Patents Examined by Susan Lee
  • Patent number: 10054659
    Abstract: In a method for recording magnetic resonance data in a target region of a patient while the target region moves due to respiration a single-shot turbo spin echo sequence is used as a magnetic resonance sequence in a magnetic resonance apparatus. SPAIR fat saturation is used by emitting an inversion pulse at an inversion time before the data recording with the magnetic resonance apparatus. Multiple repetitions of the sequence of an inversion pulse, an inversion time and a data recording using the magnetic resonance sequence are triggered by a respiratory signal describing the respiratory cycle, each repetition occurring upon fulfillment of a recording criterion. At least one further inversion pulse is emitted in a waiting time between the sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Antje Kickhefel, Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 10054874
    Abstract: Provided is an elastic member which is obtained by forming a resin coating layer on at least a part of the surface of a base that is formed of an elastic material, and which is characterized in that the resin coating layer is a coating film that contains 1.5-45 parts by mass of a low-friction powder per 100 parts by mass of a base resin and has a 100% modulus of 22-30 MPa. This elastic member has a resin coating layer that has a good balance between film formability and low friction, and is suitable as a sealing member for an opening part of a toner container that is provided on a toner cartridge of a printer, a copy machine or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Oniki
  • Patent number: 10048625
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer belt, a primary transfer roller provided so that a contact region between the roller and the belt and a contact region between the image bearing member and the belt are in a non-overlapping state with each other with respect to a movement direction of the belt, a primary transfer voltage source, a current detecting portion, an executing portion configured to acquire information on a discharge start voltage on the basis of a detection result of the detecting portion in a period other than a period of primary transfer by applying the voltage to the roller and a setting portion configured to set, on the basis of an execution result of the executing portion, a primary transfer voltage applied to the roller by the primary transfer voltage source in the period of the primary transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ohta, Tohru Nakaegawa
  • Patent number: 10048067
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for the optimization of alignment measurements in which a MR facility is configured to a measurement object. First alignment measurements are carried out while the measurement object is being moved through the MR facility, wherein at least one MR system parameter of the MR facility is configured to the measurement object of the first alignment measurements. A second alignment measurement is also carried out in which the measurement object is stationary in a fixed position in the MR facility, wherein the second alignment measurement includes an iterative alignment method in which the at least one MR system parameter for the recording of MR signals of the measurement object is iteratively configured to the measurement object in the fixed position in the MR facility, wherein for the iterative alignment method the aligned MR system parameter is chosen from the aligned MR system parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Swen Campagna, Wilfried Landschutz, Michael Wullenweber
  • Patent number: 10042290
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a latent image forming device, a developer, an intermediate transfer belt, a second transfer device, a cleaner, an abutting angle adjuster and a hardware processor. The intermediate transfer belt supports and carries a toner image which is transferred from the image carrier by primary transfer. The second transfer device performs secondary transfer to transfer the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium. The cleaner abuts the intermediate transfer belt to remove toner attached to a surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The abutting angle adjuster adjusts an abutting angle between the cleaner and the intermediate transfer belt. The hardware processor controls the abutting angle adjuster to maintain the abutting angle at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Takeshi Maeyama
  • Patent number: 10031469
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge includes a CRUM chip. The CRUM chip stores specific information about whether an ejection action by an ejection mechanism for the toner cartridge is permitted. In accordance with an instruction by a control portion of the image forming device, the ejection action is permitted in a case of a permitting cartridge for which the ejection action is permitted, and the ejection action is inhibited in a case of an inhibiting cartridge for which the ejection action is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoki Minamikawa, Hiroo Naoi
  • Patent number: 10031456
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image forming unit, and a processor. The image forming unit forms an image on a printing medium. The processor performs user authentication and, upon performing the user authentication, determines whether or not an image stabilization process should be performed in the image forming unit. The processor then instructs the image forming unit to perform the image stabilization process according to a result of the user authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeharu Shokai
  • Patent number: 10031255
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for characterizing samples containing a plurality of molecular species through the use of multi-dimensional spectra obtained by processing of measurements resulting from pulse sequences combining NMR spectroscopy and NMR relaxation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi-Qiao Song, Bernhard Bluemich
  • Patent number: 10031470
    Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a rotating member, and a position regulating portion. The rotating member includes both end portions in axial direction rotatably supported by a pair of sidewalls. The position regulating portion is located in the container body so as to cover a part of the rotating member. The rotating member includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion. The large-diameter portion is formed to have an outer diameter rotatable around a shaft inside the position regulating portion. The small-diameter portion is formed to have an outer diameter smaller than the large-diameter portion. The position regulating portion includes a cut-out portion that regulates passing of the large-diameter portion and permits passing of the small-diameter portion. The small-diameter portion is arranged by being displaced in the axial direction from an inside of the position regulating portion, and the large-diameter portion is arranged inside the position regulating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Mizutani, Akinari Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10012709
    Abstract: A system acquires MR imaging data of a portion of patient anatomy associated with proton spin lattice relaxation time in a rotating frame using an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator configured to generate RF excitation pulses and a magnetic field gradient generator configured to generate anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator are configured to provide a rotating frame preparation pulse sequence comprising at least one of, (a) a T1 spin lattice relaxation in a rotating frame (T1?) preparation pulse sequence of adiabatic pulses comprising modulated RF pulses and modulated magnetic field gradients for slice selection and (b) a T2 spin-spin relaxation in a rotating frame (T2?) preparation pulse sequence of adiabatic pulses comprising modulated RF pulses and modulated magnetic field gradients for slice selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Ovidiu Andronesi, Bruce Rosen, Peter Caravan, Himanshu Bhat
  • Patent number: 10001578
    Abstract: A method for applying a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sequence is described herein. The method includes applying a series of refocusing pulses to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses includes a central axis, a total pulse duration greater than t180, and at least five segments (e.g., 5, 7, 11, 20, and 21). The phase of each segment is substantially anti-symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse. In a more particular embodiment, the phase of each segment is also symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse and the five segments include a substantially constant amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soumyajit Mandal, Van D. M. Koroleva, Troy Borneman, Martin D. Hürlimann
  • Patent number: 9995802
    Abstract: The NMR analysis method for analyzing a solid sample positioned in a sample-holder (21) includes generation of a plurality of high-pressure gaseous flows (2, 3, 4) from at least one first source (1) of a high-pressure gas; cooling of the gaseous flows (2, 3, 4) in at least one heat exchanger (12) from a coolant gas (15) originating from at least one second source (11) of gas; and rotation of the sample-holder (21) by a first cooled high-pressure gaseous flow (2) and cooling of the sample-holder by a second cooled high-pressure gaseous flow (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Eric Bouleau, Gaël De Paëpe
  • Patent number: 9989918
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a duct discharging a heat in a vicinity of a heating unit to an outer side of the image forming apparatus, a stay, and a toner cartridge storing a toner being supplied to a developing unit. The stay is arranged to be positioned between the duct and the toner cartridge in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Fujii
  • Patent number: 9989903
    Abstract: Provided is a fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material while conveying the recording material on which the toner image has been formed at a nip portion that includes a roller, a heating unit configured to heat the roller from outside the roller, the heating unit receiving power supplied from a power supply, a backup unit forming the nip portion with the roller, and a power shutdown member configured to operate in response to an abnormal temperature of the backup unit and shut down power supply to the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Kazuhiro Doda, Keisuke Samejima, Hiroshi Yadoiwa
  • Patent number: 9989890
    Abstract: A developing device and an image forming apparatus including the developing device are provided. The developing device includes a housing, a developer carrier which is rotatably supported by the housing, and which carries developer on a circumferential surface thereof, a layer thickness regulating member which includes, a blade contacting the circumferential surface of the developer carrier along a rotational axial direction of the developer carrier, and a support member supporting the blade, the layer thickness regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of the developer on the circumferential surface of the developer carrier. The support member includes: a contact part which contacts the blade; and a pair of attachment parts which are attached to the housing. The attachment parts are provide at both sides of the contact part in the rotational axial direction and are further protruded than the contact part in a direction away from the developer carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 9986121
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, a fixing unit, a time setting unit, and a control unit. The image reading unit moves a running body having an onboard optical system. The fixing unit heats toner transferred onto the print medium and applies pressure on the heated toner with respect to the print medium to fix the toner. The time setting unit sets an estimated time when use of the image forming apparatus starts. The control unit controls the image reading unit, the fixing unit, and the time setting unit. The control unit, prior to the set estimated start-of-use time by a predetermined period set in advance, activates the image reading unit to detect whether condensation has occurred in the optical system, heats the fixing unit in response to a detection of occurrence of condensation, and stops the heating before the estimated start-of-use time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Matsui
  • Patent number: 9983526
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heat source; a fixing member looped into a generally cylindrical shape to rotate in a circumferential direction thereof and partially heated by the heat source and to heat a surface of a recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image to fix the unfixed toner image thereon in a fixing process; a rotary pressing member disposed facing the fixing member to form a nip therebetween, through which the recording medium is transported in a transport direction; and a rotation driver to rotate one of the fixing member and the pressing member. In a case in which the fixing member is halted for a reason other than the fixing process while power of the fixing device is on, electric power is not supplied to the heat source and the fixing member is rotated by a predetermined amount or more after the fixing member is halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Uchitani, Masahiko Satoh, Kenji Ishii, Tadashi Ogawa, Teppei Kawata, Arinobu Yoshiura, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Kensuke Yamaji, Takamasa Hase, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Hiromasa Takagi, Takahiro Imada, Hajime Gotoh, Akira Suzuki, Takuya Seshita, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Kazuya Saito, Shinichi Namekata, Takayuki Seki, Yuji Arai, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Shuntaroh Tamaki, Yutaka Ikebuchi
  • Patent number: 9977098
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is configured to carry out sequential imaging, to acquire an actual SAR measurement value at a predetermined timing during the sequential imaging, and to update a subsequent predicted SAE value each time the actual SAR measurement value is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentarou Furuhata, Masashi Ookawa
  • Patent number: 9972914
    Abstract: An array arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be provided. For example, the array arrangement can include a monopole array having a first end and a second end. The monopole array can be configured to be driven from the first end and from the second end. Further, a monopole array can be provided according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the monopole array can include a first monopole element can include a first antenna element, and a first grounding element in communication with the first antenna element. The monopole array can also include a second monopole element including a second antenna element, and a second grounding element in communication with the second antenna element. The first antenna element can be oriented in a first direction, and the second antenna element can be oriented in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Graham Charles Wiggins, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 9971284
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical belt, a nip portion forming member contacting the belt, a halogen heater including a bulb filled with gas and having a sealing portion sealing the bulb, a filament inside the bulb and having a light emission portion, an external lead extending to outside the halogen heater, and a metal body arranged in the sealing portion and electrically connected the filament and the external lead, and a reflection member reflecting the radiation light of the halogen heater toward the nip portion forming member, the reflection member being long in a longitudinal direction of the halogen heater, wherein a longitudinal end of the reflection member is configured to lie in an area between an end of a light emission area constituted by the light emission portion of the halogen heater and the metal body in the longitudinal direction of the halogen heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Kobaru