Patents Issued in April 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7365880
    Abstract: An image region discrimination section in an image processing section, a characteristic signal calculation result obtained by hardware is subjected to macro-scoped correction and macro-discrimination by a processor. Further, in the image region discrimination section, a resolution and a signal bit number of a characteristic signals are decreased, the resultant characteristic signals is stored in a memory, and both a macro-discrimination result and the characteristic signals are synthesized to produce a final discrimination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naofumi Yamamoto, Takahiro Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 7365881
    Abstract: A method for converting an original halftone bitmap image to a color converted halftone bitmap image. A set of asymmetrical morphological filters is provided. The original halftone bitmap image is segmented into blocks and for each block: apply the set of morphological filters to the original halftone bitmap image to produce a set of modified halftone bitmap images; estimate the percent dot area of the original halftone bitmap image and the set of modified halftone bitmap images; a predetermined dot-gain to the percent dot area of the original halftone bitmap image to produce a modified percent dot area; select the modified halftone bitmap image whose percent dot area is closest to the modified percent dot area to produce a block of the color corrected halftone bitmap image; and replace the original halftone bitmap image with the combined blocks of selected modified halftone bitmap image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Burns, Gustav J. Braun, Kurt M. Sanger
  • Patent number: 7365882
    Abstract: A highly efficient method and system for eliminating halftone screens from scanned documents while preserving the quality and sharpness of text and line-art is disclosed. The method and system utilizes a single channel screen frequency estimator module, which generates a screen frequency estimate for image data. The module generates a signal based on the highly filtered image signal at low contrast levels, and based on a reliable estimate to the halftone frequency at higher contrast levels. The single channel screen estimate module has adequate performance in resolution ranges from 300 to 600 dpi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Curry, Asghar Nafarieh, Doron Kletter
  • Patent number: 7365883
    Abstract: A method of generating a dither matrix for an output device having sub-pixel addressability that permits the attenuation of tone for less than whole pixels. An original representative pixel grid is expanded to a super-resolution by replication of the pixel grid in both directions by the sub-pixel factor S. Halftoning methods for generating dither patterns are then applied using the super-resolution grid to create dither or filter outputs, which are converted to a corresponding output for a sub-pixel resolution grid. Selection of location for incremental addition (deletion) of tone is made using the sub-pixel grid output. The cycle of output generation, conversion to sub-pixel resolution, and tone modulation selection is repeated iteratively until a desired gray level is reached. The process is further repeated for each desired gray level to produce the multiple dither patterns that comprise the desired dither matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Niranjan Damera-Venkata
  • Patent number: 7365884
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating facsimile transmissions has one or more store and forward facilities, each associated with a plurality of subscriber facsimile machines, typically coupled over the switched telephone network. The store and forward facsimiles include a computer for controlling operations and mass data storage equipment. A subscriber to the system delivers an outgoing facsimile message to the store and forward facility with which it is associated, which records the fax message together with data as to originating facsimile machine and destination facsimile machine. The store and forward facility then delivers the facsimile message to the intended receiver facsimile machine, either directly or through another store and forward facility. If unsuccessful on an initial attempt, the store and forward facility periodically retrys to send the facsimile message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Catch Curve, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gordon, James R. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7365885
    Abstract: A method of providing the inputting units of the scanner with a foolproof function. Initially, while a specific inputting unit is activated, such as a push button being pushed, the connection between the operation of the scanner and other inputting units is terminated. This terminated connection is not regained until the specific action, which corresponds to the specific inputting unit, finishes. Moreover, an “activation” message can be directly displayed on the scanner while this specific inputting unit is activated, and while the scanner is processing some specific action, this action can be terminated with the function of the scanner and the connection between all inputting units regained as soon as this specific inputting unit is activated again. For any scanner with the foolproof function, while a specific inputting unit is activated, not only a corresponding specific action is performed but also the connection between the performing specific action and all inputting units is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Transpacific IP, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Yung Huang, Stone Cheng
  • Patent number: 7365886
    Abstract: A document feeding apparatus includes a chassis having a plurality of side surfaces and a substantially level upper surface. A feed mechanism is mounted in the chassis. A document entrance passageway is defined by the chassis and substantially enclosed by the chassis, the document entrance passageway positioned adjacent the feed mechanism and including a document entrance on one of the plurality of side surfaces. A document exit passageway is defined by the chassis and substantially enclosed by the chassis, the document exit passageway positioned adjacent the feed mechanism and including a document exit on one of the plurality of side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Charles G. Morton, III, Christa Ann Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7365887
    Abstract: An image sensor unit has an electric discharge light emitting lamp for producing an illumination beam. The lamp includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other and defining a discharge space between them along the longitudinal axis of the lamp. A first light emitting layer and a second light emitting layer are provided in the discharge space so as to face each other and to cover the first and second electrodes, respectively. A dielectric material is inserted between the first electrode and the first light emitting layer, and between the second electrode and the second light emitting layer. At least one of the first and second light emitting layers is arranged so as to define an uncovered region, in which at least one of the dielectric material, the first electrode, and the second electrode is exposed to the discharge space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Sano, Hiroshi Ieki, Minoru Miyaji, Hironobu Arimoto
  • Patent number: 7365888
    Abstract: There is disclosed an image read apparatus including an image sensor including: first and second sensors including light receiving devices arranged in one row; a first shift register for outputting the pixel signals of all the light receiving devices of the first sensor; and second and third shift registers for outputting the even-numbered and odd-numbered pixel signals of the light receiving devices of the second sensor, in which invalid data is prevented from being written in a memory. The pixel signals outputted from the first to third shift registers constituting a CCD image sensor with the same transfer clock are selected and taken in via an AFE in a time division. The taken pixel data is successively sampled in a data sampling block and stored in a memory. Moreover, when the sampling timing is controlled in a take-in signal generation circuit, the pixel data stored in the memory is limited to indicate the pixel number of each shift register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Yokochi
  • Patent number: 7365889
    Abstract: One embodiment pertains to analyzing a document that is to be printed on a transparency, determining whether the document formatting is optimized for transparency printing, and alerting a user if the document formatting is not optimized for transparency printing. Another embodiment pertains to analyzing a document to determine whether the document is a transparency document, determining whether the scanning resolution is appropriate for scanning a transparency where the document is determined to be a transparency document, and alerting a user if the scanning resolution is not appropriate for scanning a transparency where the document is a transparency document and the scanning resolution is inappropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel Travis Lay
  • Patent number: 7365890
    Abstract: As a method of calibrating colors other than primary colors such as secondary colors, the contents of an ink color-separation table are reconstructed. However, it is difficult to reconstruct the ink color-separation table within the limitation of total ink amount permissible for a print sheet. Accordingly, a color patch corresponding to a signal value of a color to be calibrated is formed in a printer, then the signal value is calibrated based on a measured color value of the formed color patch and a target value corresponding to the signal value of the color to be calibrated, and calibration multidimensional table data is generated based on the measured color value of the formed color patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hiroshi Mori, Mitsuru Uratani
  • Patent number: 7365891
    Abstract: A directing apparatus includes a mechanism for producing steerable energy. The apparatus includes a mechanism for steering energy from the producing mechanism while the producing mechanism is stationary. The steering mechanism is in communication with the producing mechanism. The steering mechanism includes a scanning mechanism which continuously in a first direction scans the volume of a surrounding vertically and horizontally. A directing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Quantapoint, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hoffman, William Darin Ingimarson, Ryan M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7365892
    Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light emitter array having a plurality of light sources operable to emit diverging light and an array of collimating elements positioned so that each of the collimating elements receive at least a portion of the light emitted from a corresponding one of the light sources. Each of collimating elements is configured to substantially collimate the received light from at least one corresponding light source into respective beams. The scanned beam display is operable to scan the respective beams to provide an image to a viewer. The displayed image appears substantially fixed to a viewer as the viewer's eye moves relative to the array of collimating elements. In one embodiment, each of the collimating elements is a curved mirror. In other embodiments, each of the collimating elements includes at least one lens or a curved mirror/lens pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Mathew D. Watson, Thomas W. Montague, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 7365893
    Abstract: Methods, systems and software for determining an optical surface model for an optical tissue system using Fourier transformation algorithms. A method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. The surface gradients from the transmitted image are measured across the optical tissues of the eye. A Fourier transform algorithm is applied to the surface gradients to reconstruct an optical surface model that corresponds to the optical tissues of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitri Chernyak, Charles E. Campbell, Erik Gross, Seema Somani, Guangming Dai
  • Patent number: 7365894
    Abstract: Electrode structures including transparent electrode structures, in particular self supporting electrode structures, are described herein. Further, applications of the herein novel electrode structures are provided, including electronic writing tablets, electronic paper and fabrication methods for electronic writing tablets and electronic paper. The electrode structure may be transparent and self-supporting, thereby providing a novel electrode structure as compared to conventional transparent electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 7365895
    Abstract: A display device comprising the following arranged from light input side in the order listed below: a first reflector having a semi-transmissive and semi-reflective property; a translucent porous body having a plurality of pores in which a translucent material is filled, each of the pores having a substantially smaller diameter than the wavelength of input light; and a second reflector having a perfect reflection property, or a semi-transmissive and semi-reflective property. The average complex refractive index of the translucent porous body is changeable with respect to each display dot, and the wavelength of light absorbed by the translucent porous body is changeable with respect to each display dot according to the average complex refractive index. In this way, the input light is modulatable, and the modulated light is outputted from the first reflector and/or the second reflector to perform image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Tomaru
  • Patent number: 7365896
    Abstract: A photochromic device having a photochromic layer including a photochromic material which exhibits absorbance in a visible region upon being sensitized by a light having a wavelength of not less than 700 nm, and an ultraviolet light blocking device for blocking an ultraviolet light from sensitizing the photochromic material in the photochromic layer. The ultraviolet light blocking device includes at least one of an ultraviolet shielding layer positioned to shield the photochromic layer from the ultraviolet light and an ultraviolet light absorber included in the photochromic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Yamanashi TLO Co., Ltd, Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kuwabara, Takuo Mochizuka
  • Patent number: 7365897
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for spatial light modulation are disclosed which utilize optical cavities having both front and rear reflective surfaces. Light-transmissive regions are formed in the front reflective surface for spatially modulating light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Richard S. Payne, Roger W. Barton
  • Patent number: 7365898
    Abstract: A method of tilting a micromirror includes forming a substrate, a micromirror outwardly from the substrate, and at least one electrode inwardly from the micromirror. The method further includes applying, by the at least one electrode, electrostatic forces sufficient to pivot the micromirror about a pivot point. In addition, the method includes providing the at least one electrode with a sloped outer surface. The sloped outer surface has a first end and a second end. The second end is closer to the pivot point than the first end, and the first end is closer to the substrate than the second end. The method also includes providing at least a portion of the at least one electrode with material properties that at least partially contribute to the sloped profile of the sloped outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Cuiling Gong, Larry J. Hornbeck, Jason M. Neidrich
  • Patent number: 7365899
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a micromirror device with multi-axis rotational and translational motion. Newly introduced structure of the top electrode plate improves structural stability, flexibility, and more motion efficiency of the micromirror device. The invention also improves controllability of micromirror motion by designing the appropriate flexible structure to generate desired motion. With side-by-side arrangement of the micromirror devices, the micromirror devices are built as an array to form a micromirror array lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Angstrom, Inc., Stereo Display, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Woo Gim, Gyoung Il Cho, Jin Young Sohn, Cheong Soo Seo
  • Patent number: 7365900
    Abstract: An electrophoretic sheet, comprises: a substrate having a first side; a microcapsule contained layer having a second side and a third side facing the second side, the second side being disposed on the first side of the substrate, the layer including: a microcapsule; and a binder having viscid property at normal temperature and holding the microcapsule, the microcapsule including: a shell; an electrophoretic dispersion liquid included in the shell; and at least one electrophoretic particle included in the electrophoretic dispersion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7365901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating a pattern on a workpiece sensitive to radiation, such as a photomask a display panel or a microoptical device. The apparatus may include a source for emitting light flashes, a spatial modulator having modulating elements (pixels), adapted to being illuminated by the radiation, and a projection system creating an image of the modulator on the workpiece. It may further include an electronic data processing and delivery system receiving a digital description of the pattern to be written, converting the pattern to modulator signals, and feeding the signals to the modulator. An electronic control system may be provided to control a trigger signal to compensate for flash-to-flash time jitter in the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micronic Laser Systems AB
    Inventor: Torbjorn Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 7365902
    Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a plurality of pump light sources, an intensity modulator that modulates intensity of a pump light to be output from any one of the pump light sources, at a predetermined frequency; a photoelectric converter that converts a part of the wavelength-division multiplexed signal light Raman-amplified by the pump light to electrical signals; a gain modulation signal detector that extracts a gain modulation signal having a component of the frequency from the electrical signals; and a controller that controls only the intensity of pump lights that are output from the pump light source, of which intensity is modulated at the frequency to control Raman amplification gain so that an amplitude of the gain modulation signal becomes a predetermined value. The intensities of pump lights output from individual pump light sources are sequentially controlled to obtain a predetermined value of the Raman amplification gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Isshiki
  • Patent number: 7365903
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for all-optically controlling both a gain and a gain flattening. The apparatus includes: a first amplifier automatically controlling a gain of the apparatus through a feedback loop while amplifying a received optical signal; a fixed gain flattening unit receiving the amplified optical signal from the first amplifier and compensating for the gain according to a wavelength of the received optical signal; and a second amplifier automatically controlling the gain through a feedback loop while amplifying the optical signal input from the fixed gain flattening unit. Accordingly, even if the number of channels of an input WDM optical signal varies, both of a gain and a gain flattening can be all-optically controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Bo Hun Choi, Sang Soo Lee, Chang Bong Kim, Je Soo Ko
  • Patent number: 7365904
    Abstract: An optical wavelength converter includes: a first branch passage and a second branch passage receiving direct current light, one of the first branch passage and the second branch passage receiving input signal light; wavelength converting semiconductor optical amplifiers inserted into the first branch passage and the second branch passage, respectively; and a signal amplifying semiconductor optical amplifier for amplifying the input signal light, which is coupled with a port through which the input signal light is input to one of the first branch passage and the second branch passage. In the optical wavelength converter, differential gain of the signal amplifying semiconductor optical amplifier at a wavelength of the input signal light is less than differential gain of the wavelength converting semiconductor optical amplifier at the wavelength of the direct current light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Matsumoto, Toshitaka Aoyagi, Kazuhisa Takagi
  • Patent number: 7365905
    Abstract: An optical system provides a lens cell having a generally cylindrical lens cell body and an optical lens system therein. The lens cell body has a lens cell central longitudinal axis and a lens cell optical axis, eccentrically offset from the lens cell central longitudinal axis. A sleeve has a generally cylindrical sleeve body, an outer surface with a first longitudinal axis, and an inner surface with a second longitudinal axis, eccentrically offset from the first longitudinal axis. The lens cell is inserted into the sleeve. A housing has a generally cylindrical body into which the sleeve is at least partially inserted. The lens cell and the sleeve are rotated relative to each other and to the housing such that the lens cell optical axis is aligned in a desired location. After the lens cell optical axis is aligned in the desired location, the lens cell is fixedly connected to the sleeve and the sleeve is connected to the housing to prevent rotation of the sleeve relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Floyd, Steven A. Brillhart
  • Patent number: 7365906
    Abstract: A projection screen capable of sharply displaying an image even under bright environmental light with high image visibility. A projection screen has a polarized-light selective reflection layer with a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, capable of selectively reflecting a specific polarized light component, and a substrate for supporting the reflection layer. Of the light entering the reflection layer from the viewer's side, the right-handed light in the selective reflection wave range is reflected from the reflection layer as reflected light. As a result of structural non-uniformity in the cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, the light that is selectively reflected (reflected light) is diffused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7365907
    Abstract: A compact rear projection image display apparatus in which the projection distance in a projection optical system is substantially reduced and no reflection mirror is used, thereby eliminating a major cause of image trapezoidal distortion. The rear projection image display apparatus has a projection lens system which includes a first lens group with positive refractive power and a second lens group which further enlarges an image enlarged by the first lens group. The projection lens system enlarges and projects an image displayed on an image display device, on a transmission screen. No reflection mirror is provided between the second lens group and the transmission screen and the image enlarged by the second lens group is directly projected on the transmission screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Ikeda, Koji Hirata, Shuji Kato, Masahiro Yamamoto, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Patent number: 7365908
    Abstract: A large-area display is composed of two or more adjacent panels, in which the overall display provides a consistent perception of depth (and/or other characteristics of the images) in all panels from each viewing position. This is accomplished by generating a first panel having a first repeating pattern in an arrangement of successive segments of the images, and generating a second panel to be displayed adjacent to the first panel, the second panel having a second repeating pattern in an arrangement of successive segments of the images that are in the same order as the first repeating pattern but starting at a different element of the repeating pattern from the first element of the first repeating pattern, and assembling the panels adjacent to each other, thereby allowing corresponding images to be displayed on the adjacent panels when viewed from a range of various view points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Eugene Dolgoff
  • Patent number: 7365909
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating refractive element(s) and aligning the elements in a compound optic, typically to a zone plate element. The techniques are used for fabricating micro refractive, such as Fresnel, optics and compound optics including two or more optical elements for short wavelength radiation. One application is the fabrication of the Achromatic Fresnel Optic (AFO). Techniques for fabricating the refractive element generally include: 1) ultra-high precision mechanical machining, e.g,. diamond turning; 2) lithographic techniques including gray-scale lithography and multi-step lithographic processes; 3) high-energy beam machining, such as electron-beam, focused ion beam, laser, and plasma-beam machining; and 4) photo-induced chemical etching techniques. Also addressed are methods of aligning the two optical elements during fabrication and methods of maintaining the alignment during subsequent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Xradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbing Yun, Yuxin Wang, Michael Feser, Alan Lyon
  • Patent number: 7365910
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic image pickup system whose depth dimension is extremely reduced, taking advantage of an optical system type that can overcome conditions imposed on the movement of a zooming movable lens group while high specifications and performance are kept. The electronic image pickup system comprises an optical path-bending zoom optical system comprising, in order from its object side, a 1-1st lens group G1-1 comprising a negative lens group and a reflecting optical element P for bending an optical path, a 1-2nd lens group G1-2 comprising one positive lens and a second lens group G2 having positive refracting power. For zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group G2 moves only toward the object side. The electronic image pickup system also comprises an electronic image pickup device I located on the image side of the zoom optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Atsujiro Ishii, Toyoharu Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 7365911
    Abstract: A zoom lens including a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power and a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power, in an order from an object; wherein a variable power from a wide angle end to a telephoto end is performed by changing distances among the respective lens groups, and the fourth lens group comprises a three cemented lens comprising a positive c1 lens, a negative c2 lens, and a positive c3 lens from an order from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamashita, Eigo Sano
  • Patent number: 7365912
    Abstract: A compact zoom lens suitable for an imaging optical system using a solid-state image sensing device is provided. The zoom lens includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power. The first through third lens groups are sequentially arranged from an object side toward an image side. The first, second, and third lens groups move when magnification changes from the wide-angle position to the telephoto position, and a refractive index G1n of at least one lens element included in the first lens group satisfies 1.90<G1n<2.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7365913
    Abstract: A zoom lens system comprises a 1st lens unit with positive optical power consisting of one lens element, a 2nd lens unit with negative optical power, a 3rd lens unit with positive optical power and a 4th lens unit with positive optical power, in order from the object side to the image side is disclosed. During zooming, the 1st lens unit and 3rd lens unit move so as to be located closer to the object side at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end. Then, by appropriately setting the amount of movements of the 1st lens unit, 2nd lens unit and 3rd lens unit during zooming, the overall length of the zoom lens system is reduced and excellent optical performance is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuyki Hamano, Hiroshi Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 7365914
    Abstract: An actuator comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving frictional member that is mounted onto one side in an extension/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; a driven member that is frictionally engaged with the driving frictional member; a fixed frame; an elastic supporting member that is mounted onto the other side in the extension/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical conversion element and displaceably supports the other side of the electro-mechanical conversion element with respect to the fixed frame; and a pressing member that presses the elastic supporting member in the extension/contraction direction to maintain the elastic supporting member in an elastically deformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Ryota Sasaki, Mitsuo Manabe, Kiyoto Sato
  • Patent number: 7365915
    Abstract: An exemplary optical module (100) includes a lens barrel (20), a lens group (40), a spacer (60), and a filter (80). The lens barrel has an inner wall (201), and at least two securing grooves (206) formed on the inner wall. The lens group and the spacer are disposed in the lens barrel. The spacer includes an annular base (601) and a predetermined amount of projecting blocks (603) formed on a same side of the base (601). At least two first bending portions (604) are formed on the blocks bending toward a center of the base, and at least two second bending portions (606) are formed on the blocks bending outwards from a center of the base. The second bending portions are configured to be secured in the securing grooves of the lens barrel. The filter is secured on the spacer by the first bending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Jung Tsai
  • Patent number: 7365916
    Abstract: An object is to provide an aspherical lens having compactness in dimension, large degree of freedom in design, and good optical performance, with increasing in productivity, and lowering production cost. The aspherical lens constructed by a substrate member A and a member B having different composition formed on the substrate member A. A boundary between the substrate member A and the member B having different composition is formed by a first aspherical surface RAB, and a surface of the member B having different composition opposite to the boundary being formed by a second aspherical surface RB having higher fabrication accuracy than that of the first aspherical surface RAB, and given conditional expressions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Sato, Yoko Kimura
  • Patent number: 7365917
    Abstract: An imaging arrangement and method for extended the depth of focus are provided. The imaging arrangement comprises an imaging lens having a certain affective aperture, and an optical element associated with said imaging lens. The optical element is configured as a phase-affecting, non-diffractive optical element defining a spatially low frequency phase transition. The optical element and the imaging lens define a predetermined pattern formed by spaced-apart substantially optically transparent features of different optical properties. Position of at least one phase transition region of the optical element within the imaging lens plane is determined by at least a dimension of said affective aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Xceed Imaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Zeev Zalevsky
  • Patent number: 7365918
    Abstract: A fabrication process for zone plate lenses is based on controlled thin layer deposition for fabricating structures as small as 2 nanometers (nm) in width, and potentially smaller. The substrate for deposition will take the form of a precision hole, fabricated in a substrate, such as silicon by electron beam lithography and subsequent reactive ion etching. A controlled layer deposition is then used to form the required zone plate structure. A subsequent thinning process is used to section the hole and produce a zone plate with the required layer thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Xradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbing Yun, Michael Feser, Alan Lyon
  • Patent number: 7365919
    Abstract: A article having a micro-sized shape being formed on the surface of the article by pressing a die onto the surface, wherein the elastic modulus of the article at room temperature is in the range of 1-4 GPa, the thickness of the article after forming is equal to 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less and the aspect ratio of the micro-sized shape is equal to 1 or more. A forming method to produce an article comprising the steps of setting the temperature of a die having a micro sized shape to be equal or higher than the glass transitional temperature of material having an elastic modulus of 1 to 4 (GPa) pressing the die to the material to transfer the micro sized shape to the material, and cooling the die having the micro sized shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyakoshi, Kazumi Furuta, Masahiro Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7365920
    Abstract: A four-piece lens assembly, from the object side, comprises: an aperture, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a flat parallel glass and an image plane. The first lens is a double convex positive lens. The second lens is a double concave negative lens or a plano-concave lens whose object side surface contacts the image side surface of the first lens. The first and second lenses contact each other in such a manner that the concave surface of the connecting surface faces the object side, and the concave surface (or plano surface) of the second lens faces the image plane. The first and second lenses are made of high refractive index material. The lens assembly not only can ensure a necessary back focus but also can suppress the total length of a portable image taking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Largan Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sayuri Noda
  • Patent number: 7365921
    Abstract: The plano-convex lens of a projection headlight has a holding edge (4) integrally formed on an outer lens edge and a supporting edge (5) projecting from its plane surface (3) and formed integrally with the holding edge (4). The supporting edge (5) and the holding edge (4) form a continuous cylindrical outer circumferential surface (45) extending over their outer sides. The convex surface (2) and the plane surface (3) of the lens are bright pressed surfaces so that the grinding and polishing steps usually used in making the lens can be eliminated. The method of manufacturing the lens including bright pressing the convex and plane surfaces is also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bonitz, Rainer Adebahr
  • Patent number: 7365922
    Abstract: An optical device. A lens module is movably disposed in a lens housing. A drive mechanism is connected to the lens module, driving the lens module along an optical axis of the lens module. A brake mechanism is disposed between the lens housing and the lens module and moves perpendicular to the optical axis, fixing and releasing the lens module. When the brake mechanism releases the lens module, the lens module moves along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin-Yu Lee, Yung-Hsing Wang, Chien-Sheng Liu, Meng-Che Tsai, Kun-Wei Lin, Ying-Chi Chuo
  • Patent number: 7365923
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat sinking tab for dissipating heat directly from an optical sub-assembly (OSA) to a transceiver housing, within which the optical sub-assembly is located. The heat sinking tab includes a mounting plate for mounting on the rear end of a transistor outline (TO) can, and a finger for extending into contact or close proximity to the transceiver housing. The mounting plate also provides a stiffening plate for flexible conductors used to connect the OSA leads to a transceiver printed circuit board (PCB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Marian C. Hargis, Michael Francis Hanley, James Robert Moon
  • Patent number: 7365924
    Abstract: An improved aiming tube pivot assembly for use in a sighting and/or aiming apparatus which comprises an aiming tube axially mounted within an outer tube (or housing). A support ring supports the aiming tube within the outer tube in a gimbal-like arrangement by means of ball bearings and set screws. The ball bearings are secured intermediate the aiming tube and the support ring via apertures in the outer tube. The set screws are threadedly mounted in the support ring and engage the outer surface of the outer tube. A movable cover tube can be mounted on the outer tube and substantially encloses the end of the outer tube and the support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Millett Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Millett
  • Patent number: 7365925
    Abstract: A method of aligning an optomechanical assembly and an optomechanical assembly are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Wayne, Vijaya N. V. Raghavan
  • Patent number: 7365926
    Abstract: When signals are read out by a magnetic head from a magnetic recording medium on which magnetic bits corresponding to information are recorded along the tracks thereof by a magnetic transfer method, if a space which is longer than or equal to a length corresponding to three bits is present between consecutive magnetic bits, readout of signals from a sub-pulse generation area in the space is cancelled in readout of the magnetic bits by the magnetic head along the tracks. The signals are not read out at all, or even if the signals are read out, they are not processed as valid signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nagao, Tadashi Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 7365927
    Abstract: An eccentricity correction data recording method, a disk-shaped recording medium, a head position control method and an information recording and reproducing apparatus are disclosed for effective eccentricity correction on cylinders of a disk-shaped recording medium. The eccentricity correction data recording method is for position control over a recording and reproducing head on a disk-shaped recording medium having at least one user data recording area to record user data, the method including the step of recording the eccentricity correction data in a user data recording area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kohei Takamatsu, Yoshiyuki Kagami, Shuichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7365928
    Abstract: A write driver driving a write current through a head connected to the write head by an interconnect. The write driver includes a circuit matching output resistance to the odd characteristic impedance of the interconnect and a voltage boosting circuit. The voltage boosting circuit in connected between a high voltage reference or supply voltage and a low voltage reference, and includes a pair of current sources, such as MOS transistors, connected to the input node of a single capacitor. During the overshoot duration, the current sources selectively operate at saturation to generate a pulsed current with an amplitude of half the load current. The recharge of the capacitor is done with the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro Venca, Roberto Alini, Baris Posat
  • Patent number: 7365929
    Abstract: A fully synchronous servo channel for a data type drive is provided which includes the initial acquisition of synchronous servo channel parameters, generation of a timing basis for signal interpolation, generation of a tape velocity estimate and a y-position estimate and an optimum detection of longitudinal position (LPOS) symbols embedded in servo bursts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Giovanni Cherubini, Evangelos Eleftheriou, Robert Allan Hutchins, Jens Jelitto