Patents by Inventor Tetsu Inoue

Tetsu Inoue 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: 8648292
    Abstract: A photoelectric switch reduces a cost load of a user while ensuring its protection function inherent to safety equipment without impairing its safety function, and an optical scanning type photoelectric switch is provided with a muting function settable by the user, which is a function of temporarily invalidating sensing of part or the whole of a protection area, and is provided with two output systems, with respect to each of which the muting function is settable and on each output of which an inspection signal is superimposed at a different timing in a time-division manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Kawabata, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 8415609
    Abstract: A photoelectric switch reduces a cost load of a user while ensuring its protection function inherent to safety equipment without impairing its safety function, and an optical scanning type photoelectric switch is provided with a muting function settable by the user, which is a function of temporarily invalidating sensing of part or the whole of a protection area, and is provided with two output systems, with respect to each of which the muting function is settable and on each output of which an inspection signal is superimposed at a different timing in a time-division manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Kawabata, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 8248235
    Abstract: This invention provides an area monitoring sensor capable of setting a monitor area without connecting a terminal device for area setting. The area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within a monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the monitor area being previously set as a polygonal shaped area defined by three or more sides, the sensor being provided on a first side out of the sides of the monitor area, and includes a side selecting unit that selects a second side other than the first side out of the three or more sides that define the monitor area based on an operation input; a distance specifying unit that specifies a distance between the area monitoring sensor and the second side that is being selected by the side selecting unit based on an operation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsu Inoue, Akiji Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100198365
    Abstract: A photoelectric switch reduces a cost load of a user while ensuring its protection function inherent to safety equipment without impairing its safety function, and an optical scanning type photoelectric switch is provided with a muting function settable by the user, which is a function of temporarily invalidating sensing of part or the whole of a protection area, and is provided with two output systems, with respect to each of which the muting function is settable and on each output of which an inspection signal is superimposed at a different timing in a time-division manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Kawabata, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 7696469
    Abstract: The present invention can be used in a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor indicating an operating status thereof to a non-safety control device. The present invention allows the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor so as to become a easier operation. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor has a control unit to providing a safety control signal representing a result of a distinguish portion in a normal operating status, a safety control signal representing operation non-allowable in an abnormal status and a safety control signal representing operation allowable in a special operating status. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor also has an operating status indication portion for determining an operating status of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor from the normal operating status, the abnormal status and the special operating status, and providing the operating status to an external device via the same output line regardless of the result of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsu Inoue, Koji Fukumura
  • Publication number: 20090295580
    Abstract: This invention provides an area monitoring sensor capable of setting a monitor area without connecting a terminal device for area setting. The area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within a monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the monitor area being previously set as a polygonal shaped area defined by three or more sides, the sensor being provided on a first side out of the sides of the monitor area, and includes a side selecting unit that selects a second side other than the first side out of the three or more sides that define the monitor area based on an operation input; a distance specifying unit that specifies a distance between the area monitoring sensor and the second side that is being selected by the side selecting unit based on an operation input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsu Inoue, Akiji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7485841
    Abstract: A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is describes having a first indicating portion disposed at each of the light emitting and receiving units comprising a plurality of first indicating elements being in the same row of each of the light emitting and receiving elements with no-interference to each of the light emitting and receiving elements, a second indicating portion disposed at one of the light emitting and receiving units and comprising a plurality of second indicating elements being out of the same row of one of the light emitting and receiving elements of the units having the second indicator portion with no-interference to one of the light emitting and receiving elements of the units having the second indicator portion and an indicating control portion for turning on the plurality of the first indicating elements of the first indicating portion to show the first and second rows of the units when the binary signal indicating the first status is outputted by the status output circuit and indicating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsu Inoue, Tsuyoshi Tagashira
  • Patent number: 7411319
    Abstract: A safety relay system includes one or more additional input units each for sending safety input from a safety component, a master unit for receiving the safety input from the additional input unit and providing safety output to operate a safety relay based on the safety input, a safety information line for transferring safety information between the units, a non-safety information line for transferring non-safety information separate from the safety input, the non-safety information being information concerning an operation state of each safety component or each unit, and a non-safety information output section for outputting the non-safety information transferred on the non-safety information line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Suhara, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080179504
    Abstract: The present invention can be used in a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor indicating an operating status thereof to a non-safety control device. The present invention allows the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor so as to become a easier operation. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor has a control unit to providing a safety control signal representing a result of a distinguish portion in a normal operating status, a safety control signal representing operation non-allowable in an abnormal status and a safety control signal representing operation allowable in a special operating status. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor also has an operating status indication portion for determining an operating status of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor from the normal operating status, the abnormal status and the special operating status, and providing the operating status to an external device via the same output line regardless of the result of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsu Inoue, Koji Fukumura
  • Publication number: 20080179505
    Abstract: A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is describes having a first indicating portion disposed at each of the light emitting and receiving units comprising a plurality of first indicating elements being in the same row of each of the light emitting and receiving elements with no-interference to each of the light emitting and receiving elements, a second indicating portion disposed at one of the light emitting and receiving units and comprising a plurality of second indicating elements being out of the same row of one of the light emitting and receiving elements of the units having the second indicator portion with no-interference to one of the light emitting and receiving elements of the units having the second indicator portion and an indicating control portion for turning on the plurality of the first indicating elements of the first indicating portion to show the first and second rows of the units when the binary signal indicating the first status is outputted by the status output circuit and indicating
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsu Inoue, Tsuyoshi Tagashira
  • Patent number: 7368702
    Abstract: A multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus or a light curtain is placed in front of a pressing machine or a folding machine. Optical paths are set as a floating blanking area B (some paths out of a large number of optical paths) in the light curtain. The operation of the pressing machine or folding machine is forcibly stopped when two contiguous optical paths are blocked in the floating blanking area B. On the other hand, the normal protection function serves in areas A and C between which area B is sandwiched. In these areas A and C, if any one optical path enters a light blocked state, the operation of the pressing machine or folding machine is immediately stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6979814
    Abstract: A multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus is provided that has a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit and a control unit for controlling each optical path. A light block substance sensing function for a multi-optical-path light curtain is also provided to sense an object between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. A muting area setting unit is also provided that can be taught how to set an area for exerting a muting function. The muting function can be provided only in a partial area of the light curtain by using the muting area setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6894623
    Abstract: A display monitor is provided for a multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus including a plurality of multi-optical-path photoelectric sensor units. The user can determine whether a special function such as blanking is set for each optical path in a group which comprises a plurality of indicator lamps placed in a row along a longitudinal direction. The user can check the light incidence/light block status for each optical path on an indicator lamp group. The display monitor includes the plurality of indicator lamps placed in a row in the longitudinal direction. First and second switches allow the user to select the unit and the optical path to be shown on the two indicator lamp groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hama, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20050063114
    Abstract: A safety relay system includes one or more additional input units each for sending safety input from a safety component, a master unit for receiving the safety input from the additional input unit and providing safety output to operate a safety relay based on the safety input, a safety information line for transferring safety information between the units, a non-safety information line for transferring non-safety information separate from the safety input, the non-safety information being information concerning an operation state of each safety component or each unit, and a non-safety information output section for outputting the non-safety information transferred on the non-safety information line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Masaaki Suhara, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6784415
    Abstract: A method of installing a multi-beam photoelectric safeguard system for making a light curtain of closely aligned light beams closely to a pressing machine first positions main light emitting and detecting devices (11, 12). The method next mounts a projecting portion (21) to the pressing machine and identifies optical axes interrupted by the projecting portion (21). Subsequently, after setting a sub light detecting device (13) adjacent to one side of the projecting portion (21), the method adjusts optical axes between the sub light detecting device (13) and the main light emitting device (11). Finally, after setting a sub light emitting device (14) adjacent to the other side of the projecting portion (21), the methods adjusts optical axes between the sub light emitting device (14) and the main light detecting device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030164447
    Abstract: A multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus or a light curtain is placed in front of a pressing machine or a folding machine. Optical paths are set as a floating blanking area B (some paths out of a large number of optical paths) in the light curtain. The operation of the pressing machine or folding machine is forcibly stopped when two contiguous optical paths are blocked in the floating blanking area B. On the other hand, the normal protection function serves in areas A and C between which area B is sandwiched. In these areas A and C, if any one optical path enters a light blocked state, the operation of the pressing machine or folding machine is immediately stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030146373
    Abstract: A multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus is provided that has a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit and a control unit for controlling each optical path. A light block substance sensing function for a multi-optical-path light curtain is also provided to sense an object between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. A muting area setting unit is also provided that can be taught how to set an area for exerting a muting function. The muting function can be provided only in a partial area of the light curtain by using the muting area setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030141975
    Abstract: A display monitor is provided for a multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus including a plurality of multi-optical-path photoelectric sensor units. The user can determine whether a special function such as blanking is set for each optical path in a group which comprises a plurality of indicator lamps placed in a row along a longitudinal direction. The user can check the light incidence/light block status for each optical path on an indicator lamp group. The display monitor includes the plurality of indicator lamps placed in a row in the longitudinal direction. First and second switches allow the user to select the unit and the optical path to be shown on the two indicator lamp groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hama, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030052254
    Abstract: A method of installing a multi-beam photoelectric safeguard system for making a light curtain of closely aligned light beams closely to a pressing machine first positions main light emitting and detecting devices (11, 12). The method next mounts a projecting portion (21) to the pressing machine and identifies optical axes interrupted by the projecting portion (21). Subsequently, after setting a sub light detecting device (13) adjacent to one side of the projecting portion (21), the method adjusts optical axes between the sub light detecting device (13) and the main light emitting device (11). Finally, after setting a sub light emitting device (14) adjacent to the other side of the projecting portion (21), the methods adjusts optical axes between the sub light emitting device (14) and the main light detecting device (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030029992
    Abstract: A multi-beam photoelectric safeguard system includes a sub light detecting device and a sub light emitting device that are placed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship inside a plane extending between a main light emitting device and a main light detecting device. When the system is used to make a light curtain for a machine having a projecting portion that significantly projects outwardly from the main part of the machine, the sub light detecting device and the sub light emitting device are disposed adjacent to the opposite sides of the projecting portion to receive light beams from the main light emitting device and to emit light beams toward the main light detecting device. Thus the system makes a light curtain extending all around the projecting portion without leaving any zones on the opposite sides of the projecting portion within the plane of the light curtain that cannot be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Motohiro Kudo, Tetsu Inoue