Patents Examined by Allen H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11895276
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, an apparatus, and a storage medium for controlling voice print. The method includes receiving keyword information extracted from voice information by a voice processing apparatus; obtaining a target print document according to the keyword information; obtaining print configuration information according to the keyword information; and transmitting the target print document and the print configuration information to a target image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ZHUHAI PANTUM ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weixin Wu
  • Patent number: 11893444
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a consumable chip system and a consumable container. The consumable chip system includes a consumable chip and an antenna board. The consumable chip includes a first die and a first substrate. The first die is encapsulated on the first substrate, and the first die is provided with an interface module. The first substrate is provided with a signal conversion module, and the antenna board is provided with a wireless transceiver module. The wireless transceiver module is configured to receive connection information and an instruction for storing and reading. The signal conversion module is connected to the interface module and the wireless transceiver module, respectively. The consumable chip system is configured to receive connection information by the wireless transceiver module, and establish a wireless connection between the consumable chip and a device for storing and reading on the basis of the connection information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HANGZHOU CHIPJET TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tianxiang Liu, Heng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11886761
    Abstract: A printer for printing on a long sheet includes a print data divider and a verification processor. The print data divider outputs a plurality of segments of divided print data divided at the boundary of areas from standard print data containing print contents in each of the areas obtained by dividing a standard sheet into a plurality of the areas. The verification processor compares the size of the long sheet with the size of the area included in the standard sheet and rotates the divided print data if it is determined from a result of the comparison that the rotation is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hisashi Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 11880615
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an accepting portion that accepts authentication information for identifying whether a user is an authorized user having a right to use the image formation apparatus; an authenticator that authenticates whether the user is the authorized user, based on the authentication information accepted by the accepting portion; and an adder that adds, to an image to be printed, tracking information including information for specifying the user authenticated as the authorized user by the authenticator. If the authentication information accepted by the accepting portion is single identification information, the adder adds, as the tracking information, to the image, user specifying information for specifying the user authenticated as the authorized user, the user specifying information being different from the single identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sho Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 11875066
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling an information processing apparatus configured to execute an extension application associated with printing data generation software operatable in the information processing apparatus to extend a function, the method including: obtaining input data including printing setting; displaying a screen related to a specific function on a display unit in a case where it is determined based on the printing setting that the specific function is executed; editing the input data, such that the specific function is executed, to convert the input data into printing data; and transmitting the printing data to a printing apparatus after the screen is displayed on the display unit in the displaying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoki Shibamori
  • Patent number: 11875074
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores computer-readable instructions that are executable by a processor of an information processing device and compatible with a printer connected with the information processing device. The instructions support a general-purpose printing program incorporated in an operating system of the information processing device. The general-purpose printing program is configured to handle data for displaying a print setting screen on the information processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshito Hosomizo
  • Patent number: 11875073
    Abstract: A printing device includes a controller configured to receive print setting information, determine whether or not printing is set to accumulation printing, perform the printing, in a case where it is determined that the printing is not set to the accumulation printing, and perform a print preparation processing of performing a predetermined preparation operation before printing, in a case where it is determined that the printing is not set to the accumulation printing. The controller is configured to accumulate print job data without performing the print preparation processing, in a case where it is determined that the printing is set to the accumulation printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Itogawa
  • Patent number: 11861253
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes: a character recognition processor which reads an image of a document and extracts text information in the document; a setting manager which manages settings including a setting to allow or prohibit a function of character recognition; a job controller which controls job execution related to reading of the document; and an operation controller which provides a setting menu to receive a setting of at least one item related to the job execution and receives a setting, in which when the function of the character recognition is set to be prohibited, the operation controller hides a function that requires the character recognition from the setting menu or indicates that the function is not to be set, and when the function that requires the character recognition has already been set, the operation controller enables the function to be replaced by another function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 11863724
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with a first communication apparatus; a second communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with each of one or more second wireless communication apparatuses; an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the first communication apparatus via the first communication unit an apparatus ID that is held by the first communication apparatus and that is used for identifying one of the one or more second wireless communication apparatuses to or from which the second communication unit transmits or receives data; and a control unit configured to control the second communication unit to transmit or receive the data to or from the one of the one or more second wireless communication apparatuses that is identified by the apparatus ID acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiko Tokumaru, Yasuo Komada, Keigo Ogura, Kouichi Unno
  • Patent number: 11853630
    Abstract: A printing system includes a digital front end (DFE) system connected to a plurality of printing devices. The DFE system manages printing operations to the plurality of printing devices. The DFE system also includes a printing device connectivity manager to manage connections with the printing devices. Printing connectivity modules are installed at the printing device connectivity manager using application programming interfaces (APIs) that are loaded at the creation of the printing connectivity modules. The APIs allow the printing connectivity modules to interact with the printing devices. The printing connectivity modules can communicate with application modules located at the printing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Neil-Paul Payoyo Bermundo, Edwin Philip Lockwood, Yoshihiro Osada
  • Patent number: 11856165
    Abstract: A control portion controls a reading portion and a discharge portion, and when a document is placed in a document placement portion, a transport path transports the document, and the reading portion reads an image of the document. When the discharge portion discharges the document for which reading is completed by the reading portion, a document receiving portion receives the document discharged by the discharge portion. The document receiving portion has a first region that overlaps the document placement portion when seen in a vertical direction, and a second region that does not overlap the document placement portion when seen in the vertical direction, and the discharge portion discharges the document so that at least part of the document is placed on the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakata
  • Patent number: 11853631
    Abstract: A communication apparatus that communicates with an information processing apparatus includes a first control unit configured to execute first control to acquire connection information for the communication apparatus to connect to an access point from the information processing apparatus via communication with the information processing apparatus using a first protocol, and a third control unit configured to execute third control to, in a case where the connection between the communication apparatus and the access point is not established using the connection information acquired by the first control unit, continue the second state where the communication apparatus can communicate with the information processing apparatus using the second protocol, without disabling the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wahei Sugawara
  • Patent number: 11847360
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a plurality of communication units capable of communicating with an image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus obtains information of an image processing apparatus connected via at least one communication unit of the plurality of communication units and is not connected to the Internet, and it determines whether it is necessary to connect the image processing apparatus to a predetermined network connected to the Internet based on the obtained information. In a case where it is determined that it is necessary to connect, the information processing apparatus causes the image processing apparatus to execute processing for connecting to the predetermined network via the at least one communication unit, and in a case that the processing for connecting completes, registers the image processing apparatus to a service intermediated by the predetermined network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11842091
    Abstract: A method of controlling an information processing apparatus configured to execute an extension application associated with printing data generation software operatable in the information processing apparatus to extend a function includes: adding information on an extended function to printing function information used in the printing data generation software; switching in accordance with a setting value stored in common information shared with the extension application whether to perform skip processing in which conversion processing of intermediate data performed by the printing data generation software is skipped; and editing the intermediate data in which the conversion processing is skipped in the printing data generation software in the switching and converting the edited intermediate data into printing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shiohara
  • Patent number: 11842235
    Abstract: A mask processor sets a mask area based on a shape of a print sheet read by an image sensor, masks an outer peripheral portion of a print image using the mask area, and causes a print engine to form a mask-processed print image. The mask processor (a) identifies a pixel in which the print sheet is detected in a line image obtained from an output of the image sensor, (b) detects a sub-scanning-direction reference position corresponding to an edge of the print sheet based on the number of pixels in which the print sheet is detected, and (c) sets a linear edge of the mask area at a line spaced apart by a specific number of offset lines from a line where the sub-scanning-direction reference position is detected toward a center of the print sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yokota, Seiki Satomi, Yuichiro Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 11842108
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and software are disclosed for a create-to-print document solution. A main processor generates individualized bespoke print material by receiving transmitted customizable third-party data and user input data, comprising, at least in part, project metadata. The third party data and user input data are integrated at the processor to create a plurality of customizable user templates and content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rensera LLC
    Inventors: Rochelle Rubin, Tim Eng
  • Patent number: 11842104
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a data reception unit configured to receive print data and authentication information from an information processing apparatus outside the printing apparatus, an input reception unit configured to receive input of the authentication information from a user, a printing unit configured to perform printing based on the print data; and a control unit configured to control a cut unit configured to cut a print medium. The printing unit performs predetermined printing based on the print data, based on received authentication information and the input authentication information. The control unit causes the cut unit to cut the print medium including a portion where the predetermined printing has been performed, based on received authentication information and the authentication information input after start of the predetermined printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Kurata
  • Patent number: 11843728
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a controller converts continuous-tone image data to raster image data using a dither matrix. The continuous-tone image data includes pixels each has a tone value. The raster image data is binary image data corresponding to exposure areas. The dither matrix includes threshold values. The dither matrix is configured so that as an exposure area percentage of the raster image data increases, growth of the exposure area progresses according to a growth process including: a stage at which an exposure area extends in a predetermined screen direction from an isolated exposure area to connect with another isolated exposure area; and a stage at which after the isolated exposure area connects with another isolated exposure area, the exposure area extends in a crossing direction crossing the predetermined screen direction. The controller controls the exposure device to expose the photosensitive drum based on the raster image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaya Takasu, Junichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11836405
    Abstract: A control method for an information processing apparatus that communicates with an image output apparatus includes receiving a certain user operation, and executing as processing based on the certain user operation, both of registering a first print queue to be used at the time of printing using a first wireless connection via an external access point between the information processing apparatus and the image output apparatus, and registering a second print queue to be used at the time of printing using a second wireless connection not via the external access point between the information processing apparatus and the image output apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoki Shinozuka
  • Patent number: 11838467
    Abstract: A document placement detecting device includes a document table, a plate, a plurality of invisible light sources, an imaging device, and circuitry. The document table transmits light. The plate is openable and closable relative to the document table, and covers the document table in a closed state of the plate. The plurality of invisible light sources irradiate a placement area with invisible light via the document table. The placement area is an area of the document table on which a document is placed. The imaging device receives reflected light from the document, and outputs read data. The circuitry detects the placement of the document with a change in a read value of the read data output from the imaging device based on the irradiation with the invisible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kohsuke Nambara, Hiroki Shirado