Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a device for peeling, including a peeling means, a fixing means, a first motor, a second motor, a control device for controlling the peeling means, a three-dimensional (3D) modeling apparatus configured to acquire three-dimensional coordinates of the surface of the item to be peeled, and a processing and controlling unit, wherein the processing and controlling unit is connected to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus and configured to determine an operating parameter of the peeling means, an operating parameter of the first motor and an operating parameter of the second motor, the processing and controlling unit is further connected to the first motor and controls the first motor to drive the movement of the fixing means, the processing and controlling unit is further connected to the second motor and control the second motor to drive the movement of the peeling means.

Abstract: A manual fruit press has first and second lever arms and a joint connecting first ends of the lever arms to each other. The second ends of the lever arms opposite the joint have handgrip pieces. The first lever arm has a cup-shaped depression forming a strainer with support block and arranged between handgrip piece and joint. The second lever arm has a press element as an integrated molded component thereof. The press element is a cup-shaped depression projecting downward beyond the handgrip piece of the second lever arm. The press element, when the first and second lever arms are moved toward each other, is lowered toward the support block of the strainer and exerts pressure on a piece of fruit inserted into the pressing chamber between strainer and press element. A collection cup is releasably connected below the strainer to the first lever arm or the strainer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an elongate culinary press. The press has a receptacle for accommodating foodstuff to be processed, a pressing member for moving towards or away from the receptacle, a pair of handle members extending from the receptacle and the pressing member, respectively, a scraping member for scraping processed foodstuff away from the receptacle, and a transmission mechanism. The press is adapted to assume a first configuration in which the arms are spread apart, the receptacle is exposed to receive foodstuff and the scraper is disposed in one end of the receptacle, and assume a second configuration in which the arms are moved towards each other, the pressing member is pressed against the foodstuff in the receptacle, and the scraping member is moved from one end to the opposite end of the receptacle.

Abstract: A commercial-scale sous-vide system (10) includes a conveyor (20) for carrying food products (FP) vacuum sealed in plastic food-grade pouch or container (222) through a chamber (40) heated with saturated steam. The conveyor is in the form of first and second spiral stacks (26) and (28). A control system controls the steam supply and the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a tank for holding water, and a heating system associated with the tank for heating water in the tank to produce steam, the heating system including a gaseous fuel burner that produces hot combustion gases. A steam superheater compartment receives combustion gases from the heating system and that includes a steam line therein that receives steam from the tank to provide heat exchange between hot combustion gases traveling through the compartment and steam traveling along the steam line. A tank feed water pre-heat system that receives combustion gases from the heating system and that includes a water feed line therein to provide heat exchange between hot combustion gases and water within the water feed line, wherein the water feed line is connected for delivery of pre-heated water to a water inlet of the tank.

Abstract: A cooking control method of a cooking appliance comprises the following steps: acquiring a rice species identifier of rice to be cooked (S1); receiving cooking preference information of a user (S2); acquiring a corresponding rice species type according to the rice species identifier (S3); acquiring a corresponding cooking curve according to the cooking preference information and the rice species type (S4); and controlling the cooking appliance according to the cooking curve (S5). The cooking control method controls a cooking process according to user preference and the rice species type, thus greatly improving a cooking effect of the cooking appliance, and improving use satisfaction of the user. Also disclosed are a cooking appliance and cooking control device thereof.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a wall portion having a wall inner surface and a wall outer surface, a base portion having a base inner surface and a base outer surface, at least a portion of the wall portion and the base portion forming a vessel to retain fluid therein, at least part of the base portion configured to receive heat, and a plurality of shaped portions extending above, each shaped portion of the base inner surface including at least three sides, the top of each being hexagonal in shape, each of the plurality of shaped portions capable of supplying heat from the sides to fluid adjacent to the sides, the plurality of shaped portions including the hexagonal shaped tops to assist in uneven heat transfer from the heating source to the fluid retained in the article of manufacture.

Abstract: A press pot includes a main body and a filter device. The main body defines a receiving space having an open end portion, and a first space portion that has a maximum width larger than that of the open end portion. The filter device has a push shaft that is vertically movable relative to the main body, and a filter mechanism that is disposed in the receiving space, and that has a rigid filter unit connected co-movably to the push shaft, and a flexible filter unit surrounding and connected to a periphery of the rigid filter unit, and being flexible so as to continuously, fittingly and entirely abut against an inner surface of a surrounding wall of the main body during vertical movement of the push shaft relative to the main body.

Abstract: A milk frothing apparatus which includes a steam probe which consists of an inner steam tube surrounded by an outer tube spaced annularly from the inner tube with a nozzle mounted on the end of said outer tube adjacent the outlet end of said inner tube. The air gap between the inner and outer tubes insulates the outer tube from the heat generated in the inner tube during the steam cycle. By using stainless steel the milk does not stick to the cool outer tube surface and no cleaning of the outer surface of the probe is necessary. The steam itself keeps the inner surfaces of the probe clean.

Abstract: A professional coffee machine includes a supporting frame; a boiler; a preheater to prepare a coffee infusion having a first heat exchanger with the boiler to heat the supply water crossing the first exchanger to a first temperature T1 close or substantially equal to a second temperature T2 corresponding to the optimal temperature for a coffee infusion; a dispensing unit of the coffee infusion having a thermo-controlled heating element that brings the water released from the preheater to the second temperature T2 if T1 is lower than T2; a thermal insulator that mechanically constrains the dispensing unit to the frame; a heater for preparing a tea infusion or the like having a second heat exchanger with the boiler to heat the supply water crossing the second heat exchanger up to a third temperature T3 corresponding to the optimal temperature for preparing a tea infusion or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to smoking food in an outdoor grill using a customized smoking routine. In one scenario, an electronic controller of an outdoor grill receives an input to initiate smoke generation according to a specified smoke generation pattern, including: adding a specified amount of combustible pellets to a combustion area within the outdoor grill, such that the combustible pellets begin to burn, measuring a current internal temperature of the outdoor grill and, if below a threshold value, adding a specified amount of additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to another threshold value, allowing the internal temperature to cool a temperature below the first threshold value and, upon determining that the temperature of the outdoor grill has cooled below the first specified threshold value, adding additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to at least the second threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic cooker's glass lid fixing structure having a lock which is rotatatable and fixed on a top side of a handle of the cooking pot. A pair of lock magnets is installed on two sides at the base of the lock symmetrically. A handle magnet of the cooking pot is installed on a location corresponding to the lock magnet at the top side of the cooker handle so that the pair of lock magnet couples magnetically with the handle magnets. When the lock is rotated 180° from a rest position, it can then hold down the glass lid firmly onto the cooking pot. The cooking pot's glass lid fixing structure of the present invention is simple and it provides a quick and easy solution to firmly hold down the glass lid onto the cooking pot.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cooking pot's glass lid fixing structure with a spring loaded pinball arrangement of a cooking pot is rotatable and fixed on top side of the cooking pot handle. A hole which has a pinball connected to a loading spring ins installed on a location corresponding to the slot at the top side of the cooking pot handle so that the slot will engage with the pinball. When the lock is rotated 180° from a rest position, it can then hold down the glass lid firmly onto the cooking pot. The cooking pot's glass lid fixing structure with spring loaded pinball arrangement of the present invention is simple and it provides a quick and easy solution to firmly hold down the glass lid onto the cooking pot.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus comprises an oven. The oven comprises a cooking chamber, a heated air source and two or more vents through which, in use, heated air can vent from the cooking chamber. The two or more vents comprise at least one lower vent and at least one upper vent. The at least one lower vent is provided at a lower height than the at least one upper vent. The at least one upper vent is controllable to regulate a flow of heated air therethrough.

Abstract: Smokers can enclose smoking subjects for production of trapped smoke with limited airflow. Optimal airflow rates and resulting smoking effects can be achieved through smokers. If a smoker has approximately 60 cubic inches volume, four 2-millimeter holes at an air inlet point achieves desired airflow and oxygen consumption in typical fills and cooking temperatures. Smokers include a lid or other seal or access point to permit placement and enclosure of smoking materials. A cover extends from the smoker to prevent entry of foreign material. Smokers are useable with conventional grills and may be shaped to sit on grill racks without blocking desired airflow by grill components or smoking materials. Smokers may include a detachable handle for safer handling and heating.

Abstract: A combustion cooker with an integrated and optionally removable thermoelectric generator and methods for making and using the same. The combustion cooker can include a fire basket that comprises a bottom region and a lateral region that is coupled with the bottom region and that defines a central combustion chamber. Being disposed about a periphery of the fire basket, the thermoelectric generator can include a cold side heat sink and a hot side heat sink. The cold side heat sink can be cooled via exterior air available outside the housing; whereas, the hot side heat sink can be in direct thermal communication with the periphery of the fire basket. Thereby, the thermoelectric generator advantageously can generate electrical power based upon a thermal differential between the cold side heat sink and the hot side heat sink.

Abstract: A food preparation device or system which includes the following: (i) a base dimensioned to hold food containers and includes a first opening to receive the food containers and a second opening; (ii) an extraction mechanism to extract food items from each container in the base, through the second opening and to a preparation receptacle; (iii) a heating mechanism in the preparation receptacle; and (iv) one or more processors and memory containing instructions that, when executed cause the food preparation device or system to prepare the food items for consumption.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a preparation item (2) by means of an electrically operated food processor (1), wherein a user of the food processor (1) introduces a preparation item (2) into a preparation vessel (3) of the food processor (1), and transmits preparation instructions to a control device of the of the food processor (1) via a touchscreen (4), and wherein the food processor (1), depending on the preparation instructions, automatically performs a preparation step and/or adjusts preparation parameters for preparing the preparation item (2).

Abstract: A container and system for holding a cutting tool of a food processing device is disclosed. The container includes a shell defining a chamber sized to receive one of at least a first cutting tool and a second cutting tool. The shell has a slot that receives a stem of the first cutting tool when the first cutting tool is positioned in the chamber and another slot that receives a stem of the second cutting tool when the second cutting tool is positioned in the chamber. The shell also has a plurality of openings that are sized to permit fluid to pass into the chamber.

Abstract: A plastic mixing bowl has a bowl body with a bottom side and an elastic annular seal that is provided with a peripheral region that in radial direction of the annular seal is positioned inwardly and is connected air-tightly to the bottom side of the bowl body. The annular seal has a lip extending from the peripheral region at least partially in radial direction outwardly. The lip is moveable into various positions and has a lower side forming a placing face by which the mixing bowl is supported on a setup surface. Annular seal and bottom side of the bowl body form together a suction cup that delimits a cavity varying in size depending on a position of the lip. The annular seal is repositionable from a position of use to a non-use position and in the non-use position bears flat against an exterior surface of the bowl body.

Abstract: A lid of a food processing system selectively receivable by a container of the food processing system includes a lid body defining a cavity within the lid body, a locking assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity and an actuator associated the said lid body and the locking assembly. The locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force applied to the actuator. The locking assembly is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to application of a second force applied to said actuator, the first force and said second force being applied in a same direction.

Abstract: The present application provides chemically treated fibrous structures, tissue products and a method of manufacturing thereof, wherein the fibrous structure comprises a textured background surface, a design element formed by removing a portion of the textured background, the design element lying between the surface and bottom planes of the fibrous structure, and an additive composition selectively disposed on the design element.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for simultaneously holding a roll of paper towels adjacent to a cloth towel hanger. Structurally, a support is provided for holding the roll of paper towels in an upright orientation, and a cloth towel hanger is provided which interacts directly with the support. For this combination, an extension unit includes an upper rod with the cloth towel hanger. This upper rod is pivotally engaged with a lower rod for rotation about a pivot point. In one configuration, both rods of the extension unit are aligned for insertion into the lumen of the support. In an angled configuration, the extension unit is partially withdrawn from the support, and the upper rod is rotated about the pivot point to project the hanger radially from the support for a joint use of the hanger with the paper towel holder.

Abstract: A hand dryer includes an air-stream generating device including a device air inlet, an inner housing that accommodates therein the air-stream generating device and has an inner air inlet formed in an intake surface thereof, and an outer housing that accommodates therein the inner housing and the air-stream generating device and has an outer air inlet formed therein. An intake air passage that connects the outer air inlet and the device air inlet to each other is formed inside the outer housing to include the intake surface and an opposing surface as a portion of a wall surface thereof, and a projection is provided on the opposing surface to project from a region that is opposed to the inner air inlet towards the intake surface. The projection has a first surface facing an upstream side in the intake air passage.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a toilet apparatus includes a toilet bowl, a base plate, a cover plate, and a toilet seat. The base plate is provided on a rear part of the toilet bowl. A washing function part washing a private part of a human body is mounted on the base plate. The cover plate is provided on the base plate. The cover plate covers the washing function part from upward. The toilet seat is provided on the toilet bowl. The toilet seat is pivotally rotatable to the toilet bowl. In a state of the toilet seat lowered, the toilet seat is positioned in a projection range where the toilet bowl projected upward, and covers the cover plate from upward.

Abstract: A dust cup, a dust cup assemble and a handheld cleaner are provided and the dust cup for the cleaner having the negative pressure device comprises a base and a cup casing, wherein the cup casing has a non-closed annular cross section with an opening so as to define a dust collecting chamber having a non-closed annular cross section in the cup casing, the cup casing is disposed at a top of the base, a mounting space located outside the dust collecting chamber is defined between an inner-ring wall face of the cup casing and a top wall of the base, a top of the mounting space is directly opened, and a side of the mounting space is opened by an opening, and the negative pressure device is mounted to the mounting space via an opened portion of the mounting space.

Abstract: An electronic device including a self-propelled machine body and a portable machine body is provided. The self-propelled machine includes a moving module and has a first air flow channel. The portable machine body is detachably installed on the self-propelled machine body, and the portable machine body includes a suction motor. When the portable machine body is installed on the self-propelled machine body, the suction motor communicates with the first air flow channel, and the self-propelled machine body and the portable machine body are collectively actuated as a sweeping robot.

Abstract: The robotic cleaner includes a cleaner body that is movable and a suction unit that is movable relative to the cleaner body in a vertical direction. The suction unit includes an inlet for sucking impurities from the surface to be cleaned, and at least one support unit for spacing the inlet and the surface to be cleaned. With the configuration, the foreign substance suction efficiency from the surface to be cleaned may be improved, and a constant gap between the suction portion and the surface to be cleaned may be maintained.

Abstract: A filtered vacuum cleaner system includes a vacuum cleaner, a vacuum filter device, including a collection box with a collection cavity, a lid, a filter air intake, a filter air exhaust, inlet and outlet pipes, a handle, and a filter unit; a vacuum connection hose, and a filter hose, and optionally a vacuum handle unit, such that the vacuum filter device attaches to an air intake of the vacuum cleaner, such that the vacuum filter device filters debris from air prior to the air entering the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaner including a dust collecting device for separating dust from air, wherein the dust collecting device includes a dust collecting case having a dust discharging port opened to discharge the collected dust; a discharge cover coupled to one side of the dust collecting case to open and close the dust discharge port; and a sealing member provided to extend from an inner surface of the dust collecting case to a coupling surface of the dust collecting case while being in contact with the dust collecting case and thus to be sealed when the dust discharging port is closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaner comprising a cleaner body, a handle provided in the cleaner body, a wheel provided in a lower portion of the cleaner body and rotatably supporting the cleaner body, a motor driving the wheel electrically, an encoder sensing the rotation number of the wheel or the motor, and a controller controlling the driving of the motor by varying the voltage applied to the motor based on the rotation number sensed by the encoder, wherein the controller electrically drives the wheel by applying voltage to the motor when the velocity of the cleaner body initially moving is a preset value or more, and a controlling method for the cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body; a suction unit connected with the cleaner body, sucking dust and air, guiding the sucked dust and air to the cleaner body, and having a handle; a moving unit including a wheel and a motor for driving the wheel to automatically move the cleaner body; and a clutch unit connecting the motor and the wheel or releasing the connection of the motor and the wheel according to an operational state of the cleaner body. The clutch unit includes a sun gear connected with the motor, a ring gear connected with the wheel, a plurality of fixed planetary gears disposed to be spaced apart each other between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a moving planetary gear which may transmit a rotational force transmitted to the sun gear to one gear of the plurality of fixed planetary gears.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled floor treatment device (1), in particular to a cleaning robot, with a floor treatment element (2), at least two motorized wheels (3, 4) and a detection device for detecting a floor type of a surface to be treated. In order to easily achieve an optimal detection of the floor type, it is proposed that the detection device have a frictional resistance element (6), which contacts the surface during a movement in such a way that a resultant force outside of a reference axis (7) acts on the floor treatment device (1), wherein the reference axis (7) is oriented parallel to a main direction of movement (8) of the floor treatment device (1) prescribed by the orientation of the wheels (3, 4), and is aligned centrally between the wheels (3, 4) in relation to a direction perpendicular to the reference axis (7). Further proposed is a method for operating a self-propelled floor treatment device (1).

Abstract: A sweeping apparatus including a body having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being different than the second surface, a receptacle configured to receive debris via a passageway, the receptacle including a door disposed on the first surface and an actuatable member disposed on the second surface, the door releasably coupled to the body via the actuatable member, and a plurality of brushes operatively coupled to the body, configured to urge debris into the receptacle via the passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaner. The cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction nozzle configured to suck dust on a floor surface, and a suction hose configured to transfer the dust, transferred from the suction nozzle, to the cleaner body. The cleaner body includes a driving driver or motor moving the cleaner body, a depth sensor configured to obtain image information about an object near the cleaner body, and a processor configured to extract a foot sole region of a person, based on the obtained image information, obtain a moving point of the cleaner body, based on the extracted foot sole region, and control the driving driver to move the cleaner body to the obtained moving point.

Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus for delivering steam of a surface to be cleaned is provided with a steam unit, a handle tube and an indexable base. The base can be indexed between a wide orientation where a long edge of the base is orthogonal to the direction of travel and a narrow orientation where a short edge of the base is orthogonal to the direction of travel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device for spreading a cleaning or disinfection fluid over an area, including a storage container (2) for storing the cleaning or disinfection fluid, including a dispensing member (4) which (4) is interposed in an outlet line (3) connected to the storage container (2) and which can be actuated via a handle (5), as well as having a tubular shaft (6) on which the handle (5) can be moveably guided or retained, which handle (5) is connected in a controllable manner to the discharge member (4) via a connecting rod (7) provided inside the tubular shaft (6). According to the invention, the cleaning device is characterized in that, inter alia, the shaft (6) of the cleaning device (1) has at least two tubular shaft sections (8, 9; 9, 10) that can be connected to one another, and a respective associated rod section (11, 12) of the connecting rod (7) is provided inside said tubular shaft sections.

Abstract: A mop is disclosed. The mop includes a handle, an elongated shaft, a first reservoir, and a housing. Contained within the housing is a rolled cleaning fabric material cartridge, which can be pre-wetted or dry. The mop further includes one or more spray nozzles that are fluidly connected to the reservoir for dispensing a solution. A motor advances the cleaning fabric material, wherein the motor is preprogrammed to advance the material so that a completely new section of material covers the mop surface area and the used section of the material is advanced into said housing. The mop can further include a front extension on the leading edge of the housing that enables the cleaning fabric material to reach under the edge of a cabinet to increase the reach of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control method of a dishwasher (100) including a tub (2) for receiving objects to be washed, a plurality of spray arms (711, 713, 715) for spraying wash water to the objects, and a steam nozzle (42) for spraying steam to the objects, the control method including a main washing cycle of washing the objects, a rinsing cycle of rinsing the washed objects using wash water, and a drying cycle of drying the objects after the rinsing is completed, wherein the drying cycle includes spraying steam, received from a steam source, to the objects to increase a temperature of the objects (a steam spraying step) and resupplying water to the steam source in order to prevent the steam source from being heated after the steam spraying step (a cooling step).

Abstract: A flight-type dishwasher or rack conveyor dishwasher has a conveyor apparatus (20) for conveying washware through individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1). The conveyor dishwasher (1) has a detection system (30) designed to detect the presence of washware or a washware carrier (7) in a predefined region (A) at an inlet (10) or at a feed (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1). A control device (50) is designed to actuate the conveyor apparatus (20) such that the conveyor apparatus (20) is activated when washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or feed (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and that the conveyor apparatus (20) is deactivated when no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or feed (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1).

Abstract: A dishwasher according to the present invention comprises: a tub providing a washing space; a sump communicating with the tub through a recovery hole, and storing washing water; and a flow path portion installed on one surface of the tub, and supplying washing water to the tub and the sump. The flow passage portion includes: a water supply passage connected to a water supply source and receiving washing water; a first flow passage connected to the water supply passage and receiving washing water, and supplying washing water to the tub; and a second flow passage connected to the water supply passage and receiving washing water, and supplying washing water to the sump. The present invention has the advantages in that washing water can be supplied simultaneously to the tub and the sump, and washing water flowing in reverse in the sump can be prevented even when there is negative pressure in washing water being supplied to the sump.

Abstract: A water-conducting domestic appliance includes a detection unit configured to detect a type of item to be washed as the item is loaded into the water-conducting domestic appliance, and an output unit configured to output a signal carrying information for a user as a function of the detected type of item.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing substances, such as cleaning, washing, or dishwashing agents, in household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or the like, having a dispensing unit having control means to control dispensing of the substances, and a tank receptacle, a tank for stocking the substances, the tank being embodied as a replaceable unit connectable to the tank receptacle, at least one connection for data transmission between the dispensing unit and the tank, at least one connection for data transmission between the household appliance and the tank and/or the dispensing unit.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for a dishwasher that may include a container for accommodating detergent, at least two inlets to the container, which inlets are arranged such that pressurized fluid entering the inlets are applied onto the detergent from different directions, and an outlet via which the detergent dissolved by the pressurized fluid exits the container.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus, an endoscope system, and an image processing method for assisting diagnosis more effectively by calculating more intuitive and useful information than blood vessel information for a specific submucosal depth. An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an endoscope image, a blood vessel extraction unit that extracts a blood vessel at a specific depth of the observation target from the endoscope image, a blood vessel information calculation unit that calculates blood vessel information regarding the blood vessel extracted by the blood vessel extraction unit, and a blood vessel parameter calculation unit that calculates a blood vessel parameter, which is relevant to the blood vessel at the specific depth, by calculation using the blood vessel information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of endoscope images obtained by imaging an observation target at different times with an endoscope; a blood vessel extraction unit that extracts blood vessels from the plurality of endoscope images; a blood vessel index value calculation unit that calculates a blood vessel index value for each of the blood vessels extracted from the endoscope images; a temporal change calculation unit that calculates a temporal change of the blood vessel index value; a determination unit that determines a state of a mucous membrane of the observation target using the temporal change of the blood vessel index value; and a monitor that displays a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a three-dimensional model structuring section configured to generate, when an image pickup signal related to a region in a subject is inputted from an image pickup apparatus configured to pick up an image of an inside of the subject, three-dimensional data representing a shape of the region based on the image pickup signal; and an image generation section configured to perform, on the three-dimensional data generated by the three-dimensional model structuring section, processing of allowing visual recognition of a boundary region between a structured region that is a region, an image of which is picked up by the image pickup apparatus, and an unstructured region that is a region, an image of which is yet to be picked up by the image pickup apparatus, and generate a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An endoscope operation support system includes: an image display unit which, transmits external scenery and allows the user to visually recognize the external scenery, and also displays a virtual image as superimposed on the external scenery and allows the user to visually recognize the virtual image; a control unit which controls the image display unit; an endoscope unit having an image pickup unit at a distal end part inserted in an image pickup target part of an object, the image pickup unit picking up an image inside the image pickup target part; and a position detection unit which detects a position of the distal end part. The control unit causes the image display unit to display a position display image including a pointer image indicating the position of the distal end part detected by the position detection unit, as the virtual image superimposed on the object in the external scenery.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and optical systems for forward and side view apparatus are described. These apparatus include a light focusing element, a grating element inclined with respect to the optical axis of the apparatus, and a transparent element. The transparent element has a proximal surface in contact with the grating element and an inclined distal surface. Such apparatus can be sued as spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) probes.

Abstract: The image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by an endoscope. The extraction unit extracts a blood vessel of an observation target. The index value calculation unit calculates a plurality of blood vessel index values based on the blood vessel. The determination unit determines whether each of the plurality of blood vessel index values is a normal value or an abnormal value. The color information setting unit sets color information for an abnormal index value, which is the blood vessel index value determined to be the abnormal value by the determination unit, or sets color information for a normal index value, which is the blood vessel index value determined to be the normal value by the determination unit. The image generation unit generates an emphasized image, in which the blood vessel is emphasized, based on the color information.