Patents Issued in April 17, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030071850
    Abstract: A system and method that displays a semi-transparent user input interface relative to an application's currently focused input field at times when handwritten input is appropriate. The semi-transparent user interface starts when a program's text input field receives focus, can grow as needed to receive input, or will disappear when not used for a time. Handwritten data is recognized and passed to the application as if it was typed in the focused field, and the application need not be aware of handwriting, as the system and method are external to the application. Pen events that are not handwriting, but comprise gestures directed to the program through the semi-transparent input user interface, are detected by a gesture detection engine and sent to the application. A user is thus guided to enter handwriting, while handwriting recognition appears to be built into applications, whether or not those applications are aware of handwriting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Erik M. Geidl
  • Publication number: 20030071851
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to control a plurality of applications on a computer having a graphical user interface using a control application installed in addition to an operating system of the computer. An object, representing the control application and having a first sensitive area, is displayed within the graphical user interface. A first user input is received at the first sensitive area on the object. A window slides from the object and includes a plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of applications while the first sensitive area continues to be displayed. A second user input is received in the window corresponding to at least one of the plurality of icons. At least one of the applications is then controlled based on the second user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph J. Unger, Mark K. Dillon, Edmund D. Mesterharm
  • Publication number: 20030071852
    Abstract: A method and system for objectively evaluating job applicants utilizing a computer system is disclosed. This includes allowing the job applicant to answer a series of predetermined job related profile questions, providing a numeral score associated with each response, and tabulating the total score for all responses so that each job applicant can be objectively compared to other job applicants. The questions selected and numerical weight of each response can be custom tailored for each position. There is also a method and system for creating interview questions for job applicants utilizing a computer system is disclosed. Moreover, there is a method and system for managing the recruiting process for job applicants. This includes flexible shifting of job applicant responsibility among numerous personnel on a global basis and sharing information including objective test scores and interview questions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Damir Joseph Stimac
  • Publication number: 20030071853
    Abstract: The control system has a touch-sensitive input field (touchpad). Symbols are entered on the surface of the touchpad by tracing rough lines. The lines are interpreted in relation to a particular control context. In each particular control context, only a limited set of a few symbols are valid, thereby permitting symbols to be reliably recognised even when they are traced with a fingertip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Hafner, Peter Bubb, Matthias Gotz
  • Publication number: 20030071854
    Abstract: In a software object display system, an adaptation layer is used to isolate the presentation layer from expectations of the structure of the software objects displayed. A small set of data can be transferred between the adaptation layer and the presentation layer in order to provide for the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yan Arrouye, Sean J. Findley, Keith L. Mortensen
  • Publication number: 20030071855
    Abstract: A remote control method and system embody a graphic user interface. The present invention includes a remote controller having a touch pad and a digital television having a GUI. That is, a viewer can select a menu displayed on the digital television by using the touch pad. It is thus possible to overcome control limitations of the remote controller, namely complexity of the rapidly-developed functions of the television. In addition, the viewer can watch menus displayed on the screen of the digital television, operate the touch pad and execute a wanted control operation. As a result, the viewer can easily conveniently control the digital television through simple operations of the remote controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20030071856
    Abstract: In an information processing apparatus and an information display method of this invention, user operates client computer to connect it to server computer by using communication line to carry out, when user accepts offer of service, e.g., offer of information, video viewing or order of goods, etc., an operation to display entrance hall within virtually actualized space on the display of the client computer, and to further display thereon plural shops by a specific pattern in relation to the entrance hall. As an example of the specific pattern, there is used a pattern such that entrance hall is disposed at one side of polygon, respective shops are disposed at other respective sides, and the entrance hall is caused to have a height capable of viewing other respective shops by bird's eye. Thus, in the three-dimensional GUI, the retrievability and the functional availability are increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Nagahara, Toshikazu Minoshima
  • Publication number: 20030071857
    Abstract: In a software object display system, an adaptation layer is used to isolate the presentation layer from expectations of the structure of the software objects displayed. A small set of data can be transferred between the adaptation layer and the presentation layer in order to provide for the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yan Arrouye, Sean J. Findley, Keith L. Mortensen
  • Publication number: 20030071858
    Abstract: A coordinate input device detects coordinates of a position by indicating a screen of a display device with fingers of one hand, and transfers information of the detected coordinates to a computer through a controller. The computer receives an operation that complies with the detected coordinates, and executes the corresponding processing. For example, when it is detected that two points on the screen have been simultaneously indicated, an icon registered in advance is displayed close to the indicated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroshi Morohoshi
  • Publication number: 20030071859
    Abstract: The user interface is provided for the visually impaired to operate a multifunction devices. The user interface is based upon a combination of tactile sensation, tactile position, and sound. The tactile sensation includes the Braille expressions as well as any marker on a template. The tactile position includes the relative position of the user hand on a touch panel. In combination with the tactile sensation or tactile position, the sound interface offers additional information to help the operation of the multifunction machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Junichi Takami, Bin Lu
  • Publication number: 20030071860
    Abstract: A software package, comprising a graphical component including a plurality of images, each image corresponding to a state of the graphical component, wherein the graphical component is identified by a name, and a skin manager configured to search for the graphical component in a predetermined location using the name and retrieve the graphical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Edward Wayne Goddard, Zachariah Scott
  • Publication number: 20030071861
    Abstract: Service of a container depleted of a consumable resource is facilitated in a device holding a plurality of containers for consumable resources. One of the plurality of containers for consumable resources is depleting of consumable resources. The container depleted of the consumable resource is discovered. The depleted container is discovered by either realizing the container has a low level of the consumable resource or is empty of the consumable resource. The amount of consumable resource in each container is discovered either by measuring the remaining consumable resource or by tracking indicia of the remaining consumable resource. In response to discovering the depleted container, the depleted container is moved into a service position. Optionally, an access to the depleted container is opened and the depleted container is ejected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Quintin T. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20030071862
    Abstract: A liquid sensor (802) composed of a piezoelectric device is provided on an ink cartridge (800). An actual consumption detection processing section (816) of a recording apparatus control section (810) detects an actual consuming state by detecting an oscillating state corresponding to an ink consuming state using a piezoelectric device. An estimate consumption calculation processing section (814) finds an estimate consuming state by calculating an ink consuming state based on printing amount when printing using ink. For example, a consuming volume is calculated by adding up and multiplying the number of printing dots. An estimate consumption calculation processing for finding a consuming volume in detail and an actual consumption detection processing capable of detecting precisely are used in combination. Preferably, the passage of liquid level is detected as detection of an actual consumption. Consuming volumes prior to and after it are estimated by adding up and multiplying the number of dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Publication number: 20030071863
    Abstract: A printing system. The system may include an ink dispenser, a switch to generate an initial position signal, a movement sensor to generate movement signals and a circuit that causes the dispenser to dispense ink in accordance with the image data, the initial position signal and the movement signal. The system may also include a connector, a power source, a microcontroller, a memory and an ink-curing component. Image data is then transferred to a surface by sweeping the printing system across the surface as the printing system tracks the status of each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Doberenz
  • Publication number: 20030071864
    Abstract: A fluid ejector maintenance system for use with a fluid ejection system, including at least two fluid ejection nozzles, a detector that detects when at least one of the at least two fluid ejection nozzles ejects fluid onto a region, a controller that controls the other of the at least two fluid ejection nozzles said detector detects to eject fluid in the regions where fluid was previously ejected by the at least one fluid ejection nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Walter F. Walfer
  • Publication number: 20030071865
    Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer having enhanced heat removal capability and method of assembling the printer. The thermal inkjet printer includes a thermal inkjet print head adapted to hold an ink body therein. The heating element is adapted to be in fluid communication with the ink body for generating heat to heat the ink body. A vapor bubble forms in the ink body to eject an ink drop when the heating element causes the ink body to reach a predetermined temperature. Presence of the vapor bubble forces an ink drop out the printer to form an image on a recording medium. A conductive heat removal structure is in thermal communication with the heating element and is also in fluid communication with the ink body. Heat generated by the heating element is transferred from the heating element and into the heat removal structure. The heat removal structure then surrenders the heat to the ink body, which functions as an “infinite” heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Mott, Blair Butler
  • Publication number: 20030071866
    Abstract: An improvement for non-uniformity correction in a printing apparatus (10) wherein an image forming assembly (22) forms an image using a plurality of exposure elements, and the amount of exposure energy at each individual exposure element is capable of being varied. A test print (50) is generated, having a series of test patches or zones with predetermined density levels. A scanner (40) scans the test print (50) to obtain density value readings within each test density zone (52) for each pixel that corresponds to each exposure element. Density value readings are averaged. Then, difference in measurement from this average is used to compute a correction factor for each individual exposure element. An image data manager (12) conditions the input data by this correction factor, then sends the conditioned image data to the image forming assembly (22) for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Victor C. Wong, Badhri Narayan, William M. Barnick
  • Publication number: 20030071867
    Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a printing zone and a printhead for printing on a media having a printing side; the printing apparatus further comprises first media reference means arranged stationary within the apparatus and located upstream of said printhead in a direction of advance of the media through the apparatus. Said first media reference means engage the printing side of the media when the media is in a tensioned state in said printing zone and determine the position of said printing side of the media with respect to said printhead. The distance between the printhead and the printing side of the media is maintained for different thickness of the media being printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Antonio Hinojosa, Martin Urrutia
  • Publication number: 20030071868
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid containing portion having an opening; a liquid supply portion, fixed in the liquid containing portion, for introducing the liquid from the liquid containing portion; an information memory medium accommodating portion, provided in the liquid containing portion, for holding an information memory medium storing information relating to the liquid container, wherein the information memory medium accommodating portion is adapted such that contact surface of the information memory medium held by the information memory medium accommodating portion is opposed to the liquid supply portion and that space is provided between the contact surface and a surface of the liquid containing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroshi Koshikawa, Eiichiro Shimizu, Nobuyuki Hatasa
  • Publication number: 20030071869
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes: a head body provided with a nozzle and a pressure chamber; an actuator including a piezoelectric element and an electrode for applying a voltage across the piezoelectric element; and a driving circuit for supplying a driving signal to the electrode of the actuator. The driving circuit always supplies an auxiliary pulse signal in every printing cycle. When ink is to be discharged, the driving circuit supplies, after the auxiliary pulse signal is supplied, an ink discharge pulse signal for driving the actuator so that the ink is discharged and so that an ink meniscus vibration in the nozzle is resonant with that caused by the auxiliary pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Koichi Baba, Koji Ikeda, Koji Matsuo, Masashi Tomita, Masaharu Oyama, Masaichiro Tatekawa
  • Publication number: 20030071870
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided to service multiple staggered printheads in a color inkjet-imaging device. Multiple cleaning units are attached to a service station. Each cleaning unit includes multiple components to service a particular one printhead. Each cleaning unit is offset from an adjacent cleaning unit to form a staggered configuration to service the staggered printheads. The staggered printheads are moved from/to the service station to/from a print zone. The staggered cleaning unit configuration in combination with component positioning provides substantially unhindered access to move the staggered printheads into and out of the service station. Responsive to moving the staggered printheads into the service station, the cleaning units service the staggered printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Antoni S. Murcia, Ted T. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030071871
    Abstract: A print head cleaning apparatus of an ink jet printer and an ink jet printer having the same, disposed to be movable between a printing position to eject ink from an ink injection nozzle to print an image on a paper sheet and a cleaning position to clean the ink injection nozzle. The print head is cleaned at the cleaning position using ultrasonic waves. The print head cleaning apparatus is fixed to the printer. The print head is moved to the print head cleaning apparatus and is then cleaned by the print head cleaning apparatus. Therefore, the print head is moved using an existing carrier transferring unit without a separate driving device to drive the print head, thereby facilitating the cleaning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seuk-Jin Yun
  • Publication number: 20030071872
    Abstract: A layered cleaning blade includes a first surface forming a wiper surface comprised of a relatively low-hardness material for wiping fluid nozzle openings of a fluid ejecting head as the fluid ejecting head moves in a direction toward the wiper surface and a second surface forming a scraper edge comprised of a relatively high-hardness material for scraping the fluid nozzle openings as the fluid ejecting head moves in the opposite direction. The layered cleaning blade thereby optimizes the fluid ejecting head cleaning process by combining both the fluid nozzle opening wiping function and the fluid nozzle opening scraping function in a single cleaning blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Donald M. Temple
  • Publication number: 20030071873
    Abstract: A technique of the present invention uses dark yellow (DY) ink, in addition to a plurality of conventionally used basic color inks including cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. The technique may cause a printer to create dots with the DY ink, in place of creation of dots with the Y, C, and M inks. This arrangement enhances the degree of freedom in specification of dot on-off conditions of the respective inks, and relieves the restriction of ink duty, thereby enabling a resulting printed image to have higher picture quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kakutani
  • Publication number: 20030071874
    Abstract: An ink cartridge in which on one surface of a cartridge case, there are provided a positioning means used in case that the ink cartridge is attached to a recording apparatus, an ink outlet port from an ink pack, an inlet port of the pressurized air and a connection terminal of a circuit board having a data storage means that stores ink information of the cartridge therein, and an ink jet recording apparatus provided with its ink cartridge are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Atsushi Kobayashi, Hitotoshi Kimura, Yoshiharu Aruga
  • Publication number: 20030071875
    Abstract: An ink jet printhead chip that is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique includes a wafer substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of ink passages are defined through the wafer substrate, so that each ink passage defines an inlet at a rear surface of the wafer substrate and an outlet at a front surface of the wafer substrate. Each ink passage is in fluid communication with an ink supply at the rear surface of the wafer substrate. A plurality of closure members is positioned on the rear surface of the substrate and each closure member is displaceable between open and closed positions to control a flow of ink through each passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20030071876
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an ink jet printhead includes a wafer substrate having a nozzle chamber defined therein. The nozzle arrangement has a nozzle chamber wall that defines an ink ejection port and a rim about the ink ejection port. A series of radially positioned actuators are connected to the wafer substrate and extend radially inwardly towards the rim. Each actuator is configured so that a radially inner edge of each actuator is displaceable, with respect to the nozzle rim, into the chamber, upon actuation of the actuator and so that, upon such displacement, a pressure within the nozzle chamber is increased, resulting in the ejection of ink from the ejection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy
  • Publication number: 20030071877
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a passivation layer of a fluid ejection device is formed by an atomic layer epitaxy process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Ulrich E. Hess
  • Publication number: 20030071878
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to control the crystal orientation of a ferroelectric thin film as dictated by the application of a ferroelectric thin film device. To accomplished the stated object, a bottom electrode containing at least iridium is formed over a surface preparation layer whose main component is zirconium oxide, and an ultra-thin titanium layer is laminated over the bottom electrode. An amorphous layer containing the elemental metal and elemental oxygen that constitute the ferroelectric is formed over the titanium layer, and a crystallized ferroelectric thin film is formed by heat treating this amorphous layer. If the thickness of the titanium layer is kept between 2 nm and 10 nm in the lamination thereof, the ferroelectric thin film will have a priority orientation of (100), and if it is kept between 10 nm and 20 nm, the ferroelectric thin film will have a priority orientation of (111).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Masami Murai
  • Publication number: 20030071879
    Abstract: Using an electrostatic mechanism for inkjet printers to improve image quality is disclosed. A carriage assembly for such a printer includes one or more inkjet print heads, and an electrostatic mechanism. Each inkjet print head ejects ink from a corresponding ink supply in droplets as needed and aimed on a media. The droplets each have either an improper drop size or a proper drop size. The proper drop size is greater than a first threshold, whereas the improper drop size is less than a second threshold that is itself less than the first threshold. The electrostatic mechanism prevents droplets of the improper drop size from reaching the media. The mechanism has an electrostatic charge sufficiently great to affect the droplets having the improper drop size, without substantially affecting the droplets having the proper drop size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel K. Swenson
  • Publication number: 20030071880
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous inkjet printer. A nozzle element defining an ink staging chamber and having a nozzle bore in communication with the ink staging chamber arranged so as to establish a continuous flow of ink in a ink stream; ink delivery means intermediate the reservoir and the ink staging chamber for communicating ink between the reservoir and defining first and second spaced ink delivery channels; a first actuable flow delivery valve positioned in operative relationship with the first ink delivery channel and a second actuable flow delivery valve positioned in operative relationship with the second ink delivery channel; and the valves are controlled to control the path along which ink is delivered through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward P. Furlani, Christopher N. Delametter, John A. Lebens, Ravi N. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20030071881
    Abstract: An ink cartridge which supplies ink to an ink jet recording apparatus through an ink supply needle of the ink jet recording apparatus, has a container body having a shape of an approximately rectangular parallelepiped including an ink supply surface on which an ink supply passage into which the ink supply needle is inserted is provided, in which the height of a side surface approximately orthogonal to the ink supply surface is larger than at least one width of the ink supply surface, and one of the side surfaces is an opening surface opened in the direction of the width; a lid member, which has the approximately same shape as the opening surface and seals the opening surface of the container body; and a porous member, which has the approximately same shape as the container body and is housed in a space formed by the container body and lid member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Toba, Satoshi Shinada
  • Publication number: 20030071882
    Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer for printing an image on a receiver and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a first chamber and a second chamber therein. The first chamber contains a working fluid and the second chamber contains an ink body. A flexible membrane separates the first chamber and the second chamber. A first transducer is disposed in the first chamber and is in communication with the working fluid for inducing a first pressure wave in the working fluid that in turn flexes the membrane into the second chamber. When the membrane flexes into the second chamber, the membrane transmits the first pressure wave into the second chamber, so as to pressurizes the ink body. When the ink body is pressurized, an ink drop is ejected from the second chamber through an outlet that is in communication with the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: James A. Mott
  • Publication number: 20030071883
    Abstract: Provided is an ink set including a plurality of inks each of which contains a water-insoluble coloring material and enabling ink-jet record images to be stably formed. The ink set includes first to nth aqueous inks for ink-jet recording, each of the aqueous inks containing a water-insoluble coloring material, an aqueous medium and a dispersant for dispersing the pigment in the aqueous medium, and a water-soluble organic compound, wherein the first to the nth aqueous inks are different from each other in pigment concentration based on the total weight of the each ink; and the first to the nth aqueous inks have the same or substantially the same viscosity at an actual usage temperature (T1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mariko Suzuki, Shoji Koike, Makoto Aoki, Koromo Shirota, Hideki Takayama, Yasuhiro Nito
  • Publication number: 20030071884
    Abstract: The invention provides a porous resin film having a good absorption of water content as a solvent for aqueous ink or aqueous paste and a recording medium comprising the porous resin film. The recording medium is characterized by the capability of absorbing an ink without density unevenness even during ink jet recording if the ejected amount of ink is great. The invention lies in a porous resin film comprising: a thermoplastic resin in an amount of 30 to 90% by weight; and an inorganic and/or organic finely divided powder in an amount of 10 to 70% by weight, wherein the inorganic and/or organic finely divided powder is surface-treated with a surface treating agent (A) made of a copolymer of diallylamine salt or alkyl diallylamine salt (a1) with a nonionic hydrophilic vinyl monomer (a2) and an anionic surface treating agent (B), and the porous resin film has a liquid absorption capacity of not smaller than 0.5 ml/m2 as measured by “Japan TAPPI No. 51-87”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: YUPO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Iwasa, Seiichiro Iida, Nobuhiro Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20030071885
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the voltage of a chargeable layer 2b of an image carrier 2 at the portion to be in contact with writing electrodes 3b is adjusted by a surface potential adjusting member 8 which is disposed to be in contact with the chargeable layer 2b between the writing electrodes 3b and a transfer roller 6a. That is, even if the reverse charge injection occurs because the transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 6a and the transfer roller 6a is in contact with the chargeable layer 2b of the image carrier 2 at an interval between a printed paper 5 and the next paper 5, the potential of the chargeable layer 2b at the portion to be in contact with the writing electrodes 3b is adjusted not to exceed the withstand voltage of IC drivers 7 of the writing electrodes 3b by the surface potential adjusting member 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Kamoshida, Kenjiro Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20030071886
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of luminous color printing and the main formula comprises 70% luminous powder plus 30% fluorescent powder plus 1:1 transparent printing oil; after being mixed by a machine and ground by three tumblers, the four primary printing colors are blended and ready to be applied in the manufacturing procedures, such as the thermal transfer printing or the aqua transfer printing; through the mixture and the blending of the luminous powder, the fluorescent powder and the transparent printing oil, the colorful patterns can be printed directly on and according to the different materials, such as the label paper, the poster, the calendar, the decoration, the clothes and the external case of a mobile phone; in addition, the said colorful patterns are capable of storing the light during the daytime and showing the visible luminous colorful patterns during the nighttime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Yueh-Pao Chang
  • Publication number: 20030071887
    Abstract: The invention intends to enable proper feeding and discharging of the recording paper printed over the entire page without causing deterioration of the quality. A pair of paper guide members are disposed in the vicinity of the lateral ends of the ink ribbon drawn from the ribbon outlet port respectively so as to project from the wall plate of the cassette body in the direction in which the ink ribbon is drawn. The pair of paper guide members is formed with a surface inclined in such a manner that the projecting length decreases from the projecting top to the base of the paper guide member toward the lateral center of the wall plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yamamoto, Toshinori Kudo
  • Publication number: 20030071888
    Abstract: A two level image writer (10) for forming an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium comprising an illumination system on a first level for providing incident light beams. The illumination system comprising a first source (20) for emitting a first polarized light beam having a first color; a second source (22) for emitting a second polarized light beam having a second color; and a third source (26) for emitting a third polarized light beam having a third color. A fold mirrors directs each beam to a second level and three polarizing beamsplitters (73, 75, 77) on the second level receive the polarized beams from the fold mirrors. Each polarizing beamsplitter isolates polarization states of each of the first, second, and third polarized light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Richard L. Druzynski
  • Publication number: 20030071889
    Abstract: A reactive toner that is energy-activated is printed by means of an electrographic device such as a laser printer. The reactive toner is printed onto a substrate. Toner components that cross-link and bond the printed toner permanently onto the substrate, or another substrate through a transfer process, are activated by the application of energy to react after printing. Reaction of the energy-activated components may be inhibited with blocking or protecting agents. The image is permanently bonded onto the substrate when the protection provided by the protecting agents is removed by the application of energy to the printed toner. The toner may comprise energy-activated components, colorants, color enhancing polymeric materials, binder resins, internal and external additives such as waxes and charge control agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Barbara Wagner, Rebecca Silveston, Ming Xu
  • Publication number: 20030071890
    Abstract: Video calls between video devices are controlled by presenting video call options and receiving inputs of video call information through a telephone network. A video call application associated with a phone server receives video call information and provides the information to a video launch application that controls video devices accordingly. In one embodiment, IP telephones provide video call options such as initiating and terminating video calls through an IP telephone server to a video network platform using XML formatted data. The video network platform provides video call options based on user code information to simplify the IP telephone interface. The video network platform performs the functions represented by the video call information to establish and terminate video calls as appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: VTEL Corporation
    Inventor: Kimbry L. McClure
  • Publication number: 20030071891
    Abstract: A surveillance system uses an image from an omni-directional camera to identify objects or events of interest on which a higher-resolution camera can be trained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Z. Jason Geng
  • Publication number: 20030071892
    Abstract: A method for removing noise regions in a stereo 3D image, which includes a first eye image and a second eye image is achieved by calculating a maximum offset value and turning a horizontal synchronization signal and a display enable signal of the CRT timing parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Silicon Integrated Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ruen-Rone Lee, Li-Shu Lu, Yu-Ming Huang
  • Publication number: 20030071893
    Abstract: A method of providing visual documentation of a surgical procedure. The method includes providing at least one video camera for generating a video signal in a digital format, the video signal representative of a stereoscopic view pair of a surgical subject. A template is created having a graphical content pertinent to the subject of the stereoscopic view pair. The template is displayed such that the template is overlaid contemporaneously with the stereoscopic view pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: David Miller, Ernesto Blanco, Steve K. Burns, Ramgopol Rao, Robert Stegmann
  • Publication number: 20030071894
    Abstract: The apparatus according to the present invention includes a level adjusting circuit that increases a gain of a G (or B) signal output from a color conversion circuit, a binarization circuit that forms a binarized image from this G signal and an edge detection circuit that extracts blood vessel position signals through edge detection based on this binarized signal. Then, the apparatus extracts RGB color signals making up a blood vessel image by using the above-described blood vessel position signals, increases the gains of these blood vessel color signals and then adds the blood vessel color signals to the color signals of an original image. This allows blood vessels to be displayed in high contrast to mucous membranes, etc. Furthermore, the apparatus can also amplify the R signal and B signal by using a signal obtained by differentiating the above-described G signal as a gain signal to highlight blood vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Daisuke Ayame, Kazunori Abe, Shinji Takeuchi, Keiichi Negishi
  • Publication number: 20030071895
    Abstract: In an electronic endoscope of the present invention, an edge detection circuit detects a down edge section and an up edge section of both ends of a blood vessel in a width direction based on a G signal output from an RGB color conversion circuit, an R coefficient selector and a B coefficient selector select, for example, a coefficient smaller than 1 for the detected down edge section and select, for example, a coefficient larger than 1 for the up edge section, and a multiplier multiplies an R signal and a B signal by these coefficients. As a result, both ends of the blood vessel are highlighted with a left end part expressed blackish and a right end part expressed reddish, making it possible to clearly display blood vessels in mucous membranes on a monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Keiichi Negishi, Daisuke Ayame, Kazunori Abe, Shinji Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20030071896
    Abstract: Image capture apparatus comprising a support of flexible material, in or on which is mounted a plurality of image capture devices. Each image capture device preferably comprises an image sensor, an image buffer and a communications interface, the communications interface of each image capture device being connected to a common set of interconnection lines (or wireless links) providing clock, control and camera data. The shared line (or link) is connected to (or in communication with) a camera control box which may have connected thereto, or integrated therein, a display screen and/or storage means for storing and/or displaying images captured by the image capture devices. Each of the image capture devices has a unique identity so that it is individually addressable, accessible or operable by the camera control box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew Arthur Hunter
  • Publication number: 20030071897
    Abstract: A method of scanning cinematographic film to produce digital images corresponding to images on frames of the film is provided, comprising the steps of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen David Brett
  • Publication number: 20030071898
    Abstract: There is provided a monitoring system for remotely monitoring an item or activity, the monitoring system including a recording device for recording a visual record of the item, a communicator for communicating the visual record, and a security device for controlling access to the monitoring system. Also provided is a method of remotely monitoring an item by recording a digital image of the item, communicating the digital image of the item through a communication system, and accessing the digital image using a secured access device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: David Henderson, Gordon Henderson, Jerry Henderson
  • Publication number: 20030071899
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and method including a processing device for receiving video information recorded by a video recording device or a camera, wherein the video recording device or a camera is located at a vehicle or a premises and the processing device is located at a location remote from the vehicle or premises. The processing device receives a signal transmitted from a communication device located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the vehicle or premises. The video information is transmitted from the processing device to the communication device in response the signal. The video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Raymond Anthony Joao