Patents by Inventor Yasutada Tsukioka

Yasutada Tsukioka 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: 20130242269
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus for projecting an image on a projection plane includes a light source; a light source housing to encase the light source; a ventilation unit to send air to the light source; and a flow path set between the light source housing and a side face of the image projection apparatus. A part of the air sent to the light source, by using the ventilation unit, is flowed into the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Hideo KANAI, Tetsuya Fujioka, Masamichi Yamada, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130128234
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image projection apparatus includes a light source unit, an image forming unit that forms an image using light from the light source unit, and a heat releasing unit that is provided to the image forming unit and releases heat from the image forming unit, and projecting the image formed by the image forming unit. The image projection apparatus includes a facing member that faces an installation surface on which a main body of the apparatus is installed; and a foot that allows the facing member to support the image forming unit. The heat releasing unit is provided between the facing member and the image forming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya FUJIOKA, Yasutada Tsukioka, Masamichi Yamada, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Publication number: 20130114054
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes a light source unit including a light source detachable from a main body, an image forming part to form an image with a light from the light source, a projection optical system to project the image, an openable cover to open and close an opening formed for attaching and detaching the light source unit to and from the main body, an abutting member on which the light source unit abuts when the light source unit is attached to the main body, and a pressing member to press the light source unit to the abutting member, in conjunction with a fix operation of the openable cover to the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Naoyuki ISHIKAWA, Masamichi Yamada, Tetsuya Fujioka, Yasutada Tsukioka, Hideo Kanai
  • Publication number: 20130114052
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, provided is an image projection apparatus that includes: an image forming unit that forms an image using light from a light source; a projecting optical unit that forms a projected image of the image formed by the image forming unit; and an outer housing that houses the image forming unit and the projecting optical unit. The image forming unit and the projecting optical unit are provided in the given order from a setting surface of the outer housing. A width of the outer housing in a direction perpendicular to a projection surface is larger at a position where the projecting optical unit is provided than at a position where the image forming unit is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya FUJIOKA, Yasutada TSUKIOKA, Naoyuki ISHIKAWA, Hideo KANAI, Masamichi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20130114274
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes a light source, light from which is used to project an image, and a holding member configured to hold the light source. The holding member includes a handle portion, and the handle portion includes a first flow path for flowing air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya FUJIOKA, Masamichi Yamada, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Publication number: 20130114050
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes a light source, light from which is used to form an image to be projected, a first flow path, a control unit configured to control a light emission from the light source, an electrical power stabilizing unit configured to stabilize an electrical power to be supplied to the light source, and an electrical power source unit configured to supply the electrical power to at least one of the control unit and the electrical power stabilizing unit. One or both of the electrical power source unit and the electrical power stabilizing unit is/are divided into a plurality of boards. The light source is arranged on a normal line of a surface of any of the plurality of boards. The plurality of boards configure surfaces of the first flow path except a surface nearest to the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Masamichi YAMADA, Tetsuya Fujioka, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Publication number: 20130114045
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus for projecting an image using light includes a light source configured to emit the light; and an operating unit configured to allow a user to operate the image projection apparatus, the operating unit being disposed above the light source when viewed from a placement surface on which a main body of the image projection apparatus is placed. The image projection apparatus also includes a first flow path in which air flows through the light source; and a second flow path different from the first flow path, the second flow path being formed between the light source and the operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya FUJIOKA, Masamichi Yamada, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Patent number: 8406648
    Abstract: A heating device for heating a rotary heated member includes a heater and a temperature detector. The heater faces the rotary heated member to heat the rotary heated member. The temperature detector faces the rotary heated member via the heater to detect a temperature of the rotary heated member. The heater includes a housing provided between the temperature detector and the rotary heated member, a through-hole provided in the housing via which the temperature detector faces the rotary heated member, and a channel provided in the housing at a position downstream from the through-hole in a direction of rotation of the rotary heated member through which an air current generated in a gap between the heater and the rotary heated member moves. The channel has a hollow cross-sectional area greater than a hollow cross-sectional area of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutada Tsukioka
  • Publication number: 20130070216
    Abstract: Provided is an image projection apparatus, such as a projector, including a light source; an image generating element such as a DMD that receives light from the light source and forms an image; an image generating unit that irradiates the image generating element with the light from the light source; a first optical system including multiple transmission refractive optical elements; a second optical system arranged on an optical path of outgoing light of the first optical system and including a reflection optical element; and a projection optical system that enlarges and projects an image conjugate to the image generated by the image generating element as a projected image. The light source, the image generating unit, and the first optical system are arranged side by side in series in a direction parallel with the projected image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fujioka, Masamichi Yamada, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Patent number: 8385763
    Abstract: A heating fixer, including a fixing member heating and melting a toner image; a pressure member contacting the fixing member upon application of pressure to form a nip; a variable device varying the pressure of the pressure member to the fixing member with rotation of a cam to vary a width of the nip into at least three steps; a drive motor driving the cam; and at least two position detectors detecting a rotational position of the cam, wherein each of the position detectors is formed of a fixed transmission sensor and a blocking filler coaxially rotating with the cam in a body, the blocking filler includes a blocking blade capable of blocking light received by the transmission sensor, the plural blocking fillers include blocking blades so as to have phases different from each other among the blocking fillers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yasutada Tsukioka
  • Publication number: 20120070206
    Abstract: A driving apparatus is disclosed. The driving apparatus includes a driving mechanism which includes a moving drive gear, the moving drive gear being a drive gear which is mounted on an axis-moving rotor, the axis-moving rotor being a rotor, the center of which rotor is able to move. The axis-moving rotor is movable over a certain distance in a linear direction. The driving apparatus further comprises idler gears connected to the moving drive gear, the idler gears including a fixed idler gear having a fixed axis; and a moving idler gear having a movable axis. The axis of the moving idler gear can oscillate around the axis of the fixed idler gear, and the moving idler gear can move along a periphery direction of the moving drive gear with movement of the moving drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Yasutada TSUKIOKA
  • Patent number: 8131198
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism to form a toner image on a recording medium according to image data and a fixing mechanism to fix the toner image on the recording medium. The fixing mechanism includes a fixing member and an external heater. The fixing member applies heat to the recording medium having the toner image. The external heater heats the fixing member and is formed in a shape corresponding to a surface of the fixing member. The external heater is disposed as if to engage and yet be spaced apart from the fixing member by a distance which is variable according to movement of the external heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ishii, Keizo Yasuda, Akiyasu Amita, Kenichi Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Kohira, Yasutada Tsukioka, Masaya Shitami, Satoshi Ueno
  • Publication number: 20120027478
    Abstract: An endless belt assembly includes one or more rollers, an endless belt, and a belt tracking mechanism. The one or more rollers are disposed parallel to each other, each being rotatable around a rotational axis thereof. The endless belt is looped for rotation around the rollers. The belt tracking mechanism is disposed on at least one side of the endless belt assembly to prevent lateral displacement of the endless belt during rotation. The belt tracking mechanism includes an annular recess, an annular flange, and a circumferential rib. The annular recess is perimetrically formed on a longitudinal end face of the roller. The annular flange is disposed in the annular recess to rotate freely with respect to the roller. The circumferential rib extends along a side edge of an interior circumferential surface of the endless belt to contact the annular flange upon lateral movement of the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutada Tsukioka
  • Publication number: 20110299895
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing unit and a gloss equalizing unit. The fixing unit is disposed in a media conveyance path to fix a toner image on a recording medium conveyed therethrough. The fixing unit includes a rotary fuser member, a rotary pressure member, and a media stripper. The fuser member is subjected to heating. The rotary pressure member is pressed against the fuser member to form a fixing nip therebetween. The media stripper is held in contact with the pressure member to allow the recording medium to separate from the pressure member. The gloss equalizing unit is disposed downstream from the fixing unit along the media conveyance path. The gloss equalizing unit includes a pair of first and second rotary glossing rollers, at least one of which is heated and at least one of which is pressed against the other to form a gloss equalizing nip therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Yasutada TSUKIOKA
  • Publication number: 20110222886
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, and a driving unit. The fixing member and the pressing member define a nip portion where a toner image is fixed on a recording material. The driving unit is provided to the fixing member and the pressing member to individually control linear velocities of outer circumferential surfaces of the fixing member and the pressing member. In feed mode in which the outer circumferential surfaces sandwich the recording material to fix the image on the recording material, the driving unit drives the fixing member and the pressing member such that the outer circumferential surfaces move at individual linear velocities to reduce a feed speed difference between front and rear surfaces of the recording material. In non-feed mode, the driving unit drives either one of the fixing member and the pressing member such that another member is driven by the one member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yasutada Tsukioka
  • Patent number: 7957663
    Abstract: A heater is operable with a main power supply unit and a chargeable auxiliary power supplying unit. The heater includes a heater part having one or a plurality of heater elements to receive power from the main and auxiliary power supplying units, a detecting part to detect information related to the heater part, and a controller to vary an amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit to the heater part per unit time based on the information detected by the detecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kishi, Yasuhisa Kato, Masami Okamoto, Yasutada Tsukioka, Hiromasa Takagi, Susumu Matsusaka, Akiyasu Amita
  • Publication number: 20110097098
    Abstract: A heating device for heating a rotary heated member includes a heater and a temperature detector. The heater faces the rotary heated member to heat the rotary heated member. The temperature detector faces the rotary heated member via the heater to detect a temperature of the rotary heated member. The heater includes a housing provided between the temperature detector and the rotary heated member, a through-hole provided in the housing via which the temperature detector faces the rotary heated member, and a channel provided in the housing at a position downstream from the through-hole in a direction of rotation of the rotary heated member through which an air current generated in a gap between the heater and the rotary heated member moves. The channel has a hollow cross-sectional area greater than a hollow cross-sectional area of the through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutada Tsukioka
  • Publication number: 20110085815
    Abstract: A heater is operable with a main power supply unit and a chargeable auxiliary power supplying unit. The heater includes a heater part having one or a plurality of heater elements to receive power from the main and auxiliary power supplying units, a detecting part to detect information related to the heater part, and a controller to vary an amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit to the heater part per unit time based on the information detected by the detecting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Kazuhito KISHI, Yasuhisa KATO, Masami OKAMOTO, Yasutada TSUKIOKA, Hiromasa TAKAGI, Susumu MATSUSAKA, Akiyasu AMITA
  • Publication number: 20110058839
    Abstract: A heating fixer, including a fixing member heating and melting a toner image; a pressure member contacting the fixing member upon application of pressure to form a nip; a variable device varying the pressure of the pressure member to the fixing member with rotation of a cam to vary a width of the nip into at least three steps; a drive motor driving the cam; and at least two position detectors detecting a rotational position of the cam, wherein each of the position detectors is formed of a fixed transmission sensor and a blocking filler coaxially rotating with the cam in a body, the blocking filler includes a blocking blade capable of blocking light received by the transmission sensor, the plural blocking fillers include blocking blades so as to have phases different from each other among the blocking fillers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Yasutada Tsukioka
  • Patent number: 7885569
    Abstract: A heater operable with main and auxiliary power supply units. A controller selects a first mode to permit discharge of the auxiliary power supply unit when a voltage or power from the auxiliary power supply unit is a startable value or greater without making reference to judgment information, or a second mode to permit discharge of the auxiliary power supply unit based on the judgment information when the voltage or power from the auxiliary supply unit is less than the startable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kishi, Yasuhisa Kato, Masami Okamoto, Yasutada Tsukioka, Hiromasa Takagi, Susumu Matsusaka, Akiyasu Amita