Patents by Inventor Masamoto Nakazawa

Masamoto Nakazawa 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: 10834272
    Abstract: A reading device includes an imaging element and correcting circuitry. The imaging element is configured to receive light from an object selectively irradiated with visible light or invisible light. The correcting circuitry is configured to apply correction processing based on a difference in an optical characteristic between an invisible light region and a visible light region to an image signal in the invisible light region output from the imaging element and output the image signal corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamoto Nakazawa, Tadaaki Oyama, Masahiro Itoh, Masato Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10834292
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image forming device, a reading device, and circuitry. The image forming device is configured to form a first pattern on a recording medium. The first pattern includes a plurality of patches in a plurality of tones. The reading device is configured to read the first pattern. The circuitry is configured to acquire read data of the first pattern from the reading device. The read data includes red, green, and blue (RGB) color space values. The circuitry is further configured to: correct the read data based on information indicating a relationship between a color and a position in the first pattern to reduce variation in readings due to a read position of the first pattern; convert the read data corrected into device-independent data; and adjust a color reproduction characteristic of the image forming device based on the device-independent data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Komatsu, Hideki Hashimoto, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10827101
    Abstract: A color inspection device includes a reading device and circuitry. The reading device images a reference object and a color detection object to obtain readings of each of the reference object and the color detection object. The circuitry corrects the readings of the color detection object by using a correction coefficient that is generated from the readings of the reference object and color information measured for each arbitrary region of the reference object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Hashimoto, Masamoto Nakazawa, Manabu Komatsu, Yoshio Konno
  • Patent number: 10771646
    Abstract: A reading device includes a position reference member and a reader. The position reference member has a reference pattern that includes a line extending in a prescribed direction. The position reference member is configured to relatively move in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction. The reader includes a plurality of sensor chips, each of the sensor chips including a plurality of pixels. The reference pattern corresponds to each of the sensor chips of the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishii, Yoshiko Niki, Satoshi Iwanami, Osamu Inage, Shinichiroh Wada, Masamoto Nakazawa, Ryohma Ikemoto, Daisuke Nikaku
  • Patent number: 10757280
    Abstract: An image reader includes a reading device to read an image on a recording medium, a first conveying roller pair upstream of the reading device in a conveyance direction of the recording medium, a second conveying roller pair downstream of the reading device in the conveyance direction, to hold the recording medium together with the first conveying roller pair to convey the recording medium, and a driver to drive the first conveying roller pair and the second conveying roller pair so that a relative relation between a reading position of the reading device and the recording medium held by the first conveying roller pair and the second conveying roller pair is constant. The reading device determines that the image read from the recording medium is effective in a period in which the relative relation is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Inage, Masamoto Nakazawa, Daisuke Nikaku, Ryohma Ikemoto, Hideki Hashimoto, Shinichiroh Wada
  • Patent number: 10735625
    Abstract: An information detecting device detects information from a target. The information detecting device includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform a first information acquisition operation of acquiring first information from a target criterion, a second information acquisition operation of acquiring second information from the target, and an information conversion operation of converting the second information acquired by the second information acquisition operation, into third information, with the first information acquired by the first information acquisition operation, the third information having a dimension different from respective dimensions of the first information and the second information; and perform control such that an information-acquisition condition in the first information acquisition operation is identical to an information-acquisition condition in the second information acquisition operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamoto Nakazawa, Hideki Hashimoto, Daisuke Nikaku
  • Patent number: 10721373
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in one direction for each color of received light, and an analog-digital (AD) convertor that performs analog-digital conversion for each pixel group configured by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements selected from the photoelectric conversion elements. The AD converter is disposed in a position adjacent to each of the photoelectric conversion elements configuring the pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Konno, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10674027
    Abstract: A position detecting device includes an image sensor and circuitry. The image sensor is configured to read reflected light of light emitted from a light source onto a medium to be read. The circuitry is configured to perform black correction processing on an output signal of the image sensor using black correction data of the image sensor and detect a position of the medium from the output signal after the black correction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nikaku, Masamoto Nakazawa, Ryohma Ikemoto
  • Publication number: 20200120225
    Abstract: A document size detection device includes: a light source that irradiates a document placed on placing means with scanning light via the placing means; a reading unit that receives reflection light from the document via the placing means to acquire image data of the document; and circuitry to set an illumination depth of the scanning light at a size detection time when the size is detected, shallower than an illumination depth of the scanning light at an image reading time when an image of the document is read, and detects, at the size detection time, the size based on a difference between first image data acquired in a state in which the scanning light is switched off and second image data acquired in a state in which the scanning light is switched on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Tadaaki OYAMA, Masamoto Nakazawa, Hiroki Shirado, Tomohiro Sasa, Tatsuya Ozaki, Kohsuke Nambara
  • Publication number: 20200120228
    Abstract: A reading device includes: a light source that irradiates a subject with scanning light; a light receiving section that receives reflection light from the subject; and circuitry to: control the light source to switch on and off of the scanning light; control the light receiver to receive the reflection light from the subject for a predetermined acquisition time at a predetermined acquisition interval so as to acquire data; and calculate a difference between the data acquired while the scanning light is switched on and the data acquired while the scanning light is switched off. The predetermined acquisition time and the predetermined acquisition interval are set such that the acquisition time or a total time of the acquisition time and the acquisition interval become an integer multiple of a fluctuation cycle of a fluctuation factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Tatsuya OZAKI, Tadaaki OYAMA, Tomohiro SASA, Hiroki SHIRADO, Kohsuke NAMBARA, Masamoto NAKAZAWA
  • Patent number: 10616429
    Abstract: A position detecting device includes circuitry. The circuitry is configured to control a reading device to detect, as a first detection result, an outer shape of a processing subject and a position of an image pattern on the processing subject; control the reading device to detect, as a second detection result, a mark arranged on a position reference member, the mark corresponding to a predetermined position in the reading device; and detect a first correction value of the reading device and a second correction value of the reading device corrected by the first correction value on basis of the second detection result and reflect the first correction value and the second correction value to the first detection result to correct a processing position in the processing subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohma Ikemoto, Masamoto Nakazawa, Daisuke Nikaku
  • Patent number: 10609244
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a plurality of pixels to receive light; and a signal processor to process a signal of the pixels. The signal processor includes: a first element, being a transistor, having a first effective channel width through which a current can effectively pass through in the first element; and a second element, being a transistor, having a second effective channel width through which a current can effectively pass through in the second element. The first effective channel width of the first element is larger than the second effective channel width of the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamoto Nakazawa, Yuuya Miyoshi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20200053229
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a sensor and circuitry. The sensor is configured to read a visible spectrum and an invisible spectrum of an image. The circuitry is configured to separate the image read into a visible image and an invisible image and perform different image correction processes on the visible image and the invisible image, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Ayumu HASHIMOTO, Masamoto Nakazawa, Masashi Watanabe, Masahiro Itoh
  • Publication number: 20200053233
    Abstract: A reading device includes an imaging element and correcting circuitry. The imaging element is configured to receive light from an object selectively irradiated with visible light or invisible light. The correcting circuitry is configured to apply correction processing based on a difference in an optical characteristic between an invisible light region and a visible light region to an image signal in the invisible light region output from the imaging element and output the image signal corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Masamoto NAKAZAWA, Tadaaki OYAMA, Masahiro ITOH, Masato TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20200053230
    Abstract: A reading device includes a light source, an imaging element, a controller, a correcting unit, and a notifying unit. The light source is configured to irradiate an object with light. The imaging element is configured to receive and read the light from the object. The controller is configured to control a second reading operation of reading the object with an invisible image. The correcting unit is configured to perform correction with respect to the invisible image. The notifying unit is configured to notify an outside of at least the invisible image corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Masamoto NAKAZAWA, Ayumu HASHIMOTO, Masashi WATANABE
  • Patent number: 10554849
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of light receiving elements, a plurality of A/D conversion units, and an offset giving unit. The light receiving elements are arrayed in one direction and each convert a light signal into an electrical signal. The A/D conversion units perform A/D conversion on the electrical signals output from the light receiving elements. The offset giving unit gives an offset voltage of a certain level to the electrical signals output from the light receiving elements without flowing a steady current before the electrical signals are input into the A/D conversion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Hashimoto, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10542184
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element to generate an image signal according to an intensity of light being input and circuitry. The circuitry obtains pixel values in dark time, respectively, for at least a first time and a second time. The second time is longer than the first time. The pixel values in dark time represent pixel values obtained when no light is input to the photoelectric conversion element. The circuitry obtains a subtraction between the pixel values for the first time and the pixel values for the second time. The circuitry detects a noise amount based on the subtraction. The circuitry determines at least one pixel having the detected noise amount that is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value, as a defective pixel of the photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuhei Yokoyama, Hiroki Shirado, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10536655
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device having plural photoelectric conversion pixels includes an imaging unit, a position identifying unit, an interpolation determining unit, and an interpolation processing unit. The imaging unit generates image data for each of plural colors based on light received in the photoelectric conversion pixels. The position identifying unit detects in the photoelectric conversion pixels a defective pixel outputting an electrical signal at an abnormal level, and stores position information of the defective pixel. The interpolation deter mining unit determines, based on respective pixel values of peripheral pixels peripheral to the defective pixel, whether to perform an interpolation process on the defective pixel. The interpolation processing unit performs the interpolation process on the defective pixel when the interpolation determining unit determines to perform the interpolation process on the defective pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shirado, Masamoto Nakazawa, Masayuki Yabuuchi
  • Publication number: 20190387131
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image forming device, a reading device, and circuitry. The image forming device is configured to form a first pattern on a recording medium. The first pattern includes a plurality of patches in a plurality of tones. The reading device is configured to read the first pattern. The circuitry is configured to acquire read data of the first pattern from the reading device. The read data includes red, green, and blue (RGB) color space values. The circuitry is further configured to: correct the read data based on information indicating a relationship between a color and a position in the first pattern to reduce variation in readings due to a read position of the first pattern; convert the read data corrected into device-independent data; and adjust a color reproduction characteristic of the image forming device based on the device-independent data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Manabu Komatsu, Hideki Hashimoto, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10475844
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a generation circuit and a controller. The generation circuit generates an image signal according to an intensity of light being input. The controller controls the generation circuit to generate a dark-time image signal equivalent to an image signal generated by the generation circuit without exposure to external light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Inoue, Masamoto Nakazawa, Hiroki Shirado