Abstract: An imaging unit outputs a video signal at a frame rate higher than a standard frame rate. During a zoom operation period or a period including the zoom operation period and periods before and after the zoom operation, a video signal from the imaging unit is recorded in a recording medium at a high recording frame rate. Other than this period, a video signal is recorded in the recording medium at the standard frame rate. The recording frame rate and zoom operation information is recorded as metadata in the recording medium. During reproduction, based on a set reproduction mode, thinning processing is carried out on a video signal recorded during a zoom operation, and the processed signal is output at the standard frame rate. In this way, it is possible to change a frame rate in view of a photographer's intention and assure compatibility with existing viewing and reproduction environments.

Abstract: A proton acceleration system is provided for accelerating protons within a target. The system includes a laser source generating a laser beam having a wavelength ?L and intensity and a target formed of foil having a selected thickness. The target is irradiated by the laser beam and transformed into a plasma that has a target density. This causes a treatment energy to be emitted from the foil due to the irradiation. The thickness of the foil of the target is selected so that the foil has a thickness within a range of optimal thickness ?s to 2×?s, wherein ?s is less than the laser wavelength and is a function of the laser intensity, laser wavelength, and target density sufficient to achieve radiation pressure acceleration (RPA).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, includes an input unit that inputs a plurality of input images. The image processing apparatus also includes an acquisition unit that acquires photographic information added to each of the plurality of input images. The image processing apparatus further includes a first setting unit that sets control information used to control a layout of each of the plurality of input images in accordance with whether or not the photographic information indicates that the respective input image is photographed with emphasis on an object. The image processing apparatus further includes a generator that generates an output image on which each of the plurality of input images is configured to have an image size according to the control information of the respective input image.

Abstract: A liquid reclamation apparatus for use in changing automobile oil includes a container, a portable receptacle within the container and dimensioned to hold a volume of oil sufficient to perform an oil change and a cover releasably secured to the container.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a reception unit configured to receive print data, a first identification unit configured to identify user information contained in the received print data, a first determination unit configured to determine whether there is any user currently logged onto the printing apparatus, a second identification unit configured to identify user information corresponding to a currently logged on user, a second determination unit configured to determine whether the user information is identical, a suspending unit configured to suspend print processing when the user information are not identical to each other, a printing unit configured to print the print data when the user information are identical to each other, and print the print data in response to a log-out action of the currently logged on user when the print data is suspended by the suspending unit, and an inhibition unit configured to inhibit a log-in action based on different user information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device which is capable of avoiding disappearance of print data such as thin lines by increasing probability in which an original image is stored even after resolution conversion processing is executed to a binary image. In order to achieve this, the present invention may leave the pixels in any of the two lines halftone-processed with same threshold value row after the resolution conversion in a given ratio.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus having a printer driver installed thereon and configured to be in communication with a printing apparatus includes a setting changing unit configured to generate an instruction to the printer driver to change a setting value for default setting information stored in the printer driver described in a setting file for instructing changing of a setting value for the printer driver.

Abstract: An image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a moving unit configured to move a display position of an image displayed on a display screen; a setting unit configured to set a compressed image display area in the image; and a compression unit configured to, when a nondisplay area that is not displayed on the display screen is created in the image by the moving unit, compress the nondisplay area so that the nondisplay area fits within the compressed image display area and is displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus allows an interior structure including a camera unit to make a retreating movement in response to a shock applied to a cover from various directions. The imaging apparatus includes a camera unit including a lens and an image sensor, a dome cover covering the camera unit, a tilt support stand tilt-rotatably supporting the camera unit, a pan rotary support member pan-rotating together with the tilt support stand, and an elastic member arranged on the pan rotary support member and imparting an urging force to the tilt support stand. When a force is applied from the dome cover, the camera unit can make a retreating movement in a vertical direction and a slanting direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating food substances includes a cutting plate defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one cutting surface for supporting food substances and a collecting tray releasably mountable to the cutting plate. The collecting tray defines a reservoir for collecting food substances cut on the culling surface. The collecting tray may define a spout adapted to facilitate pouring of liquid material of the food substances. The collecting tray may define first and second spout segments. The first and second spouts may be disposed in diametrical opposed relation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a unit to obtain mosaic image data by shooting a subject with use of a color image sensor in which five or more kinds of color filters are arranged in front of an image pickup device; a first interpolator to perform interpolation to color information of a high-definition color filter, in regard to the obtained mosaic image data; and a second interpolator to perform interpolation to color information of a low-definition color filter of which a peak wavelength in spectral transmittance is adjacent to that of the high-definition color filter, by using a result of the interpolation by the first interpolator, wherein the mosaic image data is image data which has one color information for each pixel, and the five or more kinds of color filters include the plural high-definition color filters and the plural low-definition color filters, thereby performing demosaicing without deteriorating definition.

Abstract: A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a screw-based retractor, are disclosed herein and allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by separating the opposed blades to allow the retractor portions to be pulled out of the wound. The retractor is intended to be made of a flexible metal material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A switch unit (40) is mountable to a distal end of a handpiece of an electrically-activatable surgical tool, such as an ultrasonically-vibratable surgical tool. The switch unit (40) has a generally bullet-shaped outer form with an axial bore (42) through which a waveguide of the tool extends. A resiliently deformable band (1) extends around the switch unit (40) above a polygonal-section contact zone (2), such that fingertip pressure on the band (1) may locally depress the band (1) towards a flat area (12) of the contact zone (2). Switch contacts (11) are mounted to an inner surface of the band (1) opposite a plated circuit (10) located on each flat area (12) so as to form a plurality of switches. A switch to activate the tool is thus easily accessible to a user's fingertip in any orientation of the handpiece in the user's hand. The switch contacts (11) may each comprise a body having an electrical resistance dependent on a pressure exerted thereon.

Abstract: A data acquisition unit that acquires data from a server, a generation unit that generates a first document that has been laid out by merging the data into a template that describes layout information, a rendering unit that renders the first document that has been laid out to obtain a document for output, and a document association unit that associates a document set, the first document that has been laid out and the document for output are comprised. The rendering unit renders a second document that has been laid out obtained by editing the first document that has been laid out to obtain a second document for output, and the document association unit associates the document set, the second document that has been laid out and the second document for output.

Abstract: A defect pixel detection apparatus includes an image sensor which includes an effective pixel configured to have a photoelectric conversion element and an output unit configured to output a pixel signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element, a first reference pixel configured to have the same pixel configuration as the effective pixel and be optically shielded, and a second reference pixel configured to have a pixel configuration different from that of the effective pixel, a defect level acquiring unit configured to acquire a defect level of a target pixel in the image sensor, and a defect pixel determination unit configured to determine whether the target pixel is a defect pixel by comparing a defect level of the target pixel with a defect detection threshold according to a type of the pixel.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a piston for an internal-combustion engine of the structure in which a piston body which is composed of a crown having a groove for fitting a piston ring into an outer circumference surface and a skirt in connection with the bottom of the crown is provided with an annular cavity for flowing cooling liquid on an inside of the groove, the method comprising the steps of: forming the crown and the skirt individually; forming an annular groove for the annular cavity in the inner bottom of the crown and an annular rib in connection with the open edge of the annular groove before the crown and the skirt are joined together; bending the rib toward the opening of the annular groove by application of pressure to close the opening of the annular groove to thereby form the annular cavity; and joining the crown and the skirt together.