US5685002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processing system capable of generating a multi-picture image
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-09-26
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Granted: 1997-11-04
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Expires: 2014-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An image processing system generates a multi-picture image in which a plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame, and includes an original picture generator such as image reader or film image scanner, a format determinator to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures and a multi-picture image generator to generate a multi-picture image in accordance with the determined visualization format. The determinator includes a detector to detect the number of the pictures and determines a suitable format based on the number of the pictures.
Inventors
- 👤 Homare Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/3872; H04N1/3873
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An image processing system comprising: an original picture generator operable to generate a plurality of pictures; a format determinator operable to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures; and a multi-picture image generator operable to generate a multi-picture image in which the plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame in accordance with the determined visualization format; wherein the format determinator includes: a detector operable to detect the number of the pictures; and a calculator which calculates a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An image processing system comprising: an original picture generator operable to generate a plurality of pictures; a format determinator operable to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures; and a multi-picture image generator operable to generate a multi-picture image in which the plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame in accordance with the determined visualization format; wherein the format determinator includes: a detector operable to detect the number of the pictures; and a calculator which calculates a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 1 wherein the calculator calculates a suitable matrix based on a square root of the number of the pictures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a printer operable to print the multi-picture image on a printing sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a cathode ray tube type display device to display the multi-picture image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a facsimile machine to transmit the multi-picture image.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for generating a multi-picture image in which a plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame, the method comprising: detecting the number of pictures stored on a recording medium; determining a suitable visualization format for the detected number; reading the pictures in accordance with the determined visualization format; and combining the read pictures to generate a multi-picture image; wherein the step of determining comprises calculating a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for generating a multi-picture image in which a plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame, the method comprising: detecting the number of pictures stored on a recording medium; determining a suitable visualization format for the detected number; reading the pictures in accordance with the determined visualization format; and combining the read pictures to generate a multi-picture image; wherein the step of determining comprises calculating a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 6 further comprising printing the generated multipicture image on printing paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image processing system comprising: an original picture generator operable to generate a plurality of pictures; a format determinator operable to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures in accordance with the number of pictures, the visualization format and the number of pictures being uncorrelated prior to the determination; and a multi-picture image generator operable to generate a multi-picture image in which the plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame in accordance with the determined visualization format; wherein the format determinator includes: a detector operable to detect the number of the pictures; and a calculator which calculates a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image processing system comprising: an original picture generator operable to generate a plurality of pictures; a format determinator operable to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures in accordance with the number of pictures, the visualization format and the number of pictures being uncorrelated prior to the determination; and a multi-picture image generator operable to generate a multi-picture image in which the plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame in accordance with the determined visualization format; wherein the format determinator includes: a detector operable to detect the number of the pictures; and a calculator which calculates a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 8 wherein the calculator calculates a suitable matrix based on a square root of the number of the pictures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 2 wherein the original picture generator includes an image reader operable to read the plurality of pictures recorded on a film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 10 wherein the image reader includes: a film feeder operable to feed the film: an image scanner operable to scan a picture located at a specified position; a controller operable to control the film feeder and the image scanner to feed a desired picture of the plurality of pictures to the specified position and scan the desired picture at the specified position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 11 wherein: the film is provided with a plurality of magnetic marks corresponding to the plurality of pictures respectively: and the format determinator includes a magnetic detector operable to read the magnetic marks to detect the number of the pictures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 11 wherein: the film is provided with a magnetic recording portion on which information on the number of the pictures is recorded; and the format determinator includes a magnetic detector operable to read the information recorded on the film to detect the number of the pictures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 13 wherein the format determinator detects the number of the pictures to determine a suitable format before the film scanner scans the pictures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 2 wherein the original picture generator includes an image reader operable to read the plurality of pictures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 2 further comprising a printer operable to print the multipicture image on a printing sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 2 further comprising a cathode ray tube type display device to display the multi-picture image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image processing system as defined in claim 2 further comprising a facsimile machine to transmit the multi-picture image.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for generating a multi-picture image in which a plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame, the method comprising: detecting the number of pictures stored on a recording medium; determining a suitable visualization format for the detected number in accordance with the number of pictures, the visualization format and the number of pictures being uncorrelated prior to the determination; reading the pictures in accordance with the determined visualization format; and combining the read pictures to generate a multi-picture image: wherein the step of determining comprises calculating a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for generating a multi-picture image in which a plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame, the method comprising: detecting the number of pictures stored on a recording medium; determining a suitable visualization format for the detected number in accordance with the number of pictures, the visualization format and the number of pictures being uncorrelated prior to the determination; reading the pictures in accordance with the determined visualization format; and combining the read pictures to generate a multi-picture image: wherein the step of determining comprises calculating a matrix of the visualization formats based on the number of the pictures.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 19 further comprising printing the generated multi-picture image on printing paper.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image processing system comprising: an original picture generator operable to generate a plurality of pictures; a format determinator operable to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures; a multi-picture image generator operable to generate a multi-picture image in which the plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame in accordance with the determined visualization format; and wherein the format determinator determines a visualization format in the form of a matrix, and includes: a detector operable to detect the number of the pictures; a calculator operable to calculate a square root of the detected number; and a matrix determinator operable to determine, based on the calculated square root, the number of columns and lines of a matrix suitable for the plurality of pictures.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image processing system comprising: an original picture generator operable to generate a plurality of pictures; a format determinator operable to determine a suitable visualization format for the plurality of pictures; a multi-picture image generator operable to generate a multi-picture image in which the plurality of pictures are arranged in a single frame in accordance with the determined visualization format; and wherein the format determinator determines a visualization format in the form of a matrix, and includes: a detector operable to detect the number of the pictures; a calculator operable to calculate a square root of the detected number; and a matrix determinator operable to determine, based on the calculated square root, the number of columns and lines of a matrix suitable for the plurality of pictures.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |