Abstract: A mask inspecting method for inspecting defects of a phase-shifting mask comprises the steps of converting pattern data of a designed circuit pattern to pattern data for a phase-shifting mask, manufacturing a phase-shifting mask as a function of the pattern data for a phase-shifting mask, detecting the phase-shifting mask using the same optical conditions as that of the exposure step in the process of manufacturing a semiconductor device which makes use of the phase shift method to obtain image data thereof and checking the image data with the pattern data of the designed circuit pattern. In the method, image data of the pattern data identical to a pattern transferred onto a semiconductor substrate can be obtained, so that it is possible to check the above pattern data with the pattern data of the circuit pattern. Thus, the inspection of the phase-shifting mask can be accomplished.

Abstract: A novel method for concealing or rectifying channel errors present in a decoded image signal which has been transmitted in a compressed form by using a classified vector quantization technique comprises a step for estimating the class for a current block by detecting boundary edges at each of four groups of neighboring pixels; and a step for estimating the representative vector for the current block by calculating a multiple number of side-matching functions and choosing the candidate vector producing the smallest side-matching function as the representative vector for the current block.

Abstract: An image recognition device includes an input section for inputting an image; a pattern extraction section for extracting a plurality of predetermined patterns from the input image; a first feature extraction section for extracting a first feature indicating the direction in which the first pattern of the extracted predetermined patterns exists with respect to a point on a second pattern of the extracted predetermined patterns; a second feature extraction section for extracting a second feature indicating an amount of the first pattern existing in the direction with respect to the second pattern, based on the first feature; and a recognition section for recognizing the input image based on the second feature.

Abstract: To rotate a multivalued source picture image consisting of picture data arranged in N rows.times.(m gradations*N) columns 90 degrees, calculating a maximum value of a transposition mode L according to an equation M=[log.sub.2 N], repeatedly selecting an A-th row by increasing a row number A in increments of 1 in the range k*2.sup.L .ltoreq.A.ltoreq.k*2.sup.L +2.sup.L-1 -1 in an inner loop and increasing a value k in increments of 1 in the range 0.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.N/2.sup.L -1 in a middle loop while increasing the transposition mode L in increments of 1 in the range of 1 to M in an outer loop, selecting a B-th row according to an equation B=A+2.sup.L-1 each time the A-th row is selected, transposing the picture data A(j) arranged at j-th columns of the A-th row to A'(j) and the picture data. A(j+m*2.sup.L-1) to B'(j) arranged at the B-th row in the range p*m*2.sup.L .ltoreq.j.ltoreq.p*m*2.sup.L +m*2.sup.L-1 -1 and 0.ltoreq.p.ltoreq.N/2.sup.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the signal to noise ratio of a CCD sensor within an optical scanner varies the exposure time of the CCD sensor. Exposure time is varied by clocking the CCD sensor a number of times equal to the number of pixels in the CCD sensor plus an additional number of clock cycles to create a delay. The additional exposure time maximizes the magnitudes of the charges produced by the CCD sensor. The required delay is computed during a pre-scan calibration step.

Abstract: A device for reading magnetic information from documents hand-fed to the device is described herein. Such a device may be configured as a hand-fed check reader for reading MICR information from a check. The check reader includes a housing having a configuration designed to allow a human operator to efficiently hand-feed checks to the reader. In particular this configuration includes a check support surface and associated rail which assists the operator in guiding the check to a read head located adjacent to the surface. The read head is coupled to circuitry for generating signals representative of MICR information, and may be supported by a circuit board which also supports the circuitry. The reader also includes a drive mechanism having a drive wheel for forcing the check against the head while the check is driven along the head during reading.

Abstract: An auto-focus regulating method for a video camera includes the steps of: obtaining slopes between adjacent pixels contained in a sampling area constituting at least part of a frame screen; integrating all slopes of the sampling area: calculating the difference of the integrated values between the previous and following frame screens; and performing a focus control so that the integrated values in the following frame screens are increased by the difference of the integrated values. The auto-focus regulating method for video cameras has an advantage that various focus modes can be provided compared with the conventional method by which the focus is regulated by the sum of envelopes.

Abstract: An electronic camera operates with a small, portable computer having a card interface of the type used for communicating with a removable memory card. The camera includes an image sensor for converting an image into an electrical signal, an A/D converter for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal, and a signal processor for interfacing the digital signal to the card interface, ordinarily a slot receptacle, on the computer. By defining the interface to include a mechanical extender that physically interconnects the camera to the card slot on the computer, the camera and computer are linked in a high speed interface as a convenient, hand-held unit.

Abstract: A method for determining the 3-D pose of an object is provided assuming that an approximate pose of the object is known. As a laser range camera scans the object, depth profiles of the object are obtained and stored in a memory. Synthetic profiles are obtained from a model of the object that has been oriented to the assumed pose of the object, by using a conventional raster rendering technique to obtain a series of slices of the model. Once this synthetic profile signature of the model of the object is generated, a comparison is performed between this profile signature and the profiles obtained from the laser range camera. When a suitable match is found, a correction to the 3-D pose is calculated from the offset parameters associated with the match; further refinement may be performed by repeating the process.

Abstract: In a method of reproducing a television picture composed of picture points represented by digital signals, the picture points are grouped into blocks which are separated by block edges. The blocks are one of at least two types of blocks, picture point values for points in one type of block are calculated using one set of rules and picture point values for another type of block are calculated using another set of rules. Values for picture points within the block edges are obtained by combining the values obtained for the respective blocks.

Abstract: A method for determining a charge/voltage conversion ratio of a solid state image pickup element with an electronic shutter function which is capable of transferring signal charge accumulated in a photosensitive portion to a substrate. A voltage of a predetermined first level is applied to the substrate to measure an output voltage at an output portion, and then a voltage of a second level higher than that of the first level is applied to the substrate to measure a current flowing through the substrate, thereby obtaining a charge/voltage conversion ratio in accordance with a ratio between the measured output voltage and the measured current.

Abstract: A method of processing binary characters received by an electrical energy meter includes the step of generating a clock signal internal to the meter so that asynchronously received serial data can be processed, even though a synchronization clock signal does not accompany the serial data. The method includes the steps of detecting receipt of a first of a string of binary input characters at a serial input/output port of the meter, and then sampling the detected first character by generating a respective first clock signal which is phase-synchronized with a least significant bit of the first character. These steps are then repeated in sequence for each subsequently received character in the string. The sampled characters can be temporarily stored in meter hardware such as a register and written to memory such as programmable read-only or random-access memory.

Abstract: A portable and lightweight fingerprint scanning apparatus which can optically scan and record fingerprint images in the field and transmit said images to a mobile unit for processing and subsequent wireless transmission to a central location for the purpose of providing immediate identity and background checks on the individual being fingerprinted. The apparatus of the present invention includes a fingerprint scanner for capturing a fingerprint image, a camera for capturing a photographic image of a person or a scene and means for transmitting the fingerprint image and the photographic image to a mobile unit. In the preferred embodiment the present invention includes a highly integrated camera with a superior signal to noise ratio and an infrared lighting source for illuminating a person or scene in low ambient light situations.

Abstract: An area recognition apparatus is provided with a mark detecting device for detecting a mark portion drawn on an original document to designate a specific area, on the basis of image data read from an original document, crossing portion detecting device for detecting the portion where the mark portion crosses an image portion on the original document, on the basis of the image data, and a closed loop recognizing device for recognizing a closed loop formed by the mark portion and the crossing portion, on the basis of the results of detection by the mark portion detecting device and the crossing portion detecting device.

Abstract: A built-in camera type video tape recorder as disclosed that can be loaded on a connecting apparatus for connecting the built-in camera type video tape recorder having video signal, audio signal, and control signal terminals and a power supply connecting terminal to other electrical machinery and apparatus. It comprises a supporting member formed at one side wall of the built-in camera type video tape recorder and having a shutter member, the shutter member being opened in a ganged relation with a shutter which is opened when the built-in camera type video tape recorder is loaded on the connecting apparatus, and a terminal portion facing an opening portion of the shutter member of aid supporting member and being electrically connected to a signal input and output portion projected from the opening portion opened when a shutter of the connecting apparatus is opened.

Abstract: A video camera including a stopped down lens diameter. An opaque material with a small aperture size is placed over the camera lens. The small aperture allows the user to vary the image size of the object to be viewed by moving the camera toward or away from the object. At the same time the blur circle diameter is maintained within acceptable user limits.

Abstract: A video camera provided with a diaphragm operating speed control circuit for selecting different operating speeds for the diaphragm for exposure control, in automatic exposure control and in manual exposure control.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exposure control device for a video camera having automatic gain control by which both stability and instantaneous regulation of exposure can be satisfied in accordance with a photographing scene. The exposure control device for the video camera has an iris diaphragm control which receives an electric signal output an image sensor through a preamplifier as an iris diaphragm detection signal and which controls the iris diaphragm based on the iris diaphragm detection signal. An automatic gain control circuit receives an electric signal output from an automatic gain control amplifier disposed subsequent a preamplifier as an automatic gain control detection signal and controls the gain of the automatic gain control amplifier based on the automatic gain control detection signal. A determination circuit determines the various states of a photographing scene based on a change of an electric signal output the image sensor caused by lapse of time.

Abstract: A solid image pick-up element comprises a semiconductor substrate, a photoelectric transfer region formed on the substrate, and an optical black region formed on the substrate. Each of the photoelectric transfer region and the optical black region includes a plurality of regularly arrayed light receiving units. A shielding film is formed on the light receiving units of the optical black region and is covered with a shielding layer. Preferably, the shielding film comprises three color filters in red, green and blue. Even if the shielding film causes light leakage, the shielding layer makes light damp, thereby reducing the occurrence of light leakage.

Abstract: A video camera unit including an enclosure having at least one exterior channel disposed on each of two opposed exterior surfaces of the enclosure, each exterior channel receiving a mounting device, the exterior channels extending substantially the length of the enclosure in a longitudinal direction of the enclosure, the enclosure further having an interior channel extending longitudinally along each of two opposed interior surfaces of the enclosure, a mounting plate, a video camera disposed on the mounting plate, the mounting plate being slidable into the interior channels for inserting and removing the video camera into and from the enclosure, the mounting plate having electrical connections thereon for receiving electrical power for the video camera, and a front door on the enclosure which can be opened to gain access to the video camera in the enclosure, the front door having a light transmissive member therein for allowing the video camera to monitor the environment outside the enclosure.