Patents by Inventor Yasunari Yoshida

Yasunari Yoshida 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: 12168357
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a head having nozzles; a conveyer; and a controller. The controller is configured to carry out a conveyance process of conveying a recording medium in a conveyance direction, and a discharge process of discharging a liquid from the nozzles to the recording medium. The discharge process includes a plurality of discharge steps carried out to a unit area of the recording medium based on data obtained by decomposing an image data into complementary patterns. In at least one of the discharge steps corresponding to the unit area, a function of a discharge duty of the nozzles has an ascending portion or a descending portion. The controller is configured to carry out before the discharge process: a detection process of detecting a defect nozzle in the nozzles; and in a case that the defect nozzle is detected, a change process of changing the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 12022045
    Abstract: An image processing device obtains input image data representing an input gradation value for each of multiple pixels, and generates output image data representing a dot formation state for each of the multiple pixels by executing a halftone process with respect to the input image data. The halftone process includes a state selecting process selecting, from among Q+1 dot states, the dot formation state of a pixel of interest among the multiple pixels, the Q being an integer of 2 or more. The Q+1 dot states include a non-dot state Q with-dot states. The state selecting process includes a threshold determining process of determining Q threshold values to be associated with the Q with-dot states. The threshold determining process determines the Q threshold values using multiple parameters including the input gradation values of the pixel of interest and Q reference gradation values to be associated with the Q with-dot states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20240114104
    Abstract: An image processing device obtains input image data representing an input gradation value for each of multiple pixels, and generates output image data representing a dot formation state for each of the multiple pixels by executing a halftone process with respect to the input image data. The halftone process includes a state selecting process selecting, from among Q+1 dot states, the dot formation state of a pixel of interest among the multiple pixels, the Q being an integer of 2 or more. The Q+1 dot states include a non-dot state Q with-dot states. The state selecting process includes a threshold determining process of determining Q threshold values to be associated with the Q with-dot states. The threshold determining process determines the Q threshold values using multiple parameters including the input gradation values of the pixel of interest and Q reference gradation values to be associated with the Q with-dot states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventor: Yasunari YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20230202194
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a head having nozzles; a conveyer; and a controller. The controller is configured to carry out a conveyance process of conveying a recording medium in a conveyance direction, and a discharge process of discharging a liquid from the nozzles to the recording medium. The discharge process includes a plurality of discharge steps carried out to a unit area of the recording medium based on data obtained by decomposing an image data into complementary patterns. In at least one of the discharge steps corresponding to the unit area, a function of a discharge duty of the nozzles has an ascending portion or a descending portion. The controller is configured to carry out before the discharge process: a detection process of detecting a defect nozzle in the nozzles; and in a case that the defect nozzle is detected, a change process of changing the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Yasunari YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 11272076
    Abstract: Color conversion information is used for carrying out a color conversion process to generate a converted image data. The color conversion information is configured as follows. Within a range from a predetermined first reference color value to a black input color value on a specific line, the closer to the black input color value a noticed input color value is, the larger a first output component value becomes. Within a first dark range, the closer to the black input color value the noticed input color value is, the smaller a second output component value becomes. Within a first light range, the closer to the black input color value the noticed input color value is, the larger the second output component value becomes. Within a first intermediate range, the second output component value is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Ueda, Yasunari Yoshida, Tomoya Kondo
  • Patent number: 11178310
    Abstract: In a data generating apparatus, a processor acquires offset information indicating a deviation in a colorant usage used by a specific print execution unit from a standard amount of usage. The standard amount of usage is a standard quantity concerning colorant used by print execution units. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a first patch image and generates first control data using first read data based on the first patch image. The processor generates corrected first control data using the offset information. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a second patch image using the corrected first control data and generates second control data using second read data based on the second patch image. The first and second control data is for common use in the printing processes performed on the print execution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20210248434
    Abstract: Color conversion information is used for carrying out a color conversion process to generate a converted image data. The color conversion information is configured as follows. Within a range from a predetermined first reference color value to a black input color value on a specific line, the closer to the black input color value a noticed input color value is, the larger a first output component value becomes. Within a first dark range, the closer to the black input color value the noticed input color value is, the smaller a second output component value becomes. Within a first light range, the closer to the black input color value the noticed input color value is, the larger the second output component value becomes. Within a first intermediate range, the second output component value is constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Masashi UEDA, Yasunari YOSHIDA, Tomoya KONDO
  • Publication number: 20200304687
    Abstract: In a data generating apparatus, a processor acquires offset information indicating a deviation in a colorant usage used by a specific print execution unit from a standard amount of usage. The standard amount of usage is a standard quantity concerning colorant used by print execution units. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a first patch image and generates first control data using first read data based on the first patch image. The processor generates corrected first control data using the offset information. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a second patch image using the corrected first control data and generates second control data using second read data based on the second patch image. The first and second control data is for common use in the printing processes performed on the print execution units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Yasunari YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 10715701
    Abstract: In a data generating apparatus, a processor acquires offset information indicating a deviation in a colorant usage used by a specific print execution unit from a standard amount of usage. The standard amount of usage is a standard quantity concerning colorant used by print execution units. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a first patch image and generates first control data using first read data based on the first patch image. The processor generates corrected first control data using the offset information. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a second patch image using the corrected first control data and generates second control data using second read data based on the second patch image. The first and second control data is for common use in the printing processes performed on the print execution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10507673
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs executable by a controller that causes a print execution device to execute printing is provided. The print execution device includes: a print head provided with nozzles aligned in a sub scanning direction; a holding member which holds a part of a printing medium conveyed in the sub scanning direction; and a head driving device which causes the print head to execute a main scanning operation. The programs cause the controller to execute: a first acquiring process for acquiring first object data which represents a first object image to be printed on a first sticky note; a generating process for generating printing data for the print execution device to execute the printing of the first object image on the first sticky note by utilizing the first object data; and a supply process for supplying the printing data to the print execution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10384465
    Abstract: When a corrected pixel value of a target pixel is within a first range and the target pixel is not a prohibited pixel, a first value indicating formation of a dot of a first type having a minimum size is determined as a pixel value of a print pixel corresponding to the target pixel. When the corrected pixel value is within a second range different from the first range and the target pixel is not the prohibited pixel, a second value indicating formation of a dot of a second type having a size greater than the dot of the first type is determined as the pixel value of the print pixel. When the corrected pixel value is within the first range and the target pixel is the prohibited pixel, a non-formation value indicating formation of no dots is determined as the pixel value of the print pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20190098177
    Abstract: In a data generating apparatus, a processor acquires offset information indicating a deviation in a colorant usage used by a specific print execution unit from a standard amount of usage. The standard amount of usage is a standard quantity concerning colorant used by print execution units. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a first patch image and generates first control data using first read data based on the first patch image. The processor generates corrected first control data using the offset information. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a second patch image using the corrected first control data and generates second control data using second read data based on the second patch image. The first and second control data is for common use in the printing processes performed on the print execution units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Yasunari YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 10205850
    Abstract: An image processor sets the dot value to a value for forming a dot in a case where the dot forming condition is satisfied; sets the dot value to a value for forming no dot in a case where the dot forming condition is not satisfied and the target pixel is not the edge pixel; sets the dot value to a value for forming a dot in a case where the dot forming condition is not satisfied and a particular condition is satisfied; and sets a distribution error value to a smaller value than another error value in a case where the dot forming condition is not satisfied and the particular condition is satisfied and thereby the dot value is set to the value for forming a dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10189282
    Abstract: A printer performs a multi-pass printing including: (a) pass process executed with Ka number of nozzles; (c1) pass process executed with Kc1 number of nozzles; (c2) pass process executed with Kc2 number of nozzles; and (b) pass process executed with Kb number of nozzles. Kc1 and Kc2 are greater than or equal to Kb and smaller than Ka. An upstream gradient of dot recording rates of (c1) pass process is greater than a gradient of (a) pass process. A downstream gradient of (c1) pass process is the same as the gradient of (a) pass process. An upstream gradient of (c2)-pass process is the same as a gradient of (b) pass process. A downstream gradient of (c2)-pass process is greater than the gradient of the (a) pass process. Kc1 is greater than Kc2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10144214
    Abstract: In a control device, a controller is configured to perform: acquiring target image data; and controlling a printer to execute a first forming process forming dots on a first scanning range and a second forming process forming dots on a second scanning range. The first scanning range overlaps the second scanning range at an overlapping area. The overlapping area includes a first position corresponding to a first pixel and a second position corresponding to a second pixel. In a case where both a first pixel value and a second pixel value indicate forming a dot and the target image data satisfies a condition requiring that density in a region including the first pixel is equal to or more than a reference, the first forming process forms a dot at the first position and the second forming process forms a dot at both the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10137681
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a controller generates print data using target image data. The print data represents dot formation states classified for respective pixels. Each dot formation state is classified into a one of a plurality of dot types. The controller determines a dot type from a plurality of dot types including a first type dot and second type dot. The first type dot is formed by a first process for supplying a pressure applying section with a specific signal. The second type dot is formed by a second process that is not for supplying the pressure applying section with the specific signal. The first type dot is to be formed in an edge printing area. The first type dot is not to be formed but the second type dot is to be formed in an interior printing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10136028
    Abstract: In an error diffusion process, a control device determines a dot value of a target pixel by using a gradation value of the target pixel, and an error value. The control device determines distribution error value by comparing a gradation dependent value with a first evaluated density value indicating a density of a first dot. The control device determines the distribution error value by using the first evaluated density value when the dot value of the target pixel indicates formation of the first dot and when the gradation dependent value is smaller than or equal to the first evaluated density value. The control device determines the distribution error value by using a modified evaluated density value greater than the first evaluated density value when the dot value indicates formation of the first dot and when the gradation dependent value is greater than the first evaluated density value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10124601
    Abstract: An image processor performs: determining a dot value indicating a dot formation state, the determining including: in a case where a target pixel is not an edge pixel and a first dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the dot value to a value indicating forming a first dot; and in a case where a second dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the dot value to a value indicating forming a second dot; determining a distribution error value, the determining including: in the case where the target pixel is not the edge pixel and the first dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the distribution error value to a value corresponding to a density of the first dot; and in the case where the second dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the distribution error value to a smaller value than a value corresponding to a density of the second dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20180250953
    Abstract: When a corrected pixel value of a target pixel is within a first range and the target pixel is not a prohibited pixel, a first value indicating formation of a dot of a first type having a minimum size is determined as a pixel value of a print pixel corresponding to the target pixel. When the corrected pixel value is within a second range different from the first range and the target pixel is not the prohibited pixel, a second value indicating formation of a dot of a second type having a size greater than the dot of the first type is determined as the pixel value of the print pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventor: Yasunari YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180170072
    Abstract: A printer performs a multi-pass printing including: (a) pass process executed with Ka number of nozzles; (c1) pass process executed with Kc1 number of nozzles; (c2) pass process executed with Kc2 number of nozzles; and (b) pass process executed with Kb number of nozzles. Kc1 and Kc2 are greater than or equal to Kb and smaller than Ka. An upstream gradient of dot recording rates of (c1) pass process is greater than a gradient of (a) pass process. A downstream gradient of (c1) pass process is the same as the gradient of (a) pass process. An upstream gradient of (c2)-pass process is the same as a gradient of (b) pass process. A downstream gradient of (c2)-pass process is greater than the gradient of the (a) pass process. Kc1 is greater than Kc2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida