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).

  • Patent number: 11973914
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Go Araki, Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Patent number: 11949825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Taku Murotani, Hiroki Katayama
  • Publication number: 20230269340
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: GO ARAKI, MITSUHIRO OBARA
  • Patent number: 11709437
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
  • Publication number: 20230072359
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
  • Patent number: 11537058
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
  • Publication number: 20220377198
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Taku Murotani, Hiroki Katayama
  • Publication number: 20220197179
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroki Katayama, Atsushi Sano, Jun Nagatoshi, Chihiro Shirakawa, Tetsushi Uneme
  • Patent number: 11016408
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Yoji Misao
  • Publication number: 20200409286
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Mitsuhiro Obara, Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Yoji Misao
  • Patent number: 10845727
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Patent number: 10728424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Kenta Yano, Takeyoshi Saiga
  • Publication number: 20190286008
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Patent number: 9857722
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Patent number: 9781282
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Tetsuya Nishiguchi, Isshin Sato, Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Publication number: 20170090340
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Patent number: 9535246
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawano, Mitsuhiro Obara, Junya Azami
  • Publication number: 20160373598
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Tetsuya Nishiguchi, Isshin Sato, Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Publication number: 20160205287
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Kenta Yano, Takeyoshi Saiga
  • Publication number: 20160018638
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawano, Mitsuhiro Obara, Junya Azami