Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120242147 | DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - A DC power distribution system for supplying a DC power into a building, includes one or more power feeding devices which supply a DC power, a power feeding line for supplying the DC power supplied from the power feeding devices to various sites in the building and sockets located at the various sites and connected to the power feeding line. The DC power distribution system further includes a portable power feeding device which supplies a generated or stored DC power thereof to the power feeding line via a plug which is removably connected to one of the sockets. | 09-27-2012 |
20120274133 | ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - Disclosed is an electric power supply system which has: a common power source which stores and supplies a power via a local power grid; and a distributed power source which supplies a power to buildings and a surplus to the common power source. The electric power supply system further includes a first power meter measuring the amount of power supplied from a commercial power source, a second power meter measuring the amount of power received from and supplied to the common power source via the local power grid, and a distribution control device which distributes a power from the common power source to the area based on the amounts of power as measured by the first power meter and the second power meter. | 11-01-2012 |
20130158684 | APPLIANCE CONTROL SYSTEM - The appliance control system includes a control device, a human detection sensor, and a manual operation switch. The control device includes a selecting unit configured to select a mode of an appliance driving unit controlling an appliance, from an operation mode in which the appliance driving unit operates the appliance, a limited mode in which the appliance driving unit limits an operation of the appliance, and a rest mode in which the appliance driving unit terminates the operation of the appliance. The selecting unit changes the appliance driving unit to the operation mode when the manipulation switch is turned on. The selecting unit changes the appliance driving unit to the rest mode when the manipulation switch is turned off. The selecting unit changes the appliance driving unit to the waiting mode when the human detection sensor does not detect a human within waiting time while the appliance driving unit is in the operation mode. While the appliance driving unit is in the waiting mode, the selecting unit changes the appliance driving unit to the operation mode when the human detection sensor detects a human within waiting time, and changes the appliance driving unit to the rest mode when the human detection sensor does not detect a human within waiting time. While the appliance driving unit is in the rest mode, the selecting unit does not change the appliance driving unit to the operation mode even if the human detection sensor detects a human. | 06-20-2013 |
20130229059 | ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL DEVICE AND ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL SYSTEM USING SAME - A controller installed at each consumer side comprises: a power generation amount acquisition unit acquiring the amount of electricity that has been generated in a solar cell; a power selling amount acquisition unit acquiring the amount of electricity for sale that has been allowed to flow into an electric power system by reverse power flow, among the electricity generated in the solar cell; and a power selling suppression control unit configured to set a threshold value for the amount of the electricity for sale, as proportional to the amount of the generated electricity acquired by the power generation amount acquisition unit, and configured to suppress the reverse power flow into the electric power system so that the amount of the electricity for sale is set to the threshold value or less. | 09-05-2013 |
20130318462 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE DEVICE, ENERGY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An object is to allow intuitively understand whether display information displayed on a display device indicates favorable state or unfavorable state for a user. An acquisition unit | 11-28-2013 |
20140094985 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A demand measurement unit measures load demand power and a power generation measurement unit measures solar cell output power. A threshold storage unit stores a discharge control threshold for determining whether to discharge remaining storage cell power. When demand power exceeds generated power, a command unit controls storage cell discharge by comparing remaining storage cell power with the discharge control threshold and transmits a control command to a power conditioner. If the remaining storage cell power exceeds the discharge control threshold, then the command unit commands storage cell discharge. A threshold setting unit sets the discharge control threshold, and updates the discharge control threshold when that value changes. | 04-03-2014 |
20150205311 | POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, POWER MANAGEMENT DEVICE, AND LARGE POWER-USING POWER LOAD - The power management system includes: a power management device for managing power to be used by multiple power loads; and a large power-using power load. The large power-using power load is defined as a power load which shows a power consumption larger than a difference between allowable power and an upper limit power smaller than the allowable power when operating at a maximum power consumption. The power management device calculates remaining available power available for the large power-using power load, from the total power consumption of the multiple power loads and the upper limit power, and notifies the remaining available power to the large power-using power load. The large power-using power load starts to operate under a condition that its power consumption is equal to or less than the remaining available power notified by the power management device. | 07-23-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090166962 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES AND SHEET FEEDING DEVICES - An image processing device comprises a first feeding unit and a second feeding unit, wherein the first feeding unit is coupled to the second feeding unit via a sheet feeding path, and is configured to feed a sheet toward the second feeding unit in a sheet feeding direction via the sheet feeding path. The image processing device further comprises an image processing portion, wherein the first feeding unit is disposed in the sheet feeding path upstream of the image processing portion in the sheet feeding direction, and the first feeding unit comprises a first shaft configured to rotate in the sheet feeding direction. The second feeding unit is disposed in the sheet feeding path downstream of the image processing portion in the sheet feeding direction, and the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit are configured to feed and hold the sheet simultaneously. The second feeding unit comprises a second shaft configured to rotate in the feeding direction. The image processing device further comprises a first supporting member which rotatably supports each of a first end of the first shaft and a second end of the first shaft, a second supporting member which rotatably supports each of a first end of the second shaft and a second end of the second shaft, and a third supporting member which rotatably supports at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft at least one predetermined portion which is different than each end of the at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft. | 07-02-2009 |
20100166473 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus includes a particular tray, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the particular tray to a first conveying path in a feed direction, a recording unit positioned along the first conveying path, and a driving roller positioned along a second conveying path and configured to convey the sheet, after the sheet passes the recording unit, along the second conveying path and back to the first conveying path. The particular tray includes a side guide configured to position the sheets in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. The side guide includes a guide member that defines at least a portion of the second conveying path and is configured to guide the sheet along the second conveying path, and a driven roller rotatably supported on the guide member and configured to pinch the sheet against the driving roller as the sheet is conveyed along the second conveying path. | 07-01-2010 |
20100245949 | IMAGE READING APPARATUS - An image reading apparatus includes an image reading portion that moves in a predetermined direction and has an image reading sensor that reads an image on a sheet. A sheet feeder feeds the sheet. A first transparent member has a reference surface that supports the sheet thereon, and a second transparent member contacts the sheet fed by the sheet feeder. The image reading portion moves along a lower surface of the second transparent member, and the second transparent member is positioned to overlap a portion of the first transparent member as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference surface. The image reading portion moves along a lower surface of the first transparent member and moves along a lower surface of the second transparent member. | 09-30-2010 |
20110074094 | SHEET FEEDER AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - A sheet feeder, including: a holding portion for holding sheets; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member having an inclined surface for guiding each sheet in a sheet feed direction along the inclined surface; a first separation protrusion provided integrally on the inclined member so as to protrude from the inclined surface such that its distal end is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than its proximal end; a plurality of second separation protrusions formed of a metal and disposed more upstream in the sheet feed direction than the first separation protrusion, each second separation protrusion protruding from the inclined surface through a corresponding one of openings formed in the inclined member, the second separation protrusions being arranged in the sheet feed direction; and a fixing member by which the second separation protrusions are fixed to the inclined member on a surface thereof opposite to the inclined surface. | 03-31-2011 |
20110158725 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 06-30-2011 |
20110188097 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path. | 08-04-2011 |
20110222948 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - Image recording apparatus including manual medium insertion tray manually loaded with recording medium, the tray being connected to rear end portion of housing such that the tray is pivotable in vertical direction about horizontal axis of first hinge portion located below first hinge portion provided for image reading device, between its operative position in which the second recording medium is fed to feeding path leading to image recording device, and its retracted position, the tray placed in the operative position having upwardly inclined posture extending outwardly from the rear end portion of the housing, while the tray placed in the retracted position having posture extending generally downwards into accommodating space formed within the housing and on rear side of U-turn sheet transfer path connecting the sheet supply cassette and the feeding path, the tray being pivotable between the operative and retracted positions through rear opening formed in the housing. | 09-15-2011 |
20110241288 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a tray unit, a sheet feeder disposed above the tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the sheet feeder, and a unit for discharging the sheet having an image recorded thereon. The tray unit includes a first tray for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray disposed above the first tray to hold thereon a second sheet, and a third tray disposed above the first tray. The second tray selectively moves between a first position and a second position. When the second tray is in the first position, the sheet feeder feeds the second sheet from the second tray, and the third tray receives the second sheet discharged from the discharging unit. When the second tray is in the second position, the sheet feeder feeds the first sheet from the first tray, and the first tray, the second tray, and the third tray overlap one another vertically. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242182 | IMAGE PRINTING APPARATUS - An image printing apparatus includes an image printing unit, a manual feed tray and a feeding mechanism. The manual feed tray is configured to receive a first printing medium to be fed and is movable between a feeding position and a retracted position. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a specific tray, on which a second printing medium is mounted, from an inlet to the image printing unit through a first path. The feeding mechanism is further configured to feed the first printing medium received by the manual feed tray to the image printing unit through a second path different from the first path. The image printing apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect a current position of the manual feed tray. The image printing apparatus performs printing on the second printing medium mounted on the specific tray on the basis of the current position of the manual feed tray detected by the sensor. | 10-06-2011 |
20120061906 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES AND SHEET FEEDING DEVICES - An image processing device includes first and second feeding units. The first feeding unit feeds a sheet toward the second feeding unit in a sheet feeding direction via a sheet feeding path. The device further includes an image processing portion. The first feeding unit is in the path upstream of the processing portion and includes a first shaft rotating in the feeding direction. The second feeding unit is in the path downstream of the processing portion, and the first and the second units feed and hold the sheet. The second feeding unit includes a second shaft rotating in the feeding direction. The device includes a first supporting member supporting first and second ends of the first shaft, a second supporting member supporting first and second ends of the second shaft, and a third supporting member supporting one shaft at a predetermined portion which is not either end of either shaft. | 03-15-2012 |
20120069115 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a recording unit, a feeding mechanism, a guide member, and a lock portion. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a first feeding object along a feeding path. The feeding path has a straight path and a curved path. The recording unit faces the straight path. The guide member defines the curved path and is rotatable between an exposed position and a closed position. The lock portion is movable between a locked position at which the guide member is locked in the closed position and an unlocked position at which the lock is released. The guide member has a recess formed therein and the feeding mechanism further feeds a second feeding object to the recess along the straight path. When the second feeding object is disposed in the recess, the lock portion is disposed at the locked position. | 03-22-2012 |
20120080833 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a housing, a tray unit mounted in the housing and configured to hold thereon sheets, a feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet fed by the feeder, and a discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet after the recording unit records the image on the sheet. The tray unit includes a first tray including a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and configured to move above the first holding surface between a first position and a second position, and a third tray supported by the first tray and disposed above the second tray in the second position, and configured to receive the sheet discharged by the discharging unit. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081488 | TRAY UNIT AND IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - A tray unit includes a first tray, a second tray, and a cover. The first tray includes a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet. The second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet. The second tray is configured to slide above and along the first holding surface between a first second-tray position and a second second-tray position, and is configured to pivot between the second second-tray position and a third second-tray position in which the second tray stands upward with respect to the first holding surface. The cover is configured to cover from above at least a part of the second tray when the second tray is in the second second-tray position, and is configured to pivot between a first cover position in which the cover extends along the first holding surface and a second cover position in which the cover stands upward with respect to the first holding surface. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081489 | TRAY UNIT AND IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - A tray unit includes a first tray, a second tray, and a cover. The first tray includes a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet. The second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and is configured to slide above and along the first holding surface from a second position to a first position in a first sliding direction and from the first position to the second position in a second sliding direction opposite to the first sliding direction. The cover is configured to cover from above at least a part of the second tray when the second tray is in the second position. | 04-05-2012 |
20120175837 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES AND SHEET FEEDING DEVICES - An image processing device comprises a first feeding unit coupled to a second feeding unit via a sheet feeding path and is configured to feed a sheet toward the second feeding unit in a sheet feeding direction via the sheet feeding path. The first feeding unit comprises a first shaft configured to rotate in the sheet feeding direction, and the second feeding unit comprises a second shaft configured to rotate in the feeding direction. The first feeding unit and the second feeding unit are configured to feed and hold the sheet simultaneously. The image processing device further comprises a first supporting member which rotatably supports the first shaft, a second supporting member which rotatably supports the second shaft, and a third supporting member which rotatably supports the first shaft and/or the second shaft at a location different than the first supporting member and/or the second supporting member. | 07-12-2012 |
20130214476 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a tray unit, a sheet feeder disposed above the tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the sheet feeder, and a unit for discharging the sheet having as image recorded thereon. The tray unit includes a first tray for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray disposed above the first tray to hold thereon a second sheet, and a third tray disposed above the first tray. The second tray selectively moves between a first position and a second position. When the second tray is in the first position, the sheet feeder feeds the second sheet from the second tray, and the third tray receives the second sheet discharged from the discharging unit. When the second tray is in the second position, the sheet feeder feeds the first sheet from the first tray, and the first tray, the second tray, and the third tray overlap one another vertically. | 08-22-2013 |
20130272770 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus includes a particular tray, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the particular tray to a first conveying path in a feed direction, a recording unit positioned along the first conveying path, and a driving roller positioned along a second conveying path and configured to convey the sheet, after the sheet passes the recording unit, along the second conveying path and back to the first conveying path. The particular tray includes a side guide configured to position the sheets in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. The side guide includes a guide member that defines at least a portion of the second conveying path and is configured to guide the sheet along the second conveying path, and a driven roller rotatably supported on the guide member and configured to pinch the sheet against the driving roller as the sheet is conveyed along the second conveying path. | 10-17-2013 |
20130321548 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path. | 12-05-2013 |
20140232769 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a recording unit, a feeding mechanism, a guide member, and a lock portion. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a first feeding object along a feeding path. The feeding path has a straight path and a curved path. The recording unit faces the straight path. The guide member defines the curved path and is rotatable between an exposed position and a closed position. The lock portion is movable between a locked position at which the guide member is locked in the closed position and an unlocked position at which the lock is released. The guide member has a recess formed therein and the feeding mechanism further feeds a second feeding object to the recess along the straight path. When the second feeding object is disposed in the recess, the lock portion is disposed at the locked position. | 08-21-2014 |
20140312554 | DOUBLE-SIDED IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING A COMPACT FORM FACTOR - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312558 | DOUBLE-SIDED IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING A COMPACT FORM FACTOR - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 10-23-2014 |
20150258817 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING A COMPACT FORM FACTOR - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 09-17-2015 |
20160075151 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING A COMPACT FORM FACTOR - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 03-17-2016 |
20160075152 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING A COMPACT FORM FACTOR - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 03-17-2016 |