Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
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Patent number: 9291960Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a first control unit which controls a voltage generation unit that converts an AC voltage to generate a DC voltage, a heat generation member, and a switch which supplies or shuts off electric power to the heat generation member. The first control unit acquires information for controlling the switch, and controls the switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shotaro Yoshimura
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Patent number: 9291961Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a rotating member, a fixing member including a lamination of a resin layer and a conductive layer, a sheet having an unfixed image being conveyed between the rotating member and the fixing member, a heating unit configured to cause heating of the fixing member, a support for one of the rotating member and the fixing member that is movable to change a relative position of the rotating member with respect to the fixing member, and a controller configured to turn on the heating unit in a state in which the rotating member is in contact with the fixing member.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuki Kawashima
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Patent number: 9291962Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus such as a printer, a controller judges whether or not a determination processing of fixity saturation state is performed to determine a fixing condition in which an image density of a patch is the fixity saturation state. The controller then performs the determination processing of fixity saturation state when a use condition is changed. The controller settles fixing conditions in which the image density of patch is highest as the set value when the image density of the patch is saturated. Next, the controller performs a toner adhesion amount adjustment using an intermediate transfer belt. A target value of the toner adhesion amount on the intermediate transfer belt corresponding to the target image density is set and then, an optimal developing voltage that is the set target value is set. After the toner adhesion amount adjustment, the controller performs fixity adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Daiki Yamanaka, Toru Yamaguchi, Takashi Harashima
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Patent number: 9291963Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit that fixes a developer image which is formed on a thermoplastic recording medium by performing fixing processing that causes the recording medium on which the developer image is formed to be heated and pressed with transportation based on plural fixation parameters, a detection unit that detects an amount of extension and contraction which occurs in the recording medium by the fixing processing, and a suppression unit that controls at least one of the plural fixation parameters and suppresses the amount of extension and contraction which is detected by the detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Shigeki Washino
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Patent number: 9291964Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a fixing unit that heats a medium having a developer image thereon while moving the medium to fix a developer image onto the medium, a motor that provides the fixing unit with a driving force to be used to move the medium, and a controller that determines whether the driving force provided by the motor is being transmitted to the fixing unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Shuichi Fujikura
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Patent number: 9291965Abstract: A fixing device includes a magnetic field generator; a heating belt that heats toner on a transported sheet holding an unfixed toner image; a pressure roller that rotates while being pushed against an outer surface of the heating belt and that presses the sheet; a temperature-sensitive magnetic member that is disposed at an inner surface of the heating belt so as to oppose the magnetic field generator; a backing member that is disposed at the inner surface of the heating belt so as to oppose the pressure roller; and a supporting member that is disposed at an inner side of the heating belt, supports both end portions of the heating belt in a width direction, supports a back surface of the backing member, and supports the temperature-sensitive magnetic member.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasutaka Naito, Eiichiro Tokuhiro
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Patent number: 9291966Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The nip formation pad includes a base, a first thermal conductor sandwiched between the base and the fixing rotator and having a first thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base, and a bulge projecting from the first thermal conductor toward the opposed rotator at a downstream end of the first thermal conductor in a recording medium conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Keitaro Shoji, Kenji Ishii, Hiromasa Takagi, Takayuki Seki
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Patent number: 9291967Abstract: A fixing device that fixes an image on a recording medium includes a rotatable endless belt, deployed in a loop supported by rollers, a nip forming member provided inside the loop formed by the belt, a support member that supports the nip forming member, a counter rotation body disposed outside the loop formed by the belt and configured to form a nip with the belt by being in contact with the nip forming member through the belt, and a heat source configured to heat the belt directly by a radiant heat except at the nip. The support member includes a base portion that contacts the nip forming member and two arms extending from the base portion in a direction away from the nip forming member to partially surround a part of heat generating portion of the heat source.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Iwaya, Masahiko Satoh, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Kenji Ishii, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Tadashi Ogawa, Takeshi Uchitani, Hiromasa Takagi, Takuya Seshita, Takahiro Imada, Takamasa Hase, Hajime Gotoh, Arinobu Yoshiura, Teppei Kawata, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kazuya Saito, Kensuke Yamaji, Akira Suzuki
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Patent number: 9291968Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs a serviceman call detection mode during its idling time. In this time, a control portion controls upper and lower pressuring rollers to be clamped, controls a driving motor, and controls a change-over mechanism to switch a braking motor off. A torque detection portion detects a torque value Y of the driving motor at this time. The control portion then controls the upper and lower pressuring rollers to be clamped, controls the driving motor, and controls the change-over mechanism to switch the braking motor on. The torque detection portion detects a torque value Z of the driving motor at this time. The control portion subtracts the torque value Y from the torque value Z to calculate a difference value. The control portion determines that the braking motor is broken down when the difference value does not exceed the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Takeshi Tamada, Satoshi Ogata, Kenji Izumiya, Masatoshi Hitaka
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Patent number: 9291969Abstract: A base for a fixing belt includes a nickel layer; and a copper layer, both laminated each other, wherein an orientation ratio calculated based on a ratio between a peak strength of crystal face and a peak strength of crystal face by X-ray diffraction analysis of the copper layer is 0.1 or less. The base for the fixing belt further includes a protective layer, disposed on a surface of the copper layer opposite a surface on which the nickel layer is laminated, and the protective layer is formed of nickel.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Endo, Shigeru Fujita, Yuzuru Kudoh, Yasuhide Fujiwara
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Patent number: 9291970Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including a fixing unit that includes a pipe-shaped fixing member which includes an outermost layer including at least one selected from a group consisting of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber and a denatured hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and heats and pressurizes the recording medium to fix an unfixed developer image on a recording medium by bringing the outermost layer into contact with a surface of the recording medium which holds the developer image, the recording medium being transported while holding the unfixed developer image, and a heating unit that is disposed on an upstream side of the fixing unit in a transport direction of the recording medium, and heats the recording medium transported while holding the unfixed developer image.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasushi Kawahata, Nobuhiro Katsuta, Keitaro Mori
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Patent number: 9291971Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive roller, a rotary drive source, a rotation signal detection portion, and a removal determination portion. The drive roller is configured to rotate in contact with a printing medium. The rotary drive source is configured to supply a rotational force to the drive roller. The rotation signal detection portion is configured to detect a rotation signal indicating that the drive roller is rotated while the rotary drive source is being powered off. The removal determination portion is configured to determine whether the printing medium that has stopped in contact with the drive roller is removed, based on detection of the rotation signal by the rotation signal detection portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Masaya Tashiro
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Patent number: 9291972Abstract: A display apparatus which displays an operation screen of one or more function-setting components including setting information of a function of an application. The apparatus includes a function list display unit which displays a list of functions for each application software; layout specifying information specifying a layout of the function-setting components on the operation screen; display mode information defining a display mode of setting information and the setting information for each function; a screen generating unit which generates a function-setting component list screen which displays in a list the function-setting component of the function; and an arrangement determining unit which determines an arrangement in the operation screen of a function-setting component to be arranged, a selection of which is accepted from the function setting component list screen, and updates the layout specifying information with a layout including the function-setting component to be arranged.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Motoyuki Katsumata
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Patent number: 9291973Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier on which images formed by a plurality of image forming units are transferred; a sensor configured to irradiate the image carrier with light, and detect reflected light; a detection unit configured to detect, based on an output value of the sensor, a feature value of an edge of a patch image which has been formed by the image forming unit and transferred to the image carrier; a determination unit configured to determine a position of the patch image using the output value of the sensor corresponding to the patch image and the feature value of the edge; and a color registration control unit configured to perform color registration control based on the determined position of the patch image.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshifumi Kakutani, Shinya Suzuki, Ryosuke Nanai
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Patent number: 9291974Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form developer images of a plurality of colors on an image carrier; and a control unit configured to execute a first correction control and a second correction control that has a higher correction precision than the first correction control in order to correct misregistration between the developer images formed by the image forming unit. The control unit is further configured to execute the second correction control when a cumulative correction error, which is a cumulative value of correction error occurring when performing misregistration correction using the first correction control, exceeds a first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuki Sugiyama
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Patent number: 9291975Abstract: A sheet-edge detecting device includes first and second detecting units and a determining unit. The detecting units are disposed at an edge of a sheet having feed holes in a direction crossing a transporting direction of the sheet, and are separated from each other in the transporting direction so as not to be positioned in one or more feed holes simultaneously. In the direction crossing the transporting direction, the detecting units are separated from each so as not to be positioned in a feed hole and outside the edge simultaneously, one of the detecting units is at a position corresponding to an allowable displacement of the edge, and the other detecting unit is at the same position as the one of the detecting units or closer to the edge than the one of the detecting units is. The determining unit determines the position of the edge of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Taguchi
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Patent number: 9291976Abstract: An image forming system includes an option apparatus having a first conveying path; and an image forming apparatus having a second conveying path configured to be connected to the first conveying path. The image forming apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a recording material conveyed on the second conveying path at a first speed; and a first controller configured to notify the option apparatus of a detection timing of the recording material. The option apparatus includes a second controller configured to determine whether the detection timing is different from a predetermined timing upon receiving a notification of the detection timing, and, if it is different, to determine a second speed based on the detection timing and the predetermined timing and change the conveying speed of the recording material from the first speed to the second speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Hashii, Ryuichi Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 9291977Abstract: Provided is a printing medium conveying unit that includes: a first contact section; a second contact section disposed adjacent to the first contact section in a first direction; a printing medium conveying section configured to convey a printing medium in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction, in which the printing medium conveying section allows a first edge in the first direction of the printing medium to come into contact with one of the first contact section and the second contact section to displace one of the first contact section and the second contact section in the first direction; and a position detecting section configured to detect a position in the first direction of the first edge, based on an amount of the displacement of one of the first contact section and the second contact section that has come into contact with the first edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Makoto Kitamura
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Patent number: 9291978Abstract: A setting device sets a print page to be clear-coated. When print data is obtained, the setting device displays a preview of a print page image represented by the print data (step S1040). The setting device further receives a designation for a print page image of which preview is displayed, and sets a print page corresponding to the print page image of which designation has been received as a print page to be clear-coated (step S1050).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yukinori Mizuguchi
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Patent number: 9291979Abstract: A printing control device includes a glossiness target value determining unit that determines a glossiness target value indicating a target of glossiness of image data as a print target, a color separation amount determining unit that determines color separation amounts of a plurality of colored color materials as amounts of the colored color materials to be allocated to the respective colored color materials based on a sum of respective amounts of the colored color materials for the glossiness target value, a color separation processing unit that executes color replacement among a plurality of pieces of colored plane data based on the color separation amounts of the respective colored color materials, and an image data generator that generates the image data based on the pieces of colored plane data on which the color replacement has been executed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Makoto Yoshida, Hiroaki Suzuki
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Patent number: 9291980Abstract: An image forming apparatus (100) includes a discharge section (210), a paper receiving tray (93), a first detecting section (211), a lever (220), a second detecting section (230) and a decision section (240). The first detecting section (211) is disposed in the discharge section (210), and detects a paper jam. The second detecting section (230) detects a swinging state of the lever (220) from a first position at which the lever (220) is not in the process of receiving an action of the paper sheet to a second position. The decision section (240) judges an occurrence factor in a paper jam to be a user-induced factor when the second detecting section (230) detects a state in which the lever is at the first position in a state where the first detecting section (211) detects the paper jam.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Norichika Katsura, Kohji Aoki, Masaharu Kimura, Yasuaki Fukada
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Patent number: 9291981Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a cylindrical base and a photosensitive layer disposed on the cylindrical base. The photosensitive layer has a photoconductive layer disposed on the cylindrical base, a charge injection blocking layer disposed on the photoconductive layer, and a surface layer disposed on the charge injection blocking layer. The charge injection blocking layer contains at least one of nitrogen and oxygen, carbon, and a group 13 element. A content of the at least one of nitrogen and oxygen contained in the charge injection blocking layer is lower on a side of the surface layer than on a side of the photosensitive layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Nakamura
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Patent number: 9291982Abstract: A driving transmission device includes a motor, a first pulley to be rotated by the motor, a second pulley connected to a rotating member, an endless belt wound on the first pulley and the second pulley, a dielectric layer provided between the endless belt and the first pulley and between the endless belt and the second pulley, and a power supply unit configured to apply a voltage to the first pulley. The first pulley, the endless belt, and the second pulley are connected in series. A length by which the endless belt is wound on the second pulley is larger than a length by which the endless belt is wound on the first pulley. A voltage applied to the second pulley is lower than the voltage applied to the first pulley.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuhei Hamada, Yuri Mori, Kota Kiyama, Toru Miyazawa
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Patent number: 9291983Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of connecting to a network receives via the network an electric power control signal for instructing electric power control, turns off a power of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the electric power control signal, and presents, to a user, information indicating that the image forming apparatus entered a power off state due to the electric power control signal. Also, a method of controlling such an image forming apparatus, and a program.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takaharu Osawa
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Patent number: 9291984Abstract: An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the contact terminal is swingable relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jiro Moriya, Takayuki Mizuta, Hideki Ohta, Yoshisuke Kasuya, Kazushi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9291985Abstract: A cleaning blade includes a member in which, in thermal analysis with a differential scanning calorimeter, a heat of crystal fusion ?H1 (mJ/mg) in a crystal fusion peak 1 in a range of about 70° C. or higher and lower than about 110° C., a heat of crystal fusion ?H2 (mJ/mg) in a crystal fusion peak 2 in a range of about 110° C. or higher and lower than about 170° C., and a heat of crystal fusion ?H3 (mJ/mg) in a crystal fusion peak 3 in a range of about 170° C. or higher and about 200° C. or lower satisfy formulae (1) to (4), the member constituting at least a contact portion that comes in contact with a member to be cleaned. ?H1+?H2>?H3??Formula (1) 0.0??H1?5.0??Formula (2) 0.1??H2??Formula (3) 0.0??H3?2.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu Nakamura, Daisuke Tano, Masato Ono
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Patent number: 9291986Abstract: A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 9291987Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a recording medium storage unit in which a recording medium is stored, a pickup unit to pick up the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit, a pair of transport rollers being engaged with each other to rotate and transport the recording medium picked up by the pickup unit; an image forming unit to form an image on the recording medium transferred by the pair of transport rollers; and a frame including a first support region to support at least one of the pair of transport rollers, and a second support region to support at least a part of the image forming unit, wherein the frame further includes a vibration blocking slit that is disposed between the first and second support regions to block vibration from being transmitted from the first support region to the second support region.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jung-hoon Choi, Hwan-jin Yoon, Seung-bok Jung
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Patent number: 9291988Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a plurality of process cartridges has a safety switch for detecting opening and closing of a front cover, stroke switches for detecting positions of the process cartridges, a display portion and a speaker for notifying a state of the process cartridge, and a control portion. The control portion has a cartridge information notifying function for, when closing of the front cover is detected by the safety switch and the process cartridge is not detected by the stroke switch, notifying information of the process cartridge. Further, the control portion has a cartridge information notifying function for notifying first notification information for replacing the process cartridge, a cartridge moving function for moving the process cartridge by a moving portion, and a cartridge information notification cancelling function for cancelling notification of the first notification information.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Eiji Tenjiku, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Hisashi Kunihiro, Hitoshi Nagahama
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Patent number: 9291989Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A magnet in the reservoir is movable in response to rotation of the shaft. An engagement member is positioned on an exterior of the top of the housing. The engagement member is aligned with a point in a path of movement of the magnet in the reservoir. The engagement member has a front surface that is unobstructed to contact and push a housing in the image forming device supporting a magnetic sensor to an operating position of the magnetic sensor during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: Brian Scott Carpenter
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Patent number: 9291990Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit configured to develop an electrostatic latent image, a mounting detection unit configured to detect that a container T is mounted on a mounting unit, a driving unit configured to rotate the container T, a rotation detection unit configured to detect rotation information about the container T, and a controller configured to control the driving unit based on the rotation information. If the container T is detected to be mounted on the mounting unit, control of the driving unit is not carried out based on the rotation information until replenishment information satisfies a predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Iikura, Kazunori Miyake, Shinya Suzuki, Toshifumi Kakutani, Yousuke Hata, Kazumi Sato
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Patent number: 9291991Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form a toner image on a sheet, a fixing device, including first and second rotatable members, for forming a nip, configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming device, a mounting portion to which the fixing device is detachably mountable substantially along a longitudinal direction thereof, a pressing mechanism configured to press the first rotatable member toward the second rotatable member by entrance thereof, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, into a space of the mounting portion through which the fixing device passes during mounting and demounting, and a retracting mechanism configured to retract the pressing mechanism from the space.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keisuke Yoshida
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Patent number: 9291992Abstract: An imaging unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having positional control features for aligning the imaging unit in a supporting frame in the image forming device. The positional control features include on each end wall, first and second bullet noses and a stop arm positioned between the two bullet noses. The first and second bullet noses engage support or datum surfaces provided in corresponding openings in the frame. The stop arm receives a biasing force that rotates the imaging unit into its final operating position. A latching assembly is provided on one end wall to prevent the imaging unit from ejecting from the frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Mark William Amann, Donn Duane Bryant, Geoffrey Kirk Carlson, Paul Douglas Horrall, Michael David Maul, Jennifer Marie Murphy, Joshua Carl Poterjoy
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Patent number: 9291993Abstract: A drive transmission mechanism includes a driving coupling element having a first engaging portion and a first operating portion; and a holder having a second engaging portion and a second operating portion, wherein when the first and second engaging portion are engaged, the driving coupling element is held in a middle position to be prevented from moving therefrom to a projected position. When the driving coupling element is moved from the middle position toward a retracted position, the first and second operating portions contact each other so that the driving coupling element rotates to a second angular position where they are disengaged from each other. By the driving coupling element rotating from the first angular position to the second angular position, the driving coupling element is enabled to move to the projected position.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumiya Sawashima
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Patent number: 9291994Abstract: A cartridge includes: first and second cartridge constituent members assembled with each other; a memory for storing information on the cartridge; a color display member for displaying color information of a developer accommodated in the cartridge; first and second supporting portions provided on the first and second cartridge constituent members, wherein the first supporting portion is provided with a slit for permitting insertion of the memory, and the second supporting portion is provided with a slit for permitting insertion of the color display member; and first and second preventing portions provided on the other cartridge constituent member. When the first and second cartridge constituent members are assembled with each other, the first preventing portion prevents movement of the memory inserted in the first supporting portion, and the second preventing portion prevents movement of the color display member inserted in the second supporting portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiko Kanno, Yuichi Fukui
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Patent number: 9291995Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing; an image forming section that is provided within the housing and forms an image onto a recording medium; an output section that outputs the recording medium, having the image formed thereon by the image forming section, outward from the housing; a loading section on which the recording medium output from the output section is loaded and that is provided with an air hole; and a cooling unit that allows air to flow between an interior of the housing and the loading section via the air hole so as to cool a surface, which faces the loading section, of the recording medium loaded on the loading section.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Hirofumi Ueno
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Patent number: 9291996Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a fusing unit including a first rotor provided with a heat-generating unit and an elastic layer, as well as a second rotor provided in direct contact with the first rotor, the fusing unit fixing a toner image on a sheet, and a duct for allowing an inlet and an exhaust outlet to communicate with each other, the inlet being adapted to allow a current of air derived from the fusing unit to flow in, the exhaust outlet facing toward the outside of the apparatus. The duct includes an introduction channel for guiding and jetting out air taken in from the inlet, a main channel for guiding the air jetted out of the introduction channel to the exhaust outlet, and a cul-de-sac provided in communication with the main channel at one end and closed at the other end.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Motoki Nakano, Masashi Saito, Yutaka Otsuka, Hideaki Hayashi
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Patent number: 9291997Abstract: A high speed hologram recording apparatus and method. The hologram recording apparatus includes: a light source for emitting coherent light; a beam splitter for splitting the coherent light emitted from the light source into a signal beam and a reference beam; a signal beam transfer unit comprising an angular deflector that changes a direction of the signal beam according to time, and irradiating the signal beam onto a hologram recording medium; and a reference beam transfer unit irradiating the reference beam at a location of the hologram recording medium where the signal beam is also irradiated.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kyoung-seok Pyun, Alexander Morozov, Chil-sung Choi, Ivan Bovsunovskiy, Vladislav Druzhin, Andrew Putilin
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Patent number: 9291998Abstract: Methods and devices for holographic imaging are disclosed. In some embodiments, a holographic imaging device is disclosed that includes at least one radiation source, a reflective surface, and an image sensor. The at least one radiation source may be configured to emit a radiation wave towards the reflective surface and an object positioned on or near the reflective surface, where the radiation wave is reflected by the reflective surface to produce a reference wave and is reflected directly toward the image sensor by the object to produce an object wave directed at the image sensor. Further, the image sensor may be configured to determine an interference pattern between the reference wave and the object wave. A holographic image representing the object may be reconstructed based on the interference pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: IMECInventors: Roeland Huys, Richard Stahl, Geert Vanmeerbeeck, Peter Peumans
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Patent number: 9291999Abstract: A ratchet for winding a barrel, including an axial passage for fitting the ratchet onto an arbor carrying pivotal drive mechanism. The ratchet includes, in the axial passage, a strip spring permitting fitting of the ratchet onto the arbor, and exerting a bearing force on the pivotal drive mechanism, wherein the at least one strip spring forms a complementary drive for pivotally driving the arbor. A timepiece barrel for pivotal assembly between a bottom plate and a bridge includes a spring housed between a pivoting drum and a ratchet and hooked between, at an outer end thereof, the drum, and at an inner end thereof, an arbor, the arbor pivoting integrally with the ratchet about a pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Laurent Kaelin, Arthur Queval, Martin Vautherot
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Patent number: 9292000Abstract: A multifunctional case is configured for winding an automatic or manual watch having one or more displays, the case includes a box having a removable support designed to hold the watch; a winding mechanism intended to wind the watch when the latter is arranged on the removable support; the multifunctional case also having an adjusting mechanism configured for adjusting said one or more displays of the watch. This solution has in particular the advantage over the prior art of keeping the watch on time when it is arranged in the case.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: I.M.H. Innovations Manufacturers Horlogeres SAInventor: Fabien Lamarche
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Patent number: 9292001Abstract: Jumper (201) comprising a jumper body (210), a jumper head (203), a first connecting element (292) connecting the jumper head to the jumper body, the first connecting element allowing the jumper head (203) to move relative to the jumper body (210), notably to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ROLEX SAInventor: Christian Fleury
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Patent number: 9292002Abstract: A timepiece escapement mechanism includes a stopper between a resonator and an escape wheel set. The wheel set includes a magnetized track with an angular period of travel over which its magnetic characteristics are repeated. The stopper includes a magnetized or ferromagnetic pole shoe that is mobile in a transverse direction relative to the direction of travel of an element of a surface of the track. The pole shoe or the track creates a magnetic field in a pole gap between the pole shoe and the surface. The pole shoe is opposite a magnetic field barrier on the track just before each transverse motion of the stopper commanded by the periodic action of this resonator. The stopper is multistable and arranged to occupy at least two stable positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Jerome Favre
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Patent number: 9292003Abstract: Set of luminous display hands for a portable object which houses an electrical energy supply source, the set of luminous display hands including first and second superposed luminous display hands each provided with a hole for the passage of a drive arbour, the drive arbour of the second luminous display hand being arranged concentrically inside the drive arbour of the first hand with insertion of an insulating layer between the two drive arbours, the first and second luminous display hands respectively carrying a first and a second light source, the first pole of the first light source being electrically connected to a first terminal of the power supply source via the drive arbour of the first luminous display hand, the second pole of the first light source being connected to the first pole of the second light source via a contact piece, and the second pole of the second light source being connected to the second terminal of the power supply source via the drive arbour of the second luminous display hand.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Pierpasquale Tortora, Cédric Faure, Simon Springer
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Patent number: 9292004Abstract: A gong for a striking-work device of a timepiece. The gong includes a spring blade forming a main body of the gong and is adapted to act as a vibrating member so as to produce a sound following an actuation. The spring blade includes at least one opening formed in its main body. The invention also includes a timepiece, such as a mechanical watch, comprising such a gong.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & CieInventors: Lucas Raggi, Jean-Daniel Lüthi
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Patent number: 9292005Abstract: Shock resistant bearing for a timepiece including an elastic structure and a central portion carried by the elastic structure, the central portion having a blind hole intended to receive a pivot of a rotating wheel set of the timepiece. The elastic structure and the central portion are formed by a single-piece part formed of single crystal quartz and the blind hole has at least partially the shape of a truncated or non-truncated trigonal pyramid against which the end of the pivot abuts. The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing a shock resistant bearing of this type wherein the single-piece wafer is machined in an anisotropic etching bath for single crystal quartz. Preferably, two masks are respectively arranged on the two sides of the wafer to simultaneously etch the quartz from both sides.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Thierry Hessler
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Patent number: 9292006Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece includes an oscillator circuit of which an oscillation condition can be varied by an oscillation condition adjustment circuit that adjusts an oscillation frequency, a frequency divider circuit that divides the oscillation frequency and generates a time measurement reference timing signal, a frequency adjustment circuit that adjusts the period of time measurement reference timing signal, a local oscillator circuit that uses the oscillation frequency as a reference frequency and outputs a local oscillation frequency, and a control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Akinari Takada, Takuji Ike
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Patent number: 9292007Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide bipolar time-to-digital conversion. For example, either a positive time duration or a negative time duration may be converted to a digital representation by a linear time-to-digital converter (TDC). A set of logic functions may be applied to the input of the TDC to provide start and/or stop signals for the TDC. Further, a correction component may be applied to an input or an output of the TDC to compensate for a delay offset of the TDC.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Intel Deutschland GmbHInventors: Stephan Henzler, Markus Schimper, Stefan Tertinek
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Patent number: 9292008Abstract: A watchband with integrated electronics designed to be attachable to any standard mechanical or digital timepiece. The watchband has a flexible circuit board sandwiched between layers of watchband material, allowing for the flexibility of a normal watchband with the electronics capability of a mobile computer and fitness tracker. The watchband has an embedded heart rate sensor, body temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensor, vibration generator, inertial sensors, and wireless communication device. The watchband is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is recharged using a charging port that can be connected to a battery charger.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: MainToolInventors: Hussain Ahamed, Boris Kesler, Arjaldo Karaj, Ángel Sánchez, Gabriela de la Serna
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Patent number: 9292009Abstract: An electromotive adjustment device for a piece of furniture having an adjustable furniture part. The electromotive adjustment device includes a housing, a drive gear motor, a control device having a device housing, and at least one drive unit having an output member connected to the adjustable furniture part. The drive gear motor is configured to be one of brought to a standstill and reversed by a safety device during the occurrence of a pinching between one or more of two furniture parts, a furniture part and a component, and a furniture part and a part of a person's body. The safety device includes a light transmitter configured such that a light beam directed against one of the adjustable furniture part and the component and the light beam is reflected to meet a light receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: DEWERTOKIN GMBHInventor: Armin Hille