Patents by Inventor Ken Nakagawa

Ken Nakagawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20190171145
    Abstract: A tubular film used for a fixing apparatus includes a heat generating layer, and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer respectively provided at one end and another end of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film so as to contact the heat generating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer each has a volume resistivity that is less than that of the heat generating layer. A low resistance layer is formed in an area of the heat generating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the longitudinal direction, so as not to contact the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The low resistance layer has a volume resistivity that is less than that of the heat generating layer, and extends in a circumferential direction of the heat generating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Toru Imaizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Takashi Narahara, Takeshi Shinji, Kazuhiro Doda, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Publication number: 20190113860
    Abstract: Let V1 be a potential difference between a photosensitive member charged by a charging member to which a second charging voltage is applied in a preparation process and a developing member to which a developing voltage is applied. Let V2 be a potential difference between the photosensitive member charged by the charging member to which a first charging voltage is applied in an image forming process and the developing member. Given this definition, a relation of |V1|<|V2| is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shinji Katagiri, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10216130
    Abstract: A tubular film used for a fixing apparatus includes a heat generating layer, and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer provided respectively at one end and another end of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film so as to contact the heat generating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer both have a lower volume resistivity than that of the heat generating layer. A low-resistance layer is formed in an area of the heat generating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the longitudinal direction so as not to contact the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The low-resistance layer has a lower volume resistivity than that of the heat generating layer and extends in a circumferential direction of the heat generating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Imaizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Takashi Narahara, Takeshi Shinji, Kazuhiro Doda, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Publication number: 20180249080
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit 32. A control unit 310 switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit 307 that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit 307, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: ICHIRO SUDO, HIROSHI SASAHARA, KEN NAKAGAWA, TAKUJI MORIYA
  • Publication number: 20180173140
    Abstract: A tubular film used for a fixing apparatus, including: a heat generating layer; a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer provided respectively at one end and another end of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film so as to contact the heat generating layer, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer both having a lower volume resistivity than the heat generating layer; and a low-resistance layer formed in an area of the heat generating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the longitudinal direction so as not to contact the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the low-resistance layer having a lower volume resistivity than the heat generating layer and extending in a circumferential direction of the heat generating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Toru Imaizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Takashi Narahara, Takeshi Shinji, Kazuhiro Doda, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 9594337
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to detect a misregistration amount and densities of the toner images by detecting first and second detection patterns. The first detection pattern includes black and color portions, and the control unit is further configured to set a light-emitting amount of a detection unit, a threshold, or a sensitivity of a detection unit so that a received light amount of diffuse reflection light from the black portion is less than the threshold and a received light amount of diffuse reflection light from the color portion exceeds the threshold, and to set the light-emitting amount or the sensitivity so that the received light amount of the diffuse reflection light from the color portion is less than an upper limit of the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Shimba, Ken Nakagawa, Shinri Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9459584
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to and from which a process cartridge including a photosensitive member and a developing roller is attachable and detachable, a separation mechanism that takes a first position to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive member and a second position to bring the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive member, an allowance mechanism that allows the process cartridge with the developing roller kept in contact with the photosensitive member to be mounted on the mounting portion when the separation mechanism is in the first position, an exposure device, and a control unit, wherein, when the developing roller and the photosensitive member are in contact with each other when the separation mechanism is in the first position, the control unit performs an exposure operation while keeping the separation mechanism in the first position during an initial operation of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kobayashi, Ken Nakagawa, Akihiko Uchiyama, Tomonori Shida, Kazuhiro Funatani, Hiroshi Kita
  • Patent number: 9389564
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form, on an image carrier, a first correction pattern including developer images of a plurality of colors, and a second correction pattern including developer images of the plurality of colors; a registration correction unit configured to perform registration correction control based on a detection result of the developer images of the first correction pattern; and a density correction unit configured to perform density correction control based on a detection result of the second correction pattern. The density correction unit is further configured to decide a detection result of the developer image of at least one color of the second correction pattern used for the density correction control based on a detection result of the developer image of the first correction pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Sekiguchi, Shinri Watanabe, Takeshi Shimba, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9310706
    Abstract: Test patches are formed such that lengths of the test patches in a rotational direction of the intermediate transfer member are shorter than a length of the intermediate transfer member from a primary transfer portion located in the lowermost stream among the plurality of primary transfer portions to the secondary transfer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishizumi, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9304083
    Abstract: An optical detection device includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a housing including a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein light emitted from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element through the second aperture after passing through the first aperture and being reflected by an irradiated surface, and a slope provided in the housing and inclined in an array direction of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, as viewed in a normal direction of the irradiated surface, wherein the slope is provided at a portion on an upstream side of the first aperture in an emission direction of light from the light emitting element, the portion faces the light emitting element in the array direction, and light emitted from the light emitting element enters the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishizumi, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9274448
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detection unit including a first light receiving element arranged in a direction of normal reflected light reflected from a first positional deviation correction pattern, a second detection unit including a second light receiving element arranged in a different direction of normal reflected light reflected from a second positional deviation correction pattern, and a control unit configured to correct a positional deviation based on a value calculated from a first detection result detected by the first detection unit and a second detection result detected by the second detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Shinsuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9261842
    Abstract: Provided are a first detecting unit having a singular first light-receiving element disposed to face a direction of normal reflection of light, the light having been emitted from a first light-emitting element toward a first detection image formed on the rotary member and reflected thereat, and a second detecting unit having a singular second light-receiving element disposed to face a direction different from a direction of normal reflection of light, the light having been emitted from a second light-emitting element toward a second detection image formed on the rotary member and reflected thereat. A value relating to toner density is obtained based on a first detection result detected by the first detecting unit and a second detection result detected by the second detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Nakagawa, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Keisuke Ishizumi
  • Patent number: 9213273
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a belt for conveying the toner image; and a transfer device for rubbing the belt, and a surface of the transfer device, which is brought into contact with the belt includes linear concave portions or linear convex portions. The image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents a friction force between the belt and the transfer device rubbing the belt from increasing and brings a transfer member into a stable contact with the belt for conveying the toner image, thereby suppressing increase in drive torque of the belt which rubs the transfer device and suppressing occurrence of image failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Masaru Shimura, Shigeru Hoashi, Kenji Kanari, Seiji Saito, Takashi Shimada, Takaaki Akamatsu, Michio Uchida, Ken Nakagawa, Takamitsu Soda, Shuichi Tetsuno
  • Publication number: 20150355588
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to continuously form, on an image carrier, first and second detection patterns for detecting relative registration amounts and a density of each of a plurality of colors; and a control unit configured to control registration and the density. The forming unit forms the detection patterns such that a leading edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a front side among the two detection patterns, in a direction in which the detection patterns are moved by rotation of the image carrier, is the same as a trailing edge developer color of the detection pattern formed on the front side, or a leading or trailing edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a rear side among the two detection patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Takeshi SHIMBA, Ken Nakagawa, Shinri Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9164454
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to continuously form, on an image carrier, first and second detection patterns for detecting relative registration amounts and a density of each of a plurality of colors; and a control unit configured to control registration and the density. The forming unit forms the detection patterns such that a leading edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a front side among the two detection patterns, in a direction in which the detection patterns are moved by rotation of the image carrier, is the same as a trailing edge developer color of the detection pattern formed on the front side, or a leading or trailing edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a rear side among the two detection patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Shimba, Ken Nakagawa, Shinri Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9116489
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a density detection pattern and a reference pattern on an image carrier by a developer; a light-receiving unit configured to receive reflection light of light emitted toward the image carrier, and output a signal corresponding to an amount of received light; a sampling unit configured to sample the signal output from the light-receiving unit, and store sampling values in the storage unit; a detection unit configured to detect the reference pattern; and a determination unit configured to determine a sampling value corresponding to reflection light from the density detection pattern of the color among the sampling values stored in the storage unit, based on a detection time of the reference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Nakagawa, Shinri Watanabe, Takeshi Shimba
  • Publication number: 20150211992
    Abstract: An optical detection device includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a housing including a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein light emitted from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element through the second aperture after passing through the first aperture and being reflected by an irradiated surface, and a slope provided in the housing and inclined in an array direction of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, as viewed in a normal direction of the irradiated surface, wherein the slope is provided at a portion on an upstream side of the first aperture in an emission direction of light from the light emitting element, the portion faces the light emitting element in the array direction, and light emitted from the light emitting element enters the portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishizumi, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Ken Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20150071687
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detection unit including a first light receiving element arranged in a direction of normal reflected light reflected from a first positional deviation correction pattern, a second detection unit including a second light receiving element arranged in a different direction of normal reflected light reflected from a second positional deviation correction pattern, and a control unit configured to correct a positional deviation based on a value calculated from a first detection result detected by the first detection unit and a second detection result detected by the second detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Shinsuke Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20150063834
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to and from which a process cartridge including a photosensitive member and a developing roller is attachable and detachable, a separation mechanism that takes a first position to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive member and a second position to bring the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive member, an allowance mechanism that allows the process cartridge with the developing roller kept in contact with the photosensitive member to be mounted on the mounting portion when the separation mechanism is in the first position, an exposure device, and a control unit, wherein, when the developing roller and the photosensitive member are in contact with each other when the separation mechanism is in the first position, the control unit performs an exposure operation while keeping the separation mechanism in the first position during an initial operation of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kobayashi, Ken Nakagawa, Akihiko Uchiyama, Tomonori Shida, Kazuhiro Funatani, Hiroshi Kita
  • Publication number: 20150003853
    Abstract: Provided are a first detecting unit having a singular first light-receiving element disposed to face a direction of normal reflection of light, the light having been emitted from a first light-emitting element toward a first detection image formed on the rotary member and reflected thereat, and a second detecting unit having a singular second light-receiving element disposed to face a direction different from a direction of normal reflection of light, the light having been emitted from a second light-emitting element toward a second detection image formed on the rotary member and reflected thereat. A value relating to toner density is obtained based on a first detection result detected by the first detecting unit and a second detection result detected by the second detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Ken Nakagawa, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Keisuke Ishizumi