Patents by Inventor Ken Iguchi

Ken Iguchi 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).

  • IMAGE ELIMINATION APPARATUS, IMAGE ELIMINATING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20170036475
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image elimination apparatus eliminates an image formed on a sheet. A sheet supply unit supplies the sheet on which the image is formed. A first reader reads the sheet supplied by the sheet supply unit. An image eliminator eliminates the image formed on the supplied sheet. A second reader reads the sheet passing through the image eliminator. A discharge unit stacks the sheet to be discharged. A controller causes the first reader to read the sheet at a first speed in order to judge whether the sheet is reusable or not based on the reading result of the first reader. The controller also causes the second reader to read the sheet at a second speed faster than the first speed in order to judge whether the image formed on the sheet has been eliminated or not based on the reading result of the second reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Ken IGUCHI
  • Image erasing apparatus and image erasing method
    Patent number: 9539842
    Abstract: An image erasing method, according to an embodiment, includes the steps of supplying a sheet from a sheet supply section and conveying the sheet from the sheet supply section on a first conveying path. The method further includes controlling, based on a selected mode, the first conveying path, a reader, a second conveying path, an erasing unit, and a switching section. When the selected mode is an erasing mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path without being read by the reader, conveyed on the second conveying path where the image is erased by the erasing unit, and then conveyed to a discharge tray. When the selected mode is a reading mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path where the surface of the sheet is read by the reader, and then conveyed to the discharge tray without being conveyed on the second conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Hidetoshi Yokochi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Kikuo Mizutani, Hiroyuki Taki, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Chiaki Iizuka
  • PAPER PROCESSING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20160375602
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a paper processing apparatus comprises a perforation unit configured to include a rotary blade for perforating conveyed paper in a direction parallel to a conveyance direction and be capable of moving the rotary blade in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance path of the paper; a skew detection section configured at the upstream side of the perforation unit to detect the skew of the paper; a skew correction mechanism configured to incline the perforation unit and the rotary blade according to the detected skew amount of the paper; and a control section configured to control the position of the rotary blade and move the rotary blade to a perforation processing position before the paper is conveyed to the perforation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Takahide Kenmotsu, Katsuhiko Tsuchiya, Ken Iguchi
  • DECOLORING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160368302
    Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit, and a controller. The decoloring unit decolors the image on the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying unit. The decoloring unit is positioned downstream of the scanner in a sheet conveying direction. A distance along the sheet conveying direction between the scanner and the decoloring unit is shorter than a length of a first predetermined sheet size and longer than a length of a second predetermined sheet size. A controller determines whether the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit is the first predetermined sheet size or the second predetermined sheet size. The controller performs a mode limiting process if the sheet size is determined to be the first predetermined sheet size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventor: Ken IGUCHI
  • Image elimination apparatus, image eliminating method and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9499001
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image elimination apparatus eliminates an image formed on a sheet. A sheet supply unit supplies the sheet on which the image is formed. A first reader reads the sheet supplied by the sheet supply unit. An image eliminator eliminates the image formed on the supplied sheet. A second reader reads the sheet passing through the image eliminator. A discharge unit stacks the sheet to be discharged. A controller causes the first reader to read the sheet at a first speed in order to judge whether the sheet is reusable or not based on the reading result of the first reader. The controller also causes the second reader to read the sheet at a second speed faster than the first speed in order to judge whether the image formed on the sheet has been eliminated or not based on the reading result of the second reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • Image processing device and image processing method
    Patent number: 9477186
    Abstract: An image processing device has a first supplying portion that supplies a sheet on which an image is fixed previously. A removing portion removes the image formed on the sheet. A first storing portion stores the sheet from which the image is removed by the removing portion. The first supplying portion and the first storing portion are integrally formed as a unit capable of detaching from the main body of the image processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Yahata, Ken Iguchi, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Image processing apparatus for forming and decoloring an image on a sheet
    Patent number: 9471015
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an image decoloring unit, an image forming unit, a heater and a control unit. The image decoloring unit decolors an image formed on a sheet with a decolorable color material by heating the sheet. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet with a decolorable color material. The heater thermally fixes the image formed by the image forming unit on the sheet. The control unit carries out a control processing so that the formation of an image with a decolorable color material is different before and after a specified time elapses from the moment the image decoloring unit completes a decoloring processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • Paper processing apparatus
    Patent number: 9463944
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a paper processing apparatus comprises a perforation unit configured to include a rotary blade for perforating conveyed paper in a direction parallel to a conveyance direction and be capable of moving the rotary blade in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance path of the paper; a skew detection section configured at the upstream side of the perforation unit to detect the skew of the paper; a skew correction mechanism configured to incline the perforation unit and the rotary blade according to the detected skew amount of the paper; and a control section configured to control the position of the rotary blade and move the rotary blade to a perforation processing position before the paper is conveyed to the perforation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahide Kenmotsu, Katsuhiko Tsuchiya, Ken Iguchi
  • Decoloring apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9434193
    Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit positioned downstream of the scanner, a user interface, and a controller. The user interface includes a resolution setting section configured to receive input for setting the resolution of the image to be scanned by the scanner, and a processing mode setting section configured to receive input for setting whether to execute scanning processing by the scanner and for setting whether to execute decoloring processing by the decoloring unit. The controller is configured to control contents of the user interface and to perform a mode limiting processing so that when one of the scanning processing and decoloring processing is set to be executed, the other of the scanning processing and decoloring processing cannot be set to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING FIXING DEVICE THAT RESPONDS TO REQUEST WHEN USING DECOLORABLE INK
    Publication number: 20160223960
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit which forms a first image on a first recording medium with a first material that is not thermally decolorizable; a second image forming unit which forms a second image on a second recording medium with a second material that is thermally decolorizable; a fixing device which is on a common carrying path shared by the first recording medium and the second recording medium and fixes the first image to the first recording medium; and a controller which controls the fixing device so that a temperature of the fixing device is lower than a decolorizing temperature of the second material when the second recording medium reaches the fixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshiaki KANEKO, Minoru YOSHIDA, Osamu TAKAGI, Takahito KABAI, Hiroyuki TAGUCHI, Ken IGUCHI
  • Image forming apparatus with controlled timing of energization of heaters for power reduction
    Patent number: 9395661
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has a fixing section that transfers a toner image to a recording medium for printing in a printer section and then fixes the toner image, a decoloring section that heats and decolors a decolorable image printed on a recording medium for reuse with a color material of which the color is decolored if heated at a decoloring temperature, and a controller that enables the fixing section and the decoloring section to operate exclusively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuhisa Naraoka, Ken Iguchi
  • DECOLORING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160185147
    Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit positioned downstream of the scanner, a user interface, and a controller. The user interface includes a resolution setting section configured to receive input for setting the resolution of the image to be scanned by the scanner, and a processing mode setting section configured to receive input for setting whether to execute scanning processing by the scanner and for setting whether to execute decoloring processing by the decoloring unit. The controller is configured to control contents of the user interface and to perform a mode limiting processing so that when one of the scanning processing and decoloring processing is set to be executed, the other of the scanning processing and decoloring processing cannot be set to be executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: KEN IGUCHI
  • DECOLORING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160185148
    Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit positioned downstream of the scanner, a user interface, and a controller. The user interface includes a resolution setting section configured to receive input for setting the resolution of the image to be scanned by the scanner, and a processing mode setting section configured to receive input for setting whether to execute scanning processing by the scanner and for setting whether to execute decoloring processing by the decoloring unit. The controller is configured to control contents of the user interface and to perform a mode limiting processing so that when one of the scanning processing and decoloring processing is set to be executed, the other of the scanning processing and decoloring processing cannot be set to be executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Ken IGUCHI
  • Image forming apparatus and method using decolorable ink
    Patent number: 9377724
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit which forms a first image on a first recording medium with a first material which is not thermally decolorized; a second image forming unit which forms a second image on a second recording medium with a second material which is thermally decolorized; a fixing unit which is on a common carrying path shared by the first recording medium and the second recording medium and fixes the first image to the first recording medium; and a control unit which controls the fixing unit so that the temperature of the second recording medium passing through the fixing unit becomes lower than a decolorizing temperature of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kaneko, Minoru Yoshida, Osamu Takagi, Takahito Kabai, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Ken Iguchi
  • IMAGE ERASING APPARATUS AND IMAGE ERASING METHOD
    Publication number: 20160159129
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image erasing apparatus includes a sheet supply section, a discharge tray, a first conveying path, a reader, a second conveying path, an erasing unit and a switching section. A controller controls the first conveying path, the reader, the second conveying path, the erasing unit and the switching section depending on a selected mode. When the selected mode is an erasing mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path without being read by the reader, conveyed on the second conveying path where the image is erased by the erasing unit, and then conveyed to the discharge tray. When the selected mode is a reading mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path where the surface of the sheet is read by the reader, and then conveyed to the discharge tray without being conveyed on the second conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Hidetoshi Yokochi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Kikuo Mizutani, Hiroyuki Taki, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Chiaki IIzuka
  • IMAGE ERASING APPARATUS AND IMAGE ERASING METHOD
    Publication number: 20160159130
    Abstract: An image erasing method, according to an embodiment, includes the steps of supplying a sheet from a sheet supply section and conveying the sheet from the sheet supply section on a first conveying path. The method further includes controlling, based on a selected mode, the first conveying path, a reader, a second conveying path, an erasing unit, and a switching section. When the selected mode is an erasing mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path without being read by the reader, conveyed on the second conveying path where the image is erased by the erasing unit, and then conveyed to a discharge tray. When the selected mode is a reading mode, the sheet is conveyed on the first conveying path where the surface of the sheet is read by the reader, and then conveyed to the discharge tray without being conveyed on the second conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Hidetoshi Yokochi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Kikuo Mizutani, Hiroyuki Taki, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Chiaki IIzuka
  • PUNCH UNIT, SHEET POST-PROCESSING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF PUNCHING SHEETS
    Publication number: 20160151927
    Abstract: A hole punch unit has a punching section, a longitudinal registering mechanism, and a transverse registering mechanism. The registering mechanisms incline the punching section in accordance with a skew of a sheet. The punching section thus corrected in position punches the sheet. The punching section is corrected in position, at both the leading edge of the sheet and the trailing edge thereof, thus increasing the precision of positioning the punching section and shortening the time required to position the punching section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • PAPER PROCESSING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20160144525
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a paper processing apparatus comprises a perforation unit configured to include a rotary blade for perforating conveyed paper in a direction parallel to a conveyance direction and be capable of moving the rotary blade in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance path of the paper; a skew detection section configured at the upstream side of the perforation unit to detect the skew of the paper; a skew correction mechanism configured to incline the perforation unit and the rotary blade according to the detected skew amount of the paper; and a control section configured to control the position of the rotary blade and move the rotary blade to a perforation processing position before the paper is conveyed to the perforation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Takahide Kenmotsu, Katsuhiko Tsuchiya, Ken Iguchi
  • ERASING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT USES THE ERASING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20160136987
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an erasing apparatus stores a first feeder unit and an erasing device. A casing of the erasing apparatus supports the first sheet stack and the erasing device slidably in a direction perpendicular to a direction of supplying a sheet from the first sheet stack to the erasing device. The first sheet stack and the erasing device are movable into and out of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Isao YAHATA, Ken IGUCHI, Naofumi SOGA
  • Image forming apparatus having fixing device that responds to request when using decolorable ink
    Patent number: 9335680
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit which forms a first image on a first recording medium with a first material that is not thermally decolorizable; a second image forming unit which forms a second image on a second recording medium with a second material that is thermally decolorizable; a fixing device which is on a common carrying path shared by the first recording medium and the second recording medium and fixes the first image to the first recording medium; and a controller which controls the fixing device so that a temperature of the fixing device is lower than a decolorizing temperature of the second material when the second recording medium reaches the fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kaneko, Minoru Yoshida, Osamu Takagi, Takahito Kabai, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Ken Iguchi