Patents by Inventor Yusuke Minato

Yusuke Minato 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: 20230367249
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, a transfer member, a power source, an acquiring portion, and a controller capable of executing an operation in an adjustment mode. A plurality of test toner images transferred onto a recording material in the occurrence in the adjusting mode include a first test toner image transferred under application of a first test voltage and a second test toner image transferred under application of a second test voltage different from the first test voltage. In the operation in the adjustment mode, the controller adjusts the transfer voltage set for transfer on the basis of first information on variation in image density acquired in different regions of the first test toner image and second information on variation in image density acquired in different regions of the second test toner image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke Minato, Takenori Sueoka
  • Patent number: 11815836
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, transfer member, a power source, a current detecting portion, an acquiring portion, and a controller capable of executing an operation in an adjustment mode. In the operation in the adjustment mode, the controller selects test toner images for setting a transfer voltage for a second side of a recording material, on the basis of information on densities of the test toner images acquired by the acquiring portion, and then adjusts the transfer voltage for the second side of the recording material on the basis of a current detected by the current detecting portion when the selected test toner images are transferred onto the recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Minato, Takenori Sueoka, Tatsuya Kohno
  • Patent number: 11754957
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, a transfer member, a power source, an acquiring portion, and a controller capable of executing an operation in an adjustment mode. A plurality of test toner images transferred onto a recording material in the occurrence in the adjusting mode include a first test toner image transferred under application of a first test voltage and a second test toner image transferred under application of a second test voltage different from the first test voltage. In the operation in the adjustment mode, the controller adjusts the transfer voltage set for transfer on the basis of first information on variation in image density acquired in different regions of the first test toner image and second information on variation in image density acquired in different regions of the second test toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Minato, Takenori Sueoka
  • Publication number: 20230280681
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer device, an applying portion; a detecting portion, a controller, and a receiving portion. The controller executes an operation in a setting mode in which during non-image formation, test images are transferred onto the recording material at different test voltages to the transfer device and then a transfer voltage applied to the transfer device during image formation is set on the basis of a detection result of the detecting portion. In a case that the operation in the setting mode is executed to set the transfer voltage for one-side mode, the receiving portion is capable of receiving instruction information selectively instructing a setting condition of the transfer voltage set by the operation in the setting mode from setting conditions including a first setting condition and a second setting condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: YUSUKE MINATO
  • Patent number: 11709443
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer belt, a transfer member, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the transfer member, a detecting portion for detecting a current flowing through the transfer member, and a controller for carrying out constant-voltage control so that the voltage applied to the transfer member becomes a target voltage when a recording material P passes through a transfer portion. The controller is capable of changing the voltage applied to the transfer member so that a detection result detected by the detecting portion during transfer falls within a predetermined range. The controller changes the predetermined range on the basis of the detection result detected by the detecting portion when the voltage is applied to the transfer member in a state in which the recording material P is absent in the transfer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakehi, Tetsuya Ohta, Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20220317610
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, a transfer member, a power source, an acquiring portion, and a controller capable of executing an operation in an adjustment mode. A plurality of test toner images transferred onto a recording material in the occurrence in the adjusting mode include a first test toner image transferred under application of a first test voltage and a second test toner image transferred under application of a second test voltage different from the first test voltage. In the operation in the adjustment mode, the controller adjusts the transfer voltage set for transfer on the basis of first information on variation in image density acquired in different regions of the first test toner image and second information on variation in image density acquired in different regions of the second test toner image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke Minato, Takenori Sueoka
  • Publication number: 20220317608
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, transfer member, a power source, a current detecting portion, an acquiring portion, and a controller capable of executing an operation in an adjustment mode. In the operation in the adjustment mode, the controller selects test toner images for setting a transfer voltage for a second side of a recording material, on the basis of information on densities of the test toner images acquired by the acquiring portion, and then adjusts the transfer voltage for the second side of the recording material on the basis of a current detected by the current detecting portion when the selected test toner images are transferred onto the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke Minato, Takenori Sueoka, Tatsuya Kohno
  • Publication number: 20220276590
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer belt, a transfer member, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the transfer member, a detecting portion for detecting a current flowing through the transfer member, and a controller for carrying out constant-voltage control so that the voltage applied to the transfer member becomes a target voltage when a recording material P passes through a transfer portion. The controller is capable of changing the voltage applied to the transfer member so that a detection result detected by the detecting portion during transfer falls within a predetermined range. The controller changes the predetermined range on the basis of the detection result detected by the detecting portion when the voltage is applied to the transfer member in a state in which the recording material P is absent in the transfer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakehi, Tetsuya Ohta, Yusuke Minato
  • Patent number: 11281130
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer belt, a transfer member, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the transfer member, a detecting portion for detecting a current flowing through the transfer member, and a controller for carrying out constant-voltage control so that the voltage applied to the transfer member becomes a target voltage when a recording material P passes through a transfer portion. The controller is capable of changing the voltage applied to the transfer member so that a detection result detected by the detecting portion during transfer falls within a predetermined range. The controller changes the predetermined range on the basis of the detection result detected by the detecting portion when the voltage is applied to the transfer member in a state in which the recording material P is absent in the transfer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakehi, Tetsuya Ohta, Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20220077365
    Abstract: A light-emitting element includes: a semiconductor layered structure including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, and an active layer located between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a reflective portion including an insulative first layer located on the first semiconductor layer, a second layer made of a metal material located on the first layer, and a third layer located on the second layer; an insulative layer covering the reflective portion; a light-transmissive conductive layer located on the insulative layer and on the first semiconductor layer; a first electrode located on a portion of the light-transmissive conductive layer that is above the reflective portion; and a second electrode located on the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shun KITAHAMA, Yusuke MINATO
  • Patent number: 11137709
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a voltage source, a current detecting portion, and a controller. In a case that the predetermined voltage is changed in a first job on the basis of the detection result of the current detecting portion during passing of the recording material through the transfer portion, in a second job subsequent to the first job, when a first recording material of the second job passes through the transfer portion, the controller changes a voltage applied to the transfer member on the basis of the predetermined voltage changed in the first job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kohno, Takenori Sueoka, Yusuke Minato, Mitsuru Yamatani
  • Patent number: 11099504
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a voltage source, a current detecting portion, and a controller. When the recording material passes through the transfer portion, the controller is capable of changing the predetermined voltage on the basis of a detection result of said current detecting portion so that the detection result of the current detecting portion falls within a predetermined range. A maximum changeable amount per once of the predetermined voltage is larger when a leading end portion of the recording material with respect to a recording material feeding direction passes through the transfer portion than when a central portion of the recording material with respect to the recording material feeding direction passes through the transfer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20210072673
    Abstract: An information which includes an image bearing member 1, an intermediary transfer belt 7, a transfer member 8, a voltage source 20 for applying a voltage to the transfer member 8, a detecting portion 21 for detecting a current flowing through the transfer member 8, and a controller 50 for carrying out constant-voltage control so that the voltage applied to the transfer member when a recording material P passes through a transfer portion N2 and in which the controller 50 is capable of changing the voltage applied to the transfer member 8 so that a detection result detected by the detecting portion 21 during transfer falls within a predetermined pass has a constitution in which said controller 50 changes the predetermined range on the basis of the detection result detected by the detecting portion 21 when the voltage is applied to the transfer member 8 in a state in which the recording material P is absent in the transfer portion N2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakehi, Tetsuya Ohta, Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20200409299
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a voltage source, a current detecting portion, and a controller. In a case that the predetermined voltage is changed in a first job on the basis of the detection result of the current detecting portion during passing of the recording material through the transfer portion, in a second job subsequent to the first job, when a first recording material of the second job passes through the transfer portion, the controller changes a voltage applied to the transfer member on the basis of the predetermined voltage changed in the first job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kohno, Takenori Sueoka, Yusuke Minato, Mitsuru Yamatani
  • Publication number: 20200409291
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a voltage source, a current detecting portion, and a controller. When the recording material passes through the transfer portion, the controller is capable of changing the predetermined voltage on the basis of a detection result of said current detecting portion so that the detection result of the current detecting portion falls within a predetermined range. A maximum changeable amount per once of the predetermined voltage is larger when a leading end portion of the recording material with respect to a recording material feeding direction passes through the transfer portion than when a central portion of the recording material with respect to the recording material feeding direction passes through the transfer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • Patent number: 10372071
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer roller, a power feeding rotary member, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute the cleaning mode such that a period in which the cleaning mode is executed comprises a first application period during which a reverse polarity bias having a polarity reverse to that of the transfer bias is continuously applied to the power feeding rotary member, and a second application period during which a same polarity bias having a same polarity with that of the transfer bias is continuously applied to the power feeding rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20190179239
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer roller, a power feeding roller, a power source, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute a cleaning mode of cleaning the power feeding roller by applying a bias from the power source to the power feeding roller to transfer toner adhering on the power feeding roller to the image bearing member in a non-image formation period. The controller executes the cleaning mode in such a manner that, when a rotation time in which the transfer roller rotates one round is t1 and a rotation time in which the power feeding roller rotates one round is t2, the cleaning mode comprises a period equal to or longer than (t1+t2) in which an opposite polarity bias having an opposite polarity to the transfer bias is continuously applied from the power source to the power feeding roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20180059602
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer roller, a power feeding rotary member, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute the cleaning mode such that a period in which the cleaning mode is executed comprises a first application period during which a reverse polarity bias having a polarity reverse to that of the transfer bias is continuously applied to the power feeding rotary member, and a second application period during which a same polarity bias having a same polarity with that of the transfer bias is continuously applied to the power feeding rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • Patent number: 9645528
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an electrostatic image forming unit; a developing device; an intermediary transfer member; a rotatable transfer member; a constant-voltage element; a power source; a cleaning device; an executing portion capable of executing a toner image collecting mode after jam clearance; and a controller for controlling the power source in an operation in a collecting mode so that a voltage of an identical polarity to a charge polarity of the toner is applied to the rotatable transfer member to transfer, onto the intermediary transfer member, the toner in an upstream-side end region of the toner image carried on the image bearing member with respect to the rotational direction of the image bearing member, and then a voltage of an opposite polarity to the charge polarity of the toner is applied to the rotatable transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • Publication number: 20140294414
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; an electrostatic image forming unit; a developing device; an intermediary transfer member; a rotatable transfer member; a constant-voltage element; a power source; a cleaning device; an executing portion capable of executing a toner image collecting mode after jam clearance; and a controller for controlling said power source in the operation in the collecting mode so that a voltage of an identical polarity to a charge polarity of the toner is applied to the rotatable transfer member to transfer, onto the intermediary transfer member, the toner in an upstream-side end region of the toner image carried on the image bearing member with respect to the rotational direction of the image bearing member, and then a voltage of an opposite polarity to the charge polarity of the toner is applied to the rotatable transfer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke MINATO