Patents by Inventor Tetsuo Hirata

Tetsuo Hirata 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: 20060153612
    Abstract: In a sheet post processing apparatus having a folding device that carries out the process of book folding by folding either one sheet or a plurality of sheets at a time on the sheets discharge from the image forming apparatus, a sheet stacking section that successively stacks the booklet-folded sheets, and a control unit that controls the sheet post processing apparatus, said control unit controls said folding device so that said booklet folding process of said sheets is carried out at the portions of two folding lines which are almost parallel thereby obtaining a square-shaped back of booklet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Yasushi Saitsu, Tetsuo Hirata, Motoki Nakamichi, Norishige Kato, Takehiro Ogushi
  • Publication number: 20060038336
    Abstract: A sheet finisher includes a sheet stacker for stacking sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus to form a sheet bundle and a binding device for binding the sheet bundle with a staple, further includes a center folding device for center folding sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, a first conveying device for conveying sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus to the sheet stacker without passing through the center folding device, and a second conveying device for conveying the sheets to the sheet stacker via the center folding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hirata, Motoki Nakamichi, Norishige Kato, Takehiro Ogushi, Yasushi Saitsu
  • Publication number: 20060007476
    Abstract: An image forming system having an image forming apparatus for forming an image onto a recording medium, and a plurality of finishing apparatus for processing the recoding medium ejected from the image forming apparatus, each finishing apparatus of the plurality of finishing apparatuses comprising, a communication device for controlling communication between the image forming apparatus and the finishing apparatus itself, a first communication line for sending and receiving data between the finishing apparatus with the image forming apparatus through the communication device for controlling the finishing apparatus, and a second communication line adapted for bypassing the communication device arranged in the finishing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Takehiro Ogushi, Tetsuo Hirata, Motoki Nakamichi, Norishige Kato, Yasushi Saitsu
  • Publication number: 20050121847
    Abstract: An image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus capable of conveying a recording sheet at a predetermined speed; at least one finisher capable of conveying the sheet eject from the image forming apparatus at a prescribed speed to process the sheet; and a controller for changing a conveyance speed of the recording sheet in the finisher to be higher than that of the sheet in the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Eiji Anzai, Tetsuo Hirata, Motoki Nakamichi, Norishige Kato, Takehiro Ogushi, Yasushi Saitsu
  • Publication number: 20050017426
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming member to form an image to an recording material, a plurality of sheet finisher units, each of which performs different sheet finishing to the recording material on which the image has formed, a plurality of indicating member provided respectively at least one to the each sheet finisher unit, an input member to accept an input of a sheet finishing mode corresponding to the sheet finishing performed by the sheet finisher unit, a sheet finishing judging member to judge the sheet finisher unit performing the sheet finishing corresponding to the input sheet finishing mode, and an indicating control member to light the indicating member provided to the judged sheet finisher unit in a first display mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hirata, Motoki Nakamichi, Eiji Anzai, Norishige Kato, Takehiro Ogushi
  • Patent number: 6532856
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a paper sheet cutting apparatus which cuts the front end portion opposite to the fold, where both the leading edge and trailing edge get together by center folding, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the paper sheet cutting apparatus. The sheet cutting apparatus includes a conveying device for conveying a booklet; a stopping device for stopping the booklet at a predetermined position; a cutting device for cutting the front end portion of the booklet; and a controlling section to control each of the conveying device, the stopping device and the cutting device. The controlling section controls the stopping device so as to variably determine a stopping position of the booklet stopped by the stopping device, based on a number of sheets included in the booklet conveyed to the cutting device by the conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Norishige Kato, Tetsuo Hirata
  • Publication number: 20010054342
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a paper sheet cutting apparatus which cuts the front end portion opposite to the fold, where both the leading edge and trailing edge get together by center folding, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the paper sheet cutting apparatus. The sheet cutting apparatus includes a conveying device for conveying a booklet; a stopping device for stopping the booklet at a predetermined position; a cutting device for cutting the front end portion of the booklet; and a controlling section to control each of the conveying device, the stopping device and the cutting device. The controlling section controls the stopping device so as to variably determine a stopping position of the booklet stopped by the stopping device, based on a number of sheets included in the booklet conveyed to the cutting device by the conveying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Norishige Kato, Tetsuo Hirata, Shinji Yashiro
  • Publication number: 20010050783
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprises an image information receiving section to receive image information including image data and setting data indicating a control condition at the time of an image formation; a first storing section to store temporarily the image information received by the image information receiving section as one of a plurality of JOB data; an image forming section to form an image based on the image information stored in the first storing section; a second storing section to store image information corresponding to specific JOB data among the image information received by the image information receiving section; a selecting section to select JOB data to be combined from the plurality of JOB data stored in the second storing section; a judging section to judge the propriety of the JOB data selected by the selecting section based on the content of the setting data of the selected JOB data; and a control section to combine a plurality of JOB data judged as being selectable by the judging se
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Sato, Yoshinao Kitahara, Yoshihisa Kamata, Yasumasa Tsukamoto, Tetsuo Hirata, Jun Yokobori, Chikatsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5436715
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a document stacker for holding documents, a first conveyer for feeding the documents one sheet by one sheet to a platen glass for reading an image on a first side of the conveyed document, a second conveyor for conveying the conveyed document so that the conveyed document is turned over and conveyed to the platen glass again to read an image on the second side, and a discharger for discharging the conveyed document from the platen glass and returning the conveyed document to the document stacker. A third conveyer, located over the platen glass, conveys the conveyed document from at least one of the first conveyor and the second conveyer to the platen glass and conveys the conveyed document from the platen glass to at least one of the first conveyer, the second conveyer, and the discharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Yamada, Kohji Yoshie, Tetsuo Hirata, Tadashi Uematsu, Hiroyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 5390005
    Abstract: A method of indicating a setting screen of an image forming machine on which a touch-panel is displayed, wherein automatic setting conditions and a manual mode button are displayed on an initial screen; and when a touch operation is conducted on the manual mode button, a manual setting screen is indicated and an operating condition can be manually set by a touch operation on the manual setting screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kimoto, Tetsuo Hirata, Yoshikazu Maekawa
  • Patent number: 5385341
    Abstract: An automatic document conveying device has a stack tray on which a plurality of documents are stacked; a feeder by which the documents stacked on the stack tray are separated and fed one by one; at least one pair of conveying rollers provided downstream of the feeder; a reading position for reading document information from said separated documents positioned downstream of the at least one pair of conveying rollers; a conveyor provided opposite to the reader for conveying separated documents to the reading position; a discharger positioned downstream of said reading position for discharging documents after said conveyor conveys the documents to the reading position, a conveyance path on which a plurality of documents are sequentially located between the feeder and the reading position; the conveyance path having predetermined stand-by positions provided on the conveyance path at which documents, subsequent to a document positioned at the reading position are stopped; a document detector provided between the a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Yamada, Tetsuo Hirata, Tadashi Uematsu, Hiroyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 5096184
    Abstract: A paper discharge apparatus for a recording system includes a plurality of vertically movable bins, arranged vertically stepwise, for receiving a recorded sheet discharged from a recording system main body, a lifting mechanism, a shifting unit, and a selection shift selecting unit, and a shift operation control unit. The lifting mechanism moves the bins upward/downward stepwise in synchronism with a sheet discharging operation in a sort mode. The shifting unit transversely shifts a discharging direction of a recorded sheet from a normal discharging direction. The selection shift selecting unit selects a shift mode or a non-shift mode as a discharge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Maekawa, Tetsuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 5010364
    Abstract: An apparatus with a document feeder for sequentially copying plural sheets of documents. When a document longer than a predetermined length is detected by a sensor, a stopper for aligning the document at a predetermined position is withdrawn in order to prevent the document from being damaged. At the same time, an indicator is turned on, warning the operator of jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Maekawa, Tetsuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 4942461
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a photoelectric converter, a multiple-value circuit, and a detachable external storage unit. The photoelectric converter photoelectrically coverts data of an original into image signals. The multiple-value circuit converts the image signals into multiple-valued data by comparing the image signals with predetermined threshold value data. The detachable external storage stores the threshold value data. The threshold values can also be made automatically responsive to gray scale data. The automatic mode and the manual selection mode are switched between in response to a release (toggle) signal. Color separation and color ghost correction are provided; and various types of formatting management are faciliated. Partial color converting (as, for example, color reversal) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Abe, Kazuo Watanabe, Tetsuo Kimoto, Tetsuo Hirata, Chiharu Kobayashi, Hideki Endo