Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing apparatus are provided to maintain image quality through simple processing while reducing the number of gradation levels of image data by error diffusion process. In an image processing apparatus, data outputted from a filter is subtracted from input image data x(i, j) at the subtracter. Data outputted from the subtracter is quantized at a quantizer. Data outputted from the quantizer is outputted as output image data y(i, j). Furthermore, the data outputted from the subtracter is subtracted from the data outputted from the quantizer at a second subtracter to produce quantization error e(i, j). At a filter section, filtering process is performed on the quantization error e(i, j). Data outputted from the filter section is inputted to the first subtracter.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink ribbon, a cartridge containing the ink ribbon and a method of discriminating a failure location from an ink ribbon base film when the failure occurs on the ink ribbon. The ink ribbon is a sublimation-type ink ribbon manufactured from a column of the plural columns into which the ink ribbon base film is cut. The ink ribbon has a recording portion for recording column information indicating a column out of the plural columns of the ink ribbon base film, from which the ink ribbon is manufactured. The cartridge contains the ink ribbon. When a failure occurs on the ink ribbon, the column including the failure is discriminated from the plural columns of the ink ribbon base film based upon the recorded column information of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus and the method of its operation for decoding a received, encoded data signal having a plurality of data rates, such as a CDMA signal, by means of a deinterleaver for deinterleaving the recorded, encoded signal and outputting a frame of deinterleaved symbols, a feature calculation circuit for applying a plurality of different algorithms to the frame of deinterleaved symbols to produce a corresponding plurality of output feature values which are indicative of a degree of repetition of the deinterleaved symbols, a neural network for processing the plurality of output feature values according to a predetermined set of weights to produce a plurality of output rate determination values y1, y2, . . . yn, each of which corresponds to a different data rate, where m≦y≦M, n is an integer and m and M are predetermined minimum and maximum values, respectively, a rate detection circuit for comparing the plurality of output rate determination values y1, y2, . . .

Abstract: A data communication protocol is implemented to control data flow between a transport layer and a data link layer. The protocol provides two manners of data flow control. (1) In the first control manner, when the occupancy of packet buffers of the data link layer is smaller than a first threshold, the data link layer informs of the transport layer that the packet transport should be suspended, and thereafter when the occupancy is smaller than a second threshold smaller than the first one, the data link layer requests the transport layer to resume the packet transfer. (2) In the second control manner, when the amount of packets is smaller than a value determined based on the transfer rate and maximum burst size, the transport layer transfers a packet to a lower layer, and when the packet amount is larger than the value, a packet is transferred after a predetermined time passes to control the transfer rate to a predetermined one.

Abstract: An interchangeable plug device includes an electrical plug detachably mountable to a casing and movable between a detached and an operative position relative to the casing, and a releasable locking mechanism integral with the electrical plug to maintain the plug in an operative position. The locking mechanism can be released by a user to allow the plug to be moved to the detached position. A preferred form of locking mechanism is a depressible lock bar connected to or integral with an electrical plug body, which is designed to engage a detent in a casing. A preferred form of electrical connection between the plug and any casing comprises a submerged pin and sleeve configuration to protect the user or passerby from electric shock if the plug is detached from its operative position but remains a source of live current. A variety of interchangeable electrical plugs can preferably be fitted to the same casing.

Abstract: The reuse of an ink ribbon is prevented and the image quality and the proper paper feeding operation are secured by providing an ink ribbon damaging means to a ink ribbon cartridge of a color video printer. For example, a ring cutter is provided to the spool shaft of a spool on which an ink ribbon used for printing is wound so that the ink ribbon wound on the spool is cut.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses for composing text messages using wireless electronic devices, such as cellular telephones. Specifically, a word list including a set of pre-selected words and a set of dynamically updated words is stored in a cellular telephone. The words in the word list are then displayed on the cellular telephone in a circular fashion. A user can select the words displayed on the cellular telephone to compose a text message. To reflect word usage pattern of the user, the second set of words is updated based on text messages previously composed.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting leafy vegetables, lettuce and the like which are very delicate and which are grown in precisely configured beds of either a regular or single width (40 inches or 42 inches) or a double width (80 inches). A single conveyer/cutter assembly is located on one side of the harvester centerline and has a width somewhat exceeding the width of a single width bed. The wheels on each side are separated by somewhat more than the width of a double bed. The driver and engine is located on the other side of the centerline. Such a harvester can cut single width beds, or can cut double width beds by making a first pass in one direction and a second pass in the other direction. The single conveyer/cutter reduces the amount of debris and unwanted material from the harvested leafy vegetables.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a main body having a stepped portion formed in a front portion of an upper surface of the main body. The stepped portion has a bottom surface lower in level than the upper surface. A keyboard is detachably placed in the stepped portion so that when a display rotatably mounted on the main body is rotated to its closed position, it is clamped between the display and the bottom surface of the stepped portion. A protruding portion protrudes from the bottom surface of the stepped portion and extends through a through hole formed in the keyboard so to restrain the movement of the keyboard when the keyboard is mounted in the stepped portion. The protruding portion has an abutment portion which is brought into contact with the display rotated to the closed position and supports the display. When the display is rotated to the closed position, a hook on the display engages an engagement portion formed in the protruding portion.

Abstract: A field programmable array logic circuit is described wherein existing sensing circuitry is employed along with circuitry to enable every fuse location to be isolated, so that both a.c. and verification testing takes place under the same conditions, i.e. voltage levels and frequency, which occurs during normal operation of the programmed circuit.

Abstract: A tent is described which includes a pentagonal-shaped roof canopy detachable from a pentagonal-shaped floor, and a mosquito netting, enclosure in the form of a hemi-dodechohedron, which extends from the floor to the roof.

Abstract: A stereoscopic camera system is disclosed for producing an "over-and-under" format suitable for stereoscopic video transmission and presentation. The stereoscopic camera system utilizes conventional 60 Hz cameras which are slightly modified in order to utilize only half of the horizontal sweep lines to form the respective left and right subfields in the over-and-under format fields.

Abstract: A stereoscopic television system comprising single or double camera designs adapted to televise twin perspective points of view, which are the source for encoding alternate odd and even fields with right and left images, and a television receiver for displaying such images with either passive or infra-red signaled or internally clock controlled active selection devices. The receiver and the preferred embodiment of the camera use field storage devices to record and playback picture information in an appropriate sequence in such a manner to eliminate flicker and to overcome spurious temporal parallax effects. The receiver uses monochromatic or color television tubes, like those of present manufacture, but employs means to double the scan rate so that, for example, an effective 60 fields for each eye for domestic receivers, and 50 fields for each eye, for certain foreign receivers, is achieved. Field storage or buffer circuits allow the doubling of the number of fields without doubling of the bandwidth.

Abstract: A programmable array logic circuit is provided having a programmable AND gate array and having means for connecting individual AND gate outputs to the input of one or the other of a pair of neighboring OR gates. This allows the product terms to be shared between two outputs.

Abstract: An improved stereoscopic television system is disclosed, having a great deal of compatibility with the existing commercial television infrastructure. Flicker is eliminated while preserving the existing bandwidth allowing the stereoscopic video signals to be handled with conventional apparatus such as video tape recorders, video disks, or broadcast equipment. In the present invention the number of fields per second is twice that of he standard field rate. When displayed on an unmodified receiver or monitor, each subfield image appears to be anamorphically compressed in the vertical direction by a factor of two. A blanking area and/or vertical sync pulse separates the two subfields.