Patents Examined by Jill Jackson
  • Patent number: 5296842
    Abstract: The apparatus which predicts the onset of thunderstorm and the occurrence of close thunderbolts, includes a composite sensor with several metal pipes radially installed with equal separation on a hemispherical electrode. A plurality of corona needles are provided on the insulator at the end of each metal pipes, and the needles are electrically connected together within the composite sensor. The hemispherical electrode is connected to a circuit that counts the number of electric field-changes for certain time intervals. In case the receiving frequency exceeds the pre-determined level, it issues a first alarm. The groups of corona needles are connected to the circuit that measures the corona current, and issues a second alarm, in case the current a pre-determined level. In addition, the circuit includes circuitry that picks up the large amplitude corona current changes that the polarity change and issues the thunderbolt warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Central Lightning Protection Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Giichiro Kato
  • Patent number: 5296923
    Abstract: A color image reproducing device comprising a scanner, a color value memory, a scanner signal memory, a conversion element, and the adjusting element. Each memory stores standard color values derived from reference color values and standard scanner signals derived from reference scanner signals. The reference color values and reference scanner signals are obtained by measuring both by a colorimeter and by scanning of color patches. The color values are derived from measured scanner signals of an original based upon correspondence between standard color values and standard scanner signals. Finally, the device adjusts relative color balance by controlling the intensity of outputs based upon the color values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Po-Chieh Hung
  • Patent number: 5296940
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for converting the gray images inputted from the image pickup elements into binary images without losing the shape information of the gray images. The image processing method comprises the steps of obtaining the maximum values and the minimum values of the density for each horizontal scanning line and each vertical scanning line of the inputted images, obtaining the threshold values from the adjacent maximum values and minimum values, obtaining the two type binary images for each horizontal scanning line and each vertical scanning line with the threshold values, obtaining the composed binary images with the logical product or the logical sum between the respective pixels of the above two type binary images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sumihiko Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5293257
    Abstract: An image input/output apparatus for inputting images written on a plate and for outputting images on the plate. The image input/output apparatus is movable on the plate, and has a size independent from the size of the plate. The apparatus comprises a mobile assembly movable on the plate, an image pick-up device mounted on the mobile assembly, for picking up images written on the plate, wherein the image pick-up device picking up the images on the plate while the mobile assembly is moving on the plate; and printing device, mounted on the mobile assembly, for printing, in accordance with given image data, images on the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Katsuya Masao
  • Patent number: 5293258
    Abstract: Automatic processing of color signals to print an accurate reproduction of an original color image. The RGB scan signals are processed to use the full dynamic range of the system and to adjust the values such that the gray scale lines of the color components pass through the white points. The additive color signals are converted to subtractive color signals that are adjusted so that the gray scale lines pass through the black points to produce automatically an accurate reproduction with a proper neutral gray scale. The processing is arranged to make the adjustments and corrections as fast as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Dattilo
  • Patent number: 5293526
    Abstract: Electronic equipment comprises a plurality of apparatus each of which is driven by respective power source, voltage detector provided to each of the apparatus which detects the voltage of the power source and a display which indicates, when the voltage drop is detected by the voltage detector, at which apparatus of the plurality of apparatus the drop of source voltage has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5291307
    Abstract: A control circuit for processing image data received from an imager, like a CCD, with the circuit providing automatic compensation for those factors usually associated with imaging systems. The imager generates image data for a predetermined number of pixel positions in a scan line at a predetermined rate for a document being moved relative to the scan line. This image data is processed, amplified, and fed (at the predetermined rate) into a flash A/D converter used in the circuit. Offset and gain compensation data are supplied as reference levels to the converter at the predetermined rate to provide offset and gain compensation for each pixel position in the scan line. This ensures predictable post processing performance with regard to binarization, compression, and machine reading plus a consistent and undistorted gray level representation of the imaged document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Graham Luckhurst
  • Patent number: 5289270
    Abstract: According to this invention, an image processing apparatus separates a color original into a plurality of color signal components and sequentially reads the color signal components by read means so as to sequentially form images corresponding to the color signal components on a photosensitive body. In this apparatus, at least two color signal components of a color image to be synthesized with the color original are simultaneously read and are stored in an image memory by the read means, and upon image synthesis, the color signal components are read out from the image memory in synchronism with color signal components read by the read means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kimiyoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5283669
    Abstract: A reading apparatus having a photo-detecting element array constituted by a plurality of photo-detecting element blocks each constituted by a plurality of photo-detecting elements, and having switching elements for transferring charges generated in the photo-detecting elements block by block to an output circuit, in which the output circuit has wirings having no crossing portions and the outputs of the photo-detecting elements can be produced as time-series signals without requiring any external memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sakai, Mamoru Nobue
  • Patent number: 5283636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reader, such as a color image scanner, which can enhance outline of shapes that occur in an original image 2. The image reader in accordance with the present invention comprises a main-aperture board set 102 at a location on which lights from a light source which are reflected by or pass through the original image 2 and then pass through a lens 8, are focused. A transmission part 104 of the main-aperture set 102 comprises a first transmission part 108 and a second transmission part 110, which is adjacent to the first transmission part 108, the first transmission part 108 being used to transmit lights corresponding to all of the center part of a small area of the original image 2, the second transmission part 110 being used to transmit some of the lights corresponding to the rest of said small area with the quantity of said transmitted lights decreasing according to the increased distance from center C of the first transmission part 108.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5283569
    Abstract: A flood warning system including a stilling well having three vertically spaced apart float switches therein for detecting the level of flood waters. Upon the water level reaching and closing the lowest float switch, a telephone alarm dialer is actuated to transmit a first low stage flood warning message to a remote location. Upon the water level reaching and closing the second or middle level float switch, the lowest float switch is disabled and the upper float switch is enabled. Upon the water reaching and closing the upper float switch the telephone alarm dialer is actuated to transmit a high stage flood warning message to the remote location. As the water recedes, upon dropping below and opening the middle level float switch the lowest float switch is enabled and the upper float switch is disabled thereby actuating the telephone alarm dialer to transmit a second low stage flood warning message to the remote location. This second low stage flood warning message indicates that the flood has crested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Inventor: Mark E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5282051
    Abstract: A method for use in a system of the type capable of manipulating digital images represented by a plurality of original image pixels is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the system has a memory for storing images and an image output terminal. Additionally, the method includes a step of deriving an intensity value for a selected output pixel in a set of output pixels from a plurality of input pixels in a set of input pixels, each of the plurality of input pixels having a corresponding intensity value contributing to the intensity value of the selected output pixel. The step of deriving the intensity value of the selected output pixel preferably comprises the steps of mapping, in the memory, the set of output pixels to the set of input pixels so that each of the plurality of input pixels is adjacent the selected output pixel, as well as reading the plurality of input pixels from the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John O. Walker
  • Patent number: 5280370
    Abstract: An apparatus for capture of image data from an object has a detector array containing at least one detector row, and arrangements for rotating the detector array relative to the object, as well as for moving the object and the detector array relative to one another in a desired direction of scan. A control arrangement causes the detector array to be rotated to a desired orientation with respect to the object based on information in the object and causes the object to be scanned by the detector array in such a way that the detector row is at right angles to the direction of scan. A similar method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Intergraph Corporation
    Inventors: Hans W. Faust, Karl Felle, Dierk Hobbie, Heinz Krastel, Richard J. Kaiser, Robert L. Kuelthau, Alward J. Pinard, Gary D. Wylie
  • Patent number: 5278641
    Abstract: A color image processing system which reads or receives a color image and outputs corrected color image to a display or printer. The system estimates the brightness of the original image and executes correction on the basis of this estimation. The system uses histograms to determine correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidekazu Sekizawa, Naofumi Yamamoto, Haruko Kawakami, Tutomu Saito
  • Patent number: 5276532
    Abstract: A single, split-level frame buffer for use in a color imaging system includes a plurality of pixels having a first resolution level. A plurality of bits are provided for each pixel so as to enable accurate pictorial imaging. The frame buffer includes pixels having a resolution level which is higher than the first resolution level. Pixels on the edges of objects being imaged are replaced by the higher resolution pixels to provide images wherein object edges have high-resolution while object interiors have moderate resolution. In using a single frame buffer, images having more than one level of resolution are generated which do not require separation and merging operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5274471
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting a resolution and a gray scale of document image data, which includes a latch circuit for setting variable values of image control data, a resolution-converting clock generator for generating resolution-converting clock signals, a clock selector for selecting a pixel clock signal, a unit data detector for detecting byte detecting clock signal according to gray scale conversion as a unit data, an image data converter for gray scale conversion and binary codification of the image data, an image data selector for selecting the gray scale of the image data of the image data converter, and an image data output portion for outputting the image data with the selected gray scale in units of bytes. The image data processing can be performed at high speed, and the resolution and the gray scale control is carried out in the hardware, which allows the apparatus to be highly compatible and also to be widely adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eun-jin Kim
  • Patent number: 5274474
    Abstract: A telefacsimile machine selectively operates in standard and high speed modes depending on the compatibility of equipment communicating with the telefacsimile machine at a particular time. The standard mode communication employs bit mapped pixels for both text and graphics The high speed mode distinguishes text from graphics. Scanned text characters to be transmitted in the high speed mode are compared to characters in a library. When a match is found only a code, e.g. ASCII, and the location of the character is transmitted. Graphics and unrecognizable characters are transmitted as bit mapped pixels. When a document is received in the high speed mode, the received code identifies the text character and bit-mapped pixels to be printed or otherwise recorded in a storage medium. Any desired printing resolution can then be selected for text characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Randolph-Rand Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell Medina
  • Patent number: 5270831
    Abstract: A digital image processing system digitizes and stores photographic film images in their captured orientation on film, in order to obviate the need to physically rotate the film scanner relative to the film for vertical images, thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the scanner. Instead, each stored image file has an associated presentation control file, which contains orientation and aspect ratio information, so that the image playback device will know how each image has been stored on the digital image database, such as a compact disc. When the disc is inserted into a playback device for driving an output display such as a color TV monitor, the playback device is readily able to decode the playback control information in the course of reading out the digitized image, so that the image will be displayed in an upright orientation and at the correct aspect ratio for the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Scott A. Brownstein, Holden R. Caine, Michael S. Axman
  • Patent number: 5268752
    Abstract: A red light is emitted from a red light source and a manuscript is radiated with the emitted red light and the red light reflected from the manuscript enters image sensors arranged in parallel. The red light source is synchronized with a first switching means of a first image sensor to output an output electric signal from the first image sensor. A green light is emitted, radiated reflected, and enters in the same manner as the red light. A green light source is synchronized with the first switching means to output another output electric signal from the first image sensor. A blue light is emitted and other output electric signal is outputted in the same manner as the green light. In this way a color image of the manuscript is converted into the three electric signals with respect to a first dot of the manuscript. With respect to a second dot to a 1728th dot (in the case of an A4 size manuscript), a color image of the manuscript is also converted into the three electric signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukada, Masaaki Hiroki, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5264927
    Abstract: A first set of different color signals represented in a colorimetric system is converted into a second set of different color signals represented in another colorimetric system. Predetermined main parts of the second set of the color signals are determined in response to predetermined first portions of the first set of the color signals. Calculation coefficients are determined in response to the first portions of the first set of the color signals. Predetermined subordinate parts of the second set of the color signals are calculated from predetermined second portions of the first set of the color signals and the calculation coefficients according to an interpolation. The determined main parts of the second set of the color signals and the calculated subordinate parts of the second set of the color signals are combined into a whole of the second set of the color signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Miyoshi, Takashi Kuriyama, Ichiro Shishido, Masaru Osada, Kaoru Kitami