Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Eric B. Janofsky
  • Patent number: 5835640
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for locating and straightening horizontal and vertical lines in digitized documents by first identifying horizontal or vertical elements, each of which may represent part of a longer line, according to several adjustable criteria. This approach confines use of precise, computationally intensive line-fixing routines to image regions likely to contain a line. In one aspect, the invention performs pixel-by-pixel scanning only in those regions likely to contain a line segment. Given a threshold number of pixels defining the smallest possible line segment, the invention begins with an initial pixel and tests the pixel linearly displaced therefrom by a distance equal to the threshold. If the displaced pixel is uncolored, a consecutive threshold-length run of colored pixels cannot exist between the initial and displaced pixels, so all of these pixels are considered evaluated and the displaced pixel becomes a new initial pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: John Clements
  • Patent number: 5821951
    Abstract: An ink jet printer provided with an ink jet print head having a nozzle, an ink channel that is connected to the nozzle, and an electrostatic actuator that is composed of a diaphragm that is provided in a part of the ink channel and an electrode placed outside of the ink channel opposite to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is distorted by means of an electrostatic force generated by applying voltage to the electrostatic actuator thereby performing printing with ink droplets ejected from the nozzle. The electrostatic actuator driver comprises a timing pulse generator, charge circuit and discharge circuit. The driver controls an amount of charge to be charged to the electrostatic actuator as well as charge rate thereof corresponding to the environmental operating condition of the ink jet printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujii, Ikuhiro Miyashita, Shigeo Sugimura, Hiroshi Koeda, Naoki Kobayashi, Asahiro Oguchi
  • Patent number: 5822510
    Abstract: A printer driver comprising a separate page driver for analyzing print data and storing analysis data into a journal file, a journal file processor for retrieving the analysis data from the journal file, and a separate render driver for variably processing the print data depending on the type of stored analysis information, rendering the variably processed print data into picture elements having a reduced pixel depth, storing the picture elements into a band buffer, and providing the picture elements to a printer to produce high-quality printed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. LeClair, Kazuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5818473
    Abstract: A drive method of an ink-jet head is provided in which a diaphragm is deformed by means of electrostatic force to eject an ink droplet from a nozzle so as to prevent a residual charge from being created between a diaphragm and an individual electrode. The method has first and second drive modes. In a first drive mode a voltage of a first polarity is applied between a diaphragm of the inkjet head (common electrode) and an individual electrode to cause the diaphragm to be deformed and an ink droplet to be ejected from a nozzle. In the second drive mode a voltage of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity is applied between the diaphragm and the individual electrode to cause the diaphragm to be deformed and an ink droplet to be ejected from the nozzle at least once for each operation of ink droplet ejection performed in the first drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujii, Hiroyuki Ishikawa, Shigeo Nojima, Hiroyuki Maruyama, Atsushi Yamaji
  • Patent number: 5815595
    Abstract: An interactive graphics system for precisely locating a boundary of a user-selected text field on a digitized form, enabling the user to accurately enter information into the text field. Upon receiving a user-selected coordinate of a point within the selected text field, the graphics system automatically determines the boundary of the text field by searching the neighboring area for particular obstructions based upon a user-provided type indication. Generally, the graphics system includes a means for receiving information pertaining to a selected text field, including the user-selected coordinate and text field type. A text field identifier associated with the indicated text field type determines the boundary of the selected text field. The text field identifier implements one or more boundary locators, each specifically configured to search for particular obstruction and to determine a text field boundary associated with that obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sean Gugler
  • Patent number: 5812166
    Abstract: Techniques for packaging inkjet style ink cartridges which prevent ink seepage without dedicated nozzle pressing mechanisms, nozzle sealants, or adhesives. Specifically, the ink cartridge is circumscribed by a flexible, multifaced cartridge holder which is then placed in an aluminum bag and vacuum packed. Integral, ink impermeable nozzle compressing and cartridge terminal coverage components are disposed on the inner periphery of the cartridge holder and engage the respective cartridge ink ejection and terminal areas when the cartridge holder is folded around the ink cartridge. Vacuum packing forces the outer aluminum bag to constrict and compress the cartridge holder, thereby securing the cartridge and sealing off the ejection area through compression of the aforementioned compressing and coverage surfaces. As a result, the ink cartridge can be packaged without the use of any adhesive materials, and the sealing performance can be significantly improved using a simple packing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5804835
    Abstract: This is an invention of a superconductive device that is equipped with a first superconductive electrode, a second superconductive electrode and a junction that is made of a superconductive material that connects these superconductive electrodes, wherein there are 2-terminal or 3-terminal superconductive devices that use a junction that is in a superconductive state that is weaker than the first and the second superconductive electrodes or in a normal conductive state that is near the superconductive state. The differences between the critical current, the critical temperature, the pair potential and the carrier densities of the first and the second superconductive electrodes and the junction are used as a means of putting the junction in the states mentioned above. Based on the methods mentioned above, a superconductive device which has few pattern rule restrictions and which is easy to fabricate can be offered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taketomi Kamikawa, Eiji Natori, Setsuya Iwashita, Tatsuya Shimoda
  • Patent number: 5802016
    Abstract: A multifunctional electronic watch of the present invention displays data measured by a built-in atmospheric pressure sensor by means of a small atmospheric pressure pointer and an atmospheric pressure pointer. It is also capable of displaying a differential between the present atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure three hours before by means of an atmospheric pressure tendency pointer. A dial ring attached around a clockface of the watch is formed with an atmospheric pressure scale, on the outer periphery of which is a rotation bezel formed with a height scale. The built-in sensor is accommodated in the watch so as not to project from the rotation bezel of the watch. Accordingly, an electronic watch which has additional functions of indicating environmental data such as atmospheric pressure without complicating the constitution can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Kubota, Takashi Kawaguchi, Hidehiro Akahane, Yoshitaka Iijima, Keiichiro Oguchi, Mikiko Ito, Youichi Hayashi, Hidenori Makiba
  • Patent number: 5802212
    Abstract: In a computer system (10) that employs an ink-jet printer (12), a printer driver (36) receives signals from an applications program (34) that describes an image in multiple-bit pixel values. The driver converts the multiple-bit-per-pixel representation into the binary-pixel-value format necessary to operate the printer. In so doing, it submits the image values I(x,y) to complementary weighting processes (136 and 138). It then applies clustered-dot dithering to one of the weighting-process outputs and distributed-dot dithering to the other weighting-process output, and it commands the printer to apply ink at any pixel for which the output of either dithering step calls for it. Except at the highest pixel values, the weighting is such that the overall output is the same as that which clustered-dot dithering produces. At the highest pixel values, the results tend increasingly toward those of dispersed-dot dithering as the input value in-creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Shu, Chia-Hsin Li
  • Patent number: 5800081
    Abstract: This printing apparatus is provided having a regular status data generating circuit for regularly generating status data. An automatic status selection and transmission circuit selects the status condition to be transmitted by the automatic status transmission operation, and a status data comparator compares the status data. By executing the automatic status selection and transmission command, the status is thereafter transmitted each time the selected status changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Teradaira, Naohiko Koakutsu, Takuya Hyonaga
  • Patent number: 5799136
    Abstract: An ink-jet-printer driver employs clustered-dot dither to generate binary image signals that represent an image that has been adjusted for the ink-duty limit that must be imposed to avoid bleeding on some print media. To impose the limit, a Bayer dither process (94) receives an input that represents the ratio of ink-limit-adjusted ink duty to unadjusted ink duty. A gating operation (96) permits an ink request only at those locations where both dither processes (92 and 94) indicate that an ink is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Li, Andrei Pascovici, Joseph S. Shu, Dennis L. Chao
  • Patent number: 5796929
    Abstract: A controller for an ink-jet printer (26) half-tones three color-component values in clustered-dot dither operations (80, 82, and 84) that employ respective dither arrays whose cluster centers are displaced from each other. Additionally, a half-toning operation (86) is performed on a fine-resolution black value obtained from the color-component values in an undercolor-removal operation (59) in which the resultant black value is less, throughout most of the component-value range, than the minimum of the color-component values from which the black value is derived. The banding effects that would otherwise result from ink bleeding are thereby greatly reduced. The banding effects can be further reduced by performing black-component half-toning in a non-cluster-dot-dither operation, without detracting significantly from the intended clustered-dot dither effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Shu, Chia-Hsin Li
  • Patent number: 5795301
    Abstract: For the purpose of realizing a display method for a portable electronic measuring device that allows the user to know his condition more easily and in greater detail by making it easy for him to read the display of measured results even if the display device is limited in size due to its portability, a bar graph is displayed in dot display area (134) of liquid crystal display device (13) of the portable pulse measuring device which extends up at each time interval according to the absolute value of the pulse rate after the measurement of time is started and until the pulse rate reaches a prescribed range, and after the pulse rate reaches the prescribed range, a bar graph is displayed that extends in the positive direction or the negative direction at each time interval according to the difference from the prescribed reference pulse rate. When temporal changes in the pitch during running are displayed in dot display area (134), they are displayed in a segmented graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Seiko Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoaki Yasukawa, Chiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5787054
    Abstract: To achieve a multiple function portable electronic device providing improved ease of use by enabling the operation of selected functions to be sustained even while replacing the battery, switch end 190 is pushed out from battery housing hole 509 to one side by battery 59 when battery 59 is loaded, and is pushed by spring member 197 into battery housing hole 509 inside watch case 11 of the wristwatch-type pulse wave measuring device when battery 59 is removed from battery housing hole 509 after removing the battery cover. Switch end 190 thus automatically inputs the terminal voltage of a backup capacitance element from signal input terminal 510 to the IC. This causes the wristwatch-type pulse wave measuring device to switch from the normal operating mode to an energy conservation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Seiko Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoaki Yasukawa, Chiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5771475
    Abstract: A control apparatus by which a duty ratio in consideration of how energy stored in storage cells is consumed is set to ensure a steady traveling feeling, a regeneration brake which can produce stable braking forces regardless of how storage cells are consumed, and a protective device by which a plurality of operation stop levels are set to be able to cancel the stop operation effected for the first time and to ensure reliable alarming, are provided. In the first and second embodiments, a chopper duty ratio is compensated depending on how storage cells are consumed, to provide a steady agreeable traveling feeling. In the third embodiment, regenerated electric power is consumed by a motor driving circuit to stabilize operation of a regeneration brake regardless of how storage cells are consumed, and improve performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo R&D Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Tabata, Minoru Kozaki
  • Patent number: 5768441
    Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing apparatus for determining the best digitizing threshold value, thereby enabling best-case digitizing across the entire input image, even when determination of a subject image within an image block is mistaken. The input image is separated into plural blocks; a temporary digitization threshold value is calculated for each of the separated blocks; the presence of text characters or other predetermined subject images is evaluated in each of the separated blocks; and block information for each of the separated blocks, including the temporary digitization threshold value, subject presence information, and the final digitization threshold value of each block for which said threshold value has been determined, is referenced to determine the final digitization threshold value for each block. Each block is then digitized using these best-case threshold values to achieve consistent, best-case digitization across the entire input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshizawa, Naoki Kuwata
  • Patent number: 5766132
    Abstract: The invention provides a wrist-worn pulse wave measuring device capable of outputting data measured by the wrist-worn pulse wave measuring device to an external data processing device without using a large device body. In the pulse information processing apparatus, a connector piece of a sensor unit is mounted to a connector of a wrist-worn pulse wave measuring device when measuring the pulse. A data transmission connector piece is mounted to the connector of the pulse wave measuring device when transmitting data with a data processor. Whether the operating mode is the pulse measurement mode or the data transmission mode is determined by a signal discriminator which discriminates the signal input from the connector of the pulse wave measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Seiko Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoaki Yasukawa, Motomu Hayakawa, Chiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5759156
    Abstract: A period and frequency measurement device is provided having a sensor for measuring pulse waves and body movements. A window determination circuit sets a reference value in accordance with previously measured pulse waves and body movements and determines whether currently measured pulse waves and body movements is within a window defined by upper and lower margins relative to the reference value. A window correction circuit corrects the window to be used for a next pulse waves and body movement measurement by applying a specified correction to the current pulse waves and body movements measurement if a determination result of the window determination circuit indicates that the current pulse waves and body movements measurement is outside a current window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Seiko Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Motomu Hayakawa, Tsukasa Kosuda, Hiroshi Odagiri, Chiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5757976
    Abstract: An adaptive filtering and thresholding arrangement provides a set of error filters having different sizes and associated weighted coefficients for diffusing quantization errors among neighboring pixels in predetermined tonal areas of an image to achieve a smooth halftone image quality. Each error filter circuit is optimally applied to a particular pixel area depending upon the grayscale tone of that area and the desired output print resolution. The arrangement further provides for the addition of "noise" errors to threshold values at selected input image pixel ranges and at the intersection of two differently filtered areas to eliminate visible pattern distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph S. Shu
  • Patent number: 5735800
    Abstract: For the purpose of providing, by only improving the shape of the device body, at a low cost and without impairing user comfort a wrist-worn portable device and a wrist-worn pulse wave measuring device whereby the device body does not turn unnecessarily around the wrist. A wrist-worn pulse wave measuring device 1 attaches device body 10 by means of wrist band 12 to the wrist, and attaches sensor unit 30 to the base of a finger by means of a band for holding the sensor. At the end of cable 20 leading from sensor unit 30 is formed connector piece 80, which is attached by simply sliding connector 70 in the direction of twelve o'clock. Because device body 10 has a turning stop 108 forming an approximately 115.degree. angle to the back, device body 10 will not turn unnecessarily even if it is turned in the direction of six o'clock or twelve o'clock on a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Naoaki Yasukawa, Masayuki Kawata