Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for driving a PDP (plasma display panel). An image signal processor of the apparatus performs gamma correction and error diffusion processes of input image signals. A quantization error compensator compensates quantization errors with respect to an automatic power control (APC) level of image data output from the image signal processor. An error diffuser sets part of the image data output from the quantization error compensator as display errors and diffuses the display errors to peripheral pixels. A memory control and address driver generates sub-field and address data corresponding to image data that have undergone error diffusion by the error diffuser, and applies the data to the PDP. An APC and sustain/scan pulse generator generates a sub-field arrangement structure according to the APC level, generates control signals based on the generated sub-field arrangement, and applies the control signals to the PDP.

Abstract: A paper cutter for separating exposure areas positioned along the longitudinal axis of a web of photographic material. Individual print areas within an exposure area are also separated. The print material is coded on its back or at each exposure area border in accordance with the particular array of print areas and the cutter decodes the border code and produces a signal representative of the array of print areas to be separated. The web is advanced into a cutting station with cutting elements within the cutting station being selectively activated, web advance and cutting station activation being in accordance with the print area array representative signal.

Abstract: A card which a customer receives at the time of driving the vehicle into a parking lot and which bears encoded information denoting the date and time of entry is processed when the customer desires to remove the vehicle. At such time, the card is inserted into a housing to be automatically advanced in a first direction past a reader which decodes the information and supplies signals to a computer which actuates a perforating device serving to apply legible information to at least one portion of the card. The card is thereupon moved in the opposite direction into the range of a severing device which separates the one portion from the remaining portion of the card. The one portion is removed by the customer to serve as a customer receipt, and the remaining portion is transported away from the severing device and into a safe to serve as an operator's receipt. The legible information normally includes the cost of parking.

Abstract: There is described a method of guiding a machine as it moves relative to a surface, which is preferably the surface of a workpiece on which the machine is working, by selectively magnetizing a layer of magnetic material provided at or close to the surface so as to define a path of movement, producing guidance signals during the relative movement by detecting the selective magnetization, and using the guidance signals to automatically guide the relative movement, so that the defined path is followed. Data other than guidance data may be provided on the layer by selective magnetization.