Patents Issued in March 6, 2012
  • Patent number: 8130377
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a spectrophotometer with a modular 45/0 head. One embodiment of an apparatus for measuring a reflectance of a sample includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting light, a reflective housing positioned above the plurality of light emitting diodes, where the reflective housing is a dome having a plurality of apertures formed around its perimeter, a sample channel for capturing a first portion of the light, where the first portion of the light interacts with the sample, and a reference channel for capturing a second portion of the light, where the second portion of the light is independent of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Datacolor Holding AG
    Inventors: Alan Ingleson, Joseph Reed
  • Patent number: 8130378
    Abstract: A phase retardance inspection instrument, comprising: a light source module for generating a single-wavelength light beam; a circularly polarized light generating module, comprising a polarizer and a first phase retarder, for receiving the single-wavelength light beam as it is guided to pass through the polarizer and the first phase retarder in order; and a detecting module, comprising a second phase retarder, a polarizing beam splitter, a first image sensor and a second image sensor, for receiving and guiding a circularly polarized light beam to travel through the second phase retarder and the polarizing beam splitter in order after it passes through a substrate under inspection, wherein the polarizing beam splitter splits an elliptically polarized light beam into intensity vector components of a left-hand circularly polarized light beam and a right-hand circularly polarized light beam, which are to be emitted into the first image sensor and the second image sensor, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-I Wu, Kai-Ping Chuang, Wan-Yi Lin, Yi-Chen Hsieh, Fu-Shiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8130379
    Abstract: Gas analyzer systems and methods for determining gas flux in a short intake tube configuration without using any Webb-Pearman-Leuning density correction. Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Li-Cor, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgiy G. Burba, Daniel J. Anderson, Michael D. Furtaw, Robert D. Eckles, Dayle K. McDermitt, Jonathan M. Welles
  • Patent number: 8130380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer, a spectrometric method and detector, and a new use of an interferometer. The spectrometer comprises a Fabry-Perot interferometer (120), to which light can be guided from the object (100) being investigated, in order to produce an interference image, and a detector (130) at which the interference image is aimed. The transmittance of the interferometer (120) is spectrally sliced to at least two separate wavelength bands. For its parts, the detector (130) is arranged to detect the interference image from at least two separate wavelength bands spatially. The detector is arranged to detect the said wavelength bands simultaneously, by exploiting the response of the image elements of the detector, calibrated as a function of the mirror gap of the interferometer, in order to detect simultaneously at least two different orders of the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventor: Heikki Saari
  • Patent number: 8130381
    Abstract: An optical fiber probe for an optical measuring device having a mechanical receptacle into which an optical fiber is inserted, having a fiber end piece which projects over the mechanical receptacle and is designed for guiding a measuring beam onto a measuring object. In the area of the fiber end piece and/or in the area of the mechanical receptacle, the optical fiber is provided, at least regionally, with coating that stabilizes it. The coating provides the fiber end piece with improved mechanical stability and reduced tendency to vibrate, making it possible to make it substantially longer than without the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: David Rychtarik
  • Patent number: 8130382
    Abstract: An endpoint detection method for detecting an endpoint of a process comprises determining a reflectance spectrum of light reflected from a substrate, the light having a wavelength, processing the substrate while light having the wavelength is reflected from the substrate, detecting light having the wavelength after the light is reflected from the substrate, generating a signal trace of the intensity of the reflected light and normalizing the signal trace with the reflectance spectrum of the light. The normalized signal trace can then be evaluated to determine an endpoint of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Lian, Matthew Fenton Davis
  • Patent number: 8130383
    Abstract: An optical signal analysis apparatus includes a photodetector and an analyzer. The photodetector is to detect light emitted from measurement points in a sample. The analyzer is to analyze a molecular interaction between two of the measurement points by using fluctuation signals corresponding to fluctuations of the light from the measurement points that are detected by the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Akemi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8130384
    Abstract: The invention is related to an apparatus for the representation of a geometrical figure on the surface of a patient's body that is situated on a support, comprising at least one projection device, by which a given geometrical figure can be projected onto the three-dimensional surface of the patient's body, at least one control device and at least one optical sensor device, by which the geometrical figure projected onto the surface of the patient's body can be acquired and the acquired data can be supplied to the control device, wherein the control device is realized to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the geometrical figure projected onto the patient's body from the data acquired by the sensor device, and wherein the control device is realized to compare the determined three-dimensional coordinates of the geometrical figure projected onto the patient's body with desired three-dimensional coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen
    Inventors: Johann Kindlein, Tim Thurn
  • Patent number: 8130385
    Abstract: An index detection unit (110) detects the image coordinates of indices from a captured image. An index allocation information updating unit (160) calculates the position and orientation of an image capturing apparatus using the image coordinates of the indices and allocation information of each of these indices. Furthermore, the index allocation information updating unit (160) re-calibrates allocation information of an unreliable index having a reliability indicating that the allocation information is unreliable. The index allocation information updating unit (160) updates allocation information held by an allocation information holding unit (140) in association with the unreliable index to the re-calibrated allocation information and a reliability indicating that the allocation information is reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyohide Satoh, Shinji Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8130386
    Abstract: This invention provides a position measuring method for measuring a surface level of melt in a crucible arranged in the inside of a Czochralski furnace based on a principle of triangulation, in which a light source and a photo detector are provided; light emitted from the light source is applied to the surface of the melt; and the light reflected by the surface of the melt is received by the photo detector, the method comprising: providing a member in the vicinity of the surface of the melt; and causing the emitted light to be reflected by the member, applying the reflected light to the surface of the melt, and causing the light reflected by the surface of the melt to be received by the photo detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sumco Techxiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Hayashida, Naoji Mitani, Ayumi Kihara
  • Patent number: 8130387
    Abstract: Apparatus for simulating the effects of printing process-relevant setting commands on an image to be printed image includes (a) a color management unit for transforming printing-specific image data of an image to be printed into screen-specific display data defined in an RGB target color space, wherein the image data have been defined in a CMYK source color space comprising the scale colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black as participants in halftone combination printing; (b) at least one true color monitor for displaying the image to be printed in a true color manner on the basis of the screen-specific display data defined in the RGB target color space, the monitor being connected to the color management unit; (c) an input unit for entering the printing process-relevant setting commands for changing the image; and (d) a manipulation unit, which, on the basis of the entered setting commands, automatically adjusts the display data defined in the RGB target color space so that the image displayed on the true co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Florian Fejfar
  • Patent number: 8130388
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method executed in a printing apparatus operable to read out data from a recording medium and to execute printing based on the read-out data with respect to a printing medium. A first mode for selecting a type of the printing is effected. A prescribed command is received after the first mode is effected. A second mode for adjusting a printing position relative to the printing medium is effected when the prescribed command is received. The printing position is adjusted when the second mode is effected. The first mode is effected when the adjusting of the printing position is finished, with a condition that is effected when the prescribed command is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyuki Noda
  • Patent number: 8130389
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring an image path of an image processing apparatus is herein described. The image processing apparatus includes at least an input terminal or scanner for inputting or scanning document into image data and an output terminal or printer for printing documents. The method includes selecting one of a plurality of output modes using a selection device associated with the image processing apparatus. Based on the selected output mode, an image path among a plurality of image processing elements of the apparatus is selected among a plurality of image paths. Each image path corresponds to one of the plurality of output modes. After a document is scanned with the scanner into image data, the image data is processed with the processing elements in the selected image path, and output or printed based on the processed image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Xing Li, Ramesh Nagarajan, Clara Cuciurean-Zapan, Francis Tse
  • Patent number: 8130390
    Abstract: The image data transmitting apparatus acquires the address book data corresponding to the user or such data and the transmittal cover letter data from the server apparatus, selects, out of the acquired information on destinations, the destination according to selecting operation by the user, generates transmittal cover letter image data based on the transmittal cover letter data related to the selected destination and attaches the image data to be transmitted as second and subsequent pages, thereby generating the image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto. While thus generated image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto is transmitted to the destination, transmission is prohibited of image data other than thus generated image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Honma
  • Patent number: 8130391
    Abstract: A system for printing documents 100 having a position identifying pattern 108 on them comprises a memory 403 arranged to have a document definition 410 stored therein which defines a document having at least one pattern area 107 and a printing control system 400, 408, 306, 307, 309 arranged to print a document instance from the definition by allocating an identity to the document instance, associating an area 700, 718, 720, 721, 722 of pattern space with the document instance, and printing the document instance, wherein the printing control system is arranged to move the boundaries of the defined pattern area before printing the document instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P.
    Inventors: Manuel Gonzalez, Jean-Michel Combe
  • Patent number: 8130392
    Abstract: A document management server of this invention includes a storage unit which stores output device management information and document management information, the output device management information associating, for each output device, a group to which the output device belongs and a device-corresponding-group as a group made to correspond to the output device, and the document management information associating, for each document file, a group to which the document file belongs and a document-corresponding-group as a group made to correspond to the document file, an output permission determination unit which refers to the output device management information and the document management information in accordance with an instruction to output a designated document file from a designated output device, and determines that output is permitted when a group to which the designated document file belongs is contained in a device-corresponding-group associated with the designated output device, and a group to which t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Kato
  • Patent number: 8130393
    Abstract: A printing apparatus in which a general command is converted to a real-time command depending on the needs, allowing fast status analysis and error recovery with fewer number of control commands without inconveniencing the user, a control method therefor, and a data processing apparatus using the printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus or the data processing apparatus including the same which is operated by transmission of command data and print data from a host computer, general data usually processed in order is converted to a real-time command using a real-time command identifier. The printing apparatus receives the data with the real-time command identifier and processes the command or print data designated by the real-time command identifier. The apparatus and method allow using a fewer number of commands to execute various controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Bixolon Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Kyoo Cho, Kyoung Hwan Na, Hae Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 8130394
    Abstract: This invention can substantially equally distribute a load necessary for rendering, and can complete printing all pages of one print job at high speed. A master printer interprets received print data, generates display list data as intermediate data for each page, and upon completion of generating intermediate data of all pages, transfers them to a slave printer. The master printer performs rendering (RIP) in an ascending page order of page numbers 1, 2, . . . , whereas the slave printer performs rendering in a descending page order from the final page. When the number of rendered pages held by the master printer does not reach half of all pages upon completion of rendering all pages, the master printer receives the rendering results of deficient pages from the slave printer. Then, each printer prints by almost the same number of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8130395
    Abstract: A disclosed network communication apparatus for performing communication via an IP network includes: a packet generation unit generating packets for call connection including facsimile communication capability and voice capability; and a communication control unit requesting a target network communication apparatus for connection using the packets for call connection upon facsimile transmission and establishing a facsimile communication channel and a voice channel to perform the facsimile transmission. Upon facsimile transmission, the communication control unit requests the target apparatus for connection using the packets for call connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Shimizu, Shigeru Nakamura, Susumu Fujioka, Tomohito Kajiwara, Takashi Goto
  • Patent number: 8130396
    Abstract: A disclosed image formation management system includes image forming apparatuses and a local management apparatus connected via a network to the image forming apparatuses. Each of the image forming apparatuses includes a user information storing unit storing user information of users, a management information storing unit storing a current number of image formation pages and a maximum number of image formation pages of each of the users, and an image formation control unit configured to authenticate the users based on the user information and to limit image formation by each of the authenticated users based on the current number of image formation pages and the maximum number of image formation pages. The local management apparatus is configured to manage the user information and the maximum numbers of image formation pages of the users of the image forming apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Munemitsu Ikegami, Akihiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8130397
    Abstract: A method is disclosed on the one hand for transmitting a color extraction, defining positions of pixels of a print color to be deposited onto a print sheet in a print run, in order to produce a print product, from a prepress system to a press system, and on the other hand a management information system for integrated planning and control of the production of print products in a networked graphic production, wherein a pre-press system and a press system can be connected to the management information system. In order to facilitate a conclusive management of the color information in the context of a CIP4 workflow, it is suggested that the color extraction is initially transmitted from the prepress system to a management information system, and subsequently there from to the press system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hiflex Software GesmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Reichhart
  • Patent number: 8130398
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus connected to a host device via a network. The host device transmits a power-off notification notifying the image forming apparatus on the network that power is to be turned off, together with job information identifying a job, when the host device is powered off. The image forming apparatus searches whether or not there is a job identified by the job information upon receiving the power-off notification from the host device, reads the job identified by the job information out from a job saving unit, transmits the job to the host device and deletes the job that has been transmitted to the host device, from the job saving unit. Further, the host device saves the job transmitted from the image forming apparatus that has received the power-off notification, in a storing unit, and then turns off the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: KYOCERA MITA Corporation
    Inventor: Masakazu Takahara
  • Patent number: 8130399
    Abstract: A print management apparatus includes: a communication section connected to image forming apparatuses via a network for transmitting a print job to one of the apparatuses, and receiving management information from each apparatus including information about a print function of the apparatus and alternate printing instructions to allow another image forming apparatus perform an alternate printing. A management section creates and stores management data indicating respective states of the apparatuses based on management information received by the communication section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitsugu Nishimi, Yasushi Tsukamoto, Akira Fujikura
  • Patent number: 8130400
    Abstract: A system and method for an adaptable print driver that adapts its behavior to make use of multiple processors when they are available on the host computer. In particular, during installation or initialization of the print driver, the driver will query the operating system for the number and type of processors present. If the print driver detects that multiple processors are present, it will operate in a way that makes explicit use of the multiple processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Angelo Caruso, James F. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8130401
    Abstract: The image forming system is provided with: a printer that superposes and transfers plural images formed by use of plural image forming materials to a medium; and a data processor that supplies data of the images to the printer. The data processor includes: a data generation unit that generates data of image components corresponding to the respective kinds of the image forming materials; a data forwarding unit that forwards the generated data to the printer; and an assigning unit that assigns the image components in accordance with the data amount of the forwarded data. The printer includes: an output controller that controls an image forming mechanism to form an image by use of the image forming materials; and a switch processing unit that transmits the data received from the data processor, to the output controller corresponding to the image components of the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Awata, Yoshihiro Ohshima, Yukiharu Inoue, Kazuya Hashimoto, Fumio Takatani, Yasuaki Mitobe
  • Patent number: 8130402
    Abstract: A first acquiring unit acquires a print target image. A storage unit has stored thereon a combination image to be combined with the print target image in association with a judgment condition for determining whether the combination image is combined with the print target image. A second acquiring unit acquires attribute values related to the print target image or a print environment when starting execution of printing of the print target image. A judging unit makes a judgment based on the attribute values acquired by the second acquiring unit and the judgment condition stored in the storage unit about whether the attribute values satisfy the judgment condition. A combination controller performs control to combine the combination image with the print target image when the judging unit judges that the attribute values satisfy the judgment condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Tsuchitoi
  • Patent number: 8130403
    Abstract: Provided is a printer which receives inquiry information relating to the print setting sent from a host device, sends to the host device reply information based on its characteristic information in response to the received inquiry information, receives print setting information sent from the host device based on the reply information, requests print object data to the host device in accordance with the received print setting information, receiving the print object data sent from the host device in accordance to the request, and prints the received print object data. Thereby, the present invention enables a host device to make a printer print document data in the host device without requiring conventional printer drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Goro Ishida
  • Patent number: 8130404
    Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that is configured to input color image data, generate color image data identification information identifying the color image data, store the color image data identification information in association with the color image data, generate monochrome image data based on the color image data, combine the color image data identification information with the monochrome image data according to a predetermined format and print the combined monochrome image data on a first recording medium. Also, the image processing system is configured to read the combined monochrome image data from the first recording medium, extract the color image data identification information from the combined monochrome image data, read the color image data stored in association with the extracted color image data identification information, and output the read color image data in a predetermined visible format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8130405
    Abstract: A printing apparatus that can maintain consistency between image information and page numbers with respect to that image information. The printing apparatus includes: a data input unit that embeds identification information for identifying pages to be printed in image information; and a data converting unit, a layout determining unit, a rasterizing unit and a print engine control unit that determine whether or not the processing order is a predetermined page order on the basis of the identification information that has been embedded in each image information set and, when the processing order is the predetermined page order, perform processing in a state where the identification information remains embedded with respect to the image information serving as the determination target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8130406
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Takao Aichi, Akitoshi Yamada, Fumihiro Goto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Ruriko Mikami, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8130407
    Abstract: When changing a size of a QR code, rather increasing or decreasing a size of cells to thereby scaling up or down an entirety of the QR code respectively, than a size of the entirely of the QR code is increased or decreased by upgrading or downgrading a version of the QR code respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nose, Motonori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8130408
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for printing material information along with two-dimensional coded images which are obtained by converting minutes data blocks and which are to be added to the material information. Specifically, after the material information is obtained from an information processing apparatus and the minutes data blocks obtained using a web camera are received, a minutes data block is extracted from among the minutes data blocks at a predetermined timing. Then, the extracted minutes data block is converted into two-dimensional coded information. The two-dimensional coded information is printed on a corresponding one of a plurality of pages of the material information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Okazawa
  • Patent number: 8130409
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes image forming device for forming an image, switching device for switching resolution of an image formed by the image forming device, processing device for performing stabilization processing for stabilizing quality of the image formed by the image forming device and changing device for changing a processing procedure of the stabilization processing in accordance with the resolution switched by the switching device. With these features, it is possible to avoid deterioration of image quality even if the resolution is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohisa Itagaki, Jiro Ishizuka, Nobuhiko Zaima
  • Patent number: 8130410
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus executes a zoom process to an image data depending on a received zoom level, selects a dither matrix from a plurality of dither matrices each having a different resolution. The image processing apparatus selects a dither matrix that has a higher resolution in a case that the received zoom level is equal or less than a first zoom level to reduce the image data. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus selects a dither matrix that has a lower resolution in a case that the received zoom level is equal or more than a second zoom level to enlarge the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makio Gotoh
  • Patent number: 8130411
    Abstract: Stored reference patch data are outputted, and a gray level of the reference patches obtained by scanning the outputted reference patches is compared with a reference level, such that a conversion table for storing gray level setting information is modified according to the comparison result. A driving condition of a light source for the light exposure is set by a user interface to newly set a print density of an image forming apparatus. Moreover, prior to the user setting, test printing is performed and the print density can be set according to a result of the test printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Mi Kim
  • Patent number: 8130412
    Abstract: When a color image is formed on a transparent sheet with a white color material as background color material and C, M, Y, K color materials as process color materials and has colors determined by the total amount of the color materials that are applied per unit area, image formation failures such as ink drooping and ink fixation failures are prevented from occurring. Of four colors or more including white represented by a CMYKW 1-bit pixel signal, the three colors C, M, Y (gray) are replaced with the color K. After the replacement, for three or more of C, M, Y, K, no white color ink is applied since the transparent sheet is opaque without the white color ink. This control process is effective to reduce the number of applications, i.e., the total amount of inks applied, thereby preventing image formation failures such as ink drooping from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyomi Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 8130413
    Abstract: Trapping objects. An object of a first type, for example, a text is detected in a section of a page. An object of a second type, for example, a stroke is then detected in the section. A check is then performed to determine if the object of the second type adjoins the object of the first type. One or more parameters, for example trapping parameters associated with the object of the first type are applied to the object of the first type and to the object of the second type, if it is determined that the object of the second type adjoins the object of the first type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Aditya Pellore
  • Patent number: 8130414
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a tone image using a density pattern method has a ROM for storing a density pattern corresponding to each of a number of tones and an ideal density value of each density pattern, and a sensor for detecting the optical density of an image that has been formed by an image forming unit that forms the image by an electrophotographic method. An image is formed by the image forming unit based upon the density pattern corresponding to each tone, and the density pattern corresponding to each tone is modified based upon optical density, which has been obtained by detecting the density of the image by the sensor, and the ideal density value of each density pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuzuru Yano
  • Patent number: 8130415
    Abstract: In order to form a high-quality image, upon execution of multi-pass printing using a printing head with a plurality of nozzles, an image processing apparatus calculates, using a scan duty setting unit, scan duty data for respective nozzles for each scan of the printing head in accordance with input image data. A halftone processor generates a dot pattern to be formed by applying N-ary processing based on predetermined constraining condition information to the calculated scan duty data. A constraining, condition information calculation unit generates constraining condition information to be referred to by the halftone processor at the time of the next scan. The constraining condition information is set so that the phase of a next dot pattern to be generated has an opposite phase relationship in a low frequency region with respect, to the already printed dot pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yanai, Yumi Watanabe, Atsushi Ushiroda, Hisashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8130416
    Abstract: An image processing method is applied for recording an image on a recording medium using a plurality of color materials including a chromatic material and an achromatic material. A total amount of recording of the chromatic material is smaller than a total amount of recording of the achromatic material, and a plurality of monochrome modes including a first monochrome mode and a second monochrome mode are provided, the total amount of recording of the chromatic material being different for each of the monochrome modes. The image processing method includes adjusting the amount of recording of the achromatic material so that a recording density of an image recorded in the first monochrome mode and a recording density of an image recorded in the second monochrome mode become equivalent to each other with respect to the same luminance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Kentaro Yano
  • Patent number: 8130417
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an inputting unit to receive image data having pixel data, an image processing unit to align and output the pixel data, and a control unit to prevent the pixel data from being transmitted to the image processing unit when the pixel data have null data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kyoung-sik Park
  • Patent number: 8130418
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus having an image readout sensor that is provided with a plurality of pixels that optically read out an image, and a driving unit that moves the image readout sensor. The driving unit moves the image readout sensor, whereby the driving unit and the image readout sensor are controlled so that each of the plurality of pixels reads out a chart with a predetermined pattern. A feature amount of the plurality of pixels is calculated from the image data that has been read out by each pixel through the control, and MTF characteristics of the plurality of pixels are analyzed from the calculated feature amount. Then, nonuniformity of MTF characteristics of the plurality of pixels is corrected according to the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tohru Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8130419
    Abstract: Techniques for creating an identity document are provided. The techniques include obtaining two or more identity-linked images, deriving one or more at least partially transparent regions from one of the two or more identity-linked images, combining the two or more identity-linked images to create a combined image, and embedding authentication data into the combined image, inside the one or more at least partially transparent regions, to create an identity document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Peter Kuyper-Hammond, Michael Charles Osborne, Tamas Visegrady
  • Patent number: 8130420
    Abstract: An imaging system, such as having pixel-sized photosensors for recording images, or light emitters or ink-jet ejectors for creating images, comprises a plurality of chips. Each chip includes a shift register with a shift-register-in line; a set of imaging elements associated with the shift register; and a program line, for accepting a program enable signal enabling acceptance of control data relating to a desired operating parameter of the chip. A control system is operable in a first mode wherein each chip in the plurality of chips receives the program enable signal directly through the program line, and a second mode wherein each chip receives the program enable signal through the shift-register-in line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Scott L. Tewinkle, Paul A. Hosier
  • Patent number: 8130421
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading a document by causing an image sensor having a plurality of light receiving pixels to scan the document including an encoder configured to output pulses according to rotation of a motor, a generating unit configured to generate a read synchronizing signal for the image sensor based on the pulses, an obtaining unit configured to obtain first shading data corresponding to at least two data accumulation time points from the image sensor, and a storage unit configured to store the first shading data, wherein a function is generated with second shading data corresponding to a read data accumulation time point and is corrected on the basis of the first shading data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8130422
    Abstract: An image processing device is provided which comprises an input unit and an analog front end circuit with DC inputs. According to the invention, no capacitor is installed in the input unit and no clamper is installed in the AFE circuit with DC inputs. By appropriately selecting a comparing voltage and adding a level shifter or a compensation circuit, the invention can still generate an accurate digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Jui-Yuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 8130423
    Abstract: An image scanning device for scanning an image on a document comprises a document table on which a document to be scanned is placed, a scanning unit which is installed in the document table for scanning an image on a document by projecting light from a light source onto the document in a time-sharing manner and detecting reflected light from the document, a moving unit which moves at least one of the document and the scanning unit to let them move relatively with each other, and a document type judgment unit which judges the type of the document in regard to transmission of light through the document based on a non-lighting period image signal which is outputted by the scanning unit by scanning the document for one line in a main scanning direction in a non-lighting period of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakano, Takahiro Ikeno
  • Patent number: 8130424
    Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an image scanner which can continuously transfer image data of one surface to an external device (image forming apparatus) without performing control such as interruption and resumption of an original scanning operation. The image scanner includes a size detection unit which detects an original size and a determination unit which determines whether or not the image data relating to an original of the size detected by the size detection unit can be stored in a storage unit. The image scanner also includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to set operation in a first mode when the determination unit determines that image data relating to the original can be stored in the storage unit, and the control unit is configured to set operation in a second mode when the determination unit determines that image data relating to the original cannot be stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Ishido
  • Patent number: 8130425
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to route fax calls in an Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) network are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a message including a called party number and a media description at an IMS network and determining if the media description is associated with a fax protocol. Additionally, when the media description is associated with a fax protocol, the example method attempts to locate a fax-specific uniform resource identifier (URI) associated with the called party number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: James Jackson
  • Patent number: 8130426
    Abstract: An elongate light guide includes a light incident portion provided at an end in the longitudinal direction of the guide, a light reflecting portion extending in the longitudinal direction, a light emitting portion extending in the longitudinal direction for emitting linear light, and a scatterer for scattering the light entering through the light incident portion. For instance, the scatterer is provided as a grained portion formed at least part of the reflecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Sawada, Yasuhiro Nagao