Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards determining within a digital camera whether a pixel belongs to a foreground or background segment within a given image by evaluating a ratio of derivative and deviation metrics in an area around each pixel in the image, or ratios of derivative metrics across a plurality of images. For each pixel within the image, a block of pixels are examined to determine an aggregate relative derivative (ARD) in the block. The ARD is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the pixel is to be assigned in the foreground segment or the background segment. In one embodiment, a single image is used to determine the ARD and the pixel segmentation for that image. Multiple images may also be used to obtain ratios of a numerator of the ARD, useable to determine an extent of the foreground.

Abstract: Described in an example embodiment is an airfield light where the optical system can be easily removed, e.g., no tools. This allows maintenance of the optical system to be performed elsewhere, reducing the amount of time that airfield maintenance crews have to be spend on the field.

Abstract: Portable solar powered light sources, devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching and using the light source. The light sources can have a single small housing having an upper roof portion with an exposed solar cell, a photocell activator, and small housing. The housing can have two parts that pivot with one another so that a front end of the housing can be biased together by a spring, and the rear side having edges that are spaced apart. An operator can press the rear spaced apart edges together, to open the front end to slide about a support structure, such as an open umbrella fabric edge. The housing allows for the light source powered by batteries to be activated by the photocell during dark(night) conditions), with the light direction being adjustable underneath. During daylight, the solar cell receives sunlight to charge the batteries within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illuminating ornament including a cover, a circuit board provided inside the cover, at least one illuminating element, a switch provided with a DC power supply input and an AC-to-DC power supply input and is electrically connected to the circuit board, a DC power supply circuit electrically connected to the circuit board through the DC power supply input, an AC-to-DC supplying circuit electrically connected to the circuit board through the AC-to-DC power supply input of the switch and is provided with an AC-to-DC converting circuit, an AC power input and an AC power output. AC power is converted to DC power by the AC-to-DC converting circuit and provided to the illuminating element through the AC power output.

Abstract: An annular oblique light illumination apparatus manufactured by using a flexible wiring substrate in which a plurality of arcuate zonal wiring patterns each in the form of a developed frustconical shape as a light emitting device arranging surface when cut along the pattern are serpiginously formed continuously to a base film of a predetermined shape, by setting and soldering light emitting devices to the arcuate zonal wiring patterns, cutting out the arcuate zonal wiring patterns to form light emitting device arrays and fixing the same to the arranging surface, whereby the wiring substrate can be supported reliably without using any special jig conforming the arcuate shape of the wiring patterns for mounting the light emitting devices, thereby improving the soldering operation efficiency, saving the troubles of exchange and handling of jigs and further, avoiding slackening or distortion of the wiring substrate even in a case of applying soldering by a flow soldering apparatus.

Abstract: A candle shade includes a sleeve adapted to receive a top end of a candle and a shade element coupled to the sleeve and surrounding the candle adjacent the top end. The sleeve has at least one spacing element on its interior surface to space the sleeve from the candle and reduce contact area therebetween. A stop is also provided on the sleeve to inhibit the sleeve from travelling down the candle beyond the top end.

Abstract: A decorative apparatus comprises a primary container defined by an upper portion and a lower portion. The primary container has an opening defined in the upper portion. A secondary container comprises a cap and a reservoir body extending therefrom. The secondary container is suspendedly disposed within the primary container such that the cap of the secondary container substantially corresponds to the opening of the primary container and the reservoir body of the secondary container extends toward the lower portion of the primary container. A reservoir access aperture is disposed in the cap. A method of manufacture is also provided.

Abstract: A safety candleholder comprises a seat, a center of the seat having a hollow groove base; an outer side of the groove base being installed with an inner ring and an outer ring; inner walls of the inner ring and the outer ring being installed with inner thread portions; a plurality of via holes being formed at a bottom of the seat; the inner lampshade being installed with an opening; an outer side of the opening having a flange; a diameter of the opening being smaller than a diameter of the candle; and an outer lampshade screwedly fixed to the outer ring, thereby, an annular groove being formed between the two lampshade so that air can flow in the annular groove; an upper end of the outer lampshade having an opening; an outer side of the opening being installed with an annular flange, thus, a safety candleholder being formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lamp including a hollow body, in particular a glass cylinder, which accommodates a light source. The object of the present invention is to devise a lamp using simple means which is usable both for light sources with open flame and for electrically operated light sources, which is manufacturable in one piece, and whose emitted color and decoration can be changed in a quick and simple manner. The inner hollow body is surrounded by an outer hollow body, and both hollow bodies are interconnected at their top ends. The inner hollow body is shorter than the outer hollow body and carries an inwardly directed rim. The two hollow bodies may be composed of transparent glass which is smooth on the inside and on the outside.

Abstract: A torch includes a barrel accommodating a battery unit therein, a lamp seat unit mounted at a front end of the barrel and composed of a tubular seat member, a lamp and a lamp positioning plate, a tubular coupling member made of a light transmittable material and sleeved around the lamp seat, and a head cap secured to a front end of the coupling member and provided with a reflector. The coupling member is axially shiftable relative to the lamp seat between a first position, where the lamp extends into the reflector so that light may be directed axially, and a second position, where the lamp is located in the coupling member and is partially withdrawn from the reflector so that light can pass radially through the coupling member.

Abstract: A one-piece, drip preventing follower of transparent glass has an annular shoulder sitting on an upper shoulder of the candle formed with a central, wick receiving opening with a lip from which extends an outwardly and upwardly flaring portion providing a melted wax receiving bowl. A skirt depends from the annular shoulder spaced from and longer than the candle body for telescopically receiving a candlestick providing guided descent of the follower. The annular lip has an upwardly inclined, flat or convex, annular optical face providing an optical aperture aligned to receive, light refracted through the melted wax from the candle flame for transmission by total internal reflection down the entire length of the skirt, the lower end of which is coated with a suitably fluorescent material, providing a pleasing bright ring of light, both decorative and an additional source of illumination.

Abstract: There is provided a globe supporting structure that supports a globe of a gas lantern which burns combustible gas discharged from a gas cartridge containing the combustible gas by means of a burner head located inside the globe, including a ventilator positioned above the globe, a plurality of wires rotatably arranged on the ventilator, each of which rotates about the ventilator, and is shaped so as to be capable of reaching a bottom surface of the globe, and a globe supporting plate that supports the globe, and is provided with first arrangement which is detachably engagable with a portion of the wires reaching the bottom surface of the globe. In accordance with the globe supporting structure, the globe can be removed easily from the globe supporting plate without breaking the globe.

Abstract: A warning light which has a dome-shaped lens containing a xenon stroboscopic bulb and a halogen cycle bulb. The bulbs are energized, either separately or at the same time, to provide two types of warning lights, while means are provided for minimizing the amount of light that escapes through the top of the dome.