Patents by Inventor Koichi Sato

Koichi Sato 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: 20150358593
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor including pixel units for photoelectrically converting an object image formed through a photographic optical system, each of the pixel units including at least three photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a plane in which the object image is formed; a focus detector which performs a phase-difference focus detection operation using an image signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion elements; and an image generator which generates an image from the image signal. The at least three photoelectric conversion elements of each of the pixel units include at least three different types of spectral sensitivity characteristic elements which have mutually different in spectral sensitivity characteristics. Identical spectral sensitivity characteristic elements of the spectral sensitivity characteristic elements that are respectively provided in adjacent two of the pixel units are symmetrically arranged in one of a lateral and a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi SATO
  • Patent number: 9189949
    Abstract: In an automated process for monitoring and controlling contamination in a production area, captured image data is processed to determine whether an individual is to wearing an article of contamination control equipment (e.g., gloves, face mask, etc) and whether the equipment is properly positioned on the individual. A determination that the contamination control equipment is not present or not properly positioned automatically activates a contamination control device such as contamination control means (e.g., shutting off power to machine) or an alarm or generates and sends a report of the contamination control protocol violation. An automated system for monitoring and controlling contamination includes a computer, an imaging sensor in communication with the computer, and a computer-readable program code disposed on the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Nicholas De Luca, Koichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20150323888
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic intermediate transfer member that, even if an image is repeatedly and continuously transferred, can retain its transfer performance and can obtain an excellent image for a long time. The electrophotographic intermediate transfer member has a base layer and a surface layer, the surface layer has a matrix-domain structure in the cross section in the thickness direction, the matrix is formed of a binder resin, the domains contains a perfluoropolyether, and a microhardness of a surface of the electrophotographic intermediate transfer member measured by an ultramicro-hardness meter is 50 MPa or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Rieko Sakamoto, Koichi Sato, Kenji Onuma, Kimihiro Yoshimura, Naoto Kameyama, Yasushi Shimizu, Akira Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9181598
    Abstract: A high-strength alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet obtained by subjecting the surface of a high-strength steel sheet to alloyed hot-dip galvanization, and formed from a steel sheet containing, in mass %, main components, and containing at least 40 vol % bainite and/or martensite, 8-60 vol % retained austenite, and less than 40 vol % ferrite, with the remainder comprising unavoidable structures. In the alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, the total thickness of the Gamma1 layer and the Gamma layer (Tgamma1+Tgamma) is 2 ?m or less in the alloy layers formed by hot-dip galvanization, and the Gamma1 phase/Gamma phase thickness ratio (Tgamma1/Tgamma) is 1 or less. A tensile strength of 980 MPa or above can be easily imparted to the alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet. The alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet has excellent coating adherence, and coating separation during machining can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shintaro Yamanaka, Soshi Fujita, Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9150940
    Abstract: A high-strength alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet obtained by subjecting the surface of a high-strength steel sheet to alloyed hot-dip galvanization, and formed from a steel sheet containing, in mass %, main components, and containing at least 40 vol % bainite and/or martensite, 8-60 vol % retained austenite, and less than 40 vol % ferrite, with the remainder comprising unavoidable structures. In the alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, the total thickness of the Gamma1 layer and the Gamma layer (Tgamma1+Tgamma) is 2 ?m or less in the alloy layers formed by hot-dip galvanization, and the Gamma1 phase/Gamma phase thickness ratio (Tgamma1/Tgamma) is 1 or less. A tensile strength of 980 MPa or above can be easily imparted to the alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet. The alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel sheet has excellent coating adherence, and coating separation during machining can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shintaro Yamanaka, Soshi Fujita, Koichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20150278993
    Abstract: A medical image diagnostic apparatus includes an acquisition circuitry configured to acquire data concerning the interior of an object, a reconstruction circuitry configured to reconstruct the first image concerning the object based on the acquired data, a display, and an enlargement reconstruction circuitry configured to enlarge/reconstruct the second image corresponding to the set enlargement reconstruction range based on a portion of the acquired data, with the second image being displayed in a display area of the display in place of a portion of the first image under the control of the display control circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko YAMAZAKI, Koichi Sato, Takashi Kurihara, Yuki Kato, Takahito Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9143843
    Abstract: A machine vision process monitors and controls safe working practice in a production area by capturing and processing image data relative to personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by individuals, movement of various articles, and movement-related conformations of individuals and other objects in the production area. The data is analyzed to determine whether there is a violation of a predetermined minimum threshold image, movement, or conformation value for a predetermined threshold period of time. The determination of a safety violation triggers computer activation of a safety control device. The process is carried out using a system including an image data capturing device, a computer and computer-readable program code, and a safety control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas De Luca, Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9136581
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a wireless terminal apparatus includes an antenna unit and a sensor unit in a housing. The sensor unit is disposed so that at least part of the sensor unit overlaps the antenna unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9136590
    Abstract: In an electronic device, a first housing for receiving a wireless circuit unit and a ground part, a second housing in which a ground part, a hinge mechanism which connects the first and second housings to each other to allow the first and second housings to be rotated, and first and second antennas which resonate for the same frequency band. The first and second antennas are provided in an intermediate portion of the hinge mechanism, and arranged side by side and apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction of the mechanism. In the mechanism, one of end portions of the mechanism is made electrically conductive, and the other end portion is decreased in electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hotta, Koichi Sato, Ippei Kashiwagi
  • Publication number: 20150251234
    Abstract: A roll forming device, for roll forming for the purpose of manufacturing shaped steel the cross-sectional shape of which varies in the longitudinal direction, is equipped with: first die rolls having an annular ridge part the cross-sectional shape of which varies in the circumferential direction; second die rolls having an annular groove part the cross-sectional shape of which varies in the circumferential direction; and a drive device for the first die rolls and the second die rolls. A gap is provided at the side surfaces of the annular ridge part of the first die rolls, across the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, such that the gap with respect to the side surfaces of the annual groove parts of the second die rolls widens inward in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiichi Daimaru, Masahiro Kubo, Masaaki Mizumura, Koichi Sato, Satoshi Shirakami, Yasushi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20150217338
    Abstract: An automated process for monitoring and controlling cleaning in a production area comprises tracking or identifying an object the production area, monitoring the movement of fluid in the production area, analyzing the interaction between the object and the fluid to determine a level of cleanliness achieved, and triggering an event based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of: (i) the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium and (ii) the level of cleanliness achieved. The event comprises at least one member selected from generating a report, activating an alarm, report, activating an alarm, inactivating equipment in the production area, and blocking access to at least a portion of the production area. The system employing a combination of computer(s), computer vision system(s), RFID tag(s), mechanical and electromechanical, chemical, electrical, or photonic devices(s) to conduct the tracking, identifying, monitoring, and triggering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas De Luca, Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9098946
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an estimating unit and a hiding unit. The estimating unit extracts a subject specifying mark image corresponding to a specifying mark from a recording area image corresponding to a recording area in which an image is recorded, plural predetermined types of specifying marks having predetermined attributes different from an attribute of the image of the recording area and being used for specifying a region within the recording area by using different specifying methods, at least one of the plural predetermined types of specifying marks being recorded in the recording area. The estimating unit estimates the type of specifying mark corresponding to the extracted subject specifying mark image. The hiding unit hides the region specified by the type of specifying mark estimated by the estimating unit by using a hiding method which is uniquely determined for the estimated type of specifying mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Ryoko Hashimoto, Mohit Jain
  • Patent number: 9099059
    Abstract: To provide an image display device capable of carrying out a data reading process in advance on data of a plurality of images in an order according to the likelihood of becoming a display target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment
    Inventor: Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9088070
    Abstract: A wireless device includes: a casing having a first face; a display configured to be visible from the first face; a touch sensor formed by a transparent material and mounted in the casing with respect to the display as a part of the first face; a substrate mounted to a side opposite to the first face with respect to the display; and an antenna element including: a first portion built in the casing, connected to a feeding point included in the substrate, and located within a first range occupied by the touch sensor when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first face; and a second portion located within a second range other than the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Makoto Tabata
  • Publication number: 20150192625
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a remote meter reader includes a power line configured to supply power, a meter reader unit and including a power measuring unit configured to measure an amount of the power, and a power amount display configured to display the amount of the power, a holder holding part of the power line, a communication board including at least one antenna, and a cable configured to electrically connect the meter reader unit to the communication board. The power amount display is provided on the surface portion of the meter reader unit which is positioned opposite to the position of the communication board. The communication board is provided separate from the surface of the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventor: Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9059499
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna apparatus includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element. The first antenna element has one end connected to a feed terminal, and other end open. The second antenna element has one end connected to a first position set on an element of the first antenna element, and other end open, with a portion between one end and the other end being disposed parallel to the first antenna element. The third antenna element has one end connected to a second position set between the other end and the first position on the element of the first antenna element, and other end open, with at least part of a portion between one end and the other end being disposed near the second antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hotta, Koichi Sato, Ippei Kashiwagi
  • Publication number: 20150155613
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing having a conductive portion in at least a part of the housing, a component which is accommodated in the housing and emits noise, an antenna which overlaps the component in a thickness direction of the housing, and a conductive member which electrically connects a ground of the antenna and the conductive portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hotta, Koichi Sato, Hiroaki Hirao, Naoki Tani
  • Patent number: 9049320
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes following components. A blank-area identifying unit identifies a blank area having a size exceeding a predetermined size, from a non-specifying-mark image portion of a recording area image of a recording area that includes individual images and a specifying mark specifying an area containing images among the individual images. A concealing unit conceals a divided area specified by the specifying-mark image, among divided areas obtained by dividing a non-blank area by a gap having a width equal to or larger than a threshold in a specific direction, among gaps between the individual images arranged in the specific direction in the non-blank area. The non-blank area is an area of the non-specifying-mark image portion of the recording area image other than the blank area identified by the blank-area identifying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoko Hashimoto, Koichi Sato, Mohit Jain
  • Patent number: 9046866
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes first and second cleaning members and a moving member. The first cleaning member contacts a surface of a rotating member, which is in contact with an image carrier, to clean the rotating member by removing substances attached thereto. The moving member supports the first cleaning member in a movable manner. The second cleaning member is disposed downstream of the first cleaning member in a rotation direction in which the rotating member rotates and contacts the surface of the rotating member to clean the rotating member by removing the substances. The second cleaning member removes the substances that remain on the surface of the rotating member after the first cleaning member has been separated from the rotating member so that the substances are removed before a part of the surface of the rotating member on which the substances remain comes into contact with the image carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Kazuyoshi Hagiwara, Kazutoshi Sugitani, Kuniaki Tanaka, Yuji Kamikawa, Koji Deguchi, Yusuke Sakai, Kaoru Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20150143861
    Abstract: Provided is a plastic working method of steel including austenite, the method including: analyzing a strain ratio ?x of an estimated breaking point which is specified during plastic deformation of the steel; heating a steel such that a local temperature Tlocal is within a temperature range indicated by the following expression 1, when T?x represents a strain-induced-transformation-maximum-ductility-temperature in the unit of ° C. for the strain ratio ?x, ?L?x represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio ?x on a lower temperature side than T?x, ?H?x represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio ?x on a higher temperature side than T?x, and Tlocal represents a local temperature in the unit of ° C. of the estimated breaking point; and plastically deforming the steel after heating: T?x?2×?L?x?Tlocal?T?x+1.25×?H?x??(Expression 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Masahiro Kubo, Masaaki Mizumura, Tohru Yoshida