Patents Issued in July 1, 2004
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Publication number: 20040125166Abstract: A carriage motor is driven with a predetermined duty value and it is determined whether a carriage is moved. If it is determined that the carriage is moved, a lower duty value is set. If it is determined that the carriage is not moved, a higher duty value is set, in order to obtain the duty values at the time when the carriage is and is not moved. The duty values when the carriage is moved and is not moved, are stored, as alternative characteristic values, in an EEPROM in association with positional information of duty value detection position. Therefore, quality control may be properly performed by checking the stored duty values.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaaki Hori, Jun Morikawa
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Publication number: 20040125167Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a print head having ink-discharge surfaces having the ink-discharge openings therein; a cylindrical cleaning roller composed of an elastic material; moving means for moving the cleaning roller and the print head relative to each other while keeping the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller in contact with the ink-discharge surfaces; drive control means for controlling the moving means; a head cap for protecting the ink-discharge surfaces; cap opening/closing means for opening and closing the head cap. When the head cap is opened by the cap opening/closing means, by driving the moving means with control of the drive control means so as to move the cleaning roller relative to the print head while keeping the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller in contact with the ink-discharge surfaces, ink in the ink-discharge openings is sucked.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Yuji Yakura, Kenji Suzuki, Hiroshi Tokunaga, Shinichi Horii
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Publication number: 20040125168Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for ejecting liquid, the processing accuracy of an ejection unit for ejecting ink can be easily increased and the variations in the volume of ink drops, the ejection angle thereof, etc., can be reduced even when dust is mixed in ink. In addition, a reduction in an ink-supply speed at which ink is supplied to an ink ejection unit can be prevented. An ink ejection apparatus includes a plurality of heating units (13) provided on a base member (11), ink cells for pressurizing ink with energy generated by the heating units (13), and nozzles (17) having ejection holes for ejecting the ink which is pressurized in the ink cells. Each of the nozzles (17) is disposed above each of the heating units (13).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2004Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Takeo Eguchi, Masato Nakamura, Toru Tanikawa, Minoru Kohno, Koichi Igarashi, Manabu Tomita, Shogo Ono, Takaaki Miyamoto, Iwao Ushinohama
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Publication number: 20040125169Abstract: A water-repellent film that is formed on a solid substrate includes: a molecule (A) including at least one or more of siloxane bonding (—Si—O—) at both ends and a hydrocarbon chain in a middle part; and a molecule (B) including a fluorocarbon chain at one end and at least one or more of siloxane bonding (—Si—O—) at another end, wherein a polymer film is formed at least with the molecule (A) and the molecule (B). This polymer film forms a covalent bond with a surface of the substrate via siloxane bonding (—Si—O—), and the surface thereof is covered with fluorocarbon chains having high water repellency. Therefore, this film prevents the intrusion of alkali ions. Thereby, an ink jet head and an ink jet type apparatus having a water-repellent film that is not destroyed by the long-term contact with alkaline ink can be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Tatsuya Hiwatashi
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Publication number: 20040125170Abstract: A vacuum platen assembly for a fluid-ejection device of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes a platen that has a number of vacuum holes, and one or more aerosol-collection recesses. A number of ribs extend from the platen, against which position of media is maintained by suction effect from the vacuum holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Victor Bruhn
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Publication number: 20040125171Abstract: A packaging structure for inkjet print head chips and the method for manufacturing them are disclosed. An inkjet print head chip with several contact nodes on its surface is mounted onto a substrate through chip bonding to form a packaging structure. Since the contact nodes are not limited to the border of the chip, the number of pins on the chip can be increased. The packaging method can be combined with the semiconductor processes to lower the cost. Moreover, the chip mounting packaging structure has the advantages of self-alignment and high reliability.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Fa-Yuan Hsu, Je-Ping Hu
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Publication number: 20040125172Abstract: In a liquid-ejecting method for ejecting liquid contained in a liquid chamber from a nozzle as a liquid droplet group, the ejection amount of each liquid droplet of the continuously ejected liquid-droplet group can be stabilized corresponding to a wide frequency band of a pulse signal. Also, when one pixel is formed with a plurality of liquid droplets using a head capable of deflecting the ejecting direction of the liquid droplet, the image quality is improved by reducing the landing positional displacement between plural liquid droplets for forming the one pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Soichi Kuwahara, Minoru Kohno, Masato Nakamura
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Publication number: 20040125173Abstract: An inkjet printhead heater chip has an ink via asymmetrically arranged in a reciprocating direction of inkjet printhead movement. The ink via has two sides and a longitudinal extent substantially parallel to a print medium advance direction. A column of fluid firing elements exists exclusively along a single side of the two sides. The heater chip and ink via each have a centroid and neither resides coincidentally with one another. Preferably, the heater chip centroid resides externally to a boundary of the ink via. In other aspects, the column of fluid firing elements can be a sole column or plural and may be centered in the reciprocating direction. The ink via can be a sole via or plural. The heater chip can be rectangular and the ink vias can be closer to either the long or short ends thereof. Inkjet printers for housing the printheads are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: George Keith Parish, Kristi Maggard Rowe
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Publication number: 20040125174Abstract: An inkjet printhead heater chip has a silicon substrate with a heater stack formed of a plurality of thin film layers thereon for ejecting an ink drop during use. The thin film layers include: a thermal barrier layer on the silicon substrate; a resistor layer on the thermal barrier layer; a doped diamond-like carbon layer on the resistor layer; and a cavitation layer on the doped diamond-like carbon layer. The doped diamond-like carbon layer preferably includes silicon but may also include nitrogen, titanium, tantalum, combinations thereof or other. When it includes silicon, a preferred silicon concentration ranges from 20 to 25 atomic percent. A preferred cavitation layer includes an undoped diamond-like carbon, tantalum or titanium layer. The doped diamond-like carbon layer ranges in thickness from 500 to 3000 angstroms. The cavitation layer ranges from 500 to 6000 angstroms. Inkjet printheads and printers are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, Byron V. Bell, Yimin Guan, George Keith Parish, Robert Cornell
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Publication number: 20040125175Abstract: A micro fluidic module having at least a micro fluid channel barrier comprises at least an actuator, a firing chamber, a plurality of convergent fluid outlet channel and a plurality of convergent fluid inlet channel. The actuator (e.g. a heater) boils the working fluid and generates thermal bubble and instant high pressure to eject the working fluid outside and expel the working fluid through the fluid outlet channel. Then, the working fluid refills from the fluid inlet channel. Therefore, the working fluid flows consistently through the firing chamber. The working fluid flowing through adjacent firing chambers are arranged in different or consistent directions. Therefore, the refilling speed of the working fluid is increased, and the operating frequency of the module is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Jinn-Cherng Yang, Ching-Yi Mao, Chou-Lin Wu
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Publication number: 20040125176Abstract: A composition for forming a piezoelectric containing a dispersoid obtained from metallic compound, wherein the content of hafnium in the composition is 3,000 ppm or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Fuji Chemical Co. Ltd.Inventors: Motokazu Kobayashi, Makoto Kubota, Shinji Eritate, Fumio Uchida, Chiemi Shimizu, Kenji Maeda
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Publication number: 20040125177Abstract: An inkjet head system has an inkjet head and a printed board connected to the inkjet head. The inkjet head includes a cavity plate formed with a plurality of ink pressure chambers arranged adjacent to each other. A piezoelectric actuator is placed on the cavity plate. A plurality of driving electrodes is formed on the piezoelectric actuator at positions corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of ink pressure chambers. The printed board includes a plurality of electrode lands connected with respective ones of the plurality of driving electrodes to supply driving signals thereto. The electrode lands are connected with respective ones of the plurality of driving elements by means of magnetic force. Therefore, the printed board can be easily detached from the inkjet head by pulling it from the inkjet head against the magnetic force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Atsuo Sakaida, Tetsuaki Sugahara
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Publication number: 20040125178Abstract: A chamber formation plate has a first face formed with a plurality of recesses arranged in a first direction at a fixed pitch such that each of the recesses is communicated with, via a through hole, a second face which is an opposite face of the first face. The chamber formation plate is comprised of nickel. A sealing plate is joined to the first face of the chamber formation plate so as to seal the recesses to form a plurality of pressure generating chambers. A metallic nozzle plate is formed with a plurality of nozzles, and joined to the second face of the chamber formation plate such that each of the nozzles is communicated with associated one of the pressure generating chamber via the through hole. A ratio of a grain size of a crystal of the nickel with respect to a thickness of a partition wall defined between each adjacent ones of the recesses is 60% or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Fujio Akahane, Nagamitsu Takashima, Kazushige Hakeda, Ryoji Uesugi, Akiharu Kurebayashi
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Publication number: 20040125179Abstract: Provided is an ink jet head including: a plurality of grooves each connected to nozzle apertures; a common ink chamber to which each of the grooves is connected; and a filter disposed in a portion of an ink flow path that connects the common ink chamber and ink storing means for storing ink, in which: thin plate shaped spaces are defined in an upstream side and a downstream side by forming mutually opposing partitions and before and after a filter in the ink flow path; a thin plate shaped ink introduction passage is connected one end side of the filter in a direction that is orthogonal to a direction in which the grooves are aligned in parallel, extending in the direction in which the grooves are aligned in parallel; a thin plate shaped ink supply passage for supplying ink to the common ink chamber is connected to the other end side of the filter in the downstream space of the downstream side, extending in the direction in which the grooves are arranged in parallel; an end side of a tubular communicating passType: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Toshiaki Watanabe
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Publication number: 20040125180Abstract: A recording unit frame, in which a recording unit is to be mounted, includes a frame and a cover body. The frame surrounds a scanning area of a carriage in which recording onto a recording sheet is performed by a print head, and accommodates a guide mechanism and a carriage moving mechanism. The frame has at least an opening on its top. The cover body is fixedly attached to the frame so as to block a part of the opening of the frame. The cover body has a window that enables a user to have access to a recording sheet in the frame. With these structures, the recording unit can be shrunk in height without losing its rigidity and strength, thereby providing a printer capable of maintaining high print quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yuji Koga
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Publication number: 20040125181Abstract: In a liquid droplet ejection apparatus having a function liquid droplet ejection head which is mounted on a movable table and which ejects a function liquid droplet toward a workpiece in a manner synchronized with scanning by the movable table, and a function liquid supply apparatus, the function liquid supply apparatus is provided with a function liquid tank for supplying a function liquid, a connection tube of resin make for connecting the function liquid droplet ejection head and the function liquid tank together, a flexible rack member which moves the flexible rack member in a manner to follow the scanning of the function liquid droplet ejection head, and an earth connection which eliminates the static electricity accumulated in the connection tube as a result of contacting the connection tube. By thus earthing the connection tubes, the static electricity to be accumulated in the connection tube is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Shinichi Nakamura
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Publication number: 20040125182Abstract: The invention provides an expanded ink supply system for inkjet printers. The expanded ink supply system fluidically supplies an ink cartridge, which is intermittently fluidically connected to an array of movable printheads. Described are various means for creating the necessary pressure to force the ink from the expanded supply to a print cartridge. In one described embodiment, the ink supply is in the form of a bag, placed at a level higher than the ink cartridge, thereby utilizing gravity to force the liquid ink via tubing into the ink cartridge's inner part fill port or alternatively, the cartridge's pump channel. Also described are steps to attach a fitting in the cartridge's inner part fill port or pump channel and steps for releasing trapped air from the ink supply system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Per G. Akermalm
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Publication number: 20040125183Abstract: A cartridge body partitioned into foam chambers and ink chambers and having a first welding part and a second welding part, a lid having a third welding part engaged and welded with the first welding part of the cartridge body and a fourth welding part formed on the bottom thereof in which the second welding part is inserted. Ink heads provided on the bottom of the cartridge body eject ink, and ink filters provided on upper sides of the ink heads to prevent foreign materials or bubbles from flowing in. The first welding part has a first section horizontally protruded in cross-section and a second section vertically protruded to the first section, and the third welding part has a third section vertically protruded, a fourth section horizontally protruded, and a fifth section in a diagonal cross-sectioned shape connecting the third section and the fourth section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae-Cheol Lee, Young-Su Lee
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Publication number: 20040125184Abstract: A method of creating high-speed multi-color process images. The method includes providing at least two high operating frequency printheads which are capable of processing phase-change inks, providing at least two phase-change inks, providing a substrate, activating the printheads such that at least two inks pass therethrough, and passing the substrate under the printheads at a rate of at least about 1000 feet per minute so as at least one process image is formed on the substrate. The present invention also includes a process for achieving high-speed crockfast process printing on a material with phase-change ink.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Varunesh Sharma, Alice Susan Gordon, Lee Kirby Jameson, Phillip Andrew Schorr, Allen James Dohnalik
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Publication number: 20040125185Abstract: An ink set comprises a water-based ink containing a coloring material in a state dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium and a water-based reactive liquid containing a first component for insolubilizing or aggregating the coloring material in the ink by mixing with the water-based ink. The water-based reactive liquid contains a water-soluble high-molecular compound in a state dissolved therein. The water-based ink contains a second component, which is not insolubilized by the first component and the coloring material, in a state dissolved therein. The water-soluble high-molecular compound is not insolubilized by the first component and the coloring material but insolubilized by the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoichi Takada, Shinya Mishina, Shinichi Hakamada, Yasuhiro Nito, Masashi Tsujimura
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Publication number: 20040125186Abstract: A novel ink-jet recording apparatus is provided for conducting margin-free recording on the peripheral area of the recording medium including the edge thereof with excellent image quality even in the peripheral area in comparison with quality of the usual printing having a margin. A process therefor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Matsui
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Publication number: 20040125187Abstract: There are provided a method of forming an image on a card and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of properly carrying out printing of an image on a card and protection of the printed image in a simplified manner without changing the size of the card. A card is used which has an ink-fixing layer laminated on a surface of a substrate layer and an ink image-receiving layer peelably laminated on a surface of the ink-fixing layer. An image is printed on the card, while feeding the card, by an ink jet printing method using a sublimable dye ink. The card printed with the image is conveyed to a heating source, and subjected to heat treatment by the heating source to cause diffusion of the sublimable dye ink held in the ink image-receiving layer in the ink-fixing layer, and color development to form an image. The ink image-receiving layer is peeled off the card after the heat treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Zenta Kosaka, Yoshiki Minowa
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Publication number: 20040125188Abstract: An apparatus for offset lithographic printing including an offset lithographic printing press including a printing cylinder having a surface including a mixture of cationic colloidal silica, fumed alumina, and a polymeric amine; and an inkjet printhead disposed to print a digital image on the printing cylinder with a fluid that dries to produce a surface attractive to oleophilic lithographic printing inks.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas P. Szumla, David A. Niemeyer, Charles D. DeBoer
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Publication number: 20040125189Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a belt conveyor mechanism, an ink-jet head having at its lower face a nozzle face where many nozzles are formed, and a maintenance unit that maintains the ink-jet head. Within the maintenance unit arranged are a blade, a wiping roller, an ink receiving member, and a purge cap, in this order from the near side to the head. The maintenance unit is first moved to a purge position at which the purge cap confronts the nozzle face of the ink-jet head, where a purge operation is performed. After the purge operation, attendant upon movement of the maintenance unit to get apart from the head, the ink receiving member, the wiping roller, and the blade successively confront the nozzle face in this order. With the movement of the maintenance unit, receiving ink with the ink receiving member and wiping ink up with the wiping roller and the blade are performed in order.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakazu Kuki, Tsugio Okamoto
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Publication number: 20040125190Abstract: A method of manufacture of an optical device comprises a process of forming a bank 11 which demarcates a region in which a functional material is distributed, and a process of distributing a lens material 12 in the liquid state in the region which is demarcated by the bank 11, and of thereby forming a lens 13 which is layered against the functional material 14, 15, 16.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Minoru Koyama
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Publication number: 20040125191Abstract: Processing parameters of at least one plate-shaped object, e.g. a semiconductor device or wafer, or a flat panel display, in a processing tool are adjusted depending on which processing device out of at least one set of processing devices has been used for the semiconductor device in a preceding step. A virtual or physical tag is generated, which connects the semiconductor device identification with the processing device identification. This enables a compensation of tool-dependent effects in previous processing of a single device. An example is chemical mechanical polishing prior to lithography, where alignment marks can be deteriorated differently between CMP-units. The amount of compensation is detected and evaluated by metrology tools, which—depending on the sequence of the metrology step relative to the processing step to be adjusted—either feed-forward or feed-backward their results to the processing tool. The yield of semiconductor device production is advantageously increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Karl Mautz, Sebastian Schmidt, Thorsten Schedel
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Publication number: 20040125192Abstract: Light source and light beam scanning units with reduced deviation of beam positions over time and ambient conditions, in use for image forming apparatuses. In the light source unit for emanating light beams, including a plurality of LEDs and coupling lenses each corresponding to the LEDs, there are provided lens holders having two supporting faces aligned approximately parallel to the optical axes of the coupling lenses, elastic members for abutting the coupling lenses by pressing the side portions thereof onto the supporting faces, light source support members for holding LEDs corresponding to the coupling lenses, and bolts for fixing the light source support members. Following the proper adjustment of the position of the lens holder in the vertical direction with respect to the optical axes of the coupling lenses, the light source support members is fixed onto lens holder by bolts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Tomoya Ohsugi
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Publication number: 20040125193Abstract: A light scanning device includes an optical element that images, on an image holding body, a light beam emitted from a light source. The light scanning device further includes a holding member that holds the optical element, and scanning line curve correcting mechanism for correcting the optical element in a sub scanning direction to correct a scanning line formed by the light beam in the sub scanning direction. The light scanning device further includes a scanning line inclination correcting mechanism for entirely tilting the optical element to correct an inclination of the scanning line. At least one part of the scanning line curve correcting mechanism, and at least one part of the scanning line inclination correcting mechanism are provided integrally with the holding member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Nobuaki Kubo
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Publication number: 20040125194Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning optical system capable of reducing the number of its components and its size with a simple construction, and an image forming apparatus using the scanning optical system. In a specific scanning optical system, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light source units are deflected and scanned by a plurality of different deflecting facets of a common optical deflecting unit, and a plurality of scanned surfaces are scanned with the light beams deflected and scanned by the different deflecting facets, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazumi Kimura
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Publication number: 20040125195Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image by use of a plurality of light beams, which are simultaneously modulated according to image signals and joined together on a photoconductive surface to form the image. The apparatus includes a photoconductive drum having the photoconductive surface and a reference mark, a pattern supplying unit which supplies image data in synchronization with detection of the reference mark associated with rotation of the photoconductive drum, and drawing systems which create moir{acute over (e )} stripes on the photoconductive surface by simultaneously drawing overlapping sets of slanted lines with the respective light beams according to the image data, and draw a reference position mark on the photoconductive surface according to the image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Nobuyuki Satoh
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Publication number: 20040125196Abstract: An exposure head is provided in which light beams from light emitting parts 63 pass through a transparent substrate 62 and are projected on an image carrier. The transparent substrate 62 has plain faces substantially parallel to each other, one of the faces being a face on which the light emitting parts 63 are formed and the other being a face from which light beams are projected. The transparent substrate 62 is provided, at position(s) other than the face on which the light emitting parts 63 are formed and than the face from which light beams are projected, with light quantity detecting means 100 for detecting the quantity of light emitted from said light emitting parts 63.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Yujiro Nomura, Atsunori Kitazawa, Kiyoshi Tsujino
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Publication number: 20040125197Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a substrate; m electrically conductive layers formed on the substrate, m being an integer of 2 or more, potentials of the m electrically conductive layers being capable of being independently controlled; and semiconductor thin films having at least one semiconductor device respectively. The semiconductor thin films are bonded on surfaces of the m electrically conductive layers respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Mitsuhiko Ogihara, Hiroyuki Fujiwara
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Publication number: 20040125198Abstract: A torsion oscillator (FIG. 1) is stabilized in operation by determining the current resonant frequency (62); in a first procedure, observing the oscillator for change in resonant frequency (64), and then restoring the amplitude and median offset (66) without changing the drive frequency. In an alternative procedure, after determining the resonant frequency (62); setting the drive frequency close to but offset from the current resonant frequency (74), observing the oscillator for change in resonant frequency (76), and the restoring the close offset to the changed resonant frequency (78). By operating slightly off peak, the direction of resonant change is immediately known. The first procedure has less difficulties in implementation, but requires more power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Martin Christopher Klement
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Publication number: 20040125199Abstract: A pixel clock generation apparatus includes a detector detecting a time interval between two horizontal synchronization signals. A comparing part compares the time interval detected by the detector and a target value, and outputs the difference. A phase shift data generation part stores one or more lookup tables each storing a pattern of phase shift data for controlling a phase shift amount of a pixel clock, and reads and outputs the phase shift data from the lookup table based on the difference that is output from the comparing part. A high frequency clock generation part generates a high frequency clock. A pixel clock generation part generates the pixel clock whose phase is controlled in accordance with the phase shift data based on the high frequency clock.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Atsufumi Omori, Masaaki Ishida, Yasuhiro Nihei, Dan Ozasa
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Publication number: 20040125200Abstract: An image processing apparatus, comprising: an exposing device for exposing an image forming material so as to form a latent image on the image forming material based on image data; a developing device for developing and visualizing the latent image on the exposed image forming material so as to form an image; a measuring device for measuring the image density of the image on the developed image forming material; a calibrating device for forming a table to define a relation between an image signal and image density on the basis of plural different test image data and measured-image densities thereof; a storing device for storing a characteristic change model indicating a characteristic change of at least one of the exposing device and the developing device with time; a difference calculating device to calculate a density difference on the basis of the characteristic change model between the time of forming the table and the time of forming an image based on image signal of diagnostic image data; and a correctiType: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Youichi Ono, Masaya Shimoji
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Publication number: 20040125201Abstract: The card printing system of the present invention includes a cartridge sub-assembly and a printer sub-assembly. The cartridge sub-assembly encloses a stack of horizontally positioned cards that have each been plied with photosensitive microcapsules. The printer sub-assembly interfaced with the cartridge sub-assembly to obtain a card from the stack. The printer sub-assembly then forms a latent image upon the photosensitive microcapsules upon the obtained card and develops that image by applying a mechanical pressure to the photosensitive microcapsules with a developer array. The develop array is a block containing a number spring-loaded developer balls.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: CyCard Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Darren W. Haas, I. Tony Haugen, Bradley A. Paulson, Robert J. Innes
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Publication number: 20040125202Abstract: A display apparatus is provided with a plurality of display device, at least one of which is a semitransparent display; and a fixing device for fixing the plurality of display devices to be placed along a front-rear direction on a viewer's line of sight each other, wherein a relationship between the spacing L(mm) between image planes of adjacent of the plurality of display devices and the length S(mm) of diagonal lines of the two display devices satisfies a predetermined condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATIONInventors: Isao Tomisawa, Satoshi Sugiura, Taro Nakajima, Takehisa Okuyama
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Publication number: 20040125203Abstract: Analog pixel signals, which are read out from an image sensor, are subjected to predetermined signal processes, and are converted to digital pixel signals by an A/D converter. The digital pixel signals are separated to RGB signals. The RGB signals are multiplied by a predetermined color matrix coefficient. After that, luminance signals are extracted from the RGB signals. A light adjusting control signal for adjusting the quantity of light is calculated based on the luminance signals. The color matrix coefficient is changed based on the light adjusting control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: PENTAX CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20040125204Abstract: A motion picture encoding apparatus for encoding a motion picture signal includes a plurality of transform units for different transform schemes, and a transform scheme control unit for selecting, from the plurality of the transform units, the transform unit for the transform scheme adapted to the motion picture signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamada, Yoshimi Moriya, Kazuo Sugimoto, Kohtaro Asai
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Publication number: 20040125205Abstract: A high speed 3D camera includes a monochromatic sensor configured to receive a reflected light pattern from an object to be photographed, a plurality of optical pattern filters configured to capture multiple separate sequential images of the object using the reflected light pattern, and a computing device configured to combine the sequential images to generate a single frame image of the object, wherein the single frame image provides sufficient information to generate 3D image of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Z. Jason Geng
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Publication number: 20040125206Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring an area of coverage around a working tool with the aid of at least one camera. In a first method step, an object-free security zone within the area of coverage is recorded with the camera as reference background. Subsequently, the reference background is checked with respect to its non-homogeneity. In the process, the reference background is rejected as non-valid only if within a predetermined variance distance, the detected non-homogeneity falls below a predetermined level. Otherwise, the reference background is classified as valid. If the reference background is classified as valid, the detection of safety-critical objects entering the security zone is released. The detection occurs through a comparison of the actual images of the security zone recorded with the camera and the valid reference background. A safety-critical object is considered recognized if the respective actual image deviates significantly from the reference background.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Lueze lumiflex GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Lutz Lohmann
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Publication number: 20040125207Abstract: A method of tracking an object comprises providing a plurality of cameras, determining an image from each camera, and determining a common plane in the images. The method further comprises determining a parallax for scene points across the images, incorporating the parallax as a feature in a background model, and estimating a change in the scene using the background model. A camera can be a pan-tilt-zoom camera. A camera can be uncalibrated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Anurag Mittal, Nikolaos Paragios, Visvanathan Ramesh
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Publication number: 20040125208Abstract: Forensic communication apparatus and method. An apparatus is disclosed for recording image or other data in real time. The apparatus includes a capture device for capturing the image or other information. Once captured, a local verification device is operable to indelibly mark the captured image or other information with the date, time, location and information identifying the creator of the data. A transmitter is provided for transmitting the locally verified captured image or other information in real time to a secure storage facility. The capture device is operable, after the locally verified captured image or other information is transmitted to the secure storage facility, to receive and verify acknowledgment of the receipt of the transmitted locally verified captured image or other information to the storage facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Michael F. Malone, Frederick J. Murphy
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Publication number: 20040125209Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera which is adapted to print photos onto media. The camera includes a sensor for sensing an image, and a printer for printing images on media dispensed from a print roll, which has a chip having predetermined information stored thereon. The camera also includes a processing system which is adapted to obtain the image from the sensor and then cause the image to be printed on the media in accordance with the predetermined information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
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Publication number: 20040125210Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are presented for estimating a camera reference horizon Ŷ0. Operations include receiving images including projections of objects including horizontal edges. Vertical motion is estimated for the images and is stored. The projection of horizontal edges in the images is computed. The projected edges are segmented out and motion is compensated. Projections of the horizontal edges from image to image are used to generate tracks. Active track storage is maintained by adding data to update the storage from each subsequent image. The tracks are screened using a criteria set to produce a subset of tracks to enhance track reliability. Distances to, and heights of, the objects are then estimated. Further screening is performed by calculating an error criteria for each track and selecting a subset satisfying the error criteria. The remaining tracks are used to generate a camera reference horizon estimate Ŷ0.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Yang Chen
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Publication number: 20040125211Abstract: It is determined whether or not there is inconsistency between image sensing mode data, which is set by an operator with respect to a scene including an object of shooting, and attribute data, e.g., focal length data or the like, that accompanies an obtained image. When it is determined that there is inconsistency between the image sensing mode data and attribute data, a caution is given to the operator that it is necessary to maintain consistency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Yoshirhiro Ishida
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Publication number: 20040125212Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld camera which includes a sensor adapted to sense an image, an input for receiving predetermined data representing a respective form of data manipulation and a processing system. The processing system is adapted to obtain the image from the sensor and manipulate the image in accordance with the predetermined data to thereby generate a manipulated image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
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Publication number: 20040125213Abstract: A vibration compensation apparatus comprises: an angular velocity detector that detects a plurality of angular velocities in two orthogonal detection axes directions and outputs corresponding angular velocity signals; a compensation unit that compensates vibration in a plurality of compensation axis directions; and a conversion unit that converts the plurality of angular velocity signals obtained by the angular velocity detector or a plurality of vibration compensation signals based on the plurality of angular velocity signals into vibration compensation signals expressed in the coordinates of the compensation axes of the compensation unit. The compensation unit compensates the vibration based on the vibration correction signals converted by the conversion unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Hideo Kawahara
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Publication number: 20040125214Abstract: A digital camera (1) according to the present invention includes an external memory device (12) to store image data, a communication device (15) connected to LAN to conduct a data communication, and a control section (10) to control these. The control section (10) sends request data to the LAN with a broad cast by the external memory device (12), and when data for responding to the request data are received from a device connected to the LAN, the control section detects an IP address of the equipment in which the response data are sent, and the control section (10) sends the image data stored in the external memory device (12) to the equipment which includes the detected IP address.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Koji Oka, Naoki Tsunoda
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Publication number: 20040125215Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a white balance procedure for electronic cameras includes a neutral density diffusion light filter assembly adapted to be attached over the lens of a camera-type device equipped with an electronic device that captures image data using an image sensor device. Alternatively, the diffusion filter could be inserted internally in association with the lens assembly or built into the camera body as an external window associated with an independent image sensor device. The diffusion filter acts as an illuminance integrator of broad light acceptance angle to document light conditions (incident or reflective) that exist at the time an image is captured, thereby enabling a white balance operation at point of capture and production of a computer-generated image with little or no colorcast and requiring minimal (if any) subsequent manual color adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Diane Wallace