Image Reproduction System Patents (Class 358/401)
  • Patent number: 8477352
    Abstract: Function information related to a plurality of kinds of functions arranged in a first image forming apparatus is acquired. The acquired function information is displayed. A desired function is designated from the displayed functions. A document containing the identification information is read on the basis of the designated function. The read document image is transmitted to the first image forming apparatus through a network. The identification information of original data corresponding to the document image is received from the first image forming apparatus through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Suwabe
  • Patent number: 8479280
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a reading unit to read information stored in a detachable storage medium; a transmission unit to transmit image data outwardly; a determination unit to determine, in a case where the transmission unit transmits the image data, whether or not the information stored in the detachable storage medium is necessary; and a control unit to execute, in a case where the determination unit determines that the information stored in the detachable storage medium is necessary, control to maintain a state capable of reading the information stored in the detachable storage medium until the reading unit reads from the detachable storage medium the information necessary to transmit the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihide Terao
  • Patent number: 8477357
    Abstract: A system in a package includes a printed circuit board and first and second SOCs. The printed circuit board is connected to a second circuit board mounted within a printer. The first SOC is mounted on the printed circuit board and includes a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver receives a first radio frequency signal from a low noise amplifier and generates a first baseband signal based on the first radio frequency signal. The transmitter transmits, based on a second baseband signal, a second radio frequency signal to a power amplifier. The second SOC is mounted on the printed circuit board and includes a baseband processing module and an imaging module. The baseband processing module processes the first baseband signal and the second baseband signal and generates a data signal based on the first baseband signal. The imaging module processes the data signal to implement physical printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Montierth, Gary D. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8462375
    Abstract: When electric power supply is started in response to a power switch being turned on, a control unit determines whether a stored operation mode is a normal mode or a power saving mode with reference to the stored operation mode. More specifically, the control unit determines whether a digital multifunction peripheral is set to operate in the normal mode or the power saving mode before electric power supply to the digital multifunction peripheral is stopped. If the set operation mode is the normal mode, the control unit controls the digital multifunction peripheral to operate in the normal mode. If the set operation mode is the power saving mode, the control unit controls the digital multifunction peripheral to operate in the power saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takurou Murata
  • Patent number: 8456670
    Abstract: A printing device includes a processor, an attribute managing part configured to be activated by the processor to communicate with a host device and to control an authentication printing job received from the host device, a memory configured to store authentication printing job data and user information extracted from the authentication printing job data, and a deleting part configured to delete the authentication printing job data and the user information stored in the memory based on predetermined results of communication between the attribute managing part and the host device. As a result, the user is not required to consider whether the time for which the authentication printing data is stored should be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 8456704
    Abstract: A system/method of color match assessment for electronic documents includes receiving digital data defining a composite electronic document including a raster image object having an edge and a color graphics object bordering the edge of the raster image object. The pixel color values defining the edge of the raster image object are processed to estimate a local color variance of the pixel color values. The local color variance is used to determine if the edge can be color matched to the bordering color graphics object. If the edge can be color matched, a match color for the edge is derived. The match color is associated with the digital data defining the electronic document so that a downstream object color match system can use the match color as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal Monga, Judith Stinehour, Reiner Eschbach
  • Patent number: 8451461
    Abstract: An information processor includes: a first acquiring unit that acquires image information of a plurality of pages formed by reading copies of a plurality of pages with an image reading unit; a second acquiring unit that acquires image information composed of at least one page formed by reading the copy of at least one page selected from the copies of the plurality of pages by the image reading unit; and an outputting unit that outputs the image information composed of the plurality of pages divided in accordance with the page specified on the basis of the image information of at least one page of the image information of the plurality of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8446616
    Abstract: An image-processing method for an image-forming apparatus communicating with a peripheral device is disclosed. The method includes scanning a document; generating data corresponding to the scanned document; obtaining data held by the peripheral device; forming display data for displaying the generated data and the data obtained from the peripheral device in association with each other; and sending the formed display data to an external information-processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Kashioka
  • Patent number: 8446637
    Abstract: In summary, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and program product for calculating an estimate of the amount of toner coverage required for printing print data defined in a compressed data stream. The estimate is obtained with reduced processing by obtaining coverage data from a partially decompressed formed of the data stream and using this to obtain the coverage estimate, thus removing the need to do a full de-compression of the data stream. For example the coverage data is a count of toned pixels for at least one intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Larry M. Ernst, Nenad Rijavec
  • Patent number: 8446638
    Abstract: In summary, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and program product for calculating an estimate of the amount of toner coverage required for printing print data defined in a compressed data stream. The estimate is obtained with reduced processing by obtaining coverage data from a partially decompressed formed of the data stream and using this to obtain the coverage estimate, thus removing the need to do a full de-compression of the data stream. For example the coverage data is a count of toned pixels for at least one intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Larry M. Ernst, Nenad Rijavec
  • Patent number: 8437025
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus includes a plurality of image processing units which perform image processing for image data, a packet data containing part of image data and an identifier for identifying an image processing unit is generated. When image processing to be executed by a specific image processing unit identified based on the identifier is switched to another image processing, an image processing unit which has received packet data changes the identifier contained in the packet data, and transfers the packet data containing the changed identifier to another image processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8437016
    Abstract: A flow implementation system is disclosed. The flow implementation system implements a flow created by a user into an image processing apparatus having at least one of a plotter and a scanner. The system includes a tool providing unit that provides the user with a tool for creating the flow by combining plural operations executable by the image processing apparatus and a condition for switching a path among the operations, and a flow implementing unit that implements the flow created by the user into the image processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanori Takahashi, Tatsuo Ito
  • Patent number: 8427672
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a document storing unit which stores document information containing scanned images and fax transmission/reception images sent from a plurality of users. A metadata outputting unit generates a metadata of the document information stored by the document storing unit and distributes the metadata. A display format file supplying unit supplies a display conversion file linked to the metadata. A zooming process file supplying unit supplies a zooming process file linked to the metadata. A document information supplying unit reads a document information item, requested at a time of displaying, from the document storing unit and supplies the document information item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichiro Matsuno
  • Patent number: 8416434
    Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus includes a network facsimile device having network functions, and an SIP adapter device connected to the network facsimile device to enable communication based on Session Initiation Protocol SIP for communication control. The SIP adapter device has a first IP telephone number for use in first communication defined as communication performed between a plurality of communication terminal apparatuses and a second IP telephone number for use in second communication defined as communication performed by deeming a transmission signal as a voice signal. The SIP adapter device comprises a controller for causing the network facsimile device, according to a result of selection by the network facsimile device, to implement either the first communication by using the first IP telephone number or the second communication by means of a voice coder/decoder by using the second IP telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Access Technica, Ltd
    Inventor: Atsushi Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 8405883
    Abstract: This invention relates to modifying built-in software in printing and copier machines. In particular, the modification will be to software relating to the transfer system control algorithms. This modification can take place when different paper, substrate, toner or environment changes. The purpose of this modification is to provide an optimum image quality when any of these conditions change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Buzzelli
  • Patent number: 8406574
    Abstract: An image processor comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit includes an obtaining unit that obtains image data generated as a result of reading a document by a reader in which a predetermined document reading condition is set; a selecting unit that allows a user to select an use of the image data obtained by the obtaining unit out of a plurality of the uses set in advance; a processing unit that processes the image data obtained by the obtaining unit according to an image processing condition suitable for the use selected by the selecting unit; and a transferring unit that transfers the image data after being processed by the processing unit to an application suitable for the use selected by the selecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Kubo, Satoshi Sakai, Koichi Kitagawa, Yasunori Taniguchi, Takayuki Kawanaka, Kiyoto Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8405869
    Abstract: A color conversion device includes an acquisition section and a correction section. The acquisition section acquires first color information of an image to be printed on a specific position in a first side of a recording paper and second color information of an image to be printed on a position corresponding to the specific position in a second side of the recording paper. The correction section corrects the first color information and second color information acquired by the acquisition section, based on combination information on color combination of images on the corresponding positions of the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jungo Harigai
  • Patent number: 8400661
    Abstract: A system and method for promoting environmental behavior by device users are provided. The method includes allocating “green” points to each of a plurality of users. A job request, such as a print job request, is received from one of the users. A cost in points is computed for executing the job request, based on a formula which is designed to promote environmental behavior by the user. The user's allocated points are reduced by the computed cost when the job is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Maria Antonietta Grasso, Victor Ciriza, Jutta Katharina Willamowski, Yves Hoppenot, Grégoire Gerard, Mathieu Knibiehly
  • Patent number: 8390903
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a reading unit outputting an output value based on reflection light from a sheet or a reference member; a white reference value generating unit generating a group of white reference values based on the output value under one of the plurality of reading conditions while the light source unit is turned on; a white reference value storing unit; a white reference value converting unit converting the group of white reference values into a group of white reference values of a different reading condition based on a correlation between the reading condition and the different reading condition; a sheet reading control unit controlling the reading unit to read the sheet while turning the light source unit on with the luminosity and lighting time stored in the white reference value storing unit; and a shading correcting unit performing a shading correction for the output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8378824
    Abstract: An image-forming system includes a data-reading unit, a data-writing unit, and a restricting unit. The data-reading unit reads additional data from a first storing member of an original document. The data-writing unit writes the read additional data to a second storing member of a recording medium. The restricting unit gives a restriction to the additional data stored in the first storing member after the additional data is read, in order to prevent the additional data stored in the first storing member from being read subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Ohmiya
  • Patent number: 8373900
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus which approximates the MTF characteristics on the front and back surfaces of the original to each other, in reading a double-sided original, to thereby prevent a density difference and a color difference from being caused between the front and back surfaces of the original. A CCD line sensor and a CIS read front and back surfaces of the double-sided original to output image data. The filter coefficients of first and second MTF correction filters are set for use in a plurality of areas arranged by dividing respective reading ranges of the CCD line sensor and the CIS. The first and second MTF correction filters correct the MTF characteristics of the image data output from the CCD line sensor and the CIS, using the set filter coefficients for associated areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8368922
    Abstract: It is confirmed whether or not a job that instructs the execution of multiple processes using the XML language includes a process that cannot be executed by a job processing unit, and in the case where it has been confirmed that the job includes a process that cannot be executed by the job processing unit, the job processing unit is caused to execute a process that the job processing unit is capable of executing from among the multiple processes. Processes that cannot be executed by the job processing unit are ignored, cancelled, or processed according to a pre-set specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 8345294
    Abstract: A document administration system includes a server connecting document storing apparatuses via a network. Each document storing apparatus includes a plurality of boxes, and a document storing portion for making the document storing apparatus store a document in one of the boxes. The server includes a storing destination deciding portion for deciding one of the document storing apparatuses and one of the boxes thereof for storing the document, based on one or more of information including information on the document corresponding to the storing request, information on the document storing apparatuses registered in a document storing registering portion, and information on the boxes obtained by a box information obtaining portion, and a controller for transmitting the document to the document storing apparatuses having the one of the boxes selected by the storing destination deciding portion and making the document storing portion store the document in the one of the boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tomita, Eiichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8334998
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires communication setting information for communicating with an image processing apparatus by a second communication unit via a first communication unit. In accordance with the acquired communication setting information, communication by the second communication unit is established to execute, via the second communication unit, an image processing service provided by the image processing apparatus. When establishment of communication is detected, an operation window display request for executing the image processing service is transmitted via the second communication unit. The image processing apparatus receives the operation window display request from the information processing apparatus via the second communication unit. In accordance with the received operation window display request, an operation window for executing the image processing service is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8325369
    Abstract: An image scanning system comprises an image scanner and an information processing device. The image scanner comprises an output unit to output image data generated based on scanned image to the information processing device; and an instructing unit to transmit a prohibition command for prohibiting displaying of an image based on the image data, to the information processing device. The information processing device comprises a data reception unit to receive the image data outputted by the image scanner; a display unit; a control unit configured to control the display unit to display the image based on the image data; and a command reception unit configured to receive the prohibition command. In this configuration, the control unit operates to prohibit displaying of the image based on the received image data in response to reception of the prohibition command through the command reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Miyazawa, Takeshi Nagasaki
  • Patent number: 8320018
    Abstract: An output device which outputs pixel data corresponding to a color material used by a printing unit to the printing unit includes an image buffer which stores image data, a generation unit which generates density data corresponding to the color material based on image data read out from the image buffer, a print buffer which stores density data generated by the generation unit, and a conversion unit which converts density data read out from the print buffer into pixel data corresponding to the resolution of the printing unit synchronously with the printing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 8319991
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is configured to communicate image data with an external apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a memory unit configured to store first image data, a receiving unit configured to establish a communication session with the external apparatus in response to a request from the external apparatus and receive second image data from the external apparatus, a determination unit configured to determine whether to transmit the first image data to the external apparatus, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the first image data to the external apparatus using the established communication session based on the result of the determination made by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munetaka Sakata
  • Patent number: 8314943
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a speech input unit that collects a sound including an ambient sound and a speech from a user for operating the image forming apparatus, a speech recognizing unit that recognizes the speech from collected sound, and an operation control unit that changes, when speech recognizing unit recognizes the speech, an operation state of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yoshimichi Kanda
  • Publication number: 20120281257
    Abstract: An imaging device assembly that includes a first imaging module frame, a second imaging module frame, and at least one first attachment member including a base positioned within an interior of the first imaging module frame and at least one protrusion extending from the base through a first wall portion of the first imaging module frame to be exposed external to the first imaging module frame, wherein the at least one protrusion is releasably connected to a top portion of the second imaging module frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Paul K. Mui, Eric L. Andersen, Jennifer L. Clark, Scott A. Putz
  • Patent number: 8294957
    Abstract: In a data processing apparatus of the present invention, a disk unit storing a disk is mounted on the apparatus such that the surface of the disk is parallel to the direction of a shock or an impact. This protects the disk unit and therefore the disk from the influence of shocks and impacts as far as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimichi Kanda
  • Patent number: 8290307
    Abstract: The maximum number of scaled images formed for one document and the scaling ratio set for each of scaled images are accepted by an operation panel, the basic scaling ratio is read from a table defining the scaled image arrangement information and the like, the scaling ratio of the original image data obtained by an image reading section is changed, and scaled images laid out on one sheet are generated. The generated plurality of scaled images are arranged according to the arrangement information defined by the table, and image formation is performed by an image forming section, thereby obtaining a multi-shot copy in which a plurality of images of different scaling ratio are laid out on one sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohito Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20120257259
    Abstract: A recording media deciding apparatus has: a light radiating portion which radiates light having a uniform light amount on a range corresponding to an image capturing range of a first surface of a bundle of recording media; a light detecting portion which captures an image of light emitted from a second surface different from the first surface of the bundle of the recording media; and a controller which decides on a type of the recording media based on an output of the light detecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicants: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiromichi HAYASHIHARA, Masataka SHIRATSUCHI
  • Patent number: 8284458
    Abstract: A detecting unit detects output-prohibit area information indicating an output-prohibit area from image data. An identifying unit identifies the output-prohibit area in the image data based on the output-prohibit area information detected by the detecting unit. A masking unit performs a masking on the output-prohibit area identified by the identifying unit. A rearranging unit rearranges an image of an area other than the output-prohibit area over the output-prohibit area on which the masking is performed by the masking unit. An outputting unit outputs image data obtained by rearranging the image by the rearranging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Taro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8279495
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus casing installing an image formation section, an upper cover member that swingably covers and uncovers the apparatus casing, and an image reading unit supported by the apparatus casing via the upper cover member. A lock device is provided to maintain the upper cover member in a closed state. An unlock device is provided to unlock the lock device. An unlock operation section is displaced by an operator and activates the unlock device to operate when the lock device is unlocked. An unlock operation invalidating mechanism is provided to invalidate an unlock operation executed through the operation section by interrupting transmission of the displacement of the operation section to the lock device when unlock is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Andoh, Takuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8279493
    Abstract: An image processing method is disclosed. A printer driver is a program for performing the method. The printer driver forms print image data that are printed by an inkjet recording apparatus capable of forming multi-level dots by ejecting droplets of recording liquid. The printer driver transforms image data of a manuscript into manuscript image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by applying an image process such as a CMM process, a BG/UCR/? correction process, and a gradation process to the image data of the manuscript; further, forms the print image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by combining the manuscript image data with data corresponding to the multi-level dots of an image pattern indicating that the manuscript is prohibited from being duplicated by a manuscript and tint block pattern combining section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kimura, Masakazu Yoshida, Toshihito Kamei, Taku Satoh
  • Patent number: 8279497
    Abstract: An image-reading device includes a document-supporting base, a document-pressing member, a reading unit, a controlling unit, and a determining unit. The document-supporting base has a transparent member on which a document is placed. The document-pressing member is disposed on the document-supporting base so as to cover the transparent member. The document-pressing member is capable of opening and closing on the document-supporting base. The reading unit has a light source and capable of reading an image from the document placed on the transparent member while the light source irradiates light on the document. The controlling unit is configured to control the reading unit to execute a first scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is lit, and a second scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is not lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakano, Takahiro Ikeno
  • Patent number: 8274714
    Abstract: Techniques relating to quantifiable color calibration are described. In one instance, a process quantifiably calibrates a first color peripheral device of a system to a known color standard. The process then leverages the first color peripheral device to calibrate other system color peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Bourgoin, John F Kieltyka, Jeffery A Meissner, Michael D Stokes
  • Patent number: 8274664
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image reading unit for reading the image information of a document and an image forming unit for performing a specified image forming process based on this image information. The image reading unit includes a contact glass on which a document to have image information read therefrom is to be placed, an image reading unit main body on which the contact glass is mounted, a document pressing member openable and closable to press a document placed on the contact glass, and an optical member for optically scanning a document surface of the document placed on the contact glass to read as a document image. The image reading unit main body includes a top panel formed with an opening covered by the contact glass and the outer surface of the top panel is in a dark color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tamura
  • Patent number: 8274665
    Abstract: A 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 stores 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 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; a printing mechanism for printing the pixel data, having applied thereto the programming script, on the roll of print media; a guillotine for cutting the roll of print media; and a print manager for activating the guillotine upon receiving a signal indicating a manual attempt to pull the print media from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120229842
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that generate a screen capture image together with processing selectable options for a user. The screen capture image is saved to a memory of the system and the selectable options are chosen to communicate with an external device and/or helpdesk where information related to the screen can be analyzed or diagnosed for technical issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Peter Groves
  • Patent number: 8264715
    Abstract: An approach is provided for implementing locked printing on a printing device with remote unlock. The printing device includes a locked print process that is configured to examine print data received by the printing device and determine whether locked printing is to be used for the print data. Print data designated for locked printing is stored on the printing device. The printing device also includes a Web application configured to generate Web pages that define a Web-based graphical user interface. When processed at a client device, the Web pages allow a user to enter authorization data that is transmitted to the Web application on the printing device. The locked print process verifies the authorization data and if the authorization data is successfully verified, allows the user access to locked print data on the printing device. The approach may also be implemented using a common repository to store print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jayasimha Nuggehalli
  • Patent number: 8264705
    Abstract: A first part calculates corrected image data for each pixel in the range in which the reading parts of the adjacent image sensors overlaps in the main scan direction, for correcting the image data for a position shift less than an amount corresponding to one pixel in the main scan direction of the image sensors. A correcting method is determined in such a manner that a position shift amount to be corrected increases in a step-by-step manner as moving from a base portion to an end portion in the range in which the adjacent image sensors overlap in the main scan direction. A second part multiplies the image data corrected by the thus-determined correcting method by a weighting factor determined according to a position in the main scan direction in the adjacent image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushi Takei
  • Patent number: 8264716
    Abstract: A method for ringtone, voice, and sound notification of printer status, comprising obtaining status information of a printer, converting it into an audible report, and delivering the audible report. The method is especially useful for visually-impaired users and for shared printers in crowded situations where it is difficult for each user to see the panel or monitor display. The methods also include detection by the events controller, UI manager instructing an audio manager, codec decoding an audio file in firmware and hardware organization; job owner identification information embedded into a print job with a unique tag; user identification sound data embedded in a print job; audible report for multiple jobs in a job queue, with positional information; text-to-speech conversion; unique ringtone melody for each user, comprising department prefix, higher pitch modulation for higher priority, and automatically converting an alphanumeric character into the corresponding note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., KYOCERA Document Solutions Development America, Inc.
    Inventors: Zheila L. Ola, Arthur E. Alacar, Barry Sia, Tomoyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8259366
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive source, a speed change mechanism provided in a transmission unit that transmits a driving force from the drive source to a scanning drive unit. The speed change mechanism is configured to change a transmission ratio of the transmission unit by selectively bringing one of first and second couplings into a connected state. The image reading apparatus further includes a selector configured to selectively bring one of the first and second couplings into the connected state, a detector configured to detect the connected state of the second coupling, and a controller configured to control a scanning position of the reading unit based on the transmission ratio changed via the second coupling after the detector detects the connected state of the second coupling after the selector changes selection from the first coupling to the second coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mizuki Hayakawa, Atsushi Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8253965
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an input unit which inputs a keyword; a preparation unit which prepares list data relating to a print file containing the keyword among a plurality of print files stored in a storage unit; and a printing unit that prints a list based on the list data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Mizutani, Kousuke Fukaya, Naoki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8250272
    Abstract: An interrupt control apparatus includes: an interrupt request supply unit that supplies interrupt request information; a processing unit that performs interrupt processing based on the interrupt request information supplied by the interrupt request supply unit; and a time measuring unit that is used to measure an elapse of a predefined time period from a time point when the interrupt request supply unit starts to supply the interrupt request information, wherein: even if new interrupt cause information is stored during the time when the time measuring unit is measuring the elapse of the predefined time period, the interrupt request supply unit does not supply interrupt request information based on the new interrupt cause information to the processing unit; and after the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit reaches the predefined time period, the interrupt request supply unit supplies the interrupt request information to the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Sakakura, Hiroaki Yamamoto, Yuichi Kawata, Masahiko Kikuchi, Masakazu Kawashita, Yoshifumi Bando
  • Patent number: 8248650
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a capability of displaying a preview image on a display under the control of a controller even in the middle of a process of reading document pages in a binding reading mode in which a large number of document sheets are read by repeatedly performing reading on a part-by-part basis until all pages of a given set of document sheets have been read. The preview capability enables a user to easily detect if an error occurred in reading one or all of the pages. If a particular page of image data is detected to have an error, re-reading of that page is performed using a scanner unit. The page of image data having the error is discarded and the image data obtained by re-reading is inserted in place of the discarded page. After completion of re-reading, reading of the remaining pages of the document set can continue in the binding reading mode. This leads to a drastic improvement in operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 8248676
    Abstract: A color image forming apparatus obtaining a high quality color image with little write start misregistration among optical scanning devices, includes a plurality of optical scanning devices respectively including an incident optical unit guiding a light beam from a light source unit to a deflection unit, an imaging optical system allowing the light beam deflectively scanned by the deflection unit to be focused on a scanned surface, and an optical system for synchronous detection for adjusting image start timing on the scanned surface by using a part of the light beam deflectively scanned by the deflection unit. A ratio of a focal length of the optical system for synchronous detection to a focal length of the imaging optical system is set appropriately in a main scanning section of the plurality of optical scanning devices for obtaining a black color image and color images other than the black color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuta Naito
  • Patent number: 8243325
    Abstract: A method of matching color elements for objects within a print job prior to printing, includes for each page in the print job, identifying all objects and their associated object properties within the page; for each object, identifying, according to predetermined object property criteria, if the object is a candidate for a color matching task; for each of the identified candidates, filtering the object properties using a predetermined visual relevance metric, such that objects having less than the predetermined visual relevance metric are removed from consideration; defining each candidate object satisfying the predetermined visual relevance metric as a color matching object with respect to at least a second color matching object thus defining a color matching object group; for each such color matching object group, either alerting a user to a problem or resolving the problem by assigning common rendering across the color matching object group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Reiner Eschbach
  • Patent number: 8243339
    Abstract: A multifunction apparatus includes an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium; and an image reading unit that can read an image from an original placed on an original placement surface. The image reading unit is configured to move into a plurality of positions in relation to the image recording unit, and to read an image from the original placed on the original placement surface in the plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takatoshi Takemoto