Patents by Inventor Norio Shimura

Norio Shimura 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: 11044370
    Abstract: A first processing module receives image data transferred from a controller, and executes image processing and a second processing module receives the image data transferred from the controller via the first processing module and executes image processing on the image data. The controller determines color components, of the plurality of color components of the image data, to be processed by the first processing module and the second processing module, based on at least communication amounts produced between the first processing module and the second processing module. Processed data having undergone the image processing performed by the first processing module based on the determined color components is transferred to the controller, and processed data having undergone the image processing performed by the second processing module based on the determined color components is transferred to the controller via the first processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruyuki Yoshida, Norio Shimura, Koji Yasuzaki, Masaki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 10911609
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a memory including instructions, and at least one processor for executing the instruction to cause the image forming apparatus to act as a generation unit to perform image processing so as to generate image data including pieces of page data based on a print job, a determination unit to determine whether a piece of page data corresponding to a sheet passing a predetermined location of a conveyance path is prepared in time, and a control unit to perform, in a case where the piece of page data is not prepared in time, control to leave the sheet as a blank sheet by not performing image processing. The control unit changes a page order, determined in advance, of pages to be printed following the blank sheet in a case where it is determined the piece of page data is not prepared in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Publication number: 20190356791
    Abstract: A first processing module receives image data transferred from a controller, and executes image processing and a second processing module receives the image data transferred from the controller via the first processing module and executes image processing on the image data. The controller determines color components, of the plurality of color components of the image data, to be processed by the first processing module and the second processing module, based on at least communication amounts produced between the first processing module and the second processing module. Processed data having undergone the image processing performed by the first processing module based on the determined color components is transferred to the controller, and processed data having undergone the image processing performed by the second processing module based on the determined color components is transferred to the controller via the first processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Teruyuki Yoshida, Norio Shimura, Koji Yasuzaki, Masaki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 10122867
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs printing based on a print job and determines whether printing for a first print job and a second print job having been received after the first print job can be made continuously based on a progress of printing for the first print job. In a case where it is determined that the printing for the first print job and the second print job can be made continuously, print media to be used for printing for the second print job is fed to a conveyance path before completing outputting printouts for the first print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Nakamura, Norio Shimura, Koji Yasuzaki, Taketoshi Kusakabe, Kentaro Fukushima, Masaki Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20170346957
    Abstract: It is possible to continue printing processing without suspension even in the case where print data is not prepared in time in continuous printing that is performed by continuously feeding sheets. An image forming apparatus includes: a generation unit configured to generate image data based on a print job; a determination unit configured to determine whether image data corresponding to a sheet passing a predetermined location of a conveyance path through which sheets are conveyed is prepared in time; and a control unit configured to perform, in the case where the determination unit determines that image data is not prepared in time, control to leave the sheet as a blank sheet by skipping processing to form an image for the sheet, and the control unit changes a printing order determined in advance in the case where the determination unit determines that image data is not prepared in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Publication number: 20170346956
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs printing based on a print job and determines whether printing for a first print job and a second print job having been received after the first print job can be made continuously based on a progress of printing for the first print job. In a case where it is determined that the printing for the first print job and the second print job can be made continuously, print media to be used for printing for the second print job is fed to a conveyance path before completing outputting printouts for the first print job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Sho Nakamura, Norio Shimura, Koji Yasuzaki, Taketoshi Kusakabe, Kentaro Fukushima, Masaki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 9205682
    Abstract: A print controlling device includes a receiving unit that receives image data, a print controlling unit that causes a printing unit to print a cut mark and the received image data on a recording medium by using a recording agent, and a determining unit that determines whether the received image data includes a mark indicating a cut position of the recording medium. The print controlling unit causes the printing unit to print the cut mark when it is determined that the mark indicating the cut position is not included, and causes the printing unit not to print the cut mark when it is determined that the mark indicating the cut position is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Patent number: 9145013
    Abstract: A method is provided that performs, based on a schedule, the printing of a plurality of images and the print head maintenance on the first face and the second face of a continuous sheet. The method includes: sensing a unique portion unsuitable for image printing that exists on the continuous sheet; and setting a printing schedule, when the unique portion is sensed in the first face or the second face, such that an image is prevented to be printed on the unique portion and a maintenance operation of the print head is performed at a region corresponding to the unique portion on the back face of the first or second face that has the unique portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Shimura, Taichi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150165793
    Abstract: A print controlling device includes a receiving unit that receives image data, a print controlling unit that causes a printing unit to print a cut mark and the received image data on a recording medium by using a recording agent, and a determining unit that determines whether the received image data includes a mark indicating a cut position of the recording medium. The print controlling unit causes the printing unit to print the cut mark when it is determined that the mark indicating the cut position is not included, and causes the printing unit not to print the cut mark when it is determined that the mark indicating the cut position is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Publication number: 20140035987
    Abstract: A method is provided that performs, based on a schedule, the printing of a plurality of images and the print head maintenance on the first face and the second face of a continuous sheet. The method includes: sensing a unique portion unsuitable for image printing that exists on the continuous sheet; and setting a printing schedule, when the unique portion is sensed in the first face or the second face, such that an image is prevented to be printed on the unique portion and a maintenance operation of the print head is performed at a region corresponding to the unique portion on the back face of the first or second face that has the unique portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norio Shimura, Taichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8542380
    Abstract: A multifunction printer which can erase image data, which is specified by using a sheet on which a list of image data in a memory card printed, from the memory card. It is also a multifunction printer which can erase specified image data from a memory card after the specified image data is printed or stored in another storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Patent number: 8351056
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-function printer not requiring exclusive components (principally electrical components) for reading the print settings and thus being free from a cost increase, and a control method therefor. For print settings such as a paper size and a print quality in a copying or a direct printing, a lever is provided for each print setting item. Before executing the reading and printing operations of copying or direct printing, position of each lever is read and the setting of each print setting item is analyzed based on the position of each lever, and the reading and printing operations are executed according to thus analyzed settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Patent number: 7889380
    Abstract: When the time period is night, processing advances to step S13 to set the initialization speed of a line feed motor to the first speed (v1), and to step S15 to execute initialization operation of the line feed motor at the first speed (v1). When the time period is morning or daytime, the processing advances to step S12 to detect a cover open/closed state. When the cover is open, the processing advances to step S13 to set the initialization speed of the line feed motor to the first speed (v1). When the cover is closed, the processing advances to step S14 to set the initialization speed of the line feed motor to the second speed (v2) which is higher than the first speed (v1). The processing advances to step S15 to execute initialization operation of the line feed motor at the second speed (v2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Kohno, Masaya Kikuta, Norio Shimura, Takeaki Nakano, Hirokazu Kameda, Masaaki Endo, Shigehi Abe, Manabu Kuchiki, Masanori Echigo, Munetaka Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080062449
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-function printer not requiring exclusive components (principally electrical components) for reading the print settings and thus being free from a cost increase, and a control method therefor. For print settings such as a paper size and a print quality in a copying or a direct printing, a lever is provided for each print setting item. Before executing the reading and printing operations of copying or direct printing, position of each lever is read and the setting of each print setting item is analyzed based on the position of each lever, and the reading and printing operations are executed according to thus analyzed settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Publication number: 20070035791
    Abstract: A multifunction printer which can erase image data, which is specified by using a sheet on which a list of image data in a memory card printed, from the memory card. It is also a multifunction printer which can erase specified image data from a memory card after the specified image data is printed or stored in another storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norio Shimura
  • Patent number: 7114795
    Abstract: An ink jet printing system is provided which has an ink jet printing apparatus and a host and which alleviates a data processing load on the ink jet printing apparatus, prevents a reduction in a printing operation speed, and realizes a cost reduction. The ink jet printing apparatus of this invention has an ink receiving member for receiving waste ink ejected onto an overrunning area outside edges of a print medium and an accumulated value memory section for storing an accumulated value equivalent to waste ink volumes ejected onto the ink receiving member. The host includes a waste ink volume setting section for obtaining a value equivalent to a waste ink volume and a data sending section for sending data to the ink jet printing apparatus. The accumulated value memory section of the ink jet printing apparatus stores the accumulated value equivalent to waste ink volumes obtained by the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Shimura, Masaya Kikuta, Tetsushi Kohno, Takeaki Nakano, Hirokazu Kameda, Masaaki Endo, Shigeki Abe, Manabu Kuchiki, Masanori Echigo, Munetaka Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7104625
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus that can detect a state causing a printing operation failure without adding a sensor and also enhance the ease of handling on the part of the user while keeping an apparatus cost from rising. For this purpose, in a serial type ink jet printing apparatus, a travel range in which the print head can be moved is detected and it is decided whether the detected travel range is a proper travel range. When, for example, the travel range is determined to be less than a preset range, it is decided that there is an obstacle in a path of the print head and a decision result is displayed. When the travel range is determined to be a certain range, it is decided that the ink tank is not properly mounted on the print head and the corresponding indication is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Kono, Norio Shimura, Masaya Kikuta, Takeaki Nakano, Hirokazu Kameda, Masaaki Endo, Manabu Kuchiki
  • Publication number: 20060126120
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus that is capable of realizing a favorable print layout where bottom orientations of image data are made uniform easily and at low cost. Rotation information of image data is obtained. A print layout type or pattern in accordance with the rotation information is selected. In accordance with the selected print layout type or pattern, print data for printing a print medium on which the image data is laid out is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Imafuku, Makoto Hibi, Hisatsugu Naito, Tetsuya Kawanabe, Norio Shimura, Arata Miyagi
  • Patent number: 6955413
    Abstract: A printing apparatus of the invention acquires a velocity and an acceleration of a printing medium when a rear end of the printing medium passes through a detection lever. A correction amount for the rear end of the printing medium is determined in accordance with the velocity and the acceleration of the printing medium. The correction amount is a transportation amount of the printing medium during a physical return time after the rear end of the printing medium passes through the detection lever until the detection lever is detected by a sensor. A remaining region from a printing position of a print head up to the rear end of the printing medium is controlled in accordance with the correction amount for the rear end of printing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Kohno, Masaya Kikuta, Norio Shimura, Takeaki Nakano, Hirokazu Kameda, Masaaki Endo, Shigeki Abe, Manabu Kuchiki, Masanori Echigo, Munetaka Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040165018
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus that can detect a state causing a printing operation failure without adding a sensor and also enhance the ease of handling on the part of the user while keeping an apparatus cost from rising. For this purpose, in a serial type ink jet printing apparatus, a travel range in which the print head 303 can be moved is detected and it is decided whether the detected travel range is a proper travel range. When, for example, the travel range is determined to be, it is decided that there is an obstacle in a path of the print head and a decision result is displayed. When the travel range is determined to be, it is decided that the ink tank is not properly mounted on the print head and the corresponding indication is made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Kono, Norio Shimura, Masaya Kikuta, Takeaki Nakano, Hirokazu Kameda, Masaaki Endo, Manabu Kuchiki