Recording Apparatus Patents (Class 358/296)
  • Patent number: 9049404
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that can decompress image data in appropriate manners suitable for a plurality of processes, and simplify and speed up the processes. Blocks of image data are compressed, and information indicative of procedures of the processes to be performed on the blocks of image data by a plurality of image processing units is added to the compressed blocks of image data. Decompression methods for the compressed blocks of image data are determined according to the procedures in the information added to the compressed blocks of image data. The compressed blocks of image data are decompressed using the determined decompression methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoto Yamada
  • Patent number: 9049327
    Abstract: The instant application discloses an apparatus including an image forming unit and an image reading apparatus. The image forming unit may be disposed adjacent to the base wall of the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus may include a base member including the base wall and a peripheral wall protruding orthogonally from the base wall to define an accommodation region; a movable member configured to reciprocate between one end portion of the accommodation region and another end portion of the accommodation region; a reading unit supported by the movable member; a cable having a first extending portion, a curve portion, and a second extending portion; and a contact reduction portion configured to reduce contact of the second extending portion of the cable with a side wall of the peripheral wall. Various embodiments of the contact reduction portion are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Huiging Xu, Daisuke Kozaki, Takashi Ohama
  • Patent number: 9047233
    Abstract: Various systems, processes, and products may be used to source clean cascaded volumes. In particular implementations, a system, process, and product for source cleaning cascaded volumes may include the ability to store a primary volume and a plurality of cascaded backup volumes. The system, process, and product may also include the ability to determine whether a write to one of the backup volumes is due to a background copy being made of another volume in the cascade and adjust a background copy indicator in a volume map for the backup volume if the write is due to a background copy and to determine whether a write to one of the backup volumes is due to a write to another volume in the cascade and adjust a write copy indicator in a volume map for the backup volume if the write is due to a write to another cascaded volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John P. Agombar, Christopher B. Beeken, Carlos F. Fuente
  • Patent number: 9041987
    Abstract: An image evaluation apparatus includes a reading unit that includes a monochrome detection unit reading, in a focused state, an image formed on a recording material by an image forming apparatus that represents grayscale of the image by forming dots on the recording material, and a color detection unit reading the image in a defocused state; an image information obtaining unit that obtains image information for the image forming apparatus to form the image; a computing unit that computes a luminance and a chroma of an image supposed to be formed on the recording material by the image forming apparatus from the obtained image information; a comparing unit that compares a derived luminance with the computed luminance, and compares a derived chroma with the computed chroma; and an image evaluation unit that evaluates the image formed by the image forming apparatus, on the basis of results of comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Aikawa, Michio Kikuchi, Takashi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 9036162
    Abstract: An image sensing and printing digital camera device includes a housing defining a slot for receiving a printed instruction card having printed thereon an array of dots representing a programming script, the housing further storing therein a roll of print media; an area image sensor for sensing an image and generating pixel data representing the image; a linear image sensor for scanning the array of dots on the card and converting the array of dots into a data signal; a microcontroller provided in the housing, the microcontroller for decoding the data signal into the programming script and applying the programming script on the pixel data; and a printing mechanism for printing the pixel data, having applied thereto the programming script, on the roll of print media. The microcontroller integrates on a single chip a VLIW processor, a printhead interface, and an output buffer effecting communication between the VLIW processor and the printhead interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9025215
    Abstract: A cable wiring structure includes: a base member; a movable member configured to reciprocate in a first direction and in a second direction relative to the base member; a cable; a tension applying member, which is attached to the movable member and is movable in the first direction and in the second direction relative to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves in the second direction, the tension applying member is coming in contact with an inner circumference of the curved portion to apply tension to the cable in response to movement of the movable member; and a load adjustment portion, which is configured to increase a load that is applied between the tension applying member and the movable member in a case where the movable member moves in the second direction as compared with a case where the movable member moves in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kozaki, Yasuhiro Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 9013717
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a multi-core processor for processing the sensed image; and a program memory provided external to the multi-core processor, and communicating therewith via a communication bus. The multi-core processor includes a bus interface for interfacing with the communication bus, and further includes an image sensor interface for interfacing with the image sensor separately from the communication bus and the bus interface. The multi-core processor includes a plurality of parallel processing units connected by a crossbar switch to form the multi-core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8995036
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing unit located inside a housing, a scanner unit including a cover located on top of the printing unit, and an operation unit configured to be opened and closed with respect to the housing. When the operation unit is opened, the operation unit moves to a position where the operation unit hinders the opening and closing of the cover, and a part of the printing unit is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Ishida
  • Patent number: 8994980
    Abstract: A management apparatus receives an allocation request from a printer in accordance with a designation of a user, and reads a page count upper limit and an already-allocated page count for the user. The management apparatus calculates an allocable page count by subtracting an already-allocated page count from the page count upper limit, and if the allocable page count is greater than 0, calculates a page count allocation that is based on the printing speed of the printer and is lower the lower the allocable page count is. The printing management apparatus prints the obtained allocable page count to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 8995863
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohhei Moroi
  • Patent number: 8982406
    Abstract: In a file-generating device, the image acquiring unit is configured to acquire image data indicating an original image. The generating unit is configured to generate a document file having no data to specify a page, by using the image data. The printer data acquiring unit is configured to acquire a prescribed size of a sheet that is used by a target printer and a first margin corresponding to the prescribed size of the sheet. The target printer is to print the original image on a recording sheet based on the document file. The printable region determining unit is configured to determine a printable region within which the target printer is configured to print an image on the sheet, based on the prescribed size of the sheet and the first margin. The generating unit generates the document file such that the original image is positioned within the printable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8970924
    Abstract: Provided is an image reading device including: a light source member including light source portions emitting light; a light guide member including: an input section to which the light emitted from the light source portions is input; and an output section from which the input light is output; a support member supporting the light source member and the light guide member and having higher rigidity than the light source member and the light guide member; a retaining member configured to press the light guide member toward the support member and configured to retain the light guide member in a supported state by the support member; and a protrusion-shaped contact section provided on the light guide member and contacting the retaining member, the contact section protruding in a direction perpendicular from the predetermined main scanning direction from the light guide member toward the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Nakaie
  • Patent number: 8953227
    Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a printing apparatus including: a printing device for printing on recording medium; a media advance system for moving the recording medium into position to be printed on by the printing device; and a scanning apparatus including: a platen including: a transparent portion; a first surface for supporting items to be scanned; a second surface opposite the first surface; a scan bar assembly disposed proximate the second surface of the platen; a frame including an uppermost surface that is disposed proximate to the second surface of the platen; and a lid disposed proximate the first surface of the platen, wherein a distance between the lid and the first surface of the platen is less than a distance between the lid and the frame when the lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Murray
  • Patent number: 8953178
    Abstract: A handheld digital camera device including: a digital camera unit having a first image sensor for capturing images and a color display for displaying captured images to a user; an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the first image sensor and color display; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate, the printed coding pattern employing Reed-Solomon encoding; and performing an action in the handheld digital camera device based on the decoded coding pattern. The decoding includes the steps of: detecting target structures defining an extent of a data area; determining the data area using the detected target structures; and Reed-Solomon decoding the coding pattern contained in the determined data area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8947679
    Abstract: A portable handheld device including a CPU for processing a script; a multi-core processor for processing an image; an input buffer for receiving data for processing by the multi-core processor, the input buffer being provided under the control of the multi-core processor to send data thereto; and an output buffer for receiving data processed by the multi-core processor, the output buffer being provided under the control of the multi-core processor to receive data therefrom. The multi-core processor comprises a plurality of micro-coded processing units. The CPU is configured with authority to clear and query the input and output buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8937727
    Abstract: A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an orientation sensor for determining a rotation of the image sensor; and a system-on-chip processor having integrated on a common wafer a CPU for processing a script language, a multi-core processor for processing an image captured by the image sensor, and a common synchronization register. The multi-core processor includes multiple processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch. Each processing unit stores one or more synchronization bits for identifying which of the other processing units are functioning as a single process therewith. The common synchronization register contains therein synchronization bits from each of the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8938122
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a small area divider that divides, on the basis of edge information of an image, the image into multiple small areas each including multiple pixels; an attribute probability estimator that estimates attribute probability for each of the small areas, which is probability that the small area is attributed to a specific area to be detected; an adjacent-small-area connection strength calculator that calculates connection strength that quantitatively indicates a degree to which small areas adjacent to each other among the multiple small areas are attributed to the same area that is the specific area or a non-specific area; and a specific area detector that detects the specific area on the basis of the attribute probability and the connection strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yamato Kanda, Makoto Kitamura, Masashi Hirota, Takashi Kono, Takehiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8928897
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a portable handheld device includes a CPU for processing a script; a multi-core processor for processing an image, and a DRAM for storing image data. The CPU and the multi-core processor are integrated on one chip and share a data cache provided on the same chip. The DRAM is provided external to the chip. The portable handheld device further comprises a DRAM interface for receiving and sending data to the DRAM, the DRAM interface being provided on the same chip and sharing the data cache with the CPU and the multi-core processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8922791
    Abstract: A camera system including: a substrate having a coding pattern printed thereon and a handheld digital camera device. The camera device includes: a digital camera unit having a first image sensor for capturing images and a color display for displaying captured images to a user; an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the first image sensor and color display; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate, the printed coding pattern employing Reed-Solomon encoding; and performing an action in the handheld digital camera device based on the decoded coding pattern. The decoding includes the steps of: detecting target structures defining the extent of the data area; determining the data area using the detected target structures; and Reed-Solomon decoding the coding pattern contained in the determined data area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8922840
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, comprising a main body and a movable unit configured to be swingable about a first axis located on a rear side and to move between a first placement position and a first separated position, wherein the main body comprises: side frames; an image processing unit; and a body cover comprising side covers and an upper opening, and wherein: each of the side frames has a flat surface part having a height in a first state on a front side; and each of the side covers has a first part having a height in the first state on the front side, a second part in a second state higher than the first state on a rear side near the first axis, and a third part formed to connect the first part with the second part while changing the height thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sakae Ito
  • Patent number: 8908233
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a cover configured to be movable between a first position, in which the top of the main body is covered, and a second position, in which the top of the main body is exposed; a supporting member configured to vertically move with respect to the main body so that the rotation center of the cover is moved between an ascent position and a descent position; a cam configured to rotate together with the cover such that a cam surface abuts on the main body, thereby vertically moving the supporting member, wherein the cam has a shape to displace the rotation center to the descent position when then the cover rotates to the first position and to displace the rotation center to the ascent position when the cover rotates to the second position so that interference of the cover is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ohama, Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8902473
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a medium, a discharge unit that discharges the medium that has undergone the recording operation by the recording unit, a medium receiving tray that receives the medium discharged from the discharge unit, the medium receiving tray being shiftable between a first state in which the medium receiving tray is drawn out in a medium discharge direction and a second state in which the medium receiving tray is retracted in a direction opposite to the medium discharge direction, and a blocking mechanism configured to be engaged with the trailing edge of the medium while the medium receiving tray is shifted from the first state to the second state, and to restrict the medium from being drawn inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Nakano, Atsuhiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8896881
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus, the first image forming apparatus including: a first image forming section which performs image formation on a sheet; a first fixing section which performs image fixation on the sheet on which the first image forming section performs the image formation; and a first control section which makes, when the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus perform the image formation and the image fixation on different sides of a sheet to perform double-sided printing, thereby performing tandem outputting, a tandem-outputting target fixing temperature of the first fixing section lower than a first fiducial temperature which is a non-tandem-outputting target fixing temperature of the first fixing section for when the first image forming performs the image formation and the image fixation alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Hitaka
  • Patent number: 8891100
    Abstract: A clearing section includes a counter for measuring a period up to the reset of contents set by means of an operation panel to initial values. If a position discriminating section discriminates that the operation panel is at a first position, the clearing section starts measuring the period by means of the counter from the first entry made to the operation panel. When a count value reaches a predetermined value, the clearing section executes an automatic clear processing to reset the contents set by means of the operation panel to the initial values. On the other hand, the clearing section cancels the execution of the automatic clear processing if the position discriminating section discriminates that the operation panel is at a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Maeda
  • Patent number: 8885179
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a portable handheld device includes a CPU for processing a script; a multi-core processor for processing an image, and a DRAM for storing image data. The CPU and the multi-core processor are integrated on one chip and share a data cache provided on the same chip. The DRAM is provided external to the chip. The portable handheld device further comprises a DRAM interface for receiving and sending data to the DRAM, the DRAM interface being provided on the same chip and sharing the data cache with the CPU and the multi-core processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8885180
    Abstract: A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an orientation sensor for determining a rotation of the image sensor; and a system-on-chip processor having integrated on a common wafer a CPU for processing a script language, a multi-core processor for processing an image captured by the image sensor, and a common synchronization register. The multi-core processor includes multiple processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch. Each processing unit stores one or more synchronization bits for identifying which of the other processing units are functioning as a single process therewith. The common synchronization register contains therein synchronization bits from each of the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20140320929
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit having a reading surface and being rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a facing member that comes into contact with the reading unit and faces the reading surface when the reading unit is at a reading position. The reading unit is capable of reading a portion of an object that faces the reading surface when the reading unit is at the reading position. When the reading unit is at a position other than the reading position, the reading surface is positioned nearer to the axis of rotation than when the reading unit is at the reading position and the reading unit is spaced apart from the facing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Hiroki Kato, Kazushi Ino, Daisuke Kaneko, Ichiro Yasumaru, Atsushi Ogata
  • Patent number: 8873091
    Abstract: In a printing system configured such that a computer and an image forming apparatus can be connected via a network, the computer sets a stamp image and transmits the set stamp image to the image forming apparatus via the network. The image forming apparatus includes a reading device that reads an original image, an image combining unit that reads out at least one stamp image from a storage unit, combines the stamp image with the original image read by the reading device, and forms a composite image, and a printing unit that prints the composite image on recording paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuma Ogawa, Kenji Onogi, Masakazu Ohira
  • Patent number: 8867089
    Abstract: A recording material transporting device includes a transport path along which a recording material is transported, a first transporting unit that includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member being arranged apart from each other in a direction crossing the transport path, the first transporting unit correcting skew of the recording material by rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in a different speed, and a second transporting unit that includes a third rotating member and a fourth rotating member being arranged apart from each other in the crossing direction, the second transporting unit correcting skew of the recording material by rotating the third rotating member and the fourth rotating member in a different speed, wherein the third rotating member and the fourth rotating member are arranged between the first rotating member and the second rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makio Uehara, Michio Tada, Takashi Abe, Yoshiyuki Takaishi, Yousuke Hasegawa, Yoichi Yamakawa, Hisakazu Onoe, Yasunobu Gotoh
  • Patent number: 8830489
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser plotter and a method for engraving, marking or inscribing a workpiece. Two lasers are installed in a housing of the laser plotter and may alternatively operate on the workpiece. The workpiece is positioned on a processing platform and a laser beam is sent to at least one focusing unit configured for both lasers, from which the laser beam is deflected in the direction of the workpiece. Control of the workpiece is obtained by software running in a control unit. Graphic and/or text data are prepared on an external computer or other control device, and transferred to the control unit of the laser plotter. The lasers are allocated to the transferred data based on color code, whereby a height correction value to compensate for the various focal lengths of the lasers is preloaded in the data bank for the different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Trotec Produktions U. Vertriebs GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Fazeny
  • Patent number: 8817343
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of reading documents includes a reading unit including a light emitting element, a mechanism configured to move the reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the mechanism both to carry out reading by turning on the light emitting element and moving the reading unit and to temporarily stop moving the reading unit upon occurrence of a predetermined factor. The control unit sets a first current value which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when reading is carried out and sets a second current value which is less than the first current value and which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when the reading unit is temporarily stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Kubozono, Yasuyuki Shinada
  • Patent number: 8797610
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a photosensor, a processing unit and a control unit. The control unit detects a light receiving signal output from the photosensor during a first light emission period and obtains a first detection result, and makes first determination based on the first detection result by determining whether the processing unit can execute a function. The control unit detects the light receiving signal after a waiting period and obtains a second detection result. The control unit makes second determination based on the second detection result by determining whether the processing unit can execute the function. The control unit makes the second determination in a second mode that requires small consumption power, and according to determination in the second determination in the second mode that the processing unit can execute the function, the control unit keeps the second mode and makes the first determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Hirata, Toru Tsuzuki, Shingo Itoh
  • Patent number: 8755094
    Abstract: A pupil splitting lens that splits a pupil of a light beam from a deflector into a plurality of light beams in a main scanning direction of the deflector and a pupil splitting lens that splits the light beam into a plurality of light beams in a sub-scanning direction are disposed relative to a light detection element. The light detection element detects image forming positions of the four light beams formed as a result of the splitting by the plurality of pupil splitting lenses. A CPU determines the amount of focus shift and the amount of image forming position shift from these four image forming positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuaki Otoguro
  • Patent number: 8737862
    Abstract: A method for operating a selectively interconnected modular printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a selectively interconnected modular printing system that is responsive to an operational preference setting and associated configuration information for each module; communicating the associated configuration information for the selectively interconnected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine operational parameters based on the associated configuration information. The method further includes determining a set of operational preferences from the operational parameters; selecting at least one operational preference setting; using the system controller to determine specific operational parameters based on the selected operational preference setting; and storing the specific operational parameters so that the modular printing system is effective for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Manico, Kevin Michael Gobeyn, Christopher M. Muir
  • Patent number: 8730007
    Abstract: A method for controlling an image processing apparatus configured to output image data includes accepting, from a user, selection about whether to permit inputting biometric information, and performing control such that outputting the image data is permitted in a case where the selection for permitting inputting the biometric information is made, and the outputting the image data is prohibited in a case where the selection for permitting inputting the biometric information is not made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ritsuko Otake
  • Patent number: 8724191
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a lower unit with a controller and an upper unit rotatably attached to the lower unit to rotate about a rear end of the upper unit is provided. The upper unit includes a sheet conveyer, an upper image reader connected with the controller via a flat cable, and an external covering. A rearward-extending section of the flat cable extends rearward from the upper image reader and is drawn in an area below a part of a frame of the sheet conveyer and to a rear section of the upper unit to reach an inner surface of the external covering at the rear end of the upper unit. A widthwise-extending section of the flat cable extends from the rear end of the upper unit along the inner surface of the external covering in a direction orthogonal to reach an outlet of the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Takeuchi, Katsuro Miura, Takayuki Akimatsu, Takashi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8717592
    Abstract: A method for processing print jobs by an image-processing apparatus includes an output module for receiving output of the print jobs and a control unit configured to maintain a queue of print jobs to be processed. The method includes, for each print job, the steps of printing the print job by the image-processing apparatus, and stacking output of the print job in the output module. The control unit is configured to maintain an output check list and the method further includes the step of, when a recoverable error occurs during processing of the print job, that does not lead to an automatic stop of the processing but is likely to cause faulted pages in the printed output, automatically creating an entry in the output check list, so as to advise an operator to check the possibly faulted pages in the output stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Taco M. De Boer, Nanne Krikke
  • Patent number: 8717640
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source for projecting a light beam, a deflector for deflecting the light beam, a reflective member for reflecting the light beam toward a target, a contact member, and a pressing member. The reflective member includes a reflective plane and a rear plane opposite the reflective plane. The contact member contacts one of the rear plane of the reflective member and a first lateral plane perpendicular to the reflective plane to position the reflective member in place. The pressing member presses the reflective member against the contact member and includes a first pressing portion to press the reflective plane of the reflective member and a second pressing portion to press a ridge of the reflective member at which the reflective plane and a second lateral plane opposite the first lateral plane and perpendicular to the reflective plane of the reflective member meet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Mikajiri
  • Patent number: 8711406
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main chassis, an image reader unit, a cover unit, a first movable assembly, which rotatably supports the cover unit to be rotatable with respect to the image reader unit, and a second movable assembly, which rotatably supports the image reader unit to be rotatable with respect to the main chassis. The first movable assembly includes a support member, which supports the cover unit to be vertically movable with respect to the image reader unit, and a frame, which is arranged on the image reader unit and accommodates the support member. The first movable assembly is arranged to have a lower end thereof to be in a lower position with respect to a lower end of the image reader unit. The second movable assembly is arranged in a lower position with respect to the first movable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sakae Ito
  • Patent number: 8705120
    Abstract: Engine response curves (RCs) can be used for streak compensation for printed documents. A feedback control paradigm can be included to effect RC compensation. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) can be used to represent each RC in the collection of spatial RC data as a linear combination of basis vectors. RCs are approximated by selecting the first few basis vectors, the approximation aiding in noise rejection and reducing computation in the controller by reducing dimensionality of the RC data from gray levels to the number of SVD bases selected. An optimal subset of RCs is selectable from the set of approximated RCs by clustering the SVD weights, the clustered SVD weights producing TRCs that span all engine response RCs generated by a printer. Compensation RCs are constructible using reduced number of bases and clustered SVD weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yequing (Juliet) Zhang, Daniel E. Viassolo, Susan J. Zoltner, Howard A. Mizes, Robert P. Loce
  • Patent number: 8699085
    Abstract: There is a need to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a transfer portion from distorting a toner image on a sheet. Line sensors 7A through 7D are provided at least one of between secondary transfer portion 1F and a pair of registration rollers 5 and between a secondary transfer portion 1F and a fixing device 6. The line sensors 7A through 7D continuously detect one end position of a sheet and skew of the sheet with reference to a sheet conveying direction when the sheet passes through the secondary transfer portion 1F. The image forming apparatus computes a distortion amount for a toner image transferred by the secondary transfer portion 1F to a sheet based on detection information from the line sensors 7A through 7D and corrects the toner image formed on an intermediate transfer belt 106 based on a computed distortion amount for the toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jiro Shirakata
  • Patent number: 8681360
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores therein print data and first converted data obtained by reflecting a first print condition in the print data and converting the print data into a printable form; an input receiving unit that receives an input of a reprint instruction to reprint the first converted data; an acquiring unit that acquires a second print condition for reprinting the first converted data; a determining unit that determines whether the first converted data is printable in the second print condition by comparing the acquired second print condition against the first print condition; a converting unit that converts, when it is determined that the first converted data is unprintable in the second print condition, the print data into second converted data by reflecting the second print condition in the print data; a print control unit prints out the second converted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuka Saito, Daisuke Okada, Nobuhiro Shindo, Hideaki Matsui, Naohiko Kubo, Nobuyuki Iwata, Masahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8675263
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus to read an image formed on a document sheet is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a sheet conveyer and an image reader, which is controlled by a controller and reads the image formed on the document sheet. The sheet conveyer includes movable parts, which are movably supported by a first supporting member. The image reader is supported by a second supporting member, which is detachably attached to the first supporting member. A cable with a connector connects the controller and the image reader with each other via the connector. The second supporting member is tied to the first supporting member by the cable when the cable connects the controller and the image reader via the connector. The second supporting member is releasable from the first supporting member when the connector is decoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Takeuchi, Takayuki Akimatsu
  • Publication number: 20140071498
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing unit located inside a housing, a scanner unit including a cover located on top of the printing unit, and an operation unit configured to be opened and closed with respect to the housing. When the operation unit is opened, the operation unit moves to a position where the operation unit hinders the opening and closing of the cover, and a part of the printing unit is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasushi Ishida
  • Patent number: 8670862
    Abstract: A document discarding apparatus includes: a metal detector that detects presence or absence of a metal embedded in a document; a code reader that reads a code; an instruction accept portion that accepts an instruction to discard the document; a document discarding portion that discards the document; a first determining unit that, according to the presence or absence of the metal, determines whether the document may be discarded in the document discarding portion; a second determining unit that, according to the code, determines whether the document may be discarded in the document discarding portion; and a document discarding control unit that, when the instruction accept portion accepts an instruction to discard the document, on condition that the first determining unit and the second determining unit both determine that the document can be discarded in the document discarding portion, controls the document discarding portion to discard the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Uejo
  • Patent number: 8659801
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image interpolation unit to compute a correct pixel value of a target pixel subject to interpolation of a halftone image. The image interpolation unit includes a base pattern setting unit to set a base pattern including the target pixel, a reference pattern setting unit to set reference pattern in a region peripheral to the target pixel, an analogous pattern acquisition unit to acquire at least one analogous pattern analogous to the base pattern from the reference pattern, a high-resolution pattern creating unit to create a high-resolution pattern having a predetermined resolution or higher by synthesizing the acquired analogous pattern, a pixel value estimating unit to compute an estimated pixel value of the target pixel based on the created high-resolution pattern, and a pixel value determination unit to determine the correct pixel value of the target pixel based on the computed estimated pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8653362
    Abstract: A cover opening/closing mechanism, including a housing having an opening; a flexible cover movable between a closed position and an opened position; a first locking mechanism; and a second locking mechanism, wherein a first distance by which a pair of members of the first locking mechanism slide and move with respect to each other in order to bring the first locking mechanism to a locked state is longer than a second distance by which a pair of members of the second locking mechanism slide with respect to each other in order to bring the second locking mechanism to a locked state. An external force for causing the pair of the members of the first locking mechanism to slide and move with respect to each other is weaker than an external force for causing the pair of members of the second locking mechanism to slide with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoji Tsujishita
  • Patent number: 8654407
    Abstract: A scanner is mounted on a printer. A printer lid is pivotally mounted to the printer, and is moveable to open and close. A scanner lid is pivotally mounted to the scanner, and is moveable to open and close. A printer locking member and a scanner locking member are pivotally mounted to the scanner. Opening the scanner lid causes the printer locking member to pivot to lock the scanner to the printer. Opening the printer lid causes the scanner locking member to pivot to lock the scanner lid to the scanner. A scanner having a lid is pivotally mounted on a printer. When the lid is pivoted to open, a stopper may pivot together with the lid and abut the scanner, thereby stopping the lid. The stopper may pivot together with the lid and the scanner and abuts the printer, stopping the lid and the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Yamazaki, Hidenori Ueda
  • Patent number: 8654406
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads an image on a target includes a first housing, a transparent member which is provided on the first housing and has a placement face on which the target is placed, a positioning member on which the transparent member is placed, a second housing which is assembled on the first housing and biases the positioning member, and an engagement member which is provided on the second housing and engages with the positioning member. In the image reading apparatus, when the second housing is assembled on the first housing, the engagement member biases the positioning member so as to fix the transparent member to an attachment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hara, Tetsuya Miyagawa, Naomi Kimura
  • Patent number: RE44938
    Abstract: A recording apparatus for forming images using a recording head includes a feeding roller, a conveying roller, a conveyance control unit, and a recording control unit. The conveyance control unit performs a conveying operation a number of times after the trailing end of a sheet reaches a predetermined position defined between the feeding roller and the conveying roller such that the trailing end of the sheet is disposed in a predetermined range upstream of the conveying roller in a sheet conveying direction after the conveying operations. At least one of the conveying operations performed a number of times is performed based on a distance from the position of the trailing end of the sheet to the position of the conveying roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Onuma, Haruyuki Yanagi, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Minoru Teshigawara