Abstract: Identification of starting and ending times of commercial breaks and commercials within those commercial breaks found in audiovisual content is disclosed. A solution to a “batch optimization” problem is used in which commercial locations within a set of audiovisual content are detected as a group by choosing a set of commercial locations which optimizes a cost function which can include considerations of, for example, 1) one or more cues, 2) relative locations of commercials within the audiovisual content, and/or 3) probability models based on statistics obtained regarding characteristics of typical commercial and commercial breaks. Optimization can be done over the total set of commercial location decisions, rather than on a per-commercial basis. Additionally, the cost function can be iteratively evaluated and many more types of cues and combinations of cues can be used in detection of commercials.

Abstract: A shutter includes a first light-pervious electrode, a second light-pervious electrode, a light-shielding layer sandwiched between the first and second light-pervious electrodes and a voltage supplying system. The light-shielding layer is comprised of an electrostrictive material. The light-shielding layer has a fixed end positioned adjacent to one edge of the first light-pervious electrode, and a free end facing toward the opposite edge. The free end is extendable towards the opposite edge of the first light-pervious electrode to block light from in response to a voltage applied to the light-shielding layer. The voltage supplying system is electrically connected with the first and second light-pervious electrodes for supplying a voltage between the first and second light-pervious electrodes.

Abstract: An electronic aperture comprises first and second polarizers and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second polarizers. The liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystals having an angular orientation that varies as a function of position. In one exemplary embodiment, the angular orientation of the liquid crystals varies as a function of distance from an optical axis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal shutter (100) and a camera (200) with therein. The liquid crystal shutter (100) includes a power supply (10), a switch (20) and a liquid crystal box (40), all parts are electrically connected and form a control circuit. The liquid crystal box (40) includes a first electric plate (42), a first polarizing filter (424), a second electric plate (44), and a second polarizing filter (444). A predetermined amount of liquid crystal (46) is contained between the first electric plate (42) and the second electric plate (44). The first polarizing filter (424) is formed on a surface of the first electric plate (42). A second polarizing filter (444) is formed on a surface of the second electric plate (44). The axial direction of the second polarizing filter (444) is perpendicular to that of the first polarizing filter (424).

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes an image forming optical system forming an image of an object, an imaging device placed in the proximity of the image of the object, a liquid crystal element placed at a preset position on the optical path between the object and the imaging device; and an optical element placed on the object side of the liquid crystal element. The optical element is constructed of a medium in which the transmittance of light at a wavelength of 500 nm is 20% or more and which exhibits different refractive indices with respect to light, the directions of vibrations of which are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A camera includes a shutter unit for limiting the exposure time to a record medium, a shutter time setting unit for setting the shutter time of the shutter unit, a shutter drive and control unit for driving and controlling the shutter unit, a shutter condition detecting unit for detecting the condition of the shutter unit, a manifesting unit for manifesting the result detected by the shutter condition detecting unit, a manifestation control unit for driving and controlling the manifesting unit and a memory unit for previously storing inherent data to detect with the shutter condition detecting unit whereby a photographer is informed of the fact that the detection accuracy of the detecting element is insufficient for a shutter time, thus dealing with the situation. The manifestation control unit drives the shutter condition detecting unit, based on a shutter time set by the shutter time setting unit and inherent data stored in the memory unit, thus notifying the shutter condition detecting unit of the result.

Abstract: A camera has an objective lens for forming an image of a subject by focusing rays of light on a film plane, and a mirror for a viewfinder which is movable in the way of the light rays between the objective lens and the film plane to reflect the light rays to a viewing screen in the viewfinder and is movable out of the way of the light rays to allow the lens to focus the light rays on the film plane. The movable mirror is an electrostatic light valve that includes a transparent flat stationary electrode between the objective lens and the film plane, and a coilable mirrored resilient electrode having one end fixed with respect to the stationary electrode and a free end. The coilable electrode is biased to curl into a coil on the stationary electrode, beginning at the free end, to move out of the way of the light rays, and is electrostatically actuatable to uncurl from the coil along the stationary electrode to be in the way of the light rays to reflect them to the viewing screen.

Abstract: A position sensor for detecting a position by comparing a detected level with a threshold level. This operation is performed without being affected by the characteristics intrinsic to the used sensor means or by power supply variations. Furthermore, the operation is not varied even if the sensor means ages. The sensor means is caused to shift from a first operating state to an unoperated state and then to a second operating state according to operation of an object whose position should be detected. The level of the output from the sensor means is compared with a threshold level. Thus, the timing at which the sensor means shifts from the unoperated state to the second operating state is detected. The output level detected when the sensor means is in the first state is stored in a capacitor and divided by resistors to obtain the threshold level.