Patents Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20240131840
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head and a head drive controller to output a drive waveform including one pulse or two or more pulses selected according to a droplet size. In a case that the drive waveform includes the two or more pulses, the drive waveform includes a final pulse at an end of the two or more pulses. The final pulse includes a first expansion waveform, a first contraction waveform element, a second expansion waveform element, a second contraction waveform element, and a third expansion waveform element. A time period from a start of the first contraction waveform element to a start of the second expansion waveform element is less than 0.5 Tc. A time period from the start of the first contraction waveform element to a start of the second contraction waveform element is within a range from 0.5 Tc to 0.6 Tc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Watanabe, Koji Nagai
  • Publication number: 20240137463
    Abstract: A communication management device includes circuitry that: receives captured image data of a captured image obtained by an image capturing device and time-series information representing a date and time associated with predetermined area information, the predetermined area information representing a predetermined area and is transmitted by a communication terminal that displays a predetermined area image of the predetermined area; and transmits, to the communication terminal, converted predetermined area image data obtained through perspective projection conversion based on the received captured image data and the received time-series information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro MORITA, Hidekuni ANNAKA, Tomonori AIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20240136793
    Abstract: A surface-emitting laser includes an active layer; multiple reflectors sandwiching the active layer; and an electrode pair connected to a power supply, through which a current is injected into the active layer. The surface-emitting laser emits at least one laser beam during a current injection period when the current injected into the active layer through the electrode pair during the current injection period is a first current and emits at least one laser beam during a current decrease period when the current injected into the active layer through the electrode pair during the current injection period is a second current exceeding the first current. The current decrease period is after the current injection period. The current injected into the active layer during the current decrease period is lower than the current injected into the active layer during the current injection period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Jikutani, Kazuhiro Harasaka, Ryoichiro Suzuki, Yutaka Maita, Naofumi Ueno
  • Publication number: 20240131553
    Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes an applicator, a maintenance device, a conveyor, a first conveyance path, and a second conveyance path. The applicator applies a liquid to an object. The maintenance device maintains an applying condition of the liquid by the applicator. The conveyor conveys the object and the maintenance device. The object is to be conveyed along the first conveyance path. The maintenance device is to be conveyed along the second conveyance path. The applicator includes a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles to discharge the liquid is formed. The maintenance device includes a wiper to wipe the nozzle surface. The first conveyance path overlaps with the second conveyance path at least at a portion at which the first conveyance path passes by the applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Konishi, Takayuki Niihara, Takashi Fujita, Yukihiro Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11966190
    Abstract: A channel switching device includes: an accommodation portion in which a unit is detachably accommodated; a first channel; a second channel passing through the accommodation portion; and a switch separating the first channel and the second channel, the switch including: a first communication portion communicating with the first channel and the second channel; and a second communication portion disposed at a different position with the first communication portion, the second communication portion communicating with the first channel and the second channel, and the switch configured to switch to one of the first communication portion or the second communication portion in response to an attachment or detachment of the unit to the accommodation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Fujiya
  • Patent number: 11966139
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic element including: a first electrode; a second electrode apart from and opposite to the first electrode; an electrolyte layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, containing an oxidizable substance or a reducible substance, or both; and at least one of an oxidizable electrochromic layer between the first electrode and the electrolyte layer, containing an oxidizable electrochromic compound, and a reducible electrochromic layer between the second electrode and the electrolyte layer, containing a reducible electrochromic compound, wherein an oxidation potential of the oxidizable substance is nobler than an oxidation potential of the oxidizable electrochromic compound, a reduction potential of the reducible substance is baser than a reduction potential of the reducible electrochromic compound, an oxidation reaction of the oxidizable substance is irreversible, and a reduction reaction of the reducible substance is irreversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Ura, Fuminari Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11964802
    Abstract: A package includes a structure and a handle structure portion. The structure constitutes a housing space to house a packaged object. The handle structure portion is disposed in the structure, formed by a perforated line, and lifted from the structure. The perforated line includes a cut portion, a connecting portion, and a notched cut line. The notched cut line is provided with respect to a central reference line that is an axis of symmetry of the handle structure portion. The notched cut line includes a base portion and a leading end. The notched cut line is included within a range closer to the boundary point than a center line of the connecting portion parallel to the lifting direction of the handle structure portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Suehiro
  • Patent number: 11964470
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing device, a rotator, an upstream support stand. The printing device prints an image on a plate-shaped printing medium. The rotator rotates while nipping the plate-shaped printing medium and conveys the plate-shaped printing medium to the printing device. The upstream support stand supports the plate-shaped printing medium at a position upstream from the rotator in a conveyance direction of the plate-shaped printing medium and includes a mount. The mount is detachably attached to the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Soichi Saiga, Atsushi Yanaka, Kiyoshi Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 11964495
    Abstract: Provided is an ink set including: an ink containing a cyan pigment; an ink containing a magenta pigment; and an ink containing a yellow pigment, wherein the proportion of the cyan pigment is 0.70% by mass or greater but 1.40% by mass or less, and wherein the proportion of the magenta pigment and the proportion of the yellow pigment are both higher than the proportion of the cyan pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Sakaguchi, Itsuro Sasaki, Ayaka Tanaka, Naoto Shimura, Shunsuke Horie, Hiroshi Gotou, Yuta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11964496
    Abstract: An optical writing device, and a method of controlling the optical writing device. The optical writing device and the method includes controlling speed of operation of a light deflector based on image magnifying-power information in a sub-scanning direction parallel to a direction in which a surface of a photoconductor moves, and controlling a prescribed write clock frequency such that a number of clock pulses of write light will become a target number of pulses over a period where the write light scans an area within a prescribed distance in a main scanning direction, the target number of pulses being maintained even when the speed of operation of the light deflector is changed in the controlling the speed of operation of the light deflector. The write clock frequency controller maintains the target number of pulses even when the speed of operation of the light deflector is changed by the light-deflector controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuugo Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11964499
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head angle adjuster for individually adjusting inclination angles of a plurality of liquid discharge heads includes a plurality of array members and a plurality of array supports. The plurality of array members holds the liquid discharge heads. The plurality of array supports the array members. At least one of the array supports includes a first support, a second support, and a pressing member. The first support is disposed on one side in a direction in which one of the liquid discharge heads is rotated when an inclination angle of the one of the liquid discharge heads is adjusted. The first support supports a rotation fulcrum of one of the array members. The second support is disposed on a side opposite the first support, and supports another of the array member. The pressing member presses the rotation fulcrum against the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kengo Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 11964710
    Abstract: A crawler type traveling body includes a drive wheel, an in-wheel motor incorporated in the drive wheel, a plurality of rotating wheels disposed below the drive wheel, a crawler, and a tensioner. The crawler is wound around the drive wheel and the rotating wheels and configured to be rotated by the drive wheel. The tensioner is coupled to a drive shaft of the in-wheel motor and configured to press the drive wheel against the crawler and apply tension to the crawler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eichi Koizumi, Hiroshi Shimura, Ryota Yamashina, Taku Kitahara, Hiroshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11963760
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a total internal reflection prism having a total reflection plane that an object to be measured contacts, a light source to emit light to make the light having a wavelength equal to or greater than 7 micrometers (?m) and equal to or less than 12 ?m incident on the total reflection plane, and a sensor to detect light intensity of the light reflected by the total reflection plane. In the measuring device, an equation arc ? sin ? ( n ? 2 n ? 1 ) < ? ? c < arc ? sin ? ( n ? 2 n ? 1 ) + 5. [ DEG ] is satisfied, where n1 denotes a refractive index of a base material of the total internal reflection prism for the light having a wavelength of 10 ?m, n2 denotes a refractive index of the object to be measured for the light having the wavelength of 10 ?m and n2 takes a value 1.32 or 1.44, and ?c denotes an incident angle of a center of light flux emitted from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Oba, Ryosuke Kasahara, Toshihide Sasaki, Nobuto Hosono
  • Patent number: 11964467
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a liquid discharge head, an irradiation unit, a carriage, and a moving unit. The liquid discharge head discharges a liquid including a metallic ink and a color ink onto a recording medium. The irradiation unit irradiates the liquid on the recording medium with light. The liquid discharge head and the irradiation unit are mounted on the carriage. The moving unit perform a main scanning movement and a sub-scanning movement. The liquid discharge head discharges the metallic ink in a region of the recording medium in the main scanning movement and discharges the color ink in the region in which the metallic ink has been discharged, in the same main scanning movement in which the metallic ink is discharged. The irradiation unit irradiates the region in which the metallic ink and the color ink have been discharged, with the light in the same main scanning movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Tsuchiya, Yuusuke Matsuki, Daisuke Mezaki, Kiyoshi Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 11966179
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator, a heater, and a discharger. The first rotator includes a conductive first layer, a non-conductive second layer, and a conductive third layer. The first to third layers exist in an order of the first layer to the third layer from a center of the first rotator to an outside of the first rotator. The second rotator forms a nip between the first rotator and the second rotator. A recording medium bearing a toner image passes through the nip. The heater is disposed inside a loop of the second rotator and heats the second rotator. The discharger is in contact with the first layer and the third layer and removes electric charge from the first rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11966178
    Abstract: A heating device includes a heater, a holder, a device frame, a primary positioner, a secondary positioner, and a tertiary positioner. The heater includes a heat generator. The holder holds the heater. The device frame is configured to support the holder. The primary positioner is configured to position the heater and the holder in a longitudinal direction of the heater. The secondary positioner is configured to position the holder and the device frame in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The tertiary positioner is configured to position the device frame and a body of an image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The primary positioner and one of the secondary positioner and the tertiary positioner are disposed on an identical side defined by a center of the heat generator in the longitudinal direction of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Furuichi, Tomoya Adachi, Yukimichi Someya, Takayuki Seki
  • Patent number: 11965981
    Abstract: A light-source device includes a plurality of light emitters; and a plurality of optical elements through which laser beams emitted from the plurality of light emitters pass. The plurality of optical elements includes: a first optical element configured to emit a laser beam of a first divergence angle; and a second optical element configured to emit a laser beam of a second divergence angle smaller than the first divergence angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ohta, Takumi Satoh
  • Patent number: 11968341
    Abstract: An image reading device, an image forming apparatus, and a feed tray. The image reading device is provided with a light source that irradiates a sheet with light, and the light source is a sterilizing-light emitting light source that irradiates the sheet with light to sterilize the sheet. The image forming apparatus includes the image reading device, a housing including an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet, and a sterilizing-light emitting light source disposed in a sheet conveyance path in the housing. The feed tray for containing a plurality of sheets, the feed tray includes a sterilizing-light emitting light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Samei
  • Patent number: 11966456
    Abstract: A management system includes circuitry to receive an operation request for a specific device of one or more devices from a communication terminal used by a user for who user authentication has been successfully performed by a management system. The one or more devices and the communication terminal are communicating with each other to execute an event managed by the management system. The circuitry stores, in a memory, operation identification information and access information in association with each other. The operation identification information identifies a device operation associated with the operation request. The access information is associated with the user and used to access external storage. The circuitry uploads data acquired by the specific device according to the device operation corresponding to the operation identification information to the external storage using the access information associated with the operation identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hinohara, Hidekuni Annaka, Takeshi Homma
  • Patent number: D1023996
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryota Yano