Solid State Patents (Class 358/482)
  • Patent number: 8432586
    Abstract: Prior to reading an original image, whether to read the original image in a monochrome image mode in which the image reading apparatus reads the original image in use of the monochrome line sensor or a multi color image mode in which the image reading apparatus reads the original image in use of the multi color line sensor is predicted. Preparation of reading an original image based on parameters corresponding to the predicted mode is completed before the start of reading the original image. This arrangement reduces a time loss arising from switching of a color mode associated with a user color setting at the start of a job, and thus shortens the FCOT. This arrangement can shorten the time until the first copy is output after designating the start of copying when reading an original image based on different parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigemichi Hamano, Nobuo Sekiguchi, Akiko Kanno, Kenji Morita, Satoshi Seki
  • Patent number: 8422092
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an illuminating device that is disposed in an image-reading apparatus and image-forming equipment, including a light-source portion on one side; a light-source portion on the other side; and a long translucent light-guiding member having a light-discharging face long in a longitudinal direction thereof, and guiding light derived from the one light-source portion from one end face in the longitudinal direction, and light derived from the other light-source portion from the other end face in the longitudinal direction so that the guided light is irradiated to an object through the long light-discharging face; wherein the one and the other light-source portions are arranged such that positions of optical axes thereof differ from each other in a direction that is parallel to a light-irradiated face of the object and in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suto, Mitsuharu Yoshimoto, Tomohiko Okada, Shohichi Fukutome, Hisashi Yamanaka, Kenji Nakanishi, Yoshihisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 8416469
    Abstract: Conventionally, in the case where multiple readings of a document are carried out in order to generate an output image, image processing to a super-resolution image has been started after waiting for completion of the multiple readings necessary for giving a target resolution to the image after super-resolution processing. Therefore, a lot of time has been required for processing. In an image processing apparatus including a document reading component configured to read a plurality of image data each having a different phase from a document by a single scanning, a super-resolution processing component is configured to generate super-resolution image data by using the plurality sheets of image data each having a different phase, so as to have a resolution higher than those of the plurality of image data, and an image processing component is configured to carry out multiple image processing to the super-resolution image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8416473
    Abstract: To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Yoneda, Shigetoshi Sugawa, Toru Koizumi, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 8411334
    Abstract: A paper-sheet recognition apparatus includes a base plate; and one or a plurality of line sensors engaged in the base plate. An engaging portion between the line sensor and the base plate has a concave-convex engaging structure in which a concave-convex portion provided in the line sensor and a concave-convex portion provided in the base plate are engaged with each other, a convex portion of the concave-convex portion provided in the line sensor has the same size as a convex portion of the concave-convex portion provided in the base plate in the direction perpendicular to the paper-sheet transport direction, each of the concave-convex portions is formed having an inclined surface that extends downwardly from a horizontal plane, and edges of end faces of the concave-convex portions and boundaries between a horizontal plane of the base plate and the inclined surfaces of the concave-convex portions are round chamfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhito Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130077134
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TRUESENSE IMAGING, INC.
    Inventor: TRUESENSE IMAGING, INC.
  • Patent number: 8368792
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems provide a high dynamic range mode of operation for an image sensor when operating in a skip mode where certain pixels of an array are not readout. Multiple integration periods are employed in the skip mode with selected pixels being readout through circuits associated with pixels that are not readout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen Xu
  • Patent number: 8367997
    Abstract: An image reading device has: a light source at which plural light-emitting elements are arrayed; a detection unit that detects light amounts of illumination light which are emitted from the light-emitting elements and are reflected by a reference plate; a derivation unit; and an adjustment unit. On the basis of detected light amounts, the derivation unit derives difference amounts between a reference value and average values of light amounts per predetermined first number of adjacent light-emitting elements. On the basis of the derived difference amounts, the adjustment unit adjusts light amounts per the first number of light-emitting elements such that the average values become the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20130021655
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a light scanning device to scan first and second light beams, a synchronization signal detector to receive a portion of the first light beam scanned by the light scanning device and to generate a first horizontal synchronization signal, and a video signal processor including a second horizontal synchronization signal generating unit to count a synchronization signal offset and generate a second horizontal synchronization signal regarding the second light beam when the first horizontal synchronization signal is transmitted from the synchronization signal detector, and a video controller to transfer video data to the light scanning device based on the first and second horizontal synchronization signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Su-hwan KIM
  • Patent number: 8355185
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exposure head including a light emitting element array including light emitting elements disposed in a first direction, a light blocking member including an aperture stop through which lights emitted from the light emitting elements pass, and an image forming optical system that makes an image by using the lights having passed through the light blocking member. An absolute value of a magnification in the first direction of the image forming optical system is equal to or more than 0.7 times and is equal to or less than 0.8 times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sowa, Ken Ikuma, Ryuta Koizumi, Nozomu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130010321
    Abstract: Disclosed is a document imaging apparatus that includes a housing, which contains a paper storage tray, a digital image sensing device for capturing an image, an adjustable digital image sensing device stand supported by the housing and supporting the digital image sensing device, and a motorized document removal assembly comprising at least one roller wheel picker and a plurality of rollers, wherein the at least one roller wheel picker can be raised and lowered and is configured to apply a frictional force to a top surface of a single sheet of paper and to transfer the single sheet of paper toward the rollers. Optionally, a fax, copier, and printer and be integrated into the document imaging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Pathway Innovations and Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ji Shen
  • Patent number: 8339686
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a hollow housing, a holding plate mounted to an upper portion of the housing, a guiding rod mounted in the housing and spaced from the holding plate with a predetermined distance, a reading unit slidably mounted to the guiding rod, and a flexible cable received in the housing. The flexible cable has a restrictive plate and a conducting cable attached to a top of the restrictive plate. The restrictive plate has at least one long side raised upwardly. The flexible cable is received in the housing in a folding manner, with a lower end thereof where the raised side faces upwards connected to the system controller, and an upper end thereof where the raised side faces downwards connected to the reading unit, forming an inverted-U folding portion. The raised side at the folding portion is unfolded for keeping the folding portion in shape, in scanning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Foxlink Image Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Te Liu
  • Publication number: 20120307323
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an imaging system including a light guiding member supported on a circuit substrate so as to be capable of lighting an object, an optical image-forming member and a solid-state imaging device. The optical image-forming member is arranged on the circuit substrate so as to have an optical axis thereof parallel to the circuit substrate, is arranged on the circuit substrate so as to be able to receive reflected light from the object, emits the reflected light in an oblique direction with respect to a surface of the circuit substrate, and forms an image at a predetermined distance position. The solid-state imaging device includes a light receiving surface that is oblique with respect to the circuit substrate surface, and is mounted on the surface of the circuit substrate so as to have the receiving surface positioned at a position where the image is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirokazu SEKINE
  • Patent number: 8322872
    Abstract: A tubular structure with an opening defined thereon and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The tubular structure being substantially circular in shape and is made of a highly thermal conductive material. A plurality of light sources mounted on the inner surface of the tubular structure. The inner surface is coated with a diffused white coating. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources is reflected from the inner surface before exiting the tubular structure from the opening. This structure ensures emitting a uniform diffused light and prevents non-uniform illumination when disposed in an imaging forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, David Keith Jackson, Joshua Tyler Strow
  • Patent number: 8310740
    Abstract: An image scanning device includes a CCD pair provided with two rows of photodiode arrays for scanning an image on a paper, a motor drive circuit for causing the CCD pair to sub-scan the image on the paper, and an adder for superimposedly combining two outputs of the CCD pair with a predetermined time lag therebetween. A control unit controls the adder to add the two outputs of the CCD pair without the time lag when received an instruction of a low resolution that corresponds to ½ of a high resolution by a resolution switch and thereby doubles a speed of the sub-scan by the motor drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiko Okada, Takao Horiuchi, Yoshitaka Okahashi, Takeshi Murakami, Yukihito Nishio
  • Patent number: 8310739
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes an optical housing, which houses a light source, an aperture stop, a condensing lens and a rotary deflector, light from the light source entering into the rotary deflector via the aperture stop and the condensing lens, and the light deflected by the rotary deflector scanning a target to be irradiated, a fastener, which fastens the condensing lens to the optical housing, and a fastener attachment portion to which the fastener is attached, the fastener attachment portion being disposed in a downstream side of the condensing lens in a traveling direction of the light in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Murakami, Hisayoshi Imai, Daisuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8310734
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a forming unit configured to form a mark on a carrier; a light emitting unit configured to emit light toward a surface of the carrier; a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light from the surface of the carrier and from the mark and configured to output a light reception signal corresponding to a amount of the received reflected light; a detecting unit configured to detect a position of the mark on the carrier on a basis of a signal wave contained in the light reception signal; and a modification unit configured to modify the detected position of the mark by a modification amount corresponding to a difference in a waveform of the signal wave corresponding to the mark so as to reduce an error between the detected position and an actual position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kentaro Murayama
  • Publication number: 20120281244
    Abstract: An embodiment of an integrated scanner apparatus, includes a support surface for objects to be scanned, a scanner unit to perform a scanning movement relative to the support surface to capture images of portions of objects to be scanned, and a printer unit carried by a carriage mobile with respect to said support surface, wherein said scanner unit is carried by said carriage carrying said printer unit to be imparted said scanning movement by said carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics INC, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mirko GUARNERA, Alfio CASTORINA, Giuseppe SPAMPINATO, Osvaldo M. COLAVIN, John BLOOMFIELD, Armand HEKIMIAN, Beatrice Varlehon
  • Publication number: 20120281262
    Abstract: To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Yoneda, Shigetoshi Sugawa, Toru Koizumi, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 8300286
    Abstract: A photosensitive chip, including first and second sets of photosensors aligned in a Y direction and separated in a perpendicular X direction and third and fourth sets of photosensors aligned in the Y direction and separated in the X direction. The first and third sets are aligned in the X direction. The second and fourth sets are aligned in the X direction. The first and third sets are offset in the Y direction from the second and fourth sets by a distance about equal to a length of a photosensor divided by the number of sets. A time interval between activation of two sequential photosensors from the first through fourth sets of photosensors is substantially equal to the time period of a scan line for the first through fourth sets of photosensors divided by the number of photosensors in the first through fourth sets of photosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Scott L. TeWinkle
  • Patent number: 8300285
    Abstract: A scanning circuit having rearranged circuit modules at each end of a flat cable. After the rearrangement, the flat cable carries scanning control signals produced by a conventional IC communication interface instead of timing signals and carries digital image data instead of easily distorted and interfered analog image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Transpacific Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kuan-Yu Lee, Chen-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8289587
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading a document placed on a document positioning plate using a reading sensor unit mounted on a carriage includes a rack member provided in an apparatus body and having rack teeth provided along the moving direction of the carriage, a pinion gear rotatably disposed on the carriage and meshed with the rack teeth, a motor mounted on the carriage and driving the pinion gear, an urging member disposed between the carriage and the reading sensor unit and urging the reading sensor unit toward the document positioning plate, a guide rail provided in the apparatus body and guiding movement of the carriage, and a guide portion provided on the carriage and engaged with the guide rail, wherein the guide portion is pressed toward the guide rail by receiving a reaction force of the urging member at the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8279310
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged in a matrix; and a pixel drive unit configured to drive the pixel array to perform a reset of the pixel array, a signal storage, and an output operation. The pixel drive unit includes a pixel reset control portion to supply a signal for resetting a pixel to the pixel circuits of a plurality of rows. The pixel reset control portion performs a reset control so that a row in which the reset signal is cancelled and a row in which the reset signal is continued always exist in one reset row change operation, and a row in which the reset signal continues to be supplied exists during two or more reset row change operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Ui
  • Patent number: 8274715
    Abstract: A method for forming a final digital color image includes capturing an image using an image sensor having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses; providing from the captured image a digital panchromatic image and an intermediate digital color image; and using the digital panchromatic image and the intermediate digital color image to provide the final digital color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Hamilton, Jr., John T. Compton
  • Patent number: 8274716
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading system having a plurality of line sensors extending in a main-scan direction, an imaging optical system for imaging, on the line sensors, imagewise information of an original surface, the imaging optical system including at least one anamorphic optical surface having different powers in the main-scan direction and the sub-scan direction, a scanning system for relatively scanning the original surface and the reading means in a sub-scan direction to read the imagewise information of the original surface, and an image correcting system for correcting imagewise information of the original surface read by each line sensor, on the basis of an imaging-position-deviation correction amount of an image in the sub-scan direction corresponding to a reading position in the main-scan direction, calculated based on an imaging position deviation amount of an image in the sub-scan direction corresponding to the reading position in the main-scan direction upon the line sensors, as
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8264750
    Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus including: a light source with arrayed light emitting elements; a light guide unit that scatters light emitted from the light source such that the light intensity is greater at end portions than at the central portion in the array direction of the light emitting elements, and guides the light to a reading position of a medium to be read; and an optical system that guides the light reflected at the reading position to a light detection unit that detects the light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8253993
    Abstract: A scanner comprising a platen positioned along a first plane and configured to support an article to be scanned; one or more illuminators positioned below the platen along a second plane parallel to the first plane, and configured to emit light beams; one or more mirrors positioned between the platen and the one or more illuminators, each of the mirrors being configured to direct a light beam having a directional component parallel to the first and second planes emitted by the illuminators onto the article on the platen at the imaging point; one or more sensors configured to detect the light reflecting off the article at the imaging point along a sensor optical path; and a carriage mechanism constructed to affect relative movement parallel to the first and second planes between platen, and the one or more illuminators and the one or more mirrors in a scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Wilsher
  • Patent number: 8248676
    Abstract: A color image forming apparatus obtaining a high quality color image with little write start misregistration among optical scanning devices, includes a plurality of optical scanning devices respectively including an incident optical unit guiding a light beam from a light source unit to a deflection unit, an imaging optical system allowing the light beam deflectively scanned by the deflection unit to be focused on a scanned surface, and an optical system for synchronous detection for adjusting image start timing on the scanned surface by using a part of the light beam deflectively scanned by the deflection unit. A ratio of a focal length of the optical system for synchronous detection to a focal length of the imaging optical system is set appropriately in a main scanning section of the plurality of optical scanning devices for obtaining a black color image and color images other than the black color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuta Naito
  • Patent number: 8248675
    Abstract: An image-reading apparatus that reads an image of an original includes an array sensor including photoelectric-conversion elements linearly arranged; an optical system configured to form the image of the original onto the array sensor; a signal-processing circuit configured to convert outputs of the array sensor into digital signals and sequentially output pixel values of pixels that constitute a line; a sample-rate converter configured to sequentially receive the pixel values of the pixels that constitute the line output from the signal-processing circuit, convert spatial sample intervals of the line, and output the resultant pixel values; a data table created by reflecting aberration characteristics of the optical system therein; and a controller configured to control the sample-rate converter using data in the data table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yoshitani
  • Patent number: 8248677
    Abstract: To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Yoneda, Shigetoshi Sugawa, Toru Koizumi, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 8237996
    Abstract: The image reading apparatus includes: an original placing unit on which an original is to be placed, and the original placing unit transmitting light applied onto an original surface of the original and light reflected by the original surface; a lighting unit having plural light-emitting elements arrayed in a line and lighting the original surface of the original placed on the original placing unit; an image signal generating unit receiving the light reflected by the original surface lit by the lighting unit and generating an image signal; a detecting unit detecting a position of the original surface; and a lighting-unit setting unit setting, by using a result of the detection by the detecting unit, the lighting unit at an angular position so that the image signal generating unit does not receive light emitted from an optical axis of the light-emitting elements and then reflected by the original surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8233181
    Abstract: In a system and method for processing a form comprising a plurality of entry markings, an area-array image sensor may capture an image of the form in free-space without requiring relative movement of the sensor and the form. A processor may interpret the captured image to determine at least a first entry selection based, at least in part, on the position of at least one of the plurality of entry markings with respect to at least one other marking in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GTECH Rhode Island Corporation
    Inventors: John Abraitis, Steve Bozzi, Chris Collins, Richard Sean Meehan, Frank Metayer
  • Patent number: 8233168
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an energy converting unit receives light from an optical source and converts the light into electric power, and an electrical storage unit stores therein the electric power. The energy converting unit is arranged in such a manner that a relative position of the energy converting unit to the optical source is always constant when a reading unit is reading an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ozaki, Eiji Nemoto, Hiroki Ohkubo, Yuji Matsuda, Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8228566
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source, an imaging optics system, an image pickup device unit, a memory, and a processor. The imaging optics system condenses scattered light reflected on an object to be imaged to form condensed light as an image. The imaging optics system includes plural cells arranged in a main scanning direction and each of which is an independent imaging optics system. Each of the cells includes a telecentric optics system at the document side. Two rows of cells are arranged in a sub-scanning direction. The cells in the rows are arranged zigzag in the main scanning direction to complement a formed image by the cells in the sub-scanning direction. The image pickup device unit is arranged to correspond to each cell. The processor can form a document image by reconstructing and combining image information stored in the memory into an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawano, Tatsuki Okamoto, Tadashi Minobe, Tatsuya Kunieda, Akiko Fujiuchi
  • Patent number: 8228567
    Abstract: A scanner module comprises an illuminator configured to illuminate a document by emitting light onto the document. The illuminator comprises a light source configured to emit the light and a light guide unit configured to guide the light emitted from the light source to illuminate at least two areas on the document, the center positions of the at least two areas on the document being spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-rok Kim
  • Publication number: 20120176653
    Abstract: In an image scanning apparatus, a carriage includes a slide block arranged to be guided by a guide rail, and a carriage main body arranged to be mounted onto the slide block. The slide block is mounted on the guide rail in either a standard position or an adjusting position. When the slide block being is in the standard position, the carriage main body is positioned relative to the slide block. When the slide block is in the adjusting position, the angle of the carriage main body can be adjusted relative to the guide rail by swinging the carriage main body relative to the slide block upon a fulcrum pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi WASHIDA
  • Patent number: 8218205
    Abstract: A multi-functional device comprising an image forming apparatus to form a printing image and a scanner module to scan an image in a first scanning direction. The scanner module includes an illuminator to illuminate a light to a document mount, a sensor unit to read an image information of an object placed on the document mount, and an imaging lens which is disposed between the document mount and the sensor unit and focuses the light reflected from the object onto the sensor unit. The illuminator includes a light source to emit light, a light guiding unit which is lengthened in a second scanning direction, faces the document mount and changes a traveling path of the light emitted from the light source to illuminate the document mount, and a guide holder which comprises an installation part where the light guiding unit is installed, and a mounting part where the light source holder is mounted to provide the light source at least one side of the light guiding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaname Nagatani, Dong-hun Lee
  • Patent number: 8218203
    Abstract: A structure for holding an optical component, includes: first and second flat plate portions provided in a state where the portions stand on a base plate, opposed to each other in a state where the flat plate portions are coupled to each other, and constituting first and second hierarchies, respectively; first and second positioning portions that are provided at the first flat plate portion, and that determine positions of directions of first and second coordinate axes of first, second, and third coordinate axes that intersect with each other; a third positioning portion that is provided at the second flat plate portion, and that determines a position of a direction of the third coordinate axis of the first, second, and third coordinate axes that intersect with each other; and a holding portion coupled to the first flat plate portion or the second flat plate portion, and holding the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Nakaie, Fumiya Hisa, Toshiharu Orui
  • Patent number: 8213061
    Abstract: A detection device that includes a setting component, a measuring component, an accumulating component, a determining component, and an increasing/decreasing component is provided. The joint quantity measuring component measures joint quantities between the photoelectric conversion elements that are dependent on precision when arraying the plural photoelectric conversion elements. The joint error quantity accumulating component accumulates error quantities of the joints that are obtained from the joint quantities that have been measured and a reference quantity. The determining component determines whether or not the accumulated error quantity has exceeded an allowable range. The interpolation pixel increasing/decreasing component increases/decreases, on the basis of direction of error, interpolation pixels between specific photoelectric conversion elements when it has been determined that the accumulated error quantity has exceeded the allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Hamada
  • Patent number: 8213062
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a platen, first and second carriages, a light source supported on the first carriage, a first mirror to deflect reflected light from the original document toward the second carriage, one or more second mirrors supported on the second carriage to guide the light from the first mirror to image reading device, and rail members. The first carriage has first and second mirror support portions for supporting one side edge portion of the first mirror by two points, and a third mirror support portion for supporting the other side edge portion by one point. The first carriage is supported slidably at its opposite side edge portions respectively on the rail members via slide members disposed at four right and left places including two front and back places, and a height position is adjustable for supporting the first mirror by one point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Junya Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8212197
    Abstract: A photosensitive apparatus including a plurality of photosensor chips and a first common line for applying a first external integration signal to each of the plurality of photosensor chips. Each photosensor chip includes a first set of photosensors having an edge pixel and an interior pixel and a control portion for accepting the first external integration signal, the first external integration signal causing an edge pixel integration signal and an interior pixel integration signal for the first set of photosensors. The control portion includes a first signal adjuster effectively altering the first external integration signal to cause the edge pixel integration signal and the interior pixel integration signal for the first set of photosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Scott L. Tewinkle
  • Patent number: 8199380
    Abstract: An image reading device having an image sensor formed by a plurality of sensor chips is provided. The image reading device includes an AFE circuit, a clock provider and a digital data processor. The AFE circuit is configured to process analog data provided by the image sensor so as to convert the analog data into digital data and to output the digital data. The clock provider is configured to provide the image sensor with a driving clock, the clock provider configured to stop providing the driving clock for a certain period of time before the AFE circuit reads initial data provided by each of the sensor chips. The digital data processor configured to remove the digital data provided by the AFE circuit while the clock provider has stopped providing the driving clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Motoki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 8199377
    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor in which an enlargement of a substrate width is not caused even in a case that a rod-shaped light source is provided on both sides of a resin lens plate, respectively, and in which a positional accuracy of component is superior. The image sensor comprises a rod-shaped light source for irradiating light to an original placed on an original glass plate, an imaging optics for focusing light reflected on the original, and a light-receiving element for receiving light passing through the imaging optics, the light-receiving element being positioned at a predetermined location on a substrate which is provided with through holes for terminals of lead frames of the rod-shaped light source. The terminals of lead frames of the rod-shaped light source are bent toward the center of the substrate to be connected with the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masahide Wakisaka, Harunobu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8199382
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a document mounting plate having a mounting surface and a rear surface, and an image reading unit. The image reading unit includes a photoelectric converter facing the rear surface, a case to hold the photoelectric converter, and at least one first rotating member and at least one second rotating member that rotate and receive a pressing force from the rear surface of the document mounting plate as the image reading unit moves. The image reading unit also includes a holder configured to support the case and at least one urging device positioned between the holder and the case. The at least one urging device urges the case toward the rear surface, and exerts an urging force opposite to the pressing force, and balances against the pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8194291
    Abstract: An image-reading device includes a linear image sensor and a cable. The linear image sensor is divided into, at least, first, second and third blocks. The first block is disposed adjacent to the second block. Each block reads images on an original document and generates image signals. The cable includes, at least, first, second and third signal wires corresponding to the first, second and third blocks respectively. Each signal wire transmits the image signals generated by each block. The third wire is sandwiched between the first signal wire and the second signal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kato
  • Publication number: 20120120463
    Abstract: A scanner comprising a shell with a rut, and a lens arm matching the shape of rut connected with the shell through a revolving shaft. The scanner makes a 180 degree rotation orbiting with the revolving shaft. Lens arm and shell are vertical when in use, resembling the expansion structure of “7.” A flexible pole is retracted when out of use, and the lens arm is folded into the rut of shell. The lens arm and flexible pole are connected by metal revolving shaft as a connecting part, both of which can be set up in the shell to avoid the horizontal bar drooping or being upswept.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Yulun HU
  • Publication number: 20120113486
    Abstract: A control unit 6 causes a vertical scanning circuit 3 to cyclically select any one-dimensional pixel line from among pixel lines 21 to 23 each time a prescribed H period elapses, and controls a read circuit 5 and a horizontal scanning circuit 4 so as to read out pixel signals of an object which has been exposed by the selected pixel line. The control unit 6 further controls a vertical movement unit 8 in such a manner that the scanning speed S satisfies S=P/4H, where P is the arrangement pitch in the vertical direction of the pixel lines 21 to 23 and H is the H period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 8174738
    Abstract: The image read-out device comprises an integrally formed scanning optical unit in which a light source which emits light toward a document, a plurality of reflective mirrors reflecting the light which is emitted from the light source to the document and then reflected, an image forming lens converging the light reflected by a final reflective mirror which finally reflects the light, among the plurality of mirrors, and a light receiving sensor for receiving the light converged by the image forming lens are integrally mounted on a housing, the integrally formed scanning optical unit moving in a scanning direction and reading out an image of the document, wherein an opening is provided on each of top and bottom surfaces of the housing, and wherein the area of the opening provided on the bottom surface is equal or more than that of the opening provided on the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Ono, Yasuo Sakurai, Kiichiro Nishina, Masahiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 8159728
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus, in which sheets being transported are illuminated by an illuminating unit, one after another, and a sensor having an imaging elements arranged in a line photographs the sheets, one after another. A white-reference part is provided in a part of the photographing region of the sensor. A black-reference part guides the light reflected by the illuminating unit to the sensor when a sheet lies in the photographing region of the sensor, and to restrict application of the light reflected by the illuminating unit to the sensor when no sheets lie in the photographing region of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Junji Miura, Seiji Ikari
  • Patent number: RE43892
    Abstract: A four-line CCD sensor is structured by line sensors R, G, B in which color fillers are respectively disposed on surfaces of light receiving elements, and a line sensor BK at which no color filter is disposed. Amplitudes of signals which are outputted from the line sensors R, G, B at a time of reading a color document, and an amplitude of a signal which is outputted from the line sensor BK at a time of reading a monochrome document are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to one another. In a case in which a color document is read, outputs of the line sensors R, G, B are selectively provided, and in a case in which a monochrome document is read, output of the line sensor BK is selectively provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Sakakibara, Koji Tanimoto