Abstract: A method and apparatus for defect detection through color-filter channels is provided. The present invention includes an electronic scanner or similar device having a multilinear imager, a computer, and software that implements all the color channels of the multilinear imager to collect IR information in order to detect defects on a physical medium. The present invention implements methods to increase IR gathering speed and/or increase the clarity of captured images on multilinear-imager devices. These improvements are accomplished by capturing infrared (IR) light through each color-filter channel such that image defects such as dust and scratches are removed. In one embodiment of the present invention, IR information is collected from each color channel at different scan positions in either a one-pass or a two-pass scanning system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing the effects of bleed-through on captured images. Multiple images of a single physical medium are recorded by illuminating the physical medium with at least one light source capable of generating light having a first and a second illumination quality. By combining the recorded images, a captured image with reduced bleed-through may be formed. Reflected light, transmitted light, or a combination of reflected and transmitted light from one or more illumination sources may be used in recording the images. The present invention finds application in photocopy devices, facsimile machines, optical recognition systems, and the like.

Abstract: An organ preservation system according to one embodiment of the disclosures herein includes a perfusion liquid delivery apparatus, a perfusion liquid pumping apparatus and a thermal mass. The perfusion liquid pumping apparatus is connected to the perfusion liquid delivery apparatus and is capable of delivering a perfusion liquid to the perfusion liquid delivery apparatus. The thermal mass includes a thermal mass cooling core body having a core cavity therein. A cooling member is disposed in the core cavity of the thermal mass cooling core body. A super-coolable composition is disposed within the core cavity of the thermal mass cooling core body encapsulating at least a portion of the cooling member. The cooling member is coupled between the perfusion liquid delivery apparatus and the perfusion liquid pumping apparatus and is capable of having the perfusion liquid routed therethrough for enabling the perfusion liquid to be cooled.

Abstract: A mixed-element stitching and noise reduction system includes apparatus and methods for producing an image dataset having a reduced noise content without substantially impacting image reproduction accuracy. Such noise reduction is provided by replacing a portion of a first, higher noise image dataset with a portion of a second, lower noise dataset. In a preferred embodiment, two image datasets comprising a color-stitched image and a luminance image are received from a DFP image capturing system. The received images are preferably separately stitched and separately converted to a color-space in which a luminance data channel is separated from image color information. The luminance channel of the luminance image is then preferably substituted for the luminance channel of the color-stitched image. More preferably, a log-time stitching technique is used and the stitched images are each converted to an L*a*b* color space.

Abstract: A oven conveyor system is disclosed herein. In use, items to be heated are placed in contact with a hearth, and then moved across the hearth by the conveyor. The conveyor system allows the items to maintain contact with the hearth while being conveyed. A large volume of items may be heated while still obtaining the beneficial heating characteristics of a hearth-type oven.

Abstract: Various aspects of one or more methods, apparatuses and data processor program products capable of enabling administration of an athleticism development program are disclosed herein. These various aspects include facilitating an athleticism training routine by an athleticism development program subscriber and facilitating a present athleticism level assessment by the athleticism development program subscriber after facilitating the athleticism training routine. After facilitating the present athleticism level assessment, an attained standardized athleticism level corresponding to the present athleticism level evaluation is determined. The implementation of standardized athleticism levels is advantageous as it supports a measurable plan of progress for motivating a subscriber and trainer to meet their individual and mutual goals.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for actuating a bolt carrier group apparatus comprising a piston tube attached to a receiver assembly. An operating rod is disposed in a bore of the piston tube. A piston is engaged with a first end of the operating rod. The operating rod moves from a static position to a displaced position when a combustion gas is exposed to a face of the piston. A bolt carrier including a bolt carrier lug is disposed in a bolt carrier lug channel of an upper receiver body. A tappet rod is engaged with the bolt carrier lug. The tappet rod moves substantially in unison with the operating rod. A yoke is attached to the tappet rod and to the operating rod. The yoke is mounted movably on the piston tube. An adjustable pressure regulator is coupled to the piston tube for regulating discharge of the combustion gas therethrough.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a container of a vehicle, wherein the container has a first end and a second end. The cover assembly comprises a retractable cover having a first end attached to a roller assembly and a second end attached to a cover support element, and rolling means adapted to roll the cover upon the roller assembly. The cover support element is supported by at least one pivot arm at an upper end thereof. The pivot arm is pivotable about a lower end thereof at a point intermediate the two ends of the container and adjacent the bottom of the container, between a first position in which the cover support element is adjacent the first end of the container and a second position in which the cover support element is adjacent the second end of the container. The roller assembly is mounted for movement between a lower position.

Abstract: A method of reconfiguring a firearm receiver system comprises the operations of providing a substantially as-manufactured OEM lower receiver assembly capable of having an ammunition magazine attached thereto for communicating ammunition to an OEM upper receiver assembly capable of having ammunition communicated thereto exclusively from the OEM lower receiver assembly; mounting a supplemental upper receiver assembly capable of having belt-fed ammunition communicated thereto on the OEM lower receiver assembly; mounting an ammunition belt feeding assembly on the supplemental upper receiver assembly; attaching a piston tube assembly to the supplemental upper receiver assembly; coupling a tappet assembly to the piston tube assembly; engaging the tappet assembly with a bolt carrier of the supplemental upper receiver assembly; and attaching an adjustable pressure regulator to the piston tube assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods for producing pre-conditioned solutes that exhibit no temperature spike during super-cooling in a cryogenic process. In addition, the solutes demonstrate utile capabilities and characteristics such as more efficient heat absorption rates and eutectic material properties which make the preconditioned solutes an efficient heat exchange medium. The methods involve super-cooling a solute to induce a long-duration phase change capability. The pre-conditioned solute may be thawed and will retain long-duration phase change capabilities for subsequent freezing cycles if the freezing protocols disclosed herein are followed. Material to be frozen may be directly immersed into pre-conditioned, super-cooled solutes for freezing. The solute may be propylene glycol, glycerol, or other suitable solutes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the automatic advance warning of imminent automatic door closure to passengers of public transportation vehicles. Comprised of a panel mounted above the automatic door, consisting of an alarm light, a message display area, and a speaker capable of producing audible alarm warnings as well as audible verbal warning messages, it is capable of warning incoming passengers that automatic door closure is imminent. When a door close signal is received from existing door control circuitry, the apparatus is activated and it produces the audible and visual warning messages. After an appropriate delay period the audible and visual warning devices are deactivated and a door close signal is issued to the existing automatic doors and associated door safety guard circuitry.

Abstract: An article according to one embodiment of the disclosures herein includes a cooling core body, a cooling member and a super-coolable composition. The cooling core body has a core cavity therein. The cooling member disposed in the core cavity. A super-coolable composition is disposed within the core cavity encapsulating at least a portion of the cooling member.

Abstract: A firearm receiver system includes an upper receiver assembly capable of receiving magazine-fed ammunition and belt-fed ammunition. A lower receiver is attached to the upper receiver assembly. The lower receiver assembly is capable of having an ammunition magazine attached thereto for communicating ammunition from the ammunition magazine to the upper receiver assembly. An ammunition belt feeding assembly is attached to the upper receiver assemble for communicating ammunition from an ammunition belt to the upper receiver assembly.

Abstract: A protective enclosure according to one embodiment of the disclosures herein includes a hollow body and a lock capturing member attached tot he hollow body. The hollow body includes spaced apart side walls, a front wall attached between the spaced apart side walls and a first handle-engaging member at least partially defining a rear wall. The first handle-engaging member extends from a top end of the hollow body toward a bottom end of the hollow body. The first handle-engaging member is offset from a rear edge of each one of the side walls wherein a handle-receiving channel is defined between the side walls and the first handle-engaging member. The lock-capturing member is attached to the hollow body and includes a shank-receiving aperture for receiving a shank of a lock therethrough. The shank-receiving aperture is positioned within the hollow body.

Abstract: A monobath solution is coated onto undeveloped film to produce a developed image within the film. The coated film is scanned to produce an electronic representation of the developed image. The electronic representation can be output to a output device, such as a printer, memory storage device, data network, or the Internet. The monobath solution comprises a combination of a developing agent and some other processing function. For example, the monobath solution may comprise a combination of a developing agent and a fixing agent, bleaching agent, or stabilizing agent. The developed image generally comprises developed in-situ silver and at least one dye.

Abstract: Viable biological material is cryogenically preserved (cryopreservation) by immersing the material in a tank of cooling fluid, and circulating the cooling fluid past the material at a substantially constant predetermined velocity and temperature to freeze the material. The material may either be directly plunged into the cooling fluid without preparation, or chemically prepared prior to freezing. A method according to the present invention freezes the biologic material quickly enough to avoid the formation of ice crystals within cell structures (vitrification) and allows the samples to maintain anatomical structure and remain biochemically active after thaw. The temperature of the cooling fluid is preferably between −20 degrees centigrade and −30 degrees centigrade, which is warm enough to minimize the formation of stress fractures and other artefacts in cell membranes due to thermal changes.

Abstract: A digital film processing system and film processing solution cartridge are disclosed. The cartridge comprises a housing and a chamber for storing a film processing fluid. The processing solution may be contained within a flexible bladder within the chamber. The cartridge may also include an integral applicator for coating the processing solution onto undeveloped film. The cartridge is generally removeably attached to the film processing system, but may also be refillable.

Abstract: A log-time stitching system provides for directly determining an accurate pixel exposure for each pixel in a recorded image. The present invention provides a digital processing system in which signals associated with a pixel are obtained at each of a plurality of different development times of the film being developed. A regression analysis that compares these different development times versus the natural log of time is made, to obtain a best fit line of this data, which line is then used to determine a “b” value. This “b” value or “fitting constant” corresponds to the intersection of the y-intercept and the best fit line. It has been discovered that this “b” value is substantially directly proportional to the log exposure of the pixel. Accordingly, this “b” value can be directly used to determine an appropriate exposure of the pixel.