Patents by Inventor Toru Tsuzuki

Toru Tsuzuki 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: 7573590
    Abstract: When a network printer receives print data appended with related data from a client device via a network (S11), the related data is separated from the print data (S12) and stored in a predetermined region of a hard disk (S13). The print data is stored in the hard disk (S14) in correspondence with the related data. Then, printing is executed to print out the print data (S15). When a user requests display of the related data (S16:YES), the related data is displayed on a display (S17). The related data includes related image data and management data. When a user requests printing of the related data (S18:YES), a printer engine prints out the related data (S19). In this way, the user can select desired print data in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Hashimoto, Toru Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20080180747
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming device which comprises: a print unit; a connection unit to which an external device is detachably attachable; a print control unit configured to control the print unit in accordance with print target data read from the external device attached to the connection unit to form an image corresponding to the print target data on a recording medium; a storage unit used to store the print target data which has been printed via the print unit; an authentication information input unit configured to accept input of authentication information; and a judgment unit configured to judge whether to permit execution of reprinting of the print target data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the authentication information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru TSUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20080080008
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a connector unit to which an external memory device is connected; a detecting unit configured to detect whether the external memory device is connected to the connector unit or not and output a detection result indicating that the connector unit is in a connected state or an unconnected state; a printing unit configured to execute a printing according to data from the external memory device connected to the connector unit; and a suspending unit configured to suspend operation of the printing unit according to a predetermined timing in response to a change in the detection result from the connected state to the unconnected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Toru Tsuzuki, Masashi Kato, Kazuma Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080055660
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion on which an external memory device is mountable, a detecting unit that detects mounting or non-mounting of the external memory device to the mounting portion, a printing unit that prints data acquired from the external memory device, a memory unit that stores the data, and a controller. The controller is operable to control the printing unit to reprint the data stored on the memory unit, and prohibit the data from being reprinted when a detection result by the detecting unit indicates non-mounting of the external memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Toru Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20080043281
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a memory connecting portion, to which an external memory is detachably connected; a detecting portion that detects a connection state of the external memory; a printing portion that prints an image based on an image file to be printed which is stored in the external memory; and a controller that performs an automatic printing processing in which the controller controls the printing portion to automatically start printing the image in response to a detection by the detecting portion of connection of the external memory to the memory connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi KATO, Toru TSUZUKI, Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO, Kazuma AOKI
  • Publication number: 20080003035
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first designation portion which designates a directory from plural directories stored in a storage medium; a first printing portion which index prints images on a first print medium based on files stored in the directory designated by the first designation portion, the files including at least one of an image data file and a sub-directory; a display portion; a first display control portion which controls the display portion to display information for designating the files after the images are index-printed by the first printing portion; a second designation portion which designates one of the files based on the information displayed on the display portion; and a second printing portion which prints an image on a second print medium based on the designated one of the files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO, Toru TSUZUKI, Masashi KATO, Kazuma AOKI
  • Publication number: 20070299750
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can read data from a storage medium having hierarchically structured directories including a first directory and a second directory which is stored in the first directory. The apparatus includes: a display portion that displays designation information of the first directory; a designation portion that designates the second directory based on the first directory designation information displayed on the display portion; a display control portion that controls the display portion to display designation information of the second directory when the second directory is designated by the designation portion; and a printing portion that index-prints images on a print medium based on files stored in one of the first and second directories, the designation information of which is currently displayed on the display portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma AOKI, Masashi KATO, Toru TSUZUKI, Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20070285718
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing device, which comprises an interface into which a removal storage medium can be connected; at least one device having one of an image reading function and an image output function; a preparation control unit configured to execute a preparation process so that the at least one device moves from a first state corresponding to a non-ready state and a second state corresponding to a ready state; and an image process unit having at least one of a function of storing image data and a function of reading image data; a detection unit configured to detect whether the removal storage medium is connected to the interface; and a controller configured to move the at least one device to the second state in response to detection of insertion of the removal medium into the interface by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma AOKI, Masashi KATO, Toru TSUZUKI, Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20070279689
    Abstract: A printing apparatus to make a number of copy of a printed material on which an image is formed according to print data stored in a removable memory medium is provided. The printing apparatus includes an interface to which the removable memory medium is connected so that the print data stored in the removable memory medium is inputted to the printing apparatus, a printable number detecting system, which is configured to detect a number of copy of the printed material to be made being stored in the removable memory medium, a printing system, which is configured to make the printed material, and a controlling system, which is configured to control a total of the number of copy of the printed material to be made by the printing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma AOKI, Masashi KATO, Toru TSUZUKI, Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20070245237
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a display, a reading unit, a display controlling unit, and an operating unit. The reading unit reads at least one file stored in a removable memory. The display controlling unit displays on the display a first selection item together with at least one second selection item. The first selection item is used for performing index printing for the at least one file. The at least one second selection item is used for printing each of the at least one file. Each of the at least one second selection item corresponds to one of the at least one file. The operating unit is capable of selecting one of the first selection item and the at least one second selection item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Tsuzuki, Masashi Kato, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Kazuma Aoki
  • Publication number: 20070229897
    Abstract: A duplicate setting prevention system for an image processing apparatus includes a setting file, a set of history information, a determination unit, a setting unit, a prohibiting unit, and a history information recording unit. The setting file is stored in a removable memory removably mounted on an image processing apparatus and is for setting the image processing apparatus. The set of history information is stored in the removable memory and indicates that the image processing apparatus has been set based on the setting file. When the removable memory is mounted on the image processing apparatus, the determination unit reads out the history information set and determines that a setting has been performed to the image processing apparatus based on the setting file. The setting unit performs the setting to the image processing apparatus based on the setting file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi KATO, Toru TSUZUKI, Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO, Kazuma AOKI
  • Publication number: 20070233636
    Abstract: A peripheral device has a mounting portion and a storage unit. The mounting portion is configured to mount a removable storage. The storage unit is configured to store data. The reading out unit reads out specific information from the removable storage medium when the removable storage medium is mounted to the mounting portion. The deletion unit deletes at least part of the data in the storage unit based on the specific information read out by the reading out unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Kato, Toru Tsuzuki, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Kazuma Aoki
  • Publication number: 20060050313
    Abstract: When a network printer receives print data appended with related data from a client device via a network (S11), the related data is separated from the print data (S12) and stored in a predetermined region of a hard disk (S13). The print data is stored in the hard disk (S14) in correspondence with the related data. Then, printing is executed to print out the print data (S15). When a user requests display of the related data (S16:YES), the related data is displayed on a display (S17). The related data includes related image data and management data. When a user requests printing of the related data (S18:YES), a printer engine prints out the related data (S19). In this way, the user can select desired print data in a short period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Hashimoto, Toru Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 6975421
    Abstract: When a network printer receives print data appended with related data from a client device via a network (S11), the related data is separated from the print data (S12) and stored in a predetermined region of a hard disk (S13). The print data is stored in the hard disk (S14) in correspondence with the related data. Then, printing is executed to print out the print data (S15). When a user requests display of the related data (S16:YES), the related data is displayed on a display (S17). The related data includes related image data and management data. When a user requests printing of the related data (S18:YES), a printer engine prints out the related data (S19). In this way, the user can select desired print data in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Hashimoto, Toru Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20050165694
    Abstract: A setup is provided that enables strict management of licenses, without any incorrect use of license-requiring data if a communications failure should occur, in a configuration in which an image forming device acquires and uses license-requiring data from a server device. The configuration is such that a server device and a printer are connected, together in a mutually communicable manner, and the printer acquires license-requiring data that necessitates a license for use from the server device. If it has been confirmed that the communications state between the server device and the printer has failed, license-requiring data that is stored in a memory is deleted, thus inhibiting the printer, from using that license-requiring data for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20050162691
    Abstract: In an image forming system in which a printing device is communicably connected to a server and a terminal, an automatic determination is performed to determine whether or not print data created by the terminal needs to be stored in a memory for placing the data in a reprintable condition. The print data stored in the memory can be reprinted without need for resending the same print data from the terminal or server to the printing device. The automatic determination is, for example, performed by referring to the header of the print data and determining whether the print data is from the terminal or the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 6281924
    Abstract: Image patterns formed on a sheet of paper changes in correspondence with an input image density. As the input density increases, the image patterns change from the state of FIG. 6(a) through the state of FIG. 6(b)-6(g) to the state of FIG. 6(h). As apparent from the drawings, as the input density increases, the linear patterns will extend in a direction parallel to the sheet conveying direction A. Even when mechanical oscillation occurs in the sheet conveying direction A, no changes in tone will appear. When the input density further increases from the state of FIG. 6(d), the linear patterns will grow both in leftward and rightward directions. Because each dither matrix is elongated in the sheet conveying direction A, the linear patterns will grow in the leftward and rightward directions only after the input density increases to some great value. It is therefore possible to effectively prevent occurrence of jitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 6168327
    Abstract: A printer including a print engine capable of printing images onto both the front surface and the backside surface of each recording paper. The printer operates as described below while counting, with the copy counter, the number of printed copies. The odd-numbered copy is printed on the front surfaces of the papers form the first page to the last page in this order and is discharged facing downwardly. The even-numbered copy is printed on the backside surfaces of the papers from the last page to the first page in this order an discharged facing upwardly. Accordingly, in the printed matter finally stacked on the discharge tray, the printed sheets are stacked so that the surfaces, on which images are printed, are alternated in the respective copies. In each copy, printed sheets are arranged properly from the first page to the last page in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 5257035
    Abstract: A perfecting printer for performing a double-face printing operation of printing images on obverse and reverse faces of at least one sheet on the basis of a series of print data input from an external device and a method for controlling the double-face printing operation of the printer. The perfecting printer includes a page memory having an empty area for storing a series of print data for the obverse and reverse faces of the sheet input from external device, and a control unit for judging as to whether the empty area is no longer available in the page memory while the series of print data are being stored into the page memory and forcibly printing print data for the obverse face of the sheet on the sheet when it is judged that the empty area is no longer available in the page memory and that only the print data for the obverse face of the sheet are completely stored in the page memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Funahashi, Toru Tsuzuki, Masahiro Murakami, Hajime Usami, Kiyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5068805
    Abstract: An image data processor for processing image information representative of images, into bit map data to be used by an output device to output the images with a predetermined output resolution, and storing the bit map data into an empty area of a memory for subsequent use by the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Tsuzuki