Patents by Inventor Akiharu Higaki

Akiharu Higaki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11772923
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding sheets is provided with a multi feed detecting section for detecting multi feed of conveyed sheets in a predetermined detection position of a conveyance path, and first and second discharge sections to which multi-fed sheets with the multi feed detected are discharged, and corresponding to one of a front end position of the multi-fed sheets at the time the multi feed detecting section detects the multi feed of sheets, a sheet storage state of the second discharge section, sheet storage states of the first and second discharge sections, a size of sheets and weighing, selects one of the first and second discharge sections to discharge the multi-fed sheets to the selected discharge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventors: Jun Natori, Akiharu Higaki, Takuya Sakamoto, Naoki Yokoyama, Kazunori Hatakawa, Naoto Takeshita, Hiroshi Yazawa, Noritoshi Aikawa, Masatoshi Ozawa, Makoto Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20220204293
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding sheets is provided with a multi feed detecting section for detecting multi feed of conveyed sheets in a predetermined detection position of a conveyance path, and first and second discharge sections to which multi-fed sheets with the multi feed detected are discharged, and corresponding to one of a front end position of the multi-fed sheets at the time the multi feed detecting section detects the multi feed of sheets, a sheet storage state of the second discharge section, sheet storage states of the first and second discharge sections, a size of sheets and weighing, selects one of the first and second discharge sections to discharge the multi-fed sheets to the selected discharge section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventors: Jun NATORI, Akiharu HIGAKI, Takuya SAKAMOTO, Naoki YOKOYAMA, Kazunori HATAKAWA, Naoto TAKESHITA, Hiroshi YAZAWA, Noritoshi AIKAWA, Masatoshi OZAWA, Makoto OZAWA
  • Patent number: 7500663
    Abstract: A bookmaking apparatus creates a booklet by accurately positioning a sheet bundle of varied thickness and a cover sheet fed at cross-over directions. The bookmaking apparatus includes an intersecting first path and a second path, a sheet bundle conveyance device, a cover sheet conveyance device, a first and second path cross-over unit, and a joining stage. The cover sheet conveyance device includes a first aligning device for aligning a conveyance direction edge of the cover sheet and a second aligning device for positioning an edge at a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Akiharu Higaki, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Publication number: 20080159797
    Abstract: A printer apparatus has a card supply unit that supplies a card formed with a magnetic strip for recording information, and a card conveyance path for conveying the card supplied from the supply unit using the direction of the formation of the magnetic strip as the conveyance direction. The apparatus also includes, in the card conveyance path, a printing unit that prints characters and images to the card, and a magnetic encoder unit that has a magnetic head capable of moving along the magnetic strip to write information to and read information from the magnetic strip formed on the temporarily stopped card, both ends being nipped by nip rollers and feed rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiharu Higaki, Yasutake Ohshiro
  • Patent number: 7212321
    Abstract: An automatic document feed device having reading means for stopping a conveyed document to a reading position on a platen and sequentially reading images of two sides of the document one side by one, includes an adjusting unit, provided upstream of the reading position on the platen, for adjusting an edge of the document, wherein the adjusting unit have a function for adjusting the edge of the document which is fed to read one side, and for reversing the document through the platen and adjusting the edge of the document which is fed again to read the other side of the document. A feed unit includes one of feed guide members and a feed roller in the feed path. The feed path unit is rotatably supported, thereby enabling the feed path to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Sugiyama, Osamu Jinza, Motoaki Nakayama, Akiharu Higaki, Masataka Hamada
  • Publication number: 20070003346
    Abstract: A bookmaking apparatus creates a booklet by accurately positioning a sheet bundle of varied thickness and a cover sheet fed at cross-over directions. The bookmaking apparatus includes an intersecting first path and a second path, a sheet bundle conveyance device, a cover sheet conveyance device, a first and second path cross-over unit, and a joining stage. The cover sheet conveyance device includes a first aligning device for aligning a conveyance direction edge of the cover sheet and a second aligning device for positioning an edge at a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the cover sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Akiharu Higaki, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 6837488
    Abstract: The document feeder apparatus is equipped with a sheet supply unit including a sheet supply member for supplying an original to a reading position; a transport unit including a transport member for receiving the original from the sheet supply member and transporting the original to the reading position; a discharge unit including a discharge member for discharging the original read at the reading position; and a flat plate shape support frame for supporting the respective units. The sheet supply unit and discharge unit are mounted on one of front and rear sides of the support frame, and the transport unit is mounted on the other of the front and rear sides of the support frame, so that each unit is unitized. Further, a sheet supply opening for guiding the original from the sheet supply unit to the transport unit is established on one side of the support frame, and an opening for guiding the original from the transport unit to the discharge unit is established on the other side of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Atsumi Kobayashi, Kunihide Suzuki, Yutaka Tanaka, Akiharu Higaki, Akihiko Tukui, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Patent number: 6810231
    Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus transfers a sheet to a predetermined position. The apparatus includes a discharge tray; a support device for rotationally supporting the discharge tray; an interconnecting device that activates according to a rotation of the discharge tray; and a sheet regulating device engaging the interconnecting means to be movable between a regulating position for regulating a movement of the sheet and a retracted position for allowing the sheets on the discharge tray to move. A control device prevents the sheet regulating device from moving to the regulating position from the retracted position even though the discharge tray is rotated when a load greater than a predetermined value is applied to the sheet regulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Atsumi Kobayashi, Kunihide Suzuki, Yutaka Tanaka, Akiharu Higaki, Akihiko Tsukui, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Publication number: 20030210939
    Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus transfers a sheet to a predetermined position. The apparatus includes a discharge tray; a support device for rotationally supporting the discharge tray; an interconnecting device that activates according to a rotation of the discharge tray; and a sheet regulating device engaging the interconnecting means to be movable between a regulating position for regulating a movement of the sheet and a retracted position for allowing the sheets on the discharge tray to move. A control device prevents the sheet regulating device from moving to the regulating position from the retracted position even though the discharge tray is rotated when a load greater than a predetermined value is applied to the sheet regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Atsumi Kobayashi, Kunihide Suzuki, Yutaka Tanaka, Akiharu Higaki, Akihiko Tsukui, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Patent number: 6601842
    Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus for an image reading apparatus includes a sheet supply tray for storing a sheet; a sheet supply device for drawing out the sheet on the sheet supply tray; a transfer device for receiving the sheet from the sheet supply means and placing the sheet at a predetermined position on a platen of an image reading apparatus for reading the image thereon; a discharge device for discharging the sheet on the platen after reading the image thereon; and a discharge tray for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge device. A switchback device is disposed above the platen for reversing the sheet when necessary, and includes a switchback path for receiving the sheet to reverse the same. The switchback path includes a first opening portion for opening a first area near an inlet side, and a second opening portion for opening a second area away from the inlet side of the switchback path. The switchback path is easily accessible when the sheet is jammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Atsumi Kobayashi, Kunihide Suzuki, Yutaka Tanaka, Akiharu Higaki, Akihiko Tsukui, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Patent number: 6547235
    Abstract: A stopper member regulates the leading edges of sheets stacked on a sheet supply tray. In a first position of the stopper member, the sheets on a sheet supply tray are prevented from advancing into a paper feed path, and in a second position, the sheets drawn out by a draw-out device pass. The stopper member can be moved to a third position between the first and second positions. The displacement to the third position from the first position is associated with the lowering of the draw-out device for drawing out the sheets from the sheet supply tray, and the displacement from the third position to the second position is accomplished by the leading edge of a sheet drawn out by the draw-out device. This structure prevents damage to the original stacked on the sheet supply tray, and attains a simple structure and a low cost apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Akiharu Higaki
  • Publication number: 20030011121
    Abstract: The document feeder apparatus is equipped with a sheet supply unit including a sheet supply member for supplying an original to a reading position; a transport unit including a transport member for receiving the original from the sheet supply member and transporting the original to the reading position; a discharge unit including a discharge member for discharging the original read at the reading position; and a flat plate shape support frame for supporting the respective units. The sheet supply unit and discharge unit are mounted on one of front and rear sides of the support frame, and the transport unit is mounted on the other of the front and rear sides of the support frame, so that each unit is unitized. Further, a sheet supply opening for guiding the original from the sheet supply unit to the transport unit is established on one side of the support frame, and an opening for guiding the original from the transport unit to the discharge unit is established on the other side of the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Atsumi Kobayashi, Kunihide Suzuki, Yutaka Tanaka, Akiharu Higaki, Akihiko Tukui, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Publication number: 20020180137
    Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus for an image reading apparatus includes a sheet supply tray for storing a sheet; a sheet supply device for drawing out the sheet on the sheet supply tray; a transfer device for receiving the sheet from the sheet supply means and placing the sheet at a predetermined position on a platen of an image reading apparatus for reading the image thereon; a discharge device for discharging the sheet on the platen after reading the image thereon; and a discharge tray for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge device. A switchback device is disposed above the platen for reversing the sheet when necessary, and includes a switchback path for receiving the sheet to reverse the same. The switchback path includes a first opening portion for opening a first area near an inlet side, and a second opening portion for opening a second area away from the inlet side of the switchback path. The switchback path is easily accessible when the sheet is jammed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Atsumi Kobayashi, Kunihide Suzuki, Yutaka Tanaka, Akiharu Higaki, Akihiko Tsukui, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Publication number: 20020074711
    Abstract: A stopper member regulates the leading edges of sheets stacked on a sheet supply tray. In a first position of the stopper member, the sheets on a sheet supply tray are prevented from advancing into a paper feed path, and in a second position, the sheets drawn out by a draw-out device pass. The stopper member can be moved to a third position between the first and second positions. The displacement to the third position from the first position is associated with the lowering of the draw-out device for drawing out the sheets from the sheet supply tray, and the displacement from the third position to the second position is accomplished by the leading edge of a sheet drawn out by the draw-out device. This structure prevents damage to the original stacked on the sheet supply tray, and attains a simple structure and a low cost apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Akiharu Higaki
  • Publication number: 20020030321
    Abstract: An automatic document feed device having reading means for stopping a conveyed document to a reading position on a platen and sequentially reading images of two sides of the document one side by one, includes an adjusting unit, provided upstream of the reading position on the platen, for adjusting an edge of the document, wherein the adjusting unit have a function for adjusting the edge of the document which is fed to read one side, and for reversing the document through the platen and adjusting the edge of the document which is fed again to read the other side of the document. A feed unit includes one of feed guide members and a feed roller in the feed path. The feed path unit is rotatably supported, thereby enabling the feed path to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Sugiyama, Osamu Jinza, Motoaki Nakayama, Akiharu Higaki, Masataka Hamada