Patents by Inventor Mitsuhiro Obara
Mitsuhiro Obara 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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Patent number: 11973914Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a scanning unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor by scanning the photoconductor with one or more scanning beams in a main scanning direction based on an image signal, repetitively in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; a generating unit configured to perform halftone processing on image data to generate the image signal; and a storage unit configured to store correction information. The correction information is set such that start positions of a plurality of scanning lines are linearly displaced to either a negative side or a positive side of the main scanning direction along the sub-scanning direction, in accordance with a direction of a first vector forming a smaller angle with the sub-scanning direction among two vectors in the halftone processing.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Go Araki, Mitsuhiro Obara
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Patent number: 11949825Abstract: A scanning optical device includes a deflector, a reflecting mirror, a housing to accommodate the deflector and the mirror; and an elastic member to urge the mirror toward the housing. The mirror includes a first surface urged by the elastic member, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface and a fourth surface perpendicular to the first and second surfaces. The housing includes a bearing surface to support the second surface and a regulating portion to regulate movement of the mirror to a mirror widthwise direction, perpendicular to a mirror longitudinal direction and parallel with the second surface, and toward an opening of the housing. The regulating portion is provided opposite to only a part of the third surface so that a ridge line of the mirror between the second surface and the third surface does not contact the regulating member even an attitude of the mirror changes in a direction away from the bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Taku Murotani, Hiroki Katayama
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Publication number: 20230269340Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a scanning unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor by scanning the photoconductor with one or more scanning beams in a main scanning direction based on an image signal, repetitively in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; a generating unit configured to perform halftone processing on image data to generate the image signal; and a storage unit configured to store correction information. The correction information is set such that start positions of a plurality of scanning lines are linearly displaced to either a negative side or a positive side of the main scanning direction along the sub-scanning direction, in accordance with a direction of a first vector forming a smaller angle with the sub-scanning direction among two vectors in the halftone processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: GO ARAKI, MITSUHIRO OBARA
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Patent number: 11709437Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form a toner image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes an optical scanning unit, an optical box, a cover member, and a moving unit movable to an outside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit and the moving unit are arranged so that the moving unit and the optical scanning unit are opposed to each other when the moving unit is located in an inside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit is disposed so as to allow a user to touch the optical scanning unit through a space generated in the inside of the image forming apparatus when the moving unit is moved to the outside of the image forming apparatus. Between the optical box and the cover member, the cover member is opposed to the moving unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
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Publication number: 20230072359Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form a toner image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes an optical scanning unit, an optical box, a cover member, and a moving unit movable to an outside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit and the moving unit are arranged so that the moving unit and the optical scanning unit are opposed to each other when the moving unit is located in an inside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit is disposed so as to allow a user to touch the optical scanning unit through a space generated in the inside of the image forming apparatus when the moving unit is moved to the outside of the image forming apparatus. Between the optical box and the cover member, the cover member is opposed to the moving unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
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Patent number: 11537058Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form a toner image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes an optical scanning unit, an optical box, a cover member, and a moving unit movable to an outside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit and the moving unit are arranged so that the moving unit and the optical scanning unit are opposed to each other when the moving unit is located in an inside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit is disposed so as to allow a user to touch the optical scanning unit through a space generated in the inside of the image forming apparatus when the moving unit is moved to the outside of the image forming apparatus. Between the optical box and the cover member, the cover member is opposed to the moving unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
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Publication number: 20220377198Abstract: A scanning optical device includes a deflector, a reflecting mirror, a housing to accommodate the deflector and the mirror; and an elastic member to urge the mirror toward the housing. The mirror includes a first surface urged by the elastic member, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface and a fourth surface perpendicular to the first and second surfaces. The housing includes a bearing surface to support the second surface and a regulating portion to regulate movement of the mirror to a mirror widthwise direction, perpendicular to a mirror longitudinal direction and parallel with the second surface, and toward an opening of the housing. The regulating portion is provided opposite to only a part of the third surface so that a ridge line of the mirror between the second surface and the third surface does not contact the regulating member even an attitude of the mirror changes in a direction away from the bearing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Taku Murotani, Hiroki Katayama
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Publication number: 20220197179Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form a toner image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes an optical scanning unit, an optical box, a cover member, and a moving unit movable to an outside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit and the moving unit are arranged so that the moving unit and the optical scanning unit are opposed to each other when the moving unit is located in an inside of the image forming apparatus. The optical scanning unit is disposed so as to allow a user to touch the optical scanning unit through a space generated in the inside of the image forming apparatus when the moving unit is moved to the outside of the image forming apparatus. Between the optical box and the cover member, the cover member is opposed to the moving unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
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Patent number: 11016408Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a housing; a plurality of photosensitive members which bear respective toner images; a scanning unit which scans surfaces of the plurality of photosensitive members by laser light in accordance with image information; and a recording medium container which contains the recording medium and is detachably mounted in the housing. The scanning unit is disposed under the plurality of photosensitive members and over the recording medium container in the vertical direction, and other components are not interposed between the scanning unit and the recording medium container in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Yoji Misao
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Publication number: 20200409286Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a housing; a plurality of photosensitive members which bear respective toner images; a scanning unit which scans surfaces of the plurality of photosensitive members by laser light in accordance with image information; and a recording medium container which contains the recording medium and is detachably mounted in the housing. The scanning unit is disposed under the plurality of photosensitive members and over the recording medium container in the vertical direction, and other components are not interposed between the scanning unit and the recording medium container in the vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Yoji Misao
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Patent number: 10845727Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, a first driving element, a second driving element, a rotatable polygonal mirror, a first scanning optical portion, a second scanning optical portion, a detecting element, and a circuit board. The first light source, the first driving element and the detecting element are arranged in a named order on the circuit board. The following relationship is satisfied: ?1>?2, where ?1 is an angle formed by a direction of the first laser light and a first direction, and ?2 is an angle formed by a direction of the second laser light and a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
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Patent number: 10728424Abstract: A spectral color measuring apparatus includes a light source, an optical emitting element configured to regulate a position of the light source in an emission direction of a light flux, and to guide the light flux emitted from the light source onto a color-patch image formed on a surface of a sheet, and an urging member configured to urge the light source toward the optical emitting element in the emission direction of the light flux. With this, relative positional accuracy between the light source and the optical emitting member is enhanced, thereby enabling accurate measurement of a color of an image in a short color measuring takt (time period).Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Kenta Yano, Takeyoshi Saiga
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Publication number: 20190286008Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, a first driving element, a second driving element, a rotatable polygonal mirror, a first scanning optical portion, a second scanning optical portion, a detecting element, and a circuit board. The first light source, the first driving element and the detecting element are arranged in a named order on the circuit board. The following relationship is satisfied: ?1>?2, where ?1 is an angle formed by a direction of the first laser light and a first direction, and ?2 is an angle formed by a direction of the second laser light and a second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
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Patent number: 9857722Abstract: A light source device includes a semiconductor laser configured to emit a laser beam, the semiconductor laser including a stem provided with a cut-away portion; and a holder member including a cylindrical portion configured to hold the semiconductor laser, wherein an inner surface of the cylindrical portion has a surface opposing the stem, and wherein the opposing surface includes a contact portion disposed at a position corresponding to the cut-away portion and contacting the stem and a spaced portion spaced from the stem.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
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Patent number: 9781282Abstract: The present invention roughens at least a partial region of an outer planar surface of at least one of an optical case and a lid of a laser scanner; thus, electrification of the optical case to be caused by friction with another member or a person is reduced, and damage to an electronic component is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Tetsuya Nishiguchi, Isshin Sato, Mitsuhiro Obara
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Publication number: 20170090340Abstract: A light source device includes a semiconductor laser configured to emit a laser beam, the semiconductor laser including a stem provided with a cut-away portion; and a holder member including a cylindrical portion configured to hold the semiconductor laser, wherein an inner surface of the cylindrical portion has a surface opposing the stem, and wherein the opposing surface includes a contact portion disposed at a position corresponding to the cut-away portion and contacting the stem and a spaced portion spaced from the stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
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Patent number: 9535246Abstract: Six first holes into which lead pins of a first semiconductor laser are inserted are arranged to form a parallelogram having line segments each connecting two first holes arranged in an X direction as first short sides, and line segments each connecting three first holes arranged in an intersecting direction intersecting with the X direction as first long sides. Six second holes into which lead pins of a second semiconductor laser are inserted are arranged to form a parallelogram having line segments each connecting two second holes arranged in the X direction as second short sides, and line segments each connecting three second holes arranged in the intersecting direction intersecting with the X direction as second long sides.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoyuki Kawano, Mitsuhiro Obara, Junya Azami
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Publication number: 20160373598Abstract: The present invention roughens at least a partial region of an outer planar surface of at least one of an optical case and a lid of a laser scanner; thus, electrification of the optical case to be caused by friction with another member or a person is reduced, and damage to an electronic component is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Tetsuya Nishiguchi, Isshin Sato, Mitsuhiro Obara
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Publication number: 20160205287Abstract: The spectral color measuring apparatus includes a light source, an optical emitting element configured to regulate a position of the light source in an emission direction of a light flux, and to guide the light flux emitted from the light source onto a color-patch image formed on a surface of a sheet (P), and an urging member configured to urge the light source toward the optical emitting element in the emission direction of the light flux. With this, relative positional accuracy between the light source and the optical emitting member is enhanced, thereby being capable of accurately measuring a color of an image in a short color measuring takt (time period).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Kenta Yano, Takeyoshi Saiga
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Publication number: 20160018638Abstract: Six first holes into which lead pins of a first semiconductor laser are inserted are arranged to form a parallelogram having line segments each connecting two first holes arranged in an X direction as first short sides, and line segments each connecting three first holes arranged in an intersecting direction intersecting with the X direction as first long sides. Six second holes into which lead pins of a second semiconductor laser are inserted are arranged to form a parallelogram having line segments each connecting two second holes arranged in the X direction as second short sides, and line segments each connecting three second holes arranged in the intersecting direction intersecting with the X direction as second long sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawano, Mitsuhiro Obara, Junya Azami