Patents by Inventor Takanori Mitani

Takanori Mitani 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: 20210373469
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on a recording material according to image information on a predetermined image; a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image on the recording material by heating the recording material having thereon the toner image while conveying the recording material by a nip portion; an acquisition portion configured to acquire an image end position that is a position of one end of the toner image in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording material; a determination portion configured to determine a target temperature based on the image end position; and a control portion configured to control the fixing portion based on the target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Takeshi Shinji, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani
  • Patent number: 11175615
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an acquiring portion configured to acquire image information and operation information of the image forming apparatus; an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on a recording material; a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image to the recording material by heating the recording material on which the toner image is formed; and a control portion configured to, when the acquiring portion acquires image information corresponding to a first page and fails to acquire image information corresponding to a second page following the first page, set a temperature of the fixing portion for fixing the first page as a first temperature based on the image information corresponding to the first page and the operation information, and set the temperature of the fixing portion for fixing the second page as a second temperature based on the operation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Shinji, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani
  • Patent number: 11156944
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a fixing, onto a recording material, a toner image that is formed in accordance with image data, and constituted of a first image that is formed by a toner of a first color and a second image that is formed by a toner of a second color which is different from the first color, and that is superimposed on the first image; an acquiring a gradation value of the first image and a gradation value of the second image based on the image data; a determining a target temperature and target speed based on the gradation value of the first image and the gradation value of the second image; a controlling power to be supplied to the fixing unit based on the target temperature; and a controlling conveying speed of the recording material based on the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Takeda, Satoshi Nishida, Atsushi Nakamoto, Takeshi Shinji, Takanori Mitani
  • Patent number: 11099508
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a dividing the image data into regions including pixels; an obtaining a first ratio by dividing a total number of the pixels included in groups, the pixels having a density equal to or higher than a predetermined value and arranged consecutively in a predetermined direction, by a total number of the pixels having the density and included in each of the regions; an obtaining a second ratio by dividing the total number of pixels having the density and included in each of the regions by a total number of the pixels included in each of the regions; a determining a target temperature for maintaining a temperature of a fixing portion based on the first and second ratios; and a controlling power to be supplied to the fixing portion so that the fixing portion is maintained at the target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Shinji, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani
  • Publication number: 20210208525
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an acquiring portion configured to acquire image information and operation information of the image forming apparatus; an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on a recording material; a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image to the recording material by heating the recording material on which the toner image is formed; and a control portion configured to, when the acquiring portion acquires image information corresponding to a first page and fails to acquire image information corresponding to a second page following the first page, set a temperature of the fixing portion for fixing the first page as a first temperature based on the image information corresponding to the first page and the operation information, and set the temperature of the fixing portion for fixing the second page as a second temperature based on the operation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Takeshi Shinji, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani
  • Publication number: 20200371459
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a fixing, onto a recording material, a toner image that is formed in accordance with image data, and constituted of a first image that is formed by a toner of a first color and a second image that is formed by a toner of a second color which is different from the first color, and that is superimposed on the first image; an acquiring a gradation value of the first image and a gradation value of the second image based on the image data; a determining a target temperature and target speed based on the gradation value of the first image and the gradation value of the second image; a controlling power to be supplied to the fixing unit based on the target temperature; and a controlling conveying speed of the recording material based on the target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Isamu Takeda, Satoshi Nishida, Atsushi Nakamoto, Takeshi Shinji, Takanori Mitani
  • Publication number: 20200310310
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a dividing the image data into regions including pixels; an obtaining a first ratio by dividing a total number of the pixels included in groups, the pixels having a density equal to or higher than a predetermined value and arranged consecutively in a predetermined direction, by a total number of the pixels having the density and included in each of the regions; an obtaining a second ratio by dividing the total number of pixels having the density and included in each of the regions by a total number of the pixels included in each of the regions; a determining a target temperature for maintaining a temperature of a fixing portion based on the first and second ratios; and a controlling power to be supplied to the fixing portion so that the fixing portion is maintained at the target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Takeshi Shinji, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani
  • Patent number: 10444682
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, a heat generating member that heats the first rotatable member, and a temperature detecting member that detects a temperature of the heat generating member. A motor drives one of the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. In addition, a controller controls the fixing device by causing the motor to rotate in a state in which a predetermined amount of electrical power is supplied to the heat generating member, and then, supply of the electrical power to the heat generating member is stopped. On the basis of a temperature lowering rate of a detected temperature of the temperature detecting member during rotation of said motor, the controller detects, after stopping supply of the electrical power to the heat generating member, a rotational state of the one of the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamoto, Takanori Mitani, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Masahito Omata, Yasuhito Minamishima
  • Patent number: 10317841
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes pair of ejection rollers that are used for ejecting a recording material to a stacking unit from a main body of the image forming apparatus and a cooling unit. The cooling unit includes, air-blowing ports that are used for blowing air onto the recording material in a direction crossing a transport direction of the recording material are positioned in a region that is located above the position of a nip portion of the pair of ejection rollers and below an extension line tangent to the nip portion of the pair of ejection rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Kazuhiro Doda, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani
  • Publication number: 20180348678
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, a heat generating member, a temperature detecting member configured to detect a temperature of the heat generating member, a motor configured to drive the first rotatable member or the second rotatable member, and a controller configured to control the fixing device. The controller causes the motor to rotate in a state in which predetermined electric power is supplied to the heat generating member and then supply of electric power to the heat generating member is stopped. On the basis of a change amount of a detected temperature of the temperature detecting member during rotation of the motor, the controller detects a rotational state of the first rotatable member or the second rotatable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamoto, Takanori Mitani, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Masahito Omata, Yasuhito Minamishima
  • Patent number: 10042298
    Abstract: A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Kazuhiro Doda, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Akira Okano, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9989903
    Abstract: Provided is a fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material while conveying the recording material on which the toner image has been formed at a nip portion that includes a roller, a heating unit configured to heat the roller from outside the roller, the heating unit receiving power supplied from a power supply, a backup unit forming the nip portion with the roller, and a power shutdown member configured to operate in response to an abnormal temperature of the backup unit and shut down power supply to the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Kazuhiro Doda, Keisuke Samejima, Hiroshi Yadoiwa
  • Patent number: 9952538
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a roller, a heating rotary member heating the roller, and a backup member forming a nip portion, a temperature detection unit detecting a temperature of the heating rotary member, and a control unit for controlling power so that the detected temperature is maintained at a target temperature, wherein a print job includes a first step in which the unfixed toner image is formed on the recording material, a second step in which fixing processing is executed, and a third step in which the fixing unit is cleaned, and wherein the third step is executed following the second step, and in the third step, while the target temperature is set higher than the target temperature in the second step, the roller and the heating rotary member are rotated in a state where no recording material is present at the nip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Akimichi Suzuki, Shogo Kan, Kazuhiro Doda, Takanori Mitani
  • Publication number: 20170343931
    Abstract: Provided is a fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material while conveying the recording material on which the toner image has been formed at a nip portion that includes a roller, a heating unit configured to heat the roller from outside the roller, the heating unit receiving power supplied from a power supply, a backup unit forming the nip portion with the roller, and a power shutdown member configured to operate in response to an abnormal temperature of the backup unit and shut down power supply to the heating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Kazuhiro Doda, Keisuke Samejima, Hiroshi Yadoiwa
  • Patent number: 9753418
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a roller, a heating rotation member configured to form a pressure portion by coming into contact with the roller, the heating rotation member being rotated by rotation of the roller, and a pressing rotation member configured to form a nip portion by coming into contact with the roller, the pressing rotation member being rotated by the rotation of the roller, wherein micro-hardness of a surface of the heating rotation member at the pressure portion and micro-hardness of a surface of the pressing rotation member at the nip portion are both higher than micro-hardness of a surface of the roller, and wherein frictional force acting on the roller at the pressure portion is larger than frictional force acting on the roller at the nip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Hideo Nanataki, Kazuhiro Doda, Yasuhito Minamishima
  • Patent number: 9720362
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, the apparatus includes a cylindrical film; a plate-like nip forming member contacted with an inner surface of the film, the nip forming member including a base member and a coating layer on the base member, the coating layer having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than that of the base member; and a roller cooperative with the nip forming member to form a nip, wherein the coating layer is provided on a first surface of the nip forming member which is opposed to the film and on a second surface opposite from the first surface except for an outer edge portion of the nip forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhito Minamishima, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani, Kazuhiro Doda, Hideo Nanataki, Akimichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170205737
    Abstract: A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Kazuhiro Doda, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Akira Okano, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9709935
    Abstract: Provided is a fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material while conveying the recording material on which the toner image has been formed at a nip portion that includes a roller, a heating unit configured to heat the roller from outside the roller, the heating unit receiving power supplied from a power supply, a backup unit forming the nip portion with the roller, and a power shutdown member configured to operate in response to an abnormal temperature of the backup unit and shut down power supply to the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Kazuhiro Doda, Keisuke Samejima, Hiroshi Yadoiwa
  • Patent number: 9658585
    Abstract: A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Kazuhiro Doda, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Akira Okano, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20160357145
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes pair of ejection rollers that are used for ejecting a recording material to a stacking unit from a main body of the image forming apparatus and a cooling unit. The cooling unit includes, air-blowing ports that are used for blowing air onto the recording material in a direction crossing a transport direction of the recording material are positioned in a region that is located above the position of a nip portion of the pair of ejection rollers and below an extension line tangent to the nip portion of the pair of ejection rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma, Akimichi Suzuki, Satoshi Nishida, Kazuhiro Doda, Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani