Patents by Inventor Shuichi Tamaki

Shuichi Tamaki 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: 20240127021
    Abstract: An acquisition portion of a pretreatment control apparatus acquires identification information capable of identifying a treatment medium (step S1). A first transmission portion transmits a pretreatment instruction based on the identification information to a pretreatment device which performs a pretreatment with respect to the treatment medium (step S13). A second transmission portion transmits a transmission instruction for identified print data based on the identification information, to a storage device which stores print data (step S3). As a result, the pretreatment control apparatus can transmit the pretreatment instruction and the identified print data by acquiring a single piece of identification information. Therefore, the number of processing steps by the pretreatment control apparatus is fewer than when the pretreatment instruction and the identified print data are transmitted by acquiring different information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Shuichi TAMAKI, Takeshi WATANABE, Kenji SATO
  • Patent number: 11915068
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions are executed by a processor of a pretreatment information generation device that generates pretreatment information to be used in pretreatment on a recording medium by a pretreatment device. The computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform processes including receiving image data to be printed on the recording medium, and identifying the pretreatment information to perform the pretreatment with respect to the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Tamaki, Takeshi Watanabe, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 11900190
    Abstract: An acquisition portion of a pretreatment control apparatus acquires identification information capable of identifying a treatment medium (step S1). A first transmission portion transmits a pretreatment instruction based on the identification information to a pretreatment device which performs a pretreatment with respect to the treatment medium (step S13). A second transmission portion transmits a transmission instruction for identified print data based on the identification information, to a storage device which stores print data (step S3). As a result, the pretreatment control apparatus can transmit the pretreatment instruction and the identified print data by acquiring a single piece of identification information. Therefore, the number of processing steps by the pretreatment control apparatus is fewer than when the pretreatment instruction and the identified print data are transmitted by acquiring different information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Tamaki, Takeshi Watanabe, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 11813876
    Abstract: A printer is provided with a first supply flow channel configured to connect a head with a first tank, a second supply flow channel configured to connect the head with a second tank, a first supply valve provided at the first supply flow channel, a second supply valve provided at the second supply flow channel, a cap configured to cover the first nozzle hole and the second nozzle hole and to be closely adhered to a nozzle surface of the head, a pump provided at a waste liquid flow channel connected to the cap. The processor of the printer drives the pump in a state in which the cap is closely adhered to the nozzle surface, one of the first supply valve or the second supply valve is open, and the other of the first supply valve or the second supply valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kawamata, Shuichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11801694
    Abstract: A printer is provided with a platen support member, a platen, and a positioning portion. The platen support member supports the platen. The platen includes a rear engaging portion. The positioning portion includes a rear roller. The rear roller is provided at the platen support member, and can move in the front-rear direction with respect to the platen support member. The rear roller engages with the rear engaging portion in a state in which the platen is supported by the platen support member. The positioning portion positions the platen at a prescribed printing position in the front-rear direction, by the rear roller moving forward in a state in which the rear engaging portion is engaged with the rear roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Shuichi Tamaki, Yutaka Takagiwa
  • Patent number: 11766859
    Abstract: A processor of a printer conveys a platen relative to a head in a conveyance direction, toward a printing position. The printing position is a position at which a nozzle surface of the head faces the platen in a discharge direction. The printer is provided with a first sensor. The first sensor detects a print medium positioned at a first detection position. The first detection position is a position separated from the nozzle surface in the discharge direction. When the print medium is detected by the first sensor after a start of conveyance of the platen, the processor moves the platen relative to the nozzle surface and separates the platen from the nozzle surface in the discharge direction. After that, the processor conveys the platen relative to the head in the conveyance direction, toward the printing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Shuichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11738580
    Abstract: A printer including: (i) a guide device extending in a first direction; (ii) a carriage reciprocateable in the first direction, while being guided by the guide device; (iii) a recording head carried by the carriage; (iv) a feed device for feeding the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; (v) a flexible ink-supply tube for supplying ink to the recording head; and (vi) a carriage movement detector including an encoder strip which extends in the first direction. The ink-supply tube has a U-shaped body including a pair of arm portions extending in the first direction and spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The guide device, the ink-supply tube and the encoder strip are located on respective different positions in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions. The ink-supply tube has a part that overlaps with the guide device and the encoder strip as seen in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Tamaki
  • Publication number: 20230256762
    Abstract: A pretreatment device includes a platen, guide that guide a conveyance of the platen from a set position at which a recorded medium is set on an upper surface, a spray that sprays a pretreatment agent onto the recording medium set on an upper surface of the platen, an input portion into which is input at least one of an application range of the pretreatment agent onto the recording medium or an application amount of the pretreatment agent, a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions also includes setting, on the basis of at least one of the application range or the application amount input into the input portion, at least one of a conveyance speed of the platen or a spray duty ratio that is a ratio of a spray time during a spray period of the pretreatment agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventor: Shuichi TAMAKI
  • Patent number: 11673417
    Abstract: A pretreatment device includes a platen, a guide that guide a conveyance of the platen from a set position at which a recorded medium is set on an upper surface of the platen, a spray that sprays a pretreatment agent onto the recording medium set on the upper surface of the platen, an input portion into which is input at least one of an application range of the pretreatment agent onto the recording medium and an application amount of the pretreatment agent, a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions also includes setting, on the basis of at least one of the application range and the application amount input into the input portion, at least one of a conveyance speed of the platen and a spray duty ratio that is a ratio of a spray time during a spray period of the pretreatment agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11548293
    Abstract: A processing device capable of performing appropriate processing on a set platen, and a platen are provided. A platen that is used in a printer and at least one of a pretreatment device and a post-treatment device is provided with a platen identification information portion that identifies the platen. A code reader receives platen identification information that identifies the platen, from the platen identification information portion. The printer and at least one of the pretreatment device and the post-treatment device perform processing on the basis of the platen identification information received by the code reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Shuichi Tamaki, Kenji Sato
  • Publication number: 20220324667
    Abstract: A platen conveyance device includes a first conveyance path, a platen supporter, a second conveyance path, and a positioner. The first conveyance path is configured to convey a platen to a pretreatment device. The platen supporter is configured to support the platen conveyed by the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path is provided with the platen supporter. The second conveyance path is configured to convey the platen supporter to a printer. The positioner is configured to position the platen supported by the platen supporter at a prescribed printing position in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Shuichi TAMAKI, Yutaka TAKAGIWA
  • Publication number: 20220315349
    Abstract: A conveyance control device includes a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to control a conveyor. The conveyor is configured to convey a platen from a conveyance start position of the platen to one of a plurality of printers via a pretreatment device. The pretreatment device is configured to perform pretreatment on a recording medium placed on the platen. The conveyor is configured to convey the platen to one of a first lane including a first printer group formed of a plurality of the printers or a second lane including a second printer group formed of a plurality of the printers. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to perform determination processing of determining whether to convey the platen to the first lane or to convey the platen to the second lane, based on the recording medium placed on the platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kodai MIZUNO, Takeshi WATANABE, Shuichi TAMAKI, Akira SHINODA, Kenji SATO
  • Publication number: 20220315364
    Abstract: A platen conveyance device includes a first conveyance path, a platen supporter, a second conveyance path, and a positioner. The first conveyance path is configured to convey a platen to a pretreatment device. The platen supporter is configured to support the platen conveyed by the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path is provided with the platen supporter. The second conveyance path is configured to convey the platen supporter to a printer. The positioner is configured to position the platen supported by the platen supporter at a prescribed printing position in a first direction in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Shuichi TAMAKI, Yutaka TAKAGIWA
  • Publication number: 20220297440
    Abstract: A printer is provided with a first supply flow channel configured to connect a head with a first tank, a second supply flow channel configured to connect the head with a second tank, a first supply valve provided at the first supply flow channel, a second supply valve provided at the second supply flow channel, a cap configured to cover the first nozzle hole and the second nozzle hole and to be closely adhered to a nozzle surface of the head, a pump provided at a waste liquid flow channel connected to the cap. The processor of the printer drives the pump in a state in which the cap is closely adhered to the nozzle surface, one of the first supply valve or the second supply valve is open, and the other of the first supply valve or the second supply valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Noriyuki KAWAMATA, Shuichi TAMAKI
  • Patent number: 11443153
    Abstract: A conveyance control system is provided with a conveyance mechanism that conveys a platen, a printer provided in the conveyance mechanism and capable of performing printing on a print medium held by the platen received from the conveyance mechanism, and a PC that is communicably connected to the printer and controls the conveyance mechanism. A storage of the PC stores identification information of the printer and identification information of the conveyance mechanism in association with each other. The PC acquires the identification information of the conveyance mechanism associated with the identification information of the printer. A CPU of the PC causes the platen to be conveyed by the conveyance mechanism, on the basis of the acquired identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Shuichi Tamaki
  • Publication number: 20220234346
    Abstract: A processor of a printer conveys a platen relative to a head in a conveyance direction, toward a printing position. The printing position is a position at which a nozzle surface of the head faces the platen in a discharge direction. The printer is provided with a first sensor. The first sensor detects a print medium positioned at a first detection position. The first detection position is a position separated from the nozzle surface in the discharge direction. When the print medium is detected by the first sensor after a start of conveyance of the platen, the processor moves the platen relative to the nozzle surface and separates the platen from the nozzle surface in the discharge direction. After that, the processor conveys the platen relative to the head in the conveyance direction, toward the printing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Shuichi TAMAKI
  • Publication number: 20220203720
    Abstract: A printer is provided with a head, a platen, a conveyer, and a processor. The head performs printing on a print medium. The platen supports the print medium. The conveyer conveys the platen in a conveyance direction. The processor acquires a platen size. The platen size is a size of the platen in the conveyance direction. When the processor acquires a first platen size, the processor controls a conveyance operation of the platen such that a conveyance time period of the platen between a set position and a printing position is a first time period. When the processor acquires a second platen size, the processor controls the conveyance operation of the platen such that the conveyance time period of the platen between the set position and the printing position is a second time period different from the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Shuichi TAMAKI
  • Patent number: 11364732
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a liquid ejection device to which an additional head can be attached and which suppresses a reduction in print quality. The liquid ejection device includes a main scanning drive portion that transports, in a main scanning direction, a carriage on which are mounted a base printing head that ejects ink for base printing onto a print medium, and a color printing head that ejects at least two colors of ink, from yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, onto the print medium, the base printing head and the color printing head being separated from each other in the sub-scanning direction. Between the base printing head and the color printing head on the carriage, the liquid ejection device includes an additional head attachment portion to which the additional head can be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11345177
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pretreatment device capable of increasing a number of media on which a pretreatment can be performed within a fixed period. The pretreatment device includes a platen, a pretreatment portion configured to perform the pretreatment on a medium set on the platen, and a belt configured to convey the platen from a set position to the set position via the pretreatment portion. The medium is placed on the platen at the set position. Thus, since the belt conveys the platen on which the medium is set, the pretreatment device is able to perform the pretreatment on a plurality of the media within the fixed period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Shinoda, Shuichi Tamaki, Stephen McGavin Harpold, Hans Peter Broeckert
  • Patent number: D989858
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Hattori, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Shuichi Tamaki