Author: claimsbot

1. A video reception device configured to transmit and receive data through a communication network, the video reception device comprising:
an input unit configured to receive an input of a video signal;
a video extraction unit configured to extract a partial video for video recognition processing, from the video signal;
a control unit configured to perform control of transmitting the partial video to a video recognition device connected to the communication network so as to request the video recognition device to perform the video recognition processing, obtaining a result of the video recognition processing and display control information of additional information from the video recognition device, and obtaining additional information based on the result of the video recognition processing from an additional information distribution device connected to the communication network; and
an additional information display control unit configured to perform control of calculating a display ending time or a display remaining time of the additional information based on a system time at which the video extraction unit extracts the partial video, and the display control information, and superimposing the additional information on the video signal based on the display ending time or the display remaining time.
2. The video reception device according to claim 1, further comprising a displaying unit configured to display a video obtained by superimposing the additional information on the video signal,
wherein the additional information display control unit is configured to perform control of hiding the additional information which is being displayed on the displaying unit, based on the display ending time or the display remaining time.
3. The video reception device according to claim 2, wherein the display control information, which the control unit obtains from the video recognition device, includes information indicating a display period of the additional information, and information indicating an offset time.
4. The video reception device according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the display ending time,
wherein the additional information display control unit is configured to perform control of causing the storage unit to store the calculated display ending time, comparing the calculated display ending time and the display ending time stored in the storage unit every time the video extraction unit extracts the partial video, updating the display ending time by storing temporally earlier one of the display ending times in the storage unit, and hiding the additional information which is being displayed on the displaying unit at the display ending time stored in the storage unit.
5. The video reception device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control of transmitting a plurality of pieces of time stamp information together with the partial video when transmitting the partial video to the video recognition device connected to the communication network.
6. The video reception device according to claim 2, wherein
the control unit is configured to perform control of obtaining a plurality of pieces of the additional information including display time range information, from the additional information distribution device based on the result of the video recognition processing, and
the additional information display control unit is configured to perform control of displaying the plurality of pieces of the additional information on the displaying unit by switching between the plurality of pieces of the additional information according to the display time range information.
7. A video reception device configured to transmit and receive data through a communication network, the video reception device comprising:
an input unit configured to receive an input of a video signal;
a video extraction unit configured to extract a partial video for video recognition processing, from the video signal;
a control unit configured to perform control of transmitting the partial video to a video recognition device connected to the communication network so as to request the video recognition device to perform the video recognition processing, transmitting a system time at which the video extraction unit extracts the partial video, obtaining a result of the video recognition processing and a display ending time of additional information or a display remaining time of the additional information from the video recognition device, and obtaining additional information based on the result of the video recognition processing from an additional information distribution device connected to the communication network; and
an additional information display control unit configured to perform control of superimposing the additional information on the video signal based on the display ending time or the display remaining time obtained from the video recognition device.
8. The video reception device according to claim 7, further comprising a displaying unit configured to display a video obtained by superimposing the additional information on the video signal,
wherein the additional information display control unit is configured to perform control of hiding the additional information which is being displayed on the displaying unit, based on the display ending time or the display remaining time.
9. An additional information display method of a video reception device configured to transmit and receive data through a communication network, the additional information display method comprising:
extracting a partial video for video recognition processing, from a video signal input from an outside;
transmitting the partial video to a video recognition device connected to the communication network so as to request the video recognition device to perform the video recognition processing, and obtaining a result of the video recognition processing and display control information of additional information, from the video recognition device;
obtaining additional information based on the result of the video recognition processing, from an additional information distribution device connected to the communication network;
calculating a display ending time or a display remaining time of the additional information based on a system time at which the partial video is extracted, and the display control information; and
performing control of superimposing the additional information on the video signal based on the display ending time or the display remaining time.
10. The additional information display method according to claim 9, further comprising displaying, on a displaying unit, a video obtained by superimposing the additional information on the video signal,
wherein the additional information which is being displayed on the displaying unit is hidden based on the display ending time or the display remaining time.
11. The additional information display method according to claim 10, wherein the display control information includes information indicating a display period of the additional information, and information indicating an offset time.
12. The additional information display method according to claim 10, further comprising storing the display ending time,
wherein the calculated display ending time is stored, the calculated display ending time and the stored display ending time are compared every time the partial video is extracted, the display ending time is updated by storing temporally earlier one of the display ending times, and the additional information which is being displayed on the displaying unit is hidden at the stored display ending time of the additional information.
13. The additional information display method according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of pieces of time stamp information are transmitted together with the partial video when the partial video is transmitted to the video recognition device connected to the communication network.
14. The additional information display method according to claim 10, wherein
a plurality of pieces of the additional information including display time range information are obtained from the additional information distribution device based on the result of the video recognition processing, and
the plurality of pieces of the additional information are displayed on the displaying unit by switching between the plurality of pieces of the additional information according to the display time range information.
15. An additional information display method of a video reception device configured to transmit and receive data through a communication network, the additional information display method comprising:
extracting a partial video for video recognition processing, from a video signal input from an outside;
transmitting the partial video to a video recognition device connected to the communication network so as to request the video recognition device to perform the video recognition processing, transmitting a system time at which the partial video is extracted, and obtaining a result of the video recognition processing and a display ending time of additional information or a display remaining time of the additional information from the video recognition device;
obtaining additional information based on the result of the video recognition processing, from an additional information distribution device connected to the communication network; and
performing control of superimposing the additional information on the video signal based on the display ending time or the display remaining time obtained from the video recognition device.
16. An additional information display system which comprises a video reception device, a video recognition device, and an additional information distribution device, the devices being configured to transmit and receive data to each other through a communication network,
wherein the video reception device includes:
an input unit configured to receive an input of a video signal;

a video extraction unit configured to extract a partial video for video recognition processing, from the video signal;
a control unit configured to perform control of transmitting the partial video to the video recognition device through the communication network so as to request the video recognition device to perform the video recognition processing, obtaining a result of the video recognition processing and display control information of additional information from the video recognition device through the communication network, and obtaining additional information based on the result of the video recognition processing from the additional information distribution device through the communication network; and
an additional information display control unit configured to perform control of calculating a display ending time or a display remaining time of the additional information based on a system time at which the video extraction unit extracts the partial video, and the display control information, and superimposing the additional information on the video signal based on the display ending time or the display remaining time,

wherein the video recognition device is configured to receive the partial video transmitted from the video reception device through the communication network, perform the video recognition processing using the partial video, and output the result of the video recognition processing and the display control information to the video reception device through the communication network, and
wherein the additional information distribution device is configured to transmit additional information corresponding to the result of the video recognition processing received through the communication network, to the video reception device through the communication network.
17. An additional information display system which comprises a video reception device, a video recognition device, and an additional information distribution device, the devices being configured to transmit and receive data to each other through a communication network,
wherein the video reception device includes:
an input unit configured to receive an input of a video signal;

a video extraction unit configured to extract a partial video for video recognition processing, from the video signal;
a control unit configured to perform control of transmitting the partial video to the video recognition device through the communication network so as to request the video recognition device to perform the video recognition processing, transmitting a system time at which the video extraction unit extracts the partial video to the video recognition device, obtaining a result of the video recognition processing and a display ending time of additional information or a display remaining time of the additional information from the video recognition device through the communication network, and obtaining additional information based on the result of the video recognition processing from the additional information distribution device through the communication network; and
an additional information display control unit configured to perform control of superimposing the additional information on the video signal based on the display ending time or the display remaining time obtained from the video recognition device,

wherein the video recognition device is configured to receive the partial video and the system time transmitted from the video reception device through the communication network, perform the video recognition processing using the received partial video, output the result of the video recognition processing to the video reception device through the communication network, and transmit the display ending time or the display remaining time based on the system time, to the video reception device through the communication network, and
wherein the additional information distribution device is configured to transmit the additional information corresponding to the result of the video recognition processing received through the communication network, to the video reception device through the communication network.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An electric toothbrush (10) including:
a housing (12) defining a handle (14) along a longitudinal direction;
a motor (20) housed by the housing (12); and
a shaft (30) connected to and rotated by the motor (20);
characterized in that the electric toothbrush (10) further including;
a lateral brush section (40) actuable in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and
a lateral actuating member (32) connected to the shaft (30) for actuating the lateral brush section (40).
wherein the lateral actuating member (32) is relatively fixed to the lateral brush section (32) in the lateral direction while accommodates relative movement between the lateral brush section (40) and the actuating member (32) in the longitudinal direction.
2. The electric toothbrush (10) of claim 1, wherein the lateral actuating member (32) and the shaft (30) are unitary.
3. The electric toothbrush (10) of claim 2, wherein the lateral actuating member is a lateral bent portion (32) of the shaft (30).
4. The electric toothbrush (10) of claim 3, wherein the lateral bent portion (32) is substantially C-shaped.
5. The electric toothbrush (10) of claim 1, wherein the lateral brush section (40) includes a lateral recess (46) for receiving the lateral actuating member (32).
6. The electric toothbrush (10) of claim 5, wherein the lateral recess (46) is substantially rectangular along the longitudinal direction.
7. The electric toothbrush (10) of claim 5, wherein the lateral recess (46) has two lateral acting members substantially in the middle of the rectangular lateral recess (46) for acting against the lateral actuating member (32).
8. The electric toothbrush (100) of claim 4 further including a pivotal brush section (150) actuated by a pivotal actuating member (134) connected to the shaft (130).
9. The electric toothbrush (100) of claim 8, wherein the pivotal actuating member (134) and the shaft (130) are unitary.
10. The electric toothbrush (100) of claim 9, wherein the pivotal actuating member is an substantially obtuse L-shaped bent portion of the shaft (130).
11. The electric toothbrush (100) of claim 10, wherein obtuse L-shaped pivotal bent section (134) opposes the substantially C-shaped lateral bent section (132).
12. The electric toothbrush (100) of claim 10, wherein obtuse L-shaped pivotal bent section (134) does not oppose the substantially C-shaped lateral bent section (132).

1. A bird feeder system comprising:
a first pole segment;
a second pole segment;
a ballast member surrounding said second pole segment;
a first bird feeder secured to an upper end of said first pole segment, said first bird feeder constructed and arranged to separately hold and distribute at least two different bird feeds;
said first pole segment being releasably secured to said first pole segment; and
an animal deterrent device secured in between said first pole segment and said first bird feeder,
wherein said first bird feeder includes two substantially similar containers, a first container and a second container located above said first container, first feed tubes mounted in said first container and being constructed and arranged to convey bird feed from said second container through said first container and deposit said bird feed on a surface below said first container.
2. The bird feeder system of claim 1 including a first ring releasably secured to an outer portion of an upper portion of said animal deterrent device, said first ring including a lower end having substantially the same shape as the portion of the animal deterrent device which it surrounds and an upper end which is larger in diameter than the lower end, said upper end of said first ring extends vertically above the top of said animal deterrent device.
3. The bird feeder system of claim 2 wherein said animal deterrent device is cylindrical, has an open bottom end and a closed top end.
4. The bird feeder system of claim 1 including apertures in said bottom portion of said first container, said apertures being constructed and arranged to dispense bird feed from said first container when a bird removes said bird feed but does not dispense said bird feed by gravity alone.
5. The bird feeder system of claim 1 including a second feed tube in said second container, said second feed tube being constructed and arranged to convey bird feed from above said second container to the interior of said first container.
6. The bird feeder system of claim 5 including a third feed tube, said third feed tube extending from above said second container to below said first container and through both said first and second containers, said third feed tube being constructed and arranged to be filled from a top portion, retain bird feed therein and dispense bird feed from at least one aperture located below the bottom of said first container.
7. The bird feeder system of claim 6 wherein said at least one aperture in said third feed tube is constructed and arranged to dispense said bird feed when a bird removes said bird feed but does not dispense said birds feed by gravity alone.
8. The bird feeder system of claim 6 wherein said third feed tube is releasably connected to an upper end of said first pole segment.
9. The bird feeder system of claim 1 including a deflector mounted on top of said second container and extending downwardly toward a bottom of said first container, said deflector being constructed and arranged to prevent rain and other weather elements from reaching the bird feed in said first bird feeder.
10. The bird feeder system of claim 1 wherein said ballast member includes a lid closing a top portion, said lid including an upstanding rim circumferentially enclosing said lid, said rim constructed and arranged to retain fluid on said lid whenever fluid is placed onto said lid.
11. The bird feeder system of claim 1 wherein said second pole segment includes a plurality of apertures, said apertures being constructed and arranged to distribute a fluid introduced into said second pole segment into said ballast member.
12. The bird feeder system of claim 1 including a device securing said bird feeder system to the ground.
13. The bird feeder system of claim 1 including a third pole segment, said third pole segment formed of a material which is structurally stronger than the material of both said first and said second pole segments, said third pole segment positioned within the interior of said first and said second pole segments, said third pole segment extending from a bottom of said second pole segment into said first pole segment, whereby said third pole segment adds structural reinforcement to said first and said second pole segments.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of producing an electromechanical device, comprising:
forming a layer of density-changing material on a substructure; and
forming a support layer on at least a portion of said layer of density-changing material,
wherein said density-changing material has a first density during said forming said layer and a second density subsequent to said forming said support layer, said second density being greater than said first density such that said layer of density-changing material shrinks in at least one dimension to provide a gap between said layer of density changing material and at least one of said support layer and said substructure.
2. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said density-changing material changes density due to a phase change in a structure of said density-changing material.
3. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said density-changing material changes density due to sublimation.
4. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said support layer is formed entirely over said layer of density-changing material such that said layer of density-changing material provides a membrane structure after it shrinks in said at least one dimension to provide a gap.
5. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 4, wherein said support layer and said substructure provide an enclosure such that said gap is substantially a vacuum relative to a surrounding environment.
6. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said support layer is formed over a portion of said layer of density-changing material leaving an end of said density-changing material uncovered such that said layer of density-changing material provides a cantilever structure after it shrinks in said at least one dimension to provide a gap.
7. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said forming said layer of density-changing material comprises forming a first sub layer of a first material and a second sub layer of a second material, wherein said first and second materials chemically react with each other.
8. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 7, wherein said forming said layer of density-changing material further comprises forming a sub layer of a buffer material between said first and second sub layers to regulate a speed of reaction of said first and second materials.
9. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 7, further comprising transferring energy to said layer of density-changing material to initiate a chemical reaction between said first sub layer of said first material and said second sub layer of said second material to cause said layer of density-changing material to shrink in at least one dimension.
10. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 9, wherein said transferring energy includes at least one of heating said layer of density-changing material, passing an electrical current through said layer of density-changing material, or directing electromagnetic radiation onto said layer of density-changing material.
11. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said forming said layer of density-changing material comprises forming a plurality of sub layers of respective pluralities of materials, wherein at least two of said pluralities of materials chemically react with each other.
12. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said gap is less than 1 \u03bcm such that said electromechanical device is a micro-electromechanical system.
13. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said gap is less than 0.5 \u03bcm such that said electromechanical device is a nano-electromechanical system.
14. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said gap is less than 1 \u03bcm and greater than 0.5 nm.
15. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein said gap is less than 0.5 \u03bcm and greater than 0.5 nm.
16. A method of producing an electromechanical device according to claim 1, further comprising forming a second layer of a second density-changing material on said support layer,
wherein said second density-changing material has a first density during said forming said second layer and a second density subsequent to said forming said second layer, said second density of said second layer being greater than said first density of said second layer such that said second layer of density-changing material shrinks in at least one dimension to provide a gap between said second layer of density changing material and at least one of said support layer and said first layer of density-changing material.
17. An electromechanical device produced according to claim 1.
18. A combined electronic and electromechanical device, comprising:
a substrate;
an electronic circuit formed on said substrate; and
an electromechanical system formed on said substrate to provide a combined electronic and electromechanical device on a common substrate,
wherein said electromechanical system comprises a structure that is free to move within a gap defined by said electromechanical system.
19. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according to claim 18, wherein said electronic circuit is a CMOS circuit.
20. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according to claim 18, wherein said structure of said electromechanical system that is free to move is a membrane.
21. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according to claim 20, wherein said electromechanical system comprises enclosing structures such that said gap is substantially a vacuum relative to a surrounding environment.
22. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according to claim 18, wherein said structure of said electromechanical system that is free to move is a cantilever.
23. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according to claim 18, wherein said gap is less than 1 \u03bcm such that said electromechanical system is a micro-electromechanical system.
24. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according claim 18, wherein said gap is less than 0.5 \u03bcm such that said electromechanical device is a nano-electromechanical system.
25. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according claim 18, wherein said gap is less than 1 \u03bcm and greater than 0.5 nm.
26. A combined electronic and electromechanical device according to claim 18, wherein said gap is less than 0.5 \u03bcm and greater than 0.5 nm.
27. An electromechanical system, comprising:
a substructure; and
a movable component attached to said substructure such that a gap is provided between said movable component and said substructure,
wherein said gap is less than about 500 nm.
28. An electromechanical system according to claim 27, wherein said movable component is a membrane.
29. An electromechanical system according to claim 28, wherein said electromechanical system comprises enclosing structures such that said gap is substantially a vacuum relative to a surrounding environment.
30. An electromechanical system according to claim 27, wherein said movable component is a cantilever.
31. An electromechanical system according to claim 27, wherein said gap is less than about 200 nm.
32. An electromechanical system according to claim 27, wherein said gap is less than about 100 nm and greater than about 0.5 nm.
33. An apparatus comprising an electromechanical system, said electromechanical system, comprising:
a substructure; ad
a movable component attached to said substructure such that a gap is provided between said movable component and said substructure,
wherein said gap is less than about 500 nm.
34. A method of producing a waveguide, comprising:
providing a substructure;
forming a layer of density-changing material on said substructure; and
forming an upper layer on at least a portion of said layer of density-changing material,
wherein said density-changing material has a first density during said forming said layer and a second density subsequent to said forming said upper layer, said second density being greater than said first density such that said layer of density-changing material shrinks in at least one dimension to provide a gap between said layer of density changing material and at least one of said upper layer and said substructure.
35. A device comprising a waveguide produced according to the method of claim 34.