Abstract: A device for overlay of text or graphics onto video to trigger video recording on a motion sensitive video recorder for non-motion events.

Abstract: When a video signal and an audio signal obtained through decoding by a decoder 14 are outputted for the playback of a broadcast program, a scene identification code generator 20 generates and outputs a scene identification code by which to identify the scene currently being played back.

Abstract: A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.

Abstract: An information recording medium stores information transmitted as a transport stream as objects. The management information written to the information recording medium includes object information for managing the recorded objects. The object information includes an access map. The access map manages the MPEG transport stream in block units, each block containing an integer multiple number of ECC blocks. In addition to the specific information for accessing the blocks, the access map also includes an I-picture Included Flag indicating whether each block includes I-picture data. It is therefore possible to randomly access the transport stream, which otherwise lacks random accessibility to the middle of the stream.

Abstract: Provided are a method, an audio/video (AV) control point (CP) device, and a home network system for executing AV content in segment units defined using a protocol enabling interoperability between various devices existing in a home network. The method includes a control point extracting segment-related information about audio/video (AV) content stored in a first AV device, and the control point controlling a second AV device to execute the AV content using the segment-related information in segment units.

Abstract: A moving image reproducing apparatus that can produce appropriate information concerning the occurrence of a communication error in the DDC includes an error detecting unit that detects a communication error in a display data channel (DDC); an error information generating unit that generates error information if a communication error in the DDC is detected by the error detecting unit; and an error information output unit that delivers the error information to the display device via a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) channel.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having a first mode for generating a first video signal according to a first video signal format, and a second mode for generating a second video signal according to a second video signal format. The image apparatus includes a selection unit to select either a first recording format corresponding to the first video signal format or a second recording format corresponding to the second video signal format to initialize a recording medium, and an initialization unit to perform an initialization process of the recording medium according to the selected recording format. The image apparatus further includes a recording unit to record either the first video signal or the second video signal on the initialized recording medium, and a control unit to select one of the modes of the imaging unit depending on the selected recording format.

Abstract: The invention teaches a brushless DC motor, comprising a brushless DC motor unit and a controller unit, wherein the brushless DC motor unit comprises a stator assembly, a permanent magnet rotor assembly magnetically coupled with the stator assembly, an enclosure supporting the installation of stator assembly and the permanent magnet rotator assembly, an end shield installed at the end of the enclosure, the rotating shaft of the permanent magnet rotor assembly projecting out of the end shield; the controller unit comprises an integrated power module, a microprocessor unit, a rotor position sensing circuit, a power source circuit, an I/O interface circuit, a current-sensing circuit, and a controller box; and the controller unit is electrically connected to the brushless DC motor unit.

Abstract: Taught herein is a controller for a direct current brushless motor connected to a high voltage control system, comprising a microprocessor and an input/output interface circuit connected between the high voltage control system and the microprocessor; wherein the input/output interface circuit is a step-down circuit for transforming a high voltage control signal into a low-voltage control signal. The controller enables the high voltage control system to cooperate with motor, therefore a user is not necessary to design a new high voltage control system when replacing the conventional AC motor with the DC brushless motor, which saves time, and reduces cost.

Abstract: An electric fan device includes a motor which drives an electric fan for a vehicle, a control switch which controls a motor current supplied to the motor, and a control unit which controls an on/off operation of the control switch with pulse-width modulation. The control unit outputs a PWM pulse having a main PWM pulse and a vibration reducing pulse within one cycle to the control switch.

Abstract: An electrically actuated liquid dispenser, an electrically addressable liquid dispenser and an electronic device are described.

Abstract: A humidification apparatus, comprising a container and a set of heating tube; wherein water (liquid) can be introduced from a container to one end of said heating tube, and an steam outlet is provided in another end so that the steams generated by heating liquid (water) flowed out or spurted; said heating tube is an electric film where the external surface of the quartz tube is electrified for heating. Steams will be generated when liquid (water) introduced and reserved in the tube is electrified and heated by the electric film and then boiled. Therefore, it is necessary to heat partial liquid depending on the amount of steamed needed, and thus power saving can be achieved.

Abstract: A filament lamp that allows independent control of the state of luminescence of multiple filaments and that reliably prevents the occurrence of unwanted discharge between adjacent portions of neighboring filaments, even when a high voltage is injected into the filaments to achieve a desired irradiation distribution, and light-irradiation-type heat treatment device that can heat the article to be treated uniformly. The filament lamp has multiple filament assemblies, each having a filament and respective leads arrangement sequentially within a light emitting bulb, in the axial direction of the light emitting bulb. With alternating current power supplied to each filament independently, the current will be supplied with the same phase and mutually adjacent terminals of neighboring filament assemblies will have the same potential, and with direct current power supplied to each filament independently, adjacent terminals of neighboring filament assemblies will be of the same polarity.

Abstract: A tank for retaining and heating water is defined by tank walls, including a bottom wall portion comprised of stainless steel. The tank has a water inlet and a water outlet for dispensing hot water. An aluminum intermediate plate is brazed to the lower surface of the bottom wall portion. A heating element secured within a heat conductive sheath, is brazed to the intermediate plate. A baffle is positioned within the walls of the tank, dividing the tank into an upper water reservoir and a lower preheating chamber, the baffle having at least one open portion defined therethrough.

Abstract: A camera assembly includes an endcap assembly for closing off the bottom end of a second film chamber, which is sized to selectively receive a roll of film or a secondary film cartridge housing a roll of film. The endcap assembly can include a movable shutter blade enclosed between two plates. The endcap assembly can be removably secured to the camera assembly. At least a portion of the endcap assembly can be formed with the camera assembly. Embodiments further relate to a method of loading such cameras, especially in the daylight. The method involves bringing a sleeve into light-tight engagement with the endcap assembly and then inserting a winding rod through the sleeve and the endcap assembly and into a second film chamber of the camera. The winding rod can then be used to wind film out of a cassette in the first chamber and into a roll in the second chamber.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a display unit configured to display a plurality of informations having a plurality of hierarchies; a focus control unit configured to focus at least one of the plurality of informations to be displayed by the display unit; a recognition unit configured to recognize whether or not a focus movement speed in at least one of the plurality of informations controlled by the focus control unit is smaller than a prescribed reference value; and a first control unit configured to control the display unit to display at least one of the plurality of informations according to the recognition result by the recognition unit.

Abstract: The accuracy of focus adjustment operation is enhanced further. When focus adjustment operation is performed, a first measured distance acquired by utilization of TTL-AF and a second measured value acquired by utilization of a distance between the eyes have been computed in advance. The degree of reliability of the first measured distance is compared the degree of reliability of the second measured distance in accordance with a result of a determination as to whether or not a face is detected (S10), a result of a determination as to whether or not an ambient brightness value Br is equal to or less than a reference value (S12), a result of a determination as to whether or not a focal length “f” is equal to or less than a reference value (S16), and a result of a determination as to whether or not a second measured distance De is less than a first measured distance Dt (S18). Focus adjustment operation is performed in accordance with a measured distance determined to be more reliable.

Abstract: Techniques are described for dynamic automatic exposure compensation within image capture devices. The techniques include dynamically adjusting a default target brightness for a scene to compensate an exposure value (EV) selected by an automatic exposure process. A sensor array obtains light information from the scene at a default target brightness and an image capture controller calculates brightness values of a plurality of regions in the scene based on the light information. An automatic exposure compensation module dynamically adjusts the default target brightness based on the brightness values for the plurality of regions in the scene and threshold values set for the sensor array to set an adjusted target brightness. The sensor array may then capture an image frame of the scene using an EV for the adjusted target brightness. The techniques also include building a hysteresis zone to substantially stabilize the adjusted target brightness over a sequence of image scenes.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a mechanical shutter when an exposure time of the mechanical shutter is less than a control time of the mechanical shutter, including: (a) measuring a raw image of an initial photo to obtain a standard brightness value, after the initial photo with a predetermined correct luminance is captured in a high luminance environment; (b) fixing some parameters that are changed easily when taking a picture, after auto exposure (AE) is stable; (c) adjusting the mechanical shutter's trigger point; (d) taking a picture for obtaining another photo and measuring a raw image of the other photo for obtaining a testing brightness value; (e) comparing whether the testing brightness value and the standard brightness value are the same; and (f) if the testing brightness value and the standard brightness value are the same, determining that the trigger point is a real trigger point of the mechanical shutter.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and a method for setting a camera in a mobile terminal with camera-setting values of photographing parameters. The method includes identifying a current time and a location of the mobile terminal; transmitting location information of the mobile terminal to a weather information providing server and receiving weather information from the weather information providing server corresponding to the location information; retrieving camera-setting values of photographing parameters from a storage unit according to the time and weather information; and setting a camera with the camera-setting values. Accordingly, photography is made more user friendly for a user unskilled with a camera and high-quality photographs are achieved by automatically modifying the photographing parameters of a camera installed in a mobile terminal according to a season, weather, and time.

Abstract: A camera may comprise a lens assembly to receive optical information from a subject and a shutter assembly comprising a blade, a base plate to pivotally support the blade, and a wire to move the blade in response to a current. The camera may include an image sensor to selectively record optical information passing through the shutter.

Abstract: Detecting electrical overstress events in electronic circuitry such as optical emitters. In one example embodiment, a laser includes an active area and a contact region in electrical communication with the active area. A portion of the contact region is configured to manifest a change in a visual attribute of the portion in response to exposure of the portion to an electrical overstress event.

Abstract: This invention concerns the field of telecommunication networks using optical fibres. The invention relates to a method of determining a connection path between two points in an optical network comprising several paths to connect said two points, each path comprising optical fibre spans and power amplifiers, said method comprising different steps depending on the degree of knowledge of network optical data. This data consists of the optical losses LI in optical fibre spans, the maximum allowable input power IP into said spans and the maximum output power PA from the amplifiers.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes a first optical communication apparatus configured to insert a wavelength control signal in a main signal to produce a modified main signal; convert the modified main signal into a first optical signal; and transmit the first optical signal, and a second optical communication apparatus configured to receive the first optical signal; extract the wavelength control signal from the received first optical signal; determine a wavelength of a second optical signal based on the extracted wavelength control signal; and transmit the second optical signal to the first optical communication apparatus.

Abstract: While continuously providing a service in an existing optical communication system, a service at another communication speed is realized at low cost. For this reason, a station-side optical network terminal apparatus is configured so that to one light-emitting unit connected are a first processing unit that performs a process to output an optical signal at one communication speed by the light-emitting unit and a second processing unit that performs a process to output an optical signal at another communication speed by the light-emitting unit.

Abstract: A resilient photonic network includes a plurality of resilient switching nodes, each node comprising a photonic switch and one of a Layer-2/3 switch and router, and a plurality of bi-directional ports, each connected between the photonic switch the one of a Layer-2/3 switch and router, wherein at least one optical signal having a specific wavelength is transmitted through a first network port of a first one of the plurality of resilient switching nodes to an adjacent second one of the plurality of resilient switching nodes and the at least one optical signal is transmitted through a second network port of the first one of the plurality of resilient switching nodes to an adjacent third one of the plurality of resilient switching nodes to establish a bi-directional connectivity between the first, second, and third pluralities of resilient switching nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bandwidth doubling in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) enable an optical line terminal (OLT) to transmit downlink to at least one double rate optical network unit (ONU). The double rate transmission is preferably facilitated by use of single rate devices (OLT and ONU) functionally connected to provide the double rate capability. The methods include packet-by-packet multiplexing, bit-by-bit line code interleaving, doubling an inter-packet gap (IPG) length, defining windows of transmission for different transmission rates, using the 8B/10B code, removing the 8B/10B code from just the downlink transmission and symbol-by-symbol multiplexing is downlink transmissions from the double rate OLT.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing based passive optical network is disclosed. The network includes an optical line terminal; a power optical splitter connecting to the optical line terminal by an optical fiber; and several optical network units. Each of the optical network units connects to the power optical splitter by each of other optical fibers by a random process.

Abstract: A land-based cable station is provided for interfacing with first and second undersea transmission segments of an undersea optical transmission system. The cable station includes optical transmission terminal equipment for receiving and transmitting optical signals that undergo opto-electric conversion therein. A first interface device is operably coupled to the terminal equipment for bidirectionally communicating optical signals between the terminal equipment and the first undersea transmission segment and for providing signal conditioning to the optical signals received from the terminal equipment so that the optical signals are suitable for transmission through the first undersea transmission segment.

Abstract: A method for entering a market with high barriers to entry and a plurality of proprietary business elements includes converting at least one of the business elements into a universal business element that can accept a wide variety of inputs from other business elements, while converting a remaining one of the plurality of business elements to commoditized business elements. In addition, a market of a resulting business is limited so that the resulting business straddles a gap between two subdivisions of the market. Thus, a combination of technology and market division enables conversion of otherwise proprietary system to commodity equipment that can work with a wide variety of existing vendor equipment while competing technologically with highly engineered solutions.

Abstract: To provide an optical module capable of improving the workability for a circuit substrate, in the rear of a shield case (22), a pressing portion (27) for holding an FOT (6) is formed to press a back surface of a package portion (9) of the FOT (6). In the rear of the shield case (22), a stress countermeasure portion (28) is formed to distribute or mitigate a stress occurring due to deformation and displacement of the pressing portion (27). The stress countermeasure portion (28) is formed between the pressing portion (27) and a substrate connection portion (16). The stress countermeasure portion (28) is formed in the vicinity of the pressing portion (27). In a small space between a base (or bend portion) of the pressing portion (27) and the stress countermeasure portion (28), the force in a twist direction acts due to the occurred stress. This force is distributed or absorbed according to presence and shape of the stress countermeasure portion (28).

Abstract: A fiber optic communications cable for providing a short range, high speed data communications link between information system units, including an optical fiber with an integral housing at each end having an electrical connector extending from the housing and adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical connector on an external information system unit for transferring an information signal between the cable and the unit. A signal converter in the integral housing's converts the information signal between an electrical signal and a corresponding optical signal.

Abstract: An optical phase modulation circuit includes an optical phase modulation element, an optical bandpass filter, and an optical directional coupler, wherein control light with a wavelength of ?C is coupled with probe light with a wavelength of ?P using the optical directional coupler and input to the optical phase modulation element, the probe light that has been phase modulated by the optical phase modulation element is extracted through the optical bandpass filter, and the phase of the probe light is modulated in response to the intensity of the control light.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for compensating intra-channel nonlinearities in an optical communications system which combines optical dispersion compensation with electronic pre-distortion (EPD). EPD with moderate lookup table size can effectively suppress intra-channel nonlinearities over optical transmission links incorporating optical dispersion compensation. The arrangement can be implemented for a variety of optical communications systems, including 10 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and higher bit rate systems as well as single-channel and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems.

Abstract: A control module is configured to receive one or more input signals. An optical selection network includes a plurality of optical input ports configured to receive respective optical waves at an operative wavelength, and at least one optical output port configured to provide an optical wave at the optical wavelength. The optical selection network is configured to receive one or more control signals from the control module, and in response to the control signals, provide a high transmission path for the operative wavelength from an optical input port, determined by the input signals, to the optical output port at a predetermined time with respect to a time reference in at least one of the input signals, and provide a low transmission path for the operative wavelength from each of a plurality of optical input ports, determined by the input signals, to the optical output port at the predetermined time.

Abstract: A micro-optic dual beam-splitter assembly comprises at least two beam-splitter optical filters and at least one photoreceptor. Each of the beam-splitter optical filters comprises an optical substrate having at least a coated or uncoated optical tap surface and a filter surface carrying a thin-film optical filter. The thin-film optical filters are substantially normal to the optical path from an optical signal source. Each of the optical tap surfaces is operative as an optical beam splitter to tap off an optical tap signal. The one or more photoreceptors are arranged to receive both or at least one of the optical tap signals. The tap signals comprise a portion of the optical signals passed along the optical path to the optical filter chips. The filter chips are cooperatively transmissive to an optical signal output port of a selected set of wavelengths received from the optical signal source along the optical path, and are reflective of other wavelengths.

Abstract: At least a plurality of light-receiving regions for receiving remote control signals, respectively, in a form of incident light and performing photoelectric conversion of the signals are provided in one common mold package. The remote control receiver includes a first signal processing circuit for adding up signals outputted by the plurality of light-receiving regions and, based on a resulting signal, demodulating and outputting the remote control signal. The remote control receiver also includes a second signal processing circuit for calculating a difference between the signals outputted by the plurality of light-receiving regions to obtain and output a directional signal representing a direction in which the incident light has been incident on the plurality of light-receiving regions.

Abstract: A method for associating a customer accessible supply item of a first type with an imaging apparatus includes communicating identification information between the customer accessible supply item of the first type and the imaging apparatus; and operationally locking the customer accessible supply item of the first type with only the imaging apparatus based on the identification information, to the exclusion of other imaging apparatuses and other customer accessible supply items of the first type.

Abstract: A consumable component sorting system which make it possible to prolong the service life of a consumable component and reduce cost burdened on a user. An image forming apparatus collects information on its own operational environment or operational condition. A data server estimates a change in characteristics of the consumable component used in the image forming apparatus based on the information on the operational environment or the operational condition of the same collected thereby. A component managing server sorts out a consumable component suited to the operational environment or the operational condition of the image forming apparatus, based on the result of the estimation of the data server.

Abstract: A toner supplying device which is capable of individually supplying toners of different colors. The toner supplying device can include a driving source; a plurality of toner receptacles in which different color toners are contained and respective toner discharging members are provided in order to discharge toners while being driven by power transmitted from the driving source; and a plurality of spring clutches to selectively transmit power from the driving source to the toner discharging members. The toner supplying device according to the present general inventive concept can be advantageously employed in toner-refill type color image forming apparatuses in view of the miniaturization of the apparatus and reduction in the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A device and a method for improving the quality of prints using a printing device and system for printing sheets whereby, for each sheet, at least one register mark per color printing unit of the multi-color printing machine is produced, assigned to said sheet and defined with respect to its position, including in duplex printing.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital printer comprises printing a machine-readable code and at least one test patch on at least one sheet. The photosensor detects the machine readable code on the moving sheet, and, in response to the detecting, initiates the photosensor reading the test patch on the moving sheet. The test patches can be distributed over many sheets, depending on the nature of the desired test routine and the type of sheet that has recently been output by the printer.

Abstract: An amount of toner transfer on a reference pattern is calculated by using an optical detecting unit that detects both regular reflection light and diffuse reflection light from a detection target simultaneously, based on a relative ratio between a value obtained by subtracting a result of multiplying a “diffuse reflection output” by a “minimum value of a ratio between a regular reflection output and the diffuse reflection output” from the “regular reflection output” of the density detection reference pattern, and a value obtained by subtracting a result of multiplying the “diffuse reflection output” by a “minimum value of a ratio between the regular reflection output and the diffuse reflection output” from the “regular reflection output” in the background of a transfer belt or an intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: A sheet transport device and an image forming apparatus using the sheet transport device are disclosed. The sheet transport device includes a transport belt rotating around rollers that transports a sheet by attaching the sheet to the transport belt by an electrostatic force, and a charging unit that is unitized by including a charging member for charging the transport belt. The charging unit includes a unit case containing springs for pushing the charging member onto the transport belt. An Ac bias voltage is applied to the transport belt via the charging member.

Abstract: A control part provides a first region in which an image is formed on an image carrier using only a dark-color toner. The control part provides a second region, which is adjacent to the first region, in which an image is formed using a dark-color toner and a light-color toner. The control part provides a third region in which an image is formed using only a light-color toner at the boundary of the first and second regions. The control part controls a latent-image forming unit, a light-color developing unit and a dark-color developing unit so as to form an image in which these regions are provided. The control part may provide a third region in which neither a light-color toner nor a dark-color toner is used at the boundary of the first and second regions.

Abstract: A development device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying member with a two-component developer having a toner and a carrier, the development device including: a developer carrying member to carry the two-component developer to a development region in which the developer carrying member faces the image carrying member; a developer control member to control a volume of the two-component developer; a plurality of electrodes to be separately disposed in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the developer carrying member while separated from a surface of the developer carrying member and located between the developer control member and the development region in a rotation direction of the developer carrying member; and a power source to apply a power to the plurality of electrodes to form a periodically changing electric field generating an external force to convey the two-component developer in the rotation axis direction.

Abstract: An image forming method of forming images on both sides of a recording sheet; comprising the steps of: fixing a first toner image on a first surface a recording sheet; and fixing a second toner image on a second surface of the recording sheet; wherein in two-component developer includes toner particles each containing a binder resin having a glass transition temperature Tg ° C. and a colorant and carrier particles in each on which magnetic powder is dispersed in a binder resin including a phenol formaldehyde obtained by a polymerization process, and the first toner image is fixed with first heat in such a way that the surface temperature of the first surface of the recording sheet is a temperature in a range of Tg ° C. or more and lower than 100° C.

Abstract: There are provided a fixing device and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a sensing error of a surface temperature of a heating roller. The fixing device includes a temperature sensor for sensing the surface temperature of the heating roller, and a temperature calculation circuit. The temperature calculation circuit includes a noise removal prevention circuit. The temperature sensor includes an infrared ray sensing thermistor and a compensation thermistor, and the noise removal prevention circuit prevents removal of a part of an AC component (such as a high frequency component in a noise) included in a difference between outputs (difference output) of the infrared ray sensing thermistor and the compensation thermistor. Thus, the AC component is prevented from being offset when the difference outputs are averaged, thus reducing the sensing error of the surface temperature of the heating roller based on the average value of the difference outputs.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a head which ejects ink droplets; an intermediate transfer body having a transfer surface on which a transfer image is formed by means of the ink droplets ejected from the head; a transfer device which performs transfer of the transfer image formed on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body to a prescribed transfer-receiving medium; a transfer surface reading device which obtains read image data by reading in the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body after the transfer; a judgment device which performs judgment of a transfer state of the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the read image data obtained by the transfer surface reading device; and a transfer condition changing device which changes a transfer condition of the transfer device in accordance with the judgment of the judgment device.

Abstract: There is described a color image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to increase the printing velocity. The apparatus includes: an image processing section to generate either first-processed image data or second-processed image data; an image forming section to form a first color image based on the first-processed image data at a first image forming velocity in a first image forming mode or a second color image based on the second-processed image data at a second image forming velocity in a second image forming mode onto the sheet; and a control section to conduct a changeover operation between the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode. A maximum amount of total toner consumption in the second image forming mode is smaller than that in the first image forming mode, and the second image forming velocity is faster than the first image forming velocity.