Patents Issued in October 14, 2003
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Patent number: 6633373Abstract: A receiver serves to determine a position in relation to a surveying leveling instrument emitting at least two light beams, one light beam rotating at least partially about an approximately horizontal axis and the other light beam rotating at least partially about an approximately vertical axis. The receiver has two receiving regions, i.e. one for each of the two light beams. The receiving regions preferably consist of two rows of light-sensitive elements, for example photocells, intersecting at a center. An additional element in each case is provided upstream of the receiving regions in the direction of passage of the light beam. As a result of this, one of the two receiving regions can either be switched on or off in each case, so in each case only the light beam associated with a receiving region is detected and/or displayed. The receiving device has LED displays arranged in accordance with the receiving regions of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Ammann Lasertechnik AGInventor: Hans-Rudolf Ammann
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Patent number: 6633374Abstract: A dosimeter for evaluating the degree of illumination by a change in coloration includes a substrate on which is positioned a light-sensitive coloring substance, where the coloring substance is formed of a mixture of several organic dyes dispersed in a polymer matrix and coated onto paper.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)Inventor: Bertrand Lavedrine
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Patent number: 6633375Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for the optical examination of structured surfaces of objects, especially of wafers and/or masks. The optical apparatus has an observation beam path (6) whose central axis (42) is directed vertically against the surface of the object (16), an illumination beam (2) whose central ray (40) falls vertically on the surface of the object, and an illumination beam (3) whose central ray (41) falls obliquely onto the surface of the object (16). In the observation beam path (6) the image of the surface of the object (6) is observed and/or detected. In the observation beam path (6) a filter device (38) and/or detector device (18) is disposed. The optical system has an illumination device (39) for the simultaneous production of a dark field illumination, a device for the coding (11) of the illumination beams (2, 3) being associated with the bright field (2) and/or the dark field illumination beam (3).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Leica Microsystems Semiconductor GmbHInventors: Michael Veith, Volker Knorz, Edgar Maehringer-Kunz
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Patent number: 6633376Abstract: As a scanning device for positioning the irradiation position of the laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator at a position of arbitrary coordinates in the commanded mutually orthogonal X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, two galvanomirrors having mutually orthogonal rotary axes and a scan lens are provided, and the light generated from a printed circuit board irradiated with laser beam is detected by a detector, and approval or rejection of inspection result at each position of coordinates is judged on the basis of the output signal of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Nishida, Masanori Mizuno, Miki Kurosawa, Shozui Takeno, Masaharu Moriyasu
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Patent number: 6633377Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the detection and identification of light diverting and transparent defects with optical properties in a transparent medium. The apparatus has a light source with an aperture stop, a lens system focusing an image of the aperture stop at a plane, and means to pass the transparent medium through said column of light. The apparatus and method provide dark view images of the defects. The apparatus and method may be combined with a viewing area inspection system. The transparent medium may be curved, and especially face plates for cathode ray tubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Image Processing Systems Inc.Inventors: Adam Weiss, Alexandre Obotnine
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Patent number: 6633378Abstract: A device for remote detection of surface flaws in enclosed cavities that have been treated with a photoluminescent medium. The device has a non-rotating ultraviolet radiation source, an offset rotary drive means, a passive rotary scanning means that includes a plurality of lenses, reflectors and an optical filter, a non-rotating solid-state photodiode, and support electronic circuitry. Ultraviolet radiation from the illumination source is projected onto the test-part surface and causes dye penetrant that has been previously deposited onto the test-part surface to fluoresce at a different wavelength, thus revealing the presence of surface cracks and flaws. The receiving lenses capture the fluorescent light and project it onto the photodiode, which generates a series of electrical pulses that correspond to the presence of surface flaws. By encoding the linear and angular position of the scanning means, an accurate and quantitative map of the flaw pattern can be constructed.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Lotis Tech, LLCInventor: James L. Doyle, Jr.
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Patent number: 6633379Abstract: A machining apparatus (10) comprises a material removing tool (12) movably mounted for removing material from a workpiece (14); means for illuminating (42, 54) a sample area upon a tool surface (34) with excitation radiation; means for receiving (42, 54) sample light emitted from the sample area; a spectral analyzer (54) for performing a spectral analysis of the sample light received; and means for determining (60) the condition of the tool at the sample area from the spectral analysis of the sample light. The wear of the tool (12) is determined as such a condition. Operation parameters of the machining apparatus (10) are adjusted according to the determined wear. An example application is a wafer dicing tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignees: Semiconductor 300 GmbH & Co. KG, Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Michael Roesner, Manfred Schneegans, David Wallis
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Patent number: 6633380Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer 100 and a wavelength variable light source 101 have each a sweep synchronization start function. A correction function of the rotation speed of a motor 106 for varying the angle of a diffraction grating in a spectroscope 104 so that extracted wavelength and output signal light wavelength match over a setup sweep wavelength range is found from the output signal light wavelength characteristic relative to the rotation angle of a spectral element 119 and the extracted wavelength of the spectroscope 104, and the rotation angle of motor 106 for driving the spectroscope 104 is varied for each setup wavelength in accordance with the correction function, then sweep is performed.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Ando Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tohru Mori, Takashi Iwasaki
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Patent number: 6633381Abstract: A fluorescence-measuring device for scanning a specimen (36, 226) with a selection element (26, 206). Excitation light is coupled to an excitation beam path and guided to the specimen surface. Fluorescent light, which is emitted by the specimen surface, crosses the excitation beam path in a reverse direction and at the same time is decoupled from the excitation beam path. In the beam path, there is a first dispersive element (30, 210) so that the fluorescent light emitted by the specimen surface can strike the selection element spectrally split. The selection element includes a first area (48, 240) and a second area (26, 242) allowing selection between the excitation and fluorescent light. According to a first aspect, a spatial extension of a transmission area (26) is adjustable in order to adjust the transmitted wavelength range of the emission light. According to a second aspect, the selection element (206) makes it possible to operate with a coherent excitation having several laser lines.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Till I. D. GmbHInventor: Rainer Uhl
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Patent number: 6633382Abstract: An improved and lower cost color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for an on-line color printer color control system, in which plural different spectra LEDs sequentially perpendicularly illuminate a common and substantially circularly illuminated color test area, which may be variably spaced and variably oriented relative to the spectrophotometer, through a common central lens system, and also the reflected illumination therefrom may be measured at 45 degrees thereto by averaging the outputs of photodetectors spaced around that circularly illuminated color test area, to provide reduced sensitivity to the variable angular or azimuthal orientation of the color test area relative to the spectrophotometer, and which photodetectors may be so illuminated by 1:1 optics for spatial insensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Fred F. Hubble, III, Tonya L. Love, Daniel A. Robbins
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Patent number: 6633383Abstract: A filament inspection method for detecting abnormalities in a wound yarn package includes illuminating the yarn package while sensing and recording an image of the illuminated yarn package. The method further includes evaluating the recorded image in accordance with predetermined criteria to determine thereby whether the recorded image indicates the presence of any abnormalities in the yarn package.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Linetech Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tobias Jackson, James Knapp
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Patent number: 6633384Abstract: The present invention for detecting ultrasonic displacements includes a detection laser to generate a first pulsed laser beam to generate the ultrasonic surface displacements on a surface of the target. A second pulsed laser beam to detect the ultrasonic surface displacements on a surface of the target. Collection optics to collect phase modulated light from the first pulsed laser beam either reflected or scattered by the target. An interferometer which processes the phase modulated light and generate at least one output signal. A processor that processes the at least one output signal to obtain data representative of the ultrasonic surface displacements at the target.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Drake, Jr., Mark A. Osterkamp
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Patent number: 6633385Abstract: A system and a method for recording interference fringes in a photosensitive medium. Two light beams are guided along different light paths to impinge on a photosensitive medium, where they interfere to produce the interference fringes. One of the beam is reflected along its path on a delay mirror forming a fixed angle &phgr; with respect to the plane of the photosensitive medium. Both the photosensitive medium and delay mirror are translated with respect to the light paths of the two beams, thereby recording the interference fringes all along the medium. The angle &phgr; is chosen so that the interference pattern is fixed relative to the photosensitive medium along its length.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Teraxion Inc.Inventor: François Trépanier
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Patent number: 6633386Abstract: Pulse measurement for characterization of ultra-short optical pulses using spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER) is enhanced by utilizing a plurality of spectral phase differences derived from the pulse and measured and frequency sheared replicas, which are temporally and/or spatially displaced, thereby providing spatial or temporal characterization or enhancing the temporal characterization of the input pulse in amplitude and phase. Improved interferometry which is not reliant on non-linear elements can be used.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: The University of RochesterInventors: Ian A. Walmsley, Christophe Dorrer
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Patent number: 6633387Abstract: An interference optical system (18) leads parallel beam to a pair of opposed test surface (M1, M2). It then leads, from the test surfaces via different optical paths (C1, C2), interference fringe images formed by radiation of the parallel beam to the test surfaces (M1, M2), respectively. The interference optical system (18) has a pair of opposite reference surfaces (S1, S2) formed thereon and defined with a highly accuracy parallelism and distance. A measurement head (27) is provided with these reference surfaces (S1, S2), which are interposed between and oppose to the test surfaces (M1, M2), respectively. Imaging devices (19a, 20a) take interference fringe images that are created through interference between a light reflected at each of the test surfaces (M1, M2) and a light reflected at the corresponding reference surface (S1, S2) opposing thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Kiyokazu Okamoto, Ikumatsu Fujimoto, Hirohisa Handa, Naoki Mitsutani
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Patent number: 6633389Abstract: A profiling method compensates for phase changes associated with the presence of multiple or varying material in the area to be measured. The profiling method measures at least a portion of the height profile of the area of interest. The phase of the different materials in the region are also obtained and used to generate a correction factor. Depending on the type of material in the region of interest, the correction factor may be the material specific phase difference of the materials in the region, e.g., when at least one of the materials is opaque to the wavelength of light used to measure the height profile, or the relationship between the thickness and phase of the material for a desired thickness range, e.g., when one or more of the materials is transparent to the wavelengths used to measure the height profile. The correction factor is then used to correct and/or convert the measured phase profile to an actual height profile.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Nanometrics IncorporatedInventors: Jaime Poris, Claudio L. Rampoldi
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Patent number: 6633390Abstract: A method of detecting focus information about an image projecting optical system includes performing mark projection through the optical system, and, based on illumination lights having different chief ray incidence directions, the mark projection is carried out so that mark images formed by the illumination lights, respectively, are superposed one upon another approximately upon an imaging plane, and detecting focus information about the optical system on the basis of information related to a deviation between the mark images superposed.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Shiode, Izumi Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Morohoshi, Yoshio Kawanobe
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Patent number: 6633391Abstract: A method and system to monitor characteristics of films by sensing the spectral emissions of a plasma to which the films are exposed. As a result, the method includes sensing optical energy produced by the plasma. The optical energy has a plurality of spectral bands associated therewith, a subset of which is identified as including information corresponding to the film characteristics. The film characteristics are then measured as a function of this information. To increase the accuracy of the measurements, in one embodiment of the present invention a subgroup of the plurality of spectral bands is observed that has data associated that is substantially independent of the characteristics of interest. The characteristics are then measured as a function of both the information and the data.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Applied Materials, IncInventors: Hakeem Oluseyi, Moshe Sarfaty
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Patent number: 6633392Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method to facilitate formation of an oxide portion of an anti-reflective layer on a substrate. The method involves the steps of forming an oxidized portion of an anti-reflective coating over an anti-reflective layer disposed on the substrate; reflecting a beam of x-ray radiation at the oxidized portion; generating a measurement signal based on the reflected portion of the light beam; and determining a thickness of the oxidized portion based on the measurement signal while the oxidized portion is being formed at the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Bhanwar Singh, Arvind Halliyal, Ramkumar Subramanian
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Patent number: 6633393Abstract: A printer is provided which reliably detects front and back sides of a print medium and the print data to be printed to the respective sides, and automatically prints print data to the correct side of the print medium. A print command interpreter 203 interprets a print command received from the host device to determines the print medium side indicated by the print command for printing associated print data. An inserted side detecting means 207 detects which side of the print medium inserted to the printer is facing a particular direction. Control units 204 and 208 print the print data when the print medium side detected by the print command interpreter 203 and the print medium side detected by the inserted side detecting means 207 are the same. Data can thus be printed to a desired specific side of the print medium because the printer 10 can reliably print to the print medium side specified by the host 220.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CoprporationInventor: Kazuko Fukano
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Patent number: 6633394Abstract: An image outputting device and method that includes the steps of receiving image data from a first image data source; outputting the received image data; monitoring the first image data source for a problem; initiating a timer upon detection of a problem in the first image data source; suspending operation of the outputting step upon the detection of the problem in the first image data source; monitoring the passage of time since detection of the problem; and upon the lapse of a predetermined time, outputting image data received from a second image data source. Furthermore, if the problem is solved before the lapse of the predetermined period of time, resuming outputting of the image data received from the first image data source.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Nagasawa, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Tadashi Ohira
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Patent number: 6633395Abstract: A print job can be identified without the print data of the print job being analyzed, and print data for a print job that is selected, e.g., print data stored in an input buffer, can be invalidated. In addition, the cancellation of a print job can be designated in real time. To achieve the above object, a host computer and a printer are interconnected via a communication medium. The host computer comprises job packet generation means for adding a header to print data to form a packet for each print job that is generated. The printer comprises job detection and registration means for detecting the start and end of a print job in accordance with the contents of the header of a packet received from the host computer, and for registering the print job in a database.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoki Tuchitoi, Junichi Mori
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Patent number: 6633396Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: T/R Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Barry, Jack N. Bartholmae, Francis A. Rowe, E. Neal Tompkins, Peter A. Zuber
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Patent number: 6633397Abstract: An output apparatus for forming output information on the basis of input information inputted from an external apparatus and outputting is constructed by a connector for connecting the output apparatus to the external apparatus so that they can communicate, a memory to store a data group to manage a menu structure for setting an output environment, an internal environment setting unit for setting an output environment on the basis of the data group, a transfer unit for transferring the data group from the memory to the external apparatus through the connector, and an external environment setting unit for setting an output environment onto the external apparatus on the basis of the data group transferred to the external apparatus. An operating method for the internal environment setting unit and an operating method for the external environment setting unit are identical.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuko Amano, Nobuhiko Sato
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Patent number: 6633398Abstract: In a digital image forming apparatus, desired ones of different data stored in a hard disk are selected and given serial numbers in the order of selection. The data selected are linked and then output in any desired order without regard to the order in which they were written to the hard disk. The linked data are dealt with as a single job and printed on papers, OHP (Over Head Projector) films or similar recording media at a time. Further, the recording media may be stapled, punched or otherwise finished.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1998Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Morikawa
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Patent number: 6633399Abstract: When received mail contains divided data, the divided data is stored in a RAM until it accumulates a predetermined amount. Then, the predetermined amount of divided mail data is combined to restore the undivided original data file for printing. Accordingly, the original image can be readily restored even from mail data which has been received as a plurality of pieces of mail.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koshi Fukazawa
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Patent number: 6633400Abstract: A print system has: a client apparatus for outputting print data; a printer server apparatus for receiving the print data from the client apparatus, and controlling an output of the print data received from the client apparatus in time; and a printer apparatus for receiving the print data from the printer server apparatus, converting the print data received from the printer server apparatus and printing the converted print data. The printer apparatus has a print property and converts and prints the print data received from the printer server apparatus according to the print property.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Sasaki, Keiji Miyake
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Patent number: 6633401Abstract: When a specified type of communication data is received by a specified interface, the communication data is processed into intermediate data based on a sheet-saving print format. Upon receiving print command, an image forming device executes sheet-saving printing for forming a compressed image based on the intermediate data. Because a relatively large amount of communication data can be printed out on a single page in this way, wasting of recording medium can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasumichi Kojima
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Patent number: 6633402Abstract: The present invention is a printer controller furnished with a processor for exclusively executing a first task (printing task) for controlling a print engine, a second task (communication task) for controlling communication with host computers, and a third task (language task) for generating image data. These tasks are assigned priorities of execution in the order of the printing task, the communication task, and the language task. When there is a request for the execution of a task with a higher priority during the execution of a task with a lower priority, the processor executes the higher priority task whose execution has been requested instead of the lower priority task currently being executed. Therefore, the processor is able to execute the communication task, language task, and printing task with no conflict.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Shima, Kazuhiko Iida, Susumu Shiohara, Tadashi Kobayashi, Norishige Kakuno, Ryoichi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6633403Abstract: The state of an engine control section is detected, it is determined on the basis of the state of the engine control section whether communication between a printer controller and the engine control section can be performed, and control is performed to limit communication. Even when a plurality of controllers are present, a composite operation is allowed without excessively increasing the communication load.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Nonaka
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Patent number: 6633404Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize a memory in a digital copying machine which reads image data from an original and stores the read image data, whether or not to store image data in the memory is determined when the image data is read or the image data is input through an external interface. For example, image data read by an image reader is stored while data from an external device which is input through the external interface is not stored. This is because when the digital copying machine is used as an external device printer, the owner of the image data is difficult to identify and therefore the image data is not to be stored in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyuki Atsumi
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Patent number: 6633405Abstract: A fax machine includes a print controller, a fax controller and random access memory. Generic control code is stored in ROM of the print controller, and paper path code is stored in ROM of the fax controller. Upon startup of the fax machine, the fax controller passes copies of paper path code functions and variable values to the print controller. The print controller, in turn, writes the variable values to a jump table in the random access memory, writes the functions to designated portions of the random access memory, and writes starting addresses of the functions to the jump table. During operation of the fax machine, the print controller executes the generic control code and uses the jump table to access the variable values and to execute the functions. Thus, the jump table allows the print controller to interface the generic control code with the device-specific variable values and the functions.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Linh H. Nguyen
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Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus which recognize orientation of document image
Patent number: 6633406Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided with a binarization processing unit separately from a pseudo gradation processing unit that binarizes image data of a document image according to an error diffusion method. The binarization processing unit binarizes the image data of the document image using a threshold that is set higher than a threshold used by the pseudo gradation processing unit, with each threshold representing a different predetermined density level. Histograms showing the density distribution of the document image are generated from the image data binarized by the binarization processing unit. The orientation of the document image is recognized by the histograms.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Imaizumi, Kazuhiro Ueda -
Patent number: 6633407Abstract: A new color model HMMD is disclosed based upon hue, the shade, the tone, the tint and the brightness of a color, and a color quantizing method using the HMMD color space. The present invention regards the colors adjacent to a given color in the color space as the neighboring colors to consider indices of the neighboring colors as the partial values according to the distance. Accordingly, the present invention can accomplish a color quantization close to the change of the color sensed by the human eye, thereby capable of enhancing a performance of the image searching system based on content.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Hyeon Jun Kim, Jin Soo Lee
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Patent number: 6633408Abstract: Predicting a reflectance spectrum of a photographic print based on data from a scanned color negative. The technique uses dye concentration, providing a channel-independent basis for the spectral model. The spectral model includes three conceptual sections: scanner and film models, a photographic printer model, and a photographic paper model. The scanner and film section converts digital data from a scan of a color negative on a calibrated scanner into predictions of the spectral transmittance for each pixel. The photographic printer section uses an exposure schedule and optionally a color temperature and computes the spectrum of the exposing illumination as a function of time. The photographic paper section converts the illuminated negative's spectral power first into dye concentration estimates and subsequently into a predicted reflectance spectrum for the simulated print.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLCInventor: William A. Rozzi
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Patent number: 6633409Abstract: The image processing apparatus has nonlinear processing device that performs nonlinear processing on a digital color signal. The nonlinear processing device comprises gray region discriminating device which discriminates whether the digital color signals are present in a gray proximate region including gray signals and region correspondence nonlinear processing device which performs the nonlinear processing differently in accordance with cases where the digital color signals are discriminated as signals inside the gray proximate region being present in the vicinity of the gray signals or as signals outside the gray proximate region being not present in the vicinity of the gray signals by the gray region discriminating device.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshirou Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6633410Abstract: A printer makes the quality of an image displayed on a display device and that of an image printed by the printer visually equivalent relative to each other. It is determined if each of the pixel values of the first digital image data input from a image data input section is found within a predetermined data range or not by a predetermined judging method in a printing output processing section, a display device processing section and a video signal processing section and, when it is determined that the pixel data value is not found within the predetermined data range, a predetermined processing operation is carried out on the pixel data value to make it found within the predetermined data range and the image data are used in a image printing section and a image display output section for printing and displaying images, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Toshio Narushima
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Patent number: 6633411Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a program storage device readable by machine, for repurposing images includes classifying the pixels of a binary image as being either halftone image pixels or non-halftone image pixels, further processing the halftoned image pixels with halftone image pixel processing and combining the outputs of the halftone image pixel processing and non-halftone image pixel processing to prepare the images for a second purpose such as a second printer. The processing that classifies the binary pixels as being either halftone image pixels or non-halftone image pixels segments the image into regions of halftone image pixels and regions of non-halftone image pixels. The processing of regions of halftone image pixels first constructs an intermediate gray scale representation of the regions of halftone image pixels.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ravishankar Rao, Frederick Cole Mintzer, Gerhard Robert Thompson
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Patent number: 6633412Abstract: When clustered-dot dithering is employed in laser printers a banding effect sometimes results from the interaction of the dither matrix with non-uniform line spacing in the printer. We have found that we can lessen the effect of this interaction if we change the dither matrix as it moves over the image. We do this by modulating the dither matrix (halftone cell) as a function of the spatial position of the sub-area in the image. Halftone cells can be formed in a variety of patterns (e.g. vertical, horizontal, etc.) but generally their threshold values grow from a minimum value to a maximum value. Our process is to modulate the halftone cell according to a function: f (s, h) where s is the spatial position of the sub-area of the image and h is the halftone cell. We modulate the cell by altering the relative positions of the threshold values in the cell as we move the cell over the image.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Tsung-Nan Lin, Joseph Shu
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Patent number: 6633413Abstract: A system for managing printing and scanning and faxing functionality of a facsimile machine via a bi-directional parallel interface with which the facsimile machine is equipped. More particularly, a facsimile manager is provided for managing image files connected with printing, scanning and faxing. In addition, printing and scanning drivers are provided by which any Windows application program can access such printing, scanning and faxing functionality.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Avraham Ron Schlank, Chet Allen Erez, Stanley H. Wong, Yu-Chen Tuan, Calvin C. Yee, Peter A. Knott
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Patent number: 6633414Abstract: An apparatus has a printer unit, a scanner unit, a front cover that opens upward in the direction of the back surface and forms a transport path of scanner paper discharged by the scanner unit, and mounting members provided on the front cover for detachably mounting the scanner unit in such an attitude that the main scanning direction becomes horizontal. Furthermore, as the need arises, the apparatus may have a scanner paper tray member rotatably connected to the front cover at a location higher than the mounting members for feeding scanner paper to the scanner unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignees: PFU Limited, Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Yasuhiro Matsuda, Ryou Iwamoto, Hiroyuki Yashima, Yoshiki Tsutiyama, Yasuhiko Kitagawa, Kazuya Yoshida, Satoshi Ishida, Yasuhiro Abe, Akira Yamada, Makoto Mochizuki, Yoshitomo Sasaki
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Patent number: 6633415Abstract: An image input apparatus for reading an original image by moving an optical unit with a motor used as a drive source is arranged such that, in repeatedly reading the original image from one and the same reading position with the optical unit, information on a start position at which a preceding round of reading has begun and a driving state of the motor obtained at that time is stored by a system controller, and the amount of moving the optical unit backward for the repeated reading is decided on the basis of the information stored. The arrangement enhances the repeatability of reading in the sub-scanning direction and image input can be made with a better resolution than the intrinsic resolution of the image input apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shoji Arafune, Tsutomu Takayama
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Patent number: 6633416Abstract: A personal computer scanner for scanning the three-dimensional (3D) objects has a frame with an axis, and a front plate. The front plate has a large array of axial pinholes that each contain a slidably movable pin to form a bed of pins. A detection device is slidably mounted near the rear of the frame. A stepper motor is used to move the detection device relative to frame. The detection device has a sensor plate on its front surface with an array of sensors that correspond one-to-one with the pins. The user selects an object to be scanned and inserts it into the bed of pins to form an impression. The pins readily move and comply to the contours of the object. After the impression is made, the detection device is slowly incremented by the stepper motor toward the pins. The individual sensors are monitored by a host computer until they have been contacted by their respective pins. When a sensor has been touched by its pin, the sensor is scanned by the computer to record the displacement of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Paul H. Benson
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Patent number: 6633417Abstract: A fax machine. The fax machine includes a paper distribution unit having a document input passage with a document outlet and a paper input passage with a paper outlet, a scanner unit having a sheet-transfer gap defined between a sheet-transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder, and a switching unit operated to switch the position of the document outlet and paper outlet of the paper distribution unit. When the fax machine is at the document scanning mode, the paper distribution unit is switched by the switching unit to a first position where the document outlet is aimed at the sheet-transfer gap between the sheet-transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder. When the fax machine is at the printing mode, the paper distribution unit is switched by the switching unit to a second position where the paper outlet is aimed at the sheet-transfer gap between the sheet-transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Yao Tsung Chang, Jui Feng Chang
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Patent number: 6633418Abstract: The image reading method and apparatus read photoelectrically an original image by an image sensor and convert an output signal of the image sensor into a digital signal. At least one of an adjusting step of a quantity of light incident upon the image sensor by a light transmittance adjusting operation in an optical path, a sensing condition control step in the image sensor, and an intensity adjusting step of the output signal from the image sensor is used and a maximum value of a signal upon being converted into the digital signal is set to be constant without recourse to the original image. The method and apparatus can attain following effects that a variable aperture is unnecessary, a shading fluctuation occurred in a light quantity adjusting operation is eliminated, and an image reading operation with a maximum use of a dynamic range of a scanner by an apparatus at low costs and at high precision can be executed, in an operation for photoelectircally reading an image.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshirou Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6633419Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a hologram using a two-beam laser interference exposure process, comprising the steps of using as a light source a femtosecond laser having a pulse width of 900-10 femtoseconds and a peak output of 1 GW or more and capable of generating a pulse beam at or close to the Fourier transform limit, dividing the pulse beam from the laser into two by a beam splitter, controlling the two beams temporally through an optical delay circuit and spatially using plane and concave mirrors each having a slightly rotatable reflection surface to converge the beams on a surface of or within a substrate for recording a hologram at an energy density of 100 GW/cm2 or more with keeping each polarization plane of the two beams in parallel so as to match the converged spot of the two beams temporally and spatially, whereby a hologram is recorded irreversibly on the substrate formed of a transparent material, semiconductor material or metallic material.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Japan Science and Technology CorporationInventors: Hideo Hosono, Masahiro Hirano, Nobuhiko Sarukura, Kenichi Kawamura
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Patent number: 6633420Abstract: A transceiver module which is easily and conveniently assembled, and which is reliable. The transceiver module comprises a housing, an optoelectronic subassembly, a receptacle, a chassis and a PCB. The optoelectronic subassembly is received in the receptacle. Conductive leads of the optoelectronic subassembly are soldered to the PCB. The chassis is attached to the PCB with screws, and accommodates and protects the PCB. The housing comprises a top housing and a bottom housing. The top housing is attached to the chassis and the receptacle. The top housing and bottom housings are attached together, enclosing therein the receptacle, the chassis and the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nan Tsung Huang
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Patent number: 6633421Abstract: A unit has an array of lasers having an emission surface through which beams can be emitted in a substantially vertical direction so as to define an emission side, drive electronics connected to a side opposite to the emission side of the array of lasers, and an array of modulators, located on the emission side of the array of lasers and connected to the drive electronics.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Xanoptrix, Inc.Inventor: John Trezza
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Patent number: 6633422Abstract: A reliable galvano-mirror employed for laser machining is disclosed. The mirror is far reduced its weight for getting a higher rotation. On the rear surface of the mirror, a lightweight rib-structure, which is formed from a mirror support beam centered across the surface and some ribs extending from the beam, holds the mirror. Against a distortion occurred in rotating at high speed, the mirror is provided with a high rigidity. And the mirror is structured integrally with the motor shaft holder. Besides, a slit is formed between the rib disposed close to the holder and the support beam centered across the rear surface of the mirror. Providing slit enables to minimize a local distortion caused by a stress from fastening screws to attach the mirror to the motor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiko Karasaki, Kimiko Kawazoe
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Patent number: 6633423Abstract: A scanning optical system includes a first optical system for shaping a light beam emitted from a light source and forming the light beam into a linear image elongated in the same direction as a main scanning direction, a light deflector which has a deflection surface near an imaging position of the first optical system and deflects/scans the incident light beam in the main scanning direction, a second optical system for forming the light beam deflected by the light deflector into an image on a scanned surface in the main scanning direction, and a third optical system for forming the light beam deflected by the light deflector into an image on the scanned surface in a sub-scanning direction and setting the deflection surface of the light deflector and the scanned surface optically conjugate with each other. The light beam guided by the first optical system is made to strike said light deflector at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the light deflector.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshihiro Ishibe