Patents Examined by Kevin Butler
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Patent number: 9547249Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station, an intermediate transfer body, a transfer device, a transfer pressure applicator, and a controller. The image forming station forms a toner image. The toner image formed by the image forming station is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body. The transfer device transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium. The transfer pressure applicator applies a secondary transfer pressure to the recording medium upon transfer of the toner image and to apply a lower secondary transfer pressure upon transfer of a toner image including a special color toner than that upon transfer of a toner image without the special color toner. The controller is operatively connected to the transfer pressure applicator to control the transfer pressure applicator.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Naoto Kochi
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Patent number: 9541886Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member having an inorganic protective layer on a surface thereof, a cleaning blade having an inclined surface cut out at a corner portion on a side of the image bearing member, and a support portion that supports the cleaning blade so that the inclined surface is in contact with the image bearing member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroaki Akamatsu, Masaki Hirakata, Tsutomu Sugimoto
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Patent number: 9541868Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a fixing member that fixes a toner image to the recording medium. A heating unit heats the fixing member. A control unit receives a print job, the print job indicating a print mode and at least one job condition. The control unit determines a ready temperature based on the print mode and the at least one job condition. The control unit controls a heating operation of the heating unit based on the determined ready temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masanaka Mizuno
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Patent number: 9535374Abstract: An ITM module for an imaging device, including a frame; a tension roll disposed in the frame; an ITM belt rotatably coupled to the frame and formed as an endless loop around rolls of the ITM module, including the tension roll; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to an end portion of the frame and to the tension roll, the adjustment mechanism setting an amount of skew of the tension roll relative to the frame. The amount of skew is in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a process direction of the ITM belt. The adjustment mechanism includes a cam member rotatably coupled to the frame and having a cam surface coupled a first end portion of the tension roll such that rotating the first cam member sets an amount of elevation of the first end portion of the tension roll relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Kerry Leland Embry, Bartley Charles Gould, II, James Philip Harden, Gina Marie Johns, William Claiborne Ryle
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Patent number: 9535134Abstract: A method for accurately diagnosing an internal fault of an oil-immersed transformer by analyzing content ratios of dissolved gases generated when the internal fault occurs in the oil-immersed transformer is provided. The method diagnoses the internal fault by analyzing the dissolved gases contained in the insulating oil of the oil-immersed transformer for internal fault diagnosis, wherein the method comprises: a first step of extracting H2, CH4, C2H4, and C2H2 from the dissolved gases; a second step of calculating a content ratio (%) of each dissolved gas from the total content of the four dissolved gases selected from the extracted five dissolved gases; and a third step of determining the internal fault of the oil-immersed transformer for diagnosis corresponding to an internal fault region according to content ratio (%) values of the calculated four dissolved gases and predetermined content ratios (%) of the four dissolved gases.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: HYOSUNG CORPORATIONInventors: Young-Min Kim, Sung-Jik Kim, Hwang-Dong Seo, Soo-Jin Lee
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Patent number: 9528832Abstract: Provided is a gyroscope using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) and an angular velocity measurement method. The gyroscope includes an SAW resonator generating a first SAW, generating Coriolis force using an interaction between a velocity component of the first SAW and applied angular velocity on a metallic dot layer disposed in a certain position, and generating a second SAW using the Coriolis force, an SAW sensing oscillator generating a third SAW and receiving a fourth SAW, which is the third SAW reflected and returning after causing interference due to the second SAW, and a measurement device measuring a level of the applied angular velocity using variations in time of receiving the fourth SAW.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: AJOU UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY COOPERATION FOUNDATIONInventors: Kee Keun Lee, Sang Sik Yang, Hae Kwan Oh
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Patent number: 9523705Abstract: Disclosed herein is an acceleration sensor, including: a mass body part including a first mass body and a second mass body; a frame supporting the first mass body and the second mass body; first flexible parts each connecting the first mass body and the second mass body to the frame; and second flexible parts each connecting the first mass body and the second mass body to the frame, wherein the first mass body and the second mass body are each connected to the frame so as to be eccentric by the second flexible part.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong Woon Kim, Jung Won Lee, Seung Joo Shin, Won Kyu Jeung
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Patent number: 9521301Abstract: At least one aspect of present disclosure is directed towards a camera that includes a magnetic base and a removable main camera unit. The removable main camera unit may include an outer casing, a processor, a lens housing, a wireless communications interface, and an inner casing. The inner casing may reside within the outer casing and includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion. The non-metallic portion may form a non-metallic region that may extend from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing. The removable main camera unit may be configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the inner casing.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Alarm.com IncorporatedInventor: Gary Bart
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Patent number: 9513193Abstract: A sampling device for retrieving a sample having a frame, a scoop with an open end configured to retrieve a sample, an actuator in communication with the scoop, a base plate mounted below the frame, configured to support the sampling device on the material, and a spade at least as large as the opening, extending below the base plate, configured to extend into the material and configured to engage with the open end of the scoop once a sample has been retrieved, wherein the actuator is configured to move the scoop between an open and a closed position, and in the open position, there is a gap between the open end of the scoop and the spade for the entry of a sample, and in the closed position, the open end of the scoop sealingly engages with the spade to close the scoop and retain the retrieved sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Inventors: Nicolas Olmedo, Stephen Dwyer, Michael Lipsett, James Yuen
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Patent number: 9507299Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a heat roller, a heat generating body, and a controller. The heat roller heats a conveyed sheet. The heat generating body generates heat with electric power in the heat roller. The controller applies thinning control to electric energy supplied to the heat generating body in processing for heating the heat roller.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsuhiko Eguchi
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Patent number: 9507300Abstract: A fixing device having: a heating unit; a first rotating member and rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a reflective member provided around the first rotating member and having a reflection surface provided so as to face the first rotating member; and an inhibitory member inhibiting air in a space between the reflective member and the first rotating member from flowing out through a first gap between a downstream end of the reflective member in the first rotational direction and a closest portion of the first rotating member to the downstream end of the reflective member, wherein the inhibitory member overlaps with a part of the first gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Toru Hayase, Mamoru Fukaya, Naoki Kataoka, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
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Patent number: 9503643Abstract: A method of controlling a portable electronic device including a digital camera for setting automatic exposure and automatic white-balance values for capturing a digital image. The method includes identifying an available current for a main flash output of the digital camera for capturing the digital image, in response to determining that the available current for the main flash output is less than a full current value, identifying a corresponding current value for a preflash output based on the available current for the main flash output and setting the current value for the preflash output to the corresponding current value, actuating the preflash output utilizing the corresponding current value and receiving light at an image sensor, and based on the light received at the image sensor, setting automatic exposure and automatic white-balance values for use in capturing the digital image.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Martin Frank Clayton Van Hoeckel, Sung Ho Hong
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Patent number: 9500987Abstract: A supplying device includes first and second bottles each including a bottle gear for inputting a driving force. A driving source drives a driving gear, and a swingable gear is in engagement with the driving gear. The swingable gear swings between a first drive transmitting position where the driving force is transmitted from the swingable gear to the first bottle gear in engagement with the first bottle gear, and a first retracted position, where the swingable gear is retracted from the first drive transmitting position. In addition, a movable gear is movable between a second drive transmitting position, where the driving force is transmitted from the swingable gear to the second bottle gear in engagement with both of the second bottle gear and the swingable gear located in the first retracted position, and a second retracted position where the movable gear is retracted from the second drive transmitting position.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9488754Abstract: In the prior art electromagnetic measurement systems for meteorology are known with which Spherics signals are recorded and analyzed. To design a measurement system in such a way that the creation, development and transfer of discharge processes is relatively observable for comprehensive monitoring network, it is provided, that a subnetwork (SN) is underlain to a base net (BN), wherein in the cells of the subnetwork (SN) sensors (SSN) with the ratio of between 1:8 and 1:12, preferably 1:10, smaller distance are distributed, wherein sensors (SBN) located in the basic network (BN), which are in standby-mode and which if receiving Spherics-burst signals in an adjustable time period are self-activating and make a preprocessing for the extraction of event patterns, and wherein a central station (Z) turns on said sensors (SSN) of the subnetwork (SN) for a finer resolution with respect to the observation.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Inventor: Michael J. Pabst
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Patent number: 9477178Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge removably installable in the image forming device. The toner cartridge has a reservoir for storing toner and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge has a shutter that is movable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and an open position unblocking the outlet port. A sensor is positioned to detect whether the shutter is in the closed position or the open position when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 9470527Abstract: The invention provides for an accelerometer comprising a proof mass within a fixed substrate wherein the proof mass is connected to the substrate by one or more v-beams. Acceleration is determined by measuring the deflection of the v-beam or beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: The Secretary of State for DefenceInventors: David George, Edward Davies, Malcolm Gower, Werner Karl, Andrew Holmes
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Patent number: 9448512Abstract: A drive system includes multiple vibrating members that tend to vibrate when these members are driven and a holding system to hold the multiple vibrating members. The holding system at least includes a first holding unit and a second holding unit superimposed on and partially connected to each other. The multiple vibrating members include a first vibrating member and a second vibrating member. The first vibrating member is held by the first holding unit and is not held by the second holding unit. The second vibrating member is held by the second holding unit and is not held by the first holding unit. At least one of the first vibrating member and the second vibrating member is a driving device to drive another member as a drive source.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masahiro Ishida, Jun Yasuda, Shinya Shimizu
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Patent number: 9448528Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit detachably attachable to the main body, a coupling and a first restricting part. The belt unit includes: a first roller defining an axis extending in an axial direction, a second roller opposing the first roller in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and a belt looped over the first roller and the second roller. The coupling is configured to move in the axial direction to come into engagement with the first roller for inputting a drive force into the first roller. The first restricting part is provided on the main body and is configured to restrict the first roller from moving in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction when the belt unit is attached to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Wataru Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 9447862Abstract: A driving device includes: a plurality of vibrating members that vibrate when the vibrating members are driven; and a holding part that holds the vibrating members. The holding part includes a first member with which one or more of the vibrating members are brought into contact, and a second member with which one or more of the vibrating members are brought into contact. The first member and the second member are partially coupled to each other. A grounding member for electrically grounding a member held by the holding part is brought into contact with one of the first member and the second member that is more difficult to vibrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Narumi Sugita, Masahiro Ishida
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Patent number: 9448530Abstract: A developer storage body includes a first storage member, a second storage member, a frame and a resiliently deformable partition member. The first storage member includes a first opening, and a first flange provided along an outer periphery of the first opening. The second storage member includes a second opening, and a second flange provided along an outer periphery of the second opening so that the second flange faces the first flange. The frame includes a third flange held between the first flange and the second flange. A partition member includes a peripheral end portion fixed to the frame. The partition member and the first storage member form a first space portion therebetween. The partition member and the second storage member form a second space portion therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: OKI DATA CORPORATIONInventor: Tetsu Koyama