Konica Minolta, Inc. patent applications published on November 30th, 2023

Patent applications for Konica Minolta, Inc. on November 30th, 2023

PORTABLE RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING SYSTEM (18301585)

Main Inventor

Keisuke KOEDA

Brief explanation

The abstract describes a portable radiographic imaging apparatus that has multiple connectors for connecting wiring cables.

• The apparatus has at least two types of connectors: a first connector that supports a generic communication cable and a second connector that supports a non-generic communication cable.
• The purpose of these connectors is to provide flexibility in connecting different types of communication cables to the apparatus.
• This allows the apparatus to be compatible with a wide range of imaging equipment and communication systems.
• The use of multiple connectors ensures that the apparatus can be easily integrated into existing radiographic imaging setups.
• The invention simplifies the process of connecting the apparatus to different imaging devices, reducing setup time and improving efficiency.
• The portable nature of the apparatus makes it convenient for use in various medical settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or even in the field.

Abstract

A portable radiographic imaging apparatus includes a plurality of connectors to which respective wiring cables are connectable, wherein the plurality of connectors include at feast a first connector that supports a generic communication cable, and a second connector that supports a non-generic communication cable.

INKJET RECORDER (18320288)

Main Inventor

Takahiro HARA

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a mist collector that is designed to separate ink mist from the air.

• The mist collector includes a nozzle that sucks in air from a suction port and releases it from a discharge port.
• The collector also includes a cyclone with an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder.
• The inner cylinder has an intake hole that allows air to enter and creates an airflow inside.
• The airflow inside the inner cylinder helps to separate ink mist from the air.

Abstract

A mist collector includes: a nozzle through which air is sucked from a suction port and discharged from a discharge port; and a cyclone including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder includes an intake hole and forms an airflow inside the inner cylinder by air taken therein through this intake hole, thereby separating ink mist from the air.

Inkjet Printing Apparatus, Sheet Drying Apparatus, and Sheet Drying Method (18307188)

Main Inventor

Teruhiko TOYOIZUMI

Brief explanation

The abstract describes an inkjet printing apparatus that includes a conveyance section, an ink ejection section, a first heat source, and a second heat source.

• The conveyance section is responsible for moving a cut sheet through the apparatus.
• The ink ejection section ejects ink onto the sheet to create an image at a specific position.
• The first heat source is located downstream of the ink ejection section and dries the ink on the sheet.
• The second heat source is positioned opposite the first heat source and contacts the back surface of the sheet to heat it.
• The first heat source uses electromagnetic waves to heat the ink ejection face of the sheet through radiant heat.

Abstract

An inkjet printing apparatus comprises: a conveyance section that conveys a cut sheet; an ink ejection section that ejects an ink to form an image when the sheet passes a predetermined position; a first heat source that is provided on a downstream side of the ink ejection section and dries an ink ejection face of the sheet; and a second heat source that is arranged to face the first heat source and comes into contact with a back surface of the sheet opposite to the ink ejection face to heat the sheet. The first heat source emits an electromagnetic wave to heat the ink ejection face by radiant heat.

COMPONENT FEEDER AND COMPONENT FEEDING METHOD (18137678)

Main Inventor

KIYOHITO TSUJIHARA

Brief explanation

The abstract describes a component feeder that is used in manufacturing processes.

• The component feeder has a housing that stores multiple components.
• It also includes orientation adjusters that can change the orientation of the components stored in the housing.
• The feeder is controlled by a hardware processor that drives the orientation adjusters based on component information.
• The component information is related to the components stored in the housing.
• The purpose of the feeder is to ensure that the components are correctly oriented for use in the manufacturing process.

Abstract

A component feeder includes: a component housing that stores a plurality of components; a plurality of orientation adjusters that adjusts an orientation of the components housed in the component housing; and a first hardware processor that controls driving of the plurality of orientation adjusters based on component information related to the components housed in the component housing.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, COST CALCULATION METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM (18316341)

Main Inventor

Tetsu KAWASAKI

Brief explanation

The patent application describes an image forming apparatus that can print images on continuous form paper.

• The apparatus includes an image former that creates the image on the continuous form paper.
• It also includes a hardware processor that calculates the cost of the paper used for a print job.
• The paper cost is determined based on the distance the continuous form paper travels from the start to the end of the print job.
• This calculation helps in accurately estimating the cost of printing on continuous form paper.
• The innovation aims to provide a more efficient and cost-effective printing solution for continuous form paper.

Abstract

An image forming apparatus, including: an image former that forms an image on continuous form paper; and a hardware processor that calculates a paper cost for a print job of the continuous form paper, on the basis of a distance of the continuous form paper conveyed from a start to an end of the print job.

LEARNING DATA COLLECTION DEVICE AND LEARNING SYSTEM (18312392)

Main Inventor

Hiroki TAJIMA

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a device for collecting learning data of a learning model used to detect danger in a moving body.

• The device includes a hardware processor that determines if the moving body is in a specific state related to danger using a sensor's output value.
• The device identifies a subset of images from a group of images used for danger detection as learning images.
• The learning images are selected based on the estimated cause of falling into the specific state and the timing at which the moving body is determined to be in that state.

Abstract

A collection device of learning data of a learning model for detecting a danger of a moving body, includes a hardware processor that determines whether the moving body is in a specific state related to a danger of the moving body by using an output value of a sensor that detects the specific state, and specifies a part of images of an image group used for the danger detection as a learning image in which a cause of falling into the specific state is estimated to be captured on a basis of a timing at which the moving body is determined to be in the specific state.

SKILL ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE METHOD, SKILL ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM (18318941)

Main Inventor

Yoshihiro TANAKA

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a method to assist in acquiring new skills.

• The method involves collecting tactile data from two workers performing the same task.
• The data is collected from the first worker's body part involved in the task during work time.
• A stimulus is generated based on the collected tactile data and transmitted to a different body part of the first worker.
• The stimulus helps the first worker acquire the tactile senses associated with the task.
• The stimulus can be switched to a different one based on the second worker's tactile data.
• This method aims to improve skill acquisition by providing targeted stimuli based on tactile data.

Abstract

A skill acquisition assistance method includes a first stimulus generating step of acquiring first and second tactile data indicating tactile senses corresponding to a first body part based on an action of the first body part during work time when first and second workers perform the same work and generating a first stimulus based on the first tactile data by a stimulus transmission section mounted on a second body part different from the first body part of the first worker and a second stimulus generating step of switching a stimulus generated by the stimulus transmission section to a second stimulus based on the second tactile data in conjunction with the action of the first body part of the first worker.

IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM (18314293)

Main Inventor

Eigo TOMIOKA

Brief explanation

The patent application describes an image processing device that can detect blank regions on a recording medium where an image is not formed and generate print image data with an image quality adjustment patch in those blank regions.

• The device has a hardware processor that can detect areas on a recording medium where no image is formed based on print data of a print job.
• It generates print image data by adding an image quality adjustment patch in the detected blank regions.
• The image quality adjustment patch helps improve the overall image quality of the printed output.
• This technology can be used in various printing applications to ensure that no blank regions are left on the printed medium.
• The device can be integrated into existing printing systems or used as a standalone image processing device.

Abstract

An image processing device includes: a hardware processor that detects a blank region in a recording medium where an image is not formed based on print data of a print job, and that generates print image data in which an image quality adjustment patch is disposed in the detected blank region of the print data.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE DATA GENERATING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM (18312761)

Main Inventor

Masaya IKUTA

Brief explanation

The abstract describes an image forming apparatus that can process images on a sheet of paper.

• The apparatus has a processor that sets a post-processing position on the sheet.
• It determines if the post-processing position can be processed by a post-processing unit.
• If the position is processable, the processor generates image data with the post-processing position drawn on the sheet.
• The image data is in a format that can be displayed by software used for creating or editing print content.

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a hardware processor that: sets a post-processing position to a sheet; determines whether or not the post-processing position is processable by a post-processing unit; and generates, when determining that the post-processing position is processable, image data in which the post-processing position to the sheet has been drawn, wherein the hardware processor generates the image data in a data format allowing display of the image data by software for creating or editing print content.

METHOD FOR CREATING RPA SCRIPT DATA, METHOD FOR EXECUTING RPA SCRIPT DATA, TERMINAL DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, RPA SCRIPT DATA, AND PROGRAM (18135223)

Main Inventor

YUICHI KAWAMURA

Brief explanation

- The patent application describes a method for creating robotic process automation (RPA) script data to perform an operation on an image processing apparatus.

- The method involves detecting the position of an operation target displayed on the operation screen and selected by an operator. - The detected position is then normalized based on the size of the operation screen. - Position information indicating the normalized position is generated and described in the RPA script data. - The innovation aims to simplify the process of automating operations on a terminal device by accurately detecting and normalizing the position of the operation target.

Abstract

A method for creating robotic process automation (RPA) script data to perform an operation in a terminal device that displays an operation screen for an image processing apparatus on a host terminal and receives the operation by the RPA, includes: detecting a position of an operation target displayed on the operation screen and selected by an operator; and normalizing the detected position of the operation target on a basis of a size of the operation screen, generating position information indicating the normalized position, and describing the position information in the RPA script data.

SALIENCY ANALYSIS SYSTEM, SALIENCY ANALYSIS METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM (18320292)

Main Inventor

Satoru INOUE

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a system for analyzing the saliency of an image.

• The system includes an input receiver to receive an image for evaluation.
• The system also includes a hardware processor that extracts low-order and high-order image feature amounts from the evaluation target image.
• The hardware processor then calculates saliencies in the image based on these feature amounts.

Abstract

A saliency analysis system includes: an input receiver that receives an evaluation target image; and a hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor extracts low-order image feature amounts and high-order image feature amounts, from the evaluation target image, and calculates saliencies in the image, based on the low-order image feature amounts and the high-order image feature amounts.

IMPRESSION ANALYSIS SYSTEM, IMPRESSION ANALYSIS METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM (18321309)

Main Inventor

Satoru INOUE

Brief explanation

The patent application describes an impression analysis system that evaluates the similarity between an evaluation target image and a reference image.

• The system includes an input obtainer that receives the evaluation target image.
• A hardware processor is used to extract low-order and high-order image feature amounts from the evaluation target image.
• The processor also extracts low-order and high-order image feature amounts from a reference image associated with an impression evaluation.
• The data obtained from the feature extraction is compared to calculate the similarity between the evaluation target image and the reference image.

Abstract

An impression analysis system includes: an input obtainer that receives an evaluation target image; and a hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor: extracts a low-order image feature amount, and a high-order image feature amount, from the evaluation target image, and compares data obtained by extracting a low-order image feature amount and a high-order image feature amount from a reference image associated with an impression evaluation, with data of the image feature amounts extracted by a feature amount extractor, and calculates a similarity between the evaluation target image and the reference image.

COMPONENT SUPPLY DEVICE, COMPONENT SUPPLY METHOD, AND PROGRAM (18135221)

Main Inventor

Akihiro Nakamura

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a component supply device that includes several components and a hardware processor for determining the state of the component loaded on the device. 

• The device includes a picker base where a component is loaded and a supplier that picks up the component and supplies it to a predetermined position.
• A detector is used to detect the component loaded on the picker base.
• The hardware processor analyzes the information detected by the detector to determine the state of the component.
• The hardware processor determines whether the component is pickable or unpickable by the supplier based on its state.
• If the component is determined to be unpickable, the hardware processor calculates an operation amount to adjust the component to a pickable state.
• An adjuster is then used to adjust the state of the unpickable component based on the calculated operation amount.

Abstract

A component supply device includes: a picker base on which a component is to be loaded; a supplier that picks up the component loaded on the picker base and supplies the component to a predetermined position; a detector that detects the component loaded on the picker base; and a hardware processor that determines a state of the component loaded on the picker base, on a basis of information detected by the detector, wherein the hardware processor determines whether the component is a component that is pickable or a component that is unpickable by the supplier on a basis of the state of the component, and calculates an operation amount for adjusting the component that is unpickable to a pickable state and adjusts only a state of the component that is unpickable by an adjuster on a basis of the calculated operation amount.