Having Power Supply Patents (Class 399/88)
  • Patent number: 10280022
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes the following. A conveyor conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus. An image reader reads the image formed on the sheet. A storage stores a speed variation profile which shows a speed variation for conveying the sheet with the conveyor when the image is read by the image reader. A controller, based on a speed variation profile stored in the storage, controls the conveyor to cancel a variation in speed shown by the speed variation profile, controls the image reader to read a reference mark formed on a sheet by the image forming apparatus, and obtains a forming position of the reference mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Tianzi Xu
  • Patent number: 10277065
    Abstract: A power supply control device includes a moving object detecting unit and a power supply unit. The moving object detecting unit is attached to a processing apparatus body including power supply targets and a controller, and is capable of detecting a moving object moving in the vicinity of the processing apparatus body. The moving object detecting unit has a lower detection range for detecting a part of a moving object that is substantially in contact with the floor, and an upper detection range for detecting a top part of a moving object. The power supply unit is included in the controller and is always supplied with power to monitor approach of a moving object with the moving object detecting unit. The power supply unit supplies, upon the moving object detecting unit detecting a moving object, power to a power supply target that includes a part of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Yamashina, Kazuhiko Narushima, Masafumi Ono, Motofumi Baba, Kenta Ogata, Kouichi Azuma, Kenji Kuroishi, Keiko Shiraishi, Hidenori Horie
  • Patent number: 10234814
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes: a first primary winding; a first AC voltage outputter connected to one side of the first primary winding so as to output a first AC voltage; a second AC voltage outputter connected to the other side of the first primary winding and capable of outputting a second AC voltage with an inverted phase of the first AC voltage; a first secondary winding that generates a third AC voltage by mutual induction of the first primary winding to which the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage are applied; a second primary winding having one side receiving an input of the second AC voltage and the other side connected to a fixed voltage; and a second secondary winding that generates a fourth AC voltage by mutual induction of the second primary winding to which the second AC voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Shimazoe, Masayuki Watanabe, Yuhei Tatsumoto, Akihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10194045
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to printer power management. For example, a system for printer power management may include a system power control engine to receive a power usage estimate from each of a plurality of components of a printing device and schedule a deferred service routine to identify a level of real-time performance of the plurality of components. Furthermore, a system for printer power management may include a state machine engine to estimate how close a power supply coupled to the printing device is to an over-power failure (OPF) based on the real-time performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Devin Koepl
  • Patent number: 10168651
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus: acquires, before start of current supply to electric elements including heater, information indicating rated power of the heater and total consumption power of the electric elements excluding the heater; subtracts the total consumption power from upper power limit of the apparatus, and calculates maximum power not exceeding the rated power and remaining power thus subtracted; obtains duty ratio based on assumption of current supply corresponding to the maximum power according to pulse modulation, and determines whether the duty ratio falls within predetermined range; and controls, when the duty ratio falls within the range, drive circuit to supply alternating current by pulse modulation method, and when the duty ratio falls outside the range, to supply the alternating current by phase control method that temporarily interrupts the supply of the alternating current to the heater in half cycles of the alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kato, Seiichi Kirikubo, Yutaka Yamamoto, Naoto Sugaya, Nobuhiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10168655
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image forming portion; a fixing portion; an electric storage portion configured to supply electric power to a load; a first power supply configured to supply electric power to the load; a second power supply configured to supply electric power to the fixing portion; and a controller configured to supply electric power from the electric storage portion to the load and supply a predetermined maximum allowable power from an AC power supply to the second power supply when an image formation request is input, wherein in a case where a remaining amount of the electric storage portion becomes lower than a predetermined value, the controller reduces electric power supplied from the second power supply to the fixing portion lower than the maximum allowable power, and thereafter switches an electric power supply to the load from the electric storage portion to the first power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10152010
    Abstract: A signal transmitting apparatus includes a first line that is provided in one of plural layers of a board and transmits a signal by superimposing the signal on an electric power line that supplies electric power; a coupling section in which the electric power line is coupled to the first line and the first line is branched; plural second lines that branch off in the coupling section and are provided in another layer different from the one layer; and a conductive layer that is provided between the one layer and the other layer. The conductive layer has an opening that encompasses the coupling section in plan view, and the coupling section has a coupling line that has a larger width than the first line and plural through-holes that connect the coupling line and the plural second lines through the opening of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tsubota, Tsutomu Ishii, Tsutomu Hamada
  • Patent number: 10152109
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus obtains a measurement value D of the distance between the object and information processing apparatus using a human detection sensor, and detects the object as a user (user detection state ST3) by comparing the measurement value D and a predetermined threshold value. The power mode of the information processing apparatus is set to a standby mode if a user has been detected, and is set to a sleep mode if a user has not been detected. If a state in which a user has been detected continues for a predetermined time, the information processing apparatus changes the sensitivity of the human detection sensor by changing the threshold value for the detection state determination such that the object detected by the human detection sensor is no longer detected as a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Horishita
  • Patent number: 10148839
    Abstract: An MFP (an image forming apparatus) includes a main CPU that performs a predetermined process before switching the MFP to a power supply stop state, in response to a turn-off operation on a main power switch of the MFP, and a sub CPU that controls supply of power to individual units of the MFP in response to a command from the main CPU by a power relay and a power control IC. The sub CPU monitors the operating state of the main CPU after the turn-off operation on the main power switch. After the turn-off operation, even if a power supply stop command from the main CPU is not received, if a predetermined condition related to the result of the monitoring of the operating state of the main CPU is satisfied, the sub CPU performs forced turn-off control for forcibly stopping supply of power to the individual units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Ito
  • Patent number: 10139759
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixer that includes a first heater group including first heaters and a second heater group including second heaters; a first power cord that supplies AC power to the first heater group; a second power cord that supplies AC power to the second heater group; first switches that switch a power supply state to the first heaters; second switches that switch a power supply state to the second heaters; and a hardware processor that independently controls the lightings of the first and second heater groups by controlling the first and second switches based on an array pattern for turning on or off the first and second heaters, wherein the array pattern includes an on period and an off period whose lengths are both a half wave cycle of an AC power supply, and is set to satisfy a flicker regulation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Tamaki
  • Patent number: 10114331
    Abstract: A transfer device includes an image bearer, a rotatable body, a solid lubricant assembly, and a guide. An image bearer bears an image. The rotatable body forms a transfer nip with the image bearer to rotate in contact with a recording medium. An image on the image bearer is transferred onto the recording medium at the transfer nip. The solid lubricant assembly includes a solid lubricant and extends in a longitudinal direction of the rotatable body. The solid lubricant assembly applies a solid lubricant to at least one of the rotatable body and the image bearer. The guide guides the recording medium and positions the solid lubricant assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Junpei Fujita, Katsuhito Haruno, Atsushi Nakamoto, Masakazu Imai, Osamu Ichihashi, Takehide Mizutani, Naoto Kochi
  • Patent number: 10042312
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus arranged to form an image on a recording material, the image forming apparatus including an object, an electrically conductive member; and an urging member arranged to urge the electrically conductive member towards the object and to electrically couple the electrically conductive member and the object to each other. In the image forming apparatus, the electrically conductive member is formed of a material having a low elastic coefficient that is lower than that of the urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Kazuhiko Shinoda
  • Patent number: 10027823
    Abstract: A guidance apparatus comprises: an operation section configured to receive an operation from a user; a first detection section configured to detect a user in front of the operation section; a confirmation processing section configured to confirm the existence of a user operating the operation section according to the detection result of the first detection section; a determination processing section configured to determine whether or not the operation section receives an operation from the user within a certain period of time after the confirmation processing section confirms the existence of the user; and a guidance information output section configured to output guidance information for guiding the user in operating the operation section if the determination processing section determines that the operation section receives no operation from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Ono
  • Patent number: 10026027
    Abstract: A printing control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus operated in a standby state and a power saving state includes a reception unit that receives a printing request for causing the printing apparatus to execute printing, a generation unit that generates printing data in accordance with the printing request received by the reception unit, a determination unit that determines whether or not the printing apparatus is in the power saving state, and a transmission unit that transmits return data for returning the printing apparatus from the power saving state to the standby state before the printing data generated by the generation unit is transmitted in a case where the determination unit determines that the printing apparatus is in the power saving state, and does not transmit the return data in a case where the determination unit determines that the printing apparatus is not in the power saving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Ooba
  • Patent number: 10020741
    Abstract: A power supply control system delivers regulated power to a load via a delivery cable. The power supply control system includes a power stage operable to deliver power to the load at a first regulated voltage level and a second regulated voltage level. A cable offset voltage unit generates an offset voltage signal representing a drop in voltage across the delivery cable. The offset voltage signal is generated based on a first cable drop compensation value when the power stage is operated to deliver power at the first regulated voltage level and based on a second cable drop compensation value when the power stage is operated to deliver power at the second regulated voltage level. A controller coupled to the power stage and the cable offset voltage unit controls the power stage to deliver the regulated power to the load based at least in part on the offset voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jianming Yao, Hien Huu Bui, David Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9985536
    Abstract: A first switch and a second switch connected in series to both terminals of a DC power source. A signal generation circuit generates a feedback signal based on the DC voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit, and outputs the feedback signal, the feedback signal for turning the first and second switches on and off. A burst oscillation circuit that generates a burst oscillation signal based on a feedback signal and turns the first switch element and the second switch element on and off based on the burst oscillation signal when the standby state is detected. The burst oscillation circuit comprises a capacitor and a rapid charge circuit. When this device returns from standby state to normal state, the rapid charging circuit charges the capacitor after the feedback signal exceeds the cancellation threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeki Sugahara, Osamu Ohtake
  • Patent number: 9958813
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transferring belt, photosensitive drums, primary transferring parts, a transfer voltage applying part, a resistance value measuring part, a cleaning device, a pre-brush, a pre-brush current detecting part and a transfer voltage correcting part. The pre-brush applies a cleaning charge voltage to the remained toner at an upstream side from the cleaning device in the rotation direction of the transferring belt. The transfer voltage correcting part, by a subject resistance value of the primary transferring part measured by the resistance value measuring part, corrects a transfer voltage of the primary transferring part. As a measurement condition, if a change quantity of the pre-brush current from the last transfer voltage correction is equal to or more than a predetermined change threshold, the resistance value measuring part executes measurement of the subject resistance value and the transfer voltage correcting part executes correction of the transfer voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 9946215
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a power saving mode includes a first power supply configured to operate in the power saving mode, a second power supply configured to operate in a mode other than the power saving mode, a heater configured to generate heat when power is fed from the first power supply or the second power supply, and a control circuit configured to control power feeding from the first power supply to the heater and activation or stopping of the second power supply. The control circuit is configured to control, based on an instruction to shift from the power saving mode to another mode, so that power feeding from the first power supply to the heater is cut off, and the second power supply is activated to start power feeding from the second power supply to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Koizumi, Teruhiko Suzuki, Eijiro Atarashi, Toshinori Kimura
  • Patent number: 9933737
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a staple unit, a print unit, a power supply, and a control unit. When the time that elapses after completion of a print job equals a standby time, the control unit stops supply of electric power to the staple unit. When it is predicted that the printout of a print job does not require stapling, the control unit sets the standby time to a first time. When it is predicted that stapling is required, the control unit sets the standby time to a second time that is longer than the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tsubasa Miyamae
  • Patent number: 9915995
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image capturing unit configured to generate image data; an adding unit configured to add additional information every predetermined amount of pixel data in the image data; a transmission unit configured to transmit image data by the amount of pixel data to which the additional information is added; an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the image data; and a power control unit configured to control power supply when the transmission unit transmits the pixel data, based on the additional information, wherein the power control unit restricts the power supply to less than a predetermined power amount in a case where the additional information indicates a predetermined state, and performs power supply at the predetermined power amount in a case where the additional information does not indicate the predetermined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 9893544
    Abstract: A power control and delivery system for improving and prolonging the performance of batteries through a total power source comprised of a battery, a power controller and a power buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Jesse Chan
  • Patent number: 9883077
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a job processor to perform a job of the image forming apparatus, a storage unit to store apparatus use information on a user of the image forming apparatus and job performance of the job processor, a determination unit to determine whether the user is changed or not, and a controller to delete the apparatus use information on a previous user if it is determined that the user is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-min Han, Hyung-ho Lee, Ki-hun Kim, Jin-ah Heo
  • Patent number: 9880519
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a transfer unit, a detector, a supplying unit, and a controller. The transfer unit transfers a toner image onto an object onto which transfer is to be performed. The detector detects humidity. The supplying unit includes a constant voltage supplying unit that supplies a transfer voltage that is a constant voltage to the transfer unit, and a constant current supplying unit that supplies a transfer current that is a constant current to the transfer unit. The controller controls the supplying unit such that the transfer voltage is supplied from the constant voltage supplying unit to the transfer unit when transfer is performed in a case where the detected humidity is not greater than a threshold, and the transfer current is supplied from the constant current supplying unit to the transfer unit when transfer is performed in a case where the detected humidity exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ayaka Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9836012
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus (1) includes image bearing members (31), transfer members (52), and a power supply section (57). The image bearing members (31) each bear one of toner images in different colors from one another. The transfer members (52) are located opposite to the image bearing members (31). The power supply section (57) charges the transfer members (52). Through the above, the toner images on the respective image bearing members (31) are transferred to a moving transfer target (51). The power supply section (57) includes a power supply device (58 or 58a) connected to at least two of the transfer members (52). The transfer members (52) connected to the power supply device (58 or 58a) are each located at a position shifted upstream or downstream of a corresponding one of the image bearing members (31) in a moving direction (X) of the transfer target (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Teppei Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9838969
    Abstract: A method for setting operation modes of a group of communication devices in a communication network, wherein the group of communication devices comprises a first communication device and at least a second communication device, the method comprises receiving information from at least one device of said group of communication devices, determining an operation mode based on the received information and setting an operation mode on at least one of the other communication devices of the group of communication devices to the determined operation mode, wherein information is communicated between the two devices including state information and/or instructions to set the operation mode of at least one of the other communication device of the group of communication devices to the determined operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Vance, Patrik Lundell, Par Hakansson
  • Patent number: 9744470
    Abstract: To suppress unintended rapid acceleration of a vehicle and the like while suppressing a wire length of a feeding system in the entire layout in section-divided feed using pulse width modulation. A clock generation unit included in a feeding device generates an internal clock having a phase aligned based on a reset signal supplied from a higher-level device that controls a vehicle speed of the vehicle, the reset signal being commonly supplied to another feeding device. A pulse width modulation unit counts the internal clock, and generates a pulse having a pulse width (duty ratio) according to an instruction of the vehicle speed from the higher-level device based on the count value. A driver supplies a pulsed drive voltage having the duty ratio, to which the pulse width modulation has been applied by the pulse width modulation unit, to a section allocated to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOMY TEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Morio Sato
  • Patent number: 9703252
    Abstract: A power supply controlling device includes: a direct-current power supply configured to output a direct-current voltage; an alternating-current power supply configured to output one selected from between a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating-current voltage onto the direct-current voltage and the direct-current voltage; a bypass capacitor configured to partially store therein an output from the alternating-current power supply and configured to, when the direct-current voltage is output from the direct-current power supply while no electric charge is stored therein, store therein a second direct current being a part of a first direct current output from the direct-current power supply in conjunction with the output of the direct-current voltage; and a power supply controlling unit configured to cause the direct-current power supply to control a level of the direct-current voltage based on a target value for the first direct current and a value indicating the second direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuto Hakamada, Masahide Nakaya, Jyunya Sakuraba
  • Patent number: 9690229
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotator, a driving control portion, and a layer thickness control portion. The rotator conveys toner to contact position to an image carrying member, and supplies toner to the image carrying member at the contact position. The driving control portion controls rotation of the rotator so as to rotate the rotator during a developing period, and stop the rotation of the rotator after a set time has elapsed since an end of the developing period. The layer thickness control portion causes the rotator to carry toner by controlling a potential difference between a potential of the rotator and a predetermined potential so that toner on the rotator at the contact position has a first layer thickness during the developing period and has a second layer thickness while the rotation of the rotator is stopped, the second layer thickness being thicker than the first layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tamotsu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9632468
    Abstract: An arrangement structure of a main power switch includes an apparatus body, the main power switch, and a movable member. The apparatus body has a dead space on a front side. The main power switch is disposed in the dead space. The movable member is disposed in the apparatus body to cover the main power switch. The movable member is drawable from the apparatus body in a horizontal direction. The movable member includes an opening opposed to the main power switch, to expose the main power switch to outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Ueda, Yuki Sato, Mami Akiyama, Shiro Akama, Hiroki Ishimitsu, Sakie Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9581950
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first power supply unit configured to generate first output power, a second power supply unit configured to generate second output power, a switching unit disposed on the primary side of the second power supply unit, a monitoring unit configured to monitor the second output power generated by the second power supply unit, a power source control unit supplied with the first output power, and configured to turn the switching unit ON or OFF, and a control unit supplied with the first output power, and configured to control operations of the power source control unit. When the second output power is lower than a threshold value, the power source control unit turns the switching unit OFF and then back to ON in a state where the first output power generated by the first power supply unit is supplied to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Umimura
  • Patent number: 9568873
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that shifts between a first power state and a second power state where power consumption is less than in the first power state. The image forming apparatus includes a detecting unit that includes a plurality of elements arranged on a line or in a grid to detect heat emitted from an object and a determination unit that determines whether to shift the image forming apparatus from the second power state to the first power state based on a detection result of the detecting unit and that controls the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Horishita, Yuichi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 9485820
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a power conversion unit, an impedance adjustment unit, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The power conversion unit is configured to convert input power to direct-current power used for a light source. The impedance adjustment unit is formed of a series circuit of a resistor element and a switch element and is coupled to the light source in parallel, relative to the power conversion unit. The second control unit is configured to cause the power conversion unit to operate, for each burst cycle, for an operation period which is not longer than the burst cycle, and increase and reduce the ratio of the operation period to the burst cycle. The first control unit is configured to make the switch element conductive for a predetermined adjustment period which is not longer than the operation period, during the operation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ido, Hiroshi Kido, Akinori Hiramatu, Junichi Hasegawa, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 9454121
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus to which a finisher is connected, a power source control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a power saving state. The image forming apparatus is inhibited from being shifted to the power saving state when it is detected that a sheet for which a binding process is to be performed is set in the finisher. The image forming apparatus may be permitted to be shifted to the power saving state when it is not detected that the sheet is set in the finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Hikichi
  • Patent number: 9423737
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a fixing apparatus that heats a recording material having a toner image while conveying the recording material at a nip portion to make the toner image fix onto the recording material includes a cylindrical belt having a heat generating layer that generates heat by being energized and a contact for supplying electricity to the heat generating layer. The contact is in contact with one of an outer surface and an inner surface of an end of the belt in the generatrix direction of the belt. An electrically conductive layer is provided, along the direction of rotation of the belt, on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to a surface of the heat generating layer at which the contact is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Narahara, Toru Imaizumi, Takanori Watanabe, Masahiko Suzumi, Kazuhiro Doda, Takanori Mitani, Kazuaki Takahata
  • Patent number: 9405261
    Abstract: A phase detector includes an alternating current input unit to which input power is applied; a zero cross generator that outputs a zero cross signal at a zero cross point of the input power by using a photo coupler; and a zero cross detector that converts the zero cross signal to a pulse signal and detects the phase of the input power based on the pulse signal. A compensation capacitor is connected in parallel at a first side of the photo coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong-ki Jung, Jae-wan Kim, Kyung-hwan So, Young-jun Song
  • Patent number: 9335709
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing portion for fixing an image, formed on a recording material, on the recording material, and including a heater for generating heat by electric power supplied from a commercial power source; a power source portion for supplying the electric power to a load except the heater, the power source and the heater being connected to the commercial power source in parallel; a suppliable electric power calculating portion for calculating suppliable electric power suppliable to the heater; and a temperature setting portion for setting, depending on the suppliable electric power calculated by the calculating portion, a control target temperature of the fixing portion in an operation in a stand-by mode in which the image forming apparatus awaits a print instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwasaki, Masatoshi Itoh, Tetsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9335655
    Abstract: A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Kamimura, Fumikazu Sato
  • Patent number: 9329560
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for performing job processing includes a power supplying unit configured to supply power to a heating unit, a cooling unit configured to cool an inside of an enclosure of the image forming apparatus, a power generating unit configured to generate power by heat dissipated from the heating unit, a power storage unit configured to store the power generated by the power generating unit, and a power supply control unit configured to, after driving the cooling unit by the power from one of the power supplying unit and the power generating unit, switch a power source of the cooling unit from one of the power supplying unit and the power storage unit to the power generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9316982
    Abstract: A fixing device is provided with a magnetic flux generating unit, first and second rotary bodies, a fixing belt, a temperature sensing portion, a stopped time measuring portion, an abnormality determination portion, and a heating delay portion. The fixing belt extends between the first and second rotary bodies, and is heated by the first rotary body. The temperature sensing portion is disposed downstream of the first rotary body and senses the temperature of the fixing belt. The stopped time measuring portion measures a time period after heating has been stopped before an instruction to start heating is inputted. The abnormality determination portion determines any abnormality in the fixing belt based on a change in temperature after heating has started. When a stopped time is shorter than a pre-configured time period, the heating delay portion delays the start time via magnetic flux based on the instruction to start heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Junya Yoda, Yoshiyuki Odaka
  • Patent number: 9304457
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular body extending in a first direction, a heater disposed in an internal space of the tubular body, a frame supporting the tubular body and a plate-like member provided on the frame. The tubular body has an open end in the first direction. The heater includes a hollow tube extending in the first direction, a heat generating element disposed in a hollow space of the tube, a terminal fixed to the frame, and a pin connecting the heat generating element and the terminal. The frame has a first surface positioned to oppose the open end of the tubular body in the first direction. The plate-like member is positioned between the open end and the first surface in the first direction, the plate-like member being formed with a pin opening for permitting the pin to penetrate therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Takeuchi, Kotaro Haruta, Takuji Matsuno, Yoshihiro Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 9275319
    Abstract: An electric power system includes: a switching power supply converting an AC into a DC and operating in an on mode and an off mode; a power supply control unit activated when electric power is supplied from the AC power supply, and the power supply control unit being configured to control an oscillation operation of the switching power supply according to the mode designation signal; a mode control unit generating the mode designation signal; and an auxiliary power supply configured to supply electric power to the mode control unit when the switching power supply does not oscillate. In one of the on mode and off mode, the mode control unit performs outputs a consecutive-pulse signal to the power supply control unit. In the other mode, the mode control unit performs a restriction process of restricting output of the consecutive-pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tasuku Sugimoto, Yoshiyuki Tsujimoto, Nobuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9235184
    Abstract: The high-voltage power supply apparatus includes an inductor to be applied with a voltage when a driving unit is driven by a drive signal at a predetermined frequency, a rectification unit connected to both ends of the inductor, the rectification unit including multiple capacitors and multiple diodes, a current detection unit configured to detect a current flowing through the rectification unit, and a control unit configured to control a duty of the drive signal based on a result of detection by the current detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiki Takajou
  • Patent number: 9214835
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a switching power supply for outputting a predetermined DC voltage by converting an AC voltage from an AC power supply, a latching relay provided on an AC input line for switching a connection state of the switching power supply and the AC power supply in response to a relay drive signal, a storage circuit storing electricity from the switching power supply, a control device for receiving electric power from the storage circuit in a disconnection state, and a relay drive circuit for generating the relay drive signal and outputting it to the latching relay. The control device determines whether an amount of charge of the storage circuit has decreased to a predetermined amount of charge in the disconnection state, and generates and outputs the relay control signal to the relay drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 9207621
    Abstract: A method of controlling a data processing apparatus including: a drive system device; a data processing device configured to perform data processing; and a power supply circuit configured to generate a drive system voltage to be supplied to the drive system device and a data processing system voltage to be supplied to the data processing device, from an input voltage from an external power supply. The method comprises: when an interruption of the input voltage is detected, switching an operation mode to a power saving mode in which the drive system device is stopped or restrained from driving, and then executing a protective operation for the data processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunaga Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9199497
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus; a peripheral device; and a first control unit. The image forming apparatus includes a first voltage detecting unit that detects voltage of a first power source supplied by an external power source, and outputs as first voltage value; and a first current detecting unit that detects current of the first power source, and outputs as first current value. The peripheral device includes a second voltage detecting unit that detects voltage of a second power source supplied by an external power source, and outputs as second voltage value; and a second current detecting unit that detects current of the second power source and outputs as second current value. The first control unit calculates total power value of the image forming system based on: the first voltage value; first current value; second voltage value; and second current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Yuusuke Kohri
  • Patent number: 9188934
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus capable of outputting a predetermined voltage or a predetermined electrical current selectively is provided, including a voltage level setter to determine an output level of a voltage or an electrical current according to an external signal, a constant voltage feedback unit to correct an output value of the voltage level setter so as to output a constant voltage of the output level to a load terminal, a constant current feedback unit to maintain the external signal constantly and correct an output value of the voltage level setter so as to output a constant current of the output level to the load terminal, a switch to connect the voltage level setter with the constant voltage feedback unit or the constant current feedback unit selectively, and a controller to control the switch to output the constant voltage or the constant current selectively according to a state of the load terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-yun Park
  • Patent number: 9188936
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first power supply unit configured to generate first output power, a second power supply unit configured to generate second output power, a switching unit disposed on the primary side of the second power supply unit, a monitoring unit configured to monitor the second output power generated by the second power supply unit, a power source control unit supplied with the first output power, and configured to turn the switching unit ON or OFF, and a control unit supplied with the first output power, and configured to control operations of the power source control unit. When the second output power is lower than a threshold value, the power source control unit turns the switching unit OFF and then back to ON in a state where the first output power generated by the first power supply unit is supplied to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Umimura
  • Patent number: 9185241
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a device and method for simulating energy consumption by a multi-functional printing device. The device includes a processor and a computer readable memory, the memory including instructions for causing the processor to perform the method. The method includes loading an activity log comprising a plurality of jobs, loading a first strategy from a plurality of strategies, simulating each of the plurality of jobs at the printing device according to the first strategy, determining a first amount of power required by the printing device to perform the plurality of jobs, determining a second amount of power consumed by the printing device between performing the plurality jobs, creating a report including estimated power consumption by the multi-functional printing device to complete the plurality of jobs according to the first strategy, and causing the report to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Valobra, Lionel Cazenave, Victor Ciriza Lope
  • Patent number: 9172840
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit configured to perform image processing, a storage unit configured to be capable of storing an application program installed in the image processing apparatus, a first determination unit configured to determine whether the application program had ever been installed in the image processing apparatus, and a control unit configured to selectively control the image processing unit to be operable and control the image processing unit not to operate according to the determination by the first determination unit if an error has occurred in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Osada
  • Patent number: 9137408
    Abstract: A total-current control unit is configured to add a fuser current of a fuser unit to a load current of the load to thereby obtain a total current to be supplied from a commercial power supply to the image forming apparatus, the total-current control unit being configured to control the total current to be at a predetermined limit value or less. An auxiliary power supply is configured to supply an auxiliary current to the load. The total-current control unit is further configured to provide first control to control the total current to be at the limit value or less and allow the auxiliary power supply to supply the auxiliary current to the load, thereby supplying, to the load, a current obtained by adding the auxiliary current to the load current, if an increase in the load current causes the total current to exceed the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kazunobu Iritani