Patents Represented by Attorney Mark P. Watson
  • Patent number: 7352372
    Abstract: A display controller is provided. The display controller is configured to provide an indirect addressing mode to access a memory location within the display controller. The display controller includes a first pin configured to enable access to one of a register of the display controller or a memory region of the display controller based upon a logical level of a first signal received by the first pin. A second pin is included. The second pin is configured to define the access to the register or the memory region as one of address information or data based upon a logical level of a second signal received by the second pin. The display controller includes an extra pin mode module configured to enable the first signal to select the data to access memory without accessing a register block. A device and methods for implementing an indirect addressing mode is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Chow, Jimmy Kwok Lap Lai
  • Patent number: 7346220
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for reducing the bandwidth required to transmit image data to a display device. It is contemplated that the image data represents a plurality of pixels defining an image for display on the display device, and that the image data is transmitted in a data stream with the data being in a predetermined order of pixel components. The method comprises the steps of receiving the image data from the data stream, and transforming the image data as it is received by selectively storing some of the image data in a memory for access by the display device and discarding other of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Jeffrey, Barinder Singh Rai
  • Patent number: 7333097
    Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. Based on the orientation of a display device, an address translation system either passes the software address “as is” or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address. A refresh address generator operates alternatively in column-forward and column-reverse modes, and additionally operates alternatively in row forward and row reverse modes to selectively rotate the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Chee, Barinder Singh Rai, Brett Anthony Cheng
  • Patent number: 7315954
    Abstract: The invention is a hardware switching apparatus for initiating a soft power-down and a remote power-up in a computer system. The apparatus includes a power supply, a switching device having a first switch position and a second switch position, a switching circuit, and a wiring harness for remotely controlling the switching circuit. The power supply senses the power delivered from a primary source and produces a power-down signal when the power is interrupted. When the switching device is in the first switch position, the switching circuit is adapted to cause the power supply to produce a power-down signal. When the switching device is in the second switch position, the switching circuit is adapted to cause the power supply to produce a start-up signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Van Lieu, Kory Q. Nguyen, Steven K. Boicourt
  • Patent number: 7308565
    Abstract: A system and method for performing an interface save/restore procedure in an electronic device includes a processor that begins to execute a first task in conjunction with a host interface of a display processor. The processor subsequently receives an interrupt request for executing a second task that has a higher priority than the first task. A save/restore module responsively stores task states from the host interface into an interface states register. The task states correspond to an interrupted execution point in the first task. The processor temporarily stops the first task to execute the second task. The save/restore module restores the stored task states to the host interface after the second task is completed, and the processor may then efficiently resume the first task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Juraj Bystricky, Doug McFadyen, Keith Kejser
  • Patent number: 7306385
    Abstract: A label printer can continue to print labels without causing a paper jam even when the label detector is not operating. During label printing by the label printer 1, this method confirms if the label detection operation of the optical sensor 14 disposed near the label dispensing slot 3 is normal or not (step ST2). If normal, the next label printing operation starts automatically after a label is printed and the optical sensor 14 detects that the label has been removed from the label dispensing slot 3 (steps ST3, 4, 5). If not normal, an error indicating LED flashes to inform the operator and operation switches to a manual label printing mode in which the optical sensor 14 is not used and starting the next label printing operation waits for manual input (steps ST6, 7, 8). Labels can still be printed when the optical sensor 14 is not operating normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takami, Go Hiroike
  • Patent number: 7292233
    Abstract: A data pipeline and clock control (relationship) that allows image data from a camera to pass directly through a display controller to an LCD without being written into, temporarily stored, and read out of a display buffer, e.g. a VRAM, is provided. Elimination of the video memory (VRAM) lowers the chip cost, reduces the power requirements, reduces delay due to writing and reading from the video memory, and reduces the pin count since fewer power pins are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Barinder Singh Rai, Eric Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 7280996
    Abstract: In a case where application data stored in a PC database 300a are edited by a PC 300, and the edited contents are to be reflected to contents of the memory of a terminal database 200a, PC 300 refers to a synchronization profile SP including item IDs and ID numbers of a most recent synchronization communication and communication time information of the synchronization communication, thereby detecting which items have been edited at a time subsequent to completion of a most recent synchronization communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motomu Hayakawa, Isao Nebashi, Masaru Kai
  • Patent number: 7260273
    Abstract: A system and method of editing a digital image to remove an unwanted object includes designating a rectangular region of the digital image including a subset of pixels within the digital image that includes the object to be removed. A band of pixels adjacent one major side of the rectangular region is selected and a mirror of the selected band of pixels is copied in a repeating pattern to define a first matrix corresponding in size to the designated region. A band of pixels adjacent the opposite major side of the rectangular region is then selected and a mirror of the selected band of pixels is copied in a repeating pattern to define a second pixel matrix corresponding in size to the designated region. The pixels of the first and second matrices are blended according to a first blending equation to create an initial texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Sellers, Sachin Agrawal
  • Patent number: 7242797
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for mapping defects on a light transmissive support surface of a document scanning or photocopying device. The method includes a step of cleaning the support surface between steps of operating the device so as to reflect light from defects associated with the support surface. At least a selected characteristic of the reflected light, such as its intensity, at predetermined pixel locations before the step of cleaning is compared with the same characteristic of the reflected light at the same pixel locations after the step of cleaning. A selected pixel location is mapped to a defect map if (1) the characteristic for reflected light is substantially equal for the selected pixel location at each step of operating the device, and (2) the characteristic for the reflected light at a step of operating the device substantially meets a predetermined standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Richard Stade
  • Patent number: 7242412
    Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a source pixel in a digital image includes an edge direction detector detecting edge direction in the vicinity of the source pixel. An interpolator interpolates multiple sets of pixels in a region surrounding the source pixel in the detected edge direction to generate a set of output pixels representing an expansion of the source pixel. Methods and computer programs for expanding a source pixel in a digital image are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Graham Sellers
  • Patent number: 7224950
    Abstract: A combination mobile phone and navigation satellite receiver comprises a circuit for correcting GPS receiver reference frequency drift by using VCO burst information periodically received by a PDC handset. A corrected GPS receiver reference frequency drift then enables faster initialization and stable operation of the position solutions made available to users. A GPS numeric controlled oscillator (NCO) receives a PDC handset VCO sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, eRide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. McBurney
  • Patent number: 7219831
    Abstract: A check processing method, a program medium, and a check processing apparatus store image data equivalent to the image data captured from the back of a printed check with a single check insertion operation using a compact, easily controlled apparatus. A back image scanning step scans the back of a check C. An authorization data generating step generates authorization data d indicating that processing a check C payment has been completed by a bank. A merged image data generating step generates merged image data g3 combining the back image data g2 captured in the back image scanning step with the generated authorization data d. A merged image data storing step stores the merged image data g3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 7221378
    Abstract: A memory efficient method and apparatus for displaying large overlaid camera images. According to one aspect of the invention, overlay image data are stored in a memory, fetched, up-scaled, and then combined with main image data to form composite image data for rendering on a graphics display device. According to another aspect of the invention, the overlay image data are stored in a memory, fetched, and then combined with main image data streamed from a source of the main image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atousa Soroushi, Victor Ga-Kui Chan
  • Patent number: 7196642
    Abstract: A method for sampling audio data is provided. In this method, the audio data is received and sampled at a first sampling rate using a first interpolation calculation. Thereafter, the audio data sampled at the first sampling rate is again sampled at a second sampling rate using a second interpolation calculation. After sampling, the second audio data sampled at the second sampling rate is outputted. Circuitries and systems for sampling audio data also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: John Peter van Baarsen, Jiliang Song
  • Patent number: 7192402
    Abstract: A pulse wave analyzing apparatus that detects a pulse wave from a living body and computes a waveform distortion factor and determines a waveform shape for performing a diagnosis of a condition of the living body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Amano, Hiroshi Kasahara, Hitoshi Ishiyama, Kazuo Kodama
  • Patent number: 7191352
    Abstract: A power cut-off protection control circuit and method. A memory pair and a selecting circuit are provided. The memory pair stores data made available at respective storage inputs of first and second storage elements of the pair and provides the stored data at respective storage outputs thereof. The memory pair has a polarity selecting input through which the output of one of the first and second storage elements is caused to correspond to a first control state of the switch and the output of the other of the first and second storage elements is caused to correspond to a second control state of the switch. The selecting circuit has inputs coupled to the respective storage outputs of the memory pair and an output coupled to a control line of the switch for controlling the switch. A selecting line of the selecting circuit selects between the inputs, for selecting one or the other of the storage outputs of the first and second storage elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atousa Soroushi, Patrick Wai-Tong Leung
  • Patent number: 7190353
    Abstract: A method of producing an adaptive partial ink layer for a pen based computing device is described. The adaptive partial ink layer is used to form an ink trail, which follows the input pen as it moves in contact with a touch screen. This allows the user to view the input while it is being made, which allows the input to be improved through the visual observation. A three-cell block is formed to permit single character input from the pen and then the block is extended in the direction of a cursive input to accommodate a word or phrase. Whereas, a common direction for the cursive input is from left to right, any direction emanating from the three cell block can be used if the interpreter of the pen passed computing device is set up to allow such an input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Brett Anthony Cheng
  • Patent number: 7190821
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing checks and other negotiable instruments efficiently captures MICR data required for electronic payment and an image of the check or negotiable instrument enabling the amount, payee, and other information printed or written on the check face to be clearly read. The image reading unit 11 of the check processing apparatus 110 scans and outputs a gray scale image of the check. A threshold value determination unit 12 sets a threshold value for digitizing the image data based on the density level frequency distribution of primary gray scale image data obtained by the image data reading unit scanning a first scanning area T. This first scanning area contains part of a printed text area 127 where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of the background 49 of the negotiable instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naohiko Koakutsu, Yukihiro Okamura
  • Patent number: D541558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Meyer, Steven K. Boicourt, James R. Van Lieu, Pilar Calderin, Takamitsu Takei