Patents by Inventor Sumihiro Inokuchi

Sumihiro Inokuchi 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).

  • Publication number: 20240004327
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body, a toner container that is removably set in the body and contains toner, a toner supplier to supply the toner from the toner container to the body, a memory that stores container information that is information of the toner container, and circuitry. The circuitry is to determine, after the toner container is set in the body, based on the container information acquired from the memory, whether the toner container set in the body is same as a toner container set in the body in a past and the container information satisfies a predetermined condition, and to drive the toner supplier in a case where the toner container set in the body is determined to be same as the toner container set in the body in the past and the container information satisfies the predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Ieiri, Yuuji Matsuda, Sumihiro Inokuchi, Hiroshi Okamura, Tomohide Kondoh
  • Patent number: 11567427
    Abstract: A remaining-toner-amount detecting device includes: first sensor disposed at a supply channel for a toner; a second sensor disposed at a location different from the supply channel; detection processing that compares a capacitance detected by the first sensor with a determination threshold value to detect a toner end; and a memory that stores a capacitance detected by the second sensor in an initial period as initial reference data, and a capacitance detected by the second sensor after part replacement as post-replacement reference data. The detection processing circuitry sets, based on the initial reference data, the determination threshold value as an initial determination threshold value in the initial period, and re-sets the determination threshold value, from the initial determination threshold value, to a value based on the post-replacement reference data, as a post-replacement reference data after the part replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumihiro Inokuchi
  • Publication number: 20220373926
    Abstract: A remaining-toner-amount detecting device includes: first sensor disposed at a supply channel for a toner; a second sensor disposed at a location different from the supply channel; detection processing that compares a capacitance detected by the first sensor with a determination threshold value to detect a toner end; and a memory that stores a capacitance detected by the second sensor in an initial period as initial reference data, and a capacitance detected by the second sensor after part replacement as post-replacement reference data. The detection processing circuitry sets, based on the initial reference data, the determination threshold value as an initial determination threshold value in the initial period, and re-sets the determination threshold value, from the initial determination threshold value, to a value based on the post-replacement reference data, as a post-replacement reference data after the part replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumihiro Inokuchi
  • Patent number: 10992823
    Abstract: An information processing device includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to store, in a first memory, record information formed each time a predetermined event occurs in a device and perform an update process of successively updating an old piece of record information with a new piece of record information in the record information stored in the first memory; transmit the record information stored in the first memory via a first signal line; transfer communication abnormality record information stored in the first memory to a second memory, which is configured not to update record information, and store the communication abnormality record information in the second memory when a communication abnormality signal of the first signal line is supplied via a second signal line; and transmit the communication abnormality record information stored in the second memory via the first signal line when communication of the first signal line is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohta Ueba, Sumihiro Inokuchi, Yuki Sunagawa, Kenichi Yamada, Tasuku Kohara, Xiaoya Sun, Ryotaro Konno
  • Patent number: 10955374
    Abstract: A characteristic detector includes two electrodes facing each other to form a passage through which a medium passes, a cover disposed between the two electrodes, a current generator to supply a current between the two electrodes, a capacitance gauge to measure a capacitance generated between the two electrodes, and circuitry. The two electrodes have a shape or an arrangement in which at least two points on a leading end of the medium enter the passage with a time lag. The cover covers one of the two electrodes in connection with a size of the medium. The capacitance gauge detects the size of the medium based on the measured capacitance. The circuitry calculates a characteristic of the medium based on the capacitance measured by the capacitance gauge and the size of the medium detected by the capacitance gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Kushida, Kyohei Matsumura, Ryuuichi Satoh, Sumihiro Inokuchi, Tomohide Kondoh, Ryohta Ueba
  • Publication number: 20200259963
    Abstract: An information processing device includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to store, in a first memory, record information formed each time a predetermined event occurs in a device and perform an update process of successively updating an old piece of record information with a new piece of record information in the record information stored in the first memory; transmit the record information stored in the first memory via a first signal line; transfer communication abnormality record information stored in the first memory to a second memory, which is configured not to update record information, and store the communication abnormality record information in the second memory when a communication abnormality signal of the first signal line is supplied via a second signal line; and transmit the communication abnormality record information stored in the second memory via the first signal line when communication of the first signal line is restored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Ryohta UEBA, Sumihiro INOKUCHI, Yuki SUNAGAWA, Kenichi YAMADA, Tasuku KOHARA, Xiaoya SUN, Ryotaro KONNO
  • Patent number: 10459368
    Abstract: A powder detector includes a driver to drive a motor, a stirrer to stir powder in a vessel, a vibration plate disposed in the vessel and vibrated by a flip of the stirrer rotated by the motor, and circuitry. The circuitry detects a vibration of the vibration plate, estimates an amount of powder based on a detection result of the vibration, and causes the driver to drive the motor from a starting point, so as to move the stirrer to a preset halt position. The starting point is a rotation angle of the motor on detection of the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sumihiro Inokuchi, Hiroshi Adachi, Masashi Hommi, Naohiro Funada, Norio Muraishi, Kengo Tanaka, Shingo Nishizaki, Masaki Karakawa
  • Publication number: 20190212289
    Abstract: A characteristic detector includes two electrodes facing each other to form a passage through which a medium passes, a cover disposed between the two electrodes, a current generator to supply a current between the two electrodes, a capacitance gauge to measure a capacitance generated between the two electrodes, and circuitry. The two electrodes have a shape or an arrangement in which at least two points on a leading end of the medium enter the passage with a time lag. The cover covers one of the two electrodes in connection with a size of the medium. The capacitance gauge detects the size of the medium based on the measured capacitance. The circuitry calculates a characteristic of the medium based on the capacitance measured by the capacitance gauge and the size of the medium detected by the capacitance gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Yohei Kushida, Kyohei Matsumura, Ryuuichi Satoh, Sumihiro Inokuchi, Tomohide Kondoh, Ryohta Ueba
  • Publication number: 20190196360
    Abstract: A powder detector includes a driver to drive a motor, a stirrer to stir powder in a vessel, a vibration plate disposed in the vessel and vibrated by a flip of the stirrer rotated by the motor, and circuitry. The circuitry detects a vibration of the vibration plate, estimates an amount of powder based on a detection result of the vibration, and causes the driver to drive the motor from a starting point, so as to move the stirrer to a preset halt position. The starting point is a rotation angle of the motor on detection of the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Sumihiro INOKUCHI, Hiroshi ADACHI, Masashi HOMMI, Naohiro FUNADA, Norio MURAISHI, Kengo TANAKA, Shingo NISHIZAKI, Masaki KARAKAWA
  • Patent number: 10163045
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which a removable device can be set is provided. The removable device includes a first memory to store first status information indicating a status of the removable device, first identification information identifying the removable device, and second identification information identifying the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Tanaka, Kazushi Takei, Norio Muraishi, Sumihiro Inokuchi, Masashi Hommi, Atsushi Kuramoto, Takuya Kemmochi, Yoichi Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20170270395
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which a removable device can be set is provided. The removable device includes a first memory to store first status information indicating a status of the removable device, first identification information identifying the removable device, and second identification information identifying the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo TANAKA, Kazushi TAKEI, Norio MURAISHI, Sumihiro INOKUCHI, Masashi HOMMI, Atsushi KURAMOTO, Takuya KEMMOCHI, Yoichi KITAHARA
  • Patent number: 8891122
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a connection-state detection circuit. The circuit includes a first circuit board; a plurality of second circuit boards that each exchange a signal with the first circuit board; a plurality of connectors that connect the first circuit board and each of the second circuit boards, respectively; a transmitting unit that transmits a connection-state detection signal from the first circuit board to each of the second circuit boards via the connectors; a control unit that causes the second circuit boards to return response signals to the first circuit board in response to the received connection-state detection signal via the connectors at different times that are shifted from each other and are respectively allocated to the second circuit boards; and a detecting unit that detects whether the response signal returned from each of the second circuit boards is received to detect a connection state of each of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Sumihiro Inokuchi
  • Patent number: 8862908
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an information storage to store information indicating a state of the information processing apparatus; an information writing processor to write the information to the information storage; a main power source and an auxiliary power source to supply power to the information writing processor; and a discharge controller to control a discharge speed of the auxiliary power source. When a voltage output of the main power source becomes a reference voltage, the discharge controller switches a power source for the information writing processor from the main power source to the auxiliary power source, and then after completing information writing to the information storage by using the information writing processor and the auxiliary power source, the discharge controller controls the discharge speed of the auxiliary power source to decrease a voltage output of the auxiliary power source to a given voltage within a given time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumihiro Inokuchi, Mitsufumi Yamamoto, Shugo Okamura, Toyokazu Aoki, Takumi Kawamura, Kouji Yamanobe, Norio Muraishi, Kazuyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20130265603
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a connection-state detection circuit. The circuit includes a first circuit board; a plurality of second circuit boards that each exchange a signal with the first circuit board; a plurality of connectors that connect the first circuit board and each of the second circuit boards, respectively; a transmitting unit that transmits a connection-state detection signal from the first circuit board to each of the second circuit boards via the connectors; a control unit that causes the second circuit boards to return response signals to the first circuit board in response to the received connection-state detection signal via the connectors at different times that are shifted from each other and are respectively allocated to the second circuit boards; and a detecting unit that detects whether the response signal returned from each of the second circuit boards is received to detect a connection state of each of the connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Sumihiro INOKUCHI
  • Patent number: 8463144
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a plurality of objects are detachably disposed, each of the objects having a storage area to store object-related information of the object, and configured to return, in response to an acquisition request, a signal with a voltage in a predetermined range which is distinctly different among the objects, the signal carrying the object-related information of the object. The image forming device includes a transmitting unit that transmits acquisition requests of object-related information to the objects respectively, a receiving unit that receives signals from the objects respectively, a voltage detection unit that detects a range of voltage of each of the signals received, and an identifying unit that identifies each of the objects respectively based on the ranges of voltage detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsufumi Yamamoto, Masayuki Yabuuchi, Yuichiro Ueda, Sumihiro Inokuchi
  • Publication number: 20110320831
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an information storage to store information indicating a state of the information processing apparatus; an information writing processor to write the information to the information storage; a main power source and an auxiliary power source to supply power to the information writing processor; and a discharge controller to control a discharge speed of the auxiliary power source. When a voltage output of the main power source becomes a reference voltage, the discharge controller switches a power source for the information writing processor from the main power source to the auxiliary power source, and then after completing information writing to the information storage by using the information writing processor and the auxiliary power source, the discharge controller controls the discharge speed of the auxiliary power source to decrease a voltage output of the auxiliary power source to a given voltage within a given time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Sumihiro INOKUCHI, Mitsufumi Yamamoto, Shugo Okamura, Toyokazu Aoki, Takumi Kawamura, Kouji Yamanobe, Norio Muraishi, Kazuyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20110176818
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a plurality of objects are detachably disposed, each of the objects having a storage area to store object-related information of the object, and configured to return, in response to an acquisition request, a signal with a voltage in a predetermined range which is distinctly different among the objects, the signal carrying the object-related information of the object. The image forming device includes a transmitting unit that transmits acquisition requests of object-related information to the objects respectively, a receiving unit that receives signals from the objects respectively, a voltage detection unit that detects a range of voltage of each of the signals received, and an identifying unit that identifies each of the objects respectively based on the ranges of voltage detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsufumi YAMAMOTO, Masayuki YABUUCHI, Yuichiro UEDA, Sumihiro INOKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20090066987
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image obtaining unit configured to generate a document image for superimposition printing in response to an image requested to be printed or acquire the document image for superimposition printing from a source that requests printing, and an image recording unit configured to record the document image for superimposition printing as data associated with a paper sheet on which the requested image is printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Sumihiro Inokuchi