Patents Issued in January 4, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070002051
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems adapted to aid in data analysis by graphically displaying current situation on the background of historical data density, Historical data density is represented by one or more contour plots. An indicator of how a current data point compares to the historical data may be placed on one or more of the data density graphs. In some examples, data falling outside a threshold contour of historical data density may represent a new or an abnormal situation, and such data and/or a contour plot having such data may be highlighted in a graphical display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Roman Navratil, Karel Marik
  • Publication number: 20070002052
    Abstract: A recursively partitioned/nested geometric structure is employed to graphically present and/or facilitate analysis of multi-variate data, including functions of multi-dimensional variables. Visual attributes are associated with appropriate ones of the regions within the geometric structure, in accordance with determined graphing values. In one embodiment, the data are normalized, comprising relative coordinate values, and encoded into polynary strings. Processing is advantageously performed using the polynary strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Van Koningsveld
  • Publication number: 20070002053
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a graphics intensive software program for graphics acceleration hardware. This system and method encompasses a procedure that validates the different functions of a 3D acceleration capable video card, decides whether to use the acceleration hardware and optimizes the software application to selectively use the functions that work on the specific video acceleration card. Functions checked include sub-pixel positioning, opacity, color replacement and fog. If these tests are successful, then the graphics acceleration is used by the software application. However, if the tests are not successful the decision is made not to use graphics accelerator. Those with ordinary skill in the art will realize that it is not necessary to perform all of the tests in a specific order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Hill, Imran Qureshi
  • Publication number: 20070002054
    Abstract: A method of identifying semantic units in an electronic document includes the steps of: providing an electronic document being described in a page description language, the document having at least one page having a plurality of text fragments, each text fragment including a plurality of glyphs that have not been identified as semantic units, the document further including geometric information and page description language parameters; determining strips of at least one glyph by comparing the geometric position of subsequent glyphs; determining zones of at least one strip wherein a zone is defined by the combined area of strips, the geometrical areas of which overlap with each other; determining a boundary between two semantic units in a zone based on the geometric properties of the glyphs; sorting the identified semantic units in the zone in a sorted list; and, combining subsequent semantic units in the sorted list according to geometric considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Serge Bronstein
  • Publication number: 20070002055
    Abstract: This invention discloses a transforming apparatus, according to a transforming curve, for transforming a first image to a second image. The first image includes a plurality of pixels. The transforming apparatus includes a differentiating module, a first transforming module, an adjusting module and a second transforming module. According a predetermined value, the differentiating module transforms the transforming curve into a plurality of sub-curves. The first transforming module generates a plurality of straight lines corresponding to the sub-curves. According to the sub-curves, the straight lines and a predetermined threshold, the adjusting module adjusts the straight lines to generate a plurality of approximate lines. According to the approximate lines and the pixels of the first image, the second transforming module generates the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Chiang
  • Publication number: 20070002056
    Abstract: An exemplary computer-implementable method includes providing a computer-generated object wherein the object has characteristics, emitting a computer-generated particle, determining if the particle interacts with the object and, if the particle interacts with the object, altering one or more of the characteristic of the object wherein the altering simulates weathering or aging of the object. Various other exemplary techniques are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yanyun Chen, Xin Tong, Baining Guo, Heung-Yeung Shum
  • Publication number: 20070002057
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for home page customization and e-commerce support is disclosed. The present invention relates to avatar home pages and the combination of a home page customization service with an e-commerce marketplace through which users can purchase home page decorations made by third party developers. Various embodiments include a “chat now” online matching system and a real-time map showing the geographical location of users in an online community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Matt Danzig, Marcus Gosling, Vernon Guymon, William Harvey, Eric Ries
  • Publication number: 20070002058
    Abstract: A method of determining a value for a particular pixel of a particular image being temporarily located intermediate a first image and a second image is disclosed. The method comprises: computing a first motion vector difference on basis of a first (Dp) and second (Dpp) motion vector of a first motion vector field (D3(x, n?1)) corresponding to the first image; computing a second motion vector difference on basis of a third (Dn) and fourth (Dnn) motion vector of a second motion vector field (D3(x, n)) corresponding to the second image; and establishing the value of the particular pixel on basis of a first value of a first pixel of the first image if the first motion vector difference is smaller than the second motion vector difference and establishing the value of the particular pixel on basis of a second value of a second pixel of the second image if the second motion vector difference is smaller than the first motion vector difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Rimmert Wittebrood
  • Publication number: 20070002059
    Abstract: A display system includes a controller capable of compressing pixel data, and a display module capable of decompressing pixel data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence Booth, Anitha Kona
  • Publication number: 20070002060
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided, including an embedded display processor on a given chip. The apparatus may be an embedded device, for example, a mobile wireless communications device. More specifically, the apparatus may be a mobile phone, a portable gaming device, a video streaming device, or a GPS map drawing device. The display processor includes, on the same given chip, a rendering memory, from which pixels are rendered to a display device. The display processor further includes an image manipulation mechanism to manipulate pixels of a given image frame from source positions in a pre-manipulation buffer, to target positions in the rendering memory, the target positions corresponding to rendered positions in the given image frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Scott King
  • Publication number: 20070002061
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device including first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN disposed along a first direction D1, when the first direction D1 is a direction from a first side of the integrated circuit device toward a third side which is opposite to the first side, the first side being a short side, and when a second direction D2 is a direction from a second side of the integrated circuit device toward a fourth side which is opposite to the second side, the second side being a long side. The circuit blocks CB1 to CBN include a high-speed interface circuit block HB which transfers data through a serial bus using differential signals, and a circuit block other than HB. The high-speed interface circuit block HB is disposed as an Mth circuit block CBM (2?M?N?1) of the circuit blocks CB1 to CBN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kumagai, Hisanobu Ishiyama, Kazuhiro Maekawa, Satoru Ito, Takashi Fujise, Junichi Karasawa, Satoru Kodaira
  • Publication number: 20070002062
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device having a display memory which stores data for at least one frame from among image information displayed in a display panel which has a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines, wherein the display memory includes a plurality of RAM blocks each of which includes first and second RAM block regions; wherein each of the RAM blocks includes a wordline control circuit which controls a plurality of wordlines provided in each of the first and second RAM block regions; wherein the wordline control circuit is disposed between the first and second RAM block regions; wherein the first and second RAM block regions are disposed along a first direction; and wherein the wordlines extend along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Kodaira, Noboru Itomi, Shuji Kawaguchi, Takashi Kumagai, Junichi Karasawa, Satoru Ito
  • Publication number: 20070002063
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device including first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN disposed along a first direction D1, when the first direction D1 is a direction from a first side of the integrated circuit device toward a third side which is opposite to the first side, the first side being a short side, and when a second direction D2 is a direction from a second side of the integrated circuit device toward a fourth side which is opposite to the second side, the second side being a long side. The circuit blocks CB1 to CBN include at least one memory block MB which stores image data, and at least one data driver block DB which drives data lines. The memory block MB and the data driver block DB are disposed adjacent to each other along the first direction D1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kumagai, Hisanobu Ishiyama, Kazuhiro Maekawa, Satoru Ito, Takashi Fujise, Junichi Karasawa, Satoru Kodaira, Katsuhiko Maki
  • Publication number: 20070002064
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a signal input mechanism, a signal output mechanism and a control device. The control device controls a writing of data received from the signal input mechanism and outputs the data to a plurality of digital signal processors for image processing through the signal output mechanism. The control device includes a decision mechanism and a write administration mechanism. The decision mechanism is configured to decide data to be written to the plurality of digital signal processors. The write administration mechanism is configured to administrate writing operations of the data decided by the decision mechanism to be written relative to the plurality of digital signal processors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Akira Murakata
  • Publication number: 20070002065
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first generating unit configured to generate first attribute information of an image and pixels of the image based on rendering commands, a second generating unit configured to perform image area separation processing on an image generated by the first generating unit and to generate second attribute information of the pixels of the image, and an attribute information generating unit configured to generate third attribute information of the pixels of the image based on the generated first attribute information and the second attribute information. In this image processing apparatus, the attribute information generating unit is configured to generate the third attribute information of pixels contained in an object of the image represented by the first attribute information which is identical for each pixel in the object based on a combination of the first attribute information and the second attribute information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ritsuko Otake, Shinichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20070002066
    Abstract: Techniques and tools for rendering procedural graphics are described. For example, an architecture is provided which allows evaluation of geometric, transform, texture, and shading procedures locally for a given set of procedure parameter values. This evaluation is performed in parallel for different parameter values on a single-instruction, multiple-data array to allow parallel processing of a procedure set. In another example, a sampling controller is described which selects sets of parameter points for evaluation based on information in tag maps, rate maps, and parameter maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Whitted, James Kajiya
  • Publication number: 20070002067
    Abstract: An indirection texture magnification system and method for producing high-resolution indirection texture results. The system and method uses an indirection texture, designed for use with a low-resolution texture image, and a high-resolution texture image, which is a higher-resolution version of the low-resolution texture image. The indirection texture magnification system and method re-interprets an indirection texture computed for a low-resolution image so that a higher-resolution image can be used with the same indirection texture. This generates additional samples and allows the generation of a magnified, high-resolution indirection texture result. The indirection texture magnification system and method takes three or more neighboring pixel coordinates stored in an indirection texture and offsets those pixel coordinates in order to access the higher-resolution image with an increased precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Lefebvre, Hugues Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20070002068
    Abstract: Techniques and tools for rendering procedural graphics are described. For example, an architecture is provided which allows evaluation of geometric, transform, texture, and shading procedures locally for a given set of procedure parameter values. This evaluation is performed in parallel for different parameter values on a single-instruction, multiple-data array to allow parallel processing of a procedure set. In another example, a sampling controller is described which selects sets of parameter points for evaluation based on information in tag maps, rate maps, and parameter maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Whitted, James Kajiya
  • Publication number: 20070002069
    Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing texture using upsampled pixel coordinates and a multi-resolution approach. The parallel texture synthesis technique, while based on a neighborhood matching technique having order-independent texture synthesis, extends that approach in at least two areas, including efficient parallel synthesis and intuitive user control. Pixel coordinates are upsampled instead of pixel colors, thereby reducing computational complexity and expense. These upsampled pixel coordinates then are jittered to provide texture variation. The jitter is controllable, such that a user has control over several aspects of the jitter. In addition, each neighborhood-matching pass is split into several sub-passes to improve correction. Using sub-passes improves correction speed and quality. The parallel texture synthesis system and method disclosed herein is designed for implementation on a parallel processor, such as a graphics processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hugues Hoppe, Sylvain Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20070002070
    Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing texture using a preprocessed exemplar image and a neighborhood-matching per-pixel texture synthesis correction technique. The sub-pass correction system and method alters pixel coordinates to recreate neighborhoods similar to those in the exemplar image. In the context of parallel texture synthesis, instead of synthesizing all pixels of an image simultaneously, the sub-pass correction system and method allows neighbors to be corrected in different sub-passes. Each pixel, therefore, benefits from the correction of some of its neighbors in previous sub-passes. This reduces the required number of global correction passes to obtain good synthesis results Generally, one or more correction passes are performed, with each correction pass divided into a plurality of correction sub-passes. A number of pixel coordinates are corrected in parallel during each of the correction sub-passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hugues Hoppe, Sylvain Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20070002071
    Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing texture using upsampled pixel coordinates and a multi-resolution approach. The parallel texture synthesis technique, while based on a neighborhood matching technique having order-independent texture synthesis, extends that approach in at least two areas, including efficient parallel synthesis and intuitive user control. Pixel coordinates are upsampled instead of pixel colors, thereby reducing computational complexity and expense. These upsampled pixel coordinates then are jittered to provide texture variation. The jitter is controllable, such that a user has control over several aspects of the jitter. In addition, each neighborhood-matching pass is split into several sub-passes to improve correction. Using sub-passes improves correction speed and quality. The parallel texture synthesis system and method disclosed herein is designed for implementation on a parallel processor, such as a graphics processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hugues Hoppe, Sylvain Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20070002072
    Abstract: An image processing system computes blended pixel data from two image layers and ?-layer data. ?-layer data indicates a transparency of one of the image layers. The image processing system includes more than one memory capable of storing pixel data. A processor is programmed to apply different processing methods to pixel data based on their storage locations. A selector may obtain pixel data from each image layer and the ?-layer data. The selector may transmit the pixel data to one of the multiple memories based on the ?-layer data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Jochen Frensch, Karl Buhler
  • Publication number: 20070002073
    Abstract: A light emitting display is provided. The light emitting display comprises a pixel circuit unit comprising a plurality of pixels that display an image; a data driver that supplies a data signal to the pixel circuit unit; a scan driver that supplies a scan signal to the pixel circuit unit; a gamma correcting unit that supplies a gamma value to the data driver to control the magnitude of the data signal; and a timing controller that applies control signals to the data driver and the scan driver and that supplies a variable gamma control signal that controls the gamma correcting unit to supply the gamma value that changes according to the data driving time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Seong Baik, In Kim
  • Publication number: 20070002074
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to render concave polygons. In some embodiments, the method includes setting an alpha buffer of a hardware rasterizer to zero, generating an alpha mask by rendering the concave polygon as a plurality of convex polygons of connected vertices, wherein an alpha value for each of the plurality of the plurality of polygons is toggled between a zero value and a second non-zero value on successive renderings of each portion of the plurality of the convex polygons. The alpha values may be stored in the alpha buffer, and the plurality of convex polygons may be re-rendered based on the generated alpha mask, where the stored alpha value is the second non-zero value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Bimal Poddar, Avinash Seetharamaiah
  • Publication number: 20070002075
    Abstract: An image processing device which includes: an image data inputting unit that inputs image data; a converting unit that converts image data inputted by the image data inputting unit into data of channels in a predetermined color space; a ground detecting unit that detects respective ground levels from the data of each of the channels converted by the converting unit; a calculating unit that calculates a ground removing level for each of the channel, based on the ground level of each of the channels detected by the ground detecting unit; a ground removing unit that performs a ground removing process for each of the channels, based on the ground removing level of each of the channels calculated by the calculating unit; and a creating unit that creates image data in which the ground is removed, based on the data for each of the channels for which the ground removing process is performed by the ground removing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Yoichi Matsuda, Shigeki Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20070002076
    Abstract: A first command is retrieved from a script containing one or more commands written for a first color space. The first command is associated with zero or more input buffers and zero or more output buffers. The first command has zero or more parameters. A behavior of the first command in the first color space and in a second color space is determined. The behavior comprises one of unique behavior, transparent behavior, and different behavior. The first command has the unique behavior when the first command only operates in the first color space. The first command has the transparent behavior when the first command generates similar results in the first color space and in the second color space. The first command has the different behavior when the first command generates different results in the first color space and in the second color space. Using the behavior of the first command, an operation associated with the first command is processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Graves, Randall Ubillos
  • Publication number: 20070002077
    Abstract: A system and methods for providing information services related to visual imagery using cameraphones is presented. Operational details of the various methods used to operate the system are also described. The methods enable the capture of visual imagery, the request and presentation of information services related to the visual imagery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Kumar Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20070002078
    Abstract: A display system and method are provided for a vehicle that includes a processor and a display. The processor is adapted to receive terrain data and navigation data operable, in response thereto, to supply one or more image rendering display commands. The display device is coupled to receive the image rendering display commands and operable, in response thereto, to simultaneously render (i) a perspective view image representative of the terrain data and the navigation data and (ii) one or more terrain-tracing lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Gang He, Thea Feyereisen, Ivan Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20070002079
    Abstract: A display device and a method of calibrating at least one of a size and a position of an image on a display screen of the display device are disclosed, wherein the method includes displaying a calibration indicator in an initial location on the display screen, receiving an input requesting a repositioning of the indicator to a changed location on the display screen and, in response, changing the location of the indicator to the changed location on the display screen, and adjusting at least one of the size and the position of the image displayed on the screen from at least one of an initial size and an initial position based upon the changed location of the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Randolph Nash
  • Publication number: 20070002080
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus to perform an enlarging process for an original image constituted by C colors (C?2) includes a target color selecting unit that selects two target colors C1 and C2 for each local region of the original image, a sorting unit that sorts the local region on the basis of a layout of the target colors selected by the target color selecting unit, and a processing unit that determines pixel values after enlargement from the target colors C1 and C2 in accordance with a result of the sorting performed by the sorting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kanya Ishizaka
  • Publication number: 20070002081
    Abstract: An image display device includes a display unit that displays an image; a scene change detection unit that detects a change observed in a scene of the image; a brightness enhancement determination unit that determines a brightness enhancement level of the image based on a detection result of the scene change detection unit; and a brightness enhancement unit that subjects an image signal of the image to a brightness enhancement process in which, based on a determination result of the brightness enhancement determination unit, a brightness enhancement amount is set to 0 or a small value on a side largely observed with the change of the scene, and on a side scarcely observed with the change of the scene, the brightness enhancement amount is set to a large value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidefumi SAKATA
  • Publication number: 20070002082
    Abstract: A digital driving display device to make gradation display by pulse width modulation includes: a pixel array unit arranging pixels having an electrooptic element and incorporating a memory in a matrix, disposing a scanning line for each row in a pixel arrangement in the matrix, and a signal line for each column; a horizontal driving section inputting display data in a block for each scanning line having a low to a high gradation level subfield for each bit of the data defining gradation levels of the pixels and in a period for weight of the bit, sampling-latching, sequentially transferring, and supplying the data to the signal line; and a vertical driving section selecting and scanning pixels of the pixel array unit in a row and performing scanning while jumping rows to write the data supplied in the block from the horizontal driving section to pixels of the pixel array unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20070002083
    Abstract: A display has red, green, and blue elements organized in a staggered manner. Image data to be displayed on the display has a number of pixels, each pixel having a red value, a green value, and a blue value. Each element of the display is associated with at least one of the pixels, such that each pixel has associated therewith a red element, a green element, and a blue element forming a triangle overlapping triangles formed by the red, green, and blue elements associated with one or more other of the pixels. An intensity of each element of the display is set based on corresponding color values of the pixels with which the element is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Stephane Belmon
  • Publication number: 20070002084
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display device which can display characters clearly and display images smoothly. An area gray scale method is adopted and a configuration of one pixel is changed depending on a mode, by selecting one or more display regions in each pixel. When characters are needed to be displayed clearly, one pixel is configured by selecting a stripe arrangement. Thus, clear display can be conducted. When images are needed to be displayed, one pixel is configured by selecting an indented state. Thus, smooth display can be conducted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20070002085
    Abstract: Described herein is a printing system having one or more modules for reproducing an image on a substrate; a print media source that supplies the substrate; a finisher that provides finishing capabilities for the substrate; and a controller that uses an unhealthy module with a faulty charger, developer, transferor, cleaner, fuser, etc. to partially process a job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Meera Sampath, Shu Chang, Rajinderjeet Minhas, Bruce Thayer, Gerald Fletcher, Bryan Roof, David Anderson, Howard Mizes
  • Publication number: 20070002086
    Abstract: An ink level detecting apparatus usable with an ink-jet printer includes an ink tank having a bottom, a ceiling, and a sidewall, a shrinkable ink pack is accommodated in the ink tank and having a top surface that moves down evenly as an ink level in the shrinkable ink pack decreases, a fixed electrode installed to an upper portion of the ink tank, and a movable electrode disposed to face the fixed electrode at a predetermined distance from the fixed electrode. The movable electrode moves in a horizontal direction according to a height variation of the top surface of the shrinkable ink pack such that an overlap area between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode varies. Therefore, the ink level is detected from electric capacity variation sensed between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-kee Jung, Jae-cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20070002087
    Abstract: In a connection status output circuit for confirming the connection status with a recording apparatus via connecting terminals corresponding respectively to recording signal DATA, clock signal CLK for transferring the recording signal, and control signals LT and HE for controlling a recording operation according to the recording signal, the signals being received from the recording apparatus, when the connection status is confirmed, a signal designating the connection status is outputted, and when a recording operation is performed, the output signal does not change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Matsui, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Souta Takeuchi, Takuya Hatsui, Takaaki Yamaguchi, Kousuke Kubo, Souhei Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20070002088
    Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus and a method of maintaining a printhead of the same. The inkjet image forming apparatus includes a printhead installed along a first direction with respect to a print medium that is transferred along a second direction, and includes a nozzle unit with a length corresponding to a width of the print medium and maintenance regions including a first maintenance region disposed at a first side of a longitudinal direction of the printhead and a second maintenance region disposed at a second side opposite to the first side. In the method of maintaining the printhead of the inkjet image forming apparatus, the printhead is reciprocally moved for printing according to distances between ends of the first and second sides of the print medium and adjacent boundaries of a printing area and widths of the maintenance regions. A lifespan of the printhead can be increased by controlling each nozzle in the printhead to evenly eject ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-wook Jeong
  • Publication number: 20070002089
    Abstract: A sheet size detecting apparatus having a first arm moved by a moving sheet contacting therewith, a second arm moved by the moving sheet contacting therewith, the second arm being disposed at a location differing from that of the first arm in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the sheet, and a sensor, wherein the output level of the sensor when only one of the first arm and the second arm has been moved is the same as the output level thereof when neither of the first arm and the second arm is moved, and the output level of the sensor when both of the first arm and the second arm have been moved differs from the output level thereof when neither of the first arm and the second arm is not moved. Thereby, the cost can be suppressed and yet, the wrong detection of the sheet size can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kobayashi, Jun Agata
  • Publication number: 20070002090
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a recording head moving device, and a recording medium feeding device. A mark recording device prints a predetermined mark on the recording medium by ejecting ink droplets, and a mark detecting device detects the mark printed by the mark recording device. The mark detecting device is arranged at a predetermined distance from the recording medium, and is moved together with the recording head. The movement amount of the recording medium is determined based on the position where the mark detecting device detects the mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20070002091
    Abstract: The method of ejecting microdroplets of ink includes a first step for generating one ink column on the outside of the nozzle and for separating a tip end of the one ink column from a remaining part of the one ink column to form a microdroplet of ink on the outside of one nozzle, and a second step for controlling an ink volume velocity in the ink pressure chamber that is connected to the nozzle to generate another ink column and to push the another ink column out of the nozzle, thereby causing the another ink column to overtake and merge with the remaining part of the one ink column and to return into the nozzle while pulling the remaining part of the one ink column back into the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kida, Takahiro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20070002092
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head include a discharge port for discharging liquid; a liquid chamber communicating to the discharge port; a piezoelectric element including one electrode layer, another electrode layer, and a piezoelectric film sandwiched between the one electrode layer and the other electrode layer independently arranged in correspondence to the liquid chamber, and including a piezoelectric drive portion at where the piezoelectric film deforms and displaces in correspondence to the liquid chamber; and a vibration plate interposed between the piezoelectric element and the liquid chamber, wherein a bending rigidity of both ends in an arranging direction of the one electrode layer of a portion corresponding to the piezoelectric drive portion of the vibration plate is greater than the bending rigidity of a region between both ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Kitakami, Tatsuo Furuta
  • Publication number: 20070002093
    Abstract: There is disclosed a protective cap for an inkjet recording apparatus including a recording head having an ejection surface in which open ends of nozzles are arranged in a row. The cap is adapted to cover the row of the open ends such that a sealed space is formed inside the protective cap. The cap includes a mainbody and an elastic lip portion. The mainbody is formed of a first material mainly composed of thermoplastic elastomer and containing butyl rubber. The first material has a hardness of a first degree. The mainbody includes a base portion, and a protruding portion formed integrally with the base portion to protrude from the base portion. The lip portion is formed of a second material mainly composed of thermoplastic elastomer and containing butyl rubber. The second material has a hardness of a second degree lower than the first degree. The lip portion is disposed on at least the protruding portion to cover at least an end portion of the protruding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaichiro Umeda
  • Publication number: 20070002094
    Abstract: There are provided a print head wiper to wipe a nozzle surface of a print head where nozzles are formed to fire ink, an inkjet image forming apparatus including the print head wiper, and a method of maintaining the inkjet image forming apparatus. In the print head wiper, a first gear is capable of rotating in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, a second gear is engaged with the first gear, a cleaning roller is fixed to the second gear to wipe the nozzle surface of the print head, and a link arm to connect the first gear and the second gear. When the first gear is rotated, the second gear and the cleaning roller may be revolved in an upward direction around the first gear by a frictional force between the first gear and the link arm until the cleaning roller makes contact with the nozzle surface, and then the second gear and the cleaning roller may be rotated about an axis of the second gear by a rotational force of the first gear to wipe the nozzle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Soo-hyun Kim, Heon-soo Park
  • Publication number: 20070002095
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control device which controls forming of a marginal area at least on one of sides of a recording medium in a full bleed printing mode, in which a toner image is formed and outputted based on an image data whose size is greater than that of a recording medium used for image forming through electricphotographing process on an entire area of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ozawa, Hiroyuki Arai, Chikatsu Suzuki, Ken Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20070002096
    Abstract: The present invention suppresses the adverse effect of air currents resulting from ink ejection, regardless of the moving speed of a print head, to allow high-grade images to be printed. Input image data is converted into print data corresponding to each of a plurality of nozzle arrays so that an amount of ink droplets ejected from each of the plurality of nozzle arrays and ejected per unit area is different depending on the moving speed of the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Teshigawara, Naoji Otsuka, Kiichiro Takahashi, Osamu Iwasaki, Tetsuya Edamura, Naomi Oshio
  • Publication number: 20070002097
    Abstract: A print assembly (14) for a wide format printer (10) includes a carrier (187) that is mountable on a support structure (12) of the wide format printer (10) in an operative position with respect to a platen (106) of the wide format printer (10). A number of printhead chips (186) are positioned on the carrier (187), the printhead chips (186) together incorporating at least fifty thousand nozzle arrangements (210). The printhead chips (186) are positioned so that the printhead chips (186) are capable of ejecting ink drops into a printing zone (120) defined by the platen (106). Control circuitry (190) is also positioned on the carrier (187) and is configured to control operation of the printhead chips (186).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20070002098
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead and a method of manufacturing the same. The inkjet printhead may include a substrate in which a manifold to supply ink is formed in a lower portion of the substrate and a plurality of ink feed holes connected to the manifold are formed in an upper portion of the substrate, feed hole guides that are formed on inner sidewalls of the ink feed holes to define lengths of the ink feed holes, a chamber layer stacked on the substrate, the chamber layer including a plurality of ink chambers connected to the ink feed holes, a plurality of heaters to heat ink inside the ink chambers to generate bubbles, and a nozzle layer stacked on the chamber layer, the nozzle layer including a plurality of nozzles, the ink being ejectable through the nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Yong-shik Park, Sung-joon Park, Myong-jong Kwon, Jin-wook Lee
  • Publication number: 20070002099
    Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer includes at least one printhead chip, which includes a substrate (16) and a plurality of nozzle arrangements (10) positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement (10) includes nozzle chamber walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber. A nozzle guard (80) is positioned on the printhead chip and includes a body member (82) that is spaced from and spans the printhead chip and which defines a plurality of passages (84) that extend through the body member. The body member is positioned so that each passage (84) is aligned with one of the ink ejection ports. A support structure is interposed between the body member and the printhead chip. It is configured to permit the flow of air into a space (88) defined between the body member and the printhead chip and through each passage to keep the passages clear of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20070002100
    Abstract: After a movable electrode is formed on a sacrificial layer on a fixed electrode, the sacrificial layer is removed to form a space between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. Thus, simple and accurate manufacture as well as simple integration of, for example, a driving circuit can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Toru Tanikawa, Iwao Ushinohama