Patents Examined by Sophia S. Chen
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Patent number: 11561237Abstract: A circuit configured to sense an input analog signal generated by a sensor at a first frequency and to generate an output digital signal indicative of the sensed input analog signal. The circuit includes a conditioning circuit, an ADC, a feedback circuit, and a low-pass filter. The conditioning circuit is configured to receive the input analog signal and to generate a conditioned analog signal. The ADC is configured to provide a converted digital signal based on the conditioned analog signal. The feedback circuit includes a band-pass filter configured to selectively detect a periodic signal at a second frequency higher than the first frequency and to act on the conditioning circuit to counter variations of the periodic signal at the second frequency. The low-pass filter is configured to filter out the periodic signal from the converted digital signal to generate the output digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Marco Zamprogno
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Patent number: 11561502Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a process cartridge; and an apparatus main body to which the process cartridge is attachable and from which the process cartridge is detachable. The process cartridge includes: a photoconductive drum, and an electrode connected to the photoconductive drum and having a contact surface facing downward. The apparatus main body includes: a support frame supporting one end portion of the process cartridge in an axis direction of the photoconductive drum, a ground metal plate supported by the support frame and connected to ground, and a spring supported by the support frame and configured to contact with the contact surface of the electrode from below to connect the electrode and the ground metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuaki Ooka, Hikaru Iino
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Patent number: 11561485Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Kawakami, Yu Fukasawa, Yuji Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 11556080Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus, the toner container including a first toner containing portion, a container base portion having a discharge port for discharging toner, and a container shutter that is moved between open and closed positions and includes an engaged portion, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a main body base portion that detachably attaches the toner container and has a receiving port for receiving the toner and, a second toner containing portion, a movable member that is moved between first and second positions and includes an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, a regulating member that is moved between a regulation position and a regulation release position, and an urging member that urges the movable member to move from the first position to the second position when the regulating member is located at the regulation release position.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shohei Katsuya
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Patent number: 11556088Abstract: An apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion and a replenishment port, a transfer portion configured to transfer a developer image on an image bearing member onto a recording material, a supporting tray including a supporting surface configured to support the recording material thereon, and a discharge portion configured to discharge the recording material, onto which the developer image has been transferred, on the supporting surface, wherein the supporting surface has an opening portion opening such that the replenishment port is exposed through the supporting surface, and wherein an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position where the opening/closing member covers the replenishment port and serves as a part of the supporting surface and an open position where the replenishment port is exposed is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomio Noguchi, Masaaki Sato, Kenji Matsuzaka, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida
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Patent number: 11536808Abstract: A light detection and ranging system includes at least one laser that emits a laser beam. A beam steering device steers beams emitted by the laser at a desired angle. A curved mirror reflects the steered beams at any desired angle or direction. A method of providing a light detection and ranging system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY AND ELECTRONICS US LLCInventors: Williamson S. Sy, Aaron M. Jefferson, Neil Das, Enervon Filipinas
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Patent number: 11531296Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first electronic device, a second electronic device, a bundled wire configured to supply at least one of an electric signal and electric power between the first and the second electronic devices, a frame member, a bundled wire guide, and a plurality of holding portions disposed at different positions on the wiring path. Each of the plurality of the holding portions includes a hinge portion connected to an upper portion of one of the pair of the side wall portions, a cover portion connected to the storage portion via the hinge portion, and an engagement portion to secure the cover portion in a closed position. The frame member includes a groove portion to which the bundled wire guide is fitted, and the bundled wire guide with the bundled wire stored is fitted into the groove portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Wataru Murata
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Patent number: 11531301Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum. A movable member is provided movable relative to a frame and a rotatable portion is supported by the movable member and rotatable relative to the movable member. A regulating member is movable between a regulating position for regulating movement of the movable member by contacting the rotatable portion and a non-regulating position where the regulating member does not regulate the movable member. A position of an end portion of the movable member in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum changes relative to the frame by movement of the movable member between a first position and a second position, and the end portion of the movable member is closer to the coupling member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the second position than when the movable member is in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukio Kubo, Masanari Morioka, Naoki Hayashi
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Patent number: 11526124Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
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Patent number: 11526120Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a development unit, a circuit board, a conduction member, a coil spring, and a holding member. The development unit develops an electrostatic image formed on a photoconductive drum. The circuit board supplies a voltage to the development unit. The conduction member electrically connects the development unit and the circuit board. The coil spring includes a coil part in contact with the conduction member and an arm part of the coil spring provided integrally with the coil part and extending from an end of the coil part outward in a radial direction with respect to the coil part. The holding member includes a spring regulation part to regulate movement of the coil spring in the radial direction. The holding member holds the coil spring in contact with the conduction member. The arm part includes a hook portion to engage with a portion of the holding member.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshiaki Hara
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Patent number: 11526095Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an image carrier, a development device, a main body opening, and a guide rail. The main body opening is formed on an upper surface of the apparatus main body. The development device is movable along the guide rail between the main body opening and an attachment position. The development container has a container opening and a blocking member. The container opening is opened to a downstream side in an attachment direction of the development device. The blocking member is provided on the downstream side of the container opening in the attachment direction and stands upward from a lower end portion of the container opening. When the development container is disposed in a position where an inclination of the guide rail is largest, an inclination angle of the blocking member with respect to a horizontal plane is 80° to 130°.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Masakazu Uehara
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Patent number: 11520282Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable developer roll mounted on the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A portion of an outer surface of the developer roll is exposed along a front of the body for supplying toner from the reservoir to a corresponding photoconductive drum on an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit in an operative position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit. A first engagement member positioned on a rear of the body is configured to engage a corresponding second engagement member on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit to retain the toner cartridge in a storage position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit with the developer roll spaced away from the photoconductive drum.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
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Patent number: 11513470Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a toner cartridge configured to accommodate toner; a drum cartridge for use with the toner cartridge; and a controller. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory storing a first type information indicating a type of the drum cartridge. The controller is configured to communicate with the drum memory. The controller is configured to perform: reading the first type information from the drum memory; and changing an operation of the image-forming apparatus based on the type indicated by the first type information.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takashi Suzuki, Shingo Fujiwara, Tadao Kyotani
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Patent number: 11513347Abstract: A laser scanning unit includes a light source portion, a scanning portion, a first correction portion, and a second correction portion. The light source portion outputs a plurality of light beams. The scanning portion scans the plurality of light beams to form a plurality of electrostatic latent images, respectively corresponding to a plurality of colors including at least one reference color and at least one non-reference color, in an image forming portion. The first correction portion applies an external mechanical force to an optical element located in a path of a reference beam, corresponding to the reference color, among the plurality of light beams to correct distortion of a scan line of the reference beam. The second correction portion controls the light source portion to correct distortion of a scan line of a non-reference beam, corresponding to the non-reference color, among the plurality of light beams.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Hideji Mizutani
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Patent number: 11513467Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller extending in a first direction; a boss movable with the casing; and a first lever movable relative to the casing. The first lever includes: one end portion functioning as a point of effort; another end portion functioning as a point of load; a shaft functions as a fulcrum and positioned between the one end portion and the another end portion; and a first hole into which the boss is fitted. By the one end portion receiving a driving force, the first lever is pivotally movable about the shaft. A dimension of the first hole in a second direction crossing the first direction is greater than a dimension in the second direction of the boss. In a case where the casing moves in the second direction relative to the first lever, the boss moves in the second direction within the first hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuhei Hatano
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Patent number: 11513464Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body and a detachable unit to be attached to the apparatus body in an attachment direction and detached from the apparatus body in a detachment direction. The detachable unit includes a rotary body and a unit drive gear. The apparatus body includes an apparatus-body drive gear to engage with the unit drive gear of the detachable unit attached in the apparatus body, at an engageable position on a downstream side of the apparatus-body drive gear in the attachment direction. One or each of the unit drive gear and the apparatus-body drive gear moves to a retracted position at which the one or each of the unit drive gear and the apparatus-body drive gear does not engage with the other of the unit drive gear and the apparatus-body drive gear and does not interfere with attachment and detachment operations of the detachable unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yasunobu Shimizu, Hiroshi Hosokawa, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kazuki Matsumoto
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Patent number: 11513570Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a housing having a top face, an operation unit freely placed on the housing top face, a touch panel, and a supporting base. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The operation unit is freely placed on the housing top face and accepts a user operation for causing the image forming unit to execute image formation. The operation unit includes a touch panel having a display face on which information about the image formation is displayed and accepting touch operation performed by a user. The supporting base supports the touch panel so that an inclination angle of the display face inclined with respect to the housing top face becomes one of 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less when the operation unit is placed on the housing top face.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Patent number: 11513459Abstract: A power supply apparatus to supply power to an image forming device, the power supply apparatus includes an amplifier to amplify an input AC power by a general amplification or a double amplification, a converter to receipt the input AC power amplified by the general amplification or the double amplification and output a DC power with a determined size. A controller control applying the general amplification or the double amplification to the converter, in response to an operating mode of the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Sung Kyu Choi, An Sik Jeong
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Patent number: 11507014Abstract: A development device is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body in an inserting/drawing direction. The development device includes a holder portion, a hook, a lever portion, and an elastic arm portion. The holder portion supports a board connectable to a controller of the apparatus main body. The hook is engageable with a recess of the apparatus main body. The lever portion is provided with the hook. At least one elastic arm portion connects the holder portion and the lever portion. In a middle of an attachment to the apparatus main body, the hook interferes with the apparatus main body to shift the lever portion in a direction crossing the inserting/drawing direction and to elastically deform the elastic arm portion. When the hook is engaged with the recess, the elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion is released and the board is connected to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Hiroaki Takai
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Patent number: 11507005Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a sheet supply unit, a printer, a fixing device, and a controller. The sheet supply unit supplies a sheet from a sheet container. The printer forms a toner image to the sheet conveyed from the sheet supply unit. The fixing device includes a heater, a fixing belt, and a pressure roller. The heater includes a heat generating member including a plurality of heating elements arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction and in which a heating element group selected in response to a printing request from the heat generating member generates heat. The fixing belt fixes the toner image heated by the heater to the sheet. The pressure roller presses the fixing belt.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shigeru Morino