Patents by Inventor Keizo Kojima

Keizo Kojima has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11722606
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding portion, a detecting portion, and a controller. The controller sets a state of the detecting portion at a first monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired to detect presence or absence of the recording material by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a first cyclic period. In case that the detection result of the detecting portion changes in the first monitoring state, the controller switches the state of the detecting portion to a second monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a second cyclic period shorter than the first cyclic period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20230019490
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding portion, a detecting portion, and a controller. The controller sets a state of the detecting portion at a first monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired to detect presence or absence of the recording material by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a first cyclic period. In case that the detection result of the detecting portion changes in the first monitoring state, the controller switches the state of the detecting portion to a second monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a second cyclic period shorter than the first cyclic period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keizo Kojima
  • Patent number: 11489974
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding portion, a detecting portion, and a controller. The controller sets a state of the detecting portion at a first monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired to detect presence or absence of the recording material by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a first cyclic period. In case that the detection result of the detecting portion changes in the first monitoring state, the controller switches the state of the detecting portion to a second monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a second cyclic period shorter than the first cyclic period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keizo Kojima
  • Patent number: 11474458
    Abstract: A control circuit executes voltage adjustment processing of adjusting a voltage output from a transfer power source so that a current detected by a detection circuit becomes a predetermined current value. The voltage adjustment processing is executed before a toner image is transferred from at least one of a first image bearing member and a second image bearing member to an intermediate transfer belt. A processor determines whether the second transfer member is in a state of contact or is in a state of separation on the basis of behavior of the current detected by the detection circuit in a period in which the control circuit is executing the voltage adjustment processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Matsumura, Keisuke Samejima, Keizo Kojima, Taro Minobe
  • Patent number: 11258361
    Abstract: The voltage detection apparatus includes a reference power supply that outputs a predetermined voltage; a voltage conversion unit that converts detected information into a voltage; and a switching unit that switches between a first state in which the predetermined voltage is supplied from the reference power supply to the primary side of a transmission unit, and a second state in which the voltage resulting from the conversion is supplied from the voltage conversion unit to the primary side of the transmission unit. The switching unit switches to the first state, in which a correction value for correcting a digital value is acquired. The switching unit switches to the second state, in which a voltage value acquired based on the digital value is corrected with the correction value to acquire a corrected voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20210377397
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding portion, a detecting portion, and a controller. The controller sets a state of the detecting portion at a first monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired to detect presence or absence of the recording material by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a first cyclic period. In case that the detection result of the detecting portion changes in the first monitoring state, the controller switches the state of the detecting portion to a second monitoring state in which a detection result of the detecting portion is acquired by supplying the electric power to the detecting portion in a second cyclic period shorter than the first cyclic period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20210278786
    Abstract: A control circuit executes voltage adjustment processing of adjusting a voltage output from a transfer power source so that ae current detected by a detection circuit becomes a predetermined current value. The voltage adjustment processing is executed before a toner image is transferred from at least one of a first image bearing member and a second image bearing member to an intermediate transfer belt. A processor determines whether the second transfer member is in a state of contact or is in a state of separation on the basis of behavior of the current detected by the detection circuit in a period in which the control circuit is executing the voltage adjustment processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Ryo Matsumura, Keisuke Samejima, Keizo Kojima, Taro Minobe
  • Patent number: 11112735
    Abstract: A controller can select and execute a full color mode of performing image formation in a first state in which each primary transfer member is in contact with an intermediate transfer belt, and a monochrome mode of performing image formation in a second state in which only a primary transfer member is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt. The controller determines which state of the first state and the second state is formed, based on a detection result obtained by a current detection circuit when a photosensitive drum is charged by a charging roller, and voltage is applied to the primary transfer member from a primary transfer power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taro Minobe, Keizo Kojima, Naoki Kanno, Atsushi Nakamoto, Toshihiko Takayama, Hideo Nanataki
  • Publication number: 20200228008
    Abstract: The voltage detection apparatus includes a reference power supply that outputs a predetermined voltage; a voltage conversion unit that converts detected information into a voltage; and a switching unit that switches between a first state in which the predetermined voltage is supplied from the reference power supply to the primary side of a transmission unit, and a second state in which the voltage resulting from the conversion is supplied from the voltage conversion unit to the primary side of the transmission unit. The switching unit switches to the first state, in which a correction value for correcting a digital value is acquired. The switching unit switches to the second state, in which a voltage value acquired based on the digital value is corrected with the correction value to acquire a corrected voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20200201212
    Abstract: A controller can select and execute a full color mode of performing image formation in a first state in which each primary transfer member is in contact with an intermediate transfer belt, and a monochrome mode of performing image formation in a second state in which only a primary transfer member is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt. The controller determines which state of the first state and the second state is formed, based on a detection result obtained by a current detection circuit when a photosensitive drum is charged by a charging roller, and voltage is applied to the primary transfer member from a primary transfer power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Taro Minobe, Keizo Kojima, Naoki Kanno, Atsushi Nakamoto, Toshihiko Takayama, Hideo Nanataki
  • Patent number: 10547244
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus having two switching elements connected to a primary winding of a transformer includes an adjustment unit for adjusting a voltage and supplying the voltage to a control unit. This voltage results from application of a voltage induced in an auxiliary winding while current is flowing in a predetermined direction with respect to the auxiliary winding as a result of the first switching element turned on and the second switching element turned off, and a voltage induced in the auxiliary winding while current is flowing in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction with respect to the auxiliary winding as a result of the first switching element turned off and the second switching element turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keizo Kojima, Atsushi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20190393795
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus having two switching elements connected to a primary winding of a transformer includes an adjustment unit for adjusting a voltage and supplying the voltage to a control unit. This voltage results from application of a voltage induced in an auxiliary winding while current is flowing in a predetermined direction with respect to the auxiliary winding as a result of the first switching element turned on and the second switching element turned off, and a voltage induced in the auxiliary winding while current is flowing in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction with respect to the auxiliary winding as a result of the first switching element turned off and the second switching element turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keizo Kojima, Atsushi Ohno
  • Patent number: 10459361
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage adjustment portion having a voltage adjustment member connected to a contact member contacting an endless belt, the voltage adjustment portion changing a current flowing from a current supply member contacting the belt at a position different from a position, at which an image bearing member contacts the belt with respect to a rotating direction of the belt, to the voltage adjustment member via the belt according to a control signal input from a control portion outputting a control signal, thereby changing a size of a transfer potential to transfer a toner image borne by the image bearing member onto the belt at a part at which the belt contacts the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Saito, Keisuke Ishizumi, Toshihiko Takayama, Masaru Ohno, Shingo Ito, Shohei Ishio, Keisuke Samejima, Keizo Kojima, Ryo Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20180039198
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage adjustment portion having a voltage adjustment member connected to a contact member contacting an endless belt, the voltage adjustment portion changing a current flowing from a current supply member contacting the belt at a position different from a position, at which an image bearing member contacts the belt in a rotating direction of the belt, to the voltage adjustment member via the belt according to a control signal input from a control portion outputting a control signal, thereby changing a size of a transfer potential—a surface potential—to transfer a toner image borne by the image bearing member onto the belt at a part at which the belt contacts the image bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Seiji Saito, Keisuke Ishizumi, Toshihiko Takayama, Masaru Ohno, Shingo Ito, Shohei Ishio, Keisuke Samejima, Keizo Kojima, Ryo Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9300216
    Abstract: A power supply device including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a switching element connected to the primary winding configured to drive the switching element to output voltage from the secondary winding includes a control unit configured to drive the switching element such that the switching element is turned on and, in which, in a case where the control unit performs an intermittent drive operation which repeats a period for which the switching element is driven and a period for which the drive of the switching element is stopped, in which the control unit drives the switching element such that the switching element is turned off before the voltage according to the current flowing to the primary winding reaches the voltage output from the secondary winding in the period for which the switching element is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima
  • Patent number: 9274490
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a transformer and a switching unit that causes two switching elements connected in series to drive the primary winding of the transformer. A detection unit detects current flowing on the primary side of the transformer and outputs a voltage corresponding to the detected current. A correction unit corrects the voltage output from the detection unit into a voltage proportional to a variation of an input voltage input into the primary side of the transformer A nonlinear correction unit corrects the corrected voltage corrected by the correction unit to be nonlinear independently of variation in the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20160036335
    Abstract: A rectifying and smoothing circuit includes: a rectifying circuit, including four rectifying elements, for rectifying an AC voltage of an AC voltage source; a smoothing circuit for smoothing the voltage rectified by the rectifying circuit; a filter circuit connected between the rectifying circuit and the smoothing circuit; and a first rectifying element, connected between the rectifying circuit and the filter circuit, shorter in reverse recovery time than the four rectifying elements. The first rectifying element is connected between a first output terminal of first and second output terminals of the rectifying circuit and a positive terminal of the smoothing circuit through the filter circuit, the first output terminal being capable of outputting a higher voltage than the second output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20150016152
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a transformer; a switching unit that causes two switching elements connected in series to drive the primary winding of the transformer; a detection unit that detects current flowing on the primary side of the transformer; a correction unit that corrects a detection result of the detection unit according to an input voltage input into the transformer; and a nonlinear correction unit that corrects the detection result such that correction by the correction unit is nonlinear to the input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima
  • Patent number: 8891997
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus determines that an input AC voltage has reached a voltage at which a power supply control IC can start operating, based on the voltage at an auxiliary winding of a transformer included in a first converter. Note that since the first converter operates so as to maintain a constant voltage at the auxiliary winding, whether the input AC voltage has fallen to an operation lower limit voltage or lower cannot be detected by only monitoring the voltage at the auxiliary winding. The power supply apparatus monitors a second voltage that is proportional to the input AC voltage is generated from the voltage being applied to the primary side of a second converter. Accordingly, the power supply control IC starts and stops operating in accordance with the input AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Samejima, Keizo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20140099139
    Abstract: A power supply device including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a switching element connected to the primary winding configured to drive the switching element to output voltage from the secondary winding includes a control unit configured to drive the switching element such that the switching element is turned on and, in which, in a case where the control unit performs an intermittent drive operation which repeats a period for which the switching element is driven and a period for which the drive of the switching element is stopped, in which the control unit drives the switching element such that the switching element is turned off before the voltage according to the current flowing to the primary winding reaches the voltage output from the secondary winding in the period for which the switching element is driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keizo Kojima