Patents by Inventor Tomoaki Hattori
Tomoaki Hattori 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).
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Patent number: 11960967Abstract: An information processing system, which determines a partial area used in an erectness determination which determines whether a determination target image is erect based on a determination feature in the partial area in an image having a predetermined format and a position of the partial area in a state in which the image having the predetermined format is erect, includes processor to receive input of a plurality of learning images having the predetermined format, extract area common to the plurality of learning images in an erect state as a candidate for the partial area, determine common area reliability indicative of a degree to which the candidate for the partial area is suitable as the partial area used in the erectness determination, and determine the partial area used in the erectness determination from the candidate for the partial area, based on the common area reliability.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: PFU LIMITEDInventors: Katsuhiro Hattori, Yutaka Harano, Tomoaki Wada, Ken Yanai
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Patent number: 11938970Abstract: A control device that is mounted in a second vehicle which a first vehicle having a following travel function is detachably connected to or loaded on is provided. The control device includes a control unit configured to perform: detecting another vehicle that is within a predetermined range from the second vehicle in a state in which the second vehicle has the first vehicle connected thereto or loaded thereon and of which some or all of a scheduled travel route is the same as some or all of a scheduled travel route of the first vehicle after the first vehicle has been disconnected from the second vehicle; and transmitting following instruction information to the first vehicle and disconnecting the first vehicle from the second vehicle such that the first vehicle travels with the detected other vehicle as a preceding vehicle by the following travel function.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Harada, Teppei Nishiguchi, Kazuki Komoriya, Tomoaki Ihara, Miyu Higashimura, Toshihiro Nakaichi, Kazunobu Okasaka, Ryo Hattori, Yohei Tanigawa, Ryohei Kimbara, Hiroshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 11698596Abstract: A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Kengo Takeda, Jun Mihara, Satoshi Murata, Shinya Yamamoto, Tomoaki Hattori, Kumiko Sakaguchi, Takayuki Higuchi, Tatsuya Ezaka, Emi Shimizu, Kentaro Murayama
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Publication number: 20210263458Abstract: A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Kengo Takeda, Jun Mihara, Satoshi Murata, Shinya Yamamoto, Tomoaki Hattori, Kumiko Sakaguchi, Takayuki Higuchi, Tatsuya Ezaka, Emi Shimizu, Kentaro Murayama
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Patent number: 11009820Abstract: A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Kengo Takeda, Jun Mihara, Satoshi Murata, Shinya Yamamoto, Tomoaki Hattori, Kumiko Sakaguchi, Takayuki Higuchi, Tatsuya Ezaka, Emi Shimizu, Kentaro Murayama
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Publication number: 20190391517Abstract: A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Kengo Takeda, Jun Mihara, Satoshi Murata, Shinya Yamamoto, Tomoaki Hattori, Kumiko Sakaguchi, Takayuki Higuchi, Tatsuya Ezaka, Emi Shimizu, Kentaro Murayama
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Patent number: 10509351Abstract: A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Kengo Takeda, Jun Mihara, Satoshi Murata, Shinya Yamamoto, Tomoaki Hattori, Kumiko Sakaguchi, Takayuki Higuchi, Tatsuya Ezaka, Emi Shimizu, Kentaro Murayama
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Publication number: 20180217543Abstract: A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Kengo Takeda, Jun Mihara, Satoshi Murata, Shinya Yamamoto, Tomoaki Hattori, Kumiko Sakaguchi, Takayuki Higuchi, Tatsuya Ezaka, Emi Shimizu, Kentaro Murayama
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Patent number: 9348252Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photosensitive member configured to transport a developer containing a compound that causes cis-trans isomerization reaction by light absorption to induce phase transition; a first exposure device configured to emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 300 nm-400 nm to a developer image; and a pressing member configured to press a recording sheet holding a developer image exposed by the first exposure device thereon. It is possible to achieve conservation of energy during image formation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Higuchi, Tomoaki Hattori, Jun Ikami, Kumiko Suzuki, Emi Shimizu
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Publication number: 20160011537Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photosensitive member configured to transport a developer containing a compound that causes cis-trans isomerization reaction by light absorption to induce phase transition; a first exposure device configured to emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 300 nm-400 nm to a developer image; and a pressing member configured to press a recording sheet holding a developer image exposed by the first exposure device thereon. It is possible to achieve conservation of energy during image formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Takayuki Higuchi, Tomoaki Hattori, Jun Ikami, Kumiko Suzuki, Emi Shimizu
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Patent number: 8995884Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided, including a developing unit including a developing roller; a developer accommodating unit; a partition wall partitioning the developing unit and the developer accommodating unit; a supply port which makes communication between the developing unit and the developer accommodating unit; a transport member configured so that the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit is supplied to the developing unit via the supply port in accordance with rotation; a return port configured so that the developer contained in the developing unit is permitted to fall into the developer accommodating unit; an opening/closing member configured to be movable between an open position for opening the return port and a closed position for closing the return port; and a driving mechanism configured so that the opening/closing member is moved to the closed position and the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Kato, Seiichi Senda, Tomoaki Hattori, Masanari Yoshikawa
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Publication number: 20130287445Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided, including a developing unit including a developing roller; a developer accommodating unit; a partition wall partitioning the developing unit and the developer accommodating unit; a supply port which makes communication between the developing unit and the developer accommodating unit; a transport member configured so that the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit is supplied to the developing unit via the supply port in accordance with rotation; a return port configured so that the developer contained in the developing unit is permitted to fall into the developer accommodating unit; an opening/closing member configured to be movable between an open position for opening the return port and a closed position for closing the return port; and a driving mechanism configured so that the opening/closing member is moved to the closed position and the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi Kato, Seiichi Senda, Tomoaki Hattori, Masanari Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 8401445Abstract: A developer supply apparatus is provided which supplies a toner to a supply object, the developer supply apparatus including a developer storage body which stores a powdery developer, and a transfer body which transfers the developer along the developer transfer path with traveling wave electric fields. The developer includes a toner having a predetermined charging characteristic and an electric neutralizer having an opposite charging characteristic, which is opposite to the predetermined charging characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takanori Uno, Mitsukiyo Okamura, Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Yasuhiro Maruyama, Tomoaki Hazeyama, Masataka Maeda, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8326190Abstract: A developer supply device, comprising a casing having an opening facing a supply target and a developer reservoir portion provided on an opposite side; a roller-like developer holding body placed around the opening to face the supply target; a main carrying substrate that is located to face the developer holding body at a downstream end portion thereof in a developer transport direction and is configured to carry the developer through a traveling electric field to the developer holding body; and a sub carrying substrate that has a facing part to face the main carrying substrate, the sub carrying substrate being configured to carry the developer from the developer reservoir portion to the facing part through a traveling electric field, and wherein the sub carrying substrate carries the developer in the facing part in a direction opposite to a direction in which the main carrying substrate carries the developer.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8200129Abstract: Each transport electrode has its longitudinal direction intersecting with a sub-scanning direction. Transport electrodes are disposed in parallel with each other and are arrayed along the sub-scanning direction. A transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section is connected to root portions of the transport electrodes. The root portions are one end portions of the transport electrodes with respect to the longitudinal direction. Toner transport guide members are disposed to cover the transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section and opposite end portions of the transport electrodes; i.e., the root portions and distal end portions.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Seiichi Senda, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8112019Abstract: A developer supply device, comprising: a carrying substrate having electrodes arranged along a developer transport path at predetermined intervals to carry a developer through a traveling electric field, wherein the carrying substrate comprises: a rigid upper carrying substrate formed to stand to carry the developer upward; and a flexible bottom carrying substrate curved to be a semispherical shape and is configured to charge the developer by friction with the developer and to be connected with a lower end portion of the upper carrying substrate so as to form a bottom surface of a developer reservoir portion, and wherein a joint portion of the bottom carrying substrate connected to the lower end portion is overlapped with the lower end portion such that the joint portion carries the developer in a same direction as a direction in which the developer is carried by the lower end portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Suzue Onoda, Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Kazutoshi Kotama, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8107862Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer containing casing, a developer transport body, transport electrodes, and a developer vibrating section. The developer containing casing is a box-like member in which a developer is contained. The developer transport body has a developer transport surface, and is disposed within the developer containing casing. The plurality of transport electrodes are provided along the developer transport surface. These transport electrodes are configured such that they can transport the developer in a predetermined developer transport direction on the developer transport surface upon application of traveling-wave voltages. The developer vibrating section is configured to be able to vibrate the developer which is to be transported on the developer transport surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoaki Hattori, Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8081909Abstract: There is provided an image forming device, comprising: an image holding unit configured to hold an image formed by developing material; a developing material case configured to accommodate the developing material and to have a supplying opening facing the image holding unit; a carrying unit having a plurality of carrying electrodes, the carrying unit being configured to carry the developing material accommodated in the developing material case toward the image holding unit by generating a traveling electric field through the plurality of carrying electrodes; a vibrator that vibrates the carrying unit; and a controller that controls the vibrator to change a frequency of vibration.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8029967Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a toner including the steps of: preparing a resin liquid by mixing at least a binder resin made of polyester resin and a colorant with an ester organic solvent represented by the following general formula (1); dispersing the resin liquid in an aqueous medium to form an emulsion; and removing the ester organic solvent from the emulsion to produce a toner, in which the ester organic solvent before the preparation of the resin liquid contains water in an amount of not less than 1% by weight and up to the saturation solubility at 25° C. to the ester organic solvent: (in which R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masateru Kawamura, Jun Ikami, Takanori Uno, Tomoaki Hattori
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Publication number: 20110013947Abstract: A developer supply apparatus is provided which supplies a toner to a supply object, the developer supply apparatus including a developer storage body which stores a powdery developer, and a transfer body which transfers the developer along the developer transfer path with traveling wave electric fields. The developer includes a toner having a predetermined charging characteristic and an electric neutralizer having an opposite charging characteristic, which is opposite to the predetermined charging characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takanori Uno, Mitsukiyo Okamura, Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Yasuhiro Maruyama, Tomoaki Hazeyama, Masataka Maeda, Tomoaki Hattori