Patents by Inventor Sadao Murata

Sadao Murata 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: 9070163
    Abstract: Check processing involves detecting a check; scanning a back of the check having no printed authorization data to capture a back image; scanning a front of the check to capture a front image; reading magnetic ink characters on the front of the check; generating authorization data indicating that the check is valid based on the magnetic ink characters, the authorization data being generated electronically; generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining the back image with the authorization data in a predetermined area, the electronic merged image being generated such that at least a portion of the authorization data overlaps the back image. The operations are performed as the check is conveyed through a transportation path in one direction, one time. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20150122882
    Abstract: Check processing involves detecting a check; scanning a back of the check having no printed authorization data to capture a back image; scanning a front of the check to capture a front image; reading magnetic ink characters on the front of the check; generating authorization data indicating that the check is valid based on the magnetic ink characters, the authorization data being generated electronically; generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining the back image with the authorization data in a predetermined area, the electronic merged image being generated such that at least a portion of the authorization data overlaps the back image. The operations are performed as the check is conveyed through a transportation path in one direction, one time. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 8960538
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no printed authorization data to capture a back image; scanning a front of the check to capture a front image of the check, the front of the check being preprinted with magnetic ink characters; generating authorization data indicating that the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic ink characters and a response from an external analysis source, the authorization data being generated electronically; generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining the back image with the authorization data in a predetermined area, the electronic merged image being generated without printing the authorization data on the check; and storing the electronic merged image with the front image. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20130251236
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no printed authorization data to capture a back image; scanning a front of the check to capture a front image of the check, the front of the check being preprinted with magnetic ink characters; generating authorization data indicating that the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic ink characters and a response from an external analysis source, the authorization data being generated electronically; generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining the back image with the authorization data in a predetermined area, the electronic merged image being generated without printing the authorization data on the check; and storing the electronic merged image with the front image. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 8469263
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon and also scanning a front of the check having preprinted magnetic ink characters, electronically generating authorization data indicating that the check is valid based on a response from an external analysis source, generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, and storing the electronic merged image with the front image data captured during the scanning of the front of the check. Moreover, these operations may be performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 8289590
    Abstract: A scanner unit includes a scanner for imaging a print medium, a base unit that supports the scanner, a pressure feed roller disposed opposite the scanning surface of the scanner, a guide member for guiding the print medium to the scanner, a frame member that supports the pressure feed roller and the guide member, and a motor that drives the pressure feed roller. The frame member is supported pivotably to the base. In other embodiments the scanner unit can include a roller shaft such that the pressure feed roller is coaxially affixed to the roller shaft and the frame member supports the roller shaft, a first gear on the roller shaft, and a second gear that transfers drive power from the motor to the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 8139093
    Abstract: A thermal printer enables both duplex printing and simplex printing. A double-sided thermal printer 1 has a first arm 31 and a second arm 32 that opens and closes in conjunction with the first arm 31. A first platen roller 21 is mounted on the first arm 31, a second thermal print head 12 is mounted on the second arm 32, and a first thermal print head 11 and second platen roller 22 are disposed on the printer frame 30 side. When the operating cover 3 closes, the second thermal print head 12 on the second arm 32 is pressed against the second platen roller 22, the first platen roller 21 on the first arm 31 is pressed to the first thermal print head 11, and the double-sided thermal paper 6 can be set with no slack. For simplex printing, the paper transportation load can be reduced by pressing only the first platen roller 21 on the first arm to the first thermal print head 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Koyabu, Toru Takami, Sadao Murata, Hitoshi Ishino
  • Publication number: 20110259956
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon and also scanning a front of the check having preprinted magnetic ink characters, electronically generating authorization data indicating that the check is valid based on a response from an external analysis source, generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, and storing the electronic merged image with the front image data captured during the scanning of the front of the check. Moreover, these operations may be performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7997478
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon and also scanning a front of the check having preprinted magnetic ink characters, electronically generating authorization data indicating that processing payment of the check has been completed and the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic characters and a response from an external analysis source, generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, and storing the electronic merged image with the front image data captured during the scanning of the front of the check. Moreover, these operations are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20100258622
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon and also scanning a front of the check having preprinted magnetic ink characters, electronically generating authorization data indicating that processing payment of the check has been completed and the check is valid based on a reading of the magnetic characters and a response from an external analysis source, generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, and storing the electronic merged image with the front image data captured during the scanning of the front of the check. Moreover, these operations are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7810714
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon, electronically generating authorization data indicating that processing a check payment has been completed, and generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, such that, in the electronic merged image, the authorization data appears outside of an endorsement area. Moreover, these operations are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20100208311
    Abstract: A scanner unit includes a scanner for imaging a print medium, a base unit that supports the scanner, a pressure feed roller disposed opposite the scanning surface of the scanner, a guide member for guiding the print medium to the scanner, a frame member that supports the pressure feed roller and the guide member, and a motor that drives the pressure feed roller. The frame member is supported pivotably to the base. In other embodiments the scanner unit can include a roller shaft such that the pressure feed roller is coaxially affixed to the roller shaft and the frame member supports the roller shaft, a first gear on the roller shaft, and a second gear that transfers drive power from the motor to the second gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7701622
    Abstract: A scanner unit that includes a scanner for imaging a print medium, a base that supports the scanner, a pressure feed roller disposed opposite the scanning surface of the scanner, a guide member for guiding the print medium to the scanner, a frame member that is supported pivotably to the base, and a motor that is supported on the base. The frame member supports the pressure feed roller and guide member and the motor drives the pressure feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20090086006
    Abstract: A thermal printer enables both duplex printing and simplex printing. A double-sided thermal printer 1 has a first arm 31 and a second arm 32 that opens and closes in conjunction with the first arm 31. A first platen roller 21 is mounted on the first arm 31, a second thermal print head 12 is mounted on the second arm 32, and a first thermal print head 11 and second platen roller 22 are disposed on the printer frame 30 side. When the operating cover 3 closes, the second thermal print head 12 on the second arm 32 is pressed against the second platen roller 22, the first platen roller 21 on the first arm 31 is pressed to the first thermal print head 11, and the double-sided thermal paper 6 can be set with no slack. For simplex printing, the paper transportation load can be reduced by pressing only the first platen roller 21 on the first arm to the first thermal print head 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Koyabu, Toru Takami, Sadao Murata, Hitoshi Ishino
  • Patent number: 7377427
    Abstract: A method apparatus and POS system for processing credit card transactions associated with POS sales to inhibit illegal credit card use. The method involves reading magnetic stripe information including the credit card number from the magnetic stripe on a credit card and comparing the result with stored credit card transaction history of the credit card user to determine whether to scan and image further personal identification from the credit card user such as a drivers license and if so to image the driver license. This is primarily based on a comparison of the transaction amount with stored transaction history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20070291328
    Abstract: The media processing apparatus has a first transportation path for guiding the check, a second transportation path and a third transportation path that diverge from the first transportation path, a front scanner that is rendered along the first transportation path for imaging the first side of the check, a back scanner that is rendered along the third transportation path for imaging the second side of the check, and a path switching guide that guides a check from the first transportation path into the second transportation path or third transportation path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
  • Publication number: 20070205264
    Abstract: Check processing involves scanning a back of a check having no authorization data printed thereon, electronically generating authorization data indicating that processing a check payment has been completed, and generating an electronic merged image by electronically combining back image data captured during the scanning of the back of the check with generated authorization data, such that, in the electronic merged image, the authorization data appears outside of an endorsement area. Moreover, these operations are performed in a single pass of the check in one direction through a transportation path of a check processing apparatus. No printing of any data is required. The check processing can be embodied in a method, apparatus, or instructions embodied on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7258500
    Abstract: The media processing apparatus has a first transportation path for guiding the check, a second transportation path and a third transportation path that diverge from the first transportation path, a front scanner that is rendered along the first transportation path for imaging the first side of the check, a back scanner that is rendered along the third transportation path for imaging the second side of the check, and a path switching guide that guides a check from the first transportation path into the second transportation path or third transportation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7219831
    Abstract: A check processing method, a program medium, and a check processing apparatus store image data equivalent to the image data captured from the back of a printed check with a single check insertion operation using a compact, easily controlled apparatus. A back image scanning step scans the back of a check C. An authorization data generating step generates authorization data d indicating that processing a check C payment has been completed by a bank. A merged image data generating step generates merged image data g3 combining the back image data g2 captured in the back image scanning step with the generated authorization data d. A merged image data storing step stores the merged image data g3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7165904
    Abstract: A printer with an image scanning sensor for reading image data in confined spaces comprising a case unit 11 with a roll paper compartment 30 for holding roll paper P, a front cover unit 12 for forming a slip transportation path 21 for conveying slips S between the front cover unit 12 and case unit 11 and a top cover unit 13 rendered to open and close to the case unit 11 so that it closes the roll paper compartment 30 when closed and simultaneously forms a roll paper transportation path 35 for conveying roll paper P between the case unit 11 and the top cover unit 13. The printer includes; slip printing units 23, 25 disposed to the slip transportation path 21 for printing to slips S; a thermal print head 33 disposed to the roll paper transportation path 35 for printing to roll paper P; and an image scanning sensor 44 disposed to the top cover unit 13 for reading image data recorded to a card C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata