Patents Assigned to Minolta Co., Ltd.
  • Monitoring camera system, monitoring camera control device and monitoring program recorded in recording medium
    Patent number: 7536028
    Abstract: A monitoring system according to the present invention has a plurality of cameras respectively monitoring a monitor area and having a changeable imaging magnification, monitoring section detecting an object to be monitored in the monitor area, and control section selecting at least one camera capable of obtaining an enlarged image to contribute to identification of the object to be monitored as camera for enlargement from the plural cameras when the object to be monitored is detected and selecting at least one camera other than the camera for enlargement as camera for wide area from the plural monitoring camera. The camera for wide area is set to a first imaging magnification to obtain a wide area image of the monitor area and the camera for enlargement is set to a second imaging magnification larger than the first imaging magnification to obtain an enlarged image of the detected object to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Sumitomo
  • Apparatus for obtaining data on the three-dimensional shape
    Patent number: 7525566
    Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining data on the three-dimensional shape is provided with: a device for producing data on the three-dimensional shape of an object; a display device for displaying an image based on the data produced by the producing device; a viewpoint variator for changing a viewpoint of the image displayed on the display device; and a position changer for changing the relative positional relationship between the object and the producing device in accordance with the viewpoint change by the viewpoint variator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Horita
  • Abnormality alarm device and abnormality alarm method
    Patent number: 7523360
    Abstract: An abnormality that has occurred during execution of a job by an image forming apparatus is detected by a detecting means, an attribute of the sender of the job with which the abnormality occurred is identified by an identifying means, and recipients for abnormality alarm information are determined by an alarm information recipient determining means based on the identification result. Consequently, when an abnormality has occurred during execution of a job by the image forming apparatus, even if the user who sent the job is not able to perform the operation required to eliminate the abnormality, swift elimination of the abnormality can be expected by transmitting abnormality alarm information to persons who are near the image forming apparatus, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hashimoto, Mie Kawabata, Toshihisa Motosugi
  • Imaging device and digital camera using the imaging device
    Patent number: 7522346
    Abstract: An imaging device has a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens units and forming an optical image of an object so as to continuously optically zoom by varying distances between the lens unit; and an image sensor converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system to an electric signal. The zoom lens system has from an object side: a first lens unit being overall negative and including a reflecting surface that bends a luminous flux substantially 90 degrees; and a second lens unit disposed with a variable air distance from the first lens unit, and having a negative optical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Hagimori, Yasushi Yamamoto, Genta Yagyu, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
  • Image processing method, recording medium with recorded image processing program and image processing apparatus
    Patent number: 7515749
    Abstract: An image processing method for carrying out predetermined correction processing with respect to one or more items regarding the quality of color images and the image processing method comprises a judgment step for judging the necessity/nonnecessity of correction with respect to each of the above-mentioned items and a correction processing step for carrying out the predetermined correction processing with respect to the item judged as required to be corrected at the above-mentioned judgment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Masaki
  • Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing method
    Patent number: 7508541
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a first area judgment unit for judging whether an inputted pixel is an edge pixel of a character image, a second area judgment unit for judging whether the pixel in a edge area having an intensity variation level equal to, or grater than an intensity variation level of a halftone image edge area, a natural image edge selection unit for specifying an edge pixel of a halftone image based on judgments of the first area judgment unit and second area judgment unit, and a first correction unit for conduction edge enhancement processing on edge pixels of a character image, and a second correction processing unit for conducting sharpness enhancement processing on edge pixels of a halftone image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Ishiguro
  • Taking lens apparatus
    Patent number: 7508595
    Abstract: A taking lens apparatus has a zoom lens system that forms an optical image of an object at a variable magnification and that includes an aperture stop in the optical path, and an image sensor that has a light-receiving surface that converts the optical image into an electrical image signal and outputs it. The zoom lens system includes an optical member having a reflective surface that reflects a light beam in such a way that the optical axis is bent at substantially 90°. Moreover, prescribed conditions are fulfilled among the focal length of the entire zoom lens system at the wide-angle end, at the telephoto end, the axial distance from the image plane to the exit pupil at the wide-angle end, and the axial distance from the image-side surface of the most image-side lens element to the image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaori Kojima
  • INK JET PRINTER CAPABLE OF FORMING HIGH DEFINITION IMAGES
    Publication number: 20090066744
    Abstract: An ink jet printer ejects ink droplets of a plurality of sizes based on image data, and prints dots of a plurality of sizes corresponding to the ink droplets of the plurality of sizes for recording the image. In the ink jet printer, in order to print a smoothing dot close to a normal dot, pulse voltage having a waveform having its printing timing changed from a waveform for printing the normal dot is applied to a piezoelectric element. As a result, an ink jet printer capable of recording high definition images can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiichi Sano, Shoichi Minato
  • Process cartridge for image forming device
    Patent number: 7499192
    Abstract: A process cartridge having a nonvolatile memory for storing prescribed information corresponding to addresses is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming device. The nonvolatile memory stores first destination information of “shipment destination” data to be used to control the printing operation by a control system of the main body of the image forming device and second destination information of “lot No.” data not to be used to control the printing operation by the control system. The nonvolatile memory allows the image forming device to perform an appropriate printing operation without changing a program of the main body of the image forming device even when a new destination is arisen for a reason of production management, marketing etc. after beginning to put the image forming device on the market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okunishi, Yoshihiko Yoshizaki, Hideki Hino, Kentaro Nagatani, Yoshiaki Takano, Daisetsu Tohyama
  • Image-sensing apparatus
    Patent number: 7495271
    Abstract: In a solid-state image-sensing device, when image sensing is performed, in each pixel, MOS transistors T1 and T5 are turned on and a MOS transistor T6 is turned off so that a MOS transistor T2 operates in a subthreshold region. When resetting is preformed, in each pixel, the MOS transistors T1 and T5 are turned off and the MOS transistor T6 is turned on so that the gate voltage of the MOS transistor T2 is kept constant. In this state, the MOS transistor T2 is brought first into a conducting state and then, by turning a signal ?VPS to a high level, into a cut-off state. This permits a signal proportional to the threshold value of the MOS transistor T2 to be output as compensation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Hagihara, Kenji Takada
  • Document reading device capable of sending data to external terminal through network
    Patent number: 7495808
    Abstract: PC link software stored in a personal computer searches for software installed in the personal computer and determines a file format that can be handled in the resulting software for sending to MFP. When MFP receives a destination for scanned image data, file formats displayable at that destination are displayed to allow the user to select in which format the data is sent. Therefore such a situation can be prevented in that the sent image data cannot be displayed at a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruna Sasakuma, Kenichi Nagasawa
  • Three-dimensional input apparatus and image sensing control method
    Patent number: 7492398
    Abstract: A three-dimensional input apparatus for generating data specifying the shape of an object by receiving the light from the object is disclosed. The detection light is irradiated toward the object by a projector so as to scan a virtual surface. An image sensing device detects the light reflected from the object. A controller thins out data and outputs it to the image sensing device in a direction corresponding to the main scanning direction of the virtual surface of the image sensing device. The controller also controls the image sensing device such that the light-receiving signal is repeatedly read on a line along the direction of movement of the received detection light in an effective area constituting a part of the image sensing surface thereby to read the light-receiving signal in the effective area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshio Norita, Kazuchika Sato, Hiroyuki Okada, Makoto Miyazaki, Koichi Kamon
  • Image processing apparatus
    Patent number: 7489416
    Abstract: An MFP can transmit image data read by a scanner by attaching it to E-mail. At the time of transmission, the image data input by the scanner and stored in a work memory is converted into mail data so as to be transmitted by E-mail, and the mail data is stored again into the work memory. The mail data is divided every predetermined reference data size into divided files which are sequentially transmitted as divided mails. When completion of transmission of divided mails corresponding to a unit image is confirmed, the image data and mail data of the unit image are eliminated from the work memory. By sequentially performing such a process, the memory use efficiency can be improved while holding image data of a unit image which has not been transmitted yet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ishikawa
  • Optical head and optical head device
    Patent number: 7489617
    Abstract: An optical head which has a prism with an incident section, an internal reflective surface and an emergent surface, and an optical head device which employs the optical head. Light emitted from a light source is incident to the prism through the incident section, reflects at least once on the internal reflective surface and is converged in the vicinity of the emergent surface. Then, the light effuses through the emergent surface as near field light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamasaki, Yasushi Kobayashi, Manami Kuiseko
  • Method for detecting object formed of regions from image
    Patent number: 7483548
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a person or the like from an image extracts candidates, which are considered to human body regions, from the image. Region likelihood probabilities of the respective candidates are obtained, and a human body likelihood of a collection of the candidates is probabilistically calculated using the region likelihood probabilities and correlations among the candidates. It is thereby possible to detect the person robustly against occlusion or change in photographic environment without increasing calculation cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Nakano, Youichi Kawakami, Daisaku Horie, Yuichi Kawakami
  • Image Processing Device, Image Forming Device, Image Processing Method, Image Forming Method, Program, and Computer Readable Recording Medium on Which the Program is Recorded
    Publication number: 20090015863
    Abstract: In case of transmitting a document file such as a PDF file to a printer without converting it into print data, a PC extracts from the document file to be printed information to be accessed when starting an analysis of the document file and transmits the information to the printer. The PC extracts a specified data from the document file and transmits it to the printer each time when the specified data is requested by the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Ozawa
  • License management apparatus, license management system and license management method
    Patent number: 7477745
    Abstract: A license management apparatus is taught which includes a storing portion to store licenses for each of a plurality of operation functions of one of a plurality of operating function executing units, a discriminator to discriminate whether the number of licenses currently permitted for the use of one of the operation functions has reached a predetermined number based on contents of the storing portion upon request for a use of one of the operation functions, and a determination unit to determine whether the request for the use of one of the operation functions is to be permitted based on a discrimination result of the discriminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mie Nakamura, Kazumi Sawayanagi, Satoshi Ozeki, Masahito Takano, Kana Yamauchi, Yoshihiko Yoshizaki
  • Image processing method
    Publication number: 20090010541
    Abstract: In accordance with an image processing method, a data region is detected from input image data. The input image data is rotated in accordance with inclination of an image. Determination is made whether the data region of rotated image data protrudes from an image area of the input image data. When detection is made of protruding, the smallest area including the data region is extracted from the rotated image data. When the data region of the rotated image data protrudes from the image area of the image data previous to rotation, the smallest region including the data region of the rotated image data is extracted from the rotated image data. Therefore, loosing information from image data subjected to rotational correction can be prevented. Also, the amount of image data subjected to rotational correction can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Aihara
  • PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A PRINTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20090009805
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printing system having a data processing apparatus on which printer driver software capable of setting various kinds of print conditions is installed, and a printer for performing a printing operation based on print job data transmitted from the data processing apparatus. The printer driver software provides a user with a setting screen on which various user-selectable setting options for printing are displayed and can visually alter at least one of the setting options from the setting screen based on information about the state of the printer acquired from the printer. The information on the state of the printer includes information on the remaining amount of a consumable item loaded in the printer or an optional device connected to the printer, information on the size of a recording medium loaded in the printer, or information as to whether the optional device is connected to the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi YAMADE
  • Apparatus and method of detecting specified pattern
    Patent number: 7474787
    Abstract: In an apparatus which detects a specified pattern, a binarizing unit converts input image data to bi-level image data, and a storage device stores the converted bi-level image data. A pattern detection unit comprises a plurality of detectors which detect a specified pattern (for example, a circular pattern) independently of each other and in parallel to each other. Each of the detectors detects the specified pattern on a block different from those for the other detectors in the bi-level image data stored in the storage device. Then, one most probable block is selected among the blocks including the specified pattern, and careful image recognition is performed on the selected block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Mori