Patents Represented by Attorney Canon U.S.A. Inc. I.P. Div
  • Patent number: 7446801
    Abstract: An information collection system including an information collection apparatus, a photographing apparatus and information acquisition apparatuses. The information collection apparatus collects information on the information acquisition apparatuses and the photographing apparatus. The information collection apparatus selects at least one of the information-acquisition apparatuses based on the collected information, and collects information about a predetermined position by communicating with the selected information-acquisition apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7443660
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, which is capable of improving security and operationality in handling of storage media, includes a system bay and a data bay that are provided on the main body of the information processing apparatus and allow respective disks to be removably mounted therein, and a second control portion that controls the system bay and the data bay. The second control portion controls the system bay and the data bay in such a way as to prevent the disks from being removed from the system bay and the data bay when the disks have been mounted in the system bay and the data bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ichiko Mayuzumi
  • Patent number: 7430037
    Abstract: A reticle cassette includes a bearing portion and a cover, a reticle being disposed on the bearing portion and accommodated in a space between the bearing portion and the cover. The bearing portion includes electrodes for attracting using an electrostatic force and supporting a first surface of the reticle, the first surface having a pattern being formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7420746
    Abstract: A zoom lens system, which has a high zoom ratio while having a high optical performance, includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive optical power, a second lens unit having a negative optical power, a third lens unit having a positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive optical power. The second lens unit and the fourth lens unit move during zooming. Lens elements constituting the first lens unit and the second lens unit are appropriately set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7388615
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a changing unit for changing a user-specified value in a user-specified data segment to a standard set value at any screen state of a display panel. Therefore, a setting information element for each function regarding image capture in the lens apparatus is changed to a standard setting information element by a particular operation. As a result, problems, such as the activation of an undesired function upon the operation of a switch on a drive unit, and the like, are solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumasa Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7380921
    Abstract: A liquid-feeding system efficiently transferring liquid from a liquid storage to a liquid chamber and efficiently transferring gas from the liquid chamber to the liquid storage. The liquid-feeding system includes a liquid-using unit, the liquid storage, the liquid chamber in communication with the liquid-using unit, a plurality of communication paths facilitating communication between the liquid chamber and the liquid storage, the liquid chamber having a substantially enclosed space except where the space communicates with the plurality of communication paths and with the liquid-using unit, a pressure regulator disposed in the liquid storage and regulating the internal pressure of the liquid storage, and means for changing an internal pressure of the liquid chamber relatively higher than an internal pressure of the liquid storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nanjo, Ryoichi Matsumoto, Ryoji Inoue, Hideki Ogura, Satoshi Oikawa, Ken Hosaka
  • Patent number: 7377628
    Abstract: An ink container includes an ink containing unit having a housing which directly contains ink, an ink guide, a movable member changing the internal volume of the ink containing unit, and a buffer chamber. The buffer chamber allows changing the internal volume of the ink containing unit when the movable member moves, and has an air communicating portion and is defined by a wall structure. A negative pressure controlling mechanism for controlling the negative pressure in the ink containing unit generated when the ink is guided out of the ink containing unit is provided apart from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Oikawa, Shin Ishimatsu
  • Patent number: 7375843
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus converts first image data of a first resolution N to second image data of a second resolution M, which is lower than the first resolution N, so as to output the second image data. The apparatus includes a processing unit for determining the position of a target pixel in the first image data in accordance with the ratio of the second resolution M to the first resolution N. The position of the target pixel is then used to define an area in which pixel values in the defined area are used to generate pixel values. The image processing apparatus also includes a selection signal generating unit for generating a selection signal in accordance with the target pixel value and an attribute signal representing the attribute of the target pixel. Also included in the image processing apparatus is an output unit for selecting one of the pixel values generated by the processing unit by using the selection signal so as to output the selected value as the second image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 7357690
    Abstract: An alignment unit and an alignment method for aligning needle-like structures. The alignment unit includes a substrate having a surface and grooves defined in the surface. The grooves are sized and arranged such that when the needle-like structures are received therein, the needle-like structures are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Tsuruoka, Kazuo Iwata, Kazuhiro Jindai, Hidehito Takayama, Eiichi Motai, Takashi Mori
  • Patent number: 7352382
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes an upstream conveying device and a downstream conveying device that are respectively arranged upstream and downstream of a recording device. The upstream conveying device conveys a recording sheet while a first half of a print region that is adjacent to a print start edge of the recording sheet is being printed on, and the downstream conveying device conveys the recording sheet while a second half of a print region that is adjacent to a print end edge of the recording sheet is being printed on, so that the entire region of the recording sheet can be printed on without leaving margins. In addition, upstream and downstream guides are provided to make the movement of the recording sheet stable during printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 7349655
    Abstract: A developing device configured to carry out development of an electrostatic image using color toner particles and transparent toner particles includes color and transparent developing units configured to store toner particles, carrier particles, and additive particles and configured to carry out development of the electrostatic image; color and transparent developer replenishment containers configured to store replenishment developers including at least the toner particles and the carrier particles and configured to replenish developing units with the replenishment developers; and color and transparent developers openings provided at the developing units and configured to discharge the developers in the developing units outside the developing units while replenishing the developing units with the replenishment developers, wherein the carrier particle weight ratio of the transparent replenishment developer is higher than the carrier particle weight ratio of the color replenishment developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Fukuda, Kota Arimoto, Tadayoshi Nishihama, Akihiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7349658
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a plurality of developing devices, an intermediate transfer medium, primary transfer members, and a secondary transfer member for transferring toner images onto a transfer material. A full-color mode and a monocolor mode are selectively carried out. The image forming apparatus also includes a CPU for adjusting the length of a non-image forming region, and an intermediate-transfer-medium movement controller. The CPU brings about a switching state in which an image forming region lies between a primary transfer position on the most downstream one of the photosensitive drums and a secondary transfer position and in which non-image forming regions simultaneously lie at the primary transfer position and at the secondary transfer position. The intermediate-transfer-medium movement controller switches between the full-color mode and the monocolor mode during the switching state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ogata, Yuki Nishizawa, Eiichiro Teshima
  • Patent number: 7348544
    Abstract: An optical encoder includes a light-emitting unit, a scale with a discontinuous part, and a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in relationship to a pitch of the scale. In the optical encoder, a light beam from the light-emitting unit reflects off the scale, and is received at the light-receiving elements. As a result of the processing of signals from the light-receiving elements, the discontinuous part is detected and the origin detection can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Atsuta, Masahiko Igaki
  • Patent number: 7347541
    Abstract: A liquid tank includes a liquid chamber for holding liquid and an absorption chamber containing an absorber for absorbing and holding the liquid. The liquid chamber and the absorption chamber are separated by a partition. The partition has a communication part allowing communication between the liquid chamber and the absorption chamber. The liquid chamber is substantially sealed except at the communication part. The absorption chamber has a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid-guiding path is disposed on the bottom surface of the liquid tank. The liquid-guiding path extends from the communication part to a point a predetermined distance away from the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Ogawa, Wataru Takahashi, Tatsuo Nanjo, Yasuo Kotaki
  • Patent number: 7346282
    Abstract: An optical-space transmission apparatus for use in communication by using light propagating in a space includes a light-receiving unit, an optical system including a movable mirror and introducing light incident thereon to the light receiving unit with the movable mirror, a controller controlling drive of the movable mirror, and a detecting unit detecting an intensity of the light received in the light-receiving unit. The controller modifies a control characteristic of the movable mirror in accordance with a change in the received-light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sakanaka, Masatoshi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7346298
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer container divided into a developing section and a mixing section in which developer is conveyed in the opposite directions. A conveying member which conveys the developer in the longitudinal direction is disposed only in the developing section, and a mixing member which does not positively convey the developer in the longitudinal direction is disposed in the mixing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Yamaguchi, Tachio Kawai, Syuhei Kawasaki, Issei Imamura
  • Patent number: 7344321
    Abstract: A shutter device includes a first light-blocking unit; a second light-blocking unit; a supporting member; and a charging member. The shutter device has a simple structure that does not require a designated interlocking mechanism between the shutter device and an external unit, and that allows the second light-blocking unit to be maintained in a state where a shutter aperture portion is open without having to hold the second light-blocking unit electrically. The supporting member is protrudable into a movement path of the second light-blocking unit to maintain the second light-blocking unit in a state where the shutter aperture portion is open. The supporting member protrudes into or recedes from the movement path of the second light-blocking unit in response to a movement of the charging member, which is provided for charging the first and second light-blocking units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7331673
    Abstract: An ophthalmic photography apparatus includes an illumination light source operable to illuminate an eye to be examined, a light-intensity adjusting unit operable to adjust a light intensity of the illumination light source, an illumination optical system guiding light from the illumination light source to the eye, a photography light source facilitating photographing a still image of the eye, an imaging device converting received light into an electrical signal, an amplifying section amplifying the electrical signal according to an amplification factor, a photography optical system guiding an image of the eye to the imaging device, and a driving section driving the light-intensity adjusting unit and the amplifying unit. The driving section drives the light-intensity adjusting unit or the amplifying unit according to a value related to the eye to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeaki Ono
  • Patent number: 7333275
    Abstract: A compact zoom lens system having excellent optical performance. The zoom lens system includes a first lens unit of negative optical power, a second lens unit of positive optical power, a third lens unit of positive optical power, and an F-number defining member. The second lens unit is disposed on the image side of the first lens unit and includes a lens element disposed closest to the object side. The lens element has a rim, a surface on the object side and having a vertex, and an intersection point defined by an intersection between the surface and the rim. The third lens unit is disposed on the image side of the second lens unit. The F-number defining member is disposed along the optical axis between the vertex and the intersection point. Spaces between the first, second and third lens units vary during zooming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Sekita
  • Patent number: 7330212
    Abstract: A drive controller of a lens apparatus including a first lens unit movable to perform manual focus and a second lens unit disposed closer to an image than the first lens unit. The drive controller includes a detection device detecting a focal state of the lens apparatus, a storage device storing the detected focal state, and a control device controlling focus by driving the second lens unit to a focal position based on the detected focal state. The control device performs a compensation operation on the manual focus with the focus control after completion of the manual focus. The drive controller eliminates a clutch mechanism for selecting drive systems for the manual focus and focus adjustment and performs a focus adjustment (a compensation operation) after completion of the manual focus while minimizing a space needed for a rear focus unit to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Tomita