This inventor holds 7 USPTO granted patents and 1 published patent application and 1 EPO patent. Top assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation. Active years: 2002-2014.
Location History:
- Suwa, JP (2002 - 2004)
- Nagano-ken, JP (2010 - 2014)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2002-2014
Title: Satoru Imai: Innovator in Thermal Printing Technology
Introduction
Satoru Imai is a prominent inventor based in Nagano, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of thermal printing technology, holding a total of 7 patents. His innovative designs and solutions have enhanced the functionality and quality of thermal printers.
Latest Patents
Imai's latest patents include advancements in thermal printing control units. One of his notable inventions is a printing control unit for a thermal printer that prints by applying heat energy to a recording medium. This unit operates in multiple print modes and includes a line buffer unit, a shift register unit, and a configuration registration unit. The line buffer unit accumulates current dot printing data supplied from a host, while the shift register unit passes this data along with previous dot history data to a logic circuit unit. The configuration registration unit stores configuration data for setting the data logic of the logic circuit unit.
Another significant patent is for a thermal printer that utilizes a single logic circuit arrangement to enable operation in various print modes. This design allows for easy changes to the control logic of each print mode, ensuring high-quality printing. The heating elements apply heat energy to the recording medium, and a heating element drive circuit is provided for each heating element. The printing control unit supplies predetermined drive signals to the heating element drive circuits based on pixel printing data input from an external source. Additionally, the configuration registration unit stores predetermined value groups corresponding to the drive signal supply patterns, allowing for flexibility in operation.
Career Highlights
Satoru Imai is currently employed at Seiko Epson Corporation, where he continues to innovate in the field of printing technology. His work has significantly impacted the efficiency and quality of thermal printing solutions.
Collaborations
Imai has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Yuji Kawase and Satoshi Nakajima. Their combined expertise has contributed to the advancement of thermal printing technologies.
Conclusion
Satoru Imai's contributions to thermal printing technology through his patents and collaborations have established him as a key figure in the industry. His innovative solutions continue to shape the future of printing technology.