Patents by Inventor Satoru Nagata
Satoru Nagata 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: 10705464Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following. An image carrier forms an electrostatic latent image by exposure. A developing apparatus stores a developing agent including toner and which develops the image carrier. A collector collects in the developing apparatus the developing agent scattered from the developing apparatus. An input unit is used by a user to select a screen type relating to a fineness of a halftone image. An adjuster is able to change strength of an electric field between the collector and the image carrier. A hardware processor which controls the adjuster to change the strength of the electric field according to the selected screen type.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Satoru Nagata
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Publication number: 20200033780Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following. An image carrier forms an electrostatic latent image by exposure. A developing apparatus stores a developing agent including toner and which develops the image carrier. A collector collects in the developing apparatus the developing agent scattered from the developing apparatus. An input unit is used by a user to select a screen type relating to a fineness of a halftone image. An adjuster is able to change strength of an electric field between the collector and the image carrier. A hardware processor which controls the adjuster to change the strength of the electric field according to the selected screen type.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventor: Satoru NAGATA
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Patent number: 10466614Abstract: A developing device includes a hardware processor that performs control not to cause an image to be formed on an image bearing member by a first developer bearing member and to cause a first image to be formed on the image beating member by a second developer bearing member, in which the hardware processor corrects developing conditions of the plural developer bearing members based on a developability detection result of the first image formed by the second developer bearing member.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Tatsuya Furuta, Hiroshi Morimoto, Keiki Katsumata, Satoru Nagata, Daiki Watanabe
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Publication number: 20190258189Abstract: A developing device includes a hardware processor that performs control not to cause an image to be formed on an image bearing member by a first developer bearing member and to cause a first image to be formed on the image beating member by a second developer bearing member, in which the hardware processor corrects developing conditions of the plural developer bearing members based on a developability detection result of the first image formed by the second developer bearing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Tatsuya FURUTA, Hiroshi MORIMOTO, Keiki KATSUMATA, Satoru NAGATA, Daiki WATANABE
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Patent number: 9089034Abstract: A lighting device (10) includes a voltage converter (2) for generating a predetermined DC voltage, a detector (4) for obtaining a detection voltage corresponding to a predetermined DC voltage applied across a light source (20), a controller (3) for controlling the voltage converter (2) so that a current flowing through the light source (20) is constant, and a determination unit (5) for determining whether the detection voltage is a preset first reference voltage or higher. The first reference voltage is set higher by a specified voltage than the detection voltage, and is set to vary more slowly than the detection voltage. The controller (3) stops an operation of the voltage converter (2) when the detection voltage is determined to be the first reference voltage or higher through the determination unit (5).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Masafumi Yamamoto, Satoru Nagata, Masato Himeda, Hisaya Takikita, Koki Matsui
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Publication number: 20140152182Abstract: A lighting device (10) includes a voltage converter (2) for generating a predetermined DC voltage, a detector (4) for obtaining a detection voltage corresponding to a predetermined DC voltage applied across a light source (20), a controller (3) for controlling the voltage converter (2) so that a current flowing through the light source (20) is constant, and a determination unit (5) for determining whether the detection voltage is a preset first reference voltage or higher. The first reference voltage is set higher by a specified voltage than the detection voltage, and is set to vary more slowly than the detection voltage. The controller (3) stops an operation of the voltage converter (2) when the detection voltage is determined to be the first reference voltage or higher through the determination unit (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masafumi YAMAMOTO, Satoru NAGATA, Masato HIMEDA, Hisaya TAKIKITA, Koki MATSUI
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Patent number: 8604707Abstract: A power supply includes: a step-down chopper unit for stepping down a DC voltage from a DC power source to a voltage required for lighting; and a dimming control unit which dims the light source by alternately repeating a switching ON period during which a drive signal having a frequency higher than that of the dimming signal is supplied to the switching element and a switching OFF period during which the supply of the drive signal to the switching element is stopped. Further, the power supply includes an inrush current prevention unit for preventing an inrush current occurring when the DC power source is turned on, and a compensation unit which applies a drive voltage to the thyristor in the switching OFF period.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro Kumada, Yosikazu Kado, Satoru Nagata, Kazuhiro Nisimoto
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Patent number: 8502475Abstract: A discharge lamp ballast is provided with a feedback control operation to provide optimal lamp current flow during an electrode heating operation. A startup circuit coupled together with a discharge lamp between output terminals of a DC-AC power converter having a plurality of switches. The startup circuit generates a high voltage to ignite the lamp. A lamp current sensor detects an amplitude of an output current to the lamp. A control circuit controls the switches in accordance with each of a plurality of control operations including a startup operation to ignite the lamp using the high voltage generated by the startup circuit, an electrode heating operation wherein an operating frequency of the switches is controlled to set the amplitude of the detected output current to a predetermined target current amplitude, and a normal operation wherein the operating frequency is reduced to maintain stable lighting of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Jun Kumagai, Satoru Nagata
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Patent number: 8395327Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device includes: a power converter circuit which includes a plurality of switching elements and an inductance element, converts an input from a DC power supply, and supplies a rectangular wave AC output to a high-pressure discharge lamp; and a control circuit which controls the switching elements of the power converter circuit. The control circuit performs first lighting control in which the switching elements of the power converter circuit are controlled in order to supply a current to a peak value for each switching cycle, and performs second lighting control in which desired power is supplied during steadily lighting state of the high-pressure discharge lamp; and the first lighting control and the second lighting control are switched over in response to a lighting state of the high-pressure discharge lamp.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Jun Kumagai, Satoru Nagata, Keisuke Sato, Naoki Komatsu
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Patent number: 8299723Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for powering a discharge lamp and suppressing lamp flicker during startup transition. A power converter receives DC input power and converts it into an AC power output. A resonant circuit is coupled with the lamp and also between output terminals of the power converter. A controller controls the power converter with respect to particular modes of operation. The controller in a starting operation sets the output frequency of the power converter to a predetermined start frequency upon lamp startup to make the lamp begin discharging. The controller shifts from the starting operation to steady-state operation by setting the output frequency of the power converter at a predetermined steady-state frequency lower than the start frequency.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Satoru Nagata, Jun Kumagai, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki
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Publication number: 20120268028Abstract: A power supply includes: a step-down chopper unit for stepping down a DC voltage from a DC power source to a voltage required for lighting; and a dimming control unit which dims the light source by alternately repeating a switching ON period during which a drive signal having a frequency higher than that of the dimming signal is supplied to the switching element and a switching OFF period during which the supply of the drive signal to the switching element is stopped. Further, the power supply includes an inrush current prevention unit for preventing an inrush current occurring when the DC power source is turned on, and a compensation unit which applies a drive voltage to the thyristor in the switching OFF period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro KUMADA, Yosikazu Kado, Satoru Nagata, Kazuhiro Nisimoto
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Patent number: 8294385Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for powering a high-pressure discharge lamp. A power supply circuit receives an AC input and provides a DC output in response to the AC input. An inverter circuit having a plurality of switching elements converts the DC output into an AC signal for the lamp. An LC resonant circuit is coupled between the inverter circuit and the lamp. A control circuit controls the switching operation of the switching elements, with the switching control associated with various operating modes. In an electrical breakdown mode the switching elements are controlled at a first switching frequency effective to provide a first resonant voltage and produce electrical breakdown of the lamp from an unlit state. In a high frequency preheat mode the switching elements after startup of the lamp are controlled at a second switching frequency lower than the first switching frequency to provide a current for preheating lamp electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Jun Kumagai, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoru Nagata
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Patent number: 8232746Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device in this invention comprises a converter, an inverter, an igniter, a controller, and a pulse voltage detection circuit. The converter outputs the direct current voltage. The inverter converts the direct current voltage into the lighting voltage which is alternating current voltage, and applies the lighting voltage to the high pressure discharge lamp through an output terminal. The igniter is configured to output the pulse voltage superimposed on the lighting voltage, whereby the starting voltage is applied to the high pressure discharge lamp. The controller is configured to control the igniter to allow the igniter to superimpose the pulse voltage on the lighting voltage. The pulse voltage detection circuit detects the starting voltage to output the detection signal. The starting voltage regulation circuit regulates the starting voltage to the desired voltage value of the voltage on the basis of the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Akira Yufuku, Hiroyasu Eriguchi, Takeshi Goriki, Takeshi Kamoi, Jun Kumagai, Naoki Komatsu, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoru Nagata, Daisuke Yamahara
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Patent number: 8228006Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device comprising an inverter, an igniter, a controller, a pulse voltage detection circuit, and the starting pulse voltage regulation circuit. The inverter applies a lighting voltage to a high pressure discharge lamp. The controller applies the starting pulse voltage generated by the igniter to the high pressure discharge lamp. The pulse voltage detection circuit is configured to detect a voltage indicative of the starting pulse voltage to output a detection signal. The starting pulse voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate the starting pulse voltage to a desired value of the starting pulse voltage on the basis of the detection signal. The pulse voltage detection circuit is configured to detect either one of the voltage developed in the specified circuit component of the igniter and the starting pulse voltage as the voltage indicative of the voltage indicative of the starting pulse voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Komatsu, Hiroyasu Eriguchi, Takeshi Goriki, Takeshi Kamoi, Jun Kumagai, Akira Yufuku, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoru Nagata, Daisuke Yamahara
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Patent number: 8222830Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting device includes: a direct current power supply circuit that outputs direct current power; an inverter circuit that converts the direct current power, which is outputted by the direct current power supply circuit, into alternating current power, and supplies the alternating current power to a discharge lamp; a control circuit that controls a frequency of an output of the inverter circuit (operation frequency); and a starting detection circuit that detects beginning (starting) of a discharge in the discharge lamp. The control circuit operates in a starting improvement mode, in which the operation frequency is lowered than an operation frequency in a lighting mode, during a predetermined time from when the starting of the discharge lamp is detected by the starting detection circuit 4 during a no-load mode. Thereafter, the control circuit shifts to the lighting mode in which lighting of the discharge lamp is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Satoru Nagata, Jun Kumagai, Naoki Komatsu
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Patent number: 8115405Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device includes a DC power source circuit; a power supply circuit for converting an output from the DC power source circuit into a square wave AC output to be supplied to a high pressure discharge lamp; a starting circuit for applying a high voltage output for lamp startup to the high pressure discharge lamp; a control circuit; and a half-wave discharge detection circuit for detecting a half-wave discharge. The detection circuit detects the half-wave discharge at an initial stage of the lamp startup and the control circuit controls the magnitude of a voltage of a square wave half period of one polarity having a load voltage of a larger magnitude and that of a square wave half period of the other polarity having a load voltage of a smaller magnitude to approximate to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Yamahara, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Takeshi Kamoi, Satoru Nagata, Naoki Komatsu, Jun Kumagai
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Patent number: 8044601Abstract: A high-voltage discharge lamp lighting device provides a starting pulse voltage sufficient to turn on a high-voltage discharge lamp having terminal wire connections of variable length. A power conversion circuit is coupled to a commercial AC power source input and rectifies the AC input into a predetermined DC voltage output. A charging capacitor is coupled to the power conversion circuit. A full bridge circuit is coupled to the power conversion circuit and the charging capacitor and provides a rectangular wave AC output signal to a transformer primary winding circuit of at least a capacitor, a single switching element and a primary winding of a transformer. A low pulse voltage is induced in the primary winding and a transformer secondary winding is connected on one end to the high-voltage discharge lamp, wherein the low pulse voltage is stepped up to a high pulse voltage and applied to the high-voltage discharge lamp.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Hiroyasu Eriguchi, Takeshi Goriki, Takeshi Kamoi, Naoki Komatu, Jun Kumagai, Satoru Nagata, Daisuke Yamahara, Akira Yufuku
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Publication number: 20100327775Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device comprising an inverter, an igniter, a controller, a pulse voltage detection circuit, and the starting pulse voltage regulation circuit. The inverter applies a lighting voltage to a high pressure discharge lamp. The controller applies the starting pulse voltage generated by the igniter to the high pressure discharge lamp. The pulse voltage detection circuit is configured to detect a voltage indicative of the starting pulse voltage to output a detection signal. The starting pulse voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate the starting pulse voltage to a desired value of the starting pulse voltage on the basis of the detection signal. The pulse voltage detection circuit is configured to detect either one of the voltage developed in the specified circuit component of the igniter and the starting pulse voltage as the voltage indicative of the voltage indicative of the starting pulse voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Naoki Komatsu, Hiroyasu Eriguchi, Takeshi Goriki, Takeshi Kamoi, Jun Kumagai, Akira Yufuku, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoru Nagata, Daisuke Yamahara
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Publication number: 20100327776Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device in this invention comprises a converter, an inverter, an igniter, a controller, and a pulse voltage detection circuit. The converter outputs the direct current voltage. The inverter converts the direct current voltage into the lighting voltage which is alternating current voltage, and applies the lighting voltage to the high pressure discharge lamp through an output terminal. The igniter is configured to output the pulse voltage superimposed on the lighting voltage, whereby the starting voltage is applied to the high pressure discharge lamp. The controller is configured to control the igniter to allow the igniter to superimpose the pulse voltage on the lighting voltage. The pulse voltage detection circuit detects the starting voltage to output the detection signal. The starting voltage regulation circuit regulates the starting voltage to the desired voltage value of the voltage on the basis of the detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Akira Yufuku, Hiroyasu Eriguchi, Takeshi Goriki, Takeshi Kamoi, Jun Kumagai, Naoki Komatsu, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoru Nagata, Daisuke Yamahara
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Publication number: 20100237794Abstract: A discharge lamp ballast is provided with a feedback control operation to provide optimal lamp current flow during an electrode heating operation. A startup circuit coupled together with a discharge lamp between output terminals of a DC-AC power converter having a plurality of switches. The startup circuit generates a high voltage to ignite the lamp. A lamp current sensor detects an amplitude of an output current to the lamp. A control circuit controls the switches in accordance with each of a plurality of control operations including a startup operation to ignite the lamp using the high voltage generated by the startup circuit, an electrode heating operation wherein an operating frequency of the switches is controlled to set the amplitude of the detected output current to a predetermined target current amplitude, and a normal operation wherein the operating frequency is reduced to maintain stable lighting of the lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Jun Kumagai, Satoru Nagata