Patents by Inventor Kenta Horade

Kenta Horade 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: 11548285
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber and an outlet. A mount body includes a tank, first and second sensors. The tank has an inlet, and a second chamber. The liquid in the first chamber flows into the second chamber via the outlet and the inlet. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position higher than the first position, and outputs the fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position. A controller controls a notification device to issue a notification if a condition based on the first and second signals is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Horade, Takashi Ito
  • Patent number: 11548288
    Abstract: In a control device, a controller sets an order condition using a plurality of sets of timing information and a plurality of index values stored in a memory. The plurality of index values is acquired from a recording device under a condition where a first cartridge is mounted in the recording device. The order condition requires that one of a latest index value and a current timing have reached corresponding one of a reference index value and a reference timing, and is set so that a second cartridge is delivered to a predetermined destination at a first timing at which the first cartridge is expected to be out of a printing agent while a tank of the recording device is expected to still accommodate the printing agent. The controller transmits an order command instructing to order the second cartridge to a relevant device after the order condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masafumi Miyazawa, Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20220332119
    Abstract: A determination signal indicates whether each of a plurality of nozzles of a liquid ejection head is an abnormal nozzle. A controller stores, in a memory, information on a nozzle determined to be the abnormal nozzle among the plurality of nozzles; in response to receiving a particular signal and determining that the memory does not store abnormality flag information and that the number of the abnormal nozzle stored in the memory is larger than a first threshold value, control a recovery device to perform a recovery operation; and in response to receiving the particular signal and determining that the memory stores the abnormality flag information and that the number of the abnormal nozzle is larger than a second threshold value, control the recovery device to perform the recovery operation. The second threshold value is smaller than the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Kenta HORADE
  • Publication number: 20220321732
    Abstract: An image recording device comprises a conveyance mechanism, a head, a sensor configured to detect a position of an orthogonal edge of recording medium in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction, and a controller. The controller tentatively determines, for each of a plurality of unit areas aligned in the conveyance direction on the recording medium, a recording position of an image for the unit area based on image data and a size of the recording medium, derives a correction amount for the tentatively determined recording position, determines whether the correction amount exceeds a first upper limit for each unit area. When it is determined that the correction amount does not exceed the first upper limit, The controller determines the recording position based on the correction amount, and causes the head to record an image at the recording position determined in the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventor: Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20220266599
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and including a first compartment configured to store a colorant, a container configured to be connected with the cartridge and including a second compartment configured to store the colorant flowing from the cartridge, and a display configured to display a first object indicating a first remainder amount and a second object indicating a second remainder amount in a single screen, is provided. The first remainder amount is a remainder amount of the colorant stored in the first compartment, and the second remainder amount is a remainder amount of the colorant stored in the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Shunsuke MINAMIKAWA, Kenta HORADE
  • Publication number: 20220266600
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and including a first compartment configured to store a colorant, a container configured to be connected with the cartridge and including a second compartment configured to store the colorant flowing from the cartridge, and a display configured to display a first object indicating a first remainder amount and a second object indicating a second remainder amount in a single screen, is provided. The first remainder amount is a remainder amount of the colorant stored in the first compartment, and the second remainder amount is a remainder amount of the colorant stored in the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Shunsuke MINAMIKAWA, Kenta HORADE
  • Patent number: 11420446
    Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes: a tank including a second liquid chamber connectable to a cartridge having a first liquid chamber storing a liquid; a head; and a controller configured to: discharge ink from the head based on a recording instruction; receive a second signal from a liquid level sensor when a position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than a predetermined position after the ink is discharged based on the recording instruction; after receiving the second signal, determine whether the cartridge is installed in an installation case; based on determining that the cartridge is installed in the installation case after receiving the second signal from the liquid level sensor, accept a maintenance process; and based on receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor, perform the maintenance process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20220242134
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a first container with a first compartment, a second container with a second compartment, a recorder, a display, and a controller, is provided. The controller controls the display to display a first screen and a second screen. The first screen contains a first object having a form that reflects an amount of a colorant in the first compartment and a second object having a form that reflects an amount of the colorant in the second compartment. The second screen contains a third object having a form that reflects one of the amount of the colorant in the first compartment, the amount of the colorant in the second compartment, and a total amount of the colorant in the first compartment and the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Shunsuke MINAMIKAWA, Kenta HORADE
  • Publication number: 20220234352
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles, a determination circuit, a clock, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the clock is in an on or off state. In response to determining that the clock is in an on state, the controller is configured to perform an inspection process at a first time. In the inspection process, the controller drives the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from a nozzle of the plurality nozzles and receive a determination signal that is output from the determination circuit in response to ejection of liquid from the nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. In response to determining that the clock is in an off state, the controller is configured to perform the inspection process at a predetermined time that is a time after the clock is returned to an on state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Tatsuya SHINDO, Toshiro UEDA, Ryuji HORATA, Zenichiro SASAKI, Kenta HORADE, Hironori TAKASAKI
  • Publication number: 20220234344
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a first circuit to output a determination signal indicating that ejecting ink is in failure, a second circuit to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature, a recovery device to perform a recovery operation, and a controller. The controller causes a recovery device to perform a first recovery operation based on a first failure-nozzle data in response to determining that a first temperature and a second temperature satisfy a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Toshiro Ueda, Tatsuya Shindo, Ryuji Horata, Zenichiro Sasaki, Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20220234357
    Abstract: When inspection driving is performed by a liquid ejection head, a signal output circuit outputs a determination signal indicating whether a nozzle is an abnormal nozzle. The inspection driving is driving the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from the nozzle for checking whether the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle. A recovery device performs a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle. A controller is configured to: in response to receiving a first signal, perform the inspection driving and, in response to determining that the determination signal transmitted from the signal output circuit indicates that the abnormal nozzle exists, store flag information in a memory, the flag information indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed; and in response to receiving a second signal different from the first signal and determining that the memory stores the flag information, control the recovery device to perform the recovery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Zenichiro SASAKI, Kenta HORADE, Hironori TAKASAKI, Toshiro UEDA, Tatsuya SHINDO, Ryuji HORATA
  • Patent number: 11396187
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a first container with a first compartment, a second container with a second compartment, a recorder, a display, and a controller, is provided. The controller controls the display to display a first screen and a second screen. The first screen contains a first object having a form that reflects an amount of a colorant in the first compartment and a second object having a form that reflects an amount of the colorant in the second compartment. The second screen contains a third object having a form that reflects one of the amount of the colorant in the first compartment, the amount of the colorant in the second compartment, and a total amount of the colorant in the first compartment and the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Minamikawa, Kenta Horade
  • Patent number: 11325406
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank, a recording head, a monitor, an operation panel, and a controller. The ink tank forms an ink chamber and including an injection inlet. The recording head ejects ink from the ink chamber to record an image on a sheet. The operation panel receives user input. The controller controls operation of the recording head, the monitor, and the operation panel. The controller performs receiving a completion signal indicating completion of ink injection, decision processing deciding whether an initial processing has been completed, and inquiry processing based on receipt of the completion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mana Honoki, Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20220126593
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a tank, a recording head, a cover, a monitor, a cover sensor, an operation panel, and a controller. The cover is movable to cover a plurality of injection inlets associated with a plurality of ink chambers and to expose the plurality of injection inlets. The cover sensor outputs signal depending on position of the cover. The controller controls the monitor to display one of inquiry information and notification on the monitor depending on receipt of the signal from the cover sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta HORADE, Mana HONOKI
  • Publication number: 20220088951
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank, a recording head, a monitor, an operation panel, and a controller. The ink tank forms an ink chamber and including an injection inlet. The recording head ejects ink from the ink chamber to record an image on a sheet. The operation panel receives user input. The controller controls operation of the recording head, the monitor, and the operation panel. The controller performs receiving a completion signal indicating completion of ink injection, decision processing deciding whether an initial processing has been completed, and inquiry processing based on receipt of the completion signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mana HONOKI, Kenta HORADE
  • Patent number: 11247457
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus is configured to activate a first notification in a case where a liquid level of a tank is less than a threshold. In a case where a cartridge is installed after activating the first notification, a controller determines outflow amount Vcs of the liquid flowing into the tank based on the liquid amount of the installed cartridge, and controls a notification device based on the determined outflow amount Vcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Horade, Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
  • Publication number: 20220040991
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank, a recording head, an ink sensor, a monitor, an operation panel, and a controller configured to control operation thereof. The controller receives a completion signal indicating completion of ink injection, and receives a first signal or a second signal from the ink sensor based on whether a predetermined amount of ink is sensed in the ink chamber. Based on the completion signal and receipt of the first signal, inquiry information is displayed on the monitor regarding whether ink injection into the ink chamber is completed. Based on the completion signal and receipt of the second signal, a notification is displayed on the monitor that is based on the ink sensor not sensing the predetermined amount of ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mana HONOKI, Kenta HORADE
  • Patent number: 11203205
    Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes a case receiving a cartridge having a first liquid chamber, a tank having a second liquid chamber, a head, a liquid level sensor and a controller configured to: based on receiving, from the liquid level sensor, a second signal after receiving a first signal, determine a total liquid amount Vt as a fixed value A; receive a second discharge instruction; update a second count value with a value equivalent to an amount of the liquid instructed to be discharged by the second discharge instruction; subtract the second count value from the total liquid amount Vt determined as the fixed value A to calculate the total liquid amount Vt; and determine the liquid amounts Vc and Vs based on the obtained total liquid amount Vt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20210387457
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber and an outlet. A mount body includes a tank, first and second sensors. The tank has an inlet, and a second chamber. The liquid in the first chamber flows into the second chamber via the outlet and the inlet. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position higher than the first position, and outputs the fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position. A controller controls a notification device to issue a notification if a condition based on the first and second signals is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kenta Horade, Takashi Ito
  • Patent number: 11198304
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a mount body detachably holds a cartridge. The cartridge has a first chamber configured to store consumable therein. A tank is in communication with the cartridge, and the tank has a second chamber. Consumable in the first chamber is capable of moving into the second chamber. A controller determines whether a residual quantity of consumable stored in the first chamber of the cartridge held by the mount body is lower than or equal to a prescribed threshold. The controller expands, when a specific condition is satisfied, a maximum quantity of consumable up to which consumable is capable of being stored in the second chamber. The specific condition includes a first condition that the residual quantity of consumable stored in the first chamber is higher than the prescribed threshold, and a second condition that information notifying that the cartridge is to be replaced is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Morikawa, Sadaaki Miyazaki, Shinya Esaki, Kenta Horade