Scanning Element Moves Relative To A Flat Stationary Document Patents (Class 358/497)
  • Patent number: 8774681
    Abstract: An apparatus in an example comprises a guide, a driven member, and a carriage. Tension in the driven member generates a moment that biases the carriage against the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ryan Smith, Rob Mueller, Kevin Bokelman
  • Patent number: 8773737
    Abstract: A conveying path extends from a set position in which the original sheet is set to a discharge position in which the original sheet is discharged from the image-processing device. A control unit controls an image processing unit such that the image processing unit does not execute an image processing relevant to an original sheet when an elapsed time is less than a reference time and such that the image processing unit executes the image processing relevant to the original sheet when the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the reference time. The elapsed time is time from a point of time that the control unit begins to drive a conveying mechanism in response to a reception of the command by a command reception unit until a point of time that a sensor detects the original sheet conveyed by the conveying mechanism at the detection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosuke Mori
  • Publication number: 20140185111
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a document table that includes one surface on which a document is to be placed; an image reader that is provided over the other surface of the document table and is configured to read an image of the document being placed on the document table; and a resin housing that houses the document table and the image reader therein. The image reader includes: an image sensor including a plurality of reading elements arranged in a first direction; a holder configured to support the image sensor; a resin guide integrally formed with the housing; a reinforcement member which is made by a metal plate and provided at the guide; and a driver configured to move the holder along the guide in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8767275
    Abstract: A stationary scanner apparatus 10 comprises an image scanner 20 operable to read an item code, an imager attachment member 30 fixed to the image scanner 20, a support frame 40 configured to support the imager attachment member 30 in a state in which the image scanner 20 and imager attachment member 30 are rotatable about a horizontal axis with respect to the support frame 40, and a support portion 83 fixed to the support frame 40. The imager attachment member 30 has a first plate-shaped inclination holder 32a formed on one side of lateral sides of the imager attachment member 30 and a second plate-shaped inclination holder 32b formed on another side of the lateral sides of the imager attachment member 30. The support frame 40 has a first plate-shaped guide member 42a arranged in contact with the first inclination holder 32a and a second plate-shaped guide member 42b arranged in contact with the second inclination holder 32b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Hayato Mikami
  • Patent number: 8760731
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of document scanner, a method and a program storage device wherein the scan mode is automatically adjusted to fall within standards established to prevent vision damage and/or discomfort and to still allow for high-resolution scanning. Specifically, the platen cover of the document scanner can be operatively connected to the scan carriage such that the mode at which the scan carriage operates depends upon the detected position of the platen cover. When the platen cover is closed, the scan carriage can automatically illuminate the document being scanned at a relatively high light intensity level and can move at a relatively fast speed. When the platen cover is opened, the scan carriage can automatically illuminate the document being scanned at a lower light intensity level and, optionally, can move at a slower speed to compensate for the lower light intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilsher, Christopher D. Olliffe, David W. Thorne, Paul S. Golding
  • Patent number: 8760670
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for print production sheet identification. The method discloses: receiving a set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the calibration sheets according to a set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one reference sample array; capturing an image of a set of physical sheets generated from the set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the imaged physical sheets according to the set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one post-processing sample array; and comparing the post-processing sample array to the reference sample array to determine if the two arrays have less than or equal to a predetermined number of differences. The system discloses: a sampling module, operated by a processor, a scanner, and a comparison module, operated by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Ulichney, Matthew Gaubatz, David Rouse
  • Patent number: 8760735
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image combining device includes a read unit and a control unit. The read unit includes a transparent holder and an image read section of flatbed type. The transparent holder holds a flat medium, and plural matching reference points are marked in an edge region. The image read section reads the medium placed on a reading window. A size of the medium is larger than the reading window. Each of the partial images, generated by the image read section, includes an image of a part of the medium and a part of the matching reference points. The matching reference points are arranged along a part of an edge of the image of the medium. The control unit combines the plural partial images based on the matching reference points included in the plural partial images, and generates a combined image including an image of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: NEC AccessTechnica, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuma Aoshima
  • Patent number: 8760737
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus including: a housing including, a first introduction opening to which a first medium is introduced, a first conveyance path through which the first medium is conveyed, a second introduction opening to which a second medium narrower than the first medium is introduced, and a second conveyance path through which the second medium is conveyed; a tray pivotally supported by the housing, rotating between an open position and a close position relative to the housing, and on which the first medium is placed; and a shutter being located at a first position when the tray is located at the open position and being located at a second position when the tray is located at the close position, the first position being located inside the second conveyance path and the second position being located outside the second conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatsugu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8749837
    Abstract: A light scanning device equipped with a housing that houses lenses, a rotating multifaceted mirror, and a motor for driving rotation of the rotating multifaceted mirror, and has a bearing section for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft of the motor. The bearing section has a first fitting section of circular shape rotatably supporting the entire peripheral face of the rotating shaft, a second fitting section extending towards an outer edge of the housing from the peripheral edge of the first fitting section, and having an arcuate face formed to identical radial length as the first fitting section, and a heat-radiating section adjacent to the second fitting section in the circumferential direction, formed by a slot cut out in a predetermined direction, and adapted to expose a portion of the outside peripheral face of the rotating shaft through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8749857
    Abstract: An image reader includes a light source that irradiates light to a recording material on which an image is formed, a generation section that receives light reflected from the recording material and generates image information from the received light, and a processing section that extracts information corresponding to a window region of the recording material set in advance, as correction information, from the image information generated by the generation section when light from the light source is irradiated to the recording material on which the image is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kazama, Kenji Hyoki, Masaki Fujise
  • Patent number: 8749856
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a holding surface that holds a first document, a conveyor unit that conveys a second document along a conveying path, a first contact surface that contacts a first side of the second document when the conveyor unit conveys the second document, a second contact surface that contacts a second side of the second document when the conveyor unit conveys the second document, and reading units. A first reading unit reads an image on a side of the first document held by the holding surface, and reads an image on the first side of the second document being conveyed by the conveyor unit. A second reading unit is disposed above the second contact surface and reads an image on the second side of the second document. The second reading unit is disposed not to overlap the first reading unit in an up down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8749864
    Abstract: An image reading optical system, including: an imaging optical system used for imaging a slit area of a document and includes an optical element having different cross section shapes in a main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction; an aperture stop; and an optical phase changing filter disposed adjacent to the aperture stop and including a phase lead area and a phase delay area, in which the optical phase changing filter includes a surface shape component that is symmetric only with respect to a predetermined plane including a surface normal at the center of the incident beam and one of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and with respect to a surface that includes the surface normal at the center of the incident beam and is perpendicular to the predetermined plane, one side is the phase lead area, and another side is the phase delay area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tado Hayashide, Takeyoshi Saiga, Ikutaro Mitsutake
  • Publication number: 20140153068
    Abstract: The instant application discloses an apparatus including an image forming unit and an image reading apparatus. The image forming unit may be disposed adjacent to the base wall of the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus may include a base member including the base wall and a peripheral wall protruding orthogonally from the base wall to define an accommodation region; a movable member configured to reciprocate between one end portion of the accommodation region and another end portion of the accommodation region; a reading unit supported by the movable member; a cable having a first extending portion, a curve portion, and a second extending portion; and a contact reduction portion configured to reduce contact of the second extending portion of the cable with a side wall of the peripheral wall. Various embodiments of the contact reduction portion are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Huiging Xu, Daisuke Kozaki, Takashi Ohama
  • Publication number: 20140153069
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a main body and a reading unit. The reading unit includes: a document table; a lower supporting member that supports the document table from below; an upper supporting member that contacts an upper side of the document table and clamps the document table with the lower supporting member; and a reading device. The main body includes an exterior member arranged in a position adjacent to the upper supporting member when the reading unit is in a close position. One of the upper supporting member and the exterior member includes an abutting portion and the other includes an abutted portion so as to configure a positioning mechanism for establishing positioning of a relative position between the upper supporting member and the exterior member in an up-down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8743428
    Abstract: An image scanning unit an image forming apparatus having the same to scan an image recorded on a document. The image scanning unit includes: a transparent window on which a document to be scanned is laid; an image sensor running straightly under the transparent window for capturing an image recorded on the document, a unit for driving the image sensor; a guide shaft for guiding the straight movement of the image sensor; and an image sensor carrier connected to the driving unit and the guide shaft for straightly moving the image sensor along the guide shaft when the driving unit operates. The image sensor carrier has an image sensor mounting surface on which the image sensor is mounted, and a guide shaft holder integrally formed with the image sensor mounting surface and mounted on the guide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-ha Choi
  • Patent number: 8736928
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sheet feed scanner including an auto document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power-switching mechanism. The power-switching mechanism includes a first shaft, a power source, a clutch, a first gear, a second gear, and an elastic limitation structure. The clutch includes a first incline and a second incline. The elastic limitation structure pushes the first incline or the second incline of the clutch. When the first shaft is rotated in a first direction, the first incline is pushed by the elastic limitation structure so that the clutch is coupled to the first gear for driving the automatic document feeder. When the first shaft is rotated in a second direction, the second incline is pushed by the elastic limitation structure so that the clutch is coupled to the second gear for driving the flatbed scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Shang-Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 8736926
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a loading section, a sheet feeding unit, a separation section disposed downstream in a sheet conveyance direction from the sheet feeding unit, a conveyance member to transport a sheet separated by the separation section, a trailing-edge detector disposed at a first conveyance distance (L1) downstream from a separation position (Ab) and including a rotary follower and a rotation detector, a first leading-edge detector disposed downstream from the trailing-edge detector, and a controller. The trailing-edge detector A detects a sheet length in the sheet conveyance direction. The controller causes the sheet feeding unit to start sheet feeding in response to detection of the leading edge of the sheet by the first leading-edge detector when the detected sheet length equals a predetermined reference length and in other cases in response to detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the trailing-edge detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Suzuki, Hideki Tobinaga, Atsushi Kanaya, Shinya Kitaoka, Norio Kimura, Mamoru Kambayashi, Michitaka Suzuki, Kenichiro Morita
  • Patent number: 8736918
    Abstract: An overhead scanner includes a main body, a rotation unit supported by the main body and being rotatable around a rotation axis, an imaging unit mounted on the rotation unit and is configured to read a medium placed on a placement surface below the rotation unit, a light source that irradiates the medium with light, a driving unit that moves the rotation unit around the rotation axis toward a placement side, where the medium is placed, and a posture change detecting unit that detects posture change of the main body. When it is determined that the main body falls down based on the posture change detected, while the rotation unit is located at a readable position for reading the medium, the driving unit moves the rotation unit toward the standby position where the rotation unit is located when the imaging unit does not read the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventor: Keisuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 8736854
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an image reading apparatus including: a document placement portion on which a document is allowed to be placed; a display portion, at least a part of which is transmissive of light; an image reading unit movable along a first direction below the document placement portion and comprising an light emitting unit configured to emit light; and a control unit operable to control the image reading unit in a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes include a first operation mode that allows the image reading unit to be positioned at a first position corresponding to the display portion and cause the light emitting unit to emit the light, and the display portion is transmissive of the light emitted from the light emitting unit at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8736915
    Abstract: An image reading recording apparatus includes a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet and a read unit. The recording unit includes a feeding port for feeding the sheet. The read unit includes a frame and a reading portion which movably scans in the frame to read an original. The read unit is movable relative to the recording unit between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the feeding port of the recording unit is closed by the frame. In the second position, the feeding port is not closed by the frame. The recording unit includes a first sheet feeder and a second sheet feeder, such that when the sheet is in the first position, sheet feeding from the first sheet feeder is prohibited, and a sheet is fed from the second sheet feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniaki Sato, Haruo Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8730540
    Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus that transports a sheet to a reading section for reading the sheet, has a reading front roller pair contacting with a front end of the sheet to form a register loop in the sheet; a first transport path extending curvingly toward the reading front roller pair; a second transport path extending curvingly toward the reading front roller pair after joining the first transport path; a first register space in which a register loop is formed in a sheet guided along the first transport path; and a second register space in which a register loop is formed in a sheet guided along the second transport path. The first register space is provided on the upstream side of a junction position in which the first transport path joins the second transport path, and the second register space is provided on the downstream side of the junction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Akiyama, Seiji Nishizawa, Toshiya Sato, Koji Kanda, Tetsuya Noda, Toshiyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8730512
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source which emits a light beam, a deflector, an incident optical system and one scanning lens. The deflector reflects and deflects/scans the light beam emitted from the light source. The scanning lens includes a first face facing the deflector and a second face on an opposite side to the first face, and performs imaging of the deflected/scanned light beam on a surface to be scanned. In a main scanning cross section, when an angle relative to an optical axis of an incident light beam which enters the scanning lens from the first face is ?in, and an angle relative to an optical axis of an outgoing light beam which is output from the second face toward the surface to be scanned is ?out, in an entire scanning region, a condition of 0.9<?in/?out<1.3 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Yoshida, Issei Nakano, Hideki Okamura
  • Patent number: 8730542
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device including a roller to apply conveying force to one of a plurality of stacked sheets, a separator piece to apply conveying resistance to the stacked sheets and to nip the one of the stacked sheets in cooperation with the roller, a movable member being movable with respect to the roller, a pair of spring arms configured to contact the stacked sheets at an upstream position along a conveying direction with respect to a nipping position between the roller and the separator piece, and a bridge to bridge between the pair of spring arms, is provided. The bridge and the movable member are slidably in contact with each other at least when the sheet feeding device is in a conveyable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8730532
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic document feeding scanning device including an automatic document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power switching mechanism. The automatic document feeder has a pickup arm and a feeding gear, the flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a scanning gear, and the power switching mechanism has two driving elements and a planet gear module. When the two driving elements rotate in the same rotating direction, the planet gear module is swung to a position near the scanning gear and engaged with the scanning gear such that the power switching mechanism transfers a driving power to the automatic document feeder. When the two driving elements rotate in different rotating directions, the planet gear module is swung to a position near the feeding gear and engaged with the feeding gear such that the power switching mechanism transfers a driving power to the flatbed scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 8730534
    Abstract: In an illuminating apparatus including a plurality of rows of light source groups each having a plurality of light-emitting elements for irradiating light to an original that are arranged in a main scanning direction, the light-emitting elements in the plurality of rows of light source groups illuminate an irradiated face of the original at the same pitch within the same light source group and at different pitches from each other among the plurality of rows of light source groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takao Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 8727464
    Abstract: A multi-function peripheral includes: a recording unit having a carriage for recording which supports and moves a recording head for performing recording on a recording medium; and an image reading unit having a carriage for reading which supports and moves a reading sensor for reading an image and a driving source which is mounted in the carriage for reading in order to move the carriage for reading. The carriage for reading moves above the carriage for recording, and the driving source of the image reading unit is disposed to overlap with the carriage for recording in an up and down direction at a position deviating from a movement area of the carriage for recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hara, Tetsuya Miyagawa, Naomi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8730531
    Abstract: An automatic document feeding scanning device including an automatic document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power switching mechanism is provided. The automatic document feeder has a pickup arm and a feeding gear, the flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a scanning gear. When the scanning module is moved and the movement of the scanning module is obstructed to enable the scanning module to take a first reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the scanning gear in response to the first reacting force and transfers a driving power to the automatic document feeder. When the pickup arm is swung and the swing of the pickup arm is obstructed to enable the pickup arm to take a second reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the feeding gear in response to the second reacting force and transfers the driving power to the flatbed scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 8724185
    Abstract: A light guide member includes a main body part, and an entrance surface, a strip-shaped exit surface and a strip-shaped reflecting surface that are formed on the main body part. The illumination light is output from the exit surface. The reflecting surface extends in the first direction on a face placed opposite to the exit surface of the main body part and reflects the illumination light. The reflecting surface includes, on a flat face, a reflection pattern surface provided with a plurality of minute reflective concave parts having a function of reflecting the illumination light toward the exit surface. The reflective concave parts each include a deflection surface which deflects the illumination light in a direction in which a reflection angle widens in a cross sectional view in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction in a horizontal direction, and then reflects the illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 8724191
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a lower unit with a controller and an upper unit rotatably attached to the lower unit to rotate about a rear end of the upper unit is provided. The upper unit includes a sheet conveyer, an upper image reader connected with the controller via a flat cable, and an external covering. A rearward-extending section of the flat cable extends rearward from the upper image reader and is drawn in an area below a part of a frame of the sheet conveyer and to a rear section of the upper unit to reach an inner surface of the external covering at the rear end of the upper unit. A widthwise-extending section of the flat cable extends from the rear end of the upper unit along the inner surface of the external covering in a direction orthogonal to reach an outlet of the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Takeuchi, Katsuro Miura, Takayuki Akimatsu, Takashi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8724183
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging a document in an open environment or a closed environment including processor, memory, an imaging device having at least one image sensor and a direct light-source, a bench having an upper surface and a document holding mechanism having at least one paperweight. The paperweights are disposed in respective fitted hollow columns formed in the document holding mechanism, extending generally perpendicular, upwardly from the upper surface of the bench, wherein the respective fitted hollow column facilitates free up and down motion of the paperweight inside, and wherein the document may be pushed underneath said paperweight to thereby flatten the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Iuval Hatzav, Ilan Ben-Shahar, Giyora Sharaby, Daniel Hatzav
  • Patent number: 8724186
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a case, a reading section, an engaging section, a guide section, a first deformation characteristic section, and a second deformation characteristic section. The case includes a bottom plate. The reading section moves in a sub-scanning direction. The guide section guides movement of the reading section. When the bottom plate is divided into a first region and a second region with the guide section as a boundary, the first deformation characteristic section is arranged in the first region, and has a deformation characteristic such that the first deformation characteristic section deforms with respect to heat in a first direction that is perpendicular to the bottom plate. The second deformation characteristic section is arranged in the second region, and has a deformation characteristic such that the second deformation characteristic section deforms with respect to heat in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8717646
    Abstract: An image reading device conveys a first sheet and second sheet in a conveying direction. The first sheet has short sides extending in the conveying direction and long sides extending in a main scanning direction. The second sheet has long sides extending in the conveying direction and short sides extending in the main scanning direction. The image reading device reads an image on a sheet at a reading position and detects the sheet at a detecting position. A distance between the reading position and the detecting position is smaller than a difference between the short side of first sheet and the long side of second sheet. The image reading device rotates the read image if a sheet is not detected when the predetermined length worth of image is read. The read image is not rotated if a sheet is detected when the predetermined length worth of image is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8717643
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive source, a speed change mechanism provided in a transmission unit that transmits a driving force from the drive source to a scanning drive unit. The speed change mechanism is configured to change a transmission ratio of the transmission unit by selectively bringing one of first and second couplings into a connected state. The image reading apparatus further includes a selector configured to selectively bring one of the first and second couplings into the connected state, a detector configured to detect the connected state of the second coupling, and a controller configured to control a scanning position of the reading unit based on the transmission ratio changed via the second coupling after the detector detects the connected state of the second coupling after the selector changes selection from the first coupling to the second coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mizuki Hayakawa, Atsushi Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8717636
    Abstract: An image reading device having an improved shading compensation capability and a method thereof are disclosed. The image reading device includes an automatic document feed unit to deliver documents along a document delivery path. A light source unit including a light source to illuminate a first criterion image at a first position within the image reading device, and to illuminate the documents delivered by the automatic document feed unit at a second position. The image reading device further includes a second criterion image arranged to opposingly face the light source unit when the light source unit is located at the second position. The second criterion image extends along a sufficient length to cover the scanning range of the light illumination by the light source unit along a main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Kyu Lee, Sung Eun No
  • Patent number: 8717641
    Abstract: A scanner includes a scan surface, a scan, a controller, and a positioning system. The scan surface is stationary and has a first width while the scan module has a second width substantially less than the first width. The controller is configured to automatically cause two scans of a media on the scan surface, without repositioning the media, and to automatically produce a composite image of the entire media from the two scans. The positioning system is in communication with the controller and includes an identification mechanism configured to identify an edge of a scanning area associated with the scan surface and to stop a position of the scan module at the identified edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Choon Hwee Yap, Lian Chye Simon Tan, Kuek Peow Lai
  • Patent number: 8717645
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a separation roller, a first conveyance roller arranged on a downstream side of the separation roller and conveys the sheet separated by the separation roller, a second conveyance roller further conveys the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller, wherein the separation roller and the first conveyance roller are driven exclusively of each other by a first motor, and a control unit controls such that, when a trailing edge of a sheet passes through the separation roller while the sheet is being conveyed by the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, the first motor makes a conveyance speed of the first conveyance roller higher than the conveyance speed thereof before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the separation roller, and that, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the first conveyance roller, the first motor drives the separation roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Katto, Kenji Morita, Satoshi Seki, Akiko Kanno, Hidenori Sunada, Asahiro Nakayoshi
  • Patent number: 8717639
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus for making a position deviation correction, a position deviation amount can be accurately calculated by stabilizing the detection result at position deviation detecting and considering an ideal correction amount and an actual correction amount to make the position deviation correction accurately. A forming unit forms a pattern for position deviation detection without making the position correction for less than one pixel by an image position correcting unit, to a pattern formed in the vicinity of a detection region of a detecting unit, and the position deviation amount is calculated by using a value of a position correction which is not made to the pattern for position deviation detection to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junya Arakawa
  • Patent number: 8717642
    Abstract: A flatbed scanner includes a transparent window and an optical ruler close to the transparent window along a scanning direction. The optical ruler has at least one oblique line arranged thereon. The flatbed scanner includes a scanner head having a scanning width larger than the width of the transparent window for capturing an image of the optical ruler while the scanner head is being progressively moved by a step motor. The flatbed scanner further includes a processing unit for calculating a jag width of a captured oblique line in the captured image and a controlling unit for controlling the step motor to adjust the speed of movement of the scanner head according to the jag width of the captured oblique line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Fu Chen, King-Lung Huang
  • Publication number: 20140118802
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to reduce a force required for moving a document cover to an open position is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a document table having a top surface and a reading area and a document cover that is configured to pivot, around an axis extending in a first direction, between a closed position and an open position. The document cover includes a sheet. The top surface has a marginal area which is located outside of a reading area on a side opposite to the axis. The marginal area includes a contact area and a non-contact area which are arranged in the first direction. When the document cover is in the closed position, the top surface in the contact area contacts the sheet, and the top surface in the non-contact area does not contact the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Kozaki
  • Patent number: 8711445
    Abstract: Provided is a reading apparatus that includes a light source that emits a light to a source material and an image pickup element that receives the light reflected by the source material, to thereby read the source material. The image pickup element is disposed so as to move to a plurality of positions at each of which the image pickup element is oriented at a different angle with respect to a surface to be read of the object to be read, and to perform reading at the plurality of positions. The reading apparatus compares read values obtained by the image pickup element at the plurality of positions to thereby decide a property of an image expressed on the object to be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshie Imai
  • Patent number: 8711443
    Abstract: A compact multi-functional scanning apparatus includes a sheet-fed scanner, a casing and a flatbed scanner. The casing is attached to the sheet-fed scanner and has a recess. The flatbed scanner is movable between a retracted position within the recess and a deployed position outside the recess. In the deployed position the flatbed scanner is enabled to perform a flatbed-scanning task. An open end of the recess is located on a lateral side of the casing, and the flatbed scanner is movable into and out of the recess through the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Avison Inc.
    Inventor: Ching-Jung Tu
  • Patent number: 8711446
    Abstract: Provided is a reading apparatus that includes a light source that emits a light to a source material and a plurality of image pickup elements that each receive the light reflected by the source material, to thereby read the source material. The plurality of image pickup elements are each located at different positions and each mounted at different angles with respect to a surface to be read of the source material. The reading apparatus compares read values acquired from the image pickup elements, so as to decide the property of the image expressed on the source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshie Imai
  • Patent number: 8705150
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image reading unit arranged on a conveying path of a first medium and reading an image on the first medium, a conveying unit conveying the first medium and a second medium to the image reading unit, a width of the second medium being smaller than the first medium, and guide portions guiding the second medium introduced from a discharge port along the conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Shirai, Shigeru Ikezaki, Tatsuya Nishi, Tetsurou Ishikawa, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 8705153
    Abstract: A plurality of line sensors corresponding to a plualrity of color components receive reflected light passed through an imaging unit and convert the light into a plurality of color component data. A correcting unit performs color misalignment correction based on a reference color component for which resolution performance is lowest among the plurality of color component, on the color component data corresponding to other color components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Ishido
  • Patent number: 8705062
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for processing acquired document data, using distributed scan management protocols, according to a quota limiting amounts of data that may be stored at DSM system destinations. A scanning device includes a distributed scan management service that implements a distributed scan device protocol and a distributed scan processing protocol. The distributed scan management service is configured, responsive to a quota handler service (included at the scanning device) designating a verification success for scan data, to send the scan data and information for post scan processing instructions to a scan server. The quota handler service is configured to determine whether a size of the scan data exceeds a limit on an amount of data that may be sent to a particular destination, and, responsive to determining that the size of the scan data does not exceed the limit, designate a verification success for the scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Ding, Jiang Hong
  • Patent number: 8705149
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to reduce a force required for moving a document cover to an open position is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a document table having a top surface and a reading area and a document cover that is configured to pivot, around an axis extending in a first direction, between a closed position and an open position. The document cover includes a sheet. The top surface has a marginal area which is located outside of a reading area on a side opposite to the axis. The marginal area includes a contact area and a non-contact area which are arranged in the first direction. When the document cover is in the closed position, the top surface in the contact area contacts the sheet, and the top surface in the non-contact area does not contact the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Kozaki
  • Publication number: 20140104660
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a base, a transparent plate, a guide rod disposed between the base and the transparent plate, an optical sensor module, and a carrier mounted on the guide rod and including a first support bracket to place the optical sensor module thereto and having a first pivot connecting portion, a second support bracket having a second pivot connecting portion connected pivotally to the first pivot connecting portion, and an elastic member disposed between the first and second support brackets and biasing upwardly the first support bracket so as to keep the optical sensor module in constant contact with the transparent plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: CHUN-LIANG LIU, TA-YI LEE
  • Patent number: 8699094
    Abstract: An image reader capable of entering a power save mode for saving power consumption during standby includes: a gain amplifier; a reference white plate that is to be scanned when gain control of the gain amplifier is performed to obtain a controlled gain value; a carriage that moves to an stops at an area corresponding to the reference white plate when the image reader enters the power save mode; a gain storage section that stores the controlled gain value as a recovery parameter when the image reader enters the power save mode; and a gain setting section that sets the recovery parameter as the controlled gain value when the image reader exits the power save mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Soeda
  • Patent number: 8699098
    Abstract: A scanner comprises a first gear assembly on a frame, a stationary scan surface having a first width, and a scan module having a length substantially less than the first width. The scan module includes a second gear assembly configured to move the scan module, in a first orientation generally perpendicular to the first width, in a first scanning path relative to a first width portion of the scan surface and in a second, non-duplicative scanning path relative to a second width portion of the scan surface. The second gear assembly is releasably engageable to the first gear assembly to selectively shift the scan module, in a second orientation generally perpendicular to the first orientation, between the respective first and second scanning paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Phey Hong Soh, Kuek Peow Lai, Shyh Chije Leong, Lian Chye Simon Tan, Choon Hwee Yap, Boo Siong Lim
  • Patent number: 8699819
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure propose techniques for reconstructing a document mosaic using video streams of the document. The streams provide information identifying a layout that relates sequential frames of a video to each other. Once the streams are captured using a mobile device, it is then possible to reconstruct a virtual view of the entire document as though it were taken with a single camera shot. The reconstructed virtual view of the document will be suitable as input to an optical character recognition engine, which can be used for translating the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Moore Ziegler, Leon Palm