Preface

The Steps for Establishing Technological Foundation and Sustainable Growth

Konica Minolta, Inc.
Corporate Vice President
General Manager, Corporate Technology Development Headquarters

Keiichi Kishi

Konica Minolta has been implementing a mid-term management plan since FY2023, focusing on “strengthening technological development to expand our core businesses” and “preparing technology for future growth”. This technology report includes various examples of technology integration, integration amongst our technologies, integration between our technologies and AI. By leveraging these technologies, we will contribute to the sustainable growth of society and people’s lives and further expand our business. 

Reports

• Articles

  • 1. The Prediction of Mist Generation Amount Using a DropWatcher in Inkjet Jetting

    • Naomi WATANABE
    • Keishi SUZUKI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 1

    Konica Minolta established a technique to predict mist generation amount in inkjet jetting. The technique enables to monitor the jetting condition in more detail than before by analyzing the image data obtained using a DropWatcher and calculating the flight distance of each droplet based on the droplet deceleration model. It contributes to improving the quality of inkjet technology.

  • 2. Applicability and Prospects of FLAIRS: A Next-Generation Multidimensional Data Analysis Technology Utilizing Fluorescent Probes

    • Haruki MINAMI
    • Shumpei HITOSUGI
    • Yoichi AOKI
    • Takayuki OKANO
    • Rieko TAKAHASHI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 2

    Konica Minolta provides the FLAIRS next-generation multidimensional data analysis system, which revolutionizes quality evaluations in various fields, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical materials. This paper introduces the applications of FLAIRS, such as sweetness evaluation, determination of counterfeit drugs, and prediction of the jetting performance of inkjet materials, and presents its prospects.

  • 3. Multimodal Deep Learning Technology for Promoting Digital Transformation in the Development of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

    • Ko OSAWA
    • Michihiro OKUYAMA
    • Yusuke ARAKI
    • Yukako TAKA
    • Shigeru KOJIMA
    • Akihiro NARUKE
    • Shun MUROGA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 3

    Konica Minolta has developed multimodal deep learning technology for application in the materials chemistry field. This technology was developed through joint research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), focusing on fiber-reinforced plastics as the subject. It is expected to significantly streamline the development process of composite materials.

  • 4. Automatic Steel Fracture Detection Technology Using PC Steel Fracture Non-Destructive Inspection Equipment

    • Katsunori TESHIMA
    • Yoshihiro KODAMA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 4

    Konica Minolta provides SenrigaN, which quickly detects ruptures of PC steel materials of concrete bridges. The automatic rupture determination algorithm of this product eliminates the conventional determination dependent on individuals’ skills and provides a mechanism that enables any user to conduct rupture inspections. This paper also introduces an example in which the automatic rupture determination function was used as a web application.

• Highlights

  • 5. Numerical Simulation Technologies for Development of New Inkjet Printing System

    • Tomoaki ITO
    • Tsuyoshi TAMARU
    • Koji FUJIWARA
    • Yuuichi KUROYANAGI
    • Naoki WATANABE

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 5

    Konica Minolta provides simulation technologies that underpin high-image-quality inkjet products. The company continues to provide images of ever higher quality by reproducing the process from ink jetting to image formation based on a composite simulation and by enabling image refinement even before prototype production.

  • 6. Automation Technology for Mixed-model Manufacturing System of Production Print Consumables

    • Akira NARUSE
    • Takanori TANAKA
    • Yoshihiro OONO
    • Tomoyoshi YUKIMOTO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 6

    Konica Minolta developed an automatic assembly line capable of handling diverse products in the manufacture of consumables for production printing machines. The combination of advancement in automatic assembly technology with a product design optimized for automation significantly reduces capital expenditure and improves production efficiency.

  • 7. Color Correction Technology for Production Printing Machines

    • Shouichi NOMURA
    • Shu YABUUCHI
    • Keisuke NODA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 7

    Konica Minolta provides a color correction technology, Intelligent Color Control, incorporated in the latest models of production printing machines. This technology, which functions through the linkage with the Intelligent Quality Optimizer (IQ-501/601), is used for the Color Density Control and the Auto Image Adjustment. It realizes stable and high-quality printing by simple operations.

  • 8. Vertical Portable Spectrophotometer CM-17d

    • Yuzuru YAMAMOTO
    • Hiroki TANAKA
    • Takashi SHOHO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 8

    Konica Minolta provides the CM-17d vertical portable spectrophotometer. This vertical, lightweight spectrophotometer enables easy and accurate positioning and excels in measuring small parts and those with a curved surface. It enhances the work efficiency and realizes advanced color management in quality management, production, and R&D in various fields, including automobiles, electrical equipment, cosmetics, paints, plastics, and construction materials.

  • 9. Product Introduction and Usage Development of Next-Generation Acrylic Film SAZMA

    • Yasutoshi ITOU
    • Takashi TAKEBE
    • Tarou KONUMA
    • Tomohiko KUBO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 9

    Konica Minolta provides the SAZMA® next-generation acrylic films developed as optical films for displays. Work is underway to deploy the films to various cutting-edge displays, in addition to polarizers, by leveraging the ease of surface processing and optical isotropy, which cannot be attained by conventional films, thanks to the proprietary formulation and film forming  process.

  • 10. Introduction of Ultrasound Diagnostic System SONIMAGE UX1 and SONOVISTA LX

    • Takahiko SHIRAISHI
    • Masayuki NUKAYA
    • Takashi KIMOTO
    • Takashi SAKAI
    • Kengo NISHIDAI
    • Yosuke KIMURA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 10

    Konica Minolta provides the SONIMAGE UX1/SONOVISTA LX ultrasound diagnostic systems. The new technologies and functions incorporated in these products offer greater value to clinical sites for diagnosis and treatment by improving the quality of ultrasound images, ensuring safety in diagnosis and treatment, and supporting education.

  • 11. Introduction to CXR Finding-i: An AI-Powered Chest X-ray Diagnostic Support System

    • Nodoka MACHIDA
    • Shinsuke KATSUHARA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 11

    Konica Minolta provides the CXR Finding-i, a chest X-ray imaging diagnosis support AI. This software analyzes chest X-ray images using deep learning technology and detects regions where nodules, masses, and consolidations, which are abnormal findings, are suspected, helping physicians avoid oversights when interpreting radiograms.

  • 12. Improvement of Diagnostic Workflow Utilizing MIMPS-AI: Contributions to “Save Time”

    • Tomoaki TAKEMURA
    • Hisashi WADA
    • Akira KURAHASHI
    • Shinichi HORITA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 12

    Konica Minolta provides MIMPS-AI, an image diagnostic efficiency support function utilizing AI technology provided by Konica Minolta, Inc. One of the features of MIMPS-AI, which is integrated into our medical image management system FINO.VITA.GX, is the CT Image Synchronization Assist, which provides an efficient image comparison environment.

  • 13. Dialectical Approach in Design Development Process

    • Hiroko HIRANO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 13

    Konica Minolta introduces its Dialectical Approach in Design Development Process, which is practiced in design operations. This thinking approach verbalizes the empirical knowledge of designers, which is explained in chapters along with each development step. Therefore, designers can easily refer to the document based on the current step. The content is useful for practical on-site operations.

  • 14. Annotation Support System: QuickAnno

    • Yusuke MIMURA
    • Yuuichi OZAKI
    • Amai SHIMIZU
    • Hikaru FURUTA
    • Jun OHMIYA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 14

    Konica Minolta developed the QuickAnno system to automate annotation work, which is time-consuming in AI development. The paper introduces the configuration and characteristics. This system has a mechanism to efficiently and continuously improve accuracy and significantly reduces the time required for annotation work.

  • 15. An AI Model for Cell Counting and Viability Assessment Using Microscopic Images of Microorganisms

    • Shinkuro TAKENAKA
    • Kosuke ENDO
    • Takashi ASANO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 15

    Konica Minolta provides an AI solution for microscopic image analysis, which is capable of analyzing microscopic images of microorganisms to count the number of living cells, assess the viability of cells, and determine the differences from normal cell colors. In addition, by accumulating data, we aim to visualize cell growth, predict contamination, and measure metabolism.

• Reprinted Articles

  • 16．高速高画質化への IJ インクとシステムの開発 (only in Japanese)

    Hirotaka IIJIMA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 16

    Konica Minolta developed a proprietary gel UV ink technology, which is utilized in the AccurioJet KM-1 digital inkjet press. This technology is a precisely controls the viscosity of ink, and rapidly gels ink with the aim of suppressing the droplets from mixing with the paper surface after ink droplets are placed, and this allows for high-speed, high-definition image formation.

  • 17．日本語自然言語処理リポジトリ分類データセットの構築 (only in Japanese)

    Taishi IKEDA・Kazuharu HIMOTO・Hayato TERANAKA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 17

    Konica Minolta presents a method for constructing a dataset for repository classification in Japanese natural language processing (NLP). This dataset enables the anticipation of realistic text classification tasks, the evaluation of model performance, and the development of new models. By enhancing the efficiency of information aggregation, it contributes to the advancement of research in Japanese NLP.

  • 18．Hierarchical super-hydrophobic coating with productive etching process and self-assembled Ag mask

    Kazunari TADA・Tatsuya NAITO・Yuji HONDA
    

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2025, 22, 18

    Konica Minolta developed a highly durable super-hydrophobic coating along with the new manufacturing processes. The optical devices with this coating enable reliable clear view even in harsh conditions such as rain, snow, and muddy roads. This advanced technology offers promising solutions for the applications in the camera and sensing industries.