50th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 21 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080303848 | LIQUID-DROPLET EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including: a main tank which stores liquid; a head unit including a sub tank which accommodates the liquid supplied from the main tank, and an ejecting head which ejects droplets of the liquid supplied from the sub tank; a liquid supply passage communicating, at one end thereof, with the main tank and communicating, at the other end thereof, with the sub tank such that the liquid is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank through the liquid supply passage; a first detector configured to detect presence and absence of the liquid stored in the main tank; a second detector configured to detect presence and absence of the liquid in the liquid supply passage; and a controller configured to perform various operations for the liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus and including an empty judging section which judges that the main tank is empty of the liquid where the absence of the liquid in the main tank is detected by the first detector and the absence of the liquid in the liquid supply passage is detected by the second detector. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303849 | Enhanced Communications Protocol For Improved Modularity In A Micro-Fluid Ejection Device - Methods and apparatus for improving modularity in a micro-fluid ejection device and for providing instruction data to a plurality of data handling devices within a micro-fluid ejection device. The method includes generating device data and appending an address to the device data to generate instruction data. The address typically indicates at least one data handling device within the micro-fluid ejection device for which the device data is intended. The instruction data is provided to a plurality of data handling devices including at least one data controller. The data controller is operated to decode the address from the instruction data and select at least one data handling device to receive the device data based upon the decoded address. The device data is thereby input into each selected data handling device and subsequently used to operate the micro-fluid ejection device. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303850 | FLUID EJECTOR INCLUDING A DROP SIZE SYMBOL, A METHOD OF DISPOSING A DROP SIZE SYMBOL IN A FLUID EJECTOR, AND AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE INCLUDING A MARKING FLUID EJECTOR WITH A DROP SIZE SYMBOL - A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303851 | ELECTRO-THERMALLY ACTUATED PRINTER WITH HIGH MEDIA FEED SPEED - An inkjet printer that has a printhead mounted adjacent a media feed path, the printhead having an array of droplet ejectors for ejecting ink droplets on to a media substrate. Each of the droplet ejectors having an electro-thermal actuator. The printer also having a media feed drive for moving the media substrate relative to the array of droplet ejectors at a speed greater than 0.1 m/s. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303852 | Halftone printing on an inkjet printer - An inkjet printer is used to print on media an amplitude modulated (AM) halftoning pattern where dot size is varied to create different tones. Different sized dots are formed on the media by depositing different patterns of adjacent drops that coalesce into the different sized dots. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303853 | Micro-Fluid Ejection Head Having Adaptive Thermal Control - A method of controlling a micro fluid ejection device by sensing a middle zone temperature, and selectively applying an amount of power to a middle zone heater to achieve a target temperature. An edge zone temperature is also sensed and power is selectively applied to edge zone heaters to achieve a target temperature for the edge zones, whereby uniform ejection of fluid droplets along an ejector array may be achieved. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303854 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING INTERMITTENT, WEAK AND MISSING JETS WITH AN INLINE LINEAR ARRAY SENSOR - Systems and methods are provided for detecting intermittent, weak or missing jets of a printer. The detection is implemented using a test pattern. Detected failed jets may be confirmed using a verification target. A printhead containing nozzles corresponding to detected failed jets may be wiped or purged. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303855 | Compliant Sealing Materials and Methods For Sealing Nozzles For A Micro-Fluid Ejection Head - A compliant sealing structure suitable for sealing a micro-fluid ejection head, methods of sealing a micro-fluid ejection head, ejection heads sealed by the method and structure. The sealing structure includes an elastomeric pad suitable for sealing nozzles of the micro-fluid ejection head. A removable shrink wrap film is applied to the ejection bead and is configured for covering at least a portion of the elastomeric pad and for fixedly holding the elastomeric pad adjacent the nozzles. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303856 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH REPLACEABLE PRINTHEAD MODULES - A printhead assembly includes a chassis, an ink reservoir secured on the chassis and printhead modules attached to the reservoir. Each printhead module includes a first molding defining a plurality of ink chambers and a plurality of clips. The clips are releasably engaged with receiving formations defined by the ink reservoir. A second molding is in engagement with the fist molding to cover the ink chambers. A sub-assembly is attached to the second molding. The sub-assembly includes an ink ejection integrated circuit which is supplied with ink from the ink chambers via the second molding and a Tape Automated Bond (TAB) film which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303857 | NOZZLE CHIP CLEANING APPARATUS OF INKJET PRINTER, INKJET PRINTER USING THE SAME, AND METHOD THEREOF - A nozzle chip cleaning apparatus of an inkjet printer in which a structure to supply and drain a cleaning solution to clean nozzle chips. The nozzle chip cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning bath in which a cleaning solution is contained to clean the nozzle chips, an ultrasonic wave device installed in the cleaning bath to generates waves in the cleaning solution contained in the cleaning bath so that the cleaning solution reaches the nozzle chips, a supply and drain pipe that performs as a supply pipe to supply the cleaning solution from a cleaning solution storage tank to the cleaning bath and as a drain pipe to drain the cleaning solution that has been supplied to the cleaning bath to the cleaning solution storage tank, and a pump that provides a driving force to supply and drain the cleaning solution through the supply and drain pipe. According to the above configuration, since the supply and drain of the cleaning solution is performed using one supply and drain pipe, a space that is occupied by the pipe can be reduced, thereby reducing a size of the inkjet printer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303858 | FLUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a plurality of nozzles, an ejection head capable of ejecting a liquid through the nozzles, a cap member that is capable of being brought into contact with the ejection head so as to maintain or regain initial ejection characteristics of the nozzles, a packing member with a changeable volume that is capable of being packed into a gap between the cap member and the ejection head, and a driving unit that is capable of changing the volume of the packing member. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303859 | MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY FOR A PAGEWIDTH PRINTER HAVING A MOTORIZED DRIVE - A maintenance assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly operatively mounted between posts of a main body of the printer so that the maintenance assembly is positioned adjacent a printhead assembly of the printer. The maintenance assembly includes a maintenance chassis defining tongue portions and having ends which are shaped to fit over the posts of the main body to secure the maintenance assembly in position, and a retainer element operatively engaging the chassis. Also included are a lower molding and an upper molding operatively fast with each other to sandwich an absorbent insert between them, the moldings in turn sandwiched between the chassis and retainer element, and a motorized drive for moving the maintenance chassis between a capped position and an uncapped position to facilitate wiping the printhead of the printer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303860 | Liquid ejecting head and printing apparatus - Disclosed is a liquid ejecting head includes a head main body having nozzles facing a spray surface of a rotating member rotationally driven, and ejecting liquid from the nozzles, and a mist capturing unit capturing mist of the liquid ejected from the nozzles. In the liquid ejecting head, the mist capturing unit is formed such that a passage, through which air flows in a predetermined direction over the spray surface while the rotating member is driven to rotate, is formed narrower than a distance between the nozzles and the spray surface. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303861 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - The apparatus includes a portable liquid ejecting unit for independently performing by itself a liquid ejection operation to an object, and a stationary unit to be equipped with the liquid ejecting unit so that the stationary unit is separably united with the same. The liquid ejecting unit has a liquid ejecting head for ejecting a liquid toward the object and a liquid container including a storage space for storing a liquid to be fed to the liquid ejecting head. The stationary unit has a liquid tank for storing a liquid to be fed to the liquid ejecting head. The apparatus further has liquid tank connection member for enabling interconnection between the liquid tank and the liquid ejecting head when the liquid ejecting unit is united with the stationary unit. The invention provides a liquid ejecting apparatus which can meet two needs for executing a large amount of printing and transporting when necessary. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303862 | Liquid droplet jetting apparatus and recording apparatus - A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a common liquid chamber to which the liquid is supplied, a plurality of pressure chambers which communicate with the common liquid chamber and which cause a pressure change in the liquid, a plurality of nozzles which jet the droplets of the liquid, a pressure attenuation chamber which has a throttled portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the common liquid chamber, and an attenuation portion having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the throttled portion, the attenuation portion being connected to one end portion of the common liquid chamber via the throttled portion, a discharge port formed in the pressure attenuation chamber, a discharge channel connected to the discharge port, and having a throttle in which a channel area of the discharge channel is decreased, and a dummy nozzle connected to the discharge port via the discharge channel. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303863 | PAGE-WIDTH PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH STATIONARY INK EJECTION INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A page-width printhead assembly includes an elongate casing defining a channel. An elongate printhead module is located within the channel and is configured to eject ink upon passing print media. The printhead module includes a plurality of serially arranged printhead tiles upon which respective ink ejection integrated circuits are mounted. Each printhead tile has a stepped region and the integrated circuits overlap in said stepped region. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303864 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH SHELTERED INK DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENT - The present invention relates to a printhead assembly for a printer system. The printhead assembly includes an elongate substrate defining a channel and spaced apart sets of ink supply holes. Printhead modules are mounted serially along the substrate outside the channel. Each printhead module includes an ink ejection integrated circuit in fluid communication with a respective set of ink supply holes. An ink distribution arrangement is located within the channel and distributes ink to the sets of ink supply holes. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303865 | Ink-jet printer, ink-jet head and method of manufacturing the ink-jet head - A piezoelectric sheet of an ink-jet head includes dummy individual electrodes in addition to individual electrodes which corresponds to respective nozzles. The dummy individual electrodes are in an outer periphery of the individual electrodes. FPC board applies drive voltage to the individual electrodes in a drive area, and deforms the area in the piezoelectric sheet in the direction of an ink pressure chamber, while the drive voltage is not applied to the individual electrodes of the non-drive area. When the dummy individual electrodes are formed in the non-drive area, a boundary area of the drive area and the non-drive area is uniformly fired when the piezoelectric sheet is manufactured. In the drive area, since surrounding structures of the respective individual electrodes become equal to one another, ink discharge characteristic is substantially uniform in the boundary area of the drive area and the non-drive area. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303866 | NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR AN INKJET PRINTER FOR EJECTING A LOW SPEED DROPLET - A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The velocity of the ink droplet is less than 8 m/s. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303867 | METHOD OF FORMING PRINTHEAD BY REMOVING SACRIFICIAL MATERIAL THROUGH NOZZLE APERTURES - An inkjet printhead that has an array of droplet ejectors supported on a printhead integrated circuit (IC). Each of the droplet ejectors has a nozzle aperture and an actuator for ejecting a droplet of ink through the nozzle aperture. When printing 100% coverage at full print rate, each of the actuators has an average power consumption less than 1.5 mW. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303868 | PRINTHEAD, HEAD CARTRIDGE, AND PRINTING APPARATUS - The present invention relates to a printhead having a plurality of element substrates, in which the effects of the rise in element substrate temperature and current noise are not manifested in a biased manner in only one of the element substrates. The printhead is comprising a plurality of printing elements and provided with first and second element substrates having the plurality of printing elements and a second element substrate in such a manner that the first element substrate and second element substrate are spaced apart, with the first element substrate having a first function circuit electrically connected to the second element substrate and having processing functions used for driving the printing elements of the second element substrate. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303869 | INK JET PRINT HEAD AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An ink jet print head and a manufacturing method thereof that is improved so as to simplify a glue layer forming process including a glue layer of the ink jet print head is made of a silicone modified resin having a photosensitive property, such as a silicone modified polyimide resin. The glue layer can be formed by coating a silicone modified polyimide resin solution on a substrate, forming a silicone modified polyimide resin layer by vaporizing a solvent from the coated silicone modified polyimide resin solution, and patterning the silicone modified polyimide resin layer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303870 | Ink Jet Device for the Positioning of a Substance Onto a Substrate, Method for the Positioning of a Substance Onto a Substrate and Use of an Ink Jet Device - The invention provides an ink jet device for the positioning of a substance onto a substrate, the device comprising at least a print head comprising a nozzle provided to eject a droplet comprising the substance, the ink jet device further comprising at least one heating element arranged such that the substrate can be heated prior to, during and/or after the landing of a droplet on the substrate. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303871 | NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR AN INKJET PRINTER FOR EJECTING A LOW VOLUME DROPLET - A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The volume of said droplet is less than 3 pl. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303872 | NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN INKJET PRINTER CONFIGURED TO MINIMIZE THERMAL LOSSES - Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining an ink passage and a nozzle plate supported on said substrate by side walls to define an ink chamber operatively supplied with ink via said ink passage, the nozzle plate defining an ink ejection port surrounded by a nozzle rim. The arrangement also includes a heater element bonded to the nozzle plate about said ejection port inside the chamber for thermal ejection of ink from the chamber, wherein the heater element is bonded to the nozzle plate by means of a low thermal product layer to reduce thermal losses from the heater element to the nozzle plate. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303873 | PRINTHEAD WITH RECIPROCATING CANTILEVERED THERMAL ACTUATORS - A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a wafer assembly supporting rows of ink ejection nozzles. Each nozzle includes a nozzle structure defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with an ink ejection port. A cantilevered thermal actuator terminates in a free end over an ink supply channel. The thermal actuator includes a serpentine heater layer connected to a CMOS drive circuitry layer of the wafer assembly. The CMOS drive circuitry layer is configured to actuate the thermal actuator and reciprocate the actuator to eject ink in the nozzle chamber out through the ink ejection port. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303874 | THERMAL INKJET PRINTHEAD - A thermal inkjet printhead that includes a substrate, a chamber layer stacked on the substrate, an ink chamber formed in the chamber layer, a heater to heat ink filled in the ink chamber to generate bubbles, and a nozzle layer stacked on the chamber layer, and including a nozzle formed in the nozzle layer, wherein a ratio of the volume of ink ejected through the nozzle with respect to the sum of the volumes of the ink chamber and the nozzle is in the range of approximately 40 to 60%. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303875 | INK EJECTION NOZZLE WITH OSCILLATOR AND SHUTTER ARRANGEMENT - An ink ejection nozzle has an ink reservoir with an oscillator configured to oscillate ink pressure in the reservoir. A wafer assembly defines an ink supply channel in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. A nozzle chamber structure on the wafer assembly defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel. An ink ejection port is in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A shutter is positioned in the nozzle chamber and is configured to shut the ink ejection port to the ejection of ink from the nozzle chamber. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303876 | LIQUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS - A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid storage-discharge member having a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid and a liquid outlet for discharging the liquid from the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid storage chamber, a vibration plate formed on the liquid storage-discharge member and a piezoelectric element having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric body and an upper electrode, which are sequentially formed on the vibration plate. The piezoelectric body includes an edge portion including at least a portion of the piezoelectric body, the portion positioned on the outside of the wall position of the liquid storage chamber, and a main portion, which is the remaining portion of the piezoelectric body. Further, the edge portion and the main portion are formed on different base layers from each other and the fracture stress of the edge portion is higher than that of the main portion. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303877 | Liquid jetting apparatus - A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a cavity unit having a plurality of nozzles and pressure chambers; and an actuator unit applying jetting pressures to the pressure chambers. The actuator unit has a plurality of stacked ceramics layers, individual electrodes corresponding to the pressure chambers, a common electrode common to all the pressure chambers, and a barrier layer preventing the liquid from being penetrated therethrough. The barrier layer is stacked on a position which is between a contact surface, of the actuator unit, making contact with the cavity unit and the individual electrodes closest to the contact surface, except a position on the contact surface. It is possible to prevent the individual electrodes and the common electrode from being electrically short-circuited due to the liquid even when the ceramics layer in contact with the cavity unit has a crack. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303878 | INK PRIMING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTHEAD HAVING PICOLITRE INK EJECTION - An ink priming arrangement for an inkjet printhead is provided which has an ink bag containing ink for distribution to nozzles of the printhead via a fluid path between the ink bag and nozzles, a force applicator arranged to apply inwardly directed force on at least one exterior wall of the ink bag to reduce an available fluid volume of the ink bag, thereby causing ink to flow from the ink bag to the nozzles along the fluid path, and a biasing member arranged in the ink bag to apply outwardly directed force on at least one interior wall of the ink bag so as to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the ink bag. The biasing member applies the outward force only once the available fluid volume has been reduced to a predetermined volume. Each nozzle ejects an ink drop having a volume of about 1.2 picolitres. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303879 | INK CARTRIDGE FOR INKJET PRINTERS - An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer having a printhead with an ink outlet needle ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080303880 | INK JET CARTRIDGE - The present invention provides an ink jet cartridge configured such that an absorber is housed in one space while ink is accommodated in the other space, the ink jet cartridge keeping the ink sealed during distribution. The ink jet cartridge has an ink tank portion that accommodates ink, a print head portion that ejects the accommodated ink, and an ink supply path connected between the ink tank portion and the print head portion. A seal member that seals the ink supply path is located on an ink tank portion side of the ink supply path. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303881 | INK SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT FOR INKJET PRINTHEAD HAVING LARGE NOZZLE NUMBER - An ink supply arrangement for an inkjet printhead is provided having at least one collapsible ink bag containing ink for distribution to nozzles of the printhead via a fluid path between the ink bag and nozzles, a body for housing the ink bag and the printhead, and a biasing member in the ink bag. The ink is primed in the fluid path and nozzles so as to be ejected by the nozzles, in use, thereby depleting the ink contained in the ink bag. The ink bag is attached to the body at a wall opposite a wall of the ink bag facing the printhead. The biasing member applies outwardly directed force on the wall of the ink bag facing the printhead thereby maintaining substantially constant negative pressure at the nozzles as the ink is depleted. The fluid path connects the ink bag to at least 6400 nozzles of the printhead. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303882 | INK REFILL UNIT WITH INCREMENTAL INK EJECTION ACCUATED BY PRINT CARTRIDGE CRADLE - An ink refill unit for a print cartridge is provided. The unit includes a housing which defines a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet. The unit also includes an ink reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject ink from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by the print cartridge. The housing defines an aperture via which the print cartridge actuates the ejector assembly. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303883 | INK-JET RECORDING DEVICE AND INK SUPPLY UNIT SUITABLE FOR IT - Ink maintained at a negative pressure state is supplied to an ink-jet recording head via an ink supply mechanism constructed as a differential pressure valve having a coil spring and a movable membrane normally contacted elastically with a valve seat by the coil spring. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303884 | Liquid ejection head, liquid cartridge, and image forming apparatus - A liquid ejection head including a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressurizing liquid chambers, a liquid supply portion, and a filter portion. The plurality of nozzles ejects liquid droplets. The plurality of pressurizing liquid chambers are in fluid communication respectively with the nozzles. The liquid supply portion includes a plurality of individual supply channels and a fluid-communicating portion. The plurality of individual supply channels are in fluid communication respectively with the pressurizing liquid chambers to supply a liquid to the pressurizing liquid chambers. The fluid-communicating portion keeps the plurality of individual supply channels in fluid communication with one another. The filter portion is positioned to face the individual supply channels of the liquid supply portion and filters the liquid supplied to the pressurizing liquid chambers. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303885 | INKJET INK COMPOSITION, AND INK SET, CARTRIDGE, AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An inkjet ink composition includes a colorant, water, and a dicyanobenzene-based compound, and an ink set including the same. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303886 | Line Head and Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating the Same - In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic talent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303887 | LASER JET BOW/TILT CORRECTION - A method for printing with a laser printer includes obtaining data representative of the bow and tilt characteristics of the printer. Data representing an image to be printed is loaded and analyzed. A control signal is determined from the image data and modified based on the known bow and tilt characteristics of this printer, such that the printed image is free of bow and tilt. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303888 | Electronic Equipment for a Communication System - The present invention relates to a method and an electronic equipment for reducing the set-up time required to establish video calls between handheld communication devices, wherein the method comprises the steps of detecting ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080303889 | High definition video conference system - The invention discloses a high definition video conference system comprising a plurality of transmitting terminals and a receiving terminal. Each transmitting terminal comprises a digital imaging/processing apparatus and a first data processing apparatus. The receiving terminal comprises a second data processing apparatus and at least one display apparatus. The digital imaging/processing apparatus is used for capturing an image of a participant and for compressing the captured image into a high definition image. According to a standard communication protocol, the first data processing apparatus converts the high definition image into a standard-format communication image and then transmits the standard-format communication image. The second data processing apparatus is used for receiving and decoding the standard-format image transmitted from each transmitting terminal into the high definition image. Accordingly, the high definition can be displayed on the display apparatus. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303890 | Videoconferencing Systems with Recognition Ability - A videoconferencing system which encodes different streams of information. The information may include video, audio, speech recognized versions of the audio, and language translated versions of the audio. Text may be sent as part of the videoconference | 2008-12-11 |
20080303891 | Polarization-based shadow detection - In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination flux condition in a scene. The method comprises the steps of generating and storing a sequence of images of the scene, each one of the sequence of images comprising an array of pixels and corresponding to the scene photographed in a preselected polarization direction, different from the polarization direction of other ones of the sequence of images, determining a polarization sequence vector for at least one pixel in the array, as a function of color information for the pixel in the array, among the sequence of images; and utilizing the polarization sequence vector to determine one of a shadowed and lit illumination condition for the at least one pixel. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303892 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING BLOCK-BASED STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE FORMAT AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECONSTRUCTING STEREOSCOPIC IMAGES FROM BLOCK-BASED STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE FORMAT - Provided are a methods and apparatuses for generating a stereoscopic image format and reconstructing stereoscopic images from the stereoscopic image format. The method of generating a stereoscopic image format for compression or transmission of stereoscopic images includes receiving a base view image and an additional view image, determining block pixel information for the stereoscopic image format for each block position using first block pixel information of the base view image and second block pixel information of the additional view image based on blocks obtained by dividing the base view image and the additional view image, and disposing the determined block pixel information in each block position, thereby generating a combined image including pixel information of the base view image and pixel information of the additional view image. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303893 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HEADER INFORMATION OF STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DATA - A method and apparatus for using header information of stereoscopic image data is provided. The method includes using three-dimensional reproduction period information related to three-dimensionally reproduced stereoscopic image data of image data recorded in a payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream, in a header region of the stereoscopic image bitstream; recording camera information related to cameras used for obtaining a stereoscopic image, in the header region; recording parallax information between base and additional images of the stereoscopic image in the header region; and recording the image data in the payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303894 | Stereoscopic Image Display Method and Apparatus, Method for Generating 3D Image Data From a 2D Image Data Input and an Apparatus for Generating 3D Image Data From a 2D Image Data Input - 2D image data are converted into 3D image data. The image is divided, on the basis of focusing characteristics, into two or more regions, it is determined to which region an edge separating two regions belongs. The regions are depth ordered in accordance with the rule that the rule that a region comprising an edge is closer to the viewer than an adjacent region and to the regions 3-D depth information is assigned in accordance with the established depth order of the regions. Preferably to each of the regions a depth is assigned in dependence on an average or median focusing characteristic of the region. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303895 | Stereoplexing for video and film applications - A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data including a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images is provided. The primary application is for video applications, but film applications are also addressed. The method includes removing pixels from the stereoscopic image source data to form left images and right images and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed alone or in combination, and selected or predetermined regions or segments from uncompressed images may have more pixels removed or combined than other regions. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303896 | Stereoplexing for film and video applications - A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data into a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images, both the stereoscopic image source data and series of left images and series of right images conceptually defined to be within frames. The method includes compressing stereoscopic image source data at varying levels across the frame, thereby forming left images and right images, and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Alternately, single frames may contain two right images in a first two portions of each single frame and two left images in a second two portions of each single frame, wherein each set of right and left images may be processed differently. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303897 | VISUALLY CAPTURING AND MONITORING CONTENTS AND EVENTS OF CARGO CONTAINER - A system for visually capturing and monitoring the contents and events surrounding a cargo container is provided. The system includes a camera such as a digital camera or still camera. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303898 | ENDOSCOPIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An endoscopic image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image acquiring unit which acquires images according to subject images picked up over time by an endoscope inserted into an object to be examined; a lesion detecting unit which detects a lesion in an image each time the image is acquired; a display unit which displays the images; and an image display control unit which controls display conditions of a plurality of images including at least a lesion image in which a lesion has been detected by the lesion detecting unit out of the images acquired by the image acquiring unit. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303899 | Video System For Viewing An Object On A Body - The present invention relates to a video system for viewing an object on a body, including an endoscopic lens for capturing an image, an endoscopic camera head attached to the endoscopic lens for transmitting the image, and a camera control unit attached to the endoscopic camera head for receiving the transmitted image. The endoscopic lens has a field of view, where the object is within the field of view. The endoscopic camera lens has a depth of field between approximately 10 mm and approximately 15 mm. The system also has an arm attached to the endoscopic lens for holding the endoscopic lens between approximately 180 mm and approximately 220 mm away from the surgical field. The magnified image is conveniently seen on large high definition screen. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303900 | Miniature Low Cost Pan/Tilt Magnetic Actuation For Portable And Stationary Video Cameras - A pan/tilt apparatus for a camera includes a base, a stage mounted on the base to rotate around a vertical pan axis, an optical apparatus mounted on the stage, a pan actuating mechanism, and a tilt actuating mechanism. The optical apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic structure and a mirror such that they are pivotable around a horizontal tilt axis. The mirror receives an image directed along an incident axis, and redirects the image along the pan axis, e.g., to a camera that is disposed on or below the base. The pan actuating mechanism engages and rotates the stage into a desired pan direction. The tilt actuating mechanism modulates (alters) a magnetic field applied to the mirror/magnetic structure by, for example, moving a permanent magnet that is mounted on the base. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303901 | TRACKING AN OBJECT - In one embodiment, a method of tracking an object carrying a wireless location device comprises recording and storing images from a plurality of cameras corresponding to respective coverage areas having predetermined locations, determining location information associated with the wireless location device, the location information corresponding to one or more of said coverage areas, and determining which of the images correspond to the location information, and retrieving said images. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303902 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING VIDEO ANALYTICS AND DATA ANALYTICS/MINING - A method and system detects potential suspicious behavior in a monitored facility. The monitored facility includes at least one point of transaction terminal. Video content of an activity occurring at the monitored facility and transaction data relating to a transaction processed at the transaction terminal are collected. The video content is correlated with the transaction data to produce correlated data. A set of user-defined rules are applied to the correlated data. Responsive to identifying a match between the correlated data and at least one rule of the set of user-defined rules, the transaction is determined to be potentially suspicious. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303903 | Networked video surveillance system - A method of storing and accessing surveillance camera video data is provided. Captured video data as well as corresponding metadata is stored, at least temporarily, at the user sites. Additionally, the metadata and at least a portion of the video data is transmitted to a remotely located third party site where it is stored. The user server systems located at the independent user sites are connected to the third party server system via the Internet. Parties having data access rights, i.e., validated users, access the data stored at the third party site using Internet connected secondary computer systems. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303904 | RECEIVING ASSEMBLY WITH FUNCTION OF DISPLAYING IMAGES ABOUT OBJECTS THEREIN - A receiving assembly with a function of displaying images about objects therein, comprises a container having at least one receiving unit; at least one camera unit being installed in the receiving unit for sensing image about objects in the receiving unit and transferring the data; a display unit for receiving image data from the at least one camera unit and displaying the image on a screen of the display unit; the display unit being installed at an exterior of the container; and an operating unit for adjusting display ways of the display unit. By the display unit to display data from the camera unit, the object in the receiving unit can be known. The operating unit serves to divide the screen of the display unit into one frame or a plurality of sub-frames. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303905 | Methods and apparatuses for non-optical pixel self test - Methods and apparatuses for non-optical testing of imaging devices having an array of pixels are provided. One or more pixels are tested by setting the photoconversion device and/or a floating diffusion region to a known voltage level that is different from that used to operate the pixel during non-test operation. The pixel is then sampled and compared to an expected value. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303906 | CAMERA CALIBRATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A camera calibrating apparatus uses a calibration target in combination with a laser source generating a laser beam defining a calibration plane and intersecting the camera field of view to define an object imaging area. The calibration target includes a frame defining a coplanar arrangement of more than five reference points having known position coordinates within an object reference system. The frame is disposed in a camera calibration position wherein the coplanar arrangement of reference points is substantially parallel to the calibration plane. The target includes an arrangement of light reflecting members protruding from the arrangement of reference points in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so as to extend within the object imaging area, to allow the camera to capture an image formed by illuminated portions of the light reflecting members. The apparatus further includes image processor means programmed on the basis a calibrated camera model to associate any position coordinates in the object reference system with corresponding position coordinates in an image reference system. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303907 | Shake correction module for photographing apparatus - A shake correction module for a photographing apparatus, including a base plate, a first slider member capable of moving in a first axis direction with respect to the base plate and accommodating a photographing device, a first drive portion moving the first slider member in the first axis direction, a second slider member capable of moving in a second axis direction that is perpendicular to the first axis direction, a second drive portion moving the second slider member in the second axis direction, and a support member attached to the base plate and pressing one of the first and second slider members. The shake correction module can reduce the effect of shaking during photographing. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303908 | MOVING IMAGER CAMERA FOR TRACK AND RANGE CAPTURE - A precision motion platform carrying an imaging device under a large-field-coverage lens enables capture of high resolution imagery over the full field in an instantaneous telephoto mode and wide-angle coverage through temporal integration. The device permits automated tracking and scanning without movement of a camera body or lens. Coupled use of two or more devices enables automated range computation without the need for subsequent epipolar rectification. The imager motion enables sample integration for resolution enhancement. The control methods for imager positioning enable decreasing the blur caused by both the motion of the moving imager or the motion of an object's image that the imager is intended to capture. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303909 | RECORDING APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, RECORDING SYSTEM, COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND METHODS THEREFOR - A recording apparatus includes a communications device which can receive from another communications apparatus by wireless an image-capturing condition of restricting an image-capturing process or a sound recording condition of restricting a sound recording process, and a device which performs an image-capturing or sound recording process according to the received image-capturing condition or sound recording condition. Thus, a user can automatically set a recording function of a recording apparatus in a restricted state without special care in a position where image-capturing, sound recording, etc. are prohibited, thereby recording on an allowed condition. Since it further includes a communications device which can receive by wireless from another communications apparatus a reproducing condition of restricting a reproducing function of an image, and a reproducing device which reproduces an image according to the received reproducing condition, an available function can be used by easily specifying a user of the communications apparatus. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303910 | Imaging apparatus - A camera is provided with a control signal communication unit and a video and audio signal communication unit. A main camera operated by a shooter captures camera driving and operation control information such as panning, tilting, zooming, recording and reproduction conducted by the shooter and transmits the information to a sub camera through the control signal communication unit. The sub camera reflects the received control signal to itself to operate the camera. The sub camera transmits the video which is shot by itself to the main camera through the video and audio signal communication unit. At this point, the main camera receives videos of one or more sub cameras to simultaneously output the videos on a monitor. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303911 | Method for Capturing, Measuring and Analyzing Motion - A system and method for capturing, measuring and analyzing motion in real-time is provided which operates with or without markers. A threshold image is based on a background image and is created to minimize noise during the motion capture. A captured image is compared to the threshold image to identify collections of hot pixels or globs. The globs are compared to expected characteristics of the markers or the subject and are tracked between frames. Glob information is used to determine the location of the markers or subject in each frame. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303912 | Method, Apparatus, Software and Arrangement for Modifying Image Data - This invention relates to programmable modification of image data of a small compact digital camera. In the method according to the embodiments of the invention sensor data is processed before transferring it to an image processing component. The sensor data is read out from a camera sensor several times during one total exposure time and a data entity representing the final picture is integrated from the sensor data read out during an individual exposure time. The sensor data and/or the data entity are analyzed before the data entity is transferrable to the image processing component. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303913 | Imaging Camera Processing Unit and Method - To allow much better user control of how a camera output image captures an original scene, the imaging camera unit ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080303914 | IMAGE SENSOR ARRAY ARCHITECTURE FOR IMPROVED RESOLUTION SWITCHING - An image sensor array is provided with: a first CCD image sensor configured to output a plurality of first signal voltages from a first output terminal; a second CCD image sensor configured to output a plurality of second signal voltages from a second output terminal; a switch circuit selectively connecting one of the first and second output terminals to a signal voltage output terminal; and a timing generator circuit responsive to a basic clock for generating first and second control signals and switch control signals. The first and second control signals are used for controlling generation of the plurality of first and second signal voltages, respectively. The switch control signals are used for controlling the switch circuit. The timing generator circuit controls the first and second CCD image sensors so that the first and second CCD image sensors output the plurality of first signal voltages and the plurality of second signal voltages, alternately. The timing generator circuit controls the switch circuit so that switch circuit outputs from the signal voltage output terminal one of the plurality of first signal voltages and one of the plurality of second signal voltages, alternately. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303915 | Face image capture apparatus - A face image capture apparatus for a vehicle repeatedly performs an output of a difference image to an image ECU. When the number of times of outputs reaches a predetermined number of times, a bright face image from which an influence of disturbance light is not removed is outputted to the image ECU. Thereby, the image ECU can determine an environment (daytime, nighttime, etc.) outside the vehicle based on the bright face image outputted in addition to the difference image. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303916 | Image-capturing device - An image-capturing device including an image-capturing element, a data extraction device, a recording device, a reproduction device, and a display control device is provided. The image-capturing element captures an image of a photographic subject and outputs image data. The data extraction device extracts data corresponding to a region designated in advance within the image data outputted from the image-capturing element. The recording device records the extracted data and the image data into a recording medium individually. The reproduction device reads out the extracted data from the recording medium. The display control device outputs an image signal to a display device, so as to display an image according to the extracted data read out by the reproduction device. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303917 | Digital processing cell - A method and apparatus of digital image processing that provides pixel based image correction. The method and apparatus provide a digital processing cell that includes first and second processing modules. Each processing module includes a gate array. The gate array includes a digital video processing module and a switch portion configured to couple the digital video processing module to at least one of primary and secondary video buses and to couple the digital video processing module to at least one of primary and secondary neighborhood buses. An image processing system includes a plurality of such digital processing cells and an image sensor that outputs image data. The digital processing cells process the output image data. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303918 | COLOR CORRECTING FOR AMBIENT LIGHT - An apparatus and method are described for adjusting the color balance of a display. According to the method, a sensor of the apparatus detects the color temperature of ambient light. A controller of the apparatus adjusts the color balance of the emissive display based on the detected color temperature of ambient light. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303919 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CAMERA MODULE USING THE SAME - An image pickup device includes a signal processing unit which processes a signal generated by separating a luminous signal into wavelength components of two or more colors by use of a sensor unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels to which a wavelength separating unit for separating light wavelengths is arranged at a front face of a photoelectric converting element which converts the luminous signal condensed by an optical lens unit into electric signals, wherein the optical lens unit includes at least one optical lens having different focusing positions in accordance with the wavelengths of the luminous signal, and the signal processing unit includes an outline signal generating unit which extracts an outline signal from an output signal of the sensor unit. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303920 | Imaging Device and Signal Processing Method - The present invention is to allow an XY-address scanning-type imaging device such as a CMOS imaging device to detect a fluorescent flicker correctly and accurately and reduce a fluorescent flicker component surely and sufficiently. The RGB primary color signals arising from A/D conversion of the RGB primary color signals obtained from an imaging element are clamped. Subsequently, for the clamped RGB primary color signals, the following processes are executed: correction of the gains of reading-out channels; reduction of fixed pattern noise; correction of the data of defective pixels; noise reduction; lens shading correction; and gain adjustment for exposure adjustment. Thereafter, for the resultant signals, a flicker detection and reduction unit | 2008-12-11 |
20080303921 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS HAVING FUNCTIONS OF PORTABLE MULTIMEDIA PLAYER - A photographing apparatus having portable multimedia player (PMP) functions. The photographing apparatus provides the PMP functions to store multimedia content such as images, music and moving image files and to play back the stored multimedia content using recording and playback functions of the photographing apparatus so that portability can be improved and a user can enjoy the multimedia content. Specifically, the photographing apparatus includes a photographing module to provide a photographing function and a PMP module to record and play back the photographed image and to provide the PMP function. Therefore, if a display unit is part of the PMP module and the PMP module is attached to the photographing apparatus, the display unit may be used as a part of the photographing apparatus, and if the display unit is separated from the photographing apparatus, the display unit may be used as a PMP. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303922 | Image capture - Embodiments of methods and apparatuses to improve image capturing are described. In certain embodiments, an apparatus to improve image capturing includes a camera, a processor coupled to the camera, and one or more ambient light sensors coupled to the processor. The one or more ambient light sensors may be located outside the camera. The processor may be configured to obtain first light data using the ambient light sensor, and to determine an image type based on at least the first light data. The processor may be further configured to adjust one or more camera parameters based on the image type. In one embodiment, the apparatus to improve image capturing includes a cell phone coupled to the processor. In one embodiment, the apparatus to improve image capturing is a portable handheld device. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303923 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - An image pickup apparatus | 2008-12-11 |
20080303924 | Information processing apparatus and method for operating same - When the power supply is turned on, the value of a mode flag first is set to 0, the mode flag is evaluated, and processing of the record mode is executed. In the record mode, charging processing of the strobe is performed for a specified interval of time, and the strobe can be reliably caused to flash. Charging processing of the strobe is not performed while processing of reproduction (play) mode or another mode is being performed, and battery consumption is controlled. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303925 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD - An image pickup apparatus includes a first image generator | 2008-12-11 |
20080303926 | Method and apparatus for image improvement - A method and an apparatus for improving the image quality. The method comprises steps of producing image correcting information to decrease errors in the image to be produced by a camera module ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080303927 | DIGITAL MOTION PICTURE CAMERA WITH TWO IMAGE SENSORS - The invention relates to a digital camera, in particular to a digital motion picture camera, for the taking of images, having a first sensor, a second sensor and a beam splitter to direct received light onto the first sensor and onto the second sensor, said sensors each including a plurality of sensor elements for the generation of exposure-dependent received signal values, with the sensor elements of the first sensor being associated with the sensor elements of the second sensor such that the mutually associated sensor elements detect the same image regions. An evaluation and control device compares the received signal value of at least some of the sensor elements of the first sensor or of the second sensor with a respective threshold value. The evaluation and control device selects either the received signal value of the sensor element of the first sensor or the received signal value of the associated sensor element or of the plurality of associated sensor elements of the second sensor for the generation of a respective output value in dependence on the result of the respective comparison. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303928 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - To provide an image pickup device and an image pickup apparatus which are equipped with a linear-log sensor which can cancel variations between pixels in an inflection point caused by variations in a threshold of the transistors constituting a logarithmic conversion circuit while using a circuit constitution similar to a pixel circuit of an image pickup device having only an ordinary linear characteristic. When the photoelectric charge accumulated in a photoelectric conversion element is removed, a charge removing transistor is controlled such that the potential of the channel of the charge removing transistor is set to be higher than the minimum potential of the photoelectric conversion element. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303929 | Solid-state image capturing apparatus and electric information device - A solid-state image capturing apparatus is provided, and, in a pixel of a 3TR structure, the solid-state image capturing apparatus increases the reset electric potential of the signal charge accumulation section upon a reset operation so that an electric potential difference between the signal voltage and the reset voltage upon transferring of a signal charge is sufficiently secured, a complete transferring of the signal charge is easily performed from the photoelectric conversion element to the signal charge accumulation section, and a stable condition is provided. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303930 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - In a photoelectric conversion device, groups of unit pixels are arranged in a well, where each of the unit pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements, an amplifier transistor, and transfer transistors. The photoelectric conversion device includes a line used to supply a voltage to the well, a well-contact part used to connect the well-voltage-supply line to the well, and transfer-control lines used to control the transfer transistors. The transfer-control lines are symmetrically arranged with respect to the well-voltage-supply line in respective regions of the unit-pixel groups. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303931 | Data transfer circuit, solid-state imaging device and camera system - Disclosed herein is a data transfer circuit including, a plurality of data transfer lines, a plurality of data outputting sections, a plurality of data holding sections, a data-acquiring-clock supplying section a clock supplying section, and a column scan section. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303932 | ISOLATION STRUCTURE FOR IMAGE SENSOR DEVICE - Provided is an image sensor device including a substrate with a pixel region and a peripheral region. A first isolation structure is formed on the substrate in the pixel region. The first isolation structure includes a trench having a first depth. A second isolation structure is formed on the substrate in the peripheral region. The second isolation structure includes a trench having a second depth. The first depth is greater than the second depth. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303933 | Solid-State Image Pickup Apparatus, Image Pickup Apparatus, and Image Sensor - In a solid-state image sensor according to this invention, an image signal temperature variation suppressing unit changes a voltage value of a driver voltage applied to multiplying registers in response to varations in sensor temperature of a CCD image sensor. Thus, a charge multiplication gain of a charge multiplying unit is electrically controlled to supress varations in signal strength of image signals due to the variations in the sensor temperature of the CCD image sensor. As a result, without relying on thermal control with which it is very diffcult to realize high precision control, varations in the signal stregth of the image signals due to the varations in the sensor temperature of the CCD image sensor are suppressed easily by controlling the charge multiplication gain of the charge multiplying unit based on the electric control, with which it is very easy to realize high precision control, performed by the image signal temperature variation suppressing unit in response to the variations in the sensor temperature of the CCD image sensor. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303934 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE READING APPARATUS - A structure which meets a high-quality reading requirement and realizes high-speed color reading when the reading section of a color image forming apparatus adopts a color contact image sensor using CCDs as reading element arrays is disclosed. The image sensor of a color image reading section uses a color contact image sensor in which a plurality of CCDs are aligned as reading element arrays in the main scanning direction. In this case, each CCD has one analog shift register for RGB time-division reading, and three R, G, and B reading apertures arranged parallel to each other at a pitch corresponding to the reading resolution. The pixel pitch in the main scanning direction is constant. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303935 | Image taking apparatus - According to the image taking apparatus of an aspect of the present invention, the switch image included in the acquired image of the subject is extracted and displayed on the display device. The touch panel is provided on the front surface of the display device and, when the input to the region which overlays the region displaying the switch image is detected, the predetermined operation set in advance for the same switch image is performed. Since the operations device (such as a release button) can thereby be given the shape and appearance of a desired image, it is possible to customize the operations device to a desired design. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303936 | CAMERA SYSTEM - An image display control component | 2008-12-11 |
20080303937 | Portable Telephone and Autofocusing Method - A portable telephone whose focusing operation is facilitated, with which missing of an opportunity of snapping can be prevented, and whose usability is improved. In the portable telephone, a camera section ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080303938 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PHOTOFLASH - A system for controlling photoflash includes a signal processing unit, a calculating unit, a photoflash module and an adjusting unit. The photoflash module includes a capacitor. The signal processing unit is configured for analyzing image information to get a current brightness value of the image, and the calculating unit is configured for calculating a first photoflash time of the photoflash module based on a first voltage value of the capacitor via analyzing the current brightness value. The adjusting unit is configured for adjusting the first photoflash time to get a second photoflash time according to a second voltage value of the capacitor, and outputting the second photoflash time to the photoflash module to control flashing of the photoflash module. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303939 | CAMERA MODULE WITH COMPACT PACKAGING OF IMAGE SENSOR CHIP - An exemplary camera module includes a base, an image sensor chip, a lens holder, a lens module, at least one electronic element, and a light transmittance element. The base defines a first cavity. The image sensor chip is disposed on the base and includes a photosensitive area. The image sensor chip covers the first cavity. The lens holder is disposed on the base. The lens holder includes a first chamber and a second chamber disposed on the base. The second chamber covers the image sensor chip. The lens module is partially received in the first chamber. The lens module is optically aligned with the image sensor chip. The at least one electronic element is disposed in the first cavity. The light transmittance element is fixed on the image sensor chip. The light transmittance element is received in the second chamber and contacts the second chamber. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303940 | PROCESS FOR DIGITIZING VIDEO OVER ANALOG COMPONENT VIDEO CABLES - A method for efficient digital capturing of analog video signals of computer game consoles is provided. The video format of the signal is changed from 480p to 720p, without any scaling artifacts. The number of active horizontal resolution lines and active vertical resolution lines is reduced in the higher definition space, so that the output picture is a pixel-for-pixel transformed replica of the 480p image. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303941 | PICTURE PROCESSING APPARATUS, PICTURE PROCESSING METHOD, PICTURE DATA STORAGE MEDIUM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - In an apparatus and a method for executing generation and reproduction processing of picture data suitable for picture display devices having differing processable frame rates, low frame rate picture data is generated on the basis of a plurality of temporally continuous pictures having a high frame rate to provide picture data having a plurality of layers. Decimated data may be set as the high frame rate layer data. In this manner, the quantity of data to be transmitted or stored is reduced. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303942 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING TEXT CAPTIONS FROM VIDEO AND GENERATING VIDEO SUMMARIES - Caption boxes which are embedded in video content can be located and the text within the caption boxes decoded. Real time processing is enhanced by locating caption box regions in the compressed video domain and performing pixel based processing operations within the region of the video frame in which a caption box is located. The captions boxes are further refined by identifying word regions within the caption boxes and then applying character and word recognition processing to the identified word regions. Domain based models are used to improve text recognition results. The extracted caption box text can be used to detect events of interest in the video content and a semantic model applied to extract a segment of video of the event of interest. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303943 | DIGEST GENERATION FOR TELEVISION BROADCAST PROGRAM - In a device for generating a digest of a television broadcast program containing subtitle information, a character number calculation section calculates, based on the subtitle information, a character number of a subtitle displayed in each of segments provided at regular intervals. A digest scene specifying section compares the calculated character number with a threshold and specifies, as one or more digest scenes of the television broadcast program, one or more segments in which the calculated character number is larger than the threshold. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303944 | Television receiver - A television receiver | 2008-12-11 |
20080303945 | STORAGE MEDIUM STORING TEXT-BASED SUBTITLE DATA INCLUDING STYLE INFORMATION, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLAYING BACK THE STORAGE MEDIUM - A storage medium includes text-based subtitle data including style information for use with an apparatus and a method of playing back the storage medium. The storage medium includes moving image data, and subtitle data for providing a subtitle for the moving image data. The subtitle data is recorded based on a text to be separated from the moving image data and includes information used to select or change an output style of the subtitle. Accordingly, the subtitle can be output using style information selected by a user, and a style in which a subtitle is output can be changed. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303946 | Method and apparatus for displaying a video signal on a computer system - A system that displays a video signal on a display for a computer system is presented. During operation, the system receives a signal to switch from displaying a video signal from an internal video source to displaying a video signal from an external video source. In this system, the internal and external video sources are coupled to a bi-directional video port for the computer system, wherein the internal video source generates an output video signal and the external video source generates an input video signal. The system then determines whether the external video source is coupled to the bi-directional video port. If so, the system couples the external video source to the display and determines whether the external video source is a valid video source. If the external video source is a valid video source, the system displays the video signal from the external video source on the display. | 2008-12-11 |
20080303947 | Audio Processing Apparatus and Display Apparatus with Same - An AV device comprises a processing section for carrying out a process for view and listening, a signal output section for outputting a signal to the processing section, first signal input sections including a mobile audio input terminal, a first detecting section for detecting insertion/removal of a plug into/from the mobile audio input terminal, and a first control section for controlling the connection between the first signal input sections and the signal output section according to the result of the detection by the first detection section. Another AV device is provided in which insertion/removal of a plug into/from a second signal input section and indication information is outputted to a second video display section according to the detection result. With such constitutions, various processings can be carried out according to insertion/removal of a plug. | 2008-12-11 |