Patents by Inventor Makoto Ui
Makoto Ui 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: 10705468Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyer that conveys continuous paper; an image creator that outputs an image onto the continuous paper, a heat source that imparts heat to the continuous paper; and a hardware processor that controls a printing action for forming an image on the continuous paper conveyed in a forward direction by the conveyer, using the image creator and the heat source, wherein when interrupting the printing action, the hardware processor performs withdrawal control in which the continuous paper is conveyed in a reverse direction such that a final image formed on the continuous paper before interruption of the printing action reaches a withdrawal position defined upstream of the heat source in the forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Masahiro Matsuo, Makoto Ui
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Publication number: 20190179247Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyer that conveys continuous paper; an image creator that outputs an image onto the continuous paper, a heat source that imparts heat to the continuous paper; and a hardware processor that controls a printing action for forming an image on the continuous paper conveyed in a forward direction by the conveyer, using the image creator and the heat source, wherein when interrupting the printing action, the hardware processor performs withdrawal control in which the continuous paper is conveyed in a reverse direction such that a final image formed on the continuous paper before interruption of the printing action reaches a withdrawal position defined upstream of the heat source in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Masahiro MATSUO, Makoto UI
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Publication number: 20190070871Abstract: An image forming apparatus is connected to a paper processing apparatus and includes an image forming unit, a nip part and a hardware processor. The image forming unit performs image forming on continuous paper being conveyed on a conveyance path. The nip part nips the paper on the conveyance path. The processor selectively performs first control and second control according to an output timing of a conveyance control signal if the signal is output from the paper processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus. In the first control, the processor notifies the paper processing apparatus of permission to start or stop conveying the paper after causing the nip part to perform a press-and-contact operation or a separation operation. In the second control, the processor notifies the paper processing apparatus of the permission without causing the nip part to perform either operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Masahiro MATSUO, Shingo SASAMI, Ken MIYAZAKI, Makoto UI, Motoki NAKAMICHI, Tomoo KUDO
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Patent number: 9885980Abstract: The image formation apparatus includes a transport frame including a maximum front-to-back medium width passage area defined in an area between a first back side passage line and a first front side passage line, and allowing a continuous medium of a maximum front-to-back width to pass therethrough, and a minimum front-to-back medium width passage area defined in an area located inside the maximum front-to-back medium width passage area between a second back side passage line and a second front side passage line, and allowing a continuous medium of a minimum front-to-back width to pass therethrough, in a state where the transport frame is drawn out most frontward and a toner replenishment door is opened most wide downward, when the toner replenishment door is seen downward projectively, at least a portion of the first back side passage line being covered with the toner replenishment door.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Makoto Ui
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Patent number: 9845214Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance section configured to convey a long sheet along a sheet feeding path; and an image forming section configured to form an image on the long sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance section, the sheet conveyance section including a conveyance unit that includes a first conveyance roller and a second conveyance roller for conveying the long sheet in a sandwiching manner, and is movable along a sheet conveyance direction in a state where the long sheet is conveyed through the sheet feeding path.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Makoto Ui
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Publication number: 20170255130Abstract: The image formation apparatus includes a transport frame including a maximum front-to-back medium width passage area defined in an area between a first back side passage line and a first front side passage line, and allowing a continuous medium of a maximum front-to-back width to pass therethrough, and a minimum front-to-back medium width passage area defined in an area located inside the maximum front-to-back medium width passage area between a second back side passage line and a second front side passage line, and allowing a continuous medium of a minimum front-to-back width to pass therethrough, in a state where the transport frame is drawn out most frontward and a toner replenishment door is opened most wide downward, when the toner replenishment door is seen downward projectively, at least a portion of the first back side passage line being covered with the toner replenishment door.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventor: Makoto UI
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Patent number: 9688497Abstract: An image-forming apparatus forms an image on a roll sheet. A printer receives the roll sheet, forms the image thereon and ejects the image-formed roll sheet to a reel. A sheet position sensor, which is positioned near the printer, measures a position of the roll sheet along a width direction thereof. A control portion receives positional measurement data about the position of the roll sheet along the width direction thereof from the sheet position sensor and controls at least one of start time of image-forming operation in the printer and an image-writing position of the printer by settling at least one of the start time of image-forming operation and the image-writing position based on the positional measurement data.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Masahiro Matsuo, Makoto Ui
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Patent number: 9690239Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following. A conveying unit conveys a continuous sheet at least longer than a length of the apparatus itself. A first rotating member can be pressed to and separated from a second rotating member. The first rotating member can be rotated separated from the second rotating member. The continuous sheet can be stopped and held when the first rotating member is separated from the second rotating member. The image forming apparatus further includes a control unit. When the continuous sheet is stopped and held and the rotation of the first rotating member is started separated from the second rotating member, the control unit moves at least one of the first rotating member and the continuous sheet so that the continuous sheet is not in contact with the first rotating member, and then the control unit starts rotation of the first rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Makoto Ui, Kazunori Katada, Toshiaki Tomino
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Patent number: 9671733Abstract: A fixing device and An image forming apparatus include: a first pressure roller having an elastic layer in a surface layer section; a fixing belt wound on the elastic layer of the first pressure roller; a second pressure roller that presses the elastic layer of the first pressure roller via the fixing belt, the second pressure roller forming a fixing nip portion between the fixing belt and the second pressure roller; and a guide member that guides the fixing belt in such a manner as to separate the fixing belt from a protruding portion of the elastic layer, the protruding portion being formed on an entrance side of the fixing nip portion in a sheet conveying direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INCInventors: Asahi Ebe, Toshihiro Wazumi, Makoto Ui, Tomoyuki Hayakawa, Akihiko Ooishi
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Publication number: 20160282775Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following. A conveying unit conveys a continuous sheet at least longer than a length of the apparatus itself. A first rotating member can be pressed to and separated from a second rotating member. The first rotating member can be rotated separated from the second rotating member. The continuous sheet can be stopped and held when the first rotating member is separated from the second rotating member. The image forming apparatus further includes a control unit. When the continuous sheet is stopped and held and the rotation of the first rotating member is started separated from the second rotating member, the control unit moves at least one of the first rotating member and the continuous sheet so that the continuous sheet is not in contact with the first rotating member, and then the control unit starts rotation of the first rotating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Makoto UI, Kazunori KATADA, Toshiaki TOMINO
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Publication number: 20160185142Abstract: An image-forming apparatus forms an image on a roll sheet. A printer receives the roll sheet, forms the image thereon and ejects the image-formed roll sheet to a reel. A sheet position sensor, which is positioned near the printer, measures a position of the roll sheet along a width direction thereof. A control portion receives positional measurement data about the position of the roll sheet along the width direction thereof from the sheet position sensor and controls at least one of start time of image-forming operation in the printer and an image-writing position of the printer by settling at least one of the start time of image-forming operation and the image-writing position based on the positional measurement data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Masahiro MATSUO, Makoto UI
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Publication number: 20160060063Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance section configured to convey a long sheet along a sheet feeding path; and an image forming section configured to form an image on the long sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance section, the sheet conveyance section including a conveyance unit that includes a first conveyance roller and a second conveyance roller for conveying the long sheet in a sandwiching manner, and is movable along a sheet conveyance direction in a state where the long sheet is conveyed through the sheet feeding path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Makoto UI
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Patent number: 8746691Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image on a sheet, a reversing section to reverse the sheet between front and rear surfaces, and an apparatus main body that houses the image forming section and the reversing section. The reversing section includes a lower-side horizontal conveying path arranged horizontally and adapted to convey the sheet, an upper-side horizontal conveying path arranged vertically above the lower-side horizontal conveying path and extending parallel to the lower-side horizontal conveying path, and a connection conveying path which connects the lower-side horizontal conveying path and the upper-side horizontal conveying path and is detachably coupled to the upper-side horizontal conveying path. The reversing section is horizontally supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable along a direction in which the sheet is sent from the lower-side horizontal conveying path or upper-side horizontal conveying path to the connection conveying path.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Makoto Ui
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Publication number: 20140086650Abstract: A fixing device and An image forming apparatus include: a first pressure roller having an elastic layer in a surface layer section; a fixing belt wound on the elastic layer of the first pressure roller; a second pressure roller that presses the elastic layer of the first pressure roller via the fixing belt, the second pressure roller forming a fixing nip portion between the fixing belt and the second pressure roller; and a guide member that guides the fixing belt in such a manner as to separate the fixing belt from a protruding portion of the elastic layer, the protruding portion being formed on an entrance side of the fixing nip portion in a sheet conveying direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Asahi EBE, Toshihiro WAZUMI, Makoto UI, Tomoyuki HAYAKAWA, Akihiko OOISHI
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Publication number: 20130320615Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image on a sheet, a reversing section to reverse the sheet between front and rear surfaces, and an apparatus main body that houses the image forming section and the reversing section. The reversing section includes a lower-side horizontal conveying path arranged horizontally and adapted to convey the sheet, an upper-side horizontal conveying path arranged vertically above the lower-side horizontal conveying path and extending parallel to the lower-side horizontal conveying path, and a connection conveying path which connects the lower-side horizontal conveying path and the upper-side horizontal conveying pathand is detachably coupled to the upper-side horizontal conveying path. The reversing section is horizontally supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable along a direction in which the sheet is sent from the lower-side horizontal conveying path or upper-side horizontal conveying path to the connection conveying path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Hajime NAKAMURA, Makoto UI
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Patent number: 8459640Abstract: A transporting device includes steering rollers, a center roller which is disposed between the steering rollers and deflection-detecting sensors that are positioned downstream from the steering rollers. When a sheet of paper has a width which is narrower than a width of a reference sheet of paper, the positional deflection of the sheet of paper is corrected by transporting the sheet of paper to a shift roller with the sheet of paper being nipped by the center roller and thrusting a forward end of the sheet of paper against a shift roller. When a sheet of paper has a width which exceeds the width of the reference sheet of paper, the positional deflection of the sheet of paper is corrected by rotating the steering rollers separately based on a detected result of the sensors with the sheet of paper being nipped by the steering rollers.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Makoto Ui
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Publication number: 20120286468Abstract: A transporting device includes steering rollers, a center roller which is disposed between the steering rollers and deflection-detecting sensors that are positioned downstream from the steering rollers. When a sheet of paper has a width which is narrower than a width of a reference sheet of paper, the positional deflection of the sheet of paper is corrected by transporting the sheet of paper to a shift roller with the sheet of paper being nipped by the center roller and thrusting a forward end of the sheet of paper against a shift roller. When a sheet of paper has a width which exceeds the width of the reference sheet of paper, the positional deflection of the sheet of paper is corrected by rotating the steering rollers separately based on a detected result of the sensors with the sheet of paper being nipped by the steering rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Makoto UI
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Publication number: 20120269563Abstract: In a transporting device that transports a sheet of paper which is transporting on a first direction, a control unit has a detection-unit-cleaning mode in which when roller members move to a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, to perform a correction of the positional deflection of the sheet of paper, the control unit controls the roller members to move the sheet of paper to an outside position from an image forming position and a position of the side end of the sheet of paper when the sheet of paper passes through the detection unit, and then to move the sheet of paper to the image forming position, based on the image forming position and the position of a side end of the sheet of paper, which is detected by a detection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Makoto UI
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Patent number: 6473112Abstract: The invention concerns an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic writing-position determining device for forming an image always at a correct position on the recording material. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image by writing each of scanning lines, an end position detecting section to detect an end position of a recording material in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording material, and a selecting section to select either an automatic writing-position determining mode or a predetermined writing-position determining mode. When the selecting section selects the automatic writing-position determining mode, the image forming section commences an image writing action from a writing start position determined on the basis of a detected result of the end position detecting device.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Makoto Ui, Fumio Haibara, Jun Yokobori, Tetsuya Niitsuma, Norio Joichi
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Patent number: D559389Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Noriaki Takahashi, Makoto Ui