Abstract: A method and a system with which the quality of an image derived from or addressed to a chain of appliances can be modified. Formatted information related to defects of the appliances is employed. The method and system: compile directories of sources of formatted information related to the said appliances, search automatically for the formatted information related to the appliances, and modify the image automatically by image-processing software and/or image-processing components by taking into account the obtained formatted information. The formatted information can be modified as a function of variable characteristics of the image to be processed and/or the appliances. With the method and system it is possible to process images derived from appliances that have diverse origins and that have been commercialized gradually over time. Such a method and system are applicable to processing of photographic or video images and in optical instrumentation, industrial controls, robotics, metrology, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for editing an image having focused and defocused objects are provided in the present application. According to an embodiment, the method comprises: determining blurriness of edge pixels in the image; propagating the determined blurriness to non-edge pixels adjacent to each of the edge pixels so as to determine blurriness of the non-edge pixels; estimating a focus map based on the blurriness of the edge pixels and the non-edge pixels to identify the defocused objects and the focused objects; and refocusing the defocused objects based on the focus map or defocusing at least one of the defocused objects and the focused objects.

Abstract: An output image that corresponds to a higher-resolution version of a source image is produced. In this process, source pixels of the source image are processed with a set of linear non-separable filter kernels to produce the output image with a corresponding output pixel block of constituent output pixels for each of the source pixels. The set of filter kernels has a mean substantially equal to an identity filter such that a downscaling of the of the output image to a resolution level of the source image produces a downscaled image that is substantially identical to the source image. For each of the source pixels, each of the filter kernels in the set is applied to a local neighborhood of the source pixel to produce a respective value of each of the constituent output pixels of the corresponding output pixel block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing ringing artifacts of image deconvolution. A deconvolution is applied to the original blurred image and edges are detected within the deconvolved image. Then edge tapering on the original blurred image is performed based on the detected edges. The present invention further relates to a system and a computer program product for reducing ringing artifacts of image deconvolution.

Abstract: A method for detecting aliasing artifacts includes receiving a second image that has been converted from a first image and evaluating the second image using a computer to detect aliasing artifacts due to the conversion, where the evaluation is performed without reference to the first image. The second image is a different size than the first image The second image is evaluated by identifying patches in the image that are likely to contain strong directional energy with few distractions and to estimate a direction component for each of the identified patches. The total energy of each patch is partitioned into an estimated signal energy and an estimated aliasing energy. The estimated aliasing energy and the estimated signal energy of each of the identified patches are combined to obtain an estimate of the aliasing artifacts in the image.

Abstract: A method for modifying an input digital image having input dimensions defined by a number of input rows and input columns to form an output digital image where the number of rows or columns is reduced by one, comprising an image energy map determined from the input image; determining a seam path responsive to the image energy map; imposing constraints on the seam path; and removing pixels along the seam path to modify the input digital image.

Abstract: A feed bag construction is provided comprising a feed bag, a first conduit sealed to the feed bag, a second conduit sealed to the interior of the feed bag for supplying wash reagent to the feed bag and a one piece cap that is removably mounted on the first conduit. The first conduit is provided with a hand operated butterfly valve to open or close the conduit.

Abstract: A pouch has an elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and a pair of sealing members that form an air tight seal separate from the interlocking members disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure members are connected with opposing panels of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior.

Abstract: A pouch includes first and second opposing pouch walls and a plurality of flow channel protuberances that defines a flow channel between the first and second pouch walls and is disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the first or second pouch walls. At least one of the plurality of protuberances includes a first component extending from the at least one of the first or second pouch walls and a second component extending at a non-zero angle from the first component. The flow channel extends between an opening of the pouch and a portion of an interior of the pouch that is spaced from the opening.

Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.

Abstract: A folding collapsible bag includes a soft collapsible bag body, a first base member and a second base member bilaterally and separately set in and affixed to the bag body for stretching the bottom side of the bag body into a planar shape, a first supporting element and a second supporting element respectively made by bending a resilient wire rod into shape and bilaterally obliquely set in and affixed to the bag body to support the periphery of the bag body in shape, and a set of matching fastening members fastenable to each other to hold the bag body in a collapsed condition when the first base member and the second base member are respectively upwardly biased toward the first supporting element and the second supporting element.

Abstract: An exemplary sleeve bearing system includes a bearing housing, a sleeve bearing and a resilient washer. The bearing housing defines a receiving hole therein. The receiving hole has a first diameter. The sleeve bearing has a second diameter which is slightly less than the first diameter, and the sleeve bearing is received in the receiving hole of the bearing housing. The resilient washer is received in the receiving hole of the bearing housing and is fitted around the sleeve bearing. The resilient washer is sandwiched between the bearing housing and the sleeve bearing and resiliently abuts an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve bearing to thereby mount the sleeve bearing in the receiving hole of the bearing housing.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system for a magnetically supported rotor system according to which the auxiliary bearing system includes at least two mounting pad assemblies having compliantly mounted body members.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system having a sleeve through which a shaft extends. A gap may be defined between the sleeve and the shaft when a primary bearing system supports the shaft, and the sleeve may engage and rotate with the shaft when the primary bearing system does not support the shaft. An oil ring may extend circumferentially around the sleeve and rotate in response to the rotating sleeve when the sleeve engages and rotates with the shaft. The rotating oil ring may distribute lubricant within the auxiliary bearing system.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing including a bearing mount disposed circumferentially about a shaft. A support wall may extend radially inward from the bearing mount, and the support wall may define a first annular cavity. An outer race may be coupled to a radially inner surface of the support wall. An inner race may be rotatably coupled to the outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements may be disposed between the inner and outer races. A pool of lubricant may be disposed within the first annular cavity, and at least a lowermost one of the plurality of rolling elements may be at least partially disposed in the pool.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is presented having a novel bearing seal design that, in one embodiment, combines the sealing advantages of both a labyrinth-like seal in combination with a contact seal. The seal is held perpendicularly to the sealing surface, and in one embodiment, substantially divides the sealing forces equally between the lubricant seal portion and the dust seal portion of the seal by virtue of the symmetry of the seal geometry and the application of the resisting force substantially along the seal body's centerline. The seal departs from the cantilever geometry of prior art seal designs, and in one embodiment, provides an inherently stiffer seal.

Abstract: A swing bearing assembly includes a plurality of balls (3) interposed between double row raceway grooves (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) in inner and outer rings (1, 2). The distance (ei) between the double row raceway grooves in the inner ring or the distance (eo) between the double row raceway grooves in the outer ring is within the range of a value equal to the diameter (Dw) of each of the balls to a value 1.7 times the diameter (Dw) and the diameter (Dw) of each of the balls is within the range of 30 to 80 mm, with the difference (?e) between the raceway groove distance (ei) and the raceway groove distance (eo) chosen to be within the range of 5 to 50 ?m. The double row raceway grooves are simultaneously processed with the use of alundum series grindstones.

Abstract: A thrust plate for use in a drive assembly between an end of an axle shaft and a bearing, the bearing retained within a housing of a rotatable final drive component, the thrust plate having a first end that defines an axle engaging wear surface and a second end that includes an extension configured for fitted engagement with the bearing, the thrust plate further including a central axis of rotation, where the axle engaging wear surface is disposed transverse to the central axis. A thrust plate and bearing assembly for a final drive cover plate includes the thrust plate in combination with a spherical thrust bearing, these components also being provided in a rebuild kit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical sensor module which eliminates the need for the operation of alignment between a core in an optical waveguide section and an optical element in a substrate section and which achieves improvement in alignment accuracy and reduction in costs, and an optical sensor module obtained thereby. An optical waveguide section W2 including protruding portions 4 for the positioning of a substrate section and groove portions 3b for fitting engagement with the substrate section, and a substrate section E2 including positioning plate portions 5a to be positioned in the protruding portions 4 and fitting plate portions 5b for fitting engagement with the groove portions 3b are individually produced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite thin film that can be expanded in surface area of an organic compound film having a surface, on which specific molecules are adsorbed, can increase the number of reactive sites per single layer of the organic compound film, and can be produced with a low number of laminations, and is excellent in productivity. The composite thin film is furthermore excellent in applicability in enabling reactive sites to be modified with a functional molecule to enable application to sensors of high sensitivity and molecular devices, etc., of improved function. The composite thin film is formed on a surface of a support and is characterized in that the composite thin film has at least one layer of each of the following films of (a) and (b) on the surface of the support. That is, (a) a microparticle film formed by adsorption of microparticles, and (b) an organic compound film formed by adsorption of an organic compound.

Abstract: Provided is an optical device. The optical device includes a substrate having a waveguide region and a mounting region, a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) waveguide including a lower-clad layer and an upper-clad layer on the waveguide region of the substrate and a platform core between the lower-clad layer and the upper-clad layer, a terrace defined by etching the lower-clad layer on the mounting region of the substrate, the terrace including an interlocking part, an optical active chip mounted on the mounting region of the substrate, the optical active chip including a chip core therein, and a chip alignment mark disposed on a mounting surface of the optical active chip. The optical active chip is aligned by interlocking between the interlocking part of the terrace and the chip alignment mark of the optical active chip and mounted on the mounting region.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating includes: at least one first waveguide; a first slab waveguide connected to the at least one first waveguide; a plurality of second waveguides; a second slab waveguide connected to the plurality of second waveguides; and an arrayed waveguide. The arrayed waveguide includes: M channel waveguides connected between the first slab waveguide and the second slab waveguide, wherein M is a natural number; and a phase correcting portion configured to provide a predetermined phase to at least a part of the M channel waveguides by one or both of a width and a length of the at least the part of the M channel waveguides being changed.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a mating portion defining a coupled direction and including pairs of lenses and a pair of guiding portions. The pair of guiding portions each defines a guiding hole through a front face thereof in the coupled direction. Each guiding hole has a cross section of a polygon shape in the coupled direction and is configured with an imaginary circle perpendicular to the coupled direction.

Abstract: A multiple piecepart alignment and attachment configuration for mating a fiber array (or even a single fiber) with a silicon photonic subassembly utilizes ever-tightening alignment tolerances to align the fiber array with a similar array of waveguides (or other devices) formed within the photonic subassembly. A box-shaped fiber holder is formed to include a plurality of grooves within its bottom interior surface to initially support the fiber array. A separate piecepart in the form of a lid is mated to, and aligned with, the silicon photonic subassembly. The lid is formed to include registration features on its underside that fit into alignment detents formed in the top surface of the silicon photonic subassembly upon attachment. The lid also includes a number of grooves formed on its underside that will capture the top surface of the fibers as the fiber holder is slide into place over the lid.

Abstract: The present disclosure (20) relates to a connector with a modular construction. In order to achieve the highest possible channel density, inserts (1, 14) are arranged to form a stack-like composite and then inserted into a housing (21). The inserts (1, 14) are operatively connected to one another via operative connection means (17, 18).

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler apparatus for coupling ends of a first and second optical fiber of a substantially equal diameter includes: three cylindrical rods whose longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and in a triangular arrangement, a pressing mechanism, and an urging mechanism. The pressing mechanism presses the rods together, forming a central space that is substantially parallel to the axes, such that an end of the first optical fiber that is inserted into one end of the central space is held substantially collinearly with an end of the second optical fiber that is inserted into an opposite end of the central space. The urging mechanism urges the inserted end of the first optical fiber against the inserted end of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical connector includes an insultive housing, and an optical module disposed on the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a top surface, a bottom surface, a cavity and a number of slim slots recessed from the bottom surface. The slim slots extend along a front to back direction and located behind the cavity. The optical module has a base received in the cavity and a number of fibers retained on the base and extending along a front to back direction. Each fiber has a coupling portion retained in the base, a positioning portion behind the coupling portion, and a connecting portion backwardly extending out of the insulative housing. The positioning portions are respectively positioned in the slim slots for holding the base to prevent the base from overly moving along a transverse direction.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a header having a plurality of pins extending therethrough, a thermo-electric cooling device mounted adjacent to a side of the header and an optoelectronic assembly mounted on the thermo-electric cooling device. The optoelectronic assembly includes a light emitting device operable to emit an optical signal in response to an electric signal received by at least one of the plurality of pins, and a lens assembly operable to receive at least some of the light emitted by the light emitting device, the lens assembly having a lens. A cap substantially encloses the thermo-electric cooling device and the optoelectronic assembly. The cap has a window operable to transmit light emitted by the optoelectronic assembly. The lens is the only optical component in the lens assembly.

Abstract: An optical fiber having excellent strength that can be manufactured at low cost, as well as a method for making such optical fiber, is provided. An optical fiber 1 is a silica-based optical fiber comprising a core 11, an optical cladding 12 surrounding the core 11, and a jacketing region 13 surrounding the optical cladding 12 and having a uniform composition throughout from the internal circumference to the outer circumference. A compressive strained layer having a residual compressive stress is provided at the outermost circumference of the jacketing region 13.

Abstract: Various embodiments include photonic bandgap fibers (PBGF). Some PBGF embodiments have a hollow core (HC) and may have a square lattice (SQL). In various embodiments, SQL PBGF can have a cladding region including 2-10 layers of air-holes. In various embodiments, an HC SQL PBGF can be configured to provide a relative wavelength transmission window ??/?c larger than about 0.35 and a minimum transmission loss in a range from about 70 dB/km to about 0.1 dB/km. In some embodiments, the HC SQL PBGF can be a polarization maintaining fiber. Methods of fabricating PBGF are also disclosed along with some examples of fabricated fibers. Various applications of PBGF are also described.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a core and an outer cladding, the core including from its center outward a central core having a radius and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding, and a depressed inner cladding. The depressed inner cladding includes at least a first portion having a radius and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding, the first portion preferably being adjacent to the central core, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion constituting a depressed trench having a radius, and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding. The first portion of the inner cladding has a refractive index below the refractive index of the outer cladding, and the depressed trench has a refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the first portion of the depressed inner cladding.

Abstract: According to the electronic apparatus and cellular phone of the present invention, in an optical waveguide forming body of a flexible cable, an air layer is provided in a deforming section which experiences bending deformation as a result of the movement of a second body relative to a first body (either a pivoting or sliding movement), and the position of this air layer becomes located on the outer circumferential side of a core when the deforming section undergoes bending deformation. As a result of this, it is possible to ensure sufficient flexibility and to also achieve a sufficient improvement in the folding endurance of the core portion for this optical waveguide forming body to be utilized in practical applications. Moreover, it is possible to suppress light loss and achieve high-speed, large-capacity transmissions even when the optical waveguide forming body of a flexible cable experiences bending deformation due to the relative movement of the second body relative to the first body.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising: (i) a multi-mode silica based glass core, said core having a 80-300 ?m diameter and an index of refraction n1; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, said cladding having a thickness ?20 ?m and index of refraction index of refraction n2<n1, the cladding comprising (a) fluorine doped silica with relative index of refraction delta <0, or (b) a polymer with relative index of refraction delta <0; (iii) a protective coating, the protective coating having a Young's modulus greater than 700 MPa, a thickness ?15 ?m, and an index of refraction index of refraction n3>n2; and (iv) a permanent buffer.

Abstract: Provided is an optical waveguide and a method of forming the same. The optical waveguide comprises inductive thin films and a waveguide thin film. The inductive thin films are disposed to be separated from each other. The waveguide thin film fills a gap which separates the inductive thin films, and covers at least one portion of the inductive thin films. A refractive index of the waveguide thin film is greater than refractive indexes of the inductive thin films.

Abstract: Structures, devices and methods are provided for creating fiber optic adapter plates with integrated fiber optic adapters. In one aspect, fiber optic adapter plates having integrated fiber optic adapter subassemblies are formed from a moldable plastic. For example, a molded plastic fiber optic adapter plate can include a molded plastic adapter back plate having a plurality of integrated fiber optic adapter subassemblies and one or more attachment mechanisms that facilitate locating and attaching an adapter front plate having a corresponding plurality of integrated fiber optic adapter subassemblies on the adapter front plate. Advantages provided by integrating fiber optic adapters into the molded plastic assemblies include superior mechanical strength, manufacturing cost reductions and adapter placement flexibility among other advantages.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for use with a fiber, and in particular, an optical fiber of the type typically used for surgical procedures, in order to protect the fiber during storage and shipping and also allow the fiber to be easily dispensed in a controlled manner by an end user.

Abstract: Patch panel assemblies (150) that contain patch panel modules (50) for use in optical fiber telecommunication systems are disclosed. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a front mounting frame (210F) and at least one internal mounting frame (210I) that support a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel assembly also includes a hinge assembly (224) configured allow bend-insensitive fiber cables (70) to be routed therethrough. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a housing (152) with a drawer (270) that supports a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel modules employ bend-insensitive optical fibers (12C) to connect front and rear ports (92, 98) so that the patch panels have a reduced size as compared to conventional patch panel modules.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for providing expedited production of compact multi-angle video. Methods include capturing video content of a moving video subject and a background portion that is proximate the moving video subject as digital video data and generating a motion video data file from multiple sequentially numbered transparent background still image data files that correspond to the digital video data.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a display unit for displaying a video image being captured, an index operating unit for inputting an instruction for an index, and an index setting unit for setting as an index section, a section in the video image captured for a predetermined time period including a time point of a user's operation of inputting the instruction for the index, in response to one user's operation on the index operating unit while the video image is captured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a playback device, a playback method, and a recording medium, which enable the same information to be added to pictures corresponding to a basic stream and an extended stream to be used for display of a 3D image. At the time of encoding, Picture Timing SEI to be added to each picture of a Base view video stream, and Picture Timing SEI to be added to each picture of a Dependent view video stream are generated so that a Picture Timing SEI set to be added to the corresponding pictures represents the same content. The present invention can be applied to a playback device compatible with the BD-ROM standard.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a media file and determining if the selected media file has been indexed. If the media file has not been indexed, the method may include playing the selected media file on a media device while simultaneously measure a brainwave signal of a user with a sensor, where the brainwave signal indicates an attention level of the user. Next, the method may include indexing the media file by correlating the measured brainwave signal to the media file and storing the media file and the measured brainwave signal in storage device.

Abstract: A portion of audio content is captured from a network, and a time of occurrence of the captured portion of audio content is determined. An audio fingerprint is generated based on the captured portion of audio content. The generated audio fingerprint is matched to a program scheduled to be recorded. Based on the time of occurrence of the captured portion of audio content, a determination is made as to whether the program is running on-schedule. In one aspect, if it is determined that the program is not running on-schedule, an adjusted recording start time and/or an adjusted recording end time is calculated. In another aspect, if it is determined that the program is running on-schedule, the program is recorded according to a predetermined recording start time and/or a predetermined recording end time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for synchronizing audio data with secondary data. The method includes the step of providing indexes of events corresponding to frames in an audio stream, the step of relating the secondary data to the indexes of the events, the step of checking the indexes of the events to determine whether an event of interest is reached or not, and the step of playing some of the secondary data corresponding to the event of interest if the event of interest is reached.

Abstract: A space heater and a method for generating a convection flow of air through chimneys of the space heater for heating an area adjoining the space heater is provided. The space heater includes a first panel, a second panel, and an element having one or more heatable surfaces. The second panel is coupled to the first panel and the element is located therebetween to define the chimneys between the first panel and the second panel. The element has the one or more heatable surfaces located within the chimneys. When activated, the one or more heatable surfaces create thermal energy for generating heated air within the chimneys, the heated air flowing by convection substantially upwardly through the chimneys to provide the heated air to the area adjoining the space heater.

Abstract: In an imaging device including a mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction, a subject-shake amount is calculated based on a motion vector size acquired during a through image process display. Usage percentages of the mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction are sequentially set based on the calculated subject-shake amount. When shooting a still-image, still-image data is recorded after blurring reduction is performed on the still-image data by the mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction, based on the most recently set usage percentages.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor having a focus detection pixel group including a plurality of focus detection pixels that receive light passing through a part of a pupil area of an imaging lens for forming an object image and an image forming pixel group including a plurality of image forming pixels that receive light passing through the whole of the pupil area of the imaging lens; and an image processing unit that generates an image signal corresponding to the position of each of the focus detection pixels by using at least either of a signal of the focus detection pixel at the position and signals of neighboring image forming pixels of the focus detection pixel at the position, depending on the size of an aperture of the focus detection pixels.

Abstract: High-accuracy focus adjustment is achieved even when vignetting is caused by a taking lens. A first pixel group receives a light beam that passes through a first pupil area of an optical system that forms an object image, and a second pixel group receives a light beam that passes through a second pupil area. A first signal based on an output signal from the first pixel group and a second signal based on an output signal from the second pixel group are corrected using correction information with a sampling pitch that is changed in accordance with an amount of defocus. A focal state of the optical system is adjusted based on an amount of relative displacement between the corrected first signal and the corrected second signal after the image-signal correction process.

Abstract: A flash unit holder with an adjustable position is disclosed. In one example, the flash unit holder includes a supporting bracket mounted in the direction of the optical axis of the camera lens in front of the camera, and a shaped circular guide arranged at the end of the supporting bracket concentrically around the optical axis. A rotating cylinder shaped segment is arranged in a rotating fashion in respect to the shaped circular guide, the inner side of which is provided with at least one conductive bus. The bus is interconnected with the shoe of the flash unit on the outer side of the rotating cylinder shaped segment and with the camera. The flash unit holder also includes a locking element for locking the rotating cylinder shaped segment to the shoe in a chosen position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a platform for a stereographic camera system, a stereographic camera, and a method for operating a stereographic camera. The platform may include a first linear motion mechanism and a second linear motion mechanism. A camera mounting plate may be rotatably coupled to the first linear motion mechanism at a first rotation axis and rotatably coupled to the second linear motion mechanism at a second rotation axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating a 3D camera and a frame-linked 2D/3D camera system. The 3D camera may receive data conveying operating parameters of at least one 2D camera. Operating parameters of the 3D camera including a pan angle ?3D, a tilt angle T3D, a lens focal length FL3D, and a lens focus distance FD3D may be set based on, at least in part, the received data. An interocular distance IOD of the 3D camera may be set and a stereo convergence angle ? of the 3D camera may be set based on IOD and FD3D.