Patents by Inventor Toshiro UEDA
Toshiro UEDA 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: 10399333Abstract: An apparatus, for discharging a liquid through a head based on a first discharge instruction, is configured to: update a liquid amount V stored in the memory with a value equivalent to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the first discharge instruction; determine whether the updated liquid amount V is equal to or larger a threshold amount; update the liquid amount V stored in a memory to a predetermined value in response to determining that the updated liquid amount V is equal to or larger than the threshold amount and receiving a second signal from the liquid level sensor; and prohibit the liquid from being discharged through the head in response to determining that the updated liquid amount V is less than the threshold amount and receiving the first signal from the liquid level sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenta Horade, Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
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Publication number: 20190224977Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus to which a cartridge is attachable includes: a tank including a storage chamber and an outlet port; a recording portion including a damper chamber and a recording head; an ink passage; a pump configured to suck fluid in the damper chamber; a first switch; and a controller. After attachment of the cartridge, the controller is configured to perform an initial ink introduction process to supply the ink from the cartridge to the storage chamber. The initial ink introduction process includes: a first suction process to drive the pump for a first period of time in a state where the first switch is in a first state to allow ink in the storage chamber to be sucked toward the damper chamber; and after performing the first suction process, an open process to switch the first switch to a second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiro UEDA
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Publication number: 20190217621Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a first tank; a second tank; a recording portion including a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber; a first switch; a pump; a second switch; and a controller. The first switch is configured to be switched between a first state and a second state. The second switch is configured to be switched between a third state and a fourth state. After attachment of first and second cartridges to the inkjet recording apparatus, the controller performs an initial ink introduction including one of: a first drive process to drive the pump in a state where the first switch is in the first state and the second switch is in the fourth state; and a second drive process to drive the pump in a state where the first switch is in the second state and the second switch is in the third state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiro UEDA
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Publication number: 20190217628Abstract: An apparatus displays an S_Empty informing screen on a display when a count value N reaches a threshold Nth, reads a liquid amount Vc from an IC chip of a cartridge which is installed, calculates an outflow amount Qc of a liquid flowing out from the cartridge to a tank at a period ?t based on the read liquid amount Vc, and erases the S_Empty informing screen from the display when the calculated outflow amount Qc is equal to or larger than a threshold Qth1.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Kenta HORADE, Mikio OGAWA, Toshiro UEDA
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Patent number: 10322587Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a case receiving a cartridge having a first chamber, a tank having a second chamber, a head, and a controller to: calculate outflow amount Qa flowed from the second chamber for a time period ?t based on discharge amount Dh; calculate outflow amount Qc flowed from the first chamber toward the second chamber for the time period ?t based on the outflow amount Qa and flow path resistances; read liquid amounts Vc and Vs of the first and second chambers from a memory; subtract the outflow amount Qc from the read liquid amount Vc to calculate new liquid amount Vc; subtract the outflow amount Qa from the read liquid amount Vs and add the outflow amount Qc to calculate new liquid amount Vs; and store the calculated liquid amounts Vc and Vs in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 10300696Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a case receiving a cartridge, a tank, a head, and a controller to: when the cartridge is installed in the case, calculate an outflow amount Qc based on heights Hc, Hs and flow path resistances; read the amounts Vc, Vs from a memory; subtract the outflow amount Qc from the read liquid amount Vc to calculate new liquid amount Vc; add the outflow amount Qc to the read liquid amount Vs to calculate new liquid amount Vs; store the calculated liquid amounts Vc, Vs in the memory; after a time period from at the time the calculated liquid amounts Vc, Vs stored elapses, again calculate the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and store the calculated liquid amounts Vc, Vs in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Takagi, Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
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Publication number: 20190143677Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: an installation case receiving a cartridge including a first liquid chamber; a tank including a second liquid chamber; and a controller configured to: when the cartridge is installed in the installation case, determine a liquid amount Vs of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber based on an outflow amount of liquid flowed out from the cartridge toward the tank and a discharge liquid amount for performing image recording of unit recording area; when the liquid amount Vs reaches a first threshold, determine a first recording speed as a recording speed; when the liquid amount Vs does not reach the first threshold, determine a second recording speed slower than the first recording speed as the recording speed; and perform the image recording of unit recording area at the determined recording speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Nao MORIMOTO, Mikio OGAWA, Toshiro UEDA
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Patent number: 10279595Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: an installation case receiving a cartridge including a first liquid chamber; a tank including a second liquid chamber; and a controller configured to: when the cartridge is installed in the installation case, determine a liquid amount Vs of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber based on an outflow amount of liquid flowed out from the cartridge toward the tank and a discharge liquid amount for performing image recording of unit recording area; when the liquid amount Vs reaches a first threshold, determine a first recording speed as a recording speed; when the liquid amount Vs does not reach the first threshold, determine a second recording speed slower than the first recording speed as the recording speed; and perform the image recording of unit recording area at the determined recording speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nao Morimoto, Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 10279594Abstract: An apparatus displays an S_Empty informing screen on a display when a count value N reaches a threshold Nth, reads a liquid amount Vc from an IC chip of a cartridge which is installed, calculates an outflow amount Qc of a liquid flowing out from the cartridge to a tank at a period ?t based on the read liquid amount Vc, and erases the S_Empty informing screen from the display when the calculated outflow amount Qc is equal to or larger than a threshold Qth1.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenta Horade, Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
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Publication number: 20190111689Abstract: A discharger is configured to discharge liquid in a liquid channel to outside the liquid channel. The liquid is at least one of first liquid and second liquid different from the first liquid. An agitator is configured to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel. When executed by a processor, instructions cause the processor to perform: an introducing process of, when the second liquid exists in the liquid channel, controlling the discharger to discharge the second liquid to outside the liquid channel and to introduce the first liquid from the tank into the liquid channel; an agitating process of, after the introducing process, controlling the agitator to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel; and a discharging process of, after the agitating process, controlling the discharger to discharge the liquid in the liquid channel agitated by the agitator to outside the liquid channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventor: Toshiro Ueda
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Publication number: 20190105915Abstract: A liquid discharge device is configured to display, on a display, an S_Empty notification screen in a state where a low level signal is not received from a liquid level sensor and a count value SN2 reaches a second threshold value Nth2. The liquid discharge device is configured to erase the S_Empty notification screen in a state where the low level signal is received after receiving a high level signal is received from an installation sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Mikio OGAWA, Toshiro UEDA, Kenta HORADE
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Publication number: 20190105908Abstract: The liquid discharge device determines a signal received from an installation sensor in response to receiving a discharge instruction, and when determined that a high level signal is received, control executing image recording in a first mode in which a waiting time Tw1 is set, and control executing image recording in a second mode in which a waiting time Tw2 is set.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Mikio OGAWA, Toshiro UEDA, Kenta HORADE
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Publication number: 20190105916Abstract: The liquid discharge device starts executing an initial process of discharging the liquid, based on determining that a low level signal is received after receiving a high level signal from an installation sensor and that a low level signal is received after receiving a high level signal from a liquid level sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Toshiro UEDA, Mikio OGAWA, Kenta HORADE
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Publication number: 20190105910Abstract: The liquid discharge device performs a series of process including: controlling a head to discharge ink in response to receiving discharge instruction; calculating a waiting time Tw based on ink discharge amount Dh after completing the discharge of the ink; executes counting process based on a signal received from a liquid level sensor after elapse of the waiting time T2 from the completion of discharging the ink from the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Toshiro UEDA, Mikio OGAWA, Kenta HORADE
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Patent number: 10245837Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus to which a cartridge is attachable includes: a tank including a storage chamber and an outlet port; a recording portion including a damper chamber and a recording head; an ink passage; a pump configured to suck fluid in the damper chamber; a first switch; and a controller. After attachment of the cartridge, the controller is configured to perform an initial ink introduction process to supply the ink from the cartridge to the storage chamber. The initial ink introduction process includes: a first suction process to drive the pump for a first period of time in a state where the first switch is in a first state to allow ink in the storage chamber to be sucked toward the damper chamber; and after performing the first suction process, an open process to switch the first switch to a second state.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiro Ueda
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Publication number: 20190092027Abstract: A waste liquid tank includes a case. The case includes a first accommodating portion having an inlet and a first communication opening, a second accommodating portion having a second communication opening and a connecting portion connecting the first communication opening and the second communication opening, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the first accommodating portion and is less than a cross-sectional of the second accommodating portion. The waste liquid tank includes a first absorber accommodated in the first accommodating portion, a second absorber accommodated in the second accommodating portion and a third absorber accommodated in the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a passage defined between the third absorber and a peripheral portion of the connecting portion, the passage allowing the first accommodating portion to communicate with the second accommodating portion and for air to pass therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventor: Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 10239320Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a first tank; a second tank; a recording portion including a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber; a first switch; a pump; a second switch; and a controller. The first switch is configured to be switched between a first state and a second state. The second switch is configured to be switched between a third state and a fourth state. After attachment of first and second cartridges to the inkjet recording apparatus, the controller performs an initial ink introduction including one of: a first drive process to drive the pump in a state where the first switch is in the first state and the second switch is in the fourth state; and a second drive process to drive the pump in a state where the first switch is in the second state and the second switch is in the third state.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 10179457Abstract: A waste liquid tank includes a case. The case includes a first accommodating portion having an inlet and a first communication opening, a second accommodating portion having a second communication opening and a connecting portion connecting the first communication opening and the second communication opening, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the first accommodating portion and is less than a cross-sectional of the second accommodating portion. The waste liquid tank includes a first absorber accommodated in the first accommodating portion, a second absorber accommodated in the second accommodating portion and a third absorber accommodated in the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a passage defined between the third absorber and a peripheral portion of the connecting portion, the passage allowing the first accommodating portion to communicate with the second accommodating portion and for air to pass therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 10118395Abstract: A discharger is configured to discharge liquid in a liquid channel to outside the liquid channel. The liquid is at least one of first liquid and second liquid different from the first liquid. An agitator is configured to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel. When executed by a processor, instructions cause the processor to perform: an introducing process of, when the second liquid exists in the liquid channel, controlling the discharger to discharge the second liquid to outside the liquid channel and to introduce the first liquid from the tank into the liquid channel; an agitating process of, after the introducing process, controlling the agitator to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel; and a discharging process of, after the agitating process, controlling the discharger to discharge the liquid in the liquid channel agitated by the agitator to outside the liquid channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 10112398Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus including: a liquid jet head, a receiving portion, a tube pump, and a controller. The controller carries out a process of acquiring present positional information of a pressing body inside the tube pump and a simultaneous process which simultaneously performs a flushing process and a discharge process and, as the flushing process, carries out a process of selectively performing either an ordinary flushing process or a restrained flushing process. In the simultaneous process, the controller carries out either the ordinary flushing process when the pressing body is not positioned to press an overlapped portion of a tube or the restrained flushing process when the pressing body is positioned to press the overlapped portion of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shotaro Iida, Toshiro Ueda