Author: claimsbot

1. A display apparatus, comprising:
a display video information input unit that receives input of display video information to be a source of video displayed in a monitor;
a camera or cameras;
a user video information input unit that receives input of user video information, which is acquired by the camera or cameras and video information of a user watching video displayed in the monitor;
a sight line detection unit that detects a line of sight of the user by analyzing the user video information whose input is received by the user video information input unit;
an enhancement processing unit that detects an intersection point of the line of sight of the user detected by the sight line detection unit and a video display surface of the monitor as an attention point and performs enhancement processing for the monitor by setting a higher gain amount in stages from a position of a longer distance from the attention point toward a position of a smaller distance; and
a display video output control unit that outputs video via the monitor based on the gain amount set by the enhancement processing unit and the display video information whose input is received by the display video information input unit,
said user video information input unit and said sight line detection unit being operable to detect a number of users currently watching the video displayed in the monitor, and when a detection result thereof indicates that more than one user is currently watching the video displayed in the monitor said enhancement processing unit obtains a respective attention point for each detected user and performs the enhancement processing with regard thereto to obtain a respective gain amount for said each detected user and superimposes gain amounts for all detected users by adding together each said respective gain amount to obtain a superimposed gain amount which is utilized in outputting the video via the monitor,
wherein when the superimposed gain amount obtained by the enhancement processing unit exceeds a predetermined amount, the superimposed gain amount is reduced by subtracting a value therefrom or by multiplying by a value less than one.
2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the enhancement processing unit
sets a higher gain amount in stages from a position of a longer distance from each said attention point toward the position of a shorter distance by setting the higher gain amount in stages, among a plurality of regions divided by one or a plurality of concentric circles around each said attention point, from the region of the longer distance from each said attention point toward the region of the smaller distance.
3. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the enhancement processing unit
sets the gain amount by obtaining a radius of the one concentric circle or each of the plurality of concentric circles by successively increasing the distance from each said attention point by an increment of a predetermined length.
4. The display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the enhancement processing unit sets the gain amount by defining the predetermined length as being equal to or less than the distance between adjacent pixels constituting the monitor.
5. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the enhancement processing unit
sets the gain amount by defining the one or the plurality of concentric circles around each said attention point as ellipses having a ratio matching the aspect ratio of the monitor as the major axisminor axis ratio.
6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a user position detection unit that detects the position of each user, wherein
the enhancement processing unit
defines a set of intersection points of a group of lines forming a predetermined angle to the line of sight of each respective user with the position of the respective user detected by the user position detection unit as a reference point and the video display surface of the monitor as a boundary, divides the monitor into a plurality of regions by the boundary by setting one or a plurality of the angles, and sets a higher gain amount in stages from the position of a longer distance from the respective attention point toward the position of a shorter distance by setting the higher gain amount in stages, among the plurality of regions, from the region of the longer distance from the respective attention point toward the region of the smaller distance.
7. The display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
the enhancement processing unit
sets the gain amount by obtaining the one angle or each of the plurality of angles by successively increasing the angle formed with the line sight by an increment of a predetermined angle.
8. The display apparatus according to any one of claim 1, further comprising:
a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance between the monitor and each user, wherein
the enhancement processing unit
performs enhancement processing for the monitor by setting the higher gain amount in stages with the increasing distance between the monitor and the respective user calculated by the distance calculation unit.
9. A display method, comprising the steps of:
receiving input of display video information to be a source of video displayed in a monitor through a display video information input unit;
receiving input of user video information, which is acquired by a camera or cameras and video information of a user watching video displayed in the monitor through a user video information input unit;
detecting a line of sight of the user by analyzing the user video information whose input is received by the user video information input unit through a sight line detection unit;
detecting an intersection point of the line of sight of the user detected by the sight line detection unit and a video display surface of the monitor as an attention point and performing enhancement processing for the monitor by setting a higher gain amount in stages from a position of a longer distance from the attention point toward a position of a smaller distance through an enhancement processing unit; and
outputting video via the monitor based on the gain amount set by the enhancement processing unit and the display video information whose input is received by the display video information input unit through a display video output control unit,
and further comprising the steps of:
detecting by use of said user video information input unit and said sight line detection unit a number of users currently watching the video displayed in the monitor, and when a detection result thereof indicates that more than one user is currently watching the video displayed in the monitor obtaining by use of said enhancement processing unit a respective attention point for each detected user and performing the enhancement processing with regard thereto to obtain a respective gain amount for said each detected user and superimposing gain amounts for all detected users by adding together each said respective gain amount to obtain a superimposed gain amount which is utilized in the outputting of the video via the monitor,
wherein when the superimposed gain amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the superimposed gain amount is reduced by subtracting a value therefrom or by multiplying by a value less than one.

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 optical densitometer, comprising:
an optical emitter configured to emit a light beam along an optical axis, the light beam having an optical intensity;
an optical receiver spaced-apart from the optical emitter and configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted light beam, the optical receiver operable, upon receipt of the emitted light beam, to supply a signal representative of the optical intensity of the received light beam; and
an optical path purge device positioned between the optical emitter and the optical receiver, the optical path purge device including:
a first optical port, a second optical port, and an optical passageway extending therebetween, the first and second optical ports and the optical passageway all disposed at least partially along the optical axis to thereby allow light beam transmission therethrough, and
a purge gas inlet port, a purge gas exhaust port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of purge gas, the purge gas flow passage in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed at least substantially transverse thereto, the purge gas flow passage configured, upon the purge gas flowing therethrough, to create a differential pressure between the purge gas flow passage and the first and second optical ports that draws gas into the optical passageway via the first and second optical ports.
2. The densitometer of claim 1, further comprising:
an emitter chamber at least partially enclosing the optical emitter and including at least a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, the emitter chamber fluid inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas, the emitter chamber fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the optical path purge device first optical port.
3. The densitometer of claim 1, further comprising:
a receiver chamber at least partially enclosing the optical receiver and including at least a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, the receiver chamber fluid inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas, the receiver chamber fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the optical path purge device optical passageway, whereby the light beam passes through the receiver chamber fluid outlet port.
4. The densitometer of claim 1, further comprising:
an environmental chamber disposed between the optical emitter and the optical receiver, the environmental chamber including an inner surface that defines a volume in which a measurement gas is disposed, a purge gas inlet port, a first relief gas inlet port, and a second relief gas inlet port, the purge gas inlet port in fluid communication with the optical path purge device purge gas inlet port and adapted to receive the flow of purge gas, the first and second relief gas inlet ports in fluid communication with the optical path purge device optical passageway, whereby the light beam passes through the environmental passageway.
5. The densitometer of claim 1, wherein the flow of purge gas has a first fluid velocity, and wherein the optical path purge device further comprises:
a purge gas inlet section including the purge gas inlet port, a purge gas outlet port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas flow passage configured to increase the fluid velocity of the purge gas flowing therethrough, the purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that the increased fluid velocity purge gas exits therefrom substantially transverse to the optical axis; and
an exhaust section including an inlet port, the purge gas exhaust port, and an exhaust flow passage extending therebetween, the inlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that at least a portion of the increased fluid velocity purge gas flows through the inlet port and into the exhaust flow passage, the inlet port and at least a portion of the exhaust flow passage forming a venturi throat, whereby the differential pressure is created upon increased fluid velocity purge gas flowing therethrough.
6. The densitometer of claim 1, further comprising:
a second optical path purge device positioned between the optical emitter and the optical receiver, the optical path purge device including:
a first optical port, a second optical port, and an optical passageway extending therebetween along the optical axis, whereby the light beam passes through the optical passageway, and
a purge gas inlet port, a purge gas exhaust port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of purge gas, the purge gas flow passage in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed substantially transverse thereto, the purge gas flow passage configured, upon the purge gas flowing therethrough, to create a differential pressure between the purge gas flow passage and the first and second optical ports.
7. The densitometer of claim 6, wherein the flow of purge gas has a first fluid velocity, and wherein the second optical path purge device further comprises:
a purge gas inlet section including the purge gas inlet port, a purge gas outlet port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas flow passage configured to increase the fluid velocity of the purge gas flowing therethrough, the purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that the increased fluid velocity purge gas exits therefrom substantially transverse to the optical axis; and
an exhaust section including an inlet port, the purge gas exhaust port, and an exhaust flow passage extending therebetween, the inlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that at least a portion of the increased fluid velocity purge gas flows through the inlet port and into the exhaust flow passage, the inlet port and at least a portion of the exhaust flow passage forming a venturi throat, whereby the differential pressure is created upon increased fluid velocity purge gas flowing therethrough.
8. The densitometer of claim 6, further comprising:
an emitter chamber at least partially enclosing the optical emitter and including at least a relief gas inlet port and a relief gas outlet port, the emitter chamber relief gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas, the emitter chamber relief gas outlet port in fluid communication with the optical path purge device first optical port; and
a receiver chamber at least partially enclosing the optical receiver and including at least a relief gas inlet port and a relief gas outlet port, the receiver chamber relief gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas, the receiver chamber relief gas outlet port in fluid communication with the second optical path purge device first optical port.
9. The densitometer of claim 8, wherein the differential pressure draws the flow of relief gas into the emitter and receiver chambers, and into the optical purge device first optical ports.
10. The densitometer of claim 8, further comprising:
an environmental chamber disposed between the emitter chamber and the receiver chamber and at least partially enclosing the optical purge devices, the environmental chamber including an inner surface that defines a volume in which a measurement gas is disposed, the environmental chamber further including first and second purge gas inlet ports, each purge gas inlet port in fluid communication with one of the optical path purge device purge gas inlet ports and adapted to receive the flow of purge gas at the first fluid velocity.
11. The densitometer of claim 10, wherein the environmental chamber further includes first and second purge gas outlet ports, each purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with one of the optical path purge device exhaust section exhaust ports.
12. The densitometer of claim 11, wherein the differential pressure draws:
(i) the flow of relief gas into the emitter and receiver chambers, and into the optical purge device first optical ports; and
(ii) a portion of the measurement gas into each of the optical purge device second optical ports.
13. An optical densitometer, comprising:
an optical emitter configured to emit a light beam along an optical axis, the light beam having an optical intensity;
an optical receiver spaced-apart from the optical emitter and configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted light beam, the optical receiver operable, upon receipt of the emitted light beam, to supply a signal representative of the optical intensity of the received light beam;
first and second optical path purge devices positioned between the optical emitter and the optical receiver, each optical path purge device including:
a first optical port, a second optical port, and an optical passageway extending therebetween, the first and second optical ports and the optical passageway all disposed at least partially along the optical axis to thereby allow light beam transmission therethrough, and
a purge gas inlet port, a purge gas exhaust port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of purge gas, the purge gas flow passage in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed at least substantially transverse thereto, the purge gas flow passage configured, upon the purge gas flowing therethrough, to create a differential pressure between the purge gas flow passage and the first and second optical ports that draws gas into the optical passageway via the first and second optical ports.
14. The densitometer of claim 13, further comprising:
an environmental chamber disposed between the emitter chamber and the receiver chamber and at least partially enclosing the optical purge devices, the environmental chamber including an inner surface that defines a volume in which a measurement gas is disposed, the environmental chamber further including first and second purge gas inlet ports, each purge gas inlet port in fluid communication with one of the optical path purge device purge gas inlet ports and adapted to receive the flow of purge gas.
15. The densitometer of claim 13, wherein the flow of purge gas has a first fluid velocity, and wherein each optical path purge device further comprises:
a purge gas inlet section including the purge gas inlet port, a purge gas outlet port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas flow passage configured to increase the fluid velocity of the purge gas flowing therethrough, the purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that the increased fluid velocity purge gas exits therefrom substantially transverse to the optical axis; and an exhaust section including an inlet port, the purge gas exhaust port, and an exhaust flow passage extending therebetween, the inlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that at least a portion of the increased fluid velocity purge gas flows through the inlet port and into the exhaust flow passage, the inlet port and at least a portion of the exhaust flow passage forming a venturi throat, whereby the differential pressure is created upon increased fluid velocity purge gas flowing therethrough.
16. The densitometer of claim 14, wherein the environmental chamber further includes first and second purge gas outlet ports, each purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with one of the optical path purge device purge gas exhaust ports.
17. The densitometer of claim 14, further comprising:
an emitter chamber at least partially enclosing the optical emitter and including at least a relief gas inlet port and a relief gas outlet port, the emitter chamber relief gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas, the emitter chamber relief gas outlet port in fluid communication with the optical path purge device first optical port; and
a receiver chamber at least partially enclosing the optical receiver and including at least a relief gas inlet port and a relief gas outlet port, the receiver chamber relief gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas, the receiver chamber relief gas outlet port in fluid communication with the second optical path purge device first optical port.
18. The densitometer of claim 17, wherein the differential pressure draws:
(i) the flow of relief gas into the emitter and receiver chambers, and into the optical purge device first optical ports; and
(ii) a portion of the measurement gas into each of the optical purge device second optical ports.
19. An optical densitometer, comprising:
an optical emitter configured to emit a light beam along an optical axis, the light beam having an optical intensity;
an optical receiver spaced-apart from the optical emitter and configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted light beam, the optical receiver operable, upon receipt of the emitted light beam, to supply a signal representative of the optical intensity of the received light beam;
an emitter chamber at least partially enclosing the optical emitter and including at least a relief gas inlet port and a relief gas outlet port, the emitter chamber relief gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas;
a receiver chamber at least partially enclosing the optical receiver and including at least a relief gas inlet port and a relief gas outlet port, the receiver chamber relief gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of relief gas;
first and second optical path purge devices positioned between the emitter and receiver chambers, each optical path purge device including:
a first optical port, a second optical port, and an optical passageway extending therebetween, the first and second optical ports and the optical passageway all disposed at least partially along the optical axis to thereby allow light beam transmission therethrough,
a purge gas inlet section including a purge gas inlet port, a purge gas outlet port, and a purge gas flow passage extending therebetween, the purge gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of purge gas at a fluid velocity, the purge gas flow passage configured to increase the fluid velocity of the purge gas flowing therethrough, the purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that the increased fluid velocity purge gas exits therefrom at least substantially transverse to the optical axis, and
an exhaust section including an inlet port, an exhaust port, and an exhaust flow passage extending therebetween, the inlet port in fluid communication with the optical passageway and disposed relative thereto such that at least a portion of the increased fluid velocity purge gas flows through the inlet port and into the exhaust flow passage, the inlet port and at least a portion of the exhaust flow passage forming a venturi throat, whereby, upon the increased fluid velocity purge gas flowing therethrough, a differential pressure is created between the purge gas flow passage and the first and second optical ports.
20. The densitometer of claim 19, further comprising:
an environmental chamber disposed between the emitter chamber and the receiver chamber and at least partially enclosing the optical purge devices, the environmental chamber including:
an inner surface that defines a volume in which a measurement gas is disposed,
first and second purge gas inlet ports, each purge gas inlet port in fluid communication with one of the optical path purge device purge gas inlet ports and adapted to receive the flow of purge gas at the first flow velocity, and
first and second purge gas outlet ports, each purge gas outlet port in fluid communication with one of the optical path purge device exhaust section exhaust ports,

wherein the differential pressure draws:
(i) the flow of relief gas into the emitter and receiver chambers, and into the optical purge device first optical ports; and
(ii) a portion of the measurement gas into each of the optical purge device second optical ports.

1. A printer, comprising:
a recording head, having a plurality of nozzles adapted to eject ink droplets toward a printing medium which is transported in a first direction;
a head supporting member, supporting the recording head;
a light emitter, operable to emit light; and
a light receiver, adapted to receive light reflected from the printing medium, wherein:
the nozzles are arranged in the first direction to form a nozzle array;
the light emitter and the light receiver are disposed between a first one of the nozzles and an upstream end of the head supporting member relative to the first direction;
the first one of the nozzles is located in an upstream end of the nozzle array relative to the first direction; and
the light emitter and the light receiver are provided on the head supporting member and arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
2. The printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the head supporting member is a carriage operable to carry the recording head, the light emitter and the light receiver in the second direction.
3. The printer as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:
a sensor body, formed with recesses respectively holding the light emitter and the light receiver.
4. The printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the sensor body has a first face facing the upstream side, and the carriage has a second face facing the upstream side; and
the sensor body is attached on the carriage such that the first face is made flush with the second face.
5. The printer as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:
a connector section, formed in the sensor body and adapted to be connected with a mating connector which is electrically connected to a control section of the printer.
6. The printer as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:
a retainer, provided on the carriage and retaining the sensor body.
7. The printer as set forth in claim 6, wherein:
a projection is extended from the sensor body in the second direction; and
the retainer comprises a pair of projections arranged in the first direction and clamping the projection therebetween.
8. A printing method performed in a printer which comprises:
a recording head, having a plurality of nozzles adapted to eject ink droplets toward a printing medium which is transported in a first direction;
a head supporting member, supporting the recording head;
a light emitter, disposed on the head supporting member and operable to emit light; and
a light receiver, disposed on the head supporting member and adapted to receive light reflected from the printing medium, the method comprising:
emitting light from the light emitter;
detecting that the presence of the printing medium based on change in a light receiving condition of the light receiver;
counting a prescribed time period from a timing that the light receiving condition is changed; and
reducing at least one of a speed for transporting the printing medium and an area to which the ink is ejected from the recording head when the prescribed time period is counted.
9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein:
the detecting of the presence of the printing medium is performed with the light emitter and the light receiver which are disposed between a first one of the nozzles and an upstream end of the head supporting member relative to the direction that the nozzle, and arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
the nozzles are arranged in the first direction to form a nozzle array, and the first one of the nozzles is located in an upstream end of the nozzle array relative to the first direction.

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 system for dispensing a cleaning fluid into a toilet bowl adapted to receive a flushing liquid from a tank, the system comprising:
(a) a cleaning fluid container positioned outside the tank and communicating with said tank;
(b) a valve controlling fluid passage from said container into a flushing liquid filling said tank at a varying level, said valve having a closed state blocking fluid passage thereof, and an open state enabling fluid passage thereof; and
(c) said valve switching between the closed and open states in accordance with said varying level.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a conduit adapted for:
(i) communicating said container with said valve;
(ii) receiving a certain amount of said cleaning fluid from said container; and
(iii) releasing at least a portion of said amount of said cleaning fluid through said valve to said flushing liquid.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes:
(A) a bottle base attached to said tank for receiving a mouth end of a dispenser bottle while supporting a body thereof.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said dispenser bottle has a diaphragm for sealing said dispenser bottle and said bottle base further includes:
(B) a punching pin for punching said diaphragm while said dispenser bottle is brought into said bottle base,
thereby enabling a flow of a cleaning fluid out of said dispenser bottle.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said valve is controlled by a connected float.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system further includes means for tuning an extent of opening of said valve in said open state.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein a lever connects said valve to said float.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the system includes a slide valve operated by said lever.
9. The system of claim 5 wherein the system includes a slide valve actuated directly by said float.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said container contains a cleaning liquid or a granular cleaning fluid.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein a water supply line providing flushing water to said tank affects dispensing of said cleaning fluid only by affecting said level of flushing liquid in said tank.
12. A method for dispensing a cleaning fluid into a toilet bowl adapted to receive a flushing liquid from a tank, the method comprising:
(a) placing outside the tank a cleaning fluid container communicating with said tank;
(b) installing a valve having a closed state blocking fluid passage from said container into a flushing liquid filling said tank at a varying level and an open state enabling fluid passage thereof, said valve being adapted to switch between the closed and open states in accordance with said varying level of flushing liquid in said tank,
thereby enabling control of fluid passage thereof by actions affecting said varying level.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method includes:
(i) installing a conduit communicating said container with said valve;
(ii) said conduit receiving a certain amount of said cleaning fluid from said container; and
(iii) said conduit releasing at least a portion of said amount of said cleaning fluid through said valve to said flushing liquid.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further includes:
(A) attaching a bottle base to said tank for receiving a mouth end of a dispenser bottle while supporting a body thereof.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said dispenser bottle has a diaphragm for sealing said dispenser bottle and the method further includes:
(B) punching said diaphragm while said dispenser bottle is brought into said bottle base; and
(C) said dispenser bottle pouring a cleaning fluid out of said dispenser bottle.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further includes tuning an extent of opening of said valve in said open state.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the method includes controlling said valve by a float connected to said valve.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein a lever connects said float with said valve and the method includes said lever enabling control of said valve by said float.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the method includes a step of a water supply line affecting dispensing of said cleaning fluid only by affecting said varying level, wherein said water supply line providing flushing water to said tank.