Patents by Inventor Kimiharu Yamazaki

Kimiharu Yamazaki 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: 11310382
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a transparent member unit including a transparent member, an opposing member opposed to the transparent member, and a reading mechanism. The reading mechanism irradiates the opposing member and a medium being conveyed between the transparent member and the opposing member with light through the transparent member and receive reflected light from the opposing member and the medium. The reading mechanism includes a position adjuster to which the transparent member unit is secured and a guide to guide the transparent member unit in a direction intersecting a direction of conveyance of the medium to detachably attach the transparent member unit to the reading mechanism. The position adjuster changes a position at which the transparent member unit is secured with respect to the reading mechanism. The transparent member unit is secured to the position adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakayama, Susumu Mikajiri, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Tohru Matsumoto, Kohta Aoyagi, Hideyo Makino, Ryosuke Ebinuma
  • Patent number: 11181854
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of temperature-influence members, a first-point temperature acquisition unit, a second-point temperature estimation unit, and a controller. The plurality of temperature-influence members have influence on a temperature of a recording medium on which an image is formed. The first-point temperature acquisition unit is configured to detect or estimate a temperature of the recording medium at a first point. The second-point temperature estimation unit is configured to estimate a temperature of the recording medium at a second point, based on a detection result of at least one of a temperature of the recording medium at a point different from the second point and a temperature of a member or atmosphere. The controller is configured to control the plurality of temperature-influence members, based on an acquisition result from the first-point temperature acquisition unit and an estimation result from the second-point temperature estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: RICOH COMPANY, LTD., TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kaori Hemmi, Koichi Kato, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Kazuyoshi Fushinobu, Shunsuke Kawasaki, Shinichi Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 11153453
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a background member, an illumination unit opposed to the background member, and a reader. The illumination unit emits light to a recording medium having an image thereon. The reader receives a reflection from the recording medium to read the image. The background member has a facing surface that faces the recording medium. The facing surface includes a reference portion on a center portion in a width direction of the background member. The reference portion has a higher reflectance than an end portion of the facing surface in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakayama, Susumu Mikajiri, Hideyo Makino, Yoshinari Onuma, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Kohta Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20210297543
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a transparent member unit including a transparent member, an opposing member opposed to the transparent member, and a reading mechanism. The reading mechanism irradiates the opposing member and a medium being conveyed between the transparent member and the opposing member with light through the transparent member and receive reflected light from the opposing member and the medium. The reading mechanism includes a position adjuster to which the transparent member unit is secured and a guide to guide the transparent member unit in a direction intersecting a direction of conveyance of the medium to detachably attach the transparent member unit to the reading mechanism. The position adjuster changes a position at which the transparent member unit is secured with respect to the reading mechanism. The transparent member unit is secured to the position adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKAYAMA, Susumu MIKAJIRI, Kimiharu YAMAZAKI, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Kohta AOYAGI, Hideyo MAKINO, Ryosuke EBINUMA
  • Patent number: 11126124
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a plurality of image reading units arranged at different positions in a width direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a recording medium to read an image on the recording medium at image reading positions and a conveyance roller pair that conveys the recording medium to the plurality of image reading units. The conveyance roller pair includes a drive roller and a driven roller that contacts the drive roller and rotates following the drive roller. The plurality of image reading units includes an upstream and a downstream image reading units downstream from the upstream image reading unit in the conveyance direction. A reading interval between the image reading positions and a diameter of the drive roller satisfy the relation: X2=n1×?×D1a, where X2 represents the reading interval, n1 represents an integer, and D1a represents the diameter of the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Hideyo Makino, Susumu Mikajiri, Satoshi Nakayama, Hiroki Yamamura, Kohta Aoyagi, Tohru Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20210168253
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a background member, an illumination unit opposed to the background member, and a reader. The illumination unit emits light to a recording medium having an image thereon. The reader receives a reflection from the recording medium to read the image. The background member has a facing surface that faces the recording medium. The facing surface includes a reference portion on a center portion in a width direction of the background member. The reference portion has a higher reflectance than an end portion of the facing surface in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakayama, Susumu Mikajiri, Hideyo Makino, Yoshinari Onuma, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Kohta Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20210166096
    Abstract: A conveyance device includes a conveyance roller pair to convey a recording medium to an image reading position of an image reading unit. The conveyance roller pair includes a drive roller and a driven roller. The driven roller contacts the drive roller and rotates following the drive roller. The drive roller has a diameter satisfying a relation in which a detection mark on the recording medium is on a position away from a leading end of the recording medium by an integral multiple of a circumference of the drive roller in a conveyance direction of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Hideyo Makino, Susumu Mikajiri, Satoshi Nakayama, Kohta Aoyagi, Hiroki Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20210165355
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a plurality of image reading units arranged at different positions in a width direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a recording medium to read an image on the recording medium at image reading positions and a conveyance roller pair that conveys the recording medium to the plurality of image reading units. The conveyance roller pair includes a drive roller and a driven roller that contacts the drive roller and rotates following the drive roller. The plurality of image reading units includes an upstream and a downstream image reading units downstream from the upstream image reading unit in the conveyance direction. A reading interval between the image reading positions and a diameter of the drive roller satisfy the relation: X2=n1×?×D1a, where X2 represents the reading interval, n1 represents an integer, and D1a represents the diameter of the drive roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Hideyo Makino, Susumu Mikajiri, Satoshi Nakayama, Hiroki Yamamura, Kohta Aoyagi, Tohru Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20210088948
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of temperature-influence members, a first-point temperature acquisition unit, a second-point temperature estimation unit, and a controller. The plurality of temperature-influence members have influence on a temperature of a recording medium on which an image is formed. The first-point temperature acquisition unit is configured to detect or estimate a temperature of the recording medium at a first point. The second-point temperature estimation unit is configured to estimate a temperature of the recording medium at a second point, based on a detection result of at least one of a temperature of the recording medium at a point different from the second point and a temperature of a member or atmosphere. The controller is configured to control the plurality of temperature-influence members, based on an acquisition result from the first-point temperature acquisition unit and an estimation result from the second-point temperature estimation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicants: Ricoh Company, Ltd., TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kaori HEMMI, Koichi KATO, Kimiharu YAMAZAKI, Kazuyoshi FUSHINOBU, Shunsuke KAWASAKI, Shinichi KURAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10931844
    Abstract: An image inspection apparatus includes a first outputter that outputs color information of an image to be formed on a recording medium determined according to the type of recording medium; a reader provided facing one side of the recording medium and configured to output an image signal obtained by reading the recording medium; a second outputter that outputs an edge position of the recording medium and/or the image formed on the recording medium detected based on the image signal; first background members configured to face and contact another side of the recording medium and having different heights; second background members configured to face and contact the another side of the recording medium and having different colors; and an arranger that brings one member, selected according to the recording medium type from among the first and second background members, into contact with the another side of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohta Aoyagi, Susumu Mikajiri, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Satoshi Nakayama, Hideyo Makino, Yoshinari Onuma
  • Publication number: 20210016584
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes a plurality of conveyors and an image reader. The plurality of conveyors conveys a recording material. The image reader reads a pattern image on the recording material being conveyed. The conveyance apparatus further includes circuitry to control the image reader. The circuitry controls the image reader to read the pattern image on the recording material in a period including a timing at which a trailing edge of the recording material being conveyed by at least two of the plurality of conveyors exits an upstream conveyor among the at least two of the plurality of conveyors in a direction of conveyance of the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohta Aoyagi, Hideyo Makino, Susumu Mikajiri, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Yoshinari Onuma, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10895831
    Abstract: A conveyance control device includes a fixing device including a first rotary body, a cooling device including a second rotary body, and control circuitry. The circuitry records a first drive amount for the second body when the first and second bodies are driven at a speed, a second drive amount for the second body when the second body is driven without the first body being driven, a third drive amount for the second body when the second body is driven to rotate faster than a rotating speed and the first body is driven, and a fourth drive amount for the second body when the second body is driven to rotate slower than the rotating speed and the first body is driven. The circuitry performs correction based on the drive amounts in such a manner that a drive amount of the second body becomes equivalent to the second drive amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Hideyo Makino, Susumu Mikajiri, Yoshinari Onuma, Satoshi Nakayama, Hiroki Yamamura, Kohta Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 10877415
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive device including a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to a developer bearer via a first joint and a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to a rotary body via a second joint. The first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission passage are defined such that one of a first drive transmission ratio to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and a second drive transmission ratio to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage is an integral multiple of the other of the first drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takagi, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Naoyuki Suido
  • Patent number: 10855865
    Abstract: A reading device including a reader, a position reference member, and circuitry. The position reference member has a reference pattern along a first direction of the position reference member. The circuitry is configured to detect the reference pattern of the position reference member; determine coordinates of at least two pixels in the second direction, based on the detected reference pattern; calculate a first correction value based on the coordinates determined for the at least two pixels of the reader in the second direction; detect an outer shape and a position of an image pattern on the conveyed object based on data read by the reader; obtain a difference between an image of the conveyed object, of which a shape has been corrected, and an image of the conveyed object, of which a shape has not been correction; and set a second correction value based on the obtained difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Kohta Aoyagi, Hideyo Makino, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20200301326
    Abstract: A conveyance control device includes a fixing device including a first rotary body, a cooling device including a second rotary body, and control circuitry. The circuitry records a first drive amount for the second body when the first and second bodies are driven at a speed, a second drive amount for the second body when the second body is driven without the first body being driven, a third drive amount for the second body when the second body is driven to rotate faster than a rotating speed and the first body is driven, and a fourth drive amount for the second body when the second body is driven to rotate slower than the rotating speed and the first body is driven. The circuitry performs correction based on the drive amounts in such a manner that a drive amount of the second body becomes equivalent to the second drive amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Hideyo Makino, Susumu Mikajiri, Yoshinari Onuma, Satoshi Nakayama, Hiroki Yamamura, Kohta Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20200296243
    Abstract: An image inspection apparatus includes a first outputter that outputs color information of an image to be formed on a recording medium determined according to the type of recording medium; a reader provided facing one side of the recording medium and configured to output an image signal obtained by reading the recording medium; a second outputter that outputs an edge position of the recording medium and/or the image formed on the recording medium detected based on the image signal; first background members configured to face and contact another side of the recording medium and having different heights; second background members configured to face and contact the another side of the recording medium and having different colors; and an arranger that brings one member, selected according to the recording medium type from among the first and second background members, into contact with the another side of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohta AOYAGI, Susumu MIKAJIRI, Kimiharu YAMAZAKI, Satoshi NAKAYAMA, Hideyo MAKINO, Yoshinari ONUMA
  • Publication number: 20200004187
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive device including a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to a developer bearer via a first joint and a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to a rotary body via a second joint. The first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission passage are defined such that one of a first drive transmission ratio to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and a second drive transmission ratio to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage is an integral multiple of the other of the first drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takagi, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Naoyuki Suido
  • Patent number: 10520870
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive device including a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to a developer bearer via a first joint and a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to a rotary body via a second joint. The first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission passage are defined such that one of a first drive transmission ratio to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and a second drive transmission ratio to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage is an integral multiple of the other of the first drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takagi, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Naoyuki Suido
  • Publication number: 20190166271
    Abstract: A reading device including a reader, a position reference member, and circuitry. The position reference member has a reference pattern along a first direction of the position reference member. The circuitry is configured to detect the reference pattern of the position reference member; determine coordinates of at least two pixels in the second direction, based on the detected reference pattern; calculate a first correction value based on the coordinates determined for the at least two pixels of the reader in the second direction; detect an outer shape and a position of an image pattern on the conveyed object based on data read by the reader; obtain a difference between an image of the conveyed object, of which a shape has been corrected, and an image of the conveyed object, of which a shape has not been correction; and set a second correction value based on the obtained difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Kohta Aoyagi, Hideyo Makino, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20190163112
    Abstract: A position detector includes a reading device, a position reference member having a mark opposite the reading device, and circuitry. The circuitry controls the reading device to detect the contour of the processing target and the position of the image pattern on the processing target and the position of the mark and corrects a processing position for the processing target to offset distortion of the reading device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Daisuke Nikaku, Masamoto Nakazawa, Ryohma Ikemoto, Osamu Inage, Tatsuya Ishii, Satoshi Iwanami, Hideyo Makino, Kimiharu Yamazaki, Kohta Aoyagi, Satoshi Nakayama