Abstract: A heater part of a planar sensor element includes: a heater element containing Pt; an insulating layer covering the heater element; and a heater electrode located on a main surface of the sensor element to be exposed. A portion of the heater part other than the heater electrode is buried in a base part formed of a solid electrolyte. The insulating layer at least contains MgO, MgAl2O4, and Mg4Nb2O9 in a weight percentage of 97 wt % to 100 wt % in total. MgO, MgAl2O4, and Mg4Nb2O9 are contained in weight percentages of 30 wt % to 60 wt %, 30 wt % to 60 wt %, and 0.5 wt % to 15 wt %, respectively. The insulating layer has a porosity of 4% or less.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the braking performance of a vehicle. The method includes, for at least some of the braking events: determining a braking demand; determining vehicle deceleration; defining a first data set of braking events, wherein each braking event in the data set includes a determined braking demand and a determined vehicle deceleration; applying a statistical trend analysis method to the data set to generate a vehicle deceleration and braking demand trend; providing a vehicle deceleration and braking demand reference; and comparing at least one trend value with at least one reference value. From this comparison it is possible to determine if the braking system is operating within an acceptable limit. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of selectively distorting a human face or other subject to be filmed or photographed includes providing a reflective or transmissive medium on which is formed a color pattern of two or more colors that produces white or gray by additive mixing, the color pattern consisting of a first set of one or more colors each of whose hue is ?300 degrees or ?120 degrees on a standard RGB color wheel and a second set of one or more colors each of whose hue is between 120 degrees and 300 degrees, the first set of colors confined to a contiguous region of the color pattern that makes up 50% or less by area. The method further includes positioning the medium relative to a light source and the subject such that light incident on the medium is reflected or transmitted by the medium and cast upon the subject.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first lens frame that holds a first lens; a second lens frame that holds a second lens, and holds the first lens frame movably along an optical axis; and a pair of linear units that drive the movement of the first lens frame along the optical axis. When seen in an optical axis direction, the pair of linear units are disposed along the outer circumference of the first lens frame, at mutually non-opposing positions across the optical axis.

Abstract: A camera unit includes a camera main member; a camera bracket assembled to the camera main member by a first engagement device (for example, a combination between an engagement projection, and an engagement hole or claw); and a fixing bracket assembled to the camera bracket by a second engagement device (a combination between an engagement projection and an engagement hole) so as to mount the camera main member on an attachment object. The first engagement device includes an engagement portion provided in the camera main member, and an engagement piece provided moveably in the camera bracket so as to become engageable with the engagement projection accompanied by a moving displacement. The fixing bracket includes a control portion disposed in a movement space of the engagement piece in a state wherein the camera bracket is assembled by the second engagement device, so that the engagement piece thereof becomes unmovable.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gas sensor is disclosed. The gas sensor includes a substrate region, a first electrode provided on the substrate region, and a movable structure above the first electrode. The movable structure includes a deformable member which deforms by absorbing or adsorbing a predetermined gas, a heat member which heats the deformable member, and a second electrode. The gas sensor further includes a first cavity region which is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for analyzing one or more points of interest. The apparatus includes a main support having first and second legs. The first and second legs extending transversely from the main support. The main support nests an imaging device capable of capturing an image of a point of interest during use. An imaging shroud is coupled to and extending from the first leg, the shroud having a first opening for surrounding the point of interest. A second opening in the shroud is positioned such that it extends to be within the main support for the passage of a captured image of the point of interest during use.

Abstract: An iris module and a camera module including the iris module. The iris module includes a base including a yoke, blades disposed on an object side of the base, and a driving magnet movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction, and disposed to oppose the yoke. The yoke includes holding portions on both ends of the yoke, and the holding portions protrude in a direction of the driving magnet.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus that comprises a housing, an imaging element disposed in the housing, a battery disposed in the housing, and a heat storage material filled in a space in the housing and thermally connected to at least one of the imaging element or the battery.

Abstract: A board testing apparatus and method and in particular a testing apparatus for testing a board made of a corrugated material, such as corrugated cardboard, for failure characteristics. The method comprises taking a corrugated board from a corrugator or converter, locating at least a part of the board into a testing machine, performing a non-destructive compression test on a sample region of the part of the board within the machine and providing a compression test characteristic reading of that region of the board, comparing that characteristic reading against a predefined acceptable compression test characteristic reading that design of corrugated board should have and concluding from the comparison as to whether the board, or that sample region of the board, meets a required compression stiffness parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample transfer device (10) for reception of a sample, having a transfer rod (4) that is configured for reception of a sample holder, the sample holder to be arranged in a chamber (1) of the sample transfer device (10) for the purpose of transferring the sample to a processing unit or analytical unit (200), at least one measurement device (3, 8) for measuring a physical variable being arranged inside the sample transfer device (10).

Abstract: A method of using a photogrammetry system to produce a three-dimensional image representation includes placing an object in the photogrammetry system, illuminating only a plurality of polarized lights, capturing a polarized image capture set of the object using a plurality of cameras while only the plurality of polarized lights are illuminated, and sending the polarized image capture set to the at least one computer processor. The method further comprises illuminating only a plurality of non-polarized lights, capturing a non-polarized image capture set of the object from the plurality of cameras while only the non-polarized lights are illuminated, and sending the non-polarized image capture set to the at least one computer processor. The method still further comprises using the at least one computer processor to generate a three-dimensional image representation of the object includes comparing the polarized image capture set and the non-polarized image capture set.

Abstract: A coupling releasably secures an item such as a body camera to a mount point. The coupling includes a connector and a receiver. The connector includes a crossbar and a post. The receiver includes an opening and a slot. The crossbar moves through the entry opening and the connector is rotated relative to the receiver. The post of the connector is moved through the slot to engage the receiver and hold the connector in a mounted position on the receiver, thereby securing the item to the mount point. Embodiments of the present disclosure also involve methods for securing the item to the mount point using a connector and receiver, as well as systems for mounting an item using a connector, receiver, and mount point.

Abstract: An electrical fixture apparatus is provided to install devices on an electrical wiring component. In some embodiments, a fixture apparatus is provided for installing a camera using at least one conduit, one of which has a fastening end on one end, and a camera housing attached to a conduit on the other end. The camera in the camera housing provides support to be remotely reset using a sequence of power off on within a certain time interval. In further embodiments, a fixture apparatus is provided for installing a device on an electrical wiring component. The fixture apparatus may comprise at least one conduit, which has a fastening end on one end, and has a base at the other end. The fixture apparatus preferably supports the installation of an off the shelf device on its base.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of, even when a flash band appears during a zooming operation, properly compensating for the flash band to generate a post-compensation image having no different levels of luminance. A lens unit has a zoom function. Image information generated based on image signals output from an image pickup device, which sequentially starts exposure and sequentially reads out signals for each row of pixels, is held in a memory unit. Based on the image information, the flash band caused by an external flash and extending across a plurality of frames is detected, and frames in which the flash band was detected are corrected to obtain an image having no different levels of luminance. The frames are corrected according to a calculated zoom change ratio of the lens unit when the zoom change ratio does not fall inside a first range determined in advance.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter has a base plate with an opening; a leading and trailing blade opening and closing the opening; a leading blade driver; a trailing blade driver; a charging portion; a braking member; and a brake driver. The leading blade driver drives the leading blade through a first biasing force of a first biasing member and drives the leading blade through a second biasing force of a second biasing member. The trailing blade driver drives the trailing blade by a third biasing force of a third biasing member. The charging portion applies the second biasing force to the second biasing member and applies the third biasing force to the third biasing member. The braking member brakes the leading blade through friction and the brake driver moves the braking member to brake the leading blade, independently of the leading blade driver, the trailing blade driver, and the charging portion.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for calibrating the volume of storage containers using mechanical or acoustic wave-based inspection techniques. The exemplary calibration system comprises an array of measurement devices controllably deployed in respective positions on the outside surface of the container. The measurement devices include a transducer for sending signals along the surface of the container and sensors configured to detect the signals. The measurement devices are in communication with a diagnostic computing device that controls the positioning and the operation of the measurement devices and is further configured to determine the time time-of-flight of the signals that travel between the various devices. Moreover, according to the specific arrangement of the measurement devices and the measured signal information, the control computer is configured to calculate the dimensions of the container and its internal volume.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of a volute casing of a centrifugal pump, the method includes determining, in a wall of the volute casing, at least one point, which, in view of the material forming the volute casing, is critical to wear, providing, from outside the volute casing, a blind hole in the wall of the volute casing at the at least one point, the blind hole having a depth, receiving information from the blind hole, and taking predetermined actions to replace the volute casing with a new casing after the information indicates the opening of the blind hole into the interior of the volute casing.

Abstract: A camera-mounting apparatus includes a mechanically stabilizing frame, a plurality of camera fastenings, each being suitable for receiving and fixing at least one camera. The camera fastenings are attached in a distributed manner around the frame and are oriented such that a total field of view of all the cameras is larger than a field of view of an individual camera. Each point of the total field of view lies in the field of view of at least two of the cameras. An interior of the frame includes a cavity for receiving a support, in particular the head of a person wearing the device or a small (approximately head-sized) vehicle or aircraft.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring camera including a first case that contains lens barrel unit and is rotationally movable between a first lock position and a first release position, and a second case that covers the lens barrel unit disposed in the first case and is rotationally movable between a second lock position and a second release position, wherein the second case can be removed from the first case in a state where the first case is fixed to an installation member by rotationally moving the second case to a first direction from the second lock position to the second release position in a state where the first case is located at the first lock position.