Patents Examined by Jacky X. Zheng
  • Patent number: 12045527
    Abstract: A method of controlling an information processing apparatus includes transmitting a first job to a job processing apparatus, executing first control for holding the first job in a job queue that the information processing apparatus has in a state where processing based on the first job is executed in the job processing apparatus, and executing second control for terminating holding of the first job by the job queue based on a fact that a second job is registered in the job queue in a state where the first job is held in the job queue even in a case where the processing based on the first job is executed in the job processing apparatus. The first control includes control not to transmit an EndJob command even though transmission of the first job is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 12034896
    Abstract: A printing system includes a printing apparatus that prints an image on a sheet, a sheet processer that executes sheet processing, and a sheet detection sensor that detects a sheet on which the sheet processing is performed not in association with the printing of an image, where the printing of an image is restricted in response to detection of a sheet by the sheet detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Mutsuno, Masaki Kashiwagi, Akinori Takeo, Satoshi Totsuka
  • Patent number: 12026412
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided to facilitate connections between devices, such as a printer and a cloud-based server, and to implement an adaptive application framework. In the context of an apparatus, a printer is provided comprising communications circuitry configured to facilitate communications with a network; and processing circuitry configured to transmit a connection request to the network; receive requested connection parameters from the network; transmit printer connection parameters to the network; and establish a first secure connection between the printer and the network. The printer comprising processing circuitry further configured to receive requested connection parameters comprising at least a signed security certificate and a DNS name for a server on the network and to verify the signed security certificate and the DNS name for the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Bret M. Anno
  • Patent number: 12020421
    Abstract: An image defect detection method is used in an electronic device. The electronic device determines a training image feature set, and trains a Gaussian mixture model by using the feature set to obtain an image defect detection model and a reference error value. An image for analysis is input into the autoencoder to obtain a second implicit vector and a second reconstructed image, and to calculate a second reconstruction error. The electronic device obtains a test image feature of the image for analysis according to the second reconstruction error and the second implicit vector, and inputs the test image feature into the image defect detection model to obtain a prediction score. The image for analysis is determined to reveal a defect when the prediction score is less than or equal to the reference error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tung-Tso Tsai, Chin-Pin Kuo, Tzu-Chen Lin, Shih-Chao Chien
  • Patent number: 12019935
    Abstract: An information processing unit 20 includes a CPU 21, in which the CPU 21 displays an operator associated with a setting of a job on a display unit 14, and in a case in which the CPU 21 receives a retaining instruction, which is an instruction to retain the operator associated with the setting of the job without erasing the operator from the display unit 14 while the job is being executed, and after the receipt of the retaining instruction, in a case in which the job that is being executed is discontinued, the CPU 21 cancels the retaining instruction for the discontinued job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Sato
  • Patent number: 12015741
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to printing apparatuses and methods of operating the same. In various embodiments, a method of operating a printing apparatus to generate to generate an alert signal corresponding to a detected operating condition associated with the printing apparatus comprises selectively operating a drive component to generate an alert signal corresponding to a detected operating condition defined by the printing apparatus, the alert signal being defined by a vibration of the printing apparatus, wherein the drive component is configured to be operably engaged with a print media disposed within the printing apparatus such that the operation of the drive component causes a corresponding movement of the print media along a printing path defined by the printing apparatus; and wherein an operation of the drive component is defined at least in part by a rotation of the drive component in one or more rotational directions about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Phek Thong Lee, Christian Knut Schulz-Janisch, Kin Song Chan, Teng Beng Low, Jennelyn Libuit Requinto
  • Patent number: 11985281
    Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a document, a transport path, an output path for outputting the document read by the reading unit, a display unit that displays a setup screen, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the display unit. The output path includes a first output path and a second output path that separately lead to different document output destinations, and the output path is formed such that a use path used to output the document is changed between the first output path and the second output path. The control unit is configured to obtain path information indicating the use path and a reading setup. The control unit is configured to, based on the reading setup and the path information, cause the display unit to display a suggestion indication suggesting changing the reading setup or suggesting changing the use path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Haruya Eguchi, Nobu Tagawa
  • Patent number: 11985272
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage that stores operation explanation information for explaining task contents to be performed on the information processing apparatus, an operation explanation display controller that displays operation explanation information related to a specific task to be performed on the information processing apparatus, a task information acquirer that acquires information about a task performed on the information processing apparatus when the operation explanation information is displayed, an erroneous task determiner that determines that an erroneous task is performed on the information processing apparatus when the acquired information about a task differs from contents information of the specific task indicated in the displayed operation explanation information, and a warning processor that notifies warning information indicating that a task different from the specific task indicated in the displayed operation explanation information is performed when it is determi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Saeda, Yasuhiro Nakai, Kohichi Murakami, Yasutomo Hayano, Emiko Matsuo, Manami Takao
  • Patent number: 11985280
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kerry O'Mara, John Allen, James Walsh, Dobromir Kamburov, Michael Sparango, David Helmlinger, Peter Patrick
  • Patent number: 11979534
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a registration unit that registers a speed license for setting an image forming speed, and an image forming unit that performs image formation at an image forming speed corresponding to the speed license registered by the registration unit. In addition, a control unit permits the image formation by the image forming unit in a case where the speed license is registered by the registration unit, and permits the image formation by the image forming unit in a case where an operation mode of the image forming apparatus is a predetermined mode different from a normal operation mode if the speed license is unregistered by the registration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosui Naito
  • Patent number: 11977791
    Abstract: An editing method being performed by a computer according to one aspect includes executing processing of: causing a display to display an editing screen on which a layout of an object is capable of being edited; and enabling switching of a selection condition for each object on the editing screen to be brought into one of a selected state and an unselected state based on an operation by a user. The switchable selection condition may include a combination of a first selection condition for bringing an object whose own area is entirely included in a range designated by an operation of designating the range into a selected state and a second selection condition for bringing an object whose own area is at least partially included in the designated range into a selected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Naruse
  • Patent number: 11979537
    Abstract: An embedding component is described which embeds information in a scanned document. The embedding component includes a document acquisition component, which acquires a scanned document from an associated scanning device. An information acquisition component acquires variable information associated with the scanned document. An encoding component generates a machine-readable representation of the variable information. A pattern insertion component uses the machine-readable representation to insert at least one machine readable pattern in the scanned document, to generate a modified document. An output component outputs the modified document to an associated output device, such that when the modified document is rendered on print media, the machine-readable pattern is not noticeable to the unaided eye of a person. A processor implements the document acquisition component, information acquisition component, encoding component, pattern insertion component, and output component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Louis Jacques Gaiser, Kevin John Kopp, Bindu Bhaumik Choksi, Timothy Allen Beardslee, Marcel Wisman
  • Patent number: 11973914
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a scanning unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor by scanning the photoconductor with one or more scanning beams in a main scanning direction based on an image signal, repetitively in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; a generating unit configured to perform halftone processing on image data to generate the image signal; and a storage unit configured to store correction information. The correction information is set such that start positions of a plurality of scanning lines are linearly displaced to either a negative side or a positive side of the main scanning direction along the sub-scanning direction, in accordance with a direction of a first vector forming a smaller angle with the sub-scanning direction among two vectors in the halftone processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Go Araki, Mitsuhiro Obara
  • Patent number: 11972509
    Abstract: Method for acquiring local gonio-reflection characteristics of an image which is aggregation of dots. Sensory glossiness (L) of the image determined by equation (1) is 1.0 or more. The sensory glossiness (L) is determined based on a height of a peak (H), a height of a base (B) and a half width of a peak (W) of a distribution information of lightness with respect to light receiving angle, obtained by measuring reflected light of a measuring light irradiated into the image. The local gonio-reflection characteristics is acquired with a spatial resolution (A) for acquiring the local gonio-reflection characteristics and a resolution (B) which represents a distribution information of the dots within a region where the sensory glossiness (L) being 1.0 or more, satisfying formula (2). L=Log((H?B)/W)??Equation (1) 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishikawa, Akihiko Itami
  • Patent number: 11966651
    Abstract: A communication system comprising: a communication device; a server; and a terminal device. The communication device sends first history information indicating usage history of the communication device to the server and sends second history information indicating usage history of the communication device to the terminal device. In a case where the first history information is received from the communication device, the server sends first notification information related to the first history information to the terminal device. In a case where the first notification information is received from the server, the terminal device displays the first notification information on the display unit and in a case where the second history information is received from the communication device, the terminal device displays second notification information related to the second history information on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Megumi Hata
  • Patent number: 11968346
    Abstract: A color correction apparatus has: an obtaining unit that obtains first color information of a first image formed by a first color formed on a recording medium and second color information of a second image formed by a second color superimposed on the first color formed on the recording medium; and a correction unit that finds a correction value for the second color by estimating color information of the second color based on the first color information and the second color information, the color information of the second color being varied due to an influence in correcting the first color information to a first target value of the first color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshige Kidera, Daiki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 11956391
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes first and second first conveyance rollers, transparent members, reading units, and opposing rollers, and includes a driving unit. The first reading unit reads an image on a sheet first surface through the first transparent member at a first reading position. The first opposing roller is opposed to the first transparent member at the first reading position. The second reading unit reads an image on a sheet second surface through the second transparent member at a second reading position. The second opposing roller is opposed to the second transparent member at the second reading position. The second conveyance roller is arranged where a sheet trailing edge passes through the first reading position while the second conveyance roller conveys the sheet. The driving unit drives the first opposing roller so that a first opposing roller circumferential speed is faster than a second conveyance roller circumferential speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohito Nakagawa, Yukihiro Soeta, Teppei Nagata
  • Patent number: 11956396
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to evaluate a performance of each of a plural combinations of processes, each combination including a series of processes, the plural combinations being included in plural processes, the series of processes being configured to be performed on an image, the performance being evaluated on a basis of a result of performing the series of processes on a test image for each combination, and output an evaluation result for at least two combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Shusaku Kubo, Junichi Shimizu, Kosuke Tomokuni, Mamiko Sato
  • Patent number: 11947857
    Abstract: A network environment is built in an already-existing production line without significant cost to provide a novel and user-friendly inkjet printer system. A portable repeater 3 includes a carriageable storage unit and is interposed between an inkjet printer 6 and a server 5. The inkjet printer 6 and the repeater 3 are communicated with other over short-range wireless 2 to transmit print related data from the inkjet printer 6 to the repeater 3 or from the repeater 3 to the inkjet printer 6, and the repeater 3 and the server 5 are communicated with each other over a communication network 4 to transmit the print related data either from the server 5 to the repeater 3 or from the repeater 3 to the server 5. This enables building of the network environment in an already-existing production line without significant cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huilin Chen, Takahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11949830
    Abstract: If the printing protocol associated with a received print job is not an internet printing protocol, the number of times of printing is counted for each type of printing protocol. If the printing protocol associated with a received print job is an internet printing protocol, the number of times of printing is counted while distinguishing a transmission source application by identifying a transmission source application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ritsuto Sako