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).

  • Patent number: 11841659
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20230393517
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Shotaro YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20220404752
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 11454911
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20210223732
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 10534296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwasaki, Masato Sako, Shotaro Yoshimura, Ryota Ogura
  • Publication number: 20190171136
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwasaki, Masato Sako, Shotaro Yoshimura, Ryota Ogura
  • Patent number: 9927745
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20170075267
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9372458
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Misao, Kazunari Nishimoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Shotaro Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9291960
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20150177656
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20130011156
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji Misao, Kazunari Nishimoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Shotaro Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma
  • Patent number: 8342514
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisayuki Tomura, Kei Sawanaka, Akio Nemoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Masato Suzuki, Atsuya Takahashi, Shotaro Yoshimura, Mitsunari Ito
  • Patent number: 7860412
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naonori Kayama, Hiroaki Namiki, Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20100244365
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: HISAYUKI TOMURA, KEI SAWANAKA, AKIO NEMOTO, KAZUSHI NISHIKATA, MASATO SUZUKI, ATSUYA TAKAHASHI, SHOTARO YOSHIMURA, MITSUNARI ITO
  • Patent number: 7758042
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisayuki Tomura, Kei Sawanaka, Akio Nemoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Masato Suzuki, Atsuya Takahashi, Shotaro Yoshimura, Mitsunari Ito
  • Publication number: 20090185812
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: NAONORI KAYAMA, HIROAKI NAMIKI, SHOTARO YOSHIMURA
  • Patent number: 7526244
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naonori Kayama, Hiroaki Namiki, Shotaro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20070182088
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisayuki Tomura, Kei Sawanaka, Akio Nemoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Masato Suzuki, Atsuya Takahashi, Shotaro Yoshimura, Mitsunari Ito