Patents Examined by Cheukfan Lee
  • Patent number: 11350005
    Abstract: An image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The sheet is conveyed through a conveyance path after the image has been formed on the sheet. A reading unit reads the image formed on the sheet in the conveyance path. A conveyance guide constitutes a portion of the conveyance path and guides the sheet. A pressing unit presses the reading unit against the sheet. A connection unit connects the reading unit and the conveyance guide such that the reading unit and the conveyance guide move in an interlocked manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Ochi, Yohei Suzuki, Miho Kaiga, Koji Kawamura, Shinkichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11347178
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first opening/closing unit to openably and closeably support a sheet conveyance portion with respect to an image reading portion, and a second opening/closing unit to openably and closeably support the sheet conveyance portion with respect to the image reading portion. The first opening/closing unit includes a first spring to urge the sheet conveyance portion in a direction in which the sheet conveyance portion moves from a closed position toward an opened position, and the second opening/closing unit includes a second spring to urge the sheet conveyance portion in the direction in which the sheet conveyance portion moves from the closed position toward the opened position and an oil damper to attenuate vibration energy of the sheet conveyance portion. The first opening/closing unit does not include an oil damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seiji Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 11336784
    Abstract: A method of controlling an information processing apparatus includes acquiring information on a sheet size specified by a user and acquiring information on a sheet feeding direction to a printing apparatus for sheet corresponding to the specified sheet size. In a case where the sheet feeding direction is a predetermined direction, a predetermined control is executed. After the predetermined control, a drawing application is notified of information on a page setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukiyasu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11336792
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate generally to exposure correction of an image transparency. In an example method thereof, an adaptable filter having an adjustable transparency panel and a microcontroller is obtained. The image transparency is backlit to obtain first analog image information by the adaptable filter. An exposure level associated with the first analog image information is sensed. A transparency level of the adjustable transparency panel is adjusted responsive to the sensed exposure level. Second analog image information is obtained from the adjustable transparency panel provided to a sensor array. The second analog image information is the first analog image information with the adjusted transparency level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Pugh
  • Patent number: 11336787
    Abstract: An image scanning device according to aspects of the present disclosures includes a transparent plate member on which an original document can be placed, a line sensor configured to receive a light emitted from a light source and reflected by the original document, and output an electrical signal according to the reflected light, a holding member configured to cover an upper surface of the plate member, and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain a first electrical signal corresponding to a first reflected light when the light source emits light having a first light amount, obtain a second electrical signal corresponding to a second reflected light when the light source emits light having a second light amount, and determine a particular scanning mode for scanning the original document placed on the plate member based on an image difference value calculated from the first and second electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Sunako
  • Patent number: 11330127
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: at least one processor configured to: set reading resolutions in a first and a second directions when reading an image of a document; determine an inclination amount of the document; correct an image to reduce the inclination amount; output image data indicative of an corrected image; and obtain information relating to a first direction length of the document. In a case where the first direction length of the document is less than a predetermined length and the processor outputs the image data indicative of the corrected image, whose resolution in the first direction is a first resolution and resolution in the second direction is a second resolution lower than the first resolution, the processor sets the reading resolution in the second direction to a third resolution higher than the second resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Akagi, Satoshi Seki, Kaoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 11330124
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus incudes a guiding shaft extending in an axial direction; a reading portion supported by the shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction; a casing accommodating the reading portion, the casing including a first supporting portion supporting an end portion of the shaft and a second supporting portion supporting the other end portion of the shaft; and an elastically deformable bonding portion bonding the casing and the shaft with each other, the bonding portion being provided between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion in the axial direction and between the casing and the shaft in a diametrical direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The shaft is supported by the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion and the bonding portion, without contact to the casing except for the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Urita
  • Patent number: 11330135
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image of an original includes an illumination portion for illuminating the original with light, a reflection member including a reflecting surface for reflecting the light from the original; a converting portion for photoelectrically converting the light reflected by the reflection member, and a casing for accommodating the reflection member. The casing is provided with an opening which is open to an outside of the casing. A surface of the reflecting member opposite from the reflecting surface and a portion defining the opening are bonded to each other with an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Otake
  • Patent number: 11330125
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit, an image forming unit, a frame, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The scanner unit has an image reading section. The image forming unit forms an image read by the scanner unit on a sheet. The frame includes a first support section and a second support section. The first support section supports the image forming unit. The second support section is positioned below the scanner unit. The first adjustment mechanism steplessly adjusts a distance in an up-down direction between the scanner unit and the second support section. The second adjustment mechanism gradually adjusts the distance in the up-down direction between the scanner unit and the second support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Ando
  • Patent number: 11330126
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a tray having a document, first and second rollers, a reading unit to read a document image of the conveyed document at a reading position, and a controller to selectively execute first and second controls. In the first control, the controller changes a drive speed of the first and second rollers from a first to a second speed faster than the first speed after the document reaches the first roller and before the document passes through the reading position, and changes the first and second rollers drive speed from the second to the first speed after the document reaches the second roller and before the image is completely read. In the second control, the controller maintains the first and second rollers drive speed in a section from a position where the document reaches the first roller to a position where the image reading completes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Hino
  • Patent number: 11290611
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a document supporting portion, a conveyance portion, a driving motor, an image reading unit, and a control portion. The control portion is configured to execute a high speed mode in which the conveyance speed is set to a first conveyance speed and a low speed mode in which the conveyance speed is set to a second conveyance speed slower than the first conveyance speed. When the control portion executes the low speed mode, if the document has a first thickness, the control portion is configured to execute a first low speed mode where a first drive speed is set to the driving motor. If the document has a second thickness thicker than the first thickness, the control portion is configured to execute a second low speed mode where a second drive speed faster than the first drive speed is set to the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Omori, Seiji Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 11290607
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading processing unit that acquires image data including an image of a document placed on a document placement unit. A first detection processing unit detects a first line image whose width or density exceeds a predetermined first threshold value from the image data. A second detection processing unit detects a rectangular area that is defined by the first line image, included in the image data, and satisfies a predetermined detection condition. A third detection processing unit detects a second line image whose width or density exceeds a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value from the rectangular area. A fourth detection processing unit detects, as document areas of the respective documents, the rectangular area not divided by the second line image and divided areas included in the rectangular area divided by the second line image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Yabuuchi
  • Patent number: 11283951
    Abstract: A lateral slide member includes first locked portions and a second locked portion and is configured to be displaced between a first lock position and a first release position. A vertical slide member includes a second locking portion that restricts the lateral slide member from being displaced from the first lock position to the first release position, the vertical slide member configured to be displaced between a second lock position and a second release position. A swing member includes a contacted portion and a third locking portion. A cover projection portion includes a third locked portion that is locked to the third locking portion and thereby restricts a document sheet cover from moving upward. When a document sheet reading unit is closed, a main body projection portion pushes up the contacted portion to hold the swing member at a third release position, allowing the contacted portion to extend diagonally upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Fukuma
  • Patent number: 11258911
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor configured to: obtain image information obtained by reading a sheet that is folded with an intention that a folding line is formed at a position apart from a sheet center position in a specific direction by a predetermined distance, using an image reading device in a state in which a short folded piece of the sheet faces a sensor surface; obtain positions of two edges that are opposite to each other across a folding back of the sheet in the image information; and detect a deviation amount of the folding line based on the positions of the two edges and the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Kenji Sawai, Shogo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11252295
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a stacking tray, a feeding portion, a first restricting member which includes a first restricting surface and a first supporting portion, a second restricting member which includes a second restricting surface and a second supporting portion, and an interrelating portion. In a state in which the first restricting surface and the second restricting surface are brought closest to each other, a part of the first restricting portion is positioned on a second restricting surface side with respect to a center line of the stacking tray, and a part of the second restricting portion is positioned on a first restricting surface side with respect to the center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 11240396
    Abstract: An image data transfer control device includes a first interface, a first and a second memory, a processor, and a second interface. The first interface acquires image data transferred in predetermined units. The first memory stores inclination correction data corresponding to the inclination of a print head, and correction position data indicating a correction position included in at least one divided image line among the predetermined number of divided image lines including each divided image line group. The second memory stores correction target image data at the correction position. The processor selects each divided image line group based on the inclination correction data, and specifies first and second correction target image data. The second interface outputs the second divided image line group including the first correction target image data instead of the second correction target image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masami Ohshima
  • Patent number: 11233914
    Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, a controller detects a plurality of detection points along a first edge, sets one of the detection points arranged along the first edge which is closest to a center of a sheet placement area in a second axial direction, and determines a reference read position in the second axial direction, based on the selected detection point. Furthermore, the controller detects a plurality of detection points along a second edge, sets one of the detection points arranged along the second edge which is closest to a center of the sheet placement area in a first axial direction, and determines a reference read position in the first axial direction, based on the selected detection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Miyamoto, Yoshiyuki Okazawa, Kensuke Tamai
  • Patent number: 11233917
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a rod-shaped light guide, a light guide holder, and an opening optically communicating with the hole. The opening is formed in a first flat surface opposite to a surface into which an end surface of the light guide is inserted. The device also includes a housing, a light source base plate, and a base plate protection layer being formed on a region of the light source base plate other than at least a region on which a light source element is formed. At least one of the light source base plate and the second flat surface of the base plate protection layer is pressed against the housing or the first flat surface at a position at which light emitted by the light source element enters the end surface of the light guide exposed from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Aramaki, Hideki Matsui, Hiroshi Koike
  • Patent number: 11218610
    Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a document along a transport path, a multi feed detection unit that detects multi feed for a transport document that is the document being transported by the transport unit, a reading unit that reads the transported document, and a controller that controls the transport unit, wherein the controller acquires a multi feed length that is a length of a range in which multi feed occurs in the transported document according to a detection result of multi feed by the multi feed detection unit, causes the transport unit to stop transport of a document following the transport document by when the multi feed length is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value for the multi feed length, and causes the transport unit to perform transport of the following document when the multi feed length is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Beppu
  • Patent number: 11199732
    Abstract: An optical device includes a lens body including plural lenses of which optical axes are arranged alongside each other, and a light shielding body that is disposed with respect to the lens body and shields a part of light passing through the plural lenses, in which the light shielding body has a base that is provided, at a position shifted from the optical axes of the plural lenses, along an arrangement direction in which the plural lenses are arranged, and plural projecting portions that are positioned between the plural lenses and project from the base in an intersection direction intersecting the arrangement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventor: Masaki Hachisuga