Patents by Inventor Kei Ouchi

Kei Ouchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11671544
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided with: a reading processing unit which moves a reading unit, causes a light emitting unit to emit a first amount of light, reads an electric charge generated by a photoelectric conversion unit, and reads an image of a document placed on a document placing surface on the basis of the read electric charge; and a detection processing unit which causes a light emitting unit to emit a second amount of light greater than the first amount of light, reads an electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, and detects the size of the document placed on the document placing surface on the basis of the read electric charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Kei Ouchi, Ryotaro Todokoro
  • Publication number: 20210234981
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided with: a reading processing unit which moves a reading unit, causes a light emitting unit to emit a first amount of light, reads an electric charge generated by a photoelectric conversion unit, and reads an image of a document placed on a document placing surface on the basis of the read electric charge; and a detection processing unit which causes a light emitting unit to emit a second amount of light greater than the first amount of light, reads an electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, and detects the size of the document placed on the document placing surface on the basis of the read electric charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Kei OUCHI, Ryotaro TODOKORO
  • Patent number: 10681240
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a reading module includes a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images, as image light, reflection light of light with which the light source has irradiated a document. The sensor converts the thus imaged image light into an electric signal. The optical system includes a mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are connected together, and a plurality of aperture stop portions. The reflection mirrors each reflect light at an angle that is different, as seen in a main scanning direction, from an angle at which an adjacent one of the reflection mirrors reflects light. The plurality of aperture stop portions are disposed on one side of the mirror array with respect to an orthogonal direction which is orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki Murase, Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 10666826
    Abstract: A reading module has a light source, an optical system having a mirror array and an aperture stop portion, a sensor in which a plurality of image regions where the image light is converted into an electrical signal are arranged; a housing; and a light-shielding wall shielding stray light striking the image regions. In the mirror array, a plurality of reflective mirrors whose reflection surfaces are aspherical concave surfaces are coupled together in an array in the main scanning direction. The optical system is fixed to on the case housing at one point in the main scanning direction, and the light shielding walls are arranged at a positions displaced deviated by a predetermined amount from boundaries between the image regions in the direction opposite to the fixed side of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Kei Ouchi, Takaaki Murase
  • Patent number: 10602013
    Abstract: A reading module of the present disclosure is provided with a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images, as reading light, reflected light of light radiated from the light source to an illumination object. The sensor converts the reading light imaged by the optical system into an electric signal. The optical system is provided with a mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are disposed in an array in a prescribed direction and a plurality of aperture stop portions that adjust an amount of the reading light. Each of the reflection mirrors is disposed at a prescribed distance from an adjacent one of the reflection mirrors in a prescribed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki Murase, Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 10469697
    Abstract: Provided is a reading module including a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images reflected light of light emitted from the light source to the document, as image light. The sensor converts the imaged image light into an electric signal. The optical system includes a mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are connected, and a plurality of aperture stops. Neighboring reflection mirrors reflect light at different angles viewed from the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki Murase, Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 10440212
    Abstract: A reading module has a light source, an optical system imaging, as image light, reflected light of light radiated from the light source to a document, a sensor where a plurality of imaging regions for converting the image light imaged by the optical system into an electrical signal are arranged next to each other in the main scanning direction, and a housing the light source, the optical system, and the sensor. The optical system has a mirror array where a plurality of reflection mirrors whose reflection surfaces are aspherical concave surfaces are coupled together in an array in the main scanning direction, and an aperture stop portion adjusting the amount of the image light reflected from the reflection mirror. The amount of the image light striking the reflection mirror is increasingly small from opposite end parts of the reflection mirror toward its central part in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki Murase, Kei Ouchi
  • Publication number: 20190230241
    Abstract: A reading module has a light source, an optical system having a mirror array and an aperture stop portion, a sensor in which a plurality of image regions where the image light is converted into an electrical signal are arranged; a housing; and a light-shielding wall shielding stray light striking the image regions. In the mirror array, a plurality of reflective mirrors whose reflection surfaces are aspherical concave surfaces are coupled together in an array in the main scanning direction. The optical system is fixed to on the case housing at one point in the main scanning direction, and the light shielding walls are arranged at a positions displaced deviated by a predetermined amount from boundaries between the image regions in the direction opposite to the fixed side of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kei OUCHI, Takaaki MURASE
  • Patent number: 10237438
    Abstract: A reading module has a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images, as image light, reflected light of light radiated from the light source to a document. In the sensor, the image light imaged by the optical system is converted into an electrical signal. The optical system has a mirror array and an aperture stop portion. In the mirror array, reflection mirrors are coupled together in an array in the main scanning direction. The aperture stop portion has a first aperture adjusting the amount of the image light reflected from a reflection mirror and a second aperture shielding stray light entering the first aperture from an adjacent reflection mirror. Between the first and second apertures, a reflection reduction mechanism is provided that reduces reflection, toward the first aperture, of light other than the image light traveling from the second to first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki Murase, Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 10228557
    Abstract: An image reading device has a reading module including a light source, an optical system having a mirror array where reflection mirrors are coupled together in the main scanning direction and an aperture stop portion, a sensor where imaging regions for converting the image light imaged by the optical system into an electrical signal are arranged, and a housing, and has a reference drawing pattern determining connection positions between the imaging regions. The reference drawing pattern is composed of a plurality of pixel cut lines arranged to correspond to boundary lines between the reflection mirrors. The optical system is fixed on the housing at one point in the main scanning direction, and the pixel cut lines are arranged such that their distances from the boundary lines in the main scanning direction increase the farther away from the fixed position of the optical system in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kei Ouchi, Takaaki Murase
  • Publication number: 20190045073
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a reading module includes a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images, as image light, reflection light of light with which the light source has irradiated a document. The sensor converts the thus imaged image light into an electric signal. The optical system includes a mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are connected together, and a plurality of aperture stop portions. The reflection mirrors each reflect light at an angle that is different, as seen in a main scanning direction, from an angle at which an adjacent one of the reflection mirrors reflects light. The plurality of aperture stop portions are disposed on one side of the mirror array with respect to an orthogonal direction which is orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki MURASE, Kei OUCHI
  • Publication number: 20190045075
    Abstract: Provided is a reading module including a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images reflected light of light emitted from the light source to the document, as image light. The sensor converts the imaged image light into an electric signal. The optical system includes a mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are connected, and a plurality of aperture stops. Neighboring reflection mirrors reflect light at different angles viewed from the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki MURASE, Kei OUCHI
  • Publication number: 20190045074
    Abstract: A reading module of the present disclosure is provided with a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images, as reading light, reflected light of light radiated from the light source to an illumination object. The sensor converts the reading light imaged by the optical system into an electric signal. The optical system is provided with a mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are disposed in an array in a prescribed direction and a plurality of aperture stop portions that adjust an amount of the reading light. Each of the reflection mirrors is disposed at a prescribed distance from an adjacent one of the reflection mirrors in a prescribed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki MURASE, Kei OUCHI
  • Patent number: 10063740
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light irradiator, an optical system and a photoelectric converter. The optical system includes a reflection mirror unit and an aperture unit. The reflection mirror unit includes first and second reflection areas successively provided in a main scanning direction. The aperture unit includes a light shielding portion and first and second light passing holes for allowing the passage of the light reflected by each of the first and second reflection areas. The photoelectric converter includes a light receiving surface having first and second light receiving areas configured to receive the light passed through each of the first and second light passing holes and successively arranged in the main scanning direction. A length of the light receiving surface along the main scanning direction is set to be equal to or longer than that of the image reading area along the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Kei Ouchi
  • Publication number: 20180152581
    Abstract: A reading module has a light source, an optical system, and a sensor. The optical system images, as image light, reflected light of light radiated from the light source to a document. In the sensor, the image light imaged by the optical system is converted into an electrical signal. The optical system has a mirror array and an aperture stop portion. In the mirror array, reflection mirrors are coupled together in an array in the main scanning direction. The aperture stop portion has a first aperture adjusting the amount of the image light reflected from a reflection mirror and a second aperture shielding stray light entering the first aperture from an adjacent reflection mirror. Between the first and second apertures, a reflection reduction mechanism is provided that reduces reflection, toward the first aperture, of light other than the image light traveling from the second to first aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki MURASE, Kei OUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180152582
    Abstract: A reading module has a light source, an optical system imaging, as image light, reflected light of light radiated from the light source to a document, a sensor where a plurality of imaging regions for converting the image light imaged by the optical system into an electrical signal are arranged next to each other in the main scanning direction, and a housing the light source, the optical system, and the sensor. The optical system has a mirror array where a plurality of reflection mirrors whose reflection surfaces are aspherical concave surfaces are coupled together in an array in the main scanning direction, and an aperture stop portion adjusting the amount of the image light reflected from the reflection mirror. The amount of the image light striking the reflection mirror is increasingly small from opposite end parts of the reflection mirror toward its central part in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takaaki MURASE, Kei OUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180149861
    Abstract: An image reading device has a reading module including a light source, an optical system having a mirror array where reflection mirrors are coupled together in the main scanning direction and an aperture stop portion, a sensor where imaging regions for converting the image light imaged by the optical system into an electrical signal are arranged, and a housing, and has a reference drawing pattern determining connection positions between the imaging regions. The reference drawing pattern is composed of a plurality of pixel cut lines arranged to correspond to boundary lines between the reflection mirrors. The optical system is fixed on the housing at one point in the main scanning direction, and the pixel cut lines are arranged such that their distances from the boundary lines in the main scanning direction increase the farther away from the fixed position of the optical system in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kei OUCHI, Takaaki MURASE
  • Publication number: 20170346987
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light irradiator, an optical system and a photoelectric converter. The optical system includes a reflection mirror unit and an aperture unit. The reflection mirror unit includes first and second reflection areas successively provided in a main scanning direction. The aperture unit includes a light shielding portion and first and second light passing holes for allowing the passage of the light reflected by each of the first and second reflection areas. The photoelectric converter includes a light receiving surface having first and second light receiving areas configured to receive the light passed through each of the first and second light passing holes and successively arranged in the main scanning direction. A length of the light receiving surface along the main scanning direction is set to be equal to or longer than that of the image reading area along the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 9709728
    Abstract: A light guide includes an incident surface, an exit surface and a reflective surface. The reflective surface is located opposite to the exit surface to extend in the main scanning direction and includes a plurality of light reflecting patterns formed to reflect the incident light toward the exit surface. The light reflecting patterns have an oval hemispherical shape rising toward the exit surface and a first diameter of the oval hemispherical shape along a sub-scanning direction is equal to or longer than a second diameter thereof along the main scanning direction. The light reflecting patterns are formed to vary the ratio of the first diameter to the height of the oval hemispherical shape depending upon the location on the reflective surface in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 9584690
    Abstract: A light guide includes an incident surface provided at least at an end portion of the light guide in a longitudinal direction, and receiving light from a light source, an output surface constituting a part of an outer peripheral surface, and outputting the light introduced through the incident surface, a reflecting surface extending along the optical axis so as to oppose the output surface, and including a plurality of reflection patterns that reflect the introduced light toward the output surface, and a reflecting plate opposed to a region in the outer peripheral surface other than the incident surface, the output surface, and the reflecting surface, and reflecting the light from the light source. The outer peripheral surface includes a sloped portion formed so as to come closer to the reflecting plate in a direction away from the incident surface in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Ouchi