Patents by Inventor Miki Kouchi

Miki Kouchi 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: 8330985
    Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that is able to prevent halt of operations due to full memory occupation, and prevent the full occupation of the memory. The image forming device includes a reading unit; an image data storage unit; a vacancy waiting unit that, when allocating a storage area for storing image data in the image data storage unit, waits until the storage size of a vacancy in the image data storage unit becomes greater than a predetermined value when allocation of the storage area fails; a failure processing unit that, when allocating the storage area for storing the image data in the image data storage unit, performs failure processing when allocation of the storage area fails; and a control unit that controls one of the vacancy waiting unit and the failure processing unit according to image forming conditions in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kakoi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi, Daisuke Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8320009
    Abstract: A disclosed image formation apparatus includes: an operation unit allowing input of reading conditions of image data; an input unit reading the image data in accordance with the reading conditions input via the operation unit; a first storage unit storing the image data read by the input unit; a second storage unit storing correspondence relation between the reading conditions and predicted data amount of the image data to be stored in the first storage unit; a data amount prediction unit predicting data amount of the image data to be read based on the reading conditions and the correspondence relation stored in the second storage unit; and a judgment unit judging whether to perform reading of the image data based on the predicted data amount and an available capacity of the first storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi, Daisuke Noguchi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Akihiro Kakoi
  • Patent number: 8115953
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus comprises an input unit through which a condition for reading image data of a document is input, a reading unit to read the image data under the reading condition, a first storage unit to store the image data read by the reading unit, a second storage unit to store information indicative of a relationship between the reading condition and an estimated volume of the image data to be stored in the first storage unit, a data volume estimating unit that estimates a volume of the image data to be read based on the reading condition and the information stored in the second storage unit, and a determining unit to determine whether to read the image data based on the estimated data volume and a volume of the image data that have already been stored in the first storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Nakamura, Miki Kouchi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi, Daisuke Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8040549
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, includes an image reading part configured to read an image of a document; and an image storage part configured to store image data read by the image reading part; wherein the image reading part includes a part configured to read a range of a part of the image of the document; the image processing apparatus further includes: a first calculating part configured to calculate image data of a one surface of the document based on a size of the image data of the range read by the image reading part; and a second calculating part configured to calculate the number of pages of image data of the document which can be stored by the image storage part based on the result of calculation by the first calculating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Akihiro Kakoi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Patent number: 8035842
    Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes: an image data input unit inputting image data; an image data storage unit storing the image data; a storage method change unit changing a storage method of the image data; an image data output unit outputting the image data; an available capacity detection unit detecting available capacity of the image data storage unit; an available capacity judgment unit judging whether the available capacity is not more than a predetermined value; and a storage method selection unit prompting selection of a storage method performed by the image data storage unit. When the available capacity is judged to be not more than the predetermined value, the storage method selection unit prompts the selection of a storage method, the storage method change unit changes the storage method of the image data, and the image data output unit outputs image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Kouchi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Rie Nakamura, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Patent number: 7859704
    Abstract: In a disclosed image forming apparatus, an original is scanned and image data of the original are obtained. The data size of the image data corresponding to one page of the original is measured. The image data obtained are stored in or deleted from a memory. A storable number of pages of the original that can be stored in the memory is calculated based on the data size measured and available space in the memory. In response to the storable number of pages calculated being less than a total number of pages of the original, the image data of the original is successively stored in and deleted from the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Nakamura, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Patent number: 7444086
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print-request information inputting unit, an image reading unit, a plurality of image forming units, a plurality of sheet feeding units, a memory unit and a control unit wherein the control unit reading out, when print-request information is inputted, ID information and device information from a memory unit and selects, based on the plural ID information, the device information and the print-request information, an optimum image forming unit that satisfies the print-request information. The control unit further causes the selected image forming unit to execute print processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Noritada Ohi, Hidemasa Morimoto, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi, Masato Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080252930
    Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that is able to prevent halt of operations due to full memory occupation, and prevent the full occupation of the memory. The image forming device includes a reading unit; an image data storage unit; a vacancy waiting unit that, when allocating a storage area for storing image data in the image data storage unit, waits until the storage size of a vacancy in the image data storage unit becomes greater than a predetermined value when allocation of the storage area fails; a failure processing unit that, when allocating the storage area for storing the image data in the image data storage unit, performs failure processing when allocation of the storage area fails; and a control unit that controls one of the vacancy waiting unit and the failure processing unit according to image forming conditions in the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Akihiro KAKOI, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi, Daisuke Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7433609
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes two or more detachable components that are identical to each other and configured to perform at least part of a sequence of processes associated with forming of an image, a connection detection unit configured to detect attaching of the components, and a first control unit configured to control the sequence of processes, wherein a software-based controller for controlling one of the components is generated in response to detection by the connection detection unit of the attaching of the one of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Furuichi, Miki Kouchi, Noritada Ohi, Hidemasa Morimoto, Rie Nakamura, Akihiro Kakoi, Masato Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080049263
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus comprises an input unit through which a condition for reading image data of a document is input, a reading unit to read the image data under the reading condition, a first storage unit to store the image data read by the reading unit, a second storage unit to store information indicative of a relationship between the reading condition and an estimated volume of the image data to be stored in the first storage unit, a data volume estimating unit that estimates a volume of the image data to be read based on the reading condition and the information stored in the second storage unit, and a determining unit to determine whether to read the image data based on the estimated data volume and a volume of the image data that have already been stored in the first storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Rie NAKAMURA, Miki Kouchi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi, Daisuke Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20080050142
    Abstract: A disclosed image formation apparatus includes: an operation unit allowing input of reading conditions of image data; an input unit reading the image data in accordance with the reading conditions input via the operation unit; a first storage unit storing the image data read by the input unit; a second storage unit storing correspondence relation between the reading conditions and predicted data amount of the image data to be stored in the first storage unit; a data amount prediction unit predicting data amount of the image data to be read based on the reading conditions and the correspondence relation stored in the second storage unit; and a judgment unit judging whether to perform reading of the image data based on the predicted data amount and an available capacity of the first storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi, Daisuke Noguchi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Akihiro Kakoi
  • Publication number: 20080043292
    Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes: an image data input unit inputting image data; an image data storage unit storing the image data; a storage method change unit changing a storage method of the image data; an image data output unit outputting the image data; an available capacity detection unit detecting available capacity of the image data storage unit; an available capacity judgment unit judging whether the available capacity is not more than a predetermined value; and a storage method selection unit prompting selection of a storage method performed by the image data storage unit. When the available capacity is judged to be not more than the predetermined value, the storage method selection unit prompts the selection of a storage method, the storage method change unit changes the storage method of the image data, and the image data output unit outputs image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Miki KOUCHI, Tetsuo Asakawa, Rie Nakamura, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Publication number: 20080037042
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information acquiring unit, a memory-capacity management unit, a setting change unit, an image processing unit, and an image memory. When a volume of image data stored in the image memory exceeds a threshold, the memory-capacity management unit interrupts the information acquiring unit from acquiring information on an image. The setting change unit changes setting conditions for image output to reduce a storage capacity required by image data in the image memory, and changes a condition of a setting item required to be changed along with the primary change. The image processing unit converts the image data stored in the image memory according to the changed setting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshinori FURUICHI, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Akihiro Kakoi, Rie Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080008400
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, includes an image reading part configured to read an image of a document; and an image storage part configured to store image data read by the image reading part; wherein the image reading part includes a part configured to read a range of a part of the image of the document; the image processing apparatus further includes: a first calculating part configured to calculate image data of a one surface of the document based on a size of the image data of the range read by the image reading part; and a second calculating part configured to calculate the number of pages of image data of the document which can be stored by the image storage part based on the result of calculation by the first calculating part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Tetsuo ASAKAWA, Miki Kouchi, Akihiro Kakoi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Publication number: 20070188834
    Abstract: In a disclosed image forming apparatus, an original is scanned and image data of the original are obtained. The data size of the image data corresponding to one page of the original is measured. The image data obtained are stored in or deleted from a memory. A storable number of pages of the original that can be stored in the memory is calculated based on the data size measured and available space in the memory. In response to the storable number of pages calculated being less than a total number of pages of the original, the image data of the original is successively stored in and deleted from the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Rie Nakamura, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Publication number: 20070146786
    Abstract: An image communication apparatus is disclosed. The image communication apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming image information, an image communication unit for transmitting the image information, and a removable media access unit for accessing information stored in a removable medium as an external storage medium loaded therein. If the removable medium is loaded in the removable media access unit, the removable media access unit reads destination information stored in the removable medium, and the image communication unit transmits the image information according to the destination information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Rie Nakamura, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi, Tomoaki Yano
  • Publication number: 20070024884
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an interface with a removable medium is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes an image data input part configured to input image data, an image processing part configured to process the input image data, an image data storing part configured to store the processed image data in the removable medium, and an image data output part configured to output the stored image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yano, Miki Kouchi, Tetsuo Asakawa, Rie Nakamura, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Publication number: 20060282684
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes an authentication information storage unit configured to store first authentication information used for authenticating a storage medium, an authentication unit configured to perform an authentication process on the storage medium based on second authentication information stored in the storage medium and the first authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit, and an access unit that is configured to perform at least one of reading digital data from the storage medium and writing the digital data on the storage medium when the authentication unit authenticates the storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Akihiro Kakoi, Tomoaki Yano, Tetsuo Asakawa, Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Yoshinori Furuichi
  • Publication number: 20060159469
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes two or more detachable components that are identical to each other and configured to perform at least part of a sequence of processes associated with forming of an image, a connection detection unit configured to detect attaching of the components, and a first control unit configured to control the sequence of processes, wherein a software-based controller for controlling one of the components is generated in response to detection by the connection detection unit of the attaching of the one of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshinori Furuichi, Miki Kouchi, Noritada Ohi, Hidemasa Morimoto, Rie Nakamura, Akihiro Kakoi, Masato Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20060159468
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print-request information inputting unit, an image reading unit, a plurality of image forming units, a plurality of sheet feeding units, a memory unit and a control unit wherein the control unit reading out, when print-request information is inputted, ID information and device information from a memory unit and selects, based on the plural ID information, the device information and the print-request information, an optimum image forming unit that satisfies the print-request information. The control unit further causes the selected image forming unit to execute print processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Miki Kouchi, Rie Nakamura, Noritada Ohi, Hidemasa Morimoto, Akihiro Kakoi, Yoshinori Furuichi, Masato Takahashi