Patents by Inventor Tomoko Koshiro

Tomoko Koshiro 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).

  • Apparatus and method for selecting and separating out sprouted kernel
    Patent number: 6391354
    Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention for selecting and separating out sprouted kernel comprises: a light source for emitting light in a predetermined wavelength region to an object kernel; an image-capturing device for capturing an image of the object kernel which is formed by a part of the emitted light, which part is transmitted through the object kernel, and generating a signal corresponding to the captured image of the object kernel; a comparator for comparing the signal corresponding to the captured image with a predetermined reference signal, to thereby determine whether or not the object kernel is sprouted, and generating a signal indicative of detection of sprouting when the object kernel is sprouted; and a separating device for separating out the object kernel when the object kernel is sprouted, in response to the signal generated by the comparator. Below the object kernel, there is provided a background member having a brightness close to that of the object kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Anzai Universal Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Shibayama, Tomoko Koshiro