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).

  • Publication number: 20160212290
    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: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20160147441
    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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Mayuko YOSHIDA, Takeshi TANI
  • Patent number: 9325873
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Tani
  • Patent number: 9285741
    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: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mayuko Yoshida, Takeshi Tani
  • Publication number: 20160028909
    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: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki HIGASHIURA, Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20150293486
    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 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Tetsuo FUKUMOTO, Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20150256692
    Abstract: In an operation unit, a display panel displays a two-sided copy setting screen image including a still image display area on which a plurality of software keys (two-sided copy setting keys) corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of processes (one-sided/one-sided copy process, one-sided/two-sided copy process, two-sided/two-sided copy process and two-sided/one-sided copy process), for selecting any of the plurality of processes, are displayed. A touch-panel receives an input operation to the plurality of software keys. In response to the touch-panel receiving the input operation, a CPU displays, on a movie display area different from the still image display area of the two-sided copy setting screen image, an image representing contents of the selected process in a prescribed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Takeshi TANI, Mayuko YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 9091986
    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: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fukumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Patent number: 9069496
    Abstract: In an operation unit, a display panel displays a two-sided copy setting screen image including a still image display area on which a plurality of software keys (two-sided copy setting keys) corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of processes (one-sided/one-sided copy process, one-sided/two-sided copy process, two-sided/two-sided copy process and two-sided/one-sided copy process), for selecting any of the plurality of processes, are displayed. A touch-panel receives an input operation to the plurality of software keys. In response to the touch-panel receiving the input operation, a CPU displays, on a movie display area different from the still image display area of the two-sided copy setting screen image, an image representing contents of the selected process in a prescribed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Mayuko Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20150181069
    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: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi TANI
  • Publication number: 20150103361
    Abstract: In partially editing a given image displayed on a display section, a selection receiving section receives selection of an editing target in the display image, displayed on the display section, based on the direction of a straight line connecting two points detected by a position detecting section for detecting a position of contact with a display screen of the display section, and then an editing section partially edits the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanori Matsumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Publication number: 20150103369
    Abstract: In order to provide an operation console having superior operability and visibility, a touch-panel display includes a display panel displaying a copy mode basic screen image with virtual keys, and a touch-panel receiving an input operation to the virtual keys. On the copy mode basic screen image, a group of virtual ten keys for inputting the number of copies are displayed. When image data is input by a document reading unit, the touch-panel display causes a preview image based on the image data to be displayed with higher priority than the group of virtual ten keys, in the copy mode basic screen image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Shinsaku Tohki
  • Patent number: 8934109
    Abstract: In partially editing a given image displayed on a display section, a selection receiving section receives selection of an editing target in the display image, displayed on the display section, based on the direction of a straight line connecting two points detected by a position detecting section for detecting a position of contact with a display screen of the display section, and then an editing section partially edits the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Matsumoto, Takeshi Tani
  • Patent number: 8928900
    Abstract: In order to provide an operation console having superior operability and visibility, a touch-panel display includes a display panel displaying a copy mode basic screen image with virtual keys, and a touch-panel receiving an input operation to the virtual keys. On the copy mode basic screen image, a group of virtual ten keys for inputting the number of copies are displayed. When image data is input by a document reading unit, the touch-panel display causes a preview image based on the image data to be displayed with higher priority than the group of virtual ten keys, in the copy mode basic screen image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Shinsaku Tohki
  • Publication number: 20140211258
    Abstract: In an operation unit, a display panel displays a two-sided copy setting screen image including a still image display area on which a plurality of software keys (two-sided copy setting keys) corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of processes (one-sided/one-sided copy process, one-sided/two-sided copy process, two-sided/two-sided copy process and two-sided/one-sided copy process), for selecting any of the plurality of processes, are displayed. A touch-panel receives an input operation to the plurality of software keys. In response to the touch-panel receiving the input operation, a CPU displays, on a movie display area different from the still image display area of the two-sided copy setting screen image, an image representing contents of the selected process in a prescribed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Mayuko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8730548
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having various and may functions, in order to easily set a function based on a scanned document, a CPU of an MFP executes a program including: when a document is scanned by a user (YES at S3200), the step of displaying a preview image of the scanned document (S3202); the step of OCR-processing the document data (S3204); when the scanned document has been registered in a document-by-document recommended functions list (YES at S3210), the step of reading the document-by-document recommended functions list from an HDD and displaying the document type and recommended menu on a touch-panel display (S3212); the step of setting the function registered in the recommended functions list in the MFP (S3222) unless the setting of recommended menu is changed (NO at S3218); and the step of executing copy/transmission process based on the set function (S3224).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Terumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8724127
    Abstract: In an operation unit, a display panel displays a two-sided copy setting screen image including a still image display area on which a plurality of software keys (two-sided copy setting keys) corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of processes (one-sided/one-sided copy process, one-sided/two-sided copy process, two-sided/two-sided copy process and two-sided/one-sided copy process), for selecting any of the plurality of processes, are displayed. A touch-panel receives an input operation to the plurality of software keys. In response to the touch-panel receiving the input operation, a CPU displays, on a movie display area different from the still image display area of the two-sided copy setting screen image, an image representing contents of the selected process in a prescribed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Mayuko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8675213
    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; a display image generator generating a display image based on image data, a display panel and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying the display image based on the image data, in preview representation on the display panel. The function setup controller includes an image data sheaf forming function, a section break setup function, an image output condition storing function and an image output executing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Makoto Okumura
  • Patent number: 8625118
    Abstract: A display operation device includes: a display-integrated operation panel; a first UI component display device displaying a read start key; a read activating device responsive to a user operation of the read start key, for starting a document reading process; a second UI component display device, responsive to activation of the document reading process, for displaying a read stop key in place of the read start key; and a reading process stopping device, responsive to a user operation of the read stop key, for stopping execution of the reading process. When reading ends, an additional read key is displayed in place of the read stop key. The background color of read stop key is selected to be much different from the background color of read start key, and the background color of additional read key is selected to be analogous to the background color of read start key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Tetsuo Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 8610933
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a touch-panel display allowing a touch operation and a gesture operation, in order to enable easy customization of print setting screen image, a CPU of the image forming apparatus executes a program including: the step of displaying the print setting screen image in the custom-set display mode; upon detection by a user input, analyzing an input trajectory; if a request for changing preview display is made by a gesture, storing an icon mode with larger preview area as a custom-setting; and changing the preview on the print setting screen image displayed in the icon mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu