Patents Examined by Edward L. Coles, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5720012
    Abstract: A security module is operatively disposed at the hardware/software interface within a printing apparatus. The module is disposed along a connection which acts as a medium for command signals to operate the printer hardware, and for status signals to indicate physical conditions within the hardware. The security module facilitates security procedures which control aspects of printer operation, particularly the creation of MICR characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. McVeigh, Jose R. Diaz, Paul W. Eakin, Lawrence Meyer, George E. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5719686
    Abstract: Transmission of an entered image, in the color mode, without passing memory means, and, in the monochromatic mode, after storage once in the memory means allows to avoid unnecessarily long image entering operation for image reading in case of monochromatic images, and also to provide an image transmitting apparatus of a smaller size and a lower cost in comparison with the conventional color communication apparatus. Also processing of a received color image without passing memory means and of a received monochromatic image through the memory means allows to store such monochromatic image even in the absence of a recording material and to provide an image receiving apparatus of a smaller size and a lower cost in comparison with the conventional color communication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakamoto, Hiroshi Nobuta
  • Patent number: 5719968
    Abstract: An image of an original mounted on a platen is converted into image data by a CCD. An original region detection unit detects the region of the original mounted on the platen from the image data. According to this detection, the writing address of the image memory is controlled so that image data of the center of the original mounted region is written into an address matching the center of the sheet. As a result, various image editorial processes can easily be carried out in a digital copy machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hashimoto, Kaoru Tada
  • Patent number: 5719956
    Abstract: The CiMiYi signals of input CiMiYiKi signals are converted into CoMoYo signals of CoMoYoKo signals by using three-dimensional LUT color converting devices. The Ki signal of the input CiMiYiKi signals is subjected to gradation conversion to obtain the Ko signal of the CoMoYoKo signals by using a one-dimensional LUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ogatsu, Shinji Kita
  • Patent number: 5719967
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of generating multivalue image data to be reproduced by a laser printer and the like as a hard copy having high visual quality. A first character/line drawing data is separated from an input multivalue image data to be subjected to an image data processing for removing jaggies appearing in curved or straight lines of characters and lines, and then is synthesized with a patter data having data indicative of edge directions to generate an output multivalue image data, so as to provide the hard copy having high visual quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 5719622
    Abstract: An apparatus for selecting and controlling devices located remotely from a local site where an operator resides. A laser or other source of a focused electromagnetic bean moves in association with a camera located at the remote site. The camera thus can detect the object on which the focused laser beam projects. The camera outputs a video signal which is transmitted from the remote site to the local site. The operator at the local site views the video signal on a monitor so that the operator can determine the location of the laser beam. When the laser beam illuminates at least one particular transponder out of one or a plurality of transponders, the transponder outputs a signal to at least one device to activate or deactivate the device, thus providing the operator remote control of the device. A light may also be associated with the transponder and activates when the transponder has been selected to provide a positive indication to the operator that only the particular transponder has been selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: Lynn Conway
  • Patent number: 5720015
    Abstract: An improved networked system having a host computer and multiple printers is provided in which the printers have a bi-directional data communications capability and have at least one memory device capable of storing print data and other types of data files. The host computer can be utilized by a user or a Network Administrator to "read" the contents of each memory device on each printer connected to the network that has the NPAP bi-directional communications capability. The user/Network Administrator can transfer a file from the memory of one of the printers on the network to the memory of a second of the printers on the network. When a given resource management function has been completed, an updated resource directory is automatically displayed at the host which includes all of the changes resulting from the earlier resource management function command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Scott Martin, Martin Geoffrey Rivers, Christopher Mark Songer, Gail Marie Songer, James Francis Webb, Jeffrey Keith Wedinger
  • Patent number: 5717836
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus, recording paper is fed from a paper roll to a platen roller, and is printed by a print head by an amount corresponding to one page, and then the printed recording paper is cut by a cutter. A curl removal member for removing a curl from the recording paper is shifted into an operative or curl-removing-position, and flexes or curves the recording paper from the paper roll, thereby removing a curl thereof. For finishing the printing operation after cutting the recording paper, the curl removal member is shifted into an inoperative position where it does not flex the recording paper, and the platen roller is rotated in a normal direction to remove a slack from that portion of the recording paper extending between the paper roll and the print head. For starting the printing operation, the platen roller is rotated in a reverse direction, and the curl removal member is shifted into the operative position to flex the recording paper, and then the printing of the recording paper is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuyuki Horie
  • Patent number: 5717841
    Abstract: A job processing method and apparatus are provided for allowing an operator of an electronic reprographic system to be able to select deferred actions for inactive print jobs which are automatically initiated upon the detection of a specified triggering event. The job processing instruction set associated with the inactive job is implemented as soon as system resources are available after detection and identification of the triggering event. The triggering event can be one of a predetermined set of system operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Farrell, Randall R. Hube, John F. Gauronski
  • Patent number: 5717504
    Abstract: An arrangement for illuminating objects wherein a large number of objects are rapidly and continuously transported past one or more stations, each illuminated by a cylindrical, integrating Lambertian reflecting/diffusing cavity having one or more like light sources therein so as to generate and project a highly intense, highly uniform and highly diffuse beam of illumination, while incorporating optical guide means to couple said illumination beam to the face of the objects at said station and to couple the reflected image of the object back to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Unisys Corp.
    Inventors: Gary B. Copenhaver, Clive E. Catchpole, Johan P. Bakker, John D. Vala, David J. Concannon
  • Patent number: 5717840
    Abstract: Printing in which printer resources that are consumed in forming a raster image are predicted and in which those printer resources are re-allocated in a case where printer resources are predicted to be exceeded. Specifically, coded print data such as coded print data in a page description language is input, the coded print data is translated into a first coded representation, and the first coded representation is translated into a second coded representation which is different from the first coded representation. Printer resources consumed in forming a raster image corresponding to the coded print data in the second coded representation are predicted, and printer resources are re-allocated in a case where printer resources are predicted to be exceeded. A raster image is thereafter formed from the second coded representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Luis Trabb Pardo
  • Patent number: 5717503
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for optical scanners which can cause the lamp and the reflecting mirror to travel at a desired ratio of distances such that the total distance of scanner's light path before and after the lamp movement remains substantially unchanged. The actuating apparatus employs only one belt, thus greatly simplifying the structure of the scanner, improving the reliability thereof, and allowing the scanner to become more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: First International Computers, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Chien
  • Patent number: 5717493
    Abstract: A communication system that efficiently monitors a tones of a push-button phone which are sent from a facsimile or an adapter. The system further prevents a user from becoming offended by transmitting holding tones or music to a terminal during a period of time taken from retrieving and transferring image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ozawa, Hideyuki Fukaya, Masakazu Imanishi, Yosuke Kanamori
  • Patent number: 5717783
    Abstract: A color image processing system in which image data generated in other systems can be commonly used is disclosed. In the color image data processing system, an image processing unit processes color image data represented in a uniform color space system under illumination by a first light source, and the image data includes information relating to the first light source. An image output unit receives color image data represented in a uniform color space system under illumination by a second light source and produces color images according to the color image data. A correction control unit in the image processing unit judges whether or not the first light source coincides with the second light source. A correction formula calculating unit calculates a correction formula corresponding to the difference in characteristics between the first light source and the second light source. A light source difference correction unit corrects the color image data according to the correction formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Endo, Michiko Kawano, Taeko Koizumi
  • Patent number: 5717507
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating interpolator input data for a color space conversion from a RGB color space to a CMYK color space includes an address generator having eight outputs and a memory having eight inputs each connected to one of the address generator outputs. The inputs to the address generator are the three sets of four higher order bits, RH, GH, and BH, of the twenty four bit RGB color space value and two bits for selecting one of the dimensions in the CMYK space to which the conversion will be directed. From these inputs, the address generator can generate 19,652 addresses for accessing interpolator input data stored in the memory. The address generator simultaneously generates eight addresses for accessing interpolator input data stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Gary L. Vondran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5715073
    Abstract: A halftone processing method is disclosed in which, after receiving three or more monochrome digital images which collectively represent a color image having three colors, processing takes place. Processing is by a separate stage for each of the monochrome digital images to provide halftone output images, wherein at least one of the stages uses a different processor algorithm from the other halftone processing stages so as to increase processing speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Rodney L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5715380
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a multiuser identification printing method for printing user identification data on a printout, the image forming apparatus being shared by plural users wherein the image forming apparatus receives data to be printed through an interface thereof, checks whether a print command is received, and when the print command is received, obtains user identification data, which is stored in an external data input device, from the external data input device that has transmitted the data, and prints the received data together with user identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon-Sik Lee
  • Patent number: 5715329
    Abstract: A digital copying machine provided with a device for forming color images by the formation, superposition of the images for each color in the order of the color face including a device for coding, compressing of a plurality of image signals separated in color by one page portion of the document so as to store in memory, a device for decoding, extending a plurality of compressed image signals stored in the memory, a color correcting device for converting a plurality of extended image signals into the color image signals for image formation so as to make the memory capacity smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Murata
  • Patent number: 5715377
    Abstract: An apparatus for printing video images is disclosed. First the percentage of backlighting or people in the image is detected. That is, the probability of the presence of backlighting or people is detected. Then, the density gradation table is modified based on the detection result, and the presence of backlighting or the presence of people in the image is evaluated based on optical information, to select the best density gradation table from among plural density gradation tables, or to synthesize the best density gradation table. A luminance table is generated using the optimized density gradation table, and gradation correction of the image is then accomplished using that luminance table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsumoru Fukushima, Haruo Yamashita, Katsuhiro Kanamori
  • Patent number: 5715278
    Abstract: A method and system for increasing the probability of receiving a message in mobile communication systems. The invention uses a synchronization pattern to determine the location of an intended message. In addition, the invention uses the CRC check status of several sample timing positions spanning an expected message location to determine whether to accept a message. The expected message location is based on the sample timings of previous messages which are determined from a histogram of how frequently various sample timing positions have been selected in the past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Croft, Paul W. Dent, William J. Croughwell, III