Patents Issued in March 28, 2017
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Patent number: 9606465Abstract: Provided are a propylene-based polymer useful for providing a toner that is excellent in offset resistance, can be fixed by using a low-temperature heating element and hardly has stickiness even after stored for a long period of time; and a toner including said propylene-based polymer. The present invention is directed to a propylene/?-olefin copolymer (A) which includes 60 to 90 mol % of structural units derived from propylene (a) and 10 to 40 mol % of structural units derived from ?-olefins having 4 or more carbon atom (b) wherein (a)+(b)=100 mol % and which satisfies: (i) a weight average molecular weight (Mw) as measured by GPC of 3,000 to 40,000; (ii) a melting point (Tm) as measured by DSC of 60 to 90° C.; and (iii) a half width of a crystalline melting point peak as measured by DSC of 1 to 20° C.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Kuniaki Kawabe, Hirotaka Kanaya, Toshiyuki Ito, Kan Komiya
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Patent number: 9606466Abstract: The present invention is a toner including a toner particle containing a binder resin and a charge control agent, wherein the binder resin includes a resin having a polyester unit with at least one aliphatic compound condensed to the terminal thereof, the at least one aliphatic compound being selected from the group consisting of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids each having 30 or more and 102 or less carbon atoms and aliphatic monoalcohols each having 30 or more and 102 or less carbon atoms; and the charge control agent includes a specific compound (a pyrazolone monoazo metal compound).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toru Takahashi, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Daisuke Tsujimoto, Wakashi Iida
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Patent number: 9606467Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer comprising spherical magnetic composite particles comprising a phenol resin as a binder and ferromagnetic iron oxide particles bonded to each other through the phenol resin, wherein the spherical magnetic composite particles have a ten-point mean roughness Rz of 0.3 to 2.0 ?m. The magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer according to the present invention exhibits an excellent durability against peeling-off and abrasion of coating resins formed thereon and a high stability to mechanical stress exerted onto the carrier, is free from occurrence of spent toner, can be stably held over a long period of time without occurrence of fogging and unevenness in density of toner images, and can keep high-quality images with an excellent gradation for a long period of time.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: TODA KOGYO CORPORATIONInventors: Katsuji Iwami, Shigenori Harada, Eiichi Kurita, Kaori Kinoshita
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Patent number: 9606468Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a driving device, a charging member, a cleaning member, a voltage applying device, a braking distance detector, a storage for storing a predetermined braking distance value Lc, and a control portion. The control portion obtains as Lon a braking distance when a charging voltage is applied to the charging member and obtains as Loff a braking distance when no charging voltage is applied to the charging member. Let the braking distance observed when no charging voltage is applied at an early stage of use of the image carrying member be represented by Loff(0), then, when the relations Loff<Loff(0) and Lc<Loff/Lon hold, the control portion determines that the degree of smoothness of the surface of the image carrying member is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree of smoothness.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Takahiko Murata, Norio Tomiie, Masaki Kadota, Ai Takagami, Maki Ike
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Patent number: 9606469Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer to rotate, an image forming unit including a charger and a developing device, a charge power supply to output a charging bias applied to a charger, a transfer device, a toner adhesion amount, and a controller. The controller causes the image forming unit to form a background fog pattern in a background area of the latent image bearer while changing a background potential, acquires toner adhesion amount values detected at different positions of the background fog pattern, having different potentials, sorts the toner adhesion amount values in an order of the background potential, determines a relation between the background potential and background fog amount based the toner adhesion amount values except any toner adhesion amount value out of monotonicity, and adjust the charging bias to an optimum value computed based on the determined relation.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Saki Izumi, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Shunichi Hashimoto, Naoyuki Ozaki, Mikio Ishibashi, Kayoko Tanaka, Kohta Fujimori
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Patent number: 9606470Abstract: When attachment of an unused photoconductor unit is detected, a mode is executed in which, during non-image formation, a first current flowing in a charging roller is detected when a photoconductor is re-charged without irradiation of light by a pre-exposure device after being charged and passing through a transfer position during non-image formation, and a second current flowing in the charging roller is detected when the photoconductor is re-charged with irradiation of light by the pre-exposure device after being charged and passing through the transfer position, and a current supplied to an LED lamp during image formation is controlled in accordance with detection results.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shota Soda
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Patent number: 9606471Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image by scanning an image bearer with light modulated in accordance with image information includes a light source configured to emit the light and a control device configured to control the light source in accordance with the image information. The control device sets light emission duration of the light source for forming a particular pixel in the image to be shorter than light emission duration of the light source for forming a normal pixel, which is a pixel other than the particular pixel irk the image, and sets light emission intensity of the light source for forming the particular pixel to be higher than light emission intensity of the light source for forming the normal pixel.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masaaki Ishida, Atsufumi Omori, Muneaki Iwata, Hayato Fujita
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Patent number: 9606472Abstract: A pixel distance corrector configured to correct a pixel distance in the main scanning direction so that latent images corresponding to each pixel of image data are formed on the surface of the photosensitive member at substantially equal intervals in the main scanning direction. A controller configured to control a light source to emit light with a first light emission luminance with respect to an image part of the photosensitive member, and a second light emission luminance which is lower than the first light emission luminance, with respect to a non-image part of the photosensitive member. The controller is configured to correct light emission luminance so that the second light emission luminance decreases as the scanning speed decreases.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenichi Fujii, Hidenori Kanazawa, Takashi Kawana
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Patent number: 9606473Abstract: A cartridge including a housing configured to accommodate therein developer, a driving receiving part configured to rotate by receiving a driving force, a rotary member configured to rotate from a first position by receiving a driving force from the driving receiving part, and a detected member including a detected part and configured to move in an axis direction parallel with a rotational axis of the rotary member while being restrained from rotating, by receiving a driving force from the rotary member, wherein the detected member includes a first restraint part configured to restrain the rotation of the rotary member at the first position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Motoaki Mushika, Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazuna Taguchi
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Patent number: 9606474Abstract: A developing device detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member and a developer accommodating container including first and second chambers for circulating developer and a supply opening. An openable mechanism maintains a closed state of a discharge opening in the developer accommodating container before initial drive input into the developing device and opens and closes the discharge opening in interrelation with a mounting and demounting operation of the developing device after initial drive of the developing device. The openable mechanism includes a shutter, a spring member for urging the shutter in a closing direction, a sealing sheet for unsealably sealing the discharge opening and for sealing an initial developer in the accommodating container, and a winding-up shaft for winding up the sealing sheet. The sealing sheet is removed from the discharge opening after the initial drive of the developing device.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryoichi Kawasumi
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Patent number: 9606475Abstract: The printing method includes the steps of (1) Transferring after charging a charged liquid developer dispersion from a surface of the first member optionally via the at least one further member to a substrate, wherein excess liquid developer dispersion remains present on the first member after the transfer; (2) Treating the excess liquid developer dispersion so as to facilitate its removal from the first member (3) removing, at least substantially, the treated excess liquid developer dispersion from the surface of the first member using a removal device, and (4) upon interrupting or terminating the printing, removing material adhered to the removal device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Xeikon IP B.V.Inventors: Werner Jozef Johan Op de Beeck, Wim Libaers, Lode Erik Dries Deprez
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Patent number: 9606476Abstract: A cast device useable with an image forming apparatus is provided. The cast device includes at least one tube and a cast body. The cast body includes the at least one tube implanted into the cast body using a combined casting process.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.Inventors: Avichay Mor-Yosef, Eran Schwimmer, Yaniv Yona
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Patent number: 9606477Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a cleaning member having a belt cleaning blade and a conductive brush. A value of a charging current that is generated when charging residual toner with the conductive brush is smaller when a color mode is executed compared to that when a monochrome mode is executed.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasutaka Yagi, Kazuhiro Funatani, Tetsuichiro Fujimoto, Hiroyuki Seki, Masanori Asai, Shuji Saito
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Patent number: 9606478Abstract: An electrophotographic member which has resistance to discharge degradation and can maintain the toner releasability for a long period is provided. The electrophotographic member includes a substrate and a surface layer. The surface layer includes a binder resin having an acrylic skeleton and a modified silicone compound having a polyether group and a hydroxyl group in a molecule, the surface layer having a surface having a n-hexadecane contact angle of 30° or more.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yasutomo Tsuji
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Patent number: 9606479Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and a transfer roller. A support body supports the image carrier in a main body opposite to the transfer roller. A holding member positioned in the support body holds the transfer roller. The holding member includes at least one groove in a portion of the holding member that holds the transfer roller. At least one conductive member is positioned in, and protruding from, the at least one groove so that a part of the conductive member makes electrical contact with the transfer roller when the transfer roller is held in the holding member. A power supply section applies transfer bias between the image carrier and the transfer roller through the conductive member.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Norio Kouzu
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Patent number: 9606480Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for optimizing performance of a computer backup solution that includes at least two data movers. The automated method includes measuring data mover performance during operation of a backup cycle, and optimizing the performance of data movers by increasing or decreasing the number of threads operating concurrently in the data movers. The method further includes computation of performance rankings of the data movers and shifting workload among the data movers in accordance with their respective performance rankings, such that the computer backup solution converges toward an optimized configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James E. Damgar, Daniel C. Wolfe
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Patent number: 9606481Abstract: Methods and devices for digital printing to a recording medium are described. The printing can use a liquid print ink that includes a flammable carrier. Print control data can be generated from print data and the print control data can activate one or more print groups to print to the recording medium. An areal coverage can be determined based on the print control data. The areal coverage corresponds to a quantity of color applied onto the recording medium. The determined areal coverage can be limited to a predetermined maximum average areal coverage within a predetermined averaging area. The predetermined maximum average areal coverage can be less than a maximum theoretical areal coverage. The recording medium can be heated in, for example, a heating chamber. The predetermined averaging area can be smaller than an area of the recording medium located within the heating chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Revdin Dedic
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Patent number: 9606482Abstract: A fixing apparatus configured to include a rotational member having a conductive layer, a coil having a helical shape, a resonance circuit including a resonance capacitor and configured to be formed together with the rotational member and the coil, a first converter driving the resonance circuit, a second converter used to control power to be supplied to the first converter, a frequency setting unit configured to set a driving frequency of the first converter according to at least one of a size of the recording material and a temperature at a sheet non-passing portion of the rotational member, and a power control unit controlling the second converter according to a temperature at a sheet passing portion of the rotational member to control the power to be supplied to the first converter from the second converter, wherein the conductive layer is caused to generate heat by electromagnetic induction.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Minoru Hayasaki, Hiroshi Mano, Aoji Isono, Masatoshi Itoh, Yusuke Isomi
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Patent number: 9606483Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt, a nip member, a heater, a reflecting member, a load receiving member, and a protective member. The endless belt has end portions in the first direction and a middle portion defined between the end portions. The nip member is configured to contact an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The heater is disposed inside the endless belt. The reflecting member is entirely disposed on a nip-member side with respect to the heater and is configured to reflect radiant heat emitted from the heater toward the inner circumferential surface. The protective member is disposed between the middle portion of the endless belt and the heater and on a side opposite to the nip member with respect to the heater, and is configured to allow light to pass therethrough. The protective member is fastened to the load receiving member.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kei Ishida, Masahito Kajita, Kaoru Suzuki, Atsushi Ozawa, Kenji Takeuchi
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Patent number: 9606484Abstract: An improved fuser includes a heater which provides uniformity at the surface of a fuser roll that contacts an imaged sheet. The heater is configured to include a common tap at the center of a single heating trace. This allows for the benefits of a single trace configuration well while simultaneously providing a dedicated common line that does not have to be switched around.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Christopher A Jensen, Tab Alan Tress, Brian Gillis
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Patent number: 9606486Abstract: An elastic layer includes a needle-shaped filler and a void and has a porosity of 20 vol % or more and 60 vol % or less. The elastic layer contains a first area and a second area. The first area extends from a surface of the elastic layer opposite to a surface facing the mandrel toward the mandrel and has a thickness of 30% of the thickness of the elastic layer. The second area is a central area in a thickness direction of the elastic layer and has a thickness of 40% of the thickness of the elastic layer. The needle-shaped filler in the second area has an orientation degree of 50% or lower. The needle-shaped filler in the first area has an orientation degree higher than that of the needle-shaped filler in the second area.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Arai, Takeshi Suzuki, Jun Miura, Shigeaki Takada, Toshinori Nakayama, Naoki Akiyama, Daigo Matsuura, Yasuhiro Miyahara, Akeshi Asaka, Shuichi Tamura, Katsuhisa Matsunaka, Shinsuke Takahashi, Hiroto Sugimoto
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Patent number: 9606487Abstract: To prevent the detection accuracy from deteriorating due to stray light, an optical apparatus includes the following configuration. The optical apparatus includes a light-emitting member, a light-receiving member, and a substrate on which the light-emitting member and the light-receiving member are mounted. The substrate includes a plate-like substrate layer and a plate-like conductive layer. The optical apparatus further includes a light-shielding member disposed between the light-receiving member and the light-emitting member and inserted in a through-hole of the substrate provided between the light-receiving member and the light-emitting member. The light-receiving member receives reflected light from a portion to be irradiated with the light emitted from the light-emitting member. The conductive layer is excellent in light-shielding property compared to the substrate layer. The conductive layer is exposed to an inner cylindrical surface of the through-hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Nagashima, Masayuki Sakai
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Patent number: 9606488Abstract: The present teachings described a method and system of refilling replenisher containers for an electrophotographic machine. A replenisher cartridge for refill is received and a weight of the replenisher cartridge is determined. The weight of residual material in the replenisher cartridge is determined. The weight of carrier particles in the weight of residual material is determined through X-ray image analysis of the replenisher cartridge. The weight of carrier particles in the weight of residual materials and the weight of residual toner by is determined. An amount of toner and carrier is added to the replenisher cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gerardo Leute, Paul M. Wegman
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Patent number: 9606489Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses a first developer conveyance amount and a first correction amount calculated respectively in a first state, a second developer conveyance amount and a second correction amount calculated respectively in a second state in which the developer conveyance amount is smaller than the developer conveyance amount of the first state, and a third developer conveyance amount detected in a third state in which the developer conveyance amount is smaller than the developer conveyance amount of the first state and is larger than the developer conveyance amount of the second state to calculate a third correction amount for correcting density unevenness of the toner image in the third state, and perform control to correct the density unevenness of the toner image based on the calculated third correction amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Shunichi Takaya, Hiroshi Morimoto, Wataru Watanabe, Kei Okamura
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Patent number: 9606490Abstract: A rotation force transmission mechanism (30) includes a torque limiter (50), a breaking member (60) and a clutch member (55). The torque limiter (50) is configured to couple the first rotating member (35) and the driving source (40) to each other so as to able to transmit the rotation force until a torque of a predetermined value is applied, and to decouple from each other if a torque larger than the predetermined value is applied. The braking member (60) is configured to apply a torque exceeding the predetermined value to the first rotating member (35). The clutch member (55) is capable of being switched into a transmission state in which the rotation force can be transmitted to the first rotating member (35) and an interruption state in which the transmission of the rotation force is interrupted, in the second rotation force transmission path (P2).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Yoshiaki Tashiro
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Patent number: 9606491Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an electrophotographic image forming section; a sheet feeding tray; a conveying roller; a sheet discharging tray; a sheet discharging roller that is switched between a first state in which the sheet discharging roller rotates in a first direction and a second state in which the sheet discharging roller rotates in a second direction in which the sheet is conveyed back toward the image forming section; and a re-conveying roller that conveys the sheet conveyed back toward the image forming section by the sheet discharging roller, the re-conveying roller having an axial direction parallel to an axial direction of the conveying roller and being located at a position at which the re-conveying roller projected onto a first virtual plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction at least partially overlap with the conveying roller projected onto the first virtual plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Miwa, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 9606492Abstract: A sheet folding device includes two rollers, a blade, two parallel pins, and two gears. The first and second parallel pins are passed through first and second pin through-holes penetrating through first and second shaft portions in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the shaft portions. The first and second gears have first and second shaft through-holes through which the first and second shaft portions are passed, and first and second grooves in which the first and second parallel pins are inserted, respectively. Projection portions formed on inner side wall of the second groove and projecting from both sides of the second shaft portion cause the second parallel pin to closely contact a side wall that is, in the second groove, opposite to the projection portions, and cause the second parallel pin to closely contact a portion of the second pin through-hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Seiichi Shirasaki, Yasunori Ueno
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Patent number: 9606493Abstract: A punching device includes: a punching member opens a punch hole on a sheet material on a die plate by penetrating a die hole provided to the die plate; a discharging member discharges static electricity charged on a punching chip generated by opening of the punch hole when the punching chip is guided to fall on the discharging member arranged on a lower side of the die hole and brought into contact with the discharging member; and a pressing member that presses the punching chip on the discharging member against the discharging member.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Akiyoshi Irie, Kazumasa Minami, Takuji Nakane
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Patent number: 9606494Abstract: A printing control device includes a toner-scattering prevention plane generating unit that generates toner-scattering prevention plane data indicating that clear toner is applied to an outline drawing that is identified from target data for print; and an image-data generating unit that generates image data that includes the outline drawing by using the toner-scattering prevention plane data.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yuji Kogusuri, Takanori Itoh, Yuichi Habu, Hiroaki Suzuki
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Patent number: 9606496Abstract: A printed circuit board, including: a substrate on which a component is mounted by solder; and a contact plate having a soldered portion soldered on the substrate, the contact plate being configured to be brought into contact with a contact of an apparatus to which the substrate is to be attached, wherein the soldered portion is soldered on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface of the substrate on which the component is mounted, and wherein the contact plate has a suppressing portion configured to suppress an adhesion of a flux of the solder to a portion in which the contact plate is to be contacted by the contact, the suppressing portion making a flow path of the flux from the soldered portion to the portion longer than a straight-line distance from the soldered portion to the portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Ogawara
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Patent number: 9606497Abstract: A developer cartridge according to one aspect described herein is attachable to a photoconductor unit that comprises a photoconductive drum. The developer cartridge may comprise a main body having an opening, the main body comprising an electric circuit, a front cover configured to move to an opening position in which the opening of the main body is exposed and to a closing position in which the opening of the main body is closed, a first terminal electrically connected to the electric circuit, a photosensitive drum, and a developer cartridge comprising a developing roller, developing frame having a pressed portion, memory unit and second terminal. The front cover may include a pressing portion configured to press the pressed portion of the developing frame in a direction from the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum, and wherein the second terminal faces to the front cover when the front cover is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Ishii, Fumio Morita
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Patent number: 9606498Abstract: An electronic-component attachment structure includes an electronic component and a support member. The electronic component has a connection electrode exposed on a surface of a substrate. The support member supports the substrate of the electronic component in abutment with an attachment surface so as to allow the connection electrode to be externally connectable. The support member has a positioning supporter that elastically deforms by being relatively joined to a positioning portion provided in the substrate and that positions and supports the substrate to the attachment surface with restoring force generated as a result of the elastic deformation.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Katsuyuki Nishizawa, Ryuji Hattori, Shota Makita, Kazuya Nishimura
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Patent number: 9606499Abstract: A heating device includes a plurality of chip resistors, a conductor pattern, and a substrate. The plurality of chip resistors generate heat upon receiving power from a power source. The conductor pattern is arranged so as to serially connect the plurality of chip resistors. The conductor pattern is formed on the substrate. The conductor pattern connecting the chip resistors is wider in a forward path from the power source than in a backward path. The majority of the heat generated by the chip resistor is transmitted from the chip resistor to the conductor pattern, and the transmitted heat is radiated from the conductor pattern. Thus, not only the heat from the surface of the chip resistor but also the heat from the conductor pattern serves as heat source.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Hitoshi Hayamizu
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Patent number: 9606500Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a drive rotator and a driven external gear. The drive rotator includes a drive internal gear to rotate about a rotary shaft. The driven external gear meshes with the drive internal gear to transmit a drive force to a drive target.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masahiro Ishida, Shinya Shimizu
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Patent number: 9606501Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly provided with an opening; a drawer movable while supporting an cartridge including a photosensitive drum between an inside position and an outside position; an optical unit in the main assembly to project light onto the drum a shutter member provided in the main assembly and movable between a closing position and an open position an operating portion to move the shutter member from the open position to the closing position in a process of movement of the drawer from the inside position to the outside position and to move the shutter member from the closing position to the open position in a process of movement of the drawer from the outside position to the inside position.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Sakamoto, Yuichi Sakakibara, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu, Daisuke Abe, Ken Kikuchi
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Patent number: 9606502Abstract: A cartridge for accommodating developer includes a detected member configured to be detected by an external first sensor, and a drive-force transmission member configured to transmit a drive force to the detected member upon receipt of the drive force from outside. The detected member is configured to rotate in a first direction about a first rotational axis extending in an axial direction. The detected member includes: a receiving part configured to contact the drive-force transmission member to receive the drive force therefrom; and a first detected part. A portion of the first detected part and a portion of the receiving part are arranged at the same position as each other in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Mori, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Patent number: 9606503Abstract: A cartridge including a housing configured to accommodate therein developer, a driving receiving part configured to receive a driving force, a first rotary member configured to rotate by a driving force transmitted from the driving receiving part, a conveyance member to which a driving force is configured to be transmitted by rotation of the first rotary member and configured to convey the developer, a second rotary member configured to rotate by a driving force transmitted from the driving receiving part, and a detected part configured to move by the rotation of the second rotary member, wherein the second rotary member is arranged to overlap with the first rotary member in an axis direction parallel with an axis of the first rotary member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuna Taguchi
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Patent number: 9606504Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a cartridge configured to be mounted to and detached from the apparatus main body. The cartridge includes a rotating member which is configured to rotate and comprises a detected portion and a first engaging portion. The apparatus main body includes a detecting portion configured to detect the detected portion and a second engaging portion configured to engage with the first engaging portion. At least when the detecting portion detects the detected portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other by rotation of the rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keita Shimizu
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Patent number: 9606505Abstract: Blanket replacement systems and methods useable with an image forming apparatus are provided herein. The blanket replacement system removes the blanket from the image transfer member and attaches the blanket to the image transfer member. The blanket replacement system includes a frame member, an engagement motor, and a rotation motor. The frame member holds a blanket having a lead edge portion on one edge and a trail edge portion on an opposing edge. The frame member further includes a lead edge clamp unit and a trail edge clamp unit that holds the lead edge and trail edge portions of the blanket and engages with an image transfer member. The engagement motor engages with the frame member and moves the frame member laterally in relation to the engagement motor. The rotation motor is connected to the engagement motor and rotates the engagement motor and the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.Inventor: Avichay Mor-Yosef
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Patent number: 9606506Abstract: A holographic interaction device is described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes an input portion comprising a plurality of controls that are configured to generate signals to be processed as inputs by a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the controls. The input device also includes a holographic recording mechanism disposed over a surface of the input portion, the holographic recording mechanism is configured to output a hologram in response to receipt of light, from a light source, that is viewable by a user over the input portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Timothy Andrew Large, Neil Emerton, Moshe R. Lutz, Vivek Pradeep, John G. A. Weiss, Quintus Travis
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Patent number: 9606507Abstract: A method for integrating a synthetic hologram in an image of a scene, including: forming, from a first image of the scene, a first matrix including pixels of two shades according to the gray level of the corresponding pixel of the first image, and a second matrix, image of the gray level difference between the corresponding pixels of the first image and of the first matrix; forming a third matrix based on a second image; forming a fourth matrix having each pixel including a central area with a surface area determined by the corresponding element of the second matrix and off-centered in the pixel according to the corresponding pixel of the third matrix; and performing a lithography of an opaque layer at the surface of a plate according to the pattern defined by the fourth pixel matrix.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventor: Christophe Martinez
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Patent number: 9606508Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a second hand, a dial having a display area provided with a plurality of markings corresponding to the second hand, and a display controller that controls driving operation of the second hand to cause the second hand to display calendar information. The display area, when viewed from a timepiece front side, is divided by two straight lines that pass through a rotating shaft of the second hand and are perpendicular to each other into four divided areas. Each of the divided areas is related to years elapsed since a leap year, and each of the markings is related to the month. The display controller, when causing the second hand to display the calendar information, causes the second hand to point at one of the markings in one of the four divided areas to display the elapsed years and the month.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hiroaki Yoshida
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Patent number: 9606509Abstract: The device for pivoting an arbor of a rotating member, on a determined pivot axis, inside a timepiece movement includes at least one magnetic bearing including a magnet which exerts a force of attraction on a pivot made of magnetic material, of the arbor, and an endstone arranged between the magnet and the pivot, the endstone being formed of a material having a hardness greater than 500 HV and a friction coefficient less than or substantially equal to 0.1 with the material of which the pivot is made. The material forming the endstone has a high magnetic permeability and the endstone has, in cross-section to the pivot axis, smaller dimensions than those of the magnet, said endstone being arranged in the timepiece movement to be centred on the determined pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Sylvain Marechal, Benoit Legeret
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Patent number: 9606510Abstract: The motor driver of an horological motor consumes an important part of the electrical energy of the electronic circuit due to the fact that configuration data has to be transferred to configuration registers before each turn/step. In order to reduce the power consumption a circuitry is proposed, which detects a change in at least one of the configuration registers. This detection is used to trigger a refresh of the configuration registers only when actually a change in at least one of these configuration registers occurs.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SAInventor: Ovidiu Sima
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Patent number: 9606511Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first AD converter converts a first voltage into a first digital signal. A voltage/time conversion circuit acquires a residual corresponding to a difference between the first voltage and a result of having converted the first digital signal into an analog signal and converts the residual into a time signal according to a voltage in a first capacitor. A time/voltage conversion circuit converts the time signal into a voltage signal according to a voltage in a second capacitor. A second AD converter converts the voltage signal into a second digital signal. A digital processing circuit outputs a third digital signal to adjust a current value of first or the second current sources based on the second digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Kurose, Tomohiko Sugimoto, Hirotomo Ishii
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Patent number: 9606512Abstract: A timing device comprises a sensing material and/or a component which is sensitive to the presence of an environmental attribute. The environmental attribute drives and speeds up or slows the timing device as the concentration of the attribute increases or decreases, respectively. Alternatively, the timing device is activated upon sensing the presence of the environmental attribute and indicates a total passage of time from exposure/activation of the timing device. Particularly, sensing materials of varying types are able to be used to indicate exposure to a variety of substances. For example, in some embodiments, the timing device comprises a sensing material which is sensitive to the presence of ultraviolet radiation. Alternatively, the sensing material is sensitive to other variables such as x-ray radiation and nuclear radiation. In further embodiments, the sensing material is sensitive to biological or physical contamination.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Vision Works IP CorporationInventor: Alfred S. Braunberger
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Patent number: 9606513Abstract: A display device and an electronic apparatus using the display device include a display component configured to output initial light corresponding to a first image; and a light path converting component configured to receive the initial light corresponding to the first image from the display component and to perform light path conversion on the initial light corresponding to the first image to form a virtual image corresponding to the first image, wherein the virtual image corresponding to the first image is perceived at a particular position and a size of the virtual image perceived being greater than a display size of the display component, wherein the light path converting component comprises a visible area, the particular position and the display component are located separately at two sides of a plane on which the visible area is located.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.Inventors: Chenggang Zou, Xiaopan Zheng, Feijun Weng, Fei Wu
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Patent number: 9606514Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a base plate and a base plate bridge ring. The base plate bridge ring secures a ring-shaped antenna, contacts an outside case member, and supports the base plate. The base plate is configured to not contact the outside case member.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takaya Masaki
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Patent number: 9606515Abstract: Provided is a satellite radio-controlled watch, which is capable of holding back a receiving operation when in a posture that does not allow normal reception of a satellite signal, and is capable of performing a receiving operation under conditions varied to suit the type of reference information to be obtained. The satellite radio-controlled watch includes: a reception circuit (31) for receiving a satellite signal; and a controller (47) for sequentially detecting a received light amount of the satellite radio-controlled watch, calculating a received light variation which is an amount of change of the received light amount, and controlling the reception circuit (31) to start an operation of receiving the satellite signal, based on the received light variation.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Takushi Hagita, Akira Kato, Akinari Takada
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Plant control apparatus, plant control method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
Patent number: 9606516Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a plant control apparatus includes a deviation calculation unit, a velocity-type PID calculation unit, a plurality of integral calculation units, a plurality of overwrite units, and an automatic balance unit. The deviation calculation unit calculates a deviation between a process value from a plant with operation terminals and a set value corresponding to a control object, and generates a deviation signal. The velocity-type PID calculation unit generates a velocity-type operation amount command signal corresponding to the deviation. The integral calculation units generate position command signals as defined operation terminal position command signals. The overwrite units generate additional position command signals to perform overwrite processing and newly define operation terminal position command signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masuo Yamasaki, Akimasa Nakai, Akinori Tani