Patents Examined by Susan Lee
  • Patent number: 9897955
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatably-supported first fixing member and a second fixing member pressed against the first member. The second member includes a belt-shaped component, a support component, and a pressing component. The belt-shaped component extends in a width direction of a medium passing through a contact region between the belt-shaped component and the first member. The support component is disposed opposite the first member with the belt-shaped component interposed therebetween. The pressing component has a base end supported by the support component and a free end extending toward the contact region and presses the belt-shaped component against the first member. The pressing component has biasing portions arranged apart in the width direction and elastically deformable in correspondence with the medium thickness. The biasing portions are connected in the width direction by the free end. The free end is disposed at an upstream side in a medium transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Sato, Jun Sawamura, Yoshiro Konishi, Yasuhiro Kato, Takayuki Ukawa, Masahiro Akatsuka, Yusuke Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9897679
    Abstract: A predetermined reference object is arranged in a scan volume of a magnetic resonance system. In the scope of adjustment measurements, the reference object is respectively exposed by a radiofrequency transmitter antenna to an adjustment pulse. Using at least one radiofrequency receiver antenna, a magnetic resonance signal excited by the respective adjustment pulse in the reference object is respectively recorded. An amplitude of a first test pulse is ascertained with the aid of the magnetic resonance signals recorded in the scope of the adjustment measurements. In the scope of a subsequent test measurement, the reference object is exposed to the first test pulse by the radiofrequency transmitter antenna. A first measurement signal dependent on the amplitude of the first test pulse is recorded during the exposure of the reference object to the first test pulse. Further measures are implemented based on the recorded first measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Brinker
  • Patent number: 9885980
    Abstract: The image formation apparatus includes a transport frame including a maximum front-to-back medium width passage area defined in an area between a first back side passage line and a first front side passage line, and allowing a continuous medium of a maximum front-to-back width to pass therethrough, and a minimum front-to-back medium width passage area defined in an area located inside the maximum front-to-back medium width passage area between a second back side passage line and a second front side passage line, and allowing a continuous medium of a minimum front-to-back width to pass therethrough, in a state where the transport frame is drawn out most frontward and a toner replenishment door is opened most wide downward, when the toner replenishment door is seen downward projectively, at least a portion of the first back side passage line being covered with the toner replenishment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Makoto Ui
  • Patent number: 9880514
    Abstract: A drum unit, to which a developer cartridge with a developer roller and a protrusion protruding in an axial direction of the developer roller is attachable, is provided. The drum unit includes a casing, a photosensitive drum to contact the developer roller, a first guide arranged to confront the protrusion along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction when the developer cartridge is attached to the casing to guide the protrusion, a second guide movable between a first position and a second position to guide the protrusion and arranged to confront the protrusion along the orthogonal direction when the developer cartridge is attached to the casing, and an urging member to urge the second guide in a direction from the first position toward the second position. The second guide includes a contact part to contact the first guide when the second guide is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9864311
    Abstract: A temperature detection device includes first and second temperature detection units configured to detect first and second temperatures, respectively, of a first roller at first and second positions in an axis direction, heated by a central heating unit and an end part heating unit; third and fourth temperature detection units configured to detect third and fourth temperatures, respectively, of a second roller which can be in pressure-contact with the first roller, at the first and second positions; and a control unit configured to control the heating units. The control unit determines a state of at least one of the first, second, third and fourth temperature detection units based on a comparison between first and third rise rates of the first and third temperatures, respectively, or on a comparison between second and fourth rise rates of the second and fourth temperatures, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Sueyoshi
  • Patent number: 9864325
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a cover has a pivot shaft and is pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position. The link member is slidingly movable in a direction parallel to the pivot shaft in response to depression of a button. The locking member provides locking engagement between the cover and a housing, and is pressed by the link member in accordance with the sliding movement of the link member to release the locking engagement. The push member is movable in a direction opposite to an opening direction of the cover to be pressed against the housing when the cover is at the closed position in accordance with the sliding movement of the link member. The depression of the button causes both unlocking and movement of the cover in the opening direction when the cover is at the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koyo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9857727
    Abstract: In one example, an article for an imaging supply for a printer includes a first memory and a second memory. The first memory stores an indication that a digital signature to authenticate the imaging supply to the printer is stored in the second memory. The second memory stores a digital signature to authenticate the imaging supply to the printer and consumables management data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Jeran
  • Patent number: 9857740
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit for forming a toner image and transferring the toner image to a sheet material; a fixing device for fixing the transferred toner image to the sheet material; a measurement device for measuring the gloss of the toner image fixed to the sheet material; a separator for separating the sheet material from the fixing device; and a controller which determines a performance of separating the sheet material from the fixing device based on an output from the measurement device and controls the operation of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Sayaka Morita, Shigeru Tashiro, Yoshihiro Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 9851661
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: an optical system that includes a lens serving as a light guiding path and concentrates laser light for image fixing at an interface between the lens and a recording material; a holding part that holds the lens of the optical system; an operating part that rotates together with the holding part; and a suppressing unit that suppresses propagation of energy of the laser light from the holding part to the operating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakamoto, Masao Ito, Yoshiya Imoto
  • Patent number: 9841710
    Abstract: A transport device includes: a first rotational member; a second rotational member that forms a nip with the first rotational member; a guide member that guides the medium in a predetermined direction; a changing part that supports the second rotational member so as to be rotatable and that moves the second rotational member to change a nip state between the second rotational member and the first rotational member; and an interposed member supported by the changing part and nipped between the first rotational member and the guide member, the interposed member including, in an intersecting direction intersecting a direction in which the interposed member is nipped, multiple portions having different thicknesses, the interposed member being nipped at any one of the multiple portions, while being moved in the intersecting direction in accordance with the movement of the second rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanai, Shogo Kamiya, Keisuke Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9836012
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus (1) includes image bearing members (31), transfer members (52), and a power supply section (57). The image bearing members (31) each bear one of toner images in different colors from one another. The transfer members (52) are located opposite to the image bearing members (31). The power supply section (57) charges the transfer members (52). Through the above, the toner images on the respective image bearing members (31) are transferred to a moving transfer target (51). The power supply section (57) includes a power supply device (58 or 58a) connected to at least two of the transfer members (52). The transfer members (52) connected to the power supply device (58 or 58a) are each located at a position shifted upstream or downstream of a corresponding one of the image bearing members (31) in a moving direction (X) of the transfer target (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Teppei Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9829544
    Abstract: One example embodiment includes an atomic sensor system. The system includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field in a volume. The system also includes a vapor cell arranged within the volume and comprising a polarized alkali metal vapor. The system further includes at least one magnetic field trimming system configured to generate a magnetic field gradient within the vapor cell separate from the magnetic field to provide a substantially uniform collective magnetic field within the vapor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael D. Bulatowicz
  • Patent number: 9823319
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency resonator and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising the same. A radio frequency resonator for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure comprises: a microstrip substrate; a conductive pattern portion for resonance that is formed on one surface of the microstrip substrate and increases an intensity of a magnetic field which is generated by resonating an RF signal; and a ground conductive board that is formed on the other surface of the microstrip substrate. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a radio frequency resonator for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of generating an intense magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ULSAN FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRY COOPERATION
    Inventor: Hyoung Suk Yoo
  • Patent number: 9823318
    Abstract: In a method for correlating magnetic resonance images with histological sections, a target tissue of a living animal is embedded in an enclosed matrix of an optical cutting temperature compound to obtain a packaged specimen on a platform oriented in a first guiding plane. The packaged specimen on the platform is subjected to an MRI examination by scanning along imaging planes parallel to the first guiding plane, and then subjected to a frozen sectioning procedure along sectioning planes in parallel with a second guiding plane which is parallel to the first guiding plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou
    Inventors: Yu-Chun Lin, Jiun-Jie Wang, Chun-Chieh Wang, Yi-Ping Lin, Gigin Lin
  • Patent number: 9817331
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a light irradiating unit configured to irradiate a photosensitive member charged by a charging unit with light to form an electrostatic latent image; a processing unit configured to generate M-bit (M is an integer not less than 2) density data indicating a density based on the input image data, to generate (M+N)-bit processing data based on the M-bit density data and N-bit (N is an integer not less than 1) correction data, to convert the processing data into a plural-bit binary drive data corresponding to a value of the processing data, and to serially output the plural-bit drive data bit by bit to generate a drive signal; and a drive unit configured to drive the light irradiating unit based on the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidefumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9817345
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed, a moving device to move the pressure rotator in directions in which the pressure rotator comes into contact with and separates from the fixing rotator, a thermal expansion amount predictor to predict an amount of thermal expansion of the fixing rotator while the recording medium is conveyed, and a nip width adjuster to control a moving distance of the pressure rotator moved by the moving device toward the fixing rotator, depending on the amount of thermal expansion of the fixing rotator predicted by the thermal expansion amount predictor, so as to adjust a width of the fixing nip to maintain a substantially constant width of the fixing nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Motoyoshi Yamano, Tetsuo Tokuda, Yoshikuni Sasaki, Hiroshi Ono, Hironori Yamaoka, Ryohhei Sugiyama, Kohichi Utsunomiya, Arinobu Yoshiura, Hideo Nagafuji
  • Patent number: 9817098
    Abstract: A scaling unit (1) for reception antennae (A1, A2, A3, A4) of a plurality of local coils (LS) of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRT) includes a plurality of signal inputs (in1, in2, in3, in4) configured for the reception of signals from the reception antennae (A1, A2, A3, A4), and a plurality of signal outputs (out1, out2, out3, out4) configured for the output of unaltered and/or altered signals from the reception antennae (A1, A2, A3, A4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 9791524
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acoustic system includes a magnet; an electro-acoustic transducer that includes a coil through which a current flows so that an attractive force or a repulsive force is generated with respect to the magnet, and a vibrating plate that vibrates in response to the attractive force or the repulsive force; and a controller that controls an intensity of a current input to the electro-acoustic transducer according to a position of the electro-acoustic transducer in a magnetic field generated by the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Oh-soo Kwon
  • Patent number: 9785085
    Abstract: A laser scanning unit includes a first light source, a second light source, a scanning portion, a light detection portion, a timing control portion, and a light source control portion. The scanning portion is configured to cause light emitted from the first light source and the second light source to be scanned. The light detection portion is configured to detect the light that is scanned by the scanning portion. The timing control portion is configured to control a timing of writing an electrostatic latent image according to a timing of light detection by the light detection portion. The light source control portion is configured to: cause the light detected by the light detection portion to be emitted from the first light source in the first mode; and cause the light detected by the light detection portion to be emitted from the second light source in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9785098
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a power source for forming a secondary-transfer electric field at a secondary-transfer position and for forming a primary-transfer electric field at a primary-transfer position by applying a voltage to a transfer member to pass a current through a constant-voltage element, a potential of an image portion is controlled depending on a detection result of a detecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tohru Nakaegawa, Masanori Shida