Patents by Inventor Taku Kimura

Taku Kimura 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: 20170374217
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a movable body configured to illuminate a document with light; and an apparatus body configured to wirelessly transmit power to the movable body, wherein the movable body includes receiver coils, and a feed circuit in which the receiver coils uses receiving power to supply power to a load, the apparatus body includes transmitter coils placed along a track of the receiver coils, the transmitter coils and the receiver coils are placed such that power supply efficiency of any receiver coil with the transmitter coil placed along the track of the receiver coil fluctuates, and power supply efficiency related to one receiver coil increases at a position where power supply efficiency related to the other receiver coil drops, and the feed circuit supplies power sequentially using the receiving power of the receiver coil whose power supply efficiency is increased to highest among the receiver coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi ISHIDA, Tatsuya EGUCHI, Isao WATANABE, Hiroaki TAKATSU, Taku KIMURA, Atomu NAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20170259447
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes: a moving mechanism configured to move a punching apparatus in a width direction orthogonal to a transportation direction of a sheet; and a sensor configured to optically detect a mark formed on the sheet and indicating a position to be punched. The mark is configured such that an interval in the transportation direction between a plurality of feature portions extending in the width direction is configured to be changed depending on the width direction. The moving mechanism is configured to determine a position of the punching apparatus in the width direction based on a difference between respective timings of detection of the plurality of feature portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takatsu, Tatsuya Eguchi, Takeshi Ishida, Isao Watanabe, Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20170261892
    Abstract: A power supply control device including a chopper circuit generating a heater current for a halogen heater, a current feedback circuit generating a current feedback signal indicating a current amount based on an amount of the heater current, and a constant current circuit performing pulse-width modulation of the heater current amount according to a difference between a target heater current amount and the current amount indicated by the current feedback signal. The current feedback circuit switches between methods at least including a first method and a second method for generating the current feedback signal. The current feedback signal indicates a greater current amount with the first method than with the second method, and the current feedback circuit uses the first method during a period with a predetermined time length starting from when the halogen heater is turned on, and uses the second method after elapse of the period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Mikiyuki AOKI, Seiichi KIRIKUBO, Taku KIMURA, Akinori KIMATA, Takeshi TAMADA
  • Patent number: 9749489
    Abstract: A power control device receiving supply of power from a power source, the power control device including: a power accumulator accumulating a part of power from the power source; a first voltage converter receiving power from the power source and the power accumulator, performing voltage conversion to a first target voltage, and supplying power with the first target voltage to a first load; a second voltage converter receiving power from the first voltage converter, performing voltage conversion to a second target voltage, and supplying power with the second target voltage to a second load; a power source monitor monitoring power from the power source; and a power controller lowering the first target voltage to a level that the second voltage converter is capable of converting to the second target voltage when the power source monitor detects that the supply of power from the power source has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Mikiyuki Aoki, Masahiro Nonoyama, Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20170176904
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that includes a roller and an electric heating wire heater, a current applying circuit that applies electrical current to the electric heater wire heater, a measuring unit electrically connected to the current applying circuit and that measures a value of electrical current that flows through the electric heating wire heater, and a controller that controls the electrical current that flows through the electric heating wire heater by controlling the current applying circuit based on the electrical current value measured by the measuring unit. The controller controls the electrical current to be less than or equal to an electrical current limit value. A magnitude of the electrical current limit value is linked to a magnitude of stable state electrical current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Taku Kimura, Mikiyuki Aoki, Seiichi Kirikubo, Takeshi Tamada, Akinori Kimata
  • Publication number: 20160337539
    Abstract: A power control device receiving supply of power from a power source, the power control device including: a power accumulator accumulating a part of power from the power source; a first voltage converter receiving power from the power source and the power accumulator, performing voltage conversion to a first target voltage, and supplying power with the first target voltage to a first load; a second voltage converter receiving power from the first voltage converter, performing voltage conversion to a second target voltage, and supplying power with the second target voltage to a second load; a power source monitor monitoring power from the power source; and a power controller lowering the first target voltage to a level that the second voltage converter is capable of converting to the second target voltage when the power source monitor detects that the supply of power from the power source has stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Junichi MASUDA, Mikiyuki AOKI, Masahiro NONOYAMA, Taku KIMURA
  • Patent number: 9335710
    Abstract: An electric power supply control device comprises a first converter, at least one second converter, and an electrical voltage control unit. The second converter can work in intermittent oscillation, and converts outputting electrical voltage from the first converter. The electrical voltage control unit controls the outputting electrical voltage of the first converter, so that the outputting electrical voltage is equal to or less than a minimum value of upper limits of operating electrical voltage of the second converter, and is more than or equal to a maximum value of lower limits of operating electrical voltage of the second converter, and at least one of the second converter performs low electric power behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Mikiyuki Aoki, Taku Kimura, Yohei Yamada, Morio Kinoshita, Toru Kasamatsu, Kouei Cho
  • Publication number: 20160085199
    Abstract: An electric power supply control device comprises a first converter, at least one second converter, and an electrical voltage control unit. The second converter can work in intermittent oscillation, and converts outputting electrical voltage from the first converter. The electrical voltage control unit controls the outputting electrical voltage of the first converter, so that the outputting electrical voltage is equal to or less than a minimum value of upper limits of operating electrical voltage of the second converter, and is more than or equal to a maximum value of lower limits of operating electrical voltage of the second converter, and at least one of the second converter performs low electric power behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Mikiyuki AOKI, Taku KIMURA, Yohei YAMADA, Morio KINOSHITA, Toru KASAMATSU, Kouei CHO
  • Publication number: 20150256079
    Abstract: An electric power supply control device comprises AC/DC converter, DC/DC converters, and an output electrical voltage monitor unit of the AC/DC converter. When output electrical voltage of the AC/DC converter increases to the first preset value P1, the AC/DC converter stops the convert. When the output electrical voltage decreases to the second preset value P2, the AC/DC converter restarts the convert. The first preset value P1 is equal to or less than the lowest value, out of the upper limit values in electrical voltage ranges in which the DC/DC converters CV1 and CV2 can work. The second preset value P2 is more than or equal to the highest value, out of the lower limit values in electrical voltage ranges in which the DC/DC converters CV1 and CV2 can work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Taku KIMURA, Mikiyuki AOKI, Hideki NAKAMURA, Masahiro NONOYAMA, Junichi MASUDA, Yohei YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8811847
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a color image by overlaying toner images formed on respective first, second, and third photoreceptors, comprising: first, second, and third voltage-applied members respectively facing the first, second, and third photoreceptors; a first AC power supply generating first AC voltage, and superimposing the first AC voltage on first DC voltage to generate first voltage for causing a first electric field between the first voltage-applied member and the first photoreceptor; a second AC power supply generating second AC voltage, and superimposing the second AC voltage on second DC voltage to generate second voltage for causing a second electric field between the second voltage-applied member and the second photoreceptor; and a composite circuit superimposing a composite of the first voltage and the second voltage on third DC voltage, to generate third voltage for causing a third electric field between the third voltage-applied member and the third photoreceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikiyuki Aoki, Junichi Masuda, Taku Kimura, Takahiro Yokoya
  • Patent number: 8718524
    Abstract: A fixation device including: a conveyance member configured to convey media; a heater configured to heat the conveyance member; a pressure member being in contact with the conveyance member; a first sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the first sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member; and a second sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the second sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20130235622
    Abstract: A power supply device comprises: a rectifier circuit converting AC input voltage to DC; a smoothing capacitor connected to an output terminal of the rectifier circuit; a switching element turning on and off output from the smoothing capacitor to provide to a load; a switching controller controlling the switching of the switching element; a first signal input part generating a first signal for stopping the switching and keeping it stopped and inputting the first signal to the switching controller via a particular terminal thereof, when a trouble occurs on the power supply device; a detector detecting that the AC input voltage is a predetermined value or less; and a second signal input part generating a second signal for stopping the switching and keeping it stopped and inputting the second signal to the switching controller via the particular terminal, when the AC input voltage is the predetermined value or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Mikiyuki Aoki, Taku Kimura, Takahiro Yokoya
  • Publication number: 20130183057
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a color image by overlaying toner images formed on respective first, second, and third photoreceptors, comprising: first, second, and third voltage-applied members respectively facing the first, second, and third photoreceptors; a first AC power supply generating first AC voltage, and superimposing the first AC voltage on first DC voltage to generate first voltage for causing a first electric field between the first voltage-applied member and the first photoreceptor; a second AC power supply generating second AC voltage, and superimposing the second AC voltage on second DC voltage to generate second voltage for causing a second electric field between the second voltage-applied member and the second photoreceptor; and a composite circuit superimposing a composite of the first voltage and the second voltage on third DC voltage, to generate third voltage for causing a third electric field between the third voltage-applied member and the third photoreceptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Mikiyuki Aoki, Junichi Masuda, Taku Kimura, Takahiro Yokoya
  • Patent number: 8417170
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt in an endless shape for fixing developer to a printing medium; a supporting member for contacting with and supporting the fixing belt; a heating member for contacting with and heating the fixing belt supported with the supporting member; and a heat regulating member disposed between the supporting member and the heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20120250357
    Abstract: A power supplying device provides power to the body of an image forming apparatus and an optional device connected to the body of the same. The power supplying device comprises: a rectifier circuit which rectifies an alternating current inputted from an alternating-current source; a booster circuit which boosts and smooths the direct-current voltage caused by the rectifier circuit; a judgment portion which judges whether or not there is an optional device connected to the body of the image forming apparatus; an identification portion which identifies the type of the optional device connected thereto; and a controller which, if there is an optional device connected thereto according to the judgment portion, adjusts the boosted voltage obtained by the booster circuit to a higher value than that if there is no optional device connected thereto, which depends on the type of the optional device identified by the identification portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro YOKOYA, Mikiyuki Aoki, Junichi Masuda, Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20120093548
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt with an endless shape to be heated with a heating member; a pressing roller disposed outside the fixing belt; a fixing side roller disposed inside the fixing belt and pressed against the pressing roller with the fixing belt in between; and a nip forming member disposed inside the fixing belt and pressed against the pressing roller with the fixing belt in between. Further, the fixing side roller is arranged to form a strain portion having a strain amount in the pressing roller so that the strain amount is greater than a strain amount of a strain portion formed in the pressing roller with the nip forming member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Taku KIMURA
  • Patent number: 8107868
    Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a fixing device that comprises: an endless fixing belt; a first rotating body arranged at an inner side of the fixing belt; and a heater arranged to face an inner surface of the fixing belt and configured to heat the fixing belt and to suspend the fixing belt in a tensioned state together with the first rotating body, the heater comprising: a heat generating unit arranged at an end portion of the heater on a downstream side in a direction of travel of the fixing belt and configured to heat the fixing belt; and a support including metal and configured to support the heat generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110262193
    Abstract: A fixation device including: a conveyance member configured to convey media; a heater configured to heat the conveyance member; a pressure member being in contact with the conveyance member; a first sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the first sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member; and a second sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the second sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: TAKU KIMURA
  • Patent number: 7970326
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a determining unit, an image forming unit, a fixing member, a pressing member, a separating member and a release agent applying member. The determining unit determines whether to print a borderless image or not. The image forming unit forms a developer image on a recording medium in accordance with the printing data so that the developer image reaches the vicinity of a leading end of the recording medium. The fixing member fixes the developer image to the recording medium. The pressing member is pressed against the fixing member to form a nip portion therebetween. The separating member is disposed on a downstream side of the nip portion so that the separating member has no contact with the fixing member. The separating member separates the recording medium from the fixing member. The release agent applying member applies a release agent to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ito, Taku Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110123238
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt in an endless shape for fixing developer to a printing medium; a supporting member for contacting with and supporting the fixing belt; a heating member for contacting with and heating the fixing belt supported with the supporting member; and a heat regulating member disposed between the supporting member and the heating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Taku KIMURA