Patents by Inventor Minoru Yokoyama

Minoru Yokoyama 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).

  • Patent number: 5530470
    Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing the recording an image on a recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to the recording medium has ink sheet a conveyance unit for conveying the ink sheet, a recording medium conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium, a recording unit for recording an image on the recording medium by activating the ink sheet, a counting unit for counting the black dot numbers in the current line, a timing unit for measuring the elapsed time since the image recording in the last line by the recording unit, and a control unit for controlling the ink sheet to be conveyed for a predetermined length without conveying the recording medium in accordance with the timing value of the timing unit and the counting value of the counting unit subsequent to the current line recording by the recording, thus making it possible to separate the ink sheet and recording sheet more reliably to maintain a high recording quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Yoshida, Makoto Kobayashi, Minoru Yokoyama, Takeshi Ono, Takashi Awai, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Mamoru Osada, Takahiro Kato, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masaya Kondo, Masakatsu Yamada, Yukio Nohata
  • Patent number: 5523858
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus designed for reduced power consumption, a smaller number of component parts, smaller size, lighter weight and lower cost includes an original reading section having a contact-type line image sensor and a first biasing roller driven so as to be rotated in a state in which the contact-type line image sensor is biased, a recording section arranged in the vicinity of the original reading section and having a line thermal head and a second biasing roller driven so as to be rotated in a state in which the line thermal head is biased, a driving mechanism in which a reversible motor is used as a drive source, a rocking mechanism for driving solely the first biasing roller when the motor is rotatively driven in one direction and driving both the first and second biasing rollers when the motor is rotatively driven in the other direction, and a power transmission mechanism in which the rocking mechanism is arranged in a power transmission system for driving the first and second biasing rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Yamada, Minoru Yokoyama, Hideyuki Terashima
  • Patent number: 5497183
    Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for transferring an ink contained in an ink sheet onto a recording medium to record an image on the recording medium, includes a take-up roller for taking up the ink sheet, a driving unit for driving the take-up roller to take up the ink sheet, and a control unit for controlling a drive amount of the driving unit to maintain an almost constant conveyance ratio of the ink sheet to the recording medium in correspondence with a change in take-up amount by the take-up roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Yoshida, Hisao Terajima, Satoshi Wada, Takeshi Ono, Makoto Kobayashi, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Awai
  • Patent number: 5481291
    Abstract: In a thermal transfer recording apparatus, an image is recorded on a recording medium by transferring ink of an ink sheet. The ink sheet is wound onto a wind-up roll from a feed roll against an applied load. During the recording process the ink sheet and recording medium are conveyed in opposite directions. After recording of one page is completed, the recording medium is advanced, cut, and then retracted. During advancement of the recording medium to the cutter, the ink sheet is wound onto the wind-up roll at a speed such that the ratio of conveyance speeds of the ink sheet and recording medium is greater than during recording. During retraction of the recording medium, the ink sheet is conveyed by friction with the recording medium in a direction opposed to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ishida, Minoru Yokoyama, Akihiro Tomoda, Masakatsu Yamada, Takashi Awai, Takehiro Yoshida, Makoto Kobayashi, Satoshi Wada, Takeshi Ono, Tomoyuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 5471227
    Abstract: A recording method for recording on a recording medium by using an ink jet recording head having plural electrothermal converting members and discharging ink using thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converting members. The method involves measuring a driving ratio of the electrothermal converting members for each one line, determining a time period between termination of recording of a previous line and commencement of a recording of the next line in accordance with the driving ratio responsive to the next line measured in the measuring step, and allowing the next line to be recorded after passage of the determined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takeda, Takehiro Yoshida, Takeshi Ono, Makoto Kobayashi, Satoshi Wada, Yasushi Ishida, Minoru Yokoyama, Akihiro Tomoda, Masakatsu Yamada, Takashi Awai
  • Patent number: 5451996
    Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge mountable on a recording apparatus includes a frame, an ink sheet provided in the frame, a takeup reel for winding the ink sheet, a supply reel for unwinding the ink sheet, and a driving force transmission means for transmitting a driving force to the ink sheet changing a driving speed from the side of the recording apparatus so as to move the ink sheet from the supply reel to the takeup reel with a moving speed corresponding to the kind of the ink sheet, The recording apparatus can mount the ink sheet cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Awai, Minoru Yokoyama, Akihiro Tomoda, Yasushi Ishida, Masakatsu Yamada
  • Patent number: 5450102
    Abstract: A recording apparatus has an apparatus body, a lid member openable and closable relative to the apparatus body, decurling means having a decurling member pivotably provided in the lid member and a guide member provided in the apparatus body, the decurling means guiding a recording sheet being conveyed so as to be bent in the direction opposite to the direction of curl of the recording sheet by the decurling member and the guide member, ink sheet cartridge loading means for loading an ink sheet cartridge containing an ink sheet therein between the decurling member and the lid member, and recording means for recording images on the recording sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ishida, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Awai, Akihiro Tomoda, Masakatsu Yamada
  • Patent number: 5450100
    Abstract: A heat transfer recording method and apparatus for recording images onto a recording medium is realized by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet onto said recording medium. The apparatus comprises means for conveying the ink sheet in both the positive direction and the direction opposite to the positive direction, means for conveying the recording medium, and means for recording images onto the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet. The method is characterized in that a determination is made whether or not the length of images recorded onto the recording medium is less than or equal to that of the recording medium, and if so, the ink sheet is stopped and the recording medium is conveyed so that an end portion of said recording medium may be positioned at a recording position with the recording means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Yamada, Minoru Yokoyama, Akihiro Tomoda, Yasushi Ishida, Takashi Awai, Satoshi Wada, Takehiro Yoshida, Takeshi Ono, Makoto Kobayashi, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masaya Kondo, Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 5448374
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus selectively uses a cut recording sheet or a roll-like recording sheet. The facsimile apparatus has a housing, constituting the outer surface of the apparatus. An original reading section is provided for conveying an original between a first opening portion, formed in a front portion of the upper surface of the housing, and a front surface opening portion, formed in a front surface of the housing. A recording section is provided for inserting a recording sheet through a second opening portion, formed in the upper surface of the housing at a position closer to the rear side than the first opening portion and for discharging the recording sheet through the first opening portion. A roll-like sheet holder supplies a roll-like recording sheet from a rear portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Yokoyama, Toshio Kenmochi, Yosuke Ezumi, Masakatsu Yamada, Hisashi Toyoda, Hideyuki Terashima
  • Patent number: 5430468
    Abstract: A record head is energized in accordance with received image data to transfer an ink of an ink sheet to a record medium and perform image recording on the record medium while the ink sheet and the record medium are fed in opposite directions. The rotation period of a roller driven during feeding of the record medium or the feed direction of the record medium is detected to detect adhesion between the ink sheet and the record medium. When adhesion between the ink sheet and the record medium is detected, a recording operation is interrupted to feed the ink sheet and the record medium to release adhesion between the ink sheet and the record medium. When the adhesion is released within a predetermined time period, the recording operation is continued. When the adhesion is not released within the predetermined time period, an alarm sound is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Sasai, Takehiro Yoshida, Masakatsu Iwata, Makoto Kobayashi, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Fuse, Hirohisa Sawada, Akihiro Tomoda, Fumihiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5420701
    Abstract: A slender, compact facsimile apparatus having the minimum required functions of a full-size facsimile apparatus and in which pre-cut sheets of recording paper or recording paper in roll form can be used selectively includes an apparatus main body having a first opening provided in top side, a second opening provided in the top side rearwardly of the first opening, and a third opening provided in a front side; an original reading section provided at a forward portion of the apparatus main body and having a reading sensor and a first roller for conveying an original; a recording section provided rearwardly of the original reading section and having a recording head and a second roller for conveying a recording sheet; a power-supply accommodating portion provided rearwardly of the recording section; an original conveyance path provided between the first opening and the third opening of the apparatus main body; and a recording-sheet conveyance path provided between the first opening and the second opening of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Terashima, Minoru Yokoyama, Masakatsu Yamada
  • Patent number: 5418554
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus is improved by providing mounting section for mounting and conveying an ink sheet and a recording medium in good condition, discriminating devices for detecting and discriminating width sizes of the ink sheet and the recording medium, a recording unit for recording an image on the recording medium by effecting the ink sheet, and a control unit for controlling a recording operation according to a detection result obtained through the discriminating devices. The image is thus ready for recording subject to the width sizes of both ink sheet and recording medium being coincident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Kiguchi, Minoru Yokoyama, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Masakatsu Yamada, Takashi Awai, Takehiro Yoshida, Makoto Kobayashi, Satoshi Wada, Takeshi Ono, Tomoyki Takeda
  • Patent number: 5410336
    Abstract: In a heat transfer recording apparatus, ink of an ink sheet is transferred to a recording medium to record images on the recording medium. The apparatus includes conveying motors for the ink sheet and recording medium, and a timer for counting a recording interval from the termination of the image recording until the next conveyance of the ink sheet or recording medium is started. A waiting time is determined which corresponds to the recording interval. The apparatus is controlled so that image recording is effected on the recording medium after the lapse of the waiting time after the start of ink sheet conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Ono, Takehiro Yoshida, Hisao Terajima, Satoshi Wada, Makoto Kobayashi, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Awai
  • Patent number: 5384584
    Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for transferring an ink contained in an ink sheet onto a recording medium to record an image on the recording medium, includes a take-up roller for taking up the ink sheet, a driving unit for driving the take-up roller to take up the ink sheet, and a control unit for controlling a drive amount of the driving unit to maintain an almost constant conveyance ratio of the ink sheet to the recording medium in correspondence with a change in take-up amount by the take-up roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Yoshida, Hisao Terajima, Satoshi Wada, Takeshi Ono, Makoto Kobayashi, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Awai
  • Patent number: 5379055
    Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal transfer recording apparatus for recording an image by transferring the ink contained in an ink sheet onto a recording medium, wherein the apparatus comprises ink sheet conveying means for conveying said ink sheet, recording medium conveying means for conveying said recording medium, recording means for recording onto said recording medium by acting on said ink sheet, and control means for controlling the driving amount of said ink sheet conveying means when the power is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Yoshida, Makoto Kobayashi, Minoru Yokoyama, Takeshi Ono, Takashi Awai, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masaya Kondo, Masakatsu Yamada
  • Patent number: 5379121
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus comprises a housing constituting the outer surface of the facsimile apparatus, an original reading section for conveying an original between a first opening portion formed in a front portion of the upper surface of the housing and a front surface opening portion formed in the front surface of the housing, and a recording section for inserting a recording sheet through a second opening portion formed in the upper surface of the housing at a position closer to the rear side than the first opening portion and for discharging the recording sheet through the first opening portion. A cut sheet can be inserted/discharged through each opening portion. Since the first opening portion is commonly used for both an original and a recording sheet, the depth of the housing can be reduced. In addition, the housing can be designed to be flat and compact so as to be easily carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Yamada, Minoru Yokoyama, Toshio Kenmochi, Yosuke Ezumi, Hisashi Toyoda, Hideyuki Terashima
  • Patent number: 5371523
    Abstract: A heat transfer recording apparatus for transferring the ink of an ink sheet to a recording medium to thereby effect recording of images one the recording medium has an ink sheet loading portion for loading the ink sheet therein, discriminating means for discriminating the number of times of possible recording of the ink sheet loaded in the ink sheet loading portion, recording means for acting on the ink sheet to effect recording on the recording medium, and control means for setting the number of times of possible recording to a predetermined value when the number of times of possible recording of the ink sheet cannot be discriminated by the discriminating means, and controlling the conveyance of the ink sheet and the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Wada, Takehiro Yoshida, Makoto Kobayashi, Hisao Terajima, Takeshi Ono, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Awai, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda
  • Patent number: 5369422
    Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for transferring an ink of an ink sheet to a recording medium to record an image on the recording medium includes a conveying unit for conveying the ink sheet, a determining unit for determining a relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium in correspondence with image information, and a control unit for controlling the conveying unit on the basis of the relative speed determined by the determining unit. A thermal transfer recording method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Yoshida, Hisao Terajima, Satoshi Wada, Takeshi Ono, Makoto Kobayashi, Minoru Yokoyama, Takashi Awai, Akihiro Tomoda, Yasushi Ishida
  • Patent number: 5294941
    Abstract: A recording apparatus having a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium and a head for recording data on the recording medium transferred along a guide member forming a part of a delivery passage. Space availability for the sensor and the guide member is enhanced through curtailment of the number of parts which is attained by integrally forming the sensor and the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Yamada, Minoru Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 5293530
    Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing the recording of an image on a recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to the recording medium has an ink sheet, a conveyance unit for conveying the ink sheet, a recording medium conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium, a recording unit for recording an image on the recording medium by activating the ink sheet, a counting unit for counting the black dot numbers in the current line, a timing unit for measuring the elapsed time since the image recording in the last line by the recording unit, and a control unit for controlling the ink sheet to be conveyed for a predetermined length without conveying the recording medium in accordance with the timing value of the timing unit and the counting value of the counting unit subsequent to the current line recording by the recording, thus making it possible to separate the ink sheet and recording sheet more reliably to maintain a high recording quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Yoshida, Makoto Kobayashi, Minoru Yokoyama, Takeshi Ono, Takashi Awai, Yasushi Ishida, Akihiro Tomoda, Mamoru Osada, Takahiro Kato, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masaya Kondo, Masakatsu Yamada, Yukio Nohata