Abstract: A system for process control management and quality navigation is described which provides an intranet based approach to providing management with run and control charts for more effective tracking and management of quality related processes. The quality navigation system includes intuitive quality navigation. Data which formerly may have been redundantly collected and stored is now centrally stored and made available on a web site. The system automatically links top level indicators to core and sublevel process and quality outcome indicators. To this end, core processes, measures of quality and sources of data are identified. Data is collected and stored in a database. Hierarchical relationships of processes and subprocesses are established. Strengths of relationships of the linkages of processes and subprocesses are identified and stored. Indicators for strengths of relationship are stored and displayed within families of linked charts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rendering a circle with a radius on a display device comprises (a) providing a set of vertex points; (b) selecting a subset of vertex points from the set of vertex points based on the radius of the circle; (c) scaling each vertex point in the subset of vertex points to produce scaled vertex points; and, (d) connecting the scaled vertex points to approximate the circle. The subset of vertex points may be utilized to determine scaled vertex points for all four quadrants of the circle. The subset of vertex points may be selected by determining the number of vertex points required to render the circle with an error less than a predetermined error threshold. The subset of vertex points is then selected so that the number of members in the subset of vertex points is equivalent to the number of vertex points required to render the circle with an error less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for converting bit strings from a first resolution to a second resolution suitable for application, in particular, on peripherals such as printers, scanners or facsimile machines. The device comprises a source register 31 in which a string of bits to be converted is stored by a CPU 11, a destination register 32 from which the CPU 11 extracts the converted string, and a pair of control registers 21 and 22 which cooperate for converting bit by bit the bit strings from the source register 31 to the destination register 32. The control registers 21 and 22, the source register 31 and the destination register 32 operate independently from the CPU 11 used and at a clock rate (clk2) greater than that (clk1) of the CPU 11, thereby permitting extremely fast conversion times.

Abstract: There are provided a three-dimensional model display program and a three-dimensional model display apparatus, which enable seamless switching between two-point perspective projection and three-point perspective projection. A line-of-sight vector indicative of a direction of viewing an inside of a virtual three-dimensional space from a viewpoint 3 is determined in response to an operation input. A projection condition is determined that two-point perspective projection is selected when the line-of-sight vector is close to a horizontal one and that a degree of influence of three-point perspective projection on two-point perspective projection increases with an increase in inclination of the line-of-sight vector with respect to a horizontal direction. An image is generated by perspectively projecting the three-dimensional model 2 according to the determined projection condition, and then the generated image is displayed.

Abstract: Digital video processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of render processors arranged in an operational sequence, each operable to render an output result relating to an image of a video signal from input data relating to that and/or other images received from a preceding render processor in the operational sequence; each render processor being operable to detect and communicate to other render processors whether its rendered output is constant between adjacent images.

Abstract: A system for rendering graphical data utilizes a plurality of frame buffers, a plurality of graphics pipelines, a compositor, and logic. The plurality of graphics pipelines are configured to receive graphics commands and to render graphical data to each of the plurality of frame buffers based on the received graphics commands. The compositor is configured to receive a control signal and to interface the graphical data with a display device based on the control signal. The logic is configured to analyze the graphics commands and to make a determination, based on the graphics commands, as to which pixels defined by the graphical data are associated with three-dimensional (3D) regions. The logic is further configured to transmit the control signal to the compositor, wherein the control signal is based on the determination.

Abstract: A specialized processing chip (e.g. a graphics accelerator) in which the host interface provides access to the diagnostic registers in most of the complex logic on the chip, except for the host interface itself. This advantageously permits the host CPU to obtain direct access to register contents in the specialized chip.

Abstract: A method and a system for buffer management is provided. The system includes a central processing unit, a multimedia chip, a buffer, a beginning register, an ending register, and a pause register. The beginning register is employed to store a beginning address of the buffer, and the ending register is used to storing an ending address of the buffer or buffer length. Content of the pause register is a data address associated with a command data. In addition, the pause register includes a pause code. When the pause code is equal to a first value, after the multimedia chip reads command data associated with the content of the pause register, reading is stopped, and the command data next to the command data are to be read in the next reading. When the pause code is equal to a second value, after the multimedia chip reads the command data associated with the content of the pause register, the multimedia chip continues to reads command data associated with the beginning register.

Abstract: A configurable buffer has two storage areas. Depending upon a state of a buffer control signal, the two storage areas are configured to buffer a single stream of data together or to buffer two streams of data separately. In an exemplary video graphics processing application, one stream of data includes pass-through values of fragments being rendered (e.g. color, location, and/or depth values) and the other stream of data includes corresponding displaced (or otherwise perturbed) texture coordinate pairs. Such a buffer may be used to reduce the amount of buffer storage needed to support both single-pass and multipass operations in a pixel pipeline.

Abstract: In a method of image processing for rendering a two-dimensional pixel image from a plurality of triangular image primitives to be projected onto an image plane, parameter values at positions within the triangles are translucency values. All the translucent pixel fragments are characterised as partial fragments, and the fragments are inserted into a pixel fragment buffer from front to back. The final colour of a pixel is determined from the foremost fragment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to method for assigning coefficients to a texel of a parametric texture map (PTM) texture. The method may comprise the steps of: generating a random PTM matrix of a desired size, the random PTM matrix comprising texels possessing random valued coefficients; selecting a texel from the random PTM matrix; determining a first neighborhood of the texel from the random PTM matrix; comparing the first neighborhood to neighborhoods of a sample PTM texture to determine an optimal texel of the sample PTM texture; and assigning PTM coefficients of the optimal texel to the texel from the random PTM matrix.

Abstract: A graphics system including a custom graphics and audio processor produces exciting 2D and 3D graphics and surround sound. The system includes a graphics and audio processor including a 3D graphics pipeline and an audio digital signal processor. An additional matrix multiplication computation unit connected in cascade with a modelview matrix computation unit can support a piecewise linear version of skinning for skeletal animation modeling. The normalizer connected between the cascaded matrix multiplication computation units can provide normalization to avoid distorted visualization. The additional matrix multiplication computation unit can be used for applications other than skeletal animation modeling (e.g., environment mapping).

Abstract: A high-definition display apparatus, such as a picture display, having a resolution at a level similar to that of a printer is connected to a data processor, such as a personal computer, to constitute a picture display apparatus, thereby displaying a document under preparation at a resolution level identical to that of the printer. As a result, an operator can confirm the style and appearance of a document under preparation to be printed on a real-time basis on the display apparatus, without necessitating actual printing out of the document under preparation. As a result, the printing time and paper for check-printing can be omitted to simplify the document preparation.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, and graphics input. The chip blends graphics and video information by various graphics windows using alpha values for the windows, alpha values per pixel, or both. The chip calculates a composite alpha value based on the window's alpha values and the alpha values per pixel. Blended graphics and video may then be composited using the composite alpha value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and program for magnifying displayed content downloaded from a server over a network. Information is received indicating selection of a region of the displayed content to magnify. A determination is made of at least one region of the selected region including image content. The server maintains a high resolution file version and a low resolution file version of the image content. A determination is then made as to whether the selected image content from the displayed image file is the low resolution file version. If so, a command is generated to retrieve from the server specific byte locations from the high resolution file version including the image content in the selected region. The specified bytes are less than all the image data bytes in the high resolution version of the file if the image content in the selected region comprises less than all of the image content maintained in the high resolution version of the file.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving and presenting data using class-based component and view model is disclosed. The disclosed system retrieves data of various formats, including relational data, point data and time-series data, and connects such data to class-based components and component members. Using a class based, i.e., object oriented model, it provides means for developers and users to define and modify reusable components, and means for developers and users to define and modify reusable views to present data in graphics including animation.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying property information, such as time or size information, on a display without displaying the textual column for these properties. The method compares predetermined properties of an item to a threshold value and assigns varying display indicators to the items based on the item's properties. The varying display indicators, such as colored fonts, have a variable quality such that as the relative properties for the item change, the variable indicator may also change accordingly. Additionally, the system and method updates the threshold value and the assigned variable visual indicators so the display characteristics change as the value changes. Thus, information is displayed to the user based on relative properties of the item without displaying explicit text.

Abstract: A system for dynamically building a graphical user interface of a target device in a home audio video network. The system includes a computer system within a host device coupled to the home audio video network, the computer system having a processor coupled to a memory via a bus. The computer system is configured to implement a graphical user interface for one or more target devices coupled to the home audio video network by executing software stored in the memory, wherein the software causes the computer system to perform the steps for dynamically building the graphical user interface. The steps include enumerating units on the network, each unit being a software based representation of a target device. The subunits within each unit are enumerated, the subunits being software based representations of functions of the target device. The requirements for a GUI (graphical user interface) is then determined for each subunit.

Abstract: An adjustment value for adjusting a recording misalignment in the direction of main scanning is determined with high efficiency. The value is used when ink drops are ejected from nozzles to form dots on a print medium. The present invention entails determining adjustment values designed to reduce dot formation misalignments in the direction of main scanning during a printing process. A printing device equipped with a plurality of single-color nozzle groups for ejecting ink drops having mutually different colors is used to form dots while main scanning is performed. In the process, a first adjustment value is selected from a plurality of first possible adjustment values by means of a first misalignment verification pattern. In addition, a second misalignment verification pattern that is different from the first misalignment verification pattern is used to set a second adjustment value from a plurality of second possible adjustment values.

Abstract: A method includes providing a plurality of clock signals. Each of the clock signals is associated with a respective one of a plurality of printheads in an electrophotographic machine. Each of the clock signals has a respective frequency. The method also includes using the printheads to create a plurality of raster lines. Each printhead is used to create the raster lines with a respective length. The length is dependent upon the frequency of the associated clock signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a latent image writing device that emits a plurality of laser beams, two adjacent laser beams of the plurality of laser beams partially overlapping in a sub-scanning direction, respectively, and forming a reference latent image on a surface of the image bearing member by performing repeated scanning of each laser beam on the surface of the image bearing member, a developing device that develops the reference latent image with toner into a reference toner image, and a detecting device that detects the density of the reference toner image. The quantity of light of each laser beam forming a subsequent latent image is adjusted according to the density of the reference toner image detected by the detecting device.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a deflector with a deflecting/reflecting surface which deflects an incident light beam from the light source, an imaging optical system including at least one scanning optical element for leading the light beam deflected by the deflector onto a surface to be scanned and forming an image as a spot on the surface to be scanned and, a synchronization detector for obtaining a scanning start position signal with respect to a main scanning direction on the surface to be scanned. The scanning optical element is provided with a light-beam passage for allowing a light beam traveling toward the synchronization detector to pass through. The light-beam passage is provided in an inner portion of the scanning optical element located outside an effective portion of the scanning optical element.

Abstract: The image recording method and apparatus deflect light from a group of two-dimensionally disposed light source elements to move an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with a movement of the recording medium, or shift modulation data of the group of two-dimensionally disposed light source elements in a first moving direction of the recording medium on the group of two-dimensionally disposed light source elements in synchronism with the movement of the recording medium, and thereby have the image remain stationary relatively to the recording medium in the main scanning direction, as well as shift sequentially modulation data of the group of two-dimensionally disposed light source elements in a direction opposite to a second moving direction of the optical system in synchronism with a movement of the optical system in the auxiliary scanning direction, and thereby having the image also remain stationary relatively to the recording medium in the auxiliary scanning direction.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizing non-coherent light digitally exposes a light-sensitive medium. The apparatus includes a non-coherent light source such as a wall stabilized plasma-filled capillary lamp, a reflector positioned proximate the non-coherent light source to reflect actinic radiation, a modulator positioned to selectively transmit the reflected actinic radiation and the light sensitive material positioned proximate the modulator to receive modulated actinic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing images including illumination optics (75) that provides uniform area light is disclosed. A mirror (440) receives the uniform area light and redirects the light. A first reflective LCD modulator (90) modulates the redirected light on a site by site basis and reflects the first modulated light to a media plane. A motor (441) moves the mirror on a line parallel to the illumination optics. The mirror redirects the light to a second reflective LCD modulator (95). The second reflective LCD modulator modulates the redirected light on a site by site basis and reflects the second modulated light to the media plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for microlithographic writing and inspection on photosensitive substrates, and specially printing and inspection of patterns with extremely high precision, such as photomasks for semiconductor device patterns, display panels, integrated optical, devices and electronic interconnect structures. More specifically the invention relates to compensation of substrate offset by modifying the position data or the feeding of the same of the deflector, and the use of a direct digital synthesis (DDS) unit for generation of the sweep frequency drive signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating intermediate image frames based on two or more successive captured image frames for transmission over a limited bandwidth medium, such as a telephone line. The intermediate image frames are constructed based on pixel information of portions that did change between two consecutive frames. The intermediate frames are constructed without the necessity of creating portions of the successive image frames that did not move or change. The created intermediate frames may be combined with originally captured frames to convey live video information to a user.

Abstract: A television system for subway cars (10) includes a plurality of TV monitors (22) mounted at intervals along the cars (10), at the junction of the sidewall and the ceiling, and a central video signal source unit (23) such as a video tape player, video disk player, computer-based digital video recorder or television receiver, connected to the video monitors (22). Programs of short duration, e.g. 5-15 minutes, matching the average length of a subway ride, and comprising advertising messages, news bytes and the like are played and displayed in the monitors repeatedly during the subway ride.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting discrete wiring patterns on a continuous substrate sheet of a flexible material by making the use of the substrate sheet as a feeding carrier. The system is capable of assuring accurate positioning of the wiring patterns (14) for reliable inspection even with the use of the flexible substrate sheet (10) as the sole feeding carrier. The inspection system includes an inspection zone (30) provided with camera (51, 54) for inspecting the individual wiring patterns (14) and detecting a position of said wiring pattern on the substrate sheet. A draw-in roller (31, 32) is provided to introduce the substrate into the inspection zone. Associated with the draw-in roller is a draw-out roller (32, 33) which draws out the substrate sheet from the inspection zone and is positioned to define the inspection zone between the draw-in roller and the draw-out roller as well as to give a tension to the substrate sheet for extending the substrate sheet straight through the inspection zone.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of an object. The image capturing apparatus includes a correspondence detector which detects a correspondence of characteristic points of an object based upon captured images of the object. A motion detector detects a motion of the image capturing device. The motion detector includes magnetic sensors. Further, a shape calculator calculates a shape of the object based upon the captured image data, captured attitude information, a translation component, and the correspondence of the characteristic points. The motion detector may further include acceleration sensors and angle speed sensors. A disturbance detector may further be provided to detect a disturbance in acceleration signals output by the acceleration sensors and a disturbance in magnetic signals output by the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: In a monitoring device, a camera controller controls each of cameras, a display controller controls at least one display to show thereon a picture taken by at least one of the cameras to be monitored by an operator and controls a picture recorder to record the picture therein, and a condition data recording controller controls a recording of at least one of a condition data of the at least one of the cameras while taking the picture and a condition data of the display while showing the picture, into a condition data memory device.

Abstract: An optical imaging device such as a fingerprint imager is disclosed that has an array of micromirrors that allows sequential scanning of areas of a platen in steps. The scanned areas of the platen are transmitted to an image sensor and a composite image constructed from the scanned areas. By transmitting scanned areas of the platen in sections, the image sensor area required is reduced in contrast to prior art optical images that scan the whole platen in a single step.

Abstract: In an electronic camera, captured images are refreshed at a high refresh rate in a normal image-capturing mode and at AE/AF, and an image with many pixels is captured in a macro image-capturing mode and a mode for outputting an image signal to an external monitor. In the normal image-capturing mode and at the AE/AF, a solid-state imaging device is driven by reading signals from ¼ or ⅛ of the photoelectric elements in a vertical direction. In this case, a slightly rough image is obtained at a high refresh rate and with a small amount of electricity. In the macro image-capturing mode and the mode for outputting the image signal to the external equipment, the solid-state imaging device is driven by reading signals from ½ of the photoelectric elements or all the photoelectric elements automatically. Consequently, an image with many pixels is obtained.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having a function for OB clamping, the image pickup apparatus including an XY addressing type solid-state image pickup device having light receiving pixels and optically shielded OB pixels on the periphery of the light receiving pixels and drive means for driving the solid-state image pickup device in both or one of a thinned-out readout mode for reading out one light receiving pixel out of every given number of pixels and a mode of reading out the light receiving pixels in a given region, wherein OB clamping is effected by always reading out OB pixels at the same location, regardless of the above two signal readout modes or regardless of location and/or number of light receiving pixels to be read out in the above two signal readout modes. A stable OB clamping is thereby effected even when there has been a change in signal readout mode or in location and/or number of pixels to be read out.

Abstract: An optical black portion in an output of a CCD image pickup device is extracted and a clamp level of each line is obtained by an integrating and averaging circuit. A difference value of the clamp levels between the front and rear lines and an absolute value of the difference are calculated by a comparing circuit. Either the clamp level of each line or the clamp level updated every (+1) or (−1) is selected by a selector in accordance with whether the absolute value of the difference of the clamp levels between the front and rear lines lies within a predetermined range or not. The clamp level which is outputted from the selector is subtracted from the output of the CCD image pickup device.

Abstract: An operating condition judging circuit judges at least one of consumed whether or not a mechanically driven part is being operated, the supply voltage level, the ambient temperature, whether or not the lens stop device is operative, whether or not the strobo device is being charged, and whether or not access operation of a recording device is being performed. A controller controls a frequency of sweep-out of unnecessary charge in the imaging element on the basis of the output of the operating condition judging circuit. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the peak consumed current through the entire imaging apparatus, reduce the power consumption and extend battery life.

Abstract: A time an ith row reset signal RSi is generated and sent out for electronic shuttering is shifted from a conventionally defined time. In this manner, it is possible to avoid overlapping between a period during which the reset signal RSi is provided and a period during which an nth pixel row is selected to perform a readout operation thereon (i.e., a period when a row select signal SLn is at “High” level). As a result, reset potentials, which could otherwise be variable depending on whether or not readout operation is being performed on any other row, can be equalized among all the rows, thus eliminating the cause of horizontal noise.

Abstract: A method for reviewing and navigating among stored images on an image capture unit having a display, wherein each of the stored images is represented by a thumbnail image is disclosed. The method begins by displaying a page of thumbnail images on a display in which when the page is full of thumbnails, the thumbnails are arranged in an N×M array. A memory bar is displayed adjacent to the page on the display, wherein the memory bar indicates a position of the displayed page in relation to the other pages of stored images. The user may navigate among the thumbnail images in the displayed page via the up, down, right and left buttons, where a highlight area indicates a location of a currently selected thumbnail. The user may also navigate from the displayed page to other pages via up, down, right and left buttons, wherein the displayed page is replaced with a second page. In response, the memory bar is updated to indicate a position of the second page in relation to the other pages.

Abstract: A data-reading image capture apparatus, camera, and method of use. The capture apparatus has a digital image detector sensitive to a band of visible radiation and a band of invisible electromagnetic radiation. An optical system, in the capture apparatus, focuses the bands of electromagnetic radiation on the image detector. An image separator is disposed in the capture apparatus, in operative relation to the digital image detector and optical system. The image separator is switchable between an image capture state and a data reading state. The image separator is attenuative for the band of invisible radiation and transmissive for the band of visible radiation in the image capture state. The image separator is attenuative for the band of visible radiation and transmissive for the band of invisible radiation in the data reading state.

Abstract: The autofocus apparatus determines a focus position according to a result of sampling an AF evaluated value and drives a lens system to the focus position. This autofocus apparatus further performs a flash in synchronism with a sampling timing of an AF evaluated value, and the light quantity of each flash is maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus sets a portion of an image frame as an AF area. Then, in first image-pickup, acquires first image data for the AF area within the image frame according to a first light flux from an object passing through an aperture of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is not shifted. Further, in second image-pickup, acquires second image data for the AF area within the image frame according to a second light flux from the object passing through the aperture of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is shifted in one vertical direction with respect to the optical axis. A cross correlation between the first image data and the second image data is computed, and a distance up to a focus position of the focal lens as well as a direction thereof is computed according to the cross correlation. Then, the focal lens is driven to the focus position.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes an opto-electric transducer arrangement having a matrix of optical-to-electric converter elements for outputting parallel electrical signals providing a first electronic representation of an optical image received thereon from a lens, an electro-optical transducer arrangement (view screen) having a matrix of electrical-to-optical converter elements for converting a second electronic representation of an Image to an optical image, and a window-selecting unit for selecting a size and location of the second electronic representation within the first electronic representation,

Abstract: An image taking apparatus is provided with an image taking lens, a mirror which is capable of pivotally changing a position thereof between a first position where the mirror is disposed on an optical path of the image taking lens and a second position where the mirror is disposed off the optical path, and an image pick-up unit for picking up an optical image from the image taking lens. In accordance with the pivotal movement of the mirror, a driver moves the image pick-up unit along the optical direction of the image taking lens.

Abstract: A focus point detecting apparatus comprises a HPF which extracts a high-frequency component from a picked-up image, and an ABS circuit which obtains an absolute value of the outputs of the HPF. A base clipping circuit removes a component equal to or less than a first threshold value from the output of the ABS circuit, and an another base clipping circuit removes a component equal to or less than a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value from the output of the ABS circuit. An integrator integrates the output of one of the base clipping circuits and an another integrator integrates the output of the other base clipping circuit. Finally, a computing circuit detects a focus point according to the integrated values in the two integrators. Therefore, focus point can be detected with higher precision.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera in which the photoelectric conversion time, the photoelectric conversion output gain and the white balance setting are adjusted based on the previous photoelectric conversion output, flash light is emitted to assist distance measurement and pre-emission is performed for red eye reduction in flash photographing; the photoelectric conversion output is not used for the adjustment of the photoelectric conversion time, the photoelectric conversion output gain and the white balance setting or photoelectric conversion is not performed while the auxiliary light is being emitted. Alternatively, the auxiliary light is not emitted while photoelectric conversion is being performed.

Abstract: A surveillance camera housing contains a crown plate with voids and radially extending flanges which engage corresponding radially extending flanges and voids in a mounting cap. A radial gasket is disposed upon said crown plate and electrical connectors are disposed within said radial gasket. In operation, the flanges of the crown plate are placed within the voids of the mounting cap and the flanges of the mounting cap are placed in the voids of the crown plate. When the housing is further lifted vertically a horizontal plane defined by the crown plate flanges rises above a horizontal plane defined by the mounting cap flanges. The housing is then rotated so that the crown plate flanges rest upon the mounting cap flanges.

Abstract: A digital camera for electrically photographing an image, which includes an electrical photography unit and a display unit having a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit is disposed in a camera body and the electrical photography unit is disposed in a swing cover attached to the body. The swing cover is rotatable between an angle of complete closure of the LCD and an angle of disclosure of the LCD.

Abstract: A digital image processor is provided. The digital image processor includes a deinterlacing processor that is implemented upon a digital processing unit. The deinterlacing processor is coupled to an input operable to receive an interlaced video stream, a digital memory for storing portions of the interlaced video signal, and an output operable to transmit a deinterlaced video stream. The deinterlacing processor is operable to detect the source type of the received interlaced video stream to generate the deinterlaced video stream having reduced or no motion artifacts.

Abstract: A de-interlacing process takes a weighted sum of pixels in a filter aperture to generate a pixel in an output picture, the weighted sum including products of triplets of pixels. Using a training sequence of progressive material, it is possible to calculate the weighting coefficients necessary to minimize the mean square error between the filter output and the desired result.

Abstract: A combined terrestrial wave/cable broadcast receiver is disclosed which identifies if a cable broadcast program being carried and received or a cable broadcast program to be received is a HD broadcast and receives a HD broadcast from a terrestrial wave broadcasting station in the form of a HD terrestrial wave broadcast automatically or according to a user's selection, and a program information processing method therefor which processes program information such that it can identify a cable broadcast program as a HD broadcast in an EIT.