Patents Examined by Cheukfan Lee
  • Patent number: 10827094
    Abstract: A reading apparatus, having a document supporting part, a reader, a driving mechanism, a reference density plate, and a controller, is provided. The controller controls the reader to perform a first reading action to read the reference density plate at a first position and adjust an amount of light, controls the reader to perform a second reading action under the light in the adjusted amount and create correction data for shading correction, controls the driving mechanism to move the reader from the first position toward a standby position, controls the reader while being moved from a second position toward a third position to perform a third reading action including a plurality of reading actions under the light in the adjusted amount, and inspects validity of the correction data by comparing read data obtained from signals resulted from the plurality of reading actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jie Zheng, Kunihiro Amano, Kazushi Shumiya, Seiya Sato, Kentaro Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10819875
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a document insertion port which allows documents to be inserted thereinto in a state of being arranged in a main scanning direction; a conveyor which conveys the documents inserted into the document insertion port in a predetermined conveyance direction; a scanner which reads images of the documents conveyed by the conveyor; a detector which detects whether at least one of the documents is present in the document insertion port; and a controller which counts a conveyance amount by which the documents are conveyed by the conveyor during a period in which the detector continuously detects that the at least one of the documents is present in the document insertion part. In a case that the images read by the scanner include a set of images croppable as an image of a single document included in the documents, the controller corrects the conveyance amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuya Nakano
  • Patent number: 10812673
    Abstract: In a line sensor including color filters that are periodically disposed in a light-receiving-element row, a problem called a “mixture of colors” occurs. A “mixture of colors” occurs when light that has been transmitted through a color filter differing from a color filter corresponding to a light receiving element is incident upon the light receiving element. In a CMOS sensor 107 including a light-receiving-element row in which a plurality of photodiodes 1204 are disposed side by side in a main scanning direction and a plurality of color filters 1202 that are disposed in correspondence with the plurality of photodiodes 1204, the center of each color filter 1202 is displaced in a direction of the center of the light-receiving-element row from the center of the photodiode 1204 corresponding to the color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Akagi, Masanori Ogura, Jun Iba, Atsushi Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 10812674
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a document platen, a document cover for covering the document platen during scanning, the document cover having a through-hole into which an original document can be inserted for placement on the document platen for scanning while the document cover is covering the document platen, a scanner that scans the original document on the document platen to image data corresponding to the original document, and a printing unit that prints an image of the original document corresponding to the image data obtained by the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noboru Ogino
  • Patent number: 10812679
    Abstract: A picture data transmission method and device are disclosed in the present invention. The picture data transmission method comprises: recoding a first picture to be transmitted, by a picture data sending terminal, to obtain a second picture, wherein the file size of the second picture is smaller than that of the first picture, and a quality difference between the second picture and the first picture is less than a pre-set threshold; and selecting one of the first picture and the second picture according to quality values of the first picture and the second picture and sending the selected picture to a picture data receiving terminal. According to the present invention, pictures can be recoded to obtain pictures with a small amount of data for data transmission, without affecting the picture quality, thereby saving network resources and reducing storage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Guangzhou UCWeb Computer Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Binghui Chen
  • Patent number: 10805500
    Abstract: An image reading device comprises a document table having a plate-shaped transparent member for a document to be placed thereon, an image reading unit for reading the document placed on the upper surface of the transparent member from the lower surface side of the transparent member, a carriage for driving the image reading unit to move reciprocally, and a case for containing the carriage. The document table has a frame member along a periphery of the transparent member and is secured to the case by engagement right under the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 10798265
    Abstract: An image reading device includes an image reading unit that reads an image while moving in a sub-scanning direction, a casing that houses the image reading unit, a guiding member that is movable relative to the casing in the sub-scanning direction and guides the casing in the sub-scanning direction, and an endless member to which the casing is fixed and that endlessly travels between a starting position and a terminal position in the sub-scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10791237
    Abstract: A scanner includes a paper feeding roller set, a paper exporting roller set, a scanning module, a background and calibration roller, a main driving assembly, a first sleeve, a torque limiter and a stop-driving assembly. The paper feeding roller set and the paper exporting roller set are driven by the main driving assembly. The background and calibration roller includes a black background section, a white background section and at least one calibration section. The first sleeve sleeves the first end and is linked to the main driving assembly. The torque limiter is disposed between the background and calibration roller and the first sleeve and contacts the same. The stop-driving assembly is selectively abutted against two portions of the background and calibration roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Tseng Hung
  • Patent number: 10778859
    Abstract: An image reading optical system includes an image reading portion, multiple light reflection portions, and a diaphragm. The image reading portion includes an array of reading elements that read incident light. The light reflection portions reflect light traveling from a readable object to the image reading portion. The diaphragm regulates light traveling from a first one of the light reflection portions to a subsequent one of the light reflection portions in a specific direction. The diaphragm includes a first light shielding portion and a second light shielding portion disposed at different positions in a travel direction of the light with respect to the first one of the light reflection portions to block part of the light. The first light shielding portion and the second light shielding portion are located in substantially a common plane. The first light shielding portion is disposed along an optical axis of light incident on the first one of the light reflection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Hachisuga, Kiyofumi Aikawa, Takashi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 10771646
    Abstract: A reading device includes a position reference member and a reader. The position reference member has a reference pattern that includes a line extending in a prescribed direction. The position reference member is configured to relatively move in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction. The reader includes a plurality of sensor chips, each of the sensor chips including a plurality of pixels. The reference pattern corresponds to each of the sensor chips of the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishii, Yoshiko Niki, Satoshi Iwanami, Osamu Inage, Shinichiroh Wada, Masamoto Nakazawa, Ryohma Ikemoto, Daisuke Nikaku
  • Patent number: 10750039
    Abstract: An image acquiring device comprises: an automatic document feeder comprising: an input tray supporting an information medium; and a control panel comprising an operation button for selecting one image acquiring side of the information medium; an image acquiring assembly acquiring the image of the image acquiring side; a processor electrically connected to the automatic document feeder, the image acquiring assembly and the operation button; a storage, which is electrically connected to the processor and comprises an image module storing program codes for enabling acquiring the image of the image acquiring side; and an output unit receiving and outputting the image of the image acquiring side. The processor controls the image acquiring assembly to acquire the image of the image acquiring side according to the program codes and different signals of the operation button and transmits the image to the output unit. Associated copying method and system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AVISION INC.
    Inventors: Shao-Lan Sheng, Chen-Chang Li
  • Patent number: 10735613
    Abstract: In a light scanning device, a substrate equipped with a polygonal mirror is disposed astride an interior section and an exposed section of a housing. The substrate is provided with a separator that comes into contact with a front face thereof. The separator separates the substrate into a first region disposed in the interior section and a second region disposed in the exposed section. The polygonal mirror is provided in the second region of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenzo Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 10735617
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a second detection unit configured to detect whether there is a decrease in reflectance of a reflection unit for light, based on a second output value which is output by an output unit based on light which is received by a light receiving unit in a state in which, after a first output value is controlled to become a prescribed value, a light emitting unit is radiating light and it is detected by a first detection unit that a predetermined object is present in a path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10728410
    Abstract: A reading device includes an imaging sensor that reads a document; a document-transporting unit that transports the document to a position facing the imaging sensor; a control unit that controls the imaging sensor and the document-transporting unit; a housing that covers the imaging sensor, the document-transporting unit, and the control unit; and a power switch electrically connected to the control unit; where a recessed portion is formed in the housing and the power switch is disposed in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Yoshioka, Makoto Hoshina, Yoriko Hama
  • Patent number: 10728406
    Abstract: A mobile device holding device comprises a basement including an inner accommodation space; a document feeding path including a scanning area, the document feeding path being disposed in said accommodation space; an input tray disposed on an upstream of the document feeding path to accommodate documents to be scanned; an output tray disposed on a downstream of the document feeding path to eject scanned documents; a document feeding unit disposed in the accommodation space for transmitting documents through the document feeding path; and a device holder disposed on the basement to fix a mobile device; wherein the device holder is moved to align the mobile device with the scanning area for capturing the image within the scanning area, and ensuring that the shooting area of the mobile device is not less than the width of documents to be scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Foxlink Image Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Chu Liao, Yen Ya Wu, Yun Long Lai
  • Patent number: 10728414
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a second detection unit configured to detect lowering of a light reflectance of a reflection portion based on an output value based on light received by a light receiving portion while an object is moving on a conveyance path, without depending on at least a part of output values output based on light received by the receiving unit while the object is stopped on the conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Sawai, Megumi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 10721373
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in one direction for each color of received light, and an analog-digital (AD) convertor that performs analog-digital conversion for each pixel group configured by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements selected from the photoelectric conversion elements. The AD converter is disposed in a position adjacent to each of the photoelectric conversion elements configuring the pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Konno, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10721371
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a substrate, a light guiding member, an image reading portion, and a supporting member. The light guiding member has a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The supporting member has a third contact surface supporting the first contact surface and a fourth contact surface supporting the second contact surface. In a cross section crossing the longitudinal direction, at least one of the first contact surface of the light guiding member and the third contact surface of the supporting member is a curved surface. In the cross section crossing the longitudinal direction, at least one of the second contact surface of the light guiding member and the fourth contact surface of the supporting member is a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Otake
  • Patent number: 10721367
    Abstract: A recording apparatus including: a lower unit having a recording section; and an upper unit having a document tray and a reading means that reads an image in a document, the upper unit being disposed above the lower unit, wherein the upper unit is configured such that an apparatus depth direction is a main scan direction for reading an image in the document and an apparatus width direction is a sub-scan direction for reading an image in the document, the lower unit includes support sections that stand upward on both ends in the apparatus width direction to support both ends of the upper unit in a long side direction, and the document tray included in the upper unit is made of a rigid member and part of the document tray is located above the support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Miyamoto, Hisayuki Akahane, Katsumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10681246
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light source; a reference sheet that reflects light emitted from the light source; a light-receiving lens that converges the reflected light; a reading sensor that reads the light converged by the light-receiving lens; and a hardware processor that: based on first white data obtained when the reading sensor reads the reference sheet for the first time, determines whether the reference sheet or the reading sensor has dust; in response to determining that the reference sheet or the reading sensor has dust, produces ideal initial white reference data by complementing the first white data with second white data obtained when the reading sensor reads the reference sheet for the second and subsequent times; and with the ideal initial white reference data, complements third white data obtained when the reading sensor reads the reference sheet right before reading an image of a job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ozawa, Tomohiro Yamaguchi