Abstract: Systems and methods for image alignment are disclosed. A method includes: determining a first set of patches for a first image and a second set of patches for a second image, wherein each patch in the first and second sets of patches comprises a portion of the first and second image, respectively; determining a set of possible match pairings of a patch from the first set and a patch from the second set; for each match pairing in the set of possible match pairings, computing a transformation operation to align the patch from the first set of patches and the patch from the second set of patches in the match pairing; grouping the match pairings into clusters based on parameters of the transformation operations of the match pairings; and, performing the transformation operation corresponding to at least one cluster to align the first image to the second image.

Abstract: An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image alignment are disclosed. A method includes: determining a first set of patches for a first image and a second set of patches for a second image, wherein each patch in the first and second sets of patches comprises a portion of the first and second image, respectively; determining a set of possible match pairings of a patch from the first set and a patch from the second set; for each match pairing in the set of possible match pairings, computing a transformation operation to align the patch from the first set of patches and the patch from the second set of patches in the match pairing; grouping the match pairings into clusters based on parameters of the transformation operations of the match pairings; and, performing the transformation operation corresponding to at least one cluster to align the first image to the second image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image alignment are disclosed. A method includes: determining a first set of patches for a first image and a second set of patches for a second image, wherein each patch in the first and second sets of patches comprises a portion of the first and second image, respectively; determining a set of possible match pairings of a patch from the first set and a patch from the second set; for each match pairing in the set of possible match pairings, computing a transformation operation to align the patch from the first set of patches and the patch from the second set of patches in the match pairing; grouping the match pairings into clusters based on parameters of the transformation operations of the match pairings; and, performing the transformation operation corresponding to at least one cluster to align the first image to the second image.

Abstract: A machine for depositing toppings onto a loaf of dough includes a lower belt assembly, an upper belt assembly and a pair of side belt assemblies. The lower belt assembly includes a lower conveyor belt that rotates in a first direction at a first speed to carry the loaf of dough from an upstream end of the machine to a downstream end of the machine. The upper belt assembly includes an upper conveyor belt that rotates in the first direction. Each of the pair of side belt assemblies includes a side conveyor belt positioned between the lower conveyor belt and the upper conveyor belt. At least one of the side conveyor belts includes a non-vertical portion.

Abstract: An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image alignment are disclosed. A method includes: determining a first set of patches for a first image and a second set of patches for a second image, wherein each patch in the first and second sets of patches comprises a portion of the first and second image, respectively; determining a set of possible match pairings of a patch from the first set and a patch from the second set; for each match pairing in the set of possible match pairings, computing a transformation operation to align the patch from the first set of patches and the patch from the second set of patches in the match pairing; grouping the match pairings into clusters based on parameters of the transformation operations of the match pairings; and, performing the transformation operation corresponding to at least one cluster to align the first image to the second image.

Abstract: A device and method for operating a capacitive touch screen input device configured to sense input objects and their applied force in a sensing region, the device including a pliable component having an input surface and characterized by a bending stiffness, and first and second arrays of sensor electrodes. The input device further includes a third array of sensor electrodes and a spacing layer disposed between the third array. The pliable component is characterized by a compressive stiffness and configured to deform in response to a force applied to the input surface and to deflect the second array of sensor electrodes towards the third array of sensor electrodes, wherein the deformation of the input surface and the deflection of the second array of sensor electrodes is a function of the ratio of the bending stiffness of the pliable component and the compressive stiffness of the spacing layer.

Abstract: A device and method for operating a capacitive input device configured to sense input objects and their applied force in a sensing region, the device including a pliable component having an input surface and characterized by a bending stiffness, and first and second arrays of sensor electrodes. The input device further includes a third array of sensor electrodes and a spacing layer disposed between the third array. The pliable component is characterized by a compressive stiffness and configured to deform in response to a force applied to the input surface and to deflect the second array of sensor electrodes towards the third array of sensor electrodes, wherein the deformation of the input surface and the deflection of the second array of sensor electrodes is a function of the ratio of the bending stiffness of the pliable component and the compressive stiffness of the spacing layer.

Abstract: A device and method for operating a capacitive input device configured to sense input objects and their applied force in a sensing region, the device including a pliable component having an input surface and characterized by a bending stiffness, and first and second arrays of sensor electrodes. The input device further includes a third array of sensor electrodes and a spacing layer disposed between the third array. The pliable component is characterized by a compressive stiffness and configured to deform in response to a force applied to the input surface and to deflect the second array of sensor electrodes towards the third array of sensor electrodes, wherein the deformation of the input surface and the deflection of the second array of sensor electrodes is a function of the ratio of the bending stiffness of the pliable component and the compressive stiffness of the spacing layer.

Abstract: One type of capacitive sensing apparatus has a sensing element that includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent opposite edges of a sensing region. Signals from the first and second portions are combined. Another type of apparatus includes: a first sensing element including first and second portions; a second sensing element including third and fourth portions; and a third sensing element including fifth and sixth portions. The first, third and fifth portions form a first pattern, and the second, fourth and sixth portions form a second pattern. The patterns are bilaterally symmetrical about a median of a sensing region. In another type of apparatus, an electrical conductor coupled to a first sensing element passes through a gap in a second sensing element. An electrical conductor coupled to the second sensing element is dimensioned such that a capacitive coupling to the second sensing element is compensated for the gap.

Abstract: Patterns of sensor elements that can be used in capacitance sensing devices are described. A plurality of sensor elements extends in a radial direction from a shared center. A first subset of the sensor elements extend like spirals in a clockwise direction, and a second subset of the sensor elements extend like spirals in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a capacitive sensor apparatus that includes a sensing element and a ground element. The capacitive sensor apparatus also includes a floating strike ring that is electrically isolated from the sensing element. The floating strike ring and the ground element form a spark gap. The spark gap is for reducing potential damage to the capacitive sensor apparatus that can be caused by an electrostatic discharge encountered by the capacitive sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A protected faceplate structure of a field emission display device is disclosed in one embodiment. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention recites a faceplate of a field emission display device wherein the faceplate of the field emission display device is adapted to have phosphor containing wells disposed above one side thereof. The present embodiment is further comprised of a barrier layer which is disposed over the one side of said faceplate which is adapted to have phosphor containing wells disposed thereabove. The barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate. Specifically, the barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate due to electron bombardment by electrons directed towards the phosphor containing wells.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a capacitive sensor apparatus that includes a first sensing element having substantially constant width along its length and configured to have varying capacitive coupling to an object proximate to a capacitive sensing reference surface, along a first axis of the capacitive sensing reference surface. The length of the first sensing element is oriented along the first axis. The capacitive sensor apparatus can include a second sensing element having substantially constant width along its length and configured to have varying capacitive coupling to the object proximate to the capacitive sensing reference surface along the first axis. The length of the second sensing element is oriented along the first axis. The first and second sensing elements are conductive, and are configured to provide information corresponding to a spatial location of the object relative to the first axis of the capacitive sensing reference surface.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a two-dimensional capacitive sensor apparatus. The two-dimensional capacitive sensor can include a first sensing element having varying width, a second sensing element having varying width, and a third sensing element having varying width. Additionally, the first sensing element, second sensing element, and third sensing element are substantially parallel to a first axis. Furthermore, each of the first sensing element, second sensing element, and third sensing element can be located such that they are not required to overlap each other to determine a first location along the first axis of a two-dimensional space. Moreover, the first sensing element, second sensing element, and third sensing element can have a cumulative width that is substantially constant.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a support structure. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of forming a layer of material into the support structure. The layer of material is adapted to be attached onto a substrate surface. The method further comprises treating the layer of material. The present method is further comprised of etching said layer of material. The fabricated support structure is then implementable during assembly of a display device. In one embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface prior to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material. In another embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface subsequent to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material.