Patents Issued in June 24, 2008
  • Patent number: 7391914
    Abstract: A technique for eliminating the division in decoding a predicted DC coefficient includes calculating and storing the values of 1//DC_scalar in a table. This allows one to convert a division into a multiplication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeongnam Youn
  • Patent number: 7391915
    Abstract: This invention is a method for inverse Wavelet transform using a breadth-first output data calculation which uses input data to calculate at least one output data for each iteration of a software loop even if the same input data is used in a later iteration for calculating other output data. This reduces data movement between memory and the data processor core thus reducing the possibility of cache misses and memory stalls due to access conflicts. The input data and computed output data are preferably stored as subwords packed within data words in memory. In inverse Wavelet transformation this method performs vertical spatial frequency expansion and horizontal spatial frequency expansion for each level of Wavelet encoding. This invention arranges data flow providing a more efficient use of memory bandwidth and cache space than other known methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jagadeesh Sankaran
  • Patent number: 7391916
    Abstract: A quantization matrix adjusting method for quality improvement by scaling down the default quantization matrix. The adjusting method comprises the steps of: updating a used bits BB_X and an average quantizer scale Avg_Q; allocating a bit budget BB_C for a current picture; calculating an estimated quantizer scale EstQ_C according to the used bits BB_X, the average quantizer scale Avg_Q and the bit budget BB_C deciding the operation mode, when the estimated quantizer scale EstQ_C is smaller than a threshold Th_Q, assigning the operation mode as an adjusting mode, otherwise remaining at normal mode; scaling down a default quantization matrix as a new quantization matrix when the operation mode is the adjusting mode; and coding the current picture using the new quantization matrix and default quantization matrix in the adjusting mode and normal mode, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Yung-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 7391917
    Abstract: Stored digital data is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comparing the retrieved digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the digital data. Digital data generated by composition is stored. When no digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data. Obtained region segmentation information and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information. A user designates the specific region by designating rectangular blocks in an image using a pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken-ichi Ohta, Hiroshi Tanioka, Akihiro Usami, Kitahiro Kaneda, Hirohiko Ito, Shinichi Kato, Tomohiro Akiba, Tomotoshi Kanatsu, Reiji Misawa, Yoshihide Terao, Mitsuru Uzawa
  • Patent number: 7391918
    Abstract: According to the invention, quantization encoding is conducted using the probability density function of the source, enabling fixed, variable and adaptive rate encoding. To achieve adaptive encoding, an update is conducted with a new observation of the data source, preferably with each new observation of the data source. The current probability density function of the source is then estimated to produce codepoints to vector quantize the observation of the data source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Anand D. Subramaniam, Bhaskar D. Rao
  • Patent number: 7391919
    Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an edge correction apparatus which can execute base clip processes optimal to different noise levels depending on the level of an input signal. To this end, an apparatus has a high-frequency extraction circuit for extracting a high-frequency signal equal to or more than a predetermined frequency from an input signal, a suppression circuit for suppressing signal components equal to or less than a suppression level from the extracted high-frequency signal, a setting circuit for setting the suppression level in correspondence with the signal level of the input signal, and a high-frequency emphasis circuit for emphasizing the high-frequency signal suppressed by the suppression circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Hirai
  • Patent number: 7391920
    Abstract: If an edge is detected between each pair of two mutually adjacent pixels among three serially adjacent pixels in a digital image, a candidate pixel selection unit in an intermediate value pixel judgment unit selects a pixel located at the middle among the three pixels as a candidate pixel. A pixel value comparison unit compares the pixel values of the three pixels, which are used for selecting the candidate pixel, with each other. Only if the pixel values of the three pixels monotonically increase or monotonically decrease along the arrangement direction of the pixels, a judgment unit judges that the candidate pixel is an intermediate value pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yuko Abe
  • Patent number: 7391921
    Abstract: A method of coding a moving picture is provided that reduces blocking artifacts. The method can include defining a plurality of defining pixels S0, S1, and S2, which are centered around a block boundary. If a default mode is selected then frequency information of the surroundings of the block boundary is obtained. A magnitude of a discontinuous component in a frequency domain belonging to the block boundary is adjusted based on a magnitude of a corresponding discontinuous component selected from a pixel contained entirely within a block adjacent the block boundary. The frequency domain adjustment is then applied to a spatial domain. Or, a DC offset mode can be selected to reduce blocking artifacts in smooth regions where there is little motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Mun Kim, Jong Beom Ra, Sung Deuk Kim, Young Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7391922
    Abstract: A method of coding a moving picture is provided that reduces blocking artifacts. The method can include defining a plurality of defining pixels S0, S1, and S2, which are centered around a block boundary. If a default mode is selected then frequency information of the surroundings of the block boundary is obtained. A magnitude of a discontinuous component in a frequency domain belonging to the block boundary is adjusted based on a magnitude of a corresponding discontinuous component selected from a pixel contained entirely within a block adjacent the block boundary. The frequency domain adjustment is then applied to a spatial domain. Or, a DC offset mode can be selected to reduce blocking artifacts in smooth regions where there is little motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Mun Kim, Jong Beom Ra, Sung Deuk Kim, Young Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7391923
    Abstract: A method of coding a moving picture is provided that reduces blocking artifacts. The method can include defining a plurality of defining pixels S0, S1, and S2, which are centered around a block boundary. If a default mode is selected then frequency information of the surroundings of the block boundary is obtained. A magnitude of a discontinuous component in a frequency domain belonging to the block boundary is adjusted based on a magnitude of a corresponding discontinuous component selected from a pixel contained entirely within a block adjacent the block boundary. The frequency domain adjustment is then applied to a spatial domain. Or, a DC offset mode can be selected to reduce blocking artifacts in smooth regions where there is little motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Mun Kim, Jong Beom Ra, Sung Deuk Kim, Young Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7391924
    Abstract: A method of coding a moving picture is provided that reduces blocking artifacts. The method can include defining a plurality of defining pixels S0, S1, and S2, which are centered around a block boundary. If a default mode is selected then frequency information of the surroundings of the block boundary is obtained. A magnitude of a discontinuous component in a frequency domain belonging to the block boundary is adjusted based on a magnitude of a corresponding discontinuous component selected from a pixel contained entirely within a block adjacent the block boundary. The frequency domain adjustment is then applied to a spatial domain. Or, a DC offset mode can be selected to reduce blocking artifacts in smooth regions where there is little motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Mun Kim, Jong Beom Ra, Sung Deuk Kim, Young Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7391925
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating noise using measurement based parametric fitting non-uniformity correction is disclosed. Fixed pattern noise (“FPN”) is estimating from an overall noise component within a detection system to enhance candidate target detection and tracking. A sensor in the detection system receives energy, such as radiant flux, that is converted to a digital image. A non-uniformity correction device generates an estimated FPN according to an applicable temperate range and integration time. A memory storing an array of coefficients is accessed to determine the estimated FPN. The valves within the array of coefficients are based on actual FPN measurements that are parametrically fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
    Inventors: Hai-Wen Chen, Felix M. Fontan, Teresa L. Olson
  • Patent number: 7391926
    Abstract: A chromatic aberration correction apparatus is provided that comprises an image storing means for storing a line image of one line of an image before correction, a correction value calculation means for correcting a chromatic aberration according to the distance from the center of the line image based on the values of the respective pixels of the line image stored in the image storing means and calculating the values of the respective pixels after correction, and an output means for outputting the line image corrected by the values of the respective pixels after correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Arazaki
  • Patent number: 7391927
    Abstract: A method and a computed tomography unit are disclosed, that render it possible in a simple way to remove ring artifacts from tomograms Ik, particularly in the case of a fast feed of the recording region per revolution of the recording system of the computed tomography unit by calculating a ring artifact image Ik for each tomogram Ik. In this procedure, temporary ring artifact images Rtk are firstly calculated for each tomogram Ik, and subsequently the final ring artifact image Rk is formed for the purpose of correcting the respective tomogram Ik by averaging over at least a portion Tsub of the temporary ring artifact images Rtk, the temporary ring artifact images Rtk being rotated before averaging in such a way that the ring artifacts present in the temporary artifact images Rtk substantially coincide and their position substantially corresponds to the ring artifacts present in the tomogram Ik.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 7391928
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takayama, Mitsugu Hanabusa, Atsuko Kashiwazaki, Kengo Kinumura
  • Patent number: 7391929
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of masking comprises an operation of selecting a masking tool based on operations performed on a digital camera by a user. The masking tool is positioned over a masked portion of an image and an effect is applied. The effect is applied on the image outside the masked portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Edwards, Clay Harvey Fisher, Kurt Jonach, Neal Jacob Manowitz, John Tree
  • Patent number: 7391930
    Abstract: An angle de-skew device and the method thereof are used in an image processing system to rotate a skewed image with respect to a reference point as a rotated center. First and second accumulator circuits respectively are used to accumulate first and second offsets for the X coordinates and Y coordinates of the first pixel in the skewed image, and respectively output the sums into the image processing system. A counter is connected to the two accumulator circuits to control the number of accumulation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ting Shih, Ching-Lung Mao
  • Patent number: 7391931
    Abstract: A single high resolution frame is obtained from a plurality of frames sampled from moving image data, regardless of movement of a subject included in the frames. Patches are provided in a plurality of frames including a reference frame and other frames. The patches are moved and/or deformed, and correspondent relationships are estimated for each frame. The other frames are coordinate converted based on the estimated correspondent relationships. Correlative values, which represent the degrees of correlation between the other frames and the reference frame, are calculated. The number of regions within the patches is changed, and the correlative values are calculated in the same manner. A synthesized frame is generated from the plurality of frames based on the correspondent relationship, which was estimated for the number of regions that yields the maximal correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kameyama, Wataru Ito
  • Patent number: 7391932
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for selecting one of an image signal input from an image signal inputting device and an image signal obtained by changing the size of the image signal input from the image signal inputting device and displaying the selected image signal on a display device. The apparatus includes an image size converter for changing the size of a first image signal and outputting the result as a second image signal; and a selector for receiving the first and second image signals and selectively outputting one of the first and second image signals in response to a first control signal. With the apparatus and method, it is possible to selectively reproduce a high-definition image and a low-definition image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-gu Jeon
  • Patent number: 7391933
    Abstract: An interpolation system interpolates image positions in an original image to produce an interpolated output image, wherein the original image is represented by digital input pixel data. A first filter with a sharp interpolation characteristic, that interpolates a selected image position in the image to generate a sharp interpolation output value. A second filter having a smooth interpolation characteristic, that interpolates the selected image position in the image to generate a smooth interpolation output value. A controller that calculates a weighting coefficient for the output of each filter. And, a combiner selectively combines the output values from the filters as a function of the weighting coefficients, to generate an interpolation output value for the selected image position of an interpolated output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianglin Wang, Yeong-Taeg Kim
  • Patent number: 7391934
    Abstract: A method is provided of an institution creating a substitute check using check image data from a remote check image capture device. The method comprises receiving from the remote check image capture device binary image data which is representative of a binary image of a check, receiving from the remote check image capture device grayscale image data which is representative of a grayscale image of the check, determining if the binary image of the check is usable, and creating a substitute check based upon the grayscale image data if the binary image of the check is determined to be unusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Ian C. Goodall, Malon S. Updike
  • Patent number: 7391935
    Abstract: A retardation film of the present invention comprises a stretched film of a polymer film containing a norbornene-based resin, wherein the stretched film satisfies the following equation (1) and the equation (2); 100 nm?(nx?ny)·d?350 nm,??(1) 0.1?(nx?nz)/(nx?ny)?0.9,??(2) where the refractive indices in the slow axis direction, the fast axis direction and the thickness direction of the film are nx, ny and nz, respectively, d(nm) is thickness of the film, and the slow axis direction is a direction that the refractive index in film plane is maximum. The retardation film is hard to cause a shift or an unevenness of a retardation value due to a stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Kawahara, Masaki Hayashi, Shuuji Yano, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7391936
    Abstract: Microfluidic optical sensor comprising: an optical waveguide capable of propagating light from an optical input port to an optical output port, the optical waveguide comprising an optical waveguide interaction region; a fluidic channel capable of conducting a fluid from a fluid input port to a fluid output port, the fluidic channel comprising a fluidic channel region; the fluidic channel region being separated from the optical waveguide interaction region by an interposed spacing material configured to transmit an evanescent field of the light through the spacing material between the optical waveguide interaction region and the fluidic channel region. Microfluidic optical sensor comprising an optical resonator. Methods for making microfluidic optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Pau, Mark P. Earnshaw
  • Patent number: 7391937
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an optical device including a circuit board, an optical network and a lens kit. The circuit board has a mounting surface, and the optical fiber network is coupled to the circuit board opposite the mounting surface. The optical network includes two or more optical waveguides arranged in layers. A via extends through the mounting surface and into the optical network. The lens kit includes at least two lens pucks. At least one lens puck has a reflective element. The lens pucks are arranged to correspond with at least some of the optical waveguides. The lens kit is adapted to be inserted within the via and to reflect light traveling along an axis of the via into the optical network. The present disclosure is also directed to the lens kit and methods of making the lens kit and the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Thorson, Rick C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7391938
    Abstract: Poling electro-optic polymers on an organically modified sol-gel cladding layer can enhance Pockel's coefficient by up to a factor of 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona
    Inventors: Nasser Peyghambarian, Robert A. Norwood, Christopher T. DeRose
  • Patent number: 7391939
    Abstract: A laterally- and longitudinally-elongated sheetform of optical material has a core and spaced broad surfaces provided with superficial light-confining measures flanking the core. At least one broad surface has an array of converging lenses, each adapted for collecting and introducing incident light rays into the core unimpeded by the superficial light-confining measures, and converging the rays onto focal points within the web. A counterpart array of reflective elements are embedded in the web at the focal points, and arranged to deflect the collected, converged rays onto transmission paths through the web generally intermediate the broad surfaces. A light-emission port provided in or by the web which is also rendered substantially free of impedance by the superficial light-confining measures. That way, collected light is generally confined between the broad surfaces, except for emissions out the emission port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond W. Williams
  • Patent number: 7391940
    Abstract: Gradient index lenses are described that are integrated within a planar optical structure. The gradient index lens is optically coupled to a planar optical waveguide. In some embodiments, the gradient index lens with variation in index-of-refraction n one dimension is within an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes cladding at least along the edges of the central plane of the gradient index lens. Methods for forming the integrated structures are described. Further optical structures involving the gradient index lenses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bryan, Elizabeth Anne Nevis
  • Patent number: 7391941
    Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating with improved edge channel aberration may be achieved by tuning the arrayed waveguide grating to have a stigmatic point for the input and output waveguides that is not at the center of the Rowland circle. In this way, crosstalk, ripples, and transmission spectrum uniformity may be improved in some embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Xianmin Yi
  • Patent number: 7391942
    Abstract: The invention relates to optical sensors and systems and methods employing the sensors for detecting one or more compounds of interest in a test medium. In one embodiment an optical sensor comprising a long period grating and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) film is exposed to a test medium such that one or more compounds of interest are selectively partitioned into the solid phase microextraction film. At least one optical property of the sensor exposed to the test medium is compared with at least one corresponding optical property of the sensor in absence of the test medium; wherein a difference in the optical property is indicative of one or more compounds of interest in the test medium. The methods and systems may employ long period grating sensors with or without SPME films, and fiber loop ring-down spectroscopy to measure optical properties of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Loock, R. Stephen Brown, John A. Barnes, Nicholas R. Trefiak, Krista L. Laugesen, Galina Nemova
  • Patent number: 7391943
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a messenger section having at least one strength member, a carrier section having at least one optical fiber therein, and a common jacket that forms a common jacket. In one embodiment, the carrier jacket has a preferential tear portion adjacent to the at least one optical fiber with a substantially continuous outer surface in the carrier jacket adjacent to the preferential tear portion. The preferential tear portion may be defined by at least one of: at least one internal void, at least one weld line, and at least one wing extending from a tape disposed about the one or more optical fibers. Various alternatives are possible. For example, the carrier jacket may also or alternatively include at least one gripping area extending for enhancing the gripping of the carrier section when pulling apart the carrier section and messenger section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Bradley J. Blazer, George Neill Abernathy, Gregory A. Lochkovic, Reginald Roberts
  • Patent number: 7391944
    Abstract: A drop cable includes a jacket having first and second opposing sides. The first side has a concave surface. At least one strength member is disposed in the jacket. An optical transmission component is disposed within the jacket and proximate the concave surface. The optical transmission component includes a plurality of optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Draka Comteq B.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Loy Storaasli, Jeffrey Scott Barker
  • Patent number: 7391945
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a substance contained in a fluid comprises first and second photonic crystal regions, first and second flow channels, an optical waveguide connected to the first and second photonic crystal regions and an optical detector for detecting the lights transmitted through the first photonic crystal region and the waveguide and transmitted through or reflected by the second photonic crystal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuro Sugita
  • Patent number: 7391946
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low-attenuation single-mode optical fiber having a photoconductive core and a clad, which shows very low OH concentration in MFD (Mode Field Diameter) region. The optical fiber includes a core positioned at its center for photoconduction, and a dehydrated clad and a base clad which are coated on the clad in order. The dehydrated clad has a substantially identical refractive index to the base clad. A refractive index of the core is greater than those of the dehydrated clad and the base clad. The dehydrated clad has a relatively lower OH concentration than the base clad. The region composed of the core and the dehydrated clad has an MFD region at which OH concentration is less than 0.8 ppb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Joo Lee, Ki-Wan Jang, Young-Beom Seo
  • Patent number: 7391947
    Abstract: A method of writing a waveguide using an ultrashort laser beam is disclosed. The laser beam is directed to a substrate in transverse relation to a waveguide propagation axis to generate an ultrashort laser pulse focus in the substrate. A refractive index is modified in an affected region in the substrate along the waveguide propagation axis via the ultrashort laser pulse focus, and the ultrashort laser pulse focus is moved in a direction other than the waveguide propagation axis to generate a widened affected region along the waveguide propagation axis. The widened affected region has a cross-sectional profile capable of supporting a fundamental mode of a signal having a telecommunications infrared (TIR) wavelength, while the affected region has a cross-sectional profile incapable of supporting the fundamental mode of the signal having the TIR wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Translume, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Bado, Ali A. Said, Mark A. Dugan, Thomas Sosnowski
  • Patent number: 7391948
    Abstract: Waveguide structures in which light confinement strength varies along the direction of light propagation are described. The waveguides include a core adapted to propagate light along a path defined by the core and a cladding material that at least partially surrounds the core. The core and the cladding material each have a refractive index profile in the direction of light propagation. One or more of the profiles or lateral core dimensions are varied along the direction of light propagation, thereby causing the degree of light confinement to vary in the direction of light propagation. With such structures it is possible to tailor the velocity of the light propagating through the core and the confinement of the light to the core for any given core cross section. The structures may be used, for example, in mode-matching an input or output of a waveguide and in fabricating compact directional couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventors: Lothar U. Kempen, Rongchung Tyan, Edgar A. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 7391949
    Abstract: An optical waveguide is constructed so as to comprise a non-solid core surrounded by a solid-state material. The non-solid core has an index of refraction which is lower than the index of refraction of the surrounding solid state material, and light can be transmitted with a low loss through the non-solid core. The non-solid core can extend through at least one of multiple layers of the solid state material, wherein the non-solid core is elevated on a substrate material above at least one topmost layer of the multiple solid state layers lateral to the non-solid core. In an exemplary application, the non-solid core comprises a sample material whose light transmission, absorption, and/or interference characteristics are to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Holger Schmidt, Aaron Roe Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7391950
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly including a mid-span access location, a cable having at least fiber therein, and a tether attached and spliced to at least one fiber of the cable. The access location and portions of the cables are substantially encapsulated within a flexible body having dimensions sufficient to accommodate a slack coil or loop of bend performance optical fiber therein. A method for making a fiber optic cable assembly including an access location, distribution cable, tether and slack coil of optical fiber maintained within a flexible overmolded body while providing an assembly having a cross-sectional diameter less than about 1.25 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Lewallen, Robert B. Elkins, III, James P. Luther, Costas Saravanos, Elli Makrides-Saravanos
  • Patent number: 7391951
    Abstract: An optical fiber cleaver having a main body having a channel, a feed block attached to the main body in the channel, the feed block being operable between a front position and a rear position, a length selector for setting an optical fiber cleaving length, the length selector comprising a scale provided on the main body, a display provided on the feed block, and a position indicator operably associated with the scale, a pair of upper and lower clamps which fasten an optical fiber of an optical fiber when the feed block is located in the front position, a slider, a blade carried by the slider, the blade being configured to form an initial partial cleaving, and a push-up member carried by the slider and configured to bend the optical fiber subsequent the initial partial cleaving of the optical fiber is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K, TNK Sanwa Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Hayashi, Shinji Nagasawa, Kazunori Kuramochi
  • Patent number: 7391952
    Abstract: A pre-connectorized network interconnection apparatus including a housing defining at least one opening for mounting at least one adapter therein, a cable storage tray movably attached to the housing movable between an opened position and a closed position for cable access, and a predetermined length of pre-connectorized fiber optic cable maintained on the storage tray, wherein a first end of the fiber optic cable terminates in at least one connector routed to the at least one connector adapter within the apparatus and a second end of the fiber optic cable terminates in at least one connector that is routed to a predetermined location within a fiber optic network. A data center network apparatus for linking separated fiber optic connection points using a length of pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Ugolini, Ray S. Barnes, Robert W. Dennis, Elmer Mariano Juarez, Manuel Alejandro Lopez Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7391953
    Abstract: A glass capillary tube 1 is connected and fixed in a straight line to an optical component 5 having a substantially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to an optical axis 4a. Moreover, a top-surface side end portion 9 and a rear-surface side end portion 8 of an exterior surface 7 of the glass capillary tube 1 are positioned at the same level as the top surface and the rear surface of the exterior surface of the optical component 5 in the height-wise direction, respectively, while the central axis of an insertion hole 3, which is provided in the glass capillary tube 1 and into which an optical fiber 2 is inserted and fixed, is matched with the optical axis 4a of the optical component 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takeuchi, Nobuo Funabiki, Sotohiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7391954
    Abstract: A compact optical splitter module is disclosed. One type of compact optical splitter module is a planar attenuated splitter module that includes a branching waveguide network having j?1 50:50 splitters that form up to n?2j output waveguides having associated n output ports, wherein only m<n output ports are suitable for transmitting light to the at least one external output device. This provides a 1×m splitter module wherein each output port has the attenuation of a 1×n splitter module, thereby obviating the need for external attenuation. Another type of compact optical splitter module is a direct-connect splitter module that eliminates the need for an optical fiber array when coupling to external optical fibers. Another type of compact optical splitter module is a microsplitter module that serves as device and module at the same time and that eliminates the differentiation between device and module. The integration of device and module also makes manufacturing the microsplitter module cost-effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Guy Castonguay, Michael Heath Rasmussen, Konstantinos Saravanos
  • Patent number: 7391955
    Abstract: An optical element including a first groove extending from first end of the outer peripheral face in an optical axis direction towards second end, and a second groove connected to the first groove and extending from second end of the outer peripheral face in the optical axis direction towards first end; and a position-adjusting concave part which is between the first and second grooves and adjusts positions by adjusting member in the optical axis direction, a revolving direction about the optical axis, a width direction of first and second grooves, which is orthogonal to the optical axis, and in a synthesized direction that is a combination of at least two of those directions, wherein the optical element is molded by using only a first molding die for molding a part on the first groove side and a second molding die for molding a part on the second groove side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Hisayoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7391956
    Abstract: Based on the event detected by event detection unit 3, scene definition unit 4 defines the segment from the frame which is one screen of the moving picture corresponding to the event to the end of the next event as the scene The scene information of the defined scene is stored in scene information storage unit 5, and moving picture display unit 9 reads and displays the moving picture stored in moving picture storage unit 2 based on the scene information stored in scene information storage unit 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Wakimoto, Hiroto Nagahisa, Satoshi Hisanaga, Junshiro Kanda, Satoshi Tanaka, Akio Miyai, Itsuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7391957
    Abstract: A television recorder defines a recessed memory storage device bay and a rack mounted in the memory storage device bay. The recorder includes a carrier for removeably locking a hard disk drive into the rack. The television recorder connects with a television and television broadcast source for simultaneously recording television programming and replaying recorded programming. The carrier engages the rack to removeably insert the hard disk drive into the television recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Steinbeck Cannery LLC
    Inventor: Sunny Behl
  • Patent number: 7391958
    Abstract: To improve the efficiency of primary editing of a video tape, a shot mark as a mark at the time of primary editing is determined. With a video tape of a digital VTR format, the shot mark may be recorded onto a user's bit on a time code track. Even at the time of editing, this shot mark may be appended. At the time of primary editing, a predetermined range specified with reference to the position of the shot mark is defined as a portion to be used, thereby preparing a master tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Murakami, Katsuhiko Aihara, Yasushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7391959
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing multiple inputs that are capable of competing or contending for a particular or primary output are described. In one embodiment, the multiple inputs are managed through the use of a software-implemented matrix switch object, and an associated data structure that is used to program the switch object and resolve contention issues between the inputs. The matrix switch object can process the multiple inputs to provide a primary output. One implementation of the switch object uses virtual input and output pins to receive and provide data streams. One specific embodiment is used in connection with multi-media editing software that enables users build or define their own editing multi-media editing projects that incorporate multiple different user-selected clips, in the form of digital data streams, into an integrated project. Each clip can be defined in terms of one or more digital data streams, e.g. video and audio streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Miller, Eric H. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 7391960
    Abstract: Audio DIF blocks containing audio data and video DIF blocks containing video data are extracted by an audio/video extracting unit and respectively recorded in separate storage areas of an HDD. System data and audio auxiliary data are extracted by a system data reconstruction unit and thereafter recorded in a system data storage area of the HDD together with frame information generated by a frame information generating unit. The respective data items are recorded in these separate areas, while the audio auxiliary data is recorded together with the system data, and therefore it is easy to rewrite the data during an editing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Shinozaki, Junichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7391961
    Abstract: An audio signal processing method for repairing an anomalous state such as noise, a discontinuity, and a break of sound, comprising detecting the anomalous state of an audio signal, deleting the audio signal in the anomalous segment, deducing the correct audio signal by referring to the waveform of the audio signal before and after the deleted segment, generating a repair signal for repairing the signal in the deleted segment based on the deduced result, inserting the repair signal into the deleted segment, and connecting it to the audio signal before and after the deleted segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mototsugu Abe, Akira Inoue, Jun Matsumoto, Koji Suginuma, Masayuki Nishiguchi
  • Patent number: 7391962
    Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising an audio and video (A/V) codec having a function for separating luminance and color components. A video decoder converts an analog video signal into a digital video signal; an A/V codec having a pre-compression processing unit separates luminance and color components from the converted digital video signal; an encoder compresses the digital video signal having the separated luminance and color components into a predetermined compression format; and a decoder decodes the digital video signal compressed in the predetermined compression format. A memory provides a storage space as the A/V codec carries out signal processing. Accordingly, the size and production cost of the video decoder may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyoung-woo Jeon
  • Patent number: 7391963
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method of controlling the multimedia audio and video playback by installing an audio/video playback program, a playback control program, and a data storage medium in a computer device, wherein the audio/video playback program adjusts a setup value for each of the playback setup options and saves the adjusted setup value into the data storage medium, such that after the computer device is booted every time, the playback control program detects the execution of the audio/video playback program and determines whether or not a multimedia file is waiting to be executed; if yes, it loads the setup value of the playback setup option from the data storage medium, so that the audio/video playback program can play the multimedia file according to the content of the setup value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Chung Hui Chen, Fu Zen Hsieh