Patents by Inventor Kengo Saga
Kengo Saga 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).
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Patent number: 11613136Abstract: A thermal printer includes a conveyance unit, a thermal head with heating elements arranged in a line crossing a conveyance direction of a thermal paper, and a controller that generates print dot data for dots to be printed by the thermal head and controls the conveyance unit and thermal head according to the print dot data. The controller determines whether the total number of dots to be printed in a predetermined number of consecutive lines of the print dot data is greater than a threshold number and, when the total number of dots is greater than the threshold number, control the conveyance unit to convey the thermal paper after the printing of the print dot data by a predetermined amount along the conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20210402811Abstract: A thermal printer includes a conveyance unit, a thermal head with heating elements arranged in a line crossing a conveyance direction of a thermal paper, and a controller that generates print dot data for dots to be printed by the thermal head and controls the conveyance unit and thermal head according to the print dot data. The controller determines whether the total number of dots to be printed in a predetermined number of consecutive lines of the print dot data is greater than a threshold number and, when the total number of dots is greater than the threshold number, control the conveyance unit to convey the thermal paper after the printing of the print dot data by a predetermined amount along the conveyance direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventor: Kengo SAGA
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Patent number: 10726286Abstract: A magnetic ink character reader includes a transport unit configured to move a medium along a transport path, a reader configured to magnetically read magnetic ink characters printed on the medium, while the medium is moved along the transport path and to output a signal waveform corresponding to the magnetic ink characters, and a processor configured to compare a transportation direction of the medium through the reader to a forward reading direction of the reader, and to invert, in horizontal and vertical directions, the signal waveform output from the reader when the transportation direction is not the forward reading direction. The processor performs magnetic character recognition using the signal waveform from the reader when the transportation direction is the forward reading direction and the inverted signal waveform when the transportation direction is a reverse reading direction opposite the forward reading direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kengo Saga
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Patent number: 10507669Abstract: A printer includes a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements to print on a paper that is conveyed thereto, a controller configured to control a speed of the paper that is conveyed and an amount of power supplied to the heating elements, and a processor configured to determine from image data of an image that is to be printed on the paper using the thermal head whether or not a character and a figure other than the character are to be simultaneously printed and instruct the controller based on the determination. The processor instructs the controller to set the speed of the paper to a first speed which is slower than a second speed, which is the speed for printing the character without the figure, upon determining that the character and the figure are to be simultaneously printed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20190138831Abstract: A magnetic ink character reader includes a transport unit configured to move a medium along a transport path, a reader configured to magnetically read magnetic ink characters printed on the medium, while the medium is moved along the transport path and to output a signal waveform corresponding to the magnetic ink characters, and a processor configured to compare a transportation direction of the medium through the reader to a forward reading direction of the reader, and to invert, in horizontal and vertical directions, the signal waveform output from the reader when the transportation direction is not the forward reading direction. The processor performs magnetic character recognition using the signal waveform from the reader when the transportation direction is the forward reading direction and the inverted signal waveform when the transportation direction is a reverse reading direction opposite the forward reading direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventor: Kengo SAGA
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Patent number: 10229334Abstract: A magnetic ink character reader includes a transport unit configured to move a medium along a transport path, a reader configured to magnetically read magnetic ink characters printed on the medium, while the medium is moved along the transport path and to output a signal waveform corresponding to the magnetic ink characters, and a processor configured to compare a transportation direction of the medium through the reader to a forward reading direction of the reader, and to invert, in horizontal and vertical directions, the signal waveform output from the reader when the transportation direction is not the forward reading direction. The processor performs magnetic character recognition using the signal waveform from the reader when the transportation direction is the forward reading direction and the inverted signal waveform when the transportation direction is a reverse reading direction opposite the forward reading direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20190023024Abstract: A printer includes a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements to print on a paper that is conveyed thereto, a controller configured to control a speed of the paper that is conveyed and an amount of power supplied to the heating elements, and a processor configured to determine from image data of an image that is to be printed on the paper using the thermal head whether or not a character and a figure other than the character are to be simultaneously printed and instruct the controller based on the determination. The processor instructs the controller to set the speed of the paper to a first speed which is slower than a second speed, which is the speed for printing the character without the figure, upon determining that the character and the figure are to be simultaneously printed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventor: Kengo SAGA
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Patent number: 9981495Abstract: A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, a scanning unit disposed along the sheet conveying path between the discharge unit and the first printing unit, and configured to scan a surface of the first sheet, and a control unit configured to perform a shading correction of the scanning unit using the second sheet as a white reference.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20170200055Abstract: A magnetic ink character reader includes a transport unit configured to move a medium along a transport path, a reader configured to magnetically read magnetic ink characters printed on the medium, while the medium is moved along the transport path and to output a signal waveform corresponding to the magnetic ink characters, and a processor configured to compare a transportation direction of the medium through the reader to a forward reading direction of the reader, and to invert, in horizontal and vertical directions, the signal waveform output from the reader when the transportation direction is not the forward reading direction. The processor performs magnetic character recognition using the signal waveform from the reader when the transportation direction is the forward reading direction and the inverted signal waveform when the transportation direction is a reverse reading direction opposite the forward reading direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventor: Kengo SAGA
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Publication number: 20170100951Abstract: A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, a scanning unit disposed along the sheet conveying path between the discharge unit and the first printing unit, and configured to scan a surface of the first sheet, and a control unit configured to perform a shading correction of the scanning unit using the second sheet as a white reference.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventor: Kengo SAGA
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Patent number: 9591179Abstract: A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, a scanning unit disposed along the sheet conveying path between the discharge unit and the first printing unit, and configured to scan a surface of the first sheet, and a control unit configured to perform a shading correction of the scanning unit using the second sheet as a white reference.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20170013167Abstract: A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, a scanning unit disposed along the sheet conveying path between the discharge unit and the first printing unit, and configured to scan a surface of the first sheet, and a control unit configured to perform a shading correction of the scanning unit using the second sheet as a white reference.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventor: Kengo SAGA
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Publication number: 20150347063Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a printer apparatus comprises a medium conveyance path configured to convey a booklet medium having a binding section parallel to the printing digit direction; a page recognition section configured to read page recognition information which is arranged on each page of the medium in advance; a printing section configured to carry out printing on the medium; and a page recognition section moving section configured to move the page recognition section in the printing digit direction of the medium based on the size information of the medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kengo Saga
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Patent number: 9096072Abstract: Generally, in accordance with embodiments, a thermal printer comprises heating elements, a storage section, a drive circuit and a controller. A plurality of heating elements are linearly arranged. The storage section stores a one-line amount of image data. The drive circuit energizes each heating element according to the one-line amount of image data. An acquisition section acquires an A/D value corresponding to the voltage applied to each heating element every time each heating element is energized. The controller outputs a one-line amount of empty data to the storage section to acquire a first A/D value with the acquisition section, reduces, based on the first A/D value, noises of a second A/D value which is acquired by energizing each heating element and checks the disconnection of each heating element based on the noise-reduced second A/D value.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20150197098Abstract: Generally, in accordance with embodiments, a thermal printer comprises heating elements, a storage section, a drive circuit and a controller. A plurality of heating elements are linearly arranged. The storage section stores a one-line amount of image data. The drive circuit energizes each heating element according to the one-line amount of image data. An acquisition section acquires an A/D value corresponding to the voltage applied to each heating element every time each heating element is energized. The controller outputs a one-line amount of empty data to the storage section to acquire a first A/D value with the acquisition section, reduces, based on the first A/D value, noises of a second A/D value which is acquired by energizing each heating element and checks the disconnection of each heating element based on the noise-reduced second A/D value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20130057630Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first printer, having a first print head, in which a first recording medium conveying path is linearly arranged in the horizontal direction, a second printer, having a second print head, in which a second recording medium conveying path is linearly arranged in the horizontal direction, and a conveying changeover path, arranged between the first printer and the second printer, that is configured to selectively guide a recording medium loaded in the second printer towards the first print head of the first printer therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshimasa Inoue, Kengo Saga
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Patent number: 8179409Abstract: A print-dot counting section counts a number of print dots of print data. An adjusting section adjusts to reduce, according to the number of print dots counted by the print-dot counting section, one of conveying speed of a print medium by a conveying unit and energization time of energization to heat generating elements for forming one dot on the print medium and adjusts to reduce the other when the one reaches a lower limit value in an adjustable range. The conveying unit and a thermal head are driven by using the conveying speed and the energization time adjusted in this way to perform printing on the print medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Patent number: 8004547Abstract: Previously setting the front end of printed thermal paper at a second position before a second thermal head, when a next print job is double-side printing, at a first position before a first thermal head, when a next print job is one-side printing with the first thermal head, and at the second position before the second thermal head, when a next print job is one-side printing with the second thermal head.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Patent number: 7967408Abstract: An aspect of the invention is a printer for printing on one surface and the other surface of a sheet-like printing medium fed in a predetermined feed direction. The printer includes, a first printing part for printing on the one surface, a second printing part provided on the upstream side of the first printing part for printing on the other surface, a storage area in which first image data and second image data are stored, and an adjustment part for adjusting printing start positions of printing operations performed by the first and second printing parts by shifting the readout order of the first image data to be stored in the storage area toward the end side in accordance with a positional difference between the first printing part and the second printing part in the feed direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Saga
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Publication number: 20100238254Abstract: A print-dot counting section counts a number of print dots of print data. An adjusting section adjusts to reduce, according to the number of print dots counted by the print-dot counting section, one of conveying speed of a print medium by a conveying unit and energization time of energization to heat generating elements for forming one dot on the print medium and adjusts to reduce the other when the one reaches a lower limit value in an adjustable range. The conveying unit and a thermal head are driven by using the conveying speed and the energization time adjusted in this way to perform printing on the print medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kengo Saga