Patents by Inventor Kaoru Hamada

Kaoru Hamada 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).

  • Publication number: 20260095536
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a detection unit detects an end portion of a document image in a first direction and an end portion of the document image in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, in a read image obtained by reading a document conveyed in the first direction. A computation unit determines a reference position for skew correction with respect to the read image by computing a corner position of the document image in the read image based on the detection result, a first resolution, which is a read resolution in the first direction in reading of the document, and a second resolution, which is a read resolution in the second direction in reading of the document. A correction unit performs the skew correction with respect to the read image with reference to the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: TAKUMA YOSHINO, SATOSHI YOSHIDA, KAORU HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20260019517
    Abstract: A document conveyance apparatus includes a document tray, a separation feeding unit configured to form a separation nip for separating the documents one by one and to feed a document, a detection sensor configured to detect the document, a controller configured to stop feeding of the document based on the detection sensor, an environment sensor configured to acquire environment information, and a display. When the controller stops feeding of the document, (a) in a case where the environment information acquired by the environment sensor satisfies a predetermined condition, the display displays a screen for prompting a user to loosen a bundle of documents, and (b) in a case where the environment information acquired by the environment sensor does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the display does not display the screen for prompting the user to loosen the bundle of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventor: KAORU HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20250379951
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member having a placement surface on which a document is to be placed, a reading unit configured to read an image of the document placed on the transparent member via the transparent member, and a reading mode in which an image of a document, placed in a holding member with a transparent portion, is read. The document to be read is placed in the holding member so as to be visible via the transparent portion and the holding member is placed on the placement surface with the transparent portion of the holding member in contact with the placement surface. A processor detects an edge in an image acquired by the reading unit in the reading mode, and to extract an image surrounded by an edge detected in an area surrounded by an edge corresponding to the holding member in the reading mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2025
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 12438994
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member having a placement surface on which a document is to be placed, a reading unit configured to read an image of the document placed on the transparent member via the transparent member, and a reading mode in which an image of a document, placed in a holding member with a transparent portion, is read. The document to be read is placed in the holding member so as to be visible via the transparent portion and the holding member is placed on the placement surface with the transparent portion of the holding member in contact with the placement surface. A processor detects an edge in an image acquired by the reading unit in the reading mode, and to extract an image surrounded by an edge detected in an area surrounded by an edge corresponding to the holding member in the reading mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Publication number: 20250260777
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus including a reference member, a reader configured to read one of an original or the reference member, a mover configured to move the reader to a first region in which the original is read and a second region in which the reference member is read in a conveying direction of the original, and at least one processor configured to perform shading correction, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the reader to move from outside of the second region to inside of the second region in the conveying direction to perform a first reading operation of reading the reference member within the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: KAORU HAMADA, SATOSHI OKAWA
  • Patent number: 12348690
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyor configured to convey an original, a reader configured to read the original conveyed by the conveyor, a detector configured to detect an abnormal image generated in a read image of the original obtained by the reader, a correction processor configured to correct the abnormal image, an operation unit configured to receive a setting of an operation mode set by a user, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in a case where the detector detects the abnormal image, control the correction processor to correct the abnormal image in a case in which a first operation mode of continuing image reading is set, and stop conveyance of the original performed by the conveyor and give a notification of generation of the abnormal image in a case in which a second operation mode of interrupting the image reading is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Publication number: 20240283886
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member having a placement surface on which a document is to be placed, a reading unit configured to read an image of the document placed on the transparent member via the transparent member, and a reading mode in which an image of a document, placed in a holding member with a transparent portion, is read. The document to be read is placed in the holding member so as to be visible via the transparent portion and the holding member is placed on the placement surface with the transparent portion of the holding member in contact with the placement surface. A processor detects an edge in an image acquired by the reading unit in the reading mode, and to extract an image surrounded by an edge detected in an area surrounded by an edge corresponding to the holding member in the reading mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventor: KAORU HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20240267472
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyor configured to convey an original, a reader configured to read the original conveyed by the conveyor, a detector configured to detect an abnormal image generated in a read image of the original obtained by the reader, a correction processor configured to correct the abnormal image, an operation unit configured to receive a setting of an operation mode set by a user, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in a case where the detector detects the abnormal image, control the correction processor to correct the abnormal image in a case in which a first operation mode of continuing image reading is set, and stop conveyance of the original performed by the conveyor and give a notification of generation of the abnormal image in a case in which a second operation mode of interrupting the image reading is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventor: KAORU HAMADA
  • Patent number: 12003684
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member having a placement surface on which a document is to be placed, a reading unit configured to read an image of the document placed on the transparent member via the transparent member, and a reading mode in which an image of a document, placed in a holding member with a transparent portion, is read. The document to be read is placed in the holding member so as to be visible via the transparent portion and the holding member is placed on the placement surface with the transparent portion of the holding member in contact with the placement surface. A processor detects an edge in an image acquired by the reading unit in the reading mode, and to extract an image surrounded by an edge detected in an area surrounded by an edge corresponding to the holding member in the reading mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Publication number: 20230179729
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member having a placement surface on which a document is to be placed, a reading unit configured to read an image of the document placed on the transparent member via the transparent member, and a reading mode in which an image of a document, placed in a holding member with a transparent portion, is read. The document to be read is placed in the holding member so as to be visible via the transparent portion and the holding member is placed on the placement surface with the transparent portion of the holding member in contact with the placement surface. A processor detects an edge in an image acquired by the reading unit in the reading mode, and to extract an image surrounded by an edge detected in an area surrounded by an edge corresponding to the holding member in the reading mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: KAORU HAMADA
  • Patent number: 11528367
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit and a reading unit. Based on read image data from the reading unit, a tilt amount of an edge of a document on a leading edge side in a conveyance direction in which the document is conveyed is decided. If the decided tilt amount exceeds a first threshold where a setting that performs document digitalization with respect to the image data, notification is given of information indicating that reading of the document for the document digitalization has failed. If the decided tilt amount is smaller than the first threshold, skew correction is executed for correcting the tilt amount based on the decided tilt amount with respect to the image data, and the document digitalization is executed with respect to the image data for which the skew correction has been executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 11459195
    Abstract: An original reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a pick-up roller, a feed roller, a conveyance roller, a conveyance motor, a clutch, and a controller unit to control the clutch and the conveyance motor such that the pick-up roller and the feed roller that receive a driving force from the conveyance motor rotate at a given rotation speed. The rotation speed is set to a first speed when reading an original having a first size at a first resolution, to a second speed higher than the first speed when reading an original having the first size at a second resolution lower than the first resolution, and to a third speed lower than the second speed, regardless of designation of the reading resolution, when reading an original having a second size smaller than the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 11330127
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: at least one processor configured to: set reading resolutions in a first and a second directions when reading an image of a document; determine an inclination amount of the document; correct an image to reduce the inclination amount; output image data indicative of an corrected image; and obtain information relating to a first direction length of the document. In a case where the first direction length of the document is less than a predetermined length and the processor outputs the image data indicative of the corrected image, whose resolution in the first direction is a first resolution and resolution in the second direction is a second resolution lower than the first resolution, the processor sets the reading resolution in the second direction to a third resolution higher than the second resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Akagi, Satoshi Seki, Kaoru Hamada
  • Publication number: 20210377395
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit and a reading unit. Based on read image data from the reading unit, a tilt amount of an edge of a document on a leading edge side in a conveyance direction in which the document is conveyed is decided. If the decided tilt amount exceeds a first threshold where a setting that performs document digitalization with respect to the image data, notification is given of information indicating that reading of the document for the document digitalization has failed. If the decided tilt amount is smaller than the first threshold, skew correction is executed for correcting the tilt amount based on the decided tilt amount with respect to the image data, and the document digitalization is executed with respect to the image data for which the skew correction has been executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Publication number: 20210245979
    Abstract: An original reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a pick-up roller, a feed roller, a conveyance roller, a conveyance motor, a clutch, and a controller unit to control the clutch and the conveyance motor such that the pick-up roller and the feed roller that receive a driving force from the conveyance motor rotate at a given rotation speed. The rotation speed is set to a first speed when reading an original having a first size at a first resolution, to a second speed higher than the first speed when reading an original having the first size at a second resolution lower than the first resolution, and to a third speed lower than the second speed, regardless of designation of the reading resolution, when reading an original having a second size smaller than the first size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Kaoru HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20210250459
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: at least one processor configured to: set reading resolutions in a first and a second directions when reading an image of a document; determine an inclination amount of the document; correct an image to reduce the inclination amount; output image data indicative of an corrected image; and obtain information relating to a first direction length of the document. In a case where the first direction length of the document is less than a predetermined length and the processor outputs the image data indicative of the corrected image, whose resolution in the first direction is a first resolution and resolution in the second direction is a second resolution lower than the first resolution, the processor sets the reading resolution in the second direction to a third resolution higher than the second resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Daisuke AKAGI, Satoshi SEKI, Kaoru HAMADA
  • Patent number: 10536599
    Abstract: A reader CPU stops a lead motor in a case in which a discharge sensor cannot detect reaching of a leading edge part of an original D even though the original is conveyed by a first amount (LP3+LM1) or a second amount (LP3+LM2) which is smaller than the first amount from when a lead sensor detects the original, when a reader image processing portion (leading edge detection portion) cannot detect the leading edge part of the original from image data of a first face of the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 10477061
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus temporarily stores, in an image memory, image data generated by a front surface reading unit and a back surface reading unit for reading images of a front surface and a back surface of an original respectively. A CPU of an image forming apparatus, at a time of starting a copy job, sets an output frequency of the image memory (transfer rate of image data) to a first frequency F1 that is lower than a second frequency F2. The CPU sets the output frequency of the image memory to the second frequency F2 when transfer of the image data of the first page which corresponds to the front surface of a first original completes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yushi Oka, Masato Furukawa, Kaoru Hamada, Seiji Shibaki
  • Patent number: 10447876
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including: a first distance detector configured to measure a first distance of the original conveyed after a sensor is changed from a first state detecting the original to a second state not detecting the original; a second distance detector configured to measure a second distance of the original conveyed after the second state is changed to the first state; and a controller configured to control a conveyor so that the conveyor starts a conveyance of a succeeding original when the second distance reaches a conveyance permission distance before the first distance reaches a hole detection distance and the conveyor stops the succeeding original when the second state is changed to the first state before the first distance reaches the hole detection distance, and thereafter starts the conveyance of the succeeding original when the first distance reaches the hole detection distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Hamada, Yushi Oka, Masato Furukawa, Seiji Shibaki
  • Patent number: 10447890
    Abstract: Provided is an image reading apparatus for suppressing an image defect ascribable to shading correction using a white reference plate arranged at a position different from a reading position of an original. The image reading apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an image from the original passing through the reading position, the white reference plate arranged such that a distance between the reading unit and the white reference plate is larger than the distance between the reading unit and the reading position, and a control system. The control system includes a memory for backup configured to store in advance correlation data representing a correlation between a reading result of the white reference plate obtained by the reading unit, and a reading result of a reference member having a uniform density and arranged at the reading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Mikami, Yushi Oka, Masato Furukawa, Kaoru Hamada, Shinichi Ikoma