Scanning Patents (Class 358/474)
  • Patent number: 9019564
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, when correcting image data using correction information, corrects skew of the image in the sub-scanning direction that is formed by the image forming unit by correcting the image data also at an end portion of an area where an image forming unit forms the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiaki Hirose
  • Patent number: 9019575
    Abstract: An embodiment of this invention is directed to reading an original at a high resolution with high quality by an image reading apparatus using a 3-line CCD and white LED. The image reading apparatus according to the embodiment includes a 3-line CCD, a white LED, and a light guide configured to guide light from the LED to an original. A surface of the light guide from which light emerges toward the original is formed into a concave shape. Light from the light guide almost uniformly irradiates the reading region of an image placed on a platen glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuusuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9019569
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus including an image reading unit configured to read an image of a workpiece; a plurality of holding members each configured to hold the workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit and each including an indicator identifying a type of holding member; an identification unit configured to identify the type of holding member based on a result of reading of the indicator by the image reading unit; and a correction unit configured to perform a shading correction of the image read by the image reading unit based on a result of identification by the identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Nagai, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 9019551
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including, at least, an image data storage unit that stores image data; an inclination amount detection unit that detects a first inclination amount of a portion of the image data spanning from one end to the other end relative to a main scanning direction; an inclination amount storage unit that stores, when a gradient of the image data changes at a point in the main scanning direction, a second inclination amount of a portion of the image data spanning from the one end to the point or from the other end to the point; a correction amount calculation unit that calculates correction amounts associated with the main scanning direction by switching, at the point, whether the first inclination amount is increased or decreased by the second inclination amount; and an image correction unit that corrects an image based on the correction amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hayashi, Tatsuya Miyadera, Motohiro Kawanabe, Yoshinori Shirasaki, Masatoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 9019580
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of performing gradation correction without causing a user to perform a troublesome operation. The image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an original. A chart is formed on a recording material, and the recording material having the chart formed thereon is conveyed to the image reading unit via a shared conveying path used for both of reading the original and forming an image on the recording material. The conveyed recording material is read by the image reading unit, and gradation correction is performed based on the chart read by the image reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Odaira
  • Patent number: 9019573
    Abstract: In an image forming system including: an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet; a reading section configured to read the image formed on the sheet by the image forming section; and a control section configured to control image forming by the image forming section and reading by the reading section, the control section determines characteristics on reading of the image formed on the sheet by the reading section depending on an intended use of the image to be read by the reading section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9019572
    Abstract: An image-reading device images each page of a book as a basic image and cuts out a predetermined area of the basic image. The device includes an initial-parameter specification unit, a final-parameter specification unit, a determination unit and a correction unit. The initial-parameter specification unit specifies a parameter for the predetermined area of a page around beginning of turning pages. The final-parameter specification unit specifies a parameter for the predetermined area of a page around an end of turning pages. The determination unit determines a parameter for a certain page of the book on the basis of the parameters specified by the initial-parameter specification unit and the final-parameter specification unit. The correction unit corrects an image of the certain page on the basis of the parameter determined by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9019571
    Abstract: A reading device comprising a connection unit configured to be connected with a storage medium, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the storage medium is connected to the connection unit, a judging unit configured to judge if there is a document to be read by a reading unit and an execution unit configured to execute the advising process when the judgment unit judges that there is the document to be read and the determination unit determines that the storage medium is connected to the connection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 9019576
    Abstract: A 3D scanner for recording the 3D topography of an object, the 3D scanner includes an illumination unit configured for providing probe light for illuminating the object, where the probe light includes a pattern of light rays; an image sensor for acquiring one or more 2D images of light rays returning from the illuminated object; an optical system including an optical element arranged such that the patterned probe light passes through it when propagating towards the object from the illumination unit along an optical path; and a device for changing the configuration of the optical system between a first and a second configuration, where the change in configuration comprises a change in orientation of the optical element between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the optical path of the probe light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: 3Shape A/S
    Inventors: Christian Romer Rosberg, Bo Esbech
  • Publication number: 20150109644
    Abstract: A film holder includes a holder main body, a cover, and a positioning part. The holder main body has a transmission part configured to allow light to transmit through. The cover has a window that is arranged on a side opposite to the transmission part relative to a film in a state where the film is nipped between the cover and the holder main body. The positioning part is configured to be positioned relative to a scanner such that, in the state where the film is nipped between the holder main body and the cover, the transmission part is located on a side of a light source of the scanner and the window is located on a side of an imaging unit of the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Junji TOMOHIRO
  • Patent number: 9013717
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a multi-core processor for processing the sensed image; and a program memory provided external to the multi-core processor, and communicating therewith via a communication bus. The multi-core processor includes a bus interface for interfacing with the communication bus, and further includes an image sensor interface for interfacing with the image sensor separately from the communication bus and the bus interface. The multi-core processor includes a plurality of parallel processing units connected by a crossbar switch to form the multi-core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9013767
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus including: a conveyor; a first reading unit; a second reading unit; a first frame; and a second frame. The first reading unit extends in a prescribed direction and has a first end on a first side and a third end on a second side opposite to the first side in the prescribed direction. The second reading unit extends in the prescribed direction and has a second end on the first side and a fourth end on the second side. The second reading unit is disposed opposite to the first reading unit with a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed interposed therebetween. The first frame includes first and second engagement portions configured to be engaged with the first and second ends, respectively. The second frame includes third and fourth engagement portions configured to be engaged with the third and fourth ends, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saya Minoshima, Masamitsu Ukai
  • Patent number: 9013768
    Abstract: In a reading apparatus including a first conveying device including a first and a second movable unit to cause the sheet to pass through the first position; and a second conveying device including a third and a fourth movable unit to cause the sheet to pass through the second position; characterized in that when the reading device reads the sheet at the first position, a moving velocity of the second movable unit is larger than a moving velocity of the first movable unit, and when the reading device reads the sheet at the second position, a moving velocity of the fourth movable unit is larger than a moving velocity of the third movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Ino, Atsushi Ogata, Ichiro Yasumaru, Hiroshi Kato, Daisuke Kaneko, Hiroki Kato
  • Patent number: 9013766
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a base section; a reading unit; a movable body; a drive unit; and a cable. The movable body supports the reading unit and reciprocates between first and second end positions in a first direction. The drive unit is disposed on a first side where the first end position is located. The cable has one end portion fixed to a base wall of the base section and another end portion connected to the reading unit. The cable includes: a first elongated portion extending from the one end portion; a curved portion extending from the first elongated portion toward a second side where the second end position is located and then curving toward the first side; and a second elongated portion connected to the another end portion. The curved portion has a part overlapping with the drive unit in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Shingai
  • Patent number: 9013769
    Abstract: In a conveyor of an image-reading device, a first path is defined by a path from the upper path to the lower path via the curved path. A second path is defined by a path from the upper path to the extension path. A first reading unit is disposed on the upper path and reads the first surface while the original sheet is on the upper path. A second reading unit is disposed on the upper path and reads the second surface while the original sheet is on the upper path. A third reading unit is disposed on the lower path and reads the second surface while the original sheet is on the lower path. When the reading section reads the original sheet, the conveyor conveys the original sheet through the first path or the second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Atsushi Yokochi
  • Patent number: 9013759
    Abstract: A document reading unit included in an image forming apparatus and operated with a method of detecting an original document, includes an original document table, a moving irradiation unit having multiple block light sources moving in a sub scanning direction while irradiating the original document, an image sensor receiving reflected light, and a controller that starts a length specifying operation with the moving irradiation unit located at a position facing the original document, sequentially turns on the block light sources, obtains an amount of reflected light under lighting conditions of each block light sources, and determines the length of the original document in the main scanning direction. While the moving irradiation unit is moving in the sub scanning direction, the image sensor receives the reflected light on a region of the original document in the sub scanning direction under each lighting condition during the length specifying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 9010749
    Abstract: A sheet feeder is provided that includes a housing, a feed tray having a loading surface, and a swingable opening cover including a sliding contact portion, extending in a direction perpendicular to a width direction of a sheet. The sliding contact portion is configured to slide in contact with a feed tray in a swing motion of the feed tray from a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above the housing to a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in a feeding direction. The sliding contact portion is disposed on at least one end of the opening cover in the width direction, and exposed to an outside of the sheet feeder when the feed tray is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatsugu Mizuno, Kouji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9013749
    Abstract: A light source section of the image reading apparatus illuminates a document with light. An image sensor outputs image signals. An operating section accepts input of an enlargement factor and selection of a document scanning mode. An image processing section generates image data, from pixels (lines) in a quantity according to an enlargement factor. A stepper motor moves the document or the light source section. During a quiet mode, a signal generating section inputs to the stepper motor a pulse signal of a fixed frequency within a quiet mode frequency band. The quiet mode frequency band is a frequency band in which vibration of the stepper motor is at or below a predetermined normal vibration level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCER Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9013762
    Abstract: In a method for scanning documents, in particular printed sheets of paper, and automatically controlling the further processing of the scanned documents, the following steps are carried out: manually applying at least one marking to a margin area of the document that is not printed on; scanning the document; automatically detecting the at least one marking applied to the margin area of the document; and automatically controlling the further processing of the document according to the marking applied in the margin area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Meschede
  • Patent number: 9013761
    Abstract: A scanner is disclosed. The scanner has a scan sensor with a width smaller than the width of the platen. The scanner scans a first pass of the platen with the scan sensor in a first position on one side of the platen. The scanner then moves the scan sensor to the other side of the platen and does a second pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jang Wei Chao
  • Patent number: 9013764
    Abstract: In a reading apparatus, a control device is configured to: acquire a conveyance path switching information indicating whether a conveyance path switching unit has switched a conveyance path to a first conveyance path or a second conveyance path; judge, based on detection results by a width detecting unit, whether a type of an original sheet that is currently placed on an original sheet placing unit and that is not yet conveyed by a conveyance unit from the original sheet placing unit is a first type or a second type; and determine, based on both of the conveyance path switching information and the type of the not-yet-conveyed original sheet, whether the conveyance unit should stop conveyance of a preceding original sheet that the conveyance unit is currently conveying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9013721
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an area setting unit, a reading unit, a number recognizing unit, and a number determining unit. The area setting unit is configured to set a reading area on the basis of a page number. The reading unit is configured to read image data in the reading area. The number recognizing unit configured to recognize a number from a result of reading by the reading unit. The number determining unit is configured to compare results of recognizing of two consecutive pages by the number recognizing unit, determine the presence of consecutive numbers, and determine one of the consecutive numbers as the page number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9013763
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a transmitting glass; and a step member that is located upstream of a reading position, at which an image of a conveyed document is read by a reading unit via a transmitting glass, in a conveying direction of the document, and has a document guiding surface at a position away from a surface of a transmitting glass by a prescribed distance and forms a step between the document guiding surface and the transmitting glass. The step member is provided with a protrusion protruding downstream in the conveying direction of the document to form space between the transmitting glass and a downstream part of the step member in the conveying direction of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubo, Hidehiko Fujiwara, Atsushi Kanaya, Shinya Kitaoka, Takeshi Akai, Fumiyuki Heishi, Takehisa Shimazu, Koki Sakano, Takuya Sano
  • Patent number: 9007662
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus operative to properly obtain an original area when one or a plurality of originals exists. The image processing apparatus decides an image data area of an original from read image data read thereby. The image processing apparatus has an extracting unit for extracting a plurality of image areas from the read image data and a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not tilt angles of the image areas extracted by the extracting unit are equal. If one or more tile angles of the image areas are not equal as a result of the discrimination by the discriminating unit, it is determined that each of the image areas is an image data area of the original on the assumption that there are a plurality of originals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mizuki Hayakawa, Yuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9007611
    Abstract: An information processing device may be configured to have data, which is outputted by a first application, be processed by a second application, which is selected from among a plurality of applications. The information processing device may send execution instruction information that instructs an execution of the scan process to the image processing device. The information processing device may acquire the one or more image data from the image processing device. The information processing device may acquiring property information indicating an execution property of the scan process. The information processing device may extract one or more supporting applications supporting the execution property. The information processing device may display identification information for identifying the one or more supporting applications on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihiko Asai
  • Patent number: 9007627
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a LED that emits white light, a light guiding body, and a photoelectric conversion element. The light guiding body is disposed along the main scanning direction. The light guiding body includes an incident surface, a plurality of groove portions, an emission surface, and a scattering portion. The incident surface is formed on one end in a longitudinal direction, faces the light emitting surface of the LED that emits white light, and receives incident light that is emitted from the light emitting surface. The plurality of groove portions is formed on the incident surface and is formed concentrically to the center of the incident surface. The emission surface is formed along the main scanning direction. The scattering portion scatters light and includes a plurality of prisms. The scattering portion is opposed to the light emitting surface and is disposed along the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9007661
    Abstract: In an image reading device, a movable part provided below a document platen in a housing is moved in a sub scanning direction. A reflection control part extending along a movement range of the movable part is fixed to the housing near the movable part. The reflection control part has first reflection parts having a relatively large reflectance and second reflection parts having a relatively small reflectance arranged along the movement range. A detection light irradiation part provided in the movable part irradiates the reflection control part with detection light. A detection light reception part receives the detection light reflected by the reflection control part. A signal generating part generates a binary signal corresponding to the detection light received by the detection light reception part. A movement deciding part decides movement state of the movable part according to the binary signal generated by the signal generating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Sayama
  • Patent number: 9007663
    Abstract: An light irradiation system for irradiating light a document face includes a light source; a light guiding member to guide light emitted from the light source; and a reflector to reflect a part of light exiting from the light guiding member to the document face. A direction that emission light intensity of the light emitted from the light source becomes the strongest is different from a direction extending from the light source to an irradiation area. The irradiation area is irradiated by a reflection light reflected by the reflector, and a direct light exiting from the light guiding member without reflection at the reflector. The light guiding member including an incidence surface, an exit surface, and a light guiding part including a total reflection face. Light quantity irradiated to the document face by reflection light is smaller than light quantity irradiated to the document face by direct light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Iwamatsu, Tsuyoshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9007608
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an exposure glass on which an original is to be placed; a scanner cover to openably cover the exposure glass from above, a tip of the scanner cover is lifted to open the exposure glass; a document scanner to read a two-dimensional objet of the original on the exposure glass and output read image data; a camera unit to capture an image of a three-dimensional object of the original on the exposure glass and output captured image data; photography lighting equipment including movable light source unit to illuminate the three-dimensional object put when the camera unit captures the image of the three-dimensional object; an image forming unit to convert the read image data and the captured image data to form a printed image on a recording medium; and a setting controller to control a reading process, a capturing process, and an image forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taisuke Omi, Masaaki Kawamura, Kazuo Koike, Kenichi Yamada, Tasuku Kohara, Tsuyoshi Endoh, Hiroshi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20150098117
    Abstract: An imaging device includes photoelectric conversion elements arranged unidirectionally for each color of light to be received, and performing photoelectric conversion of reflected light from an approximately same position of an object for the each color sequentially pixel by pixel; and a black correction unit that corrects a black level of the object with respect to a pixel group including some photoelectric conversion elements in a way that an output result of the photoelectric conversion of reflected light by a photoelectric conversion element for a pixel, independent of the reflected light, is subtracted from another output result of photoelectric conversion of reflected light by the photoelectric conversion element for the same pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kohei MARUMOTO, Masamoto Nakazawa, Masaki Nagase
  • Patent number: 9001395
    Abstract: An image reading device includes an illuminating means for illuminating a reading position through which a sheet conveyed by conveying means passes, optical reading means for reading reflected light of the sheet illuminated by the illuminating means when the sheet passes the reading position, a white reference plate disposed opposite to the optical reading means with the reading position sandwiched therebetween, and moving structure means for moving a placement position of the illuminating means based on a placement position of the white reference plate, and storage means is included for storing information in a searchable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiji Ikari, Junji Miura
  • Patent number: 9001359
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of easily registering and deleting configuration information and providing excellent user-friendliness. An integrated application that operates on the information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image processing apparatus through a network sets configuration information for use by the image processing apparatus for data transmission, and instructs the image processing apparatus to display an icon corresponding to the configuration information on a touch panel of the image processing apparatus. When one of icons displayed on the touch panel is touched, data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to a transmission destination represented by the confirmation information corresponding to the icon. If the data is successfully received by the transmission destination, the integrated application instructs the image processing apparatus to delete the configuration information corresponding to the touched icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fuse
  • Patent number: 9001392
    Abstract: An imaging element array includes a plurality of imaging elements that are arranged side by side. Each imaging element is integrally molded as a single piece element and includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a plurality of reflective surfaces which are provided between the incident surface and the emission surface. The imaging element includes a first reflective element and propagation preventing surfaces. The first reflective element includes at least one of the plurality of reflective surfaces and has an effective region which is in contact with adjacent imaging elements. The propagation preventing surfaces are to either side of another one of the plurality of reflective surfaces and are positioned to prevent light rays other than light rays reflected from the reflective surface from propagating to the emission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 9001397
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an apparatus body; a transport device that is openable and closable; an image reading unit disposed in one of the apparatus body and the transport device and reading an image of the document transported by the transport device; a member to be read that is disposed in the other of the apparatus body and the transport device at a position opposite the image reading unit when the transport device is closed, the member to be read being read by the image reading unit; and a control unit that causes the image reading unit to read the member to be read at a predetermined time, and if the transport device is open at the predetermined time, causes the image reading unit to read the member to be read when the document is transported by the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu Sakai, Kazunori Sato
  • Patent number: 9001396
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a contact glass having a document placing surface, an index part to be an index for aligning a corner of a document to a reference point within the document placing surface, a reading portion configured to read the document, and a light emitting portion configured to emit linear light extending in a main scanning direction. When a predetermined point apart from the index part within the document placing surface is set as the reference point, the light emitting portion moves in a sub-scanning direction so that a region of the contact glass irradiated with the linear light coincides with the predetermined point, and emits the linear light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hidehiko Kojo
  • Patent number: 9001394
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and method are provided. The image scanning apparatus scans an image of a document and converts the scanned image into digital data, and includes light sources that emit light. The apparatus includes a light guide unit that diffuses the light emitted by the light sources and a sensor unit that senses image data from the document by recognizing light reflected from the document by being diffused by the light guide unit. The apparatus includes a control unit that controls the turning on of the light sources. The control unit alternately turns on or off the light sources such that at least one of the light sources is turned on when at least one other light source is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-je Joh, Sun-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9001391
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a transporter transporting a document to a reading position, a first corrector correcting a skew of the document by coming into contact with a leading edge thereof, a radiating unit radiating light to the document, an image-information acquiring unit acquiring image information of the document based on information of light reflected therefrom, a reflector reflecting the radiated light, a leading-edge detector comparing a quantity of light reflected by the reflector with a quantity of light reflected by the document so as to detect the leading edge, a skew-amount calculator calculating a skew amount of the leading edge, and a second corrector correcting a skew of the image information based on the skew amount. The device switches between the skew correction by the first corrector and the skew correction by the second corrector based on document information, the skew amount, or user's selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Masaki, Atsushi Kaneko, Hiromi Kita, Kenji Yamada, Nobutoshi Hamasaki, Nobuyuki Maruno
  • Patent number: 9001393
    Abstract: A character reading method performed by a computer connected to an imaging unit includes repeating processing of recognizing the character included in one-frame image input latest in parallel to input of the moving image, performing matching of a recognition result obtained by every piece of recognition processing in units of characters along a time axis, fixing the recognition result appearing with an appearance ratio larger than a reference value previously decided in the recognition processing continuously performed at least predetermined times, and outputting the fixed recognition result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Shibutani, Keiichi Tamai, Kenichi Ukai
  • Publication number: 20150092252
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same capable of preventing an unnecessary repetitive performance of a scan task by sensing in advance a succeeding scan command generated with respect to a document which has already been scanned and using a previous scan result without an additional scan task are provided. The method includes generating and storing a first image through a first scan task according to a first scan command, determining whether a document at the first scan task is replaced by a new document using document sensors if a second scan command is generated, and using the first image as a result of the second scan command without performing a second scan task according to the second scan command upon determining that the document at the first scan task is not replaced by the new document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Bit KWAK, Han Sung KIM, Chun Sub RYU
  • Patent number: 8995029
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing laser texturing of solid substrates are disclosed. The texturing may be used to provide grayscale images obtainable from substrates, which may include steel, aluminum, glass, and silicon. In some embodiments, images may be obtainable from the substrate by modifying the reflective, diffractive, and/or absorptive features of the substrate or the substrate surface by forming random, periodic, and/or semi-periodic micro-structure features on the substrate (or substrate surface) by an ultrafast laser pulse train. The ultrafast pulse train may be modulated in order to vary, for example, optical exposure time, pulse train intensity, laser polarization, laser wavelength, or a combination of the aforementioned. The ultrafast pulse train and the substrate may be scanned with respect to each other to provide different optical energies to different regions of the substrate (or substrate surface).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Shah, Martin E. Fermann
  • Patent number: 8995032
    Abstract: A method of making a digital image file from a visible first digital image and from a visible second digital image of a machine-readable optical code, wherein the machine-readable optical code encodes information associated with or derived from the first digital image includes using a scanner to scan the visible first digital image and using the scanner to scan the visible second digital image and using a processor to make the digital image file by storing in a memory the scanned first digital image in an image portion and storing the scanned second digital image in retrievable association with the first digital image in an information portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Steven Cok
  • Patent number: 8995028
    Abstract: A reading apparatus including: a first conveyance path in which a sheet is conveyed; a second conveyance path different from the first conveyance path, the second conveyance path allowing the sheet switched back after having passed through the first conveyance path to be conveyed therein; a reading unit configured to read the sheet, the reading unit being movable to a first position where a first surface of the sheet in the first conveyance path is read, a second position where a second surface as a back surface of the first surface of the sheet in the second conveyance path is read, and a third position different from the first position and the second position; and a reference portion that the reading unit reads for correcting information read by the reading unit, the reference portion being read by the reading unit moved to the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Ichiro Yasumaru, Atsushi Ogata, Kazushi Ino, Tomoyuki Iwakoshi, Daisuke Kaneko, Masaru Aoki
  • Patent number: 8995026
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: an image reading unit which has a light source irradiating light to a sheet conveyed along reading glass, and an image reading element reading an image by reflected light from the sheet; a conveyance guide portion which guides the sheet and which is disposed in a position, that corresponds to the image reading unit, with the reading glass interposed between the conveyance guide portion and the image reading unit; a correction unit which corrects image information obtained by reading the sheet by the image reading unit based on reflected light that is emitted from the light source and reflected on the conveyance guide portion; and the conveyance guide portion which has a diffuse reflecting surface diffusing and reflecting the light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masafumi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8995030
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an apparatus body, a document sheet feed apparatus, a wiring cord, a guide portion, and a wiring cord cover. The apparatus body includes a document sheet reading portion therein. The document sheet feed apparatus is configured to be openable and closable relative to a document sheet placing surface of the apparatus body. The wiring cord is configured to electrically connect between the apparatus body and the document sheet feed apparatus. The guide portion is configured to surround the wiring cord. The wiring cord cover is mounted detachably to the apparatus body in a state where the wiring cord cover has the wiring cord disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Documant Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kakuta, Keiji Okumura
  • Patent number: 8995031
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a sensor configured to receive light from a document, an imaging lens configured to form an image of light from the document on the sensor, a first holding member to which the imaging lens is fixed, and a second holding member to which the sensor is fixed, wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are fixed using an adhesive and solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8995017
    Abstract: Correction processing on image data is performed in a short time. An image processing apparatus supplies image data to a recording apparatus configured to convey a recording medium in a direction intersecting a direction in which recording elements are arranged. The image processing apparatus includes: tables containing correction information for each group into which the recording elements are divided, the correction information being used to correct values of multi-valued data; a horizontal/vertical conversion unit configured to convert multi-valued data in raster format into column format; a correction unit configured to correct multi-valued data belonging to a group by using correction information stored in a table corresponding to that group; a vertical/horizontal conversion unit configured to convert the multi-valued data in column form into raster format; and an output unit configured to output the data in raster format converted by the vertical/horizontal conversion unit to the recording apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinsuke Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20150085329
    Abstract: A light source unit of an image-reading apparatus includes, a light source section on which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light toward a medium whose image is read by an image-capturing unit are arranged in a main-scanning direction, and a diffusion unit that transmits and diffuses therein the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. A pattern for suppressing emission of light to an outside is formed at a position opposite each of the plurality of light-emitting elements in the diffusion unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki SHIBATA, Keisuke KOKUMA
  • Patent number: 8988741
    Abstract: An image scanning device includes a scanning unit configured to scan, at a scanning position, an image of a document, a first discharge portion, a second discharge portion, a conveying unit configured to selectively convey the document along a first conveying path from the scanning position to the first discharge portion, and along a second conveying path from the scanning position to the second discharge portion, a driving unit configured to generate a driving force for driving the conveying unit, and a path switching unit configured to receive the driving force generated by the driving unit such that the path switching unit moves between a first position for guiding the document toward the first discharge portion, and a second position for guiding the document toward the second discharge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8988742
    Abstract: An image sensor unit includes a frame in which a light source and an image sensor are housed, and a cover member that is bonded to the frame. The cover member is bonded by means of a double-sided tape that includes a film-shaped substrate and adhesive layers formed on both sides of the substrate. Slits that extend from one outer edge in a width direction to an intermediate portion in the width direction and slits that extend from the other outer edge in the width direction to an intermediate portion in the width direction are formed in the double-sided tape. The respective slits that are adjacent include an overlapping portion when viewed in a long-side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8988739
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprising: a placing portion on which an original being fed is placed; an original conveying portion which conveys the original placed on the placing portion; an image reading portion which reads an image on the original conveyed by the original conveying portion; an stacking portion which is disposed under the placing portion and on which the original read by the image reading portion is stacked; and an illuminating portion which is disposed above the stacking portion and below the placing portion to illuminate the stacking portion, wherein the illuminating portion is disposed outside an original stacking area, that a maximum-sized original in a width direction orthogonal to an original conveyance direction is stacked, in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruhisa Oshida