Patents by Inventor Katsumi Inukai

Katsumi Inukai 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: 8001396
    Abstract: A feedback control device is provided. The feedback control device includes a controlled-system which outputs an output in correspondence with a control signal; a feedback signal generating member which generates a feedback signal as the output of the controlled-system; a reference signal unit which outputs a reference control signal to the controlled-system; and a determination unit which determines a version of the controlled-system on the basis of the feedback signal generated by the feedback signal generating member when the reference signal unit outputs the reference control signal to the controlled-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Inukai, Masahito Hamaya
  • Patent number: 8000621
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to reduce follow-up delay in impedance fluctuation and to reduce an accuracy fall in power supply control. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer element, a supply element, a detection element, a modification element, and a switch element. The supply element supplies electricity that depends on a set value to the transfer element. The detection element detects the control object value supplied to the transfer element. Depending on a difference between the control object value detected by the detection element and a target value, the modification element operates modification of the set value. The switch element switches between a short interval mode and a long interval mode. In a short interval mode, an execution time interval for modification of the set value is shorter, while, in a long interval mode, the execution time interval for modification of the set value is longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Publication number: 20110158675
    Abstract: A multiple-output power supply unit includes: a first voltage generation circuit that generates a first voltage applied to a first load; a first output terminal that outputs a second voltage corresponding to the first voltage to a second load; a first constant voltage element that is connected to the first output terminal; a second constant voltage element that is provided between the first constant voltage element and a ground; and a second output terminal that is connected between the first constant voltage element and the second constant voltage element so as to output a third voltage having a predetermined potential difference from the second voltage to a third load that is provided in a state of being electrically connected to the second load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20110158674
    Abstract: A multiple-output power supply unit includes: a transformer including: a primary winding; and a secondary winding which has a first node and a second node and which generates a secondary-side voltage at the secondary winding; first output terminal to output a first voltage corresponding to the secondary-side voltage; a first constant voltage element; a current limiting resistor; a second constant voltage element; a second output terminal to output a second voltage different from the first voltage; a current generation circuit provided between the first node and the ground so as to cause a predetermined current to flow between the first node and the ground; a transformer driver circuit connected to the primary winding so as to drive the transformer; and a secondary-side voltage control circuit that controls the transformer driver circuit so as to generate the secondary-side voltage having a predetermined value at the first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20110123208
    Abstract: A heating device includes: a heat generating unit generating heat in response to energization of an alternating-current power supply; a zero-crossing signal generating circuit generating a zero-crossing signal in synchronization with a zero-crossing time of the alternating-current power supply; an energization regulating unit regulating an energization period of the heat generating unit by the alternating-current power supply; a voltage change rate detecting unit detecting whether a rate of voltage change of the alternating-current power supply at the zero-crossing time is equal to or larger than an predetermined value; a switching unit switching on and off a connection between the alternating-current power supply and the heat generating unit; and an energization disabling unit disabling energization of the heat generating unit by controlling the switching unit when the rate of voltage change is equal to or larger than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Patent number: 7916162
    Abstract: A light output device includes: an output unit including a light source; a control voltage generation unit that detects output power of the light source, and generates a control voltage for controlling a drive current of the light source; a control unit that sets a target value of the output power; a voltage-current conversion unit that converts the control voltage into the drive current; a setting unit that sets an inclination of a characteristic line of control voltage-drive current conversion in the voltage-current conversion unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts the voltage-current conversion unit such that the drive current becomes a target current value for setting the output power to the target value in a predetermined control voltage value on the characteristic line, wherein the setting unit sets the inclination of the characteristic line to a first inclination where the drive current does not reach a maximum current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 7877035
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a first electrical component; a second electrical component; a drive control unit that controls a driving of the second electrical component; and a power supply unit that supplies power to the first electrical component, wherein the drive control unit is connected via the first electrical component to the power supply unit to control the driving of the second electrical component by power supplied from the first electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Publication number: 20100278547
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage to an electric load; a sub control unit for controlling the voltage applying unit; a restarting unit for restarting the sub control unit in response to receipt of a restart signal; a determining unit for determining whether or not restart of the sub control unit is abnormal restart; and a main control unit. The main control unit generates a control start signal for allowing the voltage applying unit to start generation of the voltage, and the restart signal. When the determining unit determines that restart of the sub control unit is abnormal restart, the main control unit sends again the control start signal to the sub control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi MARUYAMA, Masahito HAMAYA, Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20100272463
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, an image forming unit, an irradiating unit, a first low voltage power supply which generates a first low voltage, a first low voltage power supply line, a first switching element, a first high voltage generating unit including a first transformer, a second low voltage power supply, and a control unit. The image forming apparatus further includes an cover which can be opened and closed, wherein the image forming unit detects the opening and closing of the cover; and an interlock switch which interlocks with the opening/closing of the cover and includes a first contact point connected to the first low voltage power supply and a second contact point connected to the first low voltage power supply line, wherein the interlock switch is opened to disconnect the first contact point from the second contact point when the cover is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20100254107
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided that can include a circuit board; a switch attached to the circuit board; an electronic part mounted on the circuit board; a wiring pattern extending between the switch and the electronic part; and a protrusion protruding from a surface of the wiring pattern. The protrusion may be disposed adjacent to the switch on the circuit board and overlapping the wiring pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Shibasaki, Katsumi Inukai, Tasuku Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7809293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for checking for a disconnection, with respect to an image forming apparatus including electrical loads and voltage generating circuits that generate voltages that are applied to the electrical loads, by determining if the voltage generating circuits and electrodes that are electrically connected to the electrical loads are normally connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Publication number: 20100239291
    Abstract: A high-voltage power supply for applying a developing bias to a developing roller of an image forming apparatus is provided. The high-voltage power supply includes: a developing bias application unit that applies a developing bias to the developing roller in accordance with a control voltage that is input therein; a developing bias detection unit that detects the developing bias applied to the developing roller; a control voltage adjustment unit that adjusts the control voltage input to the developing bias application unit such that the developing bias detected by the developing bias detection unit approaches a predetermined target value; and a condensation determination unit that determines condensation of the developing bias application unit based on the control voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazushi SHUMIYA, Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20100221027
    Abstract: A light output device comprises a controller configured to generate a set signal that sets a reference voltage for determining a predetermined value of an output power of the light in a case of power adjustment wherein the output power is changed to a power different from in a case of power accuracy requirement, and a reference voltage generating section configured to generate the reference voltage according to the set signal. The controller in the case of power accuracy requirement puts a set-signal output port in a high-impedance state, while in the case of power adjustment generates the set signal using a predetermined voltage, the set signal alternating between a high level and a low level. The reference voltage generating section in the case of power accuracy requirement generates the reference voltage on a basis of a level shift voltage generated by level shifting the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20100195150
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an applying device configured to generate an output signal and apply the output signal to an image forming device; and a controller configured to generate a control signal to supply to the applying device so as to control a value of the output signal so that the value of the output signal is within a predetermined target range and control the applying device using the control signal in a start-up mode and in a normal mode, the normal mode being subsequent to the start-up mode. In the start-up mode, the controller sets a start control signal value larger than a value of the control signal immediately after a first predetermined time, the start control signal value being the value of the control signal during the first predetermined time, the first predetermined time being from a start timing of the start-up mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masamitsu TAKAHASHI, Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20100189457
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying unit; a charging unit; a transfer unit transferring an developed image to a recording medium in accordance with application of a transfer voltage; an application unit generating the transfer voltage and applying the transfer voltage to the transfer unit; a voltage detection unit detecting the transfer voltage; an inflow current detection unit detecting an inflow current flowing from the image carrying unit charged by the charging unit into the application unit; a transfer current detection unit detecting a transfer current flowing when the transfer voltage is applied to the transfer unit; a determination unit determining an initiating voltage which induces the inflow current; a calculation unit calculating load resistance of the application unit based on the transfer voltage, the transfer current, and the initiating voltage; and an adjustment unit that adjusts the transfer current in accordance with the load resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Patent number: 7764510
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus that includes: a circuit board; a switch attached to the circuit board; an electronic part mounted on the circuit board; a wiring pattern extending between the switch and the electronic part; and a protrusion protruding from a surface of the wiring pattern, the protrusion being disposed adjacent to the switch on the circuit board and overlapping the wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shibasaki, Katsumi Inukai, Tasuku Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7764889
    Abstract: An image-forming device includes a cleaning unit, a toner detection unit, a control unit, and a cleaning target member in the housing. The cleaning unit applies a predetermined voltage with a predetermined absolute value to the cleaning target member to remove toner from the cleaning target member through an electrostatic force. The toner detection unit detects an amount of toner on the cleaning target member at least twice to detect a first amount of toner and a second amount of toner. The first amount and the second amount of toner are detected when a first voltage having a first absolute value is applied as the predetermined voltage at a first time and when a second voltage having a second absolute value is applied as the predetermined voltage at a second time. The control unit determines the predetermined absolute value based on the first toner amount and the second toner amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahito Hamaya, Hiroyuki Naganawa, Katsumi Inukai, Kazushi Fukuta
  • Patent number: 7693010
    Abstract: An optical beam control device that can suppress deterioration of a laser diode and a photosensitive member is disclosed. Control is performed in such a manner that the luminous energy of emitted light is increased gradually in an initial period from the activation of a laser diode until the first generation of a BD detection signal. The initial period includes an extinction period in which the laser beam is extinguished. Therefore, deterioration of the light-emitting portion of the laser diode and the photosensitive member can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Publication number: 20100080593
    Abstract: An image formation device for forming an image on a print medium by an electrophotographic process comprises a photosensitive body on which a developer image to be transferred to the print medium is formed by the electrophotographic process including charging of the photosensitive body, a charging unit which includes a charging wire and a grid and thereby electrically charges the photosensitive body, a charging power unit which applies wire potential to the charging wire, a wire potential measuring unit which measures the wire potential, and a charging control unit which controls the amount of electric charge supplied from the charging unit to the photosensitive body by controlling the wire potential based on the wire potential measured by the wire potential measurement unit. The charging control unit includes a control range restricting unit which restricts a control range of the wire potential within a prescribed electric potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Inukai, Masamitsu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100080592
    Abstract: An image forming device includes plural electrostatic latent image holding bodies that hold, on surfaces thereof, electrostatic latent images to be developed with developers of multiple colors, respectively, plural electrification control units that face the electrostatic latent image holding bodies and charge or discharge the surfaces of the electrostatic latent image holding bodies, respectively, a current controller that controls electric currents, each of which is supplied between the electrostatic latent image holding body and the electrification control unit for a corresponding one of the multiple colors, to be a constant target current, a maximum voltage output unit that outputs a maximum voltage among voltages each of which is applied between the electrostatic latent image holding body and the electrification control unit for a corresponding one of the multiple colors, and a detector that detects malfunction of the electrification control units when the maximum voltage exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabusshiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahito Hamaya, Katsumi Inukai