Patents by Inventor Yuji Kato

Yuji Kato 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: 9069125
    Abstract: An optical product according to the present invention includes a transparent base material, and a multilayer film including a dielectric film and an ITO film. The multilayer film is formed on one face or two faces of the transparent base material. The physical thickness of the ITO film is not less than 3 nanometers and not greater than 7 nanometers. The ITO film can be formed by vapor deposition with plasma treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Tokai Optical Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shinya Hirasawa, Yoshinori Takahashi, Tetsuo Kozaki, Yuji Kato
  • Patent number: 9037042
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit that is detachably attachable to a housing of the image forming apparatus and includes: a transfer member configured to contact the image carrier; a movable frame that supports the transfer member and configured to rotate around a fulcrum shaft; a driving input member coaxially arranged with the fulcrum shaft and configured to connect to a first driving transmitting member, and a second driving transmitting member supported by the movable frame and configured to transmit a driving force inputted by the driving input member to the transfer member. The image forming apparatus further includes a contact/separation unit configured to press the transfer member against the image carrier and to separate the transfer member from the image carrier by moving the movable frame around the fulcrum shaft while the transfer unit is attached to the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Kato, Yasufumi Takahashi, Osamu Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 9021921
    Abstract: A torque wrench equipped with a cam-type torque detection mechanism is provided which is capable of detecting a torque with high accuracy, providing a non-unusual-feeling of handle operation after torque has been detected, and enabling tightening of fastened members such as bolts with safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Tohnichi Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ogata, Koichi Shimura, Yuji Kato, Shozo Aikawa, Hiroshi Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20150108902
    Abstract: There is provided an image display apparatus including: a light source unit; at least one light modulation device configured to modulate light from the light source unit, and to emit a modulated light beam; and a sensor configured to receive diffracted light of the modulated light beam emitted from the at least one light modulation device, and to measure intensity of the modulated light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke HOMMA, Yoshihisa AIKOH, Yuji KATO, Kazumasa IKEURA, Tomomi YUNO, Shiun SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20150015678
    Abstract: A camera includes an unwanted object shape acquisition unit, a viewpoint selection unit, and an unwanted object removal unit. The viewpoint selection unit selects a plurality of viewpoints based on information regarding a shape of an unwanted object in a subject, which is acquired by the unwanted object shape acquisition unit. The unwanted object removal unit performs unwanted object removal processing with use of images corresponding to the viewpoints selected by the viewpoint selection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Yuji Kato
  • Patent number: 8929774
    Abstract: A belt unit is detachably attached to a housing. A holder changes a state of an endless belt by moving a transfer roller between a first state as an endless belt movement state and a second state as a detachment state. The first state allows the endless belt to circulate for image formation, and the second state allows the belt unit to be detached from the housing. The holder moves the transfer roller adjacent supporter independently of the transfer roller and lifts the opening in the endless belt to a prescribed position to expose it to the front side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Katoh, Yohhei Watanabe, Yuji Kato, Yoshihisa Watanabe, Hajime Teraji, Arinobu Yoshiura
  • Publication number: 20140334847
    Abstract: A transfer device includes an image carrier, a transfer roller, and a moving unit. The moving unit moves the transfer roller between a nip formation state in which the transfer roller forms a transfer nipping portion in contact with the image carrier and a separated state in which the transfer roller is separated from the image carrier. In a contact operation of bringing the transfer roller into contact with the image carrier via the recording medium, the moving unit moves the transfer roller toward the image carrier at a moving velocity slower than that in a pressing operation of generating a predetermined nipping pressure by further moving the transfer roller toward the image carrier after the contact operation. The moving unit causes the recording medium to enter the transfer nipping portion in the contact operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Osamu ICHIHASHI, Yuji KATO, Junpei FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20140328604
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that forms a transfer nip between the transfer member and the image carrier; and a power supply capable of outputting a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current component is superimposed onto a direct current component. The toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium in the transfer nip by the superimposed transfer bias or a direct current bias consisting of the direct current component output by the power supply. The apparatus also includes a controller that controls the power supply so that an output target value of the direct current component when the direct current component rises up is larger than an output target value of the direct current component when the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Shinya TANAKA, Hirokazu Ishii, Tsutomu Kato, Yasufumi Takahashi, Takehide Mizutani, Osamu Ichihashi, Yuji Kato, Atsushi Nagata, Kazuosa Kuma, Ryo Hasegawa, Haruki Nagata, Naoto Kochi
  • Publication number: 20140329072
    Abstract: An optical product according to the present invention includes a transparent base material, and a multilayer film including a dielectric film and an ITO film. The multilayer film is formed on one face or two faces of the transparent base material. The physical thickness of the ITO film is not less than 3 nanometers and not greater than 7 nanometers. The ITO film can be formed by vapor deposition with plasma treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Shinya HIRASAWA, Yoshinori TAKAHASHI, Tetsuo KOZAKI, Yuji KATO
  • Publication number: 20140328603
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member, a power supply, and a control device that controls the power supply to output a DC-AC superimposed bias or a DC bias to transfer a toner image on the image carrier onto a recording medium. The control device controls the power supply to alternately output a first bias being a DC component the same in polarity as the DC bias and a second bias being a DC component opposite in polarity to the DC bias to clean the transfer member when image formation is not taking place. The first bias is output with two target output values including a first value and a second value lower than the first value. The second bias is output with one target output value. An output time of the second bias is longer than an output time of the first bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Takehide MIZUTANI, Hirokazu ISHII, Tsutomu KATO, Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Shinya TANAKA, Osamu ICHIHASHI, Yuji KATO
  • Publication number: 20140314435
    Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member and a bias applicator. The transfer member contacts a surface, on which a toner image is borne, of an image bearing body, to form a transfer nip. The bias applicator applies a DC voltage and an AC voltage as transfer bias to transfer the toner image on the image bearing body to a recording sheet in the transfer nip. The bias applicator applies a DC voltage having a same polarity as the DC voltage of the transfer bias and an AC voltage having an amplitude smaller than the AC voltage of the transfer bias or applies the DC voltage having the same polarity as the DC voltage of the transfer bias without applying an AC voltage, when an inter-sheet area that exists on the image bearing body passes through the transfer nip during a continuous image formation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Tsutomu KATO, Hirokazu Ishii, Takehide Mizutani, Shinya Tanaka, Yasufumi Takahashi, Osamu Ichihashi, Yuji Kato
  • Patent number: 8763576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rocker arm with a lash adjuster which includes a rocker arm body portion including a circular fitting hole, a large-diameter hole, and a step portion at a boundary between the fitting hole and the large-diameter hole; a lash adjuster having a snap ring groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the lash adjuster, and a snap ring fitted to the snap ring groove, wherein the lash adjuster is inserted in the fitting hole, the snap ring increases in diameter, hooks on the step portion, and prevents the lash adjuster from slipping off; and a diameter-reducing member that is assembled in the rocker arm body portion and that reduces the diameter of the snap ring by operation of the diameter-reducing member from an outside of the rocker arm body portion until the snap ring is not engaged with the step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Kato
  • Publication number: 20140155212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shift power transmission apparatus for readily suppressing or avoiding size increase thereof. The apparatus includes an input shaft (22) receiving engine drive force, a hydraulic continuously variable transmission (30) driven by the input shaft (22), a planetary power transmission section (40) combining drive force from the input shaft (22) and output from the hydraulic continuously variable transmission (30) for outputting the combined drive force, and an output rotary member (24) outputting power to a travel apparatus. The planetary power transmission section (40) and the output rotary member (24) are arranged on a side of the hydraulic continuously variable transmission (30) associated with an engine-coupled side of the input shaft (22). The drive force is inputted to the planetary power transmission section (40) from a portion between the engine-coupled side and the hydraulic continuously variable transmission-coupled side of the input shaft (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Kato, Seiji Ohkubo, Go Takagi, Seiji Norita, Takashi Okuyama, Kozo Nishikawa, Fumitake Okunishi, Yukifumi Yamanaka, Takahiro Uchi
  • Patent number: 8731419
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrier; an intermediate transfer member having a first portion and a second portion that has a higher glossiness than that of the first portion; a primary transfer member; a light source to emit light to the intermediate transfer member side; a detector to detect intensity of reflected light emitted from the light source and then reflected from the intermediate transfer member and a density adjustment pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member; a processor including a light-emission intensity adjuster to adjust light-emission intensity from the light source based on detected intensity of light reflected from the second portion of the intermediate transfer member; and an image forming condition controller to control image forming conditions for forming a toner image based on the detected intensity of the light reflected from the density adjustment pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kato, Tsutomu Kato, Yohhei Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140072340
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer member to form a secondary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer member and the secondary transfer member; a biasing mechanism to bias the secondary transfer member toward the intermediate transfer member; a cam member rotatable between a first position, at which a predetermined space is formed in the secondary transfer nip, and a second position, at which the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member contact each other; and a contact-separation controller configured to put the cam member in the first position before entry of the recording medium into the secondary transfer nip, rotate the cam member toward the second position when the recording medium enters the secondary transfer nip, and change a start timing of rotation of the cam member in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Yuji KATO, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yasufumi Takahashi, Kenji Sengoku, Junpei Fujita, Osamu Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 8669774
    Abstract: The probe pin includes a plunger formed of a sheet metal, and a coil spring unit formed of a metal wire and configured to hold the plunger thereon. In a developed state, the plunger includes first and second portions each of which has an upper contact strip, a wide portion, and a lower contact strip, and which are connected to each other via the wide portions formed in the first and second portions. The plunger is formed in a united manner by folding together the first and second portions along a boundary of the wide portions formed therein to thereby bring at least the wide portions into tight contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kato, Takeyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140012103
    Abstract: A light absorption coefficient distribution estimation device includes a detection section and a light absorption coefficient distribution estimation section. The detection section detects the received light intensity of scattered light from a subject at a plurality of light-receiving positions that differ in distance from an irradiation position at which measurement light is applied to the subject. The light absorption coefficient distribution estimation section estimates the light absorption coefficient distribution of the subject using the received light intensity, a propagation optical path length model that specifies a propagation optical path length on a basis of the distance, and a first model that specifies the received light intensity on a basis of the distance when absorption of light is at a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Kazuhiro NISHIDA, Koichi SHIMIZU, Yuji KATO
  • Publication number: 20130306016
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rocker arm with a lash adjuster which includes a rocker arm body portion including a circular fitting hole, a large-diameter hole, and a step portion at a boundary between the fitting hole and the large-diameter hole; a lash adjuster having a snap ring groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the lash adjuster, and a snap ring fitted to the snap ring groove, wherein the lash adjuster is inserted in the fitting hole, the snap ring increases in diameter, hooks on the step portion, and prevents the lash adjuster from slipping off; and a diameter-reducing member that is assembled in the rocker arm body portion and that reduces the diameter of the snap ring by operation of the diameter-reducing member from an outside of the rocker arm body portion until the snap ring is not engaged with the step portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: OTICS Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji KATO
  • Publication number: 20130243482
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit that is detachably attachable to a housing of the image forming apparatus and includes: a transfer member configured to contact the image carrier; a movable frame that supports the transfer member and configured to rotate around a fulcrum shaft; a driving input member coaxially arranged with the fulcrum shaft and configured to connect to a first driving transmitting member, and a second driving transmitting member supported by the movable frame and configured to transmit a driving force inputted by the driving input member to the transfer member. The image forming apparatus further includes a contact/separation unit configured to press the transfer member against the image carrier and to separate the transfer member from the image carrier by moving the movable frame around the fulcrum shaft while the transfer unit is attached to the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuji KATO, Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Osamu ICHIHASHI
  • Patent number: 8461819
    Abstract: A current detector is comprised of a switch portion having an input node, an output node and a detection node, the switch portion being configured to selectively shift a power current between the input node and the output node and a detection current between the input node and the detection node; a current controller configured to control the detection current so as to equalize voltages at the detection node and the output node, the current controller being coupled with the detection node and the output node and including a transistor and a diode coupled to the transistor in series so as to prevent impression of negative voltage on the transistor, the transistor and the diode being formed within a single monolithic substrate; and a monitor current output portion having a monitor node and being coupled with the current controller, the monitor current output portion being configured to mirror the detection current in the current controller to the monitor node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Kato