Patents Issued in November 28, 2002
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Publication number: 20020175975Abstract: An inkjet recording head includes a two-dimensional array of a pressure chambers and corresponding array of piezoelectric elements each for applying a pressure wave to ink in a corresponding pressure chamber. In fabrication, a piezoelectric plate temporarily bonded onto a substrate is subjected to sandblasting to form the plurality of piezoelectric elements. After the piezoelectric elements are bonded as a unit onto a diaphragm which constitutes part of the walls of the pressure chambers, the substrate is removed. Dummy patterns equalize the degree of side etching among the piezoelectric elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Masashige Mitsuhashi, Shigeru Umehara
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Publication number: 20020175976Abstract: An ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus used this head, in which ejectors are arrayed in a two-dimensional matrix, and the necessary width of each of plural common ink branch paths is reduced, and the density arraying the ejectors is made to be high, are provided. The ink jet recording head is formed by layering and adhering a nozzle plate, a common ink path plate, an ink supplying plate, a connecting path plate, a pressure chamber plate, a vibration plate, and piezoelectric actuators. The ink supplying plate is made of a resin film whose stiffness is low. Since the ink supplying plate also works as air dampers for the plural common ink branch paths, even when the width of each of the plural common ink branch paths is made to narrow, necessary and sufficient acoustic capacitance to prevent crosstalk from generating between adjacent two ejectors can be obtained. With this structure, the density arraying the ejectors is able to be high.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Masakazu Okuda
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Publication number: 20020175977Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an inkjet printing system. The inkjet printing system has a receiving station for receiving the replaceable ink container. The replaceable ink container includes a handle extending from a trailing end of the ink container for grasping the ink container for insertion into the receiving station. Also included is a latch for securing the replaceable ink container to the receiving station. The latch has an extended position for engaging the receiving station for securing the ink container to the receiving station and a retracted position. The latch is so disposed and arranged on the ink container to be urged from the extended position to the retracted position as the handle is grasped.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Lisa M. Hanson, Curt G. Gonzales, Dion C. Davidson, Charles R. Steinmetz, Scott D. Sturgeon, David C. Johnson, Jeffrey T. Hendricks
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Publication number: 20020175978Abstract: A printer is provided that allows one or more print cartridges to be installed during printer manufacture with little risk of ink evaporation during shipping so as to eliminate assembly problems associated with installation of print cartridges during initial printer setup.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Thomas Allen Bailey, David Vincent Iorio
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Publication number: 20020175979Abstract: A liquid container which can precisely detects existence/absence of residual liquid at a low cost, a cartridge including the liquid container, and a printing apparatus using the cartridge. The lengthwise direction of a triangular prism provided on the bottom of the ink tank is along a direction of print medium conveyance in the printing apparatus, such that when an ink-jet head cartridge holding the ink tank is attached to the printing apparatus for performing printing, light emitted from an optical unit of the printing apparatus is precisely captured by the prism. Further, if two ink-jet head cartridges are mounted on the printing apparatus, the first and second ink-jet head cartridges are set in positions shifted from each other by a length shorter than the length in the lengthwise direction of the prism, such that the light emitted from the optical unit reaches the prisms provided in the ink tanks of the first and second ink-jet head cartridges.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Morita, Hiroshi Koshikawa, Kenji Kitabatake
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Publication number: 20020175980Abstract: A liquid drop jet head includes a nozzle jetting a liquid drop, a liquid room connected to the nozzle, a common liquid room connected to the liquid room, a supply opening part supplying the liquid to the common liquid room, and a pressure generating part generating a pressure which pressurizes the liquid provided in the liquid room, wherein the common liquid room has a configuration in which a width of the common liquid room on a plane level is narrower as a point of the width is more remote from the supply opening part.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Kenichiro Hashimoto, Mitsumi Fujii, Tomomi Katoh, Tsuneo Maki, Kiyoshi Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20020175981Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing varying degrees of gloss on printed matter in printing machines producing a printed image on the printed matter by application of an ink layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Jurgen Veil
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Publication number: 20020175982Abstract: In an ink composition, a coloring agent, a color developer, and a decolorization agent are dissolved or dispersed in a solvent. The ink is capable of being colored at 40° C. or less, with the coloring agent reacting with the color developer to form a bonded structure, and also capable of being decolorized when heated to 100° C. or more, with the bonded structure being ruptured to liberate the color developer therefrom, and the liberated color developer being chemically bonded to the decolorization agent. An ink jet printer is provided with a paper feeder for feeding a recording sheet for ink jet printing, a recorder for recording an ink image on the recording sheet fed from the paper feeder using the above-mentioned ink composition, and a paper discharger for discharging the recording sheet from the ink jet printer. By further providing an eraser, the ink image recorded on the recording sheet by the recorder can be erased, thereby achieving recycling of the recording sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kohki Isago
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Publication number: 20020175983Abstract: An aqueous ink composition for inkjet recording comprising a dye J-aggregate having an average particle size of 2 to 200 nm, and water-dispersible polymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 400 nm, wherein the amount of the water-dispersible polymer particles is from one to ten times as much as that of the J-aggregate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Shunichi Ishikawa, Takayasu Yamazaki, Masaki Noro, Yoshiharu Yabuki
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Publication number: 20020175984Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a drum, a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate on the drum, and a curing device for directing radiation toward the ink that is received on the substrate. The curing device is selectively operable to direct radiation toward a certain portion of the ink received on the substrate only after that certain portion has moved with the substrate and the drum through an arc that is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, the ink on the substrate has sufficient time to spread and level and the resultant image is of high quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Bruce A. Nerad, Richard L. Severance
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Publication number: 20020175985Abstract: A print media roll holder includes a multi-diameter core adapter for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes. The roll holder comprises a ring-shaped frame having a base portion provided with a guide rack which is used for positional adjustment. The multi-diameter core adapter is pivotally mounted inside the ring-shaped frame on two opposing lateral pins inserted through the frame and through the core adapter for 180 degree rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending on the size of core being used. The guide rack is part of a rack and pinion gear system used to vary the spacing between the roll holders in a reciprocal linear fashion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Thomas Michael Zevin, Joe Dufrain Rodriguez
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Publication number: 20020175986Abstract: An image forming process containing the steps of applying imagewisely plural latent image-forming solutions having different concentrations and each containing a material capable of lowering a transfer temperature to one of an image transfer material and an image receiving sheet from plural nozzles, and contacting the transfer recording layer and the image receiving sheet, followed by heating, so as to transfer the latent image portion. Also, an image forming apparatus by such a process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventor: Akio Miyamoto
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Publication number: 20020175987Abstract: A closing apparatus for a thermal printer having a fixed chassis portion and a closable cover supporting on the inside thereof a paper drive roll fixed inside of the cover for positioning itself, when the printer is closed, in a seat associated with the chassis portion and having a bottom with a level wall for locking the paper drive roll and the seat together for locking the chassis and cover together in their closed condition for preventing the paper drive roll from getting out in case of accidental pushes and consequently prevents the cover from opening, and the paper drive roll and a thermal printing head cooperate to hold the paper between the paper drive roll and the thermal printing head while the cover is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Custom Engineering SpaInventor: Alberto Campanini
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Publication number: 20020175988Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for registering a plurality of color images formed on a photoconductive surface in a process direction. According to one embodiment of the invention, the registration simplified by the use of a method that does not require the use of a controller having a divide function. According to another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is presented to compensate for variations in distances between a rotating polygon and a sensor detecting a position of a photoconductive member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventor: Martin E. Hoover
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Publication number: 20020175989Abstract: A method for improving the image quality of a thermal print image uses preprocessed image and color matrices, in which special combinations of black dots and black dot patterns are filtered out. These patterns are then replaced with printer-friendly patterns. This altering technique improves the image quality and reduces halo effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2000Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Steven Spano
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Publication number: 20020175990Abstract: To facilitate the framing of an image in a camera's field of view, a mirror system is provided that has a field of reflection that corresponds substantially to the field of view of the camera. If a target person can see his or her reflection in the mirror, the target person is assured that a substantially similar image is being seen by the camera. This invention also includes an integration of the mirror-camera framing system with computer vision applications, such as a teleconferencing system, a recognition system, a broadcast system, and a messaging system with attached images for personalization and authentication. The use of a mirror for image feedback allows the invention to be embodied in a small low powered device, such as a watch, pendant, or portable telephone.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 1999Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: JACQUELYN ANNETTE MARTINO, DAMIAN M. LYONS, KAREN I. TROVATO
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Publication number: 20020175991Abstract: A system for transmitting a trigger signal for a video capture system over a network, such as a TCP/IP network, which eliminates the need for special connections to be available in order to send triggers from an external device to start and stop the acquisition of video. Traditional video start/stop triggers are routed through a Trigger Converter which converts the trigger signal to a signal formatted for transmission over an existing network. A Trigger Receiver receives the formatted signal from the network and converts it to a trigger signal formatted for the trigger input of the video capture device. The video capture system responds to the trigger signal from the Trigger Receiver in the same way as it would have to the traditional trigger. Because the video capture device is already connected to the network, additional cables are not necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Anystream, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Pflaum, Yuri Eidus
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Publication number: 20020175992Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with an endoscope and an image display section that displays the image of a subject captured by an image pick-up element provided in this endoscope. The endoscope is provided with a connector whereby a serial communication cable is detachably connected and a signal processing circuit that converts the image captured by the image pick-up element to a signal capable of being transmitted through the serial communication cable. The image display section is a screen displayed on a display device of a terminal device connected to the serial communication cable; and the screen is provided with an image display region used for display of an image captured by the image pick-up element and a display region for control purposes whereby control of the endoscope is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Teruo Eino
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Publication number: 20020175993Abstract: In the light source unit 3A, a switching filter section 14, which can switch the RGB filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescent observation on the optical path, is installed in front of the lamp 12, where if the fluorescent image mode is selected, the excitation light in a part of the blue wavelength band is supplied to the electronic endoscope 2A, and the excitation light reflected by the subject side is shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 in front of the CCD 28 so as to obtain the fluorescent image, and also the signal of the fluorescent image and the signals of the two reflected light images which are set in a predetermined wavelength band are passed through the image processing circuit 38, where a matrix circuit for appropriately allocating the color signals of the R, G and B channels is installed, and as a result, the images can be displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colors in hues which allow easy identification of a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hitoshi Ueno, Takeshi Ozawa, Kazunari Nakamura, Isami Hirao, Hiroshi Ibe, Koichi Yoshimitsu, Yuichi Morizane, Mamoru Kaneko, Shunya Akimoto, Masaki Terakubo, Katsuichi Imaizumi, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Sakae Takehana, Kazuhiro Gono
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Publication number: 20020175994Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional chart, a parameter acquiring method and an information processing device that are used for carrying out camera calibration in a wide range with high precision. For this reason, a plurality of unit graphic forms the sizes of which are coded by using different cross-ratios are placed on side faces of a three-dimensional chart. The cross-ratios of unit graphic forms are calculated from a picked-up image of the three-dimensional chart, and by collating these with actual values, the position and orientation of the image-pickup point are determined. The shifting average of the heights of the unit graphic forms is made approximately proportional to the distance from the apex so that it is possible to reduce the limitation of image-pickup distances. A movable camera is attached to a subject-use camera, and upon picking up an image of the subject, an image of the three-dimensional chart is also picked up simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Kuniteru Sakakibara, Eiro Fujii, Koji Fujiwara
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Publication number: 20020175995Abstract: A video surveillance system which includes at least one field recording site and at least one remote viewing site linked by a communication channel of the internet. The field site locates a video surveillance recorder which archives a compressed digital video signal from a video source to a digital memory. Similarly, data associated with the video signal is archived to a digital memory. The archived video signal is stored in file segments associated with the times they are recorded. The system further provides a compressed real time video signal. The video surveillance system also includes a server interface to the internet whereby the field site may be controlled to provide the video and data information to a user at the remote site. User commands may be communicated from the remote site to the field site to transfer either the real time video signal, the archived video signal or the archived data signal. The selected signal is then displayed on a video monitor of the remote viewing site.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Marc Sleeckx
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Publication number: 20020175996Abstract: A surveillance system using an array of detectors onto which energy from the scene under surveillance is focused can indicate the direction of an event that has been recognized. The invention uses two or more arrays to locate events in three dimensions, and to define regions within the three dimensional space being surveyed. The events are located by detecting which elements from the respective arrays are stimulated by the occurrence of an event, and determining the location of the event to be at the intersection of the fields of view of the stimulated elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Stephen George Porter, John Lindsay Galloway
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Publication number: 20020175997Abstract: A surveillance recording device using cameras extracts facial images and whole body images of a person from images shot by the cameras. A height is calculated from the whole body images. Retrieval information, including a facial image (best shot), is associated with images in a recording medium and recorded into a database. The recorded data are utilized as an index for later retrieval from the recording medium. Facial images are displayed in a list of thumbnails to make it easy to retrieve a target person on a thumbnail screen. The images are displayed together with a moving image of a target person.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Takata, Shogo Hamasaki, Hideaki Matsuo, Kazuyuki Imagawa, Masafumi Yoshizawa
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Publication number: 20020175998Abstract: A method and system for a decreased idle time scheduling matrix for a data file reduced into data blocks. A scheduling matrix is generated and idle time is filled with data blocks that appear later in the matrix, keeping with the original sequence of data blocks. This is then repeated, or equally a new decreased idle time scheduling matrix is created. A preloading stream can be configured from the decreased time scheduling matrix. Specially designed set-top boxes are then described which can received these data blocks. In a preferred embodiment the set-top box can store a continuously broadcast and optimized preloading stream for increased bandwidth savings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Khoi Nhu Hoang
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Publication number: 20020175999Abstract: When an image shot by a rear-view camera mounted on a vehicle (1a) is changed into an image viewed from the location of a virtual viewpoint, and the obtained image is displayed on a screen, warning lines (51) and (52), for conveying a warning to a driver of the presence of an object within range of the rear of a vehicle, are displayed by being superimposed on the image obtained by the viewpoint conversion. Thus, when an image obtained by the viewpoint conversion of an image shot by a rear-view camera is displayed on a screen, a driver can be apprised not only of the presence of an obstacle within range of a local vehicle but also of the erroneous image interpretation provided by the image obtained by the viewpoint conversion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsumi Mutobe, Satoru Masuda, Hidetoshi Mimura, Kazuki Miyama
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Publication number: 20020176000Abstract: A baseball game spectating method is composed of input means (score maker system) such as a mobile terminal capable of electronically inputting states of a baseball game successively, the step of successively inputting motions of players and the other information using the input terminal and transmitting their real-time data, filming means for filming the states of the baseball game, the step of encoding and transmitting the states of the baseball game, means for digitizing the input data and recorded image and sound data, a recording medium such as a data server for storing the digitized real-time data therein, a recording medium such as an image server for storing the digitized image therein, a recording medium such as a sound server for storing the digitized sounds therein, a mobile net system such as PDC or/and PHS and gateway and internet for converting protocol, and a mobile terminal such as a cellular phone with high function and high performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Muneomi Katayama
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Publication number: 20020176001Abstract: A color modeling and color matching process and system is provided that uses the hue and saturation of color pixels, in conjunction with the intensity of gray or near-gray pixels, to characterize targets and images. A target is characterized by a histogram of hues and saturation within the target image, with a greater distinction being provided to the hues. Recognizing that the hue of gray, or near-gray, picture elements is highly sensitive to noise, the gray or near-gray pixels are encoded as a histogram of intensity, rather than hue or saturation. The target tracking system searches for the occurrence of a similar set of coincident color-hue-saturation and gray-intensity histograms within each of the image frames of a series of image frames.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Miroslav Trajkovic
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Publication number: 20020176002Abstract: A first characteristic value extracting unit extracts a characteristic value from a picture transmitted from a transmission side, and a second characteristic value extracting unit extracts a characteristic value from a picture received on a reception side. These extracted characteristic values are supplied to a central monitoring unit through low speed lines, respectively. In the central monitoring unit, an MSE (mean square error) is assessed from the data by an MSE assessing unit. The first and second characteristic value extracting units divide an input picture into blocks, subject the blocks to an orthogonal transformation, or subject the blocks to PN sequence multiplication before the orthogonal transformation, and extract and output orthogonal transformation coefficients.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: KDDI CORPORATIONInventors: Ryoichi Kawada, Osamu Sugimoto, Masahiro Wada, Shuichi Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20020176003Abstract: A kiosk for reading a digital watermark from a physical object (e.g., a printed document) can be used in various contexts, including retail systems designed to provide customers with product information; corporate greeting systems used to register or direct a visitor; computer terminals in public environments—such as cyber cafés—which can be used to access the Internet; and registration terminals at service centers, such as a copy center, that are used to request services or provide information. An illustrative kiosk may include a housing with a computer concealed inside. On the outside of the kiosk is an illuminated stage on which the user can place the object to be read. An image sensor (e.g., a webcam) captures an image of the object placed on the stage, and the computer processes the image to decode the watermark payload. The computer than responds to the user (e.g., via a display screen or audio transducer) with responsive information.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Phillip Andrew Seder, Geoffrey B. Rhoads, William C. Hein, Brian T. Maclntosh
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Publication number: 20020176004Abstract: A video camera capable of recording and/or reproducing audio signals of plural channels and video signals simultaneously in a single recording medium in such a manner as to reproduce omnidirectional ambient sounds as surround ones. The video camera includes a plurality of microphones, and records first plural audio signals obtained by processing the audio signals outputted from the plural microphones to generate audio signals of plural channels, and also records a second audio signal obtained by processing the audio signals of the entire channels outputted from the plural microphones, in the recording medium simultaneously with the video signals so that the first plural audio signals and the second audio signal can be reproduced independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Akira Shinada
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Publication number: 20020176005Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a CPU. An image file created by the CPU is stored in a directory which is created on a hard disk and a circularly successive directory number is assigned to. When the number of image files accumulated in a latest directory reaches “450”, the CPU determines a total number of the directories, and if the total number reaches “50”, the CPU erases an oldest directory. Furthermore, when the number of the image files accumulated in the latest directory reaches “900”, the CPU creates a new directory to which the directory number succeeding to that of the latest directory is assigned. In addition, when an arbitrary directory is erased by an operation of an erasing key, the CPU assigns the successive directory number to a remaining directory in order of a creation time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayoshi Okamoto, Shigeaki Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20020176006Abstract: An image-taking device includes a base, a supporting plate, an arm, a first rotating shaft linking the base and arm in a relatively rotatable manner, a second rotating shaft disposed generally parallel to a plane perpendicular to the first rotating shaft for linking the supporting plate and arm in a relatively rotatable manner, an image-taking lens supported by the arm, a spindle motor for rotationally driving the supporting plate, and an electromagnetic linear actuator for rotationally driving the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Miura
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Publication number: 20020176007Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording and displaying fluorescence images with high spatial resolution. Several recordations of an image of an object are made sequentially with an electronic camera and, between recordations, the image of the object and the electronic camera are shifted relative to each other. The recordations are subsequently unified to a compiled image of higher spatial resolution. Before or after the partial images are brought together, the signals, which belong to image points of the images and which are obtained at different times, are amplified with amplification factors which are dependent upon the time intervals between the image recordations and are essentially reciprocal to the time dependency of the fluorescence. Artefacts caused by decreasing fluorescence intensities (fading, bleaching) are thereby avoided. These fluorescence intensities decrease as a function of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Markus Cappellaro
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Publication number: 20020176008Abstract: An image processing apparatus, for equally dividing an area of an arbitrary figure by pixel units by a number of parallel lines, which includes an input element for inputting a dividing number for a figure obtaining element which obtains a total number of pixels of the figure, a calculating element for calculating an initial ideal value by dividing the total number of pixels by the dividing number, a computing element for computing an ideal value of the number of pixels of a kth divided region in the figure using the initial ideal value and a sum of determined values of the numbers of pixels of a first to a (k−1)th divided region, and a determining element for determining a determined value of the number of pixels of the kth divided region such that an error between the determined value of the number of pixels of the kth divided region and the ideal value of the number of pixels of the kth divided region is minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Shiho Nagano, Takahiro Ishii, Yasushi Fukuda
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Publication number: 20020176009Abstract: An image processor system for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes a correlated double sample and variable gain (CDSVGA) circuit for receiving data from a CCD system and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit which first controls gain by adjusting said CCD system and then for yet a higher gain level makes gain adjustments in said CDSVGA circuit AND a digital gain circuit to produce a combined target gain level. A processing system for an imager device includes a camera system for producing an imager signal, a correlated double sample (CDS) circuit for receiving data from an imager, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said CDS circuit, a digital gain circuit (DGC) coupled to said ADC, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupled to said DGC for controlling the CDS circuit and the DGC.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Sandra Marie Johnson, Shih-Chung Chao, Nadi Rafik Itani, Caiyi Wang, Brannon Craig Harris, Ash Prabala, Douglas R. Holberg, Alan Wayne Hansford, Syed Khalid Azim, David R. Welland
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Publication number: 20020176010Abstract: A system and method of increasing the dynamic range of image sensors by controlling the exposure (either electronically or mechanically) of multiple images and optionally forming a composite image from the properly exposed areas of the multiple images of varying exposure settings. Certain embodiments of the system and method utilize image processing techniques to determine the various exposure settings and to form the optional composite image. The properly exposed areas can be used directly by machine vision applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Bret A. Wallach, Harvey A. Koselka
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Publication number: 20020176011Abstract: Data representing a bitmap image of 320 pixels horizontally by 480 lines vertically is stored in an SDRAM. The amount of this bitmap image data is adjusted by a data adjustment circuit so as to obtain a bitmap image of 640 pixels horizontally by 480 lines vertically. The image of a subject is sensed by an image sensing device and sensed-image data representing a subject image of 640 pixels horizontally by 480 lines vertically is obtained. The bitmap image data whose amount of data has been adjusted and the sensed-image data are applied to an on-screen processing circuit, which proceeds to execute on-screen processing so as to superimpose the bitmap image on the sensed image. The image that is the result of superimposing the bitmap image on the sensed image is displayed on a display device. In another aspect, the image of a subject is sensed using an image sensing device, whereby YC data is obtained. The YC data is recorded on an SDRAM.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventor: Akiko Kuwayama
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Publication number: 20020176012Abstract: The television camera apparatus to which the electronic script apparatus has been applied includes a viewfinder which displays a shot image. The viewfinder displays a double image of a shot image and a script image mixed together by a video selector. This enables a cameraman to read a script without turning his eyes away from the viewfinder. Further, pages in displayed script information can be turned over by pressing operation buttons disposed on a zoom rate demand acting as an operation section of the television camera apparatus. This enables the cameraman to turn over pages of the script while operating the television camera apparatus with his both hands.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Masayoshi Wasada
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Publication number: 20020176013Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including: CCD image pickup device; a light blocking plate for shutting out light incident upon the image pickup device; an exposure period controlling section for setting exposure time by controlling the light blocking plate and the image pickup device; a dark signal storing section for storing dark signals obtained from the image pickup device in a state where light is shut out by the light blocking plate; a subtracting section for subtracting the dark signals from main image pickup signals of the image pickup device; a defect detecting section for detecting defects from the subtracted image pickup signals outputted from the subtracting section; and a defect correcting section for performing correction of the detected fault pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Hiroshi Itoh
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Publication number: 20020176014Abstract: This camera having a contour improvement circuit (13) is formed from a sensor (3) composed of elements sensitive to various color components in the view exhibiting an entire spectrum of spatial frequencies, and at least a first image filtering device (10) for the low frequencies in the spectrum with a view to processing the signals issuing from said sensitive elements. It is in the form of a first branch (B1) in which said first filtering device (10) is inserted, and at least a second branch (B2) in which the contour improvement circuit (13) is inserted in order to act on the high frequencies taking account of all the signals issuing from said elements, and a combination device (16) for supplying an image from the output signals of said branches.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Frederic Bompard
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Publication number: 20020176015Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for displaying an image wherein the apparatus includes an image transducer for capturing image data from an incoherent wireless electromagnetic transmission, which transmission may be in the form of visible light, a memory for storing captured image data, and a projection system for projecting an image derived from stored captured image data onto a viewing surface separate from the apparatus and disposed so as to reflect the projected derived visible image. The transducer, memory, and projector are preferably confined within a single portable enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Hans A. Lichtfuss
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Publication number: 20020176016Abstract: A digital camera according to the invention comprises a power switch, lenses, an optical finder, a shutter button, an auxiliary light emitting section, a recording media slot, an image monitor, and touch pads. The touch pads form part of the touch input section for selecting and inputting the items and selections displayed on the image monitor, part the touch input section for operating the display contents of an image displayed on the image monitor, and part of the touch input section for controlling the shooting magnification used in shooting an image. Such input operations are performed by way of a contact position signal of the touch pads as well as a movement in the touch state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Takeshi Misawa, Toshita Hara
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Publication number: 20020176017Abstract: The present invention has an object of realizing highly reliable search with high precision by obtaining a clear view image over a wide view. In particular, a reflection mirror is formed so as to correspond to an image pick-up element at a focus surface of a converging lens of an image pick-up camera and the image pick-up camera is arranged to be capable of freely performing scanning by a scanning mechanism portion. As a result, with the image pick-up camera kept performing linear scanning, the reflection mirror performs triangular scanning in a direction opposite to the scanning direction of the image pick-up camera for every frame cycle T and a light wave taken in by the converging lens is introduced to the image pick-up element for every one frame, thereby to obtain a static view image. The desired object is thus achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Yoshihiko Hayashi, Keizo Fujibayashi, Naoki Hosaka, Tetsuo Sado
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Publication number: 20020176018Abstract: A method for the deployment of long distance telecommunications services over existing cable television operator networks. Provides bypass of long distance telecommunications services directly from residential and commercial customers utilizing a bypass specific device. This device will route long distance communications, in a specific format defined in this application, to a cable operator network. Local telecommunications service are placed directly to the existing local exchange operator network. Digital information traffic directed from residential and commercial customers are directed to and managed by a specific device located in a cable television operators central office. This device is specifically tuned for digital information traffic defined in this application.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: David Edward White, Herbert Frank Primosch, Joseph Leonard Fattizzi, Gregory Socrates Rahman
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Publication number: 20020176019Abstract: A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. The base is constructed to be tamper resistant and immovable by manual means. A substantially hollow support pole includes a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, and an upper portion mounted to the platform. Wires and cables for connecting the surveillance equipment with the electronics and power supply are run through the support pole. Power to the system may be supplied through existing power sources, for example a 120V power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Richard H. Wesselink, Paul J. Wesselink, Stephen Fredrick Brown
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Publication number: 20020176020Abstract: The cradle apparatus for a camera facilitates satisfactory engagement and disengagement of a camera connector, ready locking of a camera in a state in which connectors are connected, and minimization of the dustiness of the connector of the cradle is to be provided. The cradle apparatus is mainly configured of a cradle body, a box-shaped sliding member, which is slidable relatively to the cradle body and accommodates and fixes a digital camera, and a cradle connector disposed on a side of the cradle body. By sliding the sliding member in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of the camera after mounting the digital camera to the sliding member, a camera connector can be engaged with and disengaged from the cradle connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTDInventors: Tsukasa Kawaguchi, Shino Kanamori
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Publication number: 20020176021Abstract: The invention relates to the phase correction of a vertically distorted digital picture, which is divided into two half pictures in accordance with the interlaced scanning method. To take into account a vertical decimation factor (vscale), which changes in the vertical direction of the digital picture, it is proposed that a phase correction (vphscor) be generated for the second half picture as a function of the particular vertical position in the second half picture. This phase correction must be considered in generating the second half picture. It is derived directly from information (vinc) about the change of the vertical decimation factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Marko Hahn, Guenther Scheffler, Dirk Wendel
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Publication number: 20020176022Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing national television system committee (NTSC) signals from a broadcasted datastream including advanced television system committee (ATSC) signals are provided. The apparatus includes an NTSC signal removing unit for removing the NTSC signal from an input signal with one or a plurality of NTSC filtering units; a vestigial sideband (VSB) core unit for generating an error generating signal if the NTSC signal is not removed by the NTSC signal removing unit for a continuous time period of at least a predefined length; and an NTSC filtering selection unit for applying a control signal to select a different one of the NTSC filtering units in response to the continuous error signal output by the VSB core unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Jung-Hong Ahn
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Publication number: 20020176023Abstract: A method for the transformation of image signals that have been obtained by color filtering and have been logarithmically compressed is proposed. The color saturation of the recorded images is increased thereby. According to one aspect of the invention, the transformed image signals are determined as a function of the logarithmically compressed image signals and the logarithmically compressed brightness signals for a spectral color.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Heinz Gerhard Graf
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Publication number: 20020176024Abstract: A process of effecting various anti compensation processes on input image on a plasma display panel comprises the steps of a) performing a gamma (i.e., &ggr; equal to 0.45) compensation process on a video signal received by the PDP with respect to a &ggr;; b) dividing the video signal into at least two segments based on a gray level thereof; and c) performing a variety of anti compensation processes on the video signal in respective segment. A smaller &ggr; is used in the anti compensation process with respect to the video signal in a range of low gray level for increasing the gray level in the range of low gray level. Similarly, a larger &ggr; is used in the anti compensation process with respect to the video signal in a range of high gray level for increasing a gradient in the range of high gray level, thereby obtaining a sharp image contrast, improving image quality, and rendering an enhanced image brightness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Shiuh-Bin Kao, Liang-Kuei Hsu, Kuang-Lang Chen