Patents Issued in January 20, 2004
  • Patent number: 6680999
    Abstract: Interactive medication data systems and methods are provided which include automated means for providing information pursuant to telephonic and electronic requests from callers. The system includes a database containing information for patients and a variety of medications, a host system database containing prescription data for these medications, and means for receiving an incoming audio communication relating to a request for information concerning a specific medication. The audio communication contains a unique personal identifier which can be mapped to one patient in the host system database. The system then prompts the caller with a menu of selections relating to the patient's active prescriptions, such as, refill or dosage requirements. The caller then selects an option which produces a selection signal. The selection signal guides the system to look for specific data in the database and the system produces an audio or visual response to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mumps AudioFAX, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfredo Garcia
  • Patent number: 6681000
    Abstract: Since telephone terminals 301, 302 and 303 are used as control terminals in a network information system by using DTMF signals (or packet signals), there is no need for a specially designed terminal or computer system, and any user (or researchee) who has the telephone terminal can respond to a server. In addition, by using a calling function, which is essentially provided to the telephone terminals, when the system is in use, audio communication can be easily established between users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc,
    Inventors: Atsushi Moriguchi, Takatoshi Itagaki
  • Patent number: 6681001
    Abstract: Computer integrated telecommunication systems are disclosed that provide a message exchange interface that transfers data and control requests generated by applications running on a computer system directly to a telecommunications unit that is adapted to respond to the data and control requests generated by these application programs. In particular, PBX systems are disclosed that include message exchange interfaces that provide fault tolerant operation and that directly map application programs running on a computer system into the controller element of the PBX system. Further systems are disclosed that provide message exchange interfaces that allow the efficient transfer of audio signals between a computer system and a telecommunication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: John B. Clayton, Michael J. Newman, Steven M. Staudaher
  • Patent number: 6681002
    Abstract: A data entry and processing system providing for simple two stroke entry of numerous auxiliary alpha-numeric data in addition to the single stroke entry of numeric data, using conventional data entry keys. The key array includes a set of radial direction indicator keys that are used with the conventional keys to select and enter a given alpha-numeric data item. An LCD display, a pre-programed micro-processor and other electronic components are included to display the data entries, as well as to convert entered data signals to the necessary DTMF tones for telecommunication or ASCII codes for computer data entries. The system is simple for use by ordinary users, and all electronic components are standard, minuscule in size, small in number, low in power need and low in cost. It is particularly adaptable for miniaturized device application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Keytouch Corporation
    Inventor: Liang (Aka Leon) Hsi Chang
  • Patent number: 6681003
    Abstract: A method and system of monitoring information received from a patient-worn medical device is disclosed. A medical device, such as a portable or implantable device, collects patient and operational information, which information is transmitted to central location, such as a doctor's office or device manufacturer's location. The data collected can be analyzed to monitor both the patient health parameters as well as the operation of the device. Trend analysis can be performed in order for a physician to diagnose the patient's health and a medical device technician can insure correct functioning of the device itself. Communication between the central location and the medical device is preferably done through a modem connection, and software and other updates can be automatically transmitted to the medical device during data download from the device to the central location. Physicians and technicians can access the central location from any home or office computer via the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lifecor, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshal Linder, Thomas Kaib
  • Patent number: 6681004
    Abstract: The telephone memory aid provides a database to a primary party for storing and retrieving personal information about a secondary party, including summary information related to communication exchanges between the primary and secondary parties. The summary information includes, for example, the date and time of prior telephone calls and the topics discussed. This secondary party information, including the summaries of prior telephone calls, is available for review by the primary party during future phone calls with the secondary party. The telephone memory aid also facilitates entry of information into the database through speech recognition algorithms and through question and answer sessions with the primary and secondary parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hugo J. Strubbe, Larry J. Eshelman, Srinivas Gutta, John Milanski, James A. Hoekema
  • Patent number: 6681005
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel with a uniform cell gap includes a pressurized device, a pressure distribution device and provide heat distribution. The pressurized device is used for assembling a first substrate and a second substrate of the LCD, and further used for heating the LCD panel, wherein the pressurized device is disposed on at least one of the first and second substrates. The pressure distribution device is used for distributing pressure imposed by the pressurized device evenly on a non-display area of the LCD panel so as to form a uniform cell gap. The pressure distribution device is disposed between the pressurized device, and one of the first and second substrate. The heat distribution device is disposed between the pressurized device, and one of the first and second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Bing-Jei Liao, Chung-Yuan Liu
  • Patent number: 6681006
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the current limitations of the automatic callback and automatic recall (AC/AR) features. Upon activation of AC/AR and subsequent timeout, the calling party receives ring back. Upon going off-hook, an announcement is played informing the calling party that the monitoring time has expired and that the call could not be completed during that time. The calling party is then offered service options including extending the monitoring time and message delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Joanne Clare Pilkington, Sylvain Jodoin, Andre LeBon
  • Patent number: 6681007
    Abstract: A system and method for exchanging telecommunication service information between a telecommunication service provider and a telecommunication service customer include electronically receiving a request in a predefined format to establish an interactive session with a telecommunications customer, determining whether the telecommunications customer is authorized for electronically exchanging information and continuing only if the customer is authorized, parsing the request to identify information related to at least one telecommunications service offered by the telecommunications services provider, the telecommunications service having an associated identification code, determining whether the requested telecommunication service is available in a particular location, and automatically generating information associated with the requested telecommunications service and transmitting the information using the predetermined format to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Gilles, Joseph Anthony Rogers, Richard Alan Dishman
  • Patent number: 6681008
    Abstract: An automated toll-free telecommunications information service may be provided responsive to a user sending an E-Mail request via the Internet or by a caller dialing a toll-free telephone number and announcing a voice request. A service node interprets the request and collects matches to the request from a database. A match to a request may comprise the identity of an entity corresponding to the match, a toll-free number for the match and a brief information sketch describing the entity. The matches are announced and played for the caller. The caller may barge in with a predetermined voice announcement such as “please dial” when they wish to select an item of the list. In response, the service node initiates the launch of a call to the selected entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Bolduc, Steven Charles Salimando
  • Patent number: 6681009
    Abstract: A method of signalling in a telecommunications network comprises generating signalling messages at an Application Part or a User part of an originating signalling point, the messages having a maximum length of 272 octets. The generated signaling messages are transferred to a Message Transfer Part layer 3 (MTP3) of the originating signalling point, and on the basis of the destination signalling point of the received signalling message, it is determined whether or not the message is to be transmitted over an NNI-SAAL signalling link. If the message is to be transmitted over an NNI-SAAL signalling link, the message is transferred to an NNI-SAAL part of the originating signalling point. If the message is not to be transmitted over an NNI-SAAL signalling link, the message is transferred to an MTP2 part of the originating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Leslie Graf, Christian Groves, Juan Noguera-Rodriguez, Mark Hollis, Stephen Terrill
  • Patent number: 6681010
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which automatically distribute tasks associated with a telephone system and tasks associated with a computer system between a plurality of agents tracking ACD telephone status of the plurality of agents and tracking computer status of the plurality of agents. When a request for a computer task is received, an agent of the plurality of agents is assigned to the computer task corresponding to the received request based on the ACD telephone status and the computer status of the agent of the plurality of agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Anderson, Martin C. Buskirk, Giuseppe DiAdamo, Shelley St. Phillips Germain, Scott Charles Lamb, Richard J. Madrid, Danilo P. Servilla
  • Patent number: 6681011
    Abstract: A circuit and method for determining connection status of a phone line shared by multiple telecommunications devices, such as modems and phones, are provided. The phone line includes respective tip and ring lines. The circuit comprises a first operational amplifier coupled to receive a signal indicative of a voltage difference between the respective tip and ring lines. The circuit further comprises a lag network coupled to impart a predetermined delay to the output signal from the first operational amplifier. A second operational amplifier is coupled to receive the voltage difference signal. The output signal from the second operational amplifier has a sufficiently fast time response relative to the output signal from the lag network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Staver, Glen W. Brooksby
  • Patent number: 6681012
    Abstract: A directional coupler for a modem has a high common mode noise rejection characteristic with low transmit signal leakage, and reduced distortion of components mixed with a received signal. A primary filter network is connected to a communications circuit. The primary filter network has an output connected to an input of an amplifier. A feedback network is connected between the input and output of the amplifier. The primary filter network, the amplifier and the feedback network are arranged to provide a virtual ground at the input of the amplifier, and a filter characteristic which attenuates frequencies in the transmit signal band. The advantage is reduced component count while providing excellent transmit signal rejection and reducing received signal distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Dan V. Gorcea, Robert M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6681013
    Abstract: Terminals are connected via cables in a star-shaped fashion with respect to a HUB in a LAN. Each of the cables includes therein signal lines and power feed lines. The HUB includes therein a power feed section. The power feed section and the power feed lines of each cable are connected to measure a value of current which flows in the power feed lines. If it is judged based on the measured current value that the terminal connected to the corresponding cable is a telephone terminal, the power feeding to the corresponding power feed lines is continued. On the other hand, if the terminal is judged to be a terminal other than the telephone terminal, the power feeding is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6681014
    Abstract: A cellular telephone device comprising two C-shaped members which are configured to be detachably secured around a wrist of a user. The members have an inside surface, which is in contact with the user's wrist when the device is in the closed position. On the inside surface is disposed either a keypad unit for providing signals to the cellular telephone device or at least one display unit. The device comprises a cellular phone mechanism and a battery, which are housed in the members. In a preferred embodiment, the two members are C-shaped and are pivotably connected at one end by a hinge and are detachably connected at a second end by a releasable clasp mechanism. The second end of each member also comprises a speaker unit and a microphone, respectively, such that, when the device is in an open position, the speaker unit and the microphone are positionable proximate to a user's ear and mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Yoram Ghassabian
  • Patent number: 6681015
    Abstract: A digital recording/reproducing system includes a set top box. The STB receives a digital television broadcast signal and transmits a scrambled data stream from a stream selector via an interface to a digital recording/reproducing apparatus. In the data recording/reproducing apparatus, a scramble key is acquired depending on a billing request for data recording. To AS-MO disc are recorded a contents key converted from a disc unique ID using a descramble key as well as the data stream. In accordance with a user's approval for the billing, an account table is created which is registered in an IC card and transmitted via a MODEM and telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hioki, Hisashi Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 6681016
    Abstract: An information processor is installed onboard a seagoing vessel that has at least one onboard system, e.g., a weapon system, to carry out a mission that is defined by instructions originating at a remote location, e.g., mission data updates (MDU) data. The information processor is programmed to receive unencrypted data related to the mission. A secure communications terminal has a first hardwire connection to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a second hardwire connection to the information processor. The secure communications terminal receives encrypted data related to the mission over the first hardwire connection, converts the encrypted data to unencrypted data and supplies the unencrypted data over the second hardwire connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert G. Leduc, John C. Gregson, Bradford M. Raymond
  • Patent number: 6681017
    Abstract: A number of protocols are disclosed for providing simplified security for a series of low-cost transactions carried out between a client and a server within an on-going client-server relationship. A key establishment protocol is used to generate a shared key which will be used by the client and server for the series of transactions. The client generates the shared key as a function of a client identifier, a server identifier and secret client information, encrypts the shared key using a public key of the server, and sends the encrypted shared key to the server. The server responds by incorporating server information into a response which is encrypted using the shared key and sent to the client. The client decrypts the response, verifies that the server has accepted the shared key, and then sends additional client information, such as a credit card number, to the server, using the shared key for encryption. The client may then use the shared key in a series of subsequent transactions with the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yossi Matias, Alain Jules Mayer, Abraham Silberschatz
  • Patent number: 6681018
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus includes an input unit to which at least an audio signal of a left channel, an audio signal of a right channel, and an audio signal of a center channel are supplied, a first output terminal unit for outputting the audio signal of the left channel, the audio signal of the right channel, and the audio signal of the center channel which are supplied to the input unit, a mixing unit for mixing the audio signal of the center channel to the audio signal of the left channel and mixing the audio signal of the center channel to the audio signal of the right channel to output the mixed signals as audio signals of two channels, and a second output terminal unit for outputting the audio signals of the two channels from the mixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Asakura, Shigeharu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6681019
    Abstract: A test signal generator (10) outputs a test signal which is obtained by cutting off a high-frequency component from a white noise signal. A signal switching device (18) selectively outputs either one of a positive-phase signal of the test signal and a negative-phase signal of the test signal, in response to a switching operation of the user. A selector (16) selectively outputs either one of the test signal and a musical sound signal to speaker terminals (26, 28). The test signal is reproduced while the selector (16) is connected to the test signal side. At this time, the test signal is output as it is from one channel. A signal which is obtained by selectively outputting either one of the positive-phase signal of the test signal and the negative-phase signal of the test signal is reproduced from the other channel. If, when the test signal is positive-phase, the sound is localized between the left and right loudspeakers, the connection polarities of the left and right loudspeakers is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Daiichikosho
    Inventors: Mikio Kitano, Takatsugu Uragami
  • Patent number: 6681020
    Abstract: A microphone system including a microphone for inputting voice data, an output for transmitting the voice data to a device connectable thereto; and a circuit which operates to mute the voice data and provide a signal to the device in order to maintain a suspended state of operation in the device. The device may be a computer that is responsive to voice data, for example, by utilizing voice recognition software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: VXI Corporation
    Inventors: Costas Papopoulos, David J. Truesdell, Victor J. Temple
  • Patent number: 6681021
    Abstract: A microphone of the dual-inlet type is installed in an In-The-Ear (“ITE”) hearing aid. First and second outwardly-diverging channels are located in the faceplate, to connect the inlets of the microphone to two spaced-apart ports in the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleg Saltykov
  • Patent number: 6681022
    Abstract: The two-way communication earpiece is a small, inconspicious, and comfortable earpiece which fits behind the ear for sound delivery and pickup. The earpiece may be used with a variety of communication devices, such as telephones, cellular telephones, two-way radios, radios, tape players, CD players, and televisions. The earpiece is configured to be received behind the ear of a user with a sound delivery tube extending from behind the ear into the ear canal of the user. An eartip positioned on the sound delivery tube is preferably a non-occluding type eartip which allows ambient sound to enter the ear canal around the eartip. A microphone is positioned on the earpiece above the ear for voice pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: GN ReSound North Amerca Corporation
    Inventors: Steven H. Puthuff, Patrick A. Mavrakis, Jon C. Taenzer, David L. Luger, William N. Buchele
  • Patent number: 6681023
    Abstract: A sound pressure waveguide consisting of an input acoustic channel, a compression zone and exit channel with an optional termination baffle. The shape and length of the waveguides are varied to adjust sound pressure gain and to achieve varied sound pickup directivity. The shape and length of the termination baffle, when employed, is also adjustable to achieve varied directivity. The waveguide is shaped from at least two opposing members or sides and at least one sloped member or side. The mounting position of one or more commercially available microphone transducer(s) puts the transducer's diaphragm substantially parallel to the sound path through the waveguide pressure channel. The exit channel is included to let sound pressure pass by the microphone to the pressure channel and through the waveguide to an optional termination baffle, thus preventing significant pressure distortion, sound pressure propagation distortion and undesirable reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: River Forks Research Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Turnbull, Dale Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6681024
    Abstract: A device (8) which includes an electroacoustic transducer (7) for the acoustic reproduction of sound signals to an ear (14) of a user (2) who assumes a user position at the device. The transducer is optimized for the acoustic reproduction of speech-signal sound waves and is equipped with arrangement means (25) for realizing a distinct directivity for the speech-signal sound waves emitted by the transducer. As a result of its directivity, the transducer directs the speech-signal sound waves which it emits preferentially to the ear of a user who is in the user posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Erich Klein, Heinz Renner
  • Patent number: 6681025
    Abstract: An electromechanical and electroacoustic transducer is compact and has a simple drive circuit. Two independent magnetic circuits share a single permanent magnet. A voice coil is placed in one of the magnetic circuits, and a magnetic weight is placed in the other magnetic circuit. A switching element is turned on and off upon movements of the magnetic weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6681026
    Abstract: A structure of a rectangular transducer is provided. The structure includes a magnet assembly, a voice coil assembly and a positioning assembly. The magnet assembly has a pair of magnetic units with a gap therebetween for generating two magnetic fields having magnetic fluxes in opposite direction within the gap. The voice coil assembly includes a slab, a coil and a suspension unit, wherein the slab is used for being attached to a panel and the coil is immersed within the gap. The positioning assembly is used for supporting and positioning the magnet assembly and the voice coil assembly. When electric current flows through the coil, the voice coil assembly generates a motion in a direction vertical to the magnetic fluxes so as to excite the panel to generate flexural vibration and radiate sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Tai-Yan Kam
  • Patent number: 6681027
    Abstract: A magnetic core for speaker is constructed to include an annular magnet connectable to the body of the speaker, a center magnet mounted in the center of the annular magnet and connectable to the body of the speaker, an annular magnetically conducting plate mounted on the topmost edge of the annular magnet, and a center magnetically conducting plate mounted on the topmost edge of the center magnet for producing a magnetic loop with the annular magnetically conducting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Zylux Acoustic Corp.
    Inventor: Yi-Hung Lu
  • Patent number: 6681028
    Abstract: Digital data is steganographically encoded in printed materials, and—when sensed by an appropriately-equipped webcam or other imaging device—can be used to link to associated electronic resources. Data hidden in a business card, for example, may enable linking to a person's electronic calendar—showing the person's schedule availability. Likewise, data hidden in a corporate ID badge may serve to unlock doors at a corporate office, or to enable access to corporate computers. Many other such applications are detailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Tony F. Rodriguez, Jonathan Scott Carr, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 6681029
    Abstract: A decoder process reads a message steganographically encoded in a composite signal. One decoding process operates on a potentially modified version of the composite signal. The message is comprised of one or more symbols, each being associated with predetermined signal characteristics. The decoding process correlates these predetermined signal characteristics with the potentially modified composite signal to decode message symbols. Another decoding process analyzes a potentially modified version of the composite signal to gather evidence of signal characteristic associated with a message symbol. Based on the evidence, it determines whether the message symbol is present in the potentially modified version of the composite signal. Yet another decoding process analyzes the composite signal to gather evidence of characteristics associated with the message symbols in the message. Based on the evidence, it estimates message symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 6681031
    Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cybernet Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Cohen, Glenn Beach, Brook Cavell, Gene Foulk, Charles J. Jacobus, Jay Obermark, George Paul
  • Patent number: 6681032
    Abstract: A system and method for acquiring, processing, and comparing an image with a stored image to determine if a match exists. In particular, the system refines the image data associated with an object based on pre-stored color values, such as flesh tone color. The system includes a storage element for storing flesh tone colors of a plurality of people, and a defining stage for localizing a region of interest in the image. A combination stage combines the unrefined region of interest with one or more pre-stored flesh tone colors to refine the region of interest based on color. This flesh tone color matching ensures that at least a portion of the image corresponding to the unrefined region of interest having flesh tone color is incorporated into the refined region of interest. Hence, the system can localize the head, based on the flesh tone color of the skin of the face in a rapid manner. According to one practice, the refined region of interest is smaller than or about equal to the unrefined region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Viisage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay F. Bortolussi, Francis J. Cusack, Jr., Dennis C. Ehn, Thomas M. Kuzeja, Michael S. Saulnier
  • Patent number: 6681033
    Abstract: When a current charge method is used as a method of detecting capacitance, there poses a problem in which S/N is deteriorated by a dispersion in element characteristics of a cell to be detected and when a voltage charge method is used, since parasitic capacitances of column sense lines are very large and accordingly, there is needed some devise for sampling electric charge charged to the capacitance. There are arranged unit cells having detection electrodes and cell selecting switches connected between the detection electrodes and column sense lines in an array shape, electric charge is charged from detecting circuits to the detection electrodes under constant charge voltage, and thereafter, the column sense lines are imaginarily grounded to thereby detect the capacitances formed between the detection electrodes and the surface of the finger in accordance with recesses and projections of a fingerprint via the column sense lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyasu Yano, Masashi Takeda, Takeshi Koyama, Keiichi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6681034
    Abstract: A method for matching templates and a system thereof. Each template includes a plurality of data chunks, each data chunk representing a minutia and comprising a location, a minutia angle and a neighborhood. The location is represented by two coordinates. In one embodiment, each coordinate and the minutia angle are quantized. The neighborhood includes positional parameters with respect to a selected minutia for a predetermined number of neighbor minutiae. In one embodiment, a neighborhood boundary is drawn around the selected minutia and neighbor minutiae are selected from the enclosed area. A reference template is compared to a measured template on a chunk-by-chunk basis. A chunk from each of the template is loaded into a random access memory (RAM). The location, minutia angle and neighborhood of the reference data chunk are compared with the location, minutia angle and neighborhood of the measured data chunk, respectively. In one embodiment, the comparison uses straight subtractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Precise Biometrics
    Inventor: Anthony P. Russo
  • Patent number: 6681035
    Abstract: A method of segmentation of cell nuclei is described that uses an active contours approach based on a Viterbi search algorithm. Also disclosed is an initialisation technique that maximises the probability of a correct segmentation. The invention also includes a method to classify cell nuclei according to the difficulty of correct segmentation. Nuclei that are difficult to segment can be rejected to minimise the probability of false positives. The probability of false positives can be driven close to 0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: CSSIP (Cooperative Research Centre for Sensor Signal and Information Processing)
    Inventors: Pascal Bamford, Brian Lovell
  • Patent number: 6681036
    Abstract: A paper money identification method and apparatus which can detect when paper money being conveyed slips and identify the paper money according to its slip. A roller pulse synchronized with the rotation of pushing rollers for pushing the paper money to conveying belts is generated by an encode plate and an interrupter, the generated roller pulse and a motor pulse synchronized with the rotation of a motor for driving the conveying belts are compared for their pulse widths, and when there is a difference between their pulse widths, it is detected that the paper money has slipped. And, a feature of the paper money is detected in synchronization with the roller pulse, and the paper money is identified according to the detected feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux
    Inventor: Tadahiro Iwai
  • Patent number: 6681037
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locating features of an object using varied lighting. The apparatus includes an image processor which is configured to send a plurality of commands to a digital camera which is used to obtain a plurality of digital images of an object without moving a location of the digital camera and the object. The image processor is arranged to receive the digital images of the object from the digital camera and the image processor is configured to control a level of illumination from at least one light source for illuminating the object. The image processor includes an illumination changer, a subtracter, an analyzer, and a controller to control and coordinate the illumination changer, the subtracter, and the analyzer. The illumination changer changes a level of illumination of any of the at least one lighting source before the image processor sends a command to the digital camera to obtain a next digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventor: Juha Koljonen
  • Patent number: 6681038
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assessing the quality of a printed circuit board assembly (6) using digitized video image analysis. The apparatus integrates with existing relatively low precision automated surface mount technology (“SMT”) manufacturing systems as an inspection station (56a) insertable at various steps in the assembly process or as a separate manually loaded station. The inspection station includes a high resolution video imaging system and a video image analyzer comprising an onboard master computer (26a) that generates control signals to reposition the camera mounted within a screen (45) on a movable carriage (22a) and/or reposition the circuit board, and adjust the lighting; and generates individual board status data to be archived, graphically displayed on monitors (40a, 41a) or otherwise utilized by a rework station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Vectron, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Vilella
  • Patent number: 6681039
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for finding a pose of a geometric model of a fiducial mark within an image of a scene containing the fiducial mark. The method includes receiving input from a user including geometric model shape information and geometric model dimensions, selecting a pre-defined model having sub-models by using the model shape information, the pre-defined model being parameterized by the geometric model dimensions; and then using the pre-defined model to find an image of the fiducial mark in the image of the scene. The act of selecting a pre-defined model having sub-models, includes pre-defining a model such that the sub-models and the relationships among the sub-models are selected by exploiting knowledge of features and properties of the fiducial sought so as to provide more accurate location of the fiducial. The invention provides enhanced ease of use of a sub-model-based search method by requiring only the shape and dimensions of the fiducial sought.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Karen J. Roberts, Karen B. Sarachik
  • Patent number: 6681040
    Abstract: In a color range designation apparatus and method, a designation pixel of a display image is input, and a color of the designation pixel of the display image is determined. A range between a minimum color and a maximum color for the input designation pixel is determined based on the color determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 6681041
    Abstract: A system and method converts input color data in different formats into a working color space. In the case that the input data includes a device color profile and the desired working color space is an RGB space, gamma information of the input data may be extracted from the color profile. In a Simplified extraction process, the gamma information may be extracted by combining one-dimensional LUTs in the profile in a gray-scale conversion to form a gamma table. When the color profile is a more complex profile, such as one of the regular ICC profile format, a full extraction process may be used, in which gamma information is derived from each of the front end, middle and back end portions of the profile. The derived gamma information may then be combined to provide a final gamma table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Stokes, Adrian Secchia, Gilman Wong, Hock San Lee
  • Patent number: 6681042
    Abstract: A method of processing a digital color image having pixels and a plurality of color channels, including the steps of: generating a reference image from the digital color image; regressing the color channels of the digital color image to the reference image to obtain a plurality of regression factors for each color channel; and applying the regression factors on a pixel by pixel basis to the respective channels of the digital color image to produce a processed digital color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John A. Weldy
  • Patent number: 6681043
    Abstract: A video processing environment includes a user interface and processing shell from which various video processing ‘plug-in’ programs are accessed. The shell insulates the plug-ins from the intricacies of reading various file formats. The user interface allows an operator to load a video sequence, define and view one or more video objects on any one or more frames of the video sequence, edit existing video object segmentations, view video objects across a series of video frames, and encode video objects among a video sequence in a desired format. Various encoding parameters can be adjusted allowing the operator to view the video sequence encoded at the various parameter settings. The user interface includes a video window, a time-line window, a zoom window, a set of menus including a menu of plug-in programs, and a set of dialogue boxes, including encoding parameter dialogue boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Christopher Lau, Donglok Kim, Yongmin Kim
  • Patent number: 6681044
    Abstract: Cursive Chinese characters are analyzed using a semantic matching process whereby radicals within the character are first extracted and used to reduce the search space of the full lexicon to only those characters containing the matching radical. In performing the radical extraction, the input character is normalized and segmented into strokes that are in turn organized based on stroke up/down information and local maxima and minima information. Obscure breakpoints and connecting strokes are removed in the process. Dynamic program matching is then performed on a stroke basis in which stroke substitution costs are assessed on a point-by-point basis through a variety of techniques, including tangent vector analysis, center relationship assessment and starting point/ending point assessment. Dynamic programming costs are normalized based on the length of the reference radical and location dissimilarities are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yue Ma, Chi Zhang
  • Patent number: 6681045
    Abstract: A method and system for enabling handwritten note taking and retrieval, whereby a user is able to electronically capture, manage and search notes handwritten on paper by the user using one or more forms printed on paper and using a sensing device which senses coded data included in the printed forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook, Jacqueline Anne Lapstun
  • Patent number: 6681046
    Abstract: Work of defining a ledger slip for an OCR is reduced as much as possible in registering the kind and position of characters and symbols inputted in the slip. Image data is analyzed to detect a cell (frame in which characters and symbols are entered) included in the image data. It is determined whether the cells continue in a constant pattern. If the cells continue, it is determined that the continuous cells area group of cells in which a common attribute is to be registered. The cell group for which a common attribute is to be registered is displayed on a display device distinctively from other cell groups. The operator can perform a modification work on a specific cell group on the display screen, such as elimination and addition of a part of cells. The operator can also specify a cell group and input an attribute to all cells included in that cell group in a bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Kashiwagi, Yoshito Fujino
  • Patent number: 6681047
    Abstract: The current edge pair determination system and method determine whether or not an edge pair and certain image characteristics of pixels between the edge pair as a whole or a unit is a part of a character based upon a change in pixel values. The change is compared to a predetermined set of conditions that are exclusionary in nature. Since the edge pair as well the image characteristics of pixels between the edge pair are considered, the accuracy in the character edge determination has improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 6681048
    Abstract: An image coding method and apparatus for coding each block of a digital image divided into a plurality of two-dimensional blocks, wherein each block has a plurality of pixels. A coding mode for a target block is determined by a code mode determining section to output mode information of the target block. The mode information of the target block is coded, by a mode information coding section, using mode information of previously coded blocks at the periphery of the target block. Pixel data of the target block is then coded by a block data coding section according to the mode information of the target block. A computer readable recording medium that contains an image coding program is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6681049
    Abstract: A binary image encoding method includes a predicting step of predicting a binary image, and a blocking step of blocking a data sequence, which indicates the prediction hit or miss in the predicting step, into blocks to produce blocked data. Also, a binary image encoding method includes an encoding step of switching a Huffman table in accordance with the blocked data around a Huffman-block-encoding-target block to apply the Huffman block encoding to the encoding-target block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kobayashi, Seiichiro Hiratsuka