Patents by Inventor Tasuku Kohara

Tasuku Kohara 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: 20110221735
    Abstract: Provided are a control panel or a display as well as an image processing apparatus and an electronic calculating apparatus using the electronic device or the display, the electronic device and the display each using a light transmissive solar cell for electric power generation so as to allow a solar cell part and a display part to be disposed to overlap an input part so that a larger electric power than the conventional cases can be generated without increasing the size of the whole operation panel and the whole display. An electronic device of the present invention includes: a display part capable of electrically and magnetically changing a display region and displaying of a display content displayed in the display region; a solar cell part that transmits light in a visible light region; and an input part that detects whether or not any part of the display region is manipulated, and that transmits light in a visible light region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Akira IMAI, Taisuke Omi, Yoshiaki Nishizaki, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Tasuku Kohara, Tsuyoshi Endoh, Hiroshi Takeda, Hiroki Tsuruoka
  • Patent number: 8019251
    Abstract: An angular position adjusting apparatus for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a rotary member attached to the control panel, an input part for generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel, a motor part connected to the rotary member for changing the angular position of the control panel by driving the rotary member, and a setting part for setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with the power status of the image processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7787794
    Abstract: A setting angle adjusting device, includes a first input part configured to input an instruction for changing a setting angle of an operations panel in a first direction; a second input part configured to input an instruction for changing the setting angle of the operations panel in a second direction different from the first direction; a rotation part configured to change the setting angle of the operations panel; and a driving part configured to rotate the rotation part in a designated direction as corresponding to either the first input part or the second input part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20100182654
    Abstract: An image forming device including: a scanning device configured to acquire an image data of a manuscript; a processing device configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the image data; a main body of the image forming device having a first operation section configured to input an instruction to the image forming device; and a second operation section arranged at the main body of the image forming device. The image forming device acquires the image data of the manuscript and forms the image on the recording medium in accordance with an operation of at least one of the first and the second operation sections, the second operation section being operable at a low position compared to a position of the first operation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi
  • Patent number: 7684721
    Abstract: In an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, an image forming device body has a first reading unit and a processing unit, wherein the first reading unit acquires image information of a document and the processing unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information. An image input device has a second reading unit which acquires image information of a document. The image input device is arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Hiroshi Takeda, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Kazuo Koike
  • Patent number: 7667685
    Abstract: An operations panel is disclosed that comprises plural operations blocks attached to a main body of an electronic apparatus; a selection information output unit that outputs a selection information item indicating a selection item selected in the operations block; a display operations block that is removably attachable to the main body, including a display unit that shows display selection items used for selecting operational functions, a selection detecting unit that detects the selected display selection item, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to show the selection items corresponding to the operations blocks together with the display selection item when the display operations block is removed from the main body; and a selection information retrieving unit that retrieves, as the selection information item, a selection result detected by the selection detecting unit of the display operations block removed from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara
  • Publication number: 20090316954
    Abstract: An input apparatus for enabling a user to enter an instruction into a main apparatus has high durability and offers superior operability. The input apparatus includes a table device having a table with a variable size. An image of plural virtual keys that is adapted to the size of the table is projected by a projector unit onto the table. Position information about a finger of the user that is placed on the table is detected by a position detecting device contactlessly. One of the plural virtual keys that corresponds to the position of the finger of the user detected by the position detecting device is detected by a key detecting device based on information about the image of the plural virtual keys and a result of the detection made by the position detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Publication number: 20090316193
    Abstract: An input apparatus for a user to input an instruction into a body apparatus is disclosed. The input apparatus includes: a projection unit configured to project images of a plurality of virtual keys onto a projection area on a floor surface; a position detection unit configured to detect position information of a foot of the user put on the projection area; and a key detection unit configured to detect a virtual key corresponding to a position of the foot of the user from among the virtual keys based on information on the images of the virtual keys and a result of detection by the position detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Tasuku KOHARA, Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Publication number: 20090201527
    Abstract: An operations panel is disclosed that comprises plural operations blocks attached to a main body of an electronic apparatus; a selection information output unit that outputs a selection information item indicating a selection item selected in the operations block; a display operations block that is removably attachable to the main body, including a display unit that shows display selection items used for selecting operational functions, a selection detecting unit that detects the selected display selection item, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to show the selection items corresponding to the operations blocks together with the display selection item when the display operations block is removed from the main body; and a selection information retrieving unit that retrieves, as the selection information item, a selection result detected by the selection detecting unit of the display operations block removed from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara
  • Publication number: 20090066644
    Abstract: An input control device and an image forming apparatus capable of proving an easy-to-use operating environment even for a user having difficulties operating such conventional devices and apparatuses due to his/her height, color vision deficiency, weak vision, use of a wheelchair, and the like is disclosed. In the input control device, based on the detected distance between an instruction item on the display and an operation direction means (such as a user's finger), the display mode of the instruction item is changed (by, for example, changing positions, colors, and combinations). Further, as the operation direction means approaches, the size of the instruction item on the display becomes larger, thereby improving the operability especially for a user with color vision deficiency or weak vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Endoh, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Tasuku Kohara, Taisuke Omi, Takashi Inoue, Hiroki Tsuruoka, Yoshiaki Nishizaki
  • Publication number: 20090060612
    Abstract: The height of an image reading unit or an operating panel in an image forming apparatus is adjusted to facilitate their operation depending on the physical characteristics of a user, such as his height or use of a wheel chair. A second operating panel and a second automatic document feeder (ADF) are disposed on the side of the image forming apparatus, so that a user on a wheel chair can access them easily. The second ADF houses plural sheet trays that are configured to open or close together. When the sheet trays are closed, a first operating panel disposed at the top of the apparatus is activated while the second operating panel on the side is deactivated. When the sheet trays are open, the second operating panel is activated while the first operating panel is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Tsuyoshi Endoh
  • Publication number: 20080199201
    Abstract: In an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, an image forming device body has a first reading unit and a processing unit, wherein the first reading unit acquires image information of a document and the processing unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information. An image input device has a second reading unit which acquires image information of a document. The image input device is arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue, Hiroshi Takeda, Kenichi Yamada, Taisuke Omi, Kazuo Koike
  • Publication number: 20080089017
    Abstract: A setting angle adjusting device, includes a first input part configured to input an instruction for changing a setting angle of an operations panel in a first direction; a second input part configured to input an instruction for changing the setting angle of the operations panel in a second direction different from the first direction; a rotation part configured to change the setting angle of the operations panel; and a driving part configured to rotate the rotation part in a designated direction as corresponding to either the first input part or the second input part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20070059032
    Abstract: An angular position adjusting apparatus for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a rotary member attached to the control panel, an input part for generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel, a motor part connected to the rotary member for changing the angular position of the control panel by driving the rotary member, and a setting part for setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with the power status of the image processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue