Patents by Inventor Naoki Kubo

Naoki Kubo 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: 6506477
    Abstract: Data defining an outline shape of a section, color-region image data and adhesion-region image data are generated, color toners are transferred onto a color region and an adhesion region on a sheet in accordance with the respective image data, the sheet is aligned on processed sheets and laminated thereon. Next, a laminated body of the sheets is bonded by heating and pressurizing, and the laminated and bonded sheets are cut along the sectional outline shape. Further, sectional shape data of a solid model are generated and a transparent toner is transferred as an adhesive onto the adhesion region of the sheet. Then, after aligning and laminating the sheet on the processed sheets, the transparent toner is melted to bond the sheets. Color toners are transferred onto the color region of the sheet and the sheet is cut along the outline shape. Furthermore, the color region is defined on a transparent sheet in accordance with the sectional shape of the solid model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Ueda, Naoki Kubo, Akiyoshi Kamisaki, Fumiya Yagi
  • Publication number: 20020196348
    Abstract: The electronic camera, and image display method and image recording method applied thereto are capable of eliminating discontinuity in moving image caused by a camera control such as interruption by still image recording in moving image capturing and aperture switching. With respect to the period during which the capturing of the image data of moving image is interrupted, an image picked-up immediately before the interruption is repeatedly displayed or recorded. As to the moving image recording, supplementary recording for non-recording period may be performed afterward by utilizing an image immediately after resuming the reading of movie image. Moreover, display of non-image screen (“non-display”), recording of black screen (“black recording”) or display or recording of a special image can be inserted if necessary, thus giving an impression that the shutter is clicked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20020196356
    Abstract: The number of terminals for a timing signal generating device and the vertical drive device for a solid-state image pickup element is to be reduced, and at the same time the circuit dimensions of the timing signal generating device and the vertical drive device which are increased by the reduction in the number of terminals are to be kept to the minimum. A timing signal generating circuit is provided with a time-division multiplexing circuit, and this time-division multiplexing circuit subjects timing signals vertical transfer pulses and timing signals for read pulses to time-division multiplexing. On the other hand, a vertical driver is provided with a demultiplexing circuit, and the demultiplexing circuit separates four-bit signals subjected to time-division multiplexing into the original timing signals and timing signals. This enables the number of terminals (the number of signal lines) of the timing signal generating circuit and the time-division multiplexing circuit to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Patent number: 6460958
    Abstract: Ejection nozzles (152a-152g) are located in a nozzle surface (153) of an ejection head (150). A distance (H: Ha-Hg) between each of the ejection nozzles (152a-152g) and a printing object (109) is obtained and compared with a permissible distance (H0) which is determined by the required level of print quality. The ejection nozzles (152a-152d) whose distances (H) from the printing object (109) are not more than the permissible distance (H0) are enabled for ink ejection, while the ejection nozzles (152e-152g) whose distances (H) are greater than the permissible distance (H0) are disabled for ink ejection. The surface of a printing object (228) is divided into a plurality of target areas (205), each of which is then approximated by a projective plane (206). Then, image data about a projected image (208) which is obtained by orthogonal projection of a print image (207) onto the projective planes (206), is obtained from print image data about an image to be printed on the surface of the printing object (228).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Jun Koreishi, Hideaki Nakanishi, Koji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20020105114
    Abstract: To provide a three-dimensional molding technique capable of generating a three-dimensional molded article in short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Toshio Norita, Makoto Miyazaki, Akira Wada
  • Publication number: 20020090410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removing apparatus for removing unbonded powder material remaining around a three dimensional model which is a bonded structure of the powder material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Shigeaki Tochimoto, Naoki Kubo, Motohiro Nakanishi, Akira Wada
  • Publication number: 20020057903
    Abstract: An image data processing method transforms a picture signal having a broad dynamic range to another picture signal having a narrow dynamic range. The picture signal having the narrow dynamic range is subjected to inverse transform to thereby output a recovered signal having the broad dynamic range. A difference between the original picture signal and the recovered signal, both having the broad dynamic range, is produced and then stored in a recording medium as difference data. A parameter for software processing to be executed for reproduction of the original picture signal later is also stored in the recording medium. In this way, the method can transform the original data with the broad dynamic range to the data of a standard file format with the narrow dynamic range, record the transformed data, and allow the original data to be recovered and effectively used later, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Patent number: 6360656
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a shape recognition section for obtaining three-dimensional shape data about a surface shape of a three-dimensional object by measurement or the like; an ejection section for ejecting ink toward the three-dimensional object; a scanning section for causing the ejection section to scan relative to the three-dimensional object; and a control section for controlling an operation of the ejection section and/or the scanning section in accordance with information about inclination of the surface of the three-dimensional object, the information being indicated in the data obtained by the shape recognition section. The printing apparatus performs printing in accordance with the information obtained by measurement on the surface inclination of the object to achieve a high-quality printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Jun Koreishi, Hideaki Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20010050448
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus fabricates a 3D object by applying a binding material to a powder material to bind the powder material thereby to form bodies of bound powder material in sequence. The apparatus aims to form layers of uniform thickness at high speed without an increase in size. This apparatus comprises a powder spreader mechanism and a powder supply mechanism. The powder spreader mechanism is movable toward a predetermined travel direction for spreading the powder material along the travel direction to form a layer of the powder material. The powder supply mechanism is configured to move along the travel direction of the powder spreader mechanism for supplying the powder material ahead of the powder spreader mechanism along the travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Shigeaki Tochimoto
  • Publication number: 20010050713
    Abstract: A timing signal generating device capable of generating different kinds of signals is disclosed. A first, a second and a third data setting circuit each generate a particular kind of set data for generating corresponding timing signals. The set data are selectively set in a timing pulse generating circuit at the time of start-up of a camera or similar system, which includes the device, or in accordance with the operation mode of the system. The timing pulse generating circuit generates timing signals based on the set data. The timing signals are fed to a solid-state image pickup section and a signal processing section, causing them to operate in accordance with the timing signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Hiroshi Tamayama, Takashi Yano
  • Publication number: 20010045678
    Abstract: To replenish a powder supply section (40) with a powder material, a powder-material reservoir (30) is mounted in a reservoir placement section (43) located on the upper side of the powder supply section (40). After the completion of a modeling operation on a modeling stage (62) in a modeling mechanism (60), the modeling stage (62) is lowered and a carrier mechanism (65) operates to carry a mesh tray (9) and a three-dimensional (3D) object (91) on the modeling stage (62) to a treatment chamber (72). In the treatment chamber (72), removal of unbound powder adhering to the 3D object (91) and post-processing are performed automatically. Such a configuration allows automatic fabrication of a 3D object of high binding strength without scattering the powder material therearound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Shigeaki Tochimoto
  • Publication number: 20010035909
    Abstract: An image processing part performs image processing for processing signals outputted from an imaging device, and the image processing includes deficient pixel correction, optical black and white balance. Image data obtained at one of middle stages of the image processing is stored in an external storage medium. At this time, information indicating which middle stage the one is (image processing information) is stored in the external storage medium with the image data. The image processing information is stored in a file in which the image data is stored, or it is stored in another file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20010019340
    Abstract: Ejection nozzles (152a-152g) are located in a nozzle surface (153) of an ejection head (150). A distance (H: Ha-Hg) between each of the ejection nozzles (152a-152g) and a printing object (109) is obtained and compared with a permissible distance (H0) which is determined by the required level of print quality. The ejection nozzles (152a-152d) whose distances (H) from the printing object (109) are not more than the permissible distance (H0) are enabled for ink ejection, while the ejection nozzles (152e-152g) whose distances (H) are greater than the permissible distance (H0) are disabled for ink ejection. The surface of a printing object (228) is divided into a plurality of target areas (205), each of which is then approximated by a projective plane (206). Then, image data about a projected image (208) which is obtained by orthogonal projection of a print image (207) onto the projective planes (206), is obtained from print image data about an image to be printed on the surface of the printing object (228).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Minolta, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Jun Koreishi, Hideaki Nakanishi, Koji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20010017085
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a shape recognition section for obtaining three-dimensional shape data about a surface shape of a three-dimensional object by measurement or the like; an ejection section for ejecting ink toward the three-dimensional object; a scanning section for causing the ejection section to scan relative to the three-dimensional object; and a control section for controlling an operation of the ejection section and/or the scanning section in accordance with information about inclination of the surface of the three-dimensional object, the information being indicated in the data obtained by the shape recognition section. The printing apparatus performs printing in accordance with the information obtained by measurement on the surface inclination of the object to achieve a high-quality printing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Minolta, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Jun Koreishi, Hideaki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6211914
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device compensates for reset noise by integrated correlated double sampling to determine a difference between a reference signal obtained in a feed through period and a video signal obtained in a video signal time period. The device reduces the effect of high-frequency noise through integration. The problem of small CCD output affecting the linearity of integration is compensated by an integration coefficient control device that controls an integration coefficient of an integrating circuit. The integration coefficient control device performs this control in dependence on an applied control signal. Under low light conditions, a control signal applied to the integration coefficient control device changes the integration coefficient so that an integrated value of the integrating circuit is enlarged. The enlarged integrated value of the integrating circuit provides improved linearity and makes the apparatus less susceptible to noise from other circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Patent number: 5991951
    Abstract: A running and working robot for performing a prescribed work while it runs includes a body with a running unit, and a working unit for working, and the body is coupled to the working unit by means of a coupling member with a buffer member. As a result, even when an excessive force or shock is given to the coupling portion between the working unit and the body, damage to the coupling portion can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Takashi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5894621
    Abstract: An unmanned working vehicle of the present invention comprises a work mechanism section which performs a specified work, and a main body section having a wheel for moving said unmanned working vehicle and a driver for driving said work mechanism section or said main body section, wherein said driver having a weight and being arranged on the side opposite from said work mechanism section relative to said wheel, whereby the center of gravity of said unmanned working vehicle is located on or near said wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Patent number: 5735959
    Abstract: An apparatus of spreading a fluid on the floor includes four rectangular application rotating bodies partially overlapping each other, and four nozzles supplying the fluid provided in rotation areas of the respective application rotating bodies. The rotation position of the application rotating body is detected by a light shielding plate and a photosensor. A control portion controls each component so that the fluid is applied onto the floor from a tank through the nozzle by a pump when the application rotating body is not directly under the nozzle. As a result, the apparatus of spreading a fluid on the floor capable of optimally controlling the quantity of the fluid to be applied according to the application condition can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Shigeru Oyokota, Nobukazu Kawagoe, Masashi Nishikado
  • Patent number: 5636402
    Abstract: An apparatus of spreading a fluid on the floor includes four rectangular application rotating bodies partially overlapping each other, and four nozzles supplying the fluid provided in rotation areas of the respective application rotating bodies. The rotation position of the application rotating body is detected by a light shielding plate and a photosensor. A control portion controls each component so that the fluid is applied onto the floor from a tank through the nozzle by a pump when the application rotating body is not directly under the nozzle. As a result, the apparatus of spreading a fluid on the floor capable of optimally controlling the quantity of the fluid to be applied according to the application condition can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Shigeru Oyokota, Nobukazu Kawagoe
  • Patent number: 5452005
    Abstract: In an automatic focusing device for an imaging apparatus, a band-pass filter separates high frequency components from a luminance signal. A window processing section extracts a part of the output of the band-pass filter which lies in a predetermined focus area. In a slice circuit, a first and a second high level priority circuit slice respectively positive components and negative components, which constitute the extracted signal, on the basis of a reference voltage generated by a reference voltage source. A differential amplifier amplifies a difference between the outputs of the two high level priority circuits. An absolute value circuit regulates the amplified signal to a predetermined polarity. A peak hold circuit transforms the output of the absolute value circuit to a sampled peak value signal. An integrating circuit integrates the peak values of the peak value signals every predetermined period of time so as to calculate an evaluation value for focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Mikio Watanabe