Reproduction (e.g., Facsimile, Copier, Etc.) Patents (Class 347/3)
  • Publication number: 20100156968
    Abstract: An ink-jet print apparatus adapted to prevent stain defects is disclosed. The ink-jet print apparatus includes: first to third head portions configured to form red, green, and blue color filters on a substrate; a plurality of nozzles provided in each of the first to third head portions; a camera, above the substrate, configured to photograph a transmittance of each of sub-pixels in which the red, green, and blue are formed; a light emission unit, under the substrate opposite to the camera, configured to emit light on the sub-pixel; and an injection quantity control unit configured to compare the transmittance of each sub-pixel photographed by the camera with a previously prepared reference transmittance and to compensate the injection quantity of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hwang Un SEO, Hong Myeong JEON, Man In BAEK
  • Patent number: 7726757
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to easily select a file when a user prints. In order to achieve this object, according to this invention, an information processing method in an image forming apparatus which stores a printing history in a print process, includes the steps of displaying accessible files stored in a predetermined storage location, selecting one of the displayed files (step S701), extracting, based on the printing history, a file related to the selected file (steps S703 to S706), and printing an arbitrary file of the selected and extracted files (steps S708 and S709).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihito Nanaumi
  • Patent number: 7712853
    Abstract: A printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: a disk drive; a printer; a single light-emitting indicator unit able to luminously indicate colors; an ink tank containing color inks of which the number corresponds to the number of colors the light-emitting indicator unit can indicate; an ink level detection unit that detects color ink levels in the ink tank and outputs detected signals; a printing operation detection unit that detects a printer operation and outputs a detected signal; a drive operation detection unit that detects a disk drive operation and outputs a detected signal; and a first light emission control unit that controls a luminous color and state of the light-emitting indicator unit in accordance with the printer operation, the disk drive operation and the color ink levels on the basis of the detected signals from the ink level detection unit, printing operation detection unit and drive operation detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Ashizaki, Tatsumi Ito, Makoto Ando, Takahiro Toyoda, Minoru Takeda, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100097667
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing section, a flatbed scanner section configured to read an original on a reading surface, and a moving mechanism configured to change the angle of the reading surface relative to an installation plane on which the apparatus is installed. The scanner section is capable of performing reading in each of a first mode where the angle of the reading surface is a first angle (vertical) and a second mode where the angle of the reading surface is a second angle (horizontal) different from the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ikeda, Haruyuki Yanagi, Masaaki Ishibashi, Kenichi Nishimura, Sakiko Takizawa, Naofumi Sekine, Hiroshi Ogushi, Takeji Niikura, Tetsuya Saito, Tetsuhiro Nitta, Shigeyuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7695082
    Abstract: A Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) printing device includes a support structure. A PCMCIA connector is located at one end of the support structure. A printhead assembly is located at the other end of the support structure and is electrically coupled to the PCMCIA connector. The printhead assembly includes a printhead configured to print ink and a feed arrangement arranged to feed print media operatively with respect to the printhead. A print media cartridge can be fastened in a releasable manner to the support structure in a location between the PCMCIA connector and the printhead assembly so that the feed arrangement can feed the print media from the print media cartridge during printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7695081
    Abstract: An image input/output apparatus, and the image input/output apparatus includes an ink-jet head including at least one nozzle unit having a length that is greater than or equal to a width of a recording medium and being movable in a sub scanning direction, and a scanning unit installed on the ink-jet head movable in the sub scanning direction relative to the ink-jet head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su-min Lim
  • Patent number: 7692815
    Abstract: A display device for use as a computer monitor, the display device comprising: a flat panel display; a printer, including a printhead for printing onto paper; and a sheet feeder for feeding print media to the printhead, the device being configured such that standard print media to be printed is supported, immediately prior to commencement of printing, such that at least an edge of the print media is visible above an upper edge of a the flat panel display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7681964
    Abstract: A recording medium processing apparatus is disclosed. The recording medium processing apparatus includes: a head unit which traces a track formed on a recording surface of a recording medium and reads a data signal; a signal processing unit which detects positional information of the recording medium on the basis of the data signal; and a printing unit which prints visible information on a non-recording surface of the recording medium by referring to the positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ando, Tatsumi Ito, Koji Ashizaki, Takahiro Toyoda, Minoru Takeda, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7681976
    Abstract: An interface, to which a recording medium storing at least one first setting information item is removably attached to a printer. A storage stores hardware specification data. A reader reads out the at least one first setting information item from the recording medium attached to the interface. A register judges whether the at least one read out first setting information item matches with the hardware specification data, and registers the first setting information item which matches with the hardware specification data as at least one second setting information item. A selector selects one of the at least one second setting information item as a print condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Narusawa, Yoichi Tanaka, Hidetake Nishizawa, Katsumi Komagamine
  • Patent number: 7672012
    Abstract: A display device for use as a computer monitor, the display device comprising: a flat panel display for displaying images from a computer; a printer, the printer including: (a) a printer controller configured to receive print data in a compressed form, decompress the print data, and output dot data based on the decompressed print data; (b) a pagewidth printhead for receiving the dot data and printing onto print media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7669946
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making colored contact lenses and an apparatus for implementing the method of the invention. The apparatus of the invention comprises a securing means for holding a contact lens or a portion of a mold for making the contact lens, a printer head, wherein the printer head comprises one or more nozzles each of which is capable of jetting droplets of color liquid independent of each other under control of a computer system; a positioning means for precisely positioning the printer head at each of a plurality of predetermined positions, one at a time, on a surface of the contact lens or the mold portion under control of the computer system. The method and apparatus of the invention are useful for producing colored contact lenses having high quality color images thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Robert Carey Tucker, David Hyink
  • Publication number: 20100045712
    Abstract: A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a printing unit printing images on a substrate, a highlight application unit producing highlights on the substrate and a controller directing the highlight application unit to produce the highlights on the substrate. A method for producing a highlighted printed product is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: John Sheridan Richards
  • Patent number: 7657245
    Abstract: An electronic device is equipped with a wireless unit board for transmitting and receiving a radio signal to and from external equipment, where an accommodation space for the wireless unit board is enclosed by a side plate of a casing of the electronic device, a first shield plate covering a circuit board, and a second shield plate holding a main control board thereupon and disposed substantially horizontally above the first shield plate. The wireless unit board is disposed in the accommodation space with one of opposed major surfaces thereof facing to the side plate of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Nakagawa, Takamitsu Kawai
  • Patent number: 7631966
    Abstract: The invention provides for a print roll for a camera having an internal printer. The print roll includes an ink reservoir section with a core portion configured to house ink for the printer, and a paper roll section positioned about the ink reservoir section, said paper roll section operatively locating paper for the printer. The print roll also includes an outer casing having two sections each locating a pinch roller to form a pinch roller assembly when the two sections are fitted together about the paper roll section, the pinch roller assembly configured to operatively feed paper from the paper roll to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20090268217
    Abstract: A printing and display device for use with an external computer. The printing and display device includes a flat panel display for displaying images from the external computer; a printer including a printhead for printing onto paper; a display data connection for selectively connecting to the external computer to receive display data used to provide the images displayed; a print data connection for selective connection to the external computer to receive print data from the external computer; and a rear cover molding enclosing therein the flat panel display. The rear cover molding includes an aperture for receiving therein an external ink cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7593139
    Abstract: In an illumination device, a light guide is adapted to emit the light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal line to the area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform illumination characteristics. An image reading device and an information processing apparatus can also be equipped with the above-mentioned illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsundo Kawai, Osamu Hamamoto, Shinichi Takeda, Satoshi Itabashi, Toshimitsu Iso
  • Patent number: 7593132
    Abstract: A method for calibrating the printing of a lenticular image with respect to the lenticules of a lenticular sheet includes the step of printing a test pattern including a plurality of patches on a lenticular sheet with an ink jet printer. The patches are sensed though the lenticules with a sensing device and the sensed data is analyzed to determine a calibration factor that is used to subsequently print a lenticular image on the lenticular sheet. In a further embodiment, the method comprises aligning a lenticular sheet in the ink jet printer; sensing the lenticules on said lenticular sheet with the sensing device; analyzing the sensed data in the processing unit to determine the lenticule spacing; calculating a calibration factor based upon the analysis; and using the calibration factor to subsequently print a lenticular image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Bast, Michael A. Marra, III, Charles J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20090213150
    Abstract: A printing cartridge that has a roll of print media, a tubular former on which the roll of print media is wound, the former having a plurality of ink supply containers for different types of ink, a casing with a pair of molded covers which releasably fasten together to encase the roll of print media. The casing bears one or more optically readable indicia relating to the length of print media and the types of ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7580150
    Abstract: A method and a system for outputting an image having a specific color on an output device, the method including (a) analyzing the image; (b) creating a model for the output device, based on the analysis, wherein the model encompasses the specific color and is made in a particular space having a one-to-one relation to a device independent color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Marc Mahy, Francis Verbeeck
  • Publication number: 20090207196
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes: a first image printing module that prints an image on a recording paper; and a second image printing module capable of printing by a paper feeding system that is serial to the first image printing module in the case of printing on a recording paper that is identical to the recording paper, and capable of printing simultaneously with and parallel to the first image printing module by a paper feeding system that is parallel to the first image printing module in the case of printing on a recording paper that is different from the recording paper. With the image forming apparatus according to the invention, highly flexible apparatus configurations and function configurations are realized and therefore the diversification in technology and diverse applications by users can be dealt with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7570389
    Abstract: A printing and display device comprising: a flat panel display for displaying images from a computer; a stand for holding the flat panel display in an operative position; and a printer, the printer including a printhead for printing onto paper; wherein the stand includes at least one receptacle configured to accept at least one replaceable ink cartridge for supplying ink to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20090167793
    Abstract: A printing and display device comprising a flat panel display; a printer, including a printhead for printing onto paper; a multi-sheet paper holder; a paper sheet separator configured to separate a single paper sheet from the paper in the paper holder for supply to the printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7554690
    Abstract: An array type inkjet printer system having a print head with a plurality of nozzles formed therein in the horizontal scan direction includes a resolution adjusting unit for reducing a resolution in the horizontal scan direction of print data by a predetermined rate; a rendering unit for rendering the print data according to the resolution adjusted by the resolution adjusting unit; and a scaler for scaling the size of the rendered print data to be in correspondence to a resolution of the array type inkjet printer. Therefore, the number of operative nozzles at one time can be reduced, and therefore power consumption is reduced. This in turn opens up the possibility to use a small-sized, low-cost power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-gu Kim
  • Publication number: 20090141053
    Abstract: The identical printing of a stack of sheets (e.g., paper) is performed by vertically stacked inkjet printing units, each of which prints sheets at a printing speed. All sheets are fed from a stack along an infeed path at a feeding speed which is faster than the printing speed. The sheets are sequentially introduced into the respective printing heads, e.g., by the actuation of a gate mechanism disposed in the infeed path. After the sheets have been printed in the printing units at the slower printing speed, and after the print medium has been fixed, the sheets are discharged from the printing units and fed along a common outfeed path at the higher feeding speed. For variable-data printing, raster image processing is performed by assigned separate RIP computer units to process respective batches of the pages of the printing job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: EPIC PRODUCT INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Max W. Dahlgren
  • Publication number: 20090122122
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage configured to movably scan, and including a recording head configured to discharge ink droplets and a sub tank configured to supply ink to the recording head; a main tank configured to supply the ink to the sub tank via a tube; a negative pressure detector configured to detect a state of a negative pressure in the sub tank; a count unit configured to count a number of scans conducted by the carriage; and a control unit configured to cause the negative pressure detector to detect the state of the negative pressure in the sub tank to return the negative pressure in the sub tank to a normal state based on a detection result obtained by the negative pressure detector when the number of scans carried out by the carriage as counted by the count unit reaches a predetermined scan count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Isamu KUBO, Yasuhiro Kawashima, Kazuki Suzuki, Masanori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7528987
    Abstract: A printing and display device comprising a flat panel display; a printer, including a printhead for printing onto paper; a multi-sheet paper holder; a paper sheet separator configured to separate a single paper sheet from the paper in the paper holder for supply to the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20090096820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for printing details onto a document, especially a passport, which comprises the following steps: a) detecting, by means of a first camera, two intersecting edges of the document; b) calculating the position of a first field of the document to be imprinted with a first detail using the position of the detected edges; c) positioning a print head on the first field to be imprinted and printing the first detail; d) detecting, by means of a second camera, a graphic element in the document; e) calculating the position of a second field to be imprinted using the position of the detected graphic element; f) positioning the print head on the second field to be imprinted and printing the second detail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Liebenau
  • Patent number: 7508540
    Abstract: The present invention relates to image input/output apparatuses for outputting inputted image data, a control method of the image input/output apparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereof. According to the present invention, in case of receiving an image output request of outputting image data inputted by another image input/output apparatus using the another image input/output apparatus and an own image input/output apparatus, setting related to sheet size selection of the own image input/output apparatus is disabled, and data size of the image data transferred from the another image input/output apparatus is calculated. Then, output sheet size is selected on the basis of the calculated result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichi Unno
  • Publication number: 20090058893
    Abstract: A printer unit is provided having a body with a media input assembly for supporting media to be printed, and securing means for releasable engagement with complementary securing means on an image reader unit, and a print engine with a printhead and a control system to control the operation of the printhead. The body is shaped for nesting with the image reader unit such that the securing means are positioned for releasable engagement with the complementary securing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20090046115
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention modifies a document or a section of a document to be printed, based on available ink levels in a printer. The modification process may be carried out automatically, or may be user-selected and defined, in order to maximize the quality of the printer output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Anne Seacat, Robert Peterson, Kulvir S. Bhogal
  • Patent number: 7448711
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a first monitor which detects whether a non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body of the image-forming apparatus. When a normal copying process is selected, the copying process is stopped immediately if the first monitor determines that the non-paper-medium supplier is attached and an error message indicating that a printing process cannot be performed since the non-paper-medium supplier is attached is shown on the main body. In addition, if a facsimile is received while the non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body, the user is informed that the facsimile call is received. Accordingly, the user can change the setting of the image-forming apparatus so that the facsimile can be received. Thus, the facsimile is received manually if the non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body and is received by operation after the line is acquired by a handset telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Satake, Akitoshi Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Takeda
  • Publication number: 20080239029
    Abstract: Provided herein is a functional liquid supply apparatus having: a plurality of sub tanks, a tank unit which replenishes the functional liquid to the plurality of sub tanks, an upstream side functional liquid channel of which an upstream side thereof is connected to the tank unit and a downstream side thereof is connected to each of the sub tanks, and a plurality of third opening and closing valves which replenish the functional liquid to each of the sub tanks by its' opening and closing operations. The tank unit 122 has a pair of main tanks, nitrogen gas supply units connected to the pair of the main tanks respectively, and a switching device which is capable of switching a pressurized liquid of the functional liquid fed from the pair of the main tanks alternatively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Takayuki Hayashi, Yasuhiko Asano
  • Publication number: 20080204485
    Abstract: The invention provides a facsimile apparatus that includes: a receiving section that receives facsimile data; a print head that discharges ink from nozzles so as to print out an image; a cleaning unit that cleans the nozzles of the print head; and a controlling section that controls the operations of the print head and the cleaning unit. In such a configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to an aspect of the invention, the controlling section commands the print head to perform facsimile printing by means of the received facsimile data only after the execution of nozzle-cleaning operations, which are executed by the cleaning unit under the control of the controlling section, if it is judged on the basis of the print image resolution of the received facsimile data that the execution of the nozzle-cleaning operations is necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080192073
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using existing envelope feeding machines to print IBIP indicium, and CASS approved address information and bar code information. The invention is shown to include a print head operative in response to a print signal and a controller, electrically connected to the print head, for generating the necessary print signal. A frame defining a printing attachment mechanism adapted for being positioned proximate the feeding machine is provided for attachment of the print head oriented so that envelopes traveling along the feed path will pass proximate the print head. It is preferred for the printing attachment mechanism to include a plurality of print heads. In an alternative embodiment, the controller is operative in response to a control signal and a computer is provided for generating the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Sheldon Margolis
  • Patent number: 7391531
    Abstract: A printer includes a processor. A replaceable ink cartridge includes a first integrated circuit (IC) containing print quality information and which is configured to be interfaced, in a releasable manner, to the processor. A replaceable printhead module includes a printhead which is configured to be interfaced, in a releasable manner, to the processor. The printhead is configured to print ink supplied from the ink cartridge using the print quality information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20080117239
    Abstract: A multifunctional portable data processing system having print, scan, and copy capabilities includes a portable computer having a housing, a display screen, a input panel, a pointing device, and a copy unit which may be within or attached to the housing. The copy unit includes a contact image sensor scan unit and a full page width ink jet printhead unit, an ink container, a paper path, paper feeding and ejecting rollers, control circuitry, and electrical power and standard data protocol data connections with the portable computer. The use of a stationary printhead unit and a reduced clock rate allows full functionality of the print system without sacrificing needed portability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Ying-Hui Huang, Yung-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7359077
    Abstract: A CPU monitors the state of a printing apparatus, and controls transmission, to the host, of a control signal for controlling the data reception timing from the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kuronuma, Masafumi Wataya, Toru Nakayama, Takuji Katsu
  • Patent number: 7314259
    Abstract: In the image processing apparatus and display control method, a user can know a residual ink amount by a simple operation and hardware, such as a particular switch for displaying the residual ink amount, is not required. The image processing apparatus includes a mode switch which executes switching among plural modes, each having a standby state, a set mode storage unit which stores a set mode, a display which displays a mode set in the set mode storage unit, a printing unit which prints data such as an image or text, a residual ink amount detection unit which detects a residual ink amount, and a display control unit which causes the display to display the set mode and the residual ink amount detected by the ink amount detection unit when the mode switch switches the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiya Fujinaga
  • Patent number: 7310161
    Abstract: A combined flat bed scanner/printer machine having: a moving body; a scan module connected to the moving body to read a document; and a recording head connected to the moving body adjacent to the scan module, to print on a paper. The moving body is moved by a moving body transfer unit made up of a belt to which the moving body is secured, a guide rod to guide the moving body, and a motor to move the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-wook Kang, Seung-jae Lee
  • Patent number: 7251030
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the creation and use of a non-linearized, paper specific, digital workflow independent color profile which can be used to create proofs based on the raw output data of the source process. Such a profile would have the advantage of not having to have account for the intermediate workflow steps such as linearization, color correction, sharpening, ink limiting, color separation, dithering or color transformation because the gamut mapping would utilize the discrete output tones of the resulting data sent to the source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Terry Wozniak, Michael J. Piatt, Joshua H. Howard
  • Patent number: 7202970
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a printing system for printing identification cards with durable full-color images using an inkjet printing device. In general, the present invention provides an inkjet printing device that is used to print images on a plastic identification card. The images are printed reversibly on a transparent media. The transparent media is then laminated onto a plastic card with the side with the images being adhered to the card. As a result, the images are viewed as being printed correctly on the transparent media. Further, the images are protected on one side by the transparent media itself and on the other side by the plastic card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward P. Maher, Thomas J. Stark
  • Patent number: 7195326
    Abstract: A photo print is produced from image data. A system controller classifies the photo prints on the basis of additional information of the image data under a classification condition recorded in a smart medium. The photo prints are discharged to sorting trays. The system controller allocates the respective sorting trays to each classification. When the photo print is discharged to the sorting tray, a sorter switches a conveyance route of the photo print in response to a classification signal sent from the system controller. The photo prints are distributed to the sorting trays every classification. Owing to this, the photo prints are prevented from being discharged in a mixed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Uchioke, Takao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7136195
    Abstract: When a printhead is not in use, it remains filled with ink. In order to prevent evaporation of the ink through the nozzles of the printhead, and the consequential depositing of ink components in and around the ink nozzles, the invention provides capping of the nozzle during the non printing modes of the printer. The capping mechanism uses a page width elastomeric seal, which can move between a first capping position, in which it seals said nozzles of the printhead in an air tight manner, and a second position in which the elastomeric seal moves away from said print head to allow paper to be printed upon by said print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7116444
    Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Barry, Jack N. Bartholmae, Francis A. Rowe, E. Neal Tompkins, Peter A. Zuber
  • Patent number: 7103581
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for estimating the amount of ink required for a specific print job. For example, the amount of ink for a particular color for a specific print job may be estimated. This estimation can be used for various applications such as predicting the cost of a particular print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lawrence Suen, Kurt P. Brown
  • Patent number: 7061644
    Abstract: An integrated circuit fabricated on a single substrate that includes a first interface to a page-width inkjet printhead and a general-purpose processor that is connected to the first interface. The processor runs software that controls the first interface. The first interface may also include a line loader/format unit that loads dots to be printed into local buffer storage units and formats the dots into an order required for a Memjet printhead. A Memjet second interface that is part of the first interface may also transfer data to the Memjet printhead and control a firing sequence of printhead nozzles during a print process. The line loader/format unit may use a double buffering scheme for preparing the dots for printing, where one buffer unit is read from while another buffer unit is written to. The local buffer storage units may also be divided into multiple sub-buffers where each sub-buffer is assigned a single color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7040727
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of controlling a power supply for a printer. A power on signal is automatically provided to turn on the printer power supply in accordance with a predetermined printing command, and a power off signal to turn off the printer power supply is automatically provided when the printer has not performed a printing operation for a predetermined time period. A low voltage and current switch is provided for manual on/off control of the printer power supply in accordance with an operation of a user. If the printer power supply in off, operation of the switch generates the power on signal. If the printer power supply is on, operation of the switch causes the controller to generate the power off signal to turn off the printer power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-chung Ryu, Jong-yang Choo
  • Patent number: 7029086
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a first monitor which detects whether a non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body of the image-forming apparatus. When a normal copying process is selected, the copying process is stopped immediately if the first monitor determines that the non-paper-medium supplier is attached and an error message indicating that a printing process cannot be performed since the non-paper-medium supplier is attached is shown on the main body. In addition, if a facsimile is received while the non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body, the user is informed that the facsimile call is received. Accordingly, the user can change the setting of the image-forming apparatus so that the facsimile can be received. Thus, the facsimile is received manually if the non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body and is received by operation after the line is acquired by a handset telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Satake, Akitoshi Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6977752
    Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Barry, Jack N. Bartholmae, Francis A. Rowe, E. Neal Tompkins, Peter A. Zuber
  • Patent number: RE40435
    Abstract: A modular copying system including combinations of printer, scanner, and system controller modules formed as independent frames. The scanner module includes devices for image reading, first data I/O and first synchronizing signal generation; the printer module includes devices for image forming, second data I/O and second synchronizing signal generation; and the system control module includes devices for third data I/O and system control. The modules are added or removed according to user requirements and the system is capable of accommodating up to seven modules. The modules are stacked in a vertical direction and arranging devices ensure proper module alignment. Once the modules are aligned and assembled in the system, communications between each module is accomplished via light wave, electric wave, or sonic wave transmission and reception. As a result, system interconnection is reduced, system noise is reduced and various connecting cables are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoji Omi