Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system provide the ability to draw a feature line on an image. An image is acquired and is represented as a set of pixel samples for every pixel in the image, with each pixel sample including one or more feature attributes. One or more features are detected based on differences between the feature attributes. The detected features are represented by pixel samples. A color of the pixel samples representing the detected features is altered. The image is rendered based on the pixel samples including the altered color, and the feature line includes the altered color.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system provide the ability to draw a feature line on an image. An image is acquired and is represented as a set of pixel samples for every pixel in the image, with each pixel sample including one or more feature attributes. One or more features are detected based on differences between the feature attributes. The detected features are represented by pixel samples. A color of the pixel samples representing the detected features is altered. The image is rendered based on the pixel samples including the altered color, and the feature line includes the altered color.

Abstract: A shading method and computer graphics system are provided in which a path of light is reflected at a given object from a virtual light source. The path of light reaches a given eye point is sampled. A distribution function for a surface of the object is obtained using the sampled path of light, and arithmetic processing is performed such that a maximum value of the distribution function is less than or equal to a predetermined value. In this regard, an estimated specular roughness of the surface of the object is obtained by setting the distribution function to be less than or equal to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor includes a phototransmitter that outputs light toward a detection target region of an object; an optical receiver that receives the light outputted from the phototransmitter; a signal processing unit that outputs a signal indicating that the object is detected in response to a decrease of an amount of light received by the optical receiver; and two optical filters that are provided between the phototransmitter and the optical receiver to transmit only pieces of light having specific characteristics.

Abstract: A product identification apparatus for determining whether an inspection target product to be identified is the same as a predetermined verification product includes: an extraction unit configured to extract an input pattern formed of asperities on the surface of a predetermined part of the inspection target product from a captured image obtained by capturing the image of the predetermined part of the inspection target product; and a comparison unit configured to compare the input pattern with an identification pattern extracted from a captured image obtained by capturing in advance the image of a part of the verification product so as to determine whether the input pattern is the same as the identification pattern or the input pattern includes the identification pattern.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor includes a phototransmitter that outputs light toward a detection target region of an object; an optical receiver that receives the light outputted from the phototransmitter; a signal processing unit that outputs a signal indicating that the object is detected in response to a decrease of an amount of light received by the optical receiver; and two optical filters that are provided between the phototransmitter and the optical receiver to transmit only pieces of light having specific characteristics.

Abstract: A product identification apparatus for determining whether an inspection target product to be identified is the same as a predetermined verification product includes: an extraction unit configured to extract an input pattern formed of asperities on the surface of a predetermined part of the inspection target product from a captured image obtained by capturing the image of the predetermined part of the inspection target product; and a comparison unit configured to compare the input pattern with an identification pattern extracted from a captured image obtained by capturing in advance the image of a part of the verification product so as to determine whether the input pattern is the same as the identification pattern or the input pattern includes the identification pattern.

Abstract: A toner hopper which is arranged upwards of the developing unit is elevatably supported in the image forming device in the vertical direction thereof and the connection between the toner hopper and the developing unit can be cancelled by lifting up the toner hopper when drawing out the developing unit so that the structure of the connection portion therebetween can be simplified and the sliding portion can be eliminated to thereby eliminate wearing at the connection therebetween. Furthermore, an apparatus for automatically raising and lowering the toner hopper and an apparatus for maintaining the horizontality of the toner hopper when being elevated and lowered is provided.

Abstract: A corona wire cleaning device for a corona unit for cleaning corona wires stretched in a shield case, comprising: a driving wire wound on a driving pulley and an idle pulley for reciprocating motion along the length of the corona wire; and a cleaning member slidably mounted in the shield case for traveling motion in association with the reciprocating motion of the driving wire and having a cleaning tool which rubs and cleans the corona wire by the traveling motion thereof in one direction and which comes away from the corona wire by the traveling motion thereof in the other direction, whereby a foreign matter such as dust can be surely removed from the corona wire, thereby accomplishing reliable cleaning of the corona wire.