Patents by Inventor Shogo Asaoka

Shogo Asaoka 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: 11478887
    Abstract: There is provided a screw tightening apparatus that fastens, with a screw, two objects to be fastened including a first member provided with a first screw hole and a second member provided with a second screw hole for screwing, and the screw tightening apparatus includes: a distance measuring device that measures a relative position between the first member and the second member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second screw hole; a screw tightening part that holds the screw inserted into the first screw hole and screws the screw into the second screw hole for screwing; a moving mechanism that moves the screw tightening part along the vertical direction; and a hardware processor that controls the screw tightening part and the moving mechanism according to a measured value of the distance measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Daichi Suzuki, Kiyohito Tsujihara, Shogo Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20210370450
    Abstract: There is provided a screw tightening apparatus that fastens, with a screw, two objects to be fastened including a first member provided with a first screw hole and a second member provided with a second screw hole for screwing, and the screw tightening apparatus includes: a distance measuring device that measures a relative position between the first member and the second member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second screw hole; a screw tightening part that holds the screw inserted into the first screw hole and screws the screw into the second screw hole for screwing; a moving mechanism that moves the screw tightening part along the vertical direction; and a hardware processor that controls the screw tightening part and the moving mechanism according to a measured value of the distance measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Daichi SUZUKI, Kiyohito TSUJIHARA, Shogo ASAOKA
  • Patent number: 11119434
    Abstract: Disclosed is a discrimination device that may serve to discriminate a type of a recording medium and may include: a housing unit provided with an opening so as to face a conveyance path on which the recording medium is conveyed; and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are accommodated in the housing unit. The light emitting unit may be capable of emitting light toward the recording medium disposed so as to face the opening. The light receiving unit may be capable of receiving light reflected from the recording medium. The housing unit may include a shutter that allows switching between an opened state where the opening is opened and a closed state where the opening is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Yamamura, Shogo Asaoka
  • Patent number: 11014382
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, an optical sensor, a storage, and a hardware processor, wherein the storage stores a first threshold for determining a type of the recording material based on the basis weight, and the hardware processor calculates a first transmittance from the mount of the first emission light and the amount of the first transmission light, calculates a second transmittance from the amount of the second emission light and the amount of the second transmission light, derives a first basis weight corresponding to the first transmittance and a second basis weight corresponding to the second transmittance, by using predetermined determination criteria, determines the type of the recording material based on the first basis weight and the second basis weight, and derives the basis weight according to the determination criteria based on the determined type of the recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Shogo Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20200183317
    Abstract: Disclosed is a discrimination device that may serve to discriminate a type of a recording medium and may include: a housing unit provided with an opening so as to face a conveyance path on which the recording medium is conveyed; and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are accommodated in the housing unit. The light emitting unit may be capable of emitting light toward the recording medium disposed so as to face the opening. The light receiving unit may be capable of receiving light reflected from the recording medium. The housing unit may include a shutter that allows switching between an opened state where the opening is opened and a closed state where the opening is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira YAMAMURA, Shogo ASAOKA
  • Publication number: 20200122482
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, an optical sensor, a storage, and a hardware processor, wherein the storage stores a first threshold for determining a type of the recording material based on the basis weight, and the hardware processor calculates a first transmittance from the mount of the first emission light and the amount of the first transmission light, calculates a second transmittance from the amount of the second emission light and the amount of the second transmission light, derives a first basis weight corresponding to the first transmittance and a second basis weight corresponding to the second transmittance, by using predetermined determination criteria, determines the type of the recording material based on the first basis weight and the second basis weight, and derives the basis weight according to the determination criteria based on the determined type of the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Shogo ASAOKA
  • Publication number: 20200122481
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, an optical sensor, a storage, and a hardware processor that controls operation of the image forming apparatus, wherein the first wavelength and the second wavelength have a wavelength having a high correlation between the transmittance and the basis weight, compared with those at other wavelengths, and the hardware processor calculates a first transmittance from the amount of the first emission light and the amount of the first transmission light, calculates a second transmittance from the amount of the second emission light and the amount of the second transmission light, derives a first basis weight corresponding to the first transmittance, derives a second basis weight corresponding to the second transmittance, and derives a first average basis weight obtained by averaging the first basis weight and the second basis weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Shogo ASAOKA
  • Patent number: 10582627
    Abstract: An optional device is for an electrical machine. The optional device is mountable to the electrical machine without electrical connection to the electrical machine. The optional device includes a duct, an air flow sensor, an air purifier, and a controller. Through the duct, an air flow containing an exhaust gas from the electrical machine is guided. The air flow sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of the exhaust gas from the electrical machine. The air purifier is configured to purify the exhaust gas and discharge the purified exhaust gas into an atmosphere. The controller is configured to control an operation of the air purifier based on an output from the air flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hideki Narahashi, Shogo Asaoka, Sho Karakama, Yasuaki Tomoda, Naoki Matsui
  • Patent number: 10462315
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source that emits light in a main scanning direction to a subject to be read, a light receiving unit that receives light reflected by the subject to be read, and an optical system that images the light reflected by the subject to be read and guides the light to the light receiving unit. The optical system includes a reflector mirror that reflects the light reflected by the subject to be read, and an optical element that is disposed adjacent to the reflector mirror and images the light reflected by the subject to be read. The optical element is held by the reflector mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Yamamura, Shogo Asaoka
  • Patent number: 10382642
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a light receiving unit, and an optical system. The light receiving unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components for splitting the light reflected from the object to be read, and guiding the split light to each of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of optical components include a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to a main direction, and a common component provided with a common portion. The common portion has an optically acting area causing a common effect on the tight split by the splitting component. A cross sectional shape of the optically acting area orthogonal to a direction corresponding to the main direction is the same shape along the direction corresponding to the main direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Satoko Ohzawa, Akira Yamamura, Shogo Asaoka, Yuki Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20190227473
    Abstract: A recording sheet characteristics sensing device includes: a transmitted-light source that emits light onto a principal surface of a recording sheet being conveyed; a transmitted-light quantity detector that measures a quantity of transmitted light having passed through the recording sheet, the transmitted light being of the light emitted by the transmitted-light source; a transmitted-light diaphragm that has a diaphragm hole and limits the transmitted light entering the transmitted-light quantity detector to the transmitted light having passed through the diaphragm hole; and a sensor that senses characteristics of the recording sheet being conveyed, using the quantity of transmitted light detected by the transmitted-light quantity detector, wherein the diaphragm hole is narrower in a conveying direction than in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Takashi GONDA, Shogo ASAOKA
  • Publication number: 20180262638
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a light receiving unit, and an optical system. The light receiving unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components for splitting the light reflected from the object to be read, and guiding the split light to each of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of optical components include a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to a main direction, and a common component provided with a common portion. The common portion has an optically acting area causing a common effect on the tight split by the splitting component. A cross sectional shape of the optically acting area orthogonal to a direction corresponding to the main direction is the same shape along the direction corresponding to the main direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Satoko OHZAWA, Akira YAMAMURA, Shogo ASAOKA, Yuki HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180131825
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source that emits light in a main scanning direction to a subject to be read, a light receiving unit that receives light reflected by the subject to be read, and an optical system that images the light reflected by the subject to be read and guides the light to the light receiving unit. The optical system includes a reflector mirror that reflects the light reflected by the subject to be read, and an optical element that is disposed adjacent to the reflector mirror and images the light reflected by the subject to be read. The optical element is held by the reflector mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira YAMAMURA, Shogo ASAOKA
  • Patent number: 9936604
    Abstract: An option device for an electrical appliance of the invention is provided with a filter for purifying exhaust air from the electrical appliance, and an electric fan, wherein the air flow resistance in an external air inlet port formed independently of a suction port for sucking exhaust air from the electrical appliance is adjustable. According to this configuration, it is easy to secure balance between the exhaust air flow rate of the electrical appliance and the suction force by the electric fan without variably controlling the rotational speed of the electric fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Tomoda, Shogo Asaoka, Naoki Matsui, Isao Kawakami, Shuan Yang
  • Patent number: 9933752
    Abstract: An electrical machine includes an exhaust fan and an exhaust port on which an optional device is mounted. The optional device includes a duct, an electric fan, and an air flow sensor. Through the duct, an exhaust gas from the exhaust port is guided. The electric fan draws in the exhaust gas flowing through the duct and discharges the exhaust gas into an atmosphere. The air flow sensor detects presence or absence of the exhaust gas flowing from the electrical machine. The air flow sensor includes an air path partitioned from an inside of the duct by a partition wall. The air path includes an exhaust gas and an exit port. The exhaust gas intake port includes an opening facing the exhaust gas. The exit port communicates with the atmosphere at a position outside the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Shogo Asaoka, Katsumi Kuroyanagi, Shigeru Sawano, Hideki Narahashi, Sho Karakama
  • Patent number: 9500984
    Abstract: A toner supply device includes a toner storage, a supply opening, a toner conveyer, a toner supply opening, and an air passage. The toner storage stores toner. Through the supply opening, the toner is supplied to a developing device. The toner conveyer includes an area of space different from an area of space of the toner storage. The toner conveyer conveys the toner stored in the toner storage to supply the toner from the supply opening to the developing device. Through the toner supply opening, the toner is supplied from the toner storage to the toner conveyer. The air passage is at a position different from the toner supply opening. The air passage connects the toner storage to the toner conveyer so as to allow air flowing through the supply opening into the toner conveyer to be supplied to the toner storage through the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki Namiki, Isao Kawakami, Youichi Itagaki, Sho Karakama, Shogo Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20160286669
    Abstract: An optional device is for an electrical machine. The optional device is mountable to the electrical machine without electrical connection to the electrical machine. The optional device includes a duct, an air flow sensor, an air purifier, and a controller. Through the duct, an air flow containing an exhaust gas from the electrical machine is guided. The air flow sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of the exhaust gas from the electrical machine. The air purifier is configured to purify the exhaust gas and discharge the purified exhaust gas into an atmosphere. The controller is configured to control an operation of the air purifier based on an output from the air flow sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki NARAHASHI, Shogo ASAOKA, Sho KARAKAMA, Yasuaki TOMODA, Naoki MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20160286668
    Abstract: An option device for an electrical appliance of the invention is provided with a filter for purifying exhaust air from the electrical appliance, and an electric fan, wherein the air flow resistance in an external air inlet port formed independently of a suction port for sucking exhaust air from the electrical appliance is adjustable. According to this configuration, it is easy to secure balance between the exhaust air flow rate of the electrical appliance and the suction force by the electric fan without variably controlling the rotational speed of the electric fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuaki TOMODA, Shogo ASAOKA, Naoki MATSUI, Isao KAWAKAMI, Shuan YANG
  • Publication number: 20160282806
    Abstract: An optional device is for an electrical machine. The electrical machine includes an exhaust fan and an exhaust port on which the optional device is mounted. The optional device includes a duct, an electric fan, and an air flow sensor. Through the duct, an exhaust gas from the exhaust port is guided. The electric fan draws in the exhaust gas flowing through the duct and discharges the exhaust gas into an atmosphere. The air flow sensor detects presence or absence of the exhaust gas flowing from the electrical machine. The air flow sensor includes an air path partitioned from an inside of the duct by a partition wall. The air path includes an exhaust gas and an exit port. The exhaust gas intake port includes an opening facing the exhaust gas. The exit port communicates with the atmosphere at a position outside the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Shogo ASAOKA, Katsumi KUROYANAGI, Shigeru SAWANO, Hideki NARAHASHI, Sho KARAKAMA
  • Publication number: 20140169834
    Abstract: A toner supply device includes a toner storage, a supply opening, a toner conveyer, a toner supply opening, and an air passage. The toner storage stores toner. Through the supply opening, the toner is supplied to a developing device. The toner conveyer includes an area of space different from an area of space of the toner storage. The toner conveyer conveys the toner stored in the toner storage to supply the toner from the supply opening to the developing device. Through the toner supply opening, the toner is supplied from the toner storage to the toner conveyer. The air passage is at a position different from the toner supply opening. The air passage connects the toner storage to the toner conveyer so as to allow air flowing through the supply opening into the toner conveyer to be supplied to the toner storage through the air passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki NAMIKI, Isao KAWAKAMI, Youichi ITAGAKI, Sho KARAKAMA, Shogo ASAOKA