Patents by Inventor Yasuo Fukatsu

Yasuo Fukatsu 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: 8554128
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Norifumi Miyake, Takayuki Fujii, Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Takako Hanada, Kuniyasu Kimura, Toshiyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 8553248
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus accumulates the number of input print jobs when a control circuit of the image forming apparatus recognizes that, during the execution of the first print job having a sheet post-processing setting, a subsequent new print job having no sheet post-processing settings is input. If the accumulated number of input print jobs is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the image forming apparatus allows the interruption of the first print job by the subsequent new job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigemi Kumagai, Yasuo Fukatsu, Ichiro Sasaki, Hiroaki Tomiyasu, Shunsuke Nishimura, Yuzuru Yano
  • Patent number: 8544834
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoharu Sato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8459631
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8459641
    Abstract: In a sheet processing apparatus that is required for high productivity, it is needed to execute skew correction of a sheet in a short time. Thus, when the sheet is struck against a roller or a skew correction member at a high speed to execute skew correction, it may cause a scratch or a noise caused by an impact. Accordingly, the sheet is struck against a skew correction stopper that is moving at a speed slower than a sheet conveyance speed to execute skew correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 8439341
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8434753
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying portion which can move a sheet in a sheet conveying direction and in a sheet width direction, a moving portion which moves the conveying portion in the sheet width direction, a punching portion which punches a hole in the sheet, and a pressing portion which presses an upstream end of the sheet. The sheet forms a first loop to correct skew feeding while the sheet is conveyed with its downstream end abutted against the conveying portion in the sheet conveying direction. The conveying portion conveys the sheet. The moving portion moves the conveying portion in the sheet width direction to correct lateral registration of the sheet. The pressing portion presses an upstream end of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction and forms a second loop of the sheet to correct skew feeding. The sheet is positioned with reference to the pressing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8432571
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8403325
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing multiple copies of a document, the document having N (where N is an integer) pages, includes an image forming unit configured to print images on a plurality of sheets according to an input print job, a sheet stacking unit configured to stack sheets printed by the image forming unit, and a control unit configured to divide a print job which prints M (where M is an integer) copies of each of the N pages of the document into a plurality of print operations in a case where a group mode in which sheets are stacked into N groups, each group having M copies of a respective page of the document, is set in the print job, wherein each of the plurality of print operations is for printing less than M copies of each of the N pages of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8376360
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus including first and second stacking trays configured to stack sheets, a detection unit configured to detect a sheet stacking amount on the first stacking tray, a setting unit configured to set an upper limit on stacking amount for controlling the sheet stacking amount that is less than a maximum sheet stacking amount on the first stacking tray, and a control unit configured to stop stacking of sheets on the first stacking tray and stack sheets on the second stacking tray in a case where the sheet stacking amount which is detected by the detection unit reaches the upper limit on stacking amount that is set by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130036886
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of high-speed and accurate detection of a lateral displacement and a skew of a sheet. A motor laterally shifts the sensors during sheet conveyance by a conveying motor, to determine first and second positions of the sheet lateral edge detected respectively by first and second sensors. A finisher controller determines a third position of the lateral edge of the sheet closer to a sheet trailing edge, based on the first and second positions and an amount of conveyance of the sheet from when the first position is detected to when the second position is detected. A lateral displacement of the sheet is corrected by laterally shifting the sheet according to the third position of the sheet lateral edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Patent number: 8371578
    Abstract: A sheet processing system capable of performing lateral shift correction of a sheet in an upstream sheet processing apparatus based on an amount of lateral shift to be caused by conveying thereof into a downstream sheet processing apparatus. A side edge sensor of a stacker detects a lateral shift amount of a sheet conveyed into the stacker. A stacker controller corrects lateral shift of the sheet by a shift unit. A side edge sensor of a finisher disposed downstream of the stacker detects a lateral shift amount of a sheet conveyed into the finisher. The finisher sends the detected lateral shift amount to the stacker. The stacker receives the lateral shift amount from the finisher, and the stacker controller corrects lateral shift of subsequent sheets based on both the lateral shift amount detected in the stacker and the lateral shift amount sent from the finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 8342067
    Abstract: A punching apparatus includes a punch for punching holes in a sheet, a cam member for reciprocally moving the punch in a punching direction, a motor for moving the cam member, a pulse generator for generating pulses that are synchronized with the driving of the motor, and a control unit for applying a brake to the motor to stop the cam member upon counting the pulses of a predetermined number from the pulse generator after the cam member moved by the driving of the motor passes through a reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • 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: 8272634
    Abstract: There is provided a sheet feeding device in which a sheet is discriminated at preliminary loosening before feeding, and is set to be controlled according to the type of the sheet by a simple configuration without requiring a special configuration. In the sheet feeding device in which air is blown onto a sheet stack, and a sheet floating at the uppermost level by the blowing is absorbed and conveyed, a sheet type is discriminated, based on a moving amount of the tray, at preliminary loosening before sheet feeding after setting the sheet in a tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Yuzo Matsumoto
  • 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