Having Detection Of Toner (e.g., Patch) Patents (Class 399/49)
  • Patent number: 12216426
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, a transfer member, an applying portion, and an executing portion configured to execute an output operation for forming and outputting a chart formed on a recording material on which a plurality of test images are transferred by applying a plurality of voltages to the transfer member by the applying portion. The executing portion changes a change width per level of the test voltage so that the change width is a first change width in a case that a material of the recording material on which the chart is formed is a first material and so that the change width is a second change width different from the first change width in a case that the material of the recording material is a second material different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taisuke Matsuura
  • Patent number: 12189319
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units, an exposure device, and circuitry. Each image forming unit includes an image bearer, a charger, and a developer bearer. The circuitry acquires an image-density cycle fluctuation in a visible image for each image forming unit and performs image-density fluctuation-reduction control to cyclically change image forming conditions to reduce the image-density cycle fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Sone, Tomohide Takenaka, Naoki Ohta
  • Patent number: 12174577
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, an image bearer, at least one density sensor, a cleaning jig, and an insertion port. The image forming device forms a toner image. The image bearer bears the toner image to be transferred on a recording medium. The density sensor has a light-receiving surface to optically read the toner image. The light-receiving surface faces the image bearer constantly. The cleaning jig cleans the density sensor and includes a cleaner to contact the light-receiving surface. The cleaning jig is inserted through the insertion port into the body of the image forming apparatus and reciprocally moved to clean the light-receiving surface and is removed from the body of the image forming apparatus after the light-receiving surface is cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Fujii
  • Patent number: 12164254
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having a body frame, an image bearing member, a belt unit including a belt, and a stretching member configured to stretch the belt, the belt unit being pivotable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position, a transfer unit, and a detection unit movably supported by the body frame. The detection unit is configured to pivot around a second pivot axis different from the first pivot axis with respect to the body frame so as not to hinder pivoting of the belt unit in conjunction with a pivoting operation in which the belt unit pivots from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinori Mitsumata
  • Patent number: 12164253
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a varnish applying apparatus, an input unit, a first image processing unit, and a second image processing unit. The image forming apparatus forms a toner image on a recording material on the basis of image data obtained by subjecting first image data to data change processing. The varnish applying apparatus forms a varnish image on the recording material on the basis of image data obtained by subjecting second image data to the data change processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yamada, Yoshiro Tsukada, Masami Hano, Shingo Hirota, Taro Hanazato, Daisuke Katayama, Kyohei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 12147182
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a platen on which an original is to be placed, a feeder configured to feed an original placed on a tray, a sensor configured to detect a sheet on the tray, a lamp provided to the feeder, a reader configured to read the original placed on the platen and to read the original conveyed by the feeder, an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the image forming unit to form a test image on a sheet, control the reader to read the test image formed on the sheet placed on the platen, control a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit based on a reading result of the test image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sumito Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12147175
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer device, an applying portion; a detecting portion, a controller, and a receiving portion. The controller executes an operation in a setting mode in which during non-image formation, test images are transferred onto the recording material at different test voltages to the transfer device and then a transfer voltage applied to the transfer device during image formation is set on the basis of a detection result of the detecting portion. In a case that the operation in the setting mode is executed to set the transfer voltage for one-side mode, the receiving portion is capable of receiving instruction information selectively instructing a setting condition of the transfer voltage set by the operation in the setting mode from setting conditions including a first setting condition and a second setting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Minato
  • 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: 12105447
    Abstract: An example image forming apparatus includes a power device, a photosensitive drum, a transfer device to remove remaining toner based on a cleaning bias voltage, an optical sensor to detect remaining toner, and a processor to adjust the cleaning bias voltage based on a set offset bias voltage. The processor may change a surface potential of the photosensitive drum to a voltage of a set pattern using the power device, acquire a size ratio of a periodic component based on a frequency of a signal detected from the remaining toner using the optical sensor, and, based on the acquired size ratio of the periodic component being greater than or equal to a set size ratio, adjust the cleaning bias voltage based on an offset bias voltage corresponding to the size ratio of the periodic component and provide the adjusted cleaning bias voltage to the transfer device to remove remaining toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jung Hun Song, Do Geun Kim, Jeong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 12072644
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit, a supply unit, a first measurement unit, a control unit, a second measurement unit, an adjustment unit, and a changing unit. The forming unit forms a toner image on an image carrier using developer which is contained in a developer container and includes toner and a magnetic carrier. The supply unit supplies the toner to the developer container. The first measurement unit measures a density of the toner in the developer contained in the developer container. The control unit controls the supply unit such that the density measured by the first measurement unit approaches a target density. The second measurement unit measures an image density formed by the forming unit. The adjustment unit adjusts a development contrast potential so that a formation density measured by the second measurement unit approaches a predetermined appropriate density with regard to the toner image formed by the forming unit under a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 12061825
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus configured to output information to a computing apparatus configured to generate a model for determining a density of an image to be formed by an image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire pieces of log data each relating to a measurement result of an image formed by the image forming apparatus; a reception unit configured to receive information for specifying a piece of log data to be used for generation of the model among the pieces of log data acquired by the acquisition unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the information to the computing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saeko Oishi, Taichi Takemura, Akihito Yokote
  • Patent number: 12056403
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a hardware processor that generates an image based on print data of a print job and print image data for forming an image quality adjustment patch at a predetermined cycle and executes replacement processing for replacing a predetermined image with the image quality adjustment patch based on an image quality state of an output product or a state of an image former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Eigo Tomioka
  • Patent number: 12039211
    Abstract: An example electronic apparatus includes a communication unit, a user interface unit, a processor, and a memory. The processor is to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive, from the user interface unit, a request for an image forming operation on a document, obtain, by a first driver, a result of whether to approve the image forming operation, based on user information, from a server through the communication unit, when the image forming operation is approved, transmit, by the first driver, print data corresponding to the image forming operation to a second driver for the image forming operation, request, by the second driver, an image forming apparatus to perform the image forming operation, and, when the image forming operation is performed, transmit, by the first driver, history information corresponding to a result of the image forming operation to the server through the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Seungyul Lee, Myonghun Cho, Hyejung Jang
  • Patent number: 12038697
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is used, including a rotary member, on which a developer image by a developer is formed, a collection unit for collecting the developer by a blade member from a surface of the rotary member, and a control unit for controlling an image forming operation on the surface of the rotary member and a supply operation for supplying the developer to a contact portion between the rotary member and the blade member, wherein, assuming that the supply operation for supplying the developer to inside of a printable area is a first supply operation and the supply operation for supplying the developer to outside the printable area is a second supply operation, the control unit controls such that the first supply operation and the second supply operation are performed at different timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shohei Ishio, Keisuke Ishizumi, Shinji Katagiri
  • Patent number: 12032316
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a sheet conveyor configured to convey a sheet, a guide configured to form a conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a sensor disposed on a same side as the guide with respect to the conveyance path. The guide includes a retracted portion disposed over a first region in a sheet width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction, the retracted portion being retracted with respect to a second region of the guide in the sheet width direction so as not to come into contact with the sheet passing through the conveyance path, the first region including a detection region of the sensor in the sheet width direction, the second region being a sheet passing region of the sheet in the sheet width direction excluding the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chikara Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 12001152
    Abstract: A processor causes a printing portion to execute test image transfer processing for transferring a plurality of test toner images onto an area outside a secondary transfer area on a surface of an intermediate transfer member, and secondary voltage stop processing for stopping a supply of a secondary transfer voltage. The processor acquires a plurality of first sensing densities. The processor causes the printing portion to execute the test image transfer processing and secondary voltage supply processing for supplying the secondary transfer voltage. The processor acquires a plurality of second sensing densities. The processor compares the plurality of first sensing densities and the plurality of second sensing densities to determine a state of a toner charging amount in each of the plurality of test toner images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11994818
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a charge device that comes into contact with a photoreceptor and charges the photoreceptor; a separation mechanism that holds the photoreceptor and the charge device in a separate state that is removable; an exposure device; a developing device that forms a toner image; a toner adhesion amount sensor that detects a toner image; an image quality adjuster that controls a voltage applied to the charge device, a voltage applied to the developing device, an amount of light during exposure, and detection of the toner image and a density of the toner image; and a separation removal confirmer that, with the toner adhesion amount sensor, detects whether a toner image is formed in spite of unexposure during an initialization operation of a image forming process to perform separation removal confirmation as to whether the separate state by the separation mechanism has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Kaku
  • Patent number: 11995487
    Abstract: An example operation method of an image forming apparatus includes forming a test image with respect to a pattern used for diagnosing an image-quality state of a printout output by the image forming apparatus, obtaining a test signal corresponding to the test image via a sensor of the image forming apparatus, obtaining image-quality state information indicating an image-quality state of the test image based on the test signal corresponding, identifying a type of a screen corresponding to halftone information indicating a resolution of the printout based on the image-quality state information, and performing a first image forming operation according to the type of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kiyoun Lee, Kimin Kang, Yousun Bang
  • Patent number: 11960226
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a developing member to supply a toner to the photosensitive member at a developing portion, and a transfer member to transfer a toner image to a recording material passing through a transfer portion from the photosensitive member. In a case which the transfer is performed to a shorter width recording material and thereafter, the transfer is successively performed to a longer width recording material, a control portion controls a first back contrast formed when an area of a surface of the photosensitive member corresponding to the transfer portion through which the shorter width recording material is passing reaches the developing portion, and a second back contrast formed when an area of the surface corresponding to the transfer portion through which the longer width recording material is passing reaches the developing portion so that the second back contrast is higher than the first back contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Sasame, Tomoo Akizuki
  • Patent number: 11960219
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus controls a generation circuit to modulate a DC component of a developing voltage based on a first correction component such that a density unevenness is reduced. The image forming apparatus further restricts the first correction component for modulating the DC component of the developing voltage such that fogging of toner that may occur on a non-exposure region which is not exposed by an exposure unit and adhesion to a photosensitive member of carrier included in a developer are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Okumura, Shinya Suzuki, Masahiro Tsujibayashi
  • Patent number: 11880155
    Abstract: An image forming device comprising circuitry. The circuitry generates an image pattern in which two or more types of patch images are combined and changes a value of image data around at least one type of patch image of the two or more types of patch images to less than a maximum value of image data of the at least one type of patch image when the two or more types of patch images are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Maeda
  • Patent number: 11860560
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a first transfer device including a first mover, a second transfer device including a second mover, a transfer-pressure changer, a detector, and circuitry. The detector detects a toner image and outputs a detection value indicating an amount of toner of the toner image adhering to the second mover. The circuitry calculates a variable value for the amount of toner varying with a change in a transfer pressure, based on the detection value and a target value of the amount of toner of the toner image to be transferred and adhere to the second mover, reflects the calculated variable value in the detection value to correct the detection value, adjusts an image-forming condition based on the corrected detection value, and sets the image-forming condition of the toner image in the image forming device based on the corrected detection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Tachi
  • Patent number: 11838480
    Abstract: A method for reducing image burn-in artifacts in an electrophotographic printing system, includes receiving a print job including image data for a set of pages to be printed. The pages are analyzed to determine that the image data for a sequence of pages in the print job are similar. The similar pages are printed using a pattern of lateral translations wherein the image data is laterally translated such that it is printed at a different lateral position on the printed page. The similar pages can also be printed using a pattern of page orientations including a first page orientation and a second page orientation, wherein the image data for the second page orientation is rotated 180 degrees relative to the image data for the first page orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas L. Schwartz, Horia Neamtu, Chung-Hui Kuo
  • Patent number: 11835883
    Abstract: A controller is able to, in a case where the controller receives a correction instruction for image density, execute a phase detection mode for detecting a phase of an image bearing member and detecting a phase of a developer bearing member and change an image forming condition for an image forming unit during an image formation mode based on respective phases of the image bearing member and the developer bearing member detected in the phase detection mode and an image density of a toner pattern, and a ratio of a circumferential velocity of the developer bearing member to a circumferential velocity of the image bearing member during the phase detection mode is different from a ratio of a circumferential velocity of the developer bearing member to a circumferential velocity of the image bearing member during the image formation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Sakamaki, Mitsuhiro Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11825061
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming mechanism that forms a first image on a recording medium based on an image forming condition; a detector that detects a first color of the first image and a color of a foundation under the first image from the recording medium on which the first image is formed; a storage that stores reference data for specifying a relative relationship between a position of the first color in a color space and a position of the color of the foundation in the color space; and a processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry corrects the image forming condition based on the reference data and the first color and the color of the foundation detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Toru Yamaguchi, Daiki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 11818304
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image based on an image forming condition and a controller. The controller determines information related to a density of an image to be formed by the image forming unit; generates the image forming condition based on the information; acquires measurement data outputted from a sensor related to a test image; determines, based on a first determination condition, first information related to a density of the test image; determines, based on a second determination condition, second information related to a density of the test image; and selects the determination condition from among a plurality of determination conditions including the first determination condition and the second determination condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito Yokote, Taichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 11796949
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium based on an image forming condition; an image reader configured to read an image for adjustment of the image forming condition, the image for adjustment being formed on the recording medium; and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form images for adjustment; control the image reader to read the images for adjustment; determine target data based on a reading result of a first image included in reading results of the images for adjustment; and adjust the image forming condition, during execution of a job in which the image forming unit forms a plurality of images on a plurality of recording mediums, based on the target data and a reading result of second image included in the reading results of the images for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Iwasaki, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 11768452
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a power supply, a transfer member to transfer toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium, and a sensor to detect, as density information, a density of the recording medium toner image. In an adjustment mode, (i) a test recording medium is output as a test chart by applying multiple levels of test voltages to the transfer member to transfer test toner images to the test recording medium, (ii) the transferred test toner images are detected via the sensor, and (iii) a transfer voltage is adjusted based on the sensor detection. In the adjustment mode, test toner image groups are set, one test toner image group is extracted based on an index value, and the transfer voltage is adjusted based on the density information of the extracted test toner image group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 11758058
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit; a sensor that measures a measurement image; and a controller. The controller controls the image forming condition based on a measurement result of measuring a first measurement image; acquires information having a correlation to density variation of images to be formed by the image forming unit; controls the image forming condition based on the information; determines a first value regarding a density of an image to be formed, based on a measurement result of measuring a second measurement image; determines a second value regarding a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit, based on the information; and controls a timing at which the image forming unit next forms the first measurement image, based on the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taichi Takemura, Akihito Yokote
  • Patent number: 11747762
    Abstract: A glossiness detector includes a glossiness sensor, a glossiness corrector, and a reference plate. The glossiness corrector corrects glossiness detected by the glossiness sensor. The reference plate is used for correction processing of the glossiness sensor. Then, the glossiness corrector acquires a glossy reflection profile of the reference plate that has been detected in advance. The glossiness corrector corrects the glossiness according to the reference plate on the basis of the glossy reflection profile and a gloss distribution of the reference plate that has been detected by the glossiness sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yasunori Inaba
  • Patent number: 11733632
    Abstract: To provide an image forming device that can be efficiently maintained. According to one embodiment, the image forming device includes a plurality of photoconductors, an exposure device, a developer, and a processor. The exposure device irradiates a corresponding surface of the plurality of photoconductors with light corresponding to an image formed on a corresponding photoconductor of the plurality of photoconductors. The developer supplies a toner to the corresponding surface of the plurality of photoconductors on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the light emitted by the exposure device. The processor adjusts, for every photoconductor, a contrast potential for supplying the toner from the developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the corresponding surface of the plurality of photoconductors, and notifies a warning when there is a contrast potential whose difference from another contrast potential exceeds a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Araki
  • Patent number: 11733631
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to convey a recording medium and form an image on the recording medium based on an image forming condition; and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form a test image and a scale image extending in a conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, obtain user instruction information related to a density fluctuation of the test image in the conveyance direction, and generate the image forming condition to suppress image density unevenness in the conveyance direction in an image to be formed by the image forming unit based on the user instruction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimiaki Yamaguchi, Shinya Suzuki, Masahiro Tsujibayashi, Shohei Okumura
  • Patent number: 11714367
    Abstract: A transfer unit includes first and second rollers, first and second bearing members, a roller holder, first and second urging members, a switching cam, and a driving mechanism. The switching cam includes first and second guide holes with which first and second engaging portions formed on the first and second bearing members engage. The first and second guide holes are formed, each in an approximately arcuate shape, at positions at different distances from the rotation center of the switching cam. By rotating the roller holder, one of the first and second rollers is arranged opposite an image carrying member and, by rotating the switching cam, the first or second roller arranged opposite the image carrying member is arranged selectively either at a reference position where the first or second roller is in pressed contact with the image carrying member or at a released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Masaru Takagi
  • Patent number: 11710016
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first generation unit to determine a density in each of a plurality of regions of a first image formed by the forming unit, and generate first correction data for correcting a density of an image to be formed by the forming unit for each of the plurality of regions based on the density. The first correction unit corrects the density of the image to be formed by the forming unit for each of the plurality of regions based on the first correction data stored by the first storage unit. The second generation unit determines a density of a second image formed by the forming unit, and generate second correction data based on the density. The first determination unit determines an amount of unevenness in the main scanning direction of formation density by the forming unit based on the density determined by the second generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takafumi Terada
  • Patent number: 11695893
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes includes a control unit. The control unit performs control. In a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied during execution of a print job to print image data, the control unit performs control to execute interruption processing of a correction job to print a correction patch. The control unit performs control to determine, from the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes, a sheet feeding cassette to be used for the correction job based on information on the sheet feeding cassette used for the print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aya Kasahara
  • Patent number: 11681478
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming device includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store an execution history of image processing and an adjustment history of the image processing. The processor is configured to detect an occurrence of an event based on a correlation between the execution history and the adjustment history, and to execute instructing to output information according to a detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 11656566
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a platen on which an original is to be placed, a feeder configured to feed an original placed on a tray, a sensor configured to detect a sheet on the tray, a lamp provided to the feeder, a reader configured to read the original placed on the platen and to read the original conveyed by the feeder, an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the image forming unit to form a test image on a sheet, control the reader to read the test image formed on the sheet placed on the platen, control a density of the image to be formed by the image forming unit based on a reading result of the test image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sumito Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11644781
    Abstract: A method for reducing artifacts in an electrophotographic printing system includes receiving a print job including image data for a set of pages. The electrophotographic printing system is used to print a block of pages from the print job to provide corresponding printed pages. Image data for the block of pages is analyzed to determine a cross-track image profile for each page in the block of pages. Image data for a compensation image and a number of compensation images are determined, wherein the compensation image has a cross-track image profile which has an inverted shape relative to an average of the cross-track image profiles for the block of pages. The printing of the compensation images reduces image burn-in artifacts which result from the printing of the block of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventor: Chung-Hui Kuo
  • Patent number: 11644782
    Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving both correction accuracy of skew correction and minimization of a margin between images. A color shift amount calculator that calculates a color shift amount, and a first skew correction controller and a second skew correction controller that control skew correction of color shift are included. The first skew correction controller controls first skew correction by a mechanical operation by the image former on the basis of a first color shift residual target value set in advance. The second skew correction controller controls second skew correction, by image processing, of the color shift after the control by the first skew correction controller on the basis of a second color shift residual target value set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Uchida
  • Patent number: 11635720
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming units having unit identification data, unit attachment portions having attachment portion identification data, an acquisition unit, a calculator, a storage unit, a controller, and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires data set of the two types of data. The calculator calculates data that are correction data for correcting image forming conditions or data on corrected image forming conditions. The storage unit stores the data set and the calculation data corresponding to the data set. The controller executes a data reuse control of controlling the image forming units using the calculation data that are stored in the storage unit and correspond to the data set after the data set is changed. The notification unit notifies execution-related information on execution of the data reuse control before the data reuse control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamamura
  • Patent number: 11630400
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming units. A controller includes an execution section, a measurement section, and a prediction section. The execution section controls execution of a developer refresh operation in which toner is ejected from a developer bearing member to an image bearing member so that a specific image forming unit replenishes a development device with the toner from the developer bearing member. The measurement section measures respective surface potentials of the image bearing members included in other image forming units while the specific image forming unit is executing the developer refresh operation. The prediction section uses measurement results of the respective surface potentials of the image bearing members included in the other image forming units for a prediction on the surface potential of the image bearing member included in the specific image forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Shimizu, Yoshihiro Yamagishi, Kazunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11624995
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of specifying a failed portion while preventing delay of an image forming operation appropriately. An image forming unit forms an image on a recording material. A detection unit detects an abnormality. A controller determines a type of an abnormality detected by the detection unit. The controller controls, in a case where the abnormality is detected by the detection unit, a start timing of failure diagnosis that specifies a failed portion that causes the abnormality according to the determined type of the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11614695
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an optical sensor configured to detect an image formed on an intermediate transfer belt. The optical sensor includes a first light emitting diode (LED), a second LED, a first photodiode (PD), and a second PD on a substrate. The first PD is arranged at a position at which specularly reflected light of light emitted from the first LED can be received, and scattered reflected light of light emitted from the second LED can be received. The second PD is arranged at a position at which scattered reflected light of light emitted from the second LED can be received. A light receiving surface of the first PD and a light receiving surface of the second PD are formed at different angles. The light receiving surface of the first PD has an area that is smaller than an area of the light receiving surface of the second PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuichi Araki
  • Patent number: 11592773
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a converter configured to convert image data with use of a tone correction condition corresponding to a position in a main scanning direction of the image data, and an image forming unit, which includes a photosensitive member and an exposure portion configured to expose the photosensitive member to light based on the converted image data, and is configured to form an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes a holding portion configured to hold a plurality of feedback conditions corresponding to a plurality of tones and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form a plurality of test images, acquire measurement results for the plurality of test images, and generate the tone correction condition based on the measurement results and the plurality of feedback conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihito Yokote
  • Patent number: 11567422
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance roller to convey a sheet, a light source to illuminate an image on the sheet while being moved in a predetermined direction above the conveyed sheet, a reading sensor to read the image on the sheet while being moved in the predetermined direction above the conveyed sheet, and a controller. The controller controls the reading sensor to read a first image for generating a color profile on a first sheet after the light source emits light for a duration of a first time. The controller controls the reading sensor to read a second image for detecting density unevenness in a main scanning direction of the image forming apparatus on a second sheet after the light source emits light for a duration of a second time shorter than the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takaaki Doshida
  • Patent number: 11567440
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processor configured to convert image data based on a first conversion condition; an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on the image data converted by the image processor, the image forming unit having an image bearing member on which the image is to be formed, a transfer unit configured to transfer the image from the image bearing member onto the sheet, and a fixing unit configured to fix the image to the sheet; a conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet having the image fixed thereto; a reading unit configured to read a pattern image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller; and a detector configured to detect a pattern image on the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sumito Tanaka, Sho Ikemoto, Tatsuomi Murayama, Yuko Kiyota, Hiroyuki Eda, Hiromi Shimura, Yuya Ohta, Shin Iwasaki, Rumi Konno, Yuga Yamauchi, Riki Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 11520264
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on image forming condition, a reader configured to convey the sheet and read a test image on the sheet while the sheet is conveyed, and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form the image and the test image on a same sheet, control the reader to read the test image on the same sheet, and generate the image forming condition for adjusting a density of an image to be formed by the image forming unit, based on a reading result of the test image by the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotaka Seki
  • Patent number: 11480890
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developing roller; a photosensitive drum; a first measurement device that measures a blank portion current in a first line on the photosensitive drum which extends in a scanning direction of the photosensitive drum and on which no toner patch is formed; a second measurement device that measures a measuring development current in a second line on the photosensitive drum which extends in the scanning direction of the photosensitive drum and on which a toner patch is formed; and a control device that functions as a patch setter and a first calculator. The patch setter sets a patch width of the toner patch in the scanning direction of the photosensitive drum. The first calculator calculates an actual development current based on a developable width of the photosensitive drum in the scanning direction, the patch width, the blank portion current, and the measuring development current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Nakai
  • Patent number: 11480906
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on an image bearing member based on an image forming condition, an optical sensor including: a light emitter configured to irradiate the image bearing member with light based on a supplied current; and a light receiver configured to receive reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter; a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the optical sensor; and a controller configured to: control the image forming unit to form a detection image on the image bearing member; control the optical sensor to detect reflected light from the detection image; and adjust the image forming condition based on a result of detecting the detection image by the optical sensor. The controller is configured to control the light emitter to emit light; and generate a correction condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichiro Ino
  • Patent number: 11454914
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a toner imaging device to form a toner image, a toner image conveying device to convey the toner image, a medium conveying device to convey a medium, and a toner image recording device to record the toner image conveyed by the toner image conveying device on the medium conveyed by the medium conveying device. Additionally, the imaging system includes a control device to determine a stop state including at least one of a state where a recording check toner image is recorded on the medium, a state where a conveyance check toner image is positioned on the toner image conveying device, and a state where a formation check toner image is positioned on the toner imaging device. During the stop state, the control device stops a formation of the toner image that is performed by the toner imaging device, stops a conveyance of the toner image that is performed by the toner image conveying device, and stops a conveyance of the medium that is performed by the medium conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Shinya Nakasha