Patents by Inventor Kazuo Otani

Kazuo Otani 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: 20060187482
    Abstract: A scanner is provided with an image memory for storing therein image data read from an original by an image sensor, an image processing portion for effecting image processing on the image data, and a sending portion for sending the image data to an external equipment. The image processing portion is disposed in a route along which the image data is forwarded from the image memory to the sending portion, and the contents of the image processing by the image processing portion is made changeable over. The external equipment is provided with an image analyzing portion for obtaining first image data image-processed in a first image mode from the scanner and analyzing it, and detecting the state of the original (such as whether the original is a white sheet) from which the first image data has been read. On the basis of the result of the detection by the image analyzing portion, second image data image-processed in a second image mode is obtained from the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: CANON DENSHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taketo Ochiai, Kiyoyuki Kakinuma, Kazuo Otani
  • Patent number: 7042603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image input apparatus, a method of controlling the information processing apparatus, a method of controlling the image input apparatus, an image input system, and a storage medium storing programs for implementing these methods. According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus executes image processing that can be executed by the image input apparatus, on stored image data from the image input apparatus, based on setting information input according to an operator's instruction. Therefore, a desired input image can be obtained without the need to reenter the image by the image input apparatus, thereby allowing the operator to input images more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nozomi Masao, Kazuo Otani
  • Publication number: 20020093699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image input apparatus, a method of controlling the information processing apparatus, a method of controlling the image input apparatus, an image input system, and a storage medium storing programs for implementing these methods. According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus executes image processing that can be executed by the image input apparatus, on stored image data from the image input apparatus, based on setting information input according to an operator's instruction. Therefore, a desired input image can be obtained without the need to reenter the image by the image input apparatus, thereby allowing the operator to input images more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Nozomi Masao, Kazuo Otani
  • Patent number: 6347321
    Abstract: When the quantity of information recorded in a first storage medium reaches the uppermost limit on the quantity of recordable information, a hierarchical structure and a keyword candidate list registered in the first storage medium are recorded in an internal storage unit. Then, after the first storage medium is replaced by a new second storage medium, the hierarchical structure and the keyword candidate list recorded in the internal storage unit are automatically registered in the new second storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nozomi Masao, Kazuo Otani
  • Patent number: 6336144
    Abstract: After image data received from a facsimile on the transmission side through a public telephone circuit was stored into a disk, the image data is read out from the disk, index information is added to the image data, and the resultant data is preserved into an image file apparatus through an external interface, thereby enabling the image data received by a facsimile apparatus to be searched in the image file apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Otani, Kazuo Kashiwagi, Kamon Hasuo
  • Publication number: 20010011269
    Abstract: When a quantity of information recorded in a first storage medium reaches an uppermost limit of a quantity of recordable information, hierarchical structure and a keyword candidate list registered in the first storage medium are recorded in an internal storage unit. Then, after the first storage medium is replaced by a new second storage medium, the hierarchical structure and the keyword candidate list recorded in the internal storage unit are automatically registered in the new second storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: NOZOMI MASAO, KAZUO OTANI
  • Patent number: 6188651
    Abstract: An information retrieval system has an autochanger for autochanging recording media. The system includes an accommodating section, having a plurality of slots, which accommodates a plurality of optical disks, and a reading section for reading the retrieval information and the image information recorded in an optical disk. A transporting section transports the optical disk between the accommodating section and the reading section. A hard disk is also included which stores the retrieval information recorded in the optical disk and the information indicative of the position of the slot in which the optical disk is accommodated. Prior to accommodating a new optical disk in the accommodating section, a control section reads the retrieval information recorded in the optical disk and allows the hard disk to store the retrieval information and the information indicative of the position of the slot in which the new optical disk will be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Otani
  • Patent number: 6154779
    Abstract: After image data received from a facsimile on the transmission side through a public telephone circuit was stored into a disk, the image data is read out from the disk, index information is added to the image data, and the resultant data is preserved into an image file apparatus through an external interface, thereby enabling the image data received by a facsimile apparatus to be searched in the image file apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Otani, Kazuo Kashiwagi, Kamon Hasuo
  • Patent number: 5283666
    Abstract: An area designating apparatus which determines the length of a desired area of an image in one of two directions by designating two points. The apparatus having a designating unit for designating a desired position, a detecting unit for detecting the position designated by the designating unit, and a controlling unit for storing in a memory the last position detected by the detecting unit and the position detected by the detecting unit immediately before detecting the last detected position, as the coordinate values of the desired area in one of the two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Otani