Patents by Inventor Takeshi Tani

Takeshi Tani 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: 10834284
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fukumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Patent number: 10824331
    Abstract: An information input device includes a display device that displays an information input screen image and a touch-panel that is arranged on the display device and specifies a designated position on the information input screen image. On a function setting area, a plurality of function setting keys are displayed and, if a flick operation to the right made by the input device on the function setting area is detected, detailed setting items corresponding to each of the function setting keys are displayed on a detailed settings area. Consequently, contents of detailed settings can be displayed at one time in correspondence with each of the function setting keys. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to easily confirm whether or not function setting is appropriate, and to smoothly select a function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mayuko Yoshida, Takeshi Tani
  • Patent number: 10819871
    Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu
  • Patent number: 10701222
    Abstract: An image processing method for processing a display image includes using an image forming apparatus which includes a position detector detecting a position of contact with a display screen and forms an image on a recording medium based on a display image displayed on the display screen. The display image includes an object image indicative of an object for an image formation and a medium image indicative of the recording medium, and the image processing method includes modifying magnification of the object image with respect to the medium image, without modifying the medium image, based on contact positions of two points detected by the position detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanori Matsumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Publication number: 20200137250
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Tetsuo FUKUMOTO, Takeshi TANI
  • Patent number: 10554837
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fukumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Publication number: 20190387118
    Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu
  • Patent number: 10459387
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a display device that displays an input screen image and a touch-panel arranged on the display device, and has a trial copy function of producing, when instructed to produce multiple copies of a document, a copy or a copies to allow the user to confirm that the copy or copies are well. When the trial copy function is designated and a copy start key displayed on the input screen image is pressed, the image forming apparatus produces one copy or copies of the document, erases the copy start key from the input screen image, and displays a trial copy key, a trial end key and a balloon including help information. Since keys related to the trial copy are displayed in place of normally displayed keys, operation errors can be reduced and the user can easily execute the trial copy function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Mikiya Okada
  • Patent number: 10447880
    Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu
  • Publication number: 20190268489
    Abstract: An image processing method for processing a display image includes using an image forming apparatus which includes a position detector detecting a position of contact with a display screen and forms an image on a recording medium based on a display image displayed on the display screen. The display image includes an object image indicative of an object for an image formation and a medium image indicative of the recording medium, and the image processing method includes modifying magnification of the object image with respect to the medium image, without modifying the medium image, based on contact positions of two points detected by the position detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Masanori MATSUMOTO, Takeshi TANI
  • Patent number: 10341510
    Abstract: An image processing method for processing a display image includes using an image forming apparatus which includes a position detector detecting a position of contact with a display screen and forms an image on a recording medium based on a display image displayed on the display screen. The display image includes an object image indicative of an object for an image formation and a medium image indicative of the recording medium, and the image processing method includes modifying magnification of the object image with respect to the medium image, without modifying the medium image, based on contact positions of two points detected by the position detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanori Matsumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Publication number: 20190011869
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus 100 allowing insertion of an insert-sheet between discharged sheets of recording paper includes: an image forming unit 122 forming an image on the recording paper; an operation unit 130 designating an insertion position for inserting the insert-sheet; a discharge unit discharging the sheets of recording paper having images formed and the insert-sheet; and a control unit 102 controlling timing for inserting the insert-sheet. The insertion position is designated by a copy-by-copy basis with one copy being a set of sheets of recording paper having all images included in a job instructing image formation on the recording paper formed thereon. The control unit 102 controls the discharge unit such that the sheets of recording paper having the image formed thereon are discharged by the number determined from the insertion position and thereafter the insert-sheet is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki HIGASHIURA, Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20180335738
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a display device that displays an input screen image and a touch-panel arranged on the display device, and has a trial copy function of producing, when instructed to produce multiple copies of a document, a copy or a copies to allow the user to confirm that the copy or copies are well. When the trial copy function is designated and a copy start key displayed on the input screen image is pressed, the image forming apparatus produces one copy or copies of the document, erases the copy start key from the input screen image, and displays a trial copy key, a trial end key and a balloon including help information. Since keys related to the trial copy are displayed in place of normally displayed keys, operation errors can be reduced and the user can easily execute the trial copy function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Takeshi TANI, Mikiya OKADA
  • Publication number: 20180324316
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured to be capable of being remotely operated by a terminal device via a wireless communication line. The image processing apparatus is equipped with a body control unit, a LAN interface, and a body operation unit. The body operation unit is capable of displaying a plurality of operation keys and capable of receiving a touch operation with respect to each of the plurality of operation keys. The LAN interface is used in order to acquire a positional relationship between the terminal device and the image processing apparatus. The body control unit, when determining that the terminal device is located close to the image processing apparatus, disables a touch operation with respect to a specific operation key among the plurality of operation keys on the body operation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20180316816
    Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu
  • Patent number: 10101703
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus 100 allowing insertion of an insert-sheet between discharged sheets of recording paper includes: an image forming unit 122 forming an image on the recording paper; an operation unit 130 designating an insertion position for inserting the insert-sheet; a discharge unit discharging the sheets of recording paper having images formed and the insert-sheet; and a control unit 102 controlling timing for inserting the insert-sheet. The insertion position is designated by a copy-by-copy basis with one copy being a set of sheets of recording paper having all images included in a job instructing image formation on the recording paper formed thereon. The control unit 102 controls the discharge unit such that the sheets of recording paper having the image formed thereon are discharged by the number determined from the insertion position and thereafter the insert-sheet is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Higashiura, Takeshi Tani
  • Publication number: 20180295246
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a position detecting section detecting a position of contact with a display screen of a display section and forms an image on a recording medium based on a display image displayed on the display section. The display image includes an object image indicative of an object for an image formation and a medium image indicative of the recording medium, and the image forming apparatus selectively edits the object image with respect to the medium image based on positions of two points detected by the position detecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Masanori MATSUMOTO, Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20180278779
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Tetsuo FUKUMOTO, Takeshi TANI
  • Patent number: 10075605
    Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu
  • Patent number: 10061248
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a display device that displays an input screen image and a touch-panel arranged on the display device, and has a trial copy function of producing, when instructed to produce multiple copies of a document, a copy or copies to allow the user to confirm that the copy or copies are well. When the trial copy function is designated and a copy start key displayed on the input screen image is pressed, the image forming apparatus produces one copy or copies of the document, erases the copy start key from the input screen image, and displays a trial copy key, a trial end key and a balloon including help information. Since keys related to the trial copy are displayed in place of normally displayed keys, operation errors can be reduced and the user can easily execute the trial copy function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Mikiya Okada