Patents Issued in May 17, 2016
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Patent number: 9342010Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: a heater including a substrate and a heat generating element; a supporting member; and a high heat-conductive member. The recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member has a bottom region, where the supporting member supports the heater, including a first region where the supporting member contacts the high heat-conductive member so as to apply pressure between the heater and the high heat-conductive member and including a second region where the supporting member is recessed from the high heat-conductive member relative to the first region. At least a part of the first region overlaps, with respect to a movement direction of the recording material, with a region where the heat generating element is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiro Shimura, Hideaki Yonekubo, Hisashi Nakahara, Akira Kato, Noriaki Tanaka, Hideyuki Matsubara, Yuji Fujiwara
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Patent number: 9342011Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressuring member, a heat insulating member and a coil spring. The fixing member is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged rotatably and configured to come into pressure contact with the fixing member so as to form a fixing nip. The heat insulating member is configured to cover an outer circumference of at least one of the fixing member and the pressuring member and to curve in an arc shape. The coil spring is electrically grounded and configured to come into contact with an outer circumference face of the heat insulating member so as to curve in an arc shape.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Tomohiro Watatani
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Patent number: 9342012Abstract: A sheet discharge tray according to an embodiment includes a loading board that receives sheets that are discharged from a sheet transport path. A first contact alignment board is vertically positioned on the loading board at a first end portion on an upstream side in a sheet discharge direction. A second, contact alignment board is vertically positioned on the loading board at a second end portion on a downstream side in the sheet discharge direction. An alignment roller aligns sheets that are less than or equal to a predetermined size to abut against the first contact alignment board. The alignment roller aligns sheets that are greater than the predetermined size to abut against the second contact alignment board.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Taki
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Patent number: 9342013Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a fixing device includes a belt member and a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the belt member. The fixing device further includes two terminal portions. The two terminal portions are electrically connected to a detector configured to detect a resistance value of the belt member, a value of a current that flows when a predetermined voltage is applied to the belt member, or a potential difference that occurs when a predetermined current is made to flow in the belt member. The two terminal portions are also contacted, on a one-to-one basis, by end-portion regions at both ends of an inner circumferential surface of the belt member in a belt-width direction of the belt member.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Yasuhito Okajima
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Patent number: 9342014Abstract: A belt device includes a support and a support roller that support a belt. A driven gear is mounted on one of a plurality of shafts of the support roller. A driving gear meshing with the driven gear at a mesh position transmits a driving force to the support roller through the driven gear to rotate the support roller. An elastic bearing rotatably bearing each of the plurality of shafts of the support roller has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the shaft of the support roller. The bearing includes a slit defining a part of the bearing in a circumferential direction thereof. The slit is disposed upstream from the mesh position in the direction of rotation of the support roller such that the mesh position and the slit define a circumferential angle not smaller than about 20 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukuhata, Yuusuke Furuichi
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Patent number: 9342015Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an optical detecting device; a movable unit including a rotatable member having a first light-blocking surface and a second light-blocking surface; and a control unit. The movable unit rotates with rotation of the rotatable member so that the second light-blocking surface is movable to a first position where the optical detecting device is light-blocked and a second position where the optical detecting device is not light-blocked, and includes a locking member for locking the second light-blocking surface in the second position. When the first and second light-blocking surfaces pass through a detecting portion of the optical detecting device, the control unit discriminates a state of the movable unit on the basis of a detection result of the optical detecting device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Ueda
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Patent number: 9342016Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing section, a storage section, and a control section. The printing section prints a toner image on paper. The storage section stores prescribed image data for which printing is permitted using disposal-scheduled toner that is scheduled for disposal as waste toner. The control section determines whether or not a preset disposal condition is satisfied. Upon determining that the disposal condition is satisfied, the control section determines whether or not prescribed image data is stored in the storage section. Upon determining that prescribed image data is stored in the storage section, the control section sets the operating mode of the printing section as a waste toner reduction mode in which the printing section uses the disposal-scheduled toner to perform printing based on the prescribed image data.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Akira Shimada
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Patent number: 9342017Abstract: When a detection signal indicates that a switch has switched off, a first relay cuts off the supply of alternating current from a commercial alternating-current source to a third DC power source and terminates a first load such as a motor and a high-voltage power source. When the detection signal indicates that the switch has switched off, a control circuit executes shutdown processing for safely terminating an operation of a second load such as a hard disk drive. When the shutdown processing is complete, the control circuit outputs a signal for terminating an operation of a second DC power source. When the shutdown signal is input, a second relay terminates the operation of the second load by cutting off the supply of the alternating current from the commercial alternating-current source to a second DC power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Manabu Koseki, Tetsuya Nozaki, Eijiro Atarashi, Yoritsugu Maeda
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Patent number: 9342018Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a medium storing portion storing a recording medium, and a storage unit that stores first size information indicating a size of the stored recording medium. A receiving unit receives print data containing image data and second size information indicating a size relating to the image data. A feeding unit feeds the recording medium from the medium storage portion. An image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium. A detection unit detects a size of the recording medium fed by the feeding unit to obtain third size information. A first determining unit determines whether the first size information corresponds to the second size information. A second determining unit determines whether the third size information corresponds to the second size information. An acquiring unit acquires determination instruction information. A determination control unit causes only the second determining unit to perform determination according to the determination instruction information.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Junji Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9342019Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure control unit that performs control, based on a shift-amount of an exposure position from an ideal position, the shift-amount being obtained from a detection-result of a misregistration correcting pattern image, to shift at least one of an exposure timing corresponding to first image data which is input to one of two electric cables in contact with a target electric cable and an exposure timing corresponding to second image data which is input to another one of the two electric cables, with respect to an exposure timing corresponding to target image data being input to the target electric cable both sides of which are in contact with the two other electric cables, among a plurality of the electric cables which corresponds respectively to a plurality of the exposure units provided for each of a plurality of colors.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yoshinori Shirasaki, Masayuki Hayashi, Motohiro Kawanabe, Masatoshi Murakami
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Patent number: 9342020Abstract: An image forming apparatus which uses a printing control technique for, even when a third-party finisher whose performance is unknown is connected to the image forming apparatus, realizing a sheet-feeding judgment with consideration given to the performance of the finisher and preventing degradation of working efficiency. When an error notification is received from a post-processing apparatus, a type of a sheet discharged to the post-processing apparatus is identified. The identified type is managed as a type of a prohibited sheet prohibited from being discharged to the post-processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takeshi Kaneda
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Patent number: 9342021Abstract: An image forming apparatus, a network system including the same and a management method of parts information of the same capable of matching specific information of an exchangeable part with specific information of the image forming apparatus when the specific information of the exchangeable part is not identical that of the image forming apparatus, is provided. It is determined whether the specific information of the image forming apparatus is identical to that of the exchangeable part. If the specific information of the image forming apparatus is not identical to that of the exchangeable part, at least one specific information of the image forming apparatus or the exchangeable part is changed such that the specific information is identical.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: In Hwan Cha
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Patent number: 9342022Abstract: A document transporting device includes: a document-accommodating section; a transporting mechanism; a document-discharge section; a holding member that includes an attach-portion that is attached at an upper side of a discharge-port from which a document is discharged to the document-discharge section, and holding portion main-bodies provided such that lower ends are contacted with the document-discharge section, that hold down the document discharged on the document-discharge section from above, a length in a discharge-direction of the document from an attachment-position of the attach-portion to the lower end of the holding portion main-body being longer than a height from the document-discharge section to the attachment-position of the attach-portion; and protruding portions formed in the document-discharge section along a longitudinal direction of the discharge-port such that a top portion of the protruding portion is positioned at a downstream side of the discharge-direction relative to the lower end ofType: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Mitsuyuki Ishida
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Patent number: 9342023Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a protruding tray part. The protruding tray part is provided on the upper surface portion of a body casing part, extends in a paper discharge direction and has a convex shape which becomes convex at an upper side, and supports a part of a lower surface of a paper, which is discharged from a paper discharge port, from below, thereby forming a space between end portions of the paper and the upper surface portion of the body casing part. The paper conveying device is formed at a lower surface thereof with a guide recessed part. The guide recessed part has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the protruding tray part, and is engaged with the convex shape to guide the paper conveying device when the paper conveying device is mounted in the in-body paper discharge space.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.Inventors: Shuji Osaki, Hiroshi Inui
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Patent number: 9342024Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a sensor section includes a sheet path through which the sheet passes in a sheet feeding direction. In the sensor section, a light source unit emits light to an irradiation area set in the sheet path. Here, the light is elongated in a main-scanning direction and has quantities of light varying according to positions in the main-scanning direction and according to positions in a height direction perpendicular to a sheet feed surface. In addition, in the sensor section, a light-receiving section receives light diffused in a predetermined diffusing direction among the light emitted from the light source and then irradiated to the sheet passing in the sheet path and outputs information representing quantities of the received light. In the image forming apparatus, a control section extracts a parameter from the information and derives an amount of curl of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeda, Yoshiyuki Toso, Yasuhiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 9342025Abstract: A conveyor device is mounted on an image forming apparatus having an image forming section. The conveyor device has: a first conveyance path for conveying the sheet after an image is formed on a side of a sheet by the image forming section; a reverse conveyance path branched from the first conveyance path; a second conveyance path branched from the reverse conveyance path and for conveying the sheet back to the image forming section. The conveyor device includes a reversing section and a decurling section that are disposed on the reverse conveyance path. The reversing section reverses a conveyance direction of the sheet fed into the reverse conveyance path so as to feed the sheet into the second conveyance path. The decurling section applies decurling by urging the sheet in a direction of forming a convex curl with a side opposite to the image-formed side facing outward.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Tomohisa Soda, Kazuhisa Kondo
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Patent number: 9342026Abstract: A print control apparatus includes a generating unit that generates color image data based on gloss-control image data, the gloss-control image data containing a gloss control value for identifying a type of a surface effect being a visual or a tactile effect applied to the recording medium and for identifying a region to which the surface effect is applied in the recording medium, and generates clear-toner image data based on presence or absence of at least one post processing device connected to the printing device and based on a type of the post processing device; a post-processing control unit that controls the post processing device in accordance with the presence or absence of the post processing device connected to the printing device and the type of the post processing device; and an output unit that outputs the clear-toner image data.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Hiroaki Suzuki, Hiroo Kitagawa
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Patent number: 9342027Abstract: A printing control apparatus includes an acquiring unit, a storing unit, a replacing unit, and a generating unit. The acquiring unit is configured to acquire apparatus configuration information of a printing apparatus that forms an image based on image data. The storing unit is configured to store therein gloss control plane data in which a type of a surface effect imparted to a recording medium and a control value for specifying an area in the recording medium, to which the surface effect is imparted, are designated. The replacing unit is configured to replace, based on the apparatus configuration information, the type of the surface effect imparted to the recording medium in the gloss control plane data with a predetermined type of a surface effect. The generating unit is configured to generate the image data based on the gloss control plane data subjected to the replacement by the replacing unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Yuji Tokushima, Hiroaki Suzuki, Shinya Kobayashi, Hiroo Kitagawa
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Patent number: 9342028Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a total amount control unit that applies a total amount controlling process to perform correction such that a sum of density values of all pixels composing the color plane data and clear plane data becomes not larger than a certain value; a clear toner plane generating unit that generates clear toner plane data based on gloss control plane data, the clear plane data and the color plane data; a difference calculating unit that calculates a difference between the density value of a pixel of the clear toner plane data and the density value of the pixel of the clear toner plane data to which the total amount controlling process is applied, for each pixel; and a display unit that displays an inconsistent region composed of a pixel in which the difference is not smaller than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Ryonosuke Miyazaki
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Patent number: 9342029Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form a first image with a decolorable material and a second image forming unit configured to form a second image with a non-decolorable material. A color state of the decolorable material changes from a first color state to a second color state when a temperature thereof increases from a room temperature to a human body temperature, and from the second color state to the first color state when the temperature thereof decreases from the human body temperature to the room temperature. The first image overlaps with at least a portion of the second image.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sunao Tabata
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Patent number: 9342030Abstract: An alternating current generation circuit has a transformer and generates an alternating current voltage in accordance with a pulse signal input to the transformer. A clamp circuit has a constant-voltage element and a current limit element connected in series between the transformer, an output end of the alternating current voltage, and a ground. A direct current generation circuit generates a direct current voltage in accordance with a duty cycle of the input pulse signal. The direct current generation circuit converts, into a direct current voltage, a current that flows from the clamp circuit via the ground, and superimposes the direct current voltage on the alternating current voltage, and a voltage obtained by superimposing the direct current voltage on the alternating current voltage is output from the output end.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tatsuzue
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Patent number: 9342031Abstract: A cleaning blade cleaning the surface of an object includes a rigid holder; and a strip-shaped elastic body fixed on the holder, having a tip ridgeline to contact the surface of the object. The elastic body has a Martens hardness M1 in the range of from 0.9 to 10.0 N/mm2 at a position 300 ?m from the ridgeline on an undersurface of the elastic body including the ridgeline, a Martens hardness M2 at a position 1,000 ?m therefrom and a Martens hardness M3 at a position 2,000 ?m therefrom, and M1, M2 and M3 satisfy the following relationship: M1>M2>M3.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hiromi Sakaguchi, Shinji Nohsho, Yohta Sakon, Masahiro Ohmori, Yuka Aoyama, Masanobu Gondoh, Shohei Gohda, Kaori Toyama
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Patent number: 9342032Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a time setting unit that sets a print allowable time according to the amount of advance payment, a usage time count unit that counts a usage time and a print allowance determination unit that determines, from the time setting unit and the usage time count unit, whether printing is allowed or prohibited. Before the time counted by the usage time count unit reaches the print allowable time, the print allowance determination unit allows the printing to be performed whereas after the time counted by the usage time count unit reaches the print allowable time, the print allowance determination unit prohibits the printing from being performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Michio Takahashi, Toshiyuki Tokuno, Kenji Taki, Junichi Arai
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Patent number: 9342033Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: image forming stations each including: a photosensitive drum; a charger configured to charge the drum; a transfer device configured to transfer a developer image on the drum onto an intermediate transfer member; and a cleaner configured to remove developer from the drum; an exposure device configured to expose the drum to form a latent image; the intermediate transfer member; a memory storing information on the drum; and a controller configured to control at least one of the charger, transfer device, and exposure device in the station based on the information in the memory to provide a predetermined potential difference between the drum and the transfer device to form an electric field therebetween in a reverse direction to that in an image formation in order to move the developer from the intermediate transfer member to the drum to collect the developer by the cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Hasegawa, Motoki Adachi, Takayoshi Kihara
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Patent number: 9342034Abstract: The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device includes a cleaning blade for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt, a waste toner conveying screw that conveys the removed toner, and a vibrating part with multiple vanes, arranged between the cleaning blade and the waste toner conveying screw, each vane partly coming into contact with the waste toner conveying screw and vibrating in linkage with the motion of the waste toner conveying screw. Each vane has a projected part that is positioned close to, and projects toward, the intermediate transfer belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Tokuda
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Patent number: 9342035Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body, a process unit, an exposure unit, and a developing agent container unit. The main body includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The process unit is disposed at the first end portion and includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. The exposure unit is disposed at the second end portion and is configured to expose the photosensitive drum. An optical path of light irradiated from the exposure unit extends above the developing roller. The developing agent container unit includes a developing agent storage configured to store a developing agent and a waste developing agent storage configured to store the developing agent collected from a surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing agent container unit is disposed above the optical path and is detachably attachable to the process unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 9342036Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a main body and a driving force transmission, is provided. The main body supports an image forming unit which includes an image carrier. The driving force transmission transmits a driving force to the image carrier. The main body includes a first frame, a second frame, and a connecting member. The first frame is made of resin, disposed on one side of the image carrier with regard to a direction of rotation axis of the image carrier, and supports the driving force transmission disposed thereon. The second frame is made of metal and disposed on the other side of the image carrier with regard to the direction of rotation axis. The connecting member connects the first frame and the second frame with each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Souda
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Patent number: 9342037Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a manual operating unit, at least a part of which being exposed to an outside of the apparatus body and a part of which included inside the apparatus body being exposed to the outside by manually operating from the outside, a condensation part to which moist air in the apparatus body contacts to dew-condense to a water droplet, and a recovery container part containing the water droplet generated by the condensation part and being disposed on an inner surface of the manual operating unit included inside the apparatus body.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masanori Namba, Toshikane Nishii, Mitsutaka Nakamura, Haruyuki Honda
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Patent number: 9342038Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing having a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings each extend between an interior of the casing and an exterior of the casing. A cover has a close position in which the cover covers the first opening and the second opening, and an open position in which cover does not cover the first opening and the second opening. A shutter has a shielding position in which the shutter covers the second opening, and a retracted position. The shutter is operably connected to the cover so as to move between the shielding position and the retracted position in response to movement of the cover. A protrusion extends from the cover, and the protrusion extends through the second opening when the cover is in the close position and the shutter is in the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yosuke Aoi
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Patent number: 9342039Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover, a container holder, a detecting unit and a movable member. The cover opens/closes an opening attaching/detaching a toner container. The container holder is supported movably within the opening by attaching the toner container. The detecting unit includes a switching part switching a first position detecting an attaching condition of the toner container and a second position detecting a not-attaching condition of the toner container. The movable member interlocks with an opening/closing operation of the cover and switches the switching part of the detecting unit by moving. The movable member can move in a switching direction of the switching part from the second position to the first position when the cover is closed in the attaching condition. The movable member is restricted from moving in the switching direction by the container holder when the cover is closed in the not-attaching condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Daisuke Eto, Nobuhiro Fukuma
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Patent number: 9342040Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a mounting portion to which a cartridge is detachably mounted and a drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force by being engaged with a drive-transmitted member provided on the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. In addition, a protecting member is movable between a protecting position where the drive transmission member is prevented from being exposed toward the mounting portion and an open position where the protecting member is retracted from the protecting position to expose the drive transmission member to the mounting portion thereby to permit engagement of the drive transmission member with the drive-transmitted member.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yusuke Niikawa, Daisuke Yamamoto, Takeshi Arimitsu, Isao Koishi
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Patent number: 9342041Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a drive-force receiving member includes: a first cylindrical part having a gear part transmitting drive force to a developing roller; a second cylindrical part disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical part and in contact with a support part; and a receiving part receiving drive force from outside of the developing cartridge. The receiving part is disposed outward of the first and second cylindrical parts in an axial direction in which a rotational axis extends. The receiving part has an internal space in communication with a gap between the first and second cylindrical parts. The receiving part is disposed to overlap the gap between the first and second cylindrical parts when the receiving part is viewed in the axial direction. The receiving part has an outward end in the axial direction, at least part of the outward end of the receiving part being closed.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryuji Noda, Takashi Shimizu, Keita Shimizu
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Patent number: 9342042Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing device, a unit support frame, a retainer, and a developing device moving mechanism. The retainer swings in a first direction, in which the image carrier unit and the developing device are mounted in the unit support frame, to perform positioning of an image carrier, and swings in a second direction, in which the image carrier unit and the developing device are drawn out from a main body of the image forming apparatus, to unlock a positioned state of the image carrier. The developing device moving mechanism associates with the swing of the retainer in the first direction to dispose the developing device at a developing position, and associates with the swing of the retainer in the second direction to dispose the developing device at a separation position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Hiroaki Ohashi, Masahiro Kashimoto
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Patent number: 9342043Abstract: A unit assembly (10) is provided with an image forming unit (20) and an intermediate transfer unit (40), and is configured to be capable of being inserted into and removed from an apparatus body (110). The image forming unit (20) has first processing units (200A to 200D), developing units (4A to 4D), a positioning portion, and a link member (80). The positioning portion is provided in each of the developing units (4A to 4D) and determines the mutual relative positions of the developing units (4A to 4D). The link member (80) links the developing units (4A to 4D) to each other. The intermediate transfer unit (40) is held by the image forming unit (20).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoaki Kurimoto, Kuniaki Nakano, Hiroshi Kubota
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Patent number: 9342044Abstract: A fixing unit includes an endless belt accommodating a heat source inside a loop formed by the endless belt, a rotary pressing member rotating in contact with the endless belt in a pressure contact section, and a heat transfer member secured to a side plate within the loop of the endless belt to support and heat the endless belt with heat conducted from the heat source. The heat transfer member has an opening opposite the rotary pressing member. A securing member is disposed in the opening of the heat transfer member in pressure contact with the rotary pressing member via the endless belt. The heat transfer member and the securing member collectively include a pair of latching parts to firmly connect the heat transfer member and the securing member with each other when one of the latching parts is fitted to the other one of the latching parts.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Naitoh, Tomohiko Fujii, Minoru Toyoda, Hitoshi Fujiwara, Tomoya Adachi, Yasuharu Kawarasaki, Tetsu Morino, Isamu Kubo, Yoshiharu Takahashi
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Patent number: 9342045Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: a main assembly; and a fixing unit. The main assembly includes an advancing-and-retracting member capable of advancing and retracting in a direction substantially perpendicular to a mounting direction of the fixing unit, and includes an urging member configured to urge the advancing-and-retracting member in an advancing direction. The fixing unit includes an engaging member engageable with the advancing-and-retracting member. The engaging member includes i) a retracting portion configured to retract the advancing-and-retracting member against an urging force of the urging member with a mounting operation to the main assembly, and ii) permitting portion configured to a) permit advance of the advancing-and-retracting member by the urging portion with a further mounting operation to the main assembly and b) receive a force for moving the fixing unit in a mounting direction by the advancing-and-retracting member.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takeshi Fukuda
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Patent number: 9342046Abstract: A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a first outer side plate which is provided on one side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a second outer side plate which is provided on the other side of the photosensitive drums in the axial direction, and opposes the first outer side plate with the photosensitive drums interposed therebetween, and a plurality of input parts which are provided on ends of the photosensitive drums at the one side, respectively. An end face of each of the input parts being provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Abe, Junichi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 9342047Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus having a main assembly electric contact includes: a contact member for receiving pressure by the main assembly electric contact, wherein the contact member has a first surface as a contact portion for receiving the pressure by the main assembly electric contact and has a second surface bent from the first surface toward a side opposite from a side where the main assembly electric contact is provided; a holding member for holding the contact member; a portion to be limited provided at an end of the second surface; and a limiting portion, provided on the holding member, for limiting movement of the portion to be limited.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Osamu Anan
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Patent number: 9342048Abstract: An image-forming apparatus include an image bearer; a cleaning device to clean a surface of the image bearer; an air-blowing device to blow outside air; a temperature/humidity detector to detect temperature and humidity outside of the image-forming apparatus; and a controller to determine absolute humidity from detected temperature and humidity. Based on the absolute humidity, a waiting time from a time when a previous image-forming operation ends until the air-blowing device stops, in a stand-by state of an image-forming operation, and an unused time from a time when the air-blowing device stops until the air-blowing device resumes, the controller determines whether or not a polishing operation of the image bearer by the cleaning device after the air-blowing device is unused is executed in starting the operation of the blowing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshinori Sasaki
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Patent number: 9342049Abstract: A multi-spectral holographic security marker is made by a novel method according to the invention involving a replay frequency shift to one or more final replay frequencies of a part or parts only of a recorded image plane volume hologram. The marker comprises an optional surface hologram and an image plane volume hologram. The volume hologram is divided into discrete areas which have mutually different final replay frequencies. The security information carried by the marker is a combination of the size and shape of those different replay areas together with the hologram content itself which is spread across the different replay areas. If the marker also includes a surface hologram, then that is preferably aligned with the junctions between the replay areas. Preferably one volume hologram replay frequency is in the visible spectrum and the other is in the invisible part of the spectrum (IR or UV).Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: De Montfort UniversityInventors: Stephen Christopher Brown, Steven L. Smith, Martin John Richardson
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Patent number: 9342050Abstract: A watch includes a mechanical timepiece movement that includes at least one timepiece display device including a mobile timepiece component. The component transmits and diffuses light emitted by at least one light energy source included in the display device. The component is formed of a first material which is silica, or quartz, or single crystal quartz, or glass, or sapphire, or ceramic or material partially transparent to visible or ultraviolet wavelengths, or a transparent or translucent at least partially amorphous material, and of at least a second phosphorescent or fluorescent material applied in a thin layer to at least one of surfaces of the component. The light source, which is active or passive, injects light into one portion of the component which conveys and diffuses the light over at least one portion of the component, or throughout an entirety of the component, to make the component visible in the dark.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Thierry Hessler, Jean-Claude Martin, Michel Willemin
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Patent number: 9342051Abstract: The invention relates to a watch with a rigid casing-up, comprising: a middle (1); a bottom (2); a movement (3, 3bis, 3ter, 3quater, 41); and a casing-up ring (4, 4bis, 4ter, 42) in contact with the middle (1). The casing-up ring (4, 4bis, 4ter, 42) has an inner peripheral face (8, 17) and the movement (3, 3bis, 3ter, 3quater, 41) is secured to an outer peripheral face (7, 13, 18, 18bis), said inner (8, 17) and outer (7, 13, 1, 18bis) peripheral faces being in contact with each other in the Z and Z? regions thereof. Said watch is characterized in that it also comprises a tightening element (5, 5bis) provided for exerting pressure on the casing-up ring (4, 4bis, 4ter, 42) or the movement (3quater). The invention also relates to a method for casing-up such a watch.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ROLEX S.A.Inventors: Julien Cattaneo, Marco La China
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Patent number: 9342052Abstract: Wristwatch including a case in or on which there is arranged a first open housing, a wristlet provided with one end arranged in the first open housing, and a fastening means for holding the end of the wristlet in the first housing. The fastening means includes a second housing opening onto the first housing and a fastening element arranged in the second housing and occupying one part of the first housing. The wristwatch further contains a means of retaining the fastening element.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Marco Bettelini, Daniel Gruenig
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Patent number: 9342053Abstract: A method of manufacturing a timepiece component, such as a balance, an oscillating mass or a wheel, comprises a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The method may comprise forming at least one member in or at the periphery of the structure, of a material different from that of the structure. This member is typically metal and is formed by electro-forming using a cavity of the structure as a mold.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: PATEK PHILIPPE SA GENEVEInventors: Frédéric Maier, Stéphane Von Gunten, Sylvain Jeanneret
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Patent number: 9342054Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate generally to real-time clock circuit, and more particularly to systems, devices and methods of integrating two oscillators in one real-time clock circuit to generate accurate time of day over an industrial temperature range. A primary oscillator is employed to generate a first high precision clock while having a higher frequency and consuming more power; a secondary oscillator is employed to generate a second clock that has a low frequency and consumes less power, but may not meet the time accuracy requirement. When the real-time clock is provided with sufficient power (MSN mode), time of day is constantly tracked by the primary oscillator, but when the real-time clock is powered by a battery (SLEEP mode), time of day is tracked by the secondary oscillator while the primary oscillator is switched on at an update frequency to compensate errors in the time of day.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Bertram John White, Nathan Theodore Hackett
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Patent number: 9342055Abstract: Provided is an electronic watch capable of surely acquiring a movement start position and a stop position of a hand when the hand moves at high speed such as a case of manual correction by a winding stem or the like, while reducing a load on a CPU. The electronic watch includes: a decode circuit for outputting data corresponding to regions acquired by segmenting a movement range of the hand; and a position information circuit for automatically acquiring region data corresponding to the movement start position of the hand and region data corresponding to the stop position thereof and sending a notification to the CPU when acquiring both the data. In this manner, the CPU can stop until the acquisition of both the data, thereby reducing the load on the CPU.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsuneharu Kasai, Masahiro Mamiya, Michihiro Enokida, Tetsuro Maruyama, Fumio Nakamura
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Patent number: 9342056Abstract: An electronic timepiece enables a simple construction, and an electronic device has the electronic timepiece. A wristwatch 1 has a button A 6; a mode setting unit 32 that sets the operating mode of the wristwatch 1 based on an input operation of the button A 6. Based on the continuous input time that the button A 6 is operated continuously, the mode setting unit 32 changes the operating mode between a timekeeping mode that receives satellite signals from one or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information contained in the received satellite signal(s); and a positioning mode that receives satellite signals from three or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information and positioning information contained in the received satellite signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsuyuki Honda, Norimitsu Baba, Jun Matsuzaki, Toshikazu Akiyama
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Patent number: 9342057Abstract: This disclosure discloses a motor control apparatus including a controller. The controller includes a position controller and a speed controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter on the basis of the torque command. The controller includes a torque limiter configured to start first torque limitation which limits a commanded torque based on the torque command to a first torque or less in a case where the voltage detector detects that the DC voltage falls below a predetermined voltage, and to cancel the first torque limitation in a case where the voltage detector detects that the DC voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage. The controller includes a speed limiter configured to limit a commanded speed based on the speed command to a first speed or less in a case where the torque limiter cancels the first torque limitation.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventors: Toshinobu Kira, Tadashi Okubo, Yasuyuki Takei, Makoto Akama
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Patent number: 9342058Abstract: A first entity communicates with a second entity over a shared power bus by switching the bus to a high-impedance state and modifying the voltage on the power bus, in accordance with an outgoing communication, such that the modified voltage is detected by the second entity and the communication is received thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: TerraLUX, Inc.Inventors: John A. Koski, Anthony Catalano
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Patent number: 9342059Abstract: A security and economy coordinated automatic voltage control method based on a cooperative game theory is provided. The method includes: establishing a multi-objective reactive voltage optimizing model of a power system; resolving the multi-objective reactive voltage optimizing model into an economy model and a security model; solving the economy model and the security model based on the cooperative game theory to obtain the automatic voltage control instruction; and performing an automatic voltage control for the power system according to the automatic voltage control instruction.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Hongbin Sun, Qinglai Guo, Mingye Zhang, Boming Zhang, Wenchuan Wu, Bin Wang