Patents by Inventor Makoto Kumagai

Makoto Kumagai 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: 6816613
    Abstract: A color image processing apparatus extracts foreground image data and background image data from whole image data, and corrects one or more among hue, value and chroma of the foreground image data based on one or more among hue, value and chroma of the background image data, thereby reproducing colors by means of correcting a color contrast phenomenon that appearances of the image change in response to an image of the background image data, and allowing color reproduction with high fidelity visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisetsu Tohyama, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Makoto Kumagai, Atsushi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6735665
    Abstract: A data processing device connected to a network and an external memory device stores data in a memory area of the external memory device. Image data and the like are transferred and stored in the memory area of an external memory device, and the data name and storage destination of the stored data are recorded on a portable memory medium. This portable memory medium can be used to simply and easily manage the data location and the like at any time. Since the data name and storage destination are recorded in the portable memory medium, there is less concern that the data name and storage destination will become known to users other than the user possessing the portable memory medium, thus ensuring data security compared to when such data are stored in the data processing device. Moreover, because there is no need to store the data name and storage destination in the data processing device, the complex controls required for displaying the stored data names and the like on the display panel are unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kumagai, Kazunori Shionoya, Atsushi Ishikawa, Hidekazu Takahama, Takahiro Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6728418
    Abstract: An image read apparatus includes a group of CCDs reading out a document image, a data processing unit, a line buffer to delay data to obtain data of the same pixel, a comparison unit comparing data of the same pixel, a data table in which a threshold value that becomes the reference of comparison is stored in correspondence with each type of mode, a threshold value set unit referring to the data table to set the threshold value, a determination unit receiving the comparison result with the threshold value from the comparison unit to determine and control data to be sent downstream, and an averaging unit averaging the data sent from the determination unit to output the average as image data. An image read apparatus is provided that can prevent generation of a black streak or a white streak on a readout image caused by the presence of dust at the readout position, and that can improve the picture quality of the entire image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kumagai, Katsuaki Tajima, Hidekazu Takahama, Taisuke Akahori, Hideaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6697175
    Abstract: To read an image with high resolution via a CCD linear sensor having a limited pixel count, an image reading apparatus includes: a CCD linear sensor having arranged in a main-scanning direction photoelectric conversion elements for receiving a light reflected from an original; a piezoelectric element for providing a relative displacement between a light receiving surface of the CCD linear sensor and an object's image formed on the light receiving surface, according to a predetermined oscillation function and in the main-scanning direction; and a sensor drive circuit timing the CCD linear sensor's charge accumulation. The sensor drive circuit uses a distance from a center of an amplitude of the relative displacement to the CCD linear sensor and a time period of charge accumulation by the CCD linear sensor to determine a time point to start charge accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kumagai, Takayuki Nabeshima, Satoshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6600579
    Abstract: During reading process, an image reading unit read a white pressing plate (reference member) under a state where no original exists between the white pressing plate and an original glass plate. On the basis of the read image data, it is judged whether dirt is detected on the glass plate or not. If dirt is detected, a page in which a black line appears is determined. Information of the page is displayed on a display section. An original of the page is reread by the image reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kumagai, Katsuaki Tajima, Hidekazu Takahama, Taisuke Akahori, Hideaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6587224
    Abstract: In order to correct chromatic aberration accurately and read out a document original properly, an image reader apparatus includes a chromatic aberration correction chart, a CCD linear sensor, and a correction processing unit. A chromatic aberration correction chart includes a high reflectance portion and a low reflectance portion lower than the high reflectance portion. A CCD linear sensor receives light reflected from the chromatic aberration correction chart. A correction processing unit corrects chromatic aberration of image data according to a light receiving position in the photoelectric conversion unit receiving light of a first wavelength included in the reflected light from the chromatic aberration correction chart and a light receiving position in the photoelectric conversion unit receiving light of a second wavelength included in the reflected light from the chromatic aberration correction chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nabeshima, Makoto Kumagai, Satoshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6335805
    Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, three line sensors simultaneously read images in different positions of a document and output respective image signals. Line memories receive the image signals and output them with a timing corresponding to the positions in which the images represented by the image signals have been read. Analog signal processing for the image signals is executed in a parallel manner to thereby allow a high-speed image read operation to be achieved with a low-speed analog processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ishiguro, Makoto Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20010012399
    Abstract: A color image processing apparatus extracts foreground image data and background image data from whole image data, and corrects one or more among hue, value and chroma of the foreground image data based on one or more among hue, value and chroma of the background image data, thereby reproducing colors by means of correcting a color contrast phenomenon that appearances of the image change in response to an image of the background image data, and allowing color reproduction with high fidelity visually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Daisetsu Tohyama, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Makoto Kumagai, Atsushi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6009303
    Abstract: A document scan apparatus comprises a document scanner unit 1 which scans a document by illuminating the document with light, a feed path 10 which extends from a document stack portion 4 to a document discharge portion 8 through the document scan portion 7 of the document scan unit 1, driving units 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 which drive the document on the document path and document size detection units 23 and 24. The document size detection units 23 and 24 detect the document size during the document is carried by the driving units 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Then, the documents 4 are fed to the document scan position 7 without passing the document discharge portion 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kumagai, Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 5930008
    Abstract: The present invention has the objective of providing an image reading device capable of normally excellent reading of document images without influence from a soiled or damaged glass document platen, and eliminates the influence of a soiled or damaged glass surface of a document platen by normally reading document images using a new glass surface which is neither soiled not damaged by moving the document platen via a platen moving lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nabeshima, Keiji Kusumoto, Makoto Kumagai, Katsuaki Tajima
  • Patent number: 4935910
    Abstract: In fitting of a band to a wristwatch case; in order to minimize the gap at the area of fitting of these members, or pretend that a middle that constitutes the watch case is formed integral with the band and also to prevent excessive pivoting of the band relative to the watch case when the user wears the wristwatch, a recess for receiving the end portion of the band is formed in a part of the middle which is contiguous with each fitting portion where the band is fitted to the middle, thereby limiting the pivoting of the first link of the band by the inner wall of the recess. In addition, a projection is provided in the center of each of the fitting portions formed on the watch case to limit the pivoting of the second link of the band by the distal end of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignees: Hattori Seiko Co., Ltd., Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Akasaka, Makoto Kumagai
  • Patent number: 4740699
    Abstract: A method of reading out a radiographic image by storing radiation energy corresponding to a radiographic image on a stimulative phosphor layer on a panel, scanning the layer with a semi-conductor laser to release the energy as fluorescence, and detecting the fluorescence to form an image, wherein wavelengths having an intensity lower than an excitation wavelength intensity of said laser are removed by optical means before scanning the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Miura, Hisanori Tsuchino, Makoto Kumagai, Fumio Shimada
  • Patent number: D295387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Makoto Kumagai