Abstract: A method to imitate lifelike images for computer deformed objects includes the following steps, selecting a number of significant points on an object, categorizing the significant points into measurable points and specific points, defining a relationship between the measurable points and the specific points with a statistical regression model, creating a table of weighted values for the specific points and animating an object based on the weighted value table. The present invention uses the measured displacement of a number of measurable points to calculate expected positions of the specific points to reduce processing time and create real time images. The method uses a statistical analysis method to decrease access time to a database, save storage space of the database and create lifelike, real-time and animated images in accordance with the object as the object changed its surface.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates utilization of flexible and efficient power savings in graphics systems. A graphics power management method loads a first set of graphics commands from a CPU into a GPU at the beginning of a frame cycle. The CPU is put into a power saving mode after the loading is complete. The GPU processes the commands and forwards the results to a graphics buffer. The display begins the presentation of the data at the beginning of the following refresh cycle. The CPU leaves the power savings mode at end of the frame cycle to begin loading a second set of commands. The CPU recognizes the end of the frame cycle by counting a predetermined number of frame flip interrupt requests. After the CPU counts the predetermined number of frame flip interrupt requests the CPU begins to communicate additional graphics commands and then returns to the power savings mode.

Abstract: It comprises a main CPU, a main memory for storing the programs, display data and other data, a data processing circuit for performing a processing to convert the display data in the main memory to the data format for the display, a display memory section for storing the converted display data, an output processing circuit for performing a processing to output the display data on the screen, a DMA for performing a data access to the main memory, a program memory, a data memory, a display processor for interpreting the commands/data described in the program memory and the data memory and transferring the display data according thereto, and a sync signal generating circuit.

Abstract: A video and graphics system includes a video decoding system for processing compressed video data. The compressed video data includes MPEG-2 video data containing SDTV video data or HDTV video data. The video decoding system includes a video decoder for processing the compressed video data to generate displayable video, and a memory controller for transferring the compressed video data to and from an external memory. The video decoder requests to the memory controller to transfer the compressed video data using one of predetermined addressing patterns. The predetermined addressing patterns allow for more efficient transferring of the compressed video data to and from the external memory when compared to sequentially transferring a fixed number of data bytes starting at a fixed address. The use of the predetermined addressing patterns results in reading the compressed video data from the external memory in a predetermined order in a less number of clock cycles.

Abstract: Rasterization of three-dimensional images are provided in which three-dimensional image data, which includes at least (x,y,z) coordinate and color information, are generated, organized, and stored at memory locations in one or more frame buffers in accordance with z-coordinate information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using non-power of two texture maps is described. Normalized texture map coordinates such as s and t are converted from a floating point format to a fixed point format and wrapping operations are performed to produce unnormalized texture map coordinates such as u and v corresponding to non-power of two texture maps.

Abstract: A color management user interface controller is provided for use in a color management system for assisting users to manage color settings of multiple colour entities, such as color devices and color spaces. The user interface controller has a representation controller and a relation indicator controller. The representation controller presents representation of each color entity. The relation indicator controller presents one or more relation indicators indicating color relation between the color entities represented by the representations.

Abstract: Discloses herein is a method and apparatus for processing video data of a display device in which dithering noise generating when a motion picture is displayed can be minimized. According to the present invention, the method of processing the video data of the display device includes the steps of comparing data of an ith frame (i is a natural number) and data of a (i+1)th frame to determine whether the data of the (i+1)th frame is a motion picture or a still image, and employing a different dithering method depending upon the determination result of the motion picture or the still image.

Abstract: Power consumption in a portable computer device that provides true-color simulation on a liquid crystal display can be realized by selectively operating a graphics controller that drives the LCD to selectively enable or disable true color simulation. Disabling dithering which provides true color simulation in an LCD, can significantly reduce power consumption by a portable computer device.

Abstract: A fragment program may configure a fragment shader to compute a destination position for a fragment, where the destination position is independent of a position computed for the fragment during rasterization of a primitive. The destination position may be computed based on fragment parameters such as color, depth, and transparency. A raster operation unit writes processed fragment data to the destination position. Furthermore, the fragment program may configure the fragment shader to compute a per-fragment stencil operation for use by the raster operation unit during stencil buffering.

Abstract: An image processing device comprises a decoder, a sprite buffer interface, and a sprite buffer as well as a rendering engine, a frame buffer interface, and a frame buffer, which is characterized by synchronizing the write timing for the sprite buffer with the read timing for the frame buffer. That is, the decoder decodes compressed image data to restore original image data before compression. The sprite buffer interface writes the decoded data (i.e., sprite pattern data) into the sprite buffer, from which the sprite pattern data are read and supplied to the rendering engine. The rendering engine performs a prescribed rendering process (e.g., magnification, reduction, rotation, deformation, etc.) on the sprite pattern data, which are then written into the frame buffer. A display controller reads rendering-completed data (i.e., display data) from the frame buffer so as to output them to a display.

Abstract: A computer-based method of processing a computer graphics illustration having pieces of artwork includes mapping outlines of the pieces of artwork onto a grid of cells, determining a number of outlines that map to a cell, and identifying a complex region based on the determined number of outlines that map to the cell.

Abstract: In an image stitcher for arranging a plurality of images to be stitched in m rows and n columns (both m and n are natural numbers) on a monitor screen such that their respective arrangement positions conform to an actual relative positional relationship, to stitch all the images utilizing information related to the arrangement position of each of the images, the image stitcher comprises means for displaying on the monitor screen an image arrangement pattern selection screen including a plurality of types of image arrangement patterns for arranging the plurality of images to be stitched in m rows and n columns on the monitor screen, means for causing a user to select one of the plurality of types of image arrangement patterns on the image arrangement pattern selection screen, and means for arranging the plurality of images to be stitched in m rows and n columns on the monitor screen in accordance with the image arrangement pattern selected by the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for defining surface properties in a virtual world. An object includes vertices defining a surface and surface properties. A number of vertex data layers are provided that permit a user to define several properties, including color, that are then combined according to user-specified vertex layer interactions to produce layer values specifying physical properties of the surface. When user input is received at a specified layer, and an object surface property, such as color, is modified. A physical property of the object is updated by combining properties from multiple vertex layers according to user-specified vertex layer interactions to modify the layer values.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information on a display screen of a computer, comprising the steps of scaling the visual information to produce a scaled representation to fit on the display screen the scaled representation containing the entire content of the visual information; selecting a region of interest within the scaled representation; applying a transformation to the scaled representation to improve the visual detail in the region of interest; and, displaying the transformed presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: An LCD module includes a user connector part that receives power voltages, image signals and control signals from an external host system and outputs the power voltages, image and control signals through a first integrated type connector and an LCD module having a second integrated type connector connected with the first integrated type connector through an FPC. The LCD module receives power voltages and image and control signals through the second integrated type connector, provides image data signals and timing signals to data lines and provides scan signals to gate lines. Namely, the LCD can receive power voltage, the image signals and control signals through the integrated type connector instead of a plurality of connecting terminals, thereby providing an LCD having slim weight and compact size and reducing the size thereof.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer device that can be used in any application using thermal printers. A direct thermal printer creates images on thermally active medium by applying light energy or radiant thermal energy created by a thermal heat source to create the heat necessary for generating an image on the thermal medium. The thermal energy source may be a laser, a high output light source, or a radiant heating element.

Abstract: An arrangement for activation of a thermotransfer print head has a unit to determine a transport delay and a unit to generate supplementary heating pulses to maintain a temperature required for printing at the thermo-printing heating elements. The unit to determine a transport delay is connected with the thermotransfer print head via the unit to generate supplementary heating pulses. A method for activation of a thermotransfer print head includes the steps of determining a transport delay and generating supplementary heating pulses for maintenance of a temperature necessary for printing at the thermo-printing heating elements for which a printing requirement is present.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus and a method of controlling a thermal printing apparatus is provided wherein the duration of the strobe pulse utilized to transfer the ink from the carrier to the media is controlled and adjusted by a correction factor. The correction factor is calculated by the printer controller based directly on feedback regarding the actual transport time required to advance the media between encoder steps. Generally, the present invention controls a thermal printer in a manner that accounts for the transport speed between each encoder step and applies the correction factor to the strobe signal duration in a manner that maintains a uniform print density.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus or a sublimation printer includes a main frame, a platen roller, a head assembly, and an extension spring diagonally attached to the head assembly and the main frame so as to bias the head assembly in a direction away from the platen roller and in an axial direction of the platen roller. The head assembly has an arm portion and a head portion. The head assembly is pivotably held between side panels of the main frame so as to be pressed against and moved away from the platen roller. The extension spring keeps the thermal head away from the platen roller when printing is not performed, and also aligns the thermal head in the axial direction of the platen roller. The number of components of the sublimation printer can be reduced.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a platen roller having both ends supported by a frame, a line thermal head having a plurality of heater elements and coming into contact with and separating from the platen roller, and a head mount supporting the line thermal head. The line thermal head has a heat sink mounted thereto for dissipating heat generated from the heater elements during printing on a recording sheet. The heat sink includes a first heat sink portion supported by the line thermal head through the head mount and a second heat sink portion which is connected to the first heat sink portion with a connector and which is removable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing device for printing sheet elements (1) that are serially fed to the printing device, in particular product labels made of temperature-sensitive paper or paper substitute materials, comprising a feed device for feeding the sheet elements to a print head which acts on the sheet element, wherein the print head comprises a thermal slat (3) which is supported flexibly by a carrier device (8) such that between the thermal slat (3) and the deflection device (4) a counterpressure surface is formed at a predefined surface pressure on the sheet element (1) to be printed. The thermal slat (3) is associated with an adaptor means (7) that is exchangeable together with the thermal slat (3).

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a rotatable platen roller; an elongated thermal head which is movable toward or away from the platen roller; and a head supporting member having an elongated head supporting portion for supporting the thermal head formed at an end. A heat radiation plate through which heat generated from the thermal head during printing can escape is arranged between the thermal head and the head supporting portion, and the thermal head can be adjustably curved toward the platen roller via the heat radiation plate by an adjusting member arranged in the head supporting portion.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing a printing image on a printing medium held by a cylinder (1) by a laser, the laser writing head (7) of which is positioned on a crossmember (3) so as to be displaceable parallel to the axis of the cylinder (1), a space-saving functionally reliable embodiment is attained by the fact that a protective switch (10) which detects the presence of a cylinder (1) is provided fixedly on the crossmember (3) and the crossmember (3) bears switching strips (5, 6) which expose a laser writing head displacement region (b) between them having the width of the printing image (8) and interact with a further protective switch (11) attached to the laser writing head (7) for switching off the laser when it is situated outside the laser writing head displacement region (b).

Abstract: An imaging system is equipped with two or more exposure heads that are each able to image either a separate media sheet or a portion of a single media sheet loaded on a media carrier. The imaging time for any combination of media sheets is minimized by providing for the adjustment of the spacing between the dual exposure heads whenever the media configuration changes. In imaging a unitary image using two exposure heads to each image a sub-image, any discontinuity between the end of the first sub-image and the start of the next sub-image is reduced by changing the traversing speed of one of the exposure heads by a fractional amount.

Abstract: A laser exposing apparatus has a first laser source emitting a first laser beam, a second laser source emitting a second laser beam shorter in wavelength than the first laser beam, and an optical device for directing the first laser beam and the second laser beam to a photosensitive member. The second laser beam has a longer optical path length to the photosensitive member than the first laser beam.

Abstract: An optical scanner for writing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier includes a scanning optical system that forms an optical scanning path, a pair of optical detecting units arranged at two positions on the optical scanning path for detecting a write-start position and a write-end position to measure a time for scanning from the write-start position to the write-end position, and an optical housing that houses at least the scanning optical system and the optical detecting units. The optical detecting units are mounted on the optical housing via an intermediate member having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than that of the optical housing.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image carrier is configured to rotate in a first direction. An image writer is adapted to irradiate the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. A storage stores information regarding a factor disturbing the formation of the latent image in advance. A controller controls the irradiation of the image writer so as to eliminate the disturbing factor, based on the information stored in the storage.

Abstract: An optical scan device having an optical deflector reflecting a light beam from a light beam source so as to deflect the light beam and having a surface to be scanned on which information is written such that the light beam deflected by the deflector scans the surface is disclosed. Optical detectors are arranged at least in two locations, a start side of writing and an end side of writing, which locations are outside an effective writing area. A measuring part measures a scan time required by the light beam deflected by the optical deflector to scan a range between the optical detectors. A correcting part corrects each dot position of image data in the effective writing area to an arbitrary position based on a variation amount of the measured scan time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of scheduling and conducting video visits, as well as computer architecture for providing such scheduling and conducting, where the participants in the visit are not required or able to interact with the audio/video equipment for the initial connection to start the video visit. In some embodiments, participants are also not able to interact with the equipment during the actual visit, and thus the equipment employed during the video visit may be isolated from physical contact by the participants. To initiate or terminate a video visit, a data center establishes a data connection with each participant, and thus the flow of data between the participants moves across a computer network and via the data center. The visit may be monitored in virtually real-time by splitting the data transmitted between the participants and sending it to a monitoring terminal, rather than establishing a separate connection for the monitoring.

Abstract: In the following device, at the time of pan/tilt movement of a pan head, images #1 to #3 for three frames shot by a camera are sequentially taken in into an image memory of an image processing device. And, processing of an image processing processor as well as a CPU compares the image #1 with the image #2 and the image #1 with the image #3 respectively so as to extract an image of an moving object so as to detect moving velocity of the moving object based on the image of this extracted moving object. When the moving velocity of the moving object is detected, a command signal to cause the pan head to pan/tilt at the moving of that moving object is given to a pan head controller by the CPU. This moves the pan head in the pan/tilt direction at the moving velocity of the moving object.

Abstract: Detecting a fire, such as a fire in an aircraft cargo bay, includes receiving a plurality of frames of video information, determining an energy indicator for each of a subset of the plurality of frames, and detecting the presence of fire in response to the energy indicator for each of the subset of the plurality of frames corresponding to a predetermined pattern as a function of time. Detecting a fire may also include comparing energy indicators for each of the subset of the plurality of frames to a reference frame. The reference frame may correspond to a video frame taken when no fire is present or a video frame immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames. At least some of the subset of the plurality of frames may be provided by a camera having a sensitivity of between 400 nm and 1000 nm that may generates 640×480 pixels per frame. At least some of the subset of the plurality of frames may be provided by a CCD camera or a CMOS camera.

Abstract: When order information is recorded in a recording medium and an image output service is requested using this order information, the content of a new order is not confused with that of an old order and a user's intention can be conveyed accurately to a service provider in the case where orders are placed repeatedly by using the same recording medium. The user is caused to confirm all order information recorded in the recording medium by using an index relating images to the quantity of prints both displayed on a screen, for example. The user's intention is confirmed by an order confirmation operation carried out by the user, and the intention is provided to the service provider as confirmed order information recorded in the recording medium.

Abstract: A method and system allow a hand-held digital camera to access and store large volumes of digital image data utilizing a wireless communications link between a host computer and the camera. In an embodiment of the invention, imaging optics and a photosensor array capture image data that represents an image of a subject. A transceiver integrated into the hand-held digital camera then transmits the image data to a host computer via a wireless communications link. The host computer stores the image data, or a copy of the image data, and retransmits related image data or, alternatively, the same image data back to the hand-held digital camera via the wireless communications link. Once the image data is received by the hand-held digital camera, an electronic image is formed by a display device that is integrated into the camera. The host computer may process the digital image data into enhanced digital image, thereby enabling the camera to display an enhanced electronic image of a subject.

Abstract: In order that a digital video (DV) camera function as a WWW server in a network, an image capturing section captures an image of a subject. A DV encoder encodes an image signal input from the image capturing section. A recording and playback section plays back DV data recorded in a DV cassette tape. An IP packet assembling/disassembling section assembles a DV signal input from the DV encoder, a DV signal input from the recording and playback section, or an HTML file input from a WWW server processing section into IP packets, and outputs them to an IEEE 1394 interface. The IEEE 1394 interface transmits, via the network, the IP packets input from the IP packet assembling/disassembling section to a personal computer which accessed the DV camera.

Abstract: In a video system of the invention, control means is provided for a terminal input apparatus which is connected by a communication network of a camera on the partner side and which comprises an image display apparatus having a multiwindow display function for selecting and displaying the camera. An image pickup operation which is required to the camera on the partner side, for example, the image pickup direction, focal distance, panning, exposure amount, white balance, automatic focusing, and the like of the designated camera are inputted by using an image display and a window display of the image display apparatus. The operation of the camera on the partner side and the operations of a tripod, a movable arm, and the like to hold the camera are controlled through communicating means. A photographed image is displayed by the display apparatus.

Abstract: A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.

Abstract: A method of processing an image taken with a digital camera including an eye position sensing means said method comprising the step of utilizing the eye position information within the sensed image to process the image in a spatially varying sense, depending upon said location information. The utilizing step can comprises utilizing the eye position information to locate an area of interest within said sensed image. The processing can include the placement of speech bubbles within said image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for annotating video and audio media with supplementary content for post video processing. In one embodiment, the invention may include maintaining a current state of auxiliary information regarding a sequence of video frames, the sequence of video frames being encoded as a video bit stream having video frame data for each respective video frame of the sequence of video frames. It may further include comparing the current state of auxiliary information with auxiliary information regarding a current video frame of the sequence of video frames to determine differential information, and annotating the differential information to the video bit stream as an annotation to the video frame data for the current video frame.

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

Abstract: The image reading device comprises an imaging device on which an on-chip color filter is provided. The on-chip color filter has color filter elements of the Bayer arrangement, for example. Pixel data, output from the imaging device, are stored in a memory. When the pixel data are read from the memory, some of the pixel data are thinned out, so that a thinned image data, colors of which are arranged in the same arrangement as the color filter elements of the imaging device, is obtained. The pixel data of the thinned image data are subjected to an interpolation process, so that one image's worth of pixel data are generated for each of the color components.

Abstract: The apparatus and method invented are operating upon a digital image signal obtained from an image sensor. The sensor is covered with different colored filters and is only able to record the color transmitted through each specific filter into the photosite or pixel. This type of sensor is known as a color filter array or CFA sensor. The different colored filters are arranged in a predefined pattern across the sensor. To obtain a full color image the missing color information is estimated by a set of weighed values obtained by an inverted gradient function. The set of weighted values is found from the neighboring pixels in the four compass directions, north, east, west and south or is found horizontally and vertically. The surrounding pixels are corrected by the chrominance channel to better fit the center pixel in the luminance channel, prior to using the gradient functions.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus with a timing generator supplying an imaging device with drive pulses. The timing generator has registers for independently storing information required for generating a pulse pattern for the imaging device. A selector selects one of the registers to connect it to a pulse generator. Based on the information stored in the selected register, the pulse generator generates pulses of a pulse pattern for the imaging device. External control circuitry rewrites the information stored in an unselected register from the outside of the timing generator. By repeating the steps of selecting one of the registers and rewriting the information stored in the unselected register, drive pulses with various pulse patterns can be supplied to the imaging device.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises a semi-conductor substrate demarcating a two-dimensional surface, a multiplicity of photoelectric conversion units formed at grid points of a first grid of a first tetragonal matrix and a second tetragonal matrix having grid points between grid points of the first tetragonal matrix, a vertical transfer channel arranged in a vertical direction by weaving a space between the horizontally adjacent photoelectric conversion units, a plurality of single-layered electrodes formed above the vertical transfer channel and arranged in a horizontal direction by weaving a space between the vertically adjacent photoelectric conversion units, and a signal processor having a gate electrode and formed, in correspondence to the vertical transfer channel, at one end of the vertical transfer channel on the semiconductor substrate. A low power consuming solid-state imaging device can be provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow driving a solid-state image pickup apparatus at high-speed operation by reducing a number of different samples in the horizontal and vertical directions. In an exemplary embodiment, three or more odd-numbered pixels are incorporated into a single block and signal charges from same color outputs are added within transfer registers such that an average center of the pixels coincides with a pixel at a center of the block. Three transfer electrodes are preferably provided for a column of a vertical transfer register in a part of the vertical transfer register on a side of the horizontal transfer register. The three transfer electrodes may be formed from one layer of three different gate electrode layers. The vertical registers may be arranged in a three column cycle.

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

Abstract: Techniques for automatically adjusting and/or optimizing the color and/or intensity of the illuminating light used in a vision system is presented. The intensity of each of a plurality of illuminating light colors is allowed to be independently adjusted to adapt the illumination light based on the color of a part feature against the part feature background of a part being viewed by the vision system to produce high contrast between the part feature and background. Automated contrast optimization may be achieved by stepping through all available color combinations and evaluating the contrast between the part feature and background to select a color combination having a “best” or acceptable contrast level.

Abstract: A digital camera (300) has panning and/or tilting functionality and comprises: a camera housing (6) with an optical input (400), such as a lens or objective (8); an image capturing unit (500) for producing a digital image from light received through the optical input; and a controller (600). A first mirror (9) is mounted externally to the camera housing (6). An image rotating device (200) receives an angular displacement control signal from the controller (600) and rotates the first mirror at an angle with respect to the optical input (400, 8) of the camera housing (6).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deinterlacing video images is described. In one exemplary implementation, the apparatus receives a video stream in an interlaced format. The apparatus includes a processing system configured to determine whether or not the video stream originated from a progressive format. Based on that determination, the processing system selects one of two modes of operation to deinterlace the video stream: an interpolation mode of operation or a non-interpolation mode of operation.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing method capable of improving the picture quality. The image processing method comprises: incorporating input frame pictures to be displayed on a display device, on the basis of an input picture signal and an input synchronizing signal which is synchronized with the input picture signal; recording the incorporated input frame pictures in an input frame memory; and producing output frame pictures from input frame pictures, which have been recorded in the input frame memory, by producing an interpolated picture or inserting a black raster picture or thinning out the frame pictures, between input frame pictures corresponding to a picture information of the input frame picture to be displayed, on the basis of the picture information and the input synchronizing signal and an output synchronizing signal.