Patents by Inventor Koji Tanaka

Koji Tanaka 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: 20090250144
    Abstract: A method of joining heat-treatable aluminum alloy members by friction stir welding, including the steps of: a T4-treatment-performing step of performing a T4 treatment on heat-treatable aluminum alloy members so as to impart T4 temper to the heat-treatable aluminum alloy members; a joining step of joining the heat-treatable aluminum alloy members with T4 temper by friction stir welding to provide a joined product; and a reversion-treatment-performing step of performing a reversion treatment, the reversion-treatment-performing step being carried out prior to or after the joining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kumagai, Tadashi Minoda, Hidetoshi Uchida, Koji Tanaka, Sunao Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090244611
    Abstract: A printer includes a storing section configured to store prior expansion related information used for determination of whether the prior expansion process is to be executed, a self-based updating section configured to, on the basis of an event arising in the printer which makes it necessary for the printer to update the prior expansion related information, update the prior expansion related information stored in the storing section, and a reception-based updating section configured to, subsequent to updating of the prior expansion related information in another printer or other printers of the same type as the printer, receive the updated prior expansion related information, and update the prior expansion related information stored in the storing section in accordance with the received prior expansion related information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20090243367
    Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a seat belt winding method, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt apparatus capable of stopping the motor even when the seat belt is being wound and restarting the winding of the seat belt, and capable of reducing excess repetition of stopping and starting of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Daisuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20090237731
    Abstract: A printing system includes: a printer which generates bitmap data from received print data to perform printing for each predetermined range, generates an intermediate code from the print data to generate the bitmap data from the intermediate code when the print data is expressed by a printer control language, and generates the bitmap data from the intermediate code when the print data is expressed by the intermediate code; and a host device which transmits the print data to the printer to issue a print request. When the printer receives the print data expressed by the printer control language and memory shortage occurs during the generation of the intermediate code, the printer notifies the host device of the memory shortage. The host device receiving the notification generates the intermediate code of the predetermined range in which the memory shortage occurs, and transmits the generated intermediate code as the print data to the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20090229437
    Abstract: A saw blade protector for a cutting device having a table for placing thereon a workpiece, a saw blade protruding from an upper surface of the table, and a riving knife disposed in front of the saw blade in a moving direction of the workpiece for cutting the workpiece and positioned in line with the saw blade. The saw blade protector includes a guard plate constructed to cover the saw blade, a holding frame constructed to be mounted on an upper portion of the riving knife and to be able to support the guard plate, and an adjusting device constructed to be able to adjust a position of the holding frame relative to the upper surface of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090223247
    Abstract: There is provided a method of generating nitrogen which includes cryogenically separating compressed air introduced into a high-pressure column 11, storing liquid air 13 in a bottom portion of the high-pressure column 11 and taking nitrogen in gaseous form from an upper portion of the high-pressure column 11, introducing the liquid air 13 stored in the bottom portion of the high-pressure column 11 into a low-pressure column 12, cryogenically separating the liquid air 13 introduced into the low-pressure column 12 and storing oxygen-enriched liquid air 22 in a bottom portion of the low-pressure column 12 and taking nitrogen in gaseous form from an upper portion of the low-pressure column 12 as a product gas. Liquid air 13 taken through an extraction pipe 20 is introduced into a portion of a rectification part 12a of the low-pressure column 12 in which the number of theoretical plates from a column bottom side is set within the range of one to ten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: AIR WATER INC.
    Inventors: Akira Yoshino, Koji Tanaka, Ryosuke Matsubayashi, Junya Suenaga, Shinya Okumura
  • Publication number: 20090211447
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide, which includes: (a) an absorption step of bringing a carbon dioxide-containing gaseous feed stream into gas-liquid contact with an absorbing fluid, whereby at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the gaseous stream is absorbed into the absorbing fluid to produce (i) a refined gaseous stream having a reduced carbon dioxide content and (ii) an carbon dioxide-rich absorbing fluid; and (b) a regeneration step of treating the carbon dioxide-rich absorbing fluid at a pressure of greater than 3 bar (absolute pressure) so as to liberate carbon dioxide and regenerate a carbon dioxide-lean absorbing fluid which is recycled for use in the absorption step, in which the absorbing fluid is an aqueous amine solution containing a tertiary aliphatic alkanol amine and an effective amount of a carbon dioxide absorption promoter, the tertiary aliphatic alkanol amine showing little decomposition under specified conditions of temperature and pressure under co-existence with
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicants: BASF SE, JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Ute Lichtfers, Norbert Asprion, Mark Claessen, Hiroshi Umino, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7567850
    Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for enabling an automatic creation of a parts list and 3-dimensional illustrations of a product based on 3-dimensional CAD or XVL data of an industrial product consisting of a plurality of parts. A method for generating a parts catalog consisting of a parts list and corresponding disassembly illustrations is provided. This method comprises the steps of (a) assigning reference numerals/symbols based on the parts list; (b) building a disassembly algorithm based on the parts list; and (c) generating disassembly illustrations based on the disassembly algorithm, wherein minimum disassembly units of the disassembly illustrations are parts and parts groups assigned with the reference numerals/symbols, and displaying the reference numeral/symbol for each of the parts and parts groups in the disassembly illustrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamada, Koji Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Harada
  • Patent number: 7545613
    Abstract: In controlling a seatbelt retracting device having a mechanism for retracting a seatbelt with a motor, a current flowing to the motor is detected, and a rate of increase in the current is calculated. The motor is stopped when the rate of increase in the electricity exceeds a predetermined rate and when the electricity exceeds a predetermined value, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 7533903
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor, which is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint by an electric motor, warns a vehicle occupant. A seat belt retractor of a seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that a motor is controlled to repeat an action of increasing and decreasing the tension acting on a seat belt a plurality of times according to a setting that the seat belt tension at the initial stage of each action overshoots a predetermined target tension, for the purpose of warning a vehicle occupant who wears the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 7530601
    Abstract: A motor-driven seatbelt retractor is provided in which vibrations of a cover can be minimized while minimizing increase in weight. In one form, a predetermined number of ribs are provided on a thin plate portion of a cover of a power transmission gear mechanism. These ribs extend in parallel with each other from top to bottom (in a vertical direction) of a seatbelt retractor. Since rigidity of the cover is increased by these ribs, even though vibrations are generated when a motor is driven and the power transmission gear mechanism is operated respectively, the cover is prevented effectively from being vibrated due to the vibrations of these members. Accordingly, generation of noise due to the vibrations of the cover can also be effectively restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7531992
    Abstract: In a control system for controlling a power generator based on a command value associated with a control parameter, a receiver receives the command signal, a detector detects the command value included in the received command signal, and a determiner determines whether a duration of the detected command value being invariant within a predetermined range exceeds a predetermined allowed duration. In the control system, a controller controls an output of the power-generator based on a predetermined default value within the predetermined range in place of the command value when it is determined that the duration of the detected command value being invariant within the predetermined range exceeds the predetermined allowed duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Inokuchi, Koji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090094807
    Abstract: A seatbelt buckle apparatus for attaching a tongue of a seatbelt includes a buckle projection mechanism having a buckle therein, to which the tongue of the seatbelt is to be inserted, a seating detection portion, and a load transmission-driving device. The buckle projection mechanism locates the buckle inside a seat when an occupant is not seated, and to stand up from the seat when the occupant is seated. The seating detection portion is housed in the seat at a seating position of the occupant and detects a load of the occupant. The seating detection portion has a supporting member. The load transmission-driving device transmits a displacement amount of the supporting member, generated in the seating detection portion when the occupant is seated, to the buckle projection mechanism, and drives the buckle projection mechanism so that the tongue can be inserted into the buckle when the occupant is seated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Sugimoto, Koji Tanaka, Hiroshi Nozu
  • Patent number: 7517025
    Abstract: As an occupant releases the latching between a buckle and a tongue, a seat belt retractor winds up the seat belt at a winding-up speed S1 as a first high speed. Accordingly, the seat belt moves away from the occupant immediately. As a time period (T1-T0) elapses from the buckle release, the seat belt retractor winds up the seat belt at a winding-up speed S2 as a low speed. Accordingly, the seat belt is slowly wound up so that the tongue is less likely to strike and thus scratch an interior panel. As a time period (T2-T1) further elapses, the seat belt retractor winds up the seat belt at a winding-up speed S3 as a second high speed. Accordingly, the winding of the seat belt is promptly completed so that the seat belt is less likely to be caught by a door when the occupant gets out of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao, Koji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 7516808
    Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may be used to provide a technology effective for reducing the risk of making a vehicle occupant uncomfortable with regard to the seat belt winding action. A seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise an electric motor, a spool capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint, and a controller configured to perform a control mode in which the electric motor is controlled to rotate in a belt winding direction based on the status of a wearing of the seat belt on a vehicle occupant and the status of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7506833
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spring for rotating a reel in a belt winding direction to wind up a seat belt, and a motor for generating rotational power capable of rotating the reel in the belt winding direction to wind up the seat belt. A motor control unit controls the motor to generate the rotational power to wind up the seat belt with a desired winding force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090058062
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool, and an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor. The electronic control unit is mounted between the side walls of the frame and the back plate is disposed in an inner space of a vehicle body member and faces a vehicle interior direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Daisuke Murakami, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao
  • Publication number: 20090058063
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes at least one frame having a back board and side walls extending from side rims of the back board, a spool supported by the at least one frame configured to wind up a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool, and an electronic control unit mounted to the frame for controlling the driving of the motor. The electronic control unit includes a base, an electronic control unit board fixed to the base, and a cover attached to the base to cover the electronic control unit board. The electronic control unit includes an opening at a lower end that opens an interior of the electronic control unit to an exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Daisuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20090051157
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of a plurality of side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and rotating to wind a seat belt, a motor for rotating the spool, and an electronic control unit for controlling the drive to the motor. The electronic control unit is attached to a surface of the frame in a direction of a vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daisuke Murakami, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao
  • Publication number: 20090051156
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including an integral electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is detachably installed between lower edges of respective both side walls of a frame. Further, a motor is detachably fixed to a lower surface of a case of the ECU. Since the ECU is disposed between the frame and the motor, the ECU can be protected from an external force by means of the frame and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daisuke Murakami, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao