Electrostatic Or Electrolytic Patents (Class 358/300)
  • Patent number: 11962126
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a technology capable of appropriately determining whether overcurrent has flowed in a light emitting element even in a case where the light emitting element is driven by the pulse driving method. [Solving Means] An overcurrent determination circuit according to the present technology includes: a sample-and-hold circuit that obtains a driving current value of a light emitting element in accordance with a timing of a light emitting interval of the light emitting element that emits pulsed light; and a comparator circuit that compares the obtained driving current value with a value of a predetermined determination level and determines whether overcurrent has flowed in the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiki Udagawa
  • Patent number: 11962724
    Abstract: A business method includes imaging documents with an imaging device placed at a location. Media usage is monitored over a cellular network. Upon the media reaching a predetermined level, workers provide additional media. Workers exist in the “gig” economy and have preplaced media. No longer do users change or swap media in media trays. Packaging materials bundle the media. For use, only a portion of the packaging materials is opened thereby revealing an end of the media. Both the packaging materials and the exposed media are inserted into a reusable media shell in a manner making the media available for picking by the imaging device. Other embodiments are envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Dean Schoedinger, Edward Lynn Triplett, Scott Allan Kendall
  • Patent number: 11933964
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a first polarizing member and a second polarizing member between a light source and a MEMS mirror that is a deflection mirror. The first polarizing member reflects a first polarization component included in a beam light emitted from the light source so as to squarely enter the MEMS mirror and passes a second polarization component having a phase difference of a half-wavelength with respect to the first polarization component. The second polarizing member is provided between the first polarizing member and the MEMS mirror to pass the first polarization component reflected by the first polarizing member therethrough twice before and after being reflected by the MEMS mirror to change the first polarization component into the second polarization component. A rotation axis of the MEMS mirror is parallel to an optical axis of the beam light immediately before being reflected by the first polarizing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hidenori Sato, Takaharu Motoyama
  • Patent number: 11917114
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of preventing deterioration in accuracy of image position adjustment due to erroneous detection of a marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumiaki Hirose, Keita Hidaka, Eri Okuda
  • Patent number: 11218611
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a transport unit that transport a document, a feeding unit that transports the document to the transport unit, a controller that stops the feeding operation of the feeding unit after the leading end of the preceding document transported from the feeding unit reaches the transport unit and restarts the feeding operation after the rear end of the preceding document passes a predetermined position. The controller, restarts the feeding operation a first time after the rear end of the succeeding document following the preceding document passes the predetermined position when a size of the preceding document indicates a first size, and restarts the feeding operation a second time after the rear end of the succeeding document passes the predetermined position where the second time is longer than the first time when the size indicates a second size larger than the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Arimori, Masahiko Mizoguchi, Tomokazu Shimizu, Wataru Beppu
  • Patent number: 11178310
    Abstract: In a data generating apparatus, a processor acquires offset information indicating a deviation in a colorant usage used by a specific print execution unit from a standard amount of usage. The standard amount of usage is a standard quantity concerning colorant used by print execution units. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a first patch image and generates first control data using first read data based on the first patch image. The processor generates corrected first control data using the offset information. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a second patch image using the corrected first control data and generates second control data using second read data based on the second patch image. The first and second control data is for common use in the printing processes performed on the print execution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11057666
    Abstract: A display apparatus capable of correcting an image quality change caused by long-term use is provided. The display apparatus includes: a display panel; a communicator configured to communicate with a service apparatus; and a controller configured to control the communicator to transmit operation information including a total operating time of the display apparatus and an operating temperature of the display apparatus, to the service apparatus; receive an image parameter from the service apparatus through the communicator, and based on the received image parameter data; process image data; and transmit the processed image to the display panel. The image parameter may include at least one of a brightness level, a contrast, a sharpness level, and a color density of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Sung Park, Byung Seok Min, Jong Wook Park
  • Patent number: 10841621
    Abstract: Fault recovery of a video bitstream can be performed in a remote session. A decoder of a remote display protocol client can be configured to process a video bitstream that is transferred over a virtual channel of a remote session. As part of processing the video bitstream prior to passing it to a hardware decoder, the decoder can detect the occurrence of an error in the bitstream and then cause the remote display protocol client to employ the remote display protocol which encapsulates the virtual channel to request an I-frame from the remote display protocol service. This will force the encoder to send an I-frame even if the desktop has low entropy thereby minimizing how long a glitch may persist. Because the remote display protocol itself is employed to request the I-frame, there is no requirement to modify the video stream protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Wyse Technology L.L.C.
    Inventors: Oleg Rombakh, Richard Goldberg
  • Patent number: 10715701
    Abstract: In a data generating apparatus, a processor acquires offset information indicating a deviation in a colorant usage used by a specific print execution unit from a standard amount of usage. The standard amount of usage is a standard quantity concerning colorant used by print execution units. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a first patch image and generates first control data using first read data based on the first patch image. The processor generates corrected first control data using the offset information. The processor controls the specific print execution unit to print a second patch image using the corrected first control data and generates second control data using second read data based on the second patch image. The first and second control data is for common use in the printing processes performed on the print execution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10437170
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus configured to acquire a density of a test print image at each position in the main scanning direction, which is read by the image reading unit after a first test print image is formed, to correct a setting value of an exposure amount of an exposure device to a first light amount, which is higher than a reference light amount that is an exposure amount when the first test print image is formed, in an area where the acquired density is lower than a target density, to correct the exposure amount of the exposure device to a second light amount, which is lower than the reference light amount, in an area where the acquired density is higher than the target density, and to form a second test print image. On the basis of the second test print image, density correction is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Seiji Taki
  • Patent number: 10018945
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first image processing unit comprising a first image heating portion, wherein the first image heating portion is selectively operable at a toner fixing temperature and a higher, image decoloring, temperature and thus can perform both image fixing and image decoloring therein, and a second image processing unit comprising a second image heating portion. At least one of the first and second image processing units further comprises a user input section for receiving a request to decolor one or more sheets. Upon receiving a user input to the input section requesting decoloring of one or more sheets, a controller of the image processing unit to which the request was input determines the operating status thereof, and determines if the request to decolor the one or more sheets can be currently performed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9930215
    Abstract: An image forming control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium includes a memory to store a target property data of original gradation values of image data of a target image to be formed on the recording medium; and circuitry to acquire actual property data of the target image actually formed on the recording medium, convert the original gradation values to another gradation values, generate a primary correction data based on the original gradation values and the another gradation values, generate a secondary correction data to supplement the generated primary correction data, compare the primary correction data and the secondary correction data, and generate gradation correction data used for correcting the original gradation values existing in a specific range of the original gradation values based on a comparison result of the primary correction data and the secondary correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9851690
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a process cartridge, a drawer configured to support the process cartridge and move between an inside position and an outside position. The drawer includes a bottom plate. The bottom plate is configured to support the process cartridge. The bottom plate has a flat surface on one side of the bottom plate and further has a recessed portion recessed relative to the flat surface toward the other side of the bottom plate. The drawer has the flat surface at a portion of the one side. The recessed portion has a support surface configured to support the process cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9823591
    Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to apparatuses and methods that include a coated photoconductive substrate. The coated photoconductive substrate can include a photo-conductive substrate with a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, and can also have a coating adhered to the photoconductive substrate. The coating can comprise a polymer and can be devoid of charge transport materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sivapackia Ganapathiappan, Krzysztof Nauka, Hou T. Ng
  • Patent number: 9699352
    Abstract: A laser scanning unit for an image forming device includes a light source for emitting a laser beam, a scanning member having at least one reflective surface for scanning the laser beam onto an imaging surface across a plurality of scan lines, and driver circuitry for driving the light source to emit the laser beam. The driver circuitry has a first input for receiving a first signal indicating image information and a second input for receiving a second signal indicating shading information. The driver circuitry modulates the laser beam based on the first signal to form an image on the imaging surface corresponding to the image information and adjusts an output power of the modulated laser beam based on the second signal to substantially reduce energy variation across each scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Patent number: 9671713
    Abstract: There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taizo Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9609173
    Abstract: A memory control circuit includes a writing unit configured to receive image data that is input and write the image data into a memory; a first reading unit configured to read the image data written in the memory and output the image data to a determination unit that determines a type of image of the image data; and a second reading unit configured to read the image data written in the memory and output the image data to an image processing unit that performs image processing according to a determination result obtained by the determination unit. When the second reading unit is outputting the image data to the image processing unit, the first reading unit outputs image data, which is input subsequently to the input of the image data, to the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichiro Katsunoi
  • Patent number: 9516194
    Abstract: A shading correction of removing a plurality of shading factors is performed. A scanner device performs a shading correction in a manner such that a low-pass filter circuit (14) extracts a broad waveform change component caused by a temperature characteristic and a temporal change in light source or sensor sensitivity as shading factors, a phase/amplitude synchronizing circuit (15) extracts a phase shift of a cycle pattern of a lens array, a first multiplying circuit (16) synthesizes the waveforms of the extracted factors so as to form a correction-purpose image signal waveform, and the correction-purpose image signal waveform is divided from an image signal waveform subjected to a dark level correction (offset).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HitachiInformation & Telecommunication Engineering
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uchida, Takahiro Sato, Masaki Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 9494880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including an undercoat layer containing metal oxide particles, a binder resin, and an organic acid metal salt having at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of bismuth, zinc, cobalt, iron, nickel, and copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Noguchi, Daisuke Tanaka, Kazumichi Sugiyama, Yota Ito, Michiyo Sekiya, Kunihiko Sekido, Atsushi Okuda, Nobuhiro Nakamura, Yuka Ishiduka
  • Patent number: 9429723
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to an image sensor comprising (a) a optical pipe comprising a core and a cladding, and (b) a pair of photosensitive elements comprising a central photosensitive element and a peripheral photosensitive element, wherein the central photosensitive element is operably coupled to the core and the peripheral photosensitive element is operably coupled to the cladding, and methods of fabricating and using the same. The image sensor could further comprise a lens structure or an optical coupler or an optical coupler over the optical pipe, wherein the lens structure or the optical coupler or the optical coupler is operably coupled to the optical pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ZENA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Munib Wober
  • Patent number: 9357101
    Abstract: An image processor determines the number of pixels to be added/removed within each row/column of pixels of an image to accomplish a given image enlargement/reduction. The image processor evenly distributes pixels that are to be added/removed along the full length of each of the rows or columns of pixels, and adds/removes pixels in a process that identifies a set of original pixels that are immediately adjacent to the pixel to be added/removed. The image processor then replaces each of the sets of the original pixels with a replacement set (that has one more/less pixel relative to the set of original pixels). Also, for each pixel that will be added/removed, the image processor determines data values for replacement pixels in each of the replacement sets by weighting data values from original pixels in the sets of original pixels. The image processor outputs an enlarged/reduced size version of the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Jon Metcalfe, Ryan David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 9330348
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for faster monochrome printing in an in-line electrophotographic printer is described. The printer is configured such that it has more light emitting sources for use in an image transfer assembly for black than for image transfer assemblies for any other color in the printer. When printing a color print job, less than all of the light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly are used. A print controller directs print data for a monochrome print job to all of the available light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly and increases the print medium transport speed. The system and method may be configured to operate with dedicated data channels for each light emitting source or may share some data channels for monochrome and color print jobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Keithley
  • Patent number: 9268252
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus applies a dither matrix to multi-valued image data. Then, the apparatus performs an exposure on a photoreceptor drum based on the image data obtained by using the applied dither matrix. In this process, the apparatus performs additional amount of exposure on the photoreceptor drum in a cycle equal to the cycle of the dither matrix, in addition to an amount of the exposure based on the obtained image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Shoji
  • Patent number: 9247095
    Abstract: An image sensor unit includes: a plurality of sensor substrates that are connected in a main-scan direction and that are provided with sensor chips in the main-scan direction, the sensor chips converting light from an original to electric signals; and a plurality of rod-lens arrays that are connected in the main-scan direction and that are provided with a plurality of rod lenses in the main-scan direction, the rod lenses focusing the light from the original on the sensor chips, wherein connection positions between the plurality of sensor substrates are arranged at positions not overlapping with connection positions between the plurality of rod-lens arrays. A decrease in reading accuracy of an image can be reduced even if short constituent members are connected in the main-scan direction to form an elongated image sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Takehiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9235179
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a control unit causes an image forming unit to form a positional deviation correction pattern, to sandwich a black developer image between two color developer images of a same color, and to superpose the black developer image on one of the two color developer images of the same color in a state where color deviation occurs between developer images of a plurality of different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinri Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9217975
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light emitter, a scanner, a first detector and a determiner. The light emitter outputs a beam. The scanner scans within a given area determined in advance with the beam output from the light emitter. The first detector is arranged on an optical path of the beam in the given area and detects the light quantity of the beam. The determiner determines light quantity shortage of the light beam if the light quantity detected by the first detector is below a first threshold set in advance and above a second threshold indicating a light quantity smaller than the first threshold and determines an abnormality in a scanning operation by the scanner or an abnormality of the light emitter if the light quantity detected by the first detector is below the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Daichi Kawano
  • Patent number: 9219837
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus that is capable of displaying in detail, as an image, a foreign matter position where an image reading failure could be caused. The image reading apparatus has a main scanning index plate and a sub-scanning index plate disposed adjacent to a reading glass and extending in main scanning and sub-scanning directions. These plates have scales that equally divide a surface of the reading glass in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions. When foreign matter is detected, a foreign matter detection message, a foreign matter area image, and position information representing a foreign matter area position are displayed on an operation panel. Based on the displayed image and position information, a user can easily recognize a cleaning object area on the reading glass surface while referring to the scales of the index plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hayato Koyama
  • Patent number: 9206006
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray having first and second receiving portions is configured to move between a first position, at which at least part of the tray is positioned inside an apparatus body, and a second position, at which the tray is outside the apparatus body. The tray in the first position allows a first recording medium to be conveyed from the first receiving portion. When the tray is in the first position, the second receiving portion is configured to move between a third position, which is at an upstream side relative to a first opening of the apparatus body in a second direction, and a fourth position, which is at a downstream side relative to the third position in the second direction. The second receiving portion at the third position allows a second recording medium to be conveyed from the second receiving portion in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 9189190
    Abstract: A print system including a first printing apparatus subjected to color setting using a color sample, a second printing apparatus not subjected to color setting using a color sample, and a server computer generating a printing setting. The printing setting is used to cause the first printing apparatus to execute printing of a number of copies assigned to the first printing apparatus and proxy printing of a page that includes an object that requires strict color accuracy and is included in a number of copies assigned to the second printing apparatus, cause the second printing apparatus to execute printing of the number of copies assigned to the second printing apparatus except for the printing of the page, and merging the proxy printed page into the paper printed in the second printing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9147232
    Abstract: A method for processing an input image to reduce halo artifacts in an electrophotographic printing system. The input image is automatically analyzed to determine an edge map image indicating light-side edge regions that include edge pixels that are adjacent to edge transitions in the input image and are on a lighter side of the edge transition. At least one edge region dilation operation to the edge map image to expand the light-side edge regions in a direction away from the edge transitions. A corrected image is formed by modifying the input pixels of the input image corresponding to the expanded light-side edge regions to determine corrected pixels having corrected pixel values. The corrected image is then printed using the electrophotographic printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Horia Neamtu
  • Patent number: 9110349
    Abstract: A waveguide lens includes a substrate, a planar waveguide, a media grating, a modulating electrode, and two ground electrodes. The planar waveguide is formed on the substrate and is coupled to a laser light source which emits a laser beam into the planar waveguide. The media grating is formed on the planar waveguide and arranged along a direction that is substantially parallel with an optical axis of the laser beam. The modulating electrode is positioned on and covers the media grating. The ground electrodes are positioned on two sides of the planar waveguide and opposite to each other. The modulating electrode and the ground electrodes cooperatively change an effective refractive index of the planar waveguide to change an effective focal length of the diffractive waveguide lens, utilizing an electro-optical effect, when an electric field is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Shun Huang
  • Patent number: 9036207
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a rotary body, an image-forming unit, at least two sensors, and a control device. The image-forming unit performs an image-forming operation. The at least two sensors read an image formed on the rotary body. The control device is configured to: control the image-forming unit to form a test image on the rotary body; control the sensors to read the test image formed on the rotary body to acquire at least two values each relating to one of the at least two sensors; calculate a weighted average value of the at least two values by using weightings that are assigned to the at least two values, respectively, one of the weightings being different from another of the weightings; and correct the image-forming operation using the weighted average value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Raizo Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8947740
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for adjusting a light intensity of a printhead are disclosed. For example, the method receives an image comprising a plurality of pixels, calculates a correction factor for each one of a plurality of pixels of the image by applying a filter to each one of the plurality of pixels of the image and summing a contribution of the light intensity of each one of a plurality of surrounding pixels to a pixel being analyzed to calculate an overlap value and comparing the overlap value to a development threshold range and adjusts the light intensity of a light source of the printhead in accordance with the correction factor of each one of the plurality of pixels of the image that require toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilsher, Sebastián R. de Echaniz
  • Patent number: 8885227
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and data processing system for printing multiple data sources is provided. A plurality of data sources is collected. Each data source of the plurality of data sources are assigned to one of a plurality of sheet representations that each comprise a logical representation of one of a sequence of sheets on which the data sources are to be printed. A number of data sources assigned to a sheet representation is independent of a number of data sources assigned to other sheet representations. The plurality of data sources may then be printed on the sequence of sheets according to assignments of the data sources to the sheet representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hector Stuart Godley
  • Publication number: 20140293359
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion; an image reader movable between a first open position and a first closed portion; an openable member movable between a second open position and a second closed position; and a supporting member. When the image reader is located at the first open position, the openable member is supported at the second open position by the supporting member. When the image reader is moved from the supported state toward the first closed position, close of the openable member from a predetermined position closer to the second closed position than the second open position is limited by the supporting member. When the image reader is moved, toward the first closed position, from a limited state in which the close of the openable member is limited by the supporting member, limitation of the openable member by the supporting member is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke NIIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140293358
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a switching power supply generating a voltage from an alternating current power supply; capacitors connected to the alternating current power supply; a rectification circuit configured to rectify an alternating current voltage applied to the capacitors; a backflow regulation regulating backflow of current from the switching power supply; a signal generation circuit generating a detection signal corresponding to a zero cross point of the alternating current power supply; a power supply line connected to the switching power supply and the rectification circuit; an electricity storage unit connected to the power supply line; a voltage limit element configured to limit a voltage of the output line of the rectification circuit, and a control unit, power being fed to the control unit through the power supply line. The control unit is configured to detect a zero cross point based on the detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20140192384
    Abstract: Provided is an exposing device capable of enhancing usage efficiency of light and preventing degradation of imaging property due to a misalignment with a photosensitive drum. The exposing device includes: a laser array including multiple lasers arranged in a predetermined direction; and an optical system guiding light emitted from the each of the multiple lasers to a photosensitive member and focusing the light on the photosensitive member, in which the optical system includes multiple phase modulation elements to decrease a phase lag added in proportion to distance from a center axis that is defined by a principal light beam emitted from the each of the multiple lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 8773685
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for decreasing the time required for a photo-printing device (such as a commercial photo-printing kiosk) to print a plurality of digital images. For example, the digital images may be transferred from a print client to a print server and stored in a RAMdisk at the print server prior to printing. Image processing may be performed on at least some of the digital images prior to the initiation of printing. The digital images may be processed in decreasing order of estimated image processing time. Two or more of these techniques may be combined to decrease the total time required to print the digital images by, for example, increasing the speed with which images may be accessed, decreasing the amount of time that passes before printing begins, and enabling all of the digital images to be printed without stopping and restarting the print engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventor: David R. Robins
  • Patent number: 8749799
    Abstract: An image carrier includes: a support that circulatively rotates, a plurality of pixel electrodes; a plurality of switches that are placed like a matrix on the support in a one-to-one correspondence with the pixel electrodes; a plurality of scan signal lines that are provided on the support so as to extend along the rotation axis direction of the support for transmitting a scan signal for selecting; a plurality of latent image forming signal lines; a plurality of signal leads that are provided on the support so as to extend in the rotation axis direction of the support; a scan signal supply device that are provided in an end part other than the pixel electrode placement area; and a latent image forming signal supply device that are provided in an end part other than the pixel electrode placement area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Okuno, Yoshifumi Ozaki, Akemi Murakami, Akihiko Noda
  • Patent number: 8731420
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transferer to apply a constant-current controlled bias to a transfer medium to form a transfer electric field, a constant-current source configured to apply an electrical current to the transferer, an electrical characteristic detector, an environment detector, a first corrector, a second corrector, and a third corrector. The electrical characteristic detector detects an electrical characteristic value corresponding to a resistance in a current path from the constant-current source to the transferer. The environment detector detects an environmental condition inside the image forming apparatus. The first corrector corrects the electrical current based on the electrical characteristic detection and a predetermined threshold. The second corrector corrects the electrical current based on the environment detection. The third corrector sets the threshold based on the environment detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Ken Yoshida
  • 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: 8693048
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing the phase lock loop circuitry of sub-pixel clock generators for situations where frequent switching between different system printing speeds, and hence clock frequencies are required. An optimizing circuit is associated with a sub-pixel clock generator for clamping an input voltage to a voltage controlled oscillator controlling clock frequency between a desired range. The clamping circuitry comprises a comparator for detecting when the voltage has moved out of the desired range and then charges or discharges a loop filter circuit controlling the input voltage to the VCO to keep the input voltage within the desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Mostafa R. Yazdy
  • Patent number: 8670161
    Abstract: A printer driver enables a user to determine whether the features that are required to print a specified job are available to a selected network printer. The printer driver queries the selected printer to acquire the current status and other relevant information for each feature that is required to print the job, then provides the results of the query at a user interface. Accordingly, if any of the required features are unavailable to the selected printer, the user can print the job using another printer or take some other appropriate action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Salgado, Bradley W. Smith, Vibhaker Moudgil, John Y. Zhang, Likang Guo
  • Patent number: 8655197
    Abstract: An electronic paper structure is disclosed, which includes a hard substrate, a flexible substrate, at least one magnetic device for fastening the flexible substrate on the hard substrate temporally, a drive substrate formed on the flexible substrate, an electronic paper display layer formed on the drive substrate, and a protect layer formed on the electronic paper display layer. An electronic paper fabricating method using the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Hui Huang, Chuan-I Huang, Chin-Wen Lin, Ted-Hong Shinn
  • Patent number: 8643910
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires image data expressing an image region included in an image with a first value and a background region included in the image with a second value; a segmenting unit that segments the image region into multiple segments arranged in a fast scanning direction; a converting unit that converts a value of at least one of the segments into the second value; an output unit that generates an image signal on the basis of the image data and outputs the image signal; an exposure unit that exposes a charged image bearing member to light according to the output image signal by scanning the light thereto in the fast scanning direction so as to form a latent image; and a developing unit that forms the image by developing the latent image using an invisible toner that absorbs infrared light or ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20140022604
    Abstract: A combination of a latent-image pattern which forms a latent-image part and a background pattern that forms a background-image part is determined so that the latent-image part and background-image part have equal print densities. The determined latent-image pattern and background pattern, color information used to determine a color of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, input image information as an image to be processed, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern basic information used to designate the latent-image part and background-image part, and camouflage region designation image information used to designate a camouflage region are input. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated on the basis of the input information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: TOMOCHIKA MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 8634109
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging unit charging the surface of the image carrier, an exposure unit forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating light onto the charged surface of the image carrier, a developing unit developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier using a developing material, and a transfer unit transferring a developer image onto a printing material. The apparatus has also an image correction unit correcting image data inputted to the exposure unit so as to compensate for deformation in the developer image originating in a form of the exposure unit, and a smoothing processing unit carrying out smoothing of an image by controlling the exposure unit so that dots of a size smaller than one pixel are filled with respect to a white image region of the corrected image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Komiya
  • Patent number: 8625171
    Abstract: A cover member holds an optical scanning device and is supported on A main body in such a manner as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The optical scanning device has a shutter member, a housing, and a dustproof member. The main body has a contact member which is capable of coming into contact with the shutter member through an opening. The contact member causes the shutter member to be displaced between an optical path closing position and an optical path opening position. The shutter member includes a closing portion which closes the opening when the shutter member assumes the optical path closing position. The dustproof member is disposed to extend around the opening on the outside and is configured to press against an entire periphery of the contact member when the cover member assumes the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ono
  • Publication number: 20130321875
    Abstract: The method for producing an image forming apparatus includes emitting light beams from a printhead; optionally irradiating a photoreceptor with the light beams to form a latent image; optionally forming a visible image on a recording medium corresponding the latent image; obtaining plural pieces of information concerning a property of the light beams or lightness of the visible image at different positions in a direction; calculating variation width of N pieces of information corresponding to an attention area having a predetermined length in the direction; determining the number of pieces of information used for subjecting each of the N pieces of information to moving averaging, based on the variation width; when the number is two or more, subjecting each of the N pieces of information to moving averaging; and correcting quantities of light beams corresponding to the N pieces of information based on the average values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Shigeaki IMAI
  • Patent number: 8570541
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device that reduces power consumption by setting the color image recording units to low power consumption mode during monochrome image recording, and a power consumption control method in an image forming device. Furthermore, this image forming device has a monochrome image recording unit and color image recording units, and is an image forming device capable of setting the monochrome image recording unit and color image recording units to low power consumption mode, and has a switching unit for switching between monochrome image recording and color image recording, and a control unit that sets the color image recording units to low power consumption mode during monochrome image recording and continues to set the color image recording units to low power consumption mode while this monochrome image recording continues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nakamura