Patents by Inventor Junko Natsume

Junko Natsume 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).

  • Patent number: 7365869
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first memory for storing image data, a second memory for storing image forming conditions, an image output unit for outputting the image data stored in the first memory under the image forming conditions stored in the second memory, and command means for generating a command of discarding the image data being output from the image output unit. The apparatus also has a controller. If a command of discarding the image data is generated by the command means, the controller discards the image data stored in the first memory, while it maintains the associated image forming conditions stored in the second memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sumiyama, Junko Natsume, Kazuo Inui
  • Patent number: 7088460
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming section for forming an image in a plurality of operational modes and a display device for executing display in a plurality of colors. Color information corresponding to the plurality of operational modes is stored in a memory. A CPU reads color information corresponding to an operational mode to be executed from the memory and controls the color to be displayed on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Toyama, Motomi Takemoto, Akinori Yoshida, Hiroaki Ikeda, Tomokazu Kato, Junko Natsume
  • Patent number: 6690382
    Abstract: An electronic display device that allows the hierarchy or system to which the display screen belongs to be easily identified, without narrowing the display area of a plurality of screens constituting a director structure. In the display device, a plurality of key input screens form a director structure in association with each other. The directory structure includes first to fourth hierarchy levels. Respective key input screens are located at any of the hierarchy. Upon depression of a transition key in a basic screen belonging to the first hierarchy, the display screen is switched to one of key input screens belonging to the second hierarchy. The display device changes the display color according to the hierarchy to which the key input screen belongs in providing a display of a key input screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tanigawa, Koji Naito, Takatsugu Kuno, Junko Natsume
  • Publication number: 20020030838
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming section for forming an image in a plurality of operational modes and a display device for executing display in a plurality of colors. Color information corresponding to the plurality of operational modes is stored in a memory. A CPU reads color information corresponding to an operational mode to be executed from the memory and controls the color to be displayed on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: MASAMI TOYAMA, MOTOMI TAKEMOTO, AKINORI YOSHIDA, HIROAKI IKEDA, TOMOKAZU KATO, JUNKO NATSUME
  • Patent number: 6295389
    Abstract: In a copy machine which is one type of an image forming apparatus, a job out of a plurality of jobs to be displayed on a display is selected according to a state of the copy machine and an operation towards the copy machine. When the copy machine is currently carrying out an operation, either a print operation or a read operation is selected with the read operation having a higher priority. When an error occurs resulting in of the copy machine being halted, the job causing the error is selected. When the copy machine currently attains a stop state, a predetermined setting carried out by the operator with respect to the copy machine is selected. The selected job is displayed on the display as the current job which is a job of the operator. Since the operator can identify the contents of the job according to the state of the copy machine, an image forming apparatus with a multi-job function is provided that can be easily handled by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Inui, Junko Natsume, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6078404
    Abstract: A copy machine can store image data corresponding to a plurality of original groups. The user can carry out an editing process such as confirmation, erasure, and modification, and the like on the stored image data. A control unit of the copy machine provides control so that, when printing of a previous job has ended, and the mode to confirm, erase or modify the image data of a registered original group is not selected, printing of a next job is initiated if there is a job to be printed out. When the edit mode is selected, the control returns to the main routine. Therefore, printing of a job subsequent to the job that has been ended will not be initiated. Thus, a copy machine can be provided that can appropriately process image data of a registered original group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junko Natsume, Hiroshi Yamada, Kazuo Inui
  • Patent number: 6027107
    Abstract: A user sets a function of corner stapling, two-point stapling or punching on an operation panel of a copying machine, as a process for a paper after copying. Then, the copying machine determines whether or not a function of folding the paper after copying is set, for setting a position for corner stapling, two-point stapling or punching on a portion suitable for each folding method. The user can set the paper folding function and the stapling or punching function in a combined manner, and the facility of the copying machine is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junko Natsume, Hiroshi Yamada, Kazuo Inui
  • Patent number: 6029026
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of performing a plurality of processes for a sheet provided with an image such as stapling and punching. When two different processes are set together, the image forming apparatus displays a particular screen for making a user select positions for these processes. Thus, the incidence of setting errors can be reduced when the user sets the two processes in combination with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junko Natsume, Hiroshi Yamada, Kazuo Inui
  • Patent number: 6014528
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously performing an image forming operation of a first job and an image reading operation of a second job wherein the jobs comprise a plurality of sheets. The apparatus has a controller which continues the image reading operation of the second job even when the image forming operation of the first job is stopped, and prohibits the start of an image reading operation of a third job different from said first and second job when the image reading operation of said second job ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junko Natsume, Kazuo Inui, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5995779
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine which is capable of multi print job is disclosed, the image forming apparatus stores identification information of the recording sheet tray selected by a selection means for each registered print job in memory for each print job. When a recording sheet tray for a new print job is selected, selection of the recording sheet tray for the registered print job stored in memory is inhibited or a notice will be issued. Thereby, the recording sheet tray selected for the preceding print job will not be selected for the subsequent print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Junko Natsume, Hiroshi Sumiyama, Kazuo Inui
  • Patent number: 5878302
    Abstract: A copying machine according to the present invention having a multi-job function can perform processing to a current job and a sub job, and errors are divided into two stages. If a high level error occurs in a job processed as the sub job, the job is switched to the current job, and the error is widely displayed on the entire display portion. If a low level error occurs in a job processed as the sub job, the error is displayed in a small sub job display portion in the display. As a result, the user can be accurately informed of an error occurring in the sub job in the copying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Inui, Hiroshi Yamada, Junko Natsume
  • Patent number: 5832339
    Abstract: A copying machine is provided capable of readily and conveniently setting a User's Choice value for an additionally set division. In the copying machine, the User's Choice value of the system which is set for each division is stored in a rewritable storage, such as a hard disc, a back-up memory or the like. The User's Choice of the system is changed in a control unit of the copying machine. The User's Choice value of the system is used as default in registering a new division, and it is thus not necessary to conventionally set a new User's Choice value based on the User's Choice value of the system which is stored in a ROM and thus cannot be changed. Thus, setting User's Choice values is no longer cumbersome for users, and the users can readily and conveniently set User's Choice values for an additionally set divisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Inui, Hiroshi Yamada, Junko Natsume
  • Patent number: 5826156
    Abstract: The size of a paper put in a tray for manual insertion is decided according to detectors provided in the tray. When detection precision of the paper size is not so high to determine paper size, it is instructed to specify a paper size manually. In another example, a paper size selection picture including a plurality of paper sizes is displayed in a touch panel for assisting an operator to select paper size manually. Thus, paper size for the tray can be specified manually, and erroneous copying can be prevented. In situations where paper size is not needed to update, paper size selection is not instructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junko Natsume, Kazuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 5809371
    Abstract: In a copying machine according to the invention, a plurality of jobs are read and registered, and printing and reading of thus registered jobs can be independently performed. In the copying machine, if printing is stopped during printing a job registered under number 4, for example and it is highly probable that the estimated ending time for printing of jobs under job numbers 4 and 5 will be changed, the estimated ending times for these jobs are displayed in dots unlike the normal display. As a result, the user can be informed that an estimated time for the end of printing for a certain job becomes inaccurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Inui, Hiroshi Yamada, Junko Natsume
  • Patent number: 5768677
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet based on an original image. The image forming apparatus includes a detecting device for detecting a size of the original, a setting device for setting a finish size of the sheet, a folding device for folding the sheet, and a control device for controlling the folding device based on the original size detected by the detecting device and the finish size set by the setting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junko Natsume