Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Nimura

Mitsuo Nimura 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: 7248377
    Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided, which are capable of conveying an insert sheet of a proper page in carrying out a recovery process and simplifying the recovery process, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. When a printing start instruction is input and an insert mode has been set, an insert sheet is fed. It is determined whether the insert sheet is for a top page of a copy (bundle) or not. When the insert sheet for the top page is detected, a proper printing operation in the insert mode is started. If the insert sheet is not determined to be for the top page, it is judged that the insert sheet has not been correctly set on the inserter tray, and then the insert sheet is discharged to a non-sort tray. Then, insert sheets are discharged to the non-sort tray until the insert sheet for the top page is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nimura, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Takayuki Fujii, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7113846
    Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus is provided, which is comprised of a plurality of inserter trays for stacking thereon insert sheets to be inserted between recording sheets having images formed thereon. Sheet feeding modes for feeding insert sheets include two kinds, i.e. S-stacking mode and F-stacking mode, that can be set by a mode key displayed on a sheet feeding mode setting screen view. In the S-stacking mode, only first-page insert sheets are stacked on a first inserter tray, and only second-page insert sheets and third-page insert sheets are stacked on second and third inserter trays, respectively. In the F-stacking mode, insert sheets are stacked in order of page on an inserter tray. Sheet feeding is suitably controlled by stacking insert sheets on inserter trays in manners corresponding to respective selected stacking modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Takayuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 6636720
    Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujii, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Publication number: 20030035669
    Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujii, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6505017
    Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujii, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6463512
    Abstract: The present invention aims at restoring backup data in a predetermined order and avoiding damage from being given to the system even when the backup data are destroyed. Flags Ferr and Feeprom and a variable i stored in a DRAM are initialized (S1 to S3). When the variable i is smaller than the number n of EEPROMs (hereinafter referred to as “PROM(s)”), the ID code of a PROM in question is read and loaded into the DRAM (S4 to S6). When the variable i equals the number n, the variable i is cleared (S7). Then, a variable j is initialized (S9), and it is determined whether or not each PROM ID stored in the DRAM matches with a mask ROM ID until the variable j becomes greater than the number n of PROMs (S11). If the answer is “No”, the variable j is incremented (S13), while if “Yes,” a number corresponding to the variable j then assumed is loaded into the DRAM as the flag Feeprom (S14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Isemura, Mitsuo Nimura, Noriaki Matsui, Ichiro Sasaki, Manabu Yamauchi, Naoto Watanabe, Tomoyasu Yoshikawa, Satoshi Okawa
  • Patent number: 6325585
    Abstract: A sheet perforation device for use in an image forming apparatus eliminates inconveniences such as imperfect punching due to too small a sheet size and completion of image formation without notifying the user that the punching could not be performed despite the user's instruction for punching. Punching setup is made and a starting instruction is given through an operating section. Based on the relationship between a selected sheet size and the spacing of holes to be formed by a punching unit, a determination is made as to whether the punching can be correctly performed, and, if it has been determined that the correct punching will fail, a warning message is displayed on the operating section. If the user gives a starting instruction again after recognizing the warning message, image forming operation is started while the punching setup is automatically canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Sasaki, Mitsuo Nimura
  • Publication number: 20010024578
    Abstract: It is intended to obtain outputs of insert sheets suitable for an inserter without delay. Thus, it is controlled to sort sheets on which pages of an image, being the print object in a mode to output the sheets to be set to an inserter provided in another apparatus having such the inserter, of first type in a series of images having plural pages were formed respectively, on the basis of information based on the inserter provided in the another apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujii, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Publication number: 20010023471
    Abstract: The present invention aims at restoring backup data in a predetermined order and avoiding damage from being given to the system even when the backup data are destroyed. Flags Ferr and Feeprom and a variable i stored in a DRAM are initialized (S1 to S3). When the variable i is smaller than the number n of EEPROMs (hereinafter referred to as “PROM(s)”), the ID code of a PROM in question is read and loaded into the DRAM (S4 to S6). When the variable i equals the number n, the variable i is cleared (S7). Then, a variable j is initialized (S9), and it is determined whether or not each PROM ID stored in the DRAM matches with a mask ROM ID until the variable j becomes greater than the number n of PROMs (S11). If the answer is “No”, the variable j is incremented (S13), while if “Yes,” a number corresponding to the variable j then assumed is loaded into the DRAM as the flag Feeprom (S14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Keizo Isemura, Mitsuo Nimura, Noriaki Matsui, Ichiro Sasaki, Manabu Yamauchi, Naoto Watanabe, Tomoyasu Yoshikawa, Satoshi Okawa
  • Publication number: 20010021036
    Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided, which are capable of conveying an insert sheet of a proper page in carrying out a recovery process and simplifying the recovery process, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. When a printing start instruction is input and an insert mode has been set, an insert sheet is fed. It is determined whether the insert sheet is for a top page of a copy (bundle) or not. When the insert sheet for the top page is detected, a proper printing operation in the insert mode is started. If the insert sheet is not determined to be for the top page, it is judged that the insert sheet has not been correctly set on the inserter tray, and then the insert sheet is discharged to a non-sort tray. Then, insert sheets are discharged to the non-sort tray until the insert sheet for the top page is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nimura, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Takayuki Fujii, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Publication number: 20010018626
    Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus is provided, which is comprised of a plurality of inserter trays for stacking thereon insert sheets to be inserted between recording sheets having images formed thereon. Sheet feeding modes for feeding insert sheets include two kinds, i.e. S-stacking mode and F-stacking mode, that can be set by a mode key displayed on a sheet feeding mode setting screen view. In the S-stacking mode, only first-page insert sheets are stacked on a first inserter tray, and only second-page insert sheets and third-page insert sheets are stacked on second and third inserter trays, respectively. In the F-stacking mode, insert sheets are stacked in order of page on an inserter tray. Sheet feeding is suitably controlled by stacking insert sheets on inserter trays in manners corresponding to respective selected stacking modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Takayuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 6263173
    Abstract: A CPU circuit unit of a copying machine judges based on image data read by a reading unit whether or not the image data represents a color image, and controls according to the judged result whether or not image forming of the image data is to be performed, whereby an operation to be performed by a user when plural originals mixedly including color originals and black/white originals are copied can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Naoyuki Ohki, Mitsuo Nimura, Norifumi Miyake, Kiyoshi Okamoto, Takayuki Fujii, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6166355
    Abstract: A power-saving controller for an image-forming apparatus activates a power-saving mode when the image-forming apparatus is operated with a power-saving key while standing by, and controls a fixer to have a target temperature selected by a user beforehand, which is lower than a target temperature of the fixer obtained when the image-forming apparatus stands by. After a predetermined period elapses, when the selected temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the power-saving controller controls the fixer to have the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Watanabe, Mitsuo Nimura
  • Patent number: 6081682
    Abstract: An original scanning device can set a brake operation starting timing in a scanner backward movement to a predetermined timing, even if a scanning distance of the device is determined at any distance. To do so, a copy machine starts braking the scanning device when a sensor detects that the scanning device backwardly moved to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Sasaki, Mitsuo Nimura
  • Patent number: 5960234
    Abstract: A time distance notifying system for an image forming apparatus sets an image forming mode composed of one or plural image forming parameters, generates attribute data to discriminate the set image forming mode, stores time data representing a time required for forming an image in the image forming mode represented by various attribute data, measures a time required for performing an operation of a predetermined unit during the set image forming mode, judges whether or not time corresponding to the generated attribute data has been stored in the memory, derives a time required for the image forming on the basis of a corresponding time data in a case where it is judged that a time data corresponding to the attribute data has been stored and for deriving a time required for the image forming on the basis of a time measured in a case where it is judged that a time data corresponding to the attribute data is not stored in a memory, and notifying a time derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Shibaki, Mitsuo Nimura
  • Patent number: 5940663
    Abstract: An error between a set value of magnification and an actual value of magnification is reduced by correcting the amounts of movement of a single-focus lens unit and a mirror in accordance with a production error in the focal length (in accordance with the lot number) of the single-focus lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Mizunuma, Mitsuo Nimura, Kazumi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5923919
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an automatic power-off function for automatically shutting off a power source of the image forming apparatus when it is not operated for a predetermined time. A time until the automatic power-off function operates is made different in an ordinary standby mode and an interruption mode. The interruption mode is caused by an abnormality such as no paper. The time period in the interruption mode is made longer than the time period in the standby mode. The time period in the interruption mode is also made variable depending on the type of detected abnormality. The power-off time periods may be extended when an instruction is inputted via an operator. In addition, in an image forming apparatus having an original feeding device, a image forming mode is stored in memory and all the originals which have not been imaged will be ejected before the power is shut off in the interrupt mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nimura, Kunio Tsuruno, Masatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 5726781
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus reads color images, identifies the colors of an read color image, converts the color image into a monochrome image, synthesizes color recognition information on the monochrome image, and prints the resulting synthesized image as a monochrome image. As a result, even if a low-priced printer is employed, it is possible to provide a monochrome image permitting recognition of the colors of the color original, or quick identification of differences among the colors thereof. Moreover, this allows a user to specify a desired graphic pattern to be associated with a given color, and to obtain collation tables independently of the monochrome image, or to print the specified graphic pattern with any variable magnification power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Isemura, Kunio Yoshihara, Hiroyuki Ichikawa, Masanori Sakai, Masatoshi Tanabe, Mitsuo Nimura, Yoshihiro Funamizu, Hirohiko Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 5557430
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus reads color images, identifies the colors of an read color image, converts the color image into a monochrome image, synthesizes color recognition information on the monochrome image, and prints the resulting synthesized image as a monochrome image. As a result, even if a low-priced printer is employed, it is possible to provide a monochrome image permitting recognition of the colors of the color original, or quick identification of differences among the colors thereof. Moreover, this allows a user to specify a desired graphic pattern to be associated with a given color, and to obtain collation tables independently of the monochrome image, or to print the specified graphic pattern with any variable magnification power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Isemura, Kunio Yoshihara, Hiroyuki Ichikawa, Masanori Sakai, Masatoshi Tanabe, Mitsuo Nimura, Yoshihiro Funamizu, Hirohiko Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 5552903
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image input unit for inputting monochromatic image information and a recognition unit for recognizing color assigning information for assigning a color and a region in the monochromatic image information. A synthesis unit is provided for synthesizing the color in the region in the monochromatic image information according to the color assigning information recognized by the recognition unit, and an output unit outputs an image having a plurality of colors synthesized by the synthesis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Sakai, Kunio Yoshihara, Mitsuo Nimura