49th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 28 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090295871 | Inkjet Nozzle Assembly With Actuatable Nozzle Chamber - A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet aperture; a nozzle comprising a wall portion extending from the substrate assembly to bound the ink inlet aperture, and a moveable crown portion from which a skirt portion depends, the wall portion and the skirt portion defining a peripheral wall of a nozzle chamber; an anchor extending from the substrate assembly; and a thermal bend actuator connected between the anchor and a lever arm. The lever arm is in turn connected to the nozzle. The thermal bend actuator, upon actuation, moves the crown and skirt portions relative to the wall portion to eject ink in the nozzle chamber out through the nozzle opening. The skirt portion and the wall portion are separated by a gap, and the wall portion is shaped with an inwardly directed lip in the vicinity of the gap, the inwardly directed lip facilitating the formation of a fluidic seal effected via surface tension across the gap. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295872 | Replaceable Printbar Assembly - A web press printer includes a frame spaced above a media support and at least one printbar removably secured to the frame. The at least one printbar supports an array of printheads extending generally transverse to the media support. The at least one printbar also includes a connector and a routing mechanism. The connector is configured to releasably connect to an element supply that is external to the at least one printbar. The routing mechanism is in communication with the element supply via the connector and configured to separately route the supplied element to each respective printhead. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295873 | INK JET PRINTING HEAD - An ink jet printing head is attachable to/detachable from an ink jet printing apparatus and includes an electric wiring member formed of a TAB tape to which terminals are provided, and has a wiring exposed through an end section of the electric wiring member, the terminals accepting signals by making contact with a connection portion on the part of the apparatus when the head is attached to the apparatus. An opening is provided in a supporting member which supports the electric wiring member, the opening extending in a direction traversing an area where the electric wiring member is supported. Thereby, movement of liquid, such as water and ink, to the end section is blocked, the liquid moving through a gap between a back surface of the electric wiring member and a surface of the supporting member. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295874 | LIQUID EJECTING HEAD AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS USABLE THEREWITH - A liquid ejecting head for ejection liquid includes an electric wiring member including a plurality of contact pads which are electrically contactable to a liquid ejecting apparatus; a storing element for storing individual information; and a liquid ejection member, provided with an ejection outlet, for ejecting the liquid using electric energy supplied through a part of the plurality of contact pads. The contact pads include an array of information contact pads electrically connected with the storing element, a voltage source contact pad for supplying the electric energy and a grounding contact pad. Directly adjacent to each of front and rear sides of the information contact pads constituting the array, the voltage source contact pad or the grounding contact pad is disposed. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295875 | INK EJECTION NOZZLE EMPLOYING VOLUME VARYING INK EJECTING MEANS - A nozzle arrangement for ejecting ink includes a substrate defining an ink supply passage; a first endless wall extending from the substrate and bounding the ink supply passage; an elongate actuator operatively anchored at a fixed end to the substrate and at a location external to the confines of the first endless wall, the actuator configured to reciprocally bend towards and away from the substrate on receipt of an electrical current; and a cover terminating a free end of the actuator, the cover defining a second endless wall suspended from the cover within the confines of the first endless wall to define an ink chamber with the first endless wall, the cover further defining an ink ejection port through which ink in the ink chamber is ejected. The reciprocal bending of the actuator towards and away from the substrate varies a volume of the ink chamber and effects ejection of ink from the ink chamber through the ink ejection port. The first and second endless walls define a gap therebetween, a width of the gap being conducive to the formation of a fluidic seal effected via surface tension of the ink. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295876 | FERROELECTRIC OXIDE STRUCTURE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE STRUCTURE, AND LIQUID-DISCHARGE APPARATUS - A ferroelectric oxide structure includes a substrate and a ferroelectric thin-film deposited on the substrate. The ferroelectric thin-film has a thickness of greater than or equal to 200 nm and a tetragonal crystal system. The ferroelectric thin-film has (100) single-orientation crystal orientation. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295877 | ELECTROSTATIC ACTUATOR, DROPLET DISCHARGE HEAD, METHOD FOR DRIVING DROPLET DISCHARGE HEAD, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ELECTROSTATIC ACTUATOR - To provide an electrostatic actuator capable of attaining a large diaphragm displacement by low voltage drive. Furthermore, a droplet discharge head provided with this electrostatic actuator, a method for driving a droplet discharge head, and a method for manufacturing an electrostatic actuator are provided. A diaphragm | 2009-12-03 |
20090295878 | JETTING MODULE INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT APPARATUS - A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295879 | CONTINUOUS PRINTHEAD CONTOURED GAS FLOW DEVICE - A continuous liquid printing system gas flow device includes a gas flow duct structure including a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. The first wall is contoured such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall varies when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295880 | CONTINUOUS PRINTHEAD GAS FLOW DUCT INCLUDING DRAIN - In an inkjet printhead using a gas flow, typically air, to deflect select drop into catch, gas flow (air) ducts are employed to direct the air across the drop trajectories. Improved air ducts include liquid flow channels in a wall of the air duct are provided to allow ink to be removed from the air duct without disrupting the air flow in the duct. A process for cleaning the air duct using the liquid flow channel is also provided. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295881 | PRINTER, INK CIRCULATION METHOD AND INITIAL INK INSTALLATION METHOD - A printer comprises a head having a plurality of outlets, a first ink tank connected to the head and a second ink tank storing ink, and the second ink tank is connected to the first ink tank via a supply line and connected to the head via a return line. The supply line is provided with a pump for supplying the first ink tank with ink stored in the second ink tank. A main decompressor connected to the second ink tank decompresses the inside of the second ink tank to a negative pressure and ink is returned from the first ink tank to the second ink tank through a passage leading from the first ink tank to the second ink tank via the head. This allows an appropriate circulation of ink while degassing the ink in the second ink tank. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295882 | LIQUID EJECTING HEAD UNIT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A liquid ejecting head unit is provided with a plurality of liquid ejecting heads which each have a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzle openings are arranged and a liquid passage port to which an inner flow passage opens and an outer flow passage is connected. The liquid ejecting head unit includes: first flow passage members which are each provided with a first flow passage supplying a liquid to the liquid passage port of each of the plurality of liquid ejecting heads; second flow passage members which are each provided with a second flow passage supplying the liquid to the first flow passage; and a switching member which is provided between the first and second flow passages and allows the plurality of first flow passages to communicate with the plurality of second flow passages in a predetermined communication relation. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295883 | Ink Channel Extrusion Module For Pagewidth Printhead - An extrusion module for delivering ink to an array of printhead modules defining a pagewidth printhead. The modules are substantially coextensive with the extrusion module. The extrusion module includes a plurality of discrete ink channels each for conveying ink; and a pattern of holes defined in a surface of the extrusion module via which ink from each of said discrete ink channels is fed from the extrusion module to a printhead module. The pattern of holes is repeated longitudinally along the extrusion module. one repetition of the pattern corresponds to one printhead module. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295884 | FLUID SUPPLY APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fluid supply apparatus enables the direction of movement of a fluid to be changed easily while maintaining high barrier property and durability. The fluid supply apparatus includes an upper cylinder having a first and a second supply/discharge opening for supplying or discharging a fluid. A piston is movably disposed within a lower cylinder, forming a cylinder internal chamber. A fluid channel open/close member is rotatably disposed in the upper cylinder. The fluid channel open/close member opens or closes a channel communicating the first or the second supply/discharge opening with the cylinder internal chamber, while closing at least one of the first and the second supply/discharge openings at any time. The rotation of the fluid channel open/close member is linked with the movement of the piston by a cam groove and a cam pin. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295885 | LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME - An ink cartridge | 2009-12-03 |
20090295886 | INK, INK JET RECORDING METHOD, RECORDING UNIT, INK CARTRIDGE, AND INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink jet ink contains at least a coloring material and a specific water-soluble organic solvent and has both excellent color developability and excellent humidity resistance. The coloring material exhibits a small (9 or less) color difference ΔE value which is determined by a method including a series of specific steps and is represented as the square root of (L | 2009-12-03 |
20090295887 | Print Media Cartridge With Ink Supply Manifold - An ink and print media cartridge for a printer device includes a print media housing assembly having a top molding coupled to a bottom molding, the top and bottom moldings defining a region therebetween in which print media is stored; an ink housing assembly attached to an underside of the bottom molding, the ink housing assembly defining with the underside of the bottom molding an ink chamber in which ink is received, the ink housing assembly further including an ink outlet in fluid communication with the ink chamber; and a spring provided between the top molding and the bottom molding, the spring positioned to bear against the top molding to bias the print media towards the bottom molding. A portion of the bottom molding extends beyond a peripheral edge of the top molding to define an ink supply connection manifold with the ink housing assembly. The ink outlet is provided on the ink supply connection manifold, spaced clear of the print media housing assembly. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295888 | CIRCULATING TYPE INK SUPPLY SYSTEM - A circulating type ink supply system includes an upstream ink tank, an upstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the upstream ink tank, a nozzle branch portion connected to the other end of the upstream ink flow channel and being in communication with a nozzle configured to discharge ink, a downstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the nozzle branch portion and a downstream ink tank connected to the other end of the downstream ink flow channel, wherein an energy per unit volume determined by a sum value of a static pressure and a potential energy of the ink in the upstream ink tank when the circulation of the ink is stopped does not exceed the energy per unit volume of the ink at an atmospheric pressure at a level of the nozzle. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295889 | HEAD UNIT AND PRINTER - A head unit has a supply tank provided above a plurality of heads, for storing ink and a collecting part having an internal space into which ink flows from the plurality of heads. In the head unit, a plurality of ink inlet pipes serving as a plurality of passages leading from the supply tank to the plurality of heads have the same shape and the same resistance and a plurality of ink outlet pipes serving as a plurality of passages from the plurality of heads to the collecting part have the same shape and the same resistance. This equalizes respective flow rates of ink and respective pressures of ink at nozzles in the plurality of heads. As a result, it is possible to suppress variation in landing positions and the like of ink with respect to the nozzles among the plurality of heads. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295890 | Liquid Container - A liquid container mountable in a liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid container includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, an air communication section that allows the liquid storage section and an outside of the liquid container to communicate with each other, a bubble separation unit that separates bubbles from the liquid, a communication path that allows the bubble separation unit and the liquid storage section to communicate with each other and has at one end thereof an exit connected to the bubble separation unit and at the other end thereof an entrance connected to the liquid storage section, the exit having a cross section whose area continuously increases toward the bubble separation unit, a liquid supply unit through which the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and a detection unit that is connected to the liquid supply unit and the bubble separation unit and detects an amount of the liquid stored in the liquid container. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295891 | Liquid Container - A liquid container mountable in a liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. The liquid container includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section through which the liquid stored in the liquid storage section is supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus, an air communication section that allows the liquid storage section and an outside of the liquid container to communicate with each other, a bubble separation section that separates bubbles from the liquid, a vertical communication path that has an entrance communicating with the liquid storage section and an exit provided at a higher level in a vertical direction than the entrance and communicating with the bubble separation section, and a detection section that communicates with the liquid supply section and the bubble separation section and is adapted to detect a depletion of the liquid stored in the liquid container. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295892 | INKJET RECORDING METHOD AND PRETREATMENT LIQUID FOR INKJET RECORDING - According to an embodiment of the invention, in an inkjet printer, after attaching a colorless pretreatment liquid onto plain paper, at least one ink composition capable of reacting with the pretreatment liquid is injected, thereby forming an image. The pretreatment liquid contains water, a metal salt, a fluorescent brightener and at least one butane derivative selected from the group consisting of 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, 1,3-butylene glycol and isoprene glycol. The ink composition contains a coloring material and water. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295893 | INKJET RECORDING METHOD AND PRETREATMENT LIQUID FOR INKJET RECORDING - According to an embodiment of the invention, in an inkjet printer, after attaching a colorless pretreatment liquid onto plain paper, at least one ink composition capable of reacting with the pretreatment liquid is injected, thereby forming an image. The pretreatment liquid contains at least one butane derivative selected from the group consisting of 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, 1,3-butylene glycol and isoprene glycol, water and an organometal salt having COO | 2009-12-03 |
20090295894 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND INKJET RECORDING METHOD - The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a conveyance device which conveys a recording medium; a drying air flow spraying device which sprays a drying air flow onto the recording medium while the recording medium is conveyed by the conveyance device; a negative pressure suctioning device which opposes the drying air flow spraying device, and suctions a rear surface of the recording medium and suctions at least a portion of the drying air flow sprayed by the drying air flow spraying device while the recording medium is conveyed by the conveyance device; and an inkjet head which ejects ink to be deposited on the recording medium. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295895 | Locating device for an inkjet printer - The invention describes an inkjet printer ( | 2009-12-03 |
20090295896 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus includes a recording executing section, a transport driving roller, and an ejection driving roller. The recording executing section can execute recording on both a first recording material and a second recording material set on a first surface of a holding tray in a recording execution area. The transport of the holding tray in the recording execution area is performed by the feeding force of the transport driving roller and the ejection driving roller, and the maintenance of the posture of the holding tray in the recording execution area is performed by the transport driving roller, the ejection driving roller, and a posture maintainer located outside a transit area through which the first recording material passes. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295897 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus includes a holding tray, a transport driving roller that applies a transport force to the other surface of the holding tray, and an ejection driving roller located downstream of the recording unit such that the ejection driving roller is placed on the same side as the transport driving roller. The other surface of the holding tray has an irregular pattern including a protrusion and a recess, the protrusion being come into contact with the outer surface of the transport driving roller, the recess being located so as to face the ejection driving roller. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295898 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus has: a first conveyance device which includes a first suctioning surface traveling and having a plurality of first suction holes, places a recording medium in a first prescribed position on the first suctioning surface, and conveys the recording medium in the first prescribed position on the first suctioning surface while suctioning a rear surface of the recording medium via the plurality of first suction holes; a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits a treatment liquid that aggregates or insolubilizes coloring material of an ink onto a front surface of the recording medium conveyed by the first conveyance device; a second conveyance device which is provided downstream of the first conveyance device in terms of a conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, includes a second suctioning surface traveling and having a plurality of second suction holes, places the recording medium in a second prescribed position on the second suctioning surface, and conveys the recording medium in the second prescribed position on the second suctioning surface while suctioning the rear surface of the recording medium via the plurality of second suction holes; and an image forming device which ejects droplets of the ink onto the front surface of the recording medium conveyed by the second conveyance device so as to form an image, wherein the first suction holes of the first conveyance device and the second suction holes of the second conveyance device are formed in such a manner that first suction positions on the recording medium which are suctioned by the first suction holes of the first conveyance device and second suction positions on the recording medium which are suctioned by the second suction holes of the second conveyance device are mutually different. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295899 | Optical scanner and image forming apparatus incorporating same - An optical scanner includes at least one light source, an optical element, a deflective scanner, an optical housing, a pressing member, and a mounting member. The light source emits a light beam to an object. The optical element forms the light beam emitted from the light source into a desired shape. The deflective scanner deflects the light beam. The optical housing stores the optical element and the deflective scanner, and includes at least one positioning member. The positioning member positions the light source in an axial direction of the light source. The pressing member presses the light source toward the positioning member to sandwich the light source between the pressing member and the positioning member and mount the light source on the optical housing. The mounting member fastens the pressing member to the optical housing. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295900 | OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an optical scanning device employing a multi-beam scanning method, a surface emitting laser light source includes laser emission sources; a parallel-plate-like quarter wavelength plate is arranged between the surface emitting laser light source and a first optical system; a light-intensity detecting unit separates light intensity of the laser beams of which form is converted by the first optical system and detects separated laser beams; and a light-intensity adjusting unit adjusts emission intensity of the laser emission sources individually based on a detection result by the light-intensity detecting unit. The quarter wavelength plate is arranged so that an optical axis thereof is tilted ±45 degrees with respect to the main-scanning direction around an optical axis of the first optical system. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295901 | LIGHT-EMITTING ELEMENT ARRAY, DRIVE CONTROLLING DEVICE, RECORDING HEAD, AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A light-emitting element array comprises: a resistor connected at a first end to a driving unit; and a plurality of light-emitting elements, each of the plurality of light-emitting elements comprising a three-terminal switching element having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, the first terminal in each of the plurality of light-emitting elements being connected to a second end of the resistor, the second terminal in each of the plurality of light-emitting elements being connected to ground, and the third terminal in each of the plurality of light-emitting elements being connected to a control circuit. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295902 | SURFACE-EMITTING LASER ARRAY, OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A surface-emitting laser array includes a plurality of surface-emitting laser elements. Each surface-emitting laser element includes a first reflection layer formed on a substrate, a resonator formed in contact with the first reflection layer and containing an active layer, and a second reflection layer formed over the first reflection layer and in contact with the resonator. The second reflection layer contains a selective oxidation layer. The first reflection layer contains on the active layer side at least a low refractive index layer having an oxidation rate equivalent to or larger than an oxidation rate of a selective oxidation layer contained in the second reflection layer. The resonator is made of an AlGaInPAs base material containing at least In. A bottom of a mesa structure is located under the selective oxidation layer and over the first reflection layer. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295903 | Image Forming Apparatus, Manufacturing Method Thereof, and Exposing Device - A method and apparatus usable in an image forming apparatus, comprising a photoreceptor, and a plurality of exposing devices having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged therein for exposing the photoreceptor, wherein the plurality of exposing devices include at least two exposing devices having a distribution tendency similar to the plurality of light emitting elements. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295904 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH - An image of at least one object ( | 2009-12-03 |
20090295905 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A CONFERENCE SERVER ARCHITECTURE FOR LOW DELAY AND DISTRIBUTED CONFERENCING APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods for conducting a multi-endpoint video signal conference are provided. Conferencing endpoints are linked by pairs of a reliable and a less reliable communication channel. Conference video signals are scaleable coded in base layer and enhancement layers format. Video signal base layers, which correspond to a minimum picture quality, are communicated over reliable channels. The video signal enhancements layers may be communicated over the less reliable channels. A conference server mediates the switching of video layer information from transmitting endpoints to receiving endpoints without any intermediate coding or re-coding operations. The video conference can be integrated with an audio conference using either scalable coded audio signals or non-scaleable coded audio signals. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295906 | Car Side-View Camera - A car side-view camera has, on the side of a car, a side turn lamp housing containing a compound-eye imaging device and a near-infrared lamp forming the camera. The compound-eye imaging device has 6 imaging units in 2 rows 3 columns. Three imaging units in one row are provided with an infrared cut filter. The imaging units in left and right columns are provided with rectangular prisms to shift light entrance zones left and right. The microprocessor sets the near-infrared lamp in off-state for image capture during the day to combine 3 unit images by the imaging units with the infrared cut filter into a panoramic image, and switches the near-infrared lamp to on-state for image capture at night to combine 3 unit images by the imaging units without the infrared cut filter into a panoramic image. This camera can stably obtain a clear image regardless of day or night. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295907 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DATA STREAM BY USING CAMERA PARAMETER, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESTORING STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE BY USING CAMERA PARAMETER - Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a stereoscopic image. A stereoscopic image restoring method includes parsing a received data stream into image data of a stereoscopic image and information regarding the stereoscopic image; extracting a camera parameter depending on individual characteristics of each of one or more cameras which have captured the stereoscopic image; and decoding and restoring the image data of the stereoscopic image. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295908 | Method and device for high-resolution three-dimensional imaging which obtains camera pose using defocusing - A method and device for high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) imaging which obtains camera pose using defocusing is disclosed. The device comprises a lens obstructed by a mask having two sets of apertures. The first set of apertures produces a plurality of defocused images of the object, which are used to obtain camera pose. The second set of optical filters produces a plurality of defocused images of a projected pattern of markers on the object. The images produced by the second set of apertures are differentiable from the images used to determine pose, and are used to construct a detailed 3-D image of the object. Using the known change in camera pose between captured images, the 3-D images produced can be overlaid to produce a high-resolution 3-D image of the object. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295909 | Device and Method for 2D-3D Switchable Autostereoscopic Viewing - An autostereoscopic viewing device switchable between a two-dimensional mode and a three-dimensional mode. The device generally includes a matrix viewing display, and a set of two lenticular networks or arrays, one of which is called a converting lenticular network or array. The lenticular networks or arrays are arranged in front of the viewing display. The converting lenticular array is designed to receive and optically process a raster or matrix image emitted by the viewing display. The autostereoscopic viewing device further includes means for varying a plurality of distances between a first lenticular array and a second lenticular array or the viewing display. The invention is useful in particular for computer displays or three-dimensional television sets. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295910 | Hyperspectral Imaging System and Methods Thereof - A hyperspectral imaging system and methods thereof especially useful in fields such as medicine, food safety, chemical sensing, and agriculture, for example. In one embodiment, the hyperspectral imaging module contains a light source ( | 2009-12-03 |
20090295911 | Identifying a Locale for Controlling Capture of Data by a Digital Life Recorder Based on Location - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product controlling a capture of data. In one embodiment, the process identifies a location from locale identifier data to form an identified location in response to receiving the locale identifier data. The locale identifier data is associated with a location of the digital life recorder. In addition, the identified location is associated with a set of usage policies. The process then determines whether the set of usage policies restricts the capture of data by the digital life recorder at the identified location or whether the set of usage policies restricts playback of the data by a playback system. Thereafter, the process disables a set of sensors while the digital life recorder is in the presence of the locale identifier in response to determining that the set of usage policies restricts the capture of data. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295912 | COIN EDGE IMAGING DEVICE - An apparatus to record images from a coin is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a stage configured to position and rotate the coin. The stage is further configured to produce an angular positional signal output to indicate a rotational position of the coin. A first and second reflecting device are configured to concurrently image near-edge portions of both obverse and reverse sides of the coin and a recording apparatus is directed simultaneously toward an edge of the coin and the first and second reflecting devices. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295913 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes an image pick-up unit extending in the axial direction within a distal end forming portion, and a channel tube extending in the axial direction within the distal end forming portion and including a parallel portion arranged parallel with the image pick-up unit, and the outer peripheral surface of the parallel portion includes a facing side diameter reducing portion arranged on a side facing the image pick-up unit and, with respect to a reference circumferential surface including a common central axis to the inner peripheral surface of the parallel portion, closer to a central axis side than the reference circumferential surface in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction, and a diameter keeping portion arranged on a side other than the side facing the image pick-up unit and whose at least a part overlaps the reference circumferential surface. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295914 | Image Processing System and Scanning Electron Microscope - The present invention achieves the process of easily registering a template which is prepared for a size change in pattern matching for specifying a measurement point, and high-speed pattern matching by which adequate position accuracy can be obtained in measurement. The present invention includes means for automatically calculating the size and position of a positioning template different from a measurement point itself when the measurement point is designated, to display a template having the calculated size and position. The present invention further includes means for performing pattern matching by using all or some of a plurality of divided templates and extracting templates having a similar positional relationship to the original positional relationship. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295915 | SHEET BEHAVIOR MONITOR FOR SHEET PROCESSOR - A sheet behavior monitor for a sheet processor includes: a folding machine processing a sheet; and a camera taking an image once for each signature (Wb) folded by the folding machine. The camera takes every image at a folding machine rotation phase different from that of the image immediately before taken. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295916 | CMOS array sensor film scanner capable of executing the preview, scanning and storage functions without connecting with a computer - A film scanner is disclosed. The film scanner can provide a preview, scanning and storage functions without connecting to a computer. It is characterized in that a PCBA module includes a main board, a function key board and a screen display panel, an image sensor with a lens and an image processing and storage module. A backlight mechanism is set near the bottom of the film scanner. In addition, a memory card inserting may be provided. The film scanner operates independently and allows a user to preview a digitalized image captured from a film. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295917 | PIXEL-BASED TEXTURE-LESS CLEAR PATH DETECTION - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images wherein each image comprises a plurality of pixels, utilizing a texture-less processing scheme to analyze the images including filtering the image to separate portions of the image indicating a clear surface upon which a potential road surface can be estimated from other portions of the image that do not indicate a potential road surface. The clear path is determined based upon the clear surface and the clear path is utilized to operate the vehicle. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295918 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIDEO MONITORING USING LINKED DEVICES - A subject can be tracking using a plurality of physical video monitoring or image acquisition devices deployed in a delimited area. A map represents the delimited area. Icons representing the physical monitoring devices can be placed and configured on the map representing the delimited area. Some or all of the placed and configured video monitoring devices can be logically linked together to form scenes. The video feed from the physical video monitoring devices may be recorded in stable storage. A layout for display of the video feeds may be selected. Upon playing the video feed, whether live or recorded, a subject can be tracked through the delimited area by selecting one of the video monitoring devices in one of the available scenes. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295919 | MONITORING SYSTEMS AND CONTROL METHODS THEREOF - A monitoring system with two detectors arranged on left and right sides of a camera thereof. The two detectors divide the area around the monitoring system into a non-detectable region, an overlapped detecting region, and first and second non-overlapped detecting regions. According to the detection result of the detectors, the control unit wakes up from a sleep mode when an object leaves the non-detectable region and enters the first or second non-overlapped detecting region. Meanwhile, the control unit turns on the camera to start shooting when the object has further entered the overlapped detecting region. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295920 | Method for displaying an image recorded by a video camera - In a method for displaying an image of a scene in front of a vehicle, recorded by a video camera, in which the scene in front of the vehicle contains a roadway which is illuminated by the vehicle's headlights, the gray values of the pixels of the image data generated by the video camera are weighted using a reduction factor, which is a function of the respective pixel within the image and of the brightness of objects in the near range in front of the vehicle, in such a way that the contrast between the display of the near range in front of the vehicle and the display of other parts of the image is reduced. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295921 | VEHICLE-MOUNTED PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MEASURING PHOTOGRAPHABLE RANGE OF VEHICLE-MOUNTED CAMERA - A vehicle-mounted pickup device measures an image pickup movable range of a camera mounted inside a vehicle based on a video signal obtained by picking up images with the camera, while changing (rotating) the image pickup direction of the camera in the yaw direction. The vehicle-mounted pickup device can increase a degree of freedom in selecting the instillation position of the camera inside the vehicle. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295922 | IN-VEHICLE DEVICE - A process is repeated in which N state vectors each including, as elements, the position of a camera with respect to a vehicle, the posture of the camera, the width of a lane where the vehicle is driving, and the orientation of the vehicle with respect to the lane are changed according to a predetermined dynamics model, a reference state vector representing the positions of edges of lane marks included in an image captured by the camera is generated when each of the changed state vectors is true, considering the positions of edges of lane marks in the image as an observation vector, the degree of match between the reference state vector and the observation vector is calculated as the weight of the state vector, a weighted average vector of the state vectors is calculated, and N state vectors are resampled on the basis of the calculated weights. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295923 | DIRECTIONAL SURVEILLANCE CAMERA WITH RING OF DIRECTIONAL DETECTORS - A motion detector consisting of multiple motion detector elements each having a preset field of view. An alarm signal generated by a motion detector element when movement is detected is sent to a detector controller which converts the alarm signal to a control signal for an associated camera to direct the field of view of the camera to match the preset field of view of the motion detector element that generated the alarm. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295924 | Retinal concave array compound camera system - The present invention provides a camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system preferably comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. At least one secondary imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor, in the preferred embodiment, intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295925 | NETWORK CAMERA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND NETWORK CAMERA MANAGEMENT METHOD - The present invention is intended to manage a plurality of network cameras simply. The network camera management system comprises: a server for managing a plurality of cameras and controlling recording and/or displaying of an image captured by a camera; and a controller for instructing a management state of a camera on the server. By the operation of the controller, an image to be displayed is dynamically selected from images captured by the plurality of cameras according to the mode instructed by the controller. Thus, even if there are a large number of cameras, it is possible to display in such a form that it is intuitively easy to understand which camera's image is being displayed. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295926 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a first detection unit configured to detect movement information of an object which is a tracking target from a movie generated at an image pickup element; a second detection unit configured to detect movement information of an apparatus main body; and a determination unit configured to determine that tracking cannot be continued when the difference between a motion vector of the apparatus main body and a motion vector of the object is larger than a certain threshold. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295927 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes an image-capturing module configured to captures an image, a module configured to detect a first object region from the image, a module configured to extract color information of an image of the first object region, a module configured to detect candidates of a second object region, which is an object of recognition, from the image, a module configured to extract color information of an image of the second object region, and sets reference color data, a module configured to select the candidates of the second object region on the basis of the reference color data and the color information of the image of the first object region with respect to each of the candidates of the second object region, and a module configured to output, as an object of recognition, any one of the candidates of the second object region. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295928 | Digital Camera System Incorporating VLIW Image Processor - A hand-held digital camera device includes a programmable processing circuitry incorporating a four-way parallel VLIW vector processor; an image sensor interface connected to the programmable processing circuitry and configured to receive signals from an image sensor and pass data representing the signals to the programmable processing circuitry; and a printhead interface connected to the programmable processing circuitry and configured to receive data from the programmable processing circuitry and generate control signals to be received by a printhead of a printing mechanism. The programmable processing circuitry, the image sensor interface and the printhead interface all form part of CMOS integrated circuitry provided on a common wafer. An instruction set of the VLIW vector processor is tuned for image manipulation processing. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295929 | HAND SHAKE CORRECTION APPARATUS AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A hand shake correction apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus including the hand shake correction apparatus are provided. The hand shake correction apparatus includes: a correction lens module including a correction lens and a correction lens supporting plate; a base movably supporting the supporting plate; first and second driving units moving the supporting plate; and third and fourth driving units moving the supporting plate. The first and second driving units are arranged such that a driving force action line applied to the supporting plate by the first and second driving units passes through a center of mass of the correction lens module. The third and fourth driving units are arranged such that a driving force action line applied to the supporting plate by the third and fourth driving units passes through a center of mass of the correction lens module. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295930 | Method and apparatus providing motion smoothing in a video stabilization system - A method and apparatus for smoothing an image in a plurality of video frames consisting of a current frame and at least one previous frame. The position of at least one pixel in each of the plurality of frames is determined to provide respective determined positions. An adjusted position of the at least one pixel in the current frame is calculated based on the determined positions. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295931 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STORING CONSECUTIVE IMAGES ACCORDING TO A MOTION OF AN OBJECT - An embodiment of a digital photography apparatus includes a motion estimation unit configured to estimate an amount of motion of an object and a continuous shooting time interval determination unit configured to determine a continuous shooting time interval between consecutive stored image data frames. The continuous shooting time interval may be based at least in part on the estimated amount of motion of the object. The digital photography apparatus also includes an image capture device configured to generate a plurality of image data frames when the digital photography apparatus is operating in a continuous shooting mode. The plurality of image data frames may be generated at the continuous shooting time interval. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295932 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus fetches an optical image of an object so as to produce an image signal, records on a recording medium an image signal corresponding to a still-image-use image size according to a still-image recording instruction, records on the recording medium an image signal corresponding to a moving-image-use image size according to a moving-image recording instruction, repeatedly creates the image signal and causes a displayer to display a still-image-use through image corresponding to the still-image-use image size, repeatedly creates the image signal and causes the displayer to display a moving-image-use through image corresponding to the moving-image-use image size, switches the still-image-use through image and the moving-image-use through image, and accepts the still-image recording instruction or the moving-image recording instruction when the still-image-use through image or the moving-image-use through image is displayed | 2009-12-03 |
20090295933 | Imaging Systems and Methods for Recovering Object Visibility - A system and method are provided for imaging in scattering media such as fog, water and biological tissues. Normally, such images suffer from poor visibility due to backscattering and signal attenuation. At least two images are taken of the scene using active widefield polarized illumination, with different states of a camera-mounted polarizer. The degree of polarization of backscatter is estimated in every point of the scene, leading to an estimation of the backscatter in every point of the scene. A portion or all of the value of backscatter can be deducted in each point of the scene resulting in an enhanced image with improved contrast and brightness range across the field of view. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295934 | COLOR DEMOSAICKING USING DIRECTION SIMILARITY IN COLOR DIFFERENCE SPACES - Demosaicking optimizations are provided for still and/or moving image (e.g., video) processes that efficiently generate viewable images. A demosaicking process selects a direction before performing interpolation in order to avoid interpolation across edges and also to minimize color artifacts. The direction to be selected is based on a direction similarity measurement. A digital capture device can includes a system that processes the image data by performing interpolation based on the direction similarity measurement(s) for color difference spaces. The images created based on the directional similarities demonstrate performance gains in peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). | 2009-12-03 |
20090295935 | Electronic camera and control program of same - The invention relates to an electronic camera having self-detection function of foreign materials and a control program thereof. The electronic camera includes: an image sensor having an image pickup plane on an image plane of an optical system; a formation changing section changing a state of image formation of the optical system on the image pickup plane; and a control section driving and controlling the image sensor and formation changing section. The control section drives the formation changing section to set a plurality of states of image formation different from each other, and it drives the image sensor to obtain a plurality of images in each of the states and compares the plurality of images to find a part of the image which has not varied with a change in the state of image formation, and determines the found part as image of a foreign material. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295936 | LIGHT QUANTITY ADJUSTING DEVICE, LENS BARREL AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a light quantity adjusting device including a base formed with a window; first and second diaphragm blades provided on the base and adapted to adjust a size of a diaphragm aperture; first and second cam-pins adapted to shift the first and second diaphragm blades; and a plurality of guide pins provided on the base so as to project therefrom. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295937 | DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSION APPARATUS, DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSION METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A dynamic range (D-range) compression apparatus that uses a look-up table (LUT) is capable of dynamic compression that compresses the peak input value to the full output range, even when image signals with variable D-ranges are inputted. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295938 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC WHITE BALANCE - The purpose of the present invention is to provide sophisticated AWB technologies. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a technology for adjusting a white balance of a frame of image data including a plurality of color elements. This technology is characterized by comprising: dividing the frame into a plurality of blocks including a plurality of pixel data; judging, for each of all of or a part of the blocks, whether the block is likely to be grey or not, and; deciding gains for adjusting a white balance using the blocks judged as being likely to be grey. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295939 | IMAGING DEVICE - An Imaging device has an Image sensor with a mosaic color filter array comprising three or four color elements. The color elements are arrayed such that each color element is opposite a pixel in said image sensor. The imaging device further has a color-transform a processor that carries out a color-transform process on a color signal in each pixel to generate a single color-transform signal in each pixel; and a color interpolation processor that interpolates at least one missing color-transform signal in each pixel using color-transform signals from surrounding pixels. The color-transform processor interpolates at least one missing color signal in each pixel using color signals generated over adjacent pixels, and multiplies the originally generated color signal and the interpolated color signal by color-transform coefficients to generate the single color-transform signal. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295940 | Interchangeable Lens, Camera Body, and Imaging Apparatus - There are provided a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an imaging apparatus that enable to perform appropriate exposure control even when the zoom magnification is changed by a user after the camera body sets the diaphragm value of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens, which includes a diaphragm and a movable lens and is mountable to a camera body, have a request signal receiving unit that receives a request signal requesting to send information on brightness of the interchangeable lens, the request signal being sent from the camera body on a frame-by-frame basis; a brightness information calculating unit that calculates information on brightness of the interchangeable lens based on states of the diaphragm and the movable lens when the request signal receiving unit receives the request signal; and a brightness information sending unit that sends the calculated information on brightness of the interchangeable lens to the camera body. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295941 | Image pickup device and image pickup method - An image pickup device includes an image pickup section that picks up a long-time exposure image and short-time exposure image; a combining section that combines the long-time exposure image and short-time exposure image with each other, to generate a combined image, the exposure images being combined on the basis of a ratio between the exposure time of the long-time exposure image and the exposure time of the short-time exposure image; a dynamic range calculating section that calculates an object dynamic range from the long-time exposure image, the exposure time of the long-time exposure image, the short-time exposure image, and the exposure time of the short-time exposure image; and a compressing section that, using base compression curve data, calculates a compression curve suitable for the object dynamic range, and generates a compressed image in accordance with the calculated compression curve. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295942 | Single-button audio data capture and deletion - A portable electronic device comprising a image sensor for capturing image data and a audio sensor for capturing audio data. The portable device further comprising a processor coupled to said image sensor and said audio sensor, said processor having a first and second mode of operation, and a capture key coupled to said processor for initiating the first mode of operation, wherein said processor captures audio data and video data in the first mode of operation and is operable to capture audio data in the second mode of operation and the second mode of operation follows the first mode of operation. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295943 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD THEREOF - A mobile terminal including a transparent display module, a camera arranged in correspondence to a rear surface of the transparent display module, and configured to capture an image of a subject through the transparent display module, and a controller configured to detect interference image information included in the captured image of the subject and to compensate the captured image of the subject based or the detected interference. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295944 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup portion configured to capture an image; a detecting portion configured to detect a manipulation made on a display surface, for the image displayed on a display portion; and a grid and dust removing portion configured to carry out removal of grid and dust an image of which appears on the captured image by executing image processing based on a position about the manipulation detected by the detecting portion. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295945 | PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, SETTING METHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHY CONDITIONS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - In a digital camera | 2009-12-03 |
20090295946 | Image Capture Device, Method Of Controlling The Same, And Image Capture System - An image capture device of the present invention has an image shooting function, and is connectable to an external storage device. The image capture device includes: a memory in which image data obtained by image shooting is stored; a transmission unit for transmitting several pieces of image data stored in the memory at a time to the external storage device; and an allocation unit for allocating the several pieces of image data transmitted to the external storage device to one or a plurality of directories according to a certain index. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295947 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device | 2009-12-03 |
20090295948 | Imaging apparatus, imaging method, reproducing apparatus and reproducing method, and recording medium - A sound is recorded when shooting a still image, an effect is applied on the still image in accordance with an analytical result of the recorded sound, and the sound and the effect-applied still image are recorded in association with each other, thereby allowing recording of the image having reality in addition to the sound. The still image and the sound are reproduced in association with each other, thereby allowing a viewer to feel an ambience and reality close to a memory that the photographer felt. Thus, image which easily reminds the situation and feeling during shooting can be recorded with a sound. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295949 | ZOOM CAMERA ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE SUB-CAMERAS - A zoom camera arrangement includes two or more sub-camera entities for funneling incoming light towards one or more associated digital image sensor chips for converting light into electric signal, each chip including a sensor area for capturing light funneled by at least one associated sub-camera entity of the two or more sub-camera entities, wherein each of the sub-camera entities includes a lens assembly incorporating a number of lenses disposed as one or more lens layers of the lens assembly, the number of lenses of the lens assembly being fixedly positioned relative to the at least one associated digital image sensor chip of the one or more digital image sensor chips, wherein the lens assemblies of the two or more sub-camera entities are selected so as to provide two or more different zoom steps, for enabling the imaging apparatus to provide optical zoom functionality via the selection of the sub-camera entity. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295950 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device has an image sensor with a mosaic color filter array comprising at least four color elements. The color elements are arrayed such that each color element opposite a pixel in the image sensor. The imaging device also has a color-transform processor that generates at least one color-transform signal in each pixel while interpolating missing color signals on the basis of color signals from surrounding pixels; and a color-interpolation processor that generates at least one color-transform signal that does not correspond to an opposing color element in each pixel on the basis of color-transform signals, which are generated over surrounding pixels and correspond to opposing color elements of that surrounding pixel respectively. The color filter array is configured such that al least two color elements that have a correlation with each other with respect to spectrum transmittance characteristics are arrayed alternately in diagonal direction of pixel array. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295951 | CMOS Camera Adapted for Forming Images of Moving Scenes - A camera for forming an image of a scene that moves relative to the camera and the method of forming that image are disclosed. The camera includes an imaging array having a plurality of CMOS pixel sensors having a plurality of columns and rows, an imaging system, and a controller. The imaging system causes a portion of an image of a scene to be projected on the imaging array such that the image of the scene moves across the imaging array in the column direction. First and second images of the scene are formed at first and second times chosen such that the image of the scene moves a predetermined number of rows of the imaging array between the first and second times. The controller combines pixel values from rows in the first image with rows in the second image that are separated by the predetermined number of rows. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295952 | GAIN MATCHING FOR ELECTRON MULTIPLICATION IMAGER - A method and apparatus for equalizing gain in an array of electron multiplication (EM) pixels is disclosed, each pixel having one or more impact ionization gain stages with implants to achieve charge transfer directionality and comprising a phase | 2009-12-03 |
20090295953 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH FOCUSING INTERCONNECTION - An image sensor includes a photosensitive region formed in a substrate of an integrated circuit. The substrate has a first layer of metal formed over the surface of the substrate so the first layer of metal defines a first aperture that has a first aperture width through with the incident light passes before illuminating the photosensitive region. The first aperture width is equal to or less than the width of the photosensitive region below the first aperture. The substrate also has a second layer of metal formed over the first layer of metal. The second aperture has a second aperture width that is wider than the first aperture width. The first and second apertures focus the incident light onto the photosensitive region. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295954 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - For a solid-state image pickup device | 2009-12-03 |
20090295955 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR DEVICE AND DIFFERENTIAL INTERFACE THEREOF - A solid-state image sensor device and a differential interface thereof that are capable of ensuring stable transmission of image data while reducing power consumption. In an aspect of the present invention, a solid-state image sensor device comprises an image sensor section for outputting analog signals of an image being taken; a plurality of AD converter sections, arranged with respect to the column direction of the image sensor section, for converting the analog signals into digital signals; a drive circuit section for controlling the image sensor section and the AD converter sections; and a plurality of differential interface sections for transmitting the digital signals converted by the AD converter sections as differential output signals to an external device. Further, each of the differential interface sections comprises a current value changeover circuit for selecting a constant current to be applied in each differential interface section in accordance with each of a plurality of operation modes, and an offset voltage holding circuit for maintaining a constant offset voltage level for the differential output signals even when an operation mode changeover is made. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295956 | Decimation filters, analog-to-digital converters including the same, and image sensors including the converters - An image sensor includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a decimation filter. The decimation filter includes a first digital data generator and a second digital data generator. The first digital data generator is configured to integrate sigma-delta modulated M-bit pixel data and output N-bit pixel data based on an integration result. The second digital data generator is configured to integrate the N-bit pixel data, generate P-bit pixel data based on an integration result, and output the P-bit pixel data as decimated data. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295957 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERTER - Provided is a photoelectric converter capable of performing high-speed image reading and resolution switching at the same time. The photoelectric converter includes a plurality of common read lines, and thus parallel output is produced, which enables image reading at high speed. In addition, a photoelectric conversion block ( | 2009-12-03 |
20090295958 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion portion photoelectrically converting incident light into signal charge and accumulate the signal charge, a plurality of signal lines including a transfer signal line to which a transfer signal for reading the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portion to a floating diffusion region is input, a driver circuit inputting a plurality of desired signals into the plurality of signal lines including the transfer signal line, and a terminal circuit connected to a side opposite to a side of the transfer signal line where the driver circuit is connected and to which a control signal for securing the transfer signal line at a constant voltage is input before a desired signal of the plurality of desired signals with respect to a signal line adjacent to the transfer signal line of the plurality of signal lines is input to the signal line adjacent to the transfer signal line. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295959 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD OF A SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DEVICE - A solid-state image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pixel area in which pixels for generating a signal charge by a photoelectric conversion on an incident light are arranged in a two dimensional matrix; a row selection section for selecting each pixel row of the pixel area; a plurality of column signal lines, to which an analog pixel signal from each pixel of a pixel row selected by the row selection section is readout; and a signal processing circuit for generating a digital pixel value from the analog pixel signal of each pixel that is read out to each of the column signal lines, where the signal processing circuit includes at least two or more AD conversion circuits for simultaneously converting the analog pixel signal of each pixel of the selected pixel row into a digital pixel value. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295960 | PHOTODIODE, PHOTODIODE ARRAY AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - A photodiode that can obtain a clear signal or image in a case in which noise that is not limited to a dark current is high, a photodiode array, and an image pickup device are provided. The photodiode includes a sensor section that is provided on a first semiconductor having a band gap energy which allows input light to be received; a modulated light-emitting section that is positioned behind the sensor section with respect to the input light, and that emits modulated light to the sensor section; and a signal processor that is formed on a second semiconductor which transmits the modulated light, and that is positioned between the sensor section and the modulated light emitting section. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295961 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE DRIVING METHOD - Photosensitive cells each includes a photodiode ( | 2009-12-03 |
20090295962 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING DIFFERING WAVELENGTH FILTERS - An image sensor includes filters formed over a portion of an array of photosensitive elements in a predetermined pattern. The pattern can be such that the exposure of a matrix (such as a 2-by-2 square of pixels) to light (such as blue light) is improved, while maintaining acceptable capability to capture light across the entire spectrum. The pattern can be such that two blue filters, one red, and one green filter is used by a 2-by-2 square matrix of pixels. The pattern can also include cyan, yellow, and magenta (CYM) filters. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295963 | METHOD AND APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COLLECTING DIGITAL IMAGE DATA FROM MICROSCOPE MEDIA-BASED SPECIMENS - A digital image collection system and method includes an area scan camera that scans a region to obtain digital image data therefrom, the area scan camera having an optical scan axis. A specimen mounting unit receives a specimen that is mounted on a top surface thereof, for enabling the specimen to be scanned by the area scan camera. The top surface of the specimen mounting unit is slanted at an angle with respect to the area scan camera such that the optical scan axis is oblique to the top surface of the specimen mounting unit. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295964 | Image sensor and image-capturing device - An image sensor includes: a plurality of imaging pixels; and a plurality of focus detection pixels constituted with a micro-lens and a photoelectric conversion element that receives a focus detection light flux transmitted through a photographic optical system and executes photoelectric conversion. The photoelectric conversion element in each of the focus detection pixels includes a light-receiving area where the focus detection light flux is received; light-receiving area images corresponding to each of the focus detection pixels are each formed as the light-receiving area is projected via the micro-lens onto a pupil plane of the photographic optical system; and a positional relationship of the micro-lens and the light-receiving area is determined in correspondence to an image height so that the light-receiving area images corresponding to all the focus detection pixels are superimposed on one another on the pupil plane. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295965 | METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR DRIVING ACTIVE PIXELS IN A CMOS IMAGER DEVICE - One embodiment of the present invention describes a pixel circuit that comprises at least one photodiode, a first transistor coupled between the photodiode and a floating diffusion node, a second transistor coupled between the floating diffusion node and a modifiable driving voltage signal, and a third transistor having a gate coupled to the floating diffusion node, a source coupled to a signal output, and a drain coupled to a constant voltage. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for driving the pixel circuit, which comprises resetting the photodiode and the floating diffusion node, exposing the photodiode to light to accumulate charges, selecting the pixel circuit by switching the driving voltage signal from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, retrieving a reference voltage from the selected pixel circuit, and retrieving an image signal from the selected pixel circuit corresponding to the accumulated charges. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295966 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A column amplifier includes: a load transistor having a gate for receiving a fixed potential; a drive unit configured to drive a current having a current value in accordance with a potential of the input point; a reset transistor configured to turn ON when the pixel signal is at a reset potential and turn OFF when the pixel signal is at a read potential; and a clip transistor configured to turn OFF when a potential of the output point is smaller than a predetermined potential and turn ON when the potential of the output point is the predetermined potential or greater, and the drive unit has a circuit structure configured to selectively apply first and second current driving abilities. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295967 | IMAGING APPARATUS - A plurality of pixels arranged into two dimensions; a differential processing means for effecting a differential processing between a reset level of the pixel and a signal level changing correspondingly to a light signal incident on the pixel so as to produce an imaging signal of the pixel; a reset level detection means for detecting and outputting a result as to whether the reset level is within a predetermined range or outside the predetermined range; an extraction means for extracting pixels to be corrected based on a result of the differential processing by the differential processing means and the result of detection by the reset level detection means; and a correction means for replacing the result of the differential processing by the differential processing means of the pixels to be corrected extracted by the extraction means with an imaging signal corresponding to a saturation level. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295968 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having pixels two-dimensionally arranged into rows and columns each pixel containing a photoelectric conversion means, an amplification means for amplifying and outputting as pixel signal a signal electric charge of the photoelectric conversion means, and a reset means for resetting signal electric charges accumulated at the amplification means; a vertical scanning section for selecting a row to be read out of the pixel section; a vertical signal line provided column by column for outputting the signal from the pixel section; and a sample-and-hold type bias section connected to the vertical signal line containing at least a hold means for setting an electric current flowing into the amplification means. The sample-and-hold type bias section causes to generate an electric current corresponding to a voltage set at the hold means when signal electric charges accumulated at the photoelectric conversion means is read out from the amplification means. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295969 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising, a pixel section including a two-dimensional matrix of a plurality of pixels each provided with a photoelectric conversion section, and an amplifier section that amplifies an output of the photoelectric conversion section and outputs a pixel signal, a column signal line provided on a column basis in the pixel section to receive the pixel signal outputted from the amplification section of each of the pixels, a column amplification section in which a first input terminal is coupled with an end of each of the column signal lines via a first switch device, and a second input terminal is coupled via a second switch device with a load section that is in charge of setting an amplification rate for use to amplify the pixel signal, a third switch device that couples together the load section and others in the plurality of various columns, and a control section that controls coupling and decoupling by the first, second, and third switch devices. | 2009-12-03 |
20090295970 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged into rows and columns each pixel containing at least a photoelectric conversion device for converting an incident light into signal electric charges, a transfer device for transferring the signal electric charges generated at the photoelectric conversion device, and an amplification device for amplifying the transferred signal electric charges; vertical signal lines provided in common for each column to read outputs of the pixels; constant current supplies respectively connected to the vertical signal lines; an amplification section for amplifying an image signal obtained from the pixels; a clip section for clipping the vertical signal line so that it does not fall below a predetermined voltage in a read period for outputting the signal electric charges generated at the photoelectric conversion device onto the vertical signal line; and a control section for changing a clip level of the clip section in accordance with setting of an amplification factor at the amplification section. | 2009-12-03 |