Patents by Inventor Takashi Fukuhara
Takashi Fukuhara 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: 11934121Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a reading unit, a reference member, and a controller is described. The image forming unit forms an image and a detection image on a sheet. The detection image is used for detecting geometric characteristics of an image to be formed on a sheet by the image forming unit. The fixing unit fixes the image and the detection image formed by the image forming unit on the sheet. The reading unit reads the detection image on the sheet. The controller adjusts geometric characteristics of the image to be formed on a sheet based on a reading result of the detection image by the reading unit, and controls the reading unit to read the reference member and executes shading correction based on a reading result of the reference member.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koji Yumoto, Takashi Yokoya, Toshifumi Oikawa, Yutaka Ando, Akinobu Nishikata, Riki Fukuhara, Yuichiro Oda
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Patent number: 11812178Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel, an amplifier circuit, a voltage output circuit, and a setting circuit. The setting circuit sets the signal level of a predetermined signal used to acquire a correction value in accordance with an amplification factor set by an amplifier circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takashi Fukuhara, Takanori Yamashita
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Patent number: 11394908Abstract: An imaging device includes: pixels each including a photoelectric converter, and an output unit that outputs a pixel signal based on charge in a holding portion; an output line to which signals from the pixels are output; a clip circuit that limits a signal level of the output line to a range whose upper or lower limit is a predetermined clip level; and an amplifier unit that amplifies a signal of the output line. The amplifier unit outputs first and second signals amplified at first and second amplification factors, respectively, for the same pixel signal. The clip circuit limits a signal level of the output line to a first clip level in a first period in which the pixel signal is amplified at a first amplification factor and to a second clip level in a second period in which the pixel signal is amplified at a second amplification factor.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi Akiyama, Takanori Yamashita, Takashi Fukuhara, Takenori Kobuse
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Publication number: 20220132070Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel, an amplifier circuit, a voltage output circuit, and a setting circuit. The setting circuit sets the signal level of a predetermined signal used to acquire a correction value in accordance with an amplification factor set by an amplifier circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Takashi Fukuhara, Takanori Yamashita
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Publication number: 20210250532Abstract: An imaging device includes: pixels each including a photoelectric converter, and an output unit that outputs a pixel signal based on charge in a holding portion; an output line to which signals from the pixels are output; a clip circuit that limits a signal level of the output line to a range whose upper or lower limit is a predetermined clip level; and an amplifier unit that amplifies a signal of the output line. The amplifier unit outputs first and second signals amplified at first and second amplification factors, respectively, for the same pixel signal. The clip circuit limits a signal level of the output line to a first clip level in a first period in which the pixel signal is amplified at a first amplification factor and to a second clip level in a second period in which the pixel signal is amplified at a second amplification factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Takeshi Akiyama, Takanori Yamashita, Takashi Fukuhara, Takenori Kobuse
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Patent number: 11082642Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion device including: a pixel configured to generate a first signal in accordance with an incident light by photoelectric conversion; an amplifier unit configured to amplify the first signal to output a second signal; and a comparator unit configured to compare a voltage of the second signal with a voltage of a reference signal. A slope of the ramp waveform included in the reference signal can be switched between a first slope ? and a second slope ?, the reference voltage used for determining a setting of a gain in the amplifier unit or the comparator unit can be switched between a first reference voltage Vref1 corresponding to the first slope ? and a second reference voltage Vref2 corresponding to the second slope ?, and ?/??Vref1/Vref2 is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takashi Fukuhara, Takanori Yamashita
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Publication number: 20200275037Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion device including: a pixel configured to generate a first signal in accordance with an incident light by photoelectric conversion; an amplifier unit configured to amplify the first signal to output a second signal; and a comparator unit configured to compare a voltage of the second signal with a voltage of a reference signal. A slope of the ramp waveform included in the reference signal can be switched between a first slope ? and a second slope ?, the reference voltage used for determining a setting of a gain in the amplifier unit or the comparator unit can be switched between a first reference voltage Vref1 corresponding to the first slope ? and a second reference voltage Vref2 corresponding to the second slope ?, and ?/??Vref1/Vref2 is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Takashi Fukuhara, Takanori Yamashita
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Patent number: 10240950Abstract: A scale is configured to measure a displacement or velocity of a rotating object. The scale includes a first region that includes a first mark row including a plurality of marks arranged in a first period, and a second region that includes a second mark row including a plurality of marks arranged in a second period having a phase continuity with the first mark row formed in the first region. A periodic mark row including the first mark row and the second mark row is formed over an entire circumference of the rotating object including the first region and the second region.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takashi Fukuhara
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Patent number: 10228647Abstract: A toner detection unit is configured by an LED that irradiates light toward an intermediate transfer belt, first and second light receiving elements that respectively receive specular reflection light and diffused reflection light of light irradiated toward the intermediate transfer belt from the LED, a circuit board, and a housing. The LED and the light receiving elements are mounted in a line on the circuit board. The housing is configured to guide, to the first light receiving element, the specular reflection light from a first region within an irradiation region on which light is irradiated from the LED on the intermediate transfer belt, and to guide, to the second light receiving element, the diffused reflection light from a second region which is different from the first region within the irradiation region.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazushi Ino, Takuya Mukaibara, Naoki Nishimura, Takashi Fukuhara, Osamu Nagasaki
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Patent number: 10209182Abstract: The image-forming apparatus includes multiple developing units that form images using multiple color developers, an image carrier that, in color displacement detection, carries the developers transferred thereon at mutually different image-carrying positions, an optical sensor that projects a light to the image carrier and receives a reflected light from the image carrier, and an acquirer that acquires, in response to output from the optical sensor, passage times at which the developers on the image carrier respectively pass a detection position. The optical sensor receives a diffusively reflected light from a non-transferred area of the image carrier on which the developers are not transferred. The acquirer acquires the passage times of all the developers, in response to changes in the output from the optical sensor at an output level higher than that corresponding to a diffusively reflected light from the developers on the image carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takashi Fukuhara
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Patent number: 10187540Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-receiving unit that includes light-receiving elements arranged along a movement direction of a target formed on an image carrier, and is arranged so as to receive light emitted from a light-emitting unit and specularly reflected off the image carrier; a member configured to limit a size, in the movement direction, of diffused reflection light that is incident on the light-receiving unit; a selection unit configured to select whether or not each of the light-receiving elements in the light-receiving unit is an effective light-receiving element; a generation unit configured to generate a detection signal from an output of the effective light-receiving element; and a detection unit configured to detect a target formed on the image carrier based on the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Mukaibara, Takashi Fukuhara, Kazushi Ino, Naoki Nishimura, Keisuke Nakano
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Patent number: 10158780Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-receiving unit that includes light-receiving elements arranged along a movement direction of a target formed on an image carrier, and is arranged so as to receive light emitted from a light-emitting unit and specularly reflected off the image carrier; a member configured to limit a size, in the movement direction, of diffused reflection light that is incident on the light-receiving unit; a selection unit configured to select whether or not each of the light-receiving elements in the light-receiving unit is an effective light-receiving element; a generation unit configured to generate a detection signal from an output of the effective light-receiving element; and a detection unit configured to detect a target formed on the image carrier based on the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Mukaibara, Takashi Fukuhara, Kazushi Ino, Naoki Nishimura, Keisuke Nakano
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Publication number: 20180173144Abstract: A toner detection unit is configured by an LED that irradiates light toward an intermediate transfer belt, first and second light receiving elements that respectively receive specular reflection light and diffused reflection light of light irradiated toward the intermediate transfer belt from the LED, a circuit board, and a housing. The LED and the light receiving elements are mounted in a line on the circuit board. The housing is configured to guide, to the first light receiving element, the specular reflection light from a first region within an irradiation region on which light is irradiated from the LED on the intermediate transfer belt, and to guide, to the second light receiving element, the diffused reflection light from a second region which is different from the first region within the irradiation region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Kazushi Ino, Takuya Mukaibara, Naoki Nishimura, Takashi Fukuhara, Osamu Nagasaki
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Publication number: 20180139346Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-receiving unit that includes light-receiving elements arranged along a movement direction of a target formed on an image carrier, and is arranged so as to receive light emitted from a light-emitting unit and specularly reflected off the image carrier; a member configured to limit a size, in the movement direction, of diffused reflection light that is incident on the light-receiving unit; a selection unit configured to select whether or not each of the light-receiving elements in the light-receiving unit is an effective light-receiving element; a generation unit configured to generate a detection signal from an output of the effective light-receiving element; and a detection unit configured to detect a target formed on the image carrier based on the detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2018Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Takuya Mukaibara, Takashi Fukuhara, Kazushi Ino, Naoki Nishimura, Keisuke Nakano
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Publication number: 20180106722Abstract: The image-forming apparatus includes multiple developing units that form images using multiple color developers, an image carrier that, in color displacement detection, carries the developers transferred thereon at mutually different image-carrying positions, an optical sensor that projects a light to the image carrier and receives a reflected light from the image carrier, and an acquirer that acquires, in response to output from the optical sensor, passage times at which the developers on the image carrier respectively pass a detection position. The optical sensor receives a diffusively reflected light from a non-transferred area of the image carrier on which the developers are not transferred. The acquirer acquires the passage times of all the developers, in response to changes in the output from the optical sensor at an output level higher than that corresponding to a diffusively reflected light from the developers on the image carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventor: Takashi FUKUHARA
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Patent number: 9927752Abstract: A toner detection unit is configured by an LED that irradiates light toward an intermediate transfer belt, first and second light receiving elements that respectively receive specular reflection light and diffused reflection light of light irradiated toward the intermediate transfer belt from the LED, a circuit board, and a housing. The LED and the light receiving elements are mounted in a line on the circuit board. The housing is configured to guide, to the first light receiving element, the specular reflection light from a first region within an irradiation region on which light is irradiated from the LED on the intermediate transfer belt, and to guide, to the second light receiving element, the diffused reflection light from a second region which is different from the first region within the irradiation region.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazushi Ino, Takuya Mukaibara, Naoki Nishimura, Takashi Fukuhara, Osamu Nagasaki
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Publication number: 20170131670Abstract: A toner detection unit is configured by an LED that irradiates light toward an intermediate transfer belt, first and second light receiving elements that respectively receive specular reflection light and diffused reflection light of light irradiated toward the intermediate transfer belt from the LED, a circuit board, and a housing. The LED and the light receiving elements are mounted in a line on the circuit board. The housing is configured to guide, to the first light receiving element, the specular reflection light from a first region within an irradiation region on which light is irradiated from the LED on the intermediate transfer belt, and to guide, to the second light receiving element, the diffused reflection light from a second region which is different to the first region within the irradiation region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Kazushi Ino, Takuya Mukaibara, Naoki Nishimura, Takashi Fukuhara, Osamu Nagasaki
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Publication number: 20170134604Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a light-receiving unit that includes light-receiving elements arranged along a movement direction of a target formed on an image carrier, and is arranged so as to receive light emitted from a light-emitting unit and specularly reflected off the image carrier; a member configured to limit a size of diffused reflection light that is incident on the light-receiving unit in the movement direction; a selection unit configured to select whether or not each of the light-receiving elements in the light-receiving unit is a effective light-receiving element; a generation unit configured to generate a detection signal from an output of the effective light-receiving element; and a detection unit configured to detect a target formed on the image carrier based on the detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Takuya Mukaibara, Takashi Fukuhara, Kazushi Ino, Naoki Nishimura, Keisuke Nakano
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Patent number: 9316942Abstract: The reflection detection apparatus includes multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object, and a selector configured to select a first light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements. The selector is configured to select the first light-receiving element group that includes one or more light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a specularly reflected light from an area of the object where no pattern is formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements. The detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the first light-receiving element group.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takashi Fukuhara, Takuya Mukaibara
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Patent number: 9227851Abstract: Provided is a Bi-substituted rare earth iron garnet single crystal which has a composition of R3-xBixFe5-wAwO12, wherein R denotes one or more rare earth elements among Y, Eu, Gd, Ho, Yb, Lu, Nd, Tm, La, Sm, Dy, Er, Ce, and Pr while definitely including Gd, A denotes one or more elements among Ga, Al, In, Sc, Co, Ni, Cr, V, Ti, Si, Ge, Mg, Zn, Nb, Ta, Sn, Zr, Hf, Pt, Rh, Te, Os, Ce, and Lu, 0.7<x?1.5, and 0<w?1.5, does not contain Pb and contains Pt, and additionally contains M which denotes Mn or at least one Group 2 element, wherein a coefficient ? is set to any value within a numerical range of 0.815±0.035 and ? (which means (?×[M])?[Pt]) is set from ?0.40 atppm to 3.18 atppm.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: NAMIKI SEIMITSU HOUSEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenichi Shiroki, Takashi Fukuhara, Kenji Narita