Patents by Inventor Ken Achiwa

Ken Achiwa 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: 20160253129
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes rendering units that refer to rendering data composing partial regions within a page as input data, generates image data by merging the rendered results, and uses the image data as output data. Each rendering unit holds a rendering position of processing that is currently executed by itself, and detects a rendering position of processing that is currently executed by another rendering unit. When rendering for a partial region that is currently processed is completed, a control unit detects a rendering position held in another rendering unit, and changes allotment of a partial region serving as the next rendering target of its rendering unit so as to reduce the difference between time periods until its rendering unit and another rendering unit complete rendering for the next partial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20150378516
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus which generates an input signal when a mobile information terminal contacts a display surface and makes a wireless communication with the contacting mobile information terminal, it is difficult to make an appropriate display by discriminating whether a contact object is a mobile information terminal or a user's finger. To accomplish this, when a mobile information terminal (200) is placed on a touch panel (104), this placement is recognized based on a wireless communication response (701), and a processing menu for the terminal is displayed. On the other hand, if the user's finger (300) is placed, since no wireless communication response (701) is detected, it is recognized that the contact object is not the mobile information terminal (200), and a general manipulation menu is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Ken Achiwa, Hideyasu Kinbara, Shigeki Hasui
  • Publication number: 20150264208
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus that achieves both power supply to an external device and information processing. Power supply capability to be presented to the external device is determined based on a state of the information processing apparatus. Power is supplied to the external device, based on a request from the external device as to the power supply capability to be presented to the external device. In a case where the state of the information processing apparatus has changed, the power supply capability to be presented to the external device is changed based on the changed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Ken Achiwa, Tomohiro Tachikawa, Naotsugu Itoh
  • Patent number: 8928939
    Abstract: A image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises an image generation unit configured to generate image data of one page, a printing unit configured to mount color material on an intermediate transfer member to perform printing, and an obtaining unit configured to obtain a time (a time between print pages) showing a time interval between printing one page and printing next one page by the printing unit, and the printing unit outputs patches for adjusting density to be reproduced in the printing, to the intermediate transfer member in the time between print pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Patent number: 8842325
    Abstract: To accomplish this, when an image processing apparatus determines with reference to a parameter associated with the image processing apparatus that allocations of storage capacities to a first storage unit which stores block images obtained by dividing image data in a page unit and a second storage unit which stores tile images obtained by dividing each block image are required to be changed, the apparatus changes the allocations of the storage capacities in correspondence with the parameter, and also changes division sizes of the block images and the tile images in accordance with the changes in storage capacities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20140071463
    Abstract: To accomplish this, when an image processing apparatus determines with reference to a parameter associated with the image processing apparatus that allocations of storage capacities to a first storage unit which stores block images obtained by dividing image data in a page unit and a second storage unit which stores tile images obtained by dividing each block image are required to be changed, the apparatus changes the allocations of the storage capacities in correspondence with the parameter, and also changes division sizes of the block images and the tile images in accordance with the changes in storage capacities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Patent number: 8587795
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an image forming apparatus provided in a room managed by a management apparatus capable of managing an entry or exit state of a participant who attends a conference and configured to process a print job received from a client computer. The method includes determining whether the room is used by a participant of a conference relating to the print job transmitted from the client computer, outputting the print job in a case where it is determined that the room is used by the participant of the conference relating to the print job, and restricting an output of the print job in a case where it is determined that the room is not used by the participant of the conference relating to the print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Patent number: 8466921
    Abstract: In a case that a first processor assists a second processor, the first processor issues a request for execution of a type of image processing assigned to the second processor, receives information specifying data on which the first processor performs the type of image processing assigned to the second processor, and performs the type image processing assigned to the second processor on the data specified by the information. According to this, it is possible to execute auxiliary processing by a light-loaded processor for a heavy-loaded processor in correspondence with loads of plural processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Achiwa, Tomohiro Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 8294912
    Abstract: Conventionally, pixel data are converted into the tile sequence. According to this invention, span information or run-length information during conversion into pixel data from vector data such as a display list converted from a page description language is converted into the tile sequence before rendering into pixel data. This can greatly reduce the amount of data temporarily stored for conversion into the tile sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Matsui, Ken Achiwa
  • Patent number: 8280299
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of ensuring security of discharged printouts and preventing noise made by the operation of the image forming apparatus from becoming obtrusive to a user. The post-processing apparatus switches the operation mode of post processing to one of a normal operation mode and a quiet operation mode, and opens and closes a sealing door. Current limiting circuits switch the operation mode to the quiet operation mode before sealing of the door is released by a sealing drive circuit in response to an instruction from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20110158531
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus divides inputted image data into blocks of a predetermined size, applies a plurality of image processes to each block, and determines whether a block includes image data with an attribute of not executing predetermined image processes. As a result of the determination, the predetermined image processes are not applied to the block if it is determined that the block includes the image data with the attribute of not executing the predetermined image processes. However, the predetermined image processes are applied to the block if it is determined that the block does not include the image data with the attribute of not executing the predetermined image processes. The image data with the attribute of not executing the predetermined image processes is vector image data, and the predetermined image processes are rendering, resolution conversion, and image compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Patent number: 7680358
    Abstract: When the data is divided into blocks each having a set block size, and image data includes an object which extends over a plurality of blocks, the object is divided based on object information associated with the object. The object information of the divided object is re-set based on the object information associated with the object divided into blocks. Block vector image data are generated using the object having the re-set object information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takiyama, Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20100020345
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an image forming apparatus provided in a room managed by a management apparatus capable of managing an entry or exit state of a participant who attends a conference and configured to process a print job received from a client computer. The method includes determining whether the room is used by a participant of a conference relating to the print job transmitted from the client computer, outputting the print job in a case where it is determined that the room is used by the participant of the conference relating to the print job, and restricting an output of the print job in a case where it is determined that the room is not used by the participant of the conference relating to the print job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20100003047
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of ensuring security of discharged printouts and preventing noise made by the operation of the image forming apparatus from becoming obtrusive to a user. The post-processing apparatus switches the operation mode of post processing to one of a normal operation mode and a quiet operation mode, and opens and closes a sealing door. Current limiting circuits switch the operation mode to the quiet operation mode before sealing of the door is released by a sealing drive circuit in response to an instruction from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20090279131
    Abstract: Conventionally, pixel data are converted into the tile sequence. According to this invention, span information or run-length information during conversion into pixel data from vector data such as a display list converted from a page description language is converted into the tile sequence before rendering into pixel data. This can greatly reduce the amount of data temporarily stored for conversion into the tile sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuaki Matsui, Ken Achiwa
  • Publication number: 20080291283
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus which generates an input signal when a mobile information terminal contacts a display surface and makes a wireless communication with the contacting mobile information terminal, it is difficult to make an appropriate display by discriminating whether a contact object is a mobile information terminal or a user's finger. To accomplish this, when a mobile information terminal (200) is placed on a touch panel (104), this placement is recognized based on a wireless communication response (701), and a processing menu for the terminal is displayed. On the other hand, if the user's finger (300) is placed, since no wireless communication response (701) is detected, it is recognized that the contact object is not the mobile information terminal (200), and a general manipulation menu is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KEN ACHIWA, Hideyasu Kinbara, Shigeki Hasui
  • Publication number: 20080270753
    Abstract: In a case that a precedent queue to supply data to be processed does not include data to be processed, a processor D switches its operation mode to an auxiliary mode to perform a part of processing assigned to a processor A, and issues a request for execution of the part of the processing assigned to the processor A, to the processor A. In response to the request, the processor A notifies the processor D of information to cause the processor D to perform the part of the processing assigned to the processor A, and the processor D performs the part of the processing assigned to the processor A in accordance with the notified information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Achiwa, Tomohiro Tachikawa
  • Publication number: 20070279705
    Abstract: When the data is divided into blocks each having a set block size, and image data includes an object which extends over a plurality of blocks, the object is divided based on object information associated with the object information of the divided object is re-set based on the object information associated with the object divided into blocks. Block vector image data are generated using the object having the re-set object information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takiyama, Ken Achiwa