Patents Issued in November 12, 2024
  • Patent number: 12140848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to variable optical transmission windows and window panels (VLTP) which are used for architectural applications such as building entryway systems and windows. The optical transmission of the VLTPs is reversibly changed by applying an electrical voltage. This disclosure includes combination of more than one VLTP in a single window which darken to different colors. This disclosure is directed to the use and powering of such panels in door and windows. The doors and windows having these VLTPs may also have other electronic devices which provide added user functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Glass Dyenamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Cronin, Anoop Agrawal, Christopher Angelo, Clemens Hofbauer, Susana J. Castillo, Lori L. Adams
  • Patent number: 12140849
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. Each frame of image data captured by the imaging array of the rear-viewing camera includes a plurality of grids, with each grid of the plurality of grids having a respective set of photosensing elements associated with respective rows and columns of photosensing elements. A electro-optic rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic mirror reflective element that is controlled responsive to an ambient light condition and a glare light condition. The ambient light condition is determined by processing at least one first grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera. The glare light condition is determined by processing at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Patent number: 12140850
    Abstract: An example laser system includes one or more optical transmission media that are part of an optical path originating at a laser generator configured to generate an input laser beam. The example laser system includes an analyzer for receiving the input laser beam and for characterizing at least a profile and energy of the input laser beam. The example laser system includes a circulator for receiving the input laser beam from the analyzer and for minimizing or eliminating reflections. The example laser system includes a beam transformer for receiving the input laser beam from the circulator and for altering at least one property of the input laser beam thereby generating an output laser beam. The example laser system includes a writing head for altering at least one optical property of the beam transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Damian Pablo San Roman Alerigi, Sameeh Issa Batarseh
  • Patent number: 12140851
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a main body having an imaging element; a rectangular display disposed along one surface of the main body; and a hinge unit that movably connects the display to the main body, the hinge unit includes a support portion connected to the main body so as to be rotationally movable about a first axis by a pair of first hinges on the first axis extending along one of two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other, the display is supported by the support portion so as to be rotationally movable about a second axis by a pair of second hinges on the second axis extending along other of the two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other, and one of the pair of first hinges is disposed between the pair of second hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Takagi
  • Patent number: 12140852
    Abstract: Disclosed are a flashlight and a rotating shaft assembly. The flashlight includes a rotating shaft assembly, a lamp head assembly and a control assembly. The rotating shaft assembly includes a rotating shaft body and a rotating member, the rotating member is rotatably provided on an end surface of the rotating shaft body, and the rotating member can rotate around a central axis of the rotating shaft body. The lamp head assembly is arranged in front of the rotating shaft assembly, the lamp head assembly is connected to the rotating member, and the lamp head assembly can rotate around the central axis of the rotating shaft body through the rotating member. The control assembly is arranged under the rotating shaft assembly and connected to a peripheral surface of the rotating shaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN NEEWER TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventors: Yuliang Su, Jun Wang, Yan Ke
  • Patent number: 12140853
    Abstract: A camera system with six faces and a front housing is configured to capture images and audio content from external the camera body. The camera system includes an interior audio assembly protected from external environments by a waterproof membrane. The camera system includes drainage ports on the bottom face and the left face of the camera system to encourage moisture to drain from the system. A first drainage channel couples the internal audio assembly to the first drainage port on left face of the camera system and a second drainage channel couples the drainage port on the left face of the camera system to the drainage port on the bottom face of the camera system. A third drainage channel exists between the front face of the camera system and the front housing, the third drainage channel coupling the first and second drainage channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Randall Clyne
  • Patent number: 12140854
    Abstract: Disclosed are a two-piece LCD projection device with light filter function and a method thereof. The method comprises: a yellow light passes through the condenser and then irradiates on the rear Fresnel lens to become a first light beam, and then passes through the first polarizer to become a first polarized light; a blue light is filtered by the blue light filter to form a target yellow light, which is condensed and then imaged on the screen by a dichroic mirror; a blue divergent light is converged by an aspheric lens, and then reflected by a mirror to the rear Fresnel lens, and becomes a second polarized light, then it enters a second set of LCD screens, and then it passes through a second front Fresnel lens and irradiates on the dichroic mirror, reflecting a light with blue wavelength, and imaging the reflected light on the screen for alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN KEJINMING ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xianxiong Zhu, Yi Guan
  • Patent number: 12140855
    Abstract: Active areas of image sensors are determined by one or more parameters defining a mergeline or memory addresses where image data is stored. Image data generated by active areas of different image sensors are combined to create a panoramic image. Image distortion is detected in image data generated by an active area of an image sensor. Distortion in image data is addressed by configured image processing instructions. A group of one or more processors is assigned to at least each image sensor. At least one set of instructions assures that image data generated by different image sensors creates a combined image of a video with a substantially seamless transition between areas. Curved image sensors limit distortion. Cameras are fixedly held in a calibrated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventor: Peter Lablans
  • Patent number: 12140856
    Abstract: An intelligent panorama photographic platform is provided, comprising a tabletop mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a folding arm mechanism and an auxiliary mechanism, wherein the rotating mechanism is disposed at an upper end of the tabletop mechanism, the folding arm mechanism is disposed at a left end of the rotating mechanism, the auxiliary mechanism is disposed at a right end of the rotating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Luoyan Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan Luo
  • Patent number: 12140857
    Abstract: A method of scanning a substrate and determining scratches of the substrate includes transmitting a converging beam of light that comprises multiple wavelengths to the substrate. Each wavelength of the multiple wavelengths focuses at a different distance in a focus interval around and including a surface of the substrate. The method also includes receiving reflected light from the surface of the substrate and determining a height or depth of the surface of the substrate based on a wavelength of the reflected light a highest intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Chen, ShinAn Ku, Ting-Hao Hsu, Hsin-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 12140858
    Abstract: A method includes: providing a photomask used in extreme ultra violet (EUV) lithography; receiving information of the photomask; determining a bias voltage of an electron beam writer system according to the information; and performing a repairing operation on the photomask by the electron beam writer system with the bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-Ming Chang, Ching-Chih Chuang, Hsiao-Chen Li
  • Patent number: 12140859
    Abstract: A method for semiconductor metrology includes depositing a first film layer on a semiconductor substrate and a second film layer overlying the first film layer. The first and second film layers are patterned to create an overlay target having a specified geometrical form by using a projection system having a predefined resolution limit to project optical radiation onto the semiconductor substrate through at least one mask. The mask contains target features having target feature dimensions no less than the predefined resolution limit in an arrangement corresponding to the specified geometrical form of the overlay target and assist features interleaved with the target features and having at least one assist feature dimension that is less than the predefined resolution limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventor: Vladimir Levinski
  • Patent number: 12140860
    Abstract: A door of a reticle pod includes a window having a lens, sidewall, and a ledge. The window may be positioned or affixed internally in a door between the housing and a cover. A compressive seal may be used in conjunction with the window. The sidewalls, the ledge and the compressive seal work together to enable a compression fit in the door while maintained the desired level of protection from external contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Eggum, Anthony M. Tieben, Brian Wiseman, Russ V. Raschke, Huaping Wang
  • Patent number: 12140861
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method includes forming a first film on an object to be processed, forming a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern in the first film, forming a second film, forming a third opening pattern and a fourth opening pattern in the second film, and processing the object to be processed. The second opening pattern is provided in a position where the second opening pattern does not overlap the first opening pattern in plan view. The third opening pattern is provided in a position where the third opening pattern partly overlaps the first opening pattern and does not overlap the second opening pattern in plan view. The fourth opening pattern is provided in a position where the fourth opening pattern does not overlap the first opening pattern, the second opening pattern, and the third opening pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kagawa
  • Patent number: 12140862
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nano pattern, includes: forming a pattern transfer layer on a base substrate having N imprint regions, and performing patterning processes on the pattern transfer layer to form an imprint pattern layer. A portion of the imprint pattern layer located in each imprint region is an imprint pattern, N imprint patterns are formed sequentially. Forming an i-th imprint pattern in an i-th imprint region includes: performing a patterning process on a portion of the pattern transfer layer located in the i-th imprint region to form the i-th imprint pattern; forming an i-th protective film on a side of the pattern transfer layer away from the base substrate; and removing at least a portion of the i-th protective film located in an (i+1)-th imprint region to obtain an i-th protective layer and expose a portion of the pattern transfer layer located in the (i+1)-th imprint region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 12140863
    Abstract: An imprint method includes the following steps. A first resist layer is formed on a first substrate. A first imprinting step using a first mold is performed to the first resist layer. A first etching process is performed to the first substrate with the first resist layer as an etching mask after the first imprinting step so as to form a first recess pattern in the first substrate. A second resist layer is formed on the first substrate. A second imprinting step using a second mold is performed to the second resist layer. A second etching process is performed to the first substrate with the second resist layer as an etching mask after the second imprinting step so as to form second recess patterns in the first substrate. A depth of the first recess pattern is greater than a depth of each of the second recess patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Su-Yun Fang, Chih-Hsien Tang, Yi-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 12140864
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to pattern replication, imprint lithography, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for creating a large area imprint without a seam. Methods disclosed herein generally include filling seams between pairs of masters with a filler material such that the seams are flush with a surface of the masters having a plurality of features disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Manivannan Thothadri, Kevin Laughton Cunningham, Arvinder Chadha
  • Patent number: 12140865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method that utilizes an existing infrastructure such as atomic layer deposition or similar vapor-based deposition tool or metal salt solutions based infiltration to infiltrate certain metals or metal-based precursors into resist materials to enhance the performance of the resists for the advancement of lithography techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignees: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Chang-Yong Nam, Aaron Stein, Ming Lu, Jiyoung Kim, Nikhil Tiwale, Su Min Hwang, Ashwanth Subramanian
  • Patent number: 12140866
    Abstract: Photoacid generators comprising a moiety of formula (1): wherein: Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R1 is an alkyl or aryl group, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted, wherein Ar1 and R1 are optionally connected together by a single bond or a divalent linking group to form a ring; Y is a single bond or a divalent group; and * is the point of attachment of the moiety to another atom of the photoacid generator. The photoacid generator compounds find particular use in photoresist compositions that can be used to form lithographic patterns for the formation of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventor: Emad Aqad
  • Patent number: 12140867
    Abstract: A resist composition including a base material component (A) whose solubility in a developing solution is changed due to an action of an acid, in which the base material component (A) contains a polymer compound (A1) having a constitutional unit (a1) represented by Formula (a1-1). In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, Vax1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, na0 represents an integer of 0 to 2, and R01 represents a methyl group or an ethyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 12140868
    Abstract: The inventive concept provides a substrate treating apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes substrate treating apparatus comprising: a treating container having an inner space; a support unit configured to support and rotate a substrate within the inner space; an exhaust duct configured to exhaust the inner space; and at least one guide member combined with the treating container and configured to guide an airflow within the inner space, and wherein the at least one guide member is arranged such that the airflow within the inner space obliquely flows with respect to a rotation direction of the substrate supported by the support unit when seen from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun Wook Jung, Ki Sang Eum, Jin Ho Choi, Byoung Doo Choi, Hee Man Ahn
  • Patent number: 12140869
    Abstract: A control method for a line narrowed gas laser apparatus is a control method for a line narrowed gas laser apparatus configured to emit a pulse laser beam including a first wavelength component and a second wavelength component. The apparatus includes a laser chamber including a pair of electrodes, an optical resonator including an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a parameter of an energy ratio of the first and second wavelength components, and a processor in which relation data indicating a relation of the parameter of the energy ratio with a control parameter of the adjustment mechanism is stored. The control method includes receiving a command value of the parameter of the energy ratio from an external device, and acquiring, based on the relation data, a value of the control parameter corresponding to the command value and controlling the adjustment mechanism based on the value of the control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventor: Yousuke Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 12140870
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for increasing the throughput of a particle inspection system. During a first portion of an exposure time period of the particle inspection system, an example method can include irradiating a first region of a substrate surface, blocking all reflected radiation outside the first region, and generating a first sub-image of the first region based on radiation reflected from the first region. During a second portion of the exposure time period, the example method can further include irradiating a second region of the substrate surface, blocking all reflected radiation outside the second region, and generating a second sub-image of the second region based on radiation reflected from the second region. Subsequently, the example method can include generating a composite image based on the first sub-image and the second sub-image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Michal Emanuel Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 12140871
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to lithography systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, a system, and a software application for a lithography process to control transmittance rate of write beams and write gray tone patterns in a single exposure operation. In one embodiment, a plurality of shots are provided by an image projection system in a lithography system to a photoresist layer. The plurality of shots exposes the photoresist layer to an intensity of light emitted from the image projection system. The local transmittance rate of the plurality of shots within an exposure area is varied to form varying step heights in the exposure area of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: YingChiao Wang, Chi-Ming Tsai, Chun-chih Chuang, Yung Peng Hu
  • Patent number: 12140872
    Abstract: A compact sensor apparatus having an illumination beam, a beam shaping system, a polarization modulation system, a beam projection system, and a signal detection system. The beam shaping system is configured to shape an illumination beam generated from the illumination system and generate a flat top beam spot of the illumination beam over a wavelength range from 400 nm to 2000 nm. The polarization modulation system is configured to provide tenability of linear polarization state of the illumination beam. The beam projection system is configured to project the flat top beam spot toward a target, such as an alignment mark on a substrate. The signal detection system is configured to collect a signal beam comprising diffraction order sub-beams generated from the target, and measure a characteristic (e.g., overlay) of the target based on the signal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Mohamed Swillam, Tamer Mohamed Tawfik Ahmed Mohamed Elazhary, Stephen Roux, Yevgeniy Konstantinovich Shmarev
  • Patent number: 12140873
    Abstract: A positioning device, including: a first positioning module arranged to support and position a first substrate, a second positioning module arranged to support and position a second substrate, a first positioning field in which the first and second positioning modules can be alternatingly positioned to carry out a first processing sequence, a second positioning field in which the first and second positioning modules can be alternatingly positioned to carry out a second processing sequence, wherein when one of the first and second positioning modules is carrying out or finishing the first processing sequence, the other of the first and second positioning modules has finished the second processing sequence and is positioned closer to the one of the first and second positioning modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Paul Corné Henri De Wit, Ringo Petrus Cornelis Van Dorst
  • Patent number: 12140874
    Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a holding member configured to hold an object to be driven, a support member configured to support the holding member via an elastic member, a plurality of actuators configured to drive the holding member holding the object, and a constrainer configured to constrain, in a non-contact manner, a position of the holding member with respect to the support member in anon-driving direction different from a drivable direction which is a direction in which the holding member can be driven by the plurality of actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 12140875
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a parameter of a structure fabricated in or on a substrate and compensated for a drift error. The methods comprising: illuminating, at a plurality of times, at least part of the structure with electromagnetic radiation, the at least part of the structure being at a first orientation; sensing, at the plurality of times, a plurality of average reflectances of the at least part of the structure; and determining, based on the plurality of average reflectances, an estimation of the parameter at one or more further times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ilse Van Weperen, Han-Kwang Nienhuys, Teis Johan Coenen
  • Patent number: 12140876
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a first structure supported by a vibration reduction mechanism, a drive mechanism supported by the first structure and configured to drive an object to be processed, a second structure supported by the first structure and facing the object, an actuator configured to apply a force to the first structure, a sensor configured to detect a vibration of the second structure, and a controller configured to feedforward-control the actuator based on feedforward control information so as to reduce vibrations of the first structure and the second structure. The feedforward control information includes first control information determined in advance based on an output from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Terao
  • Patent number: 12140877
    Abstract: Method for avoiding a degradation of an optical element, wherein the optical element is arranged in a housing, comprising: a) determining a first degradation value; b) determining a second degradation value, wherein the first degradation value and the second degradation value are determined at different times; c) forming a degradation profile based on the first degradation value and the second degradation value; d) calculating a temporal development of the degradation profile; e) determining at least one predicted degradation value based on the calculated temporal development of the degradation profile; f) comparing the at least one predicted degradation value with a predefinable first limit degradation value; g) monitoring for a predefinable first deviation between the at least one predicted degradation value and the first limit degradation value; h) feeding a first decontamination medium into the interior if attainment of the predefinable first deviation is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Ehm, Wilbert Kruithof, Timo Laufer
  • Patent number: 12140878
    Abstract: The present invention provides a processing system that includes a first apparatus and a second apparatus, and processes a substrate, wherein the first apparatus includes a first measurement unit configured to detect a first structure and a second structure different from the first structure provided on the substrate, and measure a relative position between the first structure and the second structure, and the second apparatus includes an obtainment unit configured to obtain the relative position measured by the first measurement unit, a second measurement unit configured to detect the second structure and measure a position of the second structure, and a control unit configured to obtain a position of the first structure based on the relative position obtained by the obtainment unit and the position of the second structure measured by the second measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinichi Egashira
  • Patent number: 12140879
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a measurement method includes generating mark position information, determining at least one of a first arrangement pattern or a second arrangement pattern, and calculating displacement between a first member and a second member. The mark position information is generated after the second member is formed on the first member, and indicates a relative positional relationship between a first alignment mark formed on the first member and including bright portions and dark portions, and a second alignment mark formed on the second member and including the bright portions and the dark portions. The first arrangement pattern indicates an arrangement pattern of bright portions and dark portions of the first alignment mark. The second arrangement pattern indicates an arrangement pattern of the bright portions and the dark portions of the second alignment mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 12140880
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a generating unit that generates correction data for correcting an unevenness in light amount of an exposure head using a read image of a correction chart, and a correction unit that corrects image data for image formation based on the correction data. The exposure head includes light-emitting chips, each of which includes light-emitting elements. The correction chart includes a plurality of regions arranged in a direction, a first reference mark located on one side of the regions, and a second reference mark located on the other side of the regions. The generating unit determines partial regions respectively formed by the light-emitting chips within the regions based on positions of the first and second reference marks in the read image of the correction chart, and generates the correction data based on a result of measurement on the partial regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasutomo Furuta
  • Patent number: 12140881
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing device case, a developer carrier, a regulating blade, a magnet member, and a blade magnet. The regulating blade forms a regulating part. Toner contains toner mother particles containing binder resin and magnetic powder, and silica particles and alumina particles adhered to surfaces of the toner mother particles. The alumina particles has a primary particle size of 150 nm or more and 400 nm or less, and resistivity of 0.1 ?m or more and 2 ?m or less. The developing device can execute a developer removal mode in which the developer carrier is rotated in a reverse direction opposite to a forward direction that is a rotation direction at image forming time, in a range of 1/18 or more and ? or less of an outer circumference length of the developer carrier, so as to remove the developer staying at the regulating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Kikushima
  • Patent number: 12140882
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the casing in a second direction crossing the first direction; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction; a supply roller rotatable about a supply axis extending in the first direction and configured to supply toner to the developing roller; a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction; and an IC chip having an electrical contact surface positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned opposite the developing electrode in the second direction with respect to a part of the supply electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Saya Minoshima, Tomitake Aratachi, Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 12140883
    Abstract: A toner container for use with a developer unit of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a front that leads during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device and a rear that trails during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. An outlet port is positioned on a bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for exiting toner from the toner container. An engagement surface is positioned at the bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for contacting and pushing open a developer shutter of an inlet port of the developer unit in a direction of insertion of the toner container into the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Stefano Adams, Brian Lester Boettcher, Brian Lee Hawes, Brittany Nicole Sexton, Edward Lynn Triplett, Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Patent number: 12140884
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus to which the toner container is mountable. The toner container includes a projection that includes an inner peripheral surface centered on a central axis of the toner container. When the toner container is oriented in a predetermined direction, the projection has a downward guide surface facing downward and an upward guide surface facing upward. When the toner container is moved downward in a direction of the central axis toward a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, (i) the downward guide surface is configured to guide a guided member of the image forming apparatus so that the guided member is rotated in a rotational direction about the central axis, and (ii) the upward guide surface is configured to guide the guided member so that the guided member is moved up after the guided member is rotated in the rotational direction by the downward guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino
  • Patent number: 12140885
    Abstract: A cartridge attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus forming an image on a recording material, the cartridge includes: an image bearing member; a developer container that contains therein a developer; a developing member that is rotatable and carries the developer supplied from the developer container and supplies the developer to the image bearing member; a developer supplying member that is rotatable and provided in the developer container and in contact with the developing member to supply the developer to a surface of the developing member; and a contact member provided in the developer container and in contact with a surface of the developer supplying member, wherein the developer remaining on the image bearing member after image formation is collected to the developing member, and the developer collected to the developing member is collected into the developer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Watanabe, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Funatani, Kensuke Umeda, Ai Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12140886
    Abstract: A printing apparatus has a transfer member to receive an image and transfer the image to a substrate, and an airflow management unit disposed adjacent to the transfer member to define a channel between the transfer member and the airflow management unit. The airflow management unit has an injection mechanism to inject airflow into the channel, a suction mechanism to remove the airflow from the channel, and a vortex generator to generate a vortex within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Nedelin, Mark Sandler, Assaf Pines
  • Patent number: 12140887
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an attachment table to which an object is attached; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table along a transport path that has a transport start position on one side relative to the transfer unit and has a transport end position on a same side as the transport start position relative to the transfer unit, the transport path extending beyond the transfer unit and the attachment table being transported so as to turn back at a position beyond the transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshioka, Tetsuro Kodera
  • Patent number: 12140888
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium in contact with one surface of the recording medium along a conveyance path; a plural intermediate transfer bodies that are arranged in a conveyance direction on the other surface side of the recording medium of the conveyance path and to which toner images formed by a plural image forming sections are primarily transferred; a plural secondary transfer units that are arranged in a conveyance direction and secondarily transfers the toner images of the plural intermediate transfer bodies to the other surface of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit; and one or more rotating bodies of which peripheral surfaces are in contact with the other surface of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit between one secondary transfer unit and another secondary transfer unit, among the secondary transfer units arranged in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tejima, Akira Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 12140889
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a rotatable endless intermediary transfer belt, an inner roller, an outer roller, a power source, a detecting portion, and a controller. On the basis of a result of detection by the detecting portion when a voltage is applied to the inner roller so as to form a chart on a recording material of a predetermined kind in an operation in an adjusting mode, the controller determines whether a transfer voltage when a toner image is transferred onto the recording material of the predetermined kind is subjected to constant-voltage control so that the voltage applied to the inner roller by the power source becomes a target value or is subjected to constant-current control so that a current supplied to the inner roller becomes a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenta Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 12140890
    Abstract: A first rotating member a heating recording medium, a second rotating member forming a nip portion with the first rotating member, a holding member disposed downstream of the nip portion in a conveying direction and holds a conveying member conveying the recording medium, and a guide member facing the conveying member, the fixing apparatus is not exposed to an outside when opening/closing member is in a closed state, the fixing apparatus is exposed to the outside when the opening/closing member is in an opened state. A distance between the holding member being in the closed state and at a first position and the guide member is a first distance. A distance between the holding member being in the opened state and at a second position and the guide member is a second distance, and the second distance is shorter than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamaguchi, Terutaka Endo
  • Patent number: 12140891
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a fixation unit configured to heat a toner image formed corresponding to image data and fix the heated toner image onto a recording material; and a control unit configured to determine a fixation target temperature used by the fixation unit to heat the toner image on the basis of the image data, wherein the control unit performs a first determination to calculate a first target temperature on the basis of image density information in each of a plurality of regions in which the image data is divided in a main-scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction and a second determination to determine whether the image data is a text image, and determines the fixation target temperature on the basis of results of the first determination and the second determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Narahara, Ryo Morihara, Yutaka Sato
  • Patent number: 12140892
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a tubular film, a pressure roller, and a heater including a heating element. The apparatus further includes a control unit configured to calculate an accumulated electrical energy supplied to a portion of the heating element. The portion of the heating element is located in an area corresponding to a second area of the nip portion. The second area is an area of the nip portion through which the recording material conveyed to the nip portion is not passed. The control unit is configured to determine an operation of heat leveling, which is performed for leveling a heat distribution in the nip portion after the recording material had passed the nip portion, based on the calculated accumulated electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Doda
  • Patent number: 12140893
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms a toner image on a recording material. The fixing unit heats and fix the toner image formed on the recording material to the recording material in a fixing nip portion. The fixing unit includes a heater and a nip portion forming member that forms the fixing nip portion to pinch and convey the recording material. The control unit control the power to be supplied to the heater so as to change a temperature gradient at time of warm-up of the fixing unit to a target temperature in accordance with time from start of power supply to the heater until entry of the recording material into the fixing nip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Sako
  • Patent number: 12140894
    Abstract: The history record unit, in the non-volatile storage device, records recovery history information showing a history of the recovery process. The suspension control unit, when the recovery process' frequency specified based on the recovery history information exceeds a first reference frequency, restricts execution of the specific suspension process which is in response to a satisfaction of the suspension condition. Further, the suspension control unit, when the recovery process' frequency specified based on the recovery history information is lower than a second reference frequency, which is lower than the first reference frequency, under a situation where the specific suspension process' execution is restricted, cancels the restricting of the specific suspension process' execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12140895
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a density detector that detects a density of a fog image formed on an image bearing member, a temporary determiner that determines a temporary fog margin which is a fog margin representing a difference between a developing bias to be applied to a toner bearing member and a charging bias to be applied to a charging device for charging the image bearing member based on a density detected by the density detector, and a corrector that corrects the temporary fog margin based on a change rate of a density detected by the density detector with respect to a change of a fog margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuusuke Mandai
  • Patent number: 12140896
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip former, a transfer bias supply, and processing circuitry. The nip former to form a transfer nip between the image bearer and the nip former. The transfer bias supply applies a transfer bias in which an alternating current component is superimposed on a direct current component to the transfer nip, to transfer a toner image onto a transfer target object at the transfer nip. The processing circuitry is to execute a processing mode of determining the DC component and the AC component to be used in a print job, based on a plurality of test toner images transferred to the transfer target object under transfer conditions different from each other in combination of the DC component and the AC component while changing the DC component and the AC component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Okochi, Atsushi Nagata
  • Patent number: 12140897
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing member, an arm, a manual feed tray, a wire, and a tension mechanism. The opening/closing member is rotatably supported by an apparatus body about a lower end portion thereof. The arm restricts an opening angle of the opening/closing member with respect to the apparatus body. The manual feed tray is rotatably supported by the opening/closing member about a lower end portion thereof. The wire has one end fixed to the arm and another end fixed to the manual feed tray and supports the manual feed tray when the opening/closing member is rotated downwardly in a state where the manual feed tray is rotated downwardly. The tension mechanism absorbs a slack of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kakuta