Patents by Inventor Satoshi Ueno

Satoshi Ueno 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).

  • FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME
    Publication number: 20120219312
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation to radiate infrared rays; a pressing rotary body, rotatable in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the fixing rotary body, pressed against the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed; a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body; a temperature detector spaced apart from the fixing rotary body to detect a temperature of the fixing rotary body based on the infrared rays from the fixing rotary body and disposed below the fixing nip in a vertical direction; and a tube disposed between the fixing rotary body and the temperature detector, the tube through which the infrared rays from the fixing rotary body enter the temperature detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Shuutaroh YUASA, Masanao EHARA, Tadashi OGAWA, Satoshi UENO, Hiroshi SEO, Teppei KAWATA, Shuntaroh TAMAKI, Takamasa HASE, Kazuya SAITO, Kensuke YAMAJI
  • FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120207523
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member configured to heat and fix a toner image onto a recording medium; a pressurizing member configured to press a heating member, which is used for heating the fixing member, against the fixing member and form a fixing nip part; and a guide member configured to guide the recording medium away from the fixing member and the pressurizing member at a downstream side of the fixing member or the pressurizing member in a conveying direction of the recording medium. The guide member includes a pushing unit for maintaining a relative positional relationship between the guide member and an outer peripheral surface of the fixing member or the pressurizing member, and the pushing unit is provided in a manner as to follow surface characteristics of outer peripheral parts of the fixing member or the pressurizing member where the pushing unit pushes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Satoshi UENO, Tadashi OGAWA, Takeshi UCHITANI, Teppei KAWATA, Takamasa HASE, Kazuya SAITO, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kensuke YAMAJI
  • Hydrogel particles
    Patent number: 8222193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogel particles containing bubbles and having a specific gravity of 0.7 to 1.00 and an average particle diameter of 50 to 500 ?m, as well as a process for producing the same. The hydrogel particles may also contain hollow inorganic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Kimitaka Tanaka, Satoshi Ueno, Koji Mine
  • FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND METHOD FOR HEATING FIXING ROTARY BODY
    Publication number: 20120177424
    Abstract: A fixing device includes an induction heater constructed of an exciting coil, a first pair of degaussing coils, and a second pair of degaussing coils. A controller turns off the exciting coil while the controller turns on one of the first pair of degaussing coils and the second pair of degaussing coils and at the same time turns off the other one of the first pair of degaussing coils and the second pair of degaussing coils, and then turns on the exciting coil for an extra time period corresponding to reserved power not supplied to the exciting coil while the exciting coil is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Saito, Masanao Ehara, Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoshi Ueno, Teppei Kawata, Takamasa Hase, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji
  • Fixing Device, Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating Same, And Method For Fixing Toner Image On Recording Medium
    Publication number: 20120114354
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressing rotary body pressed against a fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed; a heater to heat the fixing rotary body, disposed opposite a circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body and upstream from the fixing nip a predetermined circumferential distance along the circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body in a direction of rotation of the fixing rotary body; a heater driver to turn on and off the heater; a timing calculator to calculate a reference time at which a trailing end portion of the recording medium in a conveyance direction of the recording medium reaches the fixing nip; and a heater driver controller to cause the heater driver to turn off the heater at a turn-off time earlier than the reference time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Saito, Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoshi Ueno, Teppei Kawata, Takamasa Hase, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji
  • IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING TONER IMAGE ON RECORDING MEDIUM
    Publication number: 20120107005
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for performing a copier job and a printer job includes a controller operatively connected to a fixing rotary body heater and a pressing rotary body heater to control the fixing rotary body heater and the pressing rotary body heater. The controller activates a standby mode after the copier job and the printer job are finished in which the controller turns off at least the fixing rotary body heater and a subsequent off mode in which the controller turns off the pressing rotary body heater and the fixing rotary body heater, and identifies which of the copier job and the printer job is to be performed to turn on and off the pressing rotary body heater in the standby mode according to the identified job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Takamasa HASE, Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoshi Ueno, Teppei Kawata, Kazuya Saito, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji
  • Belt driving mechanism, fixing device, image forming apparatus using same, and belt position adjustment method used therein
    Patent number: 8170435
    Abstract: A belt driving mechanism includes an endless belt wound around first and second belt supporters, rotated by a driving source, a pressure member that presses against the first belt supporter via the endless belt, a deviation detector to detect a deviation of the endless belt in its thrust direction, a cam mechanism including a rotary cam shaft extending the thrust direction of the endless belt and a first pressure change member of irregular shape, and a controller to changes a rotational position of the first pressure change member according to a detection result by the deviation detector. The first pressure change member has multiple different lengths of radii between a center portion of the cam shaft and its outer circumference and is attached to the cam shaft to press a first end portion of one of the first belt supporter and the pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Ueno
  • Fixing roller, and fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
    Publication number: 20120093551
    Abstract: A fixing roller includes a fixing sleeve including a heat generating layer; and a support roll inserted into the fixing sleeve to support the fixing sleeve and including a foam layer constituting an outer circumferential surface of the support roll. The foam layer includes recesses exposing pores containing air; and non-recessed portions contiguous to the recesses and adhered to an inner circumferential surface of the fixing sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoshi Ueno, Takamasa Hase, Teppei Kawata, Kazuya Saito, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji
  • Image forming apparatus and method for forming toner image on recording medium
    Publication number: 20120093531
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device disposed downstream from an image forming device in a recording medium conveyance direction to fix a toner image formed by the image forming device on a recording medium. The fixing device includes a pressing rotary body separatably pressed against a fixing rotary body to form a nip therebetween through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes, and a moving assembly to move the pressing rotary body bidirectionally to press the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body and separate the pressing rotary body from the fixing rotary body. A controller controls the moving assembly to change a post-fixing pressing time period for which the moving assembly presses the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body after the recording medium bearing the toner image is discharged from the nip according to image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuutaroh Yuasa, Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoshi Ueno, Teppei Kawata, Takamasa Hase, Kazuya Saito, Kensuke Yamaji
  • Display device
    Patent number: 8150093
    Abstract: A display device includes a display unit, a sound unit, a speaker positioning mechanism and a speaker attaching mechanism. The display unit is configured to display images. The sound unit is configured to output audio. The sound unit has top and bottom left speakers and top and bottom right speakers. The speaker positioning mechanism is configured to detachably support the sound unit and move the sound unit away from and close to the display unit in a lateral direction of the display unit. The speaker attaching mechanism is configured to detachably couple the sound unit to upper and lower faces of the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ueno
  • Image forming apparatus, fixing unit, and image forming method with improved heating mechanism
    Patent number: 8131198
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism to form a toner image on a recording medium according to image data and a fixing mechanism to fix the toner image on the recording medium. The fixing mechanism includes a fixing member and an external heater. The fixing member applies heat to the recording medium having the toner image. The external heater heats the fixing member and is formed in a shape corresponding to a surface of the fixing member. The external heater is disposed as if to engage and yet be spaced apart from the fixing member by a distance which is variable according to movement of the external heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ishii, Keizo Yasuda, Akiyasu Amita, Kenichi Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Kohira, Yasutada Tsukioka, Masaya Shitami, Satoshi Ueno
  • FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120051766
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotation body heating and fixing an unfixed image onto a recording medium; a pressing rotation body pressing the recording medium to the fixing rotation body; a first temperature detection unit detecting a temperature of the fixing rotation body; and plural second temperature detection units detecting a temperature of the pressing rotation body. Further the fixing device selects a predetermined second temperature detection unit from the plural second temperature detection units depending on an operation mode of the fixing device, and the fixing device detects the temperature of the pressing rotation body by using the predetermined second temperature detection unit selected by the fixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Satoshi UENO, Masanao EHARA, Tadashi OGAWA, Teppei KAWATA, Takamasa HASE, Kazuya SAITO, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kensuke YAMAJI
  • FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120045226
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotation body heating and fixing an unfixed image onto a recording medium; a pressing rotation body pressing the recording medium to the fixing rotation body; and a temperature detection unit detecting a temperature of the pressing rotation body. Further, when a predetermined time period elapses since a warm-up operation has started before a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature or when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature before the predetermined time period elapses since a warm-up operation has started, the fixing device determines that the warm-up operation is finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Takamasa HASE, Masanao Ehara, Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoshi Ueno, Teppei Kawata, Kazuya Saito, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji
  • AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20120013403
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit is configured to be preceded by a single-ended-to-differential translate circuit using a BTL configuration operating at a low voltage and succeeded by amplifiers to amplify output signals VOT and VOB from the single-ended-to-differential translate circuit. The amplifier circuit activates a mute function of the subsequent amplifiers during state transition when the single-ended-to-differential translate circuit turns on. Consequently, the amplifier circuit fixes output signals OUTP and OUTN to 0 V and masks an output noise. The amplifier circuit inactivates the mute function after signals VOT and VOB become stable. Thereby, the amplifier circuit is capable of easily preventing a pop noise using a BTL configuration requested for high voltage output to drive a piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ryusuke SAHARA, Satoshi UENO, Takahiro KAWATA
  • PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR DRIVE UNIT
    Publication number: 20120013220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric actuator drive unit that includes a piezoelectric actuator drive amplifier and a piezoelectric actuator drive unit power supply. Combinations of high and low signal levels of a first control signal, which controls the supply voltage and amplifier bias voltage of the piezoelectric actuator drive amplifier, and a second control signal, which controls the driving force of the piezoelectric actuator drive amplifier, are associated with a haptic feedback function, a receiver function for generating an audio output, and a speaker function for generating music or the like. Thus, the piezoelectric actuator drive unit, which vibrates a piezoelectric actuator, is adapted to the haptic feedback function, the receiver function, and the speaker function, and can optimize its power and drive amplifier characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Takahiro KAWATA, Ryusuke Sahara, Satoshi Ueno
  • FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND FIXING METHOD
    Publication number: 20110311284
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressing rotary body pressed against the fixing rotary body to rotate in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the fixing rotary body and form a nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heat generator is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body at a section other than the nip to heat the fixing rotary body. A moving assembly is disposed opposite the heat generator to generate a magnetic force to move the heat generator with respect to the fixing rotary body so as to change one of a pressure and a distance between the heat generator and the fixing rotary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroshi Seo, Masanao Ehara, Tadashi Ogawa, Satoshi Ueno, Shuutaroh Yuasa
  • FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20110229178
    Abstract: A fixing unit includes a fixing member to fuse a toner image on a recording medium on the recording medium; a pressure member to press against the fixing member to define a first nip between the fixing member and the pressure member through which the recording medium is transported; a shifting unit to move the pressure member relative to the fixing member to increase or decrease a pressure of the first nip; a curling correction unit disposed downstream from the first nip in a transport direction of the recording medium that imparts a second curling direction to the recording medium; and a variable setting unit operatively connected to the curling correction unit to variably set an amount of the second curling direction to the recording medium by the curling correction unit depending on the first nip pressure increased or decreased by the shifting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Tadashi OGAWA, Masanao EHARA, Satoshi UENO, Hiroshi SEO, Takahiro IMADA, Takamasa HASE
  • Fixing device and image forming apparatus
    Publication number: 20110229162
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, an induction heating unit, a pressing member, and a damage detection unit. The fixing member heats a toner image on a recording medium to fix the toner image onto the recording medium. The induction heating unit heats the fixing member by electromagnetic induction. The pressing member presses the fixing member to form a fixing nip portion. The fixing member includes a heat insulating elastic layer and a sleeve layer. The sleeve layer is located outside the heat insulating elastic layer and is provided with an outer conductive layer that generates heat from a magnetic flux generated by the induction heating unit. The damage detection unit is connected to the outer, conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tadashi Ogawa, Masanao Ehara, Satoshi Ueno, Hiroshi Seo, Takamasa Hase, Shuutaroh Yuasa
  • THERMAL FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME
    Publication number: 20110229161
    Abstract: A thermal fixing device includes a fixing member, a flexible endless belt, a flexible endless belt, a rotary pressure member, a heating unit, and a rotation detector. The flexible endless belt is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to and pressing against the fixing member via the endless belt. The heating unit heats the endless belt. The rotation detector detects a rotation speed of the endless belt. The heating unit is powered off when the rotation speed of the endless belt detected by the rotation detector is at or below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Satoshi UENO, Masanao EHARA, Tadashi OGAWA, Hiroshi SEO, Takamasa HASE, Shuutaroh YUASA
  • FIXING DEVICE, FIXING METHOD, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD
    Publication number: 20110229236
    Abstract: A fixing device in an image forming apparatus includes a conveyance member to convey a recording medium at a fixing nip where an image carried on the recording medium is fixed onto it; a plurality of temperature detectors to detect temperature of the conveyance member, the detectors being disposed at both end portions of the conveyance member outside an area where a maximum-sided recording medium passes through; a guide member to guide the recording medium toward the fixing nip; and a guide plate displacing unit to displace a part of the guide member in a direction orthogonal to a conveyed surface of the recording medium to be conveyed at the fixing nip, based on temperature difference detected by the plurality of temperature detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Masanao Ehara, Tadashi Ogawa, Satoshi Ueno, Hiroshi Seo, Shuutaroh Yuasa