Author: claimsbot

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:
a media carrier;
at least two exposure heads spaced apart from one another, each exposure head disposed to image a portion of a single sheet of media secured on the media carrier, or one of at least two sheets of media secured on the media carrier; and
an adjustable mechanism for moving the exposure heads relative to each other to change a spacing therebetween wherein the adjustable mechanism comprises a heater located to controllably heat a rigid spacer coupling the exposure heads.
2. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
a media carrier;
at least two exposure heads spaced apart from one another, each exposure head disposed to image a portion of a single sheet of media secured on the media carrier, or one of at least two sheets of media secured on the media carrier;
an adjustable mechanism for moving the exposure heads relative to each other to change a spacing therebetween while each exposure head is imaging;
wherein the media carrier is a cylindrical drum and the media is secured to an external surface of the drum; and
wherein each exposure head is traversed by a leadscrew nut coupled to the exposure head and located on a common leadscrew and the adjustable mechanism comprises a coupling between at least one of the leadscrew nuts and the associated exposure head capable of being displaced relative to the other exposure head.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one of the leadscrew nuts is displaced by rotating the at least one of the leadscrew nuts on the common leadscrew.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, comprising an auxiliary motor for rotating the at least one of the leadscrew nuts in response to signals provided by a controller.
5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the leadscrew nuts is rotatable and the common leadscrew is held fixed.
6. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
a media carrier;
at least two exposure heads spaced apart from one another, each exposure head disposed to image a portion of a single sheet of media secured on the media carrier, or one of at least two sheets of media secured on the media carrier;
an adjustable mechanism for moving the exposure heads relative to each other to change a spacing therebetween during imaging;
wherein the media carrier is a cylindrical drum and the media is secured to an external surface of the drum; and
a speed controller connected to allow a traverse speed of at least one of the exposure heads to be controlled sufficiently precisely to adjust a position of a last channel to within less than one beam width.
7. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
a media carrier;
at least two exposure heads spaced apart from one another, each exposure head disposed to image a portion of a single sheet of media secured on the media carrier, or one of at least two sheets of media secured on the media carrier;
an adjustable mechanism for moving the exposure heads relative to each other to change a spacing therebetween while each exposure head is moving concurrently; and
wherein each exposure head is disposed to image along a scan path, and the adjustable mechanism is disposed to change the spacing along a direction substantially perpendicular to the scan path.
8. A method of imaging with at least two exposure heads, the method comprising:
loading at least one sheet of media on a media carrier;
measuring a temperature of an adjustable mechanism for moving the exposure heads relative to each other to change a spacing therebetween;
adjusting the spacing between the exposure heads in accordance with the measured temperature; and
imaging with each exposure head, a portion of a single sheet of media secured on the media carrier, or one of at least two sheets of media secured on the media carrier.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein in the event of a failure of one of the at least two exposure heads the imaging of any number and size of media is completed by another one of the exposure heads.
10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the relative spacing between the two or more exposure heads is adjusted by aligning each of the exposure heads to a target.
11. A method according to claim 8, wherein each exposure head has at least one imaging beam, the method further comprising determining the pointing location of the imaging beam and adjusting the spacing between the exposure heads in accordance with the pointing location of the imaging beam.
12. A method according to claim 8, comprising joining the portion imaged by each exposure head to form a unitary image on the single sheet of media secured on the media carrier.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the joining comprises at least partially overlapping the portions imaged by each exposure head.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a controller that:
detects an amount of oxygen stored in an upstream catalyst and a separate amount of oxygen stored in a downstream catalyst;
controls the amount of stored oxygen in the upstream catalyst by controlling an air-fuel ratio of gasses that flow into the catalyst based on said detected amounts;
detects an oxygen storage capacity of the upstream catalyst based on said detected amount of stored oxygen in the upstream catalyst; and
determines degradation of said upstream catalyst based on said detected oxygen storage capacity of the upstream catalyst.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an upstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located upstream of said upstream catalyst, and a downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located between said upstream catalyst and said downstream catalyst.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controller further detects said amount of oxygen stored in said upstream catalyst and said amount of oxygen stored in said downstream catalyst based on said upstream and downstream sensors.
4. A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a controller that:
detects an amount of oxygen stored in an upstream catalyst and an amount of oxygen stored in a downstream catalyst;
controls the amount of stored oxygen in the upstream catalyst by controlling an air-fuel ratio of gasses that flow into the upstream catalyst;

detects an oxygen storage capacity of the upstream catalyst based on said detected amount of stored oxygen in the upstream catalyst during vehicle operation;
determines degradation of said upstream catalyst based on said detected oxygen storage capacity;

an upstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located upstream of said upstream catalyst: and
a downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located between said upstream catalyst and said downstream catalyst.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said controller further detects said amount of oxygen stored in said upstream catalyst and said amount of oxygen stored in said downstream catalyst based on said upstream and downstream sensors.
6. A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a controller that:
detects an amount of oxygen stored in an upstream catalyst and an amount of oxygen stored in a downstream catalyst;
controls the amount of stored oxygen in the upstream catalyst by controlling an air-fuel ratio of gasses that flow into the catalyst; and
detects an oxygen storage capacity of the upstream catalyst based on operation where the engine is operated lean to fill the upstream catalyst with oxygen and then the engine is operated rich;
determines degradation of said upstream catalyst based on said detected oxygen storage capacity;

an upstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located upstream of said upstream catalyst; and
a downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located between said upstream catalyst and said downstream catalyst.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said controller further detects said amount of oxygen stored in said upstream catalyst and said amount of oxygen stored in said downstream catalyst based on said upstream and downstream sensors.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said lean operation is ended based on said downstream sensor.
9. A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a controller that:
detects an amount of oxygen stored in an upstream catalyst and a separate amount of oxygen stored in a downstream catalyst;
controls the amount of stored oxygen in the upstream catalyst by controlling an air-fuel ratio of gasses that flow into the catalyst; and
detects an oxygen storage capacity of the upstream catalyst based on operation where the engine is operated rich to deplete oxygen in the upstream catalyst and then the engine is operated lean; and
determines degradation of said upstream catalyst based on said detected oxygen storage capacity of said upstream catalyst.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an upstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located upstream of said upstream catalyst, and a downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor located between said upstream catalyst and said downstream catalyst.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said controller further detects said amount of oxygen stored in said upstream catalyst and said amount of oxygen stored in said downstream catalyst based on said upstream and downstream sensors.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rich operation is ended based on said downstream sensor.
13. A method for detecting deterioration of a catalyst for an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
detecting an amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst;
controlling said amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst by adjusting air-fuel ratio of the engine based on said detected amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst;
determining degradation of the catalyst based on said detected amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst, wherein said determining degradation includes determing a level of degradation.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said control is based on an error between a set point amount of oxygen storage and said detected amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said set point is at a location in an exhaust system, said location moved based on engine operating conditions.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein set point location is moved along a length of the exhaust system.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein set point location is moved between different positions in a catalyst brick.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein set point location is moved between different catalysts.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein set point location is moved between different catalyst bricks.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein said adjusting air-fuel ratio of the engine includes adjusting injected fuel that enters the engine combustion chamber.
21. The method of claim 13 wherein said determining degradation includes determining a rate of degradation.
22. A method for detecting deterioration of a catalyst for an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
detecting an amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst;
controlling said amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst by adjusting air-fuel ratio of the engine based on said detected amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst;
detecting an oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst based on said detected amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst;
determining degradation of the catalyst based on said detected oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst; and
wherein said control is based on an error between a set point amount of oxygen storage and said detected amount of stored oxygen in the catalyst.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein said set point is at a location in an exhaust system, said location moved based on engine operating conditions.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein set point location is moved along a length of the exhaust system.
25. The method of claim 22 wherein set point location is moved between different positions in a catalyst brick.
26. The method of claim 22 wherein set point location is moved between different catalysts.
27. The method of claim 22 wherein set point location is moved between different catalyst bricks.
28. The method of claim 22 wherein said adjusting air-fuel ratio of the engine includes adjusting injected fuel that enters the engine combustion chamber.
29. The method of claim 22 wherein said determining degradation includes determining a level of degradation.
30. The method of claim 22 wherein said determining degradation includes determining a rate of degradation.

1. A method for selectively processing a digital image, said method comprising:
a) performing segmentation on an image thereby dividing said image into content regions;
b) estimating a complexity measure for each of said regions, said complexity measure being based on said regional attributes;
c) performing an image enhancement process on a region only when said complexity measure meets a criterion.
2. A method for selectively processing a digital image, said method comprising:
a) performing segmentation on a non-object-based image data set thereby dividing said image data set into content regions;
b) obtaining process performance data for a process wherein said performance data relates to image complexity;
c) estimating a complexity measure for each of said regions, said complexity measure being related to said process performance data;
d) performing an image enhancement process on a region when said complexity measure for said region meets a criterion.
3. A method as described in claim 2 further comprising performing an alternative image enhancement process on said region when said complexity measure for said region does not meet said criterion.
4. A method as described in claim 2 further comprising performing a global image enhancement process on said image when said complexity measure for said region does not meet said criterion.
5. A method as described in claim 2 further comprising performing an alternative image enhancement process on said region when said complexity measures for a plurality of said regions do not meet said criterion.
6. A method as described in claim 2 further comprising performing an alternative image enhancement process on said region when said complexity measure for said region meets a second criterion.
7. A method for selectively processing a digital image, said method comprising:
a) performing segmentation on an image thereby dividing said image into content regions;
b) estimating a complexity measure for each of said regions, said complexity measure being based on said regional attributes;
c) performing a variable image enhancement process on a region such that a variable aspect of said image enhancement process is performed in proportion to said complexity measure for said region.
8. An apparatus for selectively processing a digital image, said apparatus comprising:
a) a segmenter for performing segmentation on an image thereby dividing said image into content regions;
b) an estimator for estimating a complexity measure for each of said regions, said complexity measure being based on said regional attributes; and
c) a processor for performing an image enhancement process on a region when said complexity measure meets a criterion.
9. An apparatus for selectively processing a digital image, said apparatus comprising:
a) a non-object-based image data set
b) a segmenter for performing segmentation on said image data set thereby dividing said image into content regions;
c) process performance data for a process wherein said performance data relates to image complexity;
d) an estimator for estimating a complexity measure for each of said regions, said complexity measure being related to said process performance data;
e) a processor for performing an image enhancement process on a region when said complexity measure for said region meets a criterion.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An orthodontic band seating tool comprising:
a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, the shaft comprising a shaft member and an adjustment member, the adjustment member moveably coupled to the shaft member for translational movement in the longitudinal direction relative to the shaft member; and
first and second spaced-apart claws extending away from an end of the shaft, each claw having an end portion further comprising an engagement feature having a surface positionable against an edge of the band;
wherein the end portion of the first claw extends toward the second claw and the end portion of the second claw extends toward the first claw; and
wherein one of the first and second claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment member such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment member in the longitudinal direction causes corresponding relative movement between the first and second claws in the longitudinal direction.
2. A tool according to claim 1 wherein the first and second claws are concave shaped and the end portion of the first claw curves towards the second claw and the end portion of the second claw curves toward the first claw.
3. A tool according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the claws is pivotally coupled to the shaft via a pivot joint.
4. A tool according to claim 3 wherein the shaft comprises a first stop surface located to abut against a corresponding first surface of the at least one of the claws when the pivot joint reaches a first angular configuration and to thereby prevent further pivotal movement of the pivot joint in a first angular direction.
5. A tool according to claim 4 comprising a biasing mechanism for applying a bias force to the at least one of the claws, the bias force tending to maintain the pivot joint in the first angular configuration.
6. A tool according to claim 5 wherein the shaft comprises a second stop surface located to abut against a corresponding second surface of the at least one of the claws when the pivot joint reaches a second angular configuration and to thereby prevent further pivotal movement of the pivot joint in a second angular direction.
7. An orthodontic band seating tool comprising:
a shaft;
first and second spaced-apart claws extending away from an end of the shaft, each claw having an end portion further comprising an engagement feature having a surface positionable against an edge of the band; and
a bite-receiving member having a bite-receiving surface for receiving force applied to the tool by one or more opposing teeth of the patient and a trunk portion for transferring the force received on the bite-receiving surface to the claws and their corresponding engagement features;
wherein the end portion of the first claw extends toward the second claw and the end portion of the second claw extends toward the first claw and wherein at least one of the claws is pivotally coupled to the shaft via a pivot joint.
8. A tool according to claim 7 wherein the bite-receiving member comprises a safety portion which extends from the trunk portion, through the shaft assembly and between the pair of claws.
9. A tool according to claim 3, wherein each engagement feature comprises a notch having a catch ledge for engaging the edge of the band and a guide surface for engaging an outer surface of the band.
10. (canceled)
11. A tool according to claim 1 wherein the claw coupled to the adjustment member is integrally formed with the adjustment member.
12. An orthodontic band seating tool comprising:
a shaft; and
first and second spaced-apart claws extending away from an end of the shaft, each claw having an end portion further comprising an engagement feature having a surface positionable against an edge of the band;
wherein the end portion of the first claw extends toward the second claw and the end portion of the second claw extends toward the first claw;
wherein the shaft comprises a shaft member and an adjustment member moveably coupled to the shaft member and wherein one of the first and second claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment member such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment member causes corresponding relative movement between the first and second claws; and
wherein the shaft comprises a ratchet mechanism for locking a position of the adjustment member relative to the shaft member.
13. An orthodontic band seating tool comprising:
a shaft; and
first and second spaced-apart claws extending away from an end of the shaft, each claw having an end portion further comprising an engagement feature having a surface positionable against an edge of the band;
wherein the end portion of the first claw extends toward the second claw and the end portion of the second claw extends toward the first claw;
wherein the shaft comprises a shaft member and an adjustment member moveably coupled to the shaft member and wherein one of the first and second claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment member such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment member causes corresponding relative movement between the first and second claws; and
wherein the shaft member comprises one or more adjustment features for selectively engaging one or more corresponding adjustment features of the adjustment member and thereby locking a position of the adjustment member relative to the shaft member.
14. A tool according to claim 13 wherein the adjustment features on the shaft member and the corresponding adjustment features on the adjustment member are saw-tooth shaped.
15. A tool according to claim 13 wherein the shaft comprises an engagement mechanism having a first configuration wherein the one or more adjustment features of the shaft member engage the one or more corresponding adjustment features of the adjustment member and a second configuration wherein the one or more adjustment features of the shaft member are disengaged from the one or more corresponding adjustment features of the adjustment member.
16. An orthodontic band seating tool comprising:
a shaft; and
first and second spaced-apart claws extending away from an end of the shaft, each claw having an end portion further comprising an engagement feature having a surface positionable against an edge of the band;
wherein the end portion of the first claw extends toward the second claw and the end portion of the second claw extends toward the first claw;
wherein the shaft comprises a shaft member and an adjustment member moveably coupled to the shaft member and wherein one of the first and second claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment member such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment member causes corresponding relative movement between the-first and second claws; and
wherein the adjustment member comprises a hand actuatable tab coupled to a pivotal joint, the tab comprising one or more adjustment features for selectively engaging one or more corresponding adjustment features of the shaft member and thereby locking a position of the adjustment member relative to the shaft member.
17. A tool according to claim 16 wherein the adjustment features on the tab and the corresponding adjustment features on the shaft member are saw-tooth shaped.
18. A tool according to claim 16 wherein the tab comprises a lever portion for adjusting the pivotal joint between the tab and the shaft member between a first configuration wherein the one or more adjustment features of the tab engage the one or more corresponding adjustment features of the shaft member and a second configuration wherein the one or more adjustment features of the tab are disengaged from the one or more corresponding adjustment features of the shaft member.
19. A tool according to claim 18 wherein the pivotal joint between the tab and the adjustment member is biased toward the first configuration.
20. A tool according to claim 1 wherein the claw coupled to the shaft member is pivotally coupled.
21. A tool according to claim 1 wherein each engagement feature comprises a notch having a catch ledge for engaging the edge of the band and a guide surface for engaging an outer surface of the band.
22. A tool according to claim 21 wherein an angle between the catch ledge and the guide surface is in a range of 30-90 degrees.
23. A tool according to claim 21 wherein a dimension of the guide surface is in a range of 0.5-3 mm.
24. A tool according to claim 21 wherein a dimension of the catch ledge is in a range of 0.2-1 mm.
25. A tool according to claim 1 wherein each engagement feature comprises at least one of: one or more indents and one or more protrusions.
26. An orthodontic band seating tool comprising:
a shaft;
first and second spaced-apart claws extending away from an end of the shaft, each claw having an end portion further comprising an engagement feature having a surface positionable against an edge of the band; and
a safety member which extends from the shaft and between the first and second claws;
wherein the end portion of the first claw extends toward the second claw and the end portion of the second claw extends toward the first claw.
27. A tool according to claim 26 wherein at least one of the claws is pivotally coupled to the shaft via a pivot joint.
28. A tool according to claim 26 wherein the shaft comprises a shaft member and an adjustment member moveably coupled to the shaft member and wherein one of the pair of claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment member such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment member causes corresponding relative movement between the claws.
29. A tool according to claim 28, wherein each engagement feature comprises a notch having a catch ledge for engaging the edge of the band and a guide surface for engaging a outer surface of the band.
30. A tool for seating an orthodontic band on a tooth of a patient, the tool comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly; and
a pair of claws which comprise concave body portions that are spaced apart from one another and which comprise end portions that extend toward one another as the claws extend away from the shaft assembly, the end portion of each claw comprising a corresponding engagement feature for engaging an edge of the band on a corresponding side thereof;
wherein force applied to the tool is transferable to opposite sides of the edge of the band via the corresponding engagement features of the claws; and
wherein the concave body portions of the pair of claws are spaced apart sufficiently far that the concave body portions of the claws do not contact the tooth during application of force to the band.
31. (canceled)
32. A tool according to claim 30 wherein at least one of the claws is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly via a pivot joint.
33. A tool according to claim 30 wherein the shaft assembly comprises a shaft member and an adjustment assembly moveably coupled to the shaft member and wherein one of the pair of claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment assembly, such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment assembly causes corresponding relative movement between the claws.
34. A tool for seating an orthodontic band on a tooth of a patient, the tool comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly;
a pair of claws which are spaced apart from one another and which comprise end portions that extend toward one another as the claws extend away from the shaft assembly the end portion of each claw comprising a corresponding engagement feature for engaging an edge of the band on a corresponding side thereof; and
a ratchet mechanism for locking a position of the adjustment assembly relative to the shaft member;
wherein the shaft assembly comprises a shaft member and a adjustment assembly moveably coupled to the shaft member and wherein one of the fair of claws is coupled to each of the shaft member and the adjustment assembly, such that relative movement between the shaft member and the adjustment assembly causes corresponding relative movement between the claws; and
wherein force applied to the tool is transferable to opposite sides of the edge of the band via the claws and their corresponding engagement features.
35. A tool according to claim 31 wherein each engagement feature comprises a notch having a catch ledge for engaging the edge of the band and a guide surface for engaging an outer surface of the band.
36. A tool according to claim 30 comprising a safety member which extends from the shaft assembly and between the pair of claws.
37. A tool according to claim 35 wherein the guide surface is concave in a direction transverse to a direction which the claws extend away from the shaft assembly.
38. A tool according to claim 9 wherein the guide surface is concave in a direction transverse to a direction which the claws extend away from the shaft assembly.