Shade Correction Patents (Class 358/461)
  • Patent number: 9002103
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a definition reducing section, a color region extracting section, a concealing image generating section and an image combining section. The definition reducing section, based on a received image, generates an image having a lower definition than the received image. The color region extracting section extracts a color region from the low definition image generated by the definition reducing section. The concealing image generating section, based on the color region extracted by the color region extracting section, converts the color region into a concealing region for concealing a part of the received image and, generates a concealing image including the concealing region. The image combining section combines the received image with the concealing image generated by the concealing image generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruka Saito
  • Publication number: 20150092251
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus is provided. The image scanning apparatus includes an image sensor configured to scan a manuscript, a sensor driving unit configured to allow the image sensor to move on a scanning path, a driving control unit configured to generate a driving signal for the sensor driving unit, and a control unit configured to control the image sensor to scan the shading patch during moving to scan the manuscript.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jun SUNG
  • Patent number: 8995027
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus including a first image unit fixed on one side of a conveyance path, a second image unit provided on the other side of the conveyance path and facing the first image unit, a guide at the second image unit and that contacts a medium to move the second image unit in a direction away from the conveyance path, an image sensor at one of the first image unit and the second image unit, a reference plate at the other one of the first image unit and the second image unit, and a thickness detection unit for detecting a thickness of the medium on the basis of an image signal output by the image sensor that captures an image of the reference plate with the medium inserted between the first image unit and the second image unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventor: Shingo Kanaya
  • Patent number: 8988738
    Abstract: A reading-use holding member which is configured for use with an image reading apparatus including an image reading unit and which holds a sheet of workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit, the reading-use holding member including a base being generally planar; an indicator provided at the base and configured to identify a type of holding member when read by the image reading unit; a holding portion provided at the base and configured to hold the workpiece; and a reference portion provided at the base and configured to provide a reference image data for use in a shading correction of an image read by the image reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Nagai, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8970745
    Abstract: An imaging device 100 is equipped with an image acquisition unit 51, a first calculation unit 52 and a correction information calculation unit 53. The image acquisition unit 51 acquires image data including a luminance component and color components, via an optical system. The first calculation unit 52 detects shading of the luminance component included in the image data, and detects shading of the color difference components. The correction information calculation unit 53 calculates luminance shading correction coefficients and color difference shading correction coefficients. The correction information calculation unit 53 then converts the calculated color difference shading correction coefficients so as to have predetermined ratios with respect to the calculated luminance shading correction coefficients. A correction processing unit 62 corrects plural sets of image data on the basis of the converted color difference shading correction coefficients, and then performs pixel addition of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Murayama
  • Patent number: 8970861
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a document reading unit configured to guide light emitted from a light source to a photoelectric conversion unit to read an image on the document; a driving unit configured to drive the document reading unit so that the document reading unit reciprocates along the document; a reading position obtaining unit configured to obtain a home position at which the document reading unit is in a stopped state when starting a read operation; a dark time data obtaining unit configured to obtain dark time output data of the photoelectric conversion unit while the light source is turned off; and a read control unit configured to perform control for causing the driving unit to return the document reading unit to the home position and entering a document read operation to read a document image after the dark time data obtaining unit obtains the dark time output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Daisuke Nikaku
  • Patent number: 8970914
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a white reference member, reading device, and processor. The reading device includes lenses and light-receiving elements. The light-receiving elements output a plurality of pixel values based on a light reflected from the white reference member. Each lens corresponds to at least two light-receiving elements. Each light-receiving element is configured to receive a light reflected from the white reference member and passing through the corresponding lens and to output one pixel value. The processor acquires the pixel values by using the reading device, sets a target pixel, and determines that the target pixel is an abnormal pixel when an absolute value of difference between a pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of a first pixel is greater than a prescribed threshold. The first pixel is separated from the target pixel by an integer multiple of the predetermined lens-to-lens distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuno, Kentaro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8970926
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit for conveying a document and a reading unit for reading an image of a document. In the document reading apparatus, the reading unit includes a platen glass. The conveyance unit allows a cleaning member of a cleaning roller to start contact with the front end in a conveyance direction of a document, on the platen glass, upstream in the conveyance direction from a reading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shinno
  • Patent number: 8941898
    Abstract: A sensor IC of the present invention is provided with plurality of light receiving portions arranged in a row along a primary scanning direction and including a first light receiving portion for receiving light of a first wavelength, a second light receiving portion for receiving light of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a third light receiving portion for receiving light of a third wavelength different from the first wavelength and the second wavelength. The sensor IC further includes a control circuit that outputs a first electric signal corresponding to light of the first wavelength received by the first light receiving portion, a second electric signal corresponding to light of the second wavelength received by the second light receiving portion, and a third electric signal corresponding to light of the third wavelength received by the third light receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Onishi, Kuniaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8937752
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a white reference member, reading device, and processor. The reading device includes lenses and light-receiving elements. The light-receiving elements output a plurality of pixel values based on a light reflected from the white reference member. Each lens corresponds to at least two light-receiving elements. Each light-receiving element is configured to receive a light reflected from the white reference member and passing through the corresponding lens and to output one pixel value. The processor acquires the pixel values by using the reading device, sets a target pixel, and determines that the target pixel is an abnormal pixel when an absolute value of difference between a pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of a first pixel is greater than a prescribed threshold. The first pixel is separated from the target pixel by an integer multiple of the predetermined lens-to-lens distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuno, Kentaro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8934114
    Abstract: An image reading unit configured to rotate and read a front and a back of a document may deviate from an original reading position due to aged deterioration or an external physical impact and become incapable of reading an image accurately. An image processing apparatus rotates an image reading unit including a sensor in units of predetermined angles to read a white reference member, acquires luminance information about the white reference member at the respective predetermined angles of rotation, determines an angle at which the luminance information is greater than other pieces of the luminance information among a plurality of pieces of the acquired luminance information at the respective predetermined angles, and rotates the image reading unit based on the determined angle to correct a reference position of the image reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehito Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 8928951
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire luminance information of a white reference member by reading the white reference member with an image reading unit including a sensor while rotating the image reading unit in units of a predetermined angle, and a correction unit configured to correct the luminance information acquired by the acquisition unit using a correction coefficient predetermined for each rotation angle of the image reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehito Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 8928952
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a calibration plate, and a driving module. The calibration plate includes a first background region for calibrating the brightness of the scanning module and a second background region for intensifying an edge of a document to be scanned. The driving module is used for driving movement of the calibration plate. As a consequence, the scanning light beam from the scanning module is projected onto the first background region or the second background region of the calibration plate. Under this circumstance, the purposes of calibrating the brightness and increasing the image processing efficiency are both achieved. Moreover, since the calibration plate is driven by the driving module to be moved in the direction parallel with said scanning light beam, the purpose of dynamically adjusting the brightness can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Wen Tu, Jiang-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 8922854
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a light source, a light receiving unit, a generation unit, a white reference member, a color reference member, and a processing unit. The light source emits light to a recording medium on which an image is formed. The light receiving unit receives light reflected by the recording medium. The generation unit generates a light intensity value from the light received by the light receiving unit. The white reference member is used for color calibration for a white balance. The color reference member is used for color calibration to calibrate a predetermined color. The processing unit derives a correlation formula representing variation in characteristics of the white reference member, based on a light intensity value generated when light is emitted to the color reference member from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Hyoki
  • Patent number: 8913292
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit and a computational unit. The image reading unit includes a reference reflecting member that acts as a color reference, an illuminating unit that illuminates a part of the reference reflecting member and a sheet being transported in proximity thereto, a line sensor that reads an image formed on the sheet and the part of the reference reflecting member in proximity to the sheet in the sheet width direction, and a spectroscope that measures the spectral distribution of each of multiple patches for correcting color tones formed on the sheet and arranged in the sheet transport direction. The computational unit generates color tone correction data by performing computations based on the spectral distribution of each patch measured by the spectroscope, and the read values of the reference reflecting member obtained by the line sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunao Ishizaki, Yoshifumi Takebe
  • Publication number: 20140355075
    Abstract: An image reading device includes an image reading section, an image processing section, and a density reference member. Based on a location of a defect in the image reading section or in the density reference member, the image processing section determines whether or not to at least partially restrict either a read range of the image reading section when the image reading section reads an original document or usage of a result obtained by reading the original document by the image reading section. The image processing section determines whether or not to apply a smoothing process to each density value detected by reading the original document by the image reading section. The determination is made based on a comparison between a normal-value determining threshold and each density value detected by reading the density reference member by the image reading section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Takashi INOUE
  • Publication number: 20140355074
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a density reference plate, an image reading section, a storage section, and a control section. When density reference data for at least one of a plurality of colors with respect to at least one of a plurality of regions is abnormal data, the control section calculates a change rate. The change rate is a rate of change between preliminary density reference data and density reference data both for one of the colors other than the at least one color with respect to the at least one region. The control section corrects the abnormal data based on the change rate calculated with respect to the at least one region and also on preliminary density reference data for the at least one color with respect to the at least one region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENTS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Shinya MATSUI
  • Patent number: 8885228
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus is provided. The image scanning apparatus includes an image sensor configured to scan a manuscript, a sensor driving unit configured to allow the image sensor to move on a scanning path, a driving control unit configured to generate a driving signal for the sensor driving unit, and a control unit configured to control the image sensor to scan the shading patch during moving to scan the manuscript.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jun Sung
  • Patent number: 8867105
    Abstract: An original reading apparatus including: a light source configured to illuminate an original; a line image sensor configured to convert light reflected from the original into an analog output signal; an AD converter configured to convert the analog output signal output from the line image sensor into a digital output signal; a control device configured to control the line image sensor and the AD converter; and a variable gain amplifier provided inside the line image sensor, for adjusting a signal range of the analog output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Mikami
  • Patent number: 8861887
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a shading correction unit. The shading correction unit executes at least one of the use of shading correction parameters calculated in accordance with exposure information for capturing a subject image and the adjustment of a center position in a two-dimensional direction which is used as the basis of the shading correction in accordance with the exposure information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shiroshi Kanemitsu, Kazuhiro Tabuchi, Takaaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8861029
    Abstract: An image data acquiring unit 32 acquires image data of a chart sheet and a reference chart and image data of the white sheet from the external imaging device. A shading correcting unit 34 generates shading correction data on the basis of a white sheet, and performs shading correction for the image data of the chart sheet and the reference chart using the shading correction data. A projective transforming unit performs a projective transformation for the image data of the chart sheet and the reference chart. A color value identifying unit identifies color values of patches in a test chart printed on the chart sheet and color values of patches in the reference chart after the shading correction and the projective transformation. A correction data generating unit generates image correction data on the basis of the identified color values of patches in the test chart and the reference chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Kishi
  • Patent number: 8861036
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having density correction characteristic data and a section to execute density conversion on input image data includes a section to generate detecting patterns with multiple area ratios, a section to create images of the patterns on an image bearing member, a section to detect the images of the patterns created on the image bearing member, a section to hold detected values corresponding to the images of the patterns detected from the image bearing member, a section to obtain fixed values or previously detected values as target values for correction, and correction coefficients, a section to calculate a correction characteristic corresponding to the detecting patterns from the obtained target values, the detected values, and correction coefficients, and a section to synthesize new density correction characteristic data from the density correction characteristic data and the correction characteristic corresponding to the patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8854698
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source device, a reader, a plurality of strip-shaped density reference members, and a shading corrector. The plurality of strip-shaped density reference members that extend along main scanning direction. The plurality of strip-shaped density reference members are separately disposed in at least three positions including an upstream end portion, a center portion, and a downstream end portion in the moving direction of the sub scanning direction within a readable area of the reader. The shading corrector is configured to calculate shading correction data using density distribution data obtained by reading the plurality of strip-shaped density reference members with the reader and correct image data of the printed document on a pixel to pixel basis, based on the shading correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Naotaka Uchida
  • Patent number: 8854704
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source unit, an image sensor, an attenuator, an analog processor and an A/D converter. The attenuator generates a second analog signal by voltage-dividing a first analog signal by two resistors. The analog processor generates a third analog signal by amplifying the second analog signal with a predetermined gain. The A/D converter converts the third analog signal into a digital signal. A voltage-dividing ratio of the attenuator is not higher than a ratio of a maximum value of the amplitude of a signal inputtable to the analog processor to a maximum value of the amplitude of a signal having a possibility of being output from the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8842344
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a light guide made of plastic, and a light source including a light emitting element whose dominant wavelength is a light emission wavelength in an infrared region, and identifies a banknote. White reference plates are provided at positions that are at opposite ends of a rod lens array and cover respective areas external to an image region across the banknote. A correction coefficient is acquired by calculation. The calculation is made by correcting an illuminance such that IR correction data is substantially identical to IR reference data preliminarily stored in a memory circuit in a signal processor on the basis of IR white reference data representing a white reference illuminance generated from light reflected from the white reference plates. The correction coefficient is used for correcting IR image data when the banknote is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Shuuichi Shimoda
  • Patent number: 8830535
    Abstract: A sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus with a calibrating function is provided. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus is configured for feeding a document in a first direction and scanning the document, thereby acquiring an image of the document. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus includes a calibration plate, a scanning module, and a transmission module. The transmission module is connected with the scanning module for moving the scanning module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In such way, the scanning module is movable within the limited space of the sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus, so that the scanning module is dynamically calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Wen Tu, Yan-Hua Li
  • Patent number: 8810823
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a changed-pixel detection unit and a determination unit. The changed-pixel detection unit detects, from image data read by the image reading unit, a changed pixel having a pixel value that differs from that of an adjacent pixel in the main scanning direction. The pixel value may differ by more than a predetermined value. The changed-pixel detection unit detects the position of the changed pixel in the main scanning direction. The determination unit determines that image data corresponding to positions of the changed pixel for the image data obtained by reading the document corresponds to a foreign image. The positions are consecutive in the sub-scanning direction. The positions of the changed pixel are detected for the image data obtained by reading the document and the image data obtained by reading the white guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Shimatani
  • Patent number: 8804208
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus that reads images of document images having different gloss levels with a reproducibility suitable for uses includes a data processor to irradiate a document image with light from a regular reflection light source and a diffuse reflection light source, and to generate image data based on a regular reflection output value and a diffuse reflection output value obtained from a photoelectric converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Yoshihiko Minagawa, Hideaki Inoue, Junya Ozawa, Yoshihiro Hanagata, Hotaka Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20140218772
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus corrects a deviation of a reading position of a document to accurately correct a luminance intensity distribution variation. Light is radiated to a shading plate (102) provided at a portion different from a reading position (luminance-intensity-distribution-variation correction reading line 103b) for a document (P) while displacing an illumination unit (101), and shading correction is carried out based on a luminance value of reflection of the light. Light is radiated to the reading position before the document (P) is transported thereto while displacing the illumination unit (101) in the same direction as a displacement direction of the illumination unit (101) at a time of performing shading correction. The luminance value of the reflected light at this time is compared with the luminance value after the shading correction to generate luminance-value reference data before the reading of the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahisa Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 8797615
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming a pattern image on a recording material; an image reading station for reading a pattern image formed on a recording material by the image forming station; and a tone gradation corrector for calculating a halftone dot area property on the basis of the density of the pattern image read by the image reading station and for executing tone gradation correction in the image forming station on the basis of the calculated halftone dot area property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohisa Itagaki
  • Patent number: 8797600
    Abstract: Image forming apparatus (100) creates a toner pattern on intermediate transfer belt (11) as a preprocessing of gradation correction, and calculates a cycle at which density unevenness is largest. Then, a toner image for gradation correction is formed so as to cancel cyclic unevenness at a cycle at which the largest density unevenness occurs. As a result of this, it becomes possible to suppress the deterioration of density detection accuracy and perform a highly accurate gradation correction even if density unevenness of any cycle occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Harashima, Hideaki Tanaka, Katsuyuki Hirata, Toru Yamaguchi, Takaaki Kooriya
  • Patent number: 8792145
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveying unit for conveying documents one by one, a first reading unit for optically reading the conveyed document through a first transparent member provided at a first reading position on a conveying path in the conveying unit, a first cleaning unit for cleaning the first transparent member provided at the first reading position, a second reading unit for optically reading the conveyed document through a second transparent member provided at a second reading position on the conveying path in the conveying unit and on a downstream side of the first reading position, and a second cleaning unit for cleaning the second transparent member provided at the second reading position. The second cleaning unit is higher in cleaning ability than the first cleaning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8786881
    Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print an image based on expanded data; a measuring unit configured to measure a deviation amount of at least one of a position and a density of the image printed by the printing unit when a correction execution condition is satisfied; an expanding unit configured to expand print data based on the measurement by the measuring unit, so as to produce the expanded data; and a control unit, wherein when the correction execution condition is satisfied during the expanding of current print data which corresponds to a current page being expanded, the control unit is configured to control the expanding unit to suspend the expanding of the current print data, the measuring unit to measure the deviation amount, and the expanding unit to restart expanding an unexpanded portion of the current print data based on the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8786914
    Abstract: A scanner is disclosed. The scanner has only one calibration strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul K. Mui, Dean J. Richtsmeier, Jeffrey D. Rutland
  • Patent number: 8767266
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Nagai
  • Patent number: 8767268
    Abstract: A correction-data generating unit divides, into a matrix of row blocks in a sub scanning direction and column blocks in a main scanning direction, white data on a transfer drum read by a reading unit during a predetermined time period that is shorter than a time period in which the read point of the transfer drum is returned to a position where the reading unit has started reading the first white reference member, calculates, for each column of the matrix, a correction-data candidate value corresponding to a variation ratio of a mean of data of the row blocks in the sub-scanning direction, and determines a minimum value of the calculated correction-data candidate values as the correction data. A shading-data correcting corrects the shading data by using the generated correction data. A shading correcting unit performs shading correction on image data of a document after the correction data is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hajime Tsukahara, Makio Kondo
  • Patent number: 8755093
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a reading unit, a moving unit, a moving speed control unit, a turn-ON time control unit. The light source irradiates light onto a document. The reading unit receives light reflected from the document, converts the received light into electrical charges, and accumulates the electrical charges as an image signal. The moving unit relatively moves the light source and the document. The moving speed control unit controls a moving speed of the moving unit in accordance with a reading mode of the image reading apparatus to control a reading speed in the reading unit. The turn-ON time control unit controls the light source to be turned off in a given period based on the reading mode when the reading unit accumulates the electric charges so as to prevent the electrical charges accumulated in the reading unit from reaching a saturation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8755080
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a level of liquid to be deposited on a print media includes providing an image processing system. Image data for a page of a print job and information regarding a printing system to be used to deposit the liquid on the print media during a printing operation is provided to the image processing system. The image data for the page of the print job is converted into a bitmap appropriate for analysis of risk of excessive inking related print defects using the image processing system. The overall risk score is determined to be acceptable or unacceptable. The bitmap is released for printing when the overall risk score is acceptable. The image data for the print job page is modified when the overall risk score is unacceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Terry A. Wozniak, Thomas A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8749860
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus, including: a conveyance portion which conveys a document; an illuminator which illuminates the conveying document; a reading portion which reads the conveying document at a read position; a reference member arranged opposite to the read position; a correction condition calculating portion which calculates a correction condition corresponding to each of a plurality of pixel positions based on image data obtained by the reading portion reading the reference member; and a correction portion which corrects image data of the document using the correction condition, wherein the correction condition calculating portion obtains a plurality of image data of the reference member corresponding to a first pixel position and its peripheral pixel position, and calculates a correction condition at the first pixel position based on remaining image data after excluding high brightness image data and low brightness image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Arima
  • Patent number: 8743433
    Abstract: A color measuring device includes: an image capturing unit; a reference chart; a light quantity control unit; a generating unit; a correction unit; and a calculating unit. The image capturing unit outputs image data of an image-capturing range. The reference chart has multiple patches of different densities. The light quantity control unit controls the illumination unit. The generating unit generates first correction data based on image data of the multiple patches illuminated by a first light quantity and generates second correction data based on image data of the multiple patches illuminated by a second light quantity. The correction unit corrects image data of the reference chart and a color measurement target, using the first correction data or the second correction data. The calculating unit calculates color measurement value of the color measurement target based on the corrected image data of the reference chart and the color measurement target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masato Kobayashi, Nobuyuki Satoh
  • Patent number: 8730528
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit that includes plural photoelectric conversion elements arranged therein and that reads an image using light, the light being reflected by a document transported to a read position and being received by the plural photoelectric conversion elements, a reference plate that is disposed at the read position, a correction data generating unit that generates correction data by modifying second reference data on the basis of a ratio of first reference data to the second reference data, the first reference data being obtained by the image reading unit using light reflected by the reference plate in a clean state, the second reference data being obtained by the image reading unit using light reflected by the reference plate before reading an image, and an image correcting unit that corrects the image on the basis of the correction data generated by the correction data generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norikazu Sakai
  • Patent number: 8730541
    Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes a flatbed scanning portion and an automatic document feeder. The flatbed scanning portion has a first scanning module. The automatic document feeder has a second scanning module. The first scanning module has a first normal line perpendicular to a horizontal plane. The second scanning module is disposed in an inclined channel, and has a second normal line. In addition, an included angle is defined between the first normal line and the second normal line. Since the second scanning module is not directly disposed over the first scanning module, the height of the duplex scanning apparatus is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Wen Tu, Yan-Hua Li
  • Patent number: 8730537
    Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes a passageway, a first optical module, a second optical module, a transporting mechanism and an elastic pressing member. The first optical module is disposed on one side of the passageway. The second optical module is disposed on the other side of the passageway. The transporting mechanism transports an original sheet through the passageway and past a first scan position of the first optical module and a second scan position of the second optical module, and images of front and reverse sides of the original sheet are obtained, respectively. The elastic pressing member, disposed between the first scan position and the second scan position, pushes the original sheet towards an original supporting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Szu Hui Lien
  • Patent number: 8724192
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming system are provided. An image forming apparatus or system includes a reception unit configured to receive a print job; a print unit configured to execute the print job received by the reception unit to print an image; an adjustment unit configured to execute an image quality adjustment for the printing; a determination unit configured to determine whether an adjustment execution condition is to be met during the execution of the print job; and a control unit configured to execute a priority process which, when the determination unit determines that the adjustment execution condition is to be met, causes the adjustment unit to execute the image quality adjustment before a start of the execution of a condition meeting print job, for which the determination unit determines that the adjustment execution condition is to be met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8717632
    Abstract: An image processing method generally includes: obtaining a vanishing point on a curved surface in a two-dimension image; extracting all the straight line segments between a top contour line and a bottom contour line of the curved surface by the vanishing point; removing a perspective distortion to get parallel straight line segments; obtaining the lengths of the straight line segments, obtaining the true width of each of the straight line segments in a three-dimension space and the depth increment of the straight line segments according to the lengths; obtaining the expanded width of each straight line segment according to the true width and the depth increment; obtaining the total expanded width of the curved surface to transform it into a flat surface; transforming image contents on the curved surface onto the flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Danian Zheng, Jun Sun, Satoshi Naoi
  • Patent number: 8717636
    Abstract: An image reading device having an improved shading compensation capability and a method thereof are disclosed. The image reading device includes an automatic document feed unit to deliver documents along a document delivery path. A light source unit including a light source to illuminate a first criterion image at a first position within the image reading device, and to illuminate the documents delivered by the automatic document feed unit at a second position. The image reading device further includes a second criterion image arranged to opposingly face the light source unit when the light source unit is located at the second position. The second criterion image extends along a sufficient length to cover the scanning range of the light illumination by the light source unit along a main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Kyu Lee, Sung Eun No
  • Publication number: 20140118797
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquisition part acquiring first image data, a character detector detecting, based on the first image data, data of a character area in the first image data, a marking detector detecting, based on the first image data, data of a marking area in the first image data, an image adjustment area determination part determining, based on a detection result of the character detector and a detection result of the marking detector, data of an image adjustment area in the first image data, and an image processing part subjecting the data of the image adjustment area in the first image data to image processing to output second image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Henmi
  • Patent number: 8699094
    Abstract: An image reader capable of entering a power save mode for saving power consumption during standby includes: a gain amplifier; a reference white plate that is to be scanned when gain control of the gain amplifier is performed to obtain a controlled gain value; a carriage that moves to an stops at an area corresponding to the reference white plate when the image reader enters the power save mode; a gain storage section that stores the controlled gain value as a recovery parameter when the image reader enters the power save mode; and a gain setting section that sets the recovery parameter as the controlled gain value when the image reader exits the power save mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Soeda
  • Patent number: 8681187
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a calculation to calculate a compression gain that is applied to a low-frequency component of an input image and an amplification gain that is applied to a high-frequency component of the input image, a generation to generate a display image in which a pixel value of a pixel of the input image is corrected based on the compression gain and the amplification gain calculated by the calculation unit, and a display to display the display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Motonobu Mihara, Masayoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8659802
    Abstract: An image scanner includes a transparent plate, a scanning device, a driving device, a positioning member, a light absorbing portion and a white reference portion. The transparent plate has an original placing surface. The scanning device irradiates an original with light by means of a light source and scans reflected light from the original. The driving device reciprocates the scanning device along the transparent plate. The positioning member positions the original placed on the original placing surface of the transparent plate. The light absorbing portion, which is disposed on the original placing surface side of the positioning member and at substantially a central portion of the positioning member in moving directions of the scanning device, absorbs ambient light entering to the original placing surface side of the positioning member through the transparent plate. The white reference portion is provided to the original placing surface side of the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Ikeno, Yoichi Susaki