Patents Issued in August 12, 2008
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Patent number: 7412156Abstract: The present invention discloses a brushless dc motor driver circuit capable of reducing vibration or shock noise and a method thereof. The brushless dc motor driver circuit of the present invention comprises a Time-Voltage Digital/Analog Converter. The Time-Voltage Digital/Analog Converter further comprises: at least one magnetic field detecting circuit, at least one counter, and a signal processor. The Time-Voltage Digital/Analog Converter is connected to a driver circuit of a brushless dc motor and detects the periodically varying magnetic field of the brushless dc motor. Based on the rising time and the falling time of the preceding magnetic field variation, the Time-Voltage Digital/Analog Converter calculates the elapsed time from the current phase-change point and generates a linearly rising signal and a linearly falling signal. Then, those two sets of analog signals are used to drive the brushless dc motor. Thereby, the vibration or shock noise of the brushless dc motor is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Feeling Technology Corp.Inventors: Teng-Tsai Lin, Hsuan-Chuan Chen, Wen-Jung Su
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Patent number: 7412157Abstract: A lens driving device includes a substrate which generates surface acoustic waves on its surface and a movable unit which is coupled to an optical lens and executes translation above the substrate using the surface acoustic waves. The lens driving device can implement translation of the lens without a separate mechanism, unlike the conventional driving devices using motors and screws, thereby satisfying the recent trend towards miniaturization and lightness to be used in a variety of industrial fields that use optical lenses.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae-Hyoung Park, Chang-Hyeon Ji, Man-Hyo Ha, Seoung-Hyok Kim, Jong-Uk Bu, Young-Joo Yee
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Patent number: 7412158Abstract: A digital camera apparatus has a sensing surface that captures images at a first resolution. A derivative of the captured image is displayed at a viewfinder or stored in a memory, after encoding, with a second, generally lower resolution. The resolutions are related by a downscale ratio. A method for digitally imaging a scene includes providing an imaging lens and a digital image sensing surface such as a CCD sensing surface, and changing a focusing of the lens with respect to the sensing surface in correspondence with a variance of a parameter that relates a captured image at the sensing surface and another image deriving from the captured image. Preferably, the variance of the parameter is the downscale ratio. The focusing of the lens with respect to the sensing surface may be changed by changing the physical distance or by changing a shape of the lens, for example. Apparatus and computer program products are also detailed.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventor: Hannu Kakkori
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Patent number: 7412159Abstract: An image pickup apparatus, in which a light is projected toward a physical object by projection means, and based on the reflected light by the physical object of the light, a defocus amount is detected (steps S2003 to S2008) by the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means, respectively, and a correction value for matching the defocus amount detected by the first focus detection means with the defocus amount detected by the second focus detection means is calculated and kept stored (step S2009), and at the photographing time, based on the defocus amount detected by the first focus detection means and the correction value kept stored, a focus adjustment lens within a photographic lens is driven, thereby preventing an inappropriate correction of the defocus amount.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Ichimiya
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Patent number: 7412160Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel, a lens holding frame made movable in an optical axis direction inside the lens barrel, a movable lens held in the lens holding frame, a yoke inserted into the lens barrel and attached to the lens barrel, a magnet attached to the yoke, and a driving coil that is attached to the lens holding frame and located to be opposed to the magnet and gives propulsion to the lens holding frame. A pair of first fitting sections is provided in the lens barrel. A pair of second fitting sections is provided in the lens barrel. An interval between the first fitting sections is set larger than an interval between the second fitting sections. A distance from the optical axis to the respective first fitting sections is set larger than a distance from the optical axis to the respective second fitting sections.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kenichi Nakanishi, Ken Tanaka, Takumi Fukuda
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Patent number: 7412161Abstract: A pop-up flash of a camera includes a slidable member mounted to a camera body, the slidable member being movable between a retreated position and an advanced position in front of the retreated position; and a flash unit supported by the slidable member to be movable between a retracted position, in which the flash unit is accommodated in the camera body, and a fully-lifted position in which the flash unit projects from the camera body. The flash unit moves from the retracted position to the fully-lifted position when the slidable member moves from the retreated position to the advanced position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Toshiaki Yamada
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Patent number: 7412162Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensor provided at an imaging position of a photographing optical system, at least one optical element provided in front of the image sensor, a hermetically-sealing holding member which hermetically seals and integrally holds the image sensor and the optical element, a support member which supports the hermetically-sealing holding member and is prevented from tilting relative to an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and an angle-adjusting device which allows the hermetically-sealing holding member to tilt relative to the support member so as to change the tilt angle of the image sensor and the optical element with respect to the optical axis of the photographing optical system upon assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Nomura
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Patent number: 7412163Abstract: A camera module with a hinge mechanism is installed on an electronic device. The camera module housing has two hollow cylinder-shaped shafts at two opposite ends. Two hollow cylinder-shaped shafts are pivotally connected with the electronic device. A camera is disposed in the housing. A hinge portion is configured inside at least one of the two hollow cylinder-shaped shafts. Two ends of the hinge portion are first and second brackets, which are respectively secured to ground terminals of the camera module and the electronic device. A first cam is secured to the first bracket. A connection shaft, of which one end is secured to the second bracket, goes through a spring, through holes of a second cam, the first cam and the first bracket. When the housing rotates, interactions among the spring, the first cam and the second cam provide regional positioning and regional automatic rotation functionalities.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.Inventor: Wei-Ming Wu
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Patent number: 7412164Abstract: A photoelectric cross-connect system for an optical-communication system minimizes service recovery time when an error is generated. A plurality of nodes are connected by an optical-transmission line wherein each nodes automatically recognizes a data rate of an input signal and communicates over a redundant channel with an adjacent node when there is a certain type of error. An optical-receiving unit receives an optical signal performs O/E conversion. A main optical-transmitting unit recovers clock and data signals according to the converted signal and sets a data rate according to the converted signal for subsequent transmission; a redundant optical-transmitting unit recovers a clock and data according to the converted signal and sets a data rate according to the converted signal for subsequent transmission A switch provides selectively connection state between the optical-receiving unit and the main optical-transmitting unit and between the optical-receiving unit and the redundant optical-transmitting unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong-Seok Choi, Yun-Je Oh, Jun-Ho Koh, Chang-Hyun Lee, Byung-Jik Kim, Jeong-Rok Park
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Patent number: 7412165Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for testing the functionality of a synchronous optical network having a data communication channel therein. The system includes a testing device connected to a network node within the synchronous optical network and a data communication channel loop back plug connected to the testing device for returning to the synchronous optical network, any signals within the data communication channel received at the testing device. A method is also disclosed for testing a synchronous optical network having a data communication channel therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Jack Berry Collier, James Gregory Morris, Sr.
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Patent number: 7412166Abstract: A method of optical communication includes providing a plurality of optical signals each associated with a distinct channel of a composite optical signal. A unique pilot tone signature is superimposed on each channel. The spectral composition of each signature includes a plurality of frequencies. In one embodiment, binary frequency shift keying at a frequency fm is used to shift between instantaneous frequencies f1 and f2 wherein f2+?f=f1??f=fc. Choosing ? ? ? f f m ? 1.1602 produces a spectrum having a plurality of dominant components at least some of which have substantially the same amplitude. A method of detecting the presence of a selected pilot tone signature having a plurality n of dominant spectral components F1 . . . Fn includes generating a power spectrum P0(f). Sk(f) is calculated as a product of a plurality of frequency shifted versions of P0(f), where k?{1 . . . n}. The existence of a dominant spectral component at Fk indicates the presence of the selected pilot tone signature.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Tellabs Operations, Inc.Inventors: Martin Piotte, Georges Désilets
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Patent number: 7412167Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a transmission capacity on a data transmission path, wherein such data transmission capacity is provided with regard to a user on a transmission path by using at least one limiting unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Rasztovits-Wiech
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Patent number: 7412168Abstract: A label switching routing protocol for establishing a datapath as a sequence of locally unique labels in an optical communications network, is provided. A wavelength on an optical cross-connect is considered as a label, or one portion of a label. Timeslots may be assigned to designated wavelengths so as to form the second portion of a composite label. An optical/time cross-connect (OTXC) capable of wavelength conversion from an input to an output interface creates the datapath based on wavelength to wavelength substitution, under the control of a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) protocol.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventor: Peter Aswood Smith
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Patent number: 7412169Abstract: A fiber to the home FTTH network for convergence of broadcasting and communication is disclosed. The network includes: an OLT for receiving and converting a first predetermined number of broadcast signals and an Ethernet signal into a plurality of converted optical signals, combining the converted optical signals into converged optical signals for subsequent transmission by an optical wavelength division multiplexing method; and an optical network unit (ONU) for classifying the optical signal transmitted from the OLT into the first predetermined number of broadcast signals and the Ethernet signal, switching a second predetermined number of broadcasting signals of the first predetermined number of broadcasting signals according to each SIU by channel selection information contained in upstream Ethernet information, and switching the Ethernet signal to be transmitted to the SIU according to each SIU so as to transmit the switched signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-Hun Joo, Jun-Ho Koh, Chan-Yul Kim, Jae-Hun Cho
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Patent number: 7412170Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) module for transmitting and/or receiving multiple signals simultaneously includes an array of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and/or photodetectors, respectively. In the transmitter case, different VCSELs are operated at different wavelengths that change depending on a value of a condition such as temperature and/or one or more other parameters. Multiple VCSELs are assigned to each channel of the WDM. The currently active VCSEL is switched to a different VCSEL assigned to a same channel and preferably having an operating wavelength that is closer to the signal wavelength at the current measured or estimated temperature and/or other parameter value. Multiple photodetectors are assigned to each channel of the WDM, and currently active detector is switched to the second detector within the same channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Opticomp CorporationInventors: Duane A. Louderback, Peter Guilfoyle
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Patent number: 7412171Abstract: An optical ring network architecture including a number (N) of multi-add/drop filters, such as filters formed using symmetrical pairs of frequency routers. Each multi-add/drop filter is coupled to two other multi-add/drop filters using N?2 transmission media, such as optical fibers, to form a ring. The network also includes a number (N) of terminal stations associated with the multi-add/drop filters. A terminal station (p) is coupled with, and receives information from, its associated multi-add/drop filter (p) through a single optical fiber. In addition, the terminal station p is coupled with, and transmits information in a first direction around the ring to, a multi-add/drop filter p+1 through a single optical fiber. Communications from terminal station p to each other terminal station in the first direction are assigned one of N?1 wavelengths such that no two wavelengths on a given optical fiber are associated with communications between terminal stations in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Bernard Glance
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Patent number: 7412172Abstract: An RF device includes a signal layer disposed over a ground plane having radio frequency (RF) transmission lines configured and dimensioned to provide impedance matching along the RF lines. A shield is formed as a part of the RF lines and disposed below the RF choke of a DC current supply to form an intermediate capacitance between the choke and the shield to control parasitic effects.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel M. Kuchta, Mark B. Ritter, Albert E. Ruehli, Christian Schuster
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Patent number: 7412173Abstract: An apparatus for generating a Carrier-Suppressed Return-to-Zero (CS-RZ) signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mixer, a Low Pass Filter (LPF), a driver amplifier and a single external modulator. The mixer generates a modulator input by mixing data with a half clock signal. The LPF band-limits the modulator input data into low frequency band data. The driver amplifier amplifies the modulator input data generated by the mixing of the mixer and the band-limiting of the LPF. The external modulator generates CS-RZ signal, in which the phases of adjacent pulses have been inverted, by applying bias voltage to the modulator input data to be placed at the null point of the transfer function of the external modulator.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignees: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Information and Communications University Educational FoundationInventors: Dong Soo Lee, Man Seop Lee, Sang Soo Lee, Je Soo Ko
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Patent number: 7412174Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical transmitter includes assembling a laser device on a module including a temperature sensor and a temperature controller. An optimum operating temperature of the laser to minimize optical distortion is determined at a temperature within a range between which distortions were determined at multiple temperatures. The temperature controller is selectively adjusted so as to operate the laser at the optimum temperature. The distortion may also be monitored during active laser operation. The temperature controller may be selectively adjusted, based on the monitoring of the distortion, so as to operate the laser at a new controlled temperature nearer that which produces the temperature-dependent distortion minimum.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Emcore CorporationInventor: John Michael Iannelli
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Patent number: 7412175Abstract: A signal conditioning module provides a polarimeter capability in a photometric system. The module may include multiple variable delay polarization modulators. Each modulator may include an input port, and a first arm formed to include a first reflector and first rooftop mirror arranged in opposed relationship. The first reflector may direct an input radiation signal to the first rooftop mirror. Each modulator also may include an output port and a second arm formed to include a second reflector and second rooftop mirror arranged in opposed relationship. The second reflector can guide a signal from the second rooftop mirror towards the output port to provide an output radiation signal. A beamsplitting grid may be placed between the first reflector and the first rooftop mirror, and also between the second reflector and the second rooftop mirror. A translation apparatus can provide adjustment relative to optical path length vis-a-vis the first arm, the second arm and the grid.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: David T. Chuss, Edward J. Wollack, Samuel H. Moseley, Giles A. Novak
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Patent number: 7412176Abstract: A method of processing an error of an image forming apparatus judges an error occurrence of the image forming apparatus, and if the error occurs, it stops the operation of a conveyer unit. After the operation of the conveyer unit is stopped, the method cleans an image forming unit, and then displays the error occurrence. Thus, the remaining toner on a transfer medium can be removed in advance when the error occurs, and the quality of an image can be secured.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sung-keun Park
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Patent number: 7412177Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a latent image writing device that writes an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member, a developing device that develops a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image, a transferring device that transfers the toner image onto a recording material, a position correcting unit that corrects a position of the electrostatic latent image written by the latent image writing device, a recording material determining unit that determines whether or not the recording material has a long width, and a corrected amount changing unit that, when the recording material determining unit determines that the recording material has a long width, changes an amount of correcting the position of the electrostatic latent image to a value different from a set value for a recording material having a standard width.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shintaro Kaneko, Shigemi Murata, Ryuji Hattori
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Patent number: 7412178Abstract: An image-forming device includes an image forming unit, a patch forming unit, a monitor, a measuring unit and a correcting unit. The image forming unit provides an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum with charged developer to form a developer image based on an image forming condition, and transfers the developer image to an recording medium to form an image. The patch forming unit controls the image forming unit to form a patch with the developer. The monitor monitors an operating state of the image forming unit after one patch is formed before next patch is formed. The measuring unit measures density of the patch. The determining unit determines a correcting amount used to correct the image forming condition, based on the measured density of the patch. The correcting unit corrects the image forming condition based on both the correcting amount and the operating state.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Minoru Karasawa
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Patent number: 7412179Abstract: A wet-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a development unit for developing an image on a photosensitive medium, a developer cartridge for supplying a developer to the development unit, a developer collection unit disposed between the development unit and the developer cartridge for collecting developer remaining within the development unit into the developer cartridge, and a control unit for controlling the amount of developer to be collected through the developer collection unit to prevent an overflow of the developer at the developer cartridge while the developer is collected. A method for collecting developer remaining in a development unit into a developer cartridge in a wet-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises the steps of turning on a pump to supply developer to the development unit, collecting developer remaining in the development unit in both a natural manner and a compulsory manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang-hun Yoo, Sung-tack Byun
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Patent number: 7412180Abstract: A sensor system for detecting gloss levels of a printed image on a substrate generated by a print engine, including: a fixing member for fixing marking particles on the substrate; an optical sensor for sensing a gloss value of the surface of the fixing member; and means for correlating the gloss value of the surface of the fixing member to a gloss value of the printed image on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Bryan J. Roof
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Patent number: 7412181Abstract: A fusing apparatus includes a fuser roll and a pressure roll which define a nip therebetween. Two heating elements heat the fuser roll. One of the heating elements is configured for heating a first portion of the fuser roll while a second of the heating elements is configured for heating a second portion of the fuser roll. The second portion of the fuser roll is axially spaced from the first portion. A temperature sensing system monitors a temperature of the fuser roll in a first location and monitors a temperature of the fuser roll in a second location which is axially spaced from the first location. A control system determines an amount of power to supply to the first heating element as a function of the monitored temperatures at the first and second axially spaced locations and determines an amount of power to supply to the second heating element as a function of the monitored temperatures at the first and second axially spaced locations.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Pieter Mulder, Martin Callis, John Poxon, Riley Brede, Ian Pitts, Nicholas Baxter
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Patent number: 7412182Abstract: An image forming system has an image forming device, a first image heating device for heating a toner image at a first nip to maintain a target temperature, a second image heating device for heating a toner image at a second nip to maintain a target temperature, a selecting device for selecting a first image forming mode in which only the first image heating device is used for a image heating process and a second image forming mode in which the first image heating device and the second image heating device are used for the image heating process, and a delaying device for making timing at which the target temperature of the first image heating device is lowered in a stand by state later than a timing at which the target temperature of the second image heating device is lowered in the stand by state.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiro Hayashi, Hiroto Nishihara, Naoto Watanabe, Yukio Yokoyama, Takako Hanada, Kuniyasu Kimura
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Patent number: 7412183Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image data input unit; an image forming unit adapted to print an image on a printing sheet in accordance with image data from the image data input unit; a control unit connected to the image forming unit; and a billing setting unit adapted to enable to selectively set either a first mode for billing per side of the printing sheet or a second mode for billing per sheet of the printing sheet for double-sided printing, wherein the control unit executes a printing service in accordance with the set mode by the billing setting unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Isoda
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Patent number: 7412184Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus that has two operation panels—a standard operation panel and an optional operation panel. The image forming apparatus has a standard mode and a professional mode which provide different displays on the operation panels. In addition, custom displays may be stored and recalled by the users.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsushi Ishihara
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Patent number: 7412185Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for controlling one or more subsystems of an imaging system to manage average power to a fuser.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jeffrey Hall, Michael Martin, Bartley Mark Hirst
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Patent number: 7412186Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The shuttle includes a wiper that cleans a sidewall of the charge device. A tab is disposed adjacent the sidewall to retain toner or dirt accumulated by the scraper. The tab is electrically insulative, and effectively covers the accumulated toner or dirt, to lower the possibility of arcing within the charge device.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David Sekovski, Robert A. Gross, John D. McCaffrey, Michael N. Soures, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Michael G. Petranto
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Patent number: 7412187Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a transfer roller of a wet-type image forming apparatus are provided. The method includes applying a measured voltage to the transfer roller; measuring a resistance among a transfer backup roller, an intermediate transfer medium, and the transfer roller based on the applied measured voltage; calculating a density of a toner of a developer on the transfer roller based on the measured resistance; and if the density of the toner is more than or equal to a predetermined reference value, supplying a carrier or applying the cleaning voltage. Thus, the cleaning voltage can be adjusted depending on the density of the toner of the developer on the transfer roller so as to maintain appropriate cleaning efficiency. If the density of the toner is greater than or equal to the predetermined reference value, the carrier can be supplied so as to improve the cleaning efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Myung-kook Ahn
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Patent number: 7412188Abstract: A developer cartridge including a frame, a developer carrying member, and an input gear member is provided. The frame includes a first side wall and a second side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall extend in a length direction. The developer carrying member extends from the first side wall to the second side wall in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction. The developer carrying member includes a developer carrying member shaft rotatably supported by the first side wall and the second side wall, and the developer carrying member is rotatable about a first axis. The input gear member, for supplying a driving force for rotating the developer carrying member, is rotatably supported by the first side wall so as to be rotatable about a second axis. A first distance between the first axis and the second axis in the length direction is about 14.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Ishii, Fumikazu Sato, Isao Kishi, Takashi Shimizu
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Patent number: 7412189Abstract: A wet-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises a main body, a developing unit disposed inside the main body, a developer cartridge for providing developer to and collecting developer from the developing unit, and a fitting unit for connecting the developer cartridge with the developing unit. The fitting unit comprises a first fitting part disposed in the main body, a second fitting part disposed in the developer cartridge, and a third fitting part disposed in the developing unit. The fitting unit is connected to and disconnected from the second and third fitting parts by raising and lowering the parts. The method of setting up the system includes the step of raising a first female fitting part to connect first and second female fitting parts with a male fitting part.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoo-hung Jeong
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Patent number: 7412190Abstract: The present invention provides a developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus which are capable of outputting stable images with no surface staining and toner scattering even when an image forming process is repeated over a long time period, or even when image formation is performed after special use conditions in which little toner is consumed have continued over a long time period. An area in which a relationship of 0.6<Vlocal/Vaverage<0.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ichiro Kadota, Kazumi Suzuki, Hideki Kosugi, Keisuke Uchida
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Patent number: 7412191Abstract: A toner container of the present invention stores powdery toner to be replenished via a toner outlet thereof and includes a container body. A shutter device is positioned in the toner outlet for selectively opening or closing the toner outlet. The shutter device includes an opening/closing member, a resilient member constantly biasing the opening/closing member from the inside toward the outside of the container body, and a support member supporting the resilient member and opening/closing member. The toner container is simple and-easy to mount and dismount from an image forming apparatus while surely preventing the toner from leaking.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Sudo, Yoshio Hattori
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Patent number: 7412192Abstract: If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuo Nakajima, Ayatomo Okino, Katsuya Murakami, Toshiaki Nagashima, Yutaka Ban
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Patent number: 7412193Abstract: A developer feeding member for use with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to feed a developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion, includes a shaft for receiving a driving force to rotate when the shaft is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a flexible sheet for feeding the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion when the flexible sheet is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a mounting member for mounting the flexible sheet on the shaft such that the flexible sheet is movable relative to the shaft in a longitudinal direction, in a widthwise direction and in a thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaaki Sato, Shigeo Miyabe, Shinjiro Toba, Hiroomi Matsuzaki
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Patent number: 7412194Abstract: The present invention provides a developing apparatus that can effectively prevent generation of a ghost due to poor detachment of a developer after development, and generation of unevenness in density between a left part and a right part of an image region due to lack of an amount of the developer transported. The developing apparatus satisfies the relationship r+R?d?3r+R where r denotes a rotational radius of a second developer transporting screw, R denotes a rotational radius of a development roller, and d denotes a center distance between the second developer transporting screw and the development roller. The developing apparatus also satisfies the relationship M0?(mg0×v×l)/0.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akinobu Okuda, Kazumasa Hayashi, Akinori Toyoda, Masao Ootsuka, Hideki Yasuda, Naoki Takahashi
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Patent number: 7412195Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt onto which a toner image formed on an outer surface of a photosensitive medium is transferred. The transfer belt moves along a predetermined closed path while being supported by a plurality of rollers. A protection unit protects the transfer belt by being attached to at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of a non-transferring region of the transfer belt. A control unit controls the transfer belt so that an overlapping part where the protection unit is attached to the transfer belt, and a seam part where two ends of the transfer belt are connected stops at a predetermined location after printing. The image forming apparatus substantially prevents partial loss of an image by preventing wrinkles in the transfer belt.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Moon-bae Park, Myung-ho Kyung
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Patent number: 7412196Abstract: A fuser for a laser printer. A heating lamp is disposed in a reflective hood. A heating roller is disposed under the heating lamp and adjacent to the reflective hood. The heating roller is separated from the heating lamp by a predetermined distance. An axial axis of the heating roller is parallel to that of the heating lamp. A pressurization roller is disposed under and rotatably abuts the heating roller. An axial axis of the pressurization roller is parallel to that of the heating roller.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Lite-On Technology CorporationInventor: Yi-Chieh Chen
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Patent number: 7412197Abstract: A heat roller for a laser printer has a roller pipe, a resistive heat element accommodated in the roller pipe, an internal expanding pipe installed in the roller pipe which restricts the resistive heat element by pushing the resistive heat element toward the roller pipe, caps coupled to both end portions of the internal expanding pipe and provided with electrodes which supply a current to the resistive heat element, a gear coupled to any one of the caps, and a coupling unit which restricts at least one of the caps from slipping along the internal expanding pipe. The heat roller has the enhanced secure coupling between the internal expanding pipe, the roller pipe, the coil and the insulation layer. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent slip off and coil short circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae-hyeok Jang
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Patent number: 7412198Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of performing double-sided clear coating. The image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet, and a clear coating apparatus configured to perform clear coating on the sheet using clear toner. The image forming apparatus is provided with a double-sided image forming function for forming images on the respective opposite sides of a sheet, and the clear coating apparatus is provided with a double-sided clear coating function for performing clear coating on the opposite sides of a sheet.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keizo Isemura, Ichiro Sasaki
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Patent number: 7412199Abstract: An image scanner has a pivotal illuminator plate. The illuminator plate is pivotally coupled to the main housing of the image scanner and storable within the automatic paper feeder when the illuminator plate is not used. For scanning a transparent object, the illuminator plate is rotated in the direction toward the glass platform, so that the transparent object is covered by the illuminator plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Chien-Kuo Kuan, Wei-Chen Tu
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Patent number: 7412200Abstract: A sheet feed unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed unit body and a sheet cassette. The sheet feed unit body includes a first frame and a first contact face provided on the first frame. The sheet cassette, which is withdrawable from the sheet feed unit body, includes a second frame, a second contact face provided on the second frame, and a separator. The second contact face is attached to the first contact face when to set the sheet cassette at a position in the sheet feed unit body. The separator is inserted between the first contact face and the second contact face to separate the sheet cassette and the sheet feed unit body, and is disengaged from the first contact face and the second contact face to set the sheet cassette at the position in the sheet feed unit body.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Gotoh
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Patent number: 7412201Abstract: A post-processing apparatus which has a trimming apparatus for trimming an edge of sheets to make booklets, wherein the trimming apparatus has an inserting means for insertion of sheets into trimming process section of the trimming apparatus, an edge sustaining member and an edge holding member for pinching the vicinity of the edge of the sheet during the trimming process and a shifting means to make the opening size variable for receiving sheets by changing the relative position between the edge holding member and the edge sustaining member and a controller for controlling the shifting means to change the opening size between the edge holding member and the edge sustaining member according to the number of the sheets to be trimmed.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, Toshio Shida, Masaaki Uchiyama, Masato Hattori, Norishige Kato, Kenji Kawatsu
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Patent number: 7412202Abstract: A recommendation system is disclosed that generates recommendations for one or more items based on user preferences and one or more environmental factors. The user's preferences are learned under various environmental conditions using an environmental data collection system. The observed environmental conditions may include, for example, location, characteristics of the location, weather or characteristics of the user's motion, such as a rate of movement. For each positive and negative behavioral example, a number of attributes of the selected item are classified in the user profile together with the prevailing environmental conditions. When recommending an item, the disclosed recommender retrieves the user preferences and evaluates the current environmental conditions. A recommendation score can be generated for each available item based on the user's demonstrated preferences under similar environmental conditions, such as in the same or a similar geographic area or under similar weather conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Srinivas Gutta, Mi-Suen Lee, Lalitha Agnihotri
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Patent number: 7412203Abstract: In a method for operating a radio station, the radio station periodically receives content files via a satellite data channel. The received content files are stored. At least some of the stored files are then retrieved, played and broadcast in accordance with an electronic schedule. In accordance with another method, a plurality of affiliate radio stations are provided with content files via a satellite-based content delivery system. Each of the affiliate radio stations is also provided with an electronic schedule that instructs an automation system of the affiliate radio station to retrieve, play and broadcast ones of the content files, thereby generating a near real-time radio broadcast. Methods and apparatus for recording said content files for tiers of affiliates, and for recording said content for multiple or singular affiliates, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Excelsior Radio Networks, LLCInventors: Tim Valley, Skeet Skaalen
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Patent number: 7412204Abstract: A distributor arranged between a tuner module and an antenna, the tuner module including a first input portion and a second input portion for inputting a satellite broadcast signal transmitted from an artificial satellite and a ground broadcast signal transmitted from a ground base station respectively, and the antenna receiving either one of the broadcast signals. The distributor includes a first connector portion connected to the antenna; a second connector portion connected to the first input portion; a third connector portion connected to the second input portion; and a junction connecting portion distributing the signal inputted to the first connector portion to the second and the third connector portions. A drive voltage of the antenna inputted from the first input portion is outputted to the antenna. The voltage outputted to the antenna is fed back to the second input portion through the junction connecting portion and the third connector portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Noro, Takao Kato
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Patent number: 7412205Abstract: Aspects of the invention comprise a digital mobile terminal system for accessing mobile internet services including a VHF/AM/FM radio receiver and a subsystem that handles interfaces and interactions between the digital mobile terminal and a radio network via a digital (e.g., RDS) data stream, interfaces and interactions between the digital mobile terminal and a mobile internet services platform, and interfaces and interactions between the digital mobile terminal and a user seeking to access and interact with mobile internet services. The present invention also comprises a radio broadcasting server platform for transmitting an RDS data stream including a subsystem that handles interfaces and interaction between the radio broadcasting server platform and a radio network via the digital (e.g., RDS) data stream and interfaces and interactions between the radio broadcasting server platform and a mobile internet services platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Jyrki Järvi, Jukka Nihtilä