Patents by Inventor Yoshiaki Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kinoshita 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: 20130329983
    Abstract: The character recognition unit 80 detects a first peak P1 in acquired signal waveform data, extracts character waveform data in the area of one magnetic ink character 101 in a MICR line 100 based on the position of the first peak P1, and acquires a recognition string by applying a magnetic recognition process to the character waveform data and recognizing the magnetic ink characters 101. When the first peak P1 in the character waveform data of a target character located at an end of the recognition string is within a specific range from an end of the character waveform data and a space is beside the target character, and when a space is on both sides of the target character in the recognition string, the character recognition unit 80 determines if the target character is noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20130329984
    Abstract: The recognition rate is improved and recognition errors are suppressed when recognizing magnetic ink characters. A character recognition unit calculates a total difference by calculating the total of the differences between the character waveform data and the reference waveform data for each magnetic ink character within the area of one character; calculates a partial difference by summing the differences between character waveform data and reference waveform data in a target area, which is the area corresponding to a stroke that is 2 mesh or more wide in the area of one character; executing a correction process that reduces the value of the partial difference; and recognizing the candidate character as the magnetic ink character that was read when the total difference after the correction process is less than or equal to a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20130243303
    Abstract: A recording device and a control method for a recording device improve the accuracy of reading MICR information while also shortening the time required for recording media processing. A dot impact printer 10 has a magnetic head 34 that magnetically reads MICR information recorded on a recording medium S, a recording head 18 that is mounted on a different carriage than the magnetic head 34 and records images on the recording medium S, and a back scanner 112 that optically reads MICR information recorded on the recording medium S, disposed sequentially to the transportation path P of the recording medium S. When reading the MICR information by means of the magnetic head 34 does not succeed, the recording medium S is conveyed to the back scanner 112, the MICR information is read by the back scanner 112, the reading results are compared, and the MICR information is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Imae, Masashi FUJIKAWA, Yoshiaki KINOSHITA, Morimichi MIZUNO
  • Patent number: 8457383
    Abstract: A recording device and a control method for a recording device improve the accuracy of reading MICR information while also shortening the time required for recording media processing. A dot impact printer 10 has a magnetic head 34 that magnetically reads MICR information recorded on a recording medium S, a recording head 18 that is mounted on a different carriage than the magnetic head 34 and records images on the recording medium S, and a back scanner 112 that optically reads MICR information recorded on the recording medium S, disposed sequentially to the transportation path P of the recording medium S. When reading the MICR information by means of the magnetic head 34 does not succeed, the recording medium S is conveyed to the back scanner 112, the MICR information is read by the back scanner 112, the reading results are compared, and the MICR information is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Imae, Masashi Fujikawa, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Morimichi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8276818
    Abstract: A magnetic ink character reading method includes conveying paper by a stepping motor, detecting magnetic ink characters on the paper and generating magnetic detection signals by a magnetic detection unit, generating magnetic noise data by accumulating magnetic detection signals before the paper passes the magnetic detection unit, and removing the magnetic noise by subtracting the magnetic noise data from the magnetic detection signals. The generated magnetic noise can be a function of a control period of the transportation mechanism and a control period of a photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8264699
    Abstract: A control method for a print media processing apparatus that prints on a print medium based on print data supplied from a host computer, comprising converting the print data supplied from the host computer to the print media processing apparatus before a print command is asserted to print image data in a buffer based on a print data conversion command, and controlling printing in response to a print command by accessing the buffer and retrieving the print image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Saikawa, Atsushi Natsuno, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Masanori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8246262
    Abstract: A print media processing apparatus increases printer throughput by starting printing after setting the conveyed print medium to the printing start position, and a transportation control unit controls how far the print medium is advanced according to the length of text to be printed on the print medium. The transportation control unit advances the paper to the position where printing text of a specified length to the printing area of the paper begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Takashi Saikawa, Atsushi Natsuno, Masanori Hayashi, Takashi Sunohara
  • Patent number: 7980468
    Abstract: In a method of processing recording media on which magnetic ink characters are printed, the media is transported at a first speed in an upright position along a transportation path from a supply unit to a discharge unit. The magnetic characters are read and output signals representative of the reading generated. The output signals are analyzed, including comparing the output signals with previously stored signal patterns of magnetic ink characters to determine if the magnetic characters can be recognized or not. The transporting of the recording media is paused, or slowed to a second speed substantially lower than the first speed, for a period of time during the analyzing of the output signals. A processing apparatus includes components for carrying out the operations of such method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Fujikawa, Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20110033111
    Abstract: In a method of processing recording media on which magnetic ink characters are printed, the media is transported at a first speed in an upright position along a transportation path from a supply unit to a discharge unit. The magnetic characters are read and output signals representative of the reading generated. The output signals are analyzed, including comparing the output signals with previously stored signal patterns of magnetic ink characters to determine if the magnetic characters can be recognized or not. The transporting of the recording media is paused, or slowed to a second speed substantially lower than the first speed, for a period of time during the analyzing of the output signals. A processing apparatus includes components for carrying out the operations of such method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Fujikawa, Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7837109
    Abstract: In a method of processing recording media containing magnetic ink characters, the media is transported at a first speed along a transportation path to which a magnetic head is disposed. Character recognition is performed by analyzing signals outputted from the magnetic head in comparison with stored signal patterns. Until it is decided whether the characters are correct or can be recognized, transportation of the media is stopped or temporarily slowed to a significantly lower second speed downstream of the magnetic head. A processing apparatus includes appropriate components and functionality for carrying out such a method. In some embodiments, the analysis and comparison includes determining whether the check is inverted or upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Fujikawa, Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100270375
    Abstract: A magnetic ink character reading apparatus has a magnetic detection unit for detecting magnetic ink characters on the check and generating magnetic detection signals, a noise data generator for generating magnetic noise data by accumulating magnetic detection signals before the check passes the magnetic detection unit, and a magnetic noise cancellation unit for removing magnetic noise by subtracting the magnetic noise data from the magnetic detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100208977
    Abstract: A recording device and a control method for a recording device improve the accuracy of reading MICR information while also shortening the time required for recording media processing. A dot impact printer 10 has a magnetic head 34 that magnetically reads MICR information recorded on a recording medium S, a recording head 18 that is mounted on a different carriage than the magnetic head 34 and records images on the recording medium S, and a back scanner 112 that optically reads MICR information recorded on the recording medium S, disposed sequentially to the transportation path P of the recording medium S. When reading the MICR information by means of the magnetic head 34 does not succeed, the recording medium S is conveyed to the back scanner 112, the MICR information is read by the back scanner 112, the reading results are compared, and the MICR information is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Imae, Masashi Fujikawa, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Morimichi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7748625
    Abstract: A magnetic ink character reading apparatus has a magnetic detection unit for detecting magnetic ink characters on the check and generating magnetic detection signals, a noise data generator for generating magnetic noise data by accumulating magnetic detection signals before the check passes the magnetic detection unit, and a magnetic noise cancellation unit for removing magnetic noise by subtracting the magnetic noise data from the magnetic detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7677821
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which can perform image processing suitable for each image in a job as well as provides an image processing program storage medium. The image processing apparatus has an information storage section which stores processing information used for predetermined image processing in memory by associating it with front and back sides of paper each, a color conversion section which performs a color conversion process on an image based on the processing information associated by the information storage section with the front or back side on whichever the image is to be recorded, and a RIP section which converts the image data after color conversion into raster data while performing a correction process on the image data to correct image distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20090049208
    Abstract: When USB communication between a host computer and media processing device is interrupted while processing media, sending useless read data to the host computer is prevented. A control method for a media processing device 1 that is connected by a USB cable to a host computer 30, reads information continuously from a plurality of slips S according to instructions from the host computer 30, and sends the read information to the host computer 30 has steps of monitoring the communication state between the host computer 30 and the media processing device 1, interrupting the continuous reading process by executing a software reset process when communication becomes disabled while the continuous reading process is running (step S25 returns Yes), and deleting read data that has not been sent to the host computer 30 (step S26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Nishimura, Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20080099560
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to evaluate transportation of a recording medium based on a detection signal from a magnetic head, and based on the result of this evaluation to efficiently execute a post-processing operation such as sorting the recording media after passing the magnetic head reading position. Using this method the transportation path can be shortened in a recording media processing apparatus such as a check reading device. The check reading device 1 reads a check 4 traveling on a transportation path 5 by means of a magnetic head 54, and makes an evaluation to determine (ST21, 25) that the top and bottom of the check are inverted or the medium is paper on which magnetic ink characters are not printed if there is no change in the detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Masashi Fujikawa, Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7290042
    Abstract: The present invention provides a server apparatus, which can fetch image data in a desired state and a system including the server apparatus. In the server apparatus, received designation information is analyzed. When specific profile data is designated by profile designation information, the designated profile data is fetched from profile DB. When “profile data is embedded” is designated by transmission method designation information of the designation information, after the fetched profile data is embedded in the image data and then transmitted to a terminal device. When “conversion is performed by profile” is designated by the transmission method designation information, the image data is subjected to color conversion, resolution conversion, or affine conversion based on the fetched profile data and then transmitted to the terminal device. When “only image” is designated by the transmission method designation information, the image data is directly transmitted to the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Kyoko Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7284919
    Abstract: A printer capable of printing to both roll paper and slips. The printer includes a condition setting unit 15 for setting or not setting the absence of roll paper in the printer as a set condition for taking the printer off-line. An off-line status determination circuit 16 for generating an output in response to the set condition of the condition setting unit 15 when the power is turned on or reset, and a print controller responsive to the output from said off-line status determination circuit for determining whether to set the printer to be taken off-line or not according to the set condition of the condition setting unit . Accordingly, when roll paper is not needed, the printer can thus print to slips without ever loading roll paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20070242307
    Abstract: A control method for a print media processing apparatus that prints on a print medium based on print data supplied from a host computer, comprising converting the print data supplied from the host computer to the print media processing apparatus before a print command is asserted to print image data in a buffer based on a print data conversion command, and controlling printing in response to a print command by accessing the buffer and retrieving the print image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Saikawa, Atsushi Natsuno, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Masanori Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20070242963
    Abstract: The print media processing apparatus has a function for detecting paper jams, and uses a validation detector and a discharge detector as a plurality of jam detection means that operate at different detection levels and independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Saikawa, Atsushi Natsuno, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Masanori Hayashi