Patents by Inventor Ken Ikuma

Ken Ikuma 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: 20090175641
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier that carries an image; a charging section that electrically charges the image carrier; an exposure section that forms a latent image on the image carrier electrically charged by the charging section; a development section that develops the latent image formed by the exposure section on the image carrier by means of a liquid developer; a primary transfer section that transfers a image developed by the development section onto a transfer medium; a secondary transfer section that transfers a image transferred onto the transfer medium further onto a recording medium by pressing the transfer medium; and a variable transfer pressure application section that applies transfer pressure of a first level or of a second level at the secondary transfer section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki MIZUSHIMA, Tomoyuki SHIIYA, Atsushi IMAMURA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7557822
    Abstract: A scan-beam detection signal Hsync provided by horizontal synchronous sensors 60A, 60B is inputted to a drive signal controlling section 10Y as a drive period signal related to a drive period of a deflective mirror. The drive signal controlling section 10Y controls a drive signal Sd such as to establish a predetermined relationship between a phase of a reference signal Sr and a phase of the horizontal synchronous signal Hsync, whereby a deflector 65 is allowed to operate in synchronism with the reference signal Sr. Therefore, a latent-image forming position with respect to a sub-scan direction Y is adjusted by way of the phase adjustment between the reference signal Sr and the horizontal synchronous signal Hsync, so that a linear latent image is prevented from deviating with respect to the sub-scan direction Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Nomura, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7557976
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes a deflector having an oscillation mirror that oscillates about an axis that is orthogonal to a main scanning direction. A detector detects a scanning light beam deflected by the oscillation mirror and moving in a scanning region. A controller adjusts the amplitude of the oscillation mirror based on a detection signal outputted from the detector, and stops driving the oscillation mirror when the detection signal is not outputted from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Gomi, Yujiro Nomura, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7558503
    Abstract: A proximity charger roller is disposed in proximity to a surface of an image carrier and uniformly charges an effective charging area of the image carrier. Abutting portions abut on the image carrier at its both edges which are located on the outer side of the effective charging area, thereby maintaining the proximity distance between the circumferential surface of the proximity charger roller and the image carrier constant. A cleaning roller is longer than the spacing between the abutting portions which are at the both edges, abuts on the abutting portions which are at the both edges, and presses with predetermined pressing force in the direction of the image carrier. The surface of the cleaning roller is made of a soft material and cleans a surface area between the two abutting portions of the proximity charger roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsunori Kitazawa, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090160926
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a latent image carrier that moves in a first direction; an exposure head that includes a first imaging optical system, a second imaging optical system that is distanced from the first imaging optical system in the first direction, a light emitting element that emits a light to be imaged on the latent image carrier by the first imaging optical system and a light emitting element that emits a light to be imaged on the latent image carrier by the second imaging optical system; and a controller that is adapted to control a light quantity of the light emitting element that emits a light to be imaged on the latent image carrier by the first imaging optical system in accordance with an imaging characteristic of the first imaging optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi TSUJINO, Nozomu INOUE, Yujiro NOMURA, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20090153641
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a latent image carrier whose surface includes an effective image region spanning across a predetermined width in a main scanning direction and is driven in a sub scanning direction approximately orthogonal to the main scanning direction; a latent image former which has a light source and a deflection mirror oscillating, and deflects a light beam from the light source using the deflection mirror so as to scan the effective image region with the deflected light beam; and a scanning mode controller which switches selectively between a single-side scanning mode and a double-side scanning mode, the single-side scanning mode being a mode in which the light beam is scanned only in a first direction included in the main scanning direction, the double-side scanning mode being a mode in which the light beam is scanned in both the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a condition to form latent images on the latent image carrier in the singl
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi TOYAMA, Yujiro NOMURA, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20090147311
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a first memory unit which receives screen data selected from a plurality of screen data stored in a second memory unit and transferred to the first memory unit, and stores the received screen data; and a third memory unit which has a first area for receiving first line data as line unit data of screen data stored in the first memory unit and transferred to the first area and for storing the first line data, and a second area for receiving second line data as line unit data of the screen data stored in the first memory unit and transferred to the second area and for storing the second line data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji YANAGISAWA, Mitsukazu KUROSE, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7545399
    Abstract: A line head includes light-emitting element lines formed by arranging a plurality of light sources in a line shape in a main scanning direction. Each of the light sources is turned on/off corresponding to image data. Light beams emitted from the light sources pass through a lens array to form imaged spots on an exposed surface. The imaged spots generated by making the light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources imaged on the exposed surface are shifted by inches in the main scanning direction or a sub-scanning direction so as to overlap each other, thereby forming images. A gray-scale image of the images has a screen structure displayed on the basis of an area of dots or lines having a predetermined pitch. A diameter of each of the imaged spots formed on the exposed surface is set to be larger than a pitch between pixels and smaller than a pitch between lines or dots forming the screen. Gradation of an image is displayed by a combination of binary states of ON/OFF of each of the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nozomu Inoue, Kiyoshi Tsujino, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7546066
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a turnable image bearing body for bearing a latent image; a turnable developer bearing body for bearing liquid developer, the developer bearing body and the image bearing body being pressed in contact with each other at a predetermined press-contact position, the developer bearing body being capable of carrying the liquid developer toward the press-contact position by turning, the image forming apparatus performing development of the latent image, which is bore by the image bearing body, with the liquid developer that has been carried toward the press-contact position; and a controller for causing the development of the latent image to start after a predetermined period of time has passed from when the turning speed of the developer bearing body and the image bearing body reached a predetermined turning speed for development at which the development is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Fujita, Masahide Nakamura, Fuminori Yano, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090136265
    Abstract: A wire bar is formed by winding a wire, which comprises a first flat portion formed along an overall longitudinal length, around a peripheral surface of a metal core such that the peripheral surface of the metal core and the first flat portion tightly contact with each other. Since this increases the area size of a contact portion where the wire and the metal core contact each other, it is possible to increase the force of static friction which fixes the wire to the metal core. Fixing of the wound wire to the metal core by the strong force of static friction effectively prevents the wound wire from getting deviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi KAMIJO, Hidehiro TAKANO, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20090135312
    Abstract: An image forming method which generates a video signal corresponding to an image forming command based on a video clock signal, modulates a light beam according to the video signal, and scans the modulated light beam along a main scanning direction by means of an oscillation mirror which resonates based on a drive signal, so as to form a latent image in an effective image region of a latent image carrier, the method includes: synchronizing the drive signal with the video clock signal to synchronize a detection signal with the video clock signal, the detection signal being output from a detector which detect the light beam scanned in the main scanning direction in a region away from an effective scan region which corresponds to the effective image region; controlling a resonant frequency of the oscillation mirror based on the detection signal so that the resonant frequency of the oscillation mirror almost coincides with the frequency of the drive signal; and adjusting a position, at which the latent image is w
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasumasa ISHIHARA, Yujiro NOMURA, Akihiro GOMI, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7539443
    Abstract: A charging roller is provided. The charging roller is configured to face an image carrier at a predetermined charging gap and charge the image carrier in a non-contact state. A conductive shaft is provided with a pair of annular concave portions formed on an outer circumferential surface at both ends thereof. A conductive layer is formed on the outer circumference surface at a center portion of the conductive shaft defined between the pair of concave portions. An insulating layer is formed on the outer circumferential surface at outer portions of the conductive shaft from the pair of annular concave portions. A depth of the concave portions is larger than a thickness of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Kamoshida, Atsunori Kitazawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Katsumi Okamoto, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090122129
    Abstract: At least one light emission array includes a plurality of light emitting elements arrayed in a first direction. Each of the light emitting elements is an organic electroluminescence element. A monitor quantitatively monitors a light emitting state of at least one of the light emitting elements to obtain a monitored amount. A comparator compares the monitored amount and a reference amount. A controller performs a constant current control with respect to at least one of the light emitting elements in accordance with a result of the comparison performed by the comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi TSUJINO, Yujiro Nomura, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090110424
    Abstract: A liquid developer collecting system. A developing unit has a developing roller. A developing roller cleaning unit collects liquid developer on the developing roller. A concentration control unit stores liquid developer collected by the developing roller cleaning unit and controls the concentration of the liquid developer. A first feed unit feeds the liquid developer in the concentration control unit to the developing unit. A second feed unit feeds the liquid developer in the concentration control unit. A developer storage unit stores the liquid developer fed by the second feed unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi TANAKA, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20090103948
    Abstract: The invention provides a developing device employing a liquid developer which is capable of effectively cleaning a development roller or the like having an elastic outer layer. The developing device of the invention is provided with an elastic roller such as a development roller for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier. In image forming process, toner particles uniformly dispersed in carrier are agglutinated to the elastic roller side by means of compaction. A cleaning blade is provided for cleaning the agglutinated toner particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoe ARUGA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7514145
    Abstract: A method for producing resin particles using a dispersion liquid in which a dispersoid mainly made of a resin material is finely dispersed in a dispersion medium, the method comprising a dispersion liquid ejecting step for ejecting the dispersion liquid in the form of droplets and a dispersion medium removing step for removing the dispersion medium from the dispersion liquid in the form of droplets, wherein a granulation prevention agent for preventing or suppressing fine particles derived from the dispersoid from being agglomerated and then granulated is applied to the dispersion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Akioka, Toshiaki Yamagami, Hiroshi Kaiho, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090078854
    Abstract: A plurality of photo emitters are arrayed on a transparent substrate in a first direction to form at least one photo emitter array. An electrode is provided on the substrate and electrically connected to the photo emitters in common. A dimension of the electrode in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than a dimension of the substrate in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi TSUJINO, Yujiro NOMURA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7508407
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a latent image carrier whose surface includes an effective image region spanning across a predetermined width in a main scanning direction and is driven in a sub scanning direction approximately orthogonal to the main scanning direction; a latent image former which has a light source and a deflection mirror oscillating, and deflects a light beam from the light source using the deflection mirror so as to scan the effective image region with the deflected light beam; and a scanning mode controller which switches selectively between a single-side scanning mode and a double-side scanning mode, the single-side scanning mode being a mode in which the light beam is scanned only in a first direction included in the main scanning direction, the double-side scanning mode being a mode in which the light beam is scanned in both the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a condition to form latent images on the latent image carrier in the singl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Toyama, Yujiro Nomura, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090074479
    Abstract: A transfer device includes: an image carrier belt; a first roller around which the image carrier belt is wound; a second roller around which the image carrier belt wound around the first roller and shifted; a first transfer roller contacting the first roller via the image carrier belt; a second transfer roller contacting the second roller via the image carrier belt; and a transfer belt wound around the first transfer roller and the second transfer roller. A width L3 of the image carrier belt and a width L4 of the transfer belt have the relationship of L3>L4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi KAMIJO, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20090074430
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus adapted for a smooth mounting/dismounting of a process unit and for the reduction of wasteful power consumption is provided. Unless a new image signal is applied after completion of an image forming operation, the apparatus starts a clocking operation by an internal timer (Step S101). If the apparatus is left standstill for a predetermined length of time (Step S102), a sleep process (Step S103) is executed to shift the apparatus to a power save mode to consume less power. When an outside cover is opened (Step S105), on the other hand, the apparatus is shifted to a replacement operation mode (Step S106) in which only the rotation of a development rotary is permitted. However, if the apparatus is left with the outside cover opened (Step S108), the sleep process is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakazato, Ken Ikuma, Keiichi Taguchi