Abstract: A cartridge for insertion into a digital printing device, preferably, a drop-on-demand ink jet printing device, includes a casing having a first portion for housing a supply of print media. A print media exit opening is arranged in the first portion of the casing. A print media transport mechanism is arranged at least partially within the first portion of the casing. The mechanism is disposed upon operation to pick up and drive a predetermined amount of the print media through the exit opening to be fed to a print head of the printing device. A leading edge of the print media, when the printing device is inoperative, rests on the transport mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a multi-color image by superposing a plurality of monochrome images is provided. The image forming apparatus includes, for each color, an image forming unit that forms the monochrome image; a pattern forming unit that forms a predetermined compensation pattern; a pattern position detecting unit that detects the position of the compensation pattern formed by the pattern forming unit; and an image position adjusting unit that adjusts the position of the monochrome image to be formed by the image forming unit based on the position of the compensation pattern detected by the pattern position detecting unit. Since the compensation pattern is formed under an image forming condition adjustable independently from another image forming condition with which the monochrome images are formed, the image forming apparatus can adjust positional deviation of monochrome images.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that is capable of forming an image with excellent gradation quality without affected by variations in the sensitivity characteristic of the photoreceptor and the light quantity characteristic of the LED print head among individual products. A highest gradation appropriate exposure amount appropriate for the highest gradation is calculated from the sensitivity characteristic of the photoreceptor and the light quantity characteristic of the LED print head. Then, based on the highest gradation appropriate exposure amount, an appropriate lighting time of the LEDs that is appropriate for each gradation is calculated so that the increment of the exposure amount between the gradations including the first gradation, and the lighting times of the gradations are set based on the appropriate lighting times. Then, the LEDs are lit for the lighting time set in accordance with the gradation of the inputted image data.

Abstract: Left and right frames are formed of a resin containing no glass fibers and bridged together by a tray formed of steel, a chute formed of resin, and underbars formed of steel. Each frame has a box-shape configured of a plate surface and side surfaces formed by bending the edges of plate surface in a common direction perpendicular to the plate surface, thereby preventing the plate surface from bending significantly. When the tray and underbars expand, then the frames bend slightly to absorb the load.

Abstract: A black matrix can be formed by thermal transfer on a receptor substrate for use, for example, in a display application. This black matrix can be used, for example, as a color filter black matrix or a TFT (thin film transistor) black matrix to provide contrast and/or to separate adjacent electrically-conducting components.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette installed within a printer having a sensor for detecting the ribbon cassette. The ribbon cassette contains a front saving room, a back saving room, a take-up spool rotatably installed in the back saving room, a feed spool rotatably installed in the front saving room, a ribbon, and a monolithic protrusion set on the front side of the front saving room. If the protrusion is detected by the sensor, the printer is able to print.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for estimating a number of remaining pages that may be printed from a printing device using a replaceable component installed in the printing device. If less than a page count threshold has been printed using the replaceable component, then one or more default values pertaining to a consumable item contained in the replaceable component are used for the estimation. After the page count threshold number of pages has been printed using the replaceable component, actual printer usage data relating to the consumable item in the replaceable component is used to derive the estimate.

Abstract: The invention concerns an audio-visual system interactive between a local scene and a remote scene. It comprises: a system for filming the local scene including several shooting devices (1) each provided with a field of view (&agr;), means for arranging (13) said shooting devices so that the field of view of one shooting device should be adjacent to the next shooting device field of view and means for simultaneously controlling (14) the shots, and a system for restoring the image of the remote scene comprising at least a restoring device itself including a display screen whereon the image of the remote scene is formed.

Abstract: Bidirectional video teleconferences are provided on a mobile platform. A first video teleconference terminal is disposed on a mobile platform. A first local area network is arranged to provide network data services on the mobile platform and is arranged to communicate with the first video teleconference terminal. A second local area network is arranged to provide network data services and is arranged to communicate with a second video teleconference terminal. The first and second local area networks are in bidirectional packet data communications, and packets of video teleconference data are prioritized over packets of data for services other than video teleconferencing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile phone capable of displaying a stereoscopic image at a display unit. When the mobile phone is powered on, it displays a stereoscopic screen as a start screen.

Abstract: An operation key is shared between a portable telephone and a television, to reduce the number of keys to minimize an area required for the arrangement of the keys. Particularly, a ten-key is arranged so as to make use of arrangement in a conventional portable telephone and arrangement in a conventional TV remote control and such that a user does not have an uncomfortable feeling. Further, the entry of characters in the same method as that in the portable telephone is allowed, to make it possible to perform entry processing for data broadcasting. Further, only the entry of the name of a program allows in formation related to a channel on which the program is broadcast to be acquired, to make it possible to view and record the program on the channel.

Abstract: An observing system(S) for observing a vocal cord(B), as a vibrating object, of a person to be inspected(A) comprises an image-pickup section(1) for picking up an image of the vocal cord(B) at a constant cycle, an extracting section(21a) for extracting a basic frequency of a generated voice, a frequency dividing ratio setting section(26) for variably setting a frequency dividing ratio with respect to the extracted basic frequency, a frequency dividing section(21b) for dividing the basic frequency at the set frequency dividing ratio, a trigger output section(21c) for outputting a trigger signal at the divided frequency, and video image making sections(21d,22) capable of outputting only an image picked up by the image pickup section(1) immediately after the output of each trigger signal.

Abstract: An image capture module and an image capture apparatus for inputting shape of an object in three dimensional space, including a light emitting section which emits light to the object for reflection by the object and imaging of reflected light on a photo-receiving plane of a reflected light image detecting section via an image capture optical system. The reflected light image detecting section detects a reflected light image indicative of a distribution of intensity of the reflected light. The light may be irradiated evenly to the object and the shape of the object may be detected correctly even if the object has irregularity by disposing the light emitting section closely to the image capture optical system. The object may be illuminated evenly by the light from a light emitting section having plural light emitting elements by disposing the light emitting elements symmetrically about the image capture optical system.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring and recording on-board data relative to the movement of a vehicle, whereby a sequence of images of a control panel of the vehicle is acquired by a video camera installed in a cockpit of the vehicle, and is then recorded in a storage device; at the same time, a position of the vehicle is determined by means of a satellite locating device, and the position assumed by the vehicle at the time the image is acquired is related to each image stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a camera section, a request unit and a state data generating unit. The camera section takes a predetermined area for a target person. The request unit issues a state data request to request a state data showing the state of the target person and shows the state data acquired in response to the state data request to the user. The state data generating unit provides the state data showing the presence/absence state of the target person in the predetermined area based on a first image and a second-image in response to the state data request. The first image is taken by a camera section at a first time and the second image is taken by the camera section at a second time after the first time.

Abstract: A two-dimensional video timing display with numeric readouts allows a user to quickly, easily and precisely measure the timing difference between video signals. A graphic display area within a raster display region provides a two-dimensional display of vertical timing offset and horizontal timing offset of an input video signal with respect to a reference video signal, the graphic display area including a reference indicator centered in the graphic area indicating the timing of the reference video signal and a timing indicator in the graphic area indicating the timing of the input video signal with respect to the reference video signal. A numeric display area is adjacent the graphic display area to display the actual vertical and horizontal timing offsets in appropriate units according to the format of the input video signal with a precision to one video clock cycle.

Abstract: A digital camera for generating and sending device-dependent print data to a printer is disclosed. The digital camera has a housing with an opening at a front end for receiving incident light, a sensor installed at a rear end of the housing for detecting the incident light so as to generate raw data, a printer manager having a converter for converting the raw data into the device-dependent print data, and an I/O driver for outputting the device-dependent print data to the printer so that the printer is capable of printing the device-dependent print data automatically.

Abstract: A method of enhancing resolution in an electronic imaging device includes capturing an electronic image through a fisheye lens with a photodetector at a resolution native to the photodetector. A resolution is selected that is higher than the native resolution of the photodetector. The electronic image is processed to produce a new electronic image at the higher resolution. A fisheye effect caused by the fisheye lens is removed during processing.

Abstract: The telescopic system with imaging function comprises at least one tube having a beam path through an objective and an eyepiece. Furthermore, the telescopic system has a device for coupling out a partial light beam. A module with an image sensor for converting images into digital data is fitted to a housing of the tube which contains the device for coupling out the partial light beam in such a way that it is possible to couple out an optical signal on the image sensor. A completely autonomous digital camera with an interface for an additional external image sensor is likewise present.

Abstract: A still imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, a storage device, and a positional displacement correcting device. The imaging device continuously executes imaging of a plurality of times with exposure amounts different from each other. The storage device stores a plurality of original images acquired by the imaging of the plurality of times executed by the imaging device. The positional displacement detecting device detects positional displacements of common objects included in the plurality of original images stored in the storage device and stores a plurality of corrected original images whose positional displacements are corrected based on detected positional displacements in the storage device through updating.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image-capturing device and a control method therefor capable of adjusting view angles. The image-capturing device comprises a camera part having a first camera adapted to capture images of a subject through a first zoom lens if a first image-capturing mode is selected, and a second camera adapted to capture images through a second zoom lens if a second image-capturing mode is selected The image capturing device also includes a detection unit for detecting the position of the first and the second zoom lenses. A control unit detects the position of the first and the second zoom lenses for the first and the second image-capturing modes if the image-capturing modes are determined to be changed from the first to the second image-capturing mode, and sets a detected value of the position of the first zoom lens to a value of the position of the second zoom lens. The image-capturing device can advantageously eliminate the inconvenience of having to additionally adjusts view angles when changing lenses.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus selects a particular scene to be shot from an imaging template in which the arrangement of scenes of content is indicated by image materials selected from among moving image materials and/or still image materials recorded on a recording medium. When the shooting is performed in this state, an image material generated by the shooting is managed in association with the selected scene. The content is completed by replacing the image material constituting each of the scenes in the imaging template with another image material, such as the image material generated by the shooting.

Abstract: A camera signal processing apparatus comprises an interpolated pixel data generating means for interpolating, at least on two directions, pixel data based on an imaging signal from a solid-state image sensor in which an imaging light enters through a color filter having a different spectral characteristic for each pixel separately generating interpolated pixel data in the at least two directions; a correlation detecting means for detecting a correlation value indicative of a degree of correlation in each of the at least two directions of the interpolated pixel data; a normalizing means for normalizing the correlation value of each of the at least two directions to generate a normalized value indicative of a relative value of the correlation value of each of the at least two directions; a correcting means for adding a predetermined correction value to the normalized value; a weighting means for weighting the interpolated pixel data in each of the at least two directions by the normalized value and adding toget

Abstract: A camera signal processing apparatus comprises an interpolated pixel data generating means for interpolating, at least on two directions, pixel data based on an imaging signal from a solid-state image sensor in which an imaging light enters through a color filter having a different spectral characteristic for each pixel separately generating interpolated pixel data in the at least two directions; a correlation detecting means for detecting a correlation value indicative of a degree of correlation in each of the at least two directions of the interpolated pixel data; a normalizing means for normalizing the correlation value of each of the at least two directions to generate a normalized value indicative of a relative value of the correlation value of each of the at least two directions; a correcting means for adding a predetermined correction value to the normalized value; a weighting means for weighting the interpolated pixel data in each of the at least two directions by the normalized value and adding toget

Abstract: An ROI setting apparatus including an ROI recognition unit and an ROI control unit is provided. In one embodiment, the ROI recognition unit contains multiple ROI recognition modules for recognizing an ROI of image data according to various methods to obtain a recognition result. The ROI control unit selects one ROI recognition module out of the ROI recognition modules and sets ROI information based on the recognition result. The ROI recognition module may be selected according to an instruction from a user input via an operation unit, or a scene type selected by a scene selection switch of an image capture unit. The ROI control unit may perform operations such as selecting, enlarging, or reducing the ROI recognized by the ROI recognition module, or changing the ROI recognition conditions according to the respective instructions from the user input via the operation unit.

Abstract: There is described an image-capturing apparatus, which stores digital image data without losing captured image information and applies a white-balance adjustment reflecting tastes of the photographer onto the digital image data.

Abstract: A recording medium for storing information for still pictures, and a recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor. A writeable and rewriteable recording medium stores data for a plurality of still pictures and audio data added thereto in one file or a space having a logically one-dimensional order, rather than in each file, and still picture group information for separating the still picture data into within a predetermined maximum number of groups in order to manage the still pictures at a group level is then stored on the recording medium. Thus, large-capacity still picture data and audio data added thereto can be recorded and/or reproduced using a minimum amount of information. The still picture group information includes general information for still picture groups, and information for still pictures in each still picture group.

Abstract: A system and method for providing help with operating an image capture device is provided. One embodiment comprises a method for providing help with operating an image capture device. The method comprises providing via an interface of the image capture device a menu comprising at least one menu option; providing a sub-menu in response to a selection of one of the menu options, wherein the sub-menu comprises a help option and at least one sub-menu option, the at least one sub-menu option relating to the selected menu option; and providing information regarding at least one of the at least one sub-menu option in response to a selection of the help option.

Abstract: A digital photo album (901) has image enhancement provided by a pre-programmed set of characteristics on a removable image enhancement card and includes a body section (902) connected to a display screen (904). The body (902) houses control circuitry for operating the digital photo album and an internal printer (500) for printing displayed images. The printer (500) has a removable ink/print media cartridge (504) and prints images of equal size to those displayed.

Abstract: In image input devices such as digital still cameras, processing is speeded up and power consumption is reduced by arranging in a RPU (23) performing real time processing of a pixel data from a CCD (21), such that only special exceptional image processing not being prepared previously is subjected to a software program processing in a CPU (24) and, in post processing in which a general image processing is carried out, a pixel data temporarily stored in a main memory (29) is inputted again to the RPU (23) and then processed. This enables to sharply speed up processing, and minimize a prolonged processing in the CPU (24) to reduce power consumption, when compared to the case of executing by software problem processing.

Abstract: An information communication terminal with a TV telephone function, includes a display data generating section, a TV telephone processing section, a display unit, a first switch and a control section. The display data generating section generates first display data in a general use mode in which a TV telephone function is not used. The TV telephone processing section generates second display data in a TV telephone use mode in which the TV telephone function is used. The display unit displays inputted display data. The first switch is provided among the display data generating section, the TV telephone processing section and the display unit. The control section controls the first switch to connect the display data generating section and the display unit in the general use mode such that the first display data is supplied to the display unit and to connect the TV telephone processing section and the display unit in the TV telephone use mode such that the second display data is supplied to the display unit.

Abstract: A method determines a shape of an object in from an image. A visual hull larger than the object is constructed such that the object can be entirely contained within the visual hull. An image is acquired of the object by a camera. The visual hull is projected onto the image according to a position and pose of the camera.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient resolution in a picture signal for zooming in on an output signal of an image pickup device by means of an electronic zoom process and a control method thereof. To attain this object, a timing generator generates a timing signal for controlling timing for reading charges to an image pickup device and the timing for mixing or transferring the charges. A zoom control portion determines a scaling factor for, by signal processing, expanding or reducing picture data generated based on the output signal of the image pickup device. The zoom control portion also determines the number of mixed pixels and a cutout range of the charges in the image pickup device. A vertical scaling factor control portion controls the timing generator so that mixture of the charges and charge transfer will be compliant with the number of mixed pixels and the cutout range respectively as determined by the zoom control portion.

Abstract: A camera signal processing apparatus comprises an interpolated pixel data generating means for interpolating, at least on two directions, pixel data based on an imaging signal from a solid-state image sensor in which an imaging light enters through a color filter having a different spectral characteristic for each pixel separately generating interpolated pixel data in the at least two directions; a correlation detecting means for detecting a correlation value indicative of a degree of correlation in each of the at least two directions of the interpolated pixel data; a normalizing means for normalizing the correlation value of each of the at least two directions to generate a normalized value indicative of a relative value of the correlation value of each of the at least two directions; a correcting means for adding a predetermined correction value to the normalized value; a weighting means for weighting the interpolated pixel data in each of the at least two directions by the normalized value and adding toget

Abstract: When storage time has changed during a continuous shooting operation, the storage times are stored. When the continuous shooting operation has been completed or an available capacity of a storage medium has become lower than image data, the data is imaged with the respective storage times without exposure. The exposed image data is processed on the basis of the data acquired by the charge storage of an image pickup device without exposure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fault tolerant CMOS image sensor that includes circuitry for identifying defective pixels and masking them during image generation. Masking may involve, in one example, replacing the output of a given pixel with an average of the output of surrounding non-faulty pixels. Thus, while image sensors may be fabricated with some number of faulty pixels, the images produced by such sensors will not have undesirable bright or dark spots. The disclosed sensor includes (a) one or more pixels (active or passive) capable of providing outputs indicative of a quantity of radiation to which each of the one or more pixels has been exposed; and (b) one or more circuit elements electrically coupled to the one or more pixels and configured to identify and correct faulty pixels in the CMOS imager. The one more pixels each include a photodiode diffusion formed in a well and a tap to power or ground also formed in the well.

Abstract: A image pickup system has an image pickup apparatus including a spectral prism and two image pickup devices. The spectral prism has a spectral face formed from a dichroic film. The spectral face has spectral transmission characteristics of color filters disposed for each pixel in the image pickup devices, that is, a wavelength characteristic which divides a wavelength band of each of RGB colors. Incident light from a subject is split into two optical paths by the spectral face, and spectral images of the subject traveling in the optical paths are obtained by the image pickup devices. Thus, a plurality of spectral images can be obtained in one shot with excellent efficiency regarding the quantity of light.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to readout array-based analog data with reduced power requirements and reduced fixed pattern noise. An image sensor on an integrated circuit may include a sensor array to provide array-based analog data, a parallel sampling circuitry to receive the array-based analog data in parallel, a pipelined amplification circuitry to serially amplify the received array-based analog data, and an analog-to-digital converter to convert the amplified array-based analog data into digital data.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises channel regions of one conductivity type arranged to extend along a first direction in parallel to each other with predetermined intervals on one surface of a semiconductor substrate, drain regions of the one conductivity type at high doping density, which are arranged to extend along the first direction between adjacent channel regions, separation regions disposed in the interval between one of the channel regions and one of the drain regions, and transfer electrodes arranged in parallel to each other to extend along a second direction which in the first direction on the semiconductor substrate. The width of the separation region is narrower in a region beneath at least one transfer electrode in each predetermined set of transfer electrodes than in a region beneath the remaining transfer electrodes in the set of transfer electrodes.

Abstract: A variable acuity imager incorporates an array of detection elements for light energy, in the visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or light energy in another region of the electromagnetic spectrum with a means to change the spatial configuration of the array to include “superpixels” by combining energy detected by adjacent elements, thus permitting any number of high-resolution “foveal” regions to be placed within the confines of the focal plane array and moved around at the frame rate of the imaging device. Detectors to measure the pitch, yaw and roll angle rates of background imagery using velocity-sensing circuitry are employed for variation of the foveal regions to accommodate motion of the array.

Abstract: A processing apparatus having a drive pulse generator circuit for generating a drive pulse to be supplied to an image pickup element, and a wave form data supply circuit for supplying wave form setting data for generating the drive pulse to the drive pulse generator circuit at each horizontal line, wherein the wave form setting data includes a wave form setting data to be set at each horizontal line and wave form setting data sharing a setting area.

Abstract: A method of sampling image signals generated by pixel circuits of an active pixel sensor (APS) image sensor. The APS image sensor supports a normal mode of operation and a sub-sampling mode of operation. The method includes providing a plurality of column amplifiers. A row of pixels circuits to sample is selected. Image signals from each pixel circuit in the selected row are routed to a different one of the plurality of column amplifiers when the APS image sensor is in the normal mode of operation. Image signals from a plurality of the pixel circuits in the selected row are routed to one of the plurality of column amplifiers when the APS image sensor is in the sub-sampling mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small, high-performance imaging device and its application to products at low cost by preventing noise superimposed on a timing pulse feed line from affecting the output of an imaging chip. The imaging device includes two chips: an imaging chip 101 including a sensor 102 and an image processing chip 106 including an image processing circuit 110. The transistors of all circuits in the imaging chip 101 are formed as either nMOS or pMOS transistors. The imaging chip 101 is stacked on the image processing chip 106.

Abstract: A Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera and a method for controlling the same. When a photographing command is input from the input unit by operation of user, the controller controls the iris drive unit so as to open and close the iris periodically for a preset time. Also, the control reads electric signals accumulated in the CCD imaging unit according to fields by light incident according to the opening of the iris, and then stores the read CCD data in the memory according to fields. Then, each CCD datum read from the CCD imaging unit is stored in the memory in the raw datum state without addition of an adjacent datum. Next, the controller generates a second odd field and a second even field by adding offset values, according to fields, to each CCD signal of the raw data state stored in the memory, and then forms a still image by combining the second odd field and the second even field.

Abstract: A timing generator for an electronic image sensor includes one or more memory based tables for controlling timing events that occur within one or more different types of image sensor lines, and one or more memory based tables for controlling timing events that occur within one or more different types of image sensor frames.

Abstract: A method of orienting a digital image for viewing on a display of a digital imaging device. The method comprises the steps of: accessing the digital image, the digital image being defined by a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides being substantially linear; displaying the digital image in a first orientation on the display of the digital imaging device, the display having a top edge; providing a selection member for selecting one of the plurality of sides; and automatically displaying the digital image in a second orientation responsive to the selecting of the one of the plurality of sides, the second orientation configured such that the selected one of the plurality of sides is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation and is disposed closer to the top edge of the display than the other of the plurality of sides.

Abstract: An imager module has a retractable lens assembly that is received in a lens holder. The lens assembly is extended to an extended position for best focus in several alternative embodiments. The lens holder has an image end and an object end and an inner guide surface. An imager has an image plane, the imager is coupled to the lens holder adjacent the lens holder object end. A lens assembly has an objective lens with one or more lens elements co-axially aligned on an optical axis. The lens assembly has an image end, an object end, an optical axis, and an external guide surface. The lens assembly external guide surface is supported by the lens holder inner guide surface.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device having a camera function and comprising a casing of reduced size, in which the arrangement of the functional components other than a camera unit is not restricted by the camera unit. The mobile terminal device (1) comprises a casing (2) having a liquid crystal display unit (15) on its surface (6) and camera unit (16) housed in a camera housing (17) provided on the right side face (7) of the terminal casing (2) in such a way that it can emerge/hide parallel with the casing surface (6) from/into the camera housing (17). The imaging lens section of the camera unit (16) is arranged on the side face of a rotary member (21) protruding from the camera housing (17). The rotary member (21) can rotate around the axis of protrusion with respect to a slide member (20) so as to adjust the imaging direction of the imaging lens unit of a camera body (53).

Abstract: An IR cut-filter is fitted into a support portion within the optical-system containing portion of a ceramic board and a lens 11 is mounted in the ceramic board by screwing the lens.

Abstract: A digital camera has a lens, a camera housing, and a semiconductor sensor. The camera housing is primarily formed of a transparent plastic block that encloses a semiconductor sensor only on its underside and has an adapted lens on its top side. Between the two there is provided an opaque layer with an aperture that improves the image quality. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a digital camera.