Patents by Inventor Shotaro Yoshimura
Shotaro Yoshimura 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: 11841659Abstract: An apparatus provided with a power source device indicating a converting unit includes a switching unit, a discriminating unit, and a controller. In the case where the discriminating unit discriminates that an overcurrent state occurs during an operation of the power source device in a first mode, the mode of the operation of the power source device is switched to a second mode by the switching unit and then the occurrence of the overcurrent state is notified.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20230393517Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a first power supply unit configured to operate in a first mode in which a first DC voltage is generated or in a second mode in which a second DC voltage lower than the first DC voltage is generated. The first power supply unit performs an intermittent oscillation operation when operating in the second mode. The second DC voltage changes within a predetermined range due to the intermittent oscillation operation. A switch is connected between the first and second power supply units and serves to turn on and off the supply of the first or second DC voltage to a load. A controller performs control such that when the first power supply unit is switched from the second mode to the first mode, the switching from the second mode to the first mode is performed after the switch is turned on to the ON state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventor: Shotaro YOSHIMURA
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Publication number: 20220404752Abstract: An apparatus provided with a power source device indicating a converting unit includes a switching unit, a discriminating unit, and a controller. In the case where the discriminating unit discriminates that an overcurrent state occurs during an operation of the power source device in a first mode, the mode of the operation of the power source device is switched to a second mode by the switching unit and then the occurrence of the overcurrent state is notified.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Patent number: 11454911Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a power supply unit configured to generate a DC voltage from an AC voltage and supply the DC voltage to a load, the image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation on a recording material, the image forming apparatus including a first control unit configured to control the image formation on the recording material, the power supply unit including a second control unit configured to control a voltage generation unit that generates the DC voltage from the AC voltage input from an AC power supply, a zero-crossing detection unit configured to detect a zero-crossing timing of the AC voltage according to the AC voltage input, and to output a zero-crossing detection signal, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the zero-crossing detection signal output from the zero-crossing detection unit to the first control unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20210223732Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a power supply unit configured to generate a DC voltage from an AC voltage and supply the DC voltage to a load, the image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation on a recording material, the image forming apparatus including a first control unit configured to control the image formation on the recording material, the power supply unit including a second control unit configured to control a voltage generation unit that generates the DC voltage from the AC voltage input from an AC power supply, a zero-crossing detection unit configured to detect a zero-crossing timing of the AC voltage according to the AC voltage input, and to output a zero-crossing detection signal, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the zero-crossing detection signal output from the zero-crossing detection unit to the first control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Patent number: 10534296Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a first and second heat generating elements, a thyristor that controls electrical power supplied to the heat generating elements, and a relay that switches a supply destination of the electrical power supply between the heat generating elements. A controller switches the thyristor from on to off, and then actuates the relay to switch the supply destination from the first heat generating element to the second heat generating element, and, thereafter switches the thyristor from off to on. The controller sets a timing of switching of the thyristor from on to off to be in a period in which an image on a current recording material is in a nip, and sets timing of switching of the thyristor from off to on to be in a period in which an image on a current recording material or a subsequent recording material is not in the nip.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Iwasaki, Masato Sako, Shotaro Yoshimura, Ryota Ogura
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Publication number: 20190171136Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a nip forming unit; a first and second heat generating elements for heating said nip; a thyristor for controlling electric power to the heat generating elements; a relay for switching an electric power supply destination between the first and second heat generating elements; and a controller. When the controller switches the destination from the first heat generating element to the second heat generating element during heating the images on continuously supplied sheets, the controller switches the thyristor from on-state to off-state, and then actuates the relay to switch the supply destination from the first heat generating element to the second heat generating element, and thereafter switches the thyristor from the off-state to the on-state. The controller sets timing of a period for switching the supply destination such that the image on the sheet is not influenced by a temperature drop in the period.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Atsushi Iwasaki, Masato Sako, Shotaro Yoshimura, Ryota Ogura
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Patent number: 9927745Abstract: An image heating device includes a heater having a substrate, a first heat generating block which is formed on the substrate and generates heat by supplied power, and a second heat generating block which is arranged at a position different from a position at which the first heat generating block is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The device also includes a temperature detecting element and a controller to which a signal from the temperature detecting element is input. The controller controls a ratio of power supplied to the first heat generating block to power supplied to the second heat generating block to thereby switch heat generation distribution of the heater, and the temperature detecting element is arranged so as to extend across both of the first heat generating block and the second heat generating block.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20170075267Abstract: An image heating device includes a heater having a substrate, a first heat generating block which is formed on the substrate and generates heat by supplied power, and a second heat generating block which is arranged at a position different from a position at which the first heat generating block is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The device also includes a temperature detecting element and a controller to which a signal from the temperature detecting element is input. The controller controls a ratio of power supplied to the first heat generating block to power supplied to the second heat generating block to thereby switch heat generation distribution of the heater, and the temperature detecting element is arranged so as to extend across both of the first heat generating block and the second heat generating block.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Patent number: 9372458Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit having a film and a heater in contact with the inner surface of the film, an electrical breakdown may occur in the protection layer of the heater, when a surge voltage is applied to a power supply line connected to the heater. An arrester is provided on a power supply line connected to the heater of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoji Misao, Kazunari Nishimoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Shotaro Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma
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Patent number: 9291960Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a first control unit which controls a voltage generation unit that converts an AC voltage to generate a DC voltage, a heat generation member, and a switch which supplies or shuts off electric power to the heat generation member. The first control unit acquires information for controlling the switch, and controls the switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20150177656Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a first control unit which controls a voltage generation unit that converts an AC voltage to generate a DC voltage, a heat generation member, and a switch which supplies or shuts off an electric power to the heat generation member, wherein the first control unit acquires information for controlling the switch, and controls the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20130011156Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit having a film and a heater in contact with the inner surface of the film, an electrical breakdown may occur in the protection layer of the heater, when a surge voltage is applied to a power supply line connected to the heater. An arrester is provided on a power supply line connected to the heater of the image forming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoji Misao, Kazunari Nishimoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Shotaro Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma
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Patent number: 8342514Abstract: Sheets fed out from a sheet feeding portion, which is brought into pressure contact with the sheets by the upward movement of a sheet stacking portion to feed out the sheets, are separated and conveyed one by one while being upwardly curved. During the sheet feeding operation, the sheet stacking portion is sequentially moved up, and when the sheet feeding operation is completed, the sheet stacking portion is moved down. Further, a remaining amount indicating member moved with the upward movement of the sheet stacking portion to indicate the remaining amount of sheets is held at a position before the sheet stacking portion is moved down, by a holding mechanism, when the sheet feeding operation is completed and the sheet stacking portion is moved down.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hisayuki Tomura, Kei Sawanaka, Akio Nemoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Masato Suzuki, Atsuya Takahashi, Shotaro Yoshimura, Mitsunari Ito
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Patent number: 7860412Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naonori Kayama, Hiroaki Namiki, Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20100244365Abstract: Sheets fed out from a sheet feeding portion, which is brought into pressure contact with the sheets by the upward movement of a sheet stacking portion to feed out the sheets, are separated and conveyed one by one while being upwardly curved. During the sheet feeding operation, the sheet stacking portion is sequentially moved up, and when the sheet feeding operation is completed, the sheet stacking portion is moved down. Further, a remaining amount indicating member moved with the upward movement of the sheet stacking portion to indicate the remaining amount of sheets is held at a position before the sheet stacking portion is moved down, by a holding mechanism, when the sheet feeding operation is completed and the sheet stacking portion is moved down.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: HISAYUKI TOMURA, KEI SAWANAKA, AKIO NEMOTO, KAZUSHI NISHIKATA, MASATO SUZUKI, ATSUYA TAKAHASHI, SHOTARO YOSHIMURA, MITSUNARI ITO
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Patent number: 7758042Abstract: Sheets fed out from a sheet feeding portion, which is brought into pressure contact with the sheets by the upward movement of a sheet stacking portion to feed out the sheets, are separated and conveyed one by one while being upwardly curved. During the sheet feeding operation, the sheet stacking portion is sequentially moved up, and when the sheet feeding operation is completed, the sheet stacking portion is moved down. Further, a remaining amount indicating member moved with the upward movement of the sheet stacking portion to indicate the remaining amount of sheets is held at a position before the sheet stacking portion is moved down, by a holding mechanism, when the sheet feeding operation is completed and the sheet stacking portion is moved down.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hisayuki Tomura, Kei Sawanaka, Akio Nemoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Masato Suzuki, Atsuya Takahashi, Shotaro Yoshimura, Mitsunari Ito
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Publication number: 20090185812Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: NAONORI KAYAMA, HIROAKI NAMIKI, SHOTARO YOSHIMURA
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Patent number: 7526244Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naonori Kayama, Hiroaki Namiki, Shotaro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20070182088Abstract: Sheets fed out from a sheet feeding portion, which is brought into pressure contact with the sheets by the upward movement of a sheet stacking portion to feed out the sheets, are separated and conveyed one by one while being upwardly curved. During the sheet feeding operation, the sheet stacking portion is sequentially moved up, and when the sheet feeding operation is completed, the sheet stacking portion is moved down. Further, a remaining amount indicating member moved with the upward movement of the sheet stacking portion to indicate the remaining amount of sheets is held at a position before the sheet stacking portion is moved down, by a holding mechanism, when the sheet feeding operation is completed and the sheet stacking portion is moved down.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hisayuki Tomura, Kei Sawanaka, Akio Nemoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Masato Suzuki, Atsuya Takahashi, Shotaro Yoshimura, Mitsunari Ito