Patents Issued in July 12, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070159503
    Abstract: A low cost printing device where a document sheet and a recording paper sheet are transferred by a single drive motor. A facsimile device as a printing device with an inkjet printer section has a single drive motor for producing a driving force for transferring a document sheet or a recording paper sheet. Transmission means for transmitting a rotational force of drive motor is switched by controlling the movement of an ink carriage. This enables the single drive motor to alternatively transfer a document sheet or a recording paper sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hideyuki Miyake, Mitsutoshi Ikawa, Kenichi Shiraishi, Ryoichi Kawai
  • Publication number: 20070159504
    Abstract: A network printing system includes a keypad (54, 59, 60) and a printer (55, 57, 58). The user of the printing system can print documents on the Internet without the personal computer and web browser Using Print Number System (PNS) and Universal Resource Locator (URL), a method for the printing system to print documents, includes: (1) use URLs to describe how to retrieve documents on the Internet; (2) store URLs in PNS server (63), and represent the URLs as print numbers; (3) thereafter, in the printing system, the user enters a print number in the keypad (54, 59, 60); (4) the printing system sends the number to PNS server (63); (5) PNS server (63) translates the print number into the URL, and sends the URL to the printing system; (6) according to the URL, the printing system retrieves the document over the Internet, and prints the document at the printer. Can design the network printer as the printing system described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Feng Lin, Ling Su
  • Publication number: 20070159505
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid tank having a liquid remaining amount sensing module that makes it possible to reliably determine that the amount of ink has reached a predetermined value, in spite of its simple and compact configuration. In the ink tank, an information storage element and a module are provided on a ceiling portion of an ink accommodating chamber directly accommodating ink; the module having an optical reflector that faces downward in a vertical direction. A housing of the ink tank is composed of a transparent resin. Infrared light from an external light emitting section is incident on the optical reflector. The reflected light is received by a light receiving section and then, the quantity of light is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20070159506
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting device includes an ejection pattern storage unit and a read-address shifting unit. In the ejection pattern storage unit, ejection patterns corresponding to grayscale data items, each data item representing a grayscale by using the number of droplets to be delivered to pixel regions, are stored so as to be associated with the pixel regions. In each ejection period of droplets, the read-address shifting unit shifts read addresses to be supplied to the ejection pattern storage unit in response to the deflecting direction of each of ejecting outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ikemoto, Kazuyasu Takenaka, Iwao Ishinohama
  • Publication number: 20070159507
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator drive control method, piezoelectric actuator drive control device, and electronic device greatly reduce power consumption. The piezoelectric actuator drive control device stores as a speed setting the minimum speed at which a rotor (driven body) turns when driven by the minimum torque required to turn the rotor (S10), and to achieve this speed setting limits the pulse width of the drive signal relative to the reference pulse width of a reference signal (S20). By limiting pulse width to the minimum pulse width required to drive the rotor, the pulse duty of the drive signal in a rectangular wave drive pulse train can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced greatly compared with a drive signal having a 100% pulse duty when the pulse width is not limited. Battery life can therefore be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Urano
  • Publication number: 20070159508
    Abstract: A wiper device wipes a nozzle surface of a liquid ejection head along a wiping direction. The nozzle surface has a plurality of nozzle openings for ejecting liquid and step. The steps are located outside of the area in which the nozzle openings are provided and extend along the wiping direction. The wiper device includes a wiper member that wipes the nozzle surface along the wiping direction. The wiper member has a first portion corresponding to the steps and a second portion corresponding to the area in which the nozzle openings are arranged. Wiping force for wiping the nozzle surface of the first portion is greater than that of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taisuke Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20070159509
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage mounted with the recording head and reciprocates in a reciprocation direction, a conductive wire extending from the carriage, a regulating wall which extends along a reciprocation direction of the carriage and suppresses the conductive wire from swelling in a direction separating away from the carriage, and a fixing member which fixes other end side of the conductive wire to an apparatus body by forming a curved portion inverted in the reciprocation direction of the carriage at a predetermined position between the regulating wall and the carriage in the conductive wire and pressing the other end side of the conductive wire toward the regulating wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kawamata, Toshio Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20070159510
    Abstract: A Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) switch includes a substrate, a fixed signal line formed on the substrate, a movable signal line spaced apart from one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the fixed signal line, and at least one piezoelectric actuator connected to a first end of the movable signal line so as to bring or separate the movable signal line in contact with or from the fixed signal line. The piezoelectric actuator includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode, a second electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer, and a connecting layer formed on the second electrode and connected with the movable signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Young-tack Hong, Dong-kyun Kim, In-sang Song, Sang-hun Lee, Sang-wook Kwon, Jong-seok Kim, Che-heung Kim
  • Publication number: 20070159511
    Abstract: A manufacturing method that includes the steps of forming an actuator unit, disposing a metallic bond and a thermosetting resin; pressing the land and the terminal; and heating the metallic bond and the thermosetting resin so that the land and the terminal are electrically connected to each other with the metallic bond being disposed in at least one of a region between the land and the terminal and a region extending over the land and the terminal along the peripheries of the land and the terminal, and a protrusion made of the thermosetting resin is formed at least in the connecting portion between the main electrode portion and the land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuji Shinkai
  • Publication number: 20070159512
    Abstract: An ink jet recording method of ejecting ink using an ink jet head substrate provided with a heat generating resistor which is coated with a protecting film, wherein the ink is ejected by a pressure produced by generation of a bubble created by film boiling of the ink caused by application of thermal energy to the ink through the protecting film, the thermal energy being generated by driving of the heat generating resistor, the improvement residing in that: there is provided a recording mode in which the ink is ejected with a maximum temperature at the surface of the protecting film which is contacted to the ink not higher than 560° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KOROMO SHIROTA, TERUO OZAKI, MASAHIKO KUBOTA, RYUJI KATSURAGI, HIDEHIKO KANDA
  • Publication number: 20070159513
    Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a passage unit in which a common ink chamber and individual ink passages are formed, and an actuator unit fixed to the passage unit. A closed passage having a shape of the individual ink passage being partially closed is formed in the passage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Hibi
  • Publication number: 20070159514
    Abstract: An inkjet head including a substrate having a manifold supplying ink, a chamber formed of a photocurable epoxy resin, the chamber having a heat source and forming an ink chamber to temporarily storing the ink, and a nozzle plate formed on the chamber using a thermocurable epoxy resin and including a plurality of nozzles ejecting the ink, and a method of manufacturing the inkjet head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-ha Park, Nam-kyun Kim, Young-ung Ha, Youn-shik Park
  • Publication number: 20070159515
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet printhead within which a removable ink cartridge can be installed. Upon installation, the ink cartridge can be coupled to one or more wicks in the printhead for establishing fluid communication between one or more chambers in the ink cartridge and nozzles through which ink exits the printhead during operation. The wick can extend from a cartridge receptacle to a substantially enclosed ink reservoir in order to transport ink from the removable cartridge to the ink reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Droege, Bruce Gibson, Sam Norasak, Ann Trebolo, Kent Ubellacker, Frank Anderson, Adam Chalin
  • Publication number: 20070159516
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ink composition for ink jet recording, which possesses excellent gloss and good color reproducibility on various recording media, especially printing paper for running-on. The ink composition for ink jet recording comprises at least a colorant, water, an alkanediol, and a surfactant, wherein the alkanediol comprises a water soluble 1,2-alkanediol and a water insoluble both terminal alkanediol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hironori Sato, Akira Mizutani, Shuichi Koganehira, Masahiro Yatake
  • Publication number: 20070159517
    Abstract: A method of erasing an image for erasing an image formed by applying ink containing a dye to a recording medium. The image is exposed to an oxidizing gas generated by dielectric barrier discharge. An apparatus for performing the method and a method of recycling the recording medium are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Hashimoto, Waka Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20070159518
    Abstract: An offset printing apparatus having a coated imaging member for use with phase-change inks, has a substrate, an optional intermediate layer, and thereover an outer coating having an elastomer of monomers selected from the group consisting of halogenated monomers, polyorganosiloxane monomers, and mixtures thereof, and an optional heating member associated with the offset printing apparatus
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: David Pan, Santokh Badesha, Xiaoying Yuan, Donald Stanton, Robert Finsterwalder, Anthony Yeznach, Trevor Snyder
  • Publication number: 20070159519
    Abstract: A printer is provided with a recording portion including a recording head for recording on one side of a recording medium, a thermal activation portion including a thermal head for heating the other side of the recording medium, a first discharge port disposed on a downstream side of the recording portion, a second discharge port disposed on the downstream side of the thermal activation portion, and a conveying roller arranged between the recording portion and the first discharge port. The conveying roller is capable of conveying the recording medium from the recording portion to the first discharge port through normal rotation. Further, the conveying roller is capable of changing the course of the recording medium conveyed from the recording portion and conveying the recording medium to the thermal activation portion through reverse rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kohira, Norimitsu Sanbongi
  • Publication number: 20070159520
    Abstract: An optical scanning system and an image forming apparatus with such optical scanning system, include a light source, an optical deflector having a deflecting surface, for scanningly deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source means, and an imaging optical system for imaging the light beam, deflected by the deflecting surface of the optical deflector, upon a scan surface to be scanned, wherein, when ? (??0) refers to an angle which is defined, in a sub-scan sectional plane, between a principal ray of the light beam from the light source means and a normal to the deflecting surface of the optical deflector as the light beam is going to be incident on the deflecting surface, ? refers to an imaging magnification of the imaging optical system with respect to a sub-scan direction, W [mm] refers to a light-beam width, in a main-scan direction, of a light beam that passes a light exit surface of an imaging optical element, of the imaging optical system, which element is closest to the scan surface, and ? (
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken TANIMURA
  • Publication number: 20070159521
    Abstract: A wireless transmission system for multimedia in information having plural layers includes a base station (BTS) and a mobile station (MS) that can select which layers to transmit based on reported channel conditions, mobile location, and/or forward error correction (FEC) used for a particular layer, A respective FEC rate and/or power level can be dynamically established for each layer by a mobile station dependent, on available bandwidth and or reception and decoding capability of the BTS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Richard Lane
  • Publication number: 20070159522
    Abstract: Content media having images associated with remotely stored information are provided with barcodes marked with indicia to indicate a source of the information. In this manner, a user, having, for example, a camera phone, will become aware that the particular content medium has images that can be scanned to retrieve additional information (from the remote information store) via their camera phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Harmut Neven
  • Publication number: 20070159523
    Abstract: A view morphing algorithm is applied to synchronous collections of video images from at least two video imaging devices, and interpolating between the images, creates a composite image view of the local participant. This composite image approximates what might be seen from a point between the video imaging devices, presenting the image to other video session participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Bran Ferren, Russel Howe
  • Publication number: 20070159524
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a panoramic image, the method including: preparing images of a plurality of levels, which are made by scaling each of two source images at several rates; computing a Sum of Square Difference (SSD) between two corresponding images in each of the plurality of levels of the two source images to form an image stitched together; and when stitching the two images, the overlapping area is divided into a plurality of parts and each part is assigned a weight which is linearly applied respectively to the divided part of each source image for blending color. The apparatus includes stitching units to stitch source images together at the plurality of levels and blending units to color blend the source images in the overlapped area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keun Ho Kim, Do Kyoon Kim, Seok Yoon Jung, Hee Sae Lee, Anton Konouchine, Vladimir Vezhnevets
  • Publication number: 20070159525
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to obtain a stereoscopic display apparatus which makes it possible to alleviate a viewer's fatigue and allow a stereoscopic two-dimensional image to be recognized more naturally, thereby improving the sense of realism, visibility, and amusement features. In the invention, an image display unit 21 is constituted by a display portion 27 having an image display surface for displaying a two-dimensional image and an image transmission panel 29 disposed in spaced-apart relation to the image display surface 31a and adapted to allow the light emergent from the image display surface 31a to form an image so as to display a two-dimensional image stereoscopically. A plurality of image display units 21 and 21 are installed such that the image transmission panels 29 form the predetermined angle ? with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Isao Tomisawa, Masaru Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20070159526
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has a single coaxial cable installed between a scope A and a processor unit B. Waveform superimposing circuits superimpose a video signal on power transmitted through the coaxial cable and sequentially superimpose scope-side reference pulses and processor-side reference pulses alternately on horizontal scanning blanking periods in one field of the video signal. At the same time, the scope A and processor unit B generate reference signals and various timing signals synchronized with the reference pulses of the counterpart and perform video processing based on them. This enables accurate sampling even when scopes with different pixel counts are used. Also, a scope information signal and electronic shutter control signal may be superimposed on a predetermined blanking period in the video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Abe
  • Publication number: 20070159527
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of correcting geometric information and providing a panoramic view. In the method of providing a panoramic view, a tilting vector (X?, Y?) is generated by applying matrices H(a,b) and HF to a source image vector (X,Y). The matrix H(a,b) is defined by distortion angles “b” towards a plane direction and a distortion angle “a” towards a depth direction of the source image, and the matrix HF is defined according to a camera parameter matrix K. Also, a two-dimensional vector (x,y) of a source image is converted into a three-dimensional vector (X,Y,W) on a retinal image plane having a unit radial distance from an origin of a ground plane. Also, a warped image width (WIW) is estimated from a width and a field of view (FOV) of the source image. A warping vector (x?,y?) is generated based on the converted vector (X,Y,W) and the WIW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keun Ho Kim, Do Kyoon Kim, Seok Yoon Jung, Hee Sae Lee, Anton Konouchine, Vladimir Vezhnevets
  • Publication number: 20070159528
    Abstract: A remote control transmitter apparatus includes a ROM configured to store a plurality of sets of control data for remotely controlling a plurality of types of electronic equipment, a nonvolatile memory having first and second storage areas, a set key configured to place the remote control transmitter apparatus into either a preset mode or a learning mode from a normal mode, a plurality of selection keys configured to select a specific type of electronic equipment to be remotely controlled, a learning key, a plurality of operation keys, a transmitter, and a receiver configured to receive control data from another remote control transmitter apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Kikuchi, Akira Katsuyama
  • Publication number: 20070159529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the output of a surveillance image, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes checking whether an event is detected in at least one inputted surveillance image; and if the event is detected, determining whether to switch over to a surveillance image in which the event is detected, from a first surveillance image currently being displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20070159530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the output of a surveillance image, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes checking whether an event is detected in at least one inputted surveillance image, and composing a display form of an output screen according to a number of surveillance images each having an event detected therein based on the checking result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20070159531
    Abstract: A back seat monitoring apparatus is provided for a vehicle which includes a back seat, an interior ceiling, a dashboard, and a steering wheel. The subject apparatus includes a closed-circuit television camera mounted on the interior ceiling for viewing the back seat. A monitor screen is mounted in the vehicle for forward viewing by a driver of the vehicle who is sitting on the front seat. The monitor screen is electrically connected to the closed-circuit television camera. With the invention, the driver can safely face forward while observing the monitor screen which displays what is happening on the back seat. The closed-circuit television camera and the monitor screen are battery powered, preferably by the vehicle battery. Preferably, the monitor screen is mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle. An actuator switch, for activating the closed-circuit television camera and/or the monitor screen, can be mounted on the steering wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Margaret Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070159532
    Abstract: An image sensor test apparatus that emits light to a light receiving surface of an image sensor (DUT) and inputs and outputs electrical signals from a contact part to input and output terminals of the image sensor so as to test the image sensor (DUT) for optical characteristics, which captures an image of the image sensor (DUT) in the state held by a contact arm (315) by a first camera (326), recognizes a relative position of the image sensor (DUT) with respect to the contact part by image processing, adds a precalculated amount of deviation of an optical axis of the image sensor (DUT) with respect to an optical axis of a light source to that relative position to calculate an amount of alignment of the image sensor (DUT), drives a drive unit (322) based on this, and moves a holding side arm (317) abutting against a movable stage (321) with a lock-and L-free mechanism (318) in a free state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kiyokawa
  • Publication number: 20070159533
    Abstract: The user of a digital camera inputs an event title before shooting, so images shot under the same event title are stored in a group of image files. A face image extractor extracts face images from the respective image files, and characteristic values of the face images are calculated. In each image file group, the characteristic values of one face image are compared with other's, to judge those face images having similar characteristic values to be the same person's. Among the face images extracted from the image files of the same group, one of the most frequently appearing person's face images is determined to be a representative image. Data of the representative image is stored in association with the corresponding image file group, so the representative image and the event title may be displayed as an index to that image file group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Kenichiro Ayaki
  • Publication number: 20070159534
    Abstract: An electronic device with a portable optical module (100) is provided. The electronic device includes a main body (10) having a camera module (20) incorporated therein, an optical element (40), a holder (50) and a magnetic assembly (30). The optical element can be an optical filter. The holder is annular-shaped and defines a through hole therein for accommodating the optical element therein. The magnetic assembly includes a first part coupled to the holder and a second part coupled to the camera module. The first part is configured for magnetic attachment to the second part, thus removably coupling the holder with the optical element to the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KENG-MING CHANG
  • Publication number: 20070159535
    Abstract: A multi-eye imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of imaging systems (106a, 106b) each including an optical system (107a, 107b) and an imaging element (108a, 108b) and having a different optical axis. The plurality of imaging systems (106a, 106b) include a first imaging system (106b) having a pixel shift means (101) for changing a relative positional relationship between an image formed on the imaging element (108b), and the imaging element (108b), and a second imaging system (106a) in which a relative positional relationship between an image formed on the imaging element (108a), and the imaging element (108a), is fixed during time-series image capture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori KUMAGAI, Taku HIRASAWA
  • Publication number: 20070159536
    Abstract: A white balance control method is disclosed. The method first sets an initial white balance setting. Secondly, based on the white balance setting, an image is obtained. Both averaged RGB values of the whole image and white pixel are obtained. Information of both averaged RGB values of the whole image and white pixel are respectively used to calculate white balance information. Thirdly, both white balance information of the whole image and the white pixel RGB are used to determine whether the current white balance status matches the actual ambient lighting condition or not. If the determination result shows there is a need to select a new white balance status, a new white balance setting is then set. Finally, the procedure is returned back to acquire a new image and the above steps are repeated. The disclosure of the present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus and method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Wen Lin
  • Publication number: 20070159537
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus has: a white balance control circuit for detecting an achromatic portion of an image of an object and controlling gains of the chrominance; an object distance detecting circuit for detecting a distance to the object; and a zoom value detecting circuit for detecting a zoom value of the optical system. The imaging apparatus further has: an object brightness detecting circuit for detecting brightness of the object; and a white balance control amount adjustment value setting circuit for forming a white balance control amount adjustment value to adjust a control amount in the white balance control circuit on the basis of object brightness information, object distance detection information, and zoom value information, wherein the white balance control amount is adjusted on the basis of the white balance control amount adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: HITACHI LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Miyao, Takahiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20070159538
    Abstract: A short-time exposure image data and a long-time exposure image data of the same object to be photographed are stored to SE memory and LE memory and then transferred to CPU, motion thereof being detected at a motion detecting section on the basis of the two image data; if no motion is detected, a wide dynamic range, synthesized image as synthesized at a synthesizing circuit on the basis of image data read out from the two memories and compressed is outputted through a selector controlled by CPU. If a motion is detected, the long-time exposure image data read out from the LE memory and processed at a signal processing circuit is outputted through the selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Kakinuma, Hidetoshi Fukuda, Hiroaki Koseki, Takumi Momose, Osamu Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20070159539
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an information extraction unit which extracts foreign substance information which is information of a position and size of a foreign substance in an image sensing plane of an image capture unit and is recorded in association with captured image data and lens information of a lens used when acquiring the captured image data, which is recorded in association with the captured image data, a conversion unit which converts the foreign substance information extracted by the information extraction unit into second foreign substance information form on the basis of the lens information extracted by the information extraction unit, and an interpolation unit which interpolates a pixel corresponding to the foreign substance in the captured image data on the basis of the second foreign substance information form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Takuya Kotani
  • Publication number: 20070159540
    Abstract: By flexibly coping with both image sensors of a CCD sensor and a CMOS sensor without providing any external circuit, a signal processing is performed. In a sensor selecting switch provided in an image-sensor signal-processing circuit, first and fourth switches are turned on when the CMOS sensor is connected, and second and third switches are turned on when the CCD sensor is connected. The sensor selecting switch is controlled by a control signal generated in a control circuit, based on sensor selection data which is stored in a register and which is data for selecting the CCD or CMOS sensor. By so doing, even if polarity of an output signal of the image sensor is reversed, a normal signal is inputted to both inputs of the CDS amplifier, whereby it is possible to flexibly cope with both of the CCD and CMOS sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Eiki Imaizumi, Takanobu Anbo, Yasuhiko Sone, Tatsuji Matsuura, Teruaki Odaka
  • Publication number: 20070159541
    Abstract: An imaging system has a single focal plane array that does not require the precise alignment of multiple cameras relative to one another. It incorporates a multi-band, band pass filter that includes filter elements corresponding to pixel regions of a detector within a camera. The imaging system may further incorporate a detector that vertically discriminates among radiation in different spectral bands incident on an image plane of the detector. In this manner, spectral content may be determined in each spatial region without the need for beam splitting or multiple cameras. The filter itself may further comprise different filter elements, for example, filter elements A and B arranged in a checkerboard pattern, where filter element A passes different spectral bands than filter element B. In this manner, multi-spectral, high resolution images may be generated using a single camera that significantly improves upon image discrimination as compared to, for example, the Bayer color filter array pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Sparks, Michael DeWeert
  • Publication number: 20070159542
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for providing higher performance imaging capture using a novel pattern of a color filter array that enables one to achieve higher sampling rate for luminance than for chrominance. A majority of the elements in the CFA are neutral elements. Gray scale images with high spatial resolution and high light sensitivity can be acquired from image samplings at these neutral elements. The remaining elements of the CFA are color filtered ones. Color elements cluster to form a repeating block pattern. Color images with low spatial resolution but low color artifacts can be acquired from image samplings at these color filter elements. The color images are transformed into a luminance-chrominance color space, and the luminance components are replaced with the gray scale images to regain high spatial resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Gang LUO
  • Publication number: 20070159543
    Abstract: A simplified image sensor module package includes a flexible print circuit board having an upper surface, which is formed with a plurality of electrically circuits, and a lower surface. A frame layer is arranged on the upper surface of the flexible print circuit board. A chip is mounted on the upper surface of the flexible print circuit board. A plurality of wires are electrically connected the chip to the electrical circuits of the flexible print circuit board. A transparent layer is mounted on the frame layer to cover the chip. A lens holder is mounted on the frame layer, and formed with an internal thread. A lens barrel is formed with an external thread screwed on the internal thread of the lens holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Chung Hsin
  • Publication number: 20070159544
    Abstract: A method and system for color plane interpolation in a color pattern which selects a color-interpolation point within a pixel image for which the color plane interpolation is performed for. Once the color-interpolation point is selected a value for each color in the color pattern at each color-interpolation point is interpolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Shane Hu
  • Publication number: 20070159545
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for combining a leaded package IC and a semiconductor die using a flex circuitry to reduce footprint for the combination. A leaded IC package is disposed along the obverse side of a flex circuit. In a preferred embodiment, leads of the leaded IC package are configured to allow the lower surface of the body of the leaded IC package to contact the surface of the flex circuitry either directly or indirectly through an adhesive. A semiconductor die is connected to the reverse side of the flex circuit. In one embodiment, the semiconductor die is disposed on the reverse side of the flex while, in an alternative embodiment, the semiconductor die is disposed into a window in the flex circuit to rest directly or indirectly upon the body of the leaded IC package. Module contacts are provided in a variety of configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the leaded IC package is a flash memory and the semiconductor die is a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: James Wehrly, Ron Orris, Leland Szewerenko, Tim Roy, Julian Partridge, David Roper
  • Publication number: 20070159546
    Abstract: A pixel circuit, and a method for operating a pixel circuit, to provide a multiple knee response characteristic. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more feed-through pulse (FTP) signals are transmitted to an integration node to end a first linear integration time period. The FTP signal allows electrons to drain from the integration node to a reset node through a transfer gate. After the first integration period, a second linear integration period is conducted on the pixel circuit, where the photo conversion gain of the pixel circuit becomes reduced under higher illumination conditions due to the drained node. Such operation creates a pixel with a photo response having multiple “knee” points, where each “knee” in the photo response curve will create separate regions whose photo sensitivities can be independently controlled with minimal thermal interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Isao Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20070159547
    Abstract: A solid state image pickup device is provided which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a light reception region; a well being formed in the semiconductor substrate; charge accumulation regions disposed in the well in a matrix shape; a vertical transfer channel disposed in the well; a light shielding film formed above the semiconductor substrate; and a horizontal transfer channel connected to the vertical transfer channels, wherein the light reception region includes: a first region in which an opening is formed through the light shielding film above each of the charge accumulation regions; a second region in which an opening is not formed through the upper light shielding film; and a third region defined between the first and second regions along the column direction of the charge accumulation regions, the third region not having at least partially the well and not having an opening formed through the upper light shielding film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tanaka, Tatsuya Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20070159548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (4) for positioning the face of a user relative to an image-capture apparatus (1), the positioning device comprising a picture-taking device (7) arranged to supply horizontally-reversed images, a display screen (5) for displaying the reversed images and connected to the picture-taking device, and means for superposing on the images displayed on the screen at least one positioning reference mark (6) for the user, the positioning reference mark and the displayed images lying substantially in the same plane. The invention also provides a corresponding method and image-capture apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Alain Rouh, Gilles Monteilliet, Martin Cottard, Jean-Christophe Fondeur
  • Publication number: 20070159549
    Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of display. If the predetermined time has not passed yet, the camera performs face detection to determine if a user is looking into an optical finder of the camera. When the face detection is performed, a system control circuit identifies the present content displayed. When the displayed content is an ordinary image, photographing information, or attention-seeking alert, display of the content is immediately stopped. When the displayed content is alert prohibiting imaging, it is checked whether a switch operation has been performed. If the switch operation has not been performed at all, or a switch operation for canceling the displayed alert has not been performed, timer counting is cleared before the timer counting is initiated again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yukihiro Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20070159550
    Abstract: A digital camera module is provided. The digital camera module includes a lens assembly, a magnetic field generator surrounding the lens assembly, a shell covering the lens assembly, and a plurality of radio magnetized magnets disposed separately at two sides of the magnetic field generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Hsu-Ting Cheng
  • Publication number: 20070159551
    Abstract: This invention enables suppression of the influence on a captured image of dust even when dust sticks to an image sensor, a protective glass fixed on the image sensor, or a filter. An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor which generates an image signal by photo-electric conversion of an object image, a dust position detection unit which detects, from a dust detection image signal as the image signal generated by causing the image sensor to capture a dust detection object as an object having an almost uniform color, dust position information that is information of the position and size of dust in the image sensing plane of the image sensor, a lens information acquisition unit which acquires lens information of a lens used upon capturing the object, and a recording unit which records the dust position information detected by the dust position detection unit and the lens information acquired by the lens information acquisition unit in association with captured image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Takuya Kotani
  • Publication number: 20070159552
    Abstract: Techniques for compressing video stream in a video conference are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the method comprises obtaining a frame image sequence and selecting a reference frame image; determining whether an N-th frame image has acute movements relative to the reference frame image according to a predetermined threshold; and if yes, compressing and transmitting the N-th frame image; otherwise, not compressing and transmitting the N-th frame image; increasing N by 1 and repeating the above operations till the frame image sequence is over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hao Wang, Ying Huang