Patents Examined by L. C. Schroeder
  • Dark current measurement and correction for video from field-transfer imagers
    Patent number: 4589025
    Abstract: In a television camera including an imager of the field-transfer type having A, B and C registers, an indication signal representative of dark current response accompanying the video signal is generated by comparing first and second signals representative of charge packets derived from the B and C registers, respectively. Specifically, the first signal is generated when the C register supplies signals supplied from the B register which includes substantially no photo-responsive components transferred from the A register. The second signal is generated when the C register supplies signals after the signal supplied from the B register have already been read out and while no new signals from the B register are being transferred into the C register and therefore represents absolute black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Monahan, Joseph F. Hacke, Thomas F. Casne
  • Circuit for suppressing amplitude peaks caused by stop consonants in an electroacoustic transmission system
    Patent number: 4589136
    Abstract: A circuit in an electroacoustic transmission system suppresses amplitude peaks which are caused by the utterance of a stop consonant such as a "P". A microphone of the transmission system has an output which a high-pass filter is connected. The high-pass filter is normally inactive but can be activated by an electronic switch for a brief period of time. The switch is controlled by a train of electronic elements functioning as a detector for detecting a characteristic quiescent or pause period before the explosive discharge of the stop consonant. Upon detecting this pause the electronic switch is activated and held activated for about 10 to 30 ms. During that time the peak occurs but is suppressed in that it is not passed by the high-pass filter which is activated during this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: AKG Akustische u.Kino-Gerate GmbH
    Inventors: Carlo Poldy, Gebhard Hopfmuller
  • Solid state camera
    Patent number: 4589030
    Abstract: An electronic camera has an array of solid state detectors upon which a plurality of selectively masked image regions are superimposed by an optic system. Electrical processing facilities operate an electrical optic mask to sequentially select the image regions to pass light therethrough onto the detector array. Readings from the detector array are processed and used by a video generator to produce an electrical video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Victor B. Kley
  • Image sensor
    Patent number: 4589026
    Abstract: In the image sensor, thin film transistors are provided in the one-to-one correspondence to the photoelectric conversion element these thin film transistors being divided into blocks of adjoining ones whose gate electrodes are mutually connected, and the switching signal is sequentially supplied to each mutually connected gate electrodes of the same block. Further, the output electrodes of those thin film transistors located in the corresponding positions in each odd and even numbered blocks are mutually connected, and the charge transfer circuits comprising the MOS transistors are provided corresponding to respective common connection line groups of odd numbered block and even numbered block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ozawa, Mutsuo Takenouchi
  • Cooler control for a solid-state imager camera
    Patent number: 4587563
    Abstract: A camera including a solid-state imager has a cooler for controlling cooling of the imager. A thermal servo regulates the cooling of the imager to a set point. A cooling control means changes the cooling set point in response to changes in the sensitivity of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney L. Bendell, Theodore D. Michaelis
  • Audio transducer with controlled flexibility diaphragm
    Patent number: 4584439
    Abstract: An audio transducer for reproducing sound. The transducer may be utilized as a loudspeaker or a microphone. The transducer comprises a frame on which is mounted a pair of opposing permanent magnets, which produce opposing magnetic fields and a flexible diaphragm which encloses an elongate looped coil and passes through the magnetic field. A signal of variable amplitude in the coil accompanies movement of the diaphragm in what is described herein as rolling, linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Floating Membranes, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Paddock
  • Imaging display device
    Patent number: 4583122
    Abstract: An imaging display device characterized by comprising a pair of transparent substrates which are arranged in opposition to each other with a predetermined interval therebetween, photoelectric elements which are disposed in a large number between the substrates and in adjacency to one of the substrates and which convert light signals from outside the one substrate into electric signals, and a large number of electrooptic elements which are disposed between the other substrate and the respective photoelectric elements and in a predetermined relationship of correspondence with the photoelectric elements and which generate light signals by utilizing parts of the electric signals of the corresponding photoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Ohwada, Hideaki Kawakami, Makoto Matsui, Eiichi Maruyama
  • Smear reduction in solid state image pickup device camera
    Patent number: 4581651
    Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) camera with a smear reducer circuit is disclosed, which includes a CCD for generating a pickup signal, a memory for storing an extracted smear signal from the pickup signal and, a level selector circuit for cutting off a noise contained in the smear signal with level less than a predetermined level in the smear signals from the memory. The output of this level selector circuit is subtracted from the pickup signal to thereby obtain a pickup signal with the smear reduced as well as a noise component suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuro Miyata, Takashi Asaida
  • Electrostatic atomizing device
    Patent number: 4581675
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrostatic atomizing device and a process thereof for the formation of electrostatically charged droplets having an average diameter of less than about 1 millimeter for a liquid having a low conductivity wherein the device includes a cell having a chamber disposed therein, a discharge spray means in communication with the cell, the liquid in the chamber being transported to the discharge spray means and atomized into droplets, and a mechanism for passing a charge through the liquid within the chamber, wherein the charge is sufficient to generate free excess charge in the liquid within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Arnold J. Kelly
  • Electro-acoustic transducers
    Patent number: 4578808
    Abstract: A method of producing a transducer in which the fine tolerances are obtained by a two stage moulding process. Features include retention of the coil by the moulding process and accurate dimensioning of the magnet by depression of the soft iron core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Plessey Overseas Limited
    Inventor: Leslie L. West
  • Video camera auto focus
    Patent number: 4575764
    Abstract: Focus detecting apparatus wherein an image of a remote object is focused by lens means on a detector array, and the exit pupil is oscillated to produce a dither signal in the output of the detectors having a magnitude indicative of the amount of out of focus and a sense indicative of the direction the lens means should be moved to achieve proper focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Norman L. Stauffer
  • Subwoofer speaker system
    Patent number: 4564727
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing low frequency sound (20 to 100 Hz) at levels of intensity above the minimum threshold of human hearing. A mechanical-electrical drive having high power capacity is coupled via a linkage to a sound radiator and is responsive to the electrical input from a sound program source. The drive is capable of large excursions at high forces which are substantially constant irrespective of the extent of excursion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Intersonics Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Danley, Charles A. Rey
  • Semiconductor image sensor
    Patent number: 4562474
    Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor which has photocells arranged in a matrix form is miniaturized and integrated with high density, thereby to increase its light amplification factor and operating speed. To this end, each photocell is formed by a static induction transistor which has a pair of main electrodes, a channel region formed between the main electrodes and a capacitor connected between a control region serving as a photocell and one of the row lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Jun-ichi Nishizawa
    Inventor: Jun-ichi Nishizawa
  • Ceramic microphone
    Patent number: 4559418
    Abstract: A ceramic microphone is described which comprises a diaphragm for receiving sound waves, a thin ceramic plate attached to the diaphragm for transducing the sound waves to electric signals, and a plurality of electrodes on each of the opposite sides of the ceramic plate, the plurality of electrodes being polarized so that each of a pair of the electrodes faced across the ceramic plate forms a capacitor and the opposite-polarity electrodes of each of the capacitors are serially connected each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Primo Company Limited
    Inventor: Nobuomi Imai
  • Stop control apparatus for electronic camera
    Patent number: 4558368
    Abstract: A stop control apparatus for an electronic camera capable of performing both still picture photographing and motion picture (video) photographing operations. A video exposure control circuit and a still exposure control circuit produce first and second operating signals during motion picture and still picture photographing operations, respectively. A selected one of the signals is applied to operate an electromagnetic diaphragm control mechanism composed of an electronic drive device mechanically coupled to operate the aperture blades of the camera. An aperture opening regulator determines the aperture opening amount in accordance with a selected aperture value, with the regulating means operating by producing a force which acts against the force produced by the electromagnetic drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Shigeo Enomoto, Tahei Morisawa, Fumio Urano
  • Control logic safety monitoring circuit means
    Patent number: 4558389
    Abstract: A microcomputer utilizing a crystal controlled clock and a power line responsive clock operates both the control system and into a safety timing means. The safety timing means can take the form of a pair of retriggerable monostable multivibrators that are operated to monitor the microcomputer along with a feedback circuit from a load control means. The feedback from the load control means senses the status of a safety switch means and provides the microcomputer with the ability to monitor and be monitored for safe operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Jr., Rodney L. Clark, Kenneth B. Kidder, Paul B. Patton
  • Integrated capacitive transducer
    Patent number: 4558184
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electroacoustic transducer, such as a microphone, which may be integrated into a semiconductor chip and a method of fabrication. The semiconductor is etched to produce a membrane having a sufficiently small thickness and an area so as to vibrate at audio frequencies. Electrodes are provided in relation to the membrane so that an electrical output signal can be derived from the audio frequencies, or vice versa, due to variable capacitance. Preferably, the sensitivity of the device is made to be an approximately linear function of sound pressure level to be compatible with amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Ilene J. Busch-Vishniac, W. Stewart Lindenberger
  • Method and apparatus for driving a solid state camera
    Patent number: 4556911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the sensitivity of a charge priming type solid state camera having means for sweeping out undesired excess charges generated by a vertical smear from vertical signal lines. When the scene illumination is higher than an appropriate value, the sweep out of the undesired excess charges is executed within each horizontal blanking period in order to reduce the vertical smear. When the scene illumination becomes lower than the appropriate value, the sweep out thereof is stopped in order to increase the sensitivity. Alternatively, when the scene illumination is lower than the appropriate value but the quantity of the vertical smear is larger than a fixed value, the sweep out thereof is executed within each horizontal blanking period in order to suppress vertical smear which is at an unacceptably high level even though the illumination level is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Imaide, Michio Masuda, Akihide Okuda, Ryuji Nishimura
  • Universal adjustable telephone handset holder
    Patent number: 4556762
    Abstract: A universal, adjustable telephone handset holder for attachment to a telephone handset and have a portion thereon for abutment with the top of a person's shoulder. The holder also has an elastic structure for extending around a person's neck and biasing the holder toward such person's neck to thereby positively hold the handset against such person's head in a proper position for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Inventor: Robert A. Campbell
  • Video camera operating device
    Patent number: 4556907
    Abstract: A video camera operating device which permits the photographing lens of the camera to be controlled either in an automatic mode or a manual mode from a remote operating device. Both the remote operating device and a close operating device on the video camera body include an automatic focusing/manual focusing changeover switch. When the remote operating device is connected to the video camera via a cable, the automatic focusing/manual focusing changeover switch of the remote operating device takes precedence over that of the close operating device. The remote operating device also includes controls for selecting short or long distance movement of the lens and for controlling the speed at which the lens is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Urata, Shigehiko Aoyagi, Kazuhiro Yamazaki