Patents by Inventor Tomonobu Tamura

Tomonobu Tamura 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: 10710829
    Abstract: A paper conveyance device includes: an upstream roller and a downstream roller being arranged at an interval in a paper conveyance path; paper conveyance guides being arranged between the upstream and downstream roller in the paper conveyance path to guide both surfaces of paper along the paper conveyance path during paper conveyance; drivers that drive the upstream and downstream roller independently; and a processor that measures the load torques on the upstream and downstream roller, that judges whether or not the paper is rubbing against one of the paper conveyance guides with reference to the load torques on the upstream and downstream roller, the load torques being obtained by the processor, and that performs controlled paper conveyance with reference to the load torques on the upstream and downstream roller depending on the result of the judgment being obtained by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Asano, Toshikazu Higashi, Tomonobu Tamura
  • Publication number: 20190177102
    Abstract: A paper conveyance device includes: an upstream roller and a downstream roller being arranged at an interval in a paper conveyance path; paper conveyance guides being arranged between the upstream and downstream roller in the paper conveyance path to guide both surfaces of paper along the paper conveyance path during paper conveyance; drivers that drive the upstream and downstream roller independently; and a processor that measures the load torques on the upstream and downstream roller, that judges whether or not the paper is rubbing against one of the paper conveyance guides with reference to the load torques on the upstream and downstream roller, the load torques being obtained by the processor, and that performs controlled paper conveyance with reference to the load torques on the upstream and downstream roller depending on the result of the judgment being obtained by the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi YAMAGUCHI, Hitoshi ASANO, Toshikazu HIGASHI, Tomonobu TAMURA
  • Patent number: 10075607
    Abstract: A reading apparatus that reads a sheet includes: a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light with a specific wavelength; a light emitting element including a second LED configured to emit light with the specific wavelength and a phosphor configured to be excited by the light emitted from the second LED; a line sensor configured to generate a reference signal according to a quantity of received light emitted from the first LED and reflected off the sheet, and also generate an image signal according to a quantity of received light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected off the sheet; and a controller configured to generate an image representing the sheet from a differential result obtained by removing a component corresponding to the reference signal from the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Asano, Katsuhide Sakai, Tomonobu Tamura, Harumitsu Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20180175751
    Abstract: A controller for a permanent magnet synchronous motor having a rotor using a permanent magnet is provided. The rotor rotates by a rotating magnetic field caused by a current flowing through an armature. The controller starts a deceleration control of reducing a rotational speed of the rotor when a stop command is inputted in a state where the rotor rotates at a predetermined rotational speed; and performs a fixed excitation control when the rotational speed is reduced to a set speed. The fixed excitation control includes setting a current for causing a magnetic field vector for stopping the rotor at a target position in accordance with an amount of rotation of the rotor since the deceleration control has started and passing the current through the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumichi Yoshida, Katsuhide Sakai, Tomonobu Tamura, Hitoshi Asano, Harumitsu Fujimori
  • Patent number: 9966767
    Abstract: A charge control device uses external electricity to charge a plurality of battery devices. A constant current source uses the external electricity to generate and adjust an output current amount to a constant target value. A selector selects one battery device from the plurality of battery devices and supplies output current from the constant current source to the one battery device. A measurer measures an amount of actual current flowing from the constant current source to the one battery device. An instructor monitors a measured value provided by the measurer and instructs the selector, when the measured value meets a condition for a reduction of charging current amount to be regarded as having occurred, to change a destination to which the output current of the constant current source is supplied from the one battery device to a different battery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhei Tatsumoto, Tomonobu Tamura, Satoshi Teshima
  • Publication number: 20180076750
    Abstract: A controller for a permanent magnet synchronous motor having a rotor using a permanent magnet includes a drive portion configured to apply a current to a winding to drive the rotor; an estimating portion configured to estimate a position of magnetic pole of the rotor; and a control unit configured to control the drive portion to cause the rotating magnetic field based on the estimated position of magnetic pole and to control the drive portion to stop the rotor in response to a stop command inputted. The control unit controls, as the control to stop the rotor, the drive portion to determine a current for generating a magnetic field vector which draws the position of magnetic pole of the rotor to a stop position to stop the rotor based on a latest estimated position of magnetic pole, and to keep applying the current determined to the winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazumichi YOSHIDA, Katsuhide SAKAI, Tomonobu TAMURA, Hitoshi ASANO, Harumitsu FUJIMORI
  • Publication number: 20170272599
    Abstract: A reading apparatus that reads a sheet includes: a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light with a specific wavelength; a light emitting element including a second LED configured to emit light with the specific wavelength and a phosphor configured to be excited by the light emitted from the second LED; a line sensor configured to generate a reference signal according to a quantity of received light emitted from the first LED and reflected off the sheet, and also generate an image signal according to a quantity of received light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected off the sheet; and a controller configured to generate an image representing the sheet from a differential result obtained by removing a component corresponding to the reference signal from the image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hitoshi Asano, Katsuhide Sakai, Tomonobu Tamura, Harumitsu Fujimori
  • Patent number: 9362541
    Abstract: A magnesium cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a magnesium alloy, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to hold an electrolytic solution, in which a contact area between the negative electrode and the separator is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yuhei Tatsumoto, Yasutaka Tanimura, Tomonobu Tamura, Hiroshi Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 9350188
    Abstract: Electronic device comprising: processing unit including accepting part accepting processing request from external device and executing process specified by request; secondary battery connected with external power source; and power-source device transitioning to operating state when request is accepted in waiting state, and transitioning to waiting state when processing unit completes executing process, wherein, in waiting state, power supply from external power source to processing unit is stopped and secondary battery supplies power to accepting part, and in operating state, power is supplied from external power source to processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Hasebe, Hiroshi Hiraguchi, Mineo Yamamoto, Tomonobu Tamura, Yuhei Tatsumoto
  • Patent number: 9207622
    Abstract: A power controller includes: a measuring unit that measures outputs from plural power generating devices outputting power to a common load in parallel; an adjusting unit that controls the outputs of the plural power generating devices to adjust output voltages of the plural power generating devices to a predetermined value; and a matching control unit that calculates power-voltage characteristics of the plural power generating devices based on values measured by the measuring unit, determines a target value of output voltage to be shared by all the plural power generating devices based on the power-voltage characteristics thus calculated and corresponding to the whole parallel connection of the plural power generating devices, and allows the adjusting unit to match the predetermined value with the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yuhei Tatsumoto, Tomonobu Tamura, Satoshi Teshima
  • Publication number: 20150311731
    Abstract: A charge control device uses external electricity to charge a plurality of battery devices. A constant current source uses the external electricity to generate and adjust an output current amount to a constant target value. A selector selects one battery device from the plurality of battery devices and supplies output current from the constant current source to the one battery device. A measurer measures an amount of actual current flowing from the constant current source to the one battery device. An instructor monitors a measured value provided by the measurer and instructs the selector, when the measured value meets a condition for a reduction of charging current amount to be regarded as having occurred, to change a destination to which the output current of the constant current source is supplied from the one battery device to a different battery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhei TATSUMOTO, Tomonobu TAMURA, Satoshi TESHIMA
  • Publication number: 20150220044
    Abstract: A power controller includes: a measuring unit that measures outputs from plural power generating devices outputting power to a common load in parallel; an adjusting unit that controls the outputs of the plural power generating devices to adjust output voltages of the plural power generating devices to a predetermined value; and a matching control unit that calculates power-voltage characteristics of the plural power generating devices based on values measured by the measuring unit, determines a target value of output voltage to be shared by all the plural power generating devices based on the power-voltage characteristics thus calculated and corresponding to the whole parallel connection of the plural power generating devices, and allows the adjusting unit to match the predetermined value with the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yuhei Tatsumoto, Tomonobu Tamura, Satoshi Teshima
  • Patent number: 9075381
    Abstract: The image forming device includes a reception unit, an image forming unit, a switching unit, a detection unit, and a charging unit. The switching unit switches the image forming device between a first mode in which the reception unit is not supplied a voltage from a power source, is supplied power from a secondary battery, and receives image forming requests, and a second mode in which the image forming unit is supplied the voltage and performs image forming. The detection unit detects a value of an amount of energy of the secondary battery. In the second mode, the charging unit charges the secondary battery by supplying the voltage to the secondary battery when the value is equal to or less than a threshold value, and the charging unit boosts the voltage and supplies the boosted voltage to the secondary battery when the value is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hiraguchi, Takashi Hasebe, Tomonobu Tamura, Yasutaka Tanimura, Yuhei Tatsumoto
  • Patent number: 9069552
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a functional unit, a first power supply circuit supplying electric power to the functional unit from a commercial power supply, a second power supply circuit including a self-generation power supply, and a third power supply circuit including a power storage unit storing electric power and a charging circuit charging the power storage unit upon receipt of supply of electric power from at least one of the commercial power supply and the self-generation power supply. In accordance with the amount of power supply from the self-generation power supply, higher priority is given to supply of electric power to the functional unit from at least one of the second and third power supply circuits than to supply of electric power from the first power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hiraguchi, Takashi Hasebe, Tomonobu Tamura, Mineo Yamamoto, Yuhei Tatsumoto
  • Patent number: 8954777
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprising: a main body including a reception unit and a processing unit; and a power supply device switches between an operation state for supplying power from an external power source to the main body and a standby state for supplying power from a secondary battery to the reception unit without supplying power from the power source to the main body. Charging of the battery with power from the power source is performed during the operation state and is terminated when a value indicating power level of the battery reaches a threshold value Vt satisfying (discharge lower limit VL+Vs)?Vt<charge upper limit VH, Vs denoting a decrease in power level occurring when power from the battery is supplied to the reception unit for an estimated maximum duration of the standby state within a time period having a unit time length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhei Tatsumoto, Takashi Hasebe, Tomonobu Tamura, Yasutaka Tanimura, Hiroshi Eguchi, Hiroshi Hiraguchi
  • Publication number: 20140370359
    Abstract: A magnesium cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a magnesium alloy, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to hold an electrolytic solution, in which a contact area between the negative electrode and the separator is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Yuhei TATSUMOTO, Yasutaka Tanimura, Tomonobu Tamura, Hiroshi Hiraguchi
  • Publication number: 20140147157
    Abstract: The image forming device includes a reception unit, an image forming unit, a switching unit, a detection unit, and a charging unit. The switching unit switches the image forming device between a first mode in which the reception unit is not supplied a voltage from a power source, is supplied power from a secondary battery, and receives image forming requests, and a second mode in which the image forming unit is supplied the voltage and performs image forming. The detection unit detects a value of an amount of energy of the secondary battery. In the second mode, the charging unit charges the secondary battery by supplying the voltage to the secondary battery when the value is equal to or less than a threshold value, and the charging unit boosts the voltage and supplies the boosted voltage to the secondary battery when the value is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi HIRAGUCHI, Takashi Hasebe, Tomonobu Tamura, Yasutaka Tanimura, Yuhei Tatsumoto
  • Patent number: 8731427
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging device for performing charging and discharging using a power storage device, and a plurality of loads each serving as a target of power supply from said charging device and being used in operation of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus obtains information about an operation status of the image forming apparatus and sets priorities for being a target of power supply from the charging device for the plurality of loads, according to the obtained information. The image forming apparatus controls power supply operation of the charging device according to the information about the remaining capacity of the power storage device and the set priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eguchi, Shigeru Yamazaki, Tomonobu Tamura, Yuhei Tatsumoto
  • Patent number: 8639366
    Abstract: A control device for generating a second trigger with a delay of a predetermined time from generation of a first trigger, the control device having: a counter for counting numbers from 0 to n?1 at a frequency with cycles of a first period; a control section, which operates at a frequency with cycles of a second period that is longer than the first period, for calculating a remainder of a division by adding a number of counts of the counter corresponding to the predetermined time to a count value of the counter at the time of generation of the first trigger and by dividing a result of the addition by n; and an output section for outputting the second trigger at a time when the count value of the counter becomes equal to the remainder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuta Tachibana, Norihiko Nakano, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Tomonobu Tamura
  • Patent number: 8629643
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a stepping motor arranged in a conveying path for a paper; a driver for driving the stepping motor; a current detecting unit for detecting an actual current value; and a control unit for providing a set current value for every predetermined cycle. The control unit determines an estimated load torque value corresponding to the set current value in a previous cycle and the actual current value in a present cycle, by referring to a relationship between actual current and load torque of the stepping motor with respect to the set current value, determines a target load torque value based on the estimated load torque value, and determines, as the set current value, a current value corresponding to the target load torque value, by referring to a relationship between maximum output torque of the stepping motor and current supplied to the stepping motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuta Tachibana, Tomonobu Tamura, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Norihiko Nakano