Patents Issued in February 14, 2008
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Publication number: 20080036858Abstract: A on-demand video entertaining device includes a video program unit, which has a plurality of video programs each providing a video signal, a modulation unit to modulate the video signal provided by the video program unit and output the modulated signal through a coaxial cable, a video device unit installed in the vehicle having a plurality of demodulators, processors, a screen, a controller and a pair speaker. The demodulators receive the modulated signal transmitted by the coaxial cable and demodulate the modulated signal into a TV image signal and a dual audio channel signal, which are then transmitted to the screen and the speakers. The controller transmits the operation commands for channel selection and volume adjustment to the processor. The processor controls the demodulators, the screen and screen to perform the corresponding action of the commands. Thereby, multiple video entertainment programs can be provided to the passengers on board.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: Juen- Tien Peng
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Publication number: 20080036859Abstract: A digital surveillance camera includes a video capture component, a data converter coupled to the video capture component and a signal transmission unit coupled to an output terminal of the data converter. The data converter processes the video signal with high frequency components from the video capture component in digital domain to generate the video signal in a specific format to be further transmitted in the digital serial differential form. The signal transmission unit transmits the signal via either an optical fiber or a cable with characteristics of long-distance transmission and lowers the resulting signal loss to ensure the quality of the received video signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Yuh-Chin Chang, Hui-Ya Chou
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Publication number: 20080036860Abstract: A system and method for PTZ presets control analytic configuration in one aspect provides a camera that includes PTZ preset information and analytics configuration information to allow local, that is, within the camera, processing at each preset position. In one embodiment, the information is set-up or configured using, for example, a PC, PDA (personal digital assistant), or the like, etc., which may be remotely or locally connected to a camera. In one aspect, if a PTZ camera is being operated manually and is moved to a particular position, the PTZ automatically moves to the nearest preset position and operates under the conditions of the associated analytics configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: Kenneth L. Addy
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Publication number: 20080036861Abstract: A targeted object pursuit system comprising a first setting block, a second setting block, a recognition block, a first determination block, a second determination block, and a re-designation block is provided. The first setting block initially designates a partial area as a pursuit area. The second setting block designates the areas displaced from the pursuit area as candidate areas. The recognition block extracts a standard image and candidate images. The first determination block determines in which general direction the targeted object moves is the first or second general direction. Based on the determination made by the first determination block, the second determination block determines in which of the first, second, third, or fourth detailed direction the targeted object has moved. The re-designation block re-designates a candidate area as the new pursuit area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: PENTAX CORPORATIONInventor: Yasuhiro YAMAMOTO
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Publication number: 20080036862Abstract: A surveillance system is provided having a base unit for receiving digital video and audio transmissions from accessory units equipped with a camera having pan and tilt functions, a motion sensor, an intercom, infrared sensors and a doorbell button for contacting the interior of the dwelling a recording feature is provided to both automatically and on demand record video and audio transmissions received by the base unit from the accessory units.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Steve Lang, Barry Siskind
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Publication number: 20080036863Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an image server surveillance system provide for as control and coordination of cameras that may be widely deployed, analyzing data from multiple cameras, making data available in such a way that it can be efficiently transmitted over a network and can be easily displayed to potentially a large number of users, and displaying and controlling image data by existing client software.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Touch Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Esbensen
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Publication number: 20080036864Abstract: A method and system for capturing and transmitting image data streams. In one embodiment, the method includes capturing image data with a image sensor; creating a window within the image data and creating a detailed image data stream based on the windowed image data; reducing the image data and creating a contextual image data stream based on the reduced image data; and transmitting the detailed image data stream and the contextual image data stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: David McCubbrey, Eric Sieczka
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Publication number: 20080036865Abstract: An automated test measurement system (ATMS) (100), for automatically measuring a device under test (DUT) (60), includes a control module (110), a signal generation module (120), an encoder module (130), and a signal analyzer module (140). The control module receives an encoder parameter and a test item, and generates a pattern command and an analyzer command according to the test item. The signal generation module generates a pattern according to the pattern command. The encoder module transforms the pattern into a bitstream according to the encoder parameter, and transmits the bitstream to the DUT. The bitstream is then transformed into a test signal. The analyzer module receives the test signal from the DUT, and analyzes the test signal according to the analyzer command. An automated test measurement method therefor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: PAI-CHEN LIU
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Publication number: 20080036866Abstract: In a test method in which an image photographed by a camera apparatus 1 attached to a body of a vehicle is displayed on a display device 17 and an examiner examines compliance or non-compliance of the shooting direction of the camera apparatus 1 by comparing the position of a reference pattern and the position of a judgment pattern on the displayed photographed image, the photographed image is obtained at first by photographing with the camera apparatus 1 a test chart which is placed at a predefined position ahead of the vehicle with the reference pattern drawn on the test chart. Next, the judgment pattern is set at a specific position on the photographed image. Then, the photographed image on which the judgment pattern has been set is displayed on the display device 17.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sogawa, Keiichi Murakami, Yoshio Tozawa
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Publication number: 20080036867Abstract: A camera motion parameter retrieving system and solving process begins with using the equation of that the vector field divergence volume integral is equal to the total outgoing throughput passing through the surface area of the volume through the vector in conjunction with camera motion detection to solve the Motion Vectors (MVs) in the domain, followed by operation to further solve camera motion parameter respectively contains that for PAN, TILT and ZOOM while the value of the parameter represents the motion value; upon obtaining those three parameters, the moving direction of the camera motion of the present image being indicated after simple addition and subtraction operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Jia-Hung Lin, Chih-Hung Kuo, Chia-Hung Yeh, Hsuan-Huei Shih
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Publication number: 20080036868Abstract: A digital camera has a display processor, a photographing processor, and a display controller. The display processor displays a moving image on a display on the basis of image-pixel signals read from an image sensor successively. The photographing processor carriers out an exposure in accordance with the operation of a release button, to record a still image. Then, the display controller stops or suspends the action of the display processor within a given period, which is from the start of the exposure to the start of the reading of image-pixel signals corresponding to the still image.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: PENTAX CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroyuki FURUMOCHI
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Publication number: 20080036869Abstract: A device may include an image capture device and logic. The logic may be configured to receive voice input from a user and identify the voice input. The logic may further be configured to perform a control action associated with the image capturing device based on the identified voice input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS ABInventors: Mats Gustafsson, Julian Charles Hope
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Publication number: 20080036870Abstract: In order to automatically determine a scene, a probability that a presumed target which is a characteristic target in an imaging scene is present is calculated in advance for each imaging scene as scene reliability. In order to calculate the scene reliability, a color characteristic and a brightness characteristic of the presumed target of each imaging scene is stored in a digital camera as a scene characteristic in advance. When the scene reliability is calculated, a preview image is divided into a plurality of blocks and a representative brightness value and a representative color value of each block are calculated as block characteristics. The scene reliability is then calculated based on a comparison between the calculated block characteristics and the scene characteristic of each imaging scene.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: Tetsuji Uezono
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Publication number: 20080036871Abstract: An electronic camera system includes a photographing ordering system and a photographing system. The photographing system includes an image sensor which photographs a subject and generates an image signal; a camera-side communication unit which communicates with the photographing ordering system; a subject judging unit which judges whether or not the subject is the person to be photographed based on the person identifying data when or after the subject is photographed; an image processing unit which generates the image data with the image signal; and a camera-side control unit which extracts the image data of which the person to be photographed has been photographed based on a judged result of the subject judging unit and transmits the extracted image data to the photographing ordering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2005Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Akira Ohmura, Shinichi Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20080036872Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Tatsuhiko NOBORI
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Publication number: 20080036873Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatic optoelectronic detection and inspection of objects, based on capturing digital images of a two-dimensional field of view in which an object to be detected or inspected may be located, analyzing the images, and making and reporting decisions on the status of the object. Decisions are based on evidence obtained from a plurality of images for which the object is located in the field of view, generally corresponding to a plurality of viewing perspectives. Evidence that an object is located in the field of view is used for detection, and evidence that the object satisfies appropriate inspection criteria is used for inspection. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and analyzing images at high speed so that multiple viewing perspectives can be obtained for objects in continuous motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Cognex CorporationInventor: William Silver
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Publication number: 20080036874Abstract: A modular multimedia pen has a camera module and a printer module. The camera module has an image sensor and a central processing unit. The central processing unit has program memory, image storage memory and an image processing unit for transforming the captured image into an L*a*b* format for printing by the printer module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Walmsley
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Publication number: 20080036875Abstract: The systems and methods for real time transmission of an image from an image sensor having a field of view to a processor for selectively adjusting a resolution of the image as a function of a viewer's focus point.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Peter Jones, Dennis Purcell
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Publication number: 20080036876Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a display function is able to alter the orientation of an image displayed on a display means for displaying images between a first orientation and a second orientation different from the first orientation. A plurality of operating means are provided at positions symmetrical between disposal positions which take the first orientation as a standard orientation and disposal positions which take the second orientation as a standard orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Hideo Kaneda, Takehito Ishiwata
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Publication number: 20080036877Abstract: The network camera of the present invention is connected to a terminal apparatus, and includes a camera and a memory. The camera photographs an image and is movable within a predetermined photographing range. The memory stores predetermined positional information indicating a position of the predetermined object. It is prohibited to display the image of the predetermined object on the terminal apparatus. The network camera has a controller that controls the camera to move within the photographable range to acquire a series of images from the camera at predetermined time periods. The controller, when acquiring the image including the predetermined object based on the predetermined positional information, performs a masking process operation with respect to a predetermined image area that includes both the image of the predetermined object acquired at a present time period and the image of the predetermined object acquired at one time period previous to the present time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuji ARIMA
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Publication number: 20080036878Abstract: A system 1 for capturing and displaying images is described, which includes a camera module 10 having an image sensor 11, a display unit 18 and a control unit 17. The camera module 10 includes a memory module 14 for storing patterns and messages as well as a function module 13 for superimposing patterns and/or messages stored in the memory module 14 upon an image of the image sensor 11.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2005Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Roland Schmid, Ulrich Seger, Jens Schick
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Publication number: 20080036879Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device for photographing a subject image to output as image data, a recording device for recording the image data as an image file, a wireless communication device, a partner device searching device for searching for a partner device of a wireless communication, and a wireless communication setting device for setting the wireless communication device to be effective or to be invalid, and when the wireless communication device is effectively set by the wireless communication setting device, the partner device searching device automatically starts the searching of the partner device with activation of the imaging device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: Tetsuya Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20080036881Abstract: An imaging device which assures high-quality image information free from a line noise by extracting line noise information from a taken image, detecting an existence of an extrinsic line noise in the image, and correcting the line noise if it exists. The imaging device comprises a memory circuit for storing image pick-up outputs at imaging of a two-dimensional area sensor comprising photosensors or radiation sensors, an extrinsic line noise detection unit for detecting an extrinsic line noise in the image pick-up outputs stored in the memory circuit, and an arithmetic processing circuit for calculating an output quantity of the detected extrinsic line noise. The line noise is eliminated by correcting the image pick-up outputs on the basis of the obtained output quantity of the extrinsic line noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: ISAO Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20080036882Abstract: Disclosed is an image taking apparatus that has functions of performing plural types of corrections on a captured image, and can continuously execute the plural types of corrections on the image. The image taking apparatus can be configured in such a way that when image data recorded in a recording medium is read and is subjected to plural types of corrections, for example, the image data once read can be saved in the recording medium after completion of the plural corrections which are continuously executed. The plural types of corrections can be configured in such a way that the combination or the order thereof is determined based on information unique to the image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventors: Tatsuyuki Uemura, Mitsumasa Okubo, Kaoru Kaneko
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Publication number: 20080036883Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has an image pickup device, a defect-information-storing unit that stores defect information relative to a defective pixel in the image pickup element, a compensation-signal-generating unit that generates a compensation signal for each defective pixel, first and second compensation units that compensate for the pixel signal relative to the defective pixel indicated by the defect information with and without applying the compensation signal to the pixel signal, and a compensation-switching unit that switches between a first signal compensated by the first compensation unit and a second signal compensated by the second compensation unit based on a comparison result of a signal level of the compensation signal with a signal level of a predetermined compensation-switching reference signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Manabu Hara
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Publication number: 20080036884Abstract: An image sensing system is disclosed. The image sensing system includes a signal determination unit which recognizes a saturated region of an image obtained by photoelectric conversion where the signal level is saturated, and a desaturated region where the signal level is not saturated, and determines whether an inner region serving as a desaturated region surrounded by the saturated region exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hidetoshi Hayashi
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Publication number: 20080036885Abstract: Defect correction and other de-noising as well as resolution maintenance and contour correction can all be appropriately performed in an image-signal processing device for processing an image signal from an image sensor. First through third de-noising parts 30a through 30c are provided separately to correspond to a brightness-processing part 36, a color-processing part 40, and a contour-processing part 38, respectively. Among defect-correcting parts 42a through 42c provided to the de-noising parts 30a through 30c, respectively, the defect-correcting part 42c provided to correspond to the contour-processing part 38 is set to a low defect-correction level and maintains contour information. The defect-correcting part 42a provided to correspond to the brightness-processing part 36 is set to an intermediate correction level and corrects pixel defects while maintaining resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicants: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD., SANYO SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Toshio Nakakuki
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Publication number: 20080036886Abstract: Slight camera movement between capture of successive images is advantageously utilized to minimize or eliminate the need to interpolate in order to fill in the “holes” in a Bayer pattern. The captured color values from multiple appropriately positioned images are used to fill these holes. For example, instead of interpolating the value of red for the second pixel position on the first row of a Bayer pattern, an image is selected which is positioned one pixel to the right of the first image, and the red vales from this image are used for the red values of the second pixel on the first line. Values of the pixels in multiple images which are appropriately aligned to each pixel position are averaged to generate a better value for each pixel position. Information carried by a digital watermark (either alone or together with other techniques) is used to determine the alignment of the images.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Brett Hannigan, Alastair Reed
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Publication number: 20080036887Abstract: The present invention relates to a photo-detecting apparatus having a structure for enabling photodetection with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. When light is incident on a pixel section of an active pixel-type within a photo-detecting section, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of an electric charge generated at a photodiode included in the pixel section is outputted from the pixel section by way of a selecting transistor. A first pixel data readout section outputs the output from the pixel section as a first voltage value. On the other hand, the electric charge generated at the photodiode including the pixel section is outputted from the pixel section by way of a discharging transistor. The electric charge flown in a second pixel data readout section via a switch is accumulated in a capacitive element, and a voltage value corresponding to the amount of the accumulated electric charge is outputted from the second pixel data readout section as a second voltage value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2004Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Seiichiro Mizuno, Yukinobu Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20080036888Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels stored in one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, each of the plurality of pixels including a photodiode receiving light and producing photocharges, an overflow gate coupled to the photodiode and transferring photocharges that overflow the photodiode during a storage operation, and a storage capacitor element that stores the photocharges transferred by the overflow gate during the storage operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Shigetoshi Sugawa, Nana Akahane, Satoru Adachi
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Publication number: 20080036889Abstract: A solid-state imaging device that enables more images to be photographed and a reading time to be shortened by effectively using storage cells is provided. By combining pieces of information which correspond to signal charges output from a photoelectric converter and are sequentially stored in storage cells, it is possible to store more pieces of information than the number of storage cells. Also, by reading the combined information stored in one storage cell, it is possible to read more pieces of information by a single reading operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Takayoshi Yamada, Takumi Yamaguchi, Takahiko Murata, Shigetaka Kasuga
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Publication number: 20080036890Abstract: Each pixel has a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into electrical charges and to store the electrical charges, an amplifying unit configured to amplify a signal based on the electrical charges stored in the photoelectric conversion unit and to output the signal to an output line, and a reset unit configured to reset a input part of the amplifying unit. A clip unit, which is configured to limit an electric voltage of the output line, includes an amplifying circuitry for amplifying a signal based on the electric voltage of the output line and an MOS transistor for limiting the electric voltage of the output line based on the difference in electric potential between the gate and source. The clip unit controls the electric potential of the gate of the MOS transistor by the amplifying circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Satoshi Kato, Toshiaki Ono, Hidekazu Takahashi
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Publication number: 20080036891Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel unit including a photoelectric converter, an amplifier arranged on the output side of the pixel unit, an output unit arranged on the output side of the amplifier, a first restriction circuit, and a second restriction circuit. The first restriction circuit restricts, between the amplifier and the output unit, a noise level read out from the pixel unit via the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit. The second restriction circuit restricts, between the photoelectric converter and the amplifier, a noise level to be provided to the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiaki Ono, Toru Koizumi, Tetsuya Itano
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Publication number: 20080036892Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a solid-state imaging device having a pixel section formed of a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array each containing a photoelectric conversion section for generating a signal corresponding to a quantity of incident light, a read drive section for setting one or more pixels in the pixel section as a read unit group to effect read operation by the unit of the read unit group, and a global shutter function setting section for obtaining an imaging signal where an exposure start timing and an exposure period of all subject pixels in the pixel section are the same; a light quantity distribution detecting means for detecting a distribution of said quantity of incident light to the pixel section of the solid-state imaging device; and a drive control means for setting to the read drive section an order of read sequence of the read unit groups based on a light quantity distribution information of the pixel section detected at the light quantity distribution detectinType: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi GOMI
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Publication number: 20080036893Abstract: A CCD sensor arrangement comprises a CCD sensor, which comprises a detector having an active area comprising pixels that receive charges; a read-out register functionally connected with the aforesaid active area; means for transferring charges from the active area to the read-out register; at least two read-out wells functionally connected with the read-out register, said at least two read-out wells having different capacities; means for transferring charges from the read-out register to the at least two read-out wells; means arranged in the sensor or in functional connection with the sensor for measuring the signal generated by the charges read out or being read out from said wells; and selection means for deciding during read-out of charges from said active area of the sensor, at least partly on the basis of the aforesaid measured signal, whether the read-out well to be used is to be changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: PLANMECA OYInventor: Christian De Godzinsky
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Publication number: 20080036894Abstract: A comparison apparatus and method for obtaining photographic effects is provided. The apparatus includes a digital display screen, and a digital memory containing multiple example images and diagrams to show how those example images were achieved. The images in the memory are classified by lighting type, color, camera, and lens. Images in the memory are displayed along with a list showing the settings used when the example images were acquired. The digital memory contains images obtained by a comprehensive study of light and color with varying attributes of the photographic process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: Mohammed Alsaud
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Publication number: 20080036895Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a display that displays photographing information. When the display is turned off in response to an operation performed by a user, the photographing information is prevented from being changed even if a button or a dial for changing a set value, such as a shutter speed or an aperture value, is operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takashi Kosaka
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Publication number: 20080036896Abstract: A projecting accommodating device used in an electronic device having a display monitor is provided. The accommodating device includes a shell body and a lens. The shell body has a cavity for receiving the electronic device, and the lens is disposed on the shell body. When the electronic device is disposed within the cavity and the display monitor faces the lens, an image displayed on the display monitor can be projected out through the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: BENQ CORPORATIONInventor: Chiou-Lin Chung
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Publication number: 20080036897Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first image pick-up unit, a projecting unit that projects imaging light, an optical unit that transmits part of light entering from a first image pick-up direction and guides the part of the light to the first image pick-up unit while reflecting part of the imaging light projected from the projecting unit and outputting the reflected light in the first image pick-up direction, and reflects part of light entering from a second image pick-up direction and guides the part of the light to the first image pick-up unit while transmitting part of the imaging light projected from the projecting unit and outputting the part of the imaging light in the second image pick-up direction, and an attenuating unit that is movably placed between two positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsutomu ABE, Jun Shingu
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Publication number: 20080036898Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of removing foreign substance, such as dust, attached to an optical member disposed in front of an image pickup element, even when accessories are exchanged in a power-off state of the image pickup apparatus. The type or state of an accessory mounted on the image pickup apparatus, which is detected immediately before a power-off of the image pickup apparatus are stored. When a type or state of a mounted accessory, which is detected immediately after the power-on, is different from the stored type or state of the accessory mounted on the image pickup apparatus, an operation for removing foreign substance attached to the optical member is carried out.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nobuyuki Inoue
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Publication number: 20080036899Abstract: A target workpiece inspection apparatus comprises an optical image acquiring unit to acquire an optical image of a target workpiece, a reference image generating unit to generate a reference image to be compared, a difference judging unit to judge whether an absolute value of difference between pixel values of the images in each pixel at a preliminary alignment position between the images is smaller than a threshold value, a least-squares method displacement calculating unit to calculate a displacement amount displaced from the preliminary alignment position, by using a regular matrix for a least-squares method obtained from a result judged, a position correcting unit to correct an alignment position between the optical image and the reference image to a position displaced from the preliminary alignment position by the displacement amount, and a comparing unit to compare the optical image and the reference image whose alignment position has been corrected.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Advanced Mask Inspection Technology Inc.Inventor: Kyoji YAMASHITA
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Publication number: 20080036900Abstract: The focusing information visualization system of the invention extracts an edge having an edge intensity of not less than a first reference value Th1 and an edge width of not greater than a second reference value Th2 in a photographic image and displays the extracted edge in a preset color at a position of the edge extraction to be overlapped with the original photographic image on a screen. A focused area defined by the extracted edge is displayed as N divisional areas. In response to a user's operational specification of one divisional area among the N divisional areas, an enlarged photographic image corresponding to the specified divisional area at a desired magnification ratio is displayed on the screen. This arrangement adopts the automatic rough judgment and the user's final visual check to accurately recognize the focusing status of the photographic image.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Ayahiro Nakajima, Naoki Kuwata, Kenji Matsuzaka, Seiji Aiso
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Publication number: 20080036901Abstract: An AF controlling unit (83) starts an outside light AF operation controlled by an outside AF unit (81) by a half-pressing of a shutter release button (61), and a change over between the outside AF operation and a CCDAF operation controlled by a CCDAF unit (82) is controlled corresponding to an elapsed time t (timer 84) from a starting of the operation of the outside light AF operation and a pressing condition (a detection of the half-pressing by a half-pressed detecting unit (62), the detection of a full-pressing by a full-pressed detecting unit (63) or a press-in releasing) of a shutter release button (61) after the starting of the outside light AF operation controlled by the outside AF unit (81) by the half-pressing of the shutter release button (61).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Junichi SHINOHARA, Kohichi Sugiura, Kenji Shiraishi, Takashi Kajiyama
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Publication number: 20080036902Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of realizing a focus-effect function in a constant time without being influenced by contrast of an object or the position of a focus lens. The apparatus includes a signal generator which generates a focus evaluation signal, a detector which detects information corresponding to an object distance, and a controller which performs focus lens control on the basis of the focus evaluation signal and focus lens control on the basis of information corresponding to the object distance. The controller determines a direction and a velocity in which the focus lens is moved toward an in-focus position on the basis of the information corresponding to the object distance in the focus lens control according to the focus-effect function. The controller performs the focus lens control on the basis of the focus evaluation signal after the focus lens is moved in the determined direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuya Tanaka
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Publication number: 20080036903Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, each pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions disposed in the depth direction of a semiconductor; and a filter which is disposed on the incident side of the image pickup region and which has a characteristic wherein the transmittance of light in the visible wavelength region decreases as the wavelength of light becomes longer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shingo Hayakawa
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Publication number: 20080036904Abstract: A digital camera has a battery that supplies electric power, a battery level detector, a time detector, a remaining voltage calculator, and a boot controller. When the digital camera is turned off, the battery level detector detects a remaining voltage level of the battery. When the digital camera is turned on, the time detector detects an elapsed time from the last electric power OFF operation to the current electric power ON operation, namely, a time period in which the camera is in the OFF state. Further, when the digital camera is turned on, the remaining voltage calculator calculates a remaining voltage-level of the battery on the basis of the detected elapsed time, the last detected remaining voltage level, and the discharge characteristic of the battery. Then, the boot controller allows the digital camera to boot if the calculated remaining voltage level is larger than a limited voltage necessary to boot the digital camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: PENTAX CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuhito TANEOKA
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Publication number: 20080036905Abstract: A display rotation apparatus and a method of joining the display rotation apparatus with a display. The display rotation apparatus, which includes a fixed body, an arm part having one end joined to the fixed body, a hinge member joined to the other end of the arm part, and a guide member rotatably joined to the hinge member, can adjust the joining point according to the center of mass of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yang-Ho Moon, Chil-Sung Lee, Kyoung-Shin Park, Dong-Won Choi, Jae-Kyung Kim
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Publication number: 20080036906Abstract: A method for converting video information from an incoming format to an outgoing format using a process free from one or more intermediary files. The method includes receiving video information in a first format and receiving a desired output media format based upon a first input and a desired TV standard based upon a second input. The method decodes the video information in the first format to raw video information in an uncompressed format and directly resizes the raw video information in the uncompressed format into a size associated with the desired output media format and the desired TV standard. The method adjusts the uncompressed format in the size associated with the desired output media format and the desired TV standard to a frame rate associated with the desired TV standard and encodes the uncompressed format in the size and the frame rate into an elementary video stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: MedioStream, Inc.Inventor: Qiang Huang
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Publication number: 20080036907Abstract: [Problem]To minimize an increase in the number of screen modes, and to provide modes capable of giving a remarkable sense of presence and modes capable of displaying right circles in the video display device whose aspect ratio is 10:3. [Means to Solve the Problem]A video display device whose aspect ratio is longer in the horizontal direction than 16:9 is provided with a video conversion circuit for stretching an inputted video signal in horizontal and vertical directions and a display unit adapted to display the video stretched by the video conversion circuit. The video conversion circuit includes a mode for stretching the inputted video at a stretch rate of A (A is equal to or larger than 1) in the horizontal direction and at a stretch rate of B (B is equal to or larger than 1) in the vertical direction, so that unpleasant sensation caused by the stretch in the horizontal direction is reduced, and videos effectively utilizing the aspect ratio of the video display device are displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshitomo UMEI, Yuji MIZUGUCHI, Kazumasa NAGASHIMA
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Publication number: 20080036908Abstract: A de-interlacer includes recursive motion history map generating circuitry operative to determine a motion value associated with one or more pixels in interlaced fields based on pixel intensity information from at least two neighboring same polarity fields. The recursive motion history map generating circuitry generates a motion history map containing recursively generated motion history values for use in de-interlacing interlaced fields wherein the recursively generated motion history values are based, at least in part, on a decay function.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: ATI Technologies ULCInventors: Daniel Wong, Philip Swan, Daniel Doswald