Patents by Inventor Kengo Kinumura
Kengo Kinumura 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).
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Patent number: 7978384Abstract: A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kengo Kinumura, Tsutomu Takayama
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Patent number: 7724951Abstract: Upon processing a visible light image signal and infrared image signal respectively obtained by illuminating a transparent document with light beams coming from a visible light lamp for mainly emitting visible light and an infrared lamp for mainly emitting infrared light, and photoelectrically converting optical images of the transparent document, a histogram is generated on the basis of the infrared image signal, a threshold value is calculated based on the histogram, and infrared image signal components equal to or smaller than the threshold value are extracted by comparing the calculated threshold value and infrared image signal components. Visible light image signal components corresponding to the extracted infrared image signal components are interpolated using surrounding visible light image signal components.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Patent number: 7477431Abstract: It is made possible to effect the reading of image data of four channels (corresponding to four basic colors) without resulting in an increase in the construction of an A/D conversion circuit for three channels (corresponding to three basic colors). In an image reading apparatus provided with photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d capable of resolving an inputted optical signal into four basic colors and outputting them as analog electrical signals, and an A/D conversion circuit 407 capable of inputting three analog electrical signals at a time, three or less analog electrical signals are selected from the photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d at the image reading of one main scanning line and also, a different combination of analog electrical signals are selected at the image reading of two adjacent main scanning lines, and the selected analog electrical signals are outputted to the A/D conversion circuit 407.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Kinumura
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Patent number: 7391928Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20070189636Abstract: Upon processing a visible light image signal and infrared image signal respectively obtained by illuminating a transparent document with light beams coming from a visible light lamp for mainly emitting visible light and an infrared lamp for mainly emitting infrared light, and photoelectrically converting optical images of the transparent document, a histogram is generated on the basis of the infrared image signal, a threshold value is calculated based on the histogram, and infrared image signal components equal to or smaller than the threshold value are extracted by comparing the calculated threshold value and infrared image signal components. Visible light image signal components corresponding to the extracted infrared image signal components are interpolated using surrounding visible light image signal components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: TSUTOMU TAKAYAMA, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Patent number: 7245784Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20070127841Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Patent number: 7088477Abstract: This invention has an object of reading a high-quality image by detecting and correcting dust or scratches present on a transparent original in an image reading apparatus for reading, e.g., a transparent original. To achieve this object, an original illumination unit in the image reading apparatus for reading an original includes at least a first light source for emitting light in a visible region, a second light source for emitting light in a n invisible region, and a light guide plate which has these light sources arranged at end faces and has first and second light guide patterns for guiding light beams from the first and second light sources to the entire light-emitting surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masato Koshimizu, Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Kengo Kinumura
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Patent number: 7006705Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Patent number: 6999213Abstract: A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kengo Kinumura, Tsutomu Takayama
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Publication number: 20060023268Abstract: It is made possible to effect the reading of image data of four channels (corresponding to four basic colors) without resulting in an increase in the construction of an A/D conversion circuit for three channels (corresponding to three basic colors). In an image reading apparatus provided with photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d capable of resolving an inputted optical signal into four basic colors and outputting them as analog electrical signals, and an A/D conversion circuit 407 capable of inputting three analog electrical signals at a time, three or less analog electrical signals are selected from the photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d at the image reading of one main scanning line and also, a different combination of analog electrical signals are selected at the image reading of two adjacent main scanning lines, and the selected analog electrical signals are outputted to the A/D conversion circuit 407.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2005Publication date: February 2, 2006Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20050275909Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20050254077Abstract: A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kengo Kinumura, Tsutomu Takayama
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Publication number: 20020168116Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images Of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20020131094Abstract: This invention has an object of reading a high-quality image by detecting and correcting dust or scratches present on a transparent original in an image reading apparatus for reading, e.g., a transparent original. To achieve this object, an original illumination unit in the image reading apparatus for reading an original includes at least a first light source for emitting light in a visible region, a second light source for emitting light in a n invisible region, and a light guide plate which has these light sources arranged at end faces and has first and second light guide patterns for guiding light beams from the first and second light sources to the entire light-emitting surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Masato Koshimizu, Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20020048411Abstract: Upon processing a visible light image signal and infrared image signal respectively obtained by illuminating a transparent document with light beams coming from a visible light lamp for mainly emitting visible light and an infrared lamp for mainly emitting infrared light, and photoelectrically converting optical images of the transparent document, a histogram is generated on the basis of the infrared image signal, a threshold value is calculated based on the histogram, and infrared image signal components equal to or smaller than the threshold value are extracted by comparing the calculated threshold value and infrared image signal components. Visible light image signal components corresponding to the extracted infrared image signal components are interpolated using surrounding visible light image signal components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
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Publication number: 20020039110Abstract: A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Kengo Kinumura, Tsutomu Takayama