Patents Examined by Marivelisse Santiago-Cordero
  • Patent number: 9092704
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores prohibited combination information, a display control unit that displays a user interface screen on a display unit, based on web page data that is received from a web server in the server apparatus, using a web browser that communicates with the web server, a first determination unit that determines, based on the prohibited combination information, whether or not the two or more settings that are prohibited from being combined are included in a plurality of current settings that include a content of change of settings received using the user interface screen, and a storage information control unit that stores a fact that the two or more settings prohibited from being combined are included in the current settings, in predetermined data. The display control unit, via the predetermined data, acquires the fact, and updates the user interface screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Okihisa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9091986
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fukumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Patent number: 9092722
    Abstract: Feed information is acquired from a server using a URL designated from a user of a PC. The feed information is compared with a print condition designated by the user of the PC, to acquire document information that matches the print condition. Out of a plurality of image forming apparatuses registered for users, the image forming apparatus capable of performing printing is selected. Preview of document information acquired according to print setting set in the image forming apparatus is generated. Feed information having the generated preview and information relating to the image forming apparatus capable of performing printing added thereto are transmitted to the PC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 9087290
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus causes a printing executing section to perform a printing process using color-materials, the image processing apparatus includes: a first processing unit that performs a first image-processing by processing original image data in order to generate first processed image data; and a supplying unit, wherein the first processing unit includes: a calculating unit that calculates an index value relating an edge-intensity about a target pixel in object image data; and a correcting unit that corrects a value of the target pixel based on the index value of the edge-intensity, wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel increase if the target pixel is a first pixel, and wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel decrease if the target pixel is a second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Kondo
  • Patent number: 9087286
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: media containers each of which can contain therein media, an image formation unit to form an image on one or more media based on image data; a media feed unit to feed the media from one of the media containers to the image formation unit; a computation unit configured to calculate a remaining time to complete the image-forming on the media of an instructed quantity, based on a feed time per medium and a print time per medium; and an image formation condition change detector configured to detect a change of image formation conditions. When the change of the image formation conditions is detected, the computation unit calculates the remaining time, based on the feed time per medium and the print time per medium after the change of the image formation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9081532
    Abstract: In a method to output document data divided into pages at an output printing apparatus, a print file encoded in a page description language is provided with per-page variable document data and bin command data, the bin command data referring to at least one page input tray of a reference printing apparatus for page-shaped recording material. The page input tray is provided to accept form pages with at least one pre-print image. At least one macro data set is created that contains a group of commands of the page description language and pre-print image data with which the pre-print image can be reproduced as a rastered image. Association data are generated for an association between the bin command data and the macro data set. The print file is sent as a data stream from a document data computer to a controller. In the controller the variable document data are merged and rastered with the pre-print image data using the bin command data and the association data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Albert Danner
  • Patent number: 9048841
    Abstract: A driver circuit drives a plurality of groups of light emitting elements. Each element includes an anode, a cathode connected to the ground, and a gate that controls electrical conduction between the anode and cathode. A first driver section simultaneously drives the anodes of the elements of the plurality of groups of elements. A second driver section simultaneously drives the gates of the elements in a corresponding group of the plurality of groups. The second driver section includes a series connection of a first switch element and a voltage level shifter. The series connection is connected between a power supply and the group of gates. The second driver section further includes a second switch element connected between the group of gates and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nagumo
  • Patent number: 9030678
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of option devices includes a signal changing unit connected to a first control unit of a recording apparatus without a second control unit of another option device and configured to change a signal supplied from the first control unit, and a communication line configured to connect the first control unit and the second control unit without the second control unit of another option device. The first control unit determines the number of the option devices by inputting a signal to the signal changing unit in each of the plurality of option devices. After that, in the case where communication can be performed between the first and second control units, it is determined that the second control unit of the option device is normal. In the case where the communication cannot be performed, it is determined that the second control unit is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Ito
  • Patent number: 9025215
    Abstract: A cable wiring structure includes: a base member; a movable member configured to reciprocate in a first direction and in a second direction relative to the base member; a cable; a tension applying member, which is attached to the movable member and is movable in the first direction and in the second direction relative to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves in the second direction, the tension applying member is coming in contact with an inner circumference of the curved portion to apply tension to the cable in response to movement of the movable member; and a load adjustment portion, which is configured to increase a load that is applied between the tension applying member and the movable member in a case where the movable member moves in the second direction as compared with a case where the movable member moves in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kozaki, Yasuhiro Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 9025978
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding body on which a toner image is formed; a transfer unit that functions to transfer the toner image formed on the image holding body onto a recording medium; and an adjusting unit that adjusts a gap between the transfer unit and the image holding body based on the rigidity of the recording medium, the recording medium being conveyed through the gap with respect to the image holding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuji Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9025167
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first image processing unit having a fixed image processing function to perform image processing of image data. A second image processing unit has a fixed image processing function to perform image processing of image area data. A reconfigurable image processing unit is capable of having selectively, by reconfiguration of an architecture of the reconfigurable image processing unit, one of least a first image processing function for image processing of image data and a second image processing function for image processing of image area data. A control unite reconfigures the architecture of the reconfigurable image processing unit to have one of at least the first image processing function and a second image processing function on a basis of whether the image processing apparatus processes a color image or a monochrome image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naotsugu Itoh
  • Patent number: 9019557
    Abstract: A gloss characteristic measurement unit obtains measurement values regarding the gloss characteristic of a plurality of patches formed based on patch data in which the amount of clear color material is changed with respect to an output value from a color separation table for color materials. A color separation table generation unit selects one measurement value for each color or gray level indicated by the patch data, and generates, based on the selected measurement value and the color separation table for color materials, a color separation table in a case where the color materials and the clear color material are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Jinno, Hiromitsu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9013770
    Abstract: In an image processing device, the control device identifies a background color of the image. The control device classifies each of the pixels into either one of a background color pixel group or a non-background color pixel group. The control device determines whether a partial region of the image having the non-background pixel is a chromatic color region or an achromatic color region, without using pixel values corresponding to pixels classified into the background color pixel group. The control device determines that the image is chromatic color image when it is determined that the partial region is the chromatic color region. The control device determines that the image is achromatic color image when it is determined that the partial region is the achromatic color region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiko Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9007606
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming portion 12, a setting acceptance portion 101, an identification information acquisition portion 92, and a control portion 100. The setting acceptance portion 101 accepts a job setting content from a user. After the job setting content is accepted by the setting acceptance portion 101, the identification information acceptance portion 92 acquires identification information of the user through communication with a key card 8. When the acquired identification information is authentic and the key card 8 is incommunicable with the identification information acquisition portion 92, the control portion 100 executes a job according to the job setting content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Furutani
  • Patent number: 9001341
    Abstract: A printing apparatus according to the present invention can change according to a type of a job whether to switch storage units within a group in accordance with an amount of sheets reaches a certain amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuzo Harano
  • Patent number: 9001375
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions. When the instructions are executed by a processor, the instructions cause an information processing apparatus, to perform: a first receiving process for receiving a setting of a first allocation number; a size determining process for determining a size of an allocation area which is to be allocated to one image on the sheet; a judging process for judging whether it is possible to arrange the allocation areas of the size determined in the size determining process, according to a second allocation number which is greater than the first allocation number; and a guiding process for guiding that it is possible to allocate the image according to the second allocation number while maintaining the size of the allocation area determined in the size determining process for each of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mareyuki Murata
  • Patent number: 9001356
    Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a display section, a web browser section for operating in accordance with software for a web browser, and a second web server section for operating in accordance with software for a web server. The web browser section causes the display section to display an operation window indicated by image data received from a first web server section, and notifies the second web server section of a control instruction to control the multifunction printer, which instruction is entered into the operation window. The multifunction printer further includes a device control section for controlling the multifunction printer in accordance with the control instruction of which the web browser section notifies the second web server section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihiko Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 8995019
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extracting unit extracting custom color identification data that identifies each of one or more custom colors different from multiple predetermined basic colors from drawing data for every page; a separation data generating unit generating separation data that indicates an object to be drawn for each color in accordance with the drawing data for one page without waiting for the completion of the extraction of the custom color identification data for the pages other than the one page; a raster data generating unit generating raster data concerning each color in accordance with the separation data; an acquiring unit acquiring mixing ratio data; and a combining unit combining the raster data concerning the custom color with the respective pieces of raster data concerning the basic colors in accordance with the mixing ratio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Nishide
  • Patent number: 8994981
    Abstract: A calibration system includes a plurality of printers, a grouping unit, a printer-selecting unit, a corrections data acquiring unit, a group determining unit, and a print-data creating unit. A set of condition data is set for each printer. The grouping unit allocates each printer into either one of at least one group, based on the set of condition data for each printer. The printer-selecting unit selects, for each group, a printer among at least one printer belonging to the each group. The correction data acquiring unit acquires, for each group, one set of correction data created by the selected printer. The group determining unit determines one group, to which one of the printers that is desired to perform printing belongs. The print-data creating unit creates a set of print data based on the set of correction data corresponding to the determined group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8994965
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to improve the maneuverability and usability of the apparatus concerned. The apparatus includes: a display section to display a screen thereon; a controlling section to form a synthesized image in which position detecting symbols are synthesized with an image onto which the screen displayed on the display section is to be arranged; a storage section to store a table in which the keys and corresponding positions of the keys, arranged on the paper sheet, are correlated with each other, respectively; and a printing section to print the synthesized image onto the paper sheet. When acquiring positional information, the controlling section refers to the table so as to specify a specific key correlated with the positional information, and establishes a status of the image forming apparatus, being same as that established by designating the specific key from the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Motosugi