Patents by Inventor Eiji Nishikawa
Eiji Nishikawa 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).
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Patent number: 11215942Abstract: An image forming apparatus that has a transfer device that includes an intermediate transfer belt that is tensioned by a plurality of support rollers, a secondary transfer roller that faces one of the support rollers via the intermediate transfer belt, a cam that adjust a pressing force that presses the intermediate transfer belt by the secondary transfer roller, a motor that drives the cam, and a conveyor that conveys a recording medium to a transfer nip formed between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller is provided with a controller that controls an operation of the motor. The controller executes first control of operating the motor with a constant torque and stopping the motor when a rotation angular speed of the motor is less than or equal to a first threshold and second control of operating the motor at a predetermined timing to adjust a transfer nip amount.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Remi Ishikawa, Eiji Nishikawa, Satoshi Miyajima, Masayuki Fukunaga
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Patent number: 11130646Abstract: A paper feeding parameter management system may include air paper feeding devices and a management device. Each of the air paper feeding devices may be provided with an air paper feeder which may feed paper by blowing air and by absorption to paper and which may be provided with a paper feeding parameter capable of being switched. Each of the air paper feeding devices may be provided with a paper type information obtaining unit and a hardware processor. The paper type information obtaining unit may obtain paper type information of paper to be fed. The hardware processor (i) may adjust the paper feeding parameter of the air paper feeder and (ii) may transmit the paper type information, device configuration information regarding a device configuration of the air paper feeding device, and the adjusted paper feeding parameter to the management device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Eiji Nishikawa, Takahiro Yokoya
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Patent number: 11003121Abstract: There is provided printing equipment that enhances the overprinting position accuracy in overprinting and a printing method for the printing equipment. In the printing method, a paper meandering profile acquisition part acquires a meandering profile of paper from a result of detection by a paper deviation detection sensor. A paper speed profile acquisition part acquires a paper speed profile from a result of detection by a paper conveyance speed detection sensor. A paper feed error calculator calculates a paper feed error on the basis of the meandering profile and paper speed profile. A paper feed error corrector corrects the image formation timing on the basis of a result of calculation by the paper feed error calculator.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Eiji Nishikawa, Takahiro Yokoya
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Publication number: 20200255248Abstract: An image forming apparatus that has a transfer device that includes an intermediate transfer belt that is tensioned by a plurality of support rollers, a secondary transfer roller that faces one of the support rollers via the intermediate transfer belt, a cam that adjust a pressing force that presses the intermediate transfer belt by the secondary transfer roller, a motor that drives the cam, and a conveyor that conveys a recording medium to a transfer nip formed between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller is provided with a controller that controls an operation of the motor. The controller executes first control of operating the motor with a constant torque and stopping the motor when a rotation angular speed of the motor is less than or equal to a first threshold and second control of operating the motor at a predetermined timing to adjust a transfer nip amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Remi ISHIKAWA, Eiji NISHIKAWA, Satoshi MIYAJIMA, Masayuki FUKUNAGA
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Patent number: 10703595Abstract: A sheet feeding parameter management system includes: a plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses each including an air sheet feeder that feeds a sheet and enabled to change a sheet feeding parameter; and a management apparatus connected to the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses, wherein each of the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses includes: a sheet type information acquisitor that acquires sheet type information; and a hardware processor that: adjusts the sheet feeding parameter; and transmits the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus includes the hardware processor that: causes a storage to store an adjustment result associated with the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter; and sets, based on the adjustment result, for an air sheet feeding apparatus to be processed among the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Eiji Nishikawa, Takahiro Yokoya, Noritaka Shimizu
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Publication number: 20200017326Abstract: A paper feeding parameter management system may include air paper feeding devices and a management device. Each of the air paper feeding devices may be provided with an air paper feeder which may feed paper by blowing air and by absorption to paper and which may be provided with a paper feeding parameter capable of being switched. Each of the air paper feeding devices may be provided with a paper type information obtaining unit and a hardware processor. The paper type information obtaining unit may obtain paper type information of paper to be fed. The hardware processor (i) may adjust the paper feeding parameter of the air paper feeder and (ii) may transmit the paper type information, device configuration information regarding a device configuration of the air paper feeding device, and the adjusted paper feeding parameter to the management device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Eiji NISHIKAWA, Takahiro YOKOYA
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Publication number: 20190185280Abstract: A sheet feeding parameter management system includes: a plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses each including an air sheet feeder that feeds a sheet and enabled to change a sheet feeding parameter; and a management apparatus connected to the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses, wherein each of the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses includes: a sheet type information acquisitor that acquires sheet type information; and a hardware processor that: adjusts the sheet feeding parameter; and transmits the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus includes the hardware processor that: causes a storage to store an adjustment result associated with the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter; and sets, based on the adjustment result, for an air sheet feeding apparatus to be processed among the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Eiji NISHIKAWA, Takahiro YOKOYA, Noritaka SHIMIZU
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Publication number: 20180329347Abstract: There is provided printing equipment that enhances the overprinting position accuracy in overprinting and a printing method for the printing equipment. In the printing method, a paper meandering profile acquisition part acquires a meandering profile of paper from a result of detection by a paper deviation detection sensor. A paper speed profile acquisition part acquires a paper speed profile from a result of detection by a paper conveyance speed detection sensor. A paper feed error calculator calculates a paper feed error on the basis of the meandering profile and paper speed profile. A paper feed error corrector corrects the image formation timing on the basis of a result of calculation by the paper feed error calculator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Eiji Nishikawa, Takahiro Yokoya
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Publication number: 20180162146Abstract: A sheet conveying system includes: an upstream apparatus provided on an upstream side in a conveyance direction of a paper sheet; a downstream apparatus provided on a downstream side of the upstream apparatus; an upstream conveyor that conveys the paper sheet; an upstream driver that drives the upstream conveyor; a downstream conveyor that receives the paper sheet conveyed from the upstream conveyor, and conveys the paper sheet received from the upstream conveyor; a downstream driver that drives the downstream conveyor; an upstream controller that is connected to the upstream and downstream drivers; and a downstream controller that is connected to the downstream and upstream drivers, wherein the sheet conveying system switches control on the basis of sheet information between first control in which the upstream controller controls the upstream and downstream drivers and second control in which the downstream controller controls the downstream and upstream drivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Kiyoto KOJIMA, Takahiro YOKOYA, Eiji NISHIKAWA
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Patent number: 9994050Abstract: A sheet conveying system includes: an upstream apparatus provided on an upstream side in a conveyance direction of a paper sheet; a downstream apparatus provided on a downstream side of the upstream apparatus; an upstream conveyor that conveys the paper sheet; an upstream driver that drives the upstream conveyor; a downstream conveyor that receives the paper sheet conveyed from the upstream conveyor, and conveys the paper sheet received from the upstream conveyor; a downstream driver that drives the downstream conveyor; an upstream controller that is connected to the upstream and downstream drivers; and a downstream controller that is connected to the downstream and upstream drivers, wherein the sheet conveying system switches control on the basis of sheet information between first control in which the upstream controller controls the upstream and downstream drivers and second control in which the downstream controller controls the downstream and upstream drivers.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Kiyoto Kojima, Takahiro Yokoya, Eiji Nishikawa
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Patent number: 9639039Abstract: An image forming apparatus detects that the temperature of a fixing member reaches a lower limit value at which the temperature once reduced by the start of a heating and fixing process to a paper turns to rise, after an image forming operation starts, and determines the type of the paper based on at least one of an elapsed time from a predetermined reference time point after the image forming operation starts to a time point at which it is detected that the temperature reaches the lower limit value, and a temperature difference between the temperature of the fixing member at the reference time point and the lower limit value.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Takanobu Shiki, Tadayuki Ueda, Eiji Nishikawa, Yukinobu Iguchi, Satoshi Miyajima, Yohei Yamada
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Patent number: 9632464Abstract: In an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when an image forming operation is started from a standby state, electric power is supplied to a heater by switching to a first fixing control to turn on and off the heater to heat a heating roller with a fixed duty ratio based on the detected temperature of the heating roller, and thereafter, when detecting a state that the falling detected temperature reaches a lower limit value at which the detected temperature turns to rising, electric power is supplied to the heater by switching to a second fixing control which changes a duty ratio in accordance with a temperature difference between the detected temperature and a target control temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Takanobu Shiki, Tadayuki Ueda, Eiji Nishikawa, Yukinobu Iguchi, Satoshi Miyajima, Yohei Yamada
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Patent number: 9586465Abstract: A connecting structure includes: a molding having a fixed portion that is fixed on an inner surface of a lower edge of a windshield glass, and a fitting portion that receives an engagement rib that protrudes downward from a location near an upper edge of a cowl louver, wherein the engagement rib and the fitting portion include slip-out prevention projections that prevent the engagement rib from slipping out. On both sides of the engagement rib are provided elastic lips and that are supported by the fitting portion, and these elastic lips extend in the extending direction of the engagement rib and press on the engagement rib at a side closer to a tip of the engagement rib than the slip-out prevention projections, these elastic lips press each other in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akiyoshi Sanada, Koji Usui, Eiji Nishikawa, Yasuhiko Fukuzumi, Kentaro Nakashima
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Publication number: 20160327889Abstract: In an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when an image forming operation is started from a standby state, electric power is supplied to a heater by switching to a first fixing control to turn on and off the heater to heat a heating roller with a fixed duty ratio based on the detected temperature of the heating roller, and thereafter, when detecting a state that the falling detected temperature reaches a lower limit value at which the detected temperature turns to rising, electric power is supplied to the heater by switching to a second fixing control which changes a duty ratio in accordance with a temperature difference between the detected temperature and a target control temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Takanobu SHIKI, Tadayuki UEDA, Eiji NISHIKAWA, Yukinobu IGUCHI, Satoshi MIYAJIMA, Yohei YAMADA
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Publication number: 20160327890Abstract: An image forming apparatus detects that the temperature of a fixing member reaches a lower limit value at which the temperature once reduced by the start of a heating and fixing process to a paper turns to rise, after an image forming operation starts, and determines the type of the paper based on at least one of an elapsed time from a predetermined reference time point after the image forming operation starts to a time point at which it is detected that the temperature reaches the lower limit value, and a temperature difference between the temperature of the fixing member at the reference time point and the lower limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Takanobu SHIKI, Tadayuki UEDA, Eiji NISHIKAWA, Yukinobu IGUCHI, Satoshi MIYAJIMA, Yohei YAMADA
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Publication number: 20160176276Abstract: A connecting structure includes: a molding having a fixed portion that is fixed on an inner surface of a lower edge of a windshield glass, and a fitting portion that receives an engagement rib that protrudes downward from a location near an upper edge of a cowl louver, wherein the engagement rib and the fitting portion include slip-out prevention projections that prevent the engagement rib from slipping out. On both sides of the engagement rib are provided elastic lips and that are supported by the fitting portion, and these elastic lips extend in the extending direction of the engagement rib and press on the engagement rib at a side closer to a tip of the engagement rib than the slip-out prevention projections, these elastic lips press each other in opposite directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akiyoshi SANADA, Koji USUI, Eiji NISHIKAWA, Yasuhiko FUKUZUMI, Kentaro NAKASHIMA
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Patent number: 9261841Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms decision registration mark for deciding whether or not a color registration correction for correcting color shifts in the color image carries out on an intermediate transfer belt. The decision registration mark is formed by registering four color registration marks. Color registration sensors detect a detection width of the decision registration mark along a sub scanning direction. A control portion receives the detection width of the decision registration mark and decides whether or not the color registration correction carries out based on whether or not the detection width of the decision mark detected by the detection portion exceeds the period of reference time. When the detection width of the decision mark detected by the detection portion exceeds the period of reference time, the control portion carries out the color registration correction.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Teruhiko Fujikura, Satoshi Miyajima, Tadayuki Ueda, Yoshihito Sasamoto, Eiji Nishikawa, Takanobu Shiki, Akinori Kimata
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Patent number: 9031444Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of heaters 56 for heating the fixing roller 52, a plurality of temperature sensors 57 for detecting the temperatures of the areas to be heated by the plurality of heaters 56 respectively, and a control unit 11 for turning on and off the plurality of heaters 56 on the basis of the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature sensors 57. If one of the heaters 56 is on when the area to be heated by the other heater cools down to the ON temperature, the control unit 11 turns on the other heater with the same timing as the one heater is turned off.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Akinori Kimata, Yoshihito Sasamoto, Tadayuki Ueda, Toru Kasamatsu, Eiji Nishikawa, Takanobu Shiki
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Patent number: 8941845Abstract: An image forming apparatus which allows a user to freely select a desired image quality is provided. The control unit 60 sets a of registration set value A1 for determining a color registration error suppression level and a dropout set value A2 for determining a dropout occurrence suppression level. Also, the control unit 60 sets a differential circumferential speed which is the difference between the circumferential speed of photoreceptor drums 1Y to 1K and the circumferential speed of an intermediate transfer belt 6 on the basis of the color registration set value A1 and the dropout set value A2. Then, the control unit 60 controls the belt drive motor 61 and the drum drive motor 62 on the basis of the differential circumferential speed which is set.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tadayuki Ueda, Yoshihito Sasamoto, Toru Kasamatsu, Eiji Nishikawa, Satoshi Miyajima, Takanobu Shiki
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Patent number: 8879940Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an adjustment unit that adjusts an image transfer position of the sheet of paper along a main scanning direction that is orthogonal to a transporting direction of the sheet of paper, a fixing unit that fixes on the sheet of paper an toner image using fixing rollers and performs a fluctuation of the fixing roller to the main scanning direction, a detection unit that detects whether or not the fixing rollers of the fixing unit nip the sheet of paper, and a controller. The controller controls the fixing unit to perform the fluctuation of the fixing rollers when determining that the fixing rollers of the fixing unit do not nip the sheet of paper based on a detection result of the detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Toru Kasamatsu, Takayuki Ueda, Yoshihito Sasamoto, Eiji Nishikawa, Satoshi Miyajima