Patents by Inventor Kenji Asuwa
Kenji Asuwa 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).
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Patent number: 8194266Abstract: A positional error detection method forms, on a belt which is transported in a transport direction, positional error detection marks for detecting a positional error between image positions of first and second colors, detects the positional error detection marks on the belt, and computes the positional error based on the detected positional error detection marks. The positional error detection marks include first and second marks which are inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to the transport direction, and third marks which are perpendicular to the transport direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Miyadera, Kenji Asuwa, Izumi Kinoshita, Hiroaki Ikeda, Tatsuya Ozaki, Yasuo Matsuyama, Hirokazu Iwata
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Publication number: 20100302323Abstract: A fluid discharge head includes a fluid chamber filled with ink; a discharge opening configured to discharge a droplet of ink from the fluid chamber; a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured as displacement generating units to provide kinetic energy to the ink for the discharge of the ink droplet; and a vibrating plate forming a part of the fluid chamber and connected to the piezoelectric elements, the vibrating plate being configured to transmit a displacement generated by the piezoelectric elements to the ink in the fluid chamber. The vibrating plate includes vibrating portions for the respective the piezoelectric elements. The vibrating portions are configured to be independently displaced for the corresponding piezoelectric elements, and at least one of the piezoelectric elements is configured as a pressure detecting unit to detect an ink pressure in the fluid chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Masahiro YAGI, Kenji Asuwa, Dongsik Jang, Yoshikazu Akiyama, Eiichi Ohta, Yukitoshi Tajima, Takeshi Takemoto
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Patent number: 7831182Abstract: A disclosed developing device includes a developing roller; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and configured to supply toner to the developing roller; a current measuring unit configured to measure an electric current that flows from the developing roller to the supply roller when the toner is supplied from the supply roller to the developing roller; and an error determining unit configured to detect a development error of the developing roller based on the electric current measured by the current measuring unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Rumi Konishi, Kenji Asuwa, Yoshiko Ogawa, Shuuichi Nakagawa, Ryuji Inoue, Shin Murayama, Kazushige Oonishi, Shintaro Yamada
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Publication number: 20090161142Abstract: A positional error detection method forms, on a belt which is transported in a transport direction, positional error detection marks for detecting a positional error between image positions of first and second colors, detects the positional error detection marks on the belt, and computes the positional error based on the detected positional error detection marks. The positional error detection marks include first and second marks which are inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to the transport direction, and third marks which are perpendicular to the transport direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Tatsuya Miyadera, Kenji Asuwa, Izumi Kinoshita, Hiroaki Ikeda, Tatsuya Ozaki, Yasuo Matsuyama, Hirokazu Iwata
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Publication number: 20080267641Abstract: A disclosed developing device includes a developing roller; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and configured to supply toner to the developing roller; a current measuring unit configured to measure an electric current that flows from the developing roller to the supply roller when the toner is supplied from the supply roller to the developing roller; and an error determining unit configured to detect a development error of the developing roller based on the electric current measured by the current measuring unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Rumi Konishi, Kenji Asuwa, Yoshiko Ogawa, Shuuichi Nakagawa, Ryuji Inoue, Shin Murayama, Kazushige Oonishi, Shintaro Yamada
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Patent number: 7227562Abstract: Provided is a small-sized electrophotographic apparatus for which maintenance such as disposal of a jam of sheets, replacement of consumables including toner, or replacement of components to be periodically replaced can be facilitated.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Asuwa, Toru Miyasaka, Taichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Yagi, Shintaro Yamada
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Patent number: 7224915Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section and a residual toner amount detection unit. The image forming section includes a photosensitive member, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, and a toner storage unit. The residual toner amount detection unit detects an amount of toner remaining in the developing unit. The residual toner amount detection unit includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. After the toner is deposited on the photosensitive member to form a toner image until electric charge is given onto a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member by the charging unit again, the light-emitting element removes electric charge remaining on the photosensitive layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shintaro Yamada, Kenji Asuwa, Susumu Tateyama, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Tomofumi Yoshida
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Patent number: 7209681Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus includes a plurality of image forming devices, wherein each image forming device includes a developing device having a tip end part and a toner storage part coupled to the tip end part. A thickness of the tip end part is smaller than a thickness of the toner storage part. An exposure device, which is an LED array, is arranged near the tip end part.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shintaro Yamada, Toru Miyasaka, Taichiro Yamashita, Kenji Asuwa, Masahiro Yagi
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Patent number: 7167670Abstract: An electro-photographic apparatus for conducting printing includes a fixing member fixing an unfixed toner image on a surface of a recording medium onto the recording medium. The fixing member includes a heating roller and a pressurizing member, and a mounting member on which the pressurizing member is mounted. The pressurizing member is supported by the mounting member in a substantially center part in a longitudinal direction of the pressurizing member.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Obata, Shunichi Oohara, Toshio Ogiso, Kenji Asuwa, Toru Hanashima, Chikara Hiraoka
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Patent number: 7136615Abstract: A fixing unit that is provided in an image forming device and fixes a toner image transferred to paper is constructed of two belts, belt guides each of which guides the inner periphery of each of the belts, a heating member arranged in one of the belts or heating members arranged in both of the belts, a drive roller for driving the inner periphery of the belt, wherein the belts pinch paper on both surfaces thereof by the belt guides and carry the paper. This construction can realize a fixing unit reduced in size and capable of printing images at high speeds and shortening a rise time that elapses until the fixing unit reaches a fixable temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shunjchi Oohara, Tetsuji Takegoshi, Toshio Ogiso, Shigeru Obata, Kenji Asuwa
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Publication number: 20060198645Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section and a residual toner amount detection unit. The image forming section includes a photosensitive member, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, and a toner storage unit. The residual toner amount detection unit detects an amount of toner remaining in the developing unit. The residual toner amount detection unit includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. After the toner is deposited on the photosensitive member to form a toner image until electric charge is given onto a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member by the charging unit again, the light-emitting element removes electric charge remaining on the photosensitive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: RICOH PRINTING SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Shintaro Yamada, Kenji Asuwa, Susumu Tateyama, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Tomofumi Yoshida
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Publication number: 20050254866Abstract: An electro-photographic apparatus for conducting printing includes a fixing member fixing an unfixed toner image on a surface of a recording medium onto the recording medium. The fixing member includes a heating roller and a pressurizing member, and a mounting member on which the pressurizing member is mounted. The pressurizing member is supported by the mounting member in a substantially center part in a longitudinal direction of the pressurizing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Applicant: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Obata, Shunichi Oohara, Toshio Ogiso, Kenji Asuwa, Toru Hanashima, Chikara Hiraoka
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Publication number: 20050129431Abstract: A fixing unit that is provided in an image forming device and fixes a toner image transferred to paper is constructed of two belts, belt guides each of which guides the inner periphery of each of the belts, a heating member arranged in one of the belts or heating members arranged in both of the belts, a drive roller for driving the inner periphery of the belt, wherein the belts pinch paper on both surfaces thereof by the belt guides and carry the paper. This construction can realize a fixing unit reduced in size and capable of printing images at high speeds and shortening a rise time that elapses until the fixing unit reaches a fixable temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2004Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Shunichi Oohara, Tetsuji Takegoshi, Toshio Ogiso, Shigeru Obata, Kenji Asuwa
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Patent number: 6895211Abstract: Provided is a small-sized electrophotographic apparatus having a double face printing function, which can print at a high speed even during double face printing.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Taichiro Yamashita, Toru Miyasaka, Masahiro Yagi, Shintaro Yamada, Kenji Asuwa
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Patent number: 6882819Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having imaging units arranged alternately on both sides of a continuous paper web, is characterized by minimized image misregistration and reduced processing cost. In order to prevent possible color misregistration caused by changes in paper feed path length resulting from the eccentricity of each drive roller, the difference in the eccentric phases of the rollers on the front and back surfaces is controlled, thereby minimizing the difference in changes in paper feed path length.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Yagi, Kazutaka Sato, Kenji Asuwa, Isao Nakajima
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Publication number: 20050073572Abstract: A photo conductor and exposure integrally-formed type apparatus is of a drum type, and is rotated at a fixed speed in a clockwise direction. A residual toner attached to a surface of the photo conductor is removed by a cleaner, and a charging device applies a charge load uniformly to a surface of the photo conductor layer so as to charge the photo conductor layer. A light emitting layer exposes the photo conductor layer in a luminous area from an inner side, and forms a latent image on the photo conductor layer. The latent image formed on the photo conductor layer is developed by toner by a developing device, and forms an apparent image by the toner attached to the latent image. Further, the toner image appearing on the photo conductor layer is transferred on a recording medium by a transfer device. Accordingly, since no movement exists between an exposure point and an image forming point in the luminous area, an image deterioration caused by the movement is not generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Yagi, Taichiro Yamashita, Toru Miyasaka, Kenji Asuwa, Shintaro Yamada
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Patent number: 6871036Abstract: A belt driving apparatus which inhibits a belt meandering so as to improve a printing quality and rapidly starts a printing motion at a time of starting the apparatus such as a time of turning on power or the like, and an image forming apparatus using the same. The belt driving apparatus has an endless belt, a plurality of belt tension supports for supporting the belt in a tension manner, and a steering roller supported in a tiltable manner and compensating a meandering of the belt, and the belt driving apparatus is provided with a meandering compensation sensitivity adjuster for adjusting a belt meandering compensation sensitivity of the steering roller per an angle of incline.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Asuwa, Toru Miyasaka, Tomio Sugaya, Hiroyuki Mabuchi, Hui Cheng
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Publication number: 20050025544Abstract: Provided is a small-sized electrophotographic apparatus having a double face printing function, which can print at a high speed even during double face printing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Taichiro Yamashita, Toru Miyasaka, Masahiro Yagi, Shintaro Yamada, Kenji Asuwa
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Publication number: 20040253019Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier having a photosensitive material on a surface thereof, a light scanning apparatus for irradiating scanning light on the image carrier in accordance with image information and a scanning light reflecting mirror for changing a traveling direction of the scanning light. The scanning light reflecting mirror and the image carrier are mounted on a common supporting member to constitute a first unit, and the light scanning apparatus is built into a second unit separate from the first unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Kenji Asuwa, Toru Miyasaka, Masahiro Yagi, Shintaro Yamada
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Publication number: 20040126151Abstract: The invention provides a belt driving apparatus which inhibits a belt meandering so as to improve a printing quality and rapidly starts a printing motion at a time of starting the apparatus such as a time of turning on power or the like, and an image forming apparatus using the same. The belt driving apparatus has an endless belt, a plurality of belt tension supporting means for supporting the belt in a tension manner, and a steering roller supported in a tiltable manner and compensating a meandering of the belt, and the belt driving apparatus is provided with a meandering compensation sensitivity adjusting means for adjusting a belt meandering compensation sensitivity of the steering roller per an angle of incline.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Kenji Asuwa, Toru Miyasaka, Tomio Sugaya, Hiroyuki Mabuchi, Hui Cheng