle plate comprises: an upstream-side cutting blade plate portion and a downstream-side cutting blade plate portion having a concave curved guide surface wherein the front baffle plate is configured such that the distance between a rotation zone of the upstream-side cutting blade and a boundary between the upstream-side cutting blade plate portion and the downstream-side cutting blade plate portion in the baffle plates is greater than the distance between the boundary and a rotation zone of the downstream-side cutting blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Publication number: 20080053056
    Abstract: A mower comprising: a cutting blade housing; rotating cutting blades; a rear plate disposed rearwardly the rotating cutting blades; a rear vertical wall that is supported by the cutting blade housing and that forms a first ventilation hole in a center portion in the transverse direction of the cutting blade housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Akihito Sugio, Kazuo Samejima