Patents Issued in January 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7324093
    Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device comprising a flexible display panel and a flexible touch sensor. The flexible touch sensor is operable to register a position where contact is made with a surface of the flexible display panel, such that the position of contact registered is translated into a particular command for controlling the portable electronic device. In the present embodiment, the flexible touch sensor is disposed beneath the flexible display panel. As such, the quality of the display is not diminished. In addition, the combination of the flexible display panel and the flexible touch sensor reduces the thickness of the portable computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Gettemy, Francis James Canova, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7324094
    Abstract: A method, a dynamic user interface and an electronic device for generating user-detectable multi-functional feedback using a single component in response to a stimulus signal. One or more resonating vibrating elements, such for example as a piezo-bender, are attached to a selected component of the electronic device. Because sensory feedback in the form of a haptic feedback signal, a buzzer signal, a vibratory alert signal and an audio signal are all generatable using such a piezo-element attached for example to a lens or housing of the device, a significant decrease in the space needed and in the required power consumption as compared to prior art devices, in which different feedback signals are generated using separate components, is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Myorigo, S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Hannu Moilanen, Ville Kampman, Johannes Väänänen
  • Patent number: 7324095
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure sensitive input device for data processing systems. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a transferable overlay for placement over a display screen of the system. Rows and columns of parallel conductors, which may be manufactured as ridges, are positioned to cross within the overlay, and are separated by a deformable isolation layer. A current is flowed across the rows and columns. Any change in the distance between the rows and columns, induced by the pressure of a user input, produces a disruption in the current flow. A proportional analog response signal is transmitted to a processor, wherein the signal is used to calculate a location of the user input, and a differential in the input pressure. The device may receive and process multiple, simultaneous inputs at various locations on the overlay. An appropriate method of use for the pressure-sensitive input device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Manish Sharma
  • Patent number: 7324096
    Abstract: A plurality of excitation elements, each including an IDT and a piezoelectric film, for exciting, respectively, surface acoustic waves, each having a unique center frequency, are formed on one end of a non-piezoelectric substrate, a plurality of receiving elements, each including an IDT and a piezoelectric film, for receiving, respectively, surface acoustic waves, each having a unique center frequency, are formed on the other end of the non-piezoelectric substrate to face the excitation elements, respectively, the center frequencies of the IDTs of the facing excitation element and receiving element are equal, the center frequencies of the IDTs of the excitation elements next to each other are different, and surface acoustic waves are propagated across the non-piezoelectric substrate, between the facing excitation elements and receiving elements so as to detect the position of an object in contact with the non-piezoelectric substrate, based on received results in the receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Fumihiko Nakazawa, Satoshi Sano, Yoshio Satoh, Takashi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7324097
    Abstract: A level shifter that accommodates lower driving voltage of a driver circuit and has a sufficient capability of converting the amplitude of an input signal even when the voltage amplitude of the input signal is low is provided. A level shifter utilizing a current mirror circuit 150 and a differential circuit 160 is used in a portion for converting the voltage amplitude of the signal. Since the potential difference of a signal input through transistors 105 and 106 to the differential circuit 120 is amplified and outputted, the voltage amplitude can be normally converted without influence of the threshold of a transistor even when the voltage amplitude of the input signal is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Munehiro Azami, Yutaka Shionoiri, Tomoaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 7324098
    Abstract: A driving circuit for a display device includes a first trigger signal generating stage, a second trigger signal generating stage, . . . , and an n-th trigger signal generating stage, where n is an integer larger than 0. The i-th shift register performs a tri-state inversion on an input signal of the i-th trigger signal generating stage to obtain an i-th tri-state inversion signal, and then performs the tri-state inversion on the i-th tri-state inversion signal to obtain an input signal of the (i+1)-th trigger signal generating stage. The i-th logic gate generates an i-th logic signal according to the i-th tri-state inversion signal and the input signal of the (i+1)-th trigger signal generating stage. The (i?1)-th trigger signal generating stage generates an (i?1)-th trigger signal generating signal according to the i-th logic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hung Tsai, Chun-Yao Huang, He-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7324099
    Abstract: In an image display device according to the present invention, means for selecting a pixel to which a display signal current is to be passed has a function of selecting a plurality of pixels simultaneously. Thus, high-precision display can be realized with a number of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Akimoto, Toshihiro Satou, Hiroshi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 7324100
    Abstract: A plasma display panel with a driving apparatus including an inductor of which one end is electrically connected to one end of a panel capacitor. The driving apparatus of the plasma display panel alters a terminal voltage of the panel capacitors into a second voltage by storing energy in the inductor using energy of the panel capacitor charged with a first voltage. The terminal voltage of the panel capacitor is changed into the second voltage, and thereafter, it is maintained at the second voltage by freewheeling current flowing through the inductor. In addition, the terminal voltage of the panel capacitor is changed into the first voltage using the energy stored in the inductor. The terminal voltage of the panel capacitor is maintained at the first voltage by connecting one end of the panel capacitor to a first voltage source after it is changed into the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo-Yul Lee
  • Patent number: 7324101
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic circuit, a method of driving the electronic circuit, an electro-optical device, a method of driving the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus capable of improving yield or aperture ratio by reducing the number of transistors to be used. A pixel circuit can include a driving transistor a transistor, a switching transistor, and a holding capacitor. Furthermore, a driving-voltage supplying transistor is connected between a first power source line, which supplies a driving voltage to drive the driving transistor, and a voltage supply line extending in a row in the direction of the pixel circuits provided at the right end side of an active matrix part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7324102
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for creating a complete 3D model of complex infrastructure configurations, such as divided highways, roadway intersections, etc. Current CAD applications have been limited to creating 3D models based on the geometry of a single alignment. In one embodiment, each baseline for a 3D model using four data inputs: a topographical terrain model, an alignment specifying the longitudinal 2D geometry for the structure being modeled, a profile specifying the elevations of the baseline along the horizontal alignment, and the geometry for cross-sectional assemblies along the horizontal and vertical alignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: AUTODESK, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Inzinga, Lisa E. Fox, Kumud D. Vaidya, Bradford V. Ek, Jr., Nagesh Narayanaswamy, Chakravarthy Gavini
  • Patent number: 7324103
    Abstract: A system and method for computer-aided engineering analysis using direct mesh manipulation of a mesh model is provided. The system includes a computer system having a memory, a processor, a user input device and a display device. The method includes the steps of selecting a geometric model in a computer-aided design (CAD) format, converting the CAD model into a mesh model and evaluating the mesh model using a computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis. The method also includes the steps of modifying a surface of the mesh model by varying a predetermined parameter using direct surface manipulation (DSM), updating the mesh model and using the updated mesh model in further CAE analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Stewart, Anne Marsan, Yifan Chen
  • Patent number: 7324104
    Abstract: Methods for generating a centerline or skeleton structure within a 3D virtual object are provided. A first method defines a centerline based on distance from boundary values along points of the defined centerline. A second method uses a distance from boundary field to assign costs to voxels in the virtual object and defines a minimum cost spanning tree based on assigned costs. The centerline is defined along the minimum cost spanning tree. Branches along the centerline are identified and added to the centerline to define a skeleton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Ingmar Bitter, Arie E. Kaufman, Ming Wan, Jerome Liang, Mark R. Wax
  • Patent number: 7324105
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for neighbor and edge indexing is described. A vertex is identified and assigned a reference. One-ring neighbor vertices of the vertex are identified. The reference is assigned to each of the one-ring neighbor vertices identified. An index to one of the one-ring neighbor vertices is assigned. The index is successively incremented to provide indices for each of the one-ring neighbor vertices remaining. Edge indexing follows as described above, with the vertex and its one-ring neighbors defining end points of edges. Additionally, offset indexing is described, and may be used for a consistent order of computation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Henry P. Moreton, Dominic Acocella, Justin Scott Legakis
  • Patent number: 7324106
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for translating fixed function state into a shader program. Fixed function state is received and stored and when a new shader program is detected the fixed function state is translated into shader program instructions. Registers specified by the program instructions are allocated for processing in the shader program. The registers may be remapped for more efficient use of the register storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Cabral, Amy J. Midgal, Rui M. Bastos, Karim M. Adballa
  • Patent number: 7324107
    Abstract: A method of performing anisotropic texture mip-mapping. The method includes determining a region of support for a set of target pixels of the image to be textured, and mapping the region of support to an area in texture map that is generally elliptical. For each axis of the ellipse the number of samples is determined and a filter function is performed on those samples to find the final color value. For four texels, the filter function is a weighted sum of the color values of each texel, where the weights are determined based on the fraction of the Level of Detail (LOD) and the fraction of the U or V coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Qun Feng (Fred) Liao, Zhou (Mike) Hong
  • Patent number: 7324108
    Abstract: Monitoring events triggered by a computer network. Each event being provided with attribute values allocated to a given set of attributes, and providing an event display, determining a primary attribute and a corresponding display label of the events selected from the given set of attributes presented with attribute values on a cross plot, providing a pattern algorithm to detect whether an arrived event is part of a given pattern, providing a mapping algorithm to map attribute values on the cross plot, allocating a second display label to the events indicating the attributes uncovered as part of the given pattern, plotting events arriving and including an attribute value allocated to a primary attribute into the cross plot, and plotting events arriving within the time period and detected by the pattern algorithm as part of the given pattern into the cross plot with the second display label indicating the given pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan G. Hild, Rene Pawlitzek, Markus Stolze
  • Patent number: 7324109
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: James R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7324110
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning a set of motion capture data, wherein the data correspond to a set of point coordinates relating to a model but may include missing or inaccurate values. A subset of the motion capture data is identified that corresponds to valid points matching locations of corresponding points of the model, and a best set of model parameters is computed in such a manner as to minimize a norm of the valid points with respect to the model. A complete set of point coordinates is then predicted based on the best set of model parameters and a subsequent set of cleaned motion capture data. Actual points are inserted where validated, and the process is iterated until a specified criterion is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Image Metrics Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Edwards, Kevin Walker, Jane Haslam
  • Patent number: 7324111
    Abstract: One embodiment of a connector for a stand-alone graphics module is adapted for coupling a computing device to the stand-alone graphics module, which is external to the computing device. The connector is adapted for receiving a PCI express signal from the computing device and for delivering the PCI express signal to the stand-alone graphics module. The connector is further adapted for receiving display output signals from the stand-alone graphics module and delivering the display output signals to the computing system, e.g., for use in accordance with one or more output display panels coupled to said computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Michael B. Diamond
  • Patent number: 7324112
    Abstract: A method for processing divergent samples in a programmable graphics processing unit is described. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of incrementing a subroutine depth of a first sample to designate that first call instructions are to be executed on the first sample. The method also includes the steps of pushing state data of a second sample upon which the first call instructions are not to be executed onto a global stack and executing the first call instructions on the first sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John Erik Lindholm, Harold Robert Feldman Zatz, Christian Rouet, Rui M. Bastos
  • Patent number: 7324113
    Abstract: A method of optimizing perspective correction computations to be executed in a programmable fragment shader, identifying a sequence of program instructions; determining whether the sequence of program instructions can be optimized based on the status of the bit; sourcing one or more interpolated texture map coordinates to thereby disable the perspective correction computation comprising division by (1/w); and enabling the optimized execution of one of a plurality of perspective computation functions by a sought operation in a shader unit without division of the interpolated texture maps coordinates by (1/w). The optimized function includes able mapping, projective mapping, normalization, or scaling invariant operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Rouet, Rui M. Bastos, Emmett M. Kilgariff
  • Patent number: 7324114
    Abstract: A method of updating image frames to a display screen. A display system comprises a display screen, a frame memory for buffering the image frames prior to a transfer to the display screen, a display interface for receiving the image data into the frame memory, a separate controller for inputting the image data in the frame memory, and a display driver for controlling the display system. Image data are transferred by means of the separate controller to the display screen, after which a synchronization signal is fed back from the image frame updated to the display screen. A limiter register is used to specify a moment when image frame update in the frame memory is prevented. The separate controller is controlled to prevent image frame input in the frame memory as long as the counter value is within the limits of the limit value of the limiter register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mari Mutanen, Antti Hartikainen, Timo Kaikumaa
  • Patent number: 7324115
    Abstract: A 3-dimensional computer graphics rendering system receives object data for a scene to be rendered. This includes vertex data and index data. The scene is subdivided into priority of rectangular areas (202). Object 8 of each rectangular area in the scene is assembled (203) and subsequently compressed (207). This data can subsequently be retrieved and decompressed and used for producing a properly shaded and texted image for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Fraser
  • Patent number: 7324116
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling texture sampling in connection with computer graphics in a computer system. In various embodiments, improved mechanisms for controlling texture sampling are provided that enable 3-D accelerator hardware to greatly increase the level of realism in rendering, including improved mechanisms for (1) motion blur; (2) generating anisotropic surface reflections (3) generating surface self-shadowing (4) ray-cast volumetric sampling (4) self-shadowed volumetric rendering and (5) self-shadowed volumetric ray-casting. In supplementing existing texture sampling techniques, parameters for texture sampling may be replaced and/or modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles N. Boyd, Michael A. Toelle
  • Patent number: 7324117
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for using non-power of two texture maps is described. Texture map coordinates for a non-power of two dimension texture map such as u and v are computed without requiring a division operation. In addition to accessing non-power of two texture maps, the texture map coordinates may be used to access filtered versions of the non-power of two texture map, where the dimensions of each filtered version is arbitrary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Walter E. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7324118
    Abstract: An optimal pen color is automatically selected for a given background color based upon a predetermined relative distance in the Munsell color-order system. The predetermined distance is defined in terms of saturation, hue and or lightness. In general, sufficient visual distinction is observed when the color representations of the pen and the background are separated by the predetermined relative distance in the Munsell color-order system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Fujioka, Kunikazu Tsuda, Kohji Hikawa
  • Patent number: 7324119
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for configuring at least a portion of a document for display in a display environment. The techniques include generating a document color palette for all or a portion of an electronic document, where the colors of the document color palette are selected based on colors of a plurality of color containing objects in the document or portion thereof, and generating a plurality of views of the document, two or more of the views being based on different color palettes. The plurality of views includes a document view including each of the plurality of color containing objects, where each color containing object in the document view is represented using the document color palette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Atul K. Puri, Prashant Verma, Susanta Sarkar
  • Patent number: 7324120
    Abstract: Methods and systems include a dependent min-max module the receives image data and generates a dependent Min value and a dependent Max value within a window around a pixel of interest. A dynamic threshold module, based on the dependent Min and Max values, generates continuity data and enhanced data suitable for identifying, for example, blobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Curry, Asghar Nafarieh, Doron Kletter
  • Patent number: 7324121
    Abstract: A method of repositioning a manipulator in relation to a viewport is provided in a system for interacting with a three-dimensional object configured with a manipulator. The object and the manipulator are drawn in the viewport and the position of the manipulator is constrained to lie along the viewing axis between the viewport and the object. The manipulator is represented by a geometry corresponding to the function of the manipulator. The position of the manipulator is modified as needed so that it is not obscured by other objects in the scene. Furthermore, the position of the manipulator is modified as needed following a rotation or scaling operation so that it is oriented for ease of selection by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Young
  • Patent number: 7324122
    Abstract: A display system and method for image overlapping are described. The display system includes a detection module, a transmission interface, a switch output device and a control module. The detection module receives a first image and detects synchronous signals of the first image. The transmission interface is coupled to the detection module and receives a second image having position display information. The switch output device is coupled to the detection module to output the first image. The control module coupled to the detection module, the transmission interface and the switch output device, respectively, dominates the switch output device to output the second image according to the synchronous signals and the position display information such that the second image overlaps the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ICP Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chih Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 7324123
    Abstract: Outside light is received using a light sensor, and in accordance with the outside light intensity, each of a first display mode which expresses multiple gray scales and a second display-y mode which expresses a gray scale smaller in number than that in the first display mode is switched and used. The switching is controlled by a display controller based on data of the outside light intensity. Accordingly, the visibility can be ensured in a wide range of situations, from under a fluorescent lamp in a dark place or inside, to under sunlight outside. In the second display mode, frequencies of a start pulse and a clock pulse to be inputted to a source signal line driver circuit are reduced and a driving voltage is decreased by the display controller; accordingly, a frame period can be longer than that in the first display mode and power consumption can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Yoshifumi Tanada, Mitsuaki Osame, Hajime Kimura, Ryota Fukumoto, Hiromi Yanai, Hideaki Shishido
  • Patent number: 7324124
    Abstract: Thermal printers and methods for operating a thermal printer that applies donor material from donor patches on a donor ribbon to a received medium, the donor material being organized into sets, each set including at least one colored donor material patch and a protective material donor patch. A non-visible light is applied to a location on the donor ribbon, and a portion of the non-visible light that is not absorbed by the donor ribbon is sensed. The sensed non-visible light determines whether the portion of the donor ribbon to which the non-visible light has been applied has unused protective donor material thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Walter H. Isaac, Robert F. Mindler, Christine J. Landry-Coltrain, Sharon P. Markel
  • Patent number: 7324125
    Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting the setting of a thermal printer when a new roll of media is inserted in the printer. A maximum and a minimum energy needed to print are determined. This information is used to determine a coarse energy setting. The printer next performs a series of adjustments to find the optimal setting. The optimal setting is used to set the printer automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Peter Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 7324126
    Abstract: A thermal head includes a large number of heating resistors disposed at a regular interval, individual conductors individually connected to each of the heating resistors, and common conductors connected to each of the heating resistors in common, the individual conductors and the common conductors serving as conductors for supplying the heating resistors with a current. In the thermal head, an underlayer having a large number of irregularities is provided and a conductor layer is provided on the underlayer along the irregularities. Thereby, bonding pads that are composed of the conductor layer and that have irregularities are provided as electrodes of the individual conductors or the common conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Yokoyama, Motoki Hirayama
  • Patent number: 7324127
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium according to an inputted diagnostic image signal, including: a recording medium loading section capable of loading plural types of recording media; an exposing device for forming latent images by exposing with predetermined plural test exposure values; a developing device to form developed images on the recording medium; a density measuring device for measuring densities of the developed images; a memory device for storing predetermined density values correlated to the predetermined plural test exposure values; a selecting device for selecting a predetermined number of images among the developed images; and a calibration section for creating LUT that determines a relationship between exposure values and input image signals, based on measured densities of the selected predetermined number of images and stored predetermined density values correlated to the test exposure values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta & Medical Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Umeki, Masayuki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7324128
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronization of a pixilated labeling media and a digital medium are disclosed. The digital medium includes a substrate and a pixilated labeling layer disposed on the substrate. The labeling layer includes a plurality of color pixels adapted to form a predetermined color when activated and a plurality of synchronization pixels interspersed among the color pixels. The synchronization pixels are distinguishable by a sensor from the color pixels prior to activation of the color pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, P. Guy Howard, Daryl E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7324129
    Abstract: An optical print head (OPH) on the label side of an optical disc is positioned to a desired labeling position through a mechanical coupling between the OPH and an optical pickup unit (OPU) at the data side of the optical disc. The OPU is positioned to a target data track on the data side of the disc, and the OPH is moved to a desired label position through the mechanical coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: D. Mitchel Hanks
  • Patent number: 7324130
    Abstract: A LED driver IC includes a control module(s) for controlling one or more LED drive parameters and non-volatile memory for storing settings data for that control module(s). The control module(s) is fully integrated into the LED driver IC and does not require any control input from off-chip components or signals. Therefore, the space requirements for LED circuits that make use of the LED driver IC can be minimized. Also, the non-volatile memory storage of settings data eliminates the need for an initialization or configuration input each time the LED driver IC is powered on. The non-volatile memory can be a one-time programmable memory or can be a reprogrammable memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Russell, Gelu Voicu
  • Patent number: 7324131
    Abstract: A method sets up a device for image reproduction on printing plates. The fastening of image reproduction members, their orientation and tolerances, and also tolerances in the positioning of the image reproduction members on a guide or a spindle, lead to mis-positions of the image reproduction members in relation to one another. Offsets of two adjacent image parts may occur. In the method, the printing plate has reproduced on it in the X-direction at least one first pattern which overlaps with the first pattern of an adjacent image reproduction member and/or the printing plate, in each case with a right and a left column, has reproduced on it in the Y-direction in each case at least three spaced-apart second patterns, such that in each case the right column of an image part is at least contiguous to the left column of an adjacent image part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Norbert Liebig, Rainer Müllenhagen, Stefan Schmidt, Gerhard Vogler
  • Patent number: 7324132
    Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are described. In one aspect, an imaging system includes a light source that is operable to generate a beam of light directed along a beam path and an optical element that is operable to rotate about a rotational axis. The optical element has two or more optical faces that are positionable to intersect the beam path over respective non-overlapping ranges of rotational positions of the optical element. At least two different optical faces are operable to scan the beam of light in different respective scan planes during rotation of the optical element. In an imaging method, a beam of light directed along a beam path is generated. The beam path is consecutively intersected with at least two different optical faces to scan the light beam in different respective scan planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Amir Said, Ramin Samadani
  • Patent number: 7324133
    Abstract: A programmable digital camera requiring a programming password to be entered to access the camera's programmability. The camera further includes programming so as to allow the camera to be operated only for a specified time interval, after which the camera becomes inoperable until the programming password is again entered and the camera is programmed to operate for another interval of time. An alternate embodiment of the invention includes a programmable digital camera as above described wherein the camera is programmed to only capture a set number of images, at which point the programming password must again be entered and the camera reset for another quantity of images. A further alternate embodiment includes a camera system with a separate transmitter for radiating a signal designed to cover a designated area, the signal being modulated with a camera operational code. The camera is equipped with a corresponding receiver and demodulator to receive the operational code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: FotoMedia Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 7324134
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a deviation of a camera as a result of a shaking. The apparatus includes a shaking detector which detects a deviation of the camera from shaking based upon an output of at least two pairs of acceleration sensors which are located on different axes of the camera coordinates. A calculator calculates tilt angles of each of the axes from outputs of the pairs of the acceleration sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sato, Takashi Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 7324135
    Abstract: The present invention is an image file selection method of selecting multiple image files available for composing a panoramic image from a plurality of image files including image data and image attribute information which includes positional information representing a geographical position at a time of photographing. The method includes the steps of: (a) reading out the positional information from each of the plurality of image files; and (b) selecting multiple image files photographed at geographical positions within a predetermined distance as the multiple image files available for composing the panoramic image based on the positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ouchi, Ikuo Hayaishi
  • Patent number: 7324136
    Abstract: The electronic camera, and image display method and image recording method applied thereto are capable of eliminating discontinuity in moving image caused by a camera control such as interruption by still image recording in moving image capturing and aperture switching. With respect to the period during which the capturing of the image data of moving image is interrupted, an image picked-up immediately before the interruption is repeatedly displayed or recorded. As to the moving image recording, supplementary recording for non-recording period may be performed afterward by utilizing an image immediately after resuming the reading of movie image. Moreover, display of non-image screen (“non-display”), recording of black screen (“black recording”) or display or recording of a special image can be inserted if necessary, thus giving an impression that the shutter is clicked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Kubo
  • Patent number: 7324137
    Abstract: An image processing system automatically generates a seamless and continuous developed still image with little distortion by creating a developed diagram in the circumferential direction of a tube from one frame of a video image of an inner wall of a tubular object photographed by a video camera while moving in the axial direction of the tubular object and stitching the developed diagrams with each other in the longitudinal direction (i.e., on a central axis) of the tube by mosaic processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Naomichi Akizuki, Naomi Yoshida, Agus Suharno
  • Patent number: 7324138
    Abstract: A false-color reducing device comprises a first interpolation processor, a color difference data calculation processor, a second interpolation processor, and a third interpolation processor. The first correlation value calculating processor obtains R plane data in which all the pixels have R data, G plane data in which all the pixels have G data, and B plane data in which all the pixels have B data. The color difference data calculation processor calculates U data and V data (or color difference data) regarding first (R), second (G), and third (B) pixels. The second interpolation processor calculates a mean value of the V data of four pixels adjacent to the first pixel in oblique directions, and sets this mean value as replaced V data for the first pixel. The third interpolation processor calculates a mean value of the U data of four pixels adjacent to the third pixel in oblique directions, and sets this mean value as replacement U data for the third pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7324139
    Abstract: A digital camera capable of enhancing utilization of an image shot in a text shooting mode is provided. An image processing unit converts an image shot in the text shooting mode to a data format appropriate to a transmission destination (a facsimile machine, a personal computer, etc.) selected by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7324140
    Abstract: When it is ascertained that continuous photography has been terminated, the recording to an external recording medium, via an image recording circuit, of image data stored in an internal memory is initiated. When an instruction is issued to start the recording of data onto the external recording medium, the state of a protection cover detection switch is detected. When the detection result of the protection cover detection switch indicates the protection cover is open, the recording of the image data onto the external recording medium is halted, and data stored in the external recording medium are protected. While when image data is still present in the internal memory, the conductive state of the internal memory is maintained following the halting of the data recording performed for the external recording medium, so that the loss of the image data in the internal memory is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7324141
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensor that performs image sensing in response to an inputted image sensing instruction, a recording medium that stores a sensed image, and a controller that controls to record on the recording medium the sensed image in a first format instead of a second format, different from the first format, which is designated in advance when a format change instruction is designated by a user within a predetermined period after sensing the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Kubo, Junichi Maniwa
  • Patent number: 7324142
    Abstract: A camera control card designed for use with a digital camera and a number of image manipulation cards. The digital camera has a card reader, an image sensor designed to capture an original image, and a controllable image manipulator designed to manipulate the original image to form a manipulated image. The image manipulation cards each have a surface with at least one encoded image manipulation instruction on it. The camera control card has a surface with at least one encoded camera control instruction on it. The camera control instruction is designed to be readable by the card reader in the digital camera. The camera control instruction is also designed, when read by the card reader, to cause the controllable image manipulator to perform at least one operation in relation to the image manipulation cards when the image manipulation cards are subsequently read by the card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook