Abstract: A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inkjet recording apparatus 100 capable of performing recording continuously on both surfaces of a web, including a plurality of recording heads disposed on a substrate, driers for drying the web recorded by the recording heads, and guide rollers for guiding the web, in which a traveling path of the web is switchable so that the web passes between any selected adjacent ones of the recording heads, the recording head upstream of the position where the web passes performs recording on one surface of the web, and the recording head downstream of the position where the web passes performs recording on the other surface of the web, and an inkjet recording method using the same.

Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation device 3 is comprised of an attachment 15 supported to a printing device and an LED unit 20 which is attachable/detachable to/from the attachment 15 by a sliding operation. The LED unit 20 includes an ultraviolet light emitting diode and is configured such that the unit 20 is attached to the attachment 15 by an inserting operation thereof into the attachment or detached therefrom by a drawing operation thereof from the attachment, the inserting and drawing operations both being possible by a single worker from a working area S.

Abstract: A transferred medium is provided. In one exemplary embodiment a transferred medium includes a projection part projected in a transferring direction of the transferred medium from a front end part of the medium such that the projection part traverses the front end part of the medium. The thickness of a part of the projection part can be configured to be greater than the thickness of the front end part, the width of the projection part in a direction perpendicular to the transferring direction can be narrower than the width of the front part in that same direction, and the urging force by the urging member can act on the projection part and the front end part during transfer of the transferred medium. A recording apparatus system that includes a transferred medium is also provided, as arc other embodiments of a transferred medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a conveyor to convey a recording medium in a conveyance direction; first and second applicators to respectively apply first and second liquids to the recording medium, the second applicator being disposed downstream of the first applicator. One of the first and second liquids causes coagulation or precipitation of a component of the other liquid. The conveyor includes: a first conveying portion; a second conveying portion disposed downstream of the first conveying portion; and a third conveying portion disposed upstream of the first conveying portion. The second applicator is disposed between the first and second conveying portions. The second conveying portion and the third conveying portion constitute a plurality of upstream-side conveying portions. A distance between adjacent two of the upstream-side conveying portions is larger than a distance between the first and second conveying portions.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a upstream roller pair arranged on the upstream side of a printing head with respect to a direction in which a sheet is conveyed; and a downstream roller pair arranged on the downstream side of the printing head with respect to the direction, wherein each of the upstream roller pair and the downstream roller pair includes a first roller and a second roller configured to hold the sheet therebetween. In both of the upstream roller pair and the downstream roller pair, a rotation shaft of the second roller is provided to be situated on the downstream side of a rotation shaft of the first roller with respect to the direction.

Abstract: A bar code printing device that prints print data including a bar code that has bars arranged in parallel in a main scan direction and spaces therebetween includes: a decoder that detects a point of change from a bar to a space based on bar code position information that indicates a position of the bar code in the print data and a data value for each line in the print data; and a data transfer part that moves up timing for outputting a drive signal for printing a bar immediately preceding the space and that outputs the drive signal, if the decoder detects the point of change from the bar to the space in the bar code.

Abstract: A printing method includes preprocessing a substrate by irradiating the substrate in a heated state with an activation light beam, and printing, after the preprocessing, a predetermined pattern on the substrate by ejecting a droplet to the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal print head device includes a thermal print head placed to face a platen roller, a head holding member configured to hold the thermal print head, the head holding member extending in a tangential direction of the platen roller and being supported to be swingable about a portion away from the platen roller, a biasing member configured to bias the thermal print head or the head holding member, the biasing member having one end placed on a side of the thermal print head or the head holding member to press the thermal print head against the platen roller, and a point-of-action switching member disposed between the biasing member and the thermal print head or the head holding member biased by the biasing member.

Abstract: A thermal head enables printing even after printing for a long time to a print medium with low paper quality. A thermal head 20 to which a print medium P is pressed by a platen roller 10 has a heat unit 21 with a plurality of heat elements 21a arrayed on an axis, and an electrode connection unit 26 that is formed on an extension of the axis. A receptive space A to which the end 11a of the platen roller 10 contact surface 11 that is pressed to the thermal head 20 is positioned is formed on this axis between the heat unit 21 and the electrode connection unit 26.

Abstract: A thermal print head includes a substrate, a resistor layer supported on the substrate and provided with a plurality of heating portions arranged along a primary scanning direction, an electrode layer provided with a plurality of individual electrodes arranged along the primary scanning direction, a drive IC configured to selectively apply an electric current to the plurality of heating portions, and a plurality of wires connected to the plurality of individual electrodes and the drive IC, the plurality of individual electrodes including strip-shaped portions electrically connected to the heating portions and arranged along the primary scanning direction and pad portions greater in width in the primary scanning direction than the strip-shaped portions, the pad portions including bonding pads connected to each of the plurality of wires and probe contact pads, the probe contact pads being narrower in width in the primary scanning direction than bonding pads.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source that emits a laser beam, a deflector that deflects the emitted laser beam, a scanning lens that causes the deflected laser beam to scan a surface of a photosensitive body at a uniform velocity, a reflector having a reflective surface that reflects the deflected laser beam toward the photosensitive body among the laser beams that have passed through the scanning lens, and a synchronization sensor that receives the laser beam from the reflector and outputs a detection signal. The reflector is set so that a scanning speed in a main scanning direction of the laser beam on a light-receiving surface of the synchronization sensor becomes greater than a value obtained by dividing a scanning distance of the laser beam in the main scanning direction on the light-receiving surface of the synchronization sensor by a response delay time of the synchronization sensor.

Abstract: A screen sharing and video conferencing method and system comprising a presenter device, one or more attendee devices and a streaming server for receiving and rebroadcasting video and audio streams from the presenter and the attendee devices. The presenter device and the attendee devices each comprise a browser-based video and audio streaming components configured to transmit camera video and microphone audio to the streaming server and playback video and audio streams from the streaming server. The presenter device further comprises an installed screen capture and system audio capture component configured to compress and transmit video data from a desktop and/or video source of the presenter device and to transmit system audio to the streaming server. The attendee devices further receive video and audio streams from the streaming server of camera, microphone, system audio and screen capture sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method for distributed meeting capture. According to one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of personal devices configured to capture video data and audio data associated with at least one operating user. A media hub includes a plurality of I/O ports and is configured to receive video and audio data from the plurality of personal devices. In addition, the media hub is configured to collect the video data and/or audio data from the plurality of personal devices and output at least one audio-visual data stream for facilitating video conferencing over a network.

Abstract: A modular optronic periscope includes a staring module, having a plurality of static sensors providing image data for a wide field of view at moderate resolution, and an image processor, by way of which image data from the static sensors are stitched together into a single continuous image. A multi-spectral, narrow field of view at a higher resolution than the staring module is produced using a pointing module including a rotatable mirror, and a collimated optical bundle from the pointing module is imaged by way of an optical platform onto photosensitive devices to form a two dimensional image array. Each pixel of the image array is repositioned by way of image derotation circuitry before display.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of controlling the time elapsing from when a shooting scene is determined to when switching between shooting mode is performed, thus making it possible to take images desired by a user. A motion of the image pickup apparatus is detected, and based on the detection result, a motion of the image pickup apparatus is determined. A shooting scene is determined based on a video signal obtained from the image pickup unit. A shooting mode is determined based on the result of scene determination. Based on the result of determination, the ease of switching to the determined shooting mode is changed.

Abstract: A method performed by one or more computing devices includes receiving, by a data center and from a user device via a public network connection, a selection of high-definition three-dimensional (HD3D) content and sending, by the data center and to the user device, a link to a content delivery system to provide the selected HD3D content. The method also includes receiving, by the content delivery system and from the user device, a streaming request for the selected HD3D content; reserving, by the content delivery system, bandwidth, for the selected HD3D content, within a managed network; and sending, by the content delivery system and to the user device, a streaming Internet protocol (IP) address for providing the selected HD3D content over the managed network.

Abstract: A method for performing video display control within a video display system includes: dynamically utilizing two of a plurality of buffers as on-screen buffers for three-dimensional (3D) frames, wherein the plurality of buffers is positioned within the video display system; and during utilizing any of the two of the plurality of buffers as an on-screen buffer, dynamically utilizing at least one other buffer of the plurality of buffers as at least one off-screen buffer for at least one 3D frame. An associated video processing circuit and an associated video display system are also provided. In particular, the video processing circuit is positioned within the video display system, where the video processing circuit operates according to the method.

Abstract: A three-dimensional video image processing device includes an input unit for receiving a video image, an analysis unit for generating a histogram of a color space for each of a left and right eye video image contained in the video image to detect a feature parameter for each of the video images, and a correction unit for implementing a correction on the color space, for reducing a difference of the feature parameter of the left eye video image and the feature parameter of the right eye video image detected in the analysis unit, thereby preferably correcting a color deviation on the left and right video image of a three-dimensional video image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus, including: a correction section adapted to correct sound information associated with a stereoscopic image based on a position of a material body included in the stereoscopic image in the depthwise direction; and an output controlling section adapted to output the sound information after the correction when the stereoscopic image is displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the encoding of visual data captured by two or more cameras in a layered depth format. The invention proposes a method and device for layered s depth image encoding. The device is adapted for encoding at least one occlusion layer of the layered depth image with a greater horizontal width than a foreground layer of the layered depth image. The method comprises a corresponding step. Further, a non-transitory storage medium carrying at least one encoded layered depth image is proposed. The additional horizontal width can be used for conveying the part of information which is provided in the images/videos captured by the at least two cameras but not comprised in the foreground layer.

Abstract: An image coding method for properly handling a 3D video format including a base layer and an enhancement layer includes a video layer and a system layer. The video layer includes a step of coding an image to generate a coded stream. The system layer includes a step of multiplexing the coded stream and an identifier to generate a system stream, the identifier indicating whether or not the image has a left-right mixed format that includes a base layer and an enhancement layer and that has a left view image area and a right view image area in each picture. In the coding step, the image that includes the base layer and the enhancement layer and that has the left view image area and the right view image area in each picture is coded to generate the coded stream, when the image has the left-right mixed format.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a light source that emits modulated light such as visible light, white light, or white light-emitting diode (LED) light to a target object, a plurality of pixels, and an image processing unit. The pixels include at least one pixel for outputting pixel signals according to light reflected by the target object. The image processing unit simultaneously generates a color image and a depth image from the pixel signals of the at least one pixel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing system and a method for providing at least one driver assistance function. A stationary receiving unit (30a to 30c) for receiving image data receives image data generated by means of an image capturing unit (20) of a vehicle (12) by capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle (12). A stationary processing unit (40) processes at least a part of the received image data, wherein the stationary processing unit (40) generates driver assistance data with at least one driver assistance information on the basis of the image data, wherein with the aid of the generated driver assistance information at least one driver assistance function can be generated in the vehicle (12). A sending unit (30a to 30c) sends the driver assistance data to the vehicle (12).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which employs a basic configuration including an image processing controller which processes images captured by a stereo camera and a recognition processing controller which recognizes an object based on information from the image processing controller includes a target object area specifying unit, feature amount extracting unit and smoke determining unit as functions of enabling recognition of a smoky object. The target object specifying unit specifies an area of an object which is a detection target, by canceling the influence of the background, the feature amount extracting unit extracts an image feature amount for recognizing a smoky object in a target object area and the smoke deciding unit decides whether the object in the target object area is a smoky object or an object other than the smoky object, based on the extracted image feature amount.

Abstract: A method for analysis of an object dyed with fluorescent coloring agents. Separately fluorescing visible molecules or nanoparticles are periodically formed in different object parts, the laser produces the oscillation thereof which is sufficient for recording the non-overlapping images of the molecules or nanoparticles and for decoloring already recorded fluorescent molecules, wherein tens of thousands of pictures of recorded individual molecule or nanoparticle images, in the form of stains having a diameter on the order of a fluorescent light wavelength multiplied by a microscope amplification, are processed by a computer for searching the coordinates of the stain centers and building the object image according to millions of calculated stain center co-ordinates corresponding to the co-ordinates of the individual fluorescent molecules or nanoparticles. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images are provided for proteins, nucleic acids and lipids with different coloring agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a camera chip (C) for image acquisition. It is characterized in that pixel groups (P1, P2, . . . ) may be exposed at different times with the aid of shutter signals (S1, S2, . . . ).

Abstract: The invention relates to generating a total data set of at least one segment of an object for determining at least one characteristic by merging individual data sets determined by means of an optical sensor moving relative to the object and of an image processor, wherein individual data sets of sequential images of the object contain redundant data that are matched for merging the individual data sets. In order that the data obtained by scanning the object are of sufficient quantity for performing an optimal analysis, but without being too great an amount of data for processing, the invention proposes that individual data sets determined per unit of time be varied as a function of the relative motion between the optical sensor and the object.

Abstract: The 3D image capture device of this invention includes: a light-transmitting section 2 with light-transmitting areas C1, C2 and C3 that have mutually different transmission wavelength ranges; a solid-state image sensor 1 arranged to receive the light that has been transmitted through the light-transmitting section 2; and an optical system 3 configured to produce an image on an imaging area of the solid-state image sensor 1, which includes a photosensitive cell array and a color filter array on the imaging area. The transmission wavelength ranges of the light-transmitting areas and the color filters are defined such that the light that has been transmitted through at least one of the light-transmitting areas C1, C2 and C3 is transmissible through at least two of the color filters.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image generation method includes the following steps. A right-eye image is taken along a first direction. A left-eye image is taken along a second direction. A right portion of the left-eye image is trimmed off by a predetermined distance, and a left portion of the right-eye image is trimmed off by the predetermined distance, such that the trimmed left-eye image and the trimmed right-eye image have the same size.

Abstract: Provided are an imaging device, imaging system, and image method for imaging and displaying a stereoscopic image without degrading the three-dimensional image. A control operation of the imaging device synchronizes driving timing of the shutter unit with display conversion timing of the display device based on the display conversion signal received by a receiver, and separately images the left eye image and the right eye image in the imaging unit.

Abstract: A hand-held digital image capture device (digital camera) has a user-selectable mode in which upon engaging the mode the device detects a face in the field of view of the device and generates a face delimiter on a camera display screen, the delimiter surrounding the initial position of the image of a the face on the screen. The device is arranged to indicate thereafter to the user if the device departs from movement along a predetermined concave path P with the optical axis of the device pointing towards the face, such indication being made by movement of the image of the face relative to the delimiter. The camera captures and stores a plurality of images at successive positions along the concave path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including: a depth-information extraction section; a luminance extraction section; a contrast extraction section; a gain generation section; a correlation estimation section; and a movement analyzing section.

Abstract: A signal processing method is provided. The signal processing method includes extracting three-dimensional effect adjustment information from a memory in a video image reproducing apparatus, and adjusting a three-dimensional effect of a video image according to the three-dimensional effect adjustment information, and outputting the video image.

Abstract: A device (101) for determining the presence, absence, concentration, or count of rare cell or cell-like objects in a turbid fluid consisting of a light source (103) for illuminating a chamber (123) containing a solution including complexes of suspended cells or cell-like moieties (261) and an optically-active agent, and further including an imaging detector (145) and an output (147) for providing a determined or displayed result. Methods of enumeration are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods for providing a single use imaging device utilizing split data streams to maximize the data transfer rate between components for use in sterile environments is disclosed and described. A single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may have one or more imaging sensors, either CCD or CMOS, encased in a housing. The imaging device may further components for splitting the transmitted data.

Abstract: A head separated type imaging apparatus includes a head unit and a main unit which are separated, the head unit imaging a subject and the main unit processing an imaging signal transmitted from the head unit. The head unit includes an imaging unit having a plurality of pixels and imaging the subject, and a storage unit storing correction information for pixels for which a data amount of correction information is larger than a predetermined threshold out of correction information correcting noise of the plurality of pixels and remaining correction data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to medical procedures. Particularly disclosed are systems and methods for positioning a percutaneous access device for use with imaging sensors. A positioning apparatus is described, which may comprise at least one imaging device coupled to a guide device. The guide device may comprise a base plate and a guide member pivotally coupled to the base plate. The guide member may be configured with an alignment feature in which a percutaneous access device may rest. The at least one imaging device may comprise an imaging probe or a docking station configured to receive an imaging probe. Movement of the guide member and the one or more imaging devices may be coupled to facilitate imaging of sub-surface structures toward which the guide member and accompanying percutaneous access device are angled. A method of using a positioning apparatus to position a percutaneous access device is also described.

Abstract: A system, device, method, and computer program product for facial defect analysis using an angular facial image are provided. The system includes a storage module, an image angle detection module, a feature definition module, and a skin analysis module. The storage module stores at least one angular facial image, at least one skin defect condition, and at least one of multi-angle facial feature conditions. The image angle detection module detects an angle of the angular facial image. The feature definition module analyzes the angular facial image according to the facial feature conditions, so as to obtain at least one facial skin area image. The skin analysis module determines whether at least one skin defect image exists in the at least one facial skin area image by using the skin defect condition, and if yes, marks the at least one skin defect image in the at least one facial skin area image.

Abstract: A remote gaze tracking apparatus and method for controlling an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) are provided. An entire image including a facial region of a user may be acquired using a visible ray, the facial region may be detected from the acquired entire image, and a face width, a distance between eyes, and a distance between an eye and a screen may be acquired from the detected facial region. Additionally, an enlarged eye image corresponding to a face of the user may be acquired using at least one of the acquired face width, the acquired distance between the eyes, and the acquired distance between the eye and the screen, and an eye gaze of the user may be tracked using the acquired eye image.

Abstract: A biological specimen observation apparatus whereby observation of a biological specimen can be performed accurately. In macro observation, a biological change region is extracted from a macro image, a micro observation point corresponding to an extracted biological change region is registered, and an object for tracking is identified. In micro observation, it is judged from the micro image whether or not biological change has continued in the biological change region at the micro observation point, and the registered micro observation point is updated on the basis of this judgment result. It is possible to carry out both macro observation for detecting a biological change region and micro observation for observing the progress of growth of a partial minute region where biological change has been exhibited, and to carry out accurate observation of a biological specimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact, inexpensive fluorescence microscope capable of high-resolution imaging with high light throughput suitable for use in both laboratory and field environments, and methods of use. A simple and inexpensive fluorescence microscope allows health care workers to perform various medical assays at the point of care instead of having to collect and transport biological samples to distant labs, and subsequently return the results to the patient. The microscope of the present invention is also useful for educational use and field use, and other uses as well.

Abstract: For the microscopy of an object using a combination of optical microscopy and particle beam microscopy, a microscope slide system comprises an electrically conductive holder, wherein at least one window is configured in the holder, and wherein the holder has the dimensions of a standard glass microscope slide for the optical microscopy; a microscope slide element, which is designed to carry the object for the microscopy and which is designed such that the element can be placed over the window; and a fastening device, which is designed to fix the microscope slide element over the window. By means of said microscope slide system, the object can be analyzed using separate microscopes, without having to relocate the object.

Abstract: A camera retained in a waterproof underwater housing is controlled remotely and conveniently by a diver holding a hand-held remote device. The device can be a removable handle on the underwater housing, communicating with the camera, usually a movie camera, by infrared or other wireless protocol. Key functional camera settings, which would normally require navigation through a menu tree with a series of steps and selections, are selected by a single press of a button on the hand-held device. An important example is white balance calibration, which typically must be reset for every five feet of depth change.

Abstract: An optical sensor including a photo emitting element and a photo receiving element carried side-by-side by a supporting and feeding element either associated or associable in use with a support for a container, and a composite lens, either associated or associable with the container, designed so as to remain in use immersed in a liquid contained in the container and facing the photo emitting and photo receiving elements; the lens including: a first cylindrical body made of a light-permeable material, mountable in use vertically from the top of the container facing the photo emitting and photo receiving elements to a bottom wall of the container; and a second cylindrical body, arranged concentrically with and outside the first body and open towards the bottom wall; respective side walls of the first and second cylindrical bodies having the same length, that of the second body being separated from that of the first body by a predetermined annular clearance, and being made so as to be at least partially reflecti

Abstract: An inspection system includes optics, an object support for mounting an object in a region of an object plane of the optics, a bright-field light source, and a dark-field light source. The inspection system also includes an image detector having a radiation sensitive substrate disposed in a region of an image plane of the optics and a beam dump.

Abstract: An uneven area inspection system of the present invention comprises a patterned panel comprising a panel, wherein the panel have a surface on which a pattern is formed, an object with at least one surface reflecting light from the patterned panel, an imaging unit optically coupled to the patterned panel and the object and configured to capture the image of the patterned panel reflected by the surface of the object, and an image processing unit configured to process the captured image to compare the pattern in the patterned panel and the pattern in the captured image. The object can have uneven area and the uneven area of the object is inspected by comparing the pattern in the patterned panel and the pattern in the captured image.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and classifying a defect of a substrate, the system including a first channel, including a first illuminating unit to irradiate a light to a substrate and a first imaging unit to take images by sensing a light from the substrate when it is irradiated; a second channel, including a second illuminating unit to irradiate a light to the substrate and a second imaging unit to take images by sensing a light from the substrate when it is irradiated; an image constructing module to construct two images of the substrate using the images of the first and second imaging units respectively; and an image processing module to detect, when the substrate has a defect, that the defect is a defect on or in the substrate, based on a relationship of positions where the defect of the substrate appears in the two images of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting flaws in a plastic woven fabric made of monoaxially drawn polymer ribbons, in particular polyolefin ribbons, preferably polypropylene ribbons, wherein in order to monitor irregularities, which are characteristic of flawed sections of the plastic woven fabric, an inspection camera is provided for taking images of the plastic woven fabric, and an analysis unit, which detects irregularities in the weaving pattern of the plastic woven fabric on the basis of the images taken by the inspection camera and which, when detecting irregularities in the weaving pattern indicating a flawed section of the plastic woven fabric, triggers an error signal, which actuates, for example, a flashing light or a horn, or which can be fed to a higher-level machine controller.