Patents by Inventor Masafumi Monde
Masafumi Monde 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).
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Publication number: 20240044784Abstract: A detecting apparatus includes first and second light emitting elements configured to emit light on a recording material, and a light receiving unit configured to receive the light transmitted through the recording material. The apparatus also includes a rotation member configured to rotate and press the recording material, on which the first light and the second light is emitted, against a conveyance guide for guiding the recording material. As viewed in a rotational axis direction of the rotation member, a first light path connecting the first light emitting element with the light receiving unit and a second light path connecting the second light emitting element with the light receiving unit overlap with the cylindrical member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Mizuki Ishimoto, Norio Matsui, Masafumi Monde
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Patent number: 11822276Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of members for forming an image; a transmitting unit configured to transmit a sonic wave; a receiving unit configured to receive a first sonic wave that has been transmitted from the transmitting unit and has passed through a sheet and a second sonic wave that is generated from at least one of the plurality of members; a detection unit configured to detect information regarding a type or state of the sheet based on the first sonic wave; and a determination unit configured to determine a state of a member that has generated the second sonic wave based on the second sonic wave.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yohei Suzuki, Junya Azami, Seiji Hara, Atsunobu Mori, Masafumi Monde, Tatsuya Hotogi, Hirotaka Shiomichi
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Patent number: 11815453Abstract: A moisture detecting apparatus includes: a light emitting unit including a first light source configured to emit light having a first wavelength as a peak wavelength, and a second light source configured to emit light having a second wavelength as a peak wavelength; a detecting unit configured to detect a first detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted from the first light source is transmitted through a recording material, and a second detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted by the second light source is transmitted through the recording material, based on a light receiving result of a light receiving unit; and a determination unit configured to determine a value related to a moisture content of the recording material based on the first detection value and the second detection value.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mizuki Ishimoto, Norio Matsui, Masafumi Monde
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Publication number: 20230288861Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Atsunobu Mori, Yohei Suzuki, Seiji Hara, Yasuhisa Matsumoto, Junya Azami, Masafumi Monde, Hirotaka Shiomichi, Tatsuya Hotogi
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Patent number: 11709457Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an ultrasonic sensor and a processor is configured to control the image forming apparatus based on an output signal of the ultrasonic sensor. The processor estimates a barometric pressure based on the output signal of the ultrasonic sensor and determines an image forming condition based on the estimated barometric pressure. The ultrasonic sensor is utilized for controlling the image forming apparatus and for estimating the barometric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiyuki Ichino, Naoki Nishimura, Hiromitsu Kumada, Masafumi Monde
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Patent number: 11693347Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsunobu Mori, Yohei Suzuki, Seiji Hara, Yasuhisa Matsumoto, Junya Azami, Masafumi Monde, Hirotaka Shiomichi, Tatsuya Hotogi
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Patent number: 11635721Abstract: A first light guide guides first light in a first light guiding path. The first light is of light irradiated from the light source to a sheet. A first detection unit receives reflected light from the sheet and outputs an image signal indicating an image of a surface of the sheet. A second light guide guides second light in a second light guiding path different from the first light guiding path. The second light is of the light irradiated from the light source and is different from the first light. A second detection unit receives the second light and output a detection signal corresponding to a light amount of the second light. A control unit controls a light emission amount of the light source based on the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masafumi Monde, Mizuki Ishimoto, Yu Miyajima, Norio Matsui
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Publication number: 20220404755Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of members for forming an image; a transmitting unit configured to transmit a sonic wave; a receiving unit configured to receive a first sonic wave that has been transmitted from the transmitting unit and has passed through a sheet and a second sonic wave that is generated from at least one of the plurality of members; a detection unit configured to detect information regarding a type or state of the sheet based on the first sonic wave; and a determination unit configured to determine a state of a member that has generated the second sonic wave based on the second sonic wave.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Yohei Suzuki, Junya Azami, Seiji Hara, Atsunobu Mori, Masafumi Monde, Tatsuya Hotogi, Hirotaka Shiomichi
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Patent number: 11514283Abstract: There is provided an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus including, a first variable mechanism that varies from a first state to a second state or from the second state to the first state when physically operated by a user, a first detection unit configured to detect the variation of a state of the first variable mechanism, and a sound collection unit. The image forming system further includes a generation unit configured to generate, when the variation is detected by the first detection unit, first statistical information regarding at least one sound wave obtained by the sound collection unit in a period based on a timing when the variation is detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yohei Suzuki, Seiji Hara, Masafumi Monde, Hiroshi Hagiwara, Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Hiromitsu Kumada
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Publication number: 20220349817Abstract: A moisture detecting apparatus includes: a light emitting unit including a first light source configured to emit light having a first wavelength as a peak wavelength, and a second light source configured to emit light having a second wavelength as a peak wavelength; a detecting unit configured to detect a first detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted from the first light source is transmitted through a recording material, and a second detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted by the second light source is transmitted through the recording material, based on a light receiving result of a light receiving unit; and a determination unit configured to determine a value related to a moisture content of the recording material based on the first detection value and the second detection value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Mizuki Ishimoto, Norio Matsui, Masafumi Monde
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Publication number: 20220299924Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Atsunobu Mori, Yohei Suzuki, Seiji Hara, Yasuhisa Matsumoto, Junya Azami, Masafumi Monde, Hirotaka Shiomichi, Tatsuya Hotogi
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Patent number: 11442387Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of members for forming an image; a transmitting unit configured to transmit a sonic wave; a receiving unit configured to receive a first sonic wave that has been transmitted from the transmitting unit and has passed through a sheet and a second sonic wave that is generated from at least one of the plurality of members; a detection unit configured to detect information regarding a type or state of the sheet based on the first sonic wave; and a determination unit configured to determine a state of a member that has generated the second sonic wave based on the second sonic wave.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yohei Suzuki, Junya Azami, Seiji Hara, Atsunobu Mori, Masafumi Monde, Tatsuya Hotogi, Hirotaka Shiomichi
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Publication number: 20220276600Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having a plurality of members, a control unit, and a sound collecting unit. The control unit controls operations of the plurality of members in a first operation mode in which the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material. The sound collecting unit collects a sound that arises in the image forming apparatus during the first operation mode execution to generate a sound signal. When it is determined, based on the generated sound signal, that an abnormal sound has arisen, the control unit determines a source of the abnormal sound by transitioning to a second operation mode after the first operation mode has ended and causing, in the second operation mode, one or more members, from the plurality of members, that are possible sources of the abnormal sound to operate separately from the remaining plurality of members.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Seiji Hara, Yohei Suzuki, Masafumi Monde, Hiroshi Hagiwara, Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Hiromitsu Kumada
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Patent number: 11415508Abstract: A moisture detecting apparatus includes: a light emitting unit including a first light source configured to emit light having a first wavelength as a peak wavelength, and a second light source configured to emit light having a second wavelength as a peak wavelength; a detecting unit configured to detect a first detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted from the first light source is transmitted through a recording material, and a second detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted by the second light source is transmitted through the recording material, based on a light receiving result of a light receiving unit; and a determination unit configured to determine a value related to a moisture content of the recording material based on the first detection value and the second detection value.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mizuki Ishimoto, Norio Matsui, Masafumi Monde
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Patent number: 11385587Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsunobu Mori, Yohei Suzuki, Seiji Hara, Yasuhisa Matsumoto, Junya Azami, Masafumi Monde, Hirotaka Shiomichi, Tatsuya Hotogi
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Publication number: 20220197204Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stack portion having recording materials, an image forming unit, a basis weight detection unit, an operating sound detection unit, and a mode selection unit. The basis weight detection unit detects a recording material basis weight based on an ultrasonic wave. The operating sound detection unit detect an abnormality of a generated operating sound. The mode selection unit selects, for each recording material fed to the image forming unit, between transmitting to the basis weight detection unit a first instruction for detecting the recording material basis weight and transmitting to the operating sound detection unit a second instruction for detecting the operating sound abnormality. In determining an interval at which each second instruction is transmitted, the mode selection unit determines the interval so that the interval and a cycle, in which properties of recording materials on the stack portion are repeated, do not continuously coincide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Hiroshi Hagiwara, Naoto Tsuchihashi, Yohei Suzuki, Seiji Hara, Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Masafumi Monde, Hiromitsu Kumada
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Publication number: 20220196605Abstract: A device includes a sensor including an emission unit which emits ultrasonic waves and a reception unit which receives the ultrasonic waves, the emission unit and the reception unit being arranged opposite each other across a conveyance path through which a recording material is conveyed, an instruction unit which supplies, to the emission unit, a first drive input or a second drive input larger than the first drive input, and a detection unit which detects information about a grammage of the recording material based on a first value obtained by the reception unit receiving ultrasonic waves emitted from the emission unit with the first drive input supplied thereto and coming not through the recording material and a second value obtained by the reception unit receiving ultrasonic waves emitted from the emission unit with the second drive input supplied thereto and coming through the recording material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Masafumi Monde, Junya Azami, Hiromitsu Kumada, Ryuichi Araki, Mayumi Sakai
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Patent number: 11360420Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having a plurality of members, a control unit, and a sound collecting unit. The control unit controls operations of the plurality of members in a first operation mode in which the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material. The sound collecting unit collects a sound that arises in the image forming apparatus during the first operation mode execution to generate a sound signal. When it is determined, based on the generated sound signal, that an abnormal sound has arisen, the control unit determines a source of the abnormal sound by transitioning to a second operation mode after the first operation mode has ended and causing, in the second operation mode, one or more members, from the plurality of members, that are possible sources of the abnormal sound to operate separately from the remaining plurality of members.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Hara, Yohei Suzuki, Masafumi Monde, Hiroshi Hagiwara, Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Hiromitsu Kumada
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Patent number: 11353815Abstract: A recording material determination device includes a transmission unit, a drive unit, a reception unit, and a control unit. The drive unit outputs a drive signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the transmission unit to the reception unit. The control unit determines a type of a recording material, based on a first value of the ultrasonic wave through the recording material received by the reception unit in a first mode for outputting a first number of drive signals from the drive unit in a first period, and a second value of the ultrasonic wave through the recording material received by the reception unit in a second mode for outputting a second number of drive signals from the drive unit in a second period. The second number of drive signals is greater than the first number of drive signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masafumi Monde, Hiromitsu Kumada, Yuka Fujii, Mizuki Ishimoto
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Publication number: 20220128938Abstract: A first light guide guides first light in a first light guiding path. The first light is of light irradiated from the light source to a sheet. A first detection unit receives reflected light from the sheet and outputs an image signal indicating an image of a surface of the sheet. A second light guide guides second light in a second light guiding path different from the first light guiding path. The second light is of the light irradiated from the light source and is different from the first light. A second detection unit receives the second light and output a detection signal corresponding to a light amount of the second light. A control unit controls a light emission amount of the light source based on the detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Masafumi Monde, Mizuki Ishimoto, Yu Miyajima, Norio Matsui