Patents Represented by Attorney Mark P. Watson
  • Patent number: 7940280
    Abstract: A method of converting an input color codeword from a first color format to a second color format comprises providing a reference format having reference bit positions and comparing the first bit positions associated with the first color format to the reference bit positions. Second bit positions associated with the second color format are compared to the reference bit positions. The relative bit position shifts based on the compared first bit positions and the compared second bit positions are determined. Format conversion bit masks are then generated based on the first and second color formats and the determined relative bit position shifts. The input color codeword is converted to the second color format based on the format conversion bit masks and the relative bit position shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Sellers, Benjamin Vinegar
  • Patent number: 7916969
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a digital image in which exposure varies by region of the image are described. The image may be created from first and second images. In one embodiment, a method comprises writing pixels of the first image that are within a first region of a space to pixel locations in a memory that correspond with coordinates of the respective first image pixels. A replacement pixel is generated by combining a pixel of the first image that is within the first region with a spatially corresponding pixel of a second image. The replacement pixel is written to a pixel location in the memory that corresponds with the coordinates of the replacement pixel. Pixels of the first image that are within a second region of the space may be written to pixel locations in the memory that correspond with the coordinates of the respective first image pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Barinder Singh Rai
  • Patent number: 7913097
    Abstract: A fiscal data recorder for storing transaction related data in a point of sale system is provided with a processing unit receiving the transaction related data. Memory in communication with the processing unit is operable to store the transaction related data. A protection circuit acting between the processing unit and the memory inhibits the electronic tampering with the transaction data stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard B. Hodder, William Gugg
  • Patent number: 7903289
    Abstract: A management label has a color loss determination area that enables easy determination of color loss. An identification color printing area 11 where an inventory control color for managing products and a color loss determination area 15 for determining color loss are printed on the label side 10a of an inventory management label 10. The color loss determination area 15 contains a color loss determination section 18 including the letters “NG” printed with a black coloring agent, and a background portion 19 that is printed using cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring agents. When there is no color loss and the letters “NG” and background portion 19 are printed normally, the letters “NG” and background portion 19 are both gray and the “NG” letters cannot be read. If one of the colors is lost, the printed colors change, the letters “NG” become discernable, and color loss can be easily determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yokoyama, Akihiro Goto
  • Patent number: 7889245
    Abstract: Automatic white balancing of a digital image. In one example embodiment, a method for automatic white balancing of a full-color input image includes several acts. First, pixels of the input image are selected according to one or more predetermined criteria. Next, global gain values for R and B components of the input image are determined using the selected pixels. Then, local gain values for the R and B components of each individual pixel of the input image are determined based on characteristics of each individual pixel. Next, a final gain value for the R and B components of each individual pixel of the input image is determined based on contributions of the local and global gain values. Finally, a white-balanced output image is produced by adjusting the R and B components of each pixel in the input image using the corresponding final gain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Rastislav Lukac
  • Patent number: 7887282
    Abstract: A media transportation mechanism and a media processing device enabling carrying media without transportation errors or picking errors by accurately detecting if media is present. A media transportation mechanism 31 has a gripping mechanism 130 for holding media and a media detection mechanism 200 for detecting media gripped by the gripping mechanism 130 positioned on a transportation arm 36 that can move up and down. The media detection mechanism 200 has a detection lever 201 that is pivotably supported on the arm base 125a of the transportation arm 36 and is displaced from a media-not-detected position in contact with the arm base 125a to a media-detected position separated from the arm base 125a when the detection lever 201 contacts the media, a detector 202 that detects displacement of the detection lever 201 to the media-detected position, and an attraction unit including a magnet 203 and steel plate 204 that pull the arm base 125a and detection lever 201 together using magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Nebashi
  • Patent number: 7873233
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system to render an image that impinges upon a non-planar surface to attenuate, if not abrogate, distortions introduced by the surface that features mapping the image as a plurality of spaced-apart planar cells to coordinates of the non-planar surface to produce a plurality of the inverted planar cells, with each of the cells including multiple pixels of the image, minimizing a distance between the cells while minimizing a change in the distance of each of the plurality of cells with respect to the surface coordinates; and impinging the plurality of planar cells upon the non-planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tatiana Pavlovna Kadantseva, Doug McFadyen
  • Patent number: 7868898
    Abstract: The invention is directed, in one embodiment, to a method for generating memory addresses for accessing an image in which each pixel in a group of pixels has a luma component, but shares chroma components with other pixels of the group. A preferred method includes providing a memory, having a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions. First memory addresses may be generated, each of which corresponds to one of the first portions. Each first address defines a storage location for the luma components of one of the pixel groups. Second memory addresses may be generated, each of which corresponds to one of the second portions. Each second address defines a storage location for the chroma components of at least one of the pixel groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Jeffrey, Jiliang Song, John Peter van Baarsen, Jerzy Wieslaw Swic
  • Patent number: 7861238
    Abstract: A configuration tool and method of updating a pointer entry in a Java archive (JAR) file pointing to a peripheral configuration file comprises generally continuously listening for an event signifying deployment of a peripheral configuration file and in response to the event, automatically updating the pointer entry in the JAR file that points to the deployed peripheral configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Al Saadi, Michael Mannion
  • Patent number: 7859949
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a dial having a tens date display window for displaying the tens digit of the date, and a ones date display window for displaying the ones digit of the date; and a calendar mechanism having a tens indicator wheel to which a plurality of tens digit markers are disposed and a ones indicator wheel to which a plurality of ones digit markers are disposed, and which displays one of the plural tens digit markers disposed to the tens indicator wheel from the tens date display window, and displays one of the plural ones digit markers disposed to the ones indicator wheel from the ones date display window. The ones indicator wheel has a ones indicator plate on which the ones digit markers are disposed, and a ones indicator pinion affixed to the ones indicator plate. The tens indicator wheel has a tens indicator plate on which the tens digit markers are disposed, and a tens indicator pinion affixed to the tens indicator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joji Kitahara, Shoichi Nagao
  • Patent number: 7843460
    Abstract: A graphics processor is provided. The graphics processor includes a memory storing image data for presentation and a display memory region in communication with the memory, the display memory region supplying image data to a display panel for presentation. The graphics processor includes bandwidth control logic configured to monitor a lag between an output from the display memory region and an input into the display memory region. The bandwidth control logic is further configured to prevent a level of the display memory from decrementing when the lag between the output and the input is capable of causing corruption on the display panel due to a lack of data from the display memory region. A method for avoiding a buffer under run and a device are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Barinder Singh Rai, Phil Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 7844085
    Abstract: Systems and methods for training an AdaBoost based classifier for detecting symmetric objects, such as human faces, in a digital image. In one example embodiment, such a method includes first selecting a sub-window of a digital image. Next, the AdaBoost based classifier extracts multiple sets of two symmetric scalar features from the sub-window, one being in the right half side and one being in the left half side of the sub-window. Then, the AdaBoost based classifier minimizes the joint error of the two symmetric features for each set of two symmetric scalar features. Next, the AdaBoost based classifier selects one of the features from the set of two symmetric scalar features for each set of two symmetric scalar features. Finally, the AdaBoost based classifier linearly combines multiple weak classifiers, each of which corresponds to one of the selected features, into a stronger classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Juwei Lu, Hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 7843462
    Abstract: A system for displaying a digital video sequence includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a display device. The GPU receives and modifies the digital video sequence to compensate for perceived blur based on motion between frames of the digital video sequence. The display device displays the modified digital video sequence. A method and computer readable medium having computer readable code is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eunice Poon
  • Patent number: 7839539
    Abstract: A printer driver enables printing a color loss determination stamp that accurately indicates whether color loss has occurred in every print mode available on a printer. The image data parameter and storage unit 42 of the printer driver 1 stores a plurality of color loss determination bitmap image data 20 units used for printing a color loss determination stamp 18 correlated to each print mode. When a print mode is selected, an image data selection unit 43 selects and prints the color loss determination bitmap image data 20 corresponding to the print mode. A color loss determination stamp 18 that accurately reflects if color loss has occurred can therefore be printed when printing in any print mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiharu Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7840071
    Abstract: A method of identifying regions of different content in an image comprises dividing image data into a plurality of pixel blocks, extracting features of the pixel blocks and classifying the content of the pixel blocks based on extracted features. Extracting comprises, for each pixel block, convolving a magic square filter with the pixels of the pixel block and summing the results, and calculating the percentage of background pixels in the pixel block. The magic square filter is a 3×3 kernel that has a specific selectivity towards the statistical appearance and geometric alignment of a document based text of various fonts, sizes and styles. The complete sum of the magic square filter, as well as the sum of the rows, columns and diagonals of the magic square filter are zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yichuan Tang, Hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 7840037
    Abstract: A method and system for efficiently detecting faces within a digital image. One example method includes identifying a digital image comprised of a plurality of sub-windows and performing a first scan of the digital image using a coarse detection level to eliminate the sub-windows that have a low likelihood of representing a face. The subset of the sub-windows that were not eliminated during the first scan are then scanned a second time using a fine detection level having a higher accuracy level than the coarse detection level used during the first scan to identify sub-windows having a high likelihood of representing a face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Juwei Lu, Hui Zhou, Mohanaraj Thiyagarajah
  • Patent number: 7835592
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an image projected onto a warped surface is provided. The method initiates with capturing calibration points within a calibration image projected onto the warped surface. The method includes analyzing the calibration points to determine relative locations among the calibration points. In one embodiment, the method utilizes a pseudo origin for locating beginning points for successive rows of calibration points. The calibration points are ordered according to the relative locations. The ordered calibration points may be applied to alter the image data prior to projection of the image data onto the warped surface. A system for calibrating points so that an image projected onto a warped surface does not appear as distorted is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Doug McFadyen, Tatiana Pavlovna Kadantseva
  • Patent number: 7825965
    Abstract: A method, of interpolating missing colors in a color filter array comprising red, green and blue photosites comprises determining and interpolation direction for each red and each blue photosite based on local edge information and interpolating a green color for each red and each blue photosite in the determined interpolation direction for that photosite. For each green photosite, red and blue colors are interpolated. For each red photosite, a blue color is interpolated in the determined interpolation direction for that photosite and for each blue photosite, a red color is interpolated in the determined interpolation direction for that photosite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Achong, Hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 7812847
    Abstract: A memory for a graphics processor is provided. The memory includes a write first-in-first-out (FIFO) region of the memory for receiving pixel data, and a read FIFO region for accessing the pixel data received into the memory through the write FIFO. The memory has a memory controller having write assembly logic for rearranging the pixel data received by the write FIFO for storage in the memory. The write assembly logic is configured to write data representing a first pixel and a second pixel across a plurality of data segments in the memory, where corresponding bit locations for the data representing the first pixel and the data representing the second pixel are contiguous. A graphics controller having the memory and a method for preventing data corruption from being displayed during an underflow are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Barinder Singh Rai, Phil Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 7804470
    Abstract: A method and system for calculating an overdrive parameter for a liquid crystal within an LCD device to compensate for temperature variations. An example system includes a temperature sensor for measuring an ambient temperature near a liquid crystal and a memory for storing a lookup table containing a plurality of overdrive parameters. Each overdrive parameter corresponds to a graylevel transition between a previous frame and a current frame, and represents a level at which a liquid crystal is driven in order to achieve a desired response time for the graylevel transition at a reference temperature. A processor extracts the appropriate overdrive parameter from the lookup and calculates an adapted overdrive parameter that adjusts for the difference between the measured ambient temperature and the reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eunice Poon