Patents Examined by Warren K Fenwick
  • Fixing apparatus
    Patent number: 9501010
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a tubular rotation member including a conductive layer, a helical coil, a resonance circuit, including a resonance capacitor, formed with the rotation member and the coil, a resonance inverter configured to control the resonance circuit, and a control unit configured to control electric power supplied to the resonance inverter, wherein the conductive layer generates heat with electromagnetic induction caused by magnetic flux generated through the coil, wherein the control unit sets a driving frequency of the resonance inverter according to at least one of a size of the recording medium and a temperature of a non-sheet-passing portion of the rotation member, and wherein the control unit changes a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit according to the set driving frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Itoh, Yusuke Isomi, Aoji Isono, Minoru Hayasaki, Hiroshi Mano
  • Image capturing device and activation method therefor
    Patent number: 9503642
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a first controller operable to control image capturing; an operation section including a switch; a detector operable to detect a change to an image capturing mode and to send a signal representing the change; a second controller operable to monitor and process the sent signal, the second controller having a power consumption less than that of the first controller; and a power supply operable to supply power to the first controller, the second controller, and a functional section of the device. When the second controller receives the signal sent from the detecting section in a power saving state in which power is supplied from the power supply to the second controller, the power saving state is changed to a power supplying state capable of image capturing by supplying power from the power supply to portions of the device including the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Sakurai
  • Monitoring system for turbulence of atmospheric boundary layer under wind drift sand flow or sand dust storm environment
    Patent number: 9500769
    Abstract: A monitoring system for turbulence of the atmospheric boundary layer under a wind drift sand flow environment includes: a meteorological tower, a hot-wire bracket and a plurality of observation frames, which are vertically and cooperatively arranged in parallel. The hot-wire bracket is arranged close to the meteorological tower, and the plurality of observation frames are symmetrically distributed on the two sides of a region formed by the meteorological tower and the hot-wire bracket. The meteorological tower is cooperatively provided thereon with a first group of experimental instruments for measurements; the hot-wire bracket is cooperatively provided thereon with a hot-wire probe assembly; and each observation frame is cooperatively provided thereon with a second group of experimental instruments for measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: LANZHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaojing Zheng, Tianli Bo, Yirui Liang, Jinghong Zhang, Guohua Wang
  • Sealed articulating camera for a communication device
    Patent number: 9491338
    Abstract: An improved seal assembly for an articulating camera (102) is provided in a communication device (100). The articulating camera (102) a coiled flex circuit (208) and pivot housing (110). The coiled flex circuit (208) provides for range of motion. The coiled flex circuit (208) has a flex extension (218) that threads through a barrel hinge (214) of the pivot housing (110). The barrel hinge (214) and flex extension (218) are sealed via a single seal (306) having a circumferential seal (312) and pocket (308) thereby allowing the coiled flex circuit (208) to continue to provide range of rotation within the pivot housing (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge L. Garcia, Patrick S. Claeys
  • Self-photographing mount device
    Patent number: 9477144
    Abstract: A self-photographing mount device for holding a camera equipped user device at a distance from a user, comprising: a mounting structure having at least two corner mounting elements for mounting a camera equipped user device in parallel to a mounting plane; an extendable shaft having a handle at a proximal end thereof; and a hinge mounted on one of the at least two corner mounting elements to allow pivotal rotation of the extendable shaft from a folded position to an open position; when in the folded position, the extendable shaft is adjacent to the mounting plane and parallel to a diagonal of a back panel of the camera equipped user device; and when in the open position, the extendible shaft forms a wide angle with the mounting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Iftach Ben Yehuda, Yariv Ben-Yehuda
  • Close focus with GPU
    Patent number: 9473695
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing a digital camera to capture a scene. It is first detected that a change in a scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused. The camera focus is automatically scanned from a closest settable distance to farther distances until a first closest object in the scene is detected. Once the first closest object in the scene is detected, the camera focus is set at the distance of the first closest object and a finer scan is executed. In an embodiment, a dynamic movement threshold is calculated and used to determine that the change in scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventors: Denis Shchepetov, Eric F Aas
  • Image forming apparatus that detects variation in rotation period of rotating member and performs misregistration correction
    Patent number: 9465341
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotating member; a forming unit for each of a plurality of colors used in image formation, configured to form a developer image of the corresponding color on the rotating member or on a recording medium on the rotating member; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotating member; a period detection unit configured to detect a rotation period of the rotating member; and a control unit configured to, according to a detection result detected by the period detection unit, obtain a variation in the rotation period of the rotating member due to a change in the driving unit, and perform correction control for misregistration in the developer image formed on the rotating member or on the recording medium on the rotating member by the forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hagiwara
  • Fixing apparatus
    Patent number: 9454118
    Abstract: The fixing apparatus includes a first unit configured to be brought into contact with a surface of a fixing roller so as to heat the fixing roller, a second unit configured to form a fixing nip portion together with the fixing roller, a first regulation part configured to regulate a decrease in distance between a shaft of the fixing roller and the first unit, and a second regulation part configured to regulate a decrease in distance between the shaft of the fixing roller and the second unit. Thus, a heating nip width and a fixing nip width are maintained stably for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Tanaka, Masafumi Maeda
  • Fixing device and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9442440
    Abstract: A fixing device fixes an image on a sheet, and includes a rotatable member having an electroconductive layer; a helical coil provided inside the rotatable member and having a helix axis extending in a generatrix direction of the rotatable member; a magnetic member provided inside a helical configuration portion formed by the coil, the magnetic member not forming a loop outside the rotatable member; and a controller for controlling electric power supplied to the coil. The electroconductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction caused by the magnetic flux produced by an alternating current through the coil to fix the image on the sheet by the heat from the rotatable member. The controller limits the maximum electric power supplied to the coil, in accordance with the temperature of the magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hashiguchi, Masahide Hirai, Kentaro Yamashita, Aoji Isono
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9442409
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, a unit including at least a photosensitive member and a charging member detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, a current detection unit configured to detect a current flowing between the charging member and the photosensitive member, an operation unit configured to be operated by an operator to give an instruction to the image forming apparatus, a display unit provided in the operation unit, and a control unit configured to apply to the charging member a predetermined test voltage having an absolute value greater than a discharge starting voltage based on the instruction from the operation unit, and to perform an operation in a mode for causing the current detection unit to detect a current, wherein the control unit determines, based on the current detected in the mode, whether an error indication is to be given on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masami Hano, Yutaka Koga
  • Collapsible photo enclosure
    Patent number: 9442347
    Abstract: An example enclosure includes a base, a plurality of walls extending from the base, and a top disposed opposite the base and connected to at least one of the plurality of walls. The at least one wall includes a light assembly configured to illuminate an interior space of the enclosure at least partly defined by the base and the plurality of walls. The top is moveable toward the base to transition the enclosure from an expanded state to a collapsed state. Additionally, the at least one wall includes a first panel and a second panel movable relative to the first panel. Further, the first and second panels extend substantially parallel to the base when the enclosure is in the collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory James Nyssen, Andrew Wayne Barber, Adam Douglas Hand, Robert James Hollins, Fabrice Koukoui, Cameron Bo Logsdon, Michael Paul Nelson, Hideaki Omori, David Sepeau, Gurkirat Singh, Suchita Sitani, Yosuke Yano
  • Lens positioning system
    Patent number: 9431887
    Abstract: An actuator includes an inner element coupled to an outer element by a linear-motion bearing that provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element with respect to the outer element along a longitudinal axis. The inner element includes a permanent magnet and the outer element includes a conductive winding with a first coil wound in first direction around a first pole of the permanent magnet and a second coil wound in a second direction around a second pole of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rami Boltanski
  • Fixing device
    Patent number: 9423734
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating element extending in a first direction and configured to generate heat, a nip member extending along the heating element in the first direction and configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element, an endless belt extending along the heating element in the first direction, and a backup member extending along the heating element in the first direction. The endless belt is configured to rotate. The endless belt surrounds the heating element and the nip member. The backup member nips the endless belt in cooperation with the nip member. The nip member includes a main portion facing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a particular holding portion holding the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Ishida
  • Toner adjusting mechanism and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9411264
    Abstract: Provided is a toner adjusting mechanism, including a storage section in which a liquid developer is stored, a supply section that causes the liquid developer which is stored in the storage section to flow at a predetermined flow velocity to supply the liquid developer to a developer tank, a circulating section that causes the liquid developer which is discharged from the storage section to flow and circulate at a flow velocity faster than the flow velocity of the liquid developer which flows in the supply section, a detecting section that detects a toner concentration of the liquid developer which flows in the circulating section, and an addition section that adds an adjustment agent which adjusts the toner concentration of the liquid developer to the liquid developer which is stored in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taichi Yamada, Kazutoshi Yatsuda, Kazunari Komatsuzaki
  • Camera adjustment tool and method
    Patent number: 9395604
    Abstract: A camera adjustment mechanism allows a user to adjust the orientation of a surveillance camera. The camera adjustment mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first end, a second end, and a first wall that extends between and connects the first end and the second end. The first wall is sloped such that an inner diameter of the first end is greater than an inner diameter of the second end. The second portion includes a third end connected to the second end, a fourth end, a second wall extending between and connecting the third end and the fourth end, and a plurality of engagement openings extending circumferentially about the fourth end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Fanska, Kaleb Anderson, Wallace Johnson, Kenneth Freeman
  • Lens mounts with locking mechanisms
    Patent number: 9389488
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a lens mount. The lens mount includes a lens mount body with a threaded lens aperture extending axially therethrough. A ring extends from the lens mount body. The ring defines a lens locking aperture therethrough that is spaced axially apart from the lens aperture and is aligned with the lens aperture. The lens aperture and lens locking aperture are both threaded. A lens element is threaded into the lens aperture and lens locking aperture. A lock operatively connects the lens mount body to the ring for locking the lens element by flexure of the ring relative to the lens aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Laszlo Kovacs
  • Systems and methods for miniaturizing eyetracking systems
    Patent number: 9386921
    Abstract: A miniature eye tracking system is disclosed that includes a camera, a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device, and a processor. The camera images an eye. The MEMS device controls the view-direction of the camera. The processor receives an image of the eye from the camera, determines the location of the eye within the camera image, and controls the MEMS to keep the camera pointed at the eye. In another embodiment, the MEMS device controls an adjustable focus of the camera. The processor determines the focus condition of the eye image, and controls the MEMS device to maintain a desired focus condition of the camera on the eye. In another embodiment, the MEMS device controls an adjustable camera zoom. The processor determines the size of the eye image within the overall camera image, and controls the MEMS to maintain a desired size of the eye image within the overall camera image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dixon Cleveland
  • Image capturing device and activation method therefor
    Patent number: 9386224
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a first controller operable to control image capturing; an operation section including a switch; a detector operable to detect a change to an image capturing mode and to send a signal representing the change; a second controller operable to monitor and process the sent signal, the second controller having a power consumption less than that of the first controller; and a power supply operable to supply power to the first controller, the second controller, and a functional section of the device. When the second controller receives the signal sent from the detecting section in a power saving state in which power is supplied from the power supply to the second controller, the power saving state is changed to a power supplying state capable of image capturing by supplying power from the power supply to portions of the device including the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Sakurai
  • Determination apparatus for determining type of recording medium
    Patent number: 9372461
    Abstract: A transmission unit transmits an ultrasonic wave by a drive signal being supplied to two terminals. A reception unit receives the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission unit and to output a reception signal from two terminals in accordance with the received ultrasonic wave. A change unit changes a determination scheme for determining a type of a recording medium, based on information indicating a relation between a polar character of the transmission unit and a polar character of the reception unit, the information having been acquired from the reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Tsutomu Ishida
  • Camera accessory, camera body and camera system
    Patent number: 9360738
    Abstract: A camera accessory is configured to be detachably mounted to a camera body. The camera accessory includes an accessory contact point configured, when the camera accessory is mounted to the camera body, to output to the camera body a ready signal that indicates whether or not an information communication operation with the camera body is enabled. The camera accessory also includes a pull-down resistor electrically connected to the accessory contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuharu Imafuji, Masafumi Oikawa