Patents Issued in September 25, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080231669
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a liquid pattern of print drops impinging a receiving medium according to liquid pattern data using a liquid drop emitter that emits a plurality of continuous streams of liquid at a stream velocity, vd, from a plurality of nozzles having effective diameters, Dn, arrayed at a nozzle spacing, Sn, along a nozzle array direction that are broken into a plurality of streams of print and non-print drops by a corresponding plurality of drop forming transducers to which a corresponding plurality of drop forming energy pulse sequences are applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Randolph C. Brost
  • Publication number: 20080231670
    Abstract: An ink coupling for connecting an inkjet printer and a replaceable cartridge configured to not drip ink upon detachment. The coupling has a cartridge valve on the cartridge side of the coupling and a printer conduit on the printer side of the coupling. The cartridge valve and the printer conduit having complementary formations configured to form a coupling seal when brought into engagement. The cartridge valve is biased closed and configured to open when brought into engagement with the printer conduit. Upon disengagement, the coupling seal breaks after the cartridge valve closes, and an ink meniscus forms and recedes from the complementary formations as they separate, the cartridge valve having external surfaces configured so that the meniscus travels across the external surfaces and only pins itself to the printer conduit surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Robert Brown, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Paul Timothy Sharp, John Douglas Peter Morgan, Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Michael John Hudson, Christopher Hibbard, Samuel George Mallinson, Paul Justin Reichl
  • Publication number: 20080231671
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to include an ink supply device with an ink flow path to a print head to eject ink toward a printing medium and a flow regulating valve for the ink flow path. The flow regulating valve to perform opening/closing operations according to at least the ejection amount of ink from a print head. The ink supply device includes a body, which has an ink discharge path coupled to the print head, a first chamber coupled to the ink discharge path, an ink introduction path coupled to the ink tank, a second chamber coupled to the ink introduction path, and a connecting path to coupled the first and second chambers to each other. The flow regulating valve is configured to open or close the connecting path, and a valve drive unit is configured to operate the flow regulating valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Su LEE, Sung Wook Kang
  • Publication number: 20080231672
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus which includes an ejection head capable of ejecting a liquid to an ejection object, a liquid source including a liquid container capable of containing the liquid, a flow channel capable of allowing the liquid to flow form the liquid source to the ejection head, and a pressure buffer disposed in the flow channel capable of buffering a variation in pressure of the liquid in the flow channel when the liquid container is detached from the liquid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi MANO
  • Publication number: 20080231673
    Abstract: Inkjet printers are provided. An inkjet printer includes a maintenance module, an inkjet unit, a pump, a slider, and a swing gear assembly. The swing gear assembly is connected to a motor of the pump and detachably engaged with the slider. When the motor rotates the swing gear assembly in a first direction to a first angle, the swing gear assembly is engaged with the slider, and the swing gear assembly impels the slider from an initial position to a first position to open the valve. When the motor rotates the swing gear assembly in a second direction to a second angle, the swing gear assembly is engaged with the slider, to separate the slider from the first position and close the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: QISDA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shr-How Huang
  • Publication number: 20080231674
    Abstract: A printer system comprises a main printer which has a first tank and a first head, a sub printer which has a second tank having a volume smaller than the first tank and a second head and which is provided detachably with respect to the main printer, and a supply mechanism which supplies the ink from the first tank to the second tank when the sub printer is installed to the main printer. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the printer system, which is not provided with any exclusive station that finds no way of use except for the ink supplement and requires any excessive installation space, while the sub printer is of the ink supplement type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Publication number: 20080231675
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, a liquid supply chamber, a liquid introduction portion, and a particular liquid path. The liquid chamber is at least partially defined by at least one first wall, the liquid supply chamber is defined by at least one second wall having a first opening and a second opening formed therethrough, and the liquid introduction portion is defined by at least one third wall having a third opening formed therethrough. The particular liquid path extends from the third opening to the second opening, and the liquid introduction portion is configured to introduce fluid from an exterior of the liquid container to the liquid supply chamber via the particular liquid path. The particular liquid path is positioned externally from the liquid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shingo Hattori
  • Publication number: 20080231676
    Abstract: A liquid ejection device according to an aspect is connectable to a main tank. The liquid ejection device comprises: an ejection head; and a sub tank having an inner space defined therein and including a connection portion configured to connect the inner space with the main tank. The sub tank comprises: a liquid inlet through which the liquid is allowed to flow from the main tank into the inner space when the main tank is connected to the connection portion; an atmosphere opening that communicates between an outside of the sub tank and the inner space; and a valve configured to selectively open and close the atmosphere opening. The valve opens the atmosphere opening in a state where the main tank is connected to the connection portion and closes the atmosphere opening in a state where the main tank is not connected to the connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20080231677
    Abstract: A printer system includes a main printer having a first head and a waste ink tank for accommodating any waste ink; and a portable type sub printer having a second head which is detachable with respect to the main printer. The waste ink tank accommodates the waste ink discharged from the second head of the sub printer installed to the main printer. Accordingly, the printer system is provided, wherein it is unnecessary to provide any waste ink tank in the portable type sub printer, an ink tank of the sub printer can be allowed to have a large volume, and it is unnecessary to provide any exclusive station for processing any waste ink of the sub printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Publication number: 20080231678
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to thermal ink-jet inks including a polymer encapsulated pigment, and systems and methods that use the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hui Liu, Paul Bruinsma
  • Publication number: 20080231679
    Abstract: There is provided a printing device that includes an ink applicator and a shaping fluid outlet adapted to dispense a shaping fluid onto curable ink applied by the applicator. The printing device may further include energy emitting source used to at least partially cure the applied ink. There is further provided a curable ink mixture, the mixture includes a colorant at a concentration higher than 4%. There is further provided, a method for printing that includes applying curable ink on a substrate and shaping the ink by dispensing a shaping fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Nakhmanovich, Marian Cofler, Kobi Markowitz
  • Publication number: 20080231680
    Abstract: A method for printing images on food and packaging for the food. The method includes the step of moving a plurality of food products along a first production line to a first printing station. The method also includes the step of moving a plurality of containers along a second production line to a second printing station. This step is performed during the step of moving the plurality of food products. The method also includes the step of printing a first image on at least one of the food products during the step of moving the plurality of food products. The method also includes the step of selecting a second image from a plurality of differing images in response to the first image. The second image is complementary to the first image. The method also includes the step of printing the second image on one of the containers during the step of moving the plurality of the containers. This step is preformed concurrently with the step of printing the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Gambino, Dan Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20080231681
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a color filter is provided. First, a substrate is provided and then a partition, for example a black matrix, is formed on the substrate. The black matrix defines a plurality of first color filter areas and a plurality of second color filter areas corresponding to the first color filter areas on the substrate. Thereafter, a first color filter film and a second color filter film are formed in each of the first color filter areas and each of the second color filter areas corresponding thereto, respectively, such that a color filter is provided. The thickness of the first color filter film differs from the thickness of the second color filter film. Thus, images displayed by a transflective liquid crystal display with the aforementioned color filter have even colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wen-Lung Chen, Shu-Chin Lee, Fu-Chuan Tsai, Wei-Ya Wang, Yong-Mao Lin, Chun-Chieh Tsao
  • Publication number: 20080231682
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated by an operator to print an image on a media. A controller correlates a location of a printhead to the image and causes printing or not. A position sensor provides input to the controller. Its signal typifies pixels in a matrix frame indicating a current position frame and, over time, a previous position frame. The controller compares the two frames to find a presence of the previous in the current. To improve computational efficiency, the controller reduces a relative size of both frames before comparing. Specific reduction techniques contemplate converting a matrix frame of pixels indicative of previous and current locations into smaller matrices, including one-dimensional forms. Possible search areas within the current frame to look for the previous frame utilize knowledge about the movement history of the printer. Position sensor signal validity and controller architectures are other noteworthy features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michelin de la Pefia Grandeza, Vincent Peter Crisostomo Valentus, William Henry Reed
  • Publication number: 20080231683
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light beam generation unit, a light deflector having a resonance frequency and deflecting a light beam, a photosensitive member to which the deflected light beam is irradiated, and a driving control unit driving and controlling the light deflector. The driving control unit can measure a difference between a frequency of a light-deflector driving signal and the light-deflector resonance frequency and a non-drawing time during which an image is not formed by the light deflector. When the difference between the frequency of the driving signal and the light-deflector resonance frequency is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and the non-drawing time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the driving control unit produces the driving signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the light deflector and supplies the produced driving signal to the light deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideta Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20080231684
    Abstract: A streaming video system may include a video capture terminal configured to communicate with a first communications network and a video receiving terminal configured to communicate with a second network operatively connected to the first network. The video capture terminal may be configured to capture video data and stream the video data to the receiving terminal via the first network and the second network in substantially real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventors: Rosa M. UNDERWOOD, Jimmie D. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20080231685
    Abstract: A transmitting device transmits a video signal and an audio signal based on a television broadcasting signal, or a still picture signal and a silence signal as a transmission signal to a receiving device. The receiving device supplies the video signal and the audio signal transmitted from the transmitting device, or a video signal and an audio signal inputted from external equipment to a video and audio output unit. In the receiving device, when the video signal and the audio signal inputted from the external equipment have been supplied to the video and audio output unit, the still picture signal and the silence signal are transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshikatsu Hattori
  • Publication number: 20080231686
    Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to generating video of a view of a constructed model which was generated using information derived by behavior tracking analysis of video. A webcam may capture video of a human user on a first device. A constructed model based on behavioral changes detected in the video for a first user is displayed on a second device. Motion points may be determined from the video. The motion points may be sent across a network to a second device for display. A client runtime application may be used to display a video view of a constructed model based on the motion points. Instead of having the client runtime application generate the constructed model and the video view of it, a local application running in the local operating system is used to generate the constructed model and video view. The local video generator takes the motion points and generates the constructed model. Audio data may be processed, transferred, and synchronized with the video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: ATTUNE INTERACTIVE, INC. (a Delaware corporation)
    Inventor: Sanford Redlich
  • Publication number: 20080231687
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes dropping an initial series of video frames received by a video conferencing system from a first endpoint that has entered a video conference session as a first participant. One or more fast video update (FVU) messages received by the video conferencing system from the first endpoint during an enabling time period are then discarded. A single FVU message is then to the first endpoint after the video conferencing system has become enabled with respect to the first endpoint. An I-frame received from the first endpoint in response to the single FVU message is then sent back to the first endpoint. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Baird, Ryan Knotts, Thiyagesan Ramalingam, Manjunath S. Bangalore, Shantanu Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20080231688
    Abstract: A video bit-stream gamma characteristic correction method and a multipoint control unit in video communication field resolve the gamma distortion problem of video image in the existing multimedia communication. In the method, the receiving end carries out correction once through carrying the gamma characteristic parameter of the transmission end in the video bit-stream; or the multipoint control unit and the receiving end correct gamma distortion of the video image in multiple steps. A multipoint processor (200) of the multipoint control unit includes a gamma characteristic parameter storing module (201), which stores gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end; and a gamma characteristic correction module (202), which is connected to the gamma characteristic parameter storing module and corrects the gamma characteristic of the video image according to the gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Zhong Luo
  • Publication number: 20080231689
    Abstract: A three dimensional viewing assembly includes a first display, a second display, and a beamsplitter. The first display is for displaying a first image. The second display is for displaying a second image. The beamsplitter is disposed at least partially between the first display and the second display, and is configured to receive, and to optically overlay, the first and second images. The beamsplitter comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a mirror. The first surface at least partially faces the first display, and the second surface at least partially faces the second display. The mirror is disposed between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Brent D. Larson
  • Publication number: 20080231690
    Abstract: A display apparatus comprises a spatial light modulator and optical elements in series therewith. The optical elements provide a first parallax element being a parallax barrier capable of directing light output from the display apparatus into a first plurality of viewing windows, and a second parallax element capable of directing light output from the display apparatus into a second plurality of viewing windows. In a first mode, the first and second parallax elements have substantially no directional effect on the light output from the display apparatus. In a second mode, the first parallax element directs light output from the display apparatus into the first plurality of viewing windows and the second optical element has substantially no directional effect. In a third mode, the second optical element directs light output from the display apparatus into the second plurality of viewing windows and the first parallax element has substantially no directional effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Graham John Woodgate, Jonathan Harrold
  • Publication number: 20080231691
    Abstract: A display system and method for providing user adjustability of displayed three-dimensional images. The system simultaneously displays a left-eye perspective view of an image and a right-eye perspective view of the same image, at a separation distance, and allows for the selective control of the separation distance via, for example, a user interface. The system and method allows multiple users to use multiple pieces of display hardware and quickly return each piece of display hardware to a user's own individualized preferences and compatibilities. It additionally allows a user to vary the display properties, such as providing extra foreshortening or stretching along the depth axis, quickly and simply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Brent D. Larson
  • Publication number: 20080231692
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has: an image forming function of forming a moving image and a still image of an observation object according to an output signal of an image pickup device; and a main electronic enlargement function of forming an electronically enlarged image of the observation object at an optional magnification according to the output signal of the image pickup device in response to an enlargement operation, wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus displays images of the observation object on a main-screen and a subscreen, which are set on a screen of a same monitor, respectively, and wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus comprises a moving-image-for-subscreen generating circuit that forms a moving image which is not electrically enlarged by the main electronic enlargement function and which is converted into a reduced moving image for the subscreen, and when an enlarged still image formed by the electronic enlargement function is displayed on the main-screen, the moving image obtai
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Mitsuru HIGUCHI, Kazutoshi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080231693
    Abstract: An optical device includes an optical element and a transparent element. The optical element includes an image pickup region provided on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate for outputting a signal according to incident light, a peripheral circuit region provided around the image pickup region for transmitting a signal received from the image pickup region, and an electrode pad provided on a part of an edge of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate for outputting a signal transmitted through the peripheral circuit region. The transparent member is bonded to the semiconductor substrate so that the transparent member covers the image pickup region and that an end face of the transparent member is located between the electrode pad and the image pickup region when viewed two-dimensionally. The transparent member is positioned so that a distance between the end face and the image pickup region is 0.04 mm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshiki TAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20080231694
    Abstract: An image processor of an endoscope system comprises an input connector and a determination unit. The input connector is used for connecting one of a video signal output device that outputs a video signal that includes a synchronization signal and a non-video signal output device that outputs a non-video signal that does not include the synchronization signal, to the image processor. The determination unit determines which of the video signal output device or the non-video signal output device is connected to the image processor through the input connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: PENTAX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuma Ohtaki
  • Publication number: 20080231695
    Abstract: A device for medical use and particularly for dental use, of which the main component is a rigid video-endoscope (10) supported by an articulated and compensated arm, comprises: a rigid video-endoscope (10) with CCD catcher (13), composed of a grip (11) which is extended into an optical tube (12) coaxial therewith, said optical tube (12) being made so to provide an image of the object examined on the plane of the CCD catcher (13), the imaging being directed in the extension of the axis (14) of the video-endoscope (10); a sleeve (32) which covers the optical tube (12) and which protects it from the risks of contamination during use, the sleeve (32) being coaxial with optical tube (12), freely rotatable on itself and lockable in the distal part of the grip (11) of the video-endoscope (10), between the sleeve (32) and the optical tube (12) an airspace being defined in which pressurized air is inserted; a compensated, articulated arm that bears, fixed to its distal end, a support on which the video-endoscope (
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: F.A.R.O. FABBRICA APPARECCHIATURE RAZIONALI ODONTOIATRICHE S.p.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Favonio
  • Publication number: 20080231696
    Abstract: An electronic image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens system which is a taking optical system, an electronic image pickup element which is disposed at an image side of the taking optical system (zoom lens system), and which converts an image formed by the taking optical system (zoom lens system) to an electric signal, and an image restoring section which restores electrically a photographed image according to a difference in occurrence of an aberration by the taking optical system (zoom lens system) in an air environment photography and in a underwater environment photography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kodama, Masahito Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20080231697
    Abstract: Taught is a portable digital photographing system combining position navigation information and image information, wherein the position navigation information and the captured image information is combined and processed by a digital signal processing unit. The combined information then is stored in a register and displayed through an interface circuit. The portable digital photographing system can merge the location, time, and position information into the image or video. In addition, an electronic map corresponding to a position navigation information can be displayed on a display monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Yuejun Yan, Yuepeng Yan
  • Publication number: 20080231698
    Abstract: A vehicle video control system is provided comprising a video camera unit having a wide angle (preferably a fisheye) lens mounted atop a column, wherein the column is attached to a manned or robotic vehicle, and an operator control unit in communication with the video camera unit. A continuous video image produced by the video camera unit is transmitted to the operator control unit. Such vehicle video control system provides a vehicle operator with an approximately hemispherical view from above the vehicle, providing the human operator with a continuous view of most of the area surrounding the vehicle. This video control system eliminates the burden of video camera control during simultaneous operation of the vehicle using the present system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Edward Kaplan, Edward M. Uticki, Nicholas C. Kormis
  • Publication number: 20080231699
    Abstract: A lens (16) is rotatably provided inside a dome cover (22). The lens (16) is supported so that the center of rotation can be moved from the center of a dome to a position apart therefrom in the zenith direction. A lens moving mechanism for moving the lens (16) according to a rotation in the tilt direction of the lens (16) may be provided. The lens moving mechanism may be a cam structure. The cam structure is set so that the rotation axis of the lens (16) is held at the center of the dome in a predetermined center hold angle range corresponding to the direction of an elevation angle, and that the rotation axis of the lens (16) is moved from the center of the dome in the zenith direction at angles lower than the center hold angle range. Good images can be obtained even when shooting in the direction of a depression angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Konishi, Toshikazu Tatewaki
  • Publication number: 20080231700
    Abstract: A computer system for continuously panningoblique images. More particularly, the computer system uses a methodology whereby separate oblique images are presented in a manner that allows a user to maintain an understanding of the relationship of specific features between different oblique images when panning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Schultz, Chris Schnaufer, Frank Giuffrida
  • Publication number: 20080231701
    Abstract: A vehicle 1 towing a trailer 4 is fitted with three video cameras 5, 6, 7 fitted to the rear of the vehicle and on each door mirror. A view from any camera can be presented to the driver on a display 11. A predicted trailer path, calculated in a computing unit 10, is also presented to the driver on the display 11 as guide lines overlaid on the camera view. The computing unit 10 is also configured to calculate a hitch angle by tracking the position of a trailer-mounted marker in the camera view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Jeremy John Greenwood, Stephen Nicholls, Andrew Stephen Bell Crawford
  • Publication number: 20080231702
    Abstract: When any of obstacle sensors detects an obstacle, a distance to the obstacle may be shorter than a reference distance. In such a case a vehicle outside display system clips a detection area corresponding to the obstacle sensor used for the detection from a photographed image supplied from a camera. The system superimposes a detection position of the obstacle on the clipped image and displays the superimposed image without performing viewpoint transformation. When the distance to the obstacle becomes shorter than the reference distance, the system clips a detection area corresponding to the obstacle sensor used for the detection from the photographed image supplied from the camera. The system applies bird's-eye view transformation to the clipped image. The system superimposes a detection position of the obstacle on the clipped image and displays the superimposed image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Muneaki Matsumoto, Yoshihisa Sato, Hiroaki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20080231703
    Abstract: A field watch apparatus of vehicular use includes a camera and a mirror-integrated display unit. The mirror-integrated display unit is integrally disposed with a room mirror, and have two surroundings view monitors for displaying surroundings views that are captured by the camera. The mirror-integrated display unit is disposed at a position that is viewable from a driver's seat in a subject vehicle for intuitive recognition of other vehicles in the surroundings through the displayed image of the surroundings views.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Asako Nagata, Tsuneo Uchida
  • Publication number: 20080231704
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an accessory module, at least one accessory and an attachment member at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The at least one accessory comprises a camera having a lens, with the camera being disposed in the accessory module, and the accessory module comprising structure to angle the camera with respect to a windshield facing portion of the accessory module. The camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member. The accessory system may include a resilient element disposed between the windshield facing portion and the interior surface of the vehicle windshield to cushion and/or seal the accessory module relative to the interior surface when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20080231705
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a system and method for monitoring a location that may include detecting motion in an area and providing an audible message in the area where motion is detected. The system may include a central processing unit (CPU), one or more video cameras coupled to the CPU, each camera monitoring an area and transmitting a video signal of the area to the CPU, and one or more audio output devices (AODs) coupled to the CPU, each AOD capable of producing an output and providing the output to at least one of the areas. A system may be provided in which the CPU is programmed to analyze the video signals from the video cameras to detect whether there is motion in one or more of the areas and transmits an audio file to the AODs producing an output to the one or more areas in which motion is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Todd I. Keller, Peter John Botelho
  • Publication number: 20080231706
    Abstract: An approach that manages moving surveillance cameras is described. In one embodiment, there is a system for managing images generated from a movable camera. In this embodiment, the system comprises a motion estimation component configured to determine camera motion. A camera motion alert component is configured to generate an alert in response to a determination that the camera has moved or the camera has ceased moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Connell, Arun Hampapur, Andrew W. Senior, Chiao-Fe Shu, Ying-Li Tian
  • Publication number: 20080231707
    Abstract: A mobile security apparatus has a concrete base with a tall tower pole imbedded in the base. The concrete base is hollow and contains electronic equipment. The base and tower are towed horizontally on a trailer. The trailer has a slidable inner carriage. A push up ladder is connected to the tow vehicle with a pineal hitch on one end and connected to the tower pole by a pivot pin on the other end. When the brakes on the trailer are locked and the vehicle backed up, the base and tower pole are raised to the vertical, deployed position. An array of electronic security devices such as cameras and alarms are then attached to the top of the tower pole. An Ethernet connection at the top of the pole connects the security apparatus to the Internet. Highly mobile camouflaged security containers with motion, tilt and lifting sensors and a wireless link to the security tower can also be placed at strategic locations throughout the protected site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Duane T. Fontana
  • Publication number: 20080231708
    Abstract: A network apparatus that sends sound data to another network apparatus connected over a network is disclosed. The network apparatus includes: a destination selecting part configured to select a predetermined number of network apparatuses as a destination network apparatus from network apparatuses connected to the network; and a sound data sending part configured to broadcast sound data to the predetermined number of the network apparatuses selected in the destination selecting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Morimoto, Satoshi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20080231709
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for providing a video surveillance system that enhances object detection by utilizing feedback from a tracking system to an object detection system. A system is provided that includes: a moving object detection system for detecting moving objects in a video input; an object tracking system for tracking a detected moving object in successive time instants; and a tracker feedback system for feeding tracking information from the object tracking system to the moving object detection system to enhance object detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Lisa M. Brown, Jonathan H. Connell, Arun Hampapur, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Andrew W. Senior, Ying-li Tian
  • Publication number: 20080231710
    Abstract: A camera calibration apparatus has a parameter deriver adapted to find parameters for projecting images shot with N cameras (where N is an integer of 3 or more) onto a predetermined surface and merging the images together. The N cameras comprise a first camera, a second camera, . . . and an N-th camera. The i-th camera (where i is every integer between 1 and N, inclusive) shares a common shooting area with at least one of the other (N?1) cameras, so that there are a plurality of such common shooting areas in total. The parameter deriver finds the parameters based on the results of the shooting of the calibration patterns arranged in the common shooting areas with the corresponding cameras. The calibration patterns are arranged separate from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke ASARI, Hiroshi Kano, Kozo Okuda, Yohei Ishii
  • Publication number: 20080231711
    Abstract: A method of automated video device testing, and source and sink video devices are disclosed. A test signal may be provided by way of a video link from a video source to a video sink, over a video link extending therebetween. The method includes receiving on the video link a request from the video sink to provide the test signal; identifying based on the request, a requested test signal; providing the requested test signal from the video source to the video sink over the video link. In another embodiment, a video sink may be queried over a video link to determine a metric describing at least a portion of know video signal, as received and determined at the video sink to verify integrity of the video signal at the video sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: David Glen, Betty Luk
  • Publication number: 20080231712
    Abstract: A camera used to acquire video images at the remote site having a means for acquiring a video image, a wireless transceiver for transmitting the video images to a wireless Internet router. The camera includes a built-in web server for serving the images over the Internet to client computers having standard Internet web browsers. Moreover, the camera further includes an enclosure supporting the image acquisition means and web server hardware, a battery in a circuit with the camera, a hand operated switch adapted to close the circuit, and a handgrip for use by an operator in carrying the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Bentley D. Frink, William J. Mason, George H. McEachem
  • Publication number: 20080231713
    Abstract: A digital camera has a pair of angular rate-sensing gyroscopic sensors with mutually perpendicular axes and an electronic circuit responsive to the sensor output signals to discriminate between voluntary and involuntary movements of the article as a function of the number of zero crossings per unit time of the signal and the average of the absolute amplitude of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: FOTONATION VISION LIMITED
    Inventors: Corneliu Florea, Felix Albu, Adrian Zamfir, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Publication number: 20080231714
    Abstract: System and method for capturing images with reduced blur. An embodiment includes an image sensor to capture optical information, a shutter coupled to the image sensor, a motion sensor to measure movement of an electronic device, and a processor coupled to the image sensor, to the shutter, and to the motion sensor. The shutter initiates a capturing of optical information, and the processor controls a state of the shutter based on predicted future movements of the electronic device based on movement information from the motion sensor. The predicted future movements permit a determination of image capture time to reduce blur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Leonardo William Estevez, Aziz U. Batur, Sang-Yong Lee
  • Publication number: 20080231715
    Abstract: There is prepared an image sensor capable of creating an image of 300 frames per second. The image sensor creates consecutively images so that the digital signal processing section 182 generates a piled up image. When the face detection section 190 detects a face, the digital signal processing section 182 regards the main subject as person and generates a piled up image while positioning for the faces, so that the subject shake is corrected. When the face detection section 190 detects no face, the digital signal processing section 182 generates a piled up image in accordance with the blurring detection state of the angular velocity sensor, so that the camera shake is corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroshi ENDO
  • Publication number: 20080231716
    Abstract: A camera for connection to an authorised user via a network. The camera has a processor arranged to execute a communications client program and an image data decoding program. The camera further has means for capturing image data including encoded login data, the image data being supplied to the image data decoding program, the image data decoding program being arranged to decode the image data and to supply the login data decoded from the image data to the communication client program to set up the camera as an authorised device accessible by the user via the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Ian Anderson
  • Publication number: 20080231717
    Abstract: In a digital camera, when a motion image reducing mode is set, a pointer is displayed on a monitor. When the operator operates on cursor key, the pointer moves, and when the operator operates a determination key at two different pointer positions, a rectangular frame is formed. Namely, the two pointer positions represent upper left and lower right coordinates of the frame. The picked up real time motion image is displayed in the rectangular frame. The displayed motion image is reduced to a magnification corresponding to the ratio of the rectangular frame with respect to the monitor frame. When the operator operates a shutter button at this time, the image in the motion image frame is recorded on a memory card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Shioji, Toru Asaeda
  • Publication number: 20080231718
    Abstract: An image processor in an image capture device compensates for the effects of undesirable camera shakes occurring during video capture The image processor receives a pair of source frames representing images of a scene, generates a pair of subsampled frames from the source frames, and computes a coarse displacement of the captured image due to camera shakes by comparing the two subsampled frames. The image processor may then refine the determined coarse displacement by comparing the two source frames and a bound determined by an extent of subsampling, and compensate for the displacement accordingly. Display aberrations such as blank spaces caused due to shifting are also avoided by displaying only a portion of the captured image and shifting the displayed portion to compensate for camera shake. The image processor also recognizes displacements due to intentional camera movement, and does not correct for such displacements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Shashank Garg, Vinayak Pore, Ashish Thakur, Shang-Hung Lin