Patents by Inventor Mieko Ohkawa
Mieko Ohkawa 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).
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Patent number: 9202147Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming system, including: a conveying unit configured to convey recording paper; an image forming unit configured to print an image on the recording paper; an image reading unit configured to optically read the recording paper and to obtain a read image; and a correction control unit configured to control an execution of a test operation in which a test pattern including one or more thin lines are printed on the recording paper by the image forming unit and in which the test pattern is read by the image reading unit, to collect information indicting operation state of each unit in the execution of the test operation, to evaluate the thin lines in the read image obtained in the test operation in consideration of the collected information and to carry out a correction relating to printing of a specified thin line.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Toru Kawabe, Makoto Ikeda, Mieko Ohkawa, Daisuke Genda
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Publication number: 20140376013Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming system, including: a conveying unit configured to convey recording paper; an image forming unit configured to print an image on the recording paper; an image reading unit configured to optically read the recording paper and to obtain a read image; and a correction control unit configured to control an execution of a test operation in which a test pattern including one or more thin lines are printed on the recording paper by the image forming unit and in which the test pattern is read by the image reading unit, to collect information indicting operation state of each unit in the execution of the test operation, to evaluate the thin lines in the read image obtained in the test operation in consideration of the collected information and to carry out a correction relating to printing of a specified thin line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Toru KAWABE, Makoto IKEDA, Mieko OHKAWA, Daisuke GENDA
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Patent number: 8610981Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing device comprising: a storage part to store a target value set for each tone value in a plurality of colors; a measurement value information obtaining part to obtain measurement value information, the measurement value information comprising a measurement value of a density at each of a plurality of measurement positions in a main and a sub-scanning directions; a correction target value calculation part to correct the target value based on color mixture proportion information where a proportion of the colors is set, and to calculate a correction target value; a correction value calculation part to calculate a correction value of the density at each measurement position, which is calculated based on the correction target value and the measurement value information; and a correction part to correct a density value of each pixel in image data, based on the correction value.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Patent number: 8547611Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a storing section, an image forming section to form a measurement image to output a measurement chart, and a control section for inputting density information indicating densities at positions of the measurement image, to calculate a correction value corresponding to each position based on the density information, to store the value in association with an output condition including a screen condition indicating a screen processing at the time of outputting the chart, to determine the output condition of the image data, to read the value corresponding to the output condition, and to correct the image data based on the value, wherein the image forming section forms an image based on the corrected image data, and when no correction value corresponding to the screen condition of the input image data is stored in the storing section, the control section inhibits the correction from being executed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Patent number: 8310743Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: an image forming section to form an image on paper based on image data according to an image forming condition to output the image on the paper; a storage section to store a plurality of correction values corresponding to setting conditions of the image forming condition, the correction values used for correction of density unevenness in a main scanning direction of the image; a density correction section to perform correction of density of each pixel of the image data based on the correction value; and a control section to read out the correction value according to a set condition in the image forming condition from the storage section and to allow the density correction section to perform the correction of the density of each pixel of the image data based on the read out correction value.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yutaka Yasunaga, Mieko Ohkawa
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Patent number: 8164809Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus, including: a comparing and detecting section for comparing two image data, which respectively obtained by nearly simultaneously reading both sides of a document, on a pixel to pixel basis and detecting a pixel, on which off-set arises, from the two image data based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the two image data; and a correcting section for correcting at least any one of brightness, hue and chroma based on information including brightness and hue of the detected pixel.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Patent number: 8107772Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including a tone converting section to convert a tone level of a target pixel in multi-level image data based on a threshold value of the tone level so that the number of tone levels is reduced; a resolution converting section to output a pixel block according to the tone level, to generate image data with higher resolution; and an error diffusing section to diffuse an error; and wherein when the converted tone level is a predetermined value or lower, the resolution converting section refers to an output sequence category of a black pixel in a pixel block of a surrounding pixel, selects an output sequence pattern belonging to an output sequence category which allows a black pixel in a pixel block of the target pixel and the surrounding pixel to be concentrated, and outputs a pixel block corresponding to the selected pattern.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Publication number: 20110235129Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a storing section, an image forming section to form a measurement image to output a measurement chart, and a control section for inputting density information indicating densities at positions of the measurement image, to calculate a correction value corresponding to each position based on the density information, to store the value in association with an output condition including a screen condition indicating a screen processing at the time of outputting the chart, to determine the output condition of the image data, to read the value corresponding to the output condition, and to correct the image data based on the value, wherein the image forming section forms an image based on the corrected image data, and when no correction value corresponding to the screen condition of the input image data is stored in the storing section, the control section inhibits the correction from being executed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Mieko OHKAWA
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Patent number: 7916345Abstract: There is described an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to easily adjust a width of a line image without deteriorating the image quality of the line image. The apparatus includes a storage section to store a first template and a second template; a first determining section to determine whether or not a target pixel is the specific pixel, based on the first template; a second determining section to determine whether or not the target pixel is the edge pixel, based on the second template; and a line width adjusting section to adjust the width of the line image. When determining that the target pixel is the specific pixel, the target pixel is converted to a black pixel. When determining that the target pixel is not the specific pixel and the target pixel is the edge pixel, the target pixel is converted to a white pixel.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Publication number: 20100271673Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing device comprising: a storage part to store a target value set for each tone value in a plurality of colors; a measurement value information obtaining part to obtain measurement value information, the measurement value information comprising a measurement value of a density at each of a plurality of measurement positions in a main and a sub-scanning directions; a correction target value calculation part to correct the target value based on color mixture proportion information where a proportion of the colors is set, and to calculate a correction target value; a correction value calculation part to calculate a correction value of the density at each measurement position, which is calculated based on the correction target value and the measurement value information; and a correction part to correct a density value of each pixel in image data, based on the correction value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Mieko OHKAWA
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Publication number: 20100149564Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: an image forming section to form an image on paper based on image data according to an image forming condition to output the image on the paper; a storage section to store a plurality of correction values corresponding to setting conditions of the image forming condition, the correction values used for correction of density unevenness in a main scanning direction of the image; a density correction section to perform correction of density of each pixel of the image data based on the correction value; and a control section to read out the correction value according to a set condition in the image forming condition from the storage section and to allow the density correction section to perform the correction of the density of each pixel of the image data based on the read out correction value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Yutaka YASUNAGA, Mieko Ohkawa
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Patent number: 7729009Abstract: An is an image processing apparatus including: an image memory section to store an image data obtained by reading an image of an original manuscript; an external light memory section to store a data of external light entering to a stage for the original manuscript and to form histograms of each color based on the data of external light; a judging section to calculate an external light level from a higher luminance by each color out of luminance values of a foot of a peak including a maximum frequency value measured on the histograms; and an area detecting section to determine a non-image area erase threshold based on the external light level, so as to detect an image area and to erase a non-image area.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Monica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Publication number: 20090190181Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus, including: a comparing and detecting section for comparing two image data, which respectively obtained by nearly simultaneously reading both sides of a document, on a pixel to pixel basis and detecting a pixel, on which off-set arises, from the two image data based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the two image data; and a correcting section for correcting at least any one of brightness, hue and chroma based on information including brightness and hue of the detected pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventor: Mieko OHKAWA
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Patent number: 7480075Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of duplex recording on two faces of recording paper on a basis of input image data, includes: a background adjustment section for performing a background adjustment on a basis of a plurality of background adjustment ? curves; a setting section for setting one background adjustment ? curve from the plurality of background adjustment ? curves; an image processing section for processing the input image data with the background adjustment ? curve set by the setting section; and an image output section for performing duplex recording control to the two faces of the recording paper on a basis of output image data to which the background adjustment is performed by the image processing section.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Patent number: 7426300Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique implementing a density adjustment fitted to an image, concretely, an image processing apparatus for (1) judging the kind of a read image with a high accuracy, and (2) producing an arbitrary ? curve. The apparatus includes: a histogram calculation section for calculating a histogram of an image; a highlight part detection section for detecting a highlight part from the histogram; a shadow part detection section for detecting a shadow part from the histogram; a ? curve production section for producing a ? curve by using ? values corresponding to each of the highlight part and the shadow part, both obtained on detection results of the highlight part detection section and the shadow part detection section, respectively; and a density adjustment section for performing a density adjustment of an image on the ? curve produced by the ? curve production section.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Publication number: 20080063309Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including a tone converting section to convert a tone level of a target pixel in multi-level image data based on a threshold value of the tone level so that the number of tone levels is reduced; a resolution converting section to output a pixel block according to the tone level, to generate image data with higher resolution; and an error diffusing section to diffuse an error; and wherein when the converted tone level is a predetermined value or lower, the resolution converting section refers to an output sequence category of a black pixel in a pixel block of a surrounding pixel, selects an output sequence pattern belonging to an output sequence category which allows a black pixel in a pixel block of the target pixel and the surrounding pixel to be concentrated, and outputs a pixel block corresponding to the selected pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mieko OHKAWA
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Publication number: 20080018919Abstract: There is described an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to easily adjust a width of a line image without deteriorating the image quality of the line image. The apparatus includes a storage section to store a first template and a second template; a first determining section to determine whether or not a target pixel is the specific pixel, based on the first template; a second determining section to determine whether or not the target pixel is the edge pixel, based on the second template; and a line width adjusting section to adjust the width of the line image. When determining that the target pixel is the specific pixel, the target pixel is converted to a black pixel. When determining that the target pixel is not the specific pixel and the target pixel is the edge pixel, the target pixel is converted to a white pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
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Publication number: 20070189638Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus, including: a pattern-matching unit for judging whether a pixel array of a predetermined image region including a target pixel in a binary image data coincides with each pixel array of a plurality of previously prepared template data or not; and a resolution converter for preparing high-resolution image data having a higher resolution than the image data by using a pixel block composed of the predetermined number of pixels, based on a judgment result by the pattern-matching unit, wherein an output gradient value of the target pixel and position information of output pixels are set to each of the plurality of template data, and when the pattern-matching unit judges that there is template data coinciding with the pixel array of the image region, the resolution converter outputs a pixel block in which the same gradient value as the output gradient value is reproduced, based on the output gradient value and the position information of the output pixels which are sType: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Mieko Ohkawa, Jun Nakagawa
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Publication number: 20070188812Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing device, including: a gradation converter which converts a gradation value of a target pixel in multilevel image data so that the number of gradations decreases; a resolution which converts creating high-resolution image data having a resolution higher than the multilevel image data by outputting a pixel block capable of reproducing a gradation value which is same as the gradation value obtained by the gradation converter, the pixel block including a predetermined number of pixels; and an error diffusion section which executes a processing for diffusing an error value between the gradation values before a gradation conversion and after the gradation conversion by the gradation converter to peripheral pixels of the target pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Mieko Ohkawa, Daijiro Saito
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Patent number: 7253926Abstract: There is described a compound apparatus, having a plurality of outputting functions including at least a copy function. The compound apparatus includes: an image-reading device to read an original image residing on a document so as to convert the original image into image data; a binary-coded image data generating section to generate binary-coded image data by applying a binary-coding processing to the image data; an image-data storing section to store the image data or the binary-coded image data; a designating section to designate an outputting function among the plurality of outputting functions; a resolution setting section to set an output-image resolution, based on an output resolution of the outputting function; and a resolution converting section to convert a resolution of either the image data or the binary-coded image data, stored in the image-data storing section, to the output-image resolution set by the resolution setting section.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Konica CorporationInventor: Mieko Ohkawa