Patents by Inventor Hirohisa Sawada
Hirohisa Sawada 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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Publication number: 20240106951Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to perform image formation on a sheet, a casing configured to house the image forming unit, an operation unit configured to receive an operation performed by a user, an electric wire extending from the casing to be connected to the operation unit and configured to transmit an electrical signal, a reinforcing member provided separate from and independent of the electric wire, the reinforcing member interconnecting the casing and the operation unit, and a covering configured to enclose therein the electric wire and the reinforcing member, wherein the reinforcing member is fixed to the casing and the operation unit in such a manner that a distance between a portion fixed to the casing and a portion fixed to the operation unit in the reinforcing member is shorter than a total length of the electric wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Yusaku Makino, Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Publication number: 20240045365Abstract: A first fixing part of a reinforcing member is fixed to a housing such that a weak-axis, where a second moment of area in a cross section of the reinforcing member in the first fixing part is minimum, intersects with a top surface, which reduces deterioration of user operability while a risk of disconnection of a cable connecting an operation unit and an image forming apparatus to each other is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: YUSAKU MAKINO, HIROHISA SAWADA
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Patent number: 11876938Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to perform image formation on a sheet, a casing configured to house the image forming unit, an operation unit configured to receive an operation performed by a user, an electric wire extending from the casing to be connected to the operation unit and configured to transmit an electrical signal, a reinforcing member provided separate from and independent of the electric wire, the reinforcing member interconnecting the casing and the operation unit, and a covering configured to enclose therein the electric wire and the reinforcing member, wherein the reinforcing member is fixed to the casing and the operation unit in such a manner that a distance between a portion fixed to the casing and a portion fixed to the operation unit in the reinforcing member is shorter than a total length of the electric wire.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusaku Makino, Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Publication number: 20240007570Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; and an operating portion including a display screen which includes at least numeric keys, a start key configured to cause the image forming portion to start image formation, and a stop key configured to stop the image formation by the image forming portion, and including a hardware key provided on a back side of the display screen and configured to start a maintenance mode of the image forming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 11825052Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus which includes: a frame with an image forming portion; an operation unit being arranged to be movable with respect to a top surface of the frame; a cable with an electric wire which connects the frame and the operation unit; and an outlet provided on the frame or the operation unit, wherein the cable includes: an elastic member provided along the electric wire from the frame to the operation unit, the elastic member having a width equal to or greater than a diameter of the electric wire; and a protruding portion with elasticity, provided on a side of the elastic member on which the electric wire is arranged such that the protruding portion protrudes from the side of the elastic member, the protruding portion having a height which is equal to or greater than the diameter of the wire.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 11811986Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; and an operating portion including a display screen which includes at least numeric keys, a start key configured to cause the image forming portion to start image formation, and a stop key configured to stop the image formation by the image forming portion, and including a hardware key provided on a back side of the display screen and configured to start a maintenance mode of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 11733942Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an operating portion which is capable of displaying a software key and which is not provided with a hardware key; an input device which is a separate member from the operating portion, which is provided adjacent to a right side of the operating portion when the image forming apparatus is seen from a position opposing the operating portion, and which is provided with a hardware key; an IC card reader which is a separate member from the operating portion and the input device, which is provided adjacent to a right side of the input device when the image forming apparatus is seen from a position opposing the input device, and which is configured to receive user information from an IC card; and a holding member configured to integrally hold the input device and the IC reader.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeharu Kurita, Shingo Hattori, Hirohisa Sawada
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Publication number: 20230179724Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus which includes: a frame with an image forming portion; an operation unit being arranged to be movable with respect to a top surface of the frame; a cable with an electric wire which connects the frame and the operation unit; and an outlet provided on the frame or the operation unit, wherein the cable includes: an elastic member provided along the electric wire from the frame to the operation unit, the elastic member having a width equal to or greater than a diameter of the electric wire; and a protruding portion with elasticity, provided on a side of the elastic member on which the electric wire is arranged such that the protruding portion protrudes from the side of the elastic member, the protruding portion having a height which is equal to or greater than the diameter of the wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 11513570Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a housing having a top face, an operation unit freely placed on the housing top face, a touch panel, and a supporting base. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The operation unit is freely placed on the housing top face and accepts a user operation for causing the image forming unit to execute image formation. The operation unit includes a touch panel having a display face on which information about the image formation is displayed and accepting touch operation performed by a user. The supporting base supports the touch panel so that an inclination angle of the display face inclined with respect to the housing top face becomes one of 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less when the operation unit is placed on the housing top face.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Publication number: 20220279078Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to perform image formation on a sheet, a casing configured to house the image forming unit, an operation unit configured to receive an operation performed by a user, an electric wire extending from the casing to be connected to the operation unit and configured to transmit an electrical signal, a reinforcing member provided separate from and independent of the electric wire, the reinforcing member interconnecting the casing and the operation unit, and a covering configured to enclose therein the electric wire and the reinforcing member, wherein the reinforcing member is fixed to the casing and the operation unit in such a manner that a distance between a portion fixed to the casing and a portion fixed to the operation unit in the reinforcing member is shorter than a total length of the electric wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Yusaku Makino, Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Patent number: 11196882Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; a mounting portion on which an IC card reader which includes a lighting portion where light indicating an operation state comes on and which is used for user authentication is mounted; a reader cover mounted on the mounting portion and covering the IC card reader, wherein the reader cover is provided with a plurality of openings, either one of the openings opposing the lighting portion of the IC card reader; and a light transmission sheet provided on the reader cover and covering the openings, wherein transmittance of visible light for the light transmission sheet is 5% or more and 25% or less.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Publication number: 20210289087Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a housing having a top face, an operation unit freely placed on the housing top face, a touch panel, and a supporting base. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The operation unit is freely placed on the housing top face and accepts a user operation for causing the image forming unit to execute image formation. The operation unit includes a touch panel having a display face on which information about the image formation is displayed and accepting touch operation performed by a user. The supporting base supports the touch panel so that an inclination angle of the display face inclined with respect to the housing top face becomes one of 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less when the operation unit is placed on the housing top face.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Publication number: 20210160388Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; a mounting portion on which an IC card reader which includes a lighting portion where light indicating an operation state comes on and which is used for user authentication is mounted; a reader cover mounted on the mounting portion and covering the IC card reader, wherein the reader cover is provided with a plurality of openings, either one of the openings opposing the lighting portion of the IC card reader; and a light transmission sheet provided on the reader cover and covering the openings, wherein transmittance of visible light for the light transmission sheet is 5% or more and 25% or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Hirohisa Sawada, Shingo Hattori
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Publication number: 20210144268Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; and an operating portion including a display screen which includes at least numeric keys, a start key configured to cause the image forming portion to start image formation, and a stop key configured to stop the image formation by the image forming portion, and including a hardware key provided on a back side of the display screen and configured to start a maintenance mode of the image forming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 10944879Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; and an operating portion including a display screen which includes at least numeric keys, a start key configured to cause the image forming portion to start image formation, and a stop key configured to stop the image formation by the image forming portion, and including a hardware key provided on a back side of the display screen and configured to start a maintenance mode of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Publication number: 20200249888Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an operating portion which is capable of displaying a software key and which is not provided with a hardware key; an input device which is a separate member from the operating portion, which is provided adjacent to a right side of the operating portion when the image forming apparatus is seen from a position opposing the operating portion, and which is provided with a hardware key; an IC card reader which is a separate member from the operating portion and the input device, which is provided adjacent to a right side of the input device when the image forming apparatus is seen from a position opposing the input device, and which is configured to receive user information from an IC card; and a holding member configured to integrally hold the input device and the IC reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Shigeharu Kurita, Shingo Hattori, Hirohisa Sawada
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Publication number: 20200153985Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; and an operating portion including a display screen which includes at least numeric keys, a start key configured to cause the image forming portion to start image formation, and a stop key configured to stop the image formation by the image forming portion, and including a hardware key provided on a back side of the display screen and configured to start a maintenance mode of the image forming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 10291803Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; an operating portion mounted in a front surface side of the main assembly so as to be slidable in a widthwise direction of the main assembly and configured to be capable of inputting a signal to the main assembly, wherein the operating portion includes a first connector and a second connector; a first cable configured to electrically connect the main assembly and the first connector of the operating portion in a state in which a first loop is formed; and a second cable having a cable diameter smaller than a cable diameter of the first cable and configured to electrically connect the main assembly and the second connector of the operating portion in a state in which a second loop is formed inside the first cable.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Patent number: 10033889Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a panel portion connected with a control portion of an apparatus body and being capable of executing at least one of functions of displaying information obtained from the control portion and of inputting information to the control portion, and an antenna capable of transmitting/receiving radio waves to/from a mobile terminal brought close to the antenna. The NFC substrate can make communication between the mobile terminal brought close to the antenna and the control portion by a near field communication system. The antenna is provided under and in a vicinity of the panel portion in a front view of the panel portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirohisa Sawada
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Publication number: 20180077307Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; an operating portion mounted in a front surface side of the main assembly so as to be slidable in a widthwise direction of the main assembly and configured to be capable of inputting a signal to the main assembly, wherein the operating portion includes a first connector and a second connector; a first cable configured to electrically connect the main assembly and the first connector of the operating portion in a state in which a first loop is formed; and a second cable having a cable diameter smaller than a cable diameter of the first cable and configured to electrically connect the main assembly and the second connector of the operating portion in a state in which a second loop is formed inside the first cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventor: Hirohisa Sawada