12th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 24 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090073209 | PRINTING UNIT AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - A print unit memorizes image data to be output to a page of recording media at a register as jetting data in an order of storing a plurality of image data of one line in page memory, wherein each of the image data of one line is memorized at the register in an order of storing the plurality of image data of one dot, in case when a conveyance direction of recording media is normal; and memorizes the image data to be output to the page of the recording media at the register in the order of storing the plurality of the image data of one line, wherein each of the image data of one line is memorized in a reverse order to the order of storing the plurality of the image data of one dot, in case when the conveyance direction is reverse. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073210 | Nozzle Device With Movement Sensor - A nozzle device is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle device includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply. A chamber-defining layer defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle opening and the ink supply. An actuating arm is coupled to the substrate assembly and terminates in a paddle separating the ink supply and nozzle chamber. The actuating arm is configured to pivot during actuation so that the paddle moves and causes ink within the nozzle chamber to be ejected out through the nozzle opening. A movement sensor is configured to determine the degree or rate of pivotal movement of the actuating arm. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073211 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A disclosed image forming apparatus has a recording head for ejecting droplets of recording liquid and forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a decurling unit configured to perform decurling of the recording medium and adjusts the decurling of the recording medium based on a first information piece about the degree of curl of the recording medium and a second information piece about a subsequent recording medium on which an image is to be formed after the image is formed on the recording medium. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073212 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING TEMPERATURES IN EJECTION MECHANISMS - An apparatus and method for controlling temperature profiles in ejection mechanisms is provided. A heater includes a first resistor segment having an electrical resistivity, a second resistor segment; and a coupling segment positioned between the first resistor segment and the second resistor segment. The coupling segment has an electrical resistivity, wherein the ratio of the resistivity of the coupling segment to the resistivity of the first resistor segment is substantially zero. Alternatively, the first resistor segment has an electrical conductivity and the coupling segment has an electrical conductivity, wherein the electrical conductivity of the coupling segment is greater than the electrical conductivity of the first resistor segment. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073213 | Image forming apparatus - A printer includes a line-type inkjet printer, sheet feed trays, and a sheet receiving tray. The line-type inkjet printer includes a conveying unit that conveys a transfer sheet in a nearly vertical direction and an inkjet unit that discharges ink on an entire area in a width direction of the transfer sheet that is conveyed by the conveying unit from a direction perpendicular to the transfer sheet and forms an image on the transfer sheet. The line-type inkjet printer further includes a maintenance mechanism that maintains the inkjet unit and a controller that controls maintenance of the inkjet unit. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073214 | FLUSHING METHOD FOR FLUID EJECTING DEVICE AND FLUID EJECTING DEVICE - There is provided a flushing method for a fluid ejecting device that prevents clogging of a nozzle by ejecting a fluid of a set number of droplets at each set time interval in a fluid ejecting process from the nozzle of a fluid ejecting head toward a fluid receiving part that is disposed to face a nozzle opening face of the fluid ejecting head in a state of non-contacting the nozzle opening face. The flushing method includes applying an electric field between the nozzle opening face and the fluid receiving part, ejecting the fluid from the fluid ejecting head toward the fluid receiving part, detecting a voltage change based on electrostatic induction that occurs at a time when the fluid is ejected toward the fluid receiving part, and changing one between the set time interval and the set number of the droplets based on the voltage change. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073215 | PRINTHEADS AND SYSTEMS USING PRINTHEADS - A printing apparatus comprises a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate; an enclosure defining a print zone within which the jetting assembly prints on the substrate, the enclosure including an inlet for introducing a material associated with controlling an environment of the enclosure. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073216 | Printing Cartridge Mounted With Adhesively Sealant Film - A printing cartridge comprises a body configured to removably engage with an inkjet printer; a printhead assembly mounted to the body, the printhead assembly including at least one printhead integrated circuit and an ink distribution support, the at least one printhead integrated circuit being mounted to an underside of the ink distribution support; a plurality of conduits provided through an underside of the ink distribution support, the conduits providing fluidic communication between a plurality of ink paths of the ink distribution support and the underside of the ink distribution support; and a sealing film for adhesively mounting the printhead integrated circuit to the ink distribution support, the sealing film including a plurality of through-holes which correspond to and align with the conduits. The sealing film provides a seal preventing mixing of ink from each of the plurality of ink paths at an underside of the ink distribution support. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073217 | Method of removing air from an ink jet device, and ink jet device - An ink jet device ( | 2009-03-19 |
20090073218 | Printhead Having Capped Printhead Units - A printhead is provided having a plurality of printhead units having ejection nozzles, and a capping device displaceable with respect to the printhead units between a first position in which the capping device caps the ejection nozzles and a second position in which the ejection nozzles are uncapped. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073219 | Purging fluid from fluid-ejection nozzles by performing spit-wipe operations - Fluid is purged from a plurality of fluid-ejection nozzles of a fluid-ejection mechanism. A first series of spit-wipe operations is performed. A second series of spit-wipe operations is then performed. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073220 | BIDIRECTIONAL PRINTHEAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for bidirectional printhead maintenance. One embodiment of the invention can provide a method for providing maintenance to a printhead comprising one or more ink nozzles for dispensing ink. The method can include providing a wiper for a printhead, wherein the wiper can include at least a first edge and a second edge. In addition, the method can include manipulating the first edge of the wiper in a forward or rearward direction across some or all of the ink nozzles during printing, wherein at least a portion of the nozzles can be cleaned by the first edge. Furthermore, the method can include manipulating the second edge of the wiper in a forward or rearward direction across some or all of the ink nozzles based at least in part on a maintenance-type command, wherein at least a portion of the nozzles can be cleaned by the second edge. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073221 | PRINTING APPARATUS - The invention prevents and suppresses wasteful expenditure of ink which occurs when recovering nozzles. In greater detail, a plurality of head units arranged in a direction which intersects a transportation direction of a printing medium is provided, a plurality of cleaning units is disposed to face the plurality of head units, and at least one of the plurality of cleaning units is selected and moved so as to be in close contact with the corresponding cleaning unit. By such a method, only the cleaning head unit which faces the head unit of which nozzles need to be recovered is selected and is brought into contact with the head unit, and liquid is sucked in from the nozzles of the head unit. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073222 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus which forms an image includes: an intermediate transfer body which is conveyed in a conveyance direction; a washing liquid application device which applies a washing liquid on the intermediate transfer body; a first wiping device which is arranged on a downstream side of the washing liquid application device in terms of the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body, the first wiping device abutting against the intermediate transfer body to wipe away the washing liquid on the intermediate transfer body; a second wiping device which is arranged on a downstream side of the first wiping device in terms of the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body, the second wiping device abutting against the intermediate transfer body to wipe away the washing liquid on the intermediate transfer body; and a control device which controls the first and second wiping devices so that the first wiping device abuts against the intermediate transfer body when the image is being formed, and the first wiping device separates from the intermediate transfer body while the second wiping device abuts against the intermediate transfer body when the image is not being formed. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073223 | Inkjet image forming apparatus having a nozzle unit and method of using the same - Provided is an inkjet image forming apparatus having a nozzle unit cleaning and capping means and a method of cleaning and capping the nozzle unit. The inkjet image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head including a nozzle unit with a length corresponding to a width of a sheet of paper, and a body having an opening formed at one side thereof, wherein the inkjet head slides through the opening in a main scanning direction to be mounted in or removed from the body. The nozzle unit is cleaned by a wiper and capped when the inkjet head is removed from the body. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073224 | PRINT CRADLE ASSEMBLY FOR A PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE - Provided is a print cradle assembly for a printhead cartridge. The cradle assembly includes a docking bay molding, a media feed drive assembly positioned on the docking bay molding and configured to feed media through the assembly, and a printed circuit board (PCB) with a printer controller for controlling the media feed drive assembly and operation of the cartridge. The cradle assembly also includes a maintenance drive assembly for driving a capping mechanism of a printhead of the cartridge. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073225 | PRINTHEAD HAVING DISPLACED NOZZLE ROWS - A printhead is provided having a plurality of nozzle rows which have displaced row portions. The displaced row portions of at least some of the rows are different in length than the displaced row portions of at least some of the other rows | 2009-03-19 |
20090073226 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD - In the case where a multipass printing and an interlace printing are used together, the present invention enables outputting an image of good quality independently of the relation between the number of passes in the multipass printing and increase in the resolution in the sub-scanning direction through the interlace printing. Data processing is executed while pixels of inputted image data are made to correspond to two or more rasters in the sub-scanning direction, so that the dots are arranged in these rasters at a substantially equal rate, in the case where the number of print scannings to be executed multiple times is not an integral multiple of the number of rasters. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073227 | Ink-jet head having passage unit and actuator units attached to the passage unit, and ink-jet printer having the ink-jet head - A printhead module includes a plurality of rows of printhead nozzles, at least some of the rows including at least one displaced row portion, the displacement of the row portion including a component in a direction normal to that of a pagewidth to be printed, wherein the displaced row portions of at least some of the rows are different in length than the displaced row portions of at least some of the other rows. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073228 | THROUGH-HOLE FORMING METHOD, INKJET HEAD, AND SILICON SUBSTRATE - A through-hole forming method includes steps of forming a first impurity region ( | 2009-03-19 |
20090073229 | INK JET PRINTHEAD WITH DISPLACEABLE NOZZLE CROWN - A printhead comprises a substrate defining a plurality of ink inlet channels; a drive circuitry layer positioned on the substrate; and a plurality of nozzle arrangements positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement comprises a wall portion bounding a respective ink inlet channel, a crown portion defining an outlet through which ink can be ejected, and a skirt portion depending from the crown portion, the crown, skirt and wall portions defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the respective ink inlet channel and the outlet. The printhead further comprises an elongate actuator provided within the nozzle chamber and connected to the crown portion at one end and anchored to the substrate at an opposite end; and conductive pads provided at an anchor point of the elongate actuator with the substrate, the conductive pads being provided between the elongate actuator and the substrate. The elongate actuator receives electrical signals from the drive circuitry via the conductive pads, and upon receipt of electrical signals from the drive circuitry, the actuator is operable to displace towards and away from the substrate such that the crown and ink outlet is also displaced towards and away from the substrate, whereby ink is ejected from the outlet. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073230 | NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN INKJET PRINTHEAD HAVING DYNAMIC AND STATIC STRUCTURES TO FACILITATE INK EJECTION - Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate with side walls and a roof portion together forming an ink chamber, the substrate defining an ink supply channel leading to the ink chamber, with one side wall defining an aperture. The arrangement also includes an elongate actuator extending through said aperture into the ink chamber, as well as a dynamic structure cantilevered from the side wall below the aperture. Further included is a static structure cantilevered from the side wall below the dynamic structure. The actuator is connected to the dynamic and static structures at a point distal from the aperture such that thermal expansion of the dynamic structure moves the actuator upwards in the chamber to eject ink from the chamber via a port defined in the roof portion. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073231 | Print Assembly - A print assembly is disclosed. The print assembly includes a printhead for printing on a printing medium having encoded positional data thereon, a media feed assembly for feeding the medium past the printhead, a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the printhead and an uncapped position exposing the printhead, and a print controller having a reader configured to operatively read the positional data to provide the print controller with a signal indicative of a position of the medium relative to the printhead. The controller is configured to derive a feed speed of the medium from the signal, and to correlate printing of the printhead with such feed speed. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073232 | LIGHT IRRADIATOR AND A PRINTER USING THE LIGHT IRRADIATOR - To prevent clogging of a nozzle of a printing head, a light irradiator for an ink jet printer is composed of a short arc type discharge lamp ( | 2009-03-19 |
20090073233 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT WITH A ROOF STRUCTURE FOR MINIMIZING WICKING - Provided is a micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The arrangement includes a substrate defining an inverted pyramidal ink chamber with a vertex thereof terminating at an ink supply channel through the substrate, said substrate having a layer of CMOS drive circuitry. The arrangements also includes a roof structure connected to the drive circuitry layer and covering the ink chamber, the roof structure defining a fluid ejection nozzle rim above said chamber in addition to ink flow guide rails to minimize wicking along the nozzle rim according to surface tension effects of ink in the chamber. Also included is a plurality of actuators displaceable with respect to, and radially spaced about, the nozzle rim, and in between, the guide rails. Each actuator has a serpentine heater element configured to thermally expand upon receiving current from the drive circuitry thereby moving said actuators into the chamber operatively increasing a fluid pressure inside the chamber to eject a drop of ink via the ejection nozzle. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073234 | HEATING CHANNEL UNIT, LIQUID EJECTING HEAD, AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A heating channel unit which includes a communicating channel for supplying liquid from a liquid supply source to a liquid ejecting head. The heating channel unit is detachably mounted between the liquid supply source and the liquid ejecting head, and includes a heat generator which heats the liquid in the communicating channel. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073235 | PRINTER SYSTEM HAVING PRINTHEAD WITH ARCUATE HEATER ELEMENTS - A printer system is provided which incorporates a printhead having nozzles, bubble forming chambers and heater and non-heater elements disposed in each of the chamber to overlay one another with a space therebetween. The heater and non-heater elements are formed of the same material and the heater elements are connected to electrodes so as to be in thermal contact with a bubble forming liquid in the chambers. Heating the heater elements with the electrodes to a temperature above the boiling point of the bubble forming liquid forms a gas bubble that causes the drop ejection of ejectable liquid through the nozzles. Each heater element has a bubble nucleation section which has a smaller cross section than the remainder of that heater element. Each chamber has a circular cross section and each heater element has arcuate sections that are concentric with the circular cross section. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073236 | VARIABLE-VOLUME NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT - A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet. A static wall extends from the substrate assembly and bounds the ink inlet. An active ink ejecting member has a roof and a sidewall that depends from the roof towards the substrate. The roof defines an ink ejection port and the active ink ejecting member is movably located relative to the static wall to define a variable-volume nozzle chamber. An actuator arrangement is configured to reciprocate the active ink ejection member relative to the static wall so that ink in the nozzle chamber is ejected out through the ink ejection port. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073237 | NOZZLE DEVICE WITH EXPANSIVE CHAMBER-DEFINING LAYER - A nozzle device is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle device includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply. A chamber-defining layer defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle opening and the ink supply. An actuating arm is coupled to the substrate assembly and terminates in a paddle separating the ink supply and the nozzle chamber. The arm includes a thermal bend portion proximal to the substrate assembly, and is configured to bend during actuation so that the paddle moves and causes ink within the nozzle chamber to be ejected out through the nozzle opening. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073238 | PRINTHEAD HAVING SUSPENDED HEATER ELEMENTS - An inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead includes a substrate defining a plurality of ink inlet passages; a plurality of nozzle chambers formed on the substrate, each nozzle chamber being in fluid communication with at least one of the ink inlet passages, and at least one heater element suspended in each nozzle chamber, each heater element, when energized by an electrical signal, forms a gas bubble in ink in the nozzle chamber so that a drop of ink is ejected from the nozzle chamber. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073239 | NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR A PRINTHEAD INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A nozzle arrangement for a printhead integrated circuit id disclosed. The arrangement includes an ink chamber having an ink ejection port, an ink ejecting member angularly displaceable within the ink chamber, a thermal bend actuator reciprocally displaceable upon receipt of a drive signal, a motion transmitting structure comprising an effort formation, a lever arm formation and a load formation, the lever arm formation being interposed between the effort formation and the load formation, the effort formation being connected to the thermal bend actuator and the ink election member being connected to the load formation, and a resiliently deformable sealing structure, interposed between a substrate upon which the nozzle arrangement is formed and the lever arm formation, to permit pivotal movement of the lever arm formation with respect to the substrate. Reciprocal displacement of the thermal bend actuator is converted into reciprocal displacement of the ink ejecting member through the motion transmitting structure, thereby ejecting ink that is in the ink chamber from the ink ejection port. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073240 | INKJET PRINTHEAD HAVING NOZZLE ARRANGEMENTS WITH ACTUATOR PIVOT ANCHORS - Provided is an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzle arrangements for ejecting ink onto a printing medium. Each nozzle arrangement includes a substrate defining an ink chamber having an ink inlet and a plurality of ink ejection ports, the chamber and ink supply channel being in fluid communication via the ink inlet. Each arrangement also includes a pivot anchor arranged on the substrate, and an actuator fast with the pivot anchor and arranged to cause selective ejection of ink from any one of the ejection ports while simultaneously causing an inflow of ink from the ink supply channel into the chamber via the ink inlet. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073241 | Inkjet head and manufacturing method of the same - A method of manufacturing an inkjet head that includes: forming in a first board an inlet, which penetrates the first board and through which ink may flow in, and a pressure chamber, which is formed as a recess in a surface of the first board; forming in a second board a manifold, which is to be connected with the inlet, a pressure absorbing space, which is positioned adjacent to the manifold and partitioned by a membrane, and an ink channel, which penetrates the second board and which is to be connected with the pressure chamber; forming in a third board a nozzle, which is to be connected with the ink channel; and stacking in order and attaching the first board, the second board, and the third board. This method can be utilized to simplify the manufacturing process and prevent crosstalk between pressure chambers, thereby providing a higher printing quality. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073242 | MULTI-LAYER MONOLITHIC FLUID EJECTORS USING PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATION - A fluid ejector including a silicon wafer having a first side and a second side. A multi-layer monolithic structure is formed on the first side of the silicon wafer. The multi-layer monolithic structure includes a first structure layer formed on the first side of the silicon wafer, and the first structure layer has an aperture. A second structure layer has a horizontal portion and closed, filled trenches or vertical sidewalls. The first structure layer, horizontal portion and the closed, filled trenches or vertical sidewalls of the second structure layer define a fluid cavity. An actuator is associated with the horizontal portion of the second structure layer, and an etched portion of the silicon wafer defines an open area which exposes the aperture in the first structure layer. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073243 | PRESSURE-REGULATING VALVE, FUNCTIONAL LIQUID SUPPLYING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE, ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - In a pressure-regulating valve which supplies a functional liquid from a functional liquid tank to a functional liquid droplet ejection head, using, as a reference regulating pressure, atmospheric pressure which a diaphragm receives, a valve-disc energizing spring, which energizes a valve disc for opening and closing a communication passage communicating a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, is configured so as to be separated from a housing main body along with a lid body. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073244 | Inkjet Printer Refill Cartridge With Sliding Moldings - An ink refill cartridge is provided for refilling an inkjet printer ink supply. The refill cartridge includes an outer molding defining a cavity. An inner molding is movably mounted to slide into the cavity and defines a recess. A deformable ink membrane is located within the recess, is configured to store ink and defines an outlet through which the stored ink can pass to the ink supply. A biasing arrangement is located within the cavity between the outer molding and the ink membrane. The biasing arrangement biases the membrane to deform and cause ink to pass from the outlet when the inner molding slides into the cavity. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073245 | AN INK-CARTRIDGE FOR PRINTERS - The present invention relates to an ink-cartridge for printers comprising a body formed having a filling hole on an upper surface thereof; a plurality of filling chambers inside of the body divided by a partition having a connecting hole; a discharging chamber connected to the filling chamber; an air chamber connected to the filling chamber via an air transferring channel so as to supply air to the filling chamber; an air suction valve installed in the air chamber; an air inducing channel inducing external air to the air suction valve; a blocking film attached to one surface of the body; and a cover installed in the other surface of the body; and a pressure regulating part formed in a surface of an outer wall of the body and communicating with the filling chamber. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073246 | Ink Jet Recording Ink Set and Ink Jet Image Recording Method - Disclosed are an ink jet recording ink set which is suppressed in bleeding and shot droplet interference and can form a high quality image and an ink jet image recording method. The ink jet recording ink set has plural liquids including at least a first liquid and a second liquid. The second liquid contains a polymerizable compound and the first liquid contains a high-boiling point organic solvent and the high-boiling organic solvent meets any one of the following requirements (A) to (C) and an ink jet image recording method includes supplying a first and a second liquid simultaneously or sequentially to a recording medium such that both liquids are in contact with each other, to form an image: (A) it has a viscosity of 100 mPa·s or less at 25° C. and a viscosity of 30 mPa·s or less at 60° C. and has a boiling point of 100° C. or higher, (B) it is represented by the following formula (I), and (C) it is represented by the following formula (II): | 2009-03-19 |
20090073247 | Method, apparatus, and system for forming image - An image forming apparatus connectable to a first feed tray and a second feed tray includes an image forming unit, a feed path, and a detecting unit provided on the feed path to sense recording medium jam. An identifying unit identifies a feed path and a feed tray where recording medium jam has occurred as a jammed path and a jamming feed tray. A first determining unit determines whether the image forming apparatus is connected to the second feed tray. A second determining unit determines whether the second feed tray can feed a recording medium to the image forming unit. A feeding unit feeds a recording medium from the second feed tray to the image forming unit. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073248 | INKJET PRINTER WITH RETRACTABLE COVER SERVING AS MEDIA GUIDE - An inkjet printer comprises a body housing a print engine configured to transport and print upon print media; a cover pivotally mounted relative to the body and able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing; a support configured to support the print media guided to the print engine and pivotally mounted relative to the cover so that the support can be retracted between the cover and the body; and a stepper motor for driving a sheet feed roller and a paper transport. The stepper motor drives the paper transport when operated in a forward direction, and drives the sheet feed roller when operated in the reverse direction. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073249 | Digital Stamp Having A Compressible Housing - Provided is a stamp including a compressible housing having an upper housing portion telescopically receiving a lower housing portion defining an opening. The stamp also includes a printhead and ink cartridge arrangement housed within the lower housing, said printhead displaceable between a protected position within the housing and a printing position in which the printhead is exposed via the opening for printing. Also included is a mechanical arrangement comprising a pair of arms fixed at one end to a top of the printhead and at another end to the upper housing, so that when the upper housing is moved toward the lower housing, the arms move the printhead from the protected position to the printing position. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073250 | THERMAL PRINTHEAD - In a thermal printhead (A), a common wiring portion ( | 2009-03-19 |
20090073251 | FULL-COLOR DIRECT LASER LABELING ARRANGEMENTS AND METHODS - A full-color direct disc labeling method that solves the monochromatic limitation associated with current direct disc labeling techniques. The techniques disclosed herein provide a unique, cost-effective method of implementing full-color direct disc labeling in the emerging class of blue laser optical drive recorders, known by trade names such as Blu-ray and HD DVD. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073252 | TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION FOR FULL-WIDTH ARRAYS WRITE HEADS - A method and system for compensating for temperature changes is disclosed that includes a mounting bar, a plurality of imaging chips adaptively mounted on the mounting bar, each imaging chip including a plurality of imaging elements, and a temperature determiner to determine a temperature of the mounting bar. A control module enables and disables at least one imaging element based on the determined temperature of the mounting bar. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073253 | Video communication apparatus and method of using the same - Disclosed herein is a video communication apparatus. A LAN connection unit connected to a LAN so as to connect to the Internet. A modem provides access to a PSTN. A DSP processes digital signals received from the LAN connection unit and the modem, and converts internal signals into digital signals. A CPU receives standard signals, and to converts them into signals suitable for a TV, or directly/indirectly receives signals through a terrestrial wave/cable broadcast signal reception unit or camera signals and transmits them to the DSP. A memory unit records programs and protocols. A PIP processing unit directly/indirectly receives signals from the CPU or the terrestrial wave/cable broadcast signals, receives adjustment commands for image compilation, and transmits compiled signals so as to arrange images, to be displayed, in a predetermined manner. A TV receives and displays the compiled signals from the PIP processing unit. A user interface inputs commands for the CPU and inputs additional signals for the CPU. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073254 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL IMAGING SYSTEM WITH CONCURRENT ZOOM - An optical system configured to simultaneously image an omnidirectional field-of-view and a concurrent narrow field on a single focal plane. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073255 | Video Transmitting Apparatus, Video Display Apparatus, Video Transmitting Method and Video Display Method - During reproduction of received wide-field video data by use of a receiving side apparatus, whatever may be the type, size, resolution and orientation of a receiving side display apparatus, the video information is converted, based on information transmitted together with the video information, such that the video information is suitable for the reproducing side display apparatus, thereby achieving a faithful display. A wide-field video generating/displaying system has a virtual video display system comprising one or more display apparatus ( | 2009-03-19 |
20090073256 | Digital 3D/360 degree camera system - The digital 3D/360° camera system is an omnidirectional stereoscopic device for capturing image data that may be used to create a 3-dimensional model for presenting a 3D image, a 3D movie, or 3D animation. The device uses multiple digital cameras, arranged with overlapping fields of view, to capture image data covering an entire 360° scene. The data collected by one, or several, digital 3D/360° camera systems can be used, to create a 3D model of a 360° scene by using triangulation of the image data within the overlapping fields of view. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073257 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes: a surface model generation section for performing processing for generating a three-dimensional surface model from a two-dimensional medical image; and an area reliability calculation section for dividing the surface model into multiple areas and calculating the reliability of data in each of the multiple areas. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073258 | DEVICE INTENDED TO SUPPORT THE DRIVING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A SYSTEM CAPABLE OF CAPTURING STEREOSCOPIC IMAGES - A system and method to support the driving of a motor vehicle comprising in particular a system capable of capturing images, wherein the system for capturing images comprises a stereoscopic image capturing system having at least a first camera and a second camera, with the first camera presenting a field of vision) greater than the field of vision of the second camera, and with the stereoscopic system thereby conferring a degree of multifunctionality to the device supporting the driving of the vehicle. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073259 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An imaging system for imaging a moving three dimensional object, the system comprising:
| 2009-03-19 |
20090073260 | IN-VIVO IMAGE ACQUIRING APPARATUS, IN-VIVO IMAGE RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND IN-VIVO IMAGE ACQUIRING SYSTEM - An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which is introduced inside a subject and picks up image information inside the subject, an illuminating unit which illuminates an imaging portion imaged by the imaging unit, a transmission processing unit which performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit to an external apparatus. A light-control unit determines light-control amount information based on brightness of the image information acquired by the imaging unit, and performs a control of light control of the illuminating unit according to the light-control amount information. Further, the transmission processing unit performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit along with the light-control amount information used for the control of light-control. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073261 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND COLOR BALANCE ADJUSTING METHOD - There are provided an image processing apparatus, an endoscope apparatus, and a color balance adjusting method capable of obtaining a good observation image. An image processing apparatus of the invention includes: an image signal input unit for inputting an image signal of a subject image picked up by an image pickup unit, the subject image including at least an image of a color balance adjustment tool; a control unit for calculating a value of coefficient to change brightness value of the image signal, based on a correction value to correct characteristic variation of the color balance adjustment tool, the correction value being shown in a correction value display portion included by the color balance adjustment tool, and a brightness value of the image of the color balance adjustment tool; and a color balance process unit for performing color balance adjustment by changing the brightness value of the image signal based on the coefficient value. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073262 | METHOD FOR INFRARED IMAGE CORRECTION AND ENHANCEMENT - A method for correcting defects in one or more frames of motion picture film, the method includes the steps of generating an image that includes an infrared channel and one or more color channels; providing an infrared unbuilding model that includes at least one non-linear component that accounts for cross-talk between the one or more color channels and the infrared channel; providing one or more parameters for the infrared unbuilding model; and applying the infrared unbuilding model parameters to the infrared unbuilding model to remove cross-talk between the one or more color channels and the infrared channel to generate an independent infrared channel that is free or substantially free of color channel content. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073263 | VEHICLE PERIPHERY MONITORING SYSTEM - A vehicle periphery monitoring system takes a view image of a vehicle rear periphery, which is in a predetermined area from the vehicle. This view image is converted into a bird's-eye view image and the bird's-eye view image is displayed in a vehicle compartment to assist rearward movement of a vehicle. As the vehicle approaches an obstacle, the bird's-eye view image is formed by increasing an angle of depression of the bird's-eye view image. A masking section is synthesized with the bird's-eye view image to mask a part of the bird's-eye view image not to be viewed. This masking section is increased as the depression angle increases thereby masking the distorted part of the view image. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073264 | Image signal transmission apparatus and image signal transmission system - An image signal transmission system for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes: a display apparatus configured to display an image in accordance with an image signal; and an image signal transmission apparatus configured to transmit the image signal to the display apparatus. The image signal transmission apparatus includes: a receiving unit configured to receive an analog image signal from outside; a conversion unit configured to convert the analog image signal into a first digital image signal so that the first digital image signal represents the image with a size that matches a display resolution of the display apparatus; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the first digital image signal to the display apparatus. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073265 | VIRTUAL OBSERVER - This invention concerns wide-area video surveillance systems. In a first aspect the invention is a surveillance network, in another aspect the invention is a virtual observer, and in a further aspect the invention is a method for operating a virtual observer. Each segments or frame of video, from each camera of the network is associated with the following trajectory parameters; a time and a spatial position, and possibly a radius, orientation, resolution and field of view, and stored for later recall. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073266 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING AN IMAGE FROM VIDEO - A method including presenting a video sequence on a display where the video sequence includes video frames, calculating a quality indicator with respect to the video frames and automatically indicating which video frames meet or exceed a predetermined image quality threshold depending on the quality indicator. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073267 | ADVANCED INPUT CONTROLLER FOR MULTIMEDIA PROCESSING - The system and method enables people to use their webcam as a virtual flashlight over their screen as a picture or video clip is playing. The position, tilt and rotation of the flashlight over the screen is recorded and smoothed to generate a compelling movie. Users move the webcam closer to the screen to focus on a specific area; users can rotate the webcam to generate compelling rotations, and users can pan the webcam to simulate looking at objects from a side. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073268 | Shared image devices - A device comprising a first shared image device that captures at least one image representation. The first shared image device receives a request to share the at least one image representation to an at least one other shared image device. The first shared image device and the at least one other shared image device are each capable of capturing image representations. The first shared image device transmits the at least one image representation. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073269 | Imaging apparatus and imaging method - An imaging apparatus and an imaging method supply an optimum amount of image data to another apparatus. When a PDA has a maximum transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps, a mobile phone determines that the maximum speed of communication with the PDA is low, reduces the amount of moving image data captured by a CCD of the mobile phone accordingly, and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA. The PDA therefore displays a low-quality moving image on its display unit. When the PDA has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps, the CPU of the mobile phone leaves unchanged the amount of moving picture data captured by the CCD and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA. The PDA then displays a high-quality moving image on its display unit. The foregoing may be advantageously applied to digital cameras. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073270 | System and method for efficiently transferring data from an electronic camera device - A system and method for efficiently transferring data from an electronic camera device includes a camera device that is configured to capture image data and temporarily store the image data into an economical limited local buffer memory. A transfer manager from the camera device may then periodically arbitrate for access to a wireless communications network, and may transfer the captured image data from the buffer memory to a designated data destination, such as an image service on a distributed computer network like the Internet. A system user may then efficiently access the transferred image data from a dedicated storage location on the data destination by utilizing any appropriate data-access device, such as a personal computer device or a portable electronic device. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073271 | Extended look instrument - The present invention is a camera package with a viewing screen, a long flexible arm that will stay in a fixed position once adjusted for remote viewing of areas of automobiles and appliances not otherwise visible by a repairperson or mechanic servicing the device. The camera package includes additional lighting in nonvisible wavelengths for viewing objects otherwise not visible to the human eye. The camera package is capable of hands free operation. This hands free operation allows the technician to make adjustments or work on the problem at hand. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073272 | DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A control method of a digital still camera (DSC) is disclosed. User input is first required. The user input is then compared to user access information stored in the DSC to find a match. If the match is found, the user is allowed to operate the DSC based upon access parameters associated with the match, which is described in the user access information stored in the DSC. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073273 | DATA COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CAPSULATED CAMERA AND ITS EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTS - A method for transmitting data to a camera without requiring in the camera a conventional wireless transmission capability includes (a) in the camera's field of view, providing an object which forms an image on which the data is encoded; (b) capturing an image of the object using optics of the camera; and (c) recovering the data from the image of the object. The data is encoded by an optically detectable quantity (e.g., light intensity or color) or a pattern in one or more portions of the object. The data can be carried by the distribution of the optically detectable quantity within the image or its derivative. The field of view of the camera may be divided into multiple sub-areas to allow providing multiple data-bearing images. A sequence of such images may be used to increase the amount of data that can be transmitted in this manner. In addition, the time domain can be used to create one further dimension of data encoding. In addition, communication in the opposite direction may be provided using one or more lighting devices in the camera. One use is to provide a response (e.g., acknowledgement or non-acknowledgement to the data transmission based on the data recovered). The camera's response may be detected by one or more light detectors outside of the camera. Communication can be carried out using an interactive communication protocol. By providing multiple lighting devices in the camera and multiple light detectors in the outside, the system provides a parallel data bus, which may include a clock signal to govern timing on the bus. The data may be represented as quantized values. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073274 | IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED DYNAMIC RANGE WITH MULTIPLE READOUT CIRCUIT PATHS - An image sensor apparatus comprises an image sensor for generating digital images having a high dynamic range. The image sensor apparatus includes an image sensor for generating a first and a second set of digital image samples at a first bit depth, with each set of digital image samples generated by a different column readout circuit path. A processor combines the first and second set of digital image samples to generate a digital image at a second bit depth, the second bit depth higher than the first bit depth. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073275 | Image capturing apparatus with flash device - A digital camera ( | 2009-03-19 |
20090073276 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, METHOD THEREOF AND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE WITH IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, and an image processing system. The image capturing unit is configured for capturing images, including a first image of an object plus a background and a second image of the background only. The image processing system includes a color value measuring module, and a foreground image generating module. The color value measuring module is configured for measuring color value of each pixel of the second image and obtaining pixels of the first image corresponding to the object. The foreground image generating module is configured for extracting a foreground image consisting of the pixels of the first image corresponding to the object. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073277 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus is provided wherein a plurality of reference blocks of a size equal to that of a target block which has a predetermined size and includes a plurality of pixels set to a predetermined position in a target screen are set in a search range set on a reference screen and a motion vector is detected based on a positional displacement amount, on the screen, of that one of the reference blocks which has the highest correlation to the target block from the target block, comprising, a compression section, a first storage section, a decompression decoding section, a second storage section, and a mathematical operation section. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073278 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND DIGITAL CAMERA - A visual processing section | 2009-03-19 |
20090073279 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged in a matrix; and a pixel drive unit configured to drive the pixel array to perform a reset of the pixel array, a signal storage, and an output operation. The pixel drive unit includes a pixel reset control portion to supply a signal for resetting a pixel to the pixel circuits of a plurality of rows. The pixel reset control portion performs a reset control so that a row in which the reset signal is cancelled and a row in which the reset signal is continued always exist in one reset row change operation, and a row in which the reset signal continues to be supplied exists during two or more reset row change operations. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073280 | Digital Line Scan Camera - Disclosed is a digital line scan camera, having at least at least one focal plane, on which at least one linear photosensitive sensor is arranged, an objective lens, and a location measurement system. The location measurement system is used to determine six external location parameters, where the location system measurement comprises a satellite-supported position determination device and an inertial navigation measurement unit. The line scan camera includes at least on two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, which is synchronously driven with the linear sensor. At least one displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is calculated from the data of the minimum of one two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, and where the displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is used to correct the date of the inertial measurement unit. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073281 | IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels having a plurality of color sensitivity characteristics and a mixing portion for mixing charges stored in a plurality of the pixels having the same color sensitivity characteristic provided adjacent to a plurality of the pixels having the same color sensitivity characteristic. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073282 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - First YUV data produced from a pixel output in which one RAW-RGB data is read out from an SDRAM and is compensated in a dynamic range expansion compensating section of a YUV converting section and second YUV data produced from a pixel output which is equal to or more than a predetermined saturation level without performing a compensation process in the dynamic range expansion compensating section are loaded in a YUV compositing section, and then third YUV data is produced by compositing brightness data taken out from the first YUV data and color difference data taken out from the second YUV data. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073283 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING IMAGES - In a production system including a plurality of imaging devices associated with a respective production tool, an image capture unit, a controller, and an image storage unit, an image capturing method and apparatus is disclosed. The imaging device records the image and transmits the image to the image capture unit. The image capture unit processes the received image and stores the processed image in the image storage unit. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073284 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image sensor has a plurality of photo detectors each having a spectral sensitivity. An image data input unit inputs image data having a position, a spectral sensitivity, and a measured signal value of each photo detector in an area of the image sensor. A parameter estimation unit estimates each parameter of a plurality of spectral intensity functions using the image data. Each spectral intensity function represents an intensity of light corresponding to a spectrum in the area. An intensity estimation unit estimates the intensity of light in the area using the plurality of spectral intensity functions with each parameter. An output unit outputs the intensity of light for each photo detector. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073285 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A data processing apparatus includes: an image capture mode storing section that stores image capture modes each associated with a feature value related to a subject as a selection condition for selecting an image capture mode candidate according to the subject; a feature value extracting section that extracts a feature value included in captured data that is captured by converting incident light from the subject; an image capture mode candidate selecting section that selects image capture mode candidates from among the image capture modes stored in the image capture mode storing section, on the basis of the feature value extracted from the feature value extracting section; and a display control section that displays on a display section the image capture mode candidates selected by the image capture mode candidate selecting section. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073286 | Image-pickup apparatus and image-pickup-control method - An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup section that picks up images to obtain picked-up-image-data items, a temporarily retaining section that temporarily retains the picked-up-image-data items, a storage-process section that performs a storage process on the picked-up-image-data items, a movement-detecting section that detects a movement of the image-pickup apparatus, an operation section that performs a shutter operation, and a control section that causes the temporarily retaining section to retain picked-up-image-data items in a shutter-operation period, that selects, on the basis of detection results obtained by the movement-detecting section in the shutter-operation period, a picked-up-image-data item from among the retained picked-up-image-data items, and that causes the storage-process section to perform the storage process on the selected picked-up-image-data item. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073287 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - An image having the image quality desired by a photographer is provided by minimizing overexposure or underexposure, making the dynamic range wide, and specifying an optimum brightness level for a main subject. An image capturing device includes a subject detecting unit which detects a main subject in an image obtained before actual photographing; a subject luminance information acquiring unit which obtains luminance information; a luminance distribution calculating unit which calculates a luminance distribution of each of multiple areas; a target luminance calculating unit which determines a target luminance; a target luminance correcting unit which corrects the target luminance; and an exposure condition determining unit which determines an exposure condition for the actual photographing, in which the target luminance correcting unit includes a criterial range determining unit which determines the criterial range; and a correction amount determining unit which determines a correction amount by using the difference between the target luminance and the luminance of the main subject. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073288 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND REPRODUCING SYSTEM - An image pickup system according to the present invention includes an extracting unit for extracting a block area with a predetermined size from a signal of an image pickup device, a transforming unit for transforming the signal in the extracted block area into a signal in a frequency space, an estimating unit for estimating the amount of noises of a frequency component except for a zero-order component based on the zero-order component in the transformed signal in the frequency space, a noise reducing unit for reducing noises of the frequency component except for the zero-order component based on the estimated amount of noises, and a compressing unit for compressing the zero-order component and the frequency component except for the zero-order component from which the noises are reduced. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073289 | Method and apparatus for providing a rolling double reset timing for global storage in image sensors - An apparatus for and a method of operating an array of pixels of an image sensor, where each pixel includes at least a photosensor, an associated storage device and a floating diffusion region and the array of pixels is configured in a plurality of rows and columns. The photosensors associated with the pixels are reset and charges are accumulated in the photosensor. The accumulated charges are then globally transferred to storage devices associated with the pixels. A rolling double reset is used to reduce the deleterious effects on the accumulated charges stored in the storage devices. The accumulated charges stored in the storage devices are transferred to floating diffusion regions associated with the pixels and the charges residing in the floating diffusion region are read out. In a second embodiment the storage device is eliminated and the rolling double reset is used to reduce the deleterious effects on the accumulated charges stored in the floating diffusion region. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073290 | Electronic camera - An electronic camera includes: an image sensor having a charge transfer unit that transfers an electric charge for each pixel column; a correction unit that corrects an electric charge signal outputted from the charge transfer unit using a correction coefficient; and a control unit that controls the correction unit so that the correction coefficient is different according to operational conditions of the image sensor. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073291 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073292 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING A DIGITAL IMAGE WITH A LARGE DYNAMIC RANGE WITH A SENSOR OF LESSER DYNAMIC RANGE - A method is provided for obtaining an image with a large dynamic range. An image is acquired such that each image pixel is represented by a plurality of values obtained at the same time but for different integration levels (effective exposures). For each pixel, a representative value is selected among those available, such that it is neither saturated nor blackened. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073293 | CMOS image sensors with increased dynamic range and methods of operating the same - A method of operating an image sensor apparatus is provided. In this method, first digital image data is generated based on a first exposure data signal, wherein the first exposure data signal is indicative of an exposure level of the image sensor during a first exposure period. The first digital image data is stored in a storage circuit. Second digital image data is generated based on a second exposure data signal, wherein the second exposure data signal is indicative of an exposure level of the image sensor during a second exposure period. The second exposure period is different from the first exposure period. The second digital image data associated with the image sensor is selectively stored based on a value of the first digital image data associated with the image sensor. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073294 | Solid-state image capturing apparatus and electronic information device - A solid-state image capturing apparatus comprises a pixel array in which pixel sections for outputting a pixel signal in accordance with incident light are arranged in two dimensions, and a readout signal line arranged for each pixel section column on the pixel array, for reading out a pixel signal from each pixel section in each pixel section column, where each pixel section includes a light receiving section for performing photoelectric conversion on incident light; a signal charge storing section for storing a signal charge generated in the light receiving section and generating electric potential in accordance with the stored signal charge; and a reset transistor for resetting electric potential of the signal charge storing section to reset electric potential. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073295 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state image pickup device | 2009-03-19 |
20090073296 | Imaging device and imaging apparatus - An imaging device includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of vertical electric charge transfer paths; a horizontal transfer path that transfers; and a plurality of transfer connecting parts, wherein each of the transfer connecting parts includes an electric charge transfer channel that transfers a signal electric charges in a column direction, a width of the electric charge transfer channel in a row direction continuously increases over an entire part or a part of the electric charge transfer channel, a downstream side of the electric charge transfer channel in the column direction is large in increasing rate of the channel width than an upstream side of the electric charge transfer channel in the column direction. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073297 | TWISTED INPUT PAIR OF FIRST GAIN STAGE FOR HIGH SIGNAL INTEGRITY IN CMOS IMAGE SENSOR - Methods for forming conductors and global bus configurations for reducing an interference signal from electromagnetic interference (EMI) source are provided. First and second conductor lines are formed on an integrated circuit in a twisted pair configuration. A differential amplifier is formed on the integrated circuit and coupled to each of the first and second conductor lines. The first and second signals are respectively transmitted through the first and second conductor lines and are modified by the interference signal. The modified first and second signals are differentially amplified by the differential amplifier so that the interference signal is substantially cancelled. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073298 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel including, a column signal line, a readout circuit, an output line, and an output unit. The readout circuit includes a first accumulation unit, a first opening/closing unit, a second accumulation unit, a transmission unit, and a second opening/closing unit. A capacitance of the first accumulation unit is smaller than a capacitance of the second accumulation unit, and the signal held by the second accumulation unit is read out to the output unit based on the capacitance of the second accumulation unit and the capacitance of the output line. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073299 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VARIABLE MODE DRIVERS - In one aspect, a method of transferring charge from a photosensitive array using a plurality of vertical shift registers each having a plurality of vertical elements including a first vertical element and a last vertical element, each of the plurality of vertical elements capable of storing charge, the plurality of vertical shifter registers, when operated, are capable of transferring charge from each of the plurality of vertical elements to a respective adjacent one of the plurality of vertical elements in a first direction from the first vertical element to the last vertical element, and using at least one horizontal shift register having a plurality of horizontal elements, each of the plurality of horizontal elements of the at least one horizontal shift register arranged to receive charge transferred from the last vertical element of a respective one of the plurality of vertical shift registers, the at least one horizontal shift register, when operated, capable of transferring charge from each of the plurality of horizontal elements to a respective adjacent one of the plurality of horizontal elements is provided. The method comprises operating the at least one horizontal shift register during a plurality of horizontal operating intervals and operating the plurality of vertical shift registers during at least a portion of the plurality of horizontal operating intervals. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073300 | CLOCK MANAGEMENT OF BUS DURING VIEWFINDER MODE IN DIGITAL CAMERA DEVICE - This disclosure describes techniques for managing the clock speed of a bus during viewfinder mode in a digital camera device. The techniques involve determining a frame rate of frames displayed on a viewfinder, determining whether to adjust a clock speed of a bus based at least in part on the determined frame rate, wherein the bus is used to transfer the frames from a camera sensor to the viewfinder, and adjusting the clock speed of the bus upon determining that that the clock speed should be adjusted. The techniques may help ensure that the viewfinder delivers frames at a target frame rate. In addition, in some cases, the techniques may help to reduce power consumption by facilitating clock speed reductions in viewfinder mode. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073301 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD COMPATIBLE WITH A TELEVISION RECEIVER - A method for processing digital images and displaying them on a television receiver is provided. Initially, an image processing device receives digital image data from a digital camera or other digital device. Next, the digital image is stored on a storage device associated with the image processing device. This digital image on the storage device is converted into television signals and supplied to a television receiver where it can be displayed. Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing these images. This apparatus includes a first input terminal capable of receiving digital image data, a second input terminal capable of receiving commands from a user, an output terminal capable of supplying digital image data to a television receiver external to the apparatus, a storage device associated with the apparatus capable of storing the digital image data, and a processor capable of executing instructions in response to commands received over the second input terminal that store the received digital image in the storage device, converts the digital images into television signals, and transmit the television signals to the television receiver for display thereon. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073302 | OPTICAL UNIT AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An optical unit is provided which is characterized by compact configuration, high performance and minimized noise, and which has a drive element to drive a lens cone holding an image pickup optical system, and has the same outside diameter as the lens cone, wherein the optical unit drives the image pickup optical system by expanding and contracting the drive element in a direction of an optical axis of the image pickup optical system. An image pickup apparatus is provided which is characterized by compact configuration, high performance and minimized noise, and which has an optical unit coupled to an image pickup unit through a drive element, and has the same outside diameter as the optical unit, wherein the apparatus drives the optical unit by expanding and contracting the drive unit in a direction of an optical axis of the optical unit. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073303 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - The image pickup device includes a color separation prism which is composed of a plurality of prism members and which separates light into a plurality of color components, a plurality of solid-state image sensors fixed to the plurality of prism members, respectively, a plurality of image sensor boards on which the plurality of solid-state image sensors are mounted, respectively, an image control board to which image pickup signals generated by the plurality of image sensor boards, respectively, are inputted, and a flexible board which is connected to the image control board. The flexible board includes a signal transmission layer which is connected to each of the plurality of image sensor boards and which contains transmission paths for transmitting the image pickup signals to the image control board, and a heat radiating layer formed of a high heat conductivity material which is connected to each of the plurality of solid-state image sensors and fixed to the signal transmission layer via an insulating layer to transfer heat generated in the solid-state image sensors. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073304 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A data processing device includes: a face-detecting unit to detect a face region from an input image input from an imaging unit which images a subject including a face; a setting unit to calculate subject distance based on the face size of the face detected by the face-detecting unit, and set limits as a focus lens operation range before and after a focus lens position with the calculated subject distance as focal distance; a detecting unit to move a focus lens within the limits set by the setting unit, and detect a focal point where a detection value corresponding to the contrast intensity obtained from a face frame including the face detected by the face-detecting unit is not smaller than a threshold; and a control unit to determine, in a case wherein a focal point has been detected within predetermined set time, the focal point thereof as a focus position. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073305 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING DEVICE - An automatic focusing device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image sensor being subjected to exposure performed in a rolling shutter system, a focusing system including a focus lens for focusing on the image sensor, an AF evaluation value calculating unit calculating an AF evaluation value based on an imaging signal obtained from the image sensor, and an AF control unit controlling an operation of the focusing system based on an AF evaluation value of a focusing area set in a part of the imaging picture by the image sensor, and the AF control unit makes the AF evaluation value of a focusing area of each imaging picture and a focus lens position at the time of exposure for the focusing area correspond to each other, and drives the focusing system during the period which overlaps with an exposure period while searching the focus lens position where the AF evaluation value becomes maximum. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073306 | Method, medium, and apparatus for setting exposure time - A method, medium, and apparatus for setting an exposure time is provided. The apparatus includes a section setting module which sets one or more luminance sections based on a luminance distribution of an input image, an image division module which divides the input image into two or more regions, a region classification module which classifies the regions into the luminance sections, and an exposure-time setting module which sets an exposure time for each of the regions with reference to a target luminance value, the target luminance value being set based on the results of the classification performed by the region classification module. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073307 | Digital image capture device and method - A device for illuminating and capturing an image of an object can include a first light source mounted to structure; a second light source mounted to the structure; and an image sensor disposed adjacent to the first and second light sources and mounted to the structure. The image sensor may capture at least two different partial images of a target area, the partial images being captured under different acquisition conditions. A controller section may also include that has at least a memory that stores the at least two partial images to form a larger image. | 2009-03-19 |
20090073308 | Apparatuses and Methods for a Camera Head Enclosure Device for Facilitating Improved Imaging - A camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays used in various applications is provided. A personality plate configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is provided. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to a different photo-electric pixel array eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. The camera head enclosure apparatus may include carriers configured to hold circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected. Additionally or alternatively, the camera head enclosure apparatus may include an aperture adjustment assembly permitting alignment of the camera aperture with the photo-electric pixel array providing the capability to accommodate different types, sizes, and configurations of photo-electric pixel arrays. | 2009-03-19 |