Patents Examined by Tommy Lee
  • Patent number: 7139092
    Abstract: An image data communication apparatus is connected to an image data source and to a network, and transmits image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network. The e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message. The image data attached to the e-mail as an openable document. The image data communication apparatus comprises a panel section which inputs a mail address of a user to image data communication apparatus. The image data communication apparatus comprises a controller which sets the mail address of the user input by the panel section into the mail from command of the e-mail to which the image data is attached. Thus, a mail error message is returned to the mail address of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehiko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7027183
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of solving problems experienced in the error diffusion method operates in the following manner. An input pixel value is thresholded by a corrected threshold value, and a binarized pixel value is output. From the output value, the corrected threshold value is subtracted, the result is multiplied by a feedback coefficient ?, and the result is diffused to the threshold values of surrounding pixels. As the threshold value and a scale of the pixel value are changed by the processing unit before thresholding, degree of edge enhancement is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Ohshima
  • Patent number: 6980321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97). In the apparatus and method, illumination optics uniformize and image light from at least one light source (20) through polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63). The polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarization beamsplitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sujatha Ramanujan, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6658163
    Abstract: An image processing method is provided to easily obtain an image, which is similar to that of which tone is intentionally changed using a special filter, without using the special filter. Highlight points are all extracted for an image for which application of striations is indicated, and a region in which a large number of highlight points concentrate, i.e., a region in which a large number of highlight points are located adjacently or closely is extracted as a bright region. Next, a parameter which defines striations to be applied to each bright region based on characteristic amounts such as brightness, size, color tint, and the like of the bright region, and striation data which indicates striations to be applied is generated. By synthesizing the generated striation data with image data and by recording an image on a recording material using the image data, an image of which tone is similar to that of an image photographed using a special filter such as a cross filter is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Takaoka
  • Patent number: 6631208
    Abstract: Each crest-shape distribution region is sectioned in accordance with a value of a color obtained from extracted elements such as hue, saturation and lightness. A characteristic amount at each of a plurality of positions of an image including a designated eye is calculated, on the basis of values of obtained characteristic amounts, an image of a pupil portion is extracted, and red-eye correction processing is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Kinjo, Naoki Takaoka, Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6408103
    Abstract: A method for preserving spatial detail and color content is performed when adjusting the tone scale of a digital color image. This method comprises the steps of receiving a digital color image, providing a tone scale function for adjusting the tone scale of the digital color image; providing a spatial filter for adjusting the tone scale of the digital color image; transforming the digital color image into a luminance signal and chrominance signals; using the tone scale function, the spatial filter, and the luminance signal to produce an enhanced luminance signal; and using the tone scale function, the spatial filter, the luminance signal, and the chrominance signals to produce enhanced chrominance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew C. Gallagher, Edward B. Gindele
  • Patent number: 6297892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting data transmitted by a facsimile machine and provides for encrypting and decrypting of data converted to a binary code. The device is detachably connectable to a facsimile machine for receiving the data and for encrypting/decrypting the data in accordance with a pre-selected key. The encrypted data is stored by the device for subsequent retrieval upon demand. A keypad and an associated visual display allow programming of the electronic function of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventors: William Stein, III, William Stein, IV
  • Patent number: 6240215
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method include a plurality of different background suppression data acquisition modes selectable by a user in order to obtain background suppression data from a document being reproduced. The obtained background suppression data is used by an image processing unit to suppress the background region of the document being reproduced. The user is able to select one of the plurality of background suppression data acquisition modes depending upon the user's desire for high speed document reproduction versus the required quality of background suppression. In this manner, the user is able to determine whether document reproduction speed or background suppression quality is to be emphasized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Salgado, James G. Nargi, Kevin F. Aubertine, Francis K. Tse, Nancy R. Kelly