Patents by Inventor Yasuo Nishikawa

Yasuo Nishikawa 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: 10661385
    Abstract: A laser machining apparatus includes: a laser beam emission device; a visible laser beam emission device; a scanner; and a controller. The controller is configured to perform: generating machining data including coordinate data representing a machining pattern to be machined on a workpiece; machining the workpiece with a laser beam according to the machining data by controlling the laser beam emission device and the scanner; generating, in response to receiving a resuming command after the machining has been halted at a stopping position, a guide pattern based on a stopping point coordinate and the machining data, the guide pattern being used for resuming the machining from the stopping position, the stopping point coordinate indicating the stopping position and being determined by the coordinate data; and projecting the guide pattern onto the workpiece with a visible laser beam by controlling the visible laser beam emission device and the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 10576579
    Abstract: In a laser machining apparatus, a scanner is configured to scan a laser beam emitted from a laser beam emission device. A first part of a workpiece is exposed through an opening formed in the workpiece. A controller is configured to perform: acquiring shape data indicative of a shape of the workpiece; acquiring machining pattern data indicative of a machining pattern to be machined on the first part; acquiring a length of the machining pattern based on the machining pattern data; calculating an unmachinable position on a setting surface using the length and the shape data, the unmachinable position resulting from a second part of the workpiece hindering the laser beam reaching the first part, at least a part of the machining pattern being unmachinable on the first part in a state where the workpiece is set on the unmachinable position; and displaying the unmachinable position on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 10384452
    Abstract: A first waste liquid reservoir disposed in a housing of a liquid ejection apparatus includes a first container, and a first retainer disposed in the first container to retain the liquid conveyed through a passage member. A second waste liquid reservoir disposed in the housing includes a second container, and a second retainer disposed in the second container so as to be in contact with the first retainer. The second retainer retains the liquid conveyed through the passage member. The second waste liquid reservoir is movable in a first direction, and one of the first waste liquid reservoir and the second waste liquid reservoir is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. At least one of the first retainer and the second retainer protrudes in the second direction from corresponding at least one of the first container and the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20190126396
    Abstract: A laser machining apparatus includes: a laser beam emission device; a visible laser beam emission device; a scanner; and a controller. The controller is configured to perform: generating machining data including coordinate data representing a machining pattern to be machined on a workpiece; machining the workpiece with a laser beam according to the machining data by controlling the laser beam emission device and the scanner; generating, in response to receiving a resuming command after the machining has been halted at a stopping position, a guide pattern based on a stopping point coordinate and the machining data, the guide pattern being used for resuming the machining from the stopping position, the stopping point coordinate indicating the stopping position and being determined by the coordinate data; and projecting the guide pattern onto the workpiece with a visible laser beam by controlling the visible laser beam emission device and the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Yasuo NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KUSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 10259240
    Abstract: A sheet tray includes: a tray body; first and second guides slidable on the tray body and contactable with a sheet; an interlocking mechanism; and a plate including first and second plate engaging portions. The first guide includes a first guide engagement portion and a first operation portion. The second guide includes a second guide engagement portion and a second operation portion. When the first operation portion and the second operation portion are located at non-operated positions, the plate is located at a first position where the first and second plate engaging portions are respectively engaged with the first and second guide engagement portions. When the first operation portion and/or the second operation portion is located at an operated position, the plate is located at a second position where the first and second plate engaging portions are respectively spaced apart from the first and second guide engagement portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadanobu Chikamoto, Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10212296
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushikia Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20190022794
    Abstract: In a laser machining apparatus, a scanner is configured to scan a laser beam emitted from a laser beam emission device. A first part of a workpiece is exposed through an opening formed in the workpiece. A controller is configured to perform: acquiring shape data indicative of a shape of the workpiece; acquiring machining pattern data indicative of a machining pattern to be machined on the first part; acquiring a length of the machining pattern based on the machining pattern data; calculating an unmachinable position on a setting surface using the length and the shape data, the unmachinable position resulting from a second part of the workpiece hindering the laser beam reaching the first part, at least a part of the machining pattern being unmachinable on the first part in a state where the workpiece is set on the unmachinable position; and displaying the unmachinable position on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Yasuo NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KUSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 10124596
    Abstract: A supply apparatus includes a tank having a front wall, and an inlet via which liquid is poured into the tank; and a cover covering a part of the tank including the front wall, and being formed with an opening to partially expose the front wall of the tank. When the supply apparatus is viewed from the front wall side of the tank, the inlet of the tank and the opening of the cover are arranged to align in an up/down direction. The cover has a first liquid flow channel formed at a periphery of the opening in an inner surface facing the front wall of the tank, and the first liquid flow channel is arranged between the inlet and the opening in the up/down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masako Kawagoe, Yasuo Nishikawa, Yoshinori Osakabe, Taichi Shirono
  • Publication number: 20180297147
    Abstract: A laser machining apparatus includes: a laser beam emission device; a guide beam emission device; a scanner; a processor; and a memory. The memory stores a set of computer-readable instructions therein. The set of computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the laser machining apparatus to perform: acquiring workpiece contour information specifying a contour of the workpiece; extracting a plurality of feature points from the workpiece contour information, each of the plurality of feature points being on the contour of the workpiece; generating a guide pattern indicating a setup position of the workpiece according to the plurality of feature points; and drawing the guide pattern with the guide beam by controlling the guide beam emission device and the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Yasuo NISHIKAWA, Koki FURUKAWA
  • Patent number: 10093101
    Abstract: A liquid consuming apparatus includes: a liquid consumer that consumes liquid; a liquid receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid consumer; a first waste-liquid storage connected to the liquid receiver so as to allow communication of the liquid therebetween; a second waste-liquid storage connected to the first waste-liquid storage so as to allow communication of the liquid therebetween; a housing; and a sheet tray supported by the housing. The first waste-liquid storage is disposed on a side of the sheet tray. The second waste-liquid storage is disposed under the sheet tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20180227447
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Yasuo NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180201036
    Abstract: A sheet tray includes: a tray body; first and second guides slidable on the tray body and contactable with a sheet; an interlocking mechanism; and a plate including first and second plate engaging portions. The first guide includes a first guide engagement portion and a first operation portion. The second guide includes a second guide engagement portion and a second operation portion. When the first operation portion and the second operation portion are located at non-operated positions, the plate is located at a first position where the first and second plate engaging portions are respectively engaged with the first and second guide engagement portions. When the first operation portion and/or the second operation portion is located at an operated position, the plate is located at a second position where the first and second plate engaging portions are respectively spaced apart from the first and second guide engagement portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadanobu CHIKAMOTO, Yasuo NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180178519
    Abstract: A first waste liquid reservoir disposed in a housing of a liquid ejection apparatus includes a first container, and a first retainer disposed in the first container to retain the liquid conveyed through a passage member. A second waste liquid reservoir disposed in the housing includes a second container, and a second retainer disposed in the second container so as to be in contact with the first retainer. The second retainer retains the liquid conveyed through the passage member. The second waste liquid reservoir is movable in a first direction, and one of the first waste liquid reservoir and the second waste liquid reservoir is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. At least one of the first retainer and the second retainer protrudes in the second direction from corresponding at least one of the first container and the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 9969172
    Abstract: A liquid consuming apparatus includes: a liquid consumer; a liquid receiver; a first waste-liquid storage including (i) a first housing connected to the liquid receiver to allow liquid communication between the first housing and the liquid receiver, and (ii) a first liquid absorber disposed in the first housing; and a second waste-liquid storage including (a) a second housing connected to the first waste-liquid storage to allow liquid communication between the second housing and the first waste-liquid storage, and (b) a second liquid absorber disposed in the second housing. The first housing has a first opening that opens toward the second housing. The second housing has a second opening that opens toward the first housing. The first liquid absorber protrudes from the first opening to an outside of the first housing. The second liquid absorber is in contact with the first liquid absorber protruding from the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishikawa, Toshiro Ueda, Yuya Tatematsu, Hideo Fukue
  • Publication number: 20180111382
    Abstract: A supply apparatus includes a tank having a front wall, and an inlet via which liquid is poured into the tank; and a cover covering a part of the tank including the front wall, and being formed with an opening to partially expose the front wall of the tank. When the supply apparatus is viewed from the front wall side of the tank, the inlet of the tank and the opening of the cover are arranged to align in an up/down direction. The cover has a first liquid flow channel formed at a periphery of the opening in an inner surface facing the front wall of the tank, and the first liquid flow channel is arranged between the inlet and the opening in the up/down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masako KAWAGOE, Yasuo NISHIKAWA, Yoshinori OSAKABE, Taichi SHIRONO
  • Patent number: 9942428
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20180021886
    Abstract: In a laser machining apparatus, an optical member converges a laser beam for machining a workpiece disposed on a mounting surface perpendicular to a first direction and maintains a focal point of the converged laser beam in a focal plane located at a focal position in the first direction. A visible light irradiating device irradiates a visible light in the first direction, thereby projecting a focus target on the workpiece. A pointer beam emitting device emits a pointer beam toward the mounting surface at a prescribed inclination angle. A controller is configured to perform: modifying a positional relationship between the focus target and the pointer beam in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to position information related to a projecting position of one of the focus target and the pointer beam in the first direction; and projecting the focus target and the pointer beam onto the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kousuke USHIRODA, Yasuo NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20170289374
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Yasuo NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 9692920
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20170120605
    Abstract: A liquid consuming apparatus includes: a liquid consumer that consumes liquid; a liquid receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid consumer; a first waste-liquid storage connected to the liquid receiver so as to allow communication of the liquid therebetween; a second waste-liquid storage connected to the first waste-liquid storage so as to allow communication of the liquid therebetween; a housing; and a sheet tray supported by the housing. The first waste-liquid storage is disposed on a side of the sheet tray. The second waste-liquid storage is disposed under the sheet tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo NISHIKAWA