Patents by Inventor Tomoharu Sato

Tomoharu Sato 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: 8336869
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a folding roller pair, a sheet pushing member, a detection unit, and a control unit. The folding roller pair folds a sheet or a sheet bundle by a nip portion and conveys a folded sheet or a folded sheet bundle. The sheet pushing member performs a pushing operation in which a tip of the sheet pushing member pushes the sheet or the sheet bundle into the nip portion of the folding roller pair. The detection unit detects whether the tip of the sheet pushing member reaches a predetermined position in a moving direction of the sheet pushing member. The control unit controls driving of the sheet pushing member according to a result of detection by the detection unit such that the sheet pushing member repeats the pushing operation until the detection unit detects that the tip of the sheet pushing member reaches the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20120286469
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that is capable of aligning sheets in a sheet longitudinal direction with high accuracy when bundling the sheets. A conveyance unit conveys a sheet. A stacking unit stacks a plurality of sheets that are conveyed by the conveyance unit. A grasping member performs a grasping operation that grasps the rear end of the sheet surface of the sheets stacked on the stacking unit. A driving unit moves the grasping member. A control unit controls the driving unit so as to align the sheets stacked on the stacking unit in a sheet conveyance direction by making the grasping member contact the rear end of the stacked sheets after the sheets are stacked on the stacking unit, and controls the driving unit so that the grasping member performs the grasping operation when a following sheet is stacked on the stacked sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoharu SATO, Hitoshi KATO, Naoki ISHIKAWA, Yasuo FUKATSU
  • Publication number: 20120261873
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of enhancing productivity in flattening a fold top of a sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus has a conveying unit that conveys a folded sheet bundle to a processing position, and a holding unit that holds the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying unit. When the folded sheet bundle has been conveyed by a predetermined distance after a leading end of the sheet bundle has been detected and before the sheet bundle reaches a processing position, the holding unit starts holding the sheet bundle, and then the conveying units stops conveyance of the sheet bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20120252649
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of stabilizing a stop position of the sheet bundle, to thereby enable creation of a high finish quality product, and is compact in size and can be manufactured at low costs. Conveyance belts convey the sheet bundle to a flattening position. A pressing roller flattens the folded spine of the sheet bundle by pressing the folded spine. Clampers hold the sheet bundle such that the sheet bundle is not moved when flattening is performed. A CPU starts to stop driving of the conveyance belts when the sheet bundle is conveyed to a predetermined location upstream of the flattening position in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle, and stops the sheet bundle at the flattening position by holding the sheet bundle with the clampers before the conveyance of the sheet bundle is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Naoki ISHIKAWA, Yasuo FUKATSU, Tomoharu SATO
  • Publication number: 20120243962
    Abstract: A folding line is pressed using both a first and second pressing members of press roller pairs. Further, positions of the first and second pressing members are shifted from each other. When the number of the sheets included in a booklet is a predetermined number or less, the folding line is pressed by only the first pressing member. When the number of the sheets is more than the predetermined number, the folding line is pressed by both the first and second pressing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8262073
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a pushing member, a drive device, a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit provided on a downstream side of the first conveyance unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The drive device moves the pushing member to push a portion of a sheet bundle to fold the sheet bundle. The first conveyance unit uses a roller pair to convey the folded sheet bundle folded. The second conveyance unit conveys the sheet bundle. The first detection unit detects an amount by which the pushing member is moved by the drive device. The second detection unit detects an amount by which the sheet bundle is conveyed by the first conveyance unit. The control unit separates the roller pair based on the amounts detected by the first and second detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20120169003
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a folding roller pair, a sheet pushing member, a detection unit, and a control unit. The folding roller pair folds a sheet or a sheet bundle by a nip portion and conveys a folded sheet or a folded sheet bundle. The sheet pushing member performs a pushing operation in which a tip of the sheet pushing member pushes the sheet or the sheet bundle into the nip portion of the folding roller pair. The detection unit detects whether the tip of the sheet pushing member reaches a predetermined position in a moving direction of the sheet pushing member. The control unit controls driving of the sheet pushing member according to a result of detection by the detection unit such that the sheet pushing member repeats the pushing operation until the detection unit detects that the tip of the sheet pushing member reaches the predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8210519
    Abstract: An upper air blowing portion that blows air from above a sheet held by a tray is provided above the portion between a trailing end restricting plate and an absorption conveyance portion. A controlling portion drives the upper air blowing portion so as to restrict the movement of the sheet in the direction reverse to the sheet feeding direction, when the sheet held on the tray moves in the direction reverse to the sheet feeding direction with the air blown by the air blowing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuro Fukusaka, Yuzo Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Yamazaki, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20120142510
    Abstract: A sheet bundle treatment apparatus may include a folding device, a conveying unit, a flattening device, and a control unit. The folding device performs a folding process on a sheet bundle to produce a folded sheet bundle. The conveying unit conveys the folded sheet bundle. The flattening device performs a flattening process to press a folded portion of the sheet bundle from the folded portion toward a fore edge to flatten the folded portion after the conveyance of the sheet bundle. The control unit causes the sheet bundle to be conveyed at a first velocity when the flattening process is not to be performed, and causes the sheet bundle to be conveyed at a second velocity which is slower than the first velocity when the flattening process is to be performed, thereby stopping the sheet bundle at a position where the flattening process is to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8162303
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a folding roller pair, a sheet pushing member, and a detection unit. The folding roller pair folds a sheet or a sheet bundle by a nip portion. The sheet pushing member results in a tip pushing a portion between two ends of the sheet or sheet bundle into the nip portion and then performs a tip returning operation. The detection unit detects whether the tip reaches a predetermined position within a predetermined time. When the tip does not reach the predetermined position within the predetermined time, the sheet pushing member retries the pushing operation after performing the returning operation. When the tip reaches the predetermined position within the predetermined time, the sheet pushing member stops the pushing operation and controls rotation driving of the folding roller pair such that the folding roller pair starts to convey the sheet or sheet bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20120044530
    Abstract: An image forming system including an image forming apparatus, which is configured to form an image on a sheet according to an input print job, and a plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, which is configured to execute postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, includes a supply unit configured to supply the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses with a signal, which instructs a batch power supply to the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, and a control unit configured, after the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses have been powered on by the supply unit instructing the batch power supply, to discontinue a power supply to a second postprocessing apparatus, which is connected further downstream of a first postprocessing apparatus provided most downstream in a direction of conveying the sheet in the input print job, of the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20120028778
    Abstract: A finisher deforms a fold end portion of a sheet bundle with a lower pressing plate and an upper pressing plate. A pressing unit holds a sheet bundle so that the fold end portion is positioned between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate. A third pressing roller includes a third pressing surface that presses the fold end portion of the sheet bundle between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate. The third pressing roller moves in between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate. The third pressing roller or the pressing unit moves so that the third pressing surface of the third pressing roller presses the fold end portion at a predetermined position based on a tip of the fold end portion. The fold end portion projects after the sheet bundle is held between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoharu Sato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110280689
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet stacking unit, a binding unit, a folding unit, a conveyance unit, a press unit, a grasping unit, and a control unit. The binding unit performs binding processing on a sheet bundle stacked in the sheet stacking unit. The folding unit folds the sheet bundle that is subjected to binding processing. The conveyance unit conveys the folded sheet bundle. The press unit presses a fold line portion of the conveyed sheet bundle. The grasping unit is separate from the conveyance unit and switches between a first state in which the grasping unit grasps the conveyed sheet bundle to fix the sheet bundle in position and a second state in which the grasping unit does not grasp the conveyed sheet bundle. The control unit shifts the grasping unit to the first state and causes the press unit to press the sheet bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20110281708
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a pushing member, a drive device, a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit provided on a downstream side of the first conveyance unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The drive device moves the pushing member to push a portion of a sheet bundle to fold the sheet bundle. The first conveyance unit uses a roller pair to convey the folded sheet bundle folded. The second conveyance unit conveys the sheet bundle. The first detection unit detects an amount by which the pushing member is moved by the drive device. The second detection unit detects an amount by which the sheet bundle is conveyed by the first conveyance unit. The control unit separates the roller pair based on the amounts detected by the first and second detection units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20110278787
    Abstract: An upper air blowing portion that blows air from above a sheet held by a tray is provided above the portion between a trailing end restricting plate and an absorption conveyance portion. A controlling portion drives the upper air blowing portion so as to restrict the movement of the sheet in the direction reverse to the sheet feeding direction, when the sheet held on the tray moves in the direction reverse to the sheet feeding direction with the air blown by the air blowing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Fukusaka, Yuzo Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Yamazaki, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20110221115
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a folding roller pair, a sheet pushing member, and a detection unit. The folding roller pair folds a sheet or a sheet bundle by a nip portion. The sheet pushing member results in a tip pushing a portion between two ends of the sheet or sheet bundle into the nip portion and then performs a tip returning operation. The detection unit detects whether the tip reaches a predetermined position within a predetermined time. When the tip does not reach the predetermined position within the predetermined time, the sheet pushing member retries the pushing operation after performing the returning operation. When the tip reaches the predetermined position within the predetermined time, the sheet pushing member stops the pushing operation and controls rotation driving of the folding roller pair such that the folding roller pair starts to convey the sheet or sheet bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20100066012
    Abstract: An image forming system capable of controlling a handover timing of sheets between an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus at high precision. A transmission path transmits information between the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus. A signal line transmits a handover signal output from the image forming apparatus to the sheet feeding apparatus. A first control unit transmits the handover signal to the sheet feeding apparatus after transmitting a feeding start request to the sheet feeding apparatus. A second control unit controls the sheet feeding apparatus to convey the sheet to a predetermined position in the sheet feeding apparatus in accordance with a reception of the feeding start request and of conveying the sheet at the predetermined position to the image forming apparatus in accordance with a reception of the handover signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Yamazaki, Yuzo Matsumoto, Tomoharu Sato, Tetsuro Fukusaka
  • Patent number: 6893946
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thin film having high carrier mobility, and a magnetoelectric conversion element provided with the semiconductor thin film manufactured by the aforementioned method are provided. The temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is raised to 270° C. to 320° C., and an In buffer layer is formed by an electron beam heating type vacuum evaporation method. Subsequently, an initial seed layer made of Sb and In is formed. The temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is raised to 460° C. to 480° C., and thereafter, a retention time approximated by a predetermined function of the temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is provided. Then, a main growth layer made of Sb and In is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ueda, Tomoharu Sato, Masanaga Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20050029608
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thin film having high carrier mobility, and a magnetoelectric conversion element provided with the semiconductor thin film manufactured by the aforementioned method are provided. The temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is raised to 270° C. to 320° C., and an In buffer layer is formed by an electron beam heating type vacuum evaporation method. Subsequently, an initial seed layer made of Sb and In is formed. The temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is raised to 460° C. to 480° C., and thereafter, a retention time approximated by a predetermined function of the temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is provided. Then, a main growth layer made of Sb and In is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ueda, Tomoharu Sato, Masanaga Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20030203601
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thin film having high carrier mobility, and a magnetoelectric conversion element provided with the semiconductor thin film manufactured by the aforementioned method are provided. The temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is raised to 270° C. to 320° C., and an In buffer layer is formed by an electron beam heating type vacuum evaporation method. Subsequently, an initial seed layer made of Sb and In is formed. The temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is raised to 460° C. to 480° C., and thereafter, a retention time approximated by a predetermined function of the temperature of the Si single crystal substrate is provided. Then, a main growth layer made of Sb and In is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ueda, Tomoharu Sato, Masanaga Nishikawa