Patents Examined by D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7551310
    Abstract: The technique of the present invention enhances the workability of bonding and improves the finish in poster printing. The procedure first sets multiple areas adjacent to one another in an image expressed by master image data, where each of the multiple areas corresponds to each unit page to be printed. The procedure then enlarges each of the adjacent areas by preset dimensions (corresponding to an enlarged area in marginless printing) and sequentially extracts image data included in each enlarged area. The procedure subsequently magnifies the extracted image data by a predetermined magnification to generate each piece of page image data. The area actually printed is a little greater than the size of each sheet of printing paper. This arrangement thus enables an image part, for example, each part of a letter ‘A’, to be printed to the top, bottom, left, and right sides of each sheet of printing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Yudasaka, Kaoru Nakabayashi, Shoichi Nakajo
  • Patent number: 7548345
    Abstract: A high-resolution printing method includes the steps of determining if a pixel of a plurality of pixels is a true black pixel and positioning the true black pixel in a predetermined column and a predetermined row of a print matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Michael Heydinger
  • Patent number: 7538910
    Abstract: A printing system includes a memory that stores information including at least metadata, a printer and a controller that controls the printing system to embed the metadata into a data stream for the print job. After the controller controls the printer to print the print job, the controller controls the printer to reprint a portion of the print job based on the embedded metadata if the printing of the print job is not acceptable. A method of using a printing system includes a storing information including metadata, controlling the printing system to embed the metadata into a data stream for the print job and reprinting a portion of the print job based on the embedded metadata if the printing of the print job is not acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John C Czudak, Patrick J Waara
  • Patent number: 7532339
    Abstract: An interface is provided between two or more self-describing devices, each having a data store, or two ongoing processes on the same device sharing a common data store. The interface includes a datastream having at least one metavariable that is indicative of at least two or more parameters associated with a device. The datastream occurs between the data store of one transmitting device to the data store or one or more receiving devices or between two or more processes that may or may not share a common data store. The metavariable references or implies a number of other variables and allows devices to effectively communication without knowledge of the underlying variables. The metavariable can be data indicative of the configuration and settings of a device or can be a command altering two or more setting of a device upon receipt of the metavariable by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Andrew Beard, Robert Jerome Borchers, Evan Glenn Goldey, Craig Anthony Rudolph
  • Patent number: 7528973
    Abstract: A facsimile device includes an outer case accommodating a circuit controller and a communication module. The communication module has a router function and can be directly connected to a broadband-capable modem, such as an ADSL modem, by a cable. The communication module can perform bi-directional communications with a web server on the Internet via the broadband-capable modem. The communication module also has a web printing function for printing images of data received from a web server on a recording unit. Hence, by connecting a broadband-capable modem to the communication module, the facsimile device can print data from web servers onto paper to facilitate viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Enomoto, Yoshiyuki Kondo, Masatoshi Kokubo, Kazuma Aoki
  • Patent number: 7522315
    Abstract: When image data are sent through a network, bit streams of hierarchically encoded JPEG 2000 data of a plurality of pages of a document are formed by prioritizing resolution, and the bit streams of the plurality of pages are divided in a plurality of files based on the unit of hierarchical encoding such as resolution or layer level. Then, the plurality of files of all the pages are arranged into a plurality of combinations thereof based on resolution or layer level. Then, an electronic mail is written and sent to the same destination for each of the combinations by attaching all the files included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Munehiro Nakatani, Kaitaku Ozawa, Toshiya Shozaki
  • Patent number: 7515315
    Abstract: A scan description language (SDL) system and method are provided for managing a scan job. The method comprises: scanning a document at a scanning device; constructing a scan job using SDL commands; partially performing the scan job at the scanning device in response to the SDL commands; and, partially performing the scan job at a node connected to the scanning device in response to the SDL commands. The scan job can be constructed at a scanning device front panel, a connected web page, or a client connected to the scanning device. Likewise, the scan job can be initiated from a front panel of the scanning device, a connected client, or a connected web page. Further, the scan job may be partially performed a locally connected client, a network-connected client, a network-connected server, a locally connected server, another scanning device, or a telephone network-connected client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 7511839
    Abstract: A control method for a composite apparatus having at least a printer function, and further having a controller adapted to control an entire apparatus, a network connector adapted to connect to a network to send and receive a packet, and a printer language processor adapted to process a printer language. First, contents of the packet inputted via the network connector is analyzed, then if the analyzed packet is print data, the packet is transferred to the printer language processor, and if the analyzed packet is not the print data, the packet is transferred to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Shoji, Toru Fujino
  • Patent number: 7495807
    Abstract: In a communication system, which is used in particular in the production of print media, information coming from an output file is forwarded to a receiving unit. However, this information is not forwarded directly but via a filter unit which has access to the requirements of the receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Hauck, Steffen Janz, Achim Scheurer
  • Patent number: 7489417
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and interface wherein a multifuntion copier, equipped with a Universal Serial Bus port, accepts data directly from a USB-Data Storage Device (USB-DSD) for the purpose of printing, e-mailing, and faxing. The system contains a copier containing a computer-controller having at least one USB port interface. The controller has a service that can either be enabled or disabled by a system administrator. The service is capable of performing email, printing and facsimile fuctions. When a user inserts a USB-DSD into the USB port on the controller, the service presents the user with the three options stated above. Once the utility, which scans the USB-DSD and displays the supported files found on the DSD. Each desired funtion will have multiple options for a user to choose. For example, when the printing option is selected, the service will present to the user on the display choices such as duplex, portrit/landscape, multipage, number of prints and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignees: Toshiba Corporation, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Peter H N Tran, Marianne L. Kodimer, Darrell V. Hopp, Amir Shahindoust
  • Patent number: 7468803
    Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus and image processing method capable of processing image data as packet data, and compressing the image data in real time to a data amount within the storage capacity of a memory. Image data in the form of packet data is divided into a plurality of blocks by a block forming circuit (102), and compressed at a first compression ratio by a DCT circuit (104), quantizing circuit (105), and Huffman encoding circuit (106) for each block. A counter (108) measures the data amount of the compressed image data. If the measured data amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the image data stored in a memory (112) is recompressed at a second compression ratio as a higher compression ratio by a Huffman decoding circuit (113), bit shifting circuit (114), and Huffman encoding circuit (115).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Aoyagi, Yoshinobu Umeda
  • Patent number: 7436552
    Abstract: An information processing method for managing the usage of an image processing apparatus. The image processing method includes a managing step for managing log information that indicates the usage of the image processing apparatus; a registering step for registering image-processing-apparatus user information concerning an image-processing-apparatus user in the log information managed in the managing step; a first acquiring step for acquiring a limit value of an amount used that is input in response to the registration of the image-processing-apparatus user information in the registering step; and a setting step for automatically setting the limit value acquired in the first acquiring step as a limit value of a usage fee for the image-processing-apparatus user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiji Nozato
  • Patent number: 7433065
    Abstract: Image forming device consumable monitoring methods, consumable monitoring systems and image forming devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Quintin Phillips, Jake Heusinkveld
  • Patent number: 7428072
    Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus that is capable of executing insert print processing for inserting a second printing medium as an insert sheet into a first printing medium and printing a plurality of sheets, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to the printing apparatus and transmits print data in a predetermined format in accordance with an input received via a user interface. If a designation has been made so as to execute the insert print processing for applying print processing to the second printing medium, the second printing medium is assigned a second print setting that differs from a first print setting for the first printing medium, and print data is generated for printing on the second printing medium according to the second print setting and on the first printing medium according to the first print setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7417773
    Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing and sending facsimile messages using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to indicate a reference to a document that is appended to the outgoing facsimile. In another further configuration, the user utilizes a form having pre-defined regions that are used to correlate a pen stroke with a desired action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Braun, John W. Rojas, James R. Norris, Jean-Hiram Coffy, Arthur Parkos, Alan Leung, Wendy Chui Fen Leung
  • Patent number: 7414757
    Abstract: There is disclosed in embodiments methods relating to the compression of printing hints. The method in embodiments generates a first set of image pixels having corresponding printing hints. The printing hints are then adjusted to produce a second set of image pixels processed in such a way that an end printed result is visually equivalent to a printed result using the first set of image pixels thereby reducing the entropy in the printing hints. The method improves the compression ratio of an image using printing hints by adjusting the printing hints of pixels that are zero or fully saturated. The printing hints are adjusted in such a way to reduce the complexity of the printing hints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Eldridge, Peter A. Crean, Jon S. McElvain, William E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7408657
    Abstract: An image input and output system is provided in which a common operation screen for a plurality of image output devices having different attributes is displayed. Based on attribute information of each of printers, the server generates a signal for generating an operation screen, and transmits the signal to the scanner. At the scanner, image data is inputted, and a common operation screen, which is generated based on the signal for generating the operation screen, is displayed on a display panel. When information designating the printer and information relating to an output format of an image is inputted from the display panel, the inputted information and the image data are transmitted to the server. The server transmits, to a designated printer, the image data and the information relating to the output format of the image, which are transmitted from the scanner, and images are outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Suzuki, Toshihide Yoshimura, Hiromi Ohara, Masahiro Machida, Kanji Itaki, Shigeki Ishino
  • Patent number: 7394562
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method capable of printing part of a book file by designating the range. A setting user interface window is displayed from a print setting menu, a desired unit is selected from a print target column, and the range is designated in the selected unit. The designated range is printed including an original page within the designated range and another original page to be printed on the same paper sheet as that of the original page. The range can be designated by an entire book file, chapter, page, or booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Nakagiri, Shigeo Nara, Yasuo Mori, Takuya Miyazato
  • Patent number: 7382505
    Abstract: A system includes a multifunctional peripheral (MFP) and a computer connected to the MFP via a communication link. The MFP includes a scanner for use by walk-up user to scan a page. The computer provides a user interface that enables a user to request a document be printed and then scanned on the MFP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Travis Lay, Brett A. Green, Curtis Reese
  • Patent number: RE40775
    Abstract: A difference in feed roller diameter from one printer to another causes a media to advance by a different amount for a given rotation of a drive shaft to which the feed roller is coupled. Such variation in advance distance is a linefeed error. Mean linefeed error is determined and corrected by printing a test plot having several areas. Each area is formed of the same image pattern, but is printed at a different linefeed error adjustment to compensate for mean linefeed error. The different adjustments are prescribed and span a typical compensation range for a given print engine model. The different adjustment factors cause banding to occur in some areas. The user picks one of the test pattern areas which has the highest print quality (i.e., least or no banding). The linefeed adjustment factor corresponding to such area is used for normal printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dan Arquilevich, Steve O. Rasmussen, Vance M. Stephens