Patents by Inventor Noriko Bamba

Noriko Bamba has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6125202
    Abstract: Tone calculation for conversion from input image data X to produce converted data Y is performed in accordance with a functional formula including at least two of a first-order term of the input image data X, a second-order term of the input image data X, a third-order term of the input image data X, and a fraction term of the input image data X. In another aspect, color conversion from image data R, G and B to produce printing data C, M and Y by generating complementary color data Ci, Mi and Yi from the image data, determining a minimum value .alpha. and a maximum value .beta. of the complementary color data, generating hue data r, g, b, c, m and y from the complementary color data, the minimum value and the maximum value, generating predetermined matrix coefficients, and determining printing data C, M and Y in accordance with a predetermined matrix calculation using the minimum value, the hue data, and the matrix coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Kagawa, Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba, Yoshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 5920654
    Abstract: In an image processing system, an outline correction of image data and a smoothing for noise removal are performed. Generally, the outline correction is performed by emphasizing a high frequency component, and the smoothing is performed by removing the high frequency component. Within one image data, by properly switching the emphasizing and the removal of the high frequency component, while the outline correction is carried out, the noise removal can be performed. An absolute value of a high frequency component Fa extracted from the image data Pi by a first differential filter is compared with a discrimination threshold value K, and depending on the comparison result, either Fa or -Fa as the correction data Fo is selected by a selector and is added to the image data Pi. As a result, when Fo=Fa, the high frequency component is emphasized, and when Fo=-Fa, smoothing is performed. A pixel interpolation and a multi picture formation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Someya, Kazuhiro Chiba, Kazuyoshi Watabu, Yoshie Yamamoto, Mamoru Inamura, Takeshi Nagayama, Noriko Bamba, Noboru Sunada
  • Patent number: 5917959
    Abstract: The image processing device converts input image data into converted data. A two way buffer in the image processing device stores reference data generated by a converted data generator under the direction of a controller. The two way buffer is then used to generate converted data in response to received image data. Also, depending upon the input device connected to the image processing device, a selector selects one of a plurality of processing characteristics. The selected processing characteristics are used to vary and set a conversion function for converting the image data to produce the converted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Kagawa, Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba, Yoshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 5729636
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for performing tone conversion on input image data X to produce converted data Y set a functional formula including at least two of a first-order term of the input image data X, a third-order term of the input image data X, and a fraction term of the input image data X. Alternatively, the function formula includes at least two of a second-order term of the input image data X, a third-order term of the input image data X, and a fraction term of the input image data X. Then, the converted data Y is output in accordance with the functional formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Kagawa, Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba, Yoshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 5696593
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for a color printer capable of printing images based on analogue video signals and digital video signals. The apparatus varies at least one of a heating reference time, a number of consecutive heating reference times, and a number of recording element sub-lines based on a type of video signal forming the image to record an image within a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba, Jun Someya
  • Patent number: 5588050
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for performing color conversion on first image data of a first format to produce second image of a second format different from the first format. Each of the first and second image data represent a pixel of one of a stationary image and a moving image. The method and apparatus generate complementary color data from the first image data for each pixel of an image, determine a minimum and maximum value of the complementary color data, generate hue data representing a hue of each pixel of the image based on the complementary color data, the minimum value and the maximum value, and generate the second image data based on the hue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Kagawa, Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba, Yoshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 5550936
    Abstract: In an image processing system, an outline correction of image data and a smoothing for noise removal are performed. Generally, the outline correction is performed by emphasizing a high frequency component, and the smoothing is performed by removing the high frequency component. Within one image data, by properly switching the emphasizing and the removal of the high frequency component, while the outline correction is carried out, the noise removal can be performed. An absolute value of a high frequency component Fa extracted from the image data Pi by a first differential filter is compared with a discrimination threshold value K, and depending on the comparison result, either Fa or -Fa as the correction data Fo is selected by a selector and is added to the image data Pi. As a result, when Fo=Fa, the high frequency component is emphasized, and when Fo=-Fa, smoothing is performed. A pixel interpolation and a multi picture formation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Someya, Kazuhiro Chiba, Kazuyoshi Watabu, Yoshie Yamamoto, Mamoru Inamura, Takeshi Nagayama, Noriko Bamba, Noboru Sunada
  • Patent number: 5537230
    Abstract: A signal processing device for a video printer which is capable of eliminating white stripes attributed to the block division type drive of a thermal head. The signal processing device also performs aperture correction for correction of high frequency components and carries out color conversion with high precision. The video printer can produce a print having high density. Further, the changing of printing time and print size is available in the video printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba
  • Patent number: 5227873
    Abstract: A signal processing device for a video printer which is capable of eliminating white stripes attributed to the block division type drive of a thermal head. The signal processing device also performs aperture correction for correction of high frequency components and carries out color conversion with high precision. The video printer can produce a print having high density. Further, the changing of printing time and print size is available in the video printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba
  • Patent number: 5097343
    Abstract: An image printer for creating a hard copy of a television image or an image produced by computer graphic having a high image quality. The image printer is provided with an apparatus for driving a thermal printing head having a processor which does not permit heat to be produced continuously across the boundaries between adjacent picture elements and for controlling the blocks of the thermal printing head to print a subline divided from one scanning line and to repeat the subline printing to complete the printing of the one scanning line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba
  • Patent number: 5045866
    Abstract: An image printing device in which desired images represented by two or more valued data are recorded with a laser beam. This image printing device allows to employ a semiconductor laser which is relatively low in an output power resulting in reducing manufacturing cost and prolonging a service life of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba
  • Patent number: 4959663
    Abstract: An image printing device in which desired images represented by two or more valued data are recorded with a laser beam. This image printing device allows to employ a semiconductor laser which is relatively low in an output power resulting in reducing manufacturing cost and prolonging a service life of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba
  • Patent number: 4887150
    Abstract: A color converting device for converting R, G and B image signals representing red, green and blue colors, respectively, into a three color or four color printing data indicative of three colors of yellow, magenta and cyan or four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black, which device comprises a divider for dividing the image signals into achromatic and chromatic color components for each picture element; a first converter for converting the chromatic color components so divided into a first color conversion data Y1, N1 and C1 representative of the yellow, magenta and cyan colors, respectively; a second converter for converting the achromatic color component into a second color conversion data Y2, M2 and C2, or into a third color conversion data K; an adder for summing the first and second color conversion data Y1, M1, C1, Y2, M2 and C2 together to provide the three color printing data, or an output circuit for outputting both the first color conversion data Y1, M1 and C1 and a third color conversion data K
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Chiba, Noriko Bamba