Patents by Inventor Shuhji Fujii

Shuhji Fujii 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).

  • Publication number: 20080246977
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus including a printing means for executing a print job and performing a printing process on recording paper, and a control means for controlling the printing means, the printing apparatus causing the printing means to execute a plurality of print jobs sequentially, wherein the printing apparatus further includes a recording paper detection means for detecting a size of recording paper fed to the printing means, and when a size of recording paper detected by the recording paper detection means is different from a size of recording paper set by a print job that is being executed by the printing means, the control means performs control such that a period of time until the recording paper is discharged is shortened to the minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhji Fujii, Nobuyuki Ueda, Atsuhiko Murakami
  • Publication number: 20080212114
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for preventing unauthorized uses of image data by allowing the addition of a specific image in a black-and-white mode even when it is set that a specific image is added in a color mode. When a document is copied, a control section determines whether the apparatus is in a color mode or a black-and-white mode. When in a black-and-white mode, an adding condition determining section reads a set security level and a differential value and determines a security level lower than the one in a color mode. Based on the security level in a black-and-white mode, an adding condition of a specific image is determined. The specific image adding section adds a specific image different from the one in a color mode based on the adding condition. A black-and-white image added with the specific image is printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii
  • Patent number: 7418542
    Abstract: A rewritable, nonvolatile memory includes a first region having stored therein a processing program which allows an electronic device to perform a process, and having a first specific portion which is accessed first upon boot-up by the electronic device; and a second region having stored therein a boot program and a rewrite program. Upon erasing storage contents of the first region, the storage contents of the first region are erased by the rewrite program such that a storage content of the first specific portion is erased last. Upon writing storage contents into the first region, new storage contents are written into the first region by the rewrite program such that a storage content of the first specific portion is written first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogo, Shuhji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20080158607
    Abstract: Even if similar images which are similar to specific images exist in image data, the influence of the similar images is eliminated so that restriction of processing can be executed without fail. There are provided a detection section 70 for detecting specific images and similar images in a form similar to the form of the specific images in the image data, a judgment section 71 for judging whether or not the specific images are included in the image data on the basis of a threshold, an identification section 72 for identifying a target area in which the similar images exist, and a threshold determination section 73 for determining the threshold. The threshold determination section 73 determines the threshold on the basis of the size ratio of the target area to a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ueda, Shuhji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20080144125
    Abstract: When a specific image is detected in inputted image data, specific image judgment is performed in consideration of the importance degree of this specific image, and thereby, the accuracy of the specific image judgment is improved, and misjudgment is prevented. There are provided a detection section 70 for detecting a specific image in inputted image data, a judgment section 71 for judging whether specific images are included in the image data on the basis of a threshold, and a threshold determination section 65 for recognizing the characteristics of the detected specific image and determining the threshold according to the characteristics. The characteristics of the specific image are changed according to the importance degree of the specific image. The threshold determination section 65 judges the importance degree from the characteristics of the detected specific image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii, Nobuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 7380788
    Abstract: To provide a sheet transporting device which can control sheet transport also with respect to plural kinds of tab sheets different from each other in terms of a tab position in a vertical direction with respect to a transporting direction without increasing the cost. In case of switching back the tab sheet, a timing for the switch back is controlled in accordance with a timing at which the sheet sensor detects a front end of the tab sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ueda, Kenji Takahashi, Shuhji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20080117476
    Abstract: A data transmission apparatus includes a holding portion that holds specified transmission destination information, and a control portion that controls the holding portion to keep holding the transmission destination information even after completion of data transmission based on the transmission destination information and stand by in a state of being capable of subsequently transmitting different data to the same transmission destination. The control portion permits or forbids holding of the transmission destination information based on the contents of data transmission. An image data transmission apparatus determines the presence or absence of a possibility that a set transmission destination is an erroneously set transmission destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii, Syoichiro Yoshiura
  • Publication number: 20080117469
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of preventing a specific image from being added without imposing a burden on the user, at the time of printing image data to which the specific image need not be added. The image processing apparatus includes a processing section configured to process the image data according to processing information, a specific image adding section 63 configured to add the specific image to the image data, and an addition determination section 65 configured to determine whether or not the specific image needs to be added, on the basis of the processing information. When the processing information includes unique information for preventing the image data from being kept confidential, the addition determination section 65 determines that the specific image need not be added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ueda, Shuhji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20080054555
    Abstract: A pair of registration rollers are provided upstream in a paper transport path from an image forming position, and a paper transport position detection portion is provided upstream in the paper transport path from the pair of registration rollers. When consecutive print processing on a plurality of sheets of paper is performed, a paper transport position in the paper transport path is detected by the paper transport position detection portion for a sheet of paper that has been set in advance among the plurality of sheets of paper. A correction amount of a position for image writing to a photosensitive drum is determined based on the paper transport position, and correction of the image writing position is performed based on the correction amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Atsumi, Junko Yabuta, Tatsuya Inoue, Yoshiharu Yoneda, Shinji Nakazawa, Shuhji Fujii, Atsushi Ogo, Fuminori Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20070279704
    Abstract: The output history of image data is made traceable when image data is processed while it is transmitted between an image processing apparatus and an external apparatus. The image processing apparatus adds specific information including information concerning the own apparatus to image data from a document. When specific information is added, either the form of writing specific information in header information of image data or the form of combining with an original image a specific image corresponding to specific information is selected. The image processing apparatus sends image data having added specific information to a management server, and the management server stores inputted image data. The management server adds information concerning the own apparatus to image data as specific information, and sends the image data to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus adds information concerning the own apparatus to image data as specific information, and prints the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii
  • Patent number: 7296789
    Abstract: It is determined whether or not a jammed document is necessarily returned to a document tray when a jam of the document is caused within a carrier path and, then, the elevation operation of the document tray is controlled on the basis of its result of the determination. Since the jammed sheet of which reading has not been completed should be returned to the document tray, the document tray is moved down. Since the jammed sheet of which reading has been completed should not be returned to the document tray, the document tray is maintained at a position as it is. When the apparatus stops due to the carrying jam, a time required for processing the document is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhji Fujii, Kaoru Ishikura, Takashi Imai, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20070139685
    Abstract: An image recording system includes two image recording apparatuses each capable of recording images independently. A color image recording apparatus is disposed with a bypass transporting path apparatus. A transporting path connecting apparatus is disposed between the front of a monochrome image recording apparatus and the back of the color image recording apparatus. A final processing apparatus that is common to the color and monochrome image recording apparatuses is disposed in the front of the color image recording apparatus. This system includes a process switching portion that switches an image recording process executed by one image recording apparatus to a substitute image recording process of the other image recording apparatus and a switching determining portion that determines whether the switching is executed by the process switching portion, depending on whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Shuhji Fujii, Shinji Kato, Syoichiro Yoshiura
  • Patent number: 7197273
    Abstract: In a sheet feeding apparatus, a contact-type sensor for detecting sheet-like documents stored in document tray is separated into upper document detector and a lower document detector arranged at upper and lower sides of the document tray, respectively. The sheet-like documents are detected separately with two actuators of the corresponding detectors. Accordingly, the requirement of a prior art for having a contact of the sensor increased in length in order to detect the sheets from a maximum to zero in the sheet storing unit can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Imai, Shuhji Fujii, Kaoru Ishikura
  • Publication number: 20070025589
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, such as a digital multiple function processing machine, capable of preventing degradation of security, while storing image data after an output process based on the image data so as to improve convenience. The image processing apparatus selects one of image data concealment methods stored in a first storage part (step S203); conceals image data by use of the selected concealment method (authentication information setting step S207 or encryption step S212); and nullifies unconcealed image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii, Toshihiro Yamanaka, Syouichirou Yoshiura
  • Publication number: 20070024886
    Abstract: An image processing device determines, based on an IP address received from an external device, whether any processing according to information received from the external device should be performed or not. A path of communication with the external device is examined from a network address. When the external device that is a transmission source of information is an external device outside a predetermined range, specifically, for example, when the external device is an external device connected to a communication network that is further external to the communication network connected to the image processing device, the image processing device inhibits any processing that follows an image data processing command received from the external device. The image processing device also inhibits any processing that follows a command of adjusting the image processing device which command is received from outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii, Toshihiro Yamanaka, Syouichirou Yoshiura
  • Patent number: 7167663
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device for an image forming apparatus can perform various operations. These are, for example, an operation to start an image formation and an output process that inhibits opening and closing of a feeding route interlocked with opening and closing of a storage section. This is done if the received operation or a process executed based on the operation satisfies a preset predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Yoneda, Tatsuya Inoue, Shinji Nakazawa, Shuhji Fujii, Nobuyuki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20060209353
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus connected with a computer which is capable of executing image processing which corresponds to an image processing command, a file format which permits addition of the image processing command to image data which has been read is stored in a non-volatile memory. A CPU judges whether a determined file format is stored in the non-volatile memory, and when judging that the determined file format is stored in the non-volatile memory, the CPU permits addition of the image processing command to the read image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Kohsuke Harada, Tokiyuki Okano, Keiji Nakamura, Takashi Nishimachi, Shuhji Fujii, Yasuhiro Nakai
  • Publication number: 20060139680
    Abstract: According to an image processing apparatus including a storing unit 12 for storing (retaining) the image data, and an image forming unit 6 for recording and printing the image data stored (retained) by the storing unit 12 on a recording medium such as copy paper and operating the image data so that the image data stored (retained) by the storing unit 12 can be reused as being stored (retained) in the storing unit 12 after printed by the image forming unit 6, by changing the above-described original operation related to the image data stored (retained) in the storage unit 12, for example, it is possible to make the operation not to retain the image data in the storage unit 12 possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Yuji Okamoto, Shuhji Fujii, Atsuhiko Murakami, Tatsuo Nomura, Syouichirou Yoshiura, Gento Kikuchi, Shinsaku Tohki
  • Patent number: 7062213
    Abstract: In accordance with the state of a document tray upon powering on a power source, the elevation operation of a document tray is controlled. In the case that the document tray is located not at the highest position, not at the lowest position, but at a middle position upon powering on the power source, the document tray is allowed to remain at the middle position as it is without performing the elevation of the document tray. In the case that the document tray is located at the highest position, the document tray is moved down. By reducing the wasteful operation (the initial operation) after powering on the power source, it is possible to reduce the operation time and the efficient sheet processing can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Ishikura, Takashi Imai, Shuhji Fujii, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7043191
    Abstract: When a document detector provided on a document tray is ON (S11: YES), a controller judges whether or not a document is of a standard size, on the basis of a document size table stored in a storing unit (S12). When the document is of a standard size (S12: YES), after a predetermined time has elapsed (S13: YES), the controller elevates/lowers the document tray on the basis of a detection output of a guide-in roller position detector and causes the document tray to wait in a state capable of supplying and conveying the topmost layer of documents immediately. An image forming apparatus thus constructed can make a judgment as to whether or not to execute supply and conveyance of documents, according to the mount state of the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhji Fujii, Kaoru Ishikura, Takashi Imai, Osamu Fujimoto