All The Claims

1. A method of determining a blocking artefact measure relating to blocking artefacts in a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels having a value, the method comprising:
for each of a plurality of pixels
determining a vertical gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and horizontally and vertically neighbouring pixels, in which the vertical gradient measure is equal to the greater of (a) the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three pixels to a first side of said pixel and an average of the values of four pixels positioned vertically to said pixel, and (b) the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three pixels to a second side of said pixel; and an average of the values of four pixels positioned vertically to said pixel;
comparing said vertical gradient measure with a vertical gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential horizontal boundary in response to the vertical gradient measure exceeding the vertical gradient threshold;
determining a horizontal gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and horizontally and vertically pixels;
comparing said horizontal gradient measure with a horizontal gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential vertical boundary in response to the horizontal gradient measure exceeding the horizontal gradient threshold; and
determining said blocking artefact measure in dependence upon the vertical gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential horizontal boundary and upon the horizontal gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential vertical boundary.
2. A method according to claim 1, in which the vertical gradient threshold is set in dependence upon the lower of the average of the values of said pixel and of horizontally pixels and the average of vertically pixels.
3. A method according to claim 1 in which prior to determining said blocking artefact measure the method further comprises:
dividing the pixels into vertical sets comprising immediately neighbouring vertical pixels; and for each set
identifying a peak pixel having a peak value of the vertical gradient measures of said set;
determining an average gradient value for said set;

defining all the pixels in the set as not being the potential horizontal boundary
excepting the peak pixel from being defined as not being the potential horizontal boundary in the event that the peak gradient value is greater than a predetermined proportion of said average; and
including the peak pixel in being defined as not being the potential horizontal boundary in the event that the peak gradient value is not greater than a predetermined proportion of said average.
4. A method according to claim 3, in which prior to determining said blocking artefact measure the method further comprises:
identifying a plurality of horizontal pixels being defined as the potential horizontal boundary and being bordered by horizontal pixels not defined as the potential horizontal boundary; and
in the event that said plurality is fewer than a predetermined number of pixels, defining all said plurality of pixels as not being the potential horizontal boundary.
5. A method according to claim 1, in which said horizontal gradient measure is determined in dependence upon the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and of vertically neighbouring pixels relative to said pixel and an average of horizontally neighbouring pixels relative to said pixel.
6. A method according to claim 5, in which the horizontal gradient measure is equal to the greater of
the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three higher pixels and an average of the values of four horizontally neighbouring pixels; and
the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three lower pixels and an average of the values of four horizontally neighbouring pixels.
7. A method according to claim 6, in which the horizontal gradient threshold is set in dependence upon the lower of the average of the values of said pixel and of vertically neighbouring pixels and the average of horizontally neighbouring pixels.
8. A method according to claim 5 in which prior to determining said blocking artefact measure the method further comprises:
dividing the pixels into horizontal sets comprising neighbouring horizontal pixels; and for each set
identifying a peak pixel having a peak value of the horizontal gradient measures of said set;
determining an average value for said set;

defining all the pixels in the set as not being the potential vertical boundary
excepting the peak pixel from being defined as not being the potential horizontal in the event that the peak value is greater than a predetermined proportion of said average and
including the peak pixel in being defined as not being the potential horizontal boundary in the event that the peak value is not greater than a predetermined proportion of said average.
9. A method according to claim 8, in which prior to determining said blocking artefact measure the method further comprises:
identifying a plurality of immediately neighbouring vertical pixels being defined as the potential vertical boundary and being bordered by vertical pixels not defined as the potential vertical boundary; and
in the event that said plurality is fewer than a predetermined number of pixels, defining all said plurality of pixels as not being the potential vertical boundary.
10. A method according to claim 1, in which the blocking artefact measure is determined in dependence upon a sum of the maximum of the vertical gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential horizontal boundary and the horizontal gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential vertical boundary.
11. A method according to claim 1, in which the blocking artefact measure is determined in dependence upon the total number of pixels defined as the potential horizontal boundary and pixels defined as the potential vertical boundary.
12. A method according to claim 1, in which the pixel value is a luminance value.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a quality measure in dependence upon a blocking artefact measure.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a quality measure in dependence upon a plurality of blocking artefact measures relating to a plurality of image frames in the video signal.
15. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of storing the quality measure for visualization and analysis.
16. A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying a computer program for implementing the method according to claim 1.
17. An apparatus for determining a measure of blocking artefacts in a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels having a value, the apparatus comprising:
a processor for generating a quality measure;
a store for storing said quality measure;
the processor capable of executing instructions to perform steps offor each of a plurality of pixels
determining a vertical gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and horizontally and vertically neighbouring pixels, in which the vertical gradient measure is equal to the greater of (a) the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three pixels to a first side of said pixel and an average of the values of four pixels positioned vertically to said pixel, and (b) the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three pixels to a second side of said pixel and an average of the values of four pixels positioned vertically to said pixel;
comparing said vertical gradient measure with a vertical gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential horizontal boundary in response to the vertical gradient measure exceeding the vertical gradient threshold;
determining a horizontal gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and horizontally and vertically pixels;
comparing said horizontal gradient measure with a horizontal gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential vertical boundary in response to the horizontal gradient measure exceeding the horizontal gradient threshold; and
determining said blocking artefact measure in dependence upon the vertical gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential horizontal boundary and upon the horizontal gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential vertical boundary.
18. An apparatus for determining a measure of blocking artefacts in a video signal representing a plurality of pixels having a value, the apparatus comprising:
a processor for generating a quality measure;
a store for storing said quality measure;
the processor capable of executing instructions to perform steps offor each of a plurality of pixels
determining a vertical gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and horizontally and vertically neighbouring pixels, in which the vertical gradient measure is equal to the greater of (a) the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three pixels to a first side of said pixel and an average of the values of four pixels positioned vertically to said pixel, and (b) the difference between an average of the values of said pixel and three pixels to a second side of said pixel and an average of the values of four pixels positioned vertically to said pixel;
comparing said vertical gradient measure with a vertical gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential horizontal boundary in response to the vertical gradient measure exceeding the vertical gradient threshold;
determining a horizontal gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and horizontally and vertically pixels;
comparing said horizontal gradient measure with a horizontal gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential vertical boundary in response to the horizontal gradient measure exceeding the horizontal gradient threshold; and
determining said blocking artefact measure in dependence upon the vertical gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential horizontal boundary and upon the horizontal gradient measure of pixels defined as the potential vertical boundary.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for analysis and visualization of said quality measure.

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 living tissue ligation device comprising:
a clip having a plurality of arms which are closable to grip living tissue;
a clamping member having a through hole defined by an inner peripheral surface into which the clip is inserted to close the arms of the clip by urging the arms with the inner peripheral surface;
a coupling member which is to be inserted into the through hole of the clamping member and engages with the clip to allow the clip to be inserted into the through hole; and
an engaging section which is provided on the coupling member, and which engages with the clamping member for limiting a movement of the coupling member relative to the clamping member;
wherein the engaging section includes at least one projection provided on an outer peripheral surface of the coupling member, a tip end of said at least one projection being engagable with the inner peripheral surface of the clamping member.
2. The living tissue ligation device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one projection is engagable with a rear part of the inner peripheral surface of the clamping member.
3. The living tissue ligation device according to claim 1 wherein the engaging section is elastically in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the clamping member so that the coupling member is engaged with the clamping member by a frictional force between the engaging section and the inner peripheral surface.
4. The living tissue ligation device according to claim 1 wherein the coupling member includes a large-diameter portion of a noncircular shape, an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion closely contacting with the inner peripheral surface of the clamping member, and
the engaging section is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion.
5. The living tissue ligation device according to claim 1 wherein the clamping member includes a peripheral wall having the inner peripheral surface, and the peripheral wall is deformable according to a shape of an outer peripheral surface of the coupling member by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the coupling member onto the inner peripheral surface of the clamping member.
6. A living tissue ligation device comprising:
a clip having a plurality of arms which is closable to grip living tissue;
a clamping member having a through hole defined by an inner peripheral surface into which the clip is inserted to close the arms of the clip by urging the arms with the inner peripheral surface;
a coupling member which is to be inserted into the through hole of the clamping member and engages with the clip to allow the clip to be inserted into the through hole; and
an engaging section including at least one projection formed on an outer peripheral surface of the coupling member, and at least one key groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the clamping member, said at least one projection being engaged in the key groove of the clamping member, for preventing the coupling member from moving against the clamping member in circumferential and axial directions of the clamping member.
7. The living tissue ligation device according to claim 6 wherein said at least one projection includes a plurality projections separated from each other in a peripheral direction of the coupling member, and said at least one key groove includes a plurality of key grooves separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the clamping member so that each of the projections is engaged with the corresponding key groove.

1. A direct conversion receiver comprising:
a frequency synthesizer for producing a local signal which is switched in frequency;
a quadrature demodulator for receiving an RF signal undergoing quadrature modulation to produce differential signals in a baseband by using said local signal from said frequency synthesizer;
a first low pass filter for conducting a band restriction on said differential signals;
a gain control amplifier for amplifying or attenuating said differential signals subjected to the band restriction;
an amplifier for amplifying output signals of said gain control amplifier;
a second low pass filter for extracting a direct current component between differential signals outputted from said amplifier;
an offset compensating unit for superimposing a feedback signal, for reducing an offset voltage between said differential signals outputted from said amplifier, on input signals to said amplifier on the basis of outputs of said second low pass filter; and
a control unit for receiving said differential signals outputted from said amplifier to output a gain control signal to said gain control amplifier for maintaining constant a level of said differential signals and for outputting data on a frequency of said local signal to be produced by said frequency synthesizer,
said second low pass filter including a time constant circuit having one or more resistors and a capacitor for determining a time constant through the use of a resistance of said resistor and a capacitance of said capacitor and time constant changing means for changing the time constant of said time constant circuit to at least two values different in magnitude from each other, and said control unit including a time constant control unit for controlling said time constant changing means so that the time constant of said time constant circuit assumes the smaller one for a predetermined period of time after said control unit outputs data to change a frequency of said local signal.
2. The direct conversion receiver according to claim 1, wherein said time constant control unit is composed of a switch set to an off state for a period of time that a time constant of said second low pass filter is decreased and set to an on state for a period of time that the time constant of said second low pass filter is increased and having one end to which said gain control signal is applied from said control unit and a capacitor connected between the other end of said switch and the ground.
3. The direct conversion receiver according to claim 2, wherein said time constant control unit includes a counter activated in response to an input of data from said control unit to said frequency synthesizer for outputting a control signal for control of the time constant of said second low pass filter and a control signal for onoff control of said switch.
4. The direct conversion receiver according to claim 2, wherein said time constant control unit includes a counter activated in response to an input of a sleep cancellation signal to said quadrature demodulator and a receive baseband unit including said first low pass filter, said gain control amplifier, said amplifier, said second low pass filter and said offset compensating unit for outputting a control signal for control of the time constant of said second low pass filter and a control signal for the onoff control of said switch.
5. The direct conversion receiver according to claim 2, further comprising, in an arrangement of said frequency synthesizer including a lock detecting circuit for making a decision on a locked condition, a counter activated when said lock detecting circuit detects the locked condition, for outputting a control signal for control of the time constant of said second low pass filter and a control signal for the onoff control of said switch.
6. The direct conversion receiver according to claim 2, further comprising a counter activated in response to one of an input of a sleep cancellation signal from said control unit to said frequency synthesizer and an input of data therefrom to said frequency synthesizer for outputting a control signal for control of the time constant of said second low pass filter and a control signal for the onoff control of said switch.
7. A mobile radio equipment comprising a direct conversion receiver including:
a frequency synthesizer for producing a local signal which is switched in frequency;
a quadrature demodulator for receiving an RF signal undergoing quadrature modulation to produce differential signals in a baseband by using said local signal from said frequency synthesizer;
a first low pass filter for conducting a band restriction on said differential signals;
a gain control amplifier for amplifying or attenuating said differential signals subjected to the band restriction;
an amplifier for amplifying output signals of said gain control amplifier;
a second low pass filter for extracting a direct current component between differential signals outputted from said amplifier;
an offset compensating unit for superimposing a feedback signal, for reducing an offset voltage between said differential signals outputted from said amplifier, on input signals to said amplifier on the basis of outputs of said second low pass filter; and
a control unit for receiving said differential signals outputted from said amplifier to output a gain control signal to said gain control amplifier for maintaining constant a level of said differential signals and for outputting data on a frequency of said local signal to be produced by said frequency synthesizer,
said second low pass filter having a time constant circuit having one or more resistors and a capacitor for determining a time constant through the use of a resistance of said resistor and a capacitance of said capacitor and time constant changing means for changing the time constant of said time constant circuit to at least two values different in magnitude from each other, and said control unit having a time constant control unit for controlling said time constant changing means so that the time constant of said time constant circuit assumes the smaller one for a predetermined period of time after said control unit outputs data to change a frequency of said local signal.
8. A method of receiving an RF signal, comprising:
a step of producing a local signal which is switched in frequency;
a step of receiving an RF signal undergoing quadrature modulation to produce differential signals in a baseband by using said local signal;
a step of conducting a band restriction on said differential signals;
a step of amplifying or attenuating said differential signals subjected to the band restriction;
a step of amplifying said differential signals amplified or attenuated;
a step of extracting a direct current component between the amplified differential signals;
a step of reducing an offset voltage between said differential signals on the basis of the extracted direct current component; and
a step of maintaining constant a level of the amplified differential signals and of outputting data on a frequency of said local signal,
said direct current component extracting step including:
a step of determining a time constant through the use of a resistance of one or more resistors and a capacitance of a capacitor and of changing the time constant to at least two values different in magnitude from each other; and
a step of controlling the time constant to the smaller one for a predetermined period of time after an instruction for a change of the frequency of said local signal.
9. A direct conversion receiver comprising:
a frequency synthesizer for producing a local signal which is switched in frequency;
a quadrature demodulator for receiving an RF signal undergoing quadrature modulation to produce differential signals in a baseband by using said local signal from said frequency synthesizer;
a first low pass filter for conducting a band restriction on said differential signals;
a gain control amplifier for amplifying or attenuating said differential signals subjected to the band restriction;
an amplifier for amplifying output signals of said gain control amplifier;
a second low pass filter for extracting a direct current component between differential signals outputted from said amplifier, said second low pass filter including a time constant circuit having one or more resistors and a capacitor for determining a time constant through the use of a resistance of said resistor and a capacitance of said capacitor and time constant changing means for changing the time constant of said time constant circuit to at least two values different in magnitude from each other;
an offset compensating unit for superimposing a feedback signal, for reducing an offset voltage between said differential signals outputted from said amplifier, on input signals to said amplifier on the basis of outputs of said second low pass filter;
a control unit for receiving said differential signals outputted from said amplifier to output a gain control signal to said gain control amplifier for maintaining constant a level of said differential signals and for outputting data on a frequency of said local signal to be produced by said frequency synthesizer; and
a time constant control unit for receiving said gain control signal from said control unit to control the time constant of said time constant circuit of said second low pass filter by means of said time constant changing means through the use of said gain control signal therefrom.
10. The direct conversion receiver according to claim 9, wherein said time constant control unit includes a counter coupled to said frequency data signal from said control unit to said frequency synthesizer and a switch coupled to said gain control signal, said counter being activated in response to an input of said frequency data from said control unit and being made to operate said switch for outputting a control signal for the control of the time constant of said time constant circuit for a predetermined period of time after the input of said frequency data from said control unit so that the time constant of said time constant circuit assumes the smaller one of said two values while being made to output another control signal for the control of the time constant of the time constant circuit after the elapse of said predetermined period of time so that the time constant of said time constant circuit comes to the larger 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. A device for producing a I-III-VI compound semiconductor layer, the device comprising:
a furnace chamber; a transport device for transporting substrates through said furnace chamber;
at least one first heating installation for heating said furnace chamber;
at least one second heating installation for selective heating of at least part of a system introduced into said furnace chamber, the system containing a substrate and a coating disposed on the substrate, said second heating installation having at least one lamp for irradiating the at least part of the system; and
reversing device for reversing the substrates while they are being heated by means of said at least one lamp.
2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing encasing said furnace chamber, said housing providing a protective gas atmosphere to said furnace chamber for limiting a presence of oxygen.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second heating installation is one of a plurality of second heating installations.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second heating installation further contains a pane, wherein said at least one lamp is disposed behind said pane which homogenizes radiation emitted by said at least one lamp.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured as a continuous furnace having said furnace chamber being divided into several segments, whereby different temperatures can be developed in said different segments and whereby said several segments are thermally insulated from each other.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one second heating installation is one of a plurality of second heating installations and at least one of said second heating installations is disposed within one of said segments of said continuous furnace.
7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one second heating installation is one of a plurality of second heating installations and at least one of said second heating installations is disposed between two consecutive ones of said segments of said continuous furnace.
8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a housing encasing said furnace chamber and a space is formed between said furnace chamber and said housing;
at least one flushing gas inlet supported by said housing; and
at least one extraction channel supported by said housing.
9. The device according to claim 4, wherein said pane is selected from the group consisting of a glass ceramic pane and a quartz glass pane.
10. The device according to claim 8, wherein said housing is a stainless steel housing.
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said reversing device is an oscillation device.
12. The device according to claim 3, wherein said one second heating installation has a holder and said at least one lamp is disposed in said holder which is transparent for light emitted by said lamp, and is configured as a quartz tube.