Patents by Inventor Hideki Furihata
Hideki Furihata has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7483180Abstract: Problem To provide technology for preventing a drop in image scanning quality due to penetration of external light and contact with an ink ribbon. Means of Resolution A scanner unit 20 according to the present invention has a scanner head 21 and a support member 22 for supporting this scanner head 21. The scanner head 21 has a scanning surface 25 for scanning with the paper supported pressed by scanner feed roller 30. A stepped support part 27 having support surfaces 27a to 27d positioned to the scanner feed roller 30 side of the scanning surface 25 is disposed to the edge of the scanning surface 25.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsuyuki Endo, Hideki Furihata
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Patent number: 7470072Abstract: A platen gap adjustment assembly for a printing apparatus including a printer using the platen gap adjustment assembly to adjust the platen gap between a platen and a print head when printing on a print medium transported between the platen and the print head. The platen gap adjustment assembly includes a guide shaft, which slidably supports a carriage carrying the print head and a pair of mounting members each supporting the guide shaft. The mounting members have positioning engagement parts for holding or maintaining the position of an eccentric shaft in a given position which controls the position of the positioning engagement parts relative to the mounting members. An urging member urges one of the mounting members with the guide shaft fit therein in the direction for causing the positioning engagement parts into one of a given set of positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20080197559Abstract: A media processing device can convey checks at a constant speed passed an information reading position without slipping and without increasing the relay capacity of the transportation roller. The check processing device 1 has two transportation rollers 31 and 32 between the scanning position 52A of the contact image scanner 52 and the separation roller 17 and retard roller 18 that produce a transportation load or transportation load variation. The upstream-side transportation roller 31 turns faster than the downstream transportation roller 32 so that the checks 4 are fed with slack between these transportation rollers 31 and 32. Because of this slack in the part 402 of the check 4 between the transportation rollers 31 and 32, the transportation load from the separation mechanism does not act on the downstream transportation roller 32.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideki Furihata, Toshiyuki Sasaki
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Publication number: 20080196996Abstract: The medium conveying mechanism includes a motor, a driving pulley adapted to be rotated by the motor, an endless belt wound around the driving pulley and adapted to be moved by the driving pulley in a belt moving direction, a first driven pulley around which the endless belt is wound and adapted to be rotated by the endless belt, a first conveying roller disposed on the medium conveying path and adapted to be rotated by the first driven pulley to convey the medium, and a first pressure roller disposed to correspond to the first conveying roller so as to press the medium against the first conveying roller. A distance in the medium conveying path between the information reading position and a nip portion between the first conveying roller and the first pressure roller is shorter than a distance between a leading end of the conveyed medium and back end of the recording area. The first driven pulley is disposed upstream from the driving pulley in the belt moving direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20080156875Abstract: Swinging open the upstream-side cover part (31) and downstream-side cover part (32) of the check scanning apparatus (1) on a common support pivot (33) opens a U-shaped check transportation path (5). The check transportation path (5) can be opened with a simple single-action operation to remove checks (4) jammed in the check transportation path (5) and for maintenance of the magnetic head (84) and contact image sensors (82 and 83). When the task is completed, the open check transportation path (5) can also be returned to the original closed position by a simple single-action operation. If only those parts that require maintenance are exposed when the check transportation path is open, tasks that require opening the transportation path can be done without damaging other parts and without soiling the operator's fingers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiki Kinoshita, Hideki Furihata, Toru Takami, Akira Nakazawa
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Patent number: 7355763Abstract: Scanning errors and document feed errors are prevented by pressing originals, including thin originals and thick originals of greatly different thicknesses, to the scanning surface (1a) of an image sensor (1) with pressure appropriate for the respective original. A pressure-generating mechanism (50) is used to press the original against the scanning surface (1a) by selecting different elastic bodies with different spring forces to produce a different elastic force in accordance with the thickness of the original document.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20070291328Abstract: The media processing apparatus has a first transportation path for guiding the check, a second transportation path and a third transportation path that diverge from the first transportation path, a front scanner that is rendered along the first transportation path for imaging the first side of the check, a back scanner that is rendered along the third transportation path for imaging the second side of the check, and a path switching guide that guides a check from the first transportation path into the second transportation path or third transportation path.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
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Patent number: 7258500Abstract: The media processing apparatus has a first transportation path for guiding the check, a second transportation path and a third transportation path that diverge from the first transportation path, a front scanner that is rendered along the first transportation path for imaging the first side of the check, a back scanner that is rendered along the third transportation path for imaging the second side of the check, and a path switching guide that guides a check from the first transportation path into the second transportation path or third transportation path.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
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Patent number: 7210630Abstract: An image scanning apparatus for scanning a plurality of mediums of different thicknesses with each medium scanned by pressing the medium to the scanning surface of an image scanning sensor with appropriate force using a first pressure mechanism comprising first rollers for pressing the medium to the scanning surface, a coil spring for urging the first rollers toward the scanning surface when the media thickness is less than a specified thickness, and a first tension spring for urging the first rollers to the scanning surface when the media thickness exceeds the specified thickness and a second pressure mechanism comprising second rollers for pressing the medium to the scanning surface, and a second tension spring for urging the second rollers to the scanning surface wherein the force imposed upon the scanning surface by the coil spring is substantially equal to the force imposed by the second tension spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Norio Nagata, Hideki Furihata
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Patent number: 7165904Abstract: A printer with an image scanning sensor for reading image data in confined spaces comprising a case unit 11 with a roll paper compartment 30 for holding roll paper P, a front cover unit 12 for forming a slip transportation path 21 for conveying slips S between the front cover unit 12 and case unit 11 and a top cover unit 13 rendered to open and close to the case unit 11 so that it closes the roll paper compartment 30 when closed and simultaneously forms a roll paper transportation path 35 for conveying roll paper P between the case unit 11 and the top cover unit 13. The printer includes; slip printing units 23, 25 disposed to the slip transportation path 21 for printing to slips S; a thermal print head 33 disposed to the roll paper transportation path 35 for printing to roll paper P; and an image scanning sensor 44 disposed to the top cover unit 13 for reading image data recorded to a card C.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
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Publication number: 20060257185Abstract: A platen gap adjustment assembly for a printing apparatus including a printer using the platen gap adjustment assembly to adjust the platen gap between a platen and a print head when printing on a print medium transported between the platen and the print head. The platen gap adjustment assembly includes a guide shaft, which slidably supports a carriage carrying the print head and a pair of mounting members each supporting the guide shaft. The mounting members have positioning engagement parts for holding or maintaining the position of an eccentric shaft in a given position which controls the position of the positioning engagement parts relative to the mounting members. An urging member urges one of the mounting members with the guide shaft fit therein in the direction for causing the positioning engagement parts into one of a given set of positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2006Publication date: November 16, 2006Inventor: Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20060115312Abstract: The media processing apparatus has a first transportation path for guiding the check, a second transportation path and a third transportation path that diverge from the first transportation path, a front scanner that is rendered along the first transportation path for imaging the first side of the check, a back scanner that is rendered along the third transportation path for imaging the second side of the check, and a path switching guide that guides a check from the first transportation path into the second transportation path or third transportation path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
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Patent number: 6983885Abstract: A print media processing apparatus having scanner feed rollers for holding and transporting print media against an image scanner appropriately controls the scanner feed roller position. The scanner feed rollers are opposite the image scanner, which is disposed along a vertical segment of a transportation path along which a check or form is transported. A roller retraction mechanism moves the scanner feed rollers between a closed position in which the rollers press against the scanning surface, and an open position in which the rollers are retracted therefrom. The scanner feed rollers retract to the open position a specific time after scanning ends. By delaying retraction of the rollers in this manner, the present invention solves the problem of a check or other print media, after having been processed and transported to the exit side of the rollers, from slipping down between the rollers and the image scanner into the vertical transportation path because the rollers opened as soon as scanning ends.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata, Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20050252975Abstract: A media transportation mechanism comprising a first transportation roller pair and second transportation roller pair disposed in the transportation path on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, of image scanners convey a slip over a sliding guide surface. The first transportation roller pair produces a feed force towards the sliding guide surface so as to push the leading end edge of the slip to the sliding guide surface. The second transportation roller pair produces a feed force in the direction away from the sliding guide surface so as to push the trailing end edge of the slip to the sliding guide surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideki Furihata, Norio Nagata
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Patent number: 6942213Abstract: A compact duplex scanner for scanning both sides of an original document scans a document smoothly without paper jams. A platen roller 8 is located opposite an image sensor 7 for scanning a paper 15 held therebetween as it is transported through a paper feed path 2b. The image sensor 7 and platen roller 8 are mounted on a rotary frame 90 designed to move circularly as a single unit around a rotary shaft positioned transversely to the paper feed path 2b. After the paper 15 is carried in a forward direction P and the front 15a of the paper 15 is scanned, the rotary frame 90 rotates 180 degrees, and the paper 15 is carried in a reverse direction to scan the back 15b.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsuyuki Endo, Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20050127182Abstract: An image scanning apparatus for scanning a plurality of mediums of different thicknesses such as a card and a check with each medium scanned by pressing the medium to an image scanning sensor with appropriate force. The image scanning apparatus may be incorporated into a hybrid processing apparatus 1 comprising a card transportation path P2 for conveying cards C, a check transportation path P1 for conveying checks S with a section of each transportation path P1 and P2 forming a middle transportation path M located common to and contiguous to each path respectively, image scanning sensors 12 disposed to the middle transportation path M, a first pressure mechanism 30 for pressing cards C and wide checks S to the image scanning sensors 12, and a second pressure mechanism 40 for pressing checks S to the image scanning sensors 12.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2004Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Norio Nagata, Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20050129440Abstract: An information processing apparatus and transportation path opening/closing mechanism for removing a paper jam with ease even when the paper jam occurs where a data reader is disposed to the transportation path. A first scanner for imaging one side of a first or second transported medium is disposed to the outside guide wall side of the transportation path. A first pressure mechanism for pressing the first or second transported medium to the scanning surface of the first scanner is located opposite the first scanner on the inside guide wall side of the transportation path. A second scanner for imaging the other side of the first or second transported medium is located on the inside guide wall side of the transportation path. A second pressure mechanism for pressing the first or second transported medium to the second scanner is located opposite the second scanner on the outside guide wall side of the transportation path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2004Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Norio Nagata, Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20040265032Abstract: A printer with an image scanning sensor for reading image data in confined spaces comprising a case unit 11 with a roll paper compartment 30 for holding roll paper P, a front cover unit 12 for forming a slip transportation path 21 for conveying slips S between the front cover unit 12 and case unit 11 and a top cover unit 13 rendered to open and close to the case unit 11 so that it closes the roll paper compartment 30 when closed and simultaneously forms a roll paper transportation path 35 for conveying roll paper P between the case unit 11 and the top cover unit 13. The printer includes; slip printing units 23, 25 disposed to the slip transportation path 21 for printing to slips S; a thermal print head 33 disposed to the roll paper transportation path 35 for printing to roll paper P; and an image scanning sensor 44 disposed to the top cover unit 13 for reading image data recorded to a card C.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
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Patent number: 6832723Abstract: A multifunction device having a pressure feed roller opposite a scanner that advances a sheet while holding it against the scanning glass and avoids sheets being caught by the pressure feed roller and prevents jams and shifts in the feed pitch using a retraction mechanism. The multifunction device 10 has a transportation path 15 for guiding the check P. Located along the transportation path 15 are print heads 21, 23 for printing on the check P, a scanner head 25 for scanning the printed side of the check P, scanner feed rollers 26 for advancing while pressing the check P against the scanner head 25, and a roller retraction mechanism 32 for retracting the scanner feed rollers 26 from the scanner head 25 to open the transportation path 15.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Sadao Murata, Hideki Furihata
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Publication number: 20040218230Abstract: Scanning errors and document feed errors are prevented by pressing originals, including thin originals and thick originals of greatly different thicknesses, to the scanning surface (1a) of an image sensor (1) with pressure appropriate for the respective original. A pressure-generating mechanism (50) is used to press the original against the scanning surface (1a) by selecting different elastic bodies with different spring forces to produce a different elastic force in accordance with the thickness of the original document.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventor: Hideki Furihata