Patents by Inventor Tokiyuki Okano

Tokiyuki Okano 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: 7872766
    Abstract: An FPGA functions as an activation mode setting circuit for loading activation data stored on a PROM into a circuit setting memory and setting an activation mode when activating the CPU. The FPGA outputs an activation mode setting signal to the CPU, and the CPU is activated in the set activation mode. After the CPU is activated, it follows predetermined processing steps, and performs a control operation to load the circuit setting data stored in a storage section into the circuit setting memory. Thus, the FPGA is constructed as a circuit having a desired function, and also constructed as an activation mode setting circuit when activating the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Higuchi, Kohsuke Harada, Tokiyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 7813565
    Abstract: A storage area where compressed data is stored is divided into a plurality of divided areas having a data length of Ls. Each divided area is divided into two areas, a first area having a data length of Ld and a second area having a data length of La. A plurality of first areas are gathered starting from the upper address to the lower address, whereby a memory area for compressed image data is composed. A plurality of second areas are gathered starting from the upper address to the lower address, whereby a memory area for compressed attribute data is composed. Compressed image data is sequentially written starting from the upper address to the lower address of the memory area for compressed image data. Compressed attribute data is sequentially written starting from the upper address to the lower address of the memory area for compressed attribute data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohsuke Harada, Tokiyuki Okano, Makoto Higuchi, Sohichi Takata
  • Publication number: 20070237405
    Abstract: A storage area where compressed data is stored is divided into a plurality of divided areas having a data length of Ls. Each divided area is divided into two areas, a first area having a data length of Ld and a second area having a data length of La. A plurality of first areas are gathered starting from the upper address to the lower address, whereby a memory area for compressed image data is composed. A plurality of second areas are gathered starting from the upper address to the lower address, whereby a memory area for compressed attribute data is composed. Compressed image data is sequentially written starting from the upper address to the lower address of the memory area for compressed image data. Compressed attribute data is sequentially written starting from the upper address to the lower address of the memory area for compressed attribute data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Kohsuke Harada, Tokiyuki Okano, Makoto Higuchi, Sohichi Takata
  • Publication number: 20070146762
    Abstract: An FPGA functions as an activation mode setting circuit for loading activation data stored on a PROM into a circuit setting memory and setting an activation mode when activating the CPU. The FPGA outputs an activation mode setting signal to the CPU, and the CPU is activated in the set activation mode. After the CPU is activated, it follows predetermined processing steps, and performs a control operation to load the circuit setting data stored in a storage section into the circuit setting memory. Thus, the FPGA is constructed as a circuit having a desired function, and also constructed as an activation mode setting circuit when activating the CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Higuchi, Kohsuke Harada, Tokiyuki Okano
  • Publication number: 20070133065
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an image processor which has output means for generating data for image formation based on image data and outputting the generated data for image formation and an image forming unit for forming an image based on the data for image formation generated by the image processor, wherein the image forming unit comprises storage means for storing information about an image forming speed and means for outputting the stored information, and the image processor comprises obtaining means for obtaining the information stored in the storage means and adjusting means for adjusting an output speed of the data for image formation based on the information obtained by the obtaining means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Tokiyuki Okano, Kohsuke Harada, Makoto Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7209260
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to use the same FIFO line memory for both enlargement and reduction during variable-magnification processing in the scan direction, allowing reduction in circuit board area, reduction in power consumption, and reduction in cost, and to provide an image processing apparatus that allows variable-magnification processing to be carried out such that the speed of a scanning unit that captures image data during variable-magnification processing in the cross-scan direction is constant. During processing to enlarge an image in the scan direction, image data travels from CCD circuit board, passing through gate b of selector, is written to and read from FIFO memory, and from gate b of selector is written to memory provided at variable magnification unit. At variable magnification unit, image data is read from memory a plurality of times in correspondence to enlargement ratio, changing the magnification of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Nakai, Toru Adachi, Keiji Nakamura, Tokiyuki Okano, Kohsuke Harada
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6690482
    Abstract: The data of the partial images of an original output from an original input scanning device is converted by an image reducing section into reduced images of data in accordance with the size of duplication. Each reduced image of data is stored in a data storage. A pattern matching section compares adjoining reduced partial images of data as to the overlapping image data, to check the congruency therebetween. Based on this judgement result, an address setting section generates a joining position address corresponding to the joining position in each storage area. A data output control section loads the adjoining reduced partial images of data stored in respective storage areas, in a sequentially, joinable manner, so that an image forming section forms a duplicated image of the original on a predetermined recording medium in accordance with the reduced image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Toyoda, Hiroshi Tanaka, Toru Adachi, Tokiyuki Okano, Kenji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5987225
    Abstract: In a network composed of a plurality of DPPCs and the NWPs, the NW controller respectively sums respective amounts of printing operations and copying operations executed in the network, for example, upon completing a job in execution or at a predetermined timing. Based on the result of summation, an appropriate ratio in number of printing devices to copying devices is computed. Further, an NW controller selects a DPPC to be switched from its current mode to another mode and switches the mode of the selected DPPC to satisfy a ratio obtained from computation. According to the described arrangement, since the mode of the DPPC can be switched according to the summation of the jobs executed, an effective use of the DPPCs can be achieved. Furthermore, when switching the mode, an operation by the network administrator is not required, thereby reducing a burden of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tokiyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 5915148
    Abstract: A network system for copiers includes a plurality of copiers each provided with a communication device for communicating with external equipment and a power-on device for powering on the copier in a hold state in response to an external signal received by the communication device and a main controller including an operation controller for controlling operation of the copiers and a time setter for setting time to power on a copier, the main controller being connected to the copiers by a network. The operation controller executes control such that only predetermined one of the copiers is powered on at the power-on time set by the time setter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Hamaguchi, Atsushi Narukawa, Fuminori Miyoshi, Eiji Sato, Hidenori Ohnishi, Tokiyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 5434659
    Abstract: A cleaning unit used for cleaning the surface of a recording medium in an image forming apparatus, the cleaning unit having a head being moved so as to contact with and separate from the recording medium on the basis of the assessment of preset image forming conditions such as paper size, document size, and copy magnification, and a control section for moving the cleaning head at a detected appropriate time, wherein the cleaning head is released so as to avoid the dispersion of toner that is likely to spoil the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Takarada, Kiyoshi Inamoto, Hidetomo Nishiyama, Masato Tokishige, Kazuyuki Onishi, Kazunori Sohda, Masami Uchida, Tokiyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 5408301
    Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is provided with a fixing device having the first through third fixing rollers for forming the first fixing section by contacting the first and second fixing rollers as well as forming the second fixing section by contacting the second and third fixing rollers, the first fixing section being temperature-adjusted in relation to a first copying mode, the second fixing section being temperature-adjusted in relation to a second copying mode. Either the first or second fixing section is temperature-adjusted according to the order of priority in such a manner that after the completion of the temperature adjustments, temperature adjustments with respect to the other fixing section is successively carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Sharp Labushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Tokishige, Kiyoshi Inamoto, Atsushi Kurimoto, Nobuyuki Ueda, Tokiyuki Okano, Kazunori Soda, Kazunori Iwasa, Tomiyuki Ishikawa, Hidetoshi Kaneko, Toshiki Ohgita, Hideo Matsuda, Takashi Kubo, Syuichi Yoshinaka, Yasuhiro Ono, Yoshiaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 5325165
    Abstract: A copying machine as an example of electrophotographic printing machines is composed of a main body which permits both black-and-white copying and full color copying, and a reverse and retransport unit provided under the main body, for reversing and retransporting a sheet after being copied on one surface thereof to the main body. The main body has a fixing means including upper and lower fixing portions formed between three heat rollers. The lower fixing portion placed closer to the reverse and retransport unit is associated with the black-and-white copying, and the upper fixing portion is associated with the full color copying. Upper and lower discharge transport paths for discharging the sheet out of the device are provided so as to respectively extend from the upper and lower fixing portions. Further, a retransport path is provided so as to extend from the lower fixing portion. Since the above three paths are provided without having any crossing point, the structure of the paths is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Ohgita, Hideo Matsuda, Takashi Kubo, Yoshiaki Masuda, Hidetoshi Kaneko, Kazunori Iwasa, Kazunori Soda, Tokiyuki Okano, Tomiyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5138386
    Abstract: A developing apparatus which includes a plurality of developing units individually provided with sensors for detecting amount of toner accommodated therein, includes a judging device for judging whether or not sensor outputs of other developing units are below a replenishable amount when a sensor output of one developing unit falls below a replenishing requiring amount, and a replenishing display device for urging toner replenishment, based on the result of the above judgement, with respect to the developing unit having the sensor output below the replenishing requiring amount and the developing unit whose sensor output is below the replenishable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokiyuki Okano, Kiyoshi Inamoto, Kazuyuki Ohnishi, Hidetomo Nishiyama, Kazunori Sohda, Masato Tokishige, Yoichi Shimazawa
  • Patent number: 5070368
    Abstract: A developing apparatus which includes a plurality of developing units individually provided with sensors for detecting amounts of toner accommodated therein, includes a judging device for judging whether or not sensor outputs of other developing units are below a replenishable amount when a sensor output of one developing unit falls below a replenishing requiring amount, and a replenishing display device for urging toner replenishment, based on the result of the above judgement, with respect to the developing unit having the sensor output below the replenishing requiring amount and the developing unit whose sensor output is below the replenishable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokiyuki Okano, Kiyoshi Inamoto, Kazuyuki Ohnishi, Hidetomo Nishiyama, Kazunori Sohda, Masato Tokishige, Yoichi Shimazawa
  • Patent number: 5049930
    Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is provided with a developing device accommodating a plurality of developer tanks and a system for preventing erroneous mounting of these developer tanks. The developer tanks contain respective developers different in color from each other and are detachably mounted in respective predetermined mounting portions of the developing device. The system includes a connector formed on each of the developer tanks, a fixed connector formed on each of the mounting portions of the developing device and a controller for outputting at least one discrimination signal and judging whether or not the discrimination signal is inputted into the controller through at least one set of connectors. The connectors in each set are electrically connected with each other when each developer tank is properly mounted in its predetermined mounting portion of the developing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokiyuki Okano, Yoichi Shimazawa, Kazunori Sohda, Kiyoshi Inamoto, Kazuyuki Ohnishi, Masato Tokishige
  • Patent number: 4952986
    Abstract: A copying apparatus having a prescanning function for obtaining density data to adjust copy parameters includes a correction function which eliminates the data obtained from a portion of a predetermined color, from the density data detected on a prescanning process. The density data can be restricted within a predetermined range. The predetermined range can be easily set by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasutaka Maeda, Hideyuki Nishimura, Tsuyoshi Miyamoto, Kyouichi Takata, Kiyoshi Inamoto, Kazuyuki Ohnishi, Kazunori Sohda, Yukihiko Ueno, Taisuke Kamimura, Yoichi Shimazawa, Tokiyuki Okano, Masato Tokishige