Patents Assigned to Konica Minolta, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9223260
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing side member disposed at a position on a fixing surface side of a sheet on which a toner image is formed; a back side supporting member that forms a fixing nip for conveying the sheet in a tightly sandwiching manner when the back side supporting member is in pressure contact with the fixing side member; and a voltage applying section that applies to both sides of the sheet passed through the fixing nip voltages opposite in polarity to surface potentials of the both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazunori Nishinoue, Miho Yamano, Makoto Fujii, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Taizou Oonishi, Atsushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9221249
    Abstract: A droplet discharge device having a droplet discharge head provided with a plurality of nozzles that discharge droplets; a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles; and a plurality of pressure generating units for changing a capacity of each pressure chamber by applying a drive signal. The drive signal includes an expansion pulse and a contraction pulse, and the plurality of nozzles are divided into a plurality of groups each comprising one or more nozzles. A drive voltage value of the expansion pulse is set to be common to the respective groups. The drive signal which has a drive voltage value of the contraction pulse independently set in accordance with a droplet speed level for each group is applied to the droplet discharge head, and the droplets are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takakazu Kuki, Katsuaki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9223035
    Abstract: The invention provides radiographic image detectors in which a scintillator layer itself exhibits improved flexibility and is prevented from crystal breakage while the scintillator layer and a photoelectric conversion element are bonded to each other via uniform thickness without forming defects. The radiographic image detector includes a substrate, a scintillator layer with a columnar crystal structure disposed on the substrate, an optical coupling layer and a photoelectric conversion element. The scintillator layer has a flexural elastic modulus Esc satisfying relationships represented by Expression (I) as measured by a cantilever test in which the scintillator layer disposed on the substrate is held in a cantilever condition and is bent under a uniformly distributed load with the columnar crystal structure side being bent outward: Esc??0.43M+372 and Esc??0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isa, Masashi Kondo, Mitsuko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9223523
    Abstract: An image forming method using an image forming system including a master RIP and at least one slave RIP is provided. The slave RIP stores a printer profile of every paper to be printed by a printer connected to the slave RIP, registers paper relating information associating the printer profile with the paper and including a storage place for the printer profile, and transmits the paper relating information and the printer profile respectively to the master RIP. The master RIP receives the paper relating information and the printer profile, sets a paper in a print job, acquires the printer profile from the storage place associated with the set paper in the paper relating information, conducts color conversion of the print job by the printer profile instead of the slave RIP, and transmits the print job subjected to the color conversion to the slave RIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuniyasu Shibata
  • Patent number: 9223070
    Abstract: Provided is an optical film which does not undergo the deterioration in front contrast or contrast fluctuations even when used in a VA-type liquid crystal display device having high front contrast or as a polarizing plate protection film. The optical film comprises a cellulose ester resin having high stretching adequacy and having an average acetyl group substitution degree of 2.0-2.6, has a phase difference (Ro) of 30-100 nm, a phase difference (Rth) of 70-400 nm and a film thickness of 15-50 ?m, and is characterized by fulfilling a requirement represented by formula (I). Formula (I): 0.01<S(bs)/S(T)<0.30, in the formula, S(bs) represents the quantity of backscattered light at 590 nm and 25°-85° when the angle of incident light that enters the film is set at 0°, the intensity of scattered light at 590 nm and 25°-85°; and S(T) represents the total quantity of incident light that enters the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Ayako Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9225890
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a portable information device and an image processing device. The portable information device includes a shooting portion, a shooting control portion, and a remote operation portion to remotely operate the image processing device. The image processing device includes an image processing portion and a remote control portion to control the image processing portion. The remote operation portion includes a cooperation notice portion to notify the image processing device of a cooperation state. The shooting control portion includes a transmission portion to transmit image data output by the shooting portion shooting an image of a subject to the image processing device while the remote operation portion is remotely controlling the image processing device. The remote control portion includes an input mode switch portion to set the portable information device as an input source of data to be input to the image processing portion after the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakano, Katsuhiko Akita, Takeshi Morikawa, Kazusei Takahashi, Yuji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9222835
    Abstract: A multi-angle colorimeter employs a multi-angle mode and a symmetrical arrangement mode in an optical arrangement. Light detection on both sides of the symmetrical arrangement is performed by a single photodetector unit. The photodetector unit is used on both sides, and thus, the device becomes simpler, without any impact on individual difference in characteristics of multiple photodetector units. Conversely, elements for illumination can be used on both sides. Also in a case where multiple photodetector units are used, the size and cost of the device can be reduced with the use of a photodetector unit having a relatively low wavelength resolution as a photodetector unit to be used on one side. This enables to reduce an attitude error due to relative tilting of a measurement surface while reducing the size and cost of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Teraoka, Katsutoshi Tsurutani, Yuta Yamanoi
  • Patent number: 9220477
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a controller, to which a probe and a monitor are connected, the probe having an array of transducers, in which a number of transducers are arranged in a first direction. The controller controls transmission of an ultrasonic beam using the array of transducers and reception of an echo signal reflected from a region of interest, generates image data based on the echo signal, and gets echo signals received from multiple points of the region of interest by either moving or swinging the array of transducers in a second direction that intersects with the first direction at right angles. If the sum of image data ranges of measured value retrievable portions of the region of interest at the multiple points synthesized based on the echo signals, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the controller calculates a detected value of the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Makiko Urabe, Koetsu Saito, Akihiro Kawabata, Manabu Migita, Morio Nishigaki, Ryuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9223243
    Abstract: A charging device has a charging member to charge an object, an applying unit to apply a voltage to the charging member for generating an electric discharge from the charging member, so that the object is discharged by the charging member, a detecting unit to detect an emission of light of the electric discharge, an output unit to output a detection result by the detecting unit, a cleaning unit to clean the charging member, and a controller to control the cleaning unit to clean the charging member when the detection result is out of a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Shintaro Sone, Hiroyuki Saito, Hisayoshi Nagase, Kazuteru Ishizuka, Tatsuya Furuta, Kazutoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9222009
    Abstract: Provided are fine abrasive particles which have a high rate of polishing and generate few polishing flaws. A process for producing then abrasive particles is also provided in which the fine abrasive particles have a reduced coefficient of fluctuation in particle diameter, the production steps are simple, and the production cost is low. The fine abrasive particles comprise cerium oxide, at least one element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, and one or more element selected from Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, and are characterized in that the cerium oxide has a Ce content of 20 mol % or higher and that the sum (mol %) of the content of the at least one element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Nd Eu and the content of Ce in the cerium oxide is greater than the sum (mol %) of the contents of the one or more elements selected from Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Maezawa, Atsushi Takahashi, Yuuki Nagai
  • Patent number: 9220470
    Abstract: There is described a radiological image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to obtain a good X ray image in which contrast of the peripheral portions are emphasized by employing the Talbot interferometer method and the Talbot-Lau interferometer method. The apparatus is provided with an X-ray tube, a multi-slit member, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating and an X-ray detector. The second diffraction grating contacts the X-ray detector. A distance L between the multi-slit element and the first diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.5 m, a distance Z1 between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.05 m, and a slit interval distance d0 of the multi-slit element is set to be not less than 2 ?m. With the settings, the abovementioned good X-ray image can be obtained by using the Talbot-Lau interferometer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hiromu Ohara
  • Patent number: 9223531
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a storage that stores one or more files; a connector that connects the image processing apparatus to a portable terminal apparatus, the portable terminal apparatus including a display portion that remotely displays a screen of the image processing apparatus along with one or more application icons representing one or more applications installed on the portable terminal apparatus, the screen having: one or more file buttons and one or more file processing buttons; a receiver that receives display information from the portable terminal; a display data generator that generates remote screen display data on the basis of the display information, by moving the file processing button to a position at which the file processing button would be further away from the application icon; and a transmitter that transmits the remote screen display data to the portable terminal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenzo Yamamoto, Manabu Furukawa, Akihiko Oda, Hiroki Tajima
  • Patent number: 9221207
    Abstract: A method for producing a long stretched film according to one aspect of the present invention includes at least a film forming step of forming a long film made of thermoplastic resin, an oblique stretching step of obliquely stretching the long film and a winding step of winding the long stretched film after the oblique stretching step. The oblique stretching device includes gripping tool travel support tools at opposite sides of the traveling long film. Each of the gripping tool travel support tools includes a plurality of gripping tools. In the oblique stretching device, the gripping tool travel support tools provided at the opposite sides of the long film include the same number of gripping tools. A combination of the gripping tools forming a gripping tool pair is constantly the same at grip start points where the long film is gripped by the gripping tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hojo, Shinji Inagaki, Shimpei Hatakeyama, Daisuke Ueno, Hiroshi Nanbu
  • Patent number: 9223283
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a rotative image carrier and transferring the image onto an object, including: a cleaning unit removing a residual material from the image carrier; and a lubricant applying unit applying lubricant to a circumferential surface of the image carrier, the lubricant applying unit including: a rotative transporter picking up and retaining lubricant, transporting the lubricant to a lubricant application point, and supplying a portion of the lubricant to the image carrier at the lubricant application point; an ejector causing the transporter to eject a portion of the lubricant retained by the transporter; a collector collecting the portion of the lubricant ejected from the transporter; and a controller controlling ejection of the portion of the lubricant so as to maintain the amount of the lubricant retained by the transporter as no greater than a predetermined upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yohei Ito, Tsugihito Yoshiyama, Yoshiki Nakane, Tomohisa Yoshida, Masanori Kawada
  • Publication number: 20150373283
    Abstract: A photographing system includes a photographing device configured to photograph a surface; a detector configured to detect a change in a position of an object in a space between the surface and the photographing device; and an obtaining portion configured to obtain an image of an area of the surface by the photographing device when the detector detects the change, the area being not viewed by the photographing device before the change due to interruption of the object and being viewed by the photographing device after the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Akihiro HAYASHI, Yuji KOBAYASHI, Harumitsu FUJIMORI, Shiro UMEDA, Kosuke MASUMOTO, Yasuhiro ISHIHARA, Hiroshi YAMAGUCHI, Isao WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20150370197
    Abstract: The present wet development device includes a developer carrying member, a supply member that supplies a liquid developer to the developer carrying member, a charger that charges the liquid developer on the developer carrying member, a cleaner that removes the liquid developer on the developer carrying member, and a bias applying member that applies alternating bias in contact with the developer carrying member before removing by the cleaner. In a direction in alignment with an axis of rotation of the developer carrying member, a range to which the alternating bias is applied by the bias applying, member is located within a range in which the liquid developer is supplied onto the developer carrying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuto HIRAI, Takeshi MAEYAMA, Yuya SATO, Kunitomo SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20150371740
    Abstract: A conductive pattern formation method includes: a step of patterning a base member with an ink in which conductive particulates are distributed to form a pattern; a step of making a conductive developer act on the pattern; and a pressurization step of pressurizing the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Dai SUWAMA, Sayaka MORITA, Keita SAITO, Midori SHIMOMURA
  • Publication number: 20150368054
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs a continuous printing job in a normal sheet interval mode as an initially setting mode when an arrival waiting control such as a feed retry control is not performed. In the normal sheet interval mode, a feeding action is performed such that a sheet interval between successive two sheets is set at a predetermined normal sheet interval during the continuous printing. When the initially setting mode is not maintained, the continuous printing is performed with switching the sheet interval mode to an extended sheet interval mode for performing the feeding action with an extended sheet interval which is longer than the normal sheet interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko KOWASE, Shohei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20150370205
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that performs processing for forming an image on continuous paper on the basis of image data and a control section that performs image preparation for converting printing data into image data from which an image can be formed and controls the image forming section to execute printing of a plurality of images at equal intervals on the continuous paper. The control section performs, before the image formation processing, according to image sizes in a paper passing direction, image forming speeds, and image preparation times related to the images, printing condition setting for setting an interval of the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo SASAMI
  • Publication number: 20150370438
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a touch-enabled display; a lock portion that locks the information processing apparatus; a display controller that displays a lock screen on the display, the lock screen having a first icon for unlock and one or more second icons each representing a function, and that refreshes the lock screen, when a user moves the first icon, such that the first icon is present at a different position; an unlock portion that unlocks the information processing apparatus; a recognition portion that recognizes a function as being selected, the function being represented by the one second icon or one of the second icons being present at the position where the user releases the first icon; a user information obtaining portion that obtains user information; and an authentication portion that conducts user authentication with the obtained user information while the user is moving the first icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu ITO