Patents by Inventor Ken Nakagawa

Ken Nakagawa 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: 20230400803
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 11774891
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 11531294
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device having a heater, a first temperature detection unit, a pair of second temperature detection units, a pair of first sheet-width detection units, a pair of second sheet-width detection units, and a control unit. The heater includes a first heat generating element, a second heat generating element having a length smaller than a length of the first heat generating element in a longitudinal direction, and a third heat generating element having a length smaller than the length of the second heat generating element in the longitudinal direction. The control unit controls a temperature of the heater based on a detection result of the pair of first sheet-width detection units, a detection result of the pair of second sheet-width detection units, and a detection result of the pair of second temperature detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Kohei Wakatsu, Kazuhiro Doda, Yutaka Sato, Ken Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20220390882
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 11477377
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit. A control unit switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Sudo, Hiroshi Sasahara, Ken Nakagawa, Takuji Moriya
  • Patent number: 11442385
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Publication number: 20220082969
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device having a heater that includes a first heating element, a second heating element having a length smaller than the first heating element length, and a third heating element having a length smaller than the second heating element length. The image forming apparatus further includes a first temperature detection unit, a control unit, second temperature detection units, first and second sheet-width detection units, and a determination unit. The control unit controls a heater temperature based on the first temperature detection unit detection result. The determination unit determines a width of the recording material based on a detection result of the first sheet-width detection units, a detection result of the second sheet-width detection units, and a detection result of the second temperature detection units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Kohei Wakatsu, Kazuhiro Doda, Yutaka Sato, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11221575
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device having a heater that includes a first heating element, a second heating element having a length smaller than the first heating element length, and a third heating element having a length smaller than the second heating element length. The image forming apparatus further includes a first temperature detection unit, a control unit, second temperature detection units, first and second sheet-width detection units, and a determination unit. The control unit controls a heater temperature based on the first temperature detection unit detection result. The determination unit determines a width of the recording material based on a detection result of the first sheet-width detection units, a detection result of the second sheet-width detection units, and a detection result of the second temperature detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Kohei Wakatsu, Kazuhiro Doda, Yutaka Sato, Ken Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20210333733
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 11073778
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 10999476
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a gradation correction unit configured to perform a correction process on first image data expressing first gradation values, and output second image data expressing second gradation values. The gradation correction unit is configured to determine the second gradation values based on the first gradation values of a plurality of colors of a plurality of pixels in an area including a process target pixel and having a size corresponding to a first color misregistration amount. The gradation correction unit is further configured to determine the second gradation values such that there is no pixel in which a sum of the second gradation values of the plurality of colors exceeds a first threshold value, even when color misregistration within the first color misregistration amount occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Tanaka, Shinji Katagiri, Shuichi Tetsuno, Ken Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20210072683
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device having a heater that includes a first heating element, a second heating element having a length smaller than the first heating element length, and a third heating element having a length smaller than the second heating element length. The image forming apparatus further includes a first temperature detection unit, a control unit, second temperature detection units, first and second sheet-width detection units, and a determination unit. The control unit controls a heater temperature based on the first temperature detection unit detection result. The determination unit determines a width of the recording material based on a detection result of the first sheet-width detection units, a detection result of the second sheet-width detection units, and a detection result of the second temperature detection units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Kohei Wakatsu, Kazuhiro Doda, Yutaka Sato, Ken Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20200412951
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit. A control unit switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: ICHIRO SUDO, HIROSHI SASAHARA, KEN NAKAGAWA, TAKUJI MORIYA
  • Publication number: 20200358927
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a gradation correction unit configured to perform a correction process on first image data expressing first gradation values, and output second image data expressing second gradation values. The gradation correction unit is configured to determine the second gradation values based on the first gradation values of a plurality of colors of a plurality of pixels in an area including a process target pixel and having a size corresponding to a first color misregistration amount. The gradation correction unit is further configured to determine the second gradation values such that there is no pixel in which a sum of the second gradation values of the plurality of colors exceeds a first threshold value, even when color misregistration within the first color misregistration amount occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Takayuki Tanaka, Shinji Katagiri, Shuichi Tetsuno, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10788769
    Abstract: Let V1 be a potential difference between a photosensitive member charged by a charging member to which a second charging voltage is applied in a preparation process and a developing member to which a developing voltage is applied. Let V2 be a potential difference between the photosensitive member charged by the charging member to which a first charging voltage is applied in an image forming process and the developing member. Given this definition, a relation of |V1|<|V2| is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Katagiri, Ken Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10742884
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit. A control unit switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on an operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Sudo, Hiroshi Sasahara, Ken Nakagawa, Takuji Moriya
  • Publication number: 20200233352
    Abstract: The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Ken Nakagawa, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Yutaka Sato, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Patent number: 10503105
    Abstract: A tubular film used for a fixing apparatus includes a heat generating layer, and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer respectively provided at one end and another end of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film so as to contact the heat generating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer each has a volume resistivity that is less than that of the heat generating layer. A low resistance layer is formed in an area of the heat generating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the longitudinal direction, so as not to contact the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The low resistance layer has a volume resistivity that is less than that of the heat generating layer, and extends in a circumferential direction of the heat generating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Imaizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Takashi Narahara, Takeshi Shinji, Kazuhiro Doda, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Publication number: 20190268539
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit 32. A control unit 310 switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit 307 that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit 307, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: ICHIRO SUDO, HIROSHI SASAHARA, KEN NAKAGAWA, TAKUJI MORIYA
  • Patent number: 10321057
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit 32. A control unit 310 switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit 307 that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit 307, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Sudo, Hiroshi Sasahara, Ken Nakagawa, Takuji Moriya