Abstract: A headrest assembly for a user to recline thereon. The headrest assembly comprises an upper portion for supporting the user's head and a lower portion for supporting the user's upper back. There is a rigid base that supports the upper and lower portions. At the upper portion, there are one or more upper cushions coupled to the rigid base. The upper cushion(s) are configured to support a user's head. At the lower portion, one or more elongated back support(s) are coupled to the rigid base. Also disclosed are methods for using a headrest assembly.

Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a drinking vessel that can include a drinking container and a drinking attachment that is coupled to the container. A straw can be positioned through an opening in the drinking attachment. The straw can include a top end that includes an opening through which a user can withdraw liquid and a bottom end. A drinking valve can be positioned along the bottom end of the straw and can include a tube that is open on the top and closed on the bottom and further includes at least one flow-through opening connecting the inside of the valve to the outside of the straw. A suction tube can include a tube wall that can be slid over the valve to couple the straw to the suction tube.

Abstract: A method for forming an overwrap container includes the steps of a) providing a base container having a first side seam on a side wall that extends along a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume, and a bottom secured to the side wall; b) providing the side wall of the base container with connecting elements on an outer periphery of the side wall; c) providing an overwrap having a second side seam over the side wall of the base container such that the overwrap is joined in spaced apart relationship by the connecting elements to the side wall of the base container; d) clamping the overwrap to the base container along the second side seam to form a first compressed area; e) clamping the overwrap to the base container in an area 180° removed from the second side seam to form a second compressed area: and f) reforming the second compressed area to define an overwrap container having a substantially uniform spacing and air gap between the base container and the overwrap except in the first compressed area.

Abstract: A beverage holder is provided. The beverage holder may include a container having a first outer wall and a second inner wall and a sealed vacuum cavity formed between the first outer wall and second inner wall. The beverage holder may also include a fastening seal having an engagement portion configured to removably engage the container and a retention portion configured to engage a beverage container.

Abstract: A non-slip multipurpose wardrobe hanger includes a continuous solid frame comprising an interior body; a neck; an upper hook extending from the neck, wherein the neck extends to a pair of opposing arms, wherein each of the opposing arm has a proximal and distal end; two medially positioned cutout sections spanning the length of the opposing arms, wherein each of the cutout section comprises a top and bottom surface; and a non-slip material, wherein the non-slip material is fixedly attached to the bottom surface and top surface of each.

Abstract: A reinforced rug tab is disclosed. The reinforced rug tab can include a reinforcing material, a first rug tab applied above the reinforcing material, and a second rug tab applied below the reinforcing material. The first rug tab can include a first tab upper adhesive layer, a first tab lower adhesive layer, and a first tab support material between the first tab upper adhesive layer and the first tab lower adhesive layer. The second rug tab can include a second tab upper adhesive layer, a second tab lower adhesive layer, and a second tab support material between the second tab upper adhesive layer and the second tab lower adhesive layer. A method of stabilizing a rug and a kit for stabilizing a rug using the rug tabs are also provided.

Abstract: Operation of Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs) around human population requires the utmost level of safety. Trackpath pre-computed navigation paths and Free flight corridor protection systems reduce the possibility of injuring humans during flight, but at the point of delivery the drone must, by necessity, come down to level of and near humans. This invention teaches the system and method of a personal household mail system that minimizes human exposure to the delivery UAV, provides a method of verifying that the addressee is correct, and optionally secures the mail until it is picked up by the designated recipient.

Abstract: A cookware apparatus is utilized to efficiently drain liquids from itself. The apparatus includes a body having an upper bottom section including at least one orifice, a lower bottom section, and a sidewall section affixed to the upper bottom section. Shafts affixed to the lower bottom section may be disposed within each of at least one housing mounted to a surface of the sidewall section. Handle portions affixed to at least one of the body and the at least one housing each include a trigger mechanism for actuating linear movement of the shafts. Actuation of the trigger mechanism separates the lower bottom section from the upper bottom section and the sidewall section to allow liquid to drain through the at least one orifice and out the interior volume of the body.

Abstract: A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein, a heater which heats inside the water storage chamber to generate steam, a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water, a steam spout port which ejects steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough, a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, and a controller which controls the heater and the water supply device, wherein after the start of the heating by the heater, the controller determines if water storage is completed in the water storage chamber based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.

Abstract: A device for the prevention of cooking boilover is disclosed. The device is placed on a cooking vessel while in use to disrupt building surface tension in a boiling liquid, and thus reduce or eliminate the tendency for the cooking vessel to boil over. The device for the prevention of cooking boilover (“boilover preventer”) has a first supporting member and a second supporting member with a center portion joined to each supporting member and having a generally concave upper surface with holes there through.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: The built-in coffee machine (1) comprises components (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) housed in a box frame (3) and means for the forced circulation of a flow of air in turn comprising an air channel internal of said box frame (3) for the dehumidification and cooling of the environment internal of said box frame (3) and at least one fan (15) for forced circulation of the flow of air along said air channel (16), the box frame (3) advantageously supporting a support platform (13) for cups (14) towards which an air delivery section (17) of the air channel (16) is oriented for heating said cups (14).

Abstract: An extended life roller grills for re-thermalizing and merchandising food product with easily replaceable bearing assemblies, drive assembly and roller tubes. The grill is comprised of rotation of a plurality of heated internally tubes, a drive assembly that transfers rotational motion to the roller tubes from a cam or chain or gear system or cog belt attached to a motor providing rotational motion and force to the roller tubes. Roller grill chain drive or gear drives, or cog belt or cam drives that utilize replaceable bearing assemblies for extending the service life the roller grill. A cam drive assembly substantially increases the reliability, ease of assembly and disassembly, serviceability, and maintenance of the roller grill. Cam drive provides for easy removal, servicing and replacement of roller tubes not available on other drive systems for roller grills. Replaceable bearing journals to extend the life span of chain, gear, cam or belt drive grills.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooking and baking device with seamlessly-jointed griddle plates, including an upper housing, a lower housing hinged with the upper housing, chambers in the upper housing and the lower housing, griddle plates arranged within the chambers, and a connecting passage communicating with the chambers. Ends of the griddle plates in the upper housing and the lower housing are aligned in the connecting passage, an axis along which the upper housing and the lower housing are rotated is located between the griddle plates of the upper housing and the lower housing, and the axis is arranged to be not higher than top surfaces of the griddle plates. In use, the two griddle plates are tightly engaged, and thus food materials placed therein will not fall out during baking, the service life of the cooking and baking device is prolonged.

Abstract: A gas tap for a gas burner that includes a gas inlet conduit for the entry of gas at a nominal pressure, at least one outlet conduit suitable for conducting gas to the burner through an outlet hole, and a rotating regulating element for regulating the incoming gas flow from the inlet conduit to the outlet conduit. The outlet conduit conducting a variable flow rate gas flow to the outlet hole when the regulating element rotates along an angular path. The gas tap also includes at least one constant flow outlet conduit for conducting a minimum constant flow rate gas flow (Qc) at nominal pressure (Pn) to the burner through a constant flow outlet hole when the regulating element rotates along the angular path.

Abstract: A radiant tray system may be positioned between a burner and a grate of a cooking device. The system may include ceramic tiles and a housing having generally planar walls configured to house the tiles therebetween. The walls receive and grasp tiles between corresponding tile slots through each of the walls and thereby stably position the tile within the tile slots. The walls may also include vent ports for promoting flow of combustion gases through the housing. The housing may be symmetrical with respect to a common reference plane disposed between the walls to support selectively invertable use of the housing. Inversion of the housing after use in one orientation allows drippings to be pyrolized during continued use in the inverted orientation. The pyrolized drippings are readily scrapped or brushed from the walls and tiles.

Abstract: A grease catcher apparatus for a frying apparatus can include a support assembly for positioning under the frying apparatus. The support assembly can be configured to receive a removable tray for catching grease from the frying apparatus. The grease catcher apparatus can also include at least one side wall extending generally upwardly from the support assembly. In some embodiments, the side wall may slope toward the removable tray, e.g., for directing the grease into the tray. In some embodiments, the support assembly may include a first support segment and a second support segment positionable across from one another, where each support segment has a base ledge, e.g., for supporting opposite sides of the removable tray. In some embodiments, the support assembly may include a partial enclosure defining an opening for permitting passage of grease, e.g., from the frying apparatus to the removable tray.

Abstract: A blending system is provided for identifying a blending container. The blending system may include an attachment member that attaches to a blending container. The attachment member may include an identification tag. A receiving system may communicate with the identification tag to identify the container. The receiving system may measure characteristics of the blending container. The characteristics can be compared to stored characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixing vessel 1 provided with: a bottomed vessel main body 2 in which an internal space 2S opens upward through an upper edge opening portion 21; an outer lid 3 capable of sealing the opening portion 21 of the vessel main body 2; and an inner lid 4 disposed inside the vessel main body 2; wherein the inner lid 4 is provided with a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 42 having an inner lid screwing portion (fourth thread portion 41) which can be screwed to the outer lid 3, an inner lid main body portion 43 in which multiple through-holes 45 penetrating in a height direction are formed in a dispersed manner, and a finger catching portion 48 which protrudes downward from the inner lid main body portion 43 and against which a finger can catch. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to provide a mixing vessel 1 with which an operation to detach the inner lid 4 from the outer lid 3 can be performed smoothly and appropriately.

Abstract: A shower liner system configured to engage a shower rod having a rib with a strut slidably engaging the shower rod and a panel disposed approximately perpendicular to the strut having a top end and a bottom end. A liner can include a waterproof body with a top header disposed approximate the shower rod and having an engagement point, and a second header disposed away from the first header toward the floor. The top end of the panel engages the first header and the second end of the panel engages the second header. The rib is configured to hang at least a portion of the liner at an angle to the shower rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a monolithic container to store a liquid. The monolithic container has a lower reservoir from which to dispense the liquid, an upper reservoir substantially adjacent to the lower reservoir to replenish the liquid in the lower reservoir, and a narrowing between the upper and lower reservoirs. An exit port communicates with the lower reservoir and is oriented in an upward direction relative to the lower reservoir. A corresponding system and method are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A voice-controlled back scrubber that comprises of a rectangular frame that guides a rectangular compartment. The rectangular compartment has a holder that receives a lift belt on its central top inner section. The rectangular compartment houses a liquid soap holder, a plurality of scrubber sprockets that define a spindle, a first servomotor, a plurality of electrical soap dispensers, a plurality of soap dispensing hoses, a second servomotor, a lift belt, a controller and a power source. The rectangular compartment is covered with a cover that has a plurality of apertures that allows the spindles to pass through the cover. Scrubbers attach to the spindles after the cover is placed on the rectangular compartment. And, an accordion cover that attaches to the rectangular frame and to the rectangular compartment so that an inner section of the rectangular frame that covers the holder and the lift belt is covered.

Abstract: A sheet material dispenser can include a sheet material transfer assembly operable to automatically transfer feeding or dispensing of sheet material between a plurality of supplies of sheet material. The sheet material transfer assembly can include a frame that is movable between a plurality of positions including a first position that facilitates feeding of the sheet material from a first supply of sheet material, and a second position that facilitates feeding or dispensing of sheet material from a second supply of sheet material. The frame of the sheet material transfer system can shift or move to the second position for dispensing sheet material from the second supply of sheet material when the first supply of sheet material is fully dispensed.

Abstract: In one example, a wipe dispensing system includes a housing that defines an internal wipe storage area, a lid connected to the housing, a fluid reservoir disposed within the housing, a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a fluid discharge manifold in fluid communication with the pump and located proximate a wipe dispensing path. The lid is operably disposed with respect to the pump such that depression of the lid causes the pump to discharge fluid from the fluid discharge manifold, and also causes dispensation of a portion of a wipe from the housing, and a return of the lid from a depressed position to a ‘ready’ position causes the pump to discharge fluid from the fluid discharge manifold, and also causes dispensation of portion of a wipe from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a toilet user in standing up, has a simple structure for aiding a toilet user in standing up, in which a movable seat where the toilet user sits is automatically movable to have lifting movement and pivoting movement, and minute pivoting movement is possible, thereby simplifying the structure and assisting the toilet user in safely standing up.

Abstract: A toilet bowl ventilation system exhausts air in and around the toilet bowl to an area adjacent to the room in which the toilet is located. The toilet bowl ventilation system includes a housing operable to affix to a toilet seat and a fan positioned within the housing. The system further includes a controller for activating the fan and optionally adjusting the fan's speed when activated. An exhaust hose is operable to transport air from the fan in the housing to a selected area adjacent to the room in which the toilet is located (e.g., outdoors).

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for preventing one with dirty hands from entering or exiting an area without first using a hand washing system. Typical uses would be in hospitals, where patients are endangered by health care workers who may propagate microorganisms and thus illness from patient to patient. The subject technology seeks to stop one from passing by having a barrier block passage. Overrides for bypass system on an emergency basis or when hands are otherwise necessarily occupied, such as in carrying a tray or other objects. Sensors detect presence of obstructions in the movement of the barrier. Further, the barrier may be broken should an emergency arise. Current implementation presumes that one's hands are dirty, and thus entry or exit is initially denied. Once hand washing has occurred, then entry or exit is allowed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment is disclosed having a concave vacuum head with a swivel joint that permits swiveling of the vacuum head only within the plane of the vacuum head. The concave vacuum head can have a curvature that is similar to the curvature of a cylindrical surface to be vacuumed. Thus, while a user manipulates the conduit providing the air suction to the vacuum head, the concave surface can be supported and swiveled around the circumference of the cylindrical surface to be vacuumed, while the vacuum head is also moved along the length of the cylindrical surface. Throughout this movement of the concave vacuum head, the concave opening of the concave vacuum head can stay in closer proximity and conformity to the cylindrical surface than is possible using a fixed vacuum head with a flat opening, thereby making cleaning of the cylindrical surface more effective and efficient.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus includes a dust separation unit to separate dust from suctioned air; a dust storage unit to store the dust separated in the dust separation unit; a pressing member to compress the dust stored in the dust storage unit, and having a pressing plate support part, and a pressing plate supported by the pressing plate support part; a fixing member disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the dust storage unit and the pressing plate support part; and a path formed by a part of the fixing member, located between the pressing plate support part and the inner circumferential surface of the dust storage unit, and through which the air between the pressing plate and the fixing member passes, wherein one or more holes through which the air between the pressing plate and the fixing member passes are formed at the pressing plate.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus includes a dust separation unit to separate dust from suctioned air; a dust storage unit to store the dust separated in the dust separation unit; a pressing member to compress the dust stored in the dust storage unit, and having a pressing plate support part, and a pressing plate supported by the pressing plate support part; a fixing member disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the dust storage unit and the pressing plate support part; and a path formed by a part of the fixing member, located between the pressing plate support part and the inner circumferential surface of the dust storage unit, and through which the air between the pressing plate and the fixing member passes, wherein one or more holes through which the air between the pressing plate and the fixing member passes are formed at the pressing plate.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a controller, the cleaner body having a dust container accommodation part formed therein; a wheel unit mounted in the cleaner body, the wheel unit of which driving is controlled by the controller; and a dust container detachably coupled to the dust container accommodation part, wherein a first opening and a second opening are disposed at the same height in an inner wall of the dust container accommodation part, wherein the dust container includes: an entrance and an exit, disposed side by side along the circumference of the dust container, the entrance and the exit, respectively communicating with the first opening and the second opening when the dust container is accommodated in the dust container accommodation part; and a flow separating part extending downwardly inclined along the inner circumference of the dust container, the flow separating part separating the flow of air introduced into the entrance from the flow of air discharged toward the exit to b

Abstract: A method of operating an autonomous cleaning robot is described. The method includes initiating a training run of the autonomous cleaning robot and receiving, at a mobile device, location data from the autonomous cleaning robot as the autonomous cleaning robot navigates an area. The method also includes presenting, on a display of the mobile device, a training map depicting portions of the area traversed by the autonomous cleaning robot during the training run and presenting, on the display of the mobile device, an interface configured to allow the training map to be stored or deleted. The method also includes initiating additional training runs to produce additional training maps and presenting a master map generated based on a plurality of stored training maps.

Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.

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: Dishwashing machine including an outer casing with an inner washing cavity adapted to accommodating a dishwasher rack. A catchment sink assembly is located on the bottom of the inner washing cavity to collect and accumulate liquid trickling down from the dishwasher rack momentarily located above the catchment sink assembly. The catchment sink assembly includes a basin-shaped catchment tank. A cup-shaped drain sump extends downwards from the bottom of the catchment tank and directly communicates with the inside of the catchment tank to receive washing or rinsing liquid arriving on the bottom of the catchment tank. A tubular member communicates with the catchment tank and is detachably fitted into a corresponding tubular outlet portion in the drain sump to divide the inner volume of the drain sump into a first inner-volume portion directly connected to a water drain line, and a second inner-volume portion directly connected to the suction of the pump.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub with an access opening to a treating chamber, a sump, at least one sprayer emitting liquid into the treating chamber, a pump, a conduit fluidly coupling the sump to the pump and the pump to the at least one sprayer, thereby defining a recirculation circuit through which the liquid sprayed into the treating chamber collects in the sump and is pumped back to the at least one sprayer. The dishwasher also includes a filter assembly in the sump for filtering the liquid in the recirculation circuit including a cleaning element.

Abstract: A draining system comprising a single or multi-layer tray designed to store and dry wet objects like winter boots, rain boots or dishes that are placed on the tray. This system provides effective utilization of space to store wet objects. Water from the wet objects placed on the tray goes into waste collection bin which can easily be removed without disrupting the tray set-up to dispense waste water without creating a mess.

Abstract: A system for medical diagnosis includes a fiber optic cable and a plurality of light emitters optically coupled to a first end of the fiber optic cable. Each light emitter in the plurality of light emitters emits a distinct bandwidth of light. The system also includes a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of light emitters. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the controller to perform operations including: receiving instructions including an illumination mode, and adjusting an intensity of the light emitted from each light emitter in the plurality of light emitters to match the illumination mode.

Abstract: An endoscope illumination apparatus includes a light convertor including first and second light conversion members that receive primary light emitted from a primary light source and convert at least one of the optical properties of the primary light, a detector that receives at least part of first light conversion light converted by the first light conversion member as detection light, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a quantity of the detection light, and an operation estimation circuit that estimates, based on an amount of change in the detection signal output from the detector, whether any one of the first and second light conversion members is in an abnormal operation or both of the first and second light conversion members are in an abnormal operation.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a separation unit configured to separate a plurality of wide-band image signals corresponding to wide-band light passing through each of a plurality of wide-band filters and a narrow-band image signal corresponding to narrow-band light passing through a narrow-band filter, from each other, based on an image signal input from an imaging device; a demosaicing unit configured to perform demosaic processing that interpolates one of the plurality of wide-band image signals based on edge information from the narrow-band image signal separated by the separation unit; and an image generation unit configured to generate a wide-band image by using the wide-band image signal interpolated by the demosaic processing performed by the demosaicing unit and generate a narrow-band image by using the narrow-band image signal.

Abstract: A display correction system applied for an endoscope is provided which includes a color checker, a light-shielding tank, an endoscope has a lens that is sleeved in the light shielding tank and the lens is disposed toward the view window, the lens of the light-shielding tank is sequentially aligned the color block of the color checker through the view window to capture the image of the color block. The monitor has a captured image window which is provided for displaying the image of the color that is captured by the endoscope. The display correction device is provided for correcting the image signal from the color block that is transmitted by the endoscope, such that the image is displayed on the monitor is corresponding to the image of the electrical signal, and the color of the image on the monitor is the same as the true color of the color block.

Abstract: A portable monitor operable in a first orientation and a second orientation. The monitor includes a housing and a handle having arms. A back side of the housing includes grooves sized and shaped to receive, respectively, the arms of the handle. The handle is pivotable about handle axles to a plurality of positions including a first position, in which the arms are received by first sections of the grooves, a second position, in which the arms are received by second sections of the grooves, and intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope including an endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly having a leak test port, an endoscope electro-optic subsystem which is connectable to the endoscope via the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly in a manner which precludes access to the leak test port when the endoscope electro-optic subsystem and the endoscope are connected at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and an electro-pneumatic adaptor, which is connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and includes an adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, including a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port of the endoscope, an adaptor electrical port assembly to which the endoscope electro-optic subsystem is connectable and a pneumatic port.

Abstract: A control unit attachable to a flexible endoscope having a shaft deflectable via two rotatable knobs is provided. The control unit includes a user interface including a first interface being mounted on a pivotal support attached to a housing of the control unit, the first interface being engageable by a palm of a hand. The control unit further includes a drive unit operable via the user interface, the drive unit including a first drive mechanism for engaging the two rotatable knobs thereby allowing a user to control deflection of the shaft of the endoscope via the first interface.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an imaging device detachably connected to an eyepiece unit of an endoscope inserted into a subject, the endoscope taking a subject image inside the subject from a distal end thereof, and the imaging device being configured to capture the subject image taken by the endoscope; a detection area setting unit configured to set a detection area in the captured image captured by the imaging device; a detection processing unit configured to execute, based on an image in the detection area in the captured image, a detection process for calculating an evaluation value of the image; and a subject image determining unit configured to determine a size of the subject image in the captured image, wherein the detection area setting unit changes an area of the entire detection area based on a determination result of the subject image determining unit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method according to the present disclosure are provided. For example, an apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation to a structure can be provided. The exemplary apparatus can include a first arrangement having at least two wave-guides which can be configured to provide there through at least two respective electro-magnetic radiations with at least partially different wavelengths from one another. The exemplary apparatus can also include a dispersive second arrangement structured to receive the electro-magnetic radiations and forward at least two dispersed radiations associated with the respective electro-magnetic radiations to at least one section of the structure. The wave-guide(s) can be structured and/or spatially arranged with respect to the dispersive arrangement to facilitate at least partially overlap of the dispersed radiations on the structure.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes devices and systems for extending the imaging capability of swept, confocally aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscopes to in vivo applications. In embodiments, the SCAPE microscope can be implemented as an endoscopic or laparoscopic inspection instrument.

Abstract: A variably-flexible device that comprises a hollow body, a steering element that steers a steerable portion of the hollow body, the steering element being comprised of steering tendons disposed within the hollow body, a torque-transmitting element that extends into the steerable portion of the hollow body, and stiffening element disposed within the hollow body to selectively maintain the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a travelled distance by a capsule camera are disclosed. A current global motion vector for a current image in the image sequence is determined, where the current global motion vector corresponds to movement made by the capsule camera between the current image and a reference image associated with the image sequence. A travelled distance by the capsule camera in the GI tract is determined according to the current global motion vector and prior global motion vectors derived for prior images between an initial image and the current image, where the travelled distance is measured from an initial location associated with the initial image to a current location associated with the current image. A method and system for displaying an image sequence captured by a capsule camera are also disclosed. The travelled distances associated with the image sequence are displayed on a display.