Patents Issued in October 2, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080239042
    Abstract: The invention discloses a process for printing of panel-shaped workpieces, in particular in the region of an edge, in which a section of a panel-shaped workpiece to be printed is subjected first of all to one or a plurality of pre-treatment stages which are selected from a) pre-cleaning, b) degreasing, c) improvement of the adhesion and wetting properties and d) reduction of the electrostatic charge, and in which the pre-treated section to be printed is subsequently printed with a desired pattern, in particular by means of inkjet printing. The invention also provides an apparatus for performing said process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Homag Holzbearbeitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Achim Gauss, Johannes Schmid, Ludwig Albrecht, Karl Frey
  • Publication number: 20080239043
    Abstract: An active-energy ray curable ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an active-energy ray irradiation source; a plurality of full-line ink-jet heads which eject a liquid functional material that is curable by an active-energy ray, onto a recording medium which is scanned and transported; and a head controller for controlling the heads to form an image on the recording medium, wherein the full-line ink-jet heads include: a head arrangement having adjacent combinations of at least one set of colors in a complementary relationship; and active-energy ray irradiation sources which are placed respectively for each of the combinations on downstream sides of the combinations in the scanning transporting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Yusuke NAKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20080239044
    Abstract: A UV curable ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a recording medium transporting unit; an ink-jet head; and a UV irradiating unit, wherein the apparatus includes a light capturing portion between the UV irradiating unit and the ink-jet head, at least a part of the light capturing portion as seen in a longitudinal section taken vertically along a direction of transporting the recording medium has an opened wedge shape having no base side and comprising: a side vertical to the recording medium; and an oblique side which is in contact with a top of the vertical side, and which extends obliquely downward, the vertical side is located on the side of the ink-jet head, and the oblique side downward extends from the top toward the UV irradiating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Yasuyo YOKOTA
  • Publication number: 20080239045
    Abstract: An ink set for inkjet recording is provided that includes at least a colored liquid comprising at least a radically polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and a colorant and an undercoat liquid comprising at least a radically polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, the undercoat liquid comprising a sensitizer represented by Formula (I) below. In Formula (I) above, X denotes O, S, or NR, n denotes 0 or 1, R denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an acyl group, and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. There is also provided an inkjet recording method employing the ink set for inkjet recording, the method including a step of applying the undercoat liquid on top of a recording medium, a step of semi-curing the undercoat liquid, and a step of carrying out image formation by discharging the colored liquid on top of the semi-cured undercoat liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Umebayashi, Tokihiko Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20080239046
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a conveying roller which extends in an axial direction, and a guide member which extends in the axial direction and is configured to guide a recording medium toward the conveying roller. The guide member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion in the axial direction. The device also includes a supporting member which extends in the axial direction and is separated from the conveying roller by a predetermined distance. Moreover, the first end portion and the second end portion are in a fixed position with respect to the conveying roller, and the middle portion is in a fixed position with respect to the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yukio Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20080239047
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a feeding device feeding a recording medium in a first direction along a first path, a recording portion disposed in the first path and located between an upstream and a downstream connecting portion of the first path to record an image on the medium, a second path connecting the downstream connecting portion to the upstream connecting portion, a path switching portion including a roller pair disposed downstream of the downstream connecting portion in the first direction and being capable of (i) ejecting the medium such that a first edge thereof is the leading edge, by rotating in a forward direction while the medium is nipped therebetween, and (ii) feeding the medium into the second path such that a second edge thereof opposite to the first edge is the leading edge, by rotating in a reverse direction while the medium is nipped therebetween, a feed roller disposed in the second path and feeding the medium in a second direction along the second path, into the first path a
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Sugiyama, Takashi Ohama, Noriyuki Kawamata, Yuta Uchino
  • Publication number: 20080239048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for imprinting a three-dimensional article, in particular a container and/or workpiece, comprising a printing means, in particular an ink-jet printing means, for imprinting a surface of the three-dimensional article, and a conveyor means for bringing about a relative movement between the printing means and the three-dimensional article to be imprinted. The device according to the invention is characterised in that it further has a positioning means which is configured to bring the surface to be imprinted of the three-dimensional article into a predetermined relative relationship to, in particular a predetermined distance from, the printing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Homag Holzbearbeitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Albrecht, Karl Frey
  • Publication number: 20080239049
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording head that records an image on a record medium, a first and a second rollers respectively having rotation shafts parallel to each other, and an endless conveyor belt which is looped around the first and second rollers, and which has an external surface for conveying thereon a record medium in a conveyance direction from the first roller toward the second roller while supporting the record medium. On the circumferential surface of the second roller, provided are a abutting region abutting the internal surface of the conveyor belt, and a larger diameter region not abutting the internal surface of the conveyor belt and having a radius surpassing a sum of a thickness of the conveyor belt and a radius of the abutting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Sakano, Masahiro Nishizaki, Koji Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20080239050
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of inkjet heads each including an ink ejection surface and a plurality of nozzles formed within a predetermined area of the ink ejection surface; a pair of belt rollers; and a conveyor belt whose size in an axial direction of rotational shafts of the belt rollers is shorter than the predetermined area, which belt is looped around the pair of belt rollers. A plurality of supporting members whose respective positions in the axial direction are different from that of the conveyor belt, the supporting members being positioned apart from each other in a conveyance direction orthogonal to the axial direction so as to face the ink ejection surface and support both ends of the recording medium in the axial direction, which medium is longer than the conveyor belt in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tadanobu Chikamoto
  • Publication number: 20080239051
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording head that records an image on a recording medium. A conveyor supports the recording medium on an outer surface thereof so as to convey the recording medium in a conveying direction, and has an attachment region and a non-attachment region on its outer surface. The recording medium is attachable to the attachment region with a first attachment force greater than a second attachment force of the non-attachment region. A medium feeder is configured to feed the recording medium to the conveyor so that at least a part of a leading edge of the recording medium in the conveying direction is positioned on the non-attachment region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: SHIGEKI KATO
  • Publication number: 20080239052
    Abstract: A recording-medium-residual-quantity detecting device includes a first rotation-quantity detecting unit that detects a rotation quantity of a roll in which a recording medium is wound. A second rotation-quantity detecting unit detects a rotation quantity of a transportation roller that transports the recording medium by rotating in contact with the recording medium that is unwound from the roll. A controlling unit has a winding control mode in which driving units of the device are controlled so that rotational powers to wind the recording medium into the roll without slack between the roll and the transportation roller are applied to the roll and the transportation roller. The residual quantity of the recording medium is calculated on the basis of a rotation quantity ?r of the roll and a rotation quantity ?s of the transportation roller that are respectively detected by the rotation-quantity detecting units when the winding control mode is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki ISHII, Masaki KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20080239053
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording head, first and second rollers, an endless conveyor belt wound around the first and second rollers to convey a recording medium from the first to the second roller, a first adsorber giving adsorptivity for the recording medium toward an outer surface of the conveyor belt at least in a region thereof opposed to the recording head, a third roller disposed at a position opposite to the first roller across the second roller, and an endless separation belt wound around the second and third rollers. An outer surface of the endless separation belt has adsorptivity lower than the adsorptivity given by the first adsorber. The endless separation belt receives the recording medium from the conveyor belt and conveys the recording medium from the second roller to the third roller while supporting the recording medium on the surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuji Sakano
  • Publication number: 20080239054
    Abstract: A printer includes a transporting belt, a liquid ejecting head, and a negative pressure generator. The transporting belt transports a printing medium while electrostatically attracting the printing medium. The liquid ejecting head ejects liquid droplets onto the printing medium transported by the transporting belt and thereby performs printing. The negative pressure generator is in contact with the inner surface of the transporting belt and supports the transporting belt. The negative pressure generator has a suction opening for generating negative pressure formed in a contact surface thereof in contact with the transporting belt. The transporting belt is a substantially airtight member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshikazu KOIKE
  • Publication number: 20080239055
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for applying markings, particularly to springs, that are clean (ink in self contained storage units), allows quick color changes and reduces wasted ink or paint. An application means that does not dry out during short down time periods, keeps up with production rates, and is cost effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Grattan, Jeffrey Brown, Michael Krieg, Norton Delidow
  • Publication number: 20080239056
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, a print head comprising the semiconductor device and an image forming apparatus comprising the print head are supplied which are able to reduce cost through miniaturizing element size and minishing chip area. The semiconductor device comprises a plurality of light emitting elements; and a shift register circuit that has output terminals respectively corresponding to the plurality of light emitting elements and stores emitting-light instruction data of the light emitting elements, wherein each light emitting element has a first electrode and a second electrode to that lightening electricity of the light emitting element flows, and a third electrode for controlling the light emitting element whether to emit light, the output terminals of the shift register circuit are respectively connected with the third electrodes of the corresponding light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Nagumo
  • Publication number: 20080239057
    Abstract: An apparatus for marking a document includes a housing configured to be handheld having a display. The housing has an input element in communication with the display through which information to be marked on the document is entered and which appears on the display. The housing has a clock which keeps time and date. The housing has a stamp. The housing has an activation element which when activated causes the stamp to mark the time and date and information on the document. A method, for marking a document includes the steps of entering information into an input element of a housing configured to be handheld. There is the step of displaying the information on a display of the housing in communication with the input element. There is the step of keeping track of time and date with a clock of the housing. There is the step of activating an activation element of the housing which causes a stamp to mark the time and date and information on the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Graham Sahud
  • Publication number: 20080239058
    Abstract: A thermal printhead (A1) includes a substrate (1) and a plurality of heat-producing resistance sections (30) provided on the substrate (1). The heat-producing resistance sections (30) melt ink of an ink ribbon, which is transferred together with a recording sheet, to transfer the ink onto the recording sheet. An inequality surface region (7) is provided downstream from the heat-producing resistance sections (30) in a secondary scanning direction (x) which is the transfer direction of the ink ribbon. The inequality surface region includes a plurality of projections (70) each of which extends in the secondary scanning direction (x) and which are aligned at predetermined intervals in a primary scanning direction (y) which is perpendicular to the secondary scanning direction (x).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20080239059
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a heat sink in which a latent-heat-type heat storage sheet in which a plurality of heat storage materials are added to a base material is attached to a thermal conduction plate. The thermal conduction plate provided in contact with the thermal head. Each of the heat storage materials starts to melt if absorbed heat reaches a predetermined temperature, and the heat storage sheet stores heat while being maintained at a fixed temperature, while each of the heat storage materials melts. A radiation portion that is subjected to surface processing for improving the radiation rate of the heat storage sheet is provided on the surface of the heat storage sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20080239060
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a laser scanning unit to scan a beam across the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, a developing unit to apply a developer to the photoconductor having the electrostatic latent image formed thereon to form a visible image on the photoconductor, and a transferring unit to transfer the visible image, formed on the photoconductor, to a print medium. The laser scanning unit includes a light source to generate a beam according to an image signal, a polygon mirror including a plurality of reflection surfaces to deflect the beam, generated by the light source, in the main scanning direction, the reflection surfaces being aspherical to correct an aberration of the beam to converge the beam, deflected in the main scanning direction, on the photoconductor, and a motor to rotate the polygon mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Hyeon JO
  • Publication number: 20080239061
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided a first portable communication device for communicating with a second portable communication device, the first portable communication device including a communication module for transmitting and receiving video and audio information; an electronic display; a first image capture device for capturing an image of a first scene; a second image capture device for capturing an image of a second scene different from the first scene and way that is responsive to a user command for transmitting images of either the first or second scene or a combination thereof to the second portable communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald S. Cok, John N. Border, Patrick A. Cosgrove, Lynn Schilling-Benz
  • Publication number: 20080239062
    Abstract: A multicast scalable video communication server (MSVCS) is disposed in a multi-endpoint video conferencing system having multicast capabilities and in which audiovisual signals are scalably coded. The MVCVS additionally has unicast links to endpoints. The MSVCS caches audiovisual signal data received from endpoints over multicast communication channels, and retransmits the data over either unicast or multicast communication channels to an endpoint that requests the cached data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Reha Mehaet Civanlar, Alexandros Eleftheriadis, Ofer Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20080239063
    Abstract: A stereoscopic observation system includes a stereoscopic image pick up apparatus to pick up left and right images at an inward angle, a stereoscopic image display apparatus to transmit the left and right images picked up by the stereoscopic image pick up apparatus to an observer so that the images are stereoscopically observed at a convergence angle, a convergence angle change portion provided in the stereoscopic image display apparatus and to change the convergence angle, a recognition portion to recognize the stereoscopic image pick up apparatus, and a control portion to control the convergence angle change portion on the basis of the result of the recognition in the recognition portion so that the convergence angle is substantially equal to the inward angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Tomonori ISHIKAWA, Kazuo MORITA, Masahiro KUDO, Junichi NOZAWA, Kazuo BANJU
  • Publication number: 20080239064
    Abstract: A stereoscopic camera includes first and second image pickup units, having respectively first and second optical axes, for photographing an object to form two image frames. Two angle adjusters make angle adjustment of the optical axes. An object detector detects a human face as a principal object in the two image frames. An arithmetic processor obtains a shift amount of the face between two image frames, and determines an axial correction angle according to the shift amount for the angle adjustment in consideration of the face. A checker checks whether the angle adjustment should be made for both optical axes or for one thereof. A controller operates at least one of the two angle adjusters according to the axial correction angle and in response to information from the checker, for positioning the face equally between the two image frames optically by adjusting the first and/or second optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20080239065
    Abstract: A three-dimensional light beam acquisition apparatus includes an imaging optical system and an illumination optical system. The imaging optical system includes a first optical element that allows to pass through light from a subject; a second optical element that is arranged on the optical axis of the first optical element, receives the light from the first optical element, and forms an image corresponding to received light; and an acquiring unit that acquires the image from the second optical element as light beam information. The illumination optical system includes a light source; and a third optical element that collects illumination light from the light source and irradiates the subject with the illumination light through the first optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Momonoi, Masahiro Sekine
  • Publication number: 20080239066
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying 3D images using a display system having multiple physical layers. The physical layers of the display system are controlled (or manufactured) such that the display system produces a desired 4D light field corresponding to a real or synthetic 3D object or scene to be viewed by an observer. This may be accomplished, for example, by determining the transmittance values of one or more points in each physical layer that are required such that the desired 4D light field is produced by the display system. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Shree K. Nayar, Asaf Zomet
  • Publication number: 20080239067
    Abstract: A device used in projecting or transmitting stereoscopic images is provided. The device includes a multi-section light emitter, such as a “color wheel or a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light energy in multiple sections. Each section of light energy has an optical attribute associated therewith, such as color. Light energy projected in at least two sequential sections by the multi-section light emitter provides light energy having identical optical attributes, such as identical colors (red, green, or blue) but different perspective views associated with each sequential section, where the same optical attributes being employed in adjacent sections is referred to as “concatenation.” Different polarization attributes or polarization axis orientations may be employed within each section to facilitate stereoscopic image transmission and such concatenation in many cases reduces “judder” or other adverse visual effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Lenny Lipton
  • Publication number: 20080239068
    Abstract: A device used in projecting stereoscopic images is provided. The device includes an illumination source configured to transmit light energy in multiple sections or segments, each section or segment having an optical attribute associated therewith, such as a color (red, green, blue). The illumination source may include light emitting diodes or light projected through a “color wheel,” and light energy is polarized by the illumination source. At least two adjacent sections of the have identical optical attributes, such as identical colors, and different perspective views associated therewith. Different polarization attributes or polarization axis orientations may be employed to facilitate stereoscopic image transmission using linear, circular, and achromatic circular polarization. Polarization and viewing of polarized light energy may be addressed by occlusion using eyewear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Lenny Lipton
  • Publication number: 20080239069
    Abstract: An encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system is provided, which is capable of righting itself into an upright, balanced position. The encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system has a video camera, wireless communication means and balancing mass disposed within an internal, self-righting, inner structure. The inner structure is disposed within a transparent outer container, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer container when resting upon a surface, such that the video camera rotates into an upright position by gravitational forces acting upon the balancing mass disposed with the inner structure. In addition, a remote operation means is provided, which enables a user of the present system to view video images transmitted from the video camera, and to remotely control movement of the lens and/or video camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Edward Kaplan, Edward M. Ulicki, Nicholas C. Korinis, Kenneth R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20080239070
    Abstract: An endoscopic video system and method using a camera with a single color image sensor, for example a CCD color image sensor, for fluorescence and color imaging and for simultaneously displaying the images acquired in these imaging modes at video rates in real time is disclosed. The tissue under investigation is illuminated continuously with fluorescence excitation light and is further illuminated periodically using visible light outside of the fluorescence excitation wavelength range. The illumination sources may be conventional lamps using filters and shutters, or may include light-emitting diodes mounted at the distal tip of the endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Westwick, David Potkins, John Fengler
  • Publication number: 20080239071
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided and includes: a solid-state imaging device that receives image light of an observed portion inside of a coelom to output an imaging signal of the image light; a cover glass disposed above an light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device so that the cover glass and the solid-state imaging device are separated with a space; and a first circuit board disposed at a vicinity of an upper surface of the cover glass and including a peripheral circuit of the solid-state imaging device, the first circuit board having a thermal conductivity lower than that of a reference circuit board whose major component is alumina, the imaging apparatus being included in a front end of an electronic endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Kazuaki TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20080239072
    Abstract: A door monitor with a portable storage medium includes a host module disposed behind the door, a night-vision camera module disposed outside the door and electrically connected with the host module, a sensor disposed outside the door for detecting whether any object is approaching, and a microphone connected with the host module. The host module has a multimedia processor, a display, a touch panel, and a portable storage medium connecting interface. The user enters monitoring criteria using the touch panel. When an object approaches and stays for a period of time, the night-vision camera module starts recording. The recorded video data are sent to and played on the display. The video data are compressed in a format and stored on the portable storage medium. The door monitor readily monitors situations outside the door and records and stores video images for the purposes of home security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Te Cheng
  • Publication number: 20080239073
    Abstract: In a visitor counting system a plurality of sensors (107, 108, 109, 110) count the number of visitors passing by. A data-recording device (105, 106) connected to the sensors store records comprising the number of visitors counted within a predetermined time period. A remote visitor data processing unit (120) further comprises a record validation block for checking validity of the records, an interpolation block for creating new records to substitute the incorrect records, and a faulty-sensor detection block for concluding, based on the records, whether a sensor is faulty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: TEKNOVISIO OY
    Inventors: Juha Ruohonen, Lauri Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20080239074
    Abstract: A remote displaying method for monitor apparatus, comprises: converting step, for converting a plurality of graphic elements which constitute a displayed graphic on the monitor apparatus into a plurality of corresponding display instructions; transmitting step, for transmitting the display instructions to a remote display apparatus; receiving step, for receiving the display instructions on the remote display apparatus; and displaying step, for displaying on the remote display apparatus in accordance with the display instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Changjian Li, Xu Luo, Jianjun Peng, Liqiang Ming, Jin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080239075
    Abstract: A method of improving video performance in video surveillance system having a wireless encoder connected to a video surveillance network by a wireless access point device comprises the steps of allocating channel bandwidth to the wireless encoder from the wireless access point device, transmitting packets of video data from the wireless encoder to the wireless access point device, transmitting signals from the wireless access point device to the wireless encoder, monitoring the strength of the signals received by the wireless access point device, the strength of the signals received by the wireless encoder, and the number of lost packets of video data transmitted from the wireless encoder to the wireless access point device, sending a request from the wireless encoder to the wireless access point device to change the bit transmission rate of the wireless encoder if the strength of the signals received by the wireless access point device is less than a first threshold, if the strength of the signals received b
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: PELCO, INC.
    Inventors: Praveen Mehrotra, Farzin Aghdasi, Lawrence E. Bakst
  • Publication number: 20080239076
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a plurality of vehicle systems. A forward looking sensor (12) is configured to obtain a two-dimensional image of a space in front of the vehicle. A region identification element (14) divides the two-dimensional image into a plurality of regions. Each region represents a portion of the space forward of the vehicle. An image transform (16) transforms the two-dimensional image to a three-dimensional coordinate system representing the space in front of the vehicle to calculate depth information for at least a portion of the image. Each of a plurality of expert systems (18-20) have at least one associated region and control a vehicle system (22-24) according to data from their respective at least one associated region and the calculated depth information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Yun Luo
  • Publication number: 20080239077
    Abstract: A motor vehicle accident recording system for portable installation in a conventional motor vehicle includes: a.) a looping video camera to record audio and video through a windshield of a motor vehicle for a period of a predetermined time, and to record over previous recordings in excess of the predetermined time, start, stop, and recording retrieval capabilities; b.) an attachment mechanism connected to the video camera for attachment to a dashboard, a rear view mirror, a visor, a windshield and a windshield frame; c.) a control module that includes functional connection to the video camera to operate the start and the stop, that may be connected wirelessly or by wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: John K. Kurylo
  • Publication number: 20080239078
    Abstract: A system for presenting video images from a vehicle environment includes taking video images of the vehicle environment, detecting sensor data of the vehicle environment or the vehicle, processing the sensor data, recognizing objects in the video images, and visualizing the processed sensor data in the displayed video images by changing the representation of recognized objects in the displayed video images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Mohr, Andreas Stiegler
  • Publication number: 20080239079
    Abstract: The present invention provides an entry control device, system and method which can recognize a vehicle by its undercarriage image only. The present invention compares a new vehicle undercarriage image with those stored in a reference database to facilitate the automatic search of a vehicle's undercarriage. The present invention can compare the new undercarriage image to the same or similar undercarriage image previously entered in the reference database, highlighting any anomalies such as, for example, foreign objects, explosives, drugs, paraphernalia and other illegal and/or harmful substances and devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher A. Millar
  • Publication number: 20080239080
    Abstract: The rear vision system was invented to allow a bicycle, motorcycle rider, or an operator of any vehicle to safely and easily check his rear view without requiring the rider's head to be in a predetermined position. The system is comprised of a video camera which is mounted to a vehicle and facing its rear view and a head-mounted display which is connected to the video camera's output video signal. The head-mounted display is worn on the rider's head and allows the rider to see his rear view by simply glancing at the digital image, which is projected from the head-mounted display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jonathan D. Moscato
  • Publication number: 20080239081
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking an input device uses positional information of a display screen in frames of image data to determine the relative position of the input device with respect to the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Rene P. Helbing
  • Publication number: 20080239082
    Abstract: A versatile video pattern and audio pattern generation module, that can be integrated onto a video integrated circuit (IC) to generate functional video test input data, in HDMI format, for gray bars, color bars and moving bar data patterns, and to further generate single-tone audio signals, is disclosed. This video signal generator can be made part of the built-in-self test (BIST) to allow simplified testing of the IC. The signals generated can be used to test the video and audio functionality, as well as enabling a system to be demonstrated in the field. The output of the generator during the demonstration can be displayed using any suitable video display enabling simplified demonstration set-up. These video and audio signals can bemused as a diagnostic tool by the consumer and also for debugging the IC and system as may be necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Jianbin Hao
  • Publication number: 20080239083
    Abstract: In an electronic apparatus having a user identification function or in a user identification method, an electronic apparatus and an electronic instrument having stored therein user personal information communicate in wireless with each other so as to enable the electronic apparatus to automatically identify the electronic apparatus user. If the electronic apparatus identifies a plurality of possible users, the electronic apparatus automatically selects the user by executing specific user identification processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Kusaka, Shoei Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080239084
    Abstract: There is provided an image taking apparatus capable of preferably correcting both the camera shake and the subject shake in the still picture photography. The image taking apparatus has a system control section that determines whether a subject is a still subject or a dynamic subject. When the system control section determines that the subject is the still subject, the system control section instructs a timing generation section to cause an imaging section to generate a series of images, so that an image piling up section performs piling up of images in accordance with a computed result with a movement vector computing section. Thus, the camera shake is corrected. When the system control section determines that the subject is the dynamic subject, the system control section instructs the timing generation section to perform a single photography at a predetermined shutter time free from the subject shake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi ENDO
  • Publication number: 20080239085
    Abstract: An apparatus with camera function supports electronic viewfinding. An image sensor (100, 102) of the apparatus is manually directed at a scene. Exploratory images obtained from the image sensor (100, 102) are electronically processed, to generate an indication signal that is indicative of whether a content of the exploratory images satisfies a predetermined criterion that tests for imaging of a predetermined type of subject within the boundaries of the exploratory image. The image sensor (100, 102) is manually redirected until the indication signal indicates that the exploratory image satisfies the predetermined criterion. A further handling operation is applied selectively to a captured image that is obtained when the image sensor (100, 102) has been redirected so that the indication signal indicates that the exploratory image satisfies the predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventor: Wido Kruijtzer
  • Publication number: 20080239086
    Abstract: A digital camera that includes an imaging component, a display component, a characteristic information extraction component, an assistance image determination component and a control component. The imaging component images a subject and outputs image information representing the subject. The display component implements display on the basis of the image information outputted from the imaging component. The characteristic information extraction component extracts characteristic information representing a pre-specified characteristic from the image information. The assistance image determination component determines an assistance image, for assisting a determination of composition when the subject is to be photographed, on the basis of a result of extraction by the characteristic information extraction component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsumi NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20080239087
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an illumination unit and an illumination control unit configured to adjust light emitted from the illumination unit so as to illuminate a limited area in a space, the system generates a timing signal for controlling emission/non-emission of light from the illumination unit, captures a first image of an imaging area including the limited area or part of the limited area based on the timing signal, the first image being taken from a position different from the illumination unit when the illumination unit emits light, captures a second image of the imaging area based on the timing signal, the second image being taken from the position when the illumination unit emits no light, and acquires a third image which is a difference image between the first image and the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Shunichi Numazaki, Miwako Doi
  • Publication number: 20080239088
    Abstract: An extended depth of field forming device having: an image pickup element which has a plurality of pixels and performs photoelectric conversion of an optical image and generates image signals based on the optical image; an image pickup optical system which creates an optical image of a subject; and an image calculation section which calculates image signals generated by said image pickup element for generating an extended depth of field, wherein each pixel of the image pickup element performs photoelectric conversion of light including a plurality of wavelength regions, independently at each layer of the image pickup element located in different depth and the image pickup optical system forms a plurality of images at different positions on the optical axis and the image calculation section creates color information of the optical image of the subject for each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20080239089
    Abstract: An image pickup method of picking up images at a frame rate changeably set out of a plurality of frame rates is provided. The method includes the steps of: setting a vertical synchronization cycle in accordance with a set frame rate and adding an image pickup signal that does not include a valid image pickup region in accordance with the set vertical synchronization cycle while keeping a horizontal synchronization cycle of each image pickup signal constant, when obtaining an image pickup signal from an image sensor; and correcting a time axis of an obtained image pickup signal that includes a valid image pickup region, correspondingly to the set frame rate and deleting an obtained image pickup signal that does not include the valid image pickup region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Hiromasa IKEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20080239090
    Abstract: A first filter generates a first smooth picture by smoothing an input picture. A second filter generates a second smooth picture by smoothing the input picture. The second filter has a characteristic different from the first filter. A contrast component picture calculation unit generates a contrast component picture by dividing each pixel value of the input picture with the pixel value of the first smooth picture. A picture composition unit generates a composed picture by composing the second smooth picture with the contrast component picture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuyasu Ohwaki, Goh Itoh
  • Publication number: 20080239091
    Abstract: A digital still camera includes a lens system. A cold mirror separates object light incident on the lens system into a visible light component and an infrared component. A visible light image sensor outputs a first image signal of a visible light image by receiving the visible light component. An infrared light image sensor outputs a second image signal of an infrared image by receiving the infrared component. A contour signal generator extracts a high frequency component from a luminance signal determined according to the second image signal, to produce an edge enhancement signal. An adder adds the edge enhancement signal to a luminance signal determined according to the first image signal. Addition of the edge enhancement signal is adapted to the object light from an object at a far distance. Specifically, the cold mirror reflects the visible light component and transmits the infrared component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Soga