Image Reproduction System Patents (Class 358/401)
  • Patent number: 9733602
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a trim mark adder, a duplex alignment mark adder and a hardware processor. The image forming device is capable of forming an image on both sides of a sheet based on an image data. The trim mark adder adds trim mark information to the image data so that a trim mark is formed at a trimming position of the sheet. The duplex alignment mark adder adds duplex alignment mark information to the image data so that a duplex alignment mark is formed in a margin area between an edge of the sheet and the trimming position on both sides of the sheet. The hardware processor performs a duplex alignment of the image data based on a result of scanning the duplex alignment mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Makoto Oki
  • Patent number: 9729739
    Abstract: In response to a start of a pinch-out operation in a first display area displaying a preview image, display is switched from a first display mode to a second display mode, and in a case where a pinch-in operation in the first display area ends and a display size of the preview image reaches a predetermined threshold, the display is switched from the second display mode to the first display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yohei Shogaki
  • Patent number: 9679231
    Abstract: No chase control is performed in copying utilizing ACS (auto color select) determination processing. ACS determination is performed to determine whether image data is color or black-and-white image data and the chase control is performed after the ACS determination is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jun Itoh
  • Patent number: 9648194
    Abstract: A document reading device including an image reader. The image reader includes a first reader to read a first image from a first face of a document fed by a document feeder and a second reader to read a second face of the document. An operation mode is switchable between a normal operation mode in which the image reader is in an operation enabled state and an energy-saving mode in which the image reader is in an operation stop state. In a return from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode, the image reader performs a start-up operation including a first initial operation for returning the first reader to the normal operation mode and then performs a second initial operation for returning the second reader to the normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Norio Kimura, Takashi Fujii, Hiroshi Kubo, Shinya Kitaoka
  • Patent number: 9637337
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path, a detecting unit configured to detect the sheet passing along the conveyance path, a control unit configured to determine an amount of delay of a sheet conveyed along the conveyance path based on the detection and determine information to be output based on the amount of the delay, and an output unit configured to output the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Takuwa
  • Patent number: 9635193
    Abstract: Provided is a document reading device that can cause an image processing part to execute automatically image processing operations corresponding to respective plural functions, depending on a document mounting condition on a platen without performing a setting operation on a panel part. A system control part causes a document detection sensor to detect a part (periphery) of the document. The image processing operations corresponding to respective plural functions are made on image data of the document read by a scanner part. Further, when the platen cover plate open-close detection sensor detects that the platen cover plate is closed, the image processing part is allowed to execute a function that is assigned to the document detection part that has read the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Kato
  • Patent number: 9621757
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image scanning section, an exit tray, and an upper housing. The image scanning section scans an image of an original document. The exit tray is disposed below the image scanning section. A sheet bearing an image is ejected onto the exit tray. The upper housing houses the image scanning section. The image forming apparatus has a sheet ejection space that is formed between the exit tray and the upper housing. A user's hand is inserted into the sheet ejection space for taking out the sheet from the exit tray. The upper housing includes a bottom plate having a surface that faces the exit tray. The bottom plate includes a plurality of reinforcing members that are disposed on the surface of the bottom plate and that extend in a direction in which the user takes out the recording medium from the exit tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Shibata
  • Patent number: 9591158
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for determining the size of a document on a platen of a document scanning device. In one embodiment, the scanning device comprises in part: a transparent pane (platen) whereon a hardcopy print is placed; a scan head comprising optical sensors which output a signal comprising an image of that hardcopy print; a plurality of LEDs positioned such that a topside of the platen is illuminated; and a processor for instructing the scan head to pre-scan the print. During the pre-scan, optical sensors comprising the scan head sense light from the LEDs of areas of the platen not covered by the hardcopy print at a first intensity and sense light from the LEDs of areas of the platen which are covered by the print at a second intensity. The processor determines the size of the hardcopy print from the first and second intensity levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Berke, Gary Maxwell Smith
  • Patent number: 9549094
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus are provided. The scanning apparatus includes a scanner body including a platen on which a document is placed, a platen cover that is pivoted between a closed position where the platen is covered and an open position where the platen cover is separated from the platen, a hinge unit that pivotably connects the platen cover to the main body between the closed position and the open position, an elastic member that provides a first elastic force such that the platen cover does not fall due to a self-weight of the platen cover in a first pivot section, and a damping spring that applies to the platen cover a second elastic force that mitigates a fall impact of the platen cover onto the closed position due to the self-weight of the platen cover in a second pivot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-gu Kang
  • Patent number: 9535580
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a display section, a control section, a first movement information detecting section configured to detect an amount of movement from an initial point to a primary stopping point of an operator's index finger touching a touch panel; a second movement information detecting section configured to detect an amount of movement from an initial point to a primary stopping point of an operator's thumb touching the touch panel; an amount-of-value-change calculating section configured to calculate, from the amount of movement of the index finger, an amount of numerical value change at each numerical display switch; and a switching speed calculating section configured to calculate, from the amount of movement of the thumb, a switching speed at each numerical display switch. The control section allows the numerical display switch of the display section in the calculated amount of numerical value change at the calculated switching speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Takeda, Takashi Namii, Yumi Hirobe
  • Patent number: 9531912
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus specifies pixels other than a white pixel which are included in a window, the window including a target pixel and pixels in the vicinity of the target pixel in a scanned image. Thereafter, the image processing apparatus averages color values of the specified pixels other than the white pixel, and then determines whether the target pixel is a color pixel based on a color value obtained by the averaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 9513905
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor may include a vector unit to perform operations on multiple data elements responsive to a single instruction, and a control unit coupled to the vector unit to provide the data elements to the vector unit, where the control unit is to enable an atomic vector operation to be performed on at least some of the data elements responsive to a first vector instruction to be executed under a first mask and a second vector instruction to be executed under a second mask. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mikhail Smelyanskiy, Sanjeev Kumar, Daehyun Kim, Jatin Chhugani, Changkyu Kim, Christopher J. Hughes, Victor W. Lee, Anthony D. Nguyen, Yen-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 9516183
    Abstract: In an image reading device, an image reading portion is fixed at a predetermined position on a route on which a document sheet is conveyed by a document sheet conveying portion, and can read an image from the document sheet. A color reference plate is disposed opposingly to the image reading portion, and is a member having a predetermined reference color at a part thereof opposing the image reading portion. An oscillation portion can oscillate the color reference plate in one of or both a primary scanning direction and a secondary scanning direction. A color reference data setting portion sets, based on image data read from the color reference plate by the image reading portion when the color reference plate is being oscillated by the oscillation portion, color reference data to be used for shading correction executed on image data read from the document sheet by the image reading portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Shibata
  • Patent number: 9488954
    Abstract: This image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a charging unit, an error detection unit, a determination unit, and a charge-condition changing unit. The image forming unit creates printouts. The charging unit charges for printouts created by the image forming unit. The error detection unit detects errors that occur during the creation of printouts by the image forming unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the error that occurred in the image forming unit is an error made intentionally by the user based on the detection results from the error detection unit. The charge-condition changing unit changes the charge conditions under which the charging unit makes a charge when the determination unit determines that the error is an error made intentionally by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Kozo Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9465046
    Abstract: A free-hand inspection apparatus for non-destructively inspecting a structure includes an array and an inertial sensor. The array includes a plurality of elements for transmitting and receiving inspection signals to/from a structure being inspected. The inertial sensor measures acceleration and angular rotation rate in three dimensions. A frame with a unique physical pattern on its edges, which are detectable by the system, is provided. In one embodiment, the frame comprises a special appliqué including a plastic sheet that has periodic edge features, or markings. The markings are detectable by the sensor and allow the system to correct the measurement distortions caused by the inertial sensors used for positioning while making scans. A computer-based process is provided to correct for drift when the sensor encounters one of these markings, thereby solving the problem of error accumulation and the resulting position inaccuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Paul Motzer, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 9411293
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs control to parallelly achieve document image reading by a reading unit and image formation by an image forming unit for forming on a recording material a document image read by the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Nakajima, Masaru Aoki, Hiroto Endo, Daisuke Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9406001
    Abstract: The present invention includes: an image size detection section detecting an image size according to image data including a photograph; a paper size detection section detecting a paper size for printing the image; and an enlarging/reducing unit carrying out an enlarging/reducing process to the image data, the enlarging/reducing unit comparing the image size with the paper size and carrying out the enlarging/reducing process by selecting, between a first enlarging/reducing ratio which is a first ratio of a short side length of the paper to a short side length of the image and a second enlarging/reducing ratio which is a second ratio of a long side length of the paper to a long side length of the image, one of the first enlarging/reducing ratio and the second enlarging/reducing ratio which one is to be reduced by a ratio greater than a ratio by which the other one is to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Murakami, Makio Gotoh, Masanori Minami
  • Patent number: 9395672
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first conveying path guiding a sheet such that the sheet passes through the image forming portion, a second conveying path guiding the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming portion to the first conveying path. A document is fed to the second conveying path and the image forming apparatus includes a first drive transmission portion transmitting a drive force to the image forming portion and a second drive transmission portion transmitting the drive force to a document feeding portion, a conveyance portion and a document discharge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kaneko, Ichiro Yasumaru, Atsushi Ogata, Kazushi Ino, Hiroshi Kato, Tomoyuki Iwakoshi, Masaru Aoki
  • Patent number: 9386167
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyor defining a conveyance path including an upper path, a lower path including a reference portion and a first and second inclined portions, and a curved path, and a first reading unit for reading an image of the sheet when passing the first inclined portion. The conveyor includes a chute member forming a guide surface. The chute member includes a first chute member forming a first guide surface defining the upper path and a second chute member forming a second guide surface defining the first inclined portion. The first chute member forms a third guide surface defining the second inclined portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Akimatsu
  • Patent number: 9384432
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that shifts to a power saving state includes a detection unit that detects an abnormality occurring in a device of the apparatus, a storage unit that stores, when the apparatus is to shift to the power saving state, information indicating the detected abnormality, a reception unit that receives a request to wake up from the power saving state, a determination unit that determines, when the reception unit has received the request, whether the device identified by the stored information is to be used, a control unit that performs control to supply power to the detection unit if the determination unit determines that the device is not to be used, and a display unit that displays information on the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 9268291
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a pair of frames, a connecting member, a supply board, and a control board. The image forming unit includes a photosensitive body configured to carry developer and an exposure unit configured to scan and expose the photosensitive body to light. The pair of frames is disposed in a horizontal direction opposite to each other with the image forming unit being positioned therebetween. The connecting member extends in the horizontal direction and supports the exposure unit. The connecting member has each longitudinal end portion connected to each of the pair of frames. The supply board is configured to supply electric power to an electric motor. The control board is configured to control operation of the image forming unit. At least one of the control board and the supply board is supported to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Okamoto, Masahito Saeki, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9264560
    Abstract: A cause identifying device includes a modifying unit and an identifying unit. The modifying unit, in a case in which an inexpedience is detected in an image formed on a print medium by conducting multiple processes, modifies processing content conducted during the image formation by modifying a processing parameter of a partial process or disabling a partial process. The identifying unit identifies a cause of the inexpedience on the basis of information obtained from an image formed on a print medium by image formation conducted after the processing content is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Mori, Jun Koyatsu, Shinsuke Sugi, Toshio Koriyama, Yoshiki Matsuzaki, Shinji Tabata
  • Patent number: 9193185
    Abstract: In a recording apparatus, a first frame holds an accommodating portion and a conveying mechanism. A second frame holds a recording head and a first tank. The second frame is connected to the first frame so as to be movable relative to the first frame. The second frame is configured to move between a first position and a second position by moving relative to the first frame. The recording head is located adjacent to the first frame when the second frame is in the first position. The recording head is further apart from the first frame when the second frame is in the second position than when the second frame is in the first position. The recording head opposes the supporting portion when the second frame is at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9143644
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus can suppress the degradation of an image signal due to electrostatic discharge with a simple configuration. An original feeder unit is supported openably and closably by a hinge mechanism fixed on a bottom member of an image reading unit. An image sensor substrate of an image reading unit and an image processing substrate of an image forming unit are connected by a cable. An electrically conductive connecting portion electrically connects a bottom member of the image reading unit with a casing of the image forming unit, and is arranged along the cable. The bottom member has a notch formed therein, the connecting portion is fixed to the bottom member so as to extend over the notch, and the cable is arranged so as to pass through an opening portion thereby formed in a direction from above to below of the bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Hirai
  • Patent number: 9124801
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an image includes a plurality of imaging units coupled together and a system controller coupled to the plurality of imaging units for providing at least one signal to each of the plurality of imaging units. Each of the imaging units comprises: an image sensing unit for generating an in-situ image, each in-situ image being a portion of the image; an input for receiving the in-situ image; a composition unit for receiving a first composite image and producing a second composite image, the second composite image being a combination of the first composite image and the in-situ image; and an output at which the second composite image is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jizhang Shan, Weihua Xiong
  • Patent number: 9036162
    Abstract: An image sensing and printing digital camera device includes a housing defining a slot for receiving a printed instruction card having printed thereon an array of dots representing a programming script, the housing further storing therein a roll of print media; an area image sensor for sensing an image and generating pixel data representing the image; a linear image sensor for scanning the array of dots on the card and converting the array of dots into a data signal; a microcontroller provided in the housing, the microcontroller for decoding the data signal into the programming script and applying the programming script on the pixel data; and a printing mechanism for printing the pixel data, having applied thereto the programming script, on the roll of print media. The microcontroller integrates on a single chip a VLIW processor, a printhead interface, and an output buffer effecting communication between the VLIW processor and the printhead interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9019582
    Abstract: When the two same CIS are used for a first image sensor and a second image sensor and they are arranged to face opposite sides of an original document with longer sides (i.e., a main scanning direction) thereof being aligned, if an arrangement order of the array of the imaging elements and the light guiding unit in a document conveying direction is the same, the connectors are located at opposite side ends in a front-rear direction. Thus, an electric cable connected to the connector of the second image sensor is arranged above the second image sensor and extends in a longitudinal direction. Additionally, a horizontal portion of the electric cable is supported on an upper surface of a casing accommodating the second image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Katsuro Miura, Takuya Naniwa
  • Patent number: 9019519
    Abstract: An ink jet printer is a multifunctional recording apparatus in which a scanner unit is coupled to a recording unit in a rotationally movable manner. The scanner unit includes a protrusion. A carriage, the protrusion, and a rotational movement shaft of the scanner unit are arranged in this order from the unit front side to the unit rear side in the unit depth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masamitsu Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9013717
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a multi-core processor for processing the sensed image; and a program memory provided external to the multi-core processor, and communicating therewith via a communication bus. The multi-core processor includes a bus interface for interfacing with the communication bus, and further includes an image sensor interface for interfacing with the image sensor separately from the communication bus and the bus interface. The multi-core processor includes a plurality of parallel processing units connected by a crossbar switch to form the multi-core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9007620
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same, the method including: determining whether the extension of a data file is registered as a printable extension in an image forming apparatus; analyzing header of the data file to determine whether the data file is printable, if the extension is not registered as a printable extension in the image forming apparatus; and registering the extension in the image forming apparatus as a printable extension, if the data file is determined to be printable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong Il Park
  • Patent number: 9007648
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can provide configurable entities in connection with electronic archival of print-based media. In accordance therewith, print-based media can be archived electronically (e.g., by imaging or scanning the print-based media) in a remastered form that provides for displaying the original work with readily modifiable entities, such as advertisements. Media or entities can be selected based upon the original advertiser, the original product, or another element or feature of the print-based media, and can also be selected based upon a profile associated with the media consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, Eric J. Horvitz, Lili Cheng
  • Patent number: 9001379
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an input part for receiving image data; an image processor for image-processing the input image data; an output part for outputting data processed at the image processor; and a controller for controlling the image processor to process the image using one of a plurality of image processing modes having a toner consumption lower than a toner density to use when the toner density to use for outputting the input image data exceeds a preset reference density. The plurality of the image processing modes includes a boundary image processing mode which outputs only boundaries of objects in the image data. Thus, the toner used for the image forming can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 9001359
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of easily registering and deleting configuration information and providing excellent user-friendliness. An integrated application that operates on the information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image processing apparatus through a network sets configuration information for use by the image processing apparatus for data transmission, and instructs the image processing apparatus to display an icon corresponding to the configuration information on a touch panel of the image processing apparatus. When one of icons displayed on the touch panel is touched, data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to a transmission destination represented by the confirmation information corresponding to the icon. If the data is successfully received by the transmission destination, the integrated application instructs the image processing apparatus to delete the configuration information corresponding to the touched icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fuse
  • Patent number: 8994980
    Abstract: A management apparatus receives an allocation request from a printer in accordance with a designation of a user, and reads a page count upper limit and an already-allocated page count for the user. The management apparatus calculates an allocable page count by subtracting an already-allocated page count from the page count upper limit, and if the allocable page count is greater than 0, calculates a page count allocation that is based on the printing speed of the printer and is lower the lower the allocable page count is. The printing management apparatus prints the obtained allocable page count to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 8994979
    Abstract: A print relay system determines whether a printing function (capability) of an image forming apparatus corresponding to user authority setting has been registered in a printing service. Having determined that the printing function has been registered, the print relay system enables other users having the same authority to share the printing function (capability) of the image forming apparatus registered in the printing service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Kashioka
  • Patent number: 8988731
    Abstract: A wide-format color printer includes a carriage, an ink carrier (2) disposed on the carriage, a motor (3) for driving the carriage and a guide-rail frame (4). The motor is mounted on the carriage and a motor wheel (3-1) of the motor is fitted to a guide rail (4-1) of the guide-rail frame. An anti-friction strip (6) is disposed on the bottom of the guide rail. The carriage includes a carriage frame (1-1) and a motor holder (1-2). The ink carrier is buckled to a front end face of the carriage frame. The motor is fixed to the motor holder. The motor holder is connected to the carriage frame through an elastic member (5) on the top of the motor holder. The motor of the printer drives directly the carriage frame to move on the guide rail of the guide-rail frame reciprocally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zhengzhou Lecai Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiwei Wang, Dawei Wang, Lei Yao, Bingbing Zhao
  • Patent number: 8976376
    Abstract: A first RIP processing unit reads cache data from a first cache unit. The first RIP processing unit transmits first RIP-processed variable part data to a printer. Since an identifier read by the first RIP processing unit is not a transmitted identifier, the first RIP processing unit transmits RIP-processed reuse part data to the printer. A second RIP processing unit reads cache data from a second cache unit. The second RIP processing unit transmits second RIP-processed variable part data to the printer. Since an identifier read by the second RIP processing unit is a transmitted identifier, the second RIP processing unit does not transmit the RIP-processed reuse part data to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Isoguchi, Kenta Nagai, Rui Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20150055187
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus uses IP addresses in facsimile communications. A communicating section receives image data sent from a communication partner apparatus via a facsimile transmission, based on an IP address of the communication partner apparatus and of the facsimile apparatus. A printing section prints the image data. An IP address registering section registers therein, in advance, an IP address of each of one or more communication partner apparatuses. An IP address obtaining section obtains the IP address of the communication partner apparatus. A printing rejection processing section judges whether the obtained IP address has already been registered. If the obtained IP address is determined as an unregistered IP address, the printing rejection processing section performs a printing rejecting process, and the printing rejection information storing section stores therein a specifying image and the unregistered IP address as printing rejection information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Daisaku NAGANO
  • Patent number: 8953207
    Abstract: A preflight check unit in a printing control apparatus includes a sub-preflight check unit, an object page determination unit, a main preflight check unit, and a preflight result output unit. The sub-preflight check unit obtains resource use information and part use information. The object page determination unit determines object pages to be subjected to the preflight check, based on the resource use information and the part use information, and writes object page information indicating the object pages in a storage unit. The main preflight check unit reads the object page information from the storage unit to perform preflight check on the object pages indicated by the object page information. The preflight result output unit outputs a preflight result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Matsuo, Hiroyuki Segawa, Soichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8953220
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can rotate input image data in a compressed state, comprises a storage unit which stores a rotation angle of the image data; a holding unit which holds, for each tile including blocks each including a predetermined number of pixels in the image data, information on a color arrangement in the block obtained by compressing the image data, color information corresponding to the color arrangement, and information on a position of the tile in the image data; and a rotation unit which converts the color arrangement in the block in accordance with the rotation angle of the image data stored in the storage unit to form rotated image data based on the converted color arrangement, color information corresponding to the color arrangement, and information on a position of the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyasu Tomi
  • Patent number: 8953234
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that is capable of very accurately and efficiently reducing uneven color caused by variation in ejection characteristics among nozzles that eject ink and that occurs in a color image that is formed by mixing a plurality of different kinds of ink. A patch is printed by ejected ink from a plurality of nozzles, a region is specified so as to perform color correction in a test color image that is printed on a printing medium, a plurality of different color correction processing is performed on color signals that correspond to a color correction region, a plurality of color correction patches are printed, a color correction patch to be used is selected from among the plurality of different color correction patches and table parameters that correspond to the nozzles are created based on the selected color correction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryosuke Iguchi, Nobutaka Miyake, Tohru Ikeda, Akitoshi Yamada, Mitsuhiro Ono, Fumitaka Goto, Hidetsugu Kagawa, Tomokazu Ishikawa, Junichi Nakagawa, Senichi Saito
  • Patent number: 8953227
    Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a printing apparatus including: a printing device for printing on recording medium; a media advance system for moving the recording medium into position to be printed on by the printing device; and a scanning apparatus including: a platen including: a transparent portion; a first surface for supporting items to be scanned; a second surface opposite the first surface; a scan bar assembly disposed proximate the second surface of the platen; a frame including an uppermost surface that is disposed proximate to the second surface of the platen; and a lid disposed proximate the first surface of the platen, wherein a distance between the lid and the first surface of the platen is less than a distance between the lid and the frame when the lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Murray
  • Patent number: 8953224
    Abstract: An operating device usable with an image forming apparatus to increase free movement thereof and an image forming apparatus having the same. A sliding unit and a hinge unit provided at a rear surface of the operating device can provide increased free movement of the operating device. A horizontal sliding motion of the operating device can be provided by a the sliding unit, and the sliding unit can be rotated relative to a body of the image forming apparatus with the hinge unit. The sliding unit can include a first sliding member and a second sliding member to slide on the first sliding member. The hinge unit can include a hinge shaft and a bracket rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Jae Mok, Kwang Hyok Park
  • Patent number: 8953214
    Abstract: A print control method for an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus via a network, includes acquiring print data and print settings corresponding to the print data from one or more applications; determining whether a process related to a scaling process is included in the print settings; comparing, when determining that the process related to a scaling process is included in the print settings, a processing capacity of the image forming apparatus with a processing capacity of the information processing apparatus; and determining whether the process related to the scaling process is to be performed by the image forming apparatus or by the information processing apparatus based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8953178
    Abstract: A handheld digital camera device including: a digital camera unit having a first image sensor for capturing images and a color display for displaying captured images to a user; an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the first image sensor and color display; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate, the printed coding pattern employing Reed-Solomon encoding; and performing an action in the handheld digital camera device based on the decoded coding pattern. The decoding includes the steps of: detecting target structures defining an extent of a data area; determining the data area using the detected target structures; and Reed-Solomon decoding the coding pattern contained in the determined data area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8947679
    Abstract: A portable handheld device including a CPU for processing a script; a multi-core processor for processing an image; an input buffer for receiving data for processing by the multi-core processor, the input buffer being provided under the control of the multi-core processor to send data thereto; and an output buffer for receiving data processed by the multi-core processor, the output buffer being provided under the control of the multi-core processor to receive data therefrom. The multi-core processor comprises a plurality of micro-coded processing units. The CPU is configured with authority to clear and query the input and output buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8947736
    Abstract: A method for binarizing a scanned document images containing gray or light colored text printed with halftone patterns. The document image is initially binarized and connected image components are extracted from the initial binary image as text characters. Each text character is classified as either a halftone text character or a non-halftone text character based on an analysis of its topology features. The topology features may be the Euler number of the text character; a text character with a Euler number below ?2 is classified as halftone text. The gray-scale document image is then divided into halftone text regions containing only halftone text characters and non-halftone text regions. Each region is binarized using its own pixel value statistics. This eliminates the influence of black text on the threshold values for binarizing halftone text. The binary maps of the regions are combined to generate the final binary map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Songyang Yu, Wei Ming
  • Patent number: 8947718
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a display portion, a control portion including a display control portion for causing the display portion to display a preview image of output target data, a touch sensor for receiving, on the display portion, a user operation for performing output setting for the output target data concerning the preview image, an output portion for outputting the output target data based on the output setting, and a control portion for, in a state where the display control portion arranges objects in page unit sequentially to be displayed as the preview image, when the touch sensor receives a predetermined pinch operation for the objects, performing page setting concerning the objects to be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihisa Chiba
  • Patent number: 8947684
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first processor which is connected to a first memory and converts print data into an image data format based on a page description language, a second processor which is connected to a second memory and performs image processing for print data of the image data format to generate data of a format interpretable by a printing unit, and a communication control unit which externally receives print data and transfers the received print data to either the first memory or second memory based on a descriptor. The second processor determines the format of received print data. When the print data has the page description language format, the first memory is set as the transfer destination in the descriptor. When the print data has the image data format, the second memory is set as the transfer destination in the descriptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuhiro Ogushi
  • Patent number: 8937727
    Abstract: A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an orientation sensor for determining a rotation of the image sensor; and a system-on-chip processor having integrated on a common wafer a CPU for processing a script language, a multi-core processor for processing an image captured by the image sensor, and a common synchronization register. The multi-core processor includes multiple processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch. Each processing unit stores one or more synchronization bits for identifying which of the other processing units are functioning as a single process therewith. The common synchronization register contains therein synchronization bits from each of the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook