Author: claimsbot

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:
a solid-state imaging device in which pixels are arranged in a matrix above a substrate, each pixel including (i) a photoelectric conversion unit which performs photoelectric conversion of incident light into signal charge and (ii) a reset unit which resets charge stored in the photoelectric conversion unit;
a mechanical shutter for causing all of the pixels to be shielded or exposed at a same time; and
a timing control unit configured to control timing for opening and closing the mechanical shutter, applying a voltage to the photoelectric conversion unit, and a reset by the reset unit,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to:
when a mode for monitoring an image is switched to a mode for capturing a still image, reset the charge stored in all of the pixels by closing the mechanical shutter and applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, a disabling voltage for disabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit; and
when a plurality of still images are to be captured sequentially:
(1) (i) start first exposure by opening the mechanical shutter and applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, an enabling voltage for enabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, (ii) finish the first exposure by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, a disabling voltage for disabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, with the mechanical shutter open, (iii) obtain a first still image by reading pixel signals from the pixels, and (iv) cause the reset unit to reset the charge stored in all of the pixels; and
(2) (i) start second exposure by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, an enabling voltage for enabling movement of the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, with the mechanical shutter open and (ii) finish the second exposure by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, a disabling voltage for disabling movement of the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, with the mechanical shutter open, and (iii) obtain a second still image by reading pixel signals from the pixels.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the first exposure is performed during a first exposure period, and the second exposure is performed during a second exposure period different in length from the first exposure period.
3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to obtain n still images each (i) comprising the still image and (ii) obtained through exposure in an exposure period of a different length, by performing sequential imaging n times with the mechanical shutter open, and generate m still images by combining the n still images, n being a natural number of 2 or larger, m being a natural number satisfying n\u2267m.
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the enabling voltage for enabling the movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit applied to the photoelectric conversion unit when the first exposure is performed and the enabling voltage for enabling the movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit applied to the photoelectric conversion unit when the second exposure is performed have different values.
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to obtain n still images each (i) comprising the still image and (ii) obtained through exposure in an exposure period during which a voltage having a different value is applied to the photoelectric conversion unit, by performing sequential imaging n times with the mechanical shutter open, and generate m still images by combining the n still images, n being a natural number of 2 or larger, m being a natural number satisfying n\u2267m.
6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein one of the different values of the enabling voltage for enabling the movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit and being applied to the photoelectric conversion unit when the first exposure is performed and the disabling voltage for disabling the movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit and being applied to the photoelectric conversion unit when the second exposure is performed is a signal value indicating a black level of a video and to be output, from the pixels, as a total value of the pixel signals.
7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to perform signal processing on an image other than the black level image, based on the black level image.
8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to calculate, for each of the pixels, a value indicating a difference between data of the black level image and data of a reference image which is provided from outside, determine a pixel having a difference value exceeding a predetermined value to be a defective pixel, and correct a defect of image data in an image other than the black level image, the image data being of an image portion corresponding to the defective pixel.
9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a focal lens; and
a memory for storing data of the pixel signals,
wherein the timing control unit is further configured to control a focal length of the focal lens, and
when the plurality of still images are to be captured sequentially,
the first still image and the second still image are obtained by changing the focal length of the focal lens, and data of the first still image and the second still image are stored in the memory.
10. A method of driving an imaging apparatus including: a solid-state imaging device in which pixels are arranged in a matrix above a substrate, each pixel including (i) a photoelectric conversion unit which performs photoelectric conversion of incident light into signal charge and (ii) a reset unit which resets charge stored in the photoelectric conversion unit; and a mechanical shutter for causing all of the pixels to be shielded or exposed at a same time, the method comprising:
a first reset step of resetting the charge stored in all of the pixels by closing the mechanical shutter and applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, a disabling voltage for disabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit;
a first exposure step of performing first exposure by opening the mechanical shutter and applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, an enabling voltage for enabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, the first exposure step being performed after the first reset step;
a first reading step of (i) finishing the first exposure by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, a disabling voltage for disabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, and (ii) obtaining a first still image by reading pixel signals from the pixels, the first reading step being performed with the mechanical shutter open after the first exposure step;
a second reset step of causing the reset unit to reset the charge stored in all of the pixels while the disabling voltage for disabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit is applied to the photoelectric conversion unit, the second reset step being performed with the mechanical shutter open after the first reading step;
a second exposure step of performing second exposure by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, an enabling voltage for enabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, the second exposure step being performed with the mechanical shutter open after the second reset step; and
a second reading step of (i) finishing the second exposure by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, a disabling voltage for disabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, and (ii) obtaining a second still image by reading pixel signals from the pixels, the second reading step being performed with the mechanical shutter open after the second exposure step.
11. The method of driving the imaging apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein, in the second exposure step, the second exposure is performed during a second exposure period different in length from a first exposure period during which the first exposure is performed.
12. The method of driving the imaging apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein in the second exposure step, the second exposure is performed by applying, to the photoelectric conversion unit, the enabling voltage different in value from the enabling voltage for enabling movement of the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit and applied to the photoelectric conversion unit when the first exposure is performed.
13. The method of driving the imaging apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein the first still image is obtained in the first exposure step, and the second still image is obtained in the second exposure step, by changing a focal length of a focal lens of the imaging apparatus between the first exposure step and the second exposure step, and
data of the first still image and the second still image are stored in a memory after the second reading step.

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 computer-implemented method of similar item retrieval comprising:
receiving a query item;
analyzing content of the query item;
dynamically forming a classifier at query time on the basis of the query item’s content and a training set of items; and
using the classifier to select a plurality of items from a database of items
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the training set comprises a plurality of pairs of items and a plurality of background items and wherein for each pair, the items in that pair are specified as similar to one another.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of analyzing content of the query item comprises identifying tokens in that item using a library of tokens.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the classifier is formed from groups of tokens and where those groups are themselves combined using OR operators.
5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the classifier is formed from at least one phrase, each phrase being formed from any of: a single token, a histogram count condition on a single token, a Boolean function of tokens, a Boolean function of count conditions on tokens, a Boolean-valued function of an ordered set of tokens.
6. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of forming the classifier comprises choosing a subset of the identified tokens such that, on the training set as many as possible of the similar pairs have the chosen subset of tokens while the number of background items containing the subset of tokens is below a specified bound.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of forming the classifier comprises using an automated optimizer.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises providing the items selected from the database to a ranking system to obtain a ranked list of items.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises generating a pool of candidate subsets of tokens from the training set of items using a learning engine.
10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the items are images and wherein the tokens are visual words.
11. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the items are images and wherein similar items comprise images of objects of the same object class.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the query image comprises objects of classes absent from the training set.
13. A content-based image search apparatus comprising:
an input arranged to receive a query image;
a content analysis engine arranged to identify tokens in the query image;
a classifier construction engine arranged to form a classifier on the basis of the identified tokens in the query image and on the basis of a training set of images;
a processor arranged to use the formed classifier to classify images from a database of images according to their similarity to the query image;
an output arranged to provide images from the database on the basis of their classification.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the classifier construction engine is arranged to form classifiers by combining tokens using AND operators to form groups of tokens and to combine groups of tokens using OR operators.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the classifier construction engine is arranged to form classifiers by combining tokens to form groups of tokens and to combine groups of tokens using OR operators.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the classifier construction engine is arranged to form classifiers by selecting tokens such that the proportion of images in the database which are classified as similar to the query image is likely to be below a specified bound.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 which further comprises a learning engine arranged to receive a training set of images, at least some of which are identified as pairs of similar images, and to form a pool of candidate subsets of tokens.
18. One or more device-readable media with device-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
receiving a query item;
analyzing content of the query item;
dynamically forming a classifier at query time on the basis of the query item’s content and the basis of properties of that content with respect to a training set of items, some of which are known to be similar to one another; and
using the classifier to select a plurality of items from a database of items.
19. One or more device-readable media as claimed in claim 18 with device-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
dynamically forming the classifier on the basis of the training set of items, that training set of items comprising a plurality of pairs of items and a plurality of background items and wherein for each pair, the items in that pair are specified as similar to one another.
20. One or more device-readable media as claimed in claim 18 with device-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
identifying tokens in the query item using a library of tokens.

1. A method of making a diaper, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a diaper including a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the diaper having a fastener and a closure tab disposed along a lateral portion thereof;
folding the fastener onto the topsheet; and
adhering the fastener to the topsheet.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adhering includes bonding the fastener to the topsheet.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the bonding includes point bonds selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic bonds, adhesive bonds, compression bonds and thermal bonds.
4. A method of making a diaper, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a diaper including a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the diaper having a fastener disposed along a lateral portion thereof, wherein the fastener includes a closure tab disposed along a distal portion thereof;
folding the closure tab onto the fastener; and
adhering the closure tab to the fastener.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of folding the fastener onto the topsheet.
6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of bonding the fastener to the topsheet.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the bonding includes point bonds selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic bonds, adhesive bonds, compression bonds, and thermal bonds.
8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of adhering is performed by one of ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, compression bonding and thermal bonding.
9. A diaper comprising:
a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween;
a pair of fasteners disposed along lateral portions of the diaper, each fastener being removably attached to a body facing side of the diaper; and
a pair of closure tabs disposed along distal portions of the fastener, each closure tab being removably attached to a body facing side of the fastener.
10. The diaper according to claim 9, wherein the fastener is attached to the diaper by one of ultrasonic, adhesive, compression or thermal bonding.
11. A diaper comprising:
a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween;
a fastener disposed along a lateral portion of the diaper, wherein the fastener is attached to the diaper along at least two separate spaced locations; and
a closure tab disposed along a distal portion of the fastener, wherein the closure tab is attached to the fastener along at least two separate spaced locations.
12. The diaper according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the fastener attachment locations is at a proximal end of the fastener, and at least one of the closure tab attachment locations is at a proximal end of the closure tab.
13. The diaper according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the fastener attachment locations is distal of the proximal end fastener attachment location, and at least one of the closure tab attachment locations is distal of the proximal end closure tab attachment location.
14. A method of manufacturing a diaper, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a diaper having a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the diaper including a laterally disposed attachment fastener having a distally extending closure tab, the closure tab including a mechanical fastener;
folding the attachment fastener over a portion of the topsheet; and
attaching the closure tab to a portion of the topsheet proximal of the attachment fastener.

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 perforation gun string for use in perforating a wellbore, comprising:
a perforation gun, wherein the perforation gun forms at least a part of the perforation gun string; and
sections of a swellable material coupled to and spatially located around the perforation gun string, wherein the sections of the swellable material are configured to be exposed to a downhole wellbore environment and to swell and protrude beyond an outer surface of the perforation string in response to exposure to the downhole wellbore environment, and wherein the sections of the swellable material are spatially arranged to form one or more longitudinal fluid gaps between adjacent sections of the swellable material, the gaps being configured to allow fluid flow therebetween.
2. The perforation gun string of claim 1, further comprising a tandem coupled to the perforation gun, wherein the sections of the swellable material are coupled to the tandem.
3. The perforation gun string of claim 1, wherein the sections of the swellable material are coupled to the perforation gun.
4. The perforation gun string of claim 1, further comprising a subassembly coupled to the perforation gun, wherein the sections of the swellable material are coupled to the subassembly.
5. The perforation gun string of claim 1, wherein the sections of the swellable material comprises one of low acrylic-nitrile, ethylene propylene diene rubber, or a cross-linked polyacrylamide.
6. The perforation gun string of claim 1, wherein the sections of the swellable material are coupled to the perforation gun string in cavities of the perforation gun string.
7. A downhole tool, comprising:
a tandem for use in making up a perforation gun; and
sections of a swellable material coupled to the tandem, wherein the sections of the swellable material are configured to swell in response to being exposed to a downhole wellbore environment, wherein the sections of the swellable material are configured to permit fluid flow between an annular region above the sections of the swellable material and an annular region below the sections of the swellable material after the sections of the swellable material swell, and wherein the sections of the swellable material are spatially arranged to form one or more longitudinal fluid gaps between adjacent sections of the swellable material.
8. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the tandem comprises a surface cavity and the sections of the swellable material are retained within the surface cavity.
9. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the sections of the swellable material comprise a plurality of separate pieces, and wherein each piece of swellable material is retained within a corresponding surface cavity of the tandem.
10. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the sections of the swellable material comprise particles, and wherein the particles comprise one or more of bead-shaped particles, sphere-shaped particles, ovoid particles, or powder.
11. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the sections of the swellable material are shaped to have one of a beveled edge and a ramp-shaped edge after swelling.
12. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the sections of the swellable material are layered.
13. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein the sections of the swellable material have an outer hard layer and an inner soft layer.
14. A method of perforating a wellbore, comprising:
running a perforation gun string into the wellbore to a perforation depth, the perforation gun string comprising sections of swellable material coupled to and spatially located around the perforation gun string;
allowing the sections of the swellable material to swell, wherein the sections of the swellable material are spatially arranged to form one or more longitudinal fluid gaps between adjacent sections of the swellable material; and
perforating the wellbore after the sections of the swellable material swell.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sections of the swellable material are coupled to a first tandem located above a perforation gun and coupled to a second tandem located below the perforation gun.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sections of the swellable material allows fluid flow between an annular region above the first tandem and a region below the second tandem.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising during the perforating, the sections of the swellable material are configured to attenuate an impact between the perforation gun and a wall of the wellbore.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the sections of the swellable material comprises one of low acrylic-nitrile, ethylene propylene diene rubber, or a cross-linked polyacrylamide.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the sections of the swellable material are molded to have a beveled edge after swelling.