Patents by Inventor Akihito Yokote
Akihito Yokote 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: 11977349Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image based on an image forming condition; a sensor to measure a measurement image formed by the image forming unit; and a controller to obtain information correlated with a change in density of an image to be formed by the image forming unit, control the sensor to measure the measurement image, determine first data related to density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, determine, based on a result of measuring the measurement image, second data related to density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, and generate the image forming condition based on a weighted average of the first data and the second data.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihito Yokote, Taichi Takemura, Saeko Oishi
-
Publication number: 20230400804Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store first conversion information for converting a density of an image formed on an image carrier at a process speed into a density at another process speed among a plurality of process speeds; and a control unit configured to form a plurality of first patch images of different densities on the image carrier, with respect to each of the plurality of process speeds, determine respective densities of the plurality of first patch images based on a process speed at the time of formation of each of the plurality of first patch images and the first conversion information, and generate pieces of the tone correction condition that respectively correspond to the plurality of process speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Tatsuomi MURAYAMA, Tadashi FUKUDA, Akihito YOKOTE
-
Patent number: 11818304Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image based on an image forming condition and a controller. The controller determines information related to a density of an image to be formed by the image forming unit; generates the image forming condition based on the information; acquires measurement data outputted from a sensor related to a test image; determines, based on a first determination condition, first information related to a density of the test image; determines, based on a second determination condition, second information related to a density of the test image; and selects the determination condition from among a plurality of determination conditions including the first determination condition and the second determination condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihito Yokote, Taichi Takemura
-
Patent number: 11758058Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit; a sensor that measures a measurement image; and a controller. The controller controls the image forming condition based on a measurement result of measuring a first measurement image; acquires information having a correlation to density variation of images to be formed by the image forming unit; controls the image forming condition based on the information; determines a first value regarding a density of an image to be formed, based on a measurement result of measuring a second measurement image; determines a second value regarding a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, based on the information; and controls a timing at which the image forming unit next forms the first measurement image, based on the first value and the second value.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taichi Takemura, Akihito Yokote
-
Publication number: 20230098328Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image forming unit to form an image based on an image forming condition and a controller. The controller determines information related to a density of an image to be formed by the image forming unit; generates the image forming condition based on the information; acquires measurement data outputted from a sensor related to a test image; determines, based on a first determination condition, first information related to a density of the test image; determines, based on a first determination condition, second information related to a density of the test image; and selects the determination condition from among a plurality of determination conditions including the first determination condition and the second determination condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Akihito Yokote, Taichi Takemura
-
Publication number: 20230090095Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit; a sensor that measures a measurement image; and a controller. The controller controls the image forming condition based on a measurement result of measuring a first measurement image; acquires information having a correlation to density variation of images to be formed by the image forming unit; controls the image forming condition based on the information; determines a first value regarding a density of an image to be formed, based on a measurement result of measuring a second measurement image; determines a second value regarding a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, based on the information; and controls a timing at which the image forming unit next forms the first measurement image, based on the first value and the second value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Taichi Takemura, Akihito Yokote
-
Publication number: 20230064610Abstract: An information processing apparatus configured to output information to a computing apparatus configured to generate a model for determining a density of an image to be formed by an image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire pieces of log data each relating to a measurement result of an image formed by the image forming apparatus; a reception unit configured to receive information for specifying a piece of log data to be used for generation of the model among the pieces of log data acquired by the acquisition unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the information to the computing apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Saeko Oishi, Taichi Takemura, Akihito Yokote
-
Patent number: 11592773Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a converter configured to convert image data with use of a tone correction condition corresponding to a position in a main scanning direction of the image data, and an image forming unit, which includes a photosensitive member and an exposure portion configured to expose the photosensitive member to light based on the converted image data, and is configured to form an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes a holding portion configured to hold a plurality of feedback conditions corresponding to a plurality of tones and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form a plurality of test images, acquire measurement results for the plurality of test images, and generate the tone correction condition based on the measurement results and the plurality of feedback conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihito Yokote
-
Publication number: 20230013372Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image forming unit to form an image based on an image forming condition; a sensor to measure a measurement image formed by the image forming unit; and a controller to obtain information correlated with a change in density of an image to be formed by the image forming unit, control the sensor to measure the measurement image, determine first data related to density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, determine, based on a result of measuring the measurement image, second data related to density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, and generate the image forming condition based on a weighted average of the first data and the second data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Akihito Yokote, Taichi Takemura, Saeko Oishi
-
Patent number: 11442388Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image processing unit converts image data based on a plurality of conversion conditions corresponding to a plurality of positions in a predetermined direction. A controller controls an image forming unit to form an image based on the image data converted by the image processing unit, and controls the image forming unit to form a plurality of pattern images including first, second and third pattern images. The controller controls a reading unit to read the plurality of pattern images on the sheet, generates correction conditions corresponding to the plurality of positions in the predetermined direction based on a reading result of the reading unit, and generates the plurality of conversion conditions based on the reading result and the correction conditions corresponding to the plurality of positions in the predetermined direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihito Yokote
-
Patent number: 11232332Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet along a conveyance path, a reading unit which is provided on the conveyance path and is configured to read a pattern formed on the sheet, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the image forming unit to form a first pattern, control the conveyance roller to convey a sheet having the first pattern formed thereon, control the reading unit to read the first pattern, generate first data based on a result of reading the first pattern, and control the image forming unit to form a user image and a second pattern, the second pattern being formed in a region on the sheet that is different from a region in which the user image is formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihito Yokote
-
Publication number: 20210302886Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image processing unit converts image data based on a plurality of conversion conditions corresponding to a plurality of positions in a predetermined direction. A controller controls the image forming unit to form an image based on the image data converted by the image processing unit, and controls the image forming unit to form a plurality of pattern images including first, second and third pattern images. The controller controls a reading unit to read the plurality of pattern images on the sheet, generates correction conditions corresponding to the plurality of positions in the predetermined direction based on a reading result of the reading unit, and generates the plurality of conversion conditions based on the reading result and the correction conditions corresponding to the plurality of positions in the predetermined direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventor: Akihito Yokote
-
Publication number: 20210150290Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet along a conveyance path, a reading unit which is provided on the conveyance path, and is configured to read a pattern formed on the sheet, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the image forming unit to form a first pattern, control the conveyance roller to convey a sheet having the first pattern formed thereon, control the reading unit to read the first pattern, generate first data based on a result of reading the first pattern, control the image forming unit to form a user image and a second pattern, the second pattern being formed in a region on the sheet that is different from a region in which the user image is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventor: Akihito Yokote
-
Publication number: 20210041822Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a converter configured to convert image data with use of a tone correction condition corresponding to a position in a main scanning direction of the image data, an image forming unit, which includes a photosensitive member and an exposure portion configured to expose the photosensitive member to light based on the converted image data, and is configured to form an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes a holding portion configured to hold a plurality of feedback conditions corresponding to a plurality of tones and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form a plurality of test images, acquire measurement results for the plurality of test images, and generate the tone correction condition based on the measurement results and the plurality of feedback conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventor: Akihito Yokote
-
Patent number: 10191411Abstract: Provided is a remaining toner conveying apparatus including a cleaning blade which recovers a toner remaining on a surface of a photosensitive drum and a conveying screw which conveys the remaining toner so that a conveyance amount per predetermined time in a first conveyance path conveying the remaining toner recovered by the cleaning blade to a discharge portion for discharging the remaining toner is equal to or less than a conveyance amount in a second conveyance path in a downstream side in a conveyance direction where the conveyance path is narrower than the first conveyance path.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc.Inventors: Ikuyo Kuroiwa, Yuki Nagahashi, Akihito Yokote, Hideo Nagura
-
Publication number: 20170351196Abstract: Provided is a remaining toner conveying apparatus including a cleaning blade which recovers a toner remaining on a surface of a photosensitive drum and a conveying screw which conveys the remaining toner so that a conveyance amount per predetermined time in a first conveyance path conveying the remaining toner recovered by the cleaning blade to a discharge portion for discharging the remaining toner is equal to or less than a conveyance amount in a second conveyance path in a downstream side in a conveyance direction where the conveyance path is narrower than the first conveyance path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Ikuyo Kuroiwa, Yuki Nagahashi, Akihito Yokote, Hideo Nagura