Patents by Inventor Masaki Yasuda

Masaki Yasuda 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: 11862321
    Abstract: An ingredient determining apparatus configured to determine nutritional ingredients in food provided for a user. The ingredient determining apparatus includes a processor configured to obtain a muscle index indicating a degree of muscle mass of the user and a fat index indicating a degree of fat mass of the user, and determine the nutritional ingredients based on the muscle index and the fat index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TANITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miyuki Kodama, Akiko Kubo, Haruna Nakatani, Masaki Yasuda, Senri Tanida, Toru Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20210027880
    Abstract: An ingredient determining apparatus configured to determine nutritional ingredients in food provided for a user. The ingredient determining apparatus includes a processor configured to obtain a muscle index indicating a degree of muscle mass of the user and a fat index indicating a degree of fat mass of the user, and determine the nutritional ingredients based on the muscle index and the fat index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: TANITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miyuki KODAMA, Akiko KUBO, Haruna NAKATANI, Masaki YASUDA, Senri TANIDA, Toru ICHIHASHI
  • Patent number: 10359724
    Abstract: A printer includes a casing, a print mechanism disposed inside the casing, and a motor. A sheet cassette has an attached position in which the sheet cassette is supported by the casing and a separated position in which the sheet cassette is at least partially separated from the casing. The sheet cassette includes a movable sheet support plate configured to support a sheet stack including one or more sheets. An actuator, such as a clutch, has a transmission mode in which the drive force is allowed to be transmitted from the motor to the sheet support plate to move the sheet support plate, and an interruption mode in which the drive force is prevented from being transmitted from the motor to the sheet support plate. The actuator is configured to be selectively placed in one of the transmission mode and the interruption mode. A controller is configured to selectively place the actuator into the transmission mode and the interruption mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Yasuda, Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170102657
    Abstract: A printer includes a casing, a print mechanism disposed inside the casing, and a motor. A sheet cassette has an attached position in which the sheet cassette is supported by the casing and a separated position in which the sheet cassette is at least partially separated from the casing. The sheet cassette includes a movable sheet support plate configured to support a sheet stack including one or more sheets. An actuator, such as a clutch, has a transmission mode in which the drive force is allowed to be transmitted from the motor to the sheet support plate to move the sheet support plate, and an interruption mode in which the drive force is prevented from being transmitted from the motor to the sheet support plate. The actuator is configured to be selectively placed in one of the transmission mode and the interruption mode. A controller is configured to selectively place the actuator into the transmission mode and the interruption mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki YASUDA, Takashi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 9367027
    Abstract: A photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, and a guide member. The guide member is configured to guide light emitted from the light source toward a surface of the photosensitive drum to neutralize charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The guide member includes a first part, a second part, and a third part. The first part is configured to receive the light. The first part extends in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The second part faces the photosensitive drum and extends in the axial direction. The third part connects the first part and the second part. The third part is configured to allow the light to pass through the first part toward the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Abe, Masaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9285733
    Abstract: A fixing device may include a first fixing member, and a second fixing member, and may be configured to heat-fix a developer image on a recording sheet at a fixing nip formed between the first fixing member and the second fixing member. The fixing device may further include a charge-removing member arranged upstream of the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of the recording sheet and in a vicinity of a conveyance path of the recording sheet conveyed towards the fixing nip, and including a main body part and an end edge positioned at an edge of the main body part, and an insulating member arranged between the conveyance path and at least the entire end edge of the charge-removing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9188917
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fuser unit, which includes a heating member heated by a heat source and a backup member; a temperature detector; and a control unit, which starts print control when a detected temperature reaches the fixing temperature while the temperature of the heating member is increasing to a fixing temperature, and which performs decreasing control when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature higher than the fixing temperature. In a case that an increasing rate of the detected temperature at the beginning of the print control is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit controls the heat source so that a heat quantity radiated from the heat source during the decreasing control becomes larger than that in the case that the increasing rate of the detected temperature at the beginning of the print control is larger than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20150277360
    Abstract: A photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, and a guide member. The guide member is configured to guide light emitted from the light source toward a surface of the photosensitive drum to neutralize charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The guide member includes a first part, a second part, and a third part. The first part is configured to receive the light. The first part extends in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The second part faces the photosensitive drum and extends in the axial direction. The third part connects the first part and the second part. The third part is configured to allow the light to pass through the first part toward the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ABE, Masaki YASUDA
  • Patent number: 9116485
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a heating member for heating a recording sheet and a pressuring member disposed below the heating member are supported by a fixing unit frame. A noncontact temperature sensor disposed facing the heating member detects a temperature of the heating member without contacting the heating member. An upper frame covers an upper portion of the heating member and an upstream portion of the heating member in a conveying direction of the recording sheet. A plate-shaped upper sheet guide protrudes upstream in the conveying direction from an upstream end of the upper frame and extends in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and to a vertical direction. The upper sheet guide and a lower sheet guide disposed below and facing the upper sheet guide the recording sheet in the conveying direction toward the heating member and the pressuring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Yasuda, Noboru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9046856
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may includes: an apparatus body; a fixing device removably mounted to the apparatus body and including a first fixing member, a heat generation member which heats the first fixing member, a second fixing member forming a fixing nip between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and a housing accommodating at least the heat generation member and the first fixing member and provided with a communication part communicating between inner and outer sides of the housing; a transfer member arranged upstream of the fixing device in a conveyance direction of a recording sheet, and to which developer is configured to be transferred; a sensor configured to detect the developer transferred to the transfer member; and a film arranged to cover the sensor between the communication part and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8755707
    Abstract: An image forming device has a heating member, a thermal detecting unit, and a control unit. The heating member is positioned at an ambient temperature and heated by a heat source. The heating member fixes a developed image to a recording sheet. The thermal detecting unit is provided separately from the heating member. The thermal detecting unit detects a first temperature. The control unit uses a function to calculate a second temperature of the heating member on the basis of the detected first temperature. The control unit controls the heat source on the basis of the second temperature. The function has a rate of change that increases with decreasing the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Yasuda, Fumitake Tajiri
  • Publication number: 20140086644
    Abstract: A fixing device may include a first fixing member, and a second fixing member, and may be configured to heat-fix a developer image on a recording sheet at a fixing nip formed between the first fixing member and the second fixing member. The fixing device may further include a charge-removing member arranged upstream of the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of the recording sheet and in a vicinity of a conveyance path of the recording sheet conveyed towards the fixing nip, and including a main body part and an end edge positioned at an edge of the main body part, and an insulating member arranged between the conveyance path and at least the entire end edge of the charge-removing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20140086645
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a heating member for heating a recording sheet and a pressuring member disposed below the heating member are supported by a fixing unit frame. A noncontact temperature sensor disposed facing the heating member detects a temperature of the heating member without contacting the heating member. An upper frame covers an upper portion of the heating member and an upstream portion of the heating member in a conveying direction of the recording sheet. A plate-shaped upper sheet guide protrudes upstream in the conveying direction from an upstream end of the upper frame and extends in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and to a vertical direction. The upper sheet guide and a lower sheet guide disposed below and facing the upper sheet guide the recording sheet in the conveying direction toward the heating member and the pressuring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Yasuda, Noboru Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140086615
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may includes: an apparatus body; a fixing device removably mounted to the apparatus body and including a first fixing member, a heat generation member which heats the first fixing member, a second fixing member forming a fixing nip between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and a housing accommodating at least the heat generation member and the first fixing member and provided with a communication part communicating between inner and outer sides of the housing; a transfer member arranged upstream of the fixing device in a conveyance direction of a recording sheet, and to which developer is configured to be transferred; a sensor configured to detect the developer transferred to the transfer member; and a film arranged to cover the sensor between the communication part and the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8594523
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a temperature of a heating member heated by a heat source to fix a developer image on a recording sheet is detected by a temperature sensor disposed apart from the heating member. A controller controls the heat source based upon a temperature determined mathematically by application of a specific function to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. In the controller, the specific function is switched among a plurality of functions according to a control mode which is switchable among a plurality of modes and in which operation of the heat source is regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumitake Tajiri, Terumasa Ito, Masaki Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20130121738
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a frame, a pressure arm pivotably supported on the frame, and a nip release lever supported on the pressure arm. The pressure arm can release pressure contact between a heating roller and a pressure roller. The nip release lever can move between a pressing position and a release position so as to move the pressure roller between a position at which the pressure roller applies pressure to the heating roller and a position at which the pressure roller applies no pressure. The nip release lever can be halted in the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Takehiro Masuda, Takuji Matsuno, Masaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8401428
    Abstract: A fixing device is mounted on a main casing of an image forming apparatus. A heating member contacts a recording medium to apply heat thereto while rotating. A heating member includes a roller that rotates about an axis. A frame supports the heating member and includes a frame fixing part that is fixed to the main casing to mount the frame on the main casing. A detecting unit opposes the heating member in an opposing direction to detect a temperature of the heating member and is separated from the heating member. A support member supports the detecting unit. A position of the support member in the opposing direction with respect to the frame is determined at a position closer to the frame fixing unit than the detecting unit. A position of the support member in an axial direction of the roller with respect to the frame is determined at a same position as the detecting unit in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomitake Aratachi, Masaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8385800
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a frame, a pressure arm pivotably supported on the frame, and a nip release lever supported on the pressure arm. The pressure arm can release pressure contact between a heating roller and a pressure roller. The nip release lever can move between a pressing position and a release position so as to move the pressure roller between a position at which the pressure roller applies pressure to the heating roller and a position at which the pressure roller applies no pressure. The nip release lever can be halted in the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Masuda, Takuji Matsuno, Masaki Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20120189338
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fuser unit, which includes a heating member heated by a heat source and a backup member; a temperature detector; and a control unit, which starts print control when a detected temperature reaches the fixing temperature while the temperature of the heating member is increasing to a fixing temperature, and which performs decreasing control when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature higher than the fixing temperature, wherein, in case that a increasing rate of the detected temperature at the beginning of the print control is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit controls the heat source so that a heat quantity radiated from the heat source during the decreasing control becomes larger than that in case that the increasing rate of the detected temperature at the beginning of the print control is larger than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki YASUDA
  • Patent number: 8165486
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main unit; a detected unit that is placed in the apparatus main unit; a temperature detection member that is provided out of contact with the detected unit in the apparatus main unit for detecting a temperature of the detected unit; a change member for changing a state of an air current in the apparatus main unit; and a temperature correction unit for correcting a value relevant to the temperature detected by the temperature detection member based on change of the state of the air current by the change member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yasuda