Abstract: A method for the optimization of optical scanners by automatically determining image processing threshold values using a novel threshold calibration sheet. The calibration sheet image has lines at a forty-five degree angle to the path of the document through the scanner and has a predetermined image dot count. One embodiment comprises the steps of repetitively scanning the sheet until scanner threshold values which satisfy predetermined relationships with said dot count are determined. Another embodiment comprises the steps of a single calibration scan with multiple processing of the gray scale scan data on a host computer. By using this method, two or more scanner cameras can work together on processing document images and consistently give uniform results, independent of their individual technical operating or performance differences.

Abstract: A bedside television designed to permit a patient, or the like, to view the television while comfortably lying in bed without bending his neck. The bedside television device includes a television mounted substantially above the head of the patient and having a screen on which an image is displayed, the screen facing substantially upwardly, a pair of orthogonally disposed mirrors for reflecting the image displayed on the screen so as to create a virtual image of the image at a position above and forward of the patient at a distance that is further from the patient than the screen, and a mounting mechanism for mounting the television and the mirrors to a wall. The television and the mirrors are pivotally disposed in the mounting mechanism so as to be rotatable from a closed, non-viewing position to an open, viewing position.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus includes a converter for subjecting each block to a discrete cosine transform (DCT) to convert blocks into DCT coefficients, a first memory for temporarily storing the DCT coefficients, a second memory for storing threshold values of a quantization matrix which is used for quantizing the DCT coefficients, a quantizing part for quantizing the DCT coefficients, a differential part for obtaining a difference in D.C. components of quantized DCT coefficients related to present and previous blocks, a zero detector for detecting whether or not A.C. components of the quantized DCT coefficient are zero coefficients, a counter for counting a number of successive zero coefficients of the A.C. components, a coder for subjecting the D.C. and A.C. components to a Huffman coding to output a coded D.C. and A.C.