Patents by Inventor Tatsuya Shindo

Tatsuya Shindo 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: 20240066880
    Abstract: A liquid supplying device includes a tank and a cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to the tank in an attachment-detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storage chamber. The tank includes a second storage chamber, a liquid passage, and a gas passage. The liquid passage has a first end, a second end, and a first extending portion. The second end is formed with a second opening open to an atmosphere. The first extending portion extends from the second opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The gas passage has a third end, a fourth end, and a second extending portion. The fourth end is formed with a fourth opening open to the atmosphere. The second extending portion extends from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The second opening is at a position different from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Yoshinori OSAKABE, Akinari ISHIBE, Tatsuya SHINDO, Masahiro HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11794478
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles, a determination circuit, a clock, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the clock is in an on or off state. In response to determining that the clock is in an on state, the controller is configured to perform an inspection process at a first time. In the inspection process, the controller drives the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from a nozzle of the plurality nozzles and receive a determination signal that is output from the determination circuit in response to ejection of liquid from the nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. In response to determining that the clock is in an off state, the controller is configured to perform the inspection process at a predetermined time that is a time after the clock is returned to an on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shindo, Toshiro Ueda, Ryuji Horata, Zenichiro Sasaki, Kenta Horade, Hironori Takasaki
  • Patent number: 11787192
    Abstract: A liquid supplying device includes a tank and a cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to the tank in an attachment-detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storage chamber. The tank includes a second storage chamber, a liquid passage, and a gas passage. The liquid passage has a first end, a second end, and a first extending portion. The second end is formed with a second opening open to an atmosphere. The first extending portion extends from the second opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The gas passage has a third end, a fourth end, and a second extending portion. The fourth end is formed with a fourth opening open to the atmosphere. The second extending portion extends from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The second opening is at a position different from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Yoshinori Osakabe, Akinari Ishibe, Tatsuya Shindo, Masahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11590760
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus includes a tank and a cartridge attachable to and detachable from the tank along an attachment and detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storing chamber configured to store liquid therein. The tank includes a second storing chamber configured to store liquid therein, a liquid channel and an air channel that communicate with the second storing chamber, and an air communication port allowing the second storing chamber to communicate with an outside thereof. When the cartridge is attached to the tank with the first storing chamber of the cartridge communicating with the liquid channel and the air channel of the tank, the first storing chamber has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel in the vertical direction, and the tank is located below a secondary-lower surface and faces a secondary-front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinari Ishibe, Yoshinori Osakabe, Hiroaki Takahashi, Tatsuya Shindo
  • Publication number: 20220234357
    Abstract: When inspection driving is performed by a liquid ejection head, a signal output circuit outputs a determination signal indicating whether a nozzle is an abnormal nozzle. The inspection driving is driving the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from the nozzle for checking whether the nozzle is the abnormal nozzle. A recovery device performs a recovery operation of discharging liquid from the nozzle. A controller is configured to: in response to receiving a first signal, perform the inspection driving and, in response to determining that the determination signal transmitted from the signal output circuit indicates that the abnormal nozzle exists, store flag information in a memory, the flag information indicating that the recovery operation needs to be performed; and in response to receiving a second signal different from the first signal and determining that the memory stores the flag information, control the recovery device to perform the recovery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Zenichiro SASAKI, Kenta HORADE, Hironori TAKASAKI, Toshiro UEDA, Tatsuya SHINDO, Ryuji HORATA
  • Publication number: 20220234344
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a first circuit to output a determination signal indicating that ejecting ink is in failure, a second circuit to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature, a recovery device to perform a recovery operation, and a controller. The controller causes a recovery device to perform a first recovery operation based on a first failure-nozzle data in response to determining that a first temperature and a second temperature satisfy a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Toshiro Ueda, Tatsuya Shindo, Ryuji Horata, Zenichiro Sasaki, Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20220234352
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles, a determination circuit, a clock, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the clock is in an on or off state. In response to determining that the clock is in an on state, the controller is configured to perform an inspection process at a first time. In the inspection process, the controller drives the liquid ejection head to eject liquid from a nozzle of the plurality nozzles and receive a determination signal that is output from the determination circuit in response to ejection of liquid from the nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. In response to determining that the clock is in an off state, the controller is configured to perform the inspection process at a predetermined time that is a time after the clock is returned to an on state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Tatsuya SHINDO, Toshiro UEDA, Ryuji HORATA, Zenichiro SASAKI, Kenta HORADE, Hironori TAKASAKI
  • Publication number: 20220194076
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head having nozzles; a signal output device; a recovery device configured to perform a first recovery operation or a second recovery operation, to discharge liquid from the nozzles; and a controller configured to: in response to receiving a second signal, activate the signal output device, and drive the liquid ejection head in a check mode for ejecting liquid from the nozzles, the second signal instructing to record a check pattern on a recording medium; in response to receiving a first signal indicating that a first nozzle being one of the nozzles is in failure in liquid ejection when the liquid ejection head in driven in the check mode, activate the recovery device to perform the first recovery operation; and subsequent to the first recovery operation, drive the liquid ejection head to record the check pattern on the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shindo
  • Patent number: 11292246
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a conveyor; a head; a carriage; and a controller. The controller executes: recording of an image; in a case of performing recording of a same image continuously, recording of the same image, while making a setting to be a first setting; calculating of a total ejection amount; and presuming of a point of time at which each of the plurality of nozzles becomes an ejection-defective nozzle having defectiveness in ejection of the liquid. Further, in a case that the controller presumes that a certain nozzle, as any one of the plurality of nozzles, becomes the ejection-defective nozzle before the recording of the same image is completed, the controller changes, before the point of time, the setting to a second setting in which the total ejection amount of the certain nozzle is made greater than that in the first setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shindo
  • Publication number: 20220040987
    Abstract: A liquid supplying device includes a tank and a cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to the tank in an attachment-detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storage chamber. The tank includes a second storage chamber, a liquid passage, and a gas passage. The liquid passage has a first end, a second end, and a first extending portion. The second end is formed with a second opening open to an atmosphere. The first extending portion extends from the second opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The gas passage has a third end, a fourth end, and a second extending portion. The fourth end is formed with a fourth opening open to the atmosphere. The second extending portion extends from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The second opening is at a position different from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Yoshinori OSAKABE, Akinari ISHIBE, Tatsuya SHINDO, Masahiro HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11235577
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a head including a nozzle configured to eject pigment ink supplied from a tank during a print operation and during a purge operation and a purge mechanism. A controller configured to determine whether to control the purge mechanism to perform the purge operation for discharging the pigment ink from the nozzle and, when determining to control the purge mechanism to perform the purge operation, determine a remaining amount of the pigment ink remaining in the tank. The controller is configured to determine a discharge amount to be discharged from the nozzle when performing the purge operation based on the remaining amount of the pigment ink remaining in the tank and control the purge mechanism to perform the purge operation based on the discharge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shindo
  • Patent number: 11186091
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber, an outlet, and a first air communication portion for air-communication between the first chamber and the atmosphere. A mount body includes a tank, and first and second sensors. The tank has an inlet, a second chamber, and a second air communication portion for air-communication between the second chamber and the atmosphere. Liquid in the first chamber flows into the second chamber. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position which is higher than both the first position and the inlet, and outputs a fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Horade, Tatsuya Shindo, Hiroaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11117382
    Abstract: A liquid supplying device includes a tank and a cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to the tank in an attachment-detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storage chamber. The tank includes a second storage chamber, a liquid passage, and a gas passage. The liquid passage has a first end, a second end, and a first extending portion. The second end is formed with a second opening open to an atmosphere. The first extending portion extends from the second opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The gas passage has a third end, a fourth end, and a second extending portion. The fourth end is formed with a fourth opening open to the atmosphere. The second extending portion extends from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction. The second opening is at a position different from the fourth opening in the attachment-detachment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Yoshinori Osakabe, Akinari Ishibe, Tatsuya Shindo, Masahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11084294
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus a tank and a cartridge attachable to the tank along an attachment direction crossing a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storing chamber configured to store liquid therein. The tank includes a second storing chamber configured to store liquid therein, a liquid channel and an air channel. When the cartridge is attached to the tank, the first storing chamber has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel, and the second storing chamber has a portion located below the liquid channel and the air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Akinari Ishibe, Hiroaki Takahashi, Tatsuya Shindo
  • Patent number: 11065882
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber, a first outlet, and a first sensor. A mount body includes a tank in connection with the cartridge, and a second sensor. The tank has an inlet, and a second chamber. The liquid in the first chamber is capable of flowing into the second chamber via the first outlet of the cartridge and the inlet of the tank. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position, and outputs the fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shindo
  • Publication number: 20210086502
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a conveyor; a head; a carriage; and a controller. The controller executes: recording of an image; in a case of performing recording of a same image continuously, recording of the same image, while making a setting to be a first setting; calculating of a total ejection amount; and presuming of a point of time at which each of the plurality of nozzles becomes an ejection-defective nozzle having defectiveness in ejection of the liquid. Further, in a case that the controller presumes that a certain nozzle, as any one of the plurality of nozzles, becomes the ejection-defective nozzle before the recording of the same image is completed, the controller changes, before the point of time, the setting to a second setting in which the total ejection amount of the certain nozzle is made greater than that in the first setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya SHINDO
  • Publication number: 20200307226
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber, an outlet, and a first air communication portion for air-communication between the first chamber and atmosphere. A mount body includes a tank, first and second sensors. The tank has an inlet, a second chamber, and a second air communication portion for air-communication between the second chamber and atmosphere. Liquid in the first chamber flows into the second chamber. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position which is higher than both the first position and the inlet, and outputs the fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kenta Horade, Tatsuya Shindo, Hiroaki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20200307241
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber, a first outlet, and a first sensor. A mount body includes a tank in connection with the cartridge, and a second sensor. The tank has an inlet, and a second chamber. The liquid in the first chamber is capable of flowing into the second chamber via the first outlet of the cartridge and the inlet of the tank. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position, and outputs the fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shindo
  • Publication number: 20200070532
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus a tank and a cartridge attachable to the tank along an attachment direction crossing a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storing chamber configured to store liquid therein. The tank includes a second storing chamber configured to store liquid therein, a liquid channel and an air channel. When the cartridge is attached to the tank, the first storing chamber has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel, and the second storing chamber has a portion located below the liquid channel and the air channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori OSAKABE, Akinari ISHIBE, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Tatsuya SHINDO
  • Publication number: 20200070528
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus includes a tank and a cartridge attachable to and detachable from the tank along an attachment and detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The cartridge includes a first storing chamber configured to store liquid therein. The tank includes a second storing chamber configured to store liquid therein, a liquid channel and an air channel that communicate with the second storing chamber, and an air communication port allowing the second storing chamber to communicate with an outside thereof. When the cartridge is attached to the tank with the first storing chamber of the cartridge communicating with the liquid channel and the air channel of the tank, the first storing chamber has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel in the vertical direction, and the tank is located below a secondary-lower surface and faces a secondary-front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinari ISHIBE, Yoshinori OSAKABE, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Tatsuya SHINDO