Abstract: A method and apparatus of capturing non-structured light images and structured light images for deriving depth information are disclosed. According to the method, one or more non-SL (non-structured light) images without structured light and one or more initial SL (structured light) images formed on a common image plane are captured by projecting structured light patterns in a visible spectrum with the structured light source adjusted to generate initial structured light at an initial intensity level. The signal quality of structured light patterns reflected from one or more objects is evaluated based on the non-SL images and the initial SL images. If the signal quality of structured light patterns is below a threshold, a next set of SL images are captured by increasing the structured light level from a previous level until the signal of the structured light patterns is satisfactory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating or measuring a physical area or physical volume of an object of interest in one or more images captured using an endoscope are disclosed. According to the present method, an object of interest in an image or images is determined. Also, distance information associated with the object of interest with respect to an image sensor of the endoscope is received. The physical area size or physical volume size of the object of interest is then determined based on the image or images, and the distance information.

Abstract: A method of blocking apps and/or features on a smart device is provided. The smart device may include a GPS receiver and one or more wireless receiver devices. The method may include: detecting, by a control app running on the smart device, movement of the smart device into or out of a predetermined region based on data received by the GPS receiver and/or one or more of the wireless receiver devices; and blocking one or more apps and/or features on the smart device when the smart device is within the predetermined region. The method may include determining a current time; and wherein the one or more apps and/or features is blocked when both the smart device is within the predetermined region and the current time is within a predetermined time period. Also provided is a smart device, a server, and a system including a smart device and a server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image sequence using a capsule camera are disclosed. According to the present invention, a first energy-based frame time for the special images is determined based on first light energy perceived by the image sensor and a second energy-based frame time for the regular images is determined based on second light energy perceived by the image sensor. The capsule camera captures the image sequence comprising one or more sets of mixed-type images by configuring the capsule camera to cause a mixed-frame distance between the first energy-based frame time for one special image in a target set of mixed-type images and the second energy-based frame time for one regular image in the target set of mixed-type images smaller than an average frame period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating or measuring a physical area or physical volume of an object of interest in one or more images captured using an endoscope are disclosed. According to the present method, an object of interest in an image or images is determined. Also, distance information associated with the object of interest with respect to an image sensor of the endoscope is received. The physical area size or physical volume size of the object of interest is then determined based on the image or images, and the distance information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a liquid include a container including a body portion defining an internal chamber and at least one opening in communication with the internal chamber, and an insertable plug including a plug body with two rings attached to the plug body via hinges, the insertable plug configured to be inserted into the opening so that a portion of the plug body covers a lip of the opening to restrict access through the opening to the liquid contained in the internal chamber, wherein the hinges can be deformed to raise the two rings away from the plug body. An insertable plug for a container can include a cylindrical plug body, and two rings attached to the plug body by hinges, wherein the hinges can bend to orient the rings towards or away from the plug body.

Abstract: An endoscopy capsule having an image collecting capacity includes a deformable member configured to inflate when exposed to body liquid. The deformable member includes an effervescent material. When the effervescent reacts with water the resulting Carbon-Dioxide gas reduces the specific gravity of the endoscopy capsule. The capsule is contained within a shell or dome when swallowed. The shell or dome is configured dissolve in either a low or high pH environment.

Abstract: A method of reducing ghost in images captured using a capsule endoscope while travelling in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The captured images contain ghost caused by reflections of multiple light sources by capsule housing of the capsule endoscope. The method derive, from the plurality of images, a ghost model comprising multiple ghost coefficients for relating light energies from the multiple light sources for a given image with ghost signals at multiple pixel locations for the given image. De-ghosted images are generated by compensating the plurality of images using estimated ghost signals based on derived ghost coefficients and the light energies from the multiple light sources. The process of deriving, from the plurality of images, the ghost model comprises removing any sensor gamma or any other non-linearity in pixel values of the plurality of images associated with the light energy.

Abstract: A method of reducing ghost in images captured using a capsule endoscope while travelling in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The captured images contain ghost caused by reflections of multiple light sources by capsule housing of the capsule endoscope. The method derive, from the plurality of images, a ghost model comprising multiple ghost coefficients for relating light energies from the multiple light sources for a given image with ghost signals at multiple pixel locations for the given image. De-ghosted images are generated by compensating the plurality of images using estimated ghost signals based on derived ghost coefficients and the light energies from the multiple light sources. The process of deriving, from the plurality of images, the ghost model comprises removing any sensor gamma or any other non-linearity in pixel values of the plurality of images associated with the light energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image sequence using a capsule camera are disclosed. According to the present invention, a first energy-based frame time for the special images is determined based on first light energy perceived by the image sensor and a second energy-based frame time for the regular images is determined based on second light energy perceived by the image sensor. The capsule camera captures the image sequence comprising one or more sets of mixed-type images by configuring the capsule camera to cause a mixed-frame distance between the first energy-based frame time for one special image in a target set of mixed-type images and the second energy-based frame time for one regular image in the target set of mixed-type images smaller than an average frame period.

Abstract: A capsule device and a method for the capsule device remain in a very low power state and monitor whether it enters a desired section of the gastrointestinal track. The capsule device is coated with an enteric material that is expected to dissolve after it enters the small bowel. In the monitoring state, the capsule device captures a first image using the camera and the light source at a first frame rate substantially below a target frame rate. The capsule device compares first information related to the first image with second information related to a coating image corresponding to the coating. If the first information does not matches the second information, the capsule device declares that the coating has dissolved and the capsule device configures the camera to capture third images at the target rate after declaring that the coating has dissolved.

Abstract: An endoscopy capsule having an image collecting capacity includes a deformable member configured to inflate when exposed to body liquid. The deformable member includes an effervescent material. When the effervescent reacts with water the resulting Carbon-Dioxide gas reduces the specific gravity of the endoscopy capsule. The capsule is contained within a shell or dome when swallowed. The shell or dome is configured dissolve in either a low or high pH environment.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag comprises a flexible substrate and an integrated circuit embedded within the flexible substrate. The top surface of the integrated circuit is coplanar with the flexible substrate. At least one conductive element is formed on the flexible substrate. The conductive element is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. The conductive element serves as an antenna for the RFID tag.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a capsule device with textured structural surface so that the capsule device has desired surface properties when it travels through designated regions in the gastrointestinal tract. The capsule device according to the present invention comprises a sensor and a capsule housing, where the sensor is sealed in the capsule housing. The capsule housing having a textured surface to cover at least one region of an exterior surface of the capsule housing to increase holding force between the luminal wall and the capsule device when the capsule device travels inside a gastrointestinal (GI) tract after being swallowed. A coating can be added to cover the textured surface so as to make the capsule surface smooth for easy to swallow. The coating layer will dissolve when the capsule device is in contact with the acid fluid inside the GI tract.

Abstract: A machine tool apparatus and method for exterior and interior cutting operations on a workpiece is provided. In one form, the machine tool apparatus has a common support assembly with a tailstock and a boring tool holder mounted thereto. The common support assembly has a common support carriage that is mounted to a machine base for travel along a longitudinal axis parallel to a central axis of the workpiece. The tailstock and boring tool holder are mounted to a mounting base portion for travel transverse to the workpiece central axis. In one form, a turret having external cutting tools is separate from the boring tool holder and mounted to the machine base for performing external cutting operations on the workpiece. This separate mounting allows the turret to machine the exterior of the workpiece while also permitting a longer boring tool to perform deep internal cutting operations on the workpiece.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag comprises a flexible substrate and an integrated circuit embedded within the flexible substrate. The top surface of the integrated circuit is coplanar with the flexible substrate. At least one conductive element is formed on the flexible substrate. The conductive element is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. The conductive element serves as an antenna for the RFID tag.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag comprises a flexible substrate and an integrated circuit embedded within the flexible substrate. The top surface of the integrated circuit is coplanar with the flexible substrate. At least one conductive element is formed on the flexible substrate. The conductive element is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. The conductive element serves as an antenna for the RFID tag.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag comprises a flexible substrate and an integrated circuit embedded within the flexible substrate. The top surface of the integrated circuit is coplanar with the flexible substrate. At least one conductive element is formed on the flexible substrate. The conductive element is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. The conductive element serves as an antenna for the RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of regulating the Wobbe number of a multi-composition gas fuel supplied to one or more combustors of a gas turbine includes: (a) providing a control system for regulating fuel and air flow to the one or more combustors; and (b) reforming a fraction of the gas fuel upstream of the one or more combustors to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to the one or more combustors with a remaining fraction of the fuel; wherein the fraction of fuel reformed is adjusted to maintain the Wobbe number of the fuel supplied to the one or more combustors within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A machine tool apparatus and method for exterior and interior cutting operations on a workpiece is provided. In one form, the machine tool apparatus has a common support assembly with a tailstock and a boring tool holder mounted thereto. The common support assembly has a common support carriage that is mounted to a machine base for travel along a longitudinal axis parallel to a central axis of the workpiece. The tailstock and boring tool holder are mounted to a mounting base portion for travel transverse to the workpiece central axis. In one form, a turret having external cutting tools is separate from the boring tool holder and mounted to the machine base for performing external cutting operations on the workpiece. This separate mounting allows the turret to machine the exterior of the workpiece while also permitting a longer boring tool to perform deep internal cutting operations on the workpiece.