Patents by Inventor Takao Aichi

Takao Aichi 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: 7936373
    Abstract: A print command has a hierarchical structure including a vendor common code, and a vendor unique code, an index print mode or date print mode is designated using the common code, and a detailed print format of each image or the number of index images per sheet in the index print mode can be designated using the unique code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Masumoto, Takao Aichi, Akitoshi Yamada, Fumihiro Goto, Kentaro Yano, Ruriko Mikami, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7880910
    Abstract: When image data is transmitted from a digital camera (DSC) to a PD printer apparatus and printed, the PD printer apparatus transmits its Capability to the DSC. The DSC restricts the setting items of a UI screen displayed on the display to functions of the PD printer apparatus in accordance with Capability, and displays the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Aichi, Kazuya Sakamoto, Kentaro Yano, Fumihiro Goto, Akitoshi Yamada, Tatsuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7876358
    Abstract: A printing apparatus 1000 records an image on a recording medium. The printing apparatus is provided with communication means for communicating with a digital camera 3012, digital camera recognizing means for recognizing the digital camera 3012, and status display means for displaying the operation status of the printing apparatus 1000. In a status where the status display means is displaying a status wherein a power supply is turned off, the communicating means communicates with the digital camera 3012. When the digital camera is recognized by the digital camera recognizing means, a display by the status display means can be changed from the printing apparatus side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Takao Aichi, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Mitsuhiro Ono
  • Publication number: 20100277766
    Abstract: This invention saves a sensed image in a printer in an environment in which a digital camera can directly communicate with a printer, and a sensed image can be directly printed. A printer (1000) and digital camera (DSC) can be directly connected to each other via a USB interface. Upon this direct connection, the digital camera and printer serve as a print system, and the DSC serves as a user interface in that system. When the user inputs a print instruction of a desired image on the DSC, a print process of that image is executed. When the user inputs a save instruction of a given image, that image is saved in a storage device in the printer. Even when the image is erased on the DSC side, original image data can be prevented from being lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Fumihiro Goto, Shinjiro Hori, Akitoshi Yamada, Tatsuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7800784
    Abstract: An image printing apparatus and its control method for printing an image based on image data from an image data source. In a case where a correction condition is set for the image data, if the image data is a new format file image data including predetermined information, correction processing is performed in accordance with the set correction condition. If the image data is not a new format file image data, the correction processing in accordance with the correction condition is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawanabe, Takao Aichi, Akihiko Hamamoto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Fumihiro Goto, Makoto Hibi, Tetsuya Suwa, Mitsuhiro Ono, Masato Oshima
  • Patent number: 7800649
    Abstract: After applications installed in a DSC and PD printer establish a communication procedure, the DSC issues a request to the PD printer. A time required for data transfer involved in the request is predicted. An elapse time until a response is received from the PD printer in response to the request is estimated on the basis of the predicted time. If no response is returned from the PD printer within the estimated elapse time, the request is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Masumoto, Takao Aichi, Akitoshi Yamada, Fumihiro Goto, Kentaro Yano, Ruriko Mikami, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7773244
    Abstract: A sensed image is saved in a printer in an environment in which a digital camera can directly communicate with a printer, and the sensed image can be directly printed. A printer and a digital camera (DSC) can be directly connected to each other via a USB interface. Upon this direct connection, the digital camera and printer serve as a print system, and the DSC serves as a user interface in that system. When the user inputs a print instruction of a desired image on the DSC, a print process of that image is executed. When the user inputs a save instruction of a given image, that image is saved in a storage device in the printer. Even when the image is erased on the DSC side, original image data can be prevented from being lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Fumihiro Goto, Shinjiro Hori, Akitoshi Yamada, Tatsuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7764393
    Abstract: There is provided a print system for transmitting and receiving a data object by a PTP between a camera-equipped mobile phone (CP) and a PD printer and printing an image by the PD printer according to image data supplied from the CP. First information indicating presence/absence of the direct print function capable of printing by transmitting image data from the CP directly to the PD printer and second information indicating presence/absence of the cooperated processing function with the CP and the PD printer are embedded in a data object which is transmitted and received. When it is judged that the received object contains the first and the second information, the CP and the printer are set to the direct print function and the cooperated processing function mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Takao Aichi, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7715033
    Abstract: When the function of a printer has been changed, the printer notifies a DSC of a change in printer function using a capabilityChanged tag. If the DSC does not return any inquiry about the capabilityChanged tag, the printer determines that the DSC has no function that supports the capabilityChanged tag. The printer executes disconnection and re-connection of USB to execute a communication procedure with the DSC from the beginning, thereby notifying the DSC of the latest capability information in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ruriko Mikami, Akitoshi Yamada, Kentaro Yano, Takao Aichi, Fumihiro Goto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7639278
    Abstract: When a digital camera and printer are directly connected via a communication interface, and a recording process in the printer is interrupted while transmitting image data from the camera to the printer and recording the image data, the camera designates the restart of the recording process and it is determined whether the printer is of a type capable of restarting the recording process. In a case where the printer is determined to be the type capable of restarting the recording process and a DPOF (digital print order format) file is being printed, the DPOF file is resent to designate printing from a page next to the printed page. In a mode in which image data are sequentially transmitted to the printer and printed, a print process of image data subsequent to the printed image data is designated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiro Goto, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Kentaro Yano, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Akitoshi Yamada, Ruriko Mikami
  • Patent number: 7561288
    Abstract: In a recording system in which a digital still camera and a photo-direct printer are directly connected to each other via a general interface, image data is transmitted to the printer from the camera, and the data is printed. A communication procedure is established by applications installed into the printer and the camera, each of a plurality of functions serving as the printing system are assigned to either the camera or the printer, data and a command are transferred between the functions assigned to the camera and the printer, and recording is performed by the printer based on image data supplied from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Fumihiro Goto, Akitoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090161161
    Abstract: A recording system in which a DSC and a PD printer are directly connected to each other via a general interface, image data is transmitted to the PD printer from the DSC, and the data is printed, wherein a communication procedure is established by applications installed into the PD printer and the DSC, each of a plurality of functions serving as the printing system are assigned to either the DSC and the PD printer, data and a command are transferred between the functions assigned to the DS and the PD printer, and recording is performed by the PD printer based on image data supplied from the DSC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Fumihiro Goto, Akitoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7515309
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, when a printer which is directly connected to a digital camera via a communication interface and records image data transmitted from the digital camera receives a recording request from the camera, the printer acquires an image data amount to be supplied from the digital camera, and determines whether to be able to receive the whole image data at once and process the image data. In a case where it is determined that the image data is not able to be processed, the printer requests segmented data of the image data stored in the digital camera. The printer receives the segmented data a plurality of number of times, and prints the whole image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Takao Aichi, Akitoshi Yamada, Kazuya Sakamoto, Ruriko Mikami, Fumihiro Goto, Kazuyuki Masumoto
  • Patent number: 7502049
    Abstract: A digital camera has a storage medium which stores imagedata and a DPOF associated with a print process of the image data, acquires information associated with the function of a printer upon connection of that printer, sets a CDPS job command associated with the print process of the image data on the basis of the acquired information associated with the functions, sets a print condition for the printer on the basis of the DPOF and CDPS command, and sends a print instruction. The printer acquires image data stored in the storage medium in accordance with the designated print condition and prints the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Aichi, Kazuya Sakamoto, Kentaro Yano, Fumihiro Goto, Akitoshi Yamada, Ruriko Mikami
  • Publication number: 20090059269
    Abstract: When a print command that designates a layout recording function by its upper layer, and designates a frame print function by its lower layer is transmitted from a camera to a printer, the printer determines a layout print function that prints a plurality of images on a single sheet, based on the upper layer. In a case where the printer can determine the lower layer of the command, the printer acquires details of a layout. In a case where the printer cannot determine the lower layer of the command, the printer determines a normal frame print function. The printer prints a normal layout image or special frame image in accordance with the determined layout of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Takao Aichi, Akitoshi Yamada, Fumihiro Goto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Ruriko Mikami, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Publication number: 20090002730
    Abstract: An adaptor which mediates between an image supply device and a printer causes the printer to print by selecting either of the first operation mode in which image data from the image supply device is received by wireless communication and before the completion of receiving the image data, a print job is issued to the printer by wired communication, and the second operation mode in which image data from the image supply device is received by wireless communication and after the completion of receiving the image data, a print job is issued to the printer by wired communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Yusuke Hashii, Takao Aichi, Kentaro Yano, Tetsuya Suwa, Masao Kato, Mitsuhiro Ono, Arata Miyagi, Fumihiro Goto, Fumitaka Goto
  • Publication number: 20080309961
    Abstract: In a print system for causing a printer to print an image on the basis of image data supplied from a portable communication apparatus by direct communication between the portable communication apparatus and the printer, the print function of the printer is obtained. When print conditions input by using the UI of the portable communication apparatus cannot be implemented by the print function of the printer, the portable communication apparatus requests a server to execute corresponding processing. A result processed by the server is received, and the printer is caused to print the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takao Aichi, Akitoshi Yamada, Yusuke Hashii, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7289141
    Abstract: In a recording system in which a DSC and PD printer are directly connected via a communication interface, and image data is transmitted from the DSC to the PD printer and recorded, it is determined whether predetermined status information is received from the PD printer within a predetermined time period after the DSC issues a predetermined command to the PD printer. If it is determined that the predetermined status information is not received, the status is determined to be one estimated from a normal process, and a process continues. To confirm the status of the PD printer, the DSC requests status information of the PD printer, and acquires the status of the PD printer on the basis of the status information sent back in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Kentaro Yano, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Fumihiro Goto, Ruriko Mikami
  • Patent number: 7277198
    Abstract: An image printing apparatus and its control method for printing an image based on image data from an image data source. In a case where a correction condition is set for the image data, if the image data is a new format file image data including predetermined information, correction processing is performed in accordance with the set correction condition. If the image data is not a new format file image data, the correction processing in accordance with the correction condition is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawanabe, Takao Aichi, Akihiko Hamamoto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Fumihiro Goto, Makoto Hibi, Tetsuya Suwa, Mitsuhiro Ono, Masato Oshima
  • Patent number: 7274478
    Abstract: A print-direct printer for receiving and printing JPEG data from a DSC divides the area of a memory into a plurality of blocks, stores the received JPEG data in the memory on a block-by-block basis and decompresses the compressed JPEG data that has been stored in the memory, thereby expanding the JPEG data into image data. If it is determined that JPEG data to be expanded next has not been stored in the memory, then the DSC is requested for JPEG data corresponding to at least one block, in an amount that is less than the maximum amount of data transferable from the DSC, in addition to the JPEG data to be expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: CanonKabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Oshima, Tetsuya Kawanabe, Takao Aichi, Akihiko Hamamoto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Fumihiro Goto, Makoto Hibi, Tetsuya Suwa, Mitsuhiro Ono