Tab Or Strip Patents (Class 270/58.32)
  • Patent number: 10471764
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a control unit and an attaching unit. The control unit determines a position along a surface of a sheet adjacent to an edge portion thereof, where a tag including a binding section for binding the sheet is to be attached. The attaching unit has a carrier for the tag and is moved to attach the tag to the position on the surface of the sheet determined by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Yokochi
  • Patent number: 8899573
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of trays to store an index sheet provided with a tab at a predetermined position of the index sheet, a setting section to set first information concerning the index sheet stored in the tray for each of the plurality of trays, a receiving section to receive second information concerning an insertion of the index sheet in a job, and a controller to control an execution of the job and an operation of feeding the index sheet. The controller automatically selects the tray in the execution of the job based on the first information and the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Kamata
  • Patent number: 8764007
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device that makes it possible to perform printing at high speed with high accuracy by easily correcting skew of a sheet, such as an index tab sheet, without requiring troublesome operations. Sheet detection sensors for detecting a sheet and skew correction rollers for conveying the sheet are disposed in a direction crosswise to a conveying direction of the sheet. A skew correction drive controller measures a leading edge detection time between respective detections of a leading edge of the sheet by the sensors, and controls the conveying speeds of the skew correction rollers independently of each other such that a skew represented by the leading edge detection time is corrected. If the leading edge detection time is not smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the skew correction drive controller reduces a skew correction amount for correcting the skew by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Saito
  • Patent number: 8737902
    Abstract: A printing apparatus to attach at least one tab sheet to a print document discharged by performing a print job may include a specifying unit and a control unit. N is integer of 2 or more and N tab sheets constitute one set of tab sheets. The specifying unit specifies a number M (M is an integer of 1 or more) of the tab sheet specified to be attached to the print document corresponding to one print document set in the print job. The control unit performs control so as to discharge a surplus tab sheet of a number corresponding to a difference between the N and the M after discharging an M-th tab sheet and before discharging a remaining print document to be discharged by performing the print job, during printing of the print document corresponding to the one print document set in the print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroya Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8511665
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing tray configured to stack a sheet to be processed, a sheet overlap unit configured to allow a sheet fed while the sheet to be processed is stacked on the processing tray, to be overlaid and made to wait, first and second bundle conveyance rollers configured to convey the sheet to the processing tray from the sheet overlap unit, and a sheet processing apparatus control unit configured to control an overlap operation in the sheet overlap unit, wherein the sheet processing apparatus control unit determines, based on sheet information relating to the sheet fed to the sheet overlap unit, whether a sheet to be then fed is overlaid on the sheet fed to the sheet overlap unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Iwata, Yusuke Obuchi, Hideki Kushida, Rikiya Takemasa
  • Patent number: 8469349
    Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus which inserts a second sheet fed from a second sheet feeding unit into a plurality of first sheets that are fed from a first sheet feeding unit and discharged to a sheet stacking unit after an image is formed. The method includes setting a number of a plurality of sheets to be fed from the second sheet feeding unit as one set of second sheets, outputting the second sheets to the sheet stacking unit, receiving a confirmation request of the second sheets, and performing control to output a predetermined number of second sheets which corresponds to the set number from the second sheet feeding unit, when the confirmation request is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 8448932
    Abstract: Tab positions of tab sheets that are inserted between printed pages while a print job is performed are determined to be correct or incorrect using a control method for controlling an inspection apparatus which is connectable to a printing apparatus. The method includes reading tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus, detecting positions of tabs of the tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus according to the reading result, and determining whether each of the detected positions is correct or incorrect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kubota
  • Patent number: 8366094
    Abstract: A method of preparing batches of mailpieces using an envelope-stuffing machine. The method includes printing documents with each page bearing a first marking for causing the related document to be inserted into an envelope, and printing separator sheets each bearing a second marking for causing it to be folded into a predetermined particular geometrical shape; folding the documents and inserting them into empty envelopes having a common format; folding the separator sheets; and ejecting closed envelopes and the separator sheets folded into the predetermined particular geometrical shape. On being ejected by the envelope-stuffing machine, the separator sheets are interposed automatically between the closed envelopes as a function of the batches to be prepared, and the predetermined particular geometrical shape resulting in the separator sheets projecting from the predetermined common format of the envelopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Neopost Technologies, Neopost Software & Integrated Solution
    Inventor: François Arnoux
  • Patent number: 8317184
    Abstract: A printing apparatus has a sheet path and is adapted to produce print job sheets and dividing sheets. The apparatus includes a printing unit for printing the print job sheets. A first device in the sheet path downstream of the printing unit generates dividing sheets. The device includes a deforming unit with a stamp for punching and deforming a partial area of a dividing sheet so that a hook-shaped deformation is imparted in the dividing sheet. An output tray is arranged in the sheet path downstream of the first device and includes an inclined support for receiving the print job sheets and the dividing sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Soenke Christian Bluethgen
  • Patent number: 8292285
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of maintaining alignment of sheets of a sheet bundle on a processing tray even in a job uses sheets including particular sheets. In the sheet processing apparatus (finisher), a sheet conveyed along a conveying path is retained in a buffer path. The sheet and the following sheet are stacked on a processing tray in a state superposed with a shift in a conveying direction. A finisher controller determines in advance, before a conveyed sheet reaches the buffer path, whether or not the sheet is a particular sheet having a protrusion. When the sheet retained in the buffer path and the following sheet are to be superposed one upon the other, the amount of the shift between the sheets in the conveying direction is controlled according to a result of the determination by the finisher controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Toshiyuki Miyake, Mitsuhiko Sato, Yutaka Ando
  • Patent number: 8284439
    Abstract: An image forming method for printing on tab paper with a main body for a text and an tab for an index, comprising the steps of: 1) acquiring index information on the index to be printed on the tab, and 2) printing the index information acquired in the step 1) on the tab paper, wherein first index information composed of the initial part of the index information that can fit into the tab, is printed on the tab, and second index information containing at least the remaining part of the index information after depriving it of the first index information, is printed on the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 8205868
    Abstract: Tab positions of tab sheets that are inserted between printed pages while a print job is performed are determined to be correct or incorrect using a control method for controlling an inspection apparatus which is connectable to a printing apparatus. The method includes reading tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus, detecting positions of tabs of the tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus according to the reading result, and determining whether each of the detected positions is correct or incorrect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kubota
  • Patent number: 8191886
    Abstract: A method for dividing print jobs in an output tray of a printing machine includes outputting print job sheets of a print job onto an inclined support of the output tray, so that the print job sheets slide against an abutment to form a stack. A dividing sheet is produced, and a hook-shaped deformation is imparted in the dividing sheet. The dividing sheet is outputted onto the stack formed by the print job sheets on the output tray so that the dividing sheet slides in the direction of the abutment and the deformation becomes propped up against the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Soenke Christian Bluethgen
  • Patent number: 8152154
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nakagawa, Tamotsu Sakuraba, Toshimi Shinchi, Yukihiko Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8152153
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stacker, method of stacking sheets such as tags, and a stack of sheets. The stacker and the stacking method produces a stack of sheets, wherein same-size sheets are stacked so that the endmost sheet or sheets in one batch are offset or staggered to provide batch separators in a stack of sheets. The stacker includes an improved sheet feed mechanism that enables sheets having different characteristics to be fed without disassembling any portion of the mechanism or the stacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond A. Blanchard, Jr., Donald A. Campbell, Richard E. Roberts, Donald J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20120038097
    Abstract: A method for dividing print jobs in an output tray of a printing machine includes outputting print job sheets of a print job onto an inclined support of the output tray, so that the print job sheets slide against an abutment to form a stack. A dividing sheet is produced, and a hook-shaped deformation is imparted in the dividing sheet. The dividing sheet is outputted onto the stack formed by the print job sheets on the output tray so that the dividing sheet slides in the direction of the abutment and the deformation becomes propped up against the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Soenke Christian Bluethgen
  • Patent number: 8100394
    Abstract: A marking ribbon (2) is affixed to a book block (3) in that a partial book block (10; 10.1 . . . 3) with at least one sheet (8.3) has the marking ribbon (2) is placed on the top sheet (8.3) before at least one other sheet (8.4) is deposited on the partial book block (10; 10.1 . . . 3) with the marking ribbon (2) placed thereon during the additional gathering. The gathered book block (12) with the marking ribbon (2) is subsequently bound and trimmed on three sides at the non-bound edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ansgar Rohe-Krebeck
  • Patent number: 8100392
    Abstract: The printer as an image forming apparatus supplies a plurality of types of tab sheet, and distinguishably discharges the tab sheets that became no longer necessary according to the type of tab sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshimi Shinchi, Tamotsu Sakuraba
  • Publication number: 20110266740
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nakagawa, Tamotsu Sakuraba, Toshimi Shinchi, Yukihiko Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8002258
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nakagawa, Tamotsu Sakuraba, Toshimi Shinchi, Yukihiko Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7980545
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet, includes a sheet inserting unit configured to insert one or more of a first insertion sheet and a second insertion sheet at one or more predetermined insertion positions in a plurality of sheets, in a case where the plurality of sheets are output by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus also includes a control unit configured to control the sheet inserting unit to prevent the sheet inserting unit from inserting both the first insertion sheet and the second insertion sheet at the same predetermined insertion position in the plurality of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yokomizo
  • Patent number: 7946570
    Abstract: A printer as an image forming apparatus controls to discharge the tab sheets that became no longer necessary when the type of tab sheets supplied is changed. Thus, the printer controls to discharge the tab sheets that became no longer necessary while printing a unit number of copies for a printing job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshimi Shinchi, Tamotsu Sakuraba
  • Patent number: 7855800
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided wherein a printer used with a host device is operated to generate print batch separator pages using the same blank sheets as are used to print respective pages of successive print jobs. The printer is directed to print a visually distinctive graphic indicator, such as a separator border, trim, header, visible banner or other visual indicator or markings. This eliminates the need for an additional printer separator page tray. Usefully, a host device is operated to generate a separator command in a specified PDL language. A printer control device receives the page separator PDL command, and software contained in the printer control converts the PDL command into a printer readable format (PRF). A printer component responsive to the PRF command then operates the printer to print the specified separator page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randolph Michael Forlenza, John Paul Kaemmerer
  • Publication number: 20100019436
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nakagawa, Tamotsu Sakuraba, Toshimi Shinchi, Yukihiko Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20080197556
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tab sheet supply unit and a control unit. The tab sheet supply unit supplies tab sheets of an identical type from an identical sheet supply tray as a chapter tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a first level of classification of a document to be printed, as well as a section tab sheet to be inserted at a breakpoint of a second level that is a finer level of classification than the first level of classification. The control unit causes the tab sheet contained in the sheet supply tray to be discharged as an unnecessary tab sheet, if the tab position of the tab sheet to be supplied next from the sheet supply tray does not match with the tab position of the tab sheet to be inserted next during the printing of the document, until both of the tab positions match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nakagawa, Tamotsu Sakuraba, Toshimi Shinchi, Yukihiko Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7213807
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stacker, method of stacking sheets such as tags, and a stack of sheets. The stacker and the stacking method produces a stack of sheets, wherein same-size sheets are stacked so that the endmost sheet or sheets in one batch are offset or staggered to provide batch separators in a stack of sheets. The stacker includes an improved sheet feed mechanism that enables sheets having different characteristics to be fed without disassembling any portion of the mechanism or the stacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Paxar Americase, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Blanchard, Jr., Donald A. Campbell, Richard E. Roberts, Donald J. Ward
  • Patent number: 6969092
    Abstract: A file folder blank can be folded to form a file folder. The file folder blank is designed for single side printing. The file folder blank can be folded to reveal printed indicia to two directions of a single panel. The printed indicia can be printed by a standard desktop type of printer. The printed indicia can include graphics, location indicator, content indicators, pictures, graphs or the like. In addition, top taps or side tabs are integrally formed with the file folder blank that can be printed with identifying indicia. In some applications, the identifying indicia comprises a repeating set of color bars that can be individualized during printing of the folder blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steve C. MacWilliams, John A. Calkins
  • Patent number: 6829320
    Abstract: Apparatus for counting sheets in stack (17) thereof and inserting tabs (27) between the sheets at predetermined counts, as well as a tabbing method, uses a rotatable counting disc (10) engageable with an edge region of the stack and including a sheet transfer slot (12) to transfer the next sheet to be counted from one face of the disc to the opposed face, upon rotation of the disc. There are means (30) to count the number of sheets transferred and also to advance the disc relative to the stack, as the counting progresses. A tabber (31) is arranged to insert a tab (27) between two sheets of the stack (17) when a predetermined sheet count has been achieved, which tabber (31) projects a tab in a generally radially outward direction with respect to the disc (10), immediately adjacent one face (13) of the disc and in a timed relationship to the rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Vacuumatic Limited
    Inventor: Edward Colvill
  • Patent number: 6729376
    Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus which easily sorts sheets into groups, and makes these groups readily distinguishable on a single output tray. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus located at the sheet outlet location of an image processing device, the sheet sorting apparatus including a marker attaching mechanism for attaching markers at a certain position on the output sheets. The marker attaching mechanism includes a tape feeding device in which the tape has an adhesive surface along one side edge, a cutter for making a marker by cutting the tape at a preset length, guides for positioning the marker in the proper location on the output sheet, a marker attaching roller, and a feeder for feeding the sheet and marker together. The feeder presses the marker against the sheet to attach it. The advantages of the invention include the markers for separating the groups being attached to the sheets, so they will not fall out if the sheets are removed from the output tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kakinuma, Akihiro Kamei, Kazuhiko Hanaki, Koichi Ohmae, Norihito Ozeki, Tetsunobu Shibata
  • Patent number: 6581971
    Abstract: A file folder blank can be folded to form a file folder. The file folder blank is designed for single side printing. The file folder blank can be folded to reveal printed indicia to two directions of a single panel. The printed indicia can be printed by a standard desktop type of printer. The printed indicia can include graphics, location indicator, content indicators, pictures, graphs or the like. In addition, top taps or side tabs are integrally formed with the file folder blank that can be printed with identifying indicia. In some applications, the identifying indicia comprises a repeating set of color bars that can be individualized during printing of the folder blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Steve C. MacWilliams
  • Patent number: 6203001
    Abstract: The sheets (18) output from an office machine (10) are deposited in stacked form in a sheet depository (16). Combined with the sheet depository (16) is a tray or container (22) in which separating films (20) are stored. The separating films (20) are placed via a guiding device (26) onto the stack of sheets (18) in the sheet depository (16) in order to be able to separate associated groups of sheets (18) in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6193457
    Abstract: A blank is provided adapted for forming into a file folder. The blank comprises a planar sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The sheet has a first cover portion joined to a second cover portion along a mutual cover hinge line. The sheet is adapted for folding about the cover hinge line such that the first cover portion and second cover portion overlie each other and the folder is adapted to receive sheet material therebetween. The first cover portion includes a tab extension along one edge thereof either adjacent to the fold line or opposite thereto. The tab extension includes an inner tab portion and an outer tab portion joined together along a mutual hinge line. Folding the tab extension about the tab fold line causes the outer tab portion to overlie the inner tab portion forming a tab which extends from an edge of the first cover portion beyond the second cover portion when the second cover portion is folded to overlie the first cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Esselte Corporation
    Inventor: Peter L. Pacione
  • Patent number: 6193228
    Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus installed on a sheet discharge side of an image processing apparatus and adapted to paste a tag on a predetermined sheet discharged from the image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flapper for switching a path, in which the sheet is transferred to either a first path in which the tag is pasted on the sheet or a second path in which the tag is not pasted on the sheet; draw-out rollers for drawing out a band tape coated at one side edge portion thereof with a pressure-sensitive adhesive; a cutting portion for preparing the tag by cutting the band tape at a predetermined portion thereof; a pasting portion for introducing the prepared tag to a predetermined position with respect to the sheet and pasting the tag on the sheet; at least one receiving tray for receiving the sheet., on which the tag is pasted; and a controller for controlling movements of the flaper, the draw-out rollers and the cutting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Shimao, Koichi Ohmae