Patents Examined by Thomas L. Stoll
  • Patent number: 5555101
    Abstract: A system and method for interactively creating forms including displaying the forms during creation, and interpreting completed forms received via a facsimile device. The system includes the following features: automated reminder, automated data export, suspense processing, and automated confirmation. Analog objects can be created and interpreted. Screen definitions for forms can be converted to the type of form defined by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Cardiff Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Larson, J. Joel Faul
  • Patent number: 5555099
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an electronic scanner for scanning a set of original document pages to be reproduced as a production job. The scanner produces first signals representing image information on the document pages. An operator control panel (OCP) allows input of job and page level requirements for copying the set of documents pages as a copy job and generates second and third signals respectively representing these. A job image buffer is responsive to the first, second and third signals and stores fourth signals representing image information for use in reproducing the set of document pages. There is also provided a buffer for generating fifth signals representing consecutive numbers for use in annotating copies of the document pages. In response to the fourth and fifth signals, the copier produces a proof set of consecutively numbered hard copy pages of the set of document pages with consecutive numbered annotations not present on the original document pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Telle
  • Patent number: 5550895
    Abstract: A bimodal portable telephone provides cellular service and improved cordless service in a common handset. Operation of the bimodal portable telephone in a cellular telephone system provides telephone service over a wide geographical area of coverage through operation with multiple cellular bases and in a cordless telephone system provides telephone service over a localized geographical area of coverage through operation with an associated cordless base. The cordless service provides improved performance over convention cordless telephone service by advantageously employing a frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation technique for communications between the portable telephone and the cordless base unit. This improved performance achieves increased operating range of the cordless telephone system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle L. Burson, Yum C. Chang, Wilson Fok, Kenneth W. Leland, Denis P. Orlando, Andrzej Partyka
  • Patent number: 5548413
    Abstract: In an image signal processing apparatus, an amplifier for amplifying the output signal of an image sensor and an A/D converter for performing an A/D conversion upon the output signal of the amplifier are provided. When the output signal of the image sensor indicates a white level reference signal, a gain G of the amplifier is controlled so that the output signal of the A/D converter is brought close to a predetermined value. When the gain G reaches its minimum or maximum value, an alarm signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5535017
    Abstract: Print image data produced by external equipment such as a personal computer is temporarily stored in a page buffer of an IOCP. The print image data stored in the page buffer is divided into a plurality of parts so that each divisional part can be transferred to another page buffer of a main control circuit within a scan return period of a scanner. Image data to be transferred to the page buffer of the main control circuit is selected by a multiplexer between the print image data and copy image data from the scanner. Thus, the print image data and copy image data is processed by an image processing system in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kashiwagi Hideaki
  • Patent number: 5532841
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a plurality of image reading units, each reading an image and converting the read image into image data, and a main controlling unit for receiving image data through a communication line and transmitting the received image data through another communication line to another facsimile apparatus of a destination. In the main controlling unit of the facsimile apparatus, a selector selects one of the image reading units, and a communication line connection controller connects the main controlling unit through the communication line with the selected one of the image reading units. Further, a data receiver receives image data from one of the image reading units cconnected throught the comunication line by the communication line connection controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Nakajima, Hideo Muramatsu, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Kanako Hamano
  • Patent number: 5528384
    Abstract: A method and system implements a high addressability characteristic into an error diffusion process. A grey level value representing a pixel is received. The grey level value is interpolated to generate subpixel grey level values which correspond to a second resolution. A threshold circuit thresholds the interpolated grey level value. In parallel to the interpolation circuit and threshold circuit is an error circuit which generates a plurality of possible error values. One of the plurality of possible error values is selected based on the number of subpixels exceeding a threshold value. A portion of the selected error value is then diffused to adjacent pixels on a next scanline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Metcalfe, Jeng-Nan Shiau, Leon C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5526065
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a television image on a television monitor applicable to a vehicle passenger compartment. In the television image displaying apparatus, the television monitor is installed on a center console of a vehicle passenger compartment. A liquid crystal filter is arranged on a television monitor screen which has variable transmittance according to a voltage applied across a whole surface electrode thereof. The liquid crystal filter serves to limit an angle of visible field around a driver's seat position with a front passenger seat position being provided a high image transmittance. In addition, a louver type filter is arranged between the TV monitor screen and liquid crystal filter. The louver type filter generally has a plurality of fine louvers, each elongate direction of the louvers being aligned in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Todoriki
  • Patent number: 5525976
    Abstract: For temperature measurement at a number of measuring points on, for example, current-carrying bars (2) in a high-voltage switchgear, a data transmitter (1) is used which is arranged near each measuring point and at the same potential as such point. The transmitter is controlled by a temperature sensor (8) and comprises components (3, 4) for capturing drive energy from the electric or the magnetic field around the bar. The temperature sensor (8) may consist of a quartz crystal, the resonance frequency of which has a specified temperature dependence. Measured data is transmitted by means of light (e.g. infrared) in the air to a data receiver (10) at ground potential. The data receiver (10) is able to receive measured data from a plurality of data transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB
    Inventor: Lennart Balgard
  • Patent number: 5519458
    Abstract: A universal filter apparatus is described which provides, in a single unit, an anti-glare and/or anti-static screen and frame which is adaptable to monitors of varying sizes. The universal filter apparatus includes a filter screen mounted to a housing. The housing includes a front side, a top side, and at least two lateral sides, each of the at least two lateral sides extending perpendicularly from the front side. A elastically deformable nonresistant securing device is attached to each of the two lateral sides to allow the apparatus to be easily installed on monitors of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Soft/View Computer Products
    Inventor: Robert King
  • Patent number: 5517328
    Abstract: A raster scanning system is disclosed which utilizes a laser light source with a plurality of diodes, at least two of which are offset relative to each other. Either one diode or two offset diodes will be selected to scan one scan line. If two offset diodes are selected, two light beams can be generated to scan two partially overlapping paths to form a scan line. By changing the intensity of the two light beams or by selecting two different offset diodes, the scan line can be moved up or down in the sagittal plane. This concept can be used to correct the wobble of a scan line in which case, either one diode or two offset diodes will be selected to scan one scan line in its correct position. Also, the same concept can be used to correct a bow of a scan line in which case, either one diode or two offset diodes will be selected for each pixel to correct the bow in accordance with a pre-defined correction data for that pixel which is stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5513016
    Abstract: In an improved method and apparatus for processing image signals, an input original image signal that contains a periodic pattern is smoothed to obtain a first unsharpness signal which is then processed for sharpness to obtain an output image signal having its edge enhanced and this output image signal is halftoned to obtain a halftone image signal from which a halftone image is reproduced. The mask size used in the smoothing step is computed in accordance with the pitch of said periodic pattern as optionally combined with the factor of scaling for conversion from an input to an output image. Alternatively, said first unsharpness signal is processed for sharpness only when the difference between said first unsharpness signal and the second unsharpness signal which is obtained by smoothing it is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The apparatus is capable of reproducing a sharp image with minimum moire even if the input original image contains a periodic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 5513017
    Abstract: An automatic document imaging mode selection system in a system for generating electronic images of documents, in which documents may be variously fed or registered on a document imaging platen with a plural mode automatic document handling system. Various document handling and/or image scanning modes of operation are automatically selected from among various available potential such modes by accessing various document handling status information and/or sensor inputs, and coordinating that information to automatically select an optimum such mode where the operator has not specifically selected a mode. This may further include automatically determining whether or not to conduct a special pre-scan cycle before image scanning is initiated, and/or taking into consideration inferences as to whether or not the document(s) had been previously imaged. It may further or additionally include automatically changing the registration or scanning position for the particular document in accordance with the mode selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt T. Knodt, James R. Graves, John F. Gauronski, Herbert J. Raymor, Randall P. Cole, K. U. Filomena, Frank J. DeNunzio, David E. Crocker, Simon J. Barnett
  • Patent number: 5509051
    Abstract: Each cell has an assigned classification that determines its inclusion in a measurement list for handing off. The candidate cells, which are selected from the measurement list are given priority level assignments. The priority levels are implemented by the candidate neighboring cells measured RF signal strength; and the order of handing off is arranged in accordance with the adjusted RF signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Barnett, Ashok D. Mehta, Lou King
  • Patent number: 5508825
    Abstract: An image processing device for processing an image formed by a lens on a sensor through an automatic focusing device is arranged to move the lens, in cases where no adequate image is formable on the sensor, to a position determined on the basis of a plurality of lens positions previously obtained with the image formed under the control of the automatic focusing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuhito Kataoka
  • Patent number: 5502757
    Abstract: Using a plurality of terminal service profiles (TSP) that are selected on the basis of the switching system to which a wireless mobile unit is registered. Each TSP defines the operation of features associated with the wireless mobile unit, and a service profile defines features associated with a directory number shared by a stationary station set and the wireless mobile unit. This allows some features to be associated only with the wireless mobile unit and other features to be associated with the shared directory number. These other features are usable by the wireless mobile unit and any other unit sharing the shared directory number. These other features are performed on a permanent switching system to which the shared directory number is assigned. When the wireless mobile unit is not associated with a stationary telephone station set, different TSPs are selected based on the particular switching system to which the wireless mobile unit is registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Bales, John C. Moran
  • Patent number: 5493416
    Abstract: A block-based error diffusion technique allows for the printing of colored images having arbitrary screen orientations. The technique improves reproducibility by only compensating for errors arising from quantization in selected "critical blocks".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Zhigang Fan
  • Patent number: 5481374
    Abstract: Two modes for releasing a memory, a mode in which the memory is released page by page and a mode in which the memory is released block by block are provided and one of the modes is selected in accordance with the amount of received data to enhance the reliability of the reception and recording with a smaller capacity of image memory.When the reception of the data is started and the image data is filled in the memory block, the recording of the received image to a recording medium is started. Each time the recording of the memory block is completed, the release mode of the image memory is set. Namely, when the reception of the page recorded in the memory hold mode is not yet completed and the remaining capacity of the image memory reaches below a predetermined capacity, the recorded memory blocks are released and the release mode is switched to the memory release mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunichi Tachibana, Hitoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 5481248
    Abstract: An apparatus controlling an overhead crane in a manner that reduces the likelihood that the crane and objects suspended therefrom will contact another object. This apparatus comprises a standard control panel for controlling the speed and direction of the crane based on a plurality of operator control signals and a collision avoidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Brian A. Kruh
  • Patent number: 5469138
    Abstract: An automatic control device includes a danger detector unit for generating a danger signal upon detection of a danger condition. A power switching unit bypasses a manual control unit of the automatic control device so as to provide a power signal from a dc power supplying unit to a driving control unit, thereby enabling the driving control unit to activate a gate driver unit for moving a roll-up gate automatically to an open position upon reception of the danger signal. The driving control unit can be used to activate an automatic brake mechanism, an automatic door opening mechanism or both when the automatic control device is installed in an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Hsin-Tan Tsai