Scanning Element Moves Relative To A Flat Stationary Document Patents (Class 358/497)
  • Patent number: 8526067
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanner and more particularly pertains to a handheld portable scanner with integrated technologies which effectively combines lighting, electronics and mechanical technologies and has a small size and convenient portability, which comprises a scanner housing, a battery, scanning components and image processing components. The scanning components are composed of an optical scanning head and a scanning rod. The image processing components are composed of scan-speed testing components which are coupled with the scanning rod, a processing chip for processing of data scanned by the optical scanning head and image processing, and a scanner circuit. The present invention provides a handheld portable scanner which has a convenient portability and extensive functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sky Light Electronic (Shenzhen) Limited
    Inventors: Rongfang Deng, Weijun Gan, Debin Zhang, Yenfeng Huang
  • Patent number: 8526069
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus is provided, which includes a housing having an opening in a reading surface, an imaging portion, arranged within the housing, that reads a document via the opening, and a position detection portion arranged within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Loi Yew Kien
  • Patent number: 8526080
    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: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Kozaki
  • Patent number: 8526070
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a housing including a bottom surface formed with a reading opening for reading a document, position detection sections disposed on the bottom surface while interposing the reading opening therebetween to detect a position of the document reading apparatus, and foot sections each having a contact surface being in contact with the document and a detection opening formed in a part of the contact surface, the detection opening facing the position detection section on the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Loi Yew Kien, Kalmekolan Madan Mohan Reddy
  • Patent number: 8526073
    Abstract: An optical reading document board, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, the optical reading document board including a platen formed of transparent glass and having a top surface on which a document is placed, and a reflectance reduction layer coated on a bottom surface of the platen and having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-rok Kim
  • Patent number: 8526081
    Abstract: A first feeder contacts a first surface of a first sheet held in a first tray and feeds the first sheet toward a recording unit. A second feeder contacts a first surface of a second sheet held in a second tray and feeds the second sheet toward the recording unit. An inner member is disposed above a standing plate. An outer member comprises an upstream portion opposing the standing plate, and a downstream portion opposing the inner member. The inner member guides the first surface of the first sheet and the first surface of the second sheet. The standing plate guides the first surface of the second sheet. The upstream portion of the outer member guides a second surface of the second sheet, and the downstream portion guides a second surface of the first sheet and the second surface of the second sheet. The standing plate moves relative to the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Kensuke Hirate, Yoshiyuki Washino
  • Publication number: 20130222866
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus configured to illuminate a target surface from a first side and a second side different from the first side, including: a guide; and a reflector, the guide including: incident surface; a surface for totally reflecting beam from the incident surface; a reflecting surface arranged on an opposite side of the incident surface relative to the surface; a first exit for causing the reflected beam to exit as converging beam from the first side, the first exit having condensing action in plane orthogonal to the one-dimensional direction; and a second exit, adjacent to the first exit, having condensing action in the orthogonal plane for causing beam not reflected by the reflecting surface to exit as converging beam, and the reflector reflecting the beam from the second exit to the target surface as beam from the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8520273
    Abstract: An A4-size scanner capable of scanning an A3 document. The A4-size scanner includes a scanning part, a transferring roller member that is disposed at an upper side of the flat glass to be orthogonal to a length direction of the automatic document feeding unit and the scanning sensor so that the document having a double size of a scanning capacity of the scanning sensor and introduced onto the flat glass in the length direction of the automatic document feeding unit and the scanning sensor is transferred to a transferring roller, and a transferring roller member driving motor that is connected with the transferring roller which dividedly scans the document having a larger size than the scanning capacity of the scanning sensor; and an image processing part which performs an image processing for composing two images which are dividedly scanned through the scanning part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sindoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Bag Lee, Nam Ik Cho, Sung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8520271
    Abstract: In one embodiment, in a state in which a first scanning unit is positioned at a reading position below an original reading glass and a second scanning unit is positioned such that an original is not caused to travel between the original reading glass and a reading guide plate of a first reading portion, control is performed to selectively turn on or turn off each LED of an illumination portion of the first scanning unit to produce a shadow of paper dust, and detection is performed on variation in an output of a CCD corresponding to the shadow of the paper dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihito Nishio
  • Patent number: 8514465
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus having a mechanism for adjusting an opening of a sheet passageway includes a first assembly, a second assembly and a driving mechanism. The first assembly is moveably disposed. The second assembly is disposed opposite the first assembly. The driving mechanism drives the first assembly to move in a vertical direction to adjust a distance between the first assembly and the second assembly. The driving mechanism includes a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion. The horizontally extending portion is moveable in a horizontal direction. The vertically extending portion, connected to the horizontally extending portion, pushes against the first assembly. The vertically extending portion drives the first assembly to move in the vertical direction in response to the movement of the horizontally extending portion in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Chunyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8514466
    Abstract: An image reader includes a first line sensor that reads first image lines of an original document; a second line sensor that reads second image lines of the original document, the second image lines being located apart from the first image lines in a sub-scanning direction, respectively; and a control unit configured to, in the case where an abnormality occurs during reading of a first image line by the first line sensor, alternately switch reading of the first image lines by the first line sensor and reading of the second image lines by the second line sensor at a time point when a reading position of the second line sensor reaches a reading stop position of the first line sensor at which the abnormality has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Inukai
  • Patent number: 8514384
    Abstract: Provided is an alignment method for an image reading apparatus including: a light source unit illuminating an original on an original table; a photoelectric conversion element for converting an optical image into an electric signal; and an imaging optical system for imaging, onto the photoelectric conversion element, a light beam from the illuminated original. The imaging optical system includes: a first optical element, arranged inside a first lens barrel, and having an optical surface that is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis; and a second optical element, arranged on an optical path between the first lens barrel and the photoelectric conversion element, and having an optical surface rotationally asymmetric about the optical axis. The alignment method includes aligning at least one of an attaching angle and an attaching position of the second optical element in a sub scanning direction relative to the first lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8514464
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover member which is openable and closable with respect to main assembly of the image forming apparatus; and an image reading portion, movable to first and second positions, for reading an image of an original. The cover member is movable to first and second open positions with respect to the main assembly. The image reading portion is initially rested at the first position as the cover member is moved from a closed position to the first open positions, and then is movable from the first position to the second position in interrelation with movement of the cover member from the first open position toward the second open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Takamura, Yoshihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8508815
    Abstract: A scanner with a first driving motor and a second driving motor has an improved driving structure as transmission of a driving force from one of the first and the second driving motors to the other driving motor is inhibited, thereby preventing loss of power and increased noise and vibration. The scanner may include a first driving motor, a second driving motor, an operating unit operable to move the scanning unit and configured to operate by a driving force generated from one of the first and the second driving motors and a power transmitting unit configured to transmit the driving force generated from one of the first and the second driving motors to the operating unit while disallowing transmission of the driving force between the first and the second driving motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyoung Il Kim
  • Patent number: 8508807
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus that includes: a photoelectric sensor including plural reading pixels aligned in one direction and output an electric signal depending on the amount of light from an image on the document; a read control section that reads a document image with the photoelectric sensor in accordance with a read instruction, and obtains image data; a black correction section that performs a black correction to adjust an output under dark condition of each reading pixel to a value within a predetermined range, the output under dark condition being an electric signal output when the amount of light input is zero; and a black correction execution determining section that determines whether to perform the black correction, when the read interval between each two document sheets of the multi-page document is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Tanaka, Kazuaki Shintani, Shinichi Gono, Yosuke Takebe, Mitsugu Kamio, Mayumi Tada
  • Patent number: 8508821
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of size sensors configured to be arranged in line and to detect a sheet set into a predetermined position; a feeding part configured to feed the sheet set into the predetermined position to a scan position; and a controller configured to control the feeding part to feed the sheet based on two detect signals output from two size sensors among the plurality of the size sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu Taki, Hiroshi Takahashi, Kazushi Takei, Hideaki Suzuki, Takeshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8508778
    Abstract: When a monochromatic copy mode is to be executed, a control section sets a read mode in a scanner section so as to enable the scanner section to read an image at high speed by means of only a line sensor K, sets in an image processing section an image process that can print monochromatic image information, which is sent from the scanner section, with a single black color in the printer section, and sets in the printer section a monochromatic print mode that can print a black image at high speed, thereby controlling a monochromatic copy operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Tanimoto, Jun Sakakibara, Kunihiko Miura, Naoya Murakami, Akihiro Moro, Sunao Tabata
  • Patent number: 8508810
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a driving unit that drives a photoelectric conversion element by a clock; a signal generating unit that generates an analog signal; an amplification inversion unit that amplifies an alternating current component of the analog signal with an amplification factor by a setting value that is set from outside, and that switches the alternating current component between inversion and non-inversion; a signal superimposing unit that superimposes the analog image signal on an analog signal that is output from the amplification inversion unit; and a controlling unit that converts analog image signal that is superimposed by the signal superimposing unit into a digital image signal by using the analog-digital converter, and that controls the amplification factor and the inversion and non-inversion of the amplification inversion unit based on a feature amount that appears on the digital image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Takahisa Yoshigae
  • Patent number: 8508819
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Hirotaka Aoki, Satoru Nakakita, Shota Iijima
  • Patent number: 8503049
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a document positioning plate configured to position a document, a carriage configured to move a light source along the document positioning plate, a reading unit configured to read an image of a document illuminated by a light source of the carriage, a white reference member provided in the displacement range of the carriage, an input unit configured to input a reading start instruction for a document, and a control unit configured to move the carriage along the document positioning plate in response to a reading start instruction input via the input unit. The control unit moves the carriage to a first position at which the white reference member is provided, cause the reading unit to read the white reference member, moves the carriage to a second position that is an acceleration start position for accelerating toward the reading start position of the document positioning plate, and waits for a reading start instruction input from the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Youhei Kattou, Shigemichi Hamano, Nobuo Sekiguchi, Kenji Morita, Akiko Kanno, Satoshi Seki, Akira Morisawa
  • Patent number: 8503042
    Abstract: An imaging station for processing a media includes a media output for outputting a processed media, a first media delivery station having a first media entrance, a second media delivery station having a second media entrance, and a passive urging device. The second media entrance has a width smaller than a width of the first media entrance. The second media entrance is positioned downstream from the media output and upstream from the first media entrance. The passive urging device is positioned downstream from the media output such that the media is urged towards the second media entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: OCE-Technology B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Koning
  • Patent number: 8493638
    Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner capable of adjusting the focus distance and an image forming apparatus having the same. The scanner may include a focus adjustment structure that comes into an interfering contact with a scanning unit as the scanning unit moves along a scanning path so as to cause a movement of the scanning unit in the direction perpendicular to the scanning path toward and away from the document to be scanned. With such configuration the focus adjustment can be realized using the scanning movement of the scanning unit along the scanning path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Gyoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8493630
    Abstract: A passport and identification card reader minimizes the time and effort required for an operator to read/scan a passport or piece of identification. An immigration official, for example, can slide a passport into place with one hand while tending to other important security activities with the other hand. Once in place, the passport will be automatically detected and read. Numerous passports bound together by a traveler with multiple visas can be held flat in place and accurately read, even with one hand, despite the natural tendency of the passport(s) to return to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: L-I Indentity Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Queenan, John P. Sanroma, Mohamed Lazzouni
  • Patent number: 8493616
    Abstract: A method for printing an image, the method includes the steps of defining a media support surface; advancing a print medium onto the support surface; emitting light from a first side of the print medium toward the defined surface; moving a sensor on a second side of the print medium along a scan direction; monitoring the position of the sensor as it moves along the scan direction; sensing the light on the second side of the print medium which is opposite the first side as the light passes through the print medium to a sensor; providing memory for storing patterns representing particular media types; providing a processor for comparing signals from the sensor to patterns stored in the memory in order to identify media type; identifying the print medium type; selecting a print mode based on the identified print medium type; processing an image according to the selected print mode; and printing the image on the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Burke, Del R. Doty
  • Patent number: 8493639
    Abstract: An image recording device having a recording unit to record an image on a sheet is provided. The image recording unit includes a feed guide defining a first conveying path; an arm disposed between the recording unit and the tray, the arm having a feed roller rotatably disposed at a free end and configured to feed the sheet in the tray to the first conveying path. The arm pivots between a first arm position, and a second arm position. The return guide pivots between a first return guide position, and a second return guide position. A space occupied by the return guide in the first return guide position overlaps a space occupied by the arm in the second arm position. The return guide is in the second return guide position when the arm is in the second arm position which is retracted from an insertion space occupied by the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Samoto, Yuji Koga
  • Publication number: 20130182297
    Abstract: Provided is a structure capable of preventing shaking of an image reading unit (1) during movement at low cost. A first contact portion (T1) between the image reading unit (1) and a guide shaft (2A) supports force (F1) acting in a gravity direction and force (F2) acting in a horizontal direction in the case where the image reading unit (1) moves in a predetermined direction. In this case, the first contact portion is arranged so as to satisfy F1>F2×tan ?1, where ?1 represents an angle formed by a perpendicular line (?) with respect to a tangential plane (?) of the guide shaft (2A) and the horizontal direction. Thus, the image reading unit (1) can be prevented from being lifted due to rotation moment during movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: CANON FINETECH INC.
    Inventor: Canon Finetech Inc.
  • Patent number: 8488208
    Abstract: An optical module 100 includes an optical path unit 101 including a plurality of reflectors 104 for securing an optical path of reflected light from a manuscript, an image processing unit 102 including a reading device 105 which reads image information on the manuscript based on the reflected light from the manuscript entered via the optical path, and a connecting component 103 which connects the optical path unit 101 and the image processing unit 102 so that their positional relation will become a prescribed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Namie Sugiyama, Keisuke Hatomi, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 8488212
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus including, a sheet feeding device, a sheet feeding section that controls transport of an original document performed by the sheet feeding device, a reading section that outputs image data by reading the original document, a carriage that is equipped with the reading section, a carriage control section that controls movement of the carriage, a buffer that temporarily stores the image data, and a monitoring section that monitors a volume of the image data stored in the buffer. When the monitoring section determines that the volume of the image data is more than a predetermined threshold value, the sheet feeding section decelerates and stops the transport of the original document, and the carriage control section accelerates the carriage in a direction opposite to the transport of the original document during a deceleration period of the transport of the original document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Akahane
  • Patent number: 8488215
    Abstract: A driving unit (1) includes holders (5) rotatably supporting a shaft (2) and rotatably holding first and second helical gears (3, 4). Each holder 5 includes first and second receiving portions (9, 10). The first receiving portions (9) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) toward backs of accommodating portions (7) by contacting parts of the first helical gears (3) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in a certain rotational direction. The second receiving portions (10) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) from interiors of the accommodating portions (7) to openings (8) by contacting parts of the shaft (2) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in an opposite direction. Thus, the driving unit is assembled easily and the helical gears are held stably in both rotational directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8488214
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light irradiating means for irradiating light to a subject having images to be read; an image forming means for making the light from the subject incident on an image plane so as to form images as erected images; and a photoelectric conversion means for converting the incident light of the erected images into image signals, wherein the image forming means is constituted of a plurality of lens arrays that have a mutually identical shape and property and are sequentially disposed, sharing common light axes, between the subject and the photoelectric conversion means, and the respective lens arrays are formed by integral molding of a plurality of lenses, and an aperture provided with light passing holes with the light axes as the center is interposed at least between the plurality of lens arrays, and areas other than the light passing holes in the aperture form light shielding areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kikuo Kaise
  • Patent number: 8488209
    Abstract: There is provided an image reader capable of reading a good image free from the influence of foreign matter such as dust. This image reader includes an ADF, a reader section, a dust correcting section, and a CPU. The CPU controls the ADF and the reader section according to the detection result of the dust correcting section so as to selectively execute one of a first moving original reading mode and a second moving original reading mode. In the first moving original reading mode, the reader section is fixed at a predetermined position to read the images while the originals are fed at a first sheet-to-sheet interval. In the second moving original reading mode, the reader section is fixed at a predetermined position to read the images while the originals are fed at a second sheet-to-sheet interval longer than the first sheet-to-sheet interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Okawa
  • Patent number: 8482814
    Abstract: Provided is a traveling unit driving apparatus where a driving belt of the traveling unit is manufactured with ease, and concurrently therewith, can be coupled reliably to the unit in a state with high durability. A driving belt extended between a pair of pulleys is formed using a belt with ends and teeth, and a belt fixing means is comprised of a first and second engagement portions provided in the traveling unit, a concave recess portion disposed between the portions, and a lock fixing member that is fitted into the concave recess portion. Then, the first and second engagement portions and the concave recess portion are provided with a first and second mount surfaces for bending and supporting the belt opposite end portions, the lock fixing member is fitted into the concave recess portion, and the belt opposite end portions are thereby sandwiched and held in a bent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirokawa, Shinnosuke Enomoto, Mamoru Dohi
  • Patent number: 8482823
    Abstract: A contact-type image scanner includes an illumination unit, a control unit and a photo-sensing unit. The illumination unit includes a first, a second and a third light source for respectively emitting different color light beams on an original surface. The control unit is in communication with the illumination unit for controlling on durations of the light sources. In response to a first start pulse and a second start pulse, the first light source and the second light source are turned on for a first on duration and a second on duration respectively, wherein the second light source is turned on immediately after the first light source is turned off or after the first light source is turned off for a delaying time. In response to a third start pulse, the first, second and third light sources are simultaneously turned on for a first minor on duration, a second minor on duration and a third minor on duration, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Teco Image System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jyi-Fang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8482817
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of reading documents includes a reading unit including a light emitting element, a mechanism configured to move the reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the mechanism both to carry out reading by turning on the light emitting element and moving the reading unit and to temporarily stop moving the reading unit upon occurrence of a predetermined factor. The control unit sets a first current value which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when reading is carried out and sets a second current value which is less than the first current value and which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when the reading unit is temporarily stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Kubozono, Yasuyuki Shinada
  • Patent number: 8477391
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document reading and conveying unit, a pressing plate capable of moving to a position to press a document against a reading surface and to a position withdrawn from the reading surface, and a fixed reader configured to read a document fixed on the reading surface by moving a close-coupled image sensor relative to the document. The document reading and conveying unit includes a controller configured to perform pickup initialization of returning a pickup roller to an initial position after the completion of conveying one or more documents and is supported by the pressure plate. The controller includes a first timer configured to measure an elapsed time from the completion of reading performed by the fixed reader. The controller performs the pickup initialization after a measurement value measured by the first timer exceeds a first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Shimmachi, Haruo Ishizuka, Kuniaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8477388
    Abstract: A scanner is disclosed. The scanner has a flatbed glass and an ADF glass mounted to a top cover with a gap formed between the two glass pieces. The scanner has a scanner module that has an ADF scan position underneath the ADF glass and a flatbed scan position underneath the flatbed glass. When the scanner module is in the flatbed scan position the scanner module references the flatbed glass. The scanner module crosses the gap between the two glass pieces when the scanner module moves from the flatbed scan position to the ADF scan position. The scanner module is lowered away from the flatbed glass as the scanner module approaches and moves across the gap between the two glass pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Eric L. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8477389
    Abstract: A method is described for reading information from and/or writing information to at least one sheet of flexible sheet material. The sheet having a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces and opposing lengthwise and widthwise edges. The sheet material is supported in a curved configuration across the width such that the first surface is inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration to define a cylindrical shape having the lengthwise edges positioned in a confronting relationship. The sheet is then moved in a direction along a lengthwise path generally parallel to the length and transverse to the direction of curvature, but without rotation about the lengthwise path. At least one of reading information and writing information is performed transversely across the width of the first surface of the sheet material as the sheet material is moved along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8472087
    Abstract: An office machine with both platform-type scanning mode and feeder-type scanning mode. The office machine includes a reciprocally movable scanning module arranged on upper side of the office machine for scanning documents placed on a platform. The office machine further includes a sheet-feeding path positioned under a bed. The sheet-feeding path has at least one position where the documents passing through the sheet-feeding path can be scanned by the scanning module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Yen-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 8467112
    Abstract: An image sensor reads an image from a document sheet disposed on a document holding portion of a platen glass while the image sensor is moving along the platen glass in a predetermined direction or reads an image from a document sheet fed by a document feeder while the image sensor is stopped at the image reading position. A discharge guide member guides a document sheet which has passed the image reading position in a direction downstream from the platen glass. A sliding mechanism slides a first plate that faces the document holding portion selectively between a first position and a second position along the platen glass in a sliding direction parallel to the predetermined direction. The image reading position is within the document holding portion. The first plate, when in the first position, covers the image reading position, and the first plate, when in the second position, is separated from the image reading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8467115
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an image formation unit, an image reading unit, and a guide portion. The image formation unit discharges a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming portion into a recording medium discharge space by applying conveying force to the recording medium and bends the recording medium in a given shape preventing a leading end portion of the recording medium from free fall. The image reading unit reads a document image and is disposed above the image formation unit so that the recording medium discharge space is disposed between the image reading unit and the image formation unit. The guide portion has a protrusion portion protruding toward the recording medium discharge space from a lower face of the image reading unit and that lead the leading end portion to free fall by reducing the bending of the leading end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiro Kozushi
  • Patent number: 8462398
    Abstract: An image scanning device includes a housing, a scanning carriage, and a first guide groove and a second guide groove. The housing includes a bottom chassis and a side wall member, and defines a document tray. A scanning carriage is movably arranged in the housing. The first guide groove and the second guide groove are arranged at the side wall members of the housing, and guide the scanning carriage in a scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Otsuki
  • Patent number: 8462397
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a scanner head, the apparatus comprising: a carrier assembly; a bogey assembly; and a scanner head assembly, comprising a mounting for holding a scanner head; wherein the scanner head assembly and the bogey assembly are both mounted on spring bearings on the carrier assembly such that they can both move in a vertical direction, and the scanner head assembly comprises at least two collinear vertical bearings which restrict movement of the scanner head assembly to vertical movement substantially perpendicular to a document path, and the bogey assembly comprises two laterally spaced bearings which allow rotational movement of the bogey assembly about the scanner head mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Peter Robinson
  • Patent number: 8462395
    Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus, including a housing, the housing includes an internal space and a substantially transparent surface for supporting a tangible document during an image acquisition operation, a document sensing device for detecting if at least a portion of the transparent surface is covered by the tangible document, the document sensing device including a transparent support structure for supporting at least one edge of the tangible document, a layer of coating configured to reflect light, wherein the layer of coating covering at least a portion of the external surfaces of the transparent support structure, a first light source and a light intensity sensor disposed inside the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: CSSN Inc. Card Scanning Solutions
    Inventors: Iuval Hatzav, Ilan Ben-Shahar, Giyora Sharaby, Daniel Hatzav
  • Patent number: 8456718
    Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (30) for holding documents (20) prior to imaging; an output tray (150) for holding documents after the documents exit the scanner; an output image capture device (140) for capturing images of the output tray; an image processor for determining characteristics of the output tray or characteristic of the documents after the documents exit the scanner; and scanner functions are modified based on the output tray characteristics or the document characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David M. Schaertel, Daniel P. Phinney, Marybeth Schmidt, Bruce A. Link, Bruce A. Holroyd
  • Patent number: 8456714
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing section, a flatbed scanner section configured to read an original on a reading surface, and a moving mechanism configured to change the angle of the reading surface relative to an installation plane on which the apparatus is installed. The scanner section is capable of performing reading in each of a first mode where the angle of the reading surface is a first angle (vertical) and a second mode where the angle of the reading surface is a second angle (horizontal) different from the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ikeda, Haruyuki Yanagi, Masaaki Ishibashi, Kenichi Nishimura, Sakiko Takizawa, Naofumi Sekine, Hiroshi Ogushi, Takeji Niikura, Tetsuya Saito, Tetsuhiro Nitta, Shigeyuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8456717
    Abstract: A method of scanning comprises detecting a document on a scanning device scanning surface, wherein the document lies directly on the scanning device scanning surface; detecting pressure on the scanning device scanning surface to scan a region of the document; detecting a first point pressure of a first point and a second point pressure of a second point; connecting the first point and the second point, the connecting the first point and the second point forming a boundary between a first document region and a second document region; and receiving a scan instruction to scan at least one of the first region of the document and the second region of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lydia M. Do, Lisa M. Seacat, Pamela A. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 8451516
    Abstract: An apparatus for scanning a bound document is provided. The apparatus comprises a casing, an image-capturing assembly, at least a sensor and a controller. The casing has a first platen and a second platen disposed adjacent to each other, wherein the first platen having a scanning region is provided to support the bound document. The image-capturing assembly is disposed under the first platen for capturing an image of the bound document within the scanning region and generating an image signal. At least a sensor is disposed on the second platen for detecting the presence of the bound document. The sensor transmits a detection signal responsive to detection of the document presence. The controller is electrically connected to the image-capturing assembly and the sensor for executing a book-scanning mode responsive to the detection signal received from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Yen-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8451514
    Abstract: A multifunction peripheral includes a scanning platform, a scanning module, a recording unit and a controlling unit. The scanning platform includes a standby position, a position-calibrating structure and a datum line. The scanning platform is divided into a first zone and a second zone by the datum line. The position-calibrating structure is included in the second zone. The scanning module is movable with respect to the scanning platform for performing a scanning operation. The recording unit is used for recording a parameter associated with a position of the scanning module with respect to the scanning platform. The controlling unit is used for controlling movement of the scanning module according to the parameter recorded in the recording unit, so that the scanning module is moved through the position-calibrating structure to perform a position-calibrating operation. After the position-calibrating operation is completed, the scanning module is moved to the standby position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Teco Image System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 8451512
    Abstract: A scanner includes a reference backing member, a scan assembly and a light-obstruction member. The scan assembly, disposed opposite the reference backing member, scans a reference block of the reference backing member and an original block of an original in a scan region. The scan assembly includes a light source for emitting a first light beam in a direction toward the reference block, and emitting a second light beam in a direction toward the original block. The light-obstruction member, disposed between the reference backing member and the scan assembly, includes a light-obstruction part, disposed in a first optical path of the first light beam and outside a second optical path of the second light beam, for blocking a portion of the first light beam from reaching the reference block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Sheng
  • Patent number: 8451517
    Abstract: A calibrating and positioning structure of a scanning apparatus is provided. The scanning apparatus includes a scanning platform and a scanning window. The scanning window has a wide edge. The calibrating and positioning structure includes a calibrating part and at least one positioning part. The calibrating part is disposed on the scanning platform, and aligned with the wide edge of the scanning window. The at least one positioning part is partially overlapped with the calibrating part, wherein the positioning part is not aligned with the wide edge of the scanning window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: TECO Image System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Chen Peng, Li-Ju Huang