Patents by Inventor Hideo Kikuchi

Hideo Kikuchi 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).

  • Publication number: 20100213770
    Abstract: To provide an induced power transmission circuit that transmits, from a transmission antenna (1) connected to a power supply circuit, an AC power having an angular frequency ? to a spaced reception antenna (2) with an excellent efficiency, thereby transmitting it to a load circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7738799
    Abstract: A novel device unit is detachably provided to an image forming apparatus having a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus. The device unit includes a CPU configured to communicate with the control unit; and a memory configured to store property information including information provided through a communication between the CPU and the control unit. The memory includes a write-prohibited area configured to prohibit an information overwriting; a first writable area configured to allow an information writing; and a second writable area configured to controllably allow a one time information overwriting. A recycling system includes a reader/writer configured to communicate with an IC tag provided to the device unit, and a personal computer configured to communicate with the IC tag via the reader/writer and to perform a recycle processing of the device unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7606505
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming units, a toner supply device, a common-unit detection device, an initial operation execution device, and a determination device. Each image forming unit is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus, and includes at least a development device containing toner. At least two of the image forming units are common image forming units having a common structure. When the common-unit detection device detects a common image forming unit at installation thereof, the initial operation execution device supplies a predetermined amount of toner to a development device of the common image forming unit and mixes to charge the toner by friction for a predetermined time period. Then, the. determination device detects whether the toner in the development device is charged to a predetermined level, and determines, based on the detection, whether to mix the toner one more time for another predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kikuchi, Yasuhisa Ehara, Hiroshi Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7579716
    Abstract: A power storage device includes an alternating current (AC) power source, a field effect transistor (FET), a capacitor bank, a direct current (DC) fixing heater, a step-down chopper circuit, and an output control unit. The FET switches between a first path and a second path to supply power from the AC power source in combination with a diode and an IGBT. The capacitor bank is arranged on the first path, and includes capacitor cells. The DC fixing heater is arranged on the second path. The step-down chopper circuit is arranged on the first path, and changes a voltage value of power supplied from the AC power source. The output control unit controls, when power is supplied to the first path, controls the step-down chopper circuit to change a voltage value based on a charging voltage of the capacitor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Sato, Masayuki Ohtani, Masahide Nakaya, Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7509062
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus which allows an independent and easy replacement of replaceable image forming devices including an image forming unit detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. The image forming unit includes a housing, a plurality of replaceable devices, and a nonvolatile memory. The plurality of replaceable devices are replaceably mounted inside the housing. The nonvolatile memory is mounted on the housing and stores lifetime information of the image forming unit and each one of the plurality of replaceable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kikuchi, Takundo Isobe
  • Publication number: 20080225459
    Abstract: A first switching unit and a second switching unit are connected in series to an electric power load. A voltage supply unit, which is connected between the first switching unit and the second switching unit, supplies a voltage to the second switching unit. A determining unit determines an occurrence of a malfunction in at least one of the first switching unit and the second switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Tsunehide TAKAHASHI, Naoki Sato, Hideo Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080155294
    Abstract: A power supply device supplies power to an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a load and a control unit. The load requires power, and is controlled by the control unit. The power supply includes a capacitor and a power-supply unit. The capacitor is charged by an external power source, and dischargably stores therein power. The power-supply unit provides power supply from the capacitor to the load and the control unit before voltage of the external power source drops below a threshold level where malfunction of the image forming apparatus occurs. After the voltage recovers to the threshold level, the power-supply unit stops the power supply from the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Hideo KIKUCHI, Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 7375924
    Abstract: If a cartridge moves to a complete loading position which is inward of a device by a loading device, a sliding plate moves in Y2 direction in accordance with the loading device. At this moment, because a control convex portion engages a concave portion of a door setting portion by moving from a convex portion of the manipulating member, the manipulating member is pulled by a fourth biasing member and rotates in an ?2 direction. Therefore, a control pin moves inside a manipulating groove and sets a door in a closed position. Also, the door is set in the closed position as well even after the cartridge is drawn out of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7369783
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing devices, each of which stores a toner, a developing device installation section, in which the developing device is detachably installed, a color display unit that displays a toner color corresponding to the toner stored in the developing device, and a detector that detects whether the toner color in the developing device matches the toner color corresponding to the developing device installation section, after the developing device is installed in the developing device installation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7369147
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first writing control device configured to control a writing of a first latent image, a second writing control device configured to control a writing of a second latent image, and a criterion timing determination device configured to determine a criterion timing for a series of image forming operations based on an image forming instruction and to transmit to the first writing control device one of (i) a signal of the criterion timing, or (ii) a signal of a writing instruction determined based on the criterion timing. The first writing control device is configured to start a writing process of the first latent image based on one of the signal of the criterion timing or the signal of the writing instruction received from the criterion timing determination device, and to transmit a signal of a timing for starting a writing process to the second writing control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Mochimaru, Hideo Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080022053
    Abstract: A novel device unit is detachably provided to an image forming apparatus having a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus. The device unit includes a CPU configured to communicate with the control unit; and a memory configured to store property information including information provided through a communication between the CPU and the control unit. The memory includes a write-prohibited area configured to prohibit an information overwriting; a first writable area configured to allow an information writing; and a second writable area configured to controllably allow a one time information overwriting. A recycling system includes a reader/writer configured to communicate with an IC tag provided to the device unit, and a personal computer configured to communicate with the IC tag via the reader/writer and to perform a recycle processing of the device unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Hideo KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20070274736
    Abstract: A power storage device includes an alternating current (AC) power source, a field effect transistor (FET), a capacitor bank, a direct current (DC) fixing heater, a step-down chopper circuit, and an output control unit. The FET switches between a first path and a second path to supply power from the AC power source in combination with a diode and an IGBT. The capacitor bank is arranged on the first path, and includes capacitor cells. The DC fixing heater is arranged on the second path. The step-down chopper circuit is arranged on the first path, and changes a voltage value of power supplied from the AC power source. The output control unit controls, when power is supplied to the first path, controls the step-down chopper circuit to change a voltage value based on a charging voltage of the capacitor cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Naoki Sato, Masayuki Ohtani, Masahide Nakaya, Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7295787
    Abstract: A novel device unit is detachably provided to an image forming apparatus having a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus. The device unit includes a CPU configured to communicate with the control unit; and a memory configured to store property information including information provided through a communication between the CPU and the control unit. The memory includes a write-prohibited area configured to prohibit an information overwriting; a first writable area configured to allow an information writing; and a second writable area configured to controllably allow a one time information overwriting. A recycling system includes a reader/writer configured to communicate with an IC tag provided to the device unit, and a personal computer configured to communicate with the IC tag via the reader/writer and to perform a recycle processing of the device unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7289741
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a unit having a first non-volatile memory holding recognition information of the unit and a main body in which the unit is installed in a replaceable manner. The main body has a second non-volatile memory holding a plurality of second recognition information concerning a plurality of units and a plurality of control information corresponding to the plurality of second recognition information. The image forming apparatus is configured such that when a comparison is made between the recognition information held in the first non-volatile memory and the plurality of second recognition information held in the second non-volatile memory and the recognition information held in the first non-volatile memory does not accord with any of the plurality of second recognition information held in the second non-volatile memory, an image forming operation is performed based on selected control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20070212103
    Abstract: A step-down circuit lowers a voltage outputted from a commercial power supply. A step-down-output control and charge control circuit controls a step-down voltage and charges a capacitor bank based on a step-down voltage outputted. A constant-voltage generating circuit generates a constant voltage based on an output of the capacitor bank or an output of the step-down circuit. An image-forming-apparatus control circuit supplies the constant voltage to a load that performs an image forming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Hideo KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20070059016
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a power storage unit. The power storage unit includes a constant voltage generation part configured to generate a constant voltage from a commercial power supply, the constant voltage generation part being connected to an external apparatus operating by consuming power; a voltage increasing circuit configured to increase the constant voltage generated by the constant voltage generation part; a capacitor configured to store an electric charge supplied from the voltage increasing circuit; a circuit control part configured to control charging of the capacitor; and an output part configured to output power stored in the capacitor, the power having a voltage different from the constant voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Naoki Sato, Hideo Kikuchi, Masahide Nakaya
  • Patent number: 7186928
    Abstract: In a shielding configuration of a chip part, a shielding effect and a cooling effect are sufficiently obtained at the same time. In an electronic device including a chip part to be disclosed, a shielding conductor includes a ceiling plate section covering the chip part and side plate sections which are formed to be united with the ceiling plate section and to be at a position lower than the ceiling plate section and which are arranged on both sides in a horizontal direction of the chip part, and openings are formed in both side ends in a front-rear direction of the shielding conductor to open both sides in a front-rear direction of the chip part, and the side plate sections of the shielding conductor are electrically connected via a plurality of shielding bumps in the front-rear direction to a ground layer pattern of a mounting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Kikuchi, Junichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7106426
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of inspecting an optical waveguide substrate for optical conduction at an increased inspecting rate and also inspecting an optical waveguide substrate for cross-talk. According to the disclosed method, a laser beam is applied from a laser beam scanning optical system to one end face of an optical waveguide of an optical waveguide substrate which is an object to be inspected, and the laser beam emitted from the other end of the optical waveguide is detected by a CCD camera, which output detected result data. A light spot position confirming device compares the detected result data with stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Toppan Circuit Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideo Kikuchi, Mikio Oda, Hikaru Kouta, Sakae Kitajo, Yuzo Shimada, Yoshio Matsumoto, Shinichi Tamabayashi
  • Publication number: 20060185213
    Abstract: A recording-medium-mounting device includes a slide member having an engaging member that is engageable with a recess in a cartridge, the slide member pulling the cartridge inward to a predetermined mounting position by sliding in an insertion direction while the engaging member is engaged with the recess, a drive motor for driving the slide member, and a switch unit for starting the drive motor. The switch unit starts the drive motor and causes the slide member to slide after the recess in the cartridge is moved in the insertion direction beyond a standby position of the engaging member so that the engaging member engages with the recess from the front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20060165422
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming units, a toner supply device, a common-unit detection device, an initial operation execution device, and a determination device. Each image forming unit is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus, and includes at least a development device containing toner. At least two of the image forming units are common image forming units having a common structure. When the common-unit detection device detects a common image forming unit at installation thereof, the initial operation execution device supplies a predetermined amount of toner to a development device of the common image forming unit and mixes to charge the toner by friction for a predetermined time period. Then, the. determination device detects whether the toner in the development device is charged to a predetermined level, and determines, based on the detection, whether to mix the toner one more time for another predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Hideo Kikuchi, Yasuhisa Ehara, Hiroshi Yoshizawa