Patents by Inventor Nozomu Inoue

Nozomu Inoue 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: 20080024587
    Abstract: A line head, includes: a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses having a magnification whose absolute value is below 1 are arranged in a main scanning direction of a surface-to-be-scanned, and a plurality of luminous element groups which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the respective plurality of microlenses, wherein in each of the plurality of luminous element groups, a plurality of luminous elements are arranged at mutually different main-scanning-direction positions in the main scanning direction, the plurality of luminous elements are respectively caused to emit lights at timings in conformity with a movement of the surface-to-be-scanned in a sub scanning direction, and light beams emitted from the plurality of luminous elements are imaged on the surface-to-be-scanned at mutually different main-scanning-direction positions in the main scanning direction to form a plurality of spots side by side on the surface-to-be-scanned in the main scanning direction, and in each of the pl
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yujiro NOMURA, Nozomu INOUE, Ryuta KOIZUMI, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20070206227
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processing unit that has line heads that include a plurality of light sources disposed in a line shape in a main scanning direction, causes each light source to emit light onto image data to form pixels on an exposed surface, and performs image exposure, and creates two-dimensional image data to be printed on the basis of an image signal from the outside and an operation instruction. The image processing unit corrects the two-dimensional image data such that a density irregularity is corrected on the basis of light amount data and/or optical characteristic data for each of the pixels for the line heads, according to a correction value created on the basis of the light amount data and/or optical characteristic data for each of the pixels of the line heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nozomu INOUE, Kiyoshi TSUJINO, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7256918
    Abstract: In order to determine an arrangement of an optical scanning device provided with a rotary polygon mirror having a plurality of reflective faces, it is determined a direction of polarization of light which is to be made incident on one of the reflective faces and to be reflected and deflected in accordance with a rotary action of the polygon mirror; and it is determined a direction from which the light is made incident on the one of the reflective faces, such that a variation of reflectivity of the light depending on a variation of an incident angle thereof in accordance with the rotary action of the polygon mirror compensate for a positional variation of reflectivity on the one of the reflective faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Coporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sowa, Nozomu Inoue, Yoichi Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20070166077
    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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nozomu INOUE, Kiyoshi TSUJINO, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20070058180
    Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of light emitters are arrayed on a substrate in a first direction. Each of the light emitters is operable to emit a light beam. In a rod lens array, a plurality of rod lenses are arrayed in the first direction, and each of the rod lenses is adapted to focus the light beam emitted from an associated one of the light emitters onto a target surface. The substrate and the rod lens array are attached to a holder elongated in the first direction. Positioning members are provided at both end portions of the holder in the first direction. A relative position between the substrate and at least one of the positioning members is variable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nozomu Inoue, Kiyoshi Tsujino
  • Patent number: 7184677
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus which repeats image create/transfer processing while rotating a photosensitive member and a transfer medium in a sub scanning direction and thereafter transferring the toner image onto the transfer medium, for a plurality of toner colors which are different from each other, to thereby lay toner images in respective toner colors over each other on the transfer medium and accordingly form a color image. The apparatus corrects transfer start positions of toner image in at least one or more toner colors out of the plurality of toner colors based on a registration control amount which is necessary to correct relative registration deviations among toner images on the transfer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Tanaka, Nozomu Inoue, Yoshio Nakazawa, Tsuyoshi Kowari, Keiichi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20070024912
    Abstract: An image forming device includes an image generating section that generates an image based on input information, an image processing section that performs a grayscale screen process on the image generated by the image generating section, a line head, to which grayscale data for every pixel output from the image processing section is sequentially transmitted, and that exposes an image holding unit by emitting light from light emitting sections for every line, and a light intensity correction circuit that corrects light intensity of every pixel of the line head, wherein the image processing section transmits information of a type of the screen used in the grayscale screen process to the light intensity correction circuit for every pixel, and the light intensity correction circuit transmits a light intensity correction value for every pixel to the line head, the light intensity correction value being obtained based on the information of the type of the screen by one of calculation and selection from values previ
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Nozomu Inoue, Kiyoshi Tsujino
  • Publication number: 20060203310
    Abstract: Provided is an exposure head controller for controlling a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction and exposing a plurality of pixels, including: an exposure data generator for generating, based on pixel exposure data for exposing the respective pixels, a plurality of area exposure data for respectively exposing a plurality of areas in which the respective pixels are divided in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and an exposure controller for exposing the plurality of pixels by controlling the plurality of light-emitting elements and exposing the plurality of areas based on the area exposure data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Kenji Yamaguchi, Mitsukazu Kurose, Nozomu Inoue, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20060192834
    Abstract: An optical head is adapted to form an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier. A transparent substrate has a first face adapted to oppose the image carrier and a second face opposing the first face. An organic EL photo emitter is disposed so as to oppose the second face of the substrate. In the photo emitter, a light emitting layer is adapted to emit light irradiating the image carrier to form the electrostatic latent image. An electrode layer is laminated on the light emitting layer. A reflection reducer eliminates stray light generated when the light emitted from the light emitting layer is reflected by at least the electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tsujino, Ken Ikuma, Nozomu Inoue
  • Patent number: 7098448
    Abstract: In order to measure a characteristics of a light beam which is repetitively deflected by a light scanning device within a first range in a first direction at a first velocity, there is provided a plate formed with at least one slit extending in a direction angled from the first direction and having a constant width. The plate is moved within the first range in the first direction at a second velocity which is sufficiently lower than the first velocity. A peak value of an optical power of light passing through the slit every time is detected when the deflected light beam crosses the slit being moved, thereby obtaining peak values at plural positions in the first direction. The peak values are displayed on a screen collectively in such a manner that positions on the screen correspond to the positions in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nozomu Inoue, Takeshi Sowa, Yoichi Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20060177247
    Abstract: Power transmission members (91), which transmit rotational drive force from a drive source (81), such as a motor, to an intermediate transfer drum (41D) is elastically deformed due to a load change which is generated as a cleaning part (49) contacts and moves away from the intermediate transfer drum (41D). Registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc) attributed to the elastic deformation are obtained in advance. Transfer start positions for toner images in at least one or more toner colors out of four toner colors are corrected based on the registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc), whereby registration deviations are suppressed to minimum and a high-quality color image is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Tanaka, Nozomu Inoue, Yoshio Nakazawa, Tsuyoshi Kowari, Keiichi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20050231779
    Abstract: In order to determine an arrangement of an optical scanning device provided with a rotary polygon mirror having a plurality of reflective faces, it is determined a direction of polarization of light which is to be made incident on one of the reflective faces and to be reflected and deflected in accordance with a rotary action of the polygon mirror; and it is determined a direction from which the light is made incident on the one of the reflective faces, such that a variation of reflectivity of the light depending on a variation of an incident angle thereof in accordance with the rotary action of the polygon mirror compensate for a positional variation of reflectivity on the one of the reflective faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Takeshi Sowa, Nozomu Inoue, Yoichi Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20050199814
    Abstract: In order to measure a characteristics of a light beam which is repetitively deflected by a light scanning device within a first range in a first direction at a first velocity, there is provided a plate formed with at least one slit extending in a direction angled from the first direction and having a constant width. The plate is moved within the first range in the first direction at a second velocity which is sufficiently lower than the first velocity. A peak value of an optical power of light passing through the slit every time is detected when the deflected light beam crosses the slit being moved, thereby obtaining peak values at plural positions in the first direction. The peak values are displayed on a screen collectively in such a manner that positions on the screen correspond to the positions in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Nozomu Inoue, Takeshi Sowa, Yoichi Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20050195458
    Abstract: An optical scanner emits a light beam in accordance with an image forming signal and deflects the light beam in a first direction. A scanned face is adapted to be scanned by the deflected light beam to form a scanning line while being moved in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby forming a latent image thereon. A virtual scanned face is defined as a plane including the scanning line and orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical scanner. The shape of a beam spot formed by the light beam incident on the virtual scanned face is approximated to an ellipse. The scanned face is inclined from the virtual scanned face so as to rotate about the scanning line, in accordance with an inclined angle of an major axis of the ellipse from the second direction on the virtual scanned face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Takeshi Sowa, Nozomu Inoue, Yoichi Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20050053389
    Abstract: Power transmission members (91), which transmit rotational drive force from a drive source (81), such as a motor, to an intermediate transfer drum (41D) is elastically deformed due to a load change which is generated as a cleaning part (49) contacts and moves away from the intermediate transfer drum (41D). Registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc) attributed to the elastic deformation are obtained in advance. Transfer start positions for toner images in at least one or more toner colors out of four toner colors are corrected based on the registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc), whereby registration deviations are suppressed to minimum and a high-quality color image is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Tanaka, Nozomu Inoue, Yoshio Nakazawa, Tsuyoshi Kowari, Keiichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6832060
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method that repeats image create/transfer processing, in which serial processing of forming a toner image on a photosensitive member while rotating the photosensitive member and a transfer medium in a sub scanning direction and thereafter transferring the toner image onto the transfer medium, for a plurality of toner colors which are different from each other. The apparatus and method lay toner images in the respective toner colors over each other on said transfer medium and accordingly form a color image. Correcting transfer start positions of toner images in at least one or more toner colors out of the plurality of toner colors is based on a registration control amount which is necessary to correct relative registration deviations among toner images on the transfer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Tanaka, Nozomu Inoue, Yoshio Nakazawa, Tsuyoshi Kowari, Keiichi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20040022561
    Abstract: Power transmission members (91), which transmit rotational drive force from a drive source (81), such as a motor, to an intermediate transfer drum (41D) is elastically deformed due to a load change which is generated as a cleaning part (49) contacts and moves away from the intermediate transfer drum (41D). Registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc) attributed to the elastic deformation are obtained in advance. Transfer start positions for toner images in at least one or more toner colors out of four toner colors are corrected based on the registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc), whereby registration deviations are suppressed to minimum and a high-quality color image is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Tanaka, Nozomu Inoue, Yoshio Nakazawa, Tsuyoshi Kowari, Keiichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6633737
    Abstract: Power transmission members which transmit rotational drive force from a drive source such as a motor, to an intermediate transfer drum is elastically deformed due to a load change which is generated as a cleaning part contacts and moves away from the intermediate transfer drum. Registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc) attributed to the elastic deformation are obtained in advance. Transfer start positions for toner images in at least one or more toner colors out of four toner colors are corrected based on the registration control amounts (Ra, Rb and Rc), whereby registration deviations are suppressed to minimum and a high-quality color image is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Tanaka, Nozomu Inoue, Yoshio Nakazawa, Tsuyoshi Kowari, Keiichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6628443
    Abstract: A multi-beam optical scanner includes shaping optics (42) by which a plurality of light beams issued from light emitting portions (411, 412) are shaped to be substantially parallel in a primary scanning direction, a deflector having reflecting faces (45) that reflect and deflect the plurality of light beams and scanning optics (46) by which the plurality of light beams reflected and deflected by the reflecting faces (45) are scanned across a plane (48) to be scanned as a plurality of adjacent beam spots, wherein the distance from the rear principal plane of the shaping optics (42) to the front principal plane of the scanning optics 46 is expressed by f1+f2, where f1 and f2 are the focal lengths of the shaping optics (42) and the scanning optics (46), respectively, in the primary scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu Takada, Nozomu Inoue, Takeshi Sowa
  • Patent number: 6621610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light deflective optical system without necessity of use of a plane mirror of which width is narrow, which can prevent variation in pitch of scan lines even with projecting or sinking of a deflective reflecting facet and can prevent a deflective light beam from twisting. The light deflective optical system has at least one deflective reflecting facet 11, capable of being revolved or swiveled about the rotational axis 12, and two stationary plane mirrors 13, 14, disposed to face the deflective reflecting facet 11, wherein a light beam a1 incident on and thus reflected at the deflective reflecting facet 11 is reflected successively at the stationary plane mirrors 13, 14 and this reflected light beam a3 is again incident on and reflected at the deflective reflecting facet 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sowa, Nozomu Inoue, Takashi Suzuki