49th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 27 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120306957 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING VARIANCE OF INKJET SENSOR - A method for determining a variance of a sensor in inkjet printers includes maintaining a printer carriage at a stationary position; illuminating a media patch of known characteristics with a light source that varies an intensity of the light between at least a first and second intensity, in which the second intensity is different from the first intensity; obtaining at least specular reflectance data from light reflected off the print media by measuring a signal from a photo-detector during the illumination; and comparing the specular data to stored values to determine a variation of the sensor response for forming a correction factor; and using the correction factor to calibrate at least a first signal of the inkjet printer. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306958 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A SENSOR RESPONSE - A method for determining a variance of a sensor in inkjet printers comprising maintaining a printer carriage at a stationary position; illuminating a media patch of known characteristics with a light source that varies an intensity of the light between at least a first and second intensity, in which the second intensity is different from the first intensity; obtaining an amount of light transmitted through the media patch by measuring a signal from a photo-detector during the illumination; and comparing the amount of received light to stored target values to determine a variation of the sensor response for forming a correction factor; and using the correction factor to calibrate at least a first signal of the inkjet printer. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306959 | PRINTING APPARATUS - A printing apparatus includes a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal which contact with respective two first terminals of each of printing material containers; a third detection terminal and a fourth detection terminal which contact with respective two second terminals of each of the printing material containers; a first detection unit detects a first detection signal from the first detection terminal via a first attachment detection path; and a second detection unit detects a second detection signal from the third detection terminal via a second attachment detection path. The first detection unit detects a short circuit occurring between the second detection terminal and the third detection terminal on the basis of the second detection signal, and the second detection unit detects a short circuit occurring between the first detection terminal and the fourth detection terminal on the basis of the first detection signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306960 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, and a pressing unit. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to rotatably hold the head holder. The pressing unit presses the head holder toward the carriage. The head holder is pressed against the reference member and the carriage by the pressing unit. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306961 | NEGATIVE PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN COMPOSITION, PATTERN FORMATION METHOD, AND LIQUID DISCHARGE HEAD - A photosensitive resin composition includes a cationically polymerizable compound, a photoacid generating agent having an anion portion and a cation portion, and a salt having a cation portion having either one of a quaternary ammonium structure and a quaternary phosphonium structure and an anion portion, wherein the anion portion of the salt is exchanged with the anion portion of a first acid derived from the anion portion of the photoacid generating agent to form a second acid having acid strength that is lower than acid strength of the first acid. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306962 | INKS - An ink composition comprising:
| 2012-12-06 |
20120306963 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a print head, including nozzle heads, configured to discharge ink droplets upward and movable between an image forming area in which images are formed on a recording medium and an idle discharge area in which idle discharge of the ink droplets is performed to clean the nozzles; an endless belt ink receiving member, disposed above the print head in the idle discharge area in which the print head performs idle discharge and configured to hold the idly-discharged ink; an ink receiving member driver operatively connected to the ink receiving member to circularly drive the ink receiving member; and a cleaner disposed downstream of the idle discharge area in the direction of rotation of the ink receiving member and configured to remove the ink from the ink receiving member. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306964 | Water-based Ink for Inkjet Recording, and Method and Apparatus for Inkjet Recording Using the Same - A water-based ink for inkjet recording is provided with color material, binder resin, surfactant, and water-based solvent, wherein when the ink is heated, 1) a viscosity of the ink is more than 10 mPa·s and 30 mPa·s or less, the viscosity being measured over the ink weight change rate range of 0% to 10%; 2) a viscosity of the ink is 200 mPa·s at any one of the ink weight change rate within 35% or more and 55% or less, the viscosity being measured by the E-type viscometer at 25° C. and 1 rpm; and 3) a surface tension at 25° C. of the ink at the ink weight change rate of 5% is lower than a surface tension at 25° C. of the ink at the ink weight change rate of 0%. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306965 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus, including a head and a capping mechanism which includes: a surrounding member including a rip that surrounds the head and a diaphragm which closes a space between the rip and the head and which outwardly biases the rip; a guide fixed to the head; a holder which surrounds the head and to which the rip is fixed; a moving mechanism configured to move the guide and the holder relative to each other such that the capping mechanism is placed in one of a hermetically sealed state and a non-hermetically sealed state; and a restraining member which is provided on one of the holder and the guide and which is configured to restrain outward deformation of the rip by contacting the other of the holder and the guide, when the capping mechanism is placed in the hermetically sealed state. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306966 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISCHARGING RECORDING LIQUID - An image forming apparatus includes a recording head oriented upward so as to eject a recording liquid upward. The recording head includes an ejection face, an ejection port, and a waste-liquid port. The ejection port is disposed at the ejection face to eject the recording liquid. The waste-liquid port is disposed separately from the ejection port at the ejection face. The waste-liquid passage is connected to the waste-liquid port and has an opening connected to an outside of the recording head. A residual of the recording liquid on the ejection face is discharged to the outside of the recording head via the waste-liquid port and the waste-liquid passage. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306967 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, an intermediate member, and an adjuster. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to hold the head holder. The intermediate member is displaceably disposed between the head holder and the carriage and held by the carriage. The adjuster adjusts a position of the head holder by displacing the intermediate member. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306968 | PRINTHEAD DIE - A printhead die that includes first and second slots through the die for feeding a same liquid, the slots offset from each other along two axes. The die has a first nozzle package adjacent one side of the first slot and extending toward the second slot along the minor axis. The die includes a second nozzle package adjacent an opposite side of the second slot and extending toward the first slot along the minor axis. The first and second nozzle packages each have a slanted corner profile. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306969 | LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION THEREOF - Without being dependent on design changes, a liquid ejection head and a method of production thereof are provided in which when time-division driving, liquid drop landing deviance in the direction of printing is capable of being corrected. In order to achieve this, before performing an exposure in order to form an ejection port, after forming a cavity that is shifted with respect to the location at which the ejection port is formed, exposure is performed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306970 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a recording head including plural nozzles discharging liquid droplets, a head holder holding the recording head, a carriage holding the head holder, a guide member extending in a main scanning direction of the image forming apparatus, and a reference member extending in the direction substantially parallel to the direction of the guide member. Further, the carriage moves along the guide member, a part of the reference member is disposed in the carriage, and the head holder is attachably and detachably hooked on and held by the reference member. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306971 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle formation surface in which a nozzle is formed that causes a liquid to be ejected through the nozzle toward a landing target by driving a pressure generation unit; a support unit that supports the landing target that is disposed at a landing-capable distance from the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejecting head; and a liquid droplet collection unit disposed in a location that is distanced from an ejection region. Here, the liquid droplet collection unit has a landing surface on which the liquid lands when carrying out flushing operations; and the distance between the landing surface and the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejecting head is set to be smaller than the landing-capable distance, and the nozzle formation surface and the landing surface are set to the same voltage at least during the flushing operations. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306972 | INJECTION MOLDING METHOD, INJECTION-MOLDED PRODUCT, OPTICAL ELEMENT, OPTICAL PRISM, INK TANK, RECORDING DEVICE, AND INJECTION MOLD - There is provided an injection molding method in which a molten resin, which is injected into a molding space formed between a fixed side mold including a movable insert and a movable side mold, is cooled in a state in which a surface of the molten resin comes into contact with the movable insert and thereby the surface is solidified, and internal solidification of the molten resin is completed by cooling the molten resin in a state where the molten resin and the movable insert are separated from each other by moving the movable insert before the internal solidification of the molten resin, whose surface is solidified in a state in which the surface comes into contact with the movable insert, is completed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306973 | CONSUMABLE SUPPLY ITEM WITH FLUID SENSING FOR MICRO-FLUID APPLICATIONS - A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306974 | CONSUMABLE SUPPLY ITEM WITH FLUID SENSING AND PUMP ENABLE FOR MICRO-FLUID APPLICATIONS - A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306975 | DAMPER APPARATUS, DAMPER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AND INK JET PRINTER - The invention provides a damper apparatus including a housing having a valve chamber and reciprocally moving integrally with a carriage, an inlet port communicating an ink flow channel on the upstream side and the valve chamber, an outlet port communicating the ink flow channel on the downstream side and the valve chamber, and a spherical valve body stored so as to be movable in the valve chamber, wherein the valve body moves relatively to a position for closing the inlet port or the outlet port upon reception of the inertial force in association with the acceleration and deceleration to close the ink flow channel when the carriage is accelerated or decelerated, and the valve body moves relatively to a position for opening the inlet port and the outlet port under its own weight to open the ink flow channel when the carriage is not accelerated and decelerated. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306976 | INKJET PRINTING INK - An inkjet printing ink having properties of crosslinking and being fixed on a fiber by heating, characterized in that in an ink composition consisting of (A) a pigment dispersion having a mean particle diameter of 200 nm or less and a maximum particle diameter of 500 nm or less, consisting of a pigment, a water-soluble pigment dispersant and a hydrophilic solvent, (B) a water-soluble fixing agent, and (C) a crosslinking agent, the water-soluble pigment dispersant in (A) is a specific emulsion polymer neutralized by a basic substance; the water-soluble fixing agent (B) is the one having a crosslinking functional group; and the crosslinking agent (C) is the one having a functional group that crosslinks the crosslinking functional group of the water-soluble pigment dispersant in (A) with the crosslinking functional group of the water-soluble fixing agent (B) at a temperature of 100° C. or more. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306977 | INK COMPOSITION AND INK JET RECORDING METHOD - An ink composition includes a coloring material; an alkyl polyol having a boiling point at one atmosphere in the range of 180 to 230° C.; first polymer particles having an average particle diameter of 200 nm or more and an MFT of less than 100° C.; and second polymer particles having an average particle diameter of less than 200 nm and an MFT of 100° C. or more. The ink composition does not substantially contain an alkyl polyol having a boiling point at one atmosphere of 280° C. or more. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306978 | PRINTING APPARATUS WITH PIVOTABLE DUPLEXING UNIT - A pivotable duplexing unit is attached to the wall of a printer using a hinge having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A latch and catch holds the pivotable duplexing unit in a closed position relative to the wall of the printing apparatus. The wall includes a support member for the hinge, and the pivotable duplexing unit further includes a pin for pivoting in a support member of the hinge. The support member includes a bearing surface that is substantially parallel to the base. The pin member includes an end that makes pivotable contact with the bearing surface. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306979 | PRINTING APPARATUS WITH PIVOTABLE CLEANOUT MEMBER - A printing apparatus comprising a pivotable cleanout member attached to the housing a hinge having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A latch holds the pivotable cleanout member in a closed position relative to the wall of the printing apparatus. On an opposite end of the cleanout member is a hinge mechanism that includes a pin member. The other part of the hinge is in the printer housing and includes a support member portion of the hinge mechanism. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306980 | PORTABLE PRINTER - A portable printer includes an outer housing, a circuit board, a battery, an inner housing, at least one inkjet head, and a motor, all of which are housed in the outer housing. The outer housing defines a longitudinal receiving space and an opening communicating with the receiving space. The battery is electrically connected to the circuit board to provide power to the portable printer. The inner housing can rotate around an axis of the outer housing. The inkjet head can rotate with the inner housing, and emits ink when it rotates. The motor is electrically connected to the circuit board, and is controlled by the circuit board to drive the inner housing to rotate. The rotation of the inner housing drives the inkjet head to rotate. Ink from the inkjet head goes out of the outer housing through the opening. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306981 | IMAGE READING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image reading apparatus includes a LED that emits white light, a light guiding body, and a photoelectric conversion element. The light guiding body is disposed along the main scanning direction. The light guiding body includes an incident surface, a plurality of groove portions, an emission surface, and a scattering portion. The incident surface is formed on one end in a longitudinal direction, faces the light emitting surface of the LED that emits white light, and receives incident light that is emitted from the light emitting surface. The plurality of groove portions is formed on the incident surface and is formed concentrically to the center of the incident surface. The emission surface is formed along the main scanning direction. The scattering portion scatters light and includes a plurality of prisms. The scattering portion is opposed to the light emitting surface and is disposed along the main scanning direction. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306982 | COLOR ERASING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a color erasing apparatus includes a color erasing section which erases a color of an image formed with an erasable color material on a sheet conveyed at first speed, a reading section which reads an image on the surface of the sheet conveyed at second speed higher than the first speed, a first conveying section, and a second conveying section. The first conveying section includes a first conveying roller arranged downstream in a sheet conveying direction of the color erasing section and conveys the sheet at the first speed. The second conveying section includes a second conveying roller arranged upstream in the sheet conveying direction of the reading section and in a position where the second conveying roller nips the conveyed sheet simultaneously with the first conveying roller. The second conveying section conveys the sheet to the reading section at the second speed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306983 | ERASING APPARATUS AND IMAGE ERASING METHOD - In general, according to an embodiment, an erasing section erases the image on the sheet. A first conveying path conveys the sheet fed from a sheet feeding section and is provided with a reading section and a discharge section downstream of the reading section in a sheet conveying direction. A second conveying path is branched from the first conveying path downstream of the reading section in the sheet conveying direction and upstream of the discharge section in the sheet conveying direction. The second conveying path merges with the first conveying path upstream of the reading section in the sheet conveying direction and is provided with the erasing section. A sorting member, which is located at a branch point at which the second conveying path is branched from the first conveying path. A recording section is located on the first conveying path and records count information indicative of an erase count. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306984 | SHEET DISCHARGING DEVICE AND ERASING DEVICE - According to an embodiment, a sheet discharging device includes: a first conveying path configured to guide a sheet to be conveyed; a second conveying path branched from the first conveying path at a branch point of the first conveying path; a sorting section configured to sort a sheet being conveyed on the first conveying path into either a downstream side of the branch point on the first conveying path or the second conveying path; a first discharge tray configured to receive a sheet discharged from the first conveying path at a first sheet loading surface; and a second discharge tray placed below the first discharge tray and configured to receive a sheet discharged from the second conveying path at a second sheet loading surface whose distance to the first sheet loading surface increases toward a downstream side thereof in a sheet discharging direction. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306985 | IMAGE ERASING APPARATUS AND IMAGE ERASING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a first conveying path to form a conveying path from a sheet supply portion toward an ejector, a reader arranged on the first conveying path to read an image on a surface of the sheet, an erasure to erase the image on the sheet formed with image erasable material, a switching portion arranged on the first conveying path at a downstream side of the reader in a sheet conveying direction to switch the sheet conveying direction to a direction of the ejector or a direction of the erasure, and a second conveying path having the erasure which, at a position where the switching portion is arranged, branches from the first conveying path at the downstream side of the reader and merges with the first conveying path at a meeting point between the sheet supply portion and the reader. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306986 | PRINTING RIBBON SECURITY APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306987 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PAPER CUP - Provided is a paper cup printing apparatus including: a photographing unit that takes a photo; a printing unit that prints the photo taken by the photographing unit on the surface of a paper cup; and a control unit that converts the photo taken by the photographing unit into data for printing, and controls the printing unit to automatically print the photo on the surface of the paper cup. The paper cup printing apparatus prints user's face or favorite image on a paper cup for containing coffee or drink to thus encourage recycling of the paper cup and increase sales of coffee or drink. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306988 | ILLUMINATION APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING AN OBJECT - The invention relates to an illumination apparatus ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306989 | SCANNING OPTICAL DEVICE THAT SCANS PHOTORECEPTOR WITH LASER LIGHT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A scanning optical device that scans a photoreceptor with laser light includes a light source, a light outputting section, and a projection. The laser light from the light source is output through the light outputting section so that the photoreceptor is irradiated with the laser light. The projection projects through a partition wall toward the photoreceptor. The light outputting section is disposed in a position separated from the photoreceptor by the partition wall. The projection contains a polygon motor that rotates a polygon mirror to reflect the laser light. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306990 | Systems, methods, and media for identifying degraded video call links - Systems, methods, and media for identifying degraded video call links are provided. In some embodiments, systems for identifying degraded video call links are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: calculates network metrics and quality metrics of a video call stream received at a device through a first link and then through a second link; determines whether a network problem is present in the video call stream based on the network metrics; determines whether a quality problem is present in the video call stream based on the quality metrics; and determines that the second link is degraded if both a network problem and a quality problem are determined to be present, and determines that the first link is degraded if a quality problem is determined to be present but a network problem is not determined to be present. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306991 | Diminishing an Appearance of a Double Chin in Video Communications - Techniques for diminishing an appearance of a participant's double chin during video conferencing. A participant's image is captured with an input device and processed so as to diminish the appearance of a double chin between the participant's chin and neck. The processed image with a diminished double chin appearance is outputted to both the participant's video conferencing graphical user interface and to the graphical user interface of a remote participant that the participant is communicating with in the video conferencing session. The diminished double chin appearance may be dynamically modified in real time during the video conference. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306992 | TECHNIQUES TO PROVIDE FIXED VIDEO CONFERENCE FEEDS OF REMOTE ATTENDEES WITH ATTENDEE INFORMATION - Techniques are described to provide a fixed video feed display from a remote participant to a conference room, where the display further includes remote participant information. In one embodiment, for example, a method may include receiving a connection from a remote participant, retrieving metadata related to the remote participant, and displaying a video feed from the remote participant along with the metadata in a dedicated position in a conference room. The metadata may provide information about the remote participant, as well as points of interest that may aid in conversation with the remote participant. The remote feed remains in the dedicated position throughout the conference, creating the effect of the remote participant being in the room. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306993 | System and Method for Teleconferencing - A system and method of managing video conferencing over a network, among a plurality of clients using a server as an intermediary is disclosed. At the server a real-time video stream is received from each client. This real-time video stream may be a high frequency stream representative of video from a camera associated with the end user. The server serves to any given client, a real-time video stream selected by the given client from among the video streams received at the server. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306994 | MOBILE CONFERENCING SYSTEM - In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a remote video conferencing system which is specifically suited for use in a medical environment. The video conferencing system comprises an elongate, primary support structure such as a pole which is outfitted with castors or similar structures to allow for the selective positioning thereof in any prescribed location within an operating room. Attached to an upper region of the pole is at least one remote controlled video camera which preferably includes a laser pointer operatively coupled thereto. During a surgical procedure, the remotely located manufacturer's representative or other medical professional is able to use the internet to remotely control the video camera, and hence the laser pointer coupled thereto. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306995 | Ambulatory Presence Features - A system facilitates managing one or more devices utilized for communicating data within a telepresence session. A telepresence session can be initiated within a communication framework that includes a first user and one or more second users. In response to determining a temporary absence of the first user from the telepresence session, a recordation of the telepresence session is initialized to enable a playback of a portion or a summary of the telepresence session that the first user has missed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306996 | Extended Presence for Video Conferencing Systems - Systems and methods of providing extended presence information for multi-user devices are described. Communication devices used in conference rooms represent a different nature than single user devices such as a personal computer. Conference rooms also have attributes that may be added to existing presence information and provide an enhanced experience for scheduling and dissemination of conference room capabilities. Information such as actual people in attendance may be added to the presence information maintained by a presence server to provide an overall enhancement to the meeting room whether it is physically a single conference room or a multitude of endpoints remotely connected to a conference. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306997 | APPARATUS FOR THE EFFICIENT TRANSMISSION OF MULTIMEDIA STREAMS FOR TELECONFERENCING - A peer-to-peer forwarding node supports the operation of a teleconference across a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network comprises a plurality of nodes including one or more source locations and one or more remote locations. The teleconference includes teleconference participants at each of the source and remote locations. The peer-to-peer forwarding node is located at a given one of the plurality of nodes. The peer-to-peer forwarding node comprises a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver receives a request from a telecommunications controller to provide peer-to-peer forwarding of a media signal to be received from a first one of the source locations to a first one of the remote locations and which further receives the media signal from the first one of said source locations. The transmitter forwards the media signal from the first one of the source locations to the first one of the remote locations. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306998 | Macro Area Camera for an Infrared (IR) Microscope - A novel arrangement of Schwarzschild Cassegrainian objective coupled with a far-field visible imaging system that does not interfere with the interrogating (IR) beam is introduced. Typical (IR) microscopes that incorporate a Cassegrainian objective have difficulty in locating desired target sample regions based on the inherent limited field-of-view. Because commonly applied visible imaging accessories upstream must use the same numerical aperture based on the reflective geometry, such systems also suffer a limited field of view. To overcome such difficulties, the novel embodiments herein involve placing a visible camera with its optical axis collinear with the IR and primary visible beampath of the microscope but outside the optical path that provides the (IR) image magnification. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306999 | Motion-Based Image Stitching - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for stitching or aligning multiple images (or portions of images) to generate a panoramic image are described. In general, techniques are disclosed for using motion data (captured at substantially the same time as image data) to align images rather than performing image analysis and/or registration operations. More particularly, motion data may be used to identify the rotational change between successive images. The identified rotational change, in turn, may be used to generate a transform that, when applied to an image allows it to be aligned with a previously captured image. In this way, images may be aligned in real-time using only motion data. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307000 | Image Registration Using Sliding Registration Windows - This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, and computer readable media for performing image registration. A few generalized steps may be used to carry out the image registration techniques described herein: 1) acquiring image data from an image sensor; 2) selecting a pair of overlapping image portions from the acquired image data for registration; 3) determining an area of “maximum energy” in one of the image portions being registered; 4) placing an image registration window over both image portions at the determined location of maximum energy; 5) registering the overlapping image portions using only the image data falling within the image registration windows; and 6) determining, according to one or more metrics, whether the image registration window should be shifted from a current location before registering subsequently acquired image portions. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307001 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND MOVING IMAGE REPRODUCTION CONTROL METHOD - A panorama moving image including panorama images of a real world is pasted on a model in a virtual space as texture, and an image of the model is captured by a virtual camera. An image-capturing direction of the virtual camera is changed in accordance with an attitude of a portable display device, and the image captured by the virtual camera is displayed on the portable display device. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307002 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A CONTINUUM OF IMAGE DATA - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for generating a continuum of image data. The continuum can include image data representing a street level view of a geographic area. The image data can be captured at multiple disparate points along another continuum. Each continuum of image data can include a ribbon of data representing the geographic area. In some examples, image data can be simultaneously captured which represents multiple continuums of image data. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307003 | IMAGE SEARCHING AND CAPTURING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses an image searching and capturing system and a control method thereof. The system comprises a first capture device, a second capture device, a control module and a processing module. The first capture device captures a plurality of multi-spectral panoramic images with panorama. The control module controls the second capture device to search and target an azimuth of target object according to the plurality of multi-spectral panoramic images; the control module controls that the second capture device rotates a rotation module to capture a high-resolution image of a target object. The control module controls a rotation angle and a rotation direction of the rotation module according to attitude information, position information, and azimuth of the target object. The invention is applied to environmental monitoring and disaster monitoring, and has automatic search for targets, calibration targets and achieve high-resolution images and other effects. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307004 | VIDEO DECODING WITH 3D GRAPHICS SHADERS - Video coding using 3D graphics rendering hardware by enhancing pixel shaders to pixel block shaders to provide efficient motion compensation computations. Reference frame prediction corresponds to texture lookup, and matrix multiplication is cast in linear combinations of rows format to correspond to pixel shader vector operations. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307005 | GENERATING A SIMULATED THREE DIMENSIONAL SCENE BY PRODUCING REFLECTIONS IN A TWO DIMENSIONAL SCENE - A method that simulates a three dimensional scene by producing reflections in a two dimensional scene. In some embodiments, the two dimensional scene includes a display area for displaying a set of images, and at least one object that is displayed near the display area. The method generates reflections of the set of images on the object and superimposes the generated reflections on the display of the object. In some embodiments, the method generates and displays the reflections in real-time as it displays the set of images in order to cause the display of the set of images to appear to be part of a 3D environment. In some embodiments, the set of images are part of a video that a device displays in real-time. The device generates reflections off one or more neighboring objects from the content displayed in each video frame. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307006 | RECEIVING APPARATUS, TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, RECEIVING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided is a receiving apparatus including a first decoder which decodes a first image signal, a second decoder which decodes a second image signal corresponding to an image of at least a part of a region of a first image frame of the first image signal, a CPU which acquires object indication information including spatial position information of the region with respect to the first image frame, and an object reconstruction part which has the image of the region overwrite the first image frame to generate a second image frame based on the position information. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307007 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HEADER INFORMATION OF STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DATA - A method and apparatus for using header information of stereoscopic image data is provided. The method includes using three-dimensional reproduction period information related to three-dimensionally reproduced stereoscopic image data of image data recorded in a payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream, in a header region of the stereoscopic image bitstream; recording camera information related to cameras used for obtaining a stereoscopic image, in the header region; recording parallax information between base and additional images of the stereoscopic image in the header region; and recording the image data in the payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307008 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH RECORDING FUNCTION - A portable electronic device with recording function includes a main body, a hinge member, a covering body, a first image capturing module and a second image capturing module. One side of the hinge member is connected to the main body and another side is connected to the covering body so that the covering body has at least a rotary axial direction of movement. The first image capturing module is disposed on the main body and includes a zoom lens and a first image-sensing element. The second image capturing module is disposed on the covering body and includes a stereoscopic image recoding unit and at least a second image sensing element. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307009 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING IMAGE WITH SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD - A method and an apparatus for generating an image with shallow depth of field are provided. The present method includes following steps. A subject is photographed according to a first aperture value, so as to generate a first aperture value image. The subject is photographed according to a second aperture value, so as to generate a second aperture value image, wherein the second aperture value is greater than the first aperture value. The first aperture value image and the second aperture value image are analyzed to generate an image difference value. If the image difference value is greater than a threshold, an image processing is performed on the first aperture value image to obtain the image with shallow depth of field. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307010 | OBJECT DIGITIZATION - Digitizing objects in a picture is discussed herein. A user presents the object to a camera, which captures the image comprising color and depth data for the front and back of the object. For both front and back images, the closest point to the camera is determined by analyzing the depth data. From the closest points, edges of the object are found by noting large differences in depth data. The depth data is also used to construct point cloud constructions of the front and back of the object. Various techniques are applied to extrapolate edges, remove seams, extend color intelligently, filter noise, apply skeletal structure to the object, and optimize the digitization further. Eventually, a digital representation is presented to the user and potentially used in different applications (e.g., games, Web, etc.). | 2012-12-06 |
20120307011 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR DISPLAYING VIDEO IMAGE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING IMPROVED OPERABILITY AND REALISM, AND NON-TRANSITORY STORAGE MEDIUM ENCODED WITH COMPUTER READABLE PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An exemplary embodiment provides an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a first object control unit for changing an orientation or a direction of movement of a first object in a three-dimensional space, a virtual camera control unit for determining a direction of shooting of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional space, and a display data generation unit for generating display data based on the determined direction of shooting of the virtual camera. The virtual camera control unit includes a detection unit for detecting whether the first object is hidden by another object when viewed from the virtual camera and a first following change unit for increasing a degree of causing the direction of shooting of the virtual camera to follow the orientation or the direction of movement of the first object based on a result of detection. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307012 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE MOTION DETECTION AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include an optical source generating an optical output, a lens cooperating with the optical source and projecting a grid optical pattern from the optical output, and a video sensor detecting changes in the grid optical pattern caused by movement of an object. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307013 | FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND CUTTING TOUGH TISSUES FROM FOOD ITEMS - A food processing apparatus for detecting and cutting tough tissues from food items such as fish, meat, or poultry. At least one x-ray machine associated to a first conveyor for imaging incoming food items on the first conveyor based on a generated x-ray image indicating the location of the tough tissues in the food items. A vision system supplies second image data of the food items subsequent to the imaging by the x-ray machine. The second image data including position related data indicating the position of the food items on the second conveyor prior to the cutting. A mapping mechanism determines an estimated coordinate position of the food items on the second conveyor by utilizing the x-ray image and tracking position data. The processor compares the estimated coordinate position of the food items to the actual position on the second conveyor based on the second image data. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307014 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRAHIGH SENSITIVE OPTICAL MICROANGIOGRAPHY - Embodiments herein provide an ultrahigh sensitive optical microangiography (OMAG) system that provides high sensitivity to slow flow information, such as that found in blood flow in capillaries, while also providing a relatively low data acquisition time. The system performs a plurality of fast scans (i.e., B-scans) on a fast scan axis, where each fast scan includes a plurality of A-scans. At the same time, the system performs a slow scan (i.e., C-scan), on a slow scan axis, where the slow scan includes the plurality of fast scans. A detector receives the spectral interference signal from the sample to produce a three dimensional (3D) data set. An imaging algorithm is then applied to the 3D data set in the slow scan axis to produce at least one image of the sample. In some embodiments, the imaging algorithm may separate flow information from structural information of the sample. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307015 | Device for Positioning and Calibrating at Least Two Cameras with a Partial Mirror to Take Three-Dimensional Pictures - The invention is directed to a device with which beam paths of at least two cameras mounted on a supporting frame are merged through a partial mirror to take three-dimensional pictures, wherein the partial mirror is preferably fixed to a mirror box and the mirror box is movable on guides associated with the supporting frame, and whereby the height of the optical axis of the camera(s) whose beam paths are being partly reflected in the mirror is adjustable. A first embodiment includes a device wherein the partial mirror is moveable about three axes. A second embodiment includes a device having a photo sensor in the camera and/or an optical compensation element arranged between or in the lens, and the photo sensor is adjustable. A third embodiment includes a device wherein only partial image areas can be read out from an image sensor. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307016 | 3D CAMERA - A 3D camera has a display processor that displays a 2D object image on a display by a 2D display process and that displays a 3D object image on the display by a 3D display process; and a position sensor that detects the position of the camera on the basis of an inclination angle from a horizontal position of the camera. Then, the display processor displays an object image as a 2D object image when the inclination angle exceeds a threshold angle in a state that an object image is displayed as a 3D image. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307017 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR OBTAINING AN IMPROVED STEREO IMAGE OF AN OBJECT - A method for obtaining an improved depth precision for a stereo image of an object of interest is disclosed, comprising:
| 2012-12-06 |
20120307018 | SINGLE LENS 3-D CAMERA - A camera includes a lens configured to receive an optical image from two viewing angles. A filter converts the optical image into two orthogonally polarized images, each orthogonally polarized image corresponding to a different one of the viewing angles. An image detector distinguishably detects the two orthogonally polarized images in a single frame. An image processor decodes the two orthogonally polarized images in the single frame into two video signals corresponding to the two viewing angles. A method of imaging includes receiving an optical image from two viewing angles through a single lens, converting the optical image into two orthogonally polarized images, each of the orthogonally polarized images corresponding to a different one of the viewing angles, distinguishably detecting in an image detector the two orthogonally polarized images in a single frame, and decoding in an image processor the two orthogonally polarized images in the single frame into two video signals corresponding to the two viewing angles. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307019 | GRID MODULATED SINGLE LENS 3-D CAMERA - A camera includes a single lens configured to receive an optical image as two images from two viewing angles. The two images from respective viewing angles are converted into two orthogonally modulated images, each of the orthogonally modulated images corresponding to a different one of the two viewing angles. An image detector is configured to distinguishably detect the two orthogonally modulated images in a single frame. An image processor is configured to decode the two orthogonally modulated images in the single frame into two video signals corresponding to the two viewing angles. A method of imaging includes receiving an optical image from two viewing angles; converting the optical image into two orthogonally modulated images, each of the orthogonally modulated images corresponding to a different one of the viewing angles; distinguishably detecting in an image detector the two orthogonally modulated images in a single frame; and decoding in an image processor the two orthogonally modulated images in the single frame into two video output signals corresponding to the two viewing angles. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307020 | IMAGING CONTROL DEVICE, IMMERSION POSITION INFORMATION GENERATION DEVICE, IMAGING CONTROL METHOD, IMMERSION POSITION INFORMATION GENERATION METHOD - A technology is disclosed that provides an imaging control device and the like capable of actualizing immersive zoom enlargement. The technology includes: an imaging unit | 2012-12-06 |
20120307021 | DUAL-MODE OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - A dual-mode 3D optical measurement apparatus is applied to scan at least one object or capture the motion of at least one object. The optical measurement apparatus includes a light-projection unit, a plurality of marker units, and an image-capturing unit. The light-projection unit projects light on the object. The marker units are disposed at the object. When the dual-mode 3D optical measurement apparatus executes a static scan mode, the light-projection unit projects light on the surface of the static object, and then the image-capturing unit captures a plurality of static images of the object. When the dual-mode 3D optical measurement apparatus executes a motion capture mode, the image-capturing unit captures a plurality of motion images of the marker units. In addition, a dual-mode 3D optical measurement system is also disclosed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307022 | INFORMATION PROCESSOR AND CALIBRATION METHOD - According to one embodiment, an information processor includes: a display module; a detector; a first operation receiver; a second operation receiver; a display controller; and an adjuster. The display module displays a video. The detector detects a position of a hand of an operator. The first operation receiver receives an operation from the operator with a first operation reception mode. The second operation receiver receives an operation from the operator based on a detection result of the detector with a second operation reception mode. The display controller controls the display module to display a confirmation screen to confirm that, if the first operation reception mode is to be changed to the second operation reception mode, the change of the mode. The adjuster adjusts a parameter relating to detection of position of the hand based on the detection result of the detector while the confirmation screen is displayed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307023 | DISPARITY DISTRIBUTION ESTIMATION FOR 3D TV - A method and apparatus for estimating a disparity distribution between a left image and a right image of a stereoscopic 3D picture, each image having an array of pixels, including: providing a maximum range of disparity; correlating, by an estimation device, a left image area with a right image area, with one of both image areas being shifted by a disparity shift value, wherein the result of the correlation is an indication of a pixel match between both images; repeating the correlating for a set of disparity shift values within the maximum range of disparity; and deriving the disparity distribution from the results of the correlation. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307024 | Simulated product container with video message delivery system - A simulated product container, which is used as a prize award container, has a container shell and a video message delivery system. The video message delivery system has a lid that can be an actual lid of an actual product container. The video message delivery system has a body for insertion into an open end of the container shell, a tab and a tab opening mechanism to allow a consumer to open the simulated product container. When the simulated product container is opened, the tab is pushed into the interior of the body to reveal an opening in the lid. When light enters into the interior of the body, a light sensor activates a circuit so as to display a video image on a video display. A tab deflection mechanism deflects the tab so as to allow an unobstructed view of the video display through the opening. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307025 | METHOD AND ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT FOR READING THE SIGNALS GENERATED BY ONE OR MORE PIXELATED SENSORS - The subject matter of the invention is a method and an electronic circuit for reading the signals generated by one or more pixelated sensors in a gamma radiation detection system, which makes it possible to substantially reduce the number of electronic channels to be digitized. The electronic circuit in the invention is analogue and can also be coupled to other similar circuits in order to acquire the signals from larger sensors. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307026 | Multiposition Handheld Electronic Magnifier - Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307027 | UNCALIBRATED VISUAL SERVOING USING REAL-TIME VELOCITY OPTIMIZATION - A robotic control method for a camera ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120307028 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An exemplary image processing apparatus comprises: a polarized light source section; an image capturing section which sequentially captures an image of the object that is being illuminated with each of three or more plane polarized light rays; and an image processing section. The image processing section includes: a varying intensity processing section which calculates a state of polarized light reflected from the object's surface; a reflection decision section which distinguishes a multi-reflection region in which incoming light is reflected twice from a recessed region from a once-reflected region in which the incoming light is reflected only once from the object's surface; and a mirror image search section which locates a pair of multi-reflection regions. Based on the pair of multi-reflection regions, the image processing section generates an image representing the recessed region on the object's surface. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307029 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESSLY SYNCHRONIZING IMAGE SHUTTER OF IMAGE SENSOR AND LIGHT SOURCE - A method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing operation of an image sensor of an endoscopic video camera unit having a wireless transmitter with operation of a portable endoscopic light source unit includes transmitting a message packet with a target camera shutter period, light source target phase/trigger time/OFF time and light source target ON time to the light source unit. The light source unit controls the start time and the ON time for light output by a light source. The video camera unit includes a light detector for detecting the actual light source start time and duration of light output to provide closed-loop feedback. A camera controller ensures synchronization between the shutter period of the image sensor and actual operation of the light source based on the actual phase and actual ON time sensed by the light detector and the previously communicated target phase/trigger time/OFF time and target ON time. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307030 | IMAGE SENSOR FOR ENDOSCOPIC USE - An endoscopic device having embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307031 | BIOMETRIC INFORMATION PROCESS DEVICE, BIOMETRIC INFORMATION PROCESS METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - A biometric information process device includes: a biometric sensor obtaining a plurality of biometric images of a user; a detection portion detecting a surface reflection region of the plurality of biometric images; and a storage portion storing biometric information obtained from biometric images included in the plurality of biometric images, the biometric images having a different surface reflection region from each other. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307032 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Provided is an image processing device including a specifying unit configured to specify a part of a living body within a first image on the basis of a characteristic amount of the first image capturing skin of the living body, and a setting unit configured to set a capturing condition under which a second image indicating a state of the skin of the part is captured in response to the specified part. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307033 | SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING USER ENGAGEMENT BEHAVIOR WITH A MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE IN A REAL TIME ENVIRONMENT AND A METHOD THEREOF - This invention is a system to determine a user's engagement behavior in a real time environment when the user is engaging with a multimedia interface. The system receives at least one selected score from at least one user, captures and stores the at least one received selected score, at least one facial expression of at least one user, at least one visual of the multimedia interface of the at least one user's engagement and the time of the at least one user's engagement. The data determines the user engagement behavior and is presented using a means of presenting data. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307034 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - To propose, in a skin detecting technique using light having a plurality of different wavelengths, an optimum spectral characteristic of an optical filter and optimum wavelengths lambda1, lambda2 of irradiation Detection subject light for preventing external light from entering an imaging section, provided is an image processing apparatus to detect a skin region representing a human skin from an image. The apparatus includes: a first irradiator; a second irradiator; an incident light limiter; a generator to generate a first image and a second image on the basis of the reflected light which enters from the subject through the incident light limiter; and a detector to detect the skin region on the basis of the first image and the second image. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307035 | SINGLE-SHOT FULL-FIELD REFLECTION PHASE MICROSCOPY - The present invention relates to a full-field reflection phase microscope. In a preferred embodiment, the invention can combine low-coherence interferometry and off-axis digital holographic microscopy (DHM). The reflection-based DHM provides highly sensitive and a single-shot imaging of cellular dynamics while the use of low coherence source provides a depth-selective measurement. A preferred embodiment of the system uses a diffraction grating in the reference arm to generate an interference image of uniform contrast over the entire field-of-view albeit low-coherence light source. With improved path-length sensitivity, the present invention is suitable for full-field measurement of membrane dynamics in live cells with sub-nanometer-scale sensitivity. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307036 | ZOOM IMAGE-FORMING OPTICAL SYSTEM AND MICROSCOPE EQUIPPED THEREWITH - A zoom image-forming optical system used in combination with an infinity-correction objective lens, the zoom image-forming optical system including: a tube lens for condensing a luminous flux from the objective lens to form an intermediate image; and a relay lens with a zoom function for projecting the intermediate image onto an image plane. The relay lens includes a first lens group with positive power, a second lens group that belongs to a movable group with positive power, a third lens group that belongs to a movable group with positive or negative power, and a fourth lens group with negative power, in this order from the intermediate image side. The zoom image-forming optical system changes its magnifying power by moving the second lens group and the third lens group in an optical axis direction. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307037 | OBJECTIVE-COUPLED SELECTIVE PLANE ILLUMINATION MICROSCOPY - A microscope assembly includes an illumination source coupled to an optical assembly by a coupler. The optical assembly includes an objective with optics that move along an optic axis. The illumination source generates a light blade that illuminates a portion of a sample at an illumination plane. The light blade induces a fluorescent emission from the sample that is projected through the objective optics to a detector. The focal plane of the objective optics is fixed with respect to the illumination source by the coupler so that the illumination plane is coincident with the focal plane as the objective optics move along the optic axis. The objective and illumination may be rapidly scanned along the optic axis to provide rapid three-dimensional imaging while the objective and illumination may also be rapidly scanned along the optic axis to provide rapid three-dimensional imaging. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307038 | CHARGED PARTICLE BEAM APPARATUS - A signal processing unit ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120307039 | Apparatus for Providing a View of an Area that is Hard to Reach or Inaccessible - An apparatus for use in providing a view of an area is provided. The apparatus has a handle that can be gasped by a user and a screen for displaying a live image. Control members are present and are used to make selections. A freeze image is present and is capable of being displayed on the screen. Actuation of a single one of the control members causes the screen to toggle between the live image and the freeze image. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307040 | TECHNIQUE FOR CYLINDRICAL PART INNER SURFACE INSPECTION - A system and method for inspecting inner surfaces ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120307041 | IMAGE ACQUISITION APPARATUS, PATTERN INSPECTION APPARATUS, AND IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD - An image acquisition part of an apparatus includes a light irradiation part, a line sensor, an angle change mechanism, and a conveying mechanism for conveying a web. The light irradiation part emits light of a wavelength having the property of passing through a thin film pattern of the web. An irradiation angle of the light from the light irradiation part and a detection angle at which the line sensor captures an image are always the same, and these angles are changed by the angle change mechanism. In the apparatus, a set angle at which the contrast in an image is increased is obtained in advance for the irradiation angle and the detection angle, and these angles are set to that set angle. This enables the line sensor to acquire a high-contrast image using a light source having a single wavelength, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the apparatus. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307042 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE - An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a driving unit and a control unit. The control unit detects a human figure in an image of a scene of a monitored area, determines coordinate differences between the scene image's center and the figure image's center, and determines a tilt direction and a tilt angle of a lens of the image capture unit based on the coordinate differences. If the tilt angle falls within an allowable rotation range of the lens, the control unit controls the driving unit to directly rotate the lens by the tilt angle along the tilt direction. Otherwise, the control unit controls the driving unit to rotate the lens by a threshold angle along the tilt direction, and further controls the driving unit to adjust a flight orientation and a flight height of the UAV until the figure image's center superposes the scene image's center. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307043 | INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An inspection apparatus and method comprising a unit for acquiring an optical image of an object to be inspected by irradiating the object with light, wherein the unit includes a line sensor comprising a plurality of sensors linearly arranged in a row, a generating unit for generating a reference image from design data of the object to be inspected, a comparing unit for comparing the optical image with the reference image, a unit for storing data of three lines acquired by the line sensor, and calculating differences between a gradation value of a pixel on a center line and each gradation value of the eight pixels adjacent to the pixel determining if the pixel is a defect if all of the eight differences of the adjacent pixels are more than a predetermined threshold. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307044 | LEAK DETECTION APPARATUS FOR BLISTER PACKS - An apparatus for detecting a leak in one or more blister pockets of one or more blister packs. The apparatus includes a plate for receiving the pack(s), a pressure reducer able to change the pressure around the pack(s) so as to seek to cause deflection of at least one side of the or each blister pocket between at least a first pressure and a second pressure, and an illumination source able to provide a lattice illumination on the or each blister pocket at at least the first pressure and the second pressure. The apparatus also includes an image capture device is which is able to take latticed pictures of each blister pocket at least the first pressure and the second pressure, and processor able to compare the latticed pictures to detect deflection of the blister pocket(s) at the different pressures. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307045 | SUBSTRATE INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - In one embodiment, a substrate inspection apparatus performs, in its maintenance mode, operations including: guiding a light emitted from an illuminating unit to an imaging device via a light-guiding member disposed in a casing; judging whether or not a level of a brightness signal obtained by the imaging device falls within a predetermined allowable range when a light emitted from the illuminating unit falls on the imaging device via the light-guiding member; and alarming, if it is judged that the value of the brightness signal is out of the predetermined allowable range, that replacement of the illuminating unit is required. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307046 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THERMOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS - Methods and apparatus, including cameras and computer program products, implementing and using techniques for determining a temperature of a distant object in several temperature measurement points. A thermal image sensor measures thermal radiation from a distant object in several thermal measurement points on the object. A distance determination device includes an image sensor and calculates a distance to the object in several distance measurement points. A thermal image indicating an amount of thermal radiation from each thermal measurement point on the object is captured by the thermal image sensor. Reflected light from the object is captured by the image sensor. Several distances are calculated using the captured light. Each distance indicates a distance from the image sensor to a distance measurement point on the object. The data from the thermal image and the calculated distances are combined to determine a temperature in several temperature measurement points on the object. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307047 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An imaging system includes: an imaging unit that divides an imaging area of a subject into a plurality of blocks and captures images of the blocks; an image processing unit that merges the images of the respective blocks captured by the imaging unit to generate an entire image; a measuring unit that measures a plurality of points on the subject to acquire measured data before an image of the subject is captured by the imaging unit; and a dividing position adjusting unit that adjusts dividing positions of the subject based on the measured data of the measuring points acquired by the measuring unit so that boundaries of the blocks are arranged at positions having smaller spatial variations in values of the measured data. The imaging unit captures an image of each block according to the dividing positions adjusted by the dividing position adjusting unit. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307048 | SENSOR-BASED PLACEMENT OF SOUND IN VIDEO RECORDING - A method may include receiving video recorded with a camera and audio recorded with a microphone, wherein the video and audio were recorded simultaneously, and wherein the microphone is configured to move relative to the camera. The method may further include receiving a selection from a user of an object in the video, wherein the object is collocated with the microphone that recorded the audio. The method may further include tracking the object in the video and determining a location over time of the microphone relative to the camera based on the tracking of the object. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307049 | Networked security camera with local storage and continuous recording loop - A networked surveillance audio-video recorder for security applications with local storage and continuous record loop using high-definition video and encrypted data is described. Evidentiary audio-video is locally stored on a non-volatile storage media, and later transmitted in accordance with channel bandwidth with optional temporal, spatial or peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) scalability and in accordance to display capabilities of target viewing device upon request of time regions of interest or window around alarm trigger events, or for periodic archival reasons. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307050 | Mobile security audio-video recorder with local storage and continuous recording loop - An internet connected mobile security system for recording at least one audio and video on a removable semiconductor storage media in a continuous record loop for evidentiary documentation purposes inside an automotive vehicle or as a wearable video recording device is described. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307051 | VIDEO ENABLED ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A security system and method is provided that uses an auxiliary sensor, such as a video camera, to verify the presence of an object within a part of an interrogation zone. The presence of an activated security system tag in an interrogation zone is detected. The system also determines whether an object is in a surveillance detection zone when the activated security system tag is detected. An alarm is initiated if the object is in the surveillance detection zone within a predetermined time after the activated security system tag is detected in the interrogation zone. The alarm may be based on the direction of motion of the object in the surveillance zone. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307052 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THUMBNAIL-BASED CAMERA CONTROL - A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system is configured to display a field of view of the video sensing device as a thumbnail on a main display of an area, receive input from a user, wherein the input received from the user is received via one or more of a pan icon, a zoom icon, and a tilt icon, automatically calculate a change in one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the input, alter one or more of the pan, the tilt, and the zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the calculations, and display a new field of view of the video sensing device in the thumbnail as a function of the alteration of the pan, tilt, and zoom of the video sensing device. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307053 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS VIA THREE DIMENSIONAL METAPHOR AND CURSOR - A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system displays on the display unit a field of view of the video sensing device, and displays a three dimensional widget within the field of view. The widget includes one or more features for altering one or more of a location or size of the widget, thereby altering an area in the field of view covered by the widget. The system then alters one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the alteration of the location or size of the widget, thereby altering the field of view of the video sensing device. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307054 | VIDEO DEVICE - A video device for receiving capture image data from a server and displaying video based on the received capture image data or causing video based on the received capture image data to be displayed by a display device is provided with a network interface for connecting to a LAN, and a discovery unit for searching for the server within the LAN and discovering the server within the LAN. In a case in which the server discovered by the discovery unit is a plurality, the video device acquires capture image data from each of the plurality of servers and performs a thumbnail display of an acquired capture image from each of the plurality of servers or causes a thumbnail display of an acquired capture image from each of the plurality of servers to be performed by the display device. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307055 | IMAGE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND MULTIMEDIA APPARATUS - An image surveillance system, an image capturing apparatus, and a multimedia apparatus are provided. The image surveillance system includes an image capturing module, a first digital modulating module, a second digital modulating module, and a multimedia module. The image capturing module produces an image signal. The first digital modulating module includes a first digital modulator and a first analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog (AD/DA) converter to receive the image signal and modulate the same into a digital stream. The second digital modulating module includes a second digital modulator and a second AD/DA converter and is connected to the first AD/DA converter through a coaxial cable. The second digital modulator receives the digital stream and modulates the digital stream into image data. The multimedia module is electrically connected to the second digital modulating module and receives the image data. | 2012-12-06 |
20120307056 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING - A system and method for visualizing a biological sample. One or more spectra are selected for illuminating the biological sample to indicate one or more chemicals in the biological sample. The biological sample is illuminated with the one or more spectra. Reflected light is analyzed to determine characteristics of the biological sample. | 2012-12-06 |