Patents by Inventor Katsuya Nakama

Katsuya Nakama 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: 20240089383
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on each of media; a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes each configured to store the media; a media sensor which is provided on a conveyance path through which the media are fed from any of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes to the image forming unit, and is configured to detect a type of the conveyed media; a memory configured to store, for each sheet feeding cassette, the type of media stored in each of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes; and a controller configured to output, to a display, a selection screen for selecting a sheet feeding cassette in which media to be used in calibration of adjusting a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Patent number: 11843735
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on each of media; a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes each configured to store the media; a media sensor which is provided on a conveyance path through which the media are fed from any of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes to the image forming unit, and is configured to detect a type of the conveyed media; a memory configured to store, for each sheet feeding cassette, the type of media stored in each of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes; and a controller configured to output, to a display, a selection screen for selecting a sheet feeding cassette in which media to be used in calibration of adjusting a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Publication number: 20230096743
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member, a cleaning member, and an image forming unit having a developer carrier. During an image forming job, when a ratio of an amount of toner consumed to a distance that the developer carrier is rotationally driven is greater than a threshold value, the image forming unit forms a first toner supply image for supplying toner to the cleaning member in a predetermined period that is from a time at which a first toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a time at which a second toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. When the ratio is less than the threshold value, the image forming unit forms a second toner supply image for supplying toner to the cleaning member in the predetermined period and having a density that is higher than a first toner supply image density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Shintaro Kawai, Katsuya Nakama
  • Publication number: 20220337713
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on each of media; a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes each configured to store the media; a media sensor which is provided on a conveyance path through which the media are fed from any of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes to the image forming unit, and is configured to detect a type of the conveyed media; a memory configured to store, for each sheet feeding cassette, the type of media stored in each of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes; and a controller configured to output, to a display, a selection screen for selecting a sheet feeding cassette in which media to be used in calibration of adjusting a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Patent number: 11119429
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a storage portion to which a heating unit configured to heat the sheet stored in the storage portion is detachably attached, a conveyance unit, a detection unit configured to detect attachment of the heating unit to the storage portion, and a control unit configured to control the conveyance unit such that a standby time by which conveyance of the sheet fed from the storage portion is stopped is shorter when the detection unit detects the heating unit than when the detection unit does not detect the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Patent number: 11112740
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control portion that performs a double-side image forming mode after performing a single-side image forming mode on a predetermined number of sheets in a state in which a heating unit is not attached to a sheet storage portion. The control portion sets an arrival timing of a first sheet to a transfer portion in the double-side image forming mode to be later than an arrival timing of a first sheet to the transfer portion in the double-side image forming mode in a case the control portion performs the double-side image forming mode after performing the single-side image forming mode on the predetermined number of sheets in a state in which the heating unit is attached to the sheet storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Patent number: 10838343
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit to store recording sheets, an image forming unit, an insertion unit, including an interleaving sheet tray on which an interleaving sheet is to be stacked, and to insert the interleaving sheet fed from the interleaving sheet tray between recording sheets conveyed from the image forming unit. The control unit selects between a first mode and a second mode to execute based on a detected remaining amount of recording sheets in the storage unit. The first mode is a mode for feeding the interleaving sheet, which is to be inserted, from the interleaving sheet tray regardless of whether a presence of the recording sheet in the storage unit is detected. The second mode is a mode for feeding the interleaving sheet from the interleaving sheet tray based on that presence of the recording sheet in the storage unit is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yumoto, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20200319583
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first storage portion to which a first heating unit configured to heat the sheet of the first storage portion is detachably attached, a second storage portion to which a second heating unit configured to heat the sheet of the second storage portion is detachably attached, and an input portion configured for an operator to input information on attachment of the first heating unit to the first storage portion, and information on attachment of the second heating unit to the second storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Publication number: 20200322496
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a storage portion to which a heating unit configured to heat the sheet stored in the storage portion is detachably attached, a conveyance unit, a detection unit configured to detect attachment of the heating unit to the storage portion, and a control unit configured to control the conveyance unit such that a standby time by which conveyance of the sheet fed from the storage portion is stopped is shorter when the detection unit detects the heating unit than when the detection unit does not detect the heating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakama
  • Patent number: 10571849
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a second conveyance unit, a stacking unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls, in a case where a sheet stacking condition of the stacking unit does not satisfy a predetermined stacking condition, the second conveyance unit to convey the sheet at a second conveyance speed that is faster than the first conveyance speed. The control unit controls, in a case where the sheet stacking condition of the stacking unit satisfies the predetermined stacking condition, the second conveyance unit to convey the sheet at a third conveyance speed that is slower than the second conveyance speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Patent number: 10281852
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion that detachably mounts either one of a fixing portion and another fixing portion. Each fixing portion includes a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member that, together, form a nip for fixing a toner image on a sheet, and a memory. A rubbing rotatable member executes a rubbing process of rubbing a surface of the first rotatable member, and a moving mechanism moves the rubbing rotatable member between a rubbing position, in which the rubbing rotatable member is in contact with the first rotatable member, and a stand-by position, in which the rubbing rotatable member is separated from the first rotatable member. In addition, a controller stores information corresponding to an execution frequency of the rubbing process designated by an operator through an operating panel, in the memory of the fixing portion that has been mounted in the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20190037101
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a conversion unit configured to convert image data based on a conversion condition corresponding to a halftone process type; an image processing unit configured to perform a halftone process to the image data; and a controller configured to control an image forming unit to form a predetermined measurement image on an image carrier, to control the measurement unit to measure the predetermined measurement image, and to generate a predetermined conversion condition corresponding to a predetermined halftone process type based on a measurement result. In a case where the predetermined halftone process type is not performed by the image processing unit from when the predetermined measurement image is formed last time, the controller skips formation of the predetermined measurement image by the image forming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyake, Satoru Yamamoto, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20180348688
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores recording sheets, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet, an insertion unit that inserts an interleaving sheet between recording sheets, a first detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of a recording sheet in the storage unit, a second detection unit configured to detect a remaining amount of recording sheets in the storage unit, and a control unit configured to control sheet feeding start timing of the interleaving sheet based on detection results acquired by the first detection unit and the second detection unit
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Koji Yumoto, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180321634
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station, a mounting portion for mounting one of fixing devices, each including a first roller and a second roller which cooperate to form a nip for fixing a toner image on a sheet fed from the image forming station, a rubbing roller configured to rub a surface of the first roller, a storing portion capable of storing information, a counter for counting sheets fed to the fixing device mounted on the mounting portion and to store a number indicative of the number counted by the counter in the storing portion of the fixing device, and an executing portion for effecting a rubbing treatment to the first roller of the fixing device, when the number counted by the counter on the basis of the number in the storing portion of the fixing device mounted on the mounting portion exceeds a predetermined number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Katsuya Nakama, Satoru Yamamoto, Masahiro Tsujibayashi, Yasuharu Chiyoda, Nobuhiro Kikuchi, Akinobu Nishikata, Akihiro Kawakita, Toshiyuki Miyake, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 10114328
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a movable regulation member that regulates a trailing edge side position of a sheet stack stored in a storage portion in a sheet feeding direction, a trailing edge detection portion, movable together with the regulation member, that detects a sheet surface on the trailing edge side of the sheet stack, and a control unit that detects whether the regulation member is positioned to an end surface on the trailing edge side of the sheet stack based on a detection result by the trailing edge detection portion, and that causes a display unit to provide a warning if the regulation member is not positioned to the end surface, wherein, if a predetermined sheet with thicknesses different between leading edge and trailing edge sides thereof in the sheet feeding direction is set by a setting unit, the control unit does not cause the display unit to provide the warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyake, Satoru Yamamoto, Takashi Yokoya, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Patent number: 10114327
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit configured to fix a toner image to a sheet; a sheet moving motor configured to move the sheet in a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet; and a controller configured to determine a movement amount of the sheet to be moved by the sheet moving motor for each sheet, wherein the controller sets a first movement amount for a first sheet when an image is formed on a first side of the first sheet, the controller sets a second movement amount for a second sheet when an image is formed on a first side of the second sheet, and controls the sheet moving motor such that the first sheet is moved in the width direction by the first movement amount when an image is formed on a second side of the first sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyake, Satoru Yamamoto, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20180307164
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rubbing rotatable member capable of executing a rubbing treatment of rubbing a surface of a first rotatable member, a counter to count a number corresponding to a number of recording materials on that toner images are formed, an obtaining portion to obtain information that corresponds to an instruction of an operator and that corresponds to whether to permit the execution of the rubbing treatment, that is based on the number counted by the counter, a writing portion to write the information obtained by the obtaining portion in the storing portion of the fixing portion mounted in the mounting portion, and a controller to control whether to execute the rubbing treatment, that is based on the number counted by the counter, in accordance with the information stored in the storing portion of the fixing portion mounted in the mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20180307168
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an input portion into which a job is to be input, an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on a recording material to execute the job input into the input portion, a fixing portion configured to fix, on the recording material, the toner image formed by the image forming portion, the fixing portion being capable of being replaced with another fixing portion depending on a content of the job, a selecting portion configured to prompt an operator to select one of a plurality of modes before a plurality of jobs are successively reserved, and a controller configured to control the execution order of reserved jobs. The controller can change the execution order of the plurality of jobs so as to decrease the number of times of replacement of the fixing portion, or the controller can maintain the execution order of the plurality of jobs in a reserved order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kikuchi, Yasuharu Chiyoda, Masahiro Tsujibayashi, Satoru Yamamoto, Katsuya Nakama
  • Patent number: 10088782
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image fixing portion detachably mountable to a main assembly and including first and second rollers forming an image fixing nip therebetween; a rubbing roller for rubbing treatment of the first roller; a setting portion for setting whether to permit the execution of the treatment when a number of the recording materials fed to the fixing portion exceeds a predetermined number; a storing portion, provided in the fixing portion, for storing set information corresponding to the setting relating to permission of the treatment set through the setting portion; and a controller for controlling execution of the treatment. If the set information in the storing portion indicates the permission of the treatment, the controller executes the treatment. If not, the controller does not execute the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20180246459
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a second conveyance unit, a stacking unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls, in a case where a sheet stacking condition of the stacking unit does not satisfy a predetermined stacking condition, the second conveyance unit to convey the sheet at a second conveyance speed that is faster than the first conveyance speed. The control unit controls, in a case where the sheet stacking condition of the stacking unit satisfies the predetermined stacking condition, the second conveyance unit to convey the sheet at a third conveyance speed that is slower than the second conveyance speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita