Patents by Inventor Yutaka Ando

Yutaka Ando 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: 10871739
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a feeding unit on which the recording medium is placed and configured to convey the recording medium toward the image forming unit on a conveyance path; an insert unit on which an insert sheet is placed and configured to convey the insert sheet so as to insert the insert sheet between a plurality of recording mediums conveyed from the image forming unit; a storage unit configured to store information concerning feeding of the recording medium; and a control unit configured to control a feeding timing of the insert sheet by the insert unit based on the information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Akinobu Nishikata, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai
  • Patent number: 10838343
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit to store recording sheets, an image forming unit, an insertion unit, including an interleaving sheet tray on which an interleaving sheet is to be stacked, and to insert the interleaving sheet fed from the interleaving sheet tray between recording sheets conveyed from the image forming unit. The control unit selects between a first mode and a second mode to execute based on a detected remaining amount of recording sheets in the storage unit. The first mode is a mode for feeding the interleaving sheet, which is to be inserted, from the interleaving sheet tray regardless of whether a presence of the recording sheet in the storage unit is detected. The second mode is a mode for feeding the interleaving sheet from the interleaving sheet tray based on that presence of the recording sheet in the storage unit is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yumoto, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20200310319
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a first feeding portion configured to feed a recording sheet, a second feeding portion configured to feed an inserting sheet from one of a plurality of supporting portions, and a controller configured to execute a determination process of determining whether or not there is a supporting portion usable as a new feeding source other than a supporting portion serving as a current feeding source of an inserting sheet. The controller is capable of switching between first control and second control in which a feeding process of a recording sheet is executed respectively in a first mode and a second mode in a case where it has been determined in the determination process that there is no supporting portion usable as the new feeding source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Riki Fukuhara, Toshiyuki Miyake, Takashi Yokoya, Yutaka Ando, Koji Yumoto, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20200314253
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a first feeding portion configured to feed a recording sheet, a second feeding portion configured to feed an inserting sheet from one of a plurality of supporting portions, and a controller capable of executing a feed-before-detection mode in which a feeding process of a current recording sheet is started before a detection portion detects whether or not a last preceding inserting sheet is present on a supporting portion selected as a feeding source of an inserting sheet from among the plurality of supporting portions. The controller is configured to start the feeding process of the current recording sheet in the feed-before-detection mode and cause the second supporting portion to feed the last preceding inserting sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Takashi Yokoya, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20200307274
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a first feeding portion configured to feed a recording sheet, a second feeding portion configured to feed an inserting sheet from one of a plurality of supporting portions, and a controller capable of executing a job. In a case of performing a feeding process on a current recording sheet subsequent to a preceding inserting sheet, the controller is configured to start the feeding process of the current recording sheet at a predetermined timing in a state in which sheets of a first amount are supported on the first supporting portion, and start the feeding process of the current recording sheet at a timing later than the predetermined timing in a state in which sheets of a second amount smaller than the first amount are supported on the first supporting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Koji Yumoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Takashi Yokoya, Yutaka Ando, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Patent number: 10691055
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to change an interleaf control mode from a not confirmed sheet-feeding mode to a sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode when a remaining amount of recording sheets is less than a first threshold, wherein the image forming apparatus has a first mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of absence of a recording sheet in a storage unit by a sheet presence/absence detection unit during execution of an image forming job, and a second mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of a recording-sheet remaining amount of the storage unit less than a second threshold during execution of an image forming job, and wherein the second threshold is larger than the first threshold for changing an interleaf control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Riki Fukuhara, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20200189868
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet being conveyed on a horizontal path; and a double feed sensor configured to execute double feed detection processing of detecting a state in which a plurality of sheets being conveyed on the horizontal path are conveyed in a duplicate manner. The image forming apparatus includes a double feed detection function table, in which whether to enable or disable the double feed detection processing is set according to a type of a sheet. The image forming apparatus determines whether to execute the double feed detection processing at a time of image formation in accordance with sheet setting information including information on a characteristic of a sheet to be used for the image formation and setting information on whether to execute the double feed detection processing, and the double feed detection function table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita, Yutaka Ando
  • Patent number: 10556768
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus which performs a post-processing on a sheet of a first type in a first post-processing mode, and performs the post-processing on a sheet of a second type having a light transmittance higher than the first type in a second post-processing mode, wherein, in a case where a job for performing the post-processing on a sheet of a third type is executed, the post-processing apparatus determines whether the sheet of the third type is detectable by the sheet detecting unit, operates in the first post-processing mode when the sheet of the third type is determined to be detectable by the sheet detecting unit, and operates in the second post-processing mode when the sheet of the third type is determined to be undetectable by the sheet detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Akinobu Nishikata, Takashi Yokoya, Yutaka Ando
  • Publication number: 20190330007
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of reducing influence of a failure on execution of a print job even if a post-processing apparatus that has a sheet stacking unit breaks down. Post-processing apparatuses are connected at a downstream side of an image forming apparatus in a sheet conveyance direction and apply post-processes to the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. A specifying unit specifies an available downstream-most apparatus from among the post-processing apparatuses. A setting unit can set a forced discharge mode in which a sheet is discharged to the downstream-most apparatus when the downstream-most apparatus is not provided with a sheet stacking unit. When the forced discharge mode is set, apparatuses at an upstream side of the downstream-most apparatus are controlled so as to discharge a sheet to the downstream-most apparatus and the downstream-most apparatus is controlled so as to discharge the sheet outside the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Riki Fukuhara
  • Publication number: 20190243282
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to control a first image forming unit such that while a plurality of images are being sequentially formed, a first pattern image is formed in a first sheet-to-sheet area between a first black image and a second black image among the plurality of images on a first photosensitive body, and control the second image forming unit such that while the plurality of images is being sequentially formed, a second pattern image are formed in a second sheet-to-sheet area between a first color image and a second color image among the plurality of images on a second photosensitive body. The first sheet-to-sheet area in a case where the first pattern image is formed without the second pattern image being formed is narrower than the first sheet-to-sheet area in a case where the first pattern image and the second pattern image are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyake, Yutaka Ando, Riki Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 10370216
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet, an intermediate processing tray where sheets conveyed through a first conveyance path are stacked as a sheet bundle, a sensor disposed at a second conveyance path to detect a conveyed sheet bundle, and a stacking tray in which sheets discharged through a discharging path diverging from the first conveyance path are stacked. In response to a sensor detected paper jam, a control unit determines the intermediate processing tray as the discharging destination for a sheet among the remaining sheets, and determines the stacking tray as the discharging destination for a sheet among the remaining sheets. After the paper jam is cleared, the control unit causes execution of bookbinding and cutting for a sheet bundle including the remaining sheets stacked in the intermediate processing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Ando, Akinobu Nishikata, Takashi Yokoya, Akihiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20190185286
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus which performs a post-processing on a sheet of a first type in a first post-processing mode, and performs the post-processing on a sheet of a second type having a light transmittance higher than the first type in a second post-processing mode, wherein, in a case where a job for performing the post-processing on a sheet of a third type is executed, the post-processing apparatus determines whether the sheet of the third type is detectable by the sheet detecting unit, operates in the first post-processing mode when the sheet of the third type is determined to be detectable by the sheet detecting unit, and operates in the second post-processing mode when the sheet of the third type is determined to be undetectable by the sheet detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Akinobu Nishikata, Takashi Yokoya, Yutaka Ando
  • Publication number: 20190049892
    Abstract: An image forming system comprises: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a feeding unit on which the recording medium is placed and configured to convey the recording medium toward the image forming unit on a conveyance path; an insert unit on which an insert sheet is placed and configured to convey the insert sheet so as to insert the insert sheet between a plurality of recording mediums conveyed from the image forming unit; a storage unit configured to store information concerning feeding of the recording medium; and a control unit configured to control a feeding timing of the insert sheet by the insert unit based on the information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Akinobu Nishikata, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai
  • Patent number: 10189669
    Abstract: Provided is a puncher having activating/inactivating switch for post-processing function. The puncher prevents undesirable post processing even if the switch indicates activation of the post processing. When a puncher which is registered in the image forming apparatus is attached to the puncher, the puncher obtains information indicating whether or not to the post processing using a punch die is activated or not. When the obtained information indicates that the post processing using the punch die is inactivated, even if the switch indicates activation of the post processing, the post processing is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Nishikata, Takashi Yokoya, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai
  • Patent number: 10171689
    Abstract: The image forming system comprises an accessory device and an image forming apparatus, the accessory device for storing device identification information for identifying its own device, and the image forming apparatus to which the accessory device is connected. The image forming apparatus stores the device identification information of the accessory device included in the image forming system. Further, the image forming apparatus receives a participation notification which requires participating in the image forming system from a new accessory device including the device identification information. If the device identification information included in the received participation notification is not stored, the image forming apparatus stores the information. If already stored, the image forming apparatus discards the participation notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Mitsuhiko Sato, Toshiyuki Miyake, Takashi Yokoya, Hiromasa Maenishi, Yutaka Ando
  • Patent number: 10152011
    Abstract: An image forming system capable of properly managing maintenance information on a punch die mounted on a puncher. The puncher punches holes in a sheet using a removably mounted punch die. A punch die memory mounted on the punch die stores maintenance information concerning the punch die. A CPU of the image forming system detects mounting of a punch die. A RAM of the same stores maintenance information concerning each of punch dies mounted on the puncher. When a punch die is mounted on the puncher, the CPU performs comparison between maintenance information is stored in the RAM, and maintenance information stored in the punch die memory, and when the maintenance information stored in the RAM is older, the CPU updates the information in the RAM to the information in the punch die memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinobu Nishikata, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Hiromasa Maenishi
  • Publication number: 20180348688
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores recording sheets, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet, an insertion unit that inserts an interleaving sheet between recording sheets, a first detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of a recording sheet in the storage unit, a second detection unit configured to detect a remaining amount of recording sheets in the storage unit, and a control unit configured to control sheet feeding start timing of the interleaving sheet based on detection results acquired by the first detection unit and the second detection unit
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Koji Yumoto, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180348687
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to change an interleaf control mode from a not confirmed sheet-feeding mode to a sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode when a remaining amount of recording sheets is less than a first threshold, wherein the image forming apparatus has a first mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of absence of a recording sheet in a storage unit by a sheet presence/absence detection unit during execution of an image forming job, and a second mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of a recording-sheet remaining amount of the storage unit less than a second threshold during execution of an image forming job, and wherein the second threshold is larger than the first threshold for changing an interleaf control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Riki Fukuhara, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180349079
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processor performing image processing to image data, an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet based on the image data, and a controller changing an image forming condition of the image forming unit based on user information, in a case where a first measuring image is formed by the image forming unit to generate a first conversion condition for image data conversion in image processing to be performed by an external image processing apparatus, controlling the image forming unit based on the changed image forming condition, and in a case where a second measuring image is formed by the image forming unit to generate a second conversion condition for image data conversion in image processing to be performed by the image processor, controlling the image forming unit based on a default image forming condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Riki Fukuhara, Toshiyuki Miyake, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180348689
    Abstract: A control unit of an image forming device determines a remaining amount threshold value, and selects a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, a sheet feeding unit of the image forming device starts feeding a sheet based on presence/absence of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted by a inserter device immediately prior to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit. In the second mode, the sheet feeding unit starts feeding a sheet regardless of presence/absence of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted by the inserter device immediately prior to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Akihiro Arai, Riki Fukuhara, Yuichiro Oda