Patents by Inventor Tetsuya Ofuchi

Tetsuya Ofuchi 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: 11381709
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a first scanner, a second scanner, and circuitry. The first scanner is configured to read a first side of a recording medium. The second scanner is configured to read a second side of the recording medium. The circuitry is configured to generate a first correction value to correct misalignment between the first side and the second side. The circuitry is configured to input a second correction value. The circuitry is configured to correct an image based on the first correction value and the second correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishii, Kohtaroh Oda, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Tomoaki Suga, Yukifumi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20210266423
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a first scanner, a second scanner, and circuitry. The first scanner is configured to read a first side of a recording medium. The second scanner is configured to read a second side of the recording medium. The circuitry is configured to generate a first correction value to correct misalignment between the first side and the second side. The circuitry is configured to input a second correction value. The circuitry is configured to correct an image based on the first correction value and the second correction value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: TATSUYA ISHII, KOHTAROH ODA, TETSUYA OFUCHI, TOMOAKI SUGA, YUKIFUMI KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10545443
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukifumi Kobayashi, Hideyo Makino, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yasuyuki Sekino, Tohru Matsumoto, Noriaki Takenaga, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10212298
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector including a light emitter to emit light to a surface of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader and a light receiver to receive the light emitted by the light emitter and detecting information of the recording medium, a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector, and a light emission controller to control activation and stop of the light emitter and activate the light emitter before the information detector starts detection of the information of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Matsumoto, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yukifumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10203641
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an optical information detector, a sheet distinguisher, and a sheet thickness detector. The optical information detector includes a light emitter to emit light to a recording medium and a light receiver to receive the light and detects information of the recording medium. The sheet distinguisher distinguishes a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the optical information detector. The sheet thickness detector includes a displacement gauge to sandwich the recording medium with an opposing member disposed facing the displacement gauge and to move from an initial position thereof and a displacement detector to detect an amount of displacement of the displacement gauge. The sheet thickness detector detects a thickness of the recording medium based on detection results obtained by the displacement detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Takenaga, Tohru Matsumoto, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yukifumi Kobayashi, Hideyo Makino, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20180364627
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukifumi KOBAYASHI, Hideyo MAKINO, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Takayuki NISHIMURA, Yasuyuki SEKINO, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Noriaki TAKENAGA, Satoshi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10073396
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukifumi Kobayashi, Hideyo Makino, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yasuyuki Sekino, Tohru Matsumoto, Noriaki Takenaga, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9890003
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector including a light emitter to emit light to a surface of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader and a light receiver to receive the light emitted by the light emitter and detecting information of the recording medium, a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector, and a detector body encasing at least the information detector therein and having an opening formed on an opposing face facing the sheet loader. The opposing face has an opening formed thereon. The opening has at least one arc-shaped side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakayama, Noriaki Takenaga, Hideyo Makino, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yasuyuki Sekino, Tohru Matsumoto, Yukifumi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170176908
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukifumi KOBAYASHI, Hideyo MAKINO, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Takayuki NISHIMURA, Yasuyuki SEKINO, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Noriaki TAKENAGA, Satoshi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 9676576
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector to detect information of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader, and a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector. The information detector detects the information of the recording medium with the recording medium being inserted between the sheet loader and the information detector. An image forming apparatus incorporates the sheet discriminator and an image forming part to form an image on the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nishimura, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Tohru Matsumoto, Yukifumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9621752
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukifumi Kobayashi, Hideyo Makino, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yasuyuki Sekino, Tohru Matsumoto, Noriaki Takenaga, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20170097601
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an optical information detector, a sheet distinguisher, and a sheet thickness detector. The optical information detector includes a light emitter to emit light to a recording medium and a light receiver to receive the light and detects information of the recording medium. The sheet distinguisher distinguishes a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the optical information detector. The sheet thickness detector includes a displacement gauge to sandwich the recording medium with an opposing member disposed facing the displacement gauge and to move from an initial position thereof and a displacement detector to detect an amount of displacement of the displacement gauge. The sheet thickness detector detects a thickness of the recording medium based on detection results obtained by the displacement detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki TAKENAGA, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Takayuki NISHIMURA, Yukifumi KOBAYASHI, Hideyo MAKINO, Satoshi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 9551967
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an optical information detector, a sheet distinguisher, and a sheet thickness detector. The optical information detector includes a light emitter to emit light to a recording medium and a light receiver to receive the light and detects information of the recording medium. The sheet distinguisher distinguishes a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the optical information detector. The sheet thickness detector includes a displacement gauge to sandwich the recording medium with an opposing member disposed facing the displacement gauge and to move from an initial position thereof and a displacement detector to detect an amount of displacement of the displacement gauge. The sheet thickness detector detects a thickness of the recording medium based on detection results obtained by the displacement detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Takenaga, Tohru Matsumoto, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Takayuki Nishimura, Yukifumi Kobayashi, Hideyo Makino, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20160221780
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector to detect information of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader, and a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector. The information detector detects the information of the recording medium with the recording medium being inserted between the sheet loader and the information detector. An image forming apparatus incorporates the sheet discriminator and an image forming part to form an image on the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: TAKAYUKI NISHIMURA, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Yukifumi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 9346291
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector to detect information of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader, and a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector. The information detector detects the information of the recording medium with the recording medium being inserted between the sheet loader and the information detector. An image forming apparatus incorporates the sheet discriminator and an image forming part to form an image on the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nishimura, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Tohru Matsumoto, Yukifumi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20160100072
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Yukifumi KOBAYASHI, Hideyo MAKINO, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Takayuki NISHIMURA, Yasuyuki SEKINO, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Noriaki TAKENAGA, Satoshi NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160090256
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector including a light emitter to emit light to a surface of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader and a light receiver to receive the light emitted by the light emitter and detecting information of the recording medium, a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector, and a detector body encasing at least the information detector therein and having an opening formed on an opposing face facing the sheet loader. The opposing face has an opening formed thereon. The opening has at least one arc-shaped side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKAYAMA, Noriaki TAKENAGA, Hideyo MAKINO, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Takayuki NISHIMURA, Yasuyuki SEKINO, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Yukifumi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20150293487
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an optical information detector, a sheet distinguisher, and a sheet thickness detector. The optical information detector includes a light emitter to emit light to a recording medium and a light receiver to receive the light and detects information of the recording medium. The sheet distinguisher distinguishes a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the optical information detector. The sheet thickness detector includes a displacement gauge to sandwich the recording medium with an opposing member disposed facing the displacement gauge and to move from an initial position thereof and a displacement detector to detect an amount of displacement of the displacement gauge. The sheet thickness detector detects a thickness of the recording medium based on detection results obtained by the displacement detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki TAKENAGA, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Takayuki NISHIMURA, Yukifumi KOBAYASHI, Hideyo MAKINO, Satoshi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 9150370
    Abstract: A sheet feeder, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet container, a sheet conveying member disposed facing a sheet stack that includes multiple sheet members loaded on the sheet container to separate an uppermost sheet member placed on the sheet stack from the other sheet members and to convey the uppermost sheet member, and a pressing member switchable between a pressing position to press the sheet stack from above and a retracted position to separate from the sheet stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ogino, Tetsuya Ofuchi, Yasuyuki Sekino, Kohtaroh Oda
  • Publication number: 20150186762
    Abstract: A sheet discriminator includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector to detect information of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader, and a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector. The information detector detects the information of the recording medium with the recording medium being inserted between the sheet loader and the information detector. An image forming apparatus incorporates the sheet discriminator and an image forming part to form an image on the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki NISHIMURA, Tetsuya OFUCHI, Tohru MATSUMOTO, Yukifumi KOBAYASHI