Patents Issued in July 1, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040125366
    Abstract: A system enables inspection of an optical connector. The system includes a positioning subassembly, an electronic sensor (e.g., a scanner, a camera, etc.), and a controller coupled to the positioning subassembly and the electronic sensor. The controller is configured to position the electronic sensor over the optical connector, activate the electronic sensor to obtain a set of electronic signals which defines a set of current images of the optical connector, and electronically generate a result based on the set of electronic signals. The result indicates an attribute of the optical connector. Accordingly, the system is capable of inspecting the optical connector in a repeatable and non-subjective manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Sepehr Kiani, David Jacob Gessel, Andrew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040125367
    Abstract: A rectangular transparent sheet 15 is printed with black dotted density patterns 21 and 22. Each dot of the patterns 21 and 22 is 30 &mgr;m in size while dotted area occupied rates of the patterns 21 and 22 range from 3% to 45%. The density patterns 21 and 22 are used for density level assessment of unevenness on a flat panel display device as standard references. Such density level assessment is carried out by comparing the unevenness with the patterns 21 and 22 or by visual inspection with the latter placed on the former.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoyuki Echizenya
  • Publication number: 20040125368
    Abstract: A compact surface inspection optical head is disclosed which comprises a frame with two rings of apertures therein. The first set of apertures surrounding and close to a normal direction to the surface to be inspected is connected to fibers used to collect scattered radiation useful for the detection of micro-scratches caused by chemical and mechanical polishing. Where the position of these apertures is selected to be away from patterned scattering or diffraction, these apertures and their associated fibers may be useful for anomaly detection on patterned surfaces. A second ring of apertures at low elevation angles to the surface inspected is connected to fibers to collect radiation scattered by the surface inspected for anomaly detection on patterned surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mehdi Vaez-Iravani
  • Publication number: 20040125369
    Abstract: A system for focusing broadband light within a reflectometer includes a concave spherical mirror for gathering light from the surface of a sample under inspection. The concave spherical mirror projects the received light to a convex spherical mirror. The combination of the two mirrors captures the light diverging from the sample and collimates the light into parallel rays. The light can then be passed through an aperture prior to entering a detector. Each of the two mirrors is fabricated as an off-axis section of a spherical mirror and positioned to form a partial Schwarzschild design without the associated problem of a central obscuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: David Y. Wang
  • Publication number: 20040125370
    Abstract: A device (10) for optical examination of biological materials (68) using radiation of a selected wavelength includes a substrate (50) having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface includes a dense array of micro-optical elements (54) arranged to provide increased intensity radiation or evanescent radiation. The first surface is in close proximity to the biological material (68) being examined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Jean I. Montagu
  • Publication number: 20040125371
    Abstract: A Fluorescence Particle Spectrometer (FPS) performs real-time measurement of the fluorescence spectra of aerosol particles in the size range 1-10 &mgr;m diameter. The FPS has a sufficiently high sample rate (estimated to be a few liters/min) to measure aerosol within buildings (from 1 up to 600 particle fluorescence spectra per minute) at practical rates. A virtual impactor first concentrates aerosol particles, which are then drawn under negative pressure through an aerodynamic focusing nozzle in the inlet of the instrument, through the sample region, providing further concentration. The rate of particle spectra measured by the FPS increases significantly when the particle inlet is within a few meters of some common sources of indoor biological particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Chang, Yong-Le Pan, Ronald Gene Pinnick, Steven Clyde Hill
  • Publication number: 20040125372
    Abstract: A method for analyzing properties of a sample by measuring fluorescence parameters in multiple foci, comprises the steps of splitting a collimated primary laser beam with a splitting device into at least two collimated secondary laser beams and deflecting the secondary laser beams such that they propagate at different propagation angles with respect to an optical axis of a focussing optic, focussing the secondary laser beams with the focussing optic into at least two volume elements in the sample, detecting light emitted from the volume elements with a detecting device, and evaluating the detected light for obtaining the properties to be analyzed. Furthermore, a device for implementing this method is described. The invention is particularly suited for high-throughput screening applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Jomo Walla, Andre Koltermann, Ulrich Kettling, Mathias Scharte
  • Publication number: 20040125373
    Abstract: A microscope system for determining optical properties of a specimen includes a source of polarized light, a detector for detecting the intensity of light incident thereon, an optical path extending from the source to the detector, a condenser for providing light from the source to the specimen, an objective for receiving light from the specimen, a support for mounting the specimen, a sectored variable retarder mounted in the optical path, and a polarized light analyzer mounted in the path between the sectored variable retarder and the detector. The variable retarder has a multiple sectors. Each sector is individually addressable by a control signal that affects the light retardation characteristics of the sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Marine Biological Laboratory
    Inventors: Rudolf Oldenbourg, Mykhailo Shribak, Clifford C. Hoyt, Peter Torok
  • Publication number: 20040125374
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering an input beam of light to produce an output beam of light is provided. The apparatus facilitates tuning an input beam of light to a desired wavelength by directing the input beam of light, via a mirror, onto a diffractive optical element and returning the diffracted portion of the input beam of light as an output beam of light. The apparatus may also include a polarization recovery element adapted for receiving the input beam of light and outputting a first and second spatially offset beam of polarized light. The apparatus may also be configured as a tunable receiver by utilizing a detector to detect a characteristic of a filtered output beam. The output beam may be additionally filtered by a spatial filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jill D. Berger, Douglas W. Anthon, Fedor A. Ilkov, David A. King
  • Publication number: 20040125375
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical inspection of patterned and non-patterned objects. The methods include determining a state of polarization of light reflected from the object, establishing a polarization state of the incident light, and filtering the reflected light by polarization so as to provide an optical signal that is detected by a detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Applied Materials Israel Ltd
    Inventor: Daniel Some
  • Publication number: 20040125376
    Abstract: Methods are provided for optimizing the spectrum of a light source used in a projection display system in order to reduce the light loss associated with color splitting/recombination in the system. Projection systems designed in accordance with such methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Simon Magarill, Todd S. Rutherford
  • Publication number: 20040125377
    Abstract: An apparatus with a combination of a point light source and a single lens is provided. The present apparatus includes a point light source, a photodetector and a lens. The lens is placed in the same side of the point light source and the photodetector in order that the light emitting from the point light source is focused onto a target area of an object through the lens. The reflected light from the target area is focused onto the photodetector through the lens. The present apparatus can qualitatively and quantitatively monitor a content of a specific component of a tested solution. The geometric relationship of the point light source, the photodetector and the single lens can improve a measuring resolution of the present apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: VEUTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yin-Chun Huang, Kuo-Jeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20040125378
    Abstract: A measurement device for oscillation measurement, as well as a corresponding method, is proposed, wherein the oscillation measurement is performed by at least one laser interferometer (2, 3), whose measurement beam is directed onto various measurement points (5) of the object (1) for generating a scanning movement, and the obtained oscillation data is correlated with the position data of the respective measurement point (5) and evaluated or displayed. In particular, for three-dimensional measurements, the invention reduces the measurement complexity because the scanning device is a robot arm, which moves a measurement head of the laser interferometer to the desired measurement points on the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Polytec GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Selbach, Bernd Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20040125379
    Abstract: An interferometric measuring method and device for measuring the shape of, or the distance to, surfaces are provided, in which light is generated, modulated with respect to its frequency, conducted to both an object surface and a reference surface, brought to interference, and conducted to a photodetector, and, to detect the particular distance, a phase of the photodetector signal is evaluated. A simple, rugged configuration, with the capability of taking a high-resolution measurements in the context of a large unambiguity range, is achieved in that the phase is considered in at least two different instants with the wavelengths that correspond on the basis of the frequency modulation, and the results are fed to the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Pawel Drabarek, Norbert Streibl
  • Publication number: 20040125380
    Abstract: A system for wavefront aberration reduction of an incident optical beam. The system includes a spatial light modulator for receiving the incident optical beam and forming an output optical beam, the output beam being aberration-reduced compared to the incident beam; a common-path interferometer for receiving a portion of the output optical beam and for generating an interference fringe pattern by introducing a phase shift to one part of said portion of the output optical beam, the interference fringe pattern being applied to said spatial light modulator and comprising essentially all of the light available in said portion of the output optical beam; wherein the interference fringe pattern is representative of the wavefront error of the incident optical beam and the interference fringe pattern activates said spatial light modulator such that said spatial light modulator performs wavefront error correction on the output optical beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Pepper
  • Publication number: 20040125381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature three-dimensional contour scanner, which integrates the optical element and the set of optical lens of the optical projection module and the image capture module into a miniature measurement device. The device utilizes the optical fiber to guide in the light of outside light source and applies the digital micromirror device (DMD) chip to produce structured light pattern and project it onto the object's surface to be measured. The image sensor element is then used to capture the deformed structured fringe image, and by utilizing this information it is able to obtain the colored two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional contour size of the object. The present invention can thus be applied in the measurement of miniature objects in the narrow space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Liang-Chia Chen, Kuang-Chao Fan
  • Publication number: 20040125382
    Abstract: An optically triggered probe comprising a probe body comprising a light source adapted to emit a laser beam, a signal receiver adapted to receive the light beam, and a pivotable interface, and a probe tip comprising a first end connected to the probe body via the pivotable interface, a second end adapted to be displaced from a neutral position, and a means for reflecting the light beam attached to the first end adapted to reflect the emitted light beam to the signal receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Anton G. Banks
  • Publication number: 20040125383
    Abstract: An approaching apparatus based on spectral shift is disclosed, which includes a broadband light source, an optical-guide unit, and an optical receiving unit. The broadband light source emits a broadband light with the first central wavelength to the optical-guide unit and illuminates a sample via a probe within the optical-guide unit. A generated broadband light of the second central wavelength goes back the optical-guide unit via the original optical path to reach the optical receiving unit. Then, the receiving unit calculates the distance between the probe and the sample based on the characteristic curve of the approaching distance vs. the deviation of the first central wavelength. The deviation is used for feedback control so that the displacement driver moves the probe to adjust the distance between the probe and the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yao-Min Lin, Hau-Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20040125384
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the end-point of an electropolishing process of a metal layer formed on a wafer (1004) includes an end-point detector. The end-point detector is disposed adjacent the nozzle (1008) used to electropolish the wafer. In one embodiment, the end-point detector is configured to measure the optical reflectivity of the portion of the wafer being electropolished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Hui Wang
  • Publication number: 20040125385
    Abstract: Provided are various systems, methods, and programs embodied in a computer readable medium for estimating a guarantee time. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of estimating at least one strip guarantee component time, determining a bounding of the guarantee time from the at least one strip guarantee component time, and calculating an estimate of the guarantee time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas J. Mellor, Dana A. Jacobsen, Richard M. Dow
  • Publication number: 20040125386
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus driven by a single processor. The image forming apparatus includes an engine mechanism to perform a printing operation with respect to print data, a video unit to convert the print data into an image data format readable by the engine mechanism, and an engine control unit to control the engine mechanism to perform the printing operation with the image data under the control of the video unit. The video unit includes a processor provided therein, and the video unit and the engine control unit are driven by the processor of the video unit. The engine control unit is directly connected with the processor through a system bus, and drives the engine mechanism in accordance with the control of the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Seop Eom, Seung-Deong An
  • Publication number: 20040125387
    Abstract: When the size output for an image is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (e.g., index printing), a printing apparatus performs an image expansion/reduction process by using an interpolation method whereby high speed processing is enabled while an inferior image quality is provided, or when the output size is greater than a predetermined value (e.g., the normal printing of a single sheet), employs an interpolation method for a high quality image to perform the expansion/reduction. Further, when the output image size is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the printing apparatus 1 skips the noise reduction process and the sharpening process to increase the processing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Nagao, Noriaki Seki, Yoshiharu Hibi, Masaru Okutsu, Makoto Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20040125388
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for correcting printed color and tone of a library of similar digital images. A single image is selected from a library of similar images, and manipulated with a set of unique transformations. Each of the manipulated images is processed for printing. Printer settings for actual job data are identified, and multiple reproductions of the selected image are printed at the identified printer settings for the job. Optimum transformations are determined by visual inspection of a full array of images, each of the full array of images having been manipulated by a different transformation prior to printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Scitex Digital Printing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, Terry Wozniak, Joshua H. Howard
  • Publication number: 20040125389
    Abstract: The present invention aims to effectively perform image data transfer between an image generation controller and an image processing controller in either of color image printing and black-and-white image printing. Respective signal lines of Y, M, C and K are provided in a video interface formed between a PDL controller and the image processing controller. When the color image is printed by a printer of one-drum structure, data of a one color for four lines are simultaneously transferred by using the four signal lines, and this transfer operation is repeated for one page and for the four colors. When the black-and-white image is printed, black data for the four lines are simultaneously transferred by using the four signal lines, and this transfer operation is repeated for one page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Tokura, Kiyoshi Tokashiki, Masahiro Takayanagi, Yoshinori Ito, Hitoshi Hoshino, Yuzo Harano
  • Publication number: 20040125390
    Abstract: An image-recording apparatus 1 comprises image recording assembly 60 and a control section 40 having image-processing section 44. The image-processing section divides the image data indicative of the complete image into a plurality of image data pieces indicative of divided images, detects two adjoining divided-images that individually have a joint portion and adjoin each other at the respective joint portions, in the divided images indicated by the divided image data pieces and rotates one of the adjoining divided-images so as to make a recording direction of one of the adjoining divided-images opposite to a recording direction of the other adjoining divided-image. The control section controls the image recording assembly so that a recording medium carries in one direction during recording all divided-images. The divided images are recorded on the respective recording-media one by one to form a plurality of output images. The plurality of output images configure one complete image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoharu Miki
  • Publication number: 20040125391
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating the half-tone operation of a color marking engine for creating images formed in bi-level or quad-level dot density formats. In the first step, a test pattern is run to provide an output image of a plurality of gray patches formed of first, second and third color toners. The gray patches of the output image include first, second and third sets of patches reproduced respectively at dot density levels of 25%, 50% and 75% of a maximum dot density. The relative color toner levels in the gray patches within each set of patches varies a predetermined increment in value above or below the toner levels in a median valued gray patch. The remaining steps of the method include visually selecting an output image of a selected color marking engine having a minimum color shift; determining a correction factor defined for each color at the maximum dot density; and storing the correction factor as an offset from maximum density for images created at the bi-level and quad-level formats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Peter A. Zuber
  • Publication number: 20040125392
    Abstract: A color-image forming device is provided with: a color-image forming unit for forming a color image by superimposing a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of colors onto a recording medium. An automatic color-drift correction executes color-drift correction of color drift generated during the superimposition of the images. A color-drift correction execution interval setting unit variably sets the color-drift correction execution intervals, at which intervals the automatic color-drift correction executes the color-drift correction. The functions of the automatic color-drift correction and the color-drift correction execution interval setting unit are realized by the system control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Masatake Ohmori
  • Publication number: 20040125393
    Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus (1) comprises an image forming part (150, 160) that carries out an image forming and reproducing process; a data storage (20) that stores possible problems occurring in connection with the image forming and reproducing process, each problem being stored in association with addressee information; an acquiring unit (13) that acquires problem information when one of the problems occurs in connection with the image forming and reproducing process; an addressee determination unit (14) that selects an addressee corresponding to the occurring problem with reference to the data storage; and a communication unit (17) that reports the-occurring problem to the selected addressee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Hidejirou Maehara
  • Publication number: 20040125394
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which comprises a hardware resource used for image forming processing and a program for performing processing concerning image formation, a type of reading an original during a plurality of originals which include different types of originals in a mixed manner being read, and printing paper sheets on which images have been formed based on the plurality of originals are grouped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Masato Terao, Masafumi Yamagami, Tomoyuki Tsukuba
  • Publication number: 20040125395
    Abstract: This invention allows printing in settings different between the front and back sides of a medium in double-sided printing. When the type of medium or the color/monochrome printing mode changes between front and back sides, a high-quality image is formed by a printing method suitable for each setting. For this purpose, a printing control method of converting original data into print data processible by a printing apparatus includes a setting step of setting a basic setting applied to the whole print data in generating the print data, a double-sided printing setting, and a back-side setting applied to a page corresponding to the back side of a sheet serving as a printing medium in the double-sided printing setting, and a conversion step of converting the data into the print data in accordance with the basic setting and the back-side setting set in the setting step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akiko Onishi
  • Publication number: 20040125396
    Abstract: A fax machine for a system and/or method for routing voice/video/fax mail includes a processor and memory, and the fax machine is configured for routing voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients. The fax machine includes an operating panel, an operating display screen, a microphone/speaker, a telephone handset, a sealed paper tray, an auxiliary paper tray, a printer, an audio/video recording camera, a voice/video/fax mail display monitor, a modem, a processor, memory, and a communication bus which interconnects of the elements of the fax machine. The fax machine may also include an additional key pad, PCI slots, voice generator circuitry, voice recognition circuitry, a sound card, a paper scanner, a bar code reader, a finger/thumb print scanner, a retina scanner, a stylus pen, a signature pad, a shredder, a hard drive, and/or a removable drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: James Burke
  • Publication number: 20040125397
    Abstract: A licensing method includes the steps of establishing a licensing vendor; providing an imaging device that uses an imaging media in forming printed images on print media, the imaging media including an initial supply amount of an imaging substance; associating a usage license with at least one of the imaging device and the imaging media, the usage license defining a first usage threshold at which a consumer is prompted to acquire a new license; and providing a license monitoring mechanism communicatively coupled with the imaging device, the license monitoring mechanism performing the steps of tracking an amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device; determining whether the amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device has reached a usage threshold; and upon reaching the usage threshold, then prompting the consumer to acquire the new license from the licensing vendor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Adkins, Timothy Strunk, John Dennis Zbrozek
  • Publication number: 20040125398
    Abstract: An image processing method in an image processing apparatus which has storing means for storing group information set every predetermined print service request, receives a print job according to a predetermined print service request from a data processing apparatus, and processes the received print job. This method has: a discriminating step of discriminating whether a print job according to a specific print service request which is received corresponds to the group information stored in the storing means or not; a setting step of, if it is determined by the discriminating step that the print job does not correspond, setting specific group information for enabling the print job to be executed into the non-corresponding print job; and a job control step of controlling permission/inhibition of the execution of the print job according to the predetermined print service request or the specific print service request on the basis of the group information or the specific group information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Aiyama
  • Publication number: 20040125399
    Abstract: An image forming system having a management information server and an image forming apparatus connected via a network. When the image forming apparatus enters a power saving mode and a power source is off, the apparatus is not reactivated by management information from the server but the power saving mode is maintained and the electric power consumption can be reduced. The system has: a communication control unit which receives print data and a management information obtaining command from the outside; a data discriminating unit which discriminates them and notifies the communication control unit of the discrimination result; an image forming unit which receives the print data and prints; and a power supply control unit which shuts off/recovers a part or all of the power sources to the image forming unit and notifies the communication control unit that the shut-off/recovery has been made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040125400
    Abstract: An image scanning and processing system includes a scanner for generating a stream of data encoding a scanned image; a controller for controlling and processing data received from the scanner; and a file storage unit. In use, the stream of data is written to a master file saved in the file storage unit. The controller is configured to create a preview image with a lower data size than the scanned image from at least part of the data encoding the scanned image. The controller is configured to extract data encoding the preview image directly from the stream of data, and to write the extracted data to a thumbnail file. A method of scanning and processing an image, includes scanning an original and thereby generating a stream of data, encoding a scanned image, saving the scanned image in a master file, and creating a preview image with a lower data size than the scanned image from at least part of the data encoding the scanned image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Anthonius A.J. De Graaff, Tjerk E. C. Hummel, Etienne L. M. E. Van Dorsselaer, Marc P. Schuwer
  • Publication number: 20040125401
    Abstract: A system and method for simplifying the identification of and access to a networked printer that is located in close proximity to the networked computer of a user, wherein computer users are permitted to identify and designate a printer that is in close geographical proximity as “the nearest printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: David J. Earl, Adrian Ford
  • Publication number: 20040125402
    Abstract: In a document protecting system, a distributor terminal implementing a document protecting program obtains an encryption key to encrypt a document file, associates a print request to the document file, and encrypts the document file by the encryption key. And a user terminal implementing a document printing program obtains a decryption key of document file being encrypted, decrypts the document file based on the obtained decryption key, obtains a print requirement associated with the document file, and executes a printing process so as to satisfy the print requirement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yoichi Kanai, Atsuhisa Saitoh, Masuyoshi Yachida
  • Publication number: 20040125403
    Abstract: A distributed system allows marking devices and the like to subscribe to and run device-centric services. A device model agent allows the devices to interact with service hosts of service providers to automate supplies maintenance, user help, and services subscription and deployment. The device model agent can be embedded in the devices, can be deployed in an add-on component connected to the device, or can be run by a separate machine as a proxy. The device model agent provides a run time environment for services available to the device, but with a common interface and a common structure so that services can be written once and run in the device model agent in virtually any deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation.
    Inventors: Michael R. Furst, Ronald M. Rockwell, Naveen Sharma, Claude S. Fillion, Robert J. St. Jacques, Weixia Huang, Arturo M. Lorenzo, Mary C. McCorkindale, Michael P. Kehoe, Tracy E. Thieret
  • Publication number: 20040125404
    Abstract: When image data to which attribute bits indicating attribute information of each pixel of an image has been attached is compressed, replacement bits for replacing the attribute bits are determined in accordance with the attribute bits. If total size of the attribute bits and image data exceeds a predetermined value, the attribute bits are replaced with the replacement bits and the replacement bits and image data are compressed. A bit string having a compression rate higher than that of the attribute bits before the replacement thereof is used as the replacement bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naohiro Isshiki
  • Publication number: 20040125405
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer-program products, for automatically determining labeling requirements. A computer-implemented method for determining label requirements includes receiving a request that includes information describing one of one or more products, one or more materials, and packaging. The method includes identifying, based on the request, one or more packaging layers that are to be labeled. The method includes selecting, for each packaging layer identified, one or more label templates. The method includes determining data that is needed to complete the label templates selected. The method includes retrieving the data from memory. The method includes generating a representation of the packaging label using the one or more label templates and the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Salomon, Ingo Sigmund, Ralph Merkle
  • Publication number: 20040125406
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the status of individual communications that are included in mail pieces created by a large scale document production and management processes. More than one communication may be included in a single mail piece to a given address. Accordingly, the present invention allows monitoring and tracking of individual communications where mail piece information alone may be insufficient. The production and management process may be comprised of a plurality of different stages including: utilizing a print stream to generate the documents, printing documents on a printer in accordance with the print stream, and forming completed mail pieces on an inserter from the printed documents in accordance with mail piece creation data files. A monitoring system receives information regarding the status of individual documents within these production and management process stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Deborah R. McManus, Surya Sagi, Srikanth Dasamandam
  • Publication number: 20040125407
    Abstract: This invention has as its object to allow a print system having a middle insert print function to insert an index sheet without billing for it. According to a preferred embodiment, when it is set to insert an index sheet, a print application (305) executes a non-billing command transmission preparation process (step S603). Upon completion of the preparation process, the print application transmits a non-billing command to a printer (step S604). The print application then executes an index sheet output process (step S606). The printer excludes the index sheet from sheets to be billed in accordance with the received non-billing command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishikawa, Junichiro Kizaki, Yasuo Mori, Junko Sato, Takuya Miyazato
  • Publication number: 20040125408
    Abstract: A separating unit determines, for an image data, whether there exists black data, and generates density data from the black data when the black data exists, and generates color data from data other than the black data. A multinarizing unit converts the color data into multinary data. A magnification varying unit varies the density data and the color data multinarized, using a cubic function convolution method. A binarizing unit binarizes the color data varied, based on a predetermined threshold. An image forming unit prints the color data binarized and the density data varied, onto a recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Yukari Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20040125409
    Abstract: In the image processing apparatus, image data is divided into large blocks of a prescribed size and the large blocks are subdivided into small blocks by the dividing unit. The number of isolated points in each large block is then calculated by the large block isolated point calculation unit, and the number of isolated points in each small block is then calculated by the small block isolated point calculation units. It is then determined by the halftone-dot region determination unit whether or not the large block is a halftone-dot region. This determination considers both the number of isolated points in the large block and the number of isolated points in each small block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamaguchi, Yoshihiko Hirota
  • Publication number: 20040125410
    Abstract: The image data corresponding to an image is separated into areas corresponding to contents of the image. The image data in each of the area is subjected to an image processing specific to the content of the image. The image types are, for example, a character, a photograph, color, and presence of halftone. The image processing are, for example, gamma correction, color conversion, and gradation processing. The processed image data is then transferred to an external device via network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yasunobu Shirata, Hiroyuki Kawamoto, Tomoyuki Yoshida, Isao Miyamoto, Maki Ohyama, Taira Nishita, Atsushi Togami, Satoshi Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20040125411
    Abstract: A scanning unit reads an original color image and outputs an rgb signal of the color image. A scanner &ggr; correction unit that converts the rgb signal from the scanning unit into an RGB signal that is a density signal. A color converting unit converts the RGB signal into a CM signal. An edge amount calculating unit calculates an edge amount from the CM signal. A filter processing unit performs an adaptive filtering process for the RGB signal based on the edge amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Kazunari Tonami, Etsuo Morimoto, Hiroyuki Shibaki
  • Publication number: 20040125412
    Abstract: When an optical image obtained by an optical scanning unit of optically scanning an original sheet automatically fed by an original sheet feeder is read, it is discriminated in units of pixel whether or not dirt or scratch attached to a running reading glass plate is present. Moreover, the number of the dirt and the width of the dirt are detected, and an image reading position which does not come under the influence of the dirt as much as possible is set based on the detected number of the dirt and the detected width of the dirt even when the dirt is detected at all the reading positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Sugeta
  • Publication number: 20040125413
    Abstract: A method for printing a large invisible luminescent bar code on a mail piece addresses the problem of obscuration of modules by printed text such as the address. The bar code is printed large enough so that the line width of the characters is substantially less than the module size of the bar code components. Overprinting does not then completely obscure any module and so the bar code is still readable. The readability is especially enhanced by the high contrast of the luminescent image. When a fluorescent bar code is viewed under UV illumination, the bar code emits fluorescence in the areas of printed modules without text overprinted. Because the modules are wider than the text line width, the text does not completely obscure any module. The contrast of the bar code is reversed in fluorescence—that is, printed areas emit light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert A. Cordery
  • Publication number: 20040125414
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a scanner engine and an operation panel is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: a display part for displaying a selection screen for selecting a transfer destination of scanned data from among a plurality of transfer destinations on the operation panel; a scanning process part for causing the scanner engine to scan a document to produce scanned data; and a transfer part for transferring the scanned data to one or more selected transfer destinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ohishi, Katsuhiko Nakagawa, Yuuko Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20040125415
    Abstract: A data processing device is disclosed. The device is provided with a plurality of data processing units; a first memory shared for storing data, to which each of the data processing units makes an access so as to perform an operation; a transfer completion time designation unit for designating a transfer completion time according to need, within which transferring the data in response to the accesses made by the data processing units should be completed; an expected transfer completion time calculation unit for calculating an expected transfer completion time needed for completing the data transfer in response to the accesses made by the data processing units, taking current access status of the first memory into consideration; and an access management unit for managing the access to the first memory based on the transfer completion time and the expected transfer completion time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Norio Michiie, Hiromitsu Shimizu, Yuriko Obata, Kiyotaka Moteki, Yasuhiro Hattori, Takao Okamura