Scanning Patents (Class 358/474)
  • Patent number: 9818027
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms only a required entry field on an application form, and, upon the application form in which this location has been filled in being scanned, further forms an additional entry field and prompts the applicant to fill in this entry field. An application form that has been completely filled in by the applicant is created by repeating this processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Aoki
  • Patent number: 9819819
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyor defining a conveyance path including an upper path, a lower path including a reference portion and a first and second inclined portions, and a curved path, and a first reading unit for reading an image of the sheet when passing the first inclined portion. The conveyor includes a chute member forming a guide surface. The chute member includes a first chute member forming a first guide surface defining the upper path and a second chute member forming a second guide surface defining the first inclined portion. The first chute member forms a third guide surface defining the second inclined portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Akimatsu
  • Patent number: 9807322
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for generating an image stack, comprising initializing a pixel array configured to include a set of analog storage planes, enabling simultaneous integration of the photographic scene for two or more analog storage planes within the set of analog storage planes, enabling integration to proceed during a first sampling interval, disabling integration for at least one analog storage plane, and enabling integration to proceed during a second sampling interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Duelight LLC
    Inventors: Adam Barry Feder, William Guie Rivard, Brian J. Kindle
  • Patent number: 9807270
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first transparent plate that supports an original document, a second transparent plate that is disposed adjacent to the first transparent plate, a reading member that moves along the first transparent plate to read an image of the original document supported by the first transparent plate and is disposed on a lower side of the second transparent plate, a positioning member that positions the reading member with respect to the second transparent plate in a plate thickness direction of the second transparent plate in a state where the reading member is disposed on the lower side of the second transparent plate, and a transporting member that transports an image of an original document to be read by the reading member positioned with respect to the second transparent plate by the first positioning member, in a linear shape along the second transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kaoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9787865
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a housing including a support that supports a document, an opening and closing (O/C) member supported to rotate around a rotary shaft between an open position at which a top surface of the support is exposed and a closed position at which the top surface is covered by the O/C member, a reading member included in the O/C member to read the document, a processing unit included in the housing to process information read by the reading member, a connecting member electrically connecting the reading member and the processing unit, and a protective member whose first end is rotatably supported by the O/C member and that accommodates the connecting member in its internal space while being supported in a state of hanging from the O/C member and in a state where its second end is supported while not being constrained with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Munseok Yang, Daesung Kim, Seongwoo Baek, Senggyu Cho, Youngsea Park, Minsu Han
  • Patent number: 9781285
    Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Minami Sensu
  • Patent number: 9773231
    Abstract: Sharing content includes verifying occurrence of an event, determining participants of the event, gathering related content generated by the participants, where the related content corresponds to the event, and disseminating the related content to the participants. The event may be a business meeting. Verifying occurrence of an event may include determining scheduled participants, scheduled location, and scheduled time of the event using an electronic calendar of one of the scheduled participants. Participants may include the scheduled participants and other participants that are not listed in the electronic calendar where the other participants attend the event. Verifying occurrence of an event may also include confirming that at least an event organizer is at the scheduled location at the scheduled time and there is at least one other one of the participants. The content may include documents, photos, scanned images, audio clips, video clips, types notes, and/or handwritten notes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: EVERNOTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Phil Libin
  • Patent number: 9769466
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a digital cinema projection method comprising the following steps: projecting images to a screen by a digital cinema projector, and acquiring the images on the screen by an image capture unit; performing digital analysis on the acquired images by an image analysis unit to obtain a plurality of parameters of the acquired images; according to each of the parameters, performing correction process on image signals input from the digital cinema server, and then outputting to the digital cinema projector; and projecting the differently corrected and improved images targeted to each of the digital cinema projectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CHINA FILM DIGITAL GIANT SCREEN (BEIJING) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Minjie Lin, Wei He
  • Patent number: 9769340
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass setting a manuscript thereon; an image sensor extending in a first direction and having a reading surface which faces the contact glass for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass; a rail member extending inside the apparatus main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a carriage having a sensor container to contain the image sensor, a taper end portion formed in an end portion in the first direction to become smaller in height toward the end side, and an opening formed in the bottom of the sensor container on the taper end portion side; a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor in the second direction; and a biasing member biasing the image sensor toward the contact glass via the biased portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Hiromi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9756214
    Abstract: The image reading apparatus including a reading unit configured read an image of a document according to a read request transmitted from an external device, includes a detection unit configured to detect a state of the document to be read by the reading unit, a reception unit configured to receive a request from the external device to obtain a state of the image reading apparatus, a power supply unit configured to, in a power saving state where power supply to the reading unit and the detection unit is stopped, supply power to the detection unit based on the reception of the request, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the state of the document to be read by the reading unit detected by the detection unit to which the power is supplied by the power supply unit, to the external device as a response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Kogure
  • Patent number: 9756217
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided to receive from an information processing apparatus, a document scan/transmission job for causing the reading unit to read a document to generate image data and transmit the image data to a specified destination, in a case where the document scan/transmission job is received. The image processing apparatus determines whether authentication information of a user of the information processing apparatus and authentication information of a user of the image processing apparatus match each other, in a case where the authentication information of the user of the information processing apparatus and the authentication information of the user of the image processing apparatus match each other, displays a setting screen for receiving a setting regarding execution of the document scan/transmission job, and executes the document scan/transmission job according to an instruction received through the displayed setting screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Kasuya
  • Patent number: 9749493
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus including a reading unit that illuminates an original and reads an image of the original, wherein the apparatus can execute a first mode of reading the image of the moving original while the reading unit is kept stationary, and a second mode of reading the image of the stationary original while moving the reading unit, the apparatus further includes a light condensing unit that refracts a light flux from the reading unit and condenses the light flux on the original in the first mode, and the light flux from the reading unit incidents on the original without passing through the light condensing unit in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ikutaro Mitsutake
  • Patent number: 9736334
    Abstract: For preferably reducing show-through in an image obtained by reading an original, an image processing apparatus: stores an index value for each of a plurality of mutually differing degrees of variation; obtains a degree of variation of signal values included in a region of interest of a predetermined size including a pixel of interest included in image data corresponding to the read image; obtains a value indicating a brightness of the region of interest; determines an amount of correction of a value of the pixel of interest using the obtained value and an index value corresponding to the obtained degree of variation; and corrects the value of the pixel of interest using the determined amount of correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daiki Ikari
  • Patent number: 9723164
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a plate on which a document to be scanned is placed, a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position at which the cover contacts the document, a position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the cover, an imaging unit configured to emit light towards the plate and having an image sensor configured to detect light reflected by the document, and a control unit configured to determine a size of the document based on a detection result of the position detecting unit and a detection result of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Misaka
  • Patent number: 9712480
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method enabling a user to efficiently share contents. A user of an electronic device performs an image capturing by use of a camera, thereby generating an image capture event. According to the image capture event, the electronic device obtains address information of a content transferring apparatus and transfers a content requesting message to the content transferring apparatus having the address information. Upon reception of the content requesting message, the content transferring apparatus provides the electronic device with contents in execution and status information of the content. The electronic device uses the content and the status information to restore a status of the content which has been executed in the content transferring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seo-young Kim
  • Patent number: 9699346
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus can inhibit image disturbance and density unevenness. The image reading apparatus includes a first conveyance roller pair, a back side image reading unit, a second conveyance roller pair, a front side image reading unit, a third conveyance roller pair, and a control unit. The control unit compares the image data read by the back side image reading unit and the image data read by the front side image reading unit to calculate a relative magnification variation there between, corrects the reading time of the front side image reading unit for each line based on the calculated relative magnification variation, and performs, in accordance with correction of the reading time, image correction of the image data of the front side image reading unit which has been corrected with respect to the reading time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Jun Itou
  • Patent number: 9681014
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a light source unit for illuminating an object to be illuminated, a reading unit for reading the object illuminated by the light source unit, a reflective unit, having at least a first reflection mirror, for reflecting reading light reflected by the object toward the reading unit, and a first light blocking portion for partially blocking light except the reading light. The first reflection mirror has a reflecting surface for reflecting the reading light, and an end surface substantially orthogonal to the reflecting surface. The first light blocking portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the first reflection mirror toward the end surface of the first reflection mirror, with a tip end of the first light blocking portion being opposed to the end surface of the first reflection mirror with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Kenji Nakanishi, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Kazuhiro Iguchi, Hiroki Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9674384
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a frame, an image reading unit, a guide, a biasing member, and an adjuster. The image reading unit reads, while moving in a predetermined direction, image information of a document placed on an exposure glass. The guide extends in the predetermined direction and is supported by the frame, to engage and guide the image reading unit to move the image reading unit in the predetermined direction. The biasing member biases the guide in a direction against a direction in which the guide bends due to weight of the guide and weight of the image reading unit. The adjuster adjusts a biasing force of the biasing member against the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugai
  • Patent number: 9654658
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a housing; a first supporter having a document support surface; a cover switchable between a closed state for covering the support surface and a spaced state for exposing the support surface; a driving device for generating a driving force; a mover movable by the driving force; and an image reader supported by the mover to perform a reading operation. A controller obtains first information that changes depending upon change in a magnitude of a force acting on the support surface. The controller determines, based on the obtained first information, whether the driving device generates the driving force based on a first driving manner or a second driving manner different from the first driving manner, as a driving manner of the driving device. The controller controls the driving device to generate the driving force based on a determined driving manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kawamata
  • Patent number: 9654662
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass provided at an upper surface of a main body of the apparatus to set a manuscript thereon, an image sensor being positioned below the contact glass and having a reading surface on contact glass side for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass, a carriage supporting the image sensor accommodated in a sensor container formed to have a recess open to the contact glass side, a rail member slidably supporting the carriage, and a biasing member biasing the image sensor to the contact glass side via a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor. An upper end of the biasing member is positioned below the contact glass and above the lower surface of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Hiromi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9648232
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates a plurality of frequency range images by separating an image based on an obtained image signal into predetermined frequency ranges. The apparatus applies predetermined image processing to the plurality of frequency range images, and generates an image for saving based on the plurality of images. The apparatus generates an image for display based on some of the plurality of frequency range images to which the predetermined image processing has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shutaro Kunieda
  • Patent number: 9646291
    Abstract: The ELECTRONIC RECEIPT MANAGER APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“ERM”) transforms transaction initiation requests and receipt requests via ERM components into receipt formatting, organization, storage and linkage with transactions. The ERM may be configured to receive a receipt through an interface of a portable device and determine a set of fields for formatting data from the receipt. The ERM may format the data from the receipt to include the set of fields and store the formatted data in a memory element of the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventor: Juliene P. Britt
  • Patent number: 9635204
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a machine, a method and a computer program product for partial information capture and processing. A touch input that draws a pattern can be detected on a lid of a machine, where the lid is touch-sensitive and is operable to cover an object to be processed. Specifically, the lid allows a user to see at least a part of the object. In response to detecting the touch input on the lid, a part of the object is identified based on the pattern. Then the machine generates a processing result that only contains the identified part of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Meilin Cheng, Jin Yang Li, Jing Quan, Qin Qiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9621758
    Abstract: A system for processing document to scan the documents to obtain optical image data representing the document is provided. The system (10) includes elements that reduce or eliminate the effects of debris that can create streaks in the scanned images. One element is a recess (174) in the lens (170) through which an imaging device (60) scans the document. Another element is a guide (80) having an opening (84) opposing the lens (70, 170) of the imaging device (60). The opening (84) reduces or eliminates light reflecting off the guide back to the imaging device so that the area around the document is scanned as black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: OPEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kerry O'Mara, David Helmlinger
  • Patent number: 9621751
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass setting a manuscript thereon; an image sensor extending in a first direction and having a reading surface which faces the contact glass for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass; a rail member extending inside the apparatus main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a carriage having a sensor container to contain the image sensor, a taper end portion formed in an end portion in the first direction to become smaller in height toward the end side, and an opening formed in the bottom of the sensor container on the taper end portion side; a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor in the second direction; and a biasing member biasing the image sensor toward the contact glass via the biased portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Hiromi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9621761
    Abstract: A method and system for automatic correction of skewing of digital images. A captured digital image s provided. An initial angle of rotation is determined by sampling test angles of rotation of the input image and analyzing resultant rotated images to determine a resultant rotated image with a highest number of substantially empty lines. The input image is rotated by the initial angle of rotation to generate a first rotated image which is processed to determine a refining angle of rotation as follows: determining text line areas of the first rotated image; generating a representative line of each text line area; calculating a slope of each representative line; and determining an aggregated slope of all the representative lines. The aggregated slope is converted to the refining angle of rotation. The first rotated image is rotated by the refining angle of rotation to result in a final rotated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmed Abbas
  • Patent number: 9602688
    Abstract: Provided is a medium sensing apparatus. The medium sensing apparatus comprises a first frame disposed on a transfer path of a medium, the first frame having a plurality of first sensor grooves, a second frame facing the first frame, the second frame having a plurality of second sensor grooves, a plurality of first contact image sensors disposed in the plurality of first sensor grooves, respectively, and a plurality of second contact image sensors disposed in the plurality of second sensor grooves, respectively. At least one of the plurality of first sensor grooves and at least one of the plurality of second sensor grooves are disposed to partially overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD..
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Han, Bok Nam Jeong
  • Patent number: 9578204
    Abstract: A control unit performs a reading operation in a first mode in which a document on a document stand is read by moving a carriage which includes a reading portion, and in a second mode in which a document which is transported by a document transport unit is read using the carriage which is located at a reading position. The device includes a first white reference plate which is arranged in a first white reference reading position which is a standby position in the first mode, and a second white reference plate which is arranged on a side opposite to the first white reference plate by interposing a reading position in the second mode therebetween in the sub-scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Soichiro Kii, Etsuo Tsuji, Toshimitsu Ohara
  • Patent number: 9578195
    Abstract: Automatically scanning multiple document sheets with a camera includes receiving a video stream while the camera is pointed at the multiple document sheets, detecting presence of a first top page of the multiple document sheets based on the video stream, taking a still photograph of the first top page in response to detecting presence of the first top page, detecting presence of a second top page based on the video stream by confirming that the second top page is different from the first top page and by waiting a predetermined amount of time for an image of the second top page to stabilize, and taking a still photograph of the second top page in response to detecting presence of the second top page. Detecting the pages may include determining that the camera is pointing at the stack of documents and a detected page is not obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Evernote Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Pashintsev, Boris Gorbatov, Eugene Livshitz
  • Patent number: 9575580
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a sensor network comprising: a first plurality of rows, a second plurality of columns and a third plurality of sensor elements wherein each sensor element is associated with a unique combination of a row and a column but not every unique combination of row and column is associated with a sensor; selection circuitry configured to concurrently select a group of the first plurality of rows; reading circuitry configured to concurrently read columns during a concurrent selection; and control circuitry configured to determine the group of the first plurality of rows that are concurrently selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Juha Harri-Pekka Nurmi
  • Patent number: 9578194
    Abstract: In an image reading device, a sync signal outputting portion alternately outputs a first sync signal and a second sync signal while the document sheet is moving in a range including a first position and a second position in a conveyance path. A first image sensor and a second image sensor read images from both sides of a document sheet and output image signals in synchronization with the first sync signal and the second sync signal, respectively. An AFE performs a predetermined signal processing in sequence to the image signals that are output alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9565330
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reader that reads an image of a document by using plural light receiving elements arranged in a first scanning direction; a moving unit that moves the reader in a second scanning direction to move a reading position at which the reader reads the document; and an adjusting unit that moves the reader in the first scanning direction to adjust a position of the reader in the first scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dalyong Kim, Sangchun Park, Nobuyuki Maruno, Yuichi Mikuni
  • Patent number: 9565329
    Abstract: An image reader including a document table having a reference point, a first region of a sheet having a predetermined size when a vertex of the sheet is positioned on the reference point, and a second region, a changing mechanism changing a reading position in a sub scanning direction, and a controller configured to control the changing mechanism to change the reading position to a first position such that a distance in the sub scanning direction between the reference point and the first position corresponds to a length of the predetermined sheet size in the sub scanning direction, acquire specific digital data of the second region through image reading in the first position with a light source turned off, compare a particular value of the specific digital data with a criterion value within the second region, and determine a state of a document cover based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9560229
    Abstract: A control method in a printing apparatus includes printing, by a printing unit, an adjustment image for adjusting a printing position on a sheet, conveying, by a conveying unit, the sheet on which the adjustment image is printed, reading, by a reading unit, an image to generate image data, the reading unit being executable to perform reading by a first reading method for reading an image of a sheet without conveying the sheet or a second reading method for reading the image of the sheet while conveying the sheet, and determining, based on that a type of the sheet on which the adjustment image is to be printed is a specific type, to read the adjustment image by the first reading method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9560235
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus has a conveyer, a first scanning device configured to scan an image on one surface of an original sheet at a first scanning position, a second scanning device configured to scan an image on an other surface of the original sheet at a second scanning position. A controller is configured to execute a first adjustment process to adjust light amount adjustment of the first scanning device before scanning the original sheet subject to the received scanning instruction, start scanning after the first adjustment process, execute a determination process to determine, after starting conveying the original sheet, whether a light adjustment of the second scanning device is to be executed, execute a second adjustment process, when it is determined to start the light adjustment of the second scanning device, and stop conveying the original sheet when no original sheet is located at the first scanning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiki Motoyama
  • Patent number: 9560233
    Abstract: In an information processing apparatus controlling a scanner, a reading instruction and a reading setting made in the scanner is detected by the scanner driver. When the reading instruction is detected, reading to be performed according to the detected reading setting is acquired by an application via an operating system, and the scanner driver is instructed that the scanner executes the reading according to the acquired reading setting, with the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Hanano
  • Patent number: 9554012
    Abstract: A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Kenji Nakanishi, Kazuhiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9551969
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bracket connected to a frame, where the bracket connects a light source to the frame. The frame supports a photoreceptor that has a planar surface. Also, the bracket positions the light source at a set distance from the photoreceptor. Further, the bracket comprises an adjustment device that moves the light source along a plane that is parallel to the planar surface of the photoreceptor, and that maintains the light source at the set distance from the photoreceptor as the light source moves within the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Atwood
  • Patent number: 9544457
    Abstract: According to the present embodiment, an image-reading apparatus determines any one or both of the type of document and the shape of a document, selects any one or both of an appropriate document tilt detection method and an appropriate document position detection method according to any one or both of the determined type of document and the determined shape of a document, and detects any one or both of the tilt of the document and the position of the document by the selected detection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PFU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomoaki Wada, Kiyoto Kosaka
  • Patent number: 9538030
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner housing, a document support member supported by the scanner housing, a reader configured to read an image of a document supported on a document support surface of the document support member, a movable member holding the reader, and a flat cable connected to the reader at one end. The scanner housing includes a peripheral wall including a particular wall. The particular wall includes a restricting portion protruding from the particular wall in a first direction parallel to the document support surface such that the restricting portion restricts the facing surface of the flat cable from contacting the flat surface of the document support member by contacting an outer portion of the facing surface of the flat cable. The restricting portion includes a restricting surface located closer to a bottom wall surface of the scanner housing than the document support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tianjin Xie
  • Patent number: 9525800
    Abstract: A document reading device includes: a document feed section; a contact glass plate on which an original document is fed from the document feed section; a white color reference member beside a front surface of the contact glass plate; a first reading unit beside a back surface of the contact glass plate, configured to read the original document on the front surface of the contact glass plate or the white color reference member; and a positioning member configured to position the white color reference member to be read selectively between a first reading position being the same position as the original document in contact with the front surface of the contact glass plate and a second reading position away from the front surface of the contact glass plate by a document passage clearance allowing the original document to pass between the contact glass plate and the white color reference member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 9521379
    Abstract: Method for the adjustment of a photo finish camera including a matrix color filter, characterized in that the method includes the following steps: a first step of selecting a basic pattern having optical properties of sensitivity, of color quality and of resolution which are predefined according to race parameters; a second step of software selection of a set of adjacent columns whose number corresponds to the width of said selected basic pattern; a third step of centering said set of adjacent columns on the finish line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Swiss Timing Ltd
    Inventors: Pascal Richard, Fabien Blondeau, Jens Hermann Mueller, Oliver Gress
  • Patent number: 9516193
    Abstract: A light source unit emits light for irradiating a document. A light guide in which light emitted from the light source unit propagates has a first exit part for emitting light to the document and a second exit part, which is a different part from the first light part, for emitting light to the outside. A corrective light receiver is disposed in an area receiving direct light of the light emitted from the second exit part, and outputs reference data corresponding to the direct light. A controller compares predetermined criterion data with the reference data output from the corrective light receiver, and performs processing for correcting a bright output based on a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tohru Aramaki
  • Patent number: 9516186
    Abstract: An image sensor unit includes: a light source; a rod-shaped light guide; a light condenser that condenses light from an illuminated object; and a frame. The frame includes: a light guide housing chamber that houses the light guide; a light condenser housing chamber that houses the light condenser; and a partition wall provided between the light guide housing chamber and the light condenser housing chamber. The light guide includes: a light incident surface that receives light emitted by the light source; a light diffusing surface that diffuses the light entered from the light incident surface; and an abutment surface abutted to one side of the partition wall, which covers at least a part of the abutment surface of the light guide, where an incident angle to the abutment surface of the light directly reaching the abutment surface from the light diffusing surface is smaller than a critical angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CANON COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Tsumekawa, Ryoki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9508323
    Abstract: An image display method including: obtaining (S2301) combined data including (i) image data of an image having an item as a subject and (ii) first setting information indicating processing which a first electric appliance performs on the item; determining whether or not the first setting information is convertible into second setting information, the first setting information being included in the obtained combined data, and the second setting information being information in a format previously designated by a user and executable by a second electric appliance; determining (S2305) a first mark to be added to the image of the image data, if it is determined that the first setting information is convertible into the second setting information; and displaying (S2307) the image of the image data to which the determined first mark is added, the image data being included in the combined data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ohnishi, Masaru Yamaoka, Mariko Nakaso
  • Patent number: 9486074
    Abstract: An enclosure for a biometric sensor is described. The enclosure comprises a cabinet having a plurality of surfaces. The biometric sensor placed inside the cabinet on a holder fixed on a primary surface from amongst the plurality of the surfaces. A secondary surface from amongst the plurality of surfaces is opposite to the primary surface. The secondary surface is substantially transparent to electromagnetic rays emitted by the biometric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Shalin Garg, Vibhor Goswami, Sathish Vallat, Natarajan Ganapathy Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 9485389
    Abstract: A page image correction device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a page image of each page of a plurality of pages from a book, the book being successively imaged in a thickness direction thereof; and a processor configured to: derive, in accordance with a page image of a first prescribed page and a page image of a second prescribed page differing from the first prescribed page, an amount of change in a thickness of the book when the book is opened to the first prescribed page as compared to when the book is opened to the second prescribed page; and correct, in accordance with the amount of change in the thickness of the book, page images of pages between the first prescribed page and the second prescribed page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryo Nimura
  • Patent number: 9477192
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having an inner sheet-output space provided between an image forming unit and an image reading unit provided above the image forming unit, the inner sheet-output space being open on an operator side of the apparatus body; and a sound generating unit provided on the operator side of the apparatus body and facing toward the inner sheet-output space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Uto, Ryosuke Nara
  • Patent number: 9479662
    Abstract: An adjustable scanning device includes a base, a first contact sensor mounted to the base and exposed to a top surface of the base, a cover mounted on the base and located above the first contact sensor, and a second contact sensor. The second contact sensor is movably mounted to the cover up and down, and exposed to a bottom surface of the cover. The second contact sensor is located over the first contact sensor to form an adjustable scanning path located between the second contact sensor and the first contact sensor. A width of the adjustable scanning path is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FOXLINK IMAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yung Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 9473655
    Abstract: An image reading device includes: an image reading section configured to read an image of an original document; a document size detecting section configured to use image data acquired by the image reading section with an original cover open to detect a size of the original document in a main scanning direction; and a control section configured to allow the document size detecting section to perform a detection of the size of the original document by lighting a light source of the image reading section at an initial light intensity, subsequently allow the document size detecting section to perform another detection of the size of the original document by lighting the light source at a reduced light intensity, and set, when the same size has been detected in the two detections of the size of the original document, the reduced intensity as a document size detection light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Matsui