Patents by Inventor Isao Inaba
Isao Inaba 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: 11384482Abstract: A web manufacturing apparatus includes a transport section configured to transport a web containing fiber, a web humidifier configured to humidify the web, and a control section configured to control operation of the transport section and the web humidifier. When transportation of the web by the transport section is stopped, the control section causes the transport section to recommence transportation of the web after the web is humidified by the web humidifier. The control section may also cause the web humidifier to stop humidification of the web after the web humidifier starts humidification of the web and a predetermined duration elapses.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Isao Inaba, Masahide Nakamura, Kazuma Miyazawa, Yuki Oguchi, Isamu Arai
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Publication number: 20200141059Abstract: A web manufacturing apparatus includes a transport section configured to transport a web containing fiber, a web humidifier configured to humidify the web, and a control section configured to control operation of the transport section and the web humidifier. When transportation of the web by the transport section is stopped, the control section causes the transport section to recommence transportation of the web after the web is humidified by the web humidifier. The control section may also cause the web humidifier to stop humidification of the web after the web humidifier starts humidification of the web and a predetermined duration elapses.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Isao INABA, Masahide NAKAMURA, Kazuma MIYAZAWA, Yuki OGUCHI, Isamu ARAI
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Patent number: 7783208Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an image using toner includes: a data processor which performs data processing of input image data corresponding to a toner color and accordingly generates output image data needed to obtain a predetermined tone reproduction characteristic; an image forming unit which forms an image corresponding to the output image data; and a toner consumption amount calculator which executes data selection for selecting one of the input image data and the output image data in accordance with a scheme of the data processing, sums up values of the selected image data, and calculates amount of toner consumed as an image is formed based on resulting integration value.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshiki Shiroki, Takatoshi Sugita, Isao Inaba, Hidenori Kin
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Patent number: 7664412Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method, which are capable of forming images at stable image quality by executing adjustment of operating conditions at appropriate timings, are provided. When a Vsync count corresponding to an integrated value of a rotation count of an intermediate transfer belt reaches a predetermined value V1 or V2, a charging current Iw is increased by one level and an adjusting operation of a developing bias is executed (at a time t4 or t5), to thereby stabilize an image density. Further, when remaining service life of a developer reaches a predetermined value (50%) (at a time t6), if the Vsync count at that moment suggests that the time to change the charging current Iw is drawing near, the change thereof is executed ahead of the schedule, whereby the adjusting operation of the developing bias, which should otherwise be executed at the time t7, is omitted.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Keiichi Taguchi, Masahiro Maeda, Isao Inaba
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Publication number: 20090175639Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method, which are capable of forming images at stable image quality by executing adjustment of operating conditions at appropriate timings, are provided. When a Vsync count corresponding to an integrated value of a rotation count of an intermediate transfer belt reaches a predetermined value V1 or V2, a charging current Iw is increased by one level and an adjusting operation of a developing bias is executed (at a time t4 or t5), to thereby stabilize an image density. Further, when remaining service life of a developer reaches a predetermined value (50%) (at a time t6), if the Vsync count at that moment suggests that the time to change the charging current Iw is drawing near, the change thereof is executed ahead of the schedule, whereby the adjusting operation of the developing bias, which should otherwise be executed at the time t7, is omitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2005Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Keiichi Taguchi, Masahiro Maeda, Isao Inaba
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Publication number: 20090097869Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a photosensitive member that revolvably moves in a moving direction; an exposure device that exposes a surface of the photosensitive member to a light beam which is controllably activated according to an image signal and scanned on the surface of the photosensitive member in a scanning direction perpendicular to the moving direction thereof, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member in correspondence to the image signal; a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image; and a toner consumption calculator that counts the number of dots constituting the toner image based on the image signal and calculates a quantity of toner consumed by the developing device based on the resultant count value, wherein the toner consumption calculator calculates a toner consumption based on the count value of the dots weighted according to the number of consecutive dots in the scanning direction, and the magnType: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Hironobu KONO, Isao INABA
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Patent number: 7509064Abstract: Based on a video signal, a toner dot counter and an off dot counter detect a size of a toner dot portion to carry an adherent toner thereto and a size of an off dot portion not to carry an adherent toner, respectively. Reference is made to a look-up table based on the detection results, so as to retrieve a coefficient Kv corresponding to a combination of the sizes of the toner dot portion and the off dot portion. A count value Cdot given by the toner dot counter is multiplied by the coefficient Kv, while the resultant product is integrated by an accumulator. An integration value for an image of one page is multiplied by a coefficient K0 equivalent to a toner adhesion percentage of solid image. Thus is determined a toner consumption TC on the page image.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hidenori Kin, Hidetsugu Shimura, Takehiko Okamura, Shinsuke Yokote, Isao Inaba
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Patent number: 7489882Abstract: Based on a video signal, a toner dot counter and an off dot counter detect a size of a toner dot portion to carry an adherent toner thereto and a size of an off dot portion not to carry an adherent toner, respectively. Reference is made to a look-up table based on the detection results, so as to retrieve a coefficient Kv corresponding to a combination of the sizes of the toner dot portion and the off dot portion. A count value Cdot given by the toner dot counter is multiplied by the coefficient Kv, while the resultant product is integrated by an accumulator. An integration value for an image of one page is multiplied by a coefficient K0 equivalent to a toner adhesion percentage of solid image. Thus is determined a toner consumption TC on the page image.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hidenori Kin, Hidetsugu Shimura, Takehiko Okamura, Shinsuke Yokote, Isao Inaba
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Patent number: 7421217Abstract: An image forming apparatus of forming an image corresponding to image data is formed on a recording medium comprises a data processor which performs data processing of input image data so that a first correlation will be established between a target image density expressed by the input image data and the actual image density of an image formed on the recording medium, thereby generating output image data, an image forming unit which forms an image corresponding to the output image data on the recording medium, and a toner consumption amount calculator which calculates a toner consumption amount which is consumed for image formation based on the input image data and based on a second correlation between the input image data and an adhering toner amount on the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takatoshi Sugita, Isao Inaba, Hidenori Kin, Toshiki Shiroki
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Publication number: 20080031644Abstract: Based on a video signal, a toner dot counter and an off dot counter detect a size of a toner dot portion to carry an adherent toner thereto and a size of an off dot portion not to carry an adherent toner, respectively. Reference is made to a look-up table based on the detection results, so as to retrieve a coefficient Kv corresponding to a combination of the sizes of the toner dot portion and the off dot portion. A count value Cdot given by the toner dot counter is multiplied by the coefficient Kv, while the resultant product is integrated by an accumulator. An integration value for an image of one page is multiplied by a coefficient K0 equivalent to a toner adhesion percentage of solid image. Thus is determined a toner consumption TC on the page image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Hidenori KIN, Hidetsugu SHIMURA, Takehiko OKAMURA, Shinsuke YOKOTE, Isao INABA
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Publication number: 20080031643Abstract: Based on a video signal, a toner dot counter and an off dot counter detect a size of a toner dot portion to carry an adherent toner thereto and a size of an off dot portion not to carry an adherent toner, respectively. Reference is made to a look-up table based on the detection results, so as to retrieve a coefficient Kv corresponding to a combination of the sizes of the toner dot portion and the off dot portion. A count value Cdot given by the toner dot counter is multiplied by the coefficient Kv, while the resultant product is integrated by an accumulator. An integration value for an image of one page is multiplied by a coefficient K0 equivalent to a toner adhesion percentage of solid image. Thus is determined a toner consumption TC on the page image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Hidenori KIN, Hidetsugu SHIMURA, Takehiko OKAMURA, Shinsuke YOKOTE, Isao INABA
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Patent number: 7289743Abstract: Based on a video signal, a toner dot counter and an off dot counter detect a size of a toner dot portion to carry an adherent toner thereto and a size of an off dot portion not to carry an adherent toner, respectively. Reference is made to a look-up table based on the detection results, so as to retrieve a coefficient Kv corresponding to a combination of the sizes of the toner dot portion and the off dot portion. A count value Cdot given by the toner dot counter is multiplied by the coefficient Kv, while the resultant product is integrated by an accumulator. An integration value for an image of one page is multiplied by a coefficient K0 equivalent to a toner adhesion percentage of solid image. Thus is determined a toner consumption TC on the page image.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hidenori Kin, Hidetsugu Shimura, Takehiko Okamura, Shinsuke Yokote, Isao Inaba
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Publication number: 20070166059Abstract: The toner consumption amount in the image forming apparatus is calculated accurately. The printing dot subject to process (mark of a circle with hatching) is divided into classes depending upon the number of adjacent dot (mark of a white circle) present around the dot subject to process, and the number of dots is counted for each of the classes. The toner adhesion amount of the printing dot is different depending upon the number of the adjacent dots, hence weight coefficients K0 through K8 corresponding to the difference are set in advance. The count for each of the classes is multiplied by the coefficient corresponding to each of the classes and accumulated, whereby the toner consumption amount is calculated accurately in a state that dots are arranged in two dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2005Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: SEIKO CORPORATIONInventors: Hidenori Kin, Toshiki Shiroki, Isao Inaba
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Publication number: 20070092273Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an image using toner includes: a data processor which performs data processing of input image data corresponding to a toner color and accordingly generates output image data needed to obtain a predetermined tone reproduction characteristic; an image forming unit which forms an image corresponding to the output image data; and a toner consumption amount calculator which executes data selection for selecting one of the input image data and the output image data in accordance with a scheme of the data processing, sums up values of the selected image data, and calculates amount of toner consumed as an image is formed based on resulting integration value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiki Shiroki, Takatoshi Sugita, Isao Inaba, Hidenori Kin
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Patent number: 7206525Abstract: The content of processing of an input image signal varies depending upon the conditions of an apparatus. In view of the fact that this results in the variations of correlation between tone data and toner consumption, a coefficient by which an integration value of the tone data is defined according to the content of the signal processing. In an image forming apparatus which performs tone correction as the signal processing and which has a characteristic (2) of forming images of higher densities relative to tone levels, for example, a larger amount of toner is consumed. Therefore, the coefficient of the apparatus is defined to be a higher value than that of an apparatus having a substantially linear characteristic (1). Conversely, in the case of an apparatus having a characteristic (3) of forming images of lower densities, thus consuming less toner, the coefficient is defined to be a lower value.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hidenori Kin, Takatoshi Sugita, Isao Inaba, Ken Ikuma
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Publication number: 20060233559Abstract: An image forming apparatus of forming an image corresponding to image data is formed on a recording medium comprises a data processor which performs data processing of input image data so that a first correlation will be established between a target image density expressed by the input image data and the actual image density of an image formed on the recording medium, thereby generating output image data, an image forming unit which forms an image corresponding to the output image data on the recording medium, and a toner consumption amount calculator which calculates a toner consumption amount which is consumed for image formation based on the input image data and based on a second correlation between the input image data and an adhering toner amount on the recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Takatoshi Sugita, Isao Inaba, Hidenori Kin, Toshiki Shiroki
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Patent number: 7016628Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a charger of a non-contact type opposed to a photosensitive body coated with a photosensitive layer by dipping for charging a surface of the photosensitive body and an interval between the surface of the photosensitive body and the charger is narrowed on a dip upper portion side of the photosensitive body and widened on a dip lower portion side thereof. When the charger is a scorotron charger having a discharge electrode and a grid, an interval between the grid and the surface of the photosensitive body is narrowed on the dip upper portion side of the photosensitive body and widened on the dip lower portion side.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masahiro Maeda, Isao Inaba, Masanori Nakata
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Publication number: 20050169648Abstract: Based on a video signal, a toner dot counter and an off dot counter detect a size of a toner dot portion to carry an adherent toner thereto and a size of an off dot portion not to carry an adherent toner, respectively. Reference is made to a look-up table based on the detection results, so as to retrieve a coefficient Kv corresponding to a combination of the sizes of the toner dot portion and the off dot portion. A count value Cdot given by the toner dot counter is multiplied by the coefficient Kv, while the resultant product is integrated by an accumulator. An integration value for an image of one page is multiplied by a coefficient K0 equivalent to a toner adhesion percentage of solid image. Thus is determined a toner consumption TC on the page image.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2005Publication date: August 4, 2005Inventors: Hidenori Kin, Hidetsugu Shimura, Takehiko Okamura, Shinsuke Yokote, Isao Inaba
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Patent number: 6917773Abstract: The surface of a photosensitive body is charged by a scorotron charger including a discharge electrode, a back plate having an aperture on the bottom face, and a grid. Air is passed along the back plate for ventilation. The back plate also has a vent aperture on the side face. The aperture rate of the aperture on the bottom face of the part corresponding to the vent aperture is set lower than that on the bottom face of the other part, in the axial direction of the charger.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masahiro Maeda, Isao Inaba, Masanori Nakata
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Patent number: D537110Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masanori Nakata, Masahiro Maeda, Isao Inaba