Patents by Inventor Hitoshi Kida

Hitoshi Kida 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: 11667117
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a switching element, a first common-electrode wiring, at least a part of the first common-electrode wiring being covered with the switching element, a plurality of second common-electrode wirings branched from the part of the first common-electrode wiring covered with the switching element, a plurality of individual power-output terminals arranged in a row in the switching element, and a plurality of individual-electrode wirings arranged in a row, the plurality of individual-electrode wirings being connected to the plurality of individual power-output terminals, respectively. Each of the plurality of second common-electrode wirings is disposed between the plurality of individual-electrode wirings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Patent number: 11565519
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head and a switching device. The head includes a piezoelectric element and a pressure chamber configured to discharge liquid. The switching device is configured to select application or non-application of a drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element. The drive voltage waveform includes a discharge waveform to pressurize and discharge the liquid in the pressure chamber and a damping waveform to suppress residual vibration in the pressure chamber. The damping waveform is disposed after the discharge waveform in time series. The switching device includes a switch and a diode. The switch is configured to be turned on in a falling waveform element of each of the discharge waveform and the damping waveform. The diode is connected in parallel with the switch in a direction opposite to the falling waveform element of each of the discharge waveform and the damping waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Publication number: 20230027729
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharger and circuitry. The liquid discharger includes a nozzle to discharge liquid. The circuitry is configured to generate and output a common drive waveform including a plurality of drive pulses for discharging the liquid; select one or more of the plurality of drive pulses from the common drive waveform and apply the one or more of the plurality of drive pulses to a pressure generating element of the liquid discharger; and adjust, with different adjustment values, application waveform shapes of at least two of the plurality of drive pulses applied to the pressure generating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi KIDA
  • Patent number: 11498329
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharger and circuitry. The liquid discharger includes a nozzle to discharge liquid. The circuitry is configured to generate and output a common drive waveform including a plurality of drive pulses for discharging the liquid; select one or more of the plurality of drive pulses from the common drive waveform and apply the one or more of the plurality of drive pulses to a pressure generating element of the liquid discharger; and adjust, with different adjustment values, application waveform shapes of at least two of the plurality of drive pulses applied to the pressure generating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Publication number: 20220169019
    Abstract: A head drive controller to drive a head to discharge a liquid, the head drive controller includes a drive waveform generator configured to generate a drive voltage waveform to drive the head, a switch coupled to the head and the drive waveform generator, the switch configured to select passing or non-passing of the drive voltage waveform generated by the drive waveform generator to the head. The drive voltage waveform includes a first expansion waveform element to expand a pressure chamber in the head, and a second expansion waveform element to expand the pressure chamber, the second expansion waveform element having a slew rate smaller than a slew rate of the first expansion waveform element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventor: Hitoshi KIDA
  • Publication number: 20210291517
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head and a switching device. The head includes a piezoelectric element and a pressure chamber configured to discharge liquid. The switching device is configured to select application or non-application of a drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element. The drive voltage waveform includes a discharge waveform to pressurize and discharge the liquid in the pressure chamber and a damping waveform to suppress residual vibration in the pressure chamber. The damping waveform is disposed after the discharge waveform in time series. The switching device includes a switch and a diode. The switch is configured to be turned on in a falling waveform element of each of the discharge waveform and the damping waveform. The diode is connected in parallel with the switch in a direction opposite to the falling waveform element of each of the discharge waveform and the damping waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Publication number: 20210178761
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a switching element, a first common-electrode wiring, at least a part of the first common-electrode wiring being covered with the switching element, a plurality of second common-electrode wirings branched from the part of the first common-electrode wiring covered with the switching element, a plurality of individual power-output terminals arranged in a row in the switching element, and a plurality of individual-electrode wirings arranged in a row, the plurality of individual-electrode wirings being connected to the plurality of individual power-output terminals, respectively. Each of the plurality of second common-electrode wirings is disposed between the plurality of individual-electrode wirings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi KIDA
  • Publication number: 20210162748
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharger and circuitry. The liquid discharger includes a nozzle to discharge liquid. The circuitry is configured to generate and output a common drive waveform including a plurality of drive pulses for discharging the liquid; select one or more of the plurality of drive pulses from the common drive waveform and apply the one or more of the plurality of drive pulses to a pressure generating element of the liquid discharger; and adjust, with different adjustment values, application waveform shapes of at least two of the plurality of drive pulses applied to the pressure generating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi KIDA
  • Patent number: 10960667
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a switching element, a first common-electrode wiring, at least a part of the first common-electrode wiring being covered with the switching element, a plurality of second common-electrode wirings branched from the part of the first common-electrode wiring covered with the switching element, a plurality of individual power-output terminals arranged in a row in the switching element, and a plurality of individual-electrode wirings arranged in a row, the plurality of individual-electrode wirings being connected to the plurality of individual power-output terminals, respectively. Each of the plurality of second common-electrode wirings is disposed between the plurality of individual-electrode wirings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Patent number: 10751993
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a body to discharge liquid, a first wiring substrate extending from the body, and a second wiring substrate electrically connected to the first wiring substrate. The body includes a nozzle face in which a plurality of nozzles, from which the liquid is discharged, is formed. The second wiring substrate is disposed along a direction perpendicular to the nozzle face of the body, a principal surface of the first wiring substrate is disposed along a short side of the body, and a principal surface of the second wiring substrate is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kida, Hiroya Tokita
  • Patent number: 10703119
    Abstract: A flexible member includes a first member, a second member overlapping the first member, and a plurality of second reinforcing portions. The first member includes a non-overlapping region not overlapping the second member. The non-overlapping region includes an edge portion of the first member. The second member includes a plurality of first reinforcing portions between which the non-overlapping region is interposed. Each of the plurality of second reinforcing portions overlaps both a first area of the second member in which one of the plurality of first reinforcing portions is formed and a second area of the second member other than the first area when the flexible member is projected from a direction perpendicular to a surface of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Publication number: 20190283420
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a switching element, a first common-electrode wiring, at least a part of the first common-electrode wiring being covered with the switching element, a plurality of second common-electrode wirings branched from the part of the first common-electrode wiring covered with the switching element, a plurality of individual power-output terminals arranged in a row in the switching element, and a plurality of individual-electrode wirings arranged in a row, the plurality of individual-electrode wirings being connected to the plurality of individual power-output terminals, respectively. Each of the plurality of second common-electrode wirings is disposed between the plurality of individual-electrode wirings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi KIDA
  • Publication number: 20190202204
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a body to discharge liquid, a first wiring substrate extending from the body, and a second wiring substrate electrically connected to the first wiring substrate. The body includes a nozzle face in which a plurality of nozzles, from which the liquid is discharged, is formed. The second wiring substrate is disposed along a direction perpendicular to the nozzle face of the body, a principal surface of the first wiring substrate is disposed along a short side of the body, and a principal surface of the second wiring substrate is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kida, Hiroya Tokita
  • Patent number: 10272678
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a body to discharge liquid, a first wiring substrate extending from the body, and a second wiring substrate electrically connected to the first wiring substrate. The body includes a nozzle face in which a plurality of nozzles, from which the liquid is discharged, is formed. The second wiring substrate is disposed along a direction perpendicular to the nozzle face of the body, a principal surface of the first wiring substrate is disposed along a short side of the body, and a principal surface of the second wiring substrate is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kida, Hiroya Tokita
  • Publication number: 20190070873
    Abstract: A flexible member includes a first member, a second member overlapping the first member, and a plurality of second reinforcing portions. The first member includes a non-overlapping region not overlapping the second member. The non-overlapping region includes an edge portion of the first member. The second member includes a plurality of first reinforcing portions between which the non-overlapping region is interposed. Each of the plurality of second reinforcing portions overlaps both a first area of the second member in which one of the plurality of first reinforcing portions is formed and a second area of the second member other than the first area when the flexible member is projected from a direction perpendicular to a surface of the flexible member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Patent number: 10149382
    Abstract: A wiring substrate includes a plurality of wiring patterns, a protective layer to cover the plurality of wiring patterns and regions between the plurality of wiring patterns, and a plurality of terminals communicating with the plurality of wiring patterns, respectively, the plurality of terminals not covered by the protective layer. Pitch between the plurality of terminals adjacent to each other includes a first pitch and a second pitch wider than the first pitch. At least one of the plurality of wiring patterns, the terminals of which are adjacent to each other at the second pitch, includes a portion of expanded width having a width wider than a width of the plurality of terminals. The portion of expanded width is covered with the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Publication number: 20180141336
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a body to discharge liquid, a first wiring substrate extending from the body, and a second wiring substrate electrically connected to the first wiring substrate. The body includes a nozzle face in which a plurality of nozzles, from which the liquid is discharged, is formed. The second wiring substrate is disposed along a direction perpendicular to the nozzle face of the body, a principal surface of the first wiring substrate is disposed along a short side of the body, and a principal surface of the second wiring substrate is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Hitoshi KIDA, Hiroya TOKITA
  • Publication number: 20180146551
    Abstract: A wiring substrate includes a plurality of wiring patterns, a protective layer to cover the plurality of wiring patterns and regions between the plurality of wiring patterns, and a plurality of terminals communicating with the plurality of wiring patterns, respectively, the plurality of terminals not covered by the protective layer. Pitch between the plurality of terminals adjacent to each other includes a first pitch and a second pitch wider than the first pitch. At least one of the plurality of wiring patterns, the terminals of which are adjacent to each other at the second pitch, includes a portion of expanded width having a width wider than a width of the plurality of terminals. The portion of expanded width is covered with the protective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Patent number: 9802407
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles to discharge a liquid; a plurality of pressure generators corresponding to the plurality of nozzles; a driver IC to output a drive waveform to each of the plurality of pressure generators; a substrate on which the driver IC is mounted; and a drive voltage supply wire to supply drive voltage to the plurality of pressure generators, disposed on the substrate. In plan view, the driver IC has a rectangular shape and at least part of the drive voltage supply wire crosses over a longer side of the driver IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida
  • Patent number: 9718270
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles to discharge liquid droplets; a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each corresponding to a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles and disposed along a nozzle alignment direction along which the plurality of nozzles is aligned; an actuator member on which the plurality of piezoelectric elements is aligned; and wiring disposed along the nozzle alignment direction, connected to the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and included in the actuator member, the wiring including a first wiring pattern to which the plurality of piezoelectric elements is connected, the first wiring pattern including a near side proximal to and a far side distal from a source of a drive signal for the piezoelectric elements. The near side and the far side are connected via a second wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kida