text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Nov 20, 2007
|Filing date
|Jan 20, 2005
|Priority date
|Jan 23, 2004
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Jean-Louis Massieu
|Original Assignee
|Intermec Ip Corp.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (11), Non-Patent Citations (11), Referenced by (61), Classifications (16), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. � 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/538,868 filed Jan. 23, 2004, where this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure generally relates to optoelectronic reading devices for acquiring images of machine-readable symbols, such as bar code, area code, matrix or stacked code symbols, and particularly to providing autofocus capability in such devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optoelectronic readers for reading bar codes and other machine-readable symbols fall into two general groups: 1) moving beam devices commonly referred to as scanners (e.g., laser scanners), and 2) fixed beam devices commonly referred to as imagers (e.g., CCD imagers). Each group has its own relative advantages.
Moving beam devices typically move or scan a light across a target. For example, a scanner may employ a laser diode and a mechanism for moving a laser beam across the target. While it may be possible to move the light source itself, scanners typically employ one or more rotating or oscillating mirrors which reflect the laser beam, sweeping back and forth across a target, thereby sequentially illuminating portions of the target along a scan line. Scanners also typically include an electro-optical sensor, such as one or more photodiodes, that detects the laser light reflected from the target and produces a corresponding analog signal. The scanner may employ a standard lens or retro-collector to focus the reflected light on the electro-optical sensor. Typically, the scanner, or an associated device, converts the analog signal to a digital signal before decoding the digital signal according to standard decoding schemes.
While fixed beam devices may rely on ambient light, most imagers employ an illumination system. The illumination system typically includes a number of high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged to simultaneously flood the entire target with light. Imagers strive for uniform illumination over the entire target. Imagers also include an electro-optical sensor (e.g., one- or two-dimensional CCD arrays), and may include a lens system to focus reflected light onto the sensor. A CCD array may be electronically sampled or scanned, to produce a digital signal suitable for decoding. Imagers eliminate moving parts, and allow high reading speeds at relatively low cost.
Many machine-readable symbol readers employ a fixed focus lens. A typical design distributes approximately one thousand pixels of a sensor over a 100 mm field-of-view at ˜150 mm, achieving a maximum barcode resolution of 0.1 mm per bars (Nyquist limit). Yet in many applications, the reader must provide a relatively large tolerance with respect to the distance between the target and the lens. To increase tolerance, the ratio of the image distance to the aperture lens diameter for finite-conjugate situation or the ratio of the focal length to the aperture lens diameter for an object at infinity ("f-number") is increased as much as possible. The increase is limited by the minimum illumination required by the sensor, and ultimately the pupil diffraction blurring.
To compensate for the consequent reduction in reflected light (i.e., in inverse proportion to the square of the f-number), barcode readers typically include a larger number of, and/or higher intensity, light sources than would otherwise be required. For example, some barcode readers employ red LEDs to achieve a higher intensity output per watt. Most readers with red illumination also employ a 'black and white' sensor without a mosaic filter on top of the photosensitive matrix of pixels, since green and blue pixels are blind to red illumination. With a Bayer filter (
Thus, while a high f-number allows large depth-of-field (i.e., with a lens focused at hyperfocal distance), as a practical matter the range of illumination restricts operation to short distances (e.g., below 1 meter) to maintain a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, while fixed focus barcode readers are cost effective, they are highly specialized devices, typically having a short range and limited to monochromatic uses, and thus incompatible with many other imaging applications.
While some machine-readable symbol readers provide an auto-focus functionality, such devices typically rely on changing the internal spacing of one or more of the elements of a lens system along the optical axis to achieve variation of the focal length. Moving lens systems disadvantageously require relatively large and precise mechanical lenses, tracks, linkages and drives. Moving lens systems are also rather slow in responding, making such systems impractical for most automatic "on-fly" barcode reading.
Other attempts have been made at providing auto-focus capability in barcode readers. For example, a designed proposed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,598 (Nippondenso) employs an elastic change of the curvature of a transparent fluid-filled lens. A design proposed by Vdovin, et. al. "Micromachined mirror with a variable focal distance in Free-Space Microoptical Systems", Digest of EOS Topical Meeting, pp. 28-29, Apr. 1-3 1996 employs electrostatic deformation of the curvature of a mirror. A design proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,363 (Nishioka et. al.) employs an electrostatic mirror. Finally, a design proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,742 (Winarski et. al.) employs a variable focal length liquid crystal lens. Such compact adaptive lenses rely on the rotation of the liquid crystal under an electric field that produces a change of refraction index. Liquid crystals have slow response times and exhibit polarization dependence. Additionally, the thickness of the crystal film reduces the optical transmission, limiting the auto-focus range. The transmission is further reduced if unpolarized light is or when two orthogonally aligned liquid crystal lenses are used. Principles of liquid crystal lenses are further described in "Adaptive Optical Components Using Liquid Crystal Devices", G. D. Love, Journal of the Communications Research Laboratory, Vol. 46 No. 3, November 1999, pp. 427-430.
There is a need for a reliable, responsive auto-focus system in machine-readable symbol readers such as barcode readers, that eliminates mechanical elements.
In one aspect, a machine-readable symbol reader to read machine-readable symbols carried by targets, the machine-readable symbol reader comprises a microfluidic lens assembly having at least one fluid and a number of electrodes selectively operable to modify a shape of the at least one fluid; an optical sensor positioned along an optical axis of the microfluidic lens assembly relatively behind the microfluidic lens assembly with respect to the target; and at least one controller, the controller coupled to cause a selected potential to be applied to at least some of the electrodes of the microfluidic lens assembly to focus images of the target on the optical sensor. The machine-readable symbol reader may also comprise a range finder system positioned to assess a distance between the microfluidic lens assembly and the target, wherein the at least one controller is coupled to receive range finding information from the range finder system and configured adjust a focal length of the microfluidic lens assembly based on the range finding information. The machine-readable symbol reader may further comprise an illumination system comprising a number of illumination sources, where the controller is configured to determine a desired intensity of illumination and coupled to selectively activated a number of the illumination sources to produce desired intensity of illumination. The machine-readable symbol reader may even further comprises a Bayer color filter assembly positioned between the target and the optical sensor.
In another aspect, a method of operating a machine-readable symbol reader to read machine-readable symbols carried by targets comprises determining a distance between a microfluidic lens assembly of the machine readable symbol reader and the target; adjusting a focal length of the microfluidic lens assembly based on the determined distance to the target; capturing an image of a machine-readable symbol carried by the target; and decoding the machine-readable symbol carried by the target. The method may further comprise adjusting an output intensity of an illumination system of the machine-readable symbol reader based on at least one of the determined distance between the microfluidic lens assembly and the target and the focal length of the microfluidic lens assembly.
In a further aspect, a method of operating a machine-readable symbol reader to read color encoded machine-readable symbols carried by targets comprises: acquiring an image through a three color filter at a single optical sensor; determining a plurality of sub-windows of the image on which to operate; for each of the colors, determining a subtraction-modulus-difference value for each of a number pixels in horizontally adjacent ones of the sub-windows and for each of a number pixels in vertically adjacent ones of the sub-windows; accumulating the subtraction-modulus-difference value for each of at least three different colors; aggregating adjacent sub-windows having accumulated subtraction-modulus-difference values below a defined threshold into a meta window of the image on which to operate; determining a focus value corresponding to a focus condition at an initial focal length of the microfluidic lens assembly; adjusting the microfluidic lens assembly to a second focal length; determining a focus value corresponding to a focus condition at the second focal length of the microfluidic lens assembly; determining a direction of change in the determined focus values; repeatedly, adjusting the microfluidic lens assembly at different incremental focal lengths in a space of the image along the same direction in the space, and determining a focus value corresponding to a focus condition at the different incremental focal lengths until the focus value drops by more than a defined threshold; and interpolating a best focus length from at least three of the focal lengths.
Eliminating mechanical elements from the auto-focus assembly, may provide a responsive (i.e., quick) and/or reliable auto-focus system that provides a wide spatial resolution range ("focus adaptiveness") for a machine-readable symbol reader. Focus adaptiveness, eliminates depth-of-field as a critical issue, thus, allowing the f-number to be significantly reduced. The best resolution of the lens is not achieved for a fixed best focus distance, but rather can be tuned between short and far field (cut-off frequency f=1/(λ*f-number)). The system may reduce or eliminate the need for illumination, reducing the overall cost of the reader, as well as reducing operating cost, and/or extending operating time between charging for battery operated readers.
Because the sensor illumination increases in direct proportionality to the square of the f-number, the illumination system may be eliminated or at least reduced. If illumination is still required, for example, for dark environments, the illumination power can be closed-loop controlled along with the electronic gain and/or the integration time of the sensor, as part of an automatic gain strategy. In most cases, ambient illumination provides enough illumination to significantly enhance autonomy for mobile applications.
The auto-focus system may also be compatible with color image sensors, allowing polychromatic operation. Ambient light and most barcode contrasts are polychromatic, so color sensors can be used without loss of spatial resolution. More generally, auto-focus permits barcode applications to coexist with other color image applications having variable object distances.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of the patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with optoelectronic reading devices including light sources, lens, optical sensors, processors, memories, and communications devices have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as "including but not limited to." The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further more, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.
The machine-readable symbol reader 10 also includes a control system 22 including a microprocessor 24, random access memory (RAM) 26 and read-only memory (ROM) 28 coupled by a bus 30. The microprocessor 24 executes instructions stored in RAM 26 and/or ROM 28 to control the microfluidic lens assembly 16, process information from the optical sensor 14 and carry out various other functions. The microprocessor 24 may take any of a variety of commercially available microprocessors such as Pentium II, III or IV, or PxA250 all available from Intel, or may take the form a dedicated processor such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control system 22 may also include one or more additional processors, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) 32 that may be dedicated to performing certain functions, for example, performing analog-to-digital conversion and/or otherwise decoding information collected by the optical sensor 14. The control system 22 may additionally include one or more dedicated drivers 34 for driving the microfluidic lens assembly 16, as discussed below.
The machine-readable symbol reader 10 may include input and/or output systems such a communications port 36 for providing wired communications (i.e., hardwired) or wireless communications (e.g., infrared). The machine-readable symbol reader 10 may additionally, or alternatively include a radio 38 (i.e., transceiver, receiver, and/or transmitter) and associated antenna(s) 40 for providing wireless communications such as radio frequency (RF) communications.
The machine-readable symbol reader 10 may further include an illumination system 42 including one or more illumination sources 42 a-42 c such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) for providing flood illumination to the target 20. The microprocessor 24 may control the illumination system 42, for example, via the bus 30. The illumination system 42, as well as other components of the machine-readable symbol reader 10 may receive power via the power source 44 which may, for example, take the form of one or more batteries, battery pack, or fuel cell. The power source 44 may be coupled to the various components of the machine-readable symbol reader 10 via the bus 30 or via a dedicated power bus (not shown).
In some embodiments, the machine-readable symbol reader 10 may include an auto-focus system comprising the microfluidic lens assembly 16, driver 34, and optionally the microprocessor 24 or optionally DSP 32. The auto-focus system may improve the ergonomics of "aim and read" hand-held devices by extending the depth-of-field and spatial resolution. The auto-focus system may rely on active and/or passive range finding, as discussed in more detail below. In particular, the machine-readable symbol reader 10 may rely solely on active range finding, or solely on passive range finding, or may rely on a combination of active and passive range finding. For example, the machine-readable symbol reader 10 may use active range finding to coarsely adjust focus such as for initially acquiring a target 20, and may use passive range finding to finely adjust focus once the target 20 is in with the depth-of-field of the microfluidic lens assembly 16. Thus, the combination of active and passive range finding permits the focusing on a few contrasted or low textured targets 20.
The machine-readable symbol reader 10 may, for example, implement active range finding via an active range finding system 46, which may comprise an output range finding device 46 a and an input range finding device 46 b.
The active range finding system 46 may employ a form of electromagnetic radiation to assess the distance from the machine-readable symbol reader 10 to the target 20. For example, the output range finding device 46 a may take the form of a light source, such as a laser diode, LED or other directional light source, while the input range finding device 46 b may take the form an optical sensor such as a photodiode, Vidicon or other photosensitive device for detecting light reflected from the target 20. The frequency of the emitted light may be outside that typically perceptible by humans, for example, the frequency may lie within the infrared range of frequencies. Other examples of range finding devices 46 a, 46 b that employ electromagnetic radiation may include those that emit and receive frequencies above or below those frequencies typically denominated as "light" such as radar or microwave radiation.
Alternatively, the active range finding system 46 may employ a form of acoustical energy (e.g., sound, sonar) to assess the distance from the machine-readable symbol reader 10 to the target 20. For example, the output range finding device 46 a can take the form of a speaker or other transducer for emitting pressure waves, while input range finding device 46 b may take the form of a microphone for detecting such pressure waves reflected from the target 20. The pressure waves may be outside that typically perceptible by humans (i.e., human hearing range), for example, the pressure waves may lie in the ultra-frequency range.
The microprocessor 24, DSP 32 or other processor may process signals from the range finding input device 46 b to determine the distance between the reader 10 and the target 20, allowing the microprocessor 24, DSP 32, or other processor to adjust the microfluidic lens assembly 16 accordingly. The microprocessor 24 or other processor may employ any of variety of approaches in determining distance. For example, the microprocessor 24 or other processor may measure the time between emitting the electromagnetic radiation or pressure waves and receiving electromagnetic radiation or pressure waves reflected from the target 20. Additionally or alternatively, the microprocessor 24 or other processor may employ a frequency or phase shift between the emitted electromagnetic radiation or pressure waves and the returned electromagnetic radiation or pressure waves, such as a Doppler shift. Other methods will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the above teachings.
Alternatively, or additionally, the machine-readable symbol reader 10 may implement passive range finding, using image analysis to measure a degree of sharpness, for example, via the DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24. Passive range finding is particularly economical where, as in the present case, the machine-readable symbol reader 10 already includes means for image analysis such as the DSP 32 and/or suitably programmed microprocessor 24.
The machine-readable symbol reader 10 may implement the passive range finding by incrementally changing the focal length until the image gradually comes into focus. Alternatively, or additionally, the DSP 32 or microprocessor 24 may execute a depth-from-defocus algorithm to directly determine an estimate of the defocus and to determine the change in focal length to correct the defocus. A variety of focus metrics techniques from the field of machine vision may be suitable. Focus metrics algorithms are typically executed in the spatial domain, which may be faster than via Fast Fourier transforms. Some typical focus metrics algorithms measure either the energy of the image (e.g., gray sale variance), the high pass frequency content (e.g., image gradient, image Laplacian), the histogram entropy or local variation, and/or sum-modulus-difference. While the above focus metrics parameters each present a maximum value at best focus, the techniques differ with respect to performance, monotonicity, robustness to noise and computational cost. A discussion of some suitable focus metrics techniques and/or algorithms may be found in Chem et al., Practical Issues In Pixel-Based Autofocusing for Machine Vision, Proceedings of the 2001 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Seoul, Korea, May 21-26, pp 2791-2796.
As described in detail herein, a fast, real time, implementation of an auto-focus technique including symbol localization (i.e., detection of target 20 or symbol in image) may be achieved via a sum-modulus-difference or Variance technique, that is easily implemented with specific hardware, that does not use multiplication, and that efficiently detects one- and/or two-dimensional symbols in an image.
The use of the auto-focus system may provide a number of distinct and unexpected advantages when, for example, reading one- and two-dimensional machine-readable symbols such as barcodes, and particularly when capturing color images which requires white light (e.g., variety of wavelengths). In typical applications, the available levels of ambient white light suggest, and may even require, the use of a relatively low f-number (f#) to achieve a minimum acceptable signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio (e.g., use of f2.5 rather than f8 for current barcode readers). However, reducing the f# typically produces a linear reduction in depth-of-field, which is disadvantageous in most real-world applications.
One possible solution to the reduced depth-of-field is the use of auto-focusing. However, until now the inability to provide a responsive (i.e., fast or quick) auto-focus capability has hindered the development of successful user-friendly auto-focus hand-held machine-readable symbol readers.
The auto-focus system described herein, whether active, passive or a combination of active and passive, may alleviate the problem presented by reduced depth-of-field, particularly in light of the responsiveness that may be obtained using the microfluidic lens assembly 16 described herein. For example, where the optical sensor 14 (e.g., one- or two-dimensional CMOS/CDD matrix sensor) has a relatively small format (e.g., approximately ⅔ inches or less), and a correspondingly short focal length, it becomes possible to obtain a relatively fast optic (e.g., approximately f2.5 or less) with a limited pupil diameter (e.g., approximately 0.5 mm or less). In such a situation, the microfluidic lens assembly 16 may quickly adjust from near to far focus, for example, on the order of approximately 20 ms. Thus, this approach provides a substantial benefit over conventional mechanical auto-focus systems which are typically too unresponsive (i.e., slow) for such use.
Additionally, or alternatively, the auto-focus system may allow use of alternative illumination sources 42 a-42 c, which may reduce the parts count and/or weight, increase longevity and/or reliability, and/or reduce manufacturing and/or maintenance costs. For example, phosphorus covered LEDs may be capable of producing a white spectrum of sufficient intensity to serve as the illumination source 42 a-42 c when the machine-readable symbol reader 10 employs the auto-focus system and microfluidic lens assembly 16.
The first plate 50 may be formed from a substrate 60, a number of electrodes 62 a, 62 b carried by the substrate 60, a dielectric layer 64 overlying the electrodes 62 a, 62 b, and a hydrophobic or electrowetting layer 66 overlying the dielectric layer 64. Preferably, the entire first plate 50 is transparent although in some embodiments only a portion of the first plate 50 is transparent. Thus, suitable materials for the substrate 60 may include glass; while suitable materials for the electrodes 62 may include transparent indium tin oxide (ITO). The hydrophobic layer 66 may employ a fluoropolymer such as Teflon commercially available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Employing multiple electrodes 62 may assist in retaining the first fluid 56 at rest, centered with respect to a desired location on the hydrophobic layer 66 and with respect to the optical sensor 14. In some embodiments, the first plate 50 may include one or more additional layers, for example, sodium barrier films. Some embodiments may eliminate the discrete hydrophobic layer 66 where the material selected for the dielectric layer 64 has sufficient electrowetting characteristics to serve as both a hydrophobic layer and a dielectric layer.
The second plate may be formed from a substrate 68 and an electrode 70. Preferably, the entire second plate 52 is transparent, although in some embodiments only a portion of the second plate 52 is transparent. In some embodiments, the second plate 52 may be formed from more than two layers, while in other embodiments the second plate 52 may be formed from a single layer. A suitable material for substrate 68 of the second plate 52 may be glass while a suitable material for the electrode 70 may be ITO.
As illustrated in
Image sensors are typically grayscale devices that produce an output signal responsive to an intensity of light, from full black to white. In order to detect color, a layer of color filters is bonded to the silicon image sensors using a photolithography process that applies color dyes. Typically, each pixel of an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) imager includes three image sensors with corresponding color filters. Typically, the RGB imager also includes an optical prism and as optics capable of directing incoming light to the three different color sensors. Each image sensor produces red, green and blue digital samples.
A new approach simplifies the imager's optics such that only one image sensor is needed instead of three. This approach uses color filter arrays (CFAs) in order to capture RGB images. CFAs assign a separate primary color to each discrete sensor element of the optical sensor 14 (
Thus, as discussed in detail above, a machine-readable symbol reader 10 employs a microfluidic lens assembly 16, providing a responsiveness that enables auto focus during 'on fly' machine-readable symbol (e.g., barcode) reading. The auto focus functionality permits the machine-readable symbol reader 10 to eliminate or reduce the amount of illumination required; thereby reducing parts counts, complexity, and operating costs, while increasing the operating time between recharging or replacement of the power source. The elimination of moving parts also avoids wear and tear, which may significantly increase the operating lifetime of the machine-readable symbol reader 10. The microfluidic lens assembly 16 also allows the miniaturization of the machine-readable symbol reader, and is particularly suitable for mass manufacturing. Also, the low f-numbers achievable with the microfluidic lens assembly 16 permits the use of a CFA such as a Bayer color filter array, allowing detection of color machine-readable symbols. Further, the above described approach may be compatible with other imaging applications, where object distances vary from short to infinity (outdoor scene capture, document tracking, etc.).
At 104, the microprocessor 24 or other processor actuates the active range finding system 46, for example by causing the range finder output device 46 a to emit electromagnetic radiation or a pressure pulse. At 106, the microprocessor 24 or other processor receives the range finder input from the range finder input device 46 b. At 108, the microprocessor 24 or other processor determines the distance between the target 20 and a portion of the machine-readable symbol reader 10, for example the microfluidic lens assembly 16. For example, by the microprocessor may determine a duration or a frequency or phase shift between the sent and received range finder signals (e.g., electromagnetic energy or pressure pulses).
At 110, the microprocessor 24 or other processor adjusts the microfluidic lens assembly 16 based on the determined range. A knowledge of the range allows the microprocessor 24 or other processor to apply appropriate signals to the electrodes 62, 70 (
Optionally, at 112, the microprocessor 24 or other processor adjusts the illumination provided to the target 20 by the illumination system 42. For example, the microprocessor 24 or other processor may select a number of illumination devices 42 a-42 c that will be activated. Adjustment of the illumination allows the microprocessor 24 to minimize the power consumption of the machine-readable symbol reader 10, prolonging use between recharging or replenishment of the power source 44. The adjustment of the illumination may occur before the adjustment of the lens assembly.
At 114, the optical sensor 14 and/or processor 24, 32 captures image data. Optionally, at 116, the captured image data is converted from analog to digital form, for example via an A/D converter or via the DSP 32.
At 118, the microprocessor 24 or DSP 32 decodes the captured image data. Numerous methods of decoding image data are known within the automatic data collection arts. Some methods are discussed in Palmer, Roger C., The Bar Code Book, Third Edition, Helmer Publishing.
At 120, the microprocessor 24 may store the decoded image data, for example in the RAM 26. Optionally, the microprocessor 24 may additionally, or alternatively, transmit the decoded image data at 122. The microprocessor 24 may employ the communications port 36 and/or the transceiver 38 along with antenna 12 to transmit the decoded image data over any communications channel. The method 100 terminates at 124.
As alluded to above, the auto-focusing may be advantageously combined with symbol localization, for example, via a sum-modulus-difference (SMD) technique described with reference to
[1 0−1] for the X direction; and
for the Y direction
Adjacent sub-windows 204 having close SMD values are aggregated into a meta window 206. In a simplified approach, the meta window 206 is selected for further auto-focus processing according to the SMD value weighted by its distance to the center of the image 200. However, other application criteria (e.g., type of machine-readable symbology or code, resolution, contrast) may be used to select the meta window 206 depending on the particular application. This division, selection and aggregation process may be repeated at each acquisition of an image 200.
At 302, the optical sensor 14 acquires the image 200 (
At 314, the DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 aggregates adjacent sub-windows 204 having close SMD values into the meta window 206. Optionally, at 316, the DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 determines default focal length. The default value may be fixed, or may be derived from a history of focus through a heuristic algorithm (e.g. last successful decode or average of last number of successful decodes). Alternatively, the default focal length may be predetermined. At 318, the DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 sets the focal point of the microfluidic lens assembly 16 to the default focal length via the driver 34.
Optionally, at 320 the DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 may determine a depth of operation or search space [dmin, dmax] 208, as illustrated in
The DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 apply incremental changes in focal length in a same direction based on the determined sign, until the first significant decrease in the measure of focus occurs. The DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 employs interpolation to determine the best focus length, for example, applying a quadratic or a Gaussian fit to three or more points apart the best focus. This interpolation technique minimizes overshooting near the focused focal length. This technique compares favorably to auto-focus algorithms described by M. Subbarao, Proceeding of SPIE's International Symposium, Videometrics IV, Vol. 2598, pp 89-99. In particular, the above described techniques, may minimize the incremental change of the focus due to the responsiveness (i.e., short response time) of the microfluidic lens assembly 16 and may avoid preliminary sequential and binary searches.
Combining symbol localization and focus control as described above, enhances the speed at which one- or two-dimensional symbols may be focused, as compared to conventional systems which may focus on objects that are meaningless to the particular application. The method permits selective focusing of the microfluidic lens assembly 16 on the object most likely to be the one-or two-dimensional symbol. Additionally, the meta window XY coordinates may be used to trim the power of an optical zoom, if any (i.e., aim-and-read operations) and/or a transmission channel when using a relatively large sensor matrix. The above methods are particularly suited to fast real-time operations.
The above approach may be employed, with modifications, to operate with color optical sensors 14. Cost effective color optical sensors 14 typically employ a color filter array. Each pixel of the optical sensor 14 samples the intensity of just one of color, for example, one of three colors such as Red, Green, and Blue (i.e., RGB). Usually, this process of color sub-sampling in a single chip system degrades the resulting image data by introducing artifacts, such as blurry edges and/or false coloring. Various de-mosaic algorithms have been developed to address these artifacts. The de-mosaic algorithms typically fill in missing color values by more or less complicated interpolation and correlations rules between each channel (e.g., R, G, B). Some de-mosaic algorithms are discussed in Keren, Restoring Sub-sampled Color Images, Machine Vision and Applications (1999), or Marino, Improving the Performance of Single Chip Image Capture Devices, Journal of Electronic Imaging 12(2), 209-218 (April 2003).
Each of the RGB pixels detects the modulation of the symbol with a different gain. An approach, set out below, avoids the cost associated with implementation of de-mosaic algorithms by using the raw data without, or before, applying a de-mosaic algorithm. For each sub-window 204, the DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 determines the focus for each of the RGB channels. DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 determine an accumulated SMDA for the focus metrics. The DSP 32 and/or microprocessor 24 may determine the accumulated SMDA for each sub-window by adding each SMD carried out separately for each of the RGB colors (e.g., SMDA=SMDR+SMDG+SMDB). The focus measurement in each channel is monotonic and maximum at best focus for each RGB channel, as is also true for the accumulated SMDA.
A machine-readable symbol 202 (
Thus, the method and apparatus taught herein may employ subtraction-modulus-difference values as the focus metrics, calculated in a matrix of sub-windows that divide the image. The sub-windows may be aggregated into one or more meta-windows according to their position and focus values, which are likely to contain the one- or two-dimensional machine-readable symbol. This permits the method and apparatus to select a meta window as a zone of interest to apply decoding algorithms and/or auto-focus algorithms. The method and apparatus taught herein may also continuously attempt to decode while auto-focusing. Further, the method and apparatus taught herein may normalize the RGB response from the RGB variance calculated over a part of the one- or two-dimensional machine-readable symbol, if the variance is above a given threshold. While the method and apparatus taught herein may employ variance measurement instead of subtraction-modulus-difference, such disadvantageously requires multiplication operations.
1. Focus Control Overview
As discussed generally above, in one embodiment, the auto-focus method is entirely passive, taking advantage of the high modulation and characteristic form factors of the machine-readable symbols used as targets 20. The principle is to look first for a symbol at incremental focus distances, and then to proceed to a fine focus by maximizing the image calculated on the corresponding reduced portion of the overall image. The fast focus actuation allows a reduction or elimination of wear on parts, a reduction in current draw, and silent operation. The auto-focus can be carried out back and forth over the full range of operation as a default coarse focus mode.
The sampling increment of the focus distance is preferably limited to half of the depth-of-field. Once a machine-readable symbol has been localized, a fine focus quadratic interpolation may be applied to finely focus the microfluidic lens assembly 16. By conditioning the auto-focus system to initial localization of machine-readable symbols, the decoding application can applied sooner with to more meaningful portions of the image.
2. AF Algorithm
In one simple hardware/software implementation, the same Sum Modulus Difference (SMD) operator is used to both 1) detect a machine-readable symbol in an image; and 2) to measure the focus of the machine-readable symbol.
At the beginning, the focus is adjusted step-by-step, while the SMD is calculated in elementary sub-windows 204 dividing the image. Then SMD values for the different colors (e.g., SMDR, SMDG, SMDB) are added to produce an image mapped with SMD values.
The elementary sub-windows 204 are the aggregated, if adjacent and having close SMD values. If a resulting area fulfills acceptance conditions, maximizing the average SMD calculated over this area carries out fine auto-focus function.
Thus, it is when one or more machine-readable symbols are localized, that the focus is accurately tuned, and the detected zone of interest is transferred for decoding. The result is a shorter reading response time.
Advance delimitation of a machine-readable symbol can also be used to tune the magnification of an analog zoom, particularly useful for aim-and-read hand-held type machine-readable symbol readers 10.
An exemplary algorithm is as follows:
3. Distribution of the Focus Increment over the Reading Distance
The reading distance is defined as [dmin,dmax]. The depth-of-field is defined as the axial displacement that the object may experience before the resultant image blur becomes excessive.
The focus is changed via a periodic voltage applied across the two non-miscible and different index liquids comprising the microfluidic lens assembly 16. Varying the amplitude and/or the frequency of the voltage modifies the curvature of the liquid interface and thus the focus, according to a function f(z) that can be modeled or calibrated.
At the beginning of the reading attempt, the focus of the microfluidic lens assembly 16 is setup at a predefined value or at a value issued from a heuristic algorithm (e.g., last successful decoding).
Then a search for a machine-readable symbol is performed at the current focus position. If none is found, then the focus is shifted to another position by an amount equal or smaller than half the minimum depth-of-field. The depth-of-field at the sensor Nyquist frequency is always minimum at near field. The process is repeated until a machine-readable symbol is found or the full range of reading has been searched.
For small dynamic of reading range, the depth-of-field is considered constant and the focus increments are equally distributed over the full range of reading distances. For large reading distances, (e.g., extending to infinity), the number of image to acquire can be minimized by distributing the focus increments with progressive values to reflect the nonlinear progression of the depth-of-field from near field to far field (depth-of-field(z)/2). In any case, the number of images acquired is bounded as the hyperfocal distance defines the maximum focus distance.
The focus is incrementally moved over the full reading range, until at least one machine-readable symbol is detected. The absence of wear on parts, fast focus response, silent operation and/or low current draw of the electrowetted lens assembly 16 permits remaining in search mode (i.e., focus moving back-and-forth) without being limited by time.
4. Symbol Localization
4.1 Image activity map
As illustrated in
The activity of the image of the sub-windows 204 is measured by calculating the Sum Modulus Difference in every sub-window 204.
The SMD measurement can, for example, be limited to the green channel which is a good approximation of the overall luminance of the machine-readable symbol, although the signal/noise ratio and wavelength coverage may be enhanced by adding together the three separately determined SMD values (e.g., SMDR, SMDG, and SMDB, corresponding to the Red, Green and Blue channels, respectively).
For each of the sub-windows 204, a total SMDtotal may be determined as follows:
4.2 Aggregating the Sub-windows into Valid Meta Windows
As further illustrated in
The meta windows 206 are sorted into valid and invalid meta windows according to criteria of size, shape and average SMD value, parameters corresponding to a likelihood that the meta window 206 encompasses a machine-readable symbol.
Valid meta windows (VMT) are selected for fine focus according to their respective SMD value, size, shape, location in the image and/or eventually feedback from decoding functions.
In addition to provide specific areas where image sharpness should be maximized, symbol localization function defines or identifies zones-of-interest, to be transferred to the decoding functions. This early symbol pre-identification function reduces the amount of data to transfer for decoding, which may be particularly advantageous when using large format sensors.
5. Focus Mode
The average SMD values of the sub-windows 204 comprising the valid meta window(s) 206 represent the focus of the machine-readable symbol. The outer sub-windows 204 partially overlapping the machine-readable symbol may be discarded to improve accuracy. The average SMD is monotonic with the focus distance and presents a maximum when the machine-readable symbol is at best focus. The SMD determination does not require multiplication or a multiplier, and thus can be easily implemented by software or hardware in real time.
Other focus measurement can alternatively be used, e.g., the energy of the image (gray level variance), the high pass frequency content (image gradient, image Laplacian), the histogram entropy or local variation.
Conventional focus metrics present a maximum at best focus, but differ in performances, monotonicity, robustness to noise, and/or computational cost. One possible advantage of the SMD approach is that it can be implemented simply in hardware, or software, and may be used also for localizing one-dimensional machine-readable symbols.
Once in focus mode, incremental focus changes (e.g., depth-of-field/2) are applied again in the same direction, until the focus measurement decreases significantly for the first time. As in the search mode, the focus distance increments are equally or nonlinearly distributed over the full range of operation (e.g., dmin to dmax), and are typically less than approximately half value of the depth-of-field (e.g., depth-of-field(z)/2). The maximum hyperfocal distance gives the maximum focus distance.
Once the focus measurement decreases significantly, a quadratic polynomial or a Gaussian curve is fitted to three or more points apart the best focus to interpolate the best focus position. A quadratic interpolation is illustrated in
Three SMD values are sufficient to calculate the b and c coefficients, as well as the final potential to be applied to the microfluidic lens assembly 15 where f(−b/2a).
Depth-from-defocus algorithms that estimate the focus command to apply directly from one or several images may be used for slow focus actuation to help minimize the overshoot beyond the best focus position. Details of depth-from-focus algorithms are discussed in Tse-Chung Wei, Three dimensional Machine Vision Using Image Defocus, State University Of New York.
However using a fast micro-fluidic lens assembly 16 permits taking a distinctly different approach, where the best focus is purposely overshot to get an SMD value differences well above the noise measurement. The focus is then finely and quickly adjusted back to the interpolated position using the responsive (i.e., fast) microfluidic focus actuation.
If the SMD value of the a current valid meta window differs significantly from that of a previous one's, the algorithm returns to the search mode as the machine-readable symbol is moved to fast or even removed. The amount of change triggering a return to search mode may simply be a proportion of the previous SMD value.
6. Reduced Image Processing Bandwidth with Early Symbol Localization
Early localization of machine-readable symbols reduces the amount of data that is transferred to the host application. This approach is particularly beneficial when using high-resolution CCD/CMOS sensors.
Further, multi-resolution image states (e.g., wavelet bank filter, Laplacian pyramid or other compression scheme) can be applied to the identified zone-of-interest and further reduce the computational bandwidth of the imaging application.
7. Analog Zoom Control
Finally the zone of interest deduced from the selected meta window 206 may also be used to trim the power of an optical zoom. This is particularly advantageous for aim-and-read operations.
8. Enhancement of the Auto-Focus and the Decoding Spatial Resolution
The focus measurement proposed above is based on Sum Modulus Difference. As discussed, the SMD are first calculated over the three RGB channels separately, and then added to reduce the signal/noise ratio and to cover the full wavelength spectrum of the optical sensor 14. However, using the RGB channel separately is equivalent to sub sampling the image and thus implies some loss of resolution.
Many demosaicing algorithms exist to overcome the display artifacts that result from CFA sub-sampling, such as blurry edges and/or false coloring. These demosaicing algorithms fill missing color values using more or less complex interpolation and correlation rules between each channel. However, these algorithms if they minimize display artifacts, do not restore the destroyed resolution due to the CFA sub sampling.
In an alternative approached proposed herein the raw data of the optical sensor 14 is normalized to exploit the bi-luminance feature of machine-readable symbols and the fact that most of the cases, machine-readable symbols irradiance presents three RGB color components. Examples of such machine-readable symbols include black and white symbols, such machine-readable symbols formed as dark elements on light colored background symbols, or vice versa.
This approach may significantly enhance the focus accuracy and the decoding resolution of the machine-readable symbols using the optical sensor 14 at its maximum spatial resolution (1/pixel width).
For that purpose, once delimited the area of the symbol (VMT), the response of the three RGB channels are normalized as follows:
The normalization of the pixel amplitudes provide a seamless signal that can be sampled up to the sensor Nyquist frequency.
An RGB channel with a calculated variance below a minimum value (or a proportion of the highest channel variance) may be discarded and its pixel values interpolated from the neighbour pixels. In this case, the decoding and auto-focus is carried out in a reduced resolution mode.
The enhancement introduces at the focus stage, once the symbols are localized, a normalization stage of the RGB pixels of the zone of interest. The SMD calculation of focus measurement is carried out at the pixel frequency regardless of the R G or B channel, instead of separate RGB calculation of the SMD and addition. The algorithms becomes:
Thus, combining symbol localization and focus control allows the focusing of images likely containing machine-readable symbols. This reduces the overall time for reading machine-readable symbols by avoiding miss-focusing on irrelevant objects. As discussed above, the fast, silent, low power variable focus microfluidic lens assembly 16 allows searching for machine-readable symbols without unnecessary time limitations. For example, using an 'aim-and-read' ergonomic, the coarse focus (symbol search) can be achieved during the 'aim phase' and fine focus during the 'read phase' when the operator depress the reading key. Thus, early localization of the machine-readable symbol constitutes a simple low or no loss alternative to compression algorithms by defining the zone-of-interest of the image to transfer, and thus to reduce the transmission and computational load. Additionally, the zone-of-interest can be used to early adjust the magnification of an analog zoom when adapted to hand held devices. Early location of the machine-readable symbol allows delivery of an image with equalized RGB channels that can to be sampled and exploited up to the Nyquist frequency of the sensor, enhancing the decoding resolution and the focus accuracy.
Some abbreviations used in the figures and description include the following:
Although specific embodiments of and examples for the machine-readable symbol reader 10 and method of operating the same are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied to readers for any machine-readable symbology, not necessarily the exemplary bar code reader generally described above.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not limited to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,574,598; 6,464,363; 6,347,742; Vdovin, et. al. Micromachined Mirror With A Variable Focal Distance In Free-Space Microoptical Systems, Digest of EOS Topical Meeting, pp. 28-29, Apr. 1-3 1996; Love, G. D., Adaptive Optical Components Using Liquid Crystal Devices, Journal of the Communications Research Laboratory, Vol. 46 No. 3, November 1999, pp. 427-430; Electrocapillarite et mouillage de films isolants par l'eau Berge, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, serial II, pp. 157-163; Boreman, D., Modulation Transfer Function in Optical and Electro-Optical Systems, SPIE Press; Chern, Practical Issues in Pixel-Based Autofocusing for Machine Vision, Proceedings of the 2001 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Seoul, Korea, May 21-26, 2001, pp. 2791-2796; Ng Kuang Chern, et al., Practical Issues In Pixel-Bases Autofocusing For Machine Vision, Proceedings of the 2001 IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation; Subbarao et al., Focusing Technique, OE/Technology '92, SPIE Conference, Boston; Kerkyra, Proceedings of International Conference On Computer Vision, pp 834-838 (Kerkyra, 1999); Subbarao, M., Focusing Technique, Journal of Optical Engineering, Vol. 32, No. 11, pp 2824-2836 (November 1993); M. Subbarao, Proceedings of SPIE's international symposium, Videometrics IV, Vol. 2598, pp. 89-99; Tse-Chung Wei, Three Dimensional Machine Vision Using Image Defocus, State University of New York, Stonybrook; M. Subbarao, Proceeding of SPIE 's International Symposium, Videometrics IV, Vol. 2598, pp 89-99; Keren, Restoring Sub-sampled Color Images, Machine Vision and Applications (1999); Marino, Improving the Performance of Single Chip Image Capture Devices, Journal of Electronic Imaging 12(2), 209-218 (April 2003); and Ramanath, Demosaicking methods for Bayer color arrays, Journal of Electronic Imaging 11(3), 306-315 are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all machine-readable symbol readers and optical systems that operated in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.
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Owner name: INTERMEC IP CORP., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTERMEC SCANNER TECHNOLOGY CENTER;REEL/FRAME:016176/0211
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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MASSIEU, JEAN-LOUIS;REEL/FRAME:016176/0195
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|Apr 24, 2015
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Bowling fundraiser set to help Norman transplant recipient
NORMAN — A fundraiser will be held in Moore to assist a Norman resident who recently received a lifesaving organ transplant.
Eleven years ago, life for Sherrie Autry took a dramatic turn as she was hit with news of her illness.
In 2001, Autry was diagnosed after the birth of her third daughter with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disease that caused her liver's bile ducts to swell and scar.
Autry was told by doctor's a liver transplant was vital to save her life and put on a transplant list in April 2012. On Feb. 8, Autry, 58, received the lifesaving liver transplant.
Debra Lewis, who has known Autry for more than 50 years, described how the illness impacted Autry.
The day before Autry was told she had a matching donor, her family and friends were discussing how to help Autry.
Lewis recalled how she thought Autry might die before the end of the month if she did not receive the transplant.
Autry's skin was yellow and her face was sunken in.
"She looked like she was on death's bed," Lewis said.
The next day family and friends were relieved to hear she was going to get a new liver. Within days Autry looked better, Lewis said.
"Almost immediately after the transplant I felt better," Autry said.
She is still recovering from the transplant.
"I'm still having some soreness and I'm still building my strength up," Autry said.
While Autry's health insurance covered the cost of the transplant, she still has to pay for medical bills from follow-up care and medication she needs to keep her new liver healthy. Cost includes insurance co-pays for doctors' visits and medicine.
The average liver transplant costs $575,000, according to the National Foundation for Transplants, Autry will need a lifetime of follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. These medications are costly, and they're as important to her survival as the transplant itself, the foundation stated.
As a result, volunteers are holding a bowl-a-thon fundraiser from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, at AMF Bowling Center, 420 SW 6th St. in Moore.
Entry fee is $30 per bowler, and each participant will bowl three games. A silent auction also will be included in the event.
The fundraiser was organized in part by the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT), who Autry turned to for help with medical expenses.
According to its website, NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps patients raise funds to pay for transplant-related expenses.
Lewis also assisted with organizing the bowl-a-thon. She described how Autry bowled for more than 30 years: "We just knew that would be something we would do." Organizers are hoping for 30 teams to participate with each team made up of two individuals.
Individual bowlers also are encouraged to register.
All funds raised will go toward Autry's transplant expenses.
Autry expressed gratitude for NFT, her friends and family who have supported her through her illness and continue to support her by helping to raise donations.
She also is grateful to the community and everyone who is coming to the fundraiser.
Autry and Lewis urged Oklahomans to become organ donors.
"Please consider giving the gift of life by organ transplant. Ultimately that's what saved Sherrie's life," Lewis said.
For individuals who can't attend the fundraiser, but would still like to donate, tax-deductible donations can be made by mail or online by following these instructions:
In honor of Autry, individuals can send a contribution to the NFT Oklahoma Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Sherrie Autry" on the memo line. Secure donations can be made online at www.transplants.org. Donors should click on "Find an NFT Patient" to locate Autry.


text:
I took it and had a person put it on there machine, my computer reading showed losing compression on number 6. so I replaced that coil pack. and spark plugs & wires replaced. Ialso replaced the fuel filter. it's still bogging and not fixed. Please help me !
by jonelle.donnett in Anniston, AL on June 22, 2013


text:
Top Definition
spilling alcohol, as in abusing it by wasting it.
You just spilled my beer all over the floor, that's alcohol abuse.
by caitlin February 25, 2005
When you spill, tip over, shake up, or waste a beer.
Crap, i just dropped my beer, "dude alcohol abuse."
by Max-well December 16, 2009


text:
Skip to comments.Does God Expect Me to Stay Married to a Jerk?
Posted on 09/22/2009 7:29:33 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
click here to read article
No, they make it easier for lazy minds to READ the Bible.
Very very impotant benchmarks and key words have been changed purpously in the "new" versions.
Don't get mad at me for loving my fellow Christians...I give fair warning.
Well now, Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
So since God is a divorcee, and He did tell us why He divorced Israel, the question would then need be what does it mean to be a jerk?
Not anymore, He's not.
Suit yourself, but the wedding hasn't taken place, yet.
Unless you were at one the Bible didn't tell me about.
Isaiah 53 is the Cross. Who is the Barren Woman in Isaiah 54?
Dost thou forget the Law?
Even divorced, the wife remains married, but I care not to argue with fellow Christians, we will have an eternity to discuss these things, and I do not feel like teaching ordinances today.
I am just glad the two of us will always have time for discussion, for there shall be time no longer.
We will say today that you are right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text: The term "jet pack" commonly conjures science fiction imagery of brave pilots with rockets strapped to their backs, propelled through the sky by afterburners full of fire and fury. But, what if we replaced those hot flames with cool jets of water, and swapped the fictitious rocketeer for Translogic's own Bradley Hasemeyer? Introducing the water-propelled Jetlev R200.


text:
It's Done!
Just a quick update to let you know that Junioris done! We just need to approve the proofs in the next few days, and then they'll print and burn... Read more
Thanks everyone! It was a huge success! All our tremendous backers should be getting an email shortly with some questions to answer about your rewards, and how we get them... Read more
Thank you Backers! A to Z!
And just like that, with our 26th backer, we hit our goal today on the 26th of the month! As Alphabeticians, we're particularly keen on things that come in 26's.... Read more
The CD is called . . .
That's what we're calling it. We'll show you the cover soon.
Also, the CD Release Party will be June 2, 4 p.m. at Eat. Art. Theater in NE Portland. ... Read more
One Beatles Week Left!
Eight days = a Beatles week.
That's how much time we've got left, and we're over 70% of the way.
Thanks to all our supporters! If you've got a line... Read more
17 backers, 17 days to go!
$805 left to raise in the next 17 days.
Why, that's just $47/day!
That makes our publishing company, Fish 47 Music, very happy.
Thanks again for all the support!
Thanks to our great fans for getting us off to a quick start! We're only 47 hours into our Kickstart, and we've been overwhelmed by your generosity; We're very hopeful... Read more


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Edward J. Cassidy in Philadelphia, PA 2009
Edward J. Cassidy
CASSIDY, EDWARD J., on Jan. 31, 2009, of Drexel Hill PA. A 1951 graduate of West Catholic High School. Beloved husband of Johanna E. (nee Oates) Cassidy. Beloved father of Ginny Cassidy, MaryEllen (Phillip) Hulsey and Katie Finnegan. Also survived by 7 grand-children and one great grand-child. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass Wed. 11 A.M., Church of St. Andrew, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill PA and to his Visitation Wed. after 10 A.M. in the Church. Interment Private. Contributions in his memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis TN 38105.
(O'LEARY F.H., Springfield, PA)
Descendant chart
1 Edward J. Cassidy
Johanna E. Oates
2 Ginny Cassidy
2 MaryEllen (Phillip) Hulsey
2 Katie Finnegan


text:
- Details
- Category: Team News
Rob Schley, of Los Angeles, California, has been appointed as the team coordinator for our Quality and Testing Workgroup . Rob replaces Robin Muilwijk, who has served in this position during the past year and has helped establish critical quality processes essential to our overall release operations. Robin will stay on as a global forum moderator and a Quality and Testing working group member and will continue to leverage his expertise within this group. "I'm honored to have been a part of such a great team and I'll continue to participate so I'm not going far.", said Robin.
Rob's forum persona is RobS and by the professional quality of his posts became an extremely valuable poster of security-related information about Joomla! Rob presently works for a small hosting company based out of LA, and also does security audits. He is currently preparing to start his own business built around the Joomla! phenomena.
Read more: Meet Rob Schley - Joomla's New Quality and Testing Coordinator
- Details
- Category: General News
Joomla! has been recognised by professionals and users alike by making the last phase of Packt's Open Source CMS Award Finals. We know we're the most popular Open Source CMS based on user numbers but now it's time for all Joomla! fans to demonstrate their support. You can read on or VOTE NOW!!!
Joomla! is competing against co-nominees e107, Drupal, Plone and Xoops, for the award. Packt Publishing announced the final phase of this competition earlier this month and has today opened up a page on its website where you can show your support (you've already clicked the VOTE NOW!!! link haven't you?). Besides, by making the effort, you might just win yourself a cool iPod Nano!
Packt, through its suite of tutorial publications, provides a great deal of support to the Open Source Community. And, through this inaugural award, will present the winning CMS with US $5,000. Second place will get US $3,000 and the third placed finalist will get US $2,000.
So remember: By voting for Joomla! you will not only help raise its profile and provide the chance for us to win some prize money, you get the chance to win an Apple iPod.
But there's more ... while we've got you in a voting frame of mind, you should also vote for the UK Linux User Awards (UK Linux & Open Source Awards 2006).
Thanks in advance for taking some time to demonstrate Joomla! does stick out from the bunch.
- Details
- Category: General News
September will be a busy month for Joomla!. We will be attending the O'Reilly EuroOSCON open source convention in Brussels. Our German community has also informed us about their first Joomla! Day, this will be the third Joomla!Day organised this year following the NL and UK, and the Italian community is organising their first meetup.
O'Reilly EuroOSCON Convention, September 18-21, 2006
The Joomla! project will showcase the upcoming 1.5 beta at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention at the Le Plaza Hotel in Brussels, Belgium on September 20th, 2006. This convention is one of the largest Open Source conventions in Europe and expects over 800+ attendees from around the world.


text:
iHerb Customer Reviews
Savings of: $1.35 (15% off)
Posted by HealthandBeautyGirl on Jan 17, 2014
Best brush I ever used for the crease for my hooded eyes! I also ordered the 955 brush for my foundation- Amazing! my makeup looks professional with these brushes. I don't think I will purchase other brands anymore. Please click yes if you found my review helpful. SEE MY PAGE IF NEW TO IHERB!
Fantastic and Very Very soft.pinceau super doux
Posted by Kusanagi1 on Jun 02, 2013
Uncredibly soft and quit dense.Lovely color. My fist bdellium brush, but i Will buy the others brushes of the pink serie. J'adore ce pinceau super super doux et super efficace. Après le lavage il retrouve sa couleur parfaitement.
Posted by 4968704021420806383 on Jul 22, 2013
I have 3 of them! Dupe of m.a.c. 217. i like it for applying eyeshadow to the crease, lid and for blending colors.
Great purchase
Posted by 4759287275958700208 on Sep 27, 2013
Fantastic blending brush ! Greatly does the work for what it's meant for and blends the colors really well. You can also build colors easily! You will not regret buying it !
No me termina
Posted by Elisabb on Nov 02, 2013
No me termina de convencer....... La forma no es la mejor para una brocha para difuminar
Perfect blending brush
Posted by 4750122796544168486 on Nov 06, 2013
This is my new favourite makeup brush! Super soft, blends eyeshadow for a flawless look. So impressed with the quality and how affordable this range is.
Pinceau indispensable
Posted by 5191040780683830518 on Nov 06, 2013
Très bon pinceau . Un indispensable.
Bdellium Blending Brush
Posted by 4724327514902589838 on Nov 26, 2013
The Bdellium Bambu range of brushes is fantastic! This brush is fantastic for blending, it blends eyeshadow in effortlessly, and is so easy to use!
for many uses
Posted by 4941666114783738707 on Sep 28, 2013
You can apply concealer and cream eyeshadow or blend eyeshadows.Nice quality, very soft and doesnt lose hair
suis fan
Posted by 5321244300037473779 on Oct 09, 2013
j'adore cette marque de pinceaux, super pour estomper


text:
Eco-Me Natural Products & D. Caroline Coile
Eco-Me Dog Kit & How to Choose the Right Breed for your Personality
Listen NOW…
Robin Levine, Owner, Eco-Me joins hosts Lisa Gorman and Scott Sheppard to talk about their Eco-Me 100% Natural Dog Kit. Their unique kit lets you make your own natural Dog Flea & Bug Spray, Dog Clean Wipes, Dog Dry Powder Shampoo & Dog Biscuits using a combination of their essential oil mix and simple ingredients you already have at home such as vinegar and baking soda.
The kit includes recipes, pre-marked containers for mixing them, a dog bone shaped biscuit cutter, and biodegradable "poop" bags and leash tote.
For more information and how to order visit: http://www.eco-me.com/dogkitcoso.html
Lisa and Scott review current dog news and story highlights of the week.
Lisa delivers the Doggie Chronicles Tip of the Week about warm weather considerations for your pup. If you plan to leave your pet at home alone in the heat, be sure to leave a lot of ventilation or a fan for the dog to help avoid them overheating while you are out.
D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., Author joins the Doggie Chronicles for some tips on how to select the right breed of dog to fit your personality type and your lifestyle. Dr. Coile has a Ph.D. In psychology and has written over 24 books on dog breeds, behavior, training, and more.
Best known for her popular "The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds", Dr. Coile is truly an expert in matching the right dog to their person and reminds us to be realistic about our own personality types when considering certain breeds. Some breeds are more affectionate than others, some require extensive grooming, others are high-energy who require additional attention, environmental considerations should also be considered before committing to your new life companion.
For a list of her books and searchable excerpts, find her on Amazon.com at: http://tinyurl.com/29y6tq
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text:
Hah! Found it!
Hah! Found it!
Edit: found it!
Wow he has to be the coolest guy where he lives lol.
why yes I am!
Can you wheelie on that thing?
Yes. I used to have one, but I had the full squishyOriginally Posted by EJ123
yea u can, i can jsut it's so easy to flip backOriginally Posted by EJ123
1978 Schwinn Varsity Single Speed
Thats a cute bike!! If you can call it a bike....
If you notice this notice then you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing.
You know you have too much time on your hands when...
"the guys at bike shop said i'd be more aerodynamic ..only now I have to work on lowering the angle of my back without causing an absolutely hilarious rolling somersault"
Cause the more cyclists notice me the more I Love myself.
Cause the more cyclists notice me the more I Love myself.
I have the full suspension version of that.
I locked out the rear suspension and put on a sissy bar and bannana seat, so easy to wheelie on, it's a blast when your drunk.
"the bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began...there was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land."
He's not very aero, is he?Originally Posted by KingTermite
Would you like a dream with that?
A kid at my school had the fullsquish one. He was riding it around in the lunchroom haha.Originally Posted by roughrider504


text:
Blogs Home
with Tags: invitation X
- Sort by:
- Date ▼
- Title
- Likes/Votes
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- Visits
Introduction to IBM Connections 3 SPI
Romain Lienard firstname.lastname@example.com Tags: events api lc3 invitation spi profiles howto sms connections 1 Comment 10,231 Visits
Note : this entry mainly rely on this official wiki about IBM Connections Event SPI What is SPI So first of all, what is a SPI ? While APIs are prebuilt functions bundled with a program that you can call from the outside...
IBM is a finalist for Best Security Company!: Join us at the SC Magazine Awards Presentation and Dinner Community Blog
Tiffany Winman email@example.com Tags: sc ibm security network risk conference proventia magazine sso invitation rational presentation threats dinner tivoli compliance rsa scanner awards governance appscan firewall 3,164 Visits
IBM customers: Join IBM on April 21 for the exciting SC Magazine awards presentation and dinner! RSVP to Karen Krieger at firstname.lastname@example.com if you would like to attend. Date: April 21, 2009 Time: 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm Where: Hilton San Francisco , 333...
from Blog: Cloud & Service Management blog


text:
From per adult
Explore new cultures, open up to new worlds and fascinating landscapes. Each Resort is a starting point from which to explore the wonderful sights each country has to offer.
Discover the selection of our finest excursions, departing from Club Med.
Changes may be made to the excursion programme. Excursions to be purchased on site, subject to availability, conditions and prices given at the Resort.
Enjoy a unique experience, another way of travelling, combining visits to well-known sites with visits to places in the middle of enchanting natural surroundings.
Discover the emblematic sites of a region, before or after your stay in a Resort.
All prices are per adult, based on twin share room booking. (Room type is based on availability.)
Prices and availability last update: 12 hours ago
This functionality is only accessible to My Club Med ® members. Allows you to save your preferred Resorts
Existing Club Med customerACTIVATE YOUR PERSONAL SPACE
Not a Club Med customer yet.CREATE AN ACCOUNT


text:
Monday, July 14, 2014
4 Comments | Copyright:
Kriti Sanon has come on board as the brand ambassador for the famous hair oil brand, Parachute Jasmine. Kriti Sanon caught the eye of many brands with her Bollywood debut, Heropanti.
Being a non - industry kid and only having one film in her kitty this is very impressive.
Kriti has many brand and film offers which she is carefully looking into. Recently, Kriti also came on board to with Tissot store to unveil Tissot's special edition: Quickster Football. It's a special gen-Y edition of the watch brand and she visited stores in multiple cities i.e. Jaipur, Chandigarh and in the coming days will also be visiting cities in South
Both Tissot and Parachute Jasmine are young 'A' List brands. Both brands signing Kriti talks highly of how she has been accepted and become popular amongst the youth
After Heropanti, Kriti will next be seen in Singh is Bling starring opposite Akshay Kumar.
To stay updated with similiar articles follow
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The two know each other since 7 years now and have gotten along like a ...
Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, who has produced some successful ...
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text:
At Dillard's, we implemented a security program to ensure that a human is trying to enter our site and not a computer. If you have any questions, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
If you want to pay your bill, please visit Dillards.com/payonline.
Item #036117930710 264 L818436
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By Kathy from Dobbs
from Dobbs Ferry, NY
About Me Casual Photographer
Best Uses
Comments about kate spade new york Sullivan Street Picture Frame Collection:
I purchased the Kate Spade New York "Sullivan Street" double hinged 4" x 6" frame for a wedding thank you card, which had a black and white picture of the bride and groom on the front of the card, and a separate color wedding picture of the bride and groom.When I placed the frame on my shelve, I noticed that the light from the chandelier reflected the color yellow of my diningroom on to the right side of the silverplated frame, where I had placed the color picture. The reflection of the yellow walls on the frame seemed to make the silverplated frame appear to be gold, which enhanced the color picture. Since the frame is angled, the left side of the frame looked as it is, silver, which enhanced the black and white photo. I couldn't have chosen a better frame. The white matting is also a plus. The photos stand out beautifully. I am extremely pleased with this purchase. The frame was well wrapped and boxed in a Kate Spade box for protection or gift giving. The package arrived quickly.Thank you Dillards.
Service and delivery comments:
Delivery was prompt. The frame was well packaged and well protected, so the frame was in excellent condition.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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text:
North Weald Airfield, Yak52s, great instructors, keen students, fabulous weather gives us some iconic images of the Yak52 in action with other Yak52s.
David and Zan are professional photographers. They founded lovethecamera.com with one intention in mind: to photograph what they like, and to like what they photograph. They regularly take on assignments in Europe, USA, New Zealand and of course the UK. They are happy working for publications, commercial organisations or private individuals. When not taking pictures they can be found flying fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. They are married to each other and based in Berkshire, England.
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Budapest 2009 Published September 01, 2009
Air to Air 5 The Old and The New Published August 03, 2009
Ordinary People Published March 21, 2009
Duncan and Maggie Get Married Published January 06, 2009
Joyce & Doug Published December 08, 2008
Alex & Sarah Published December 04, 2008
Air to Air Published December 03, 2008
The Wedding of the Century Published December 02, 2008


text:
Randomized Distributed Edge Coloring via an Extension of the Chernoff-Hoeffding Bounds
Permanent Linkhttp://hdl.handle.net/1813/6127
MetadataShow full item record
Panconesi, Alessandro; Srinivasan, Aravind
Certain types of routing, scheduling and resource allocation problems in a distributed setting can be modeled as edge coloring problems. We present fast and simple randomized algorithms for edge coloring a graph, in the synchronous distributed point-to-point model of computation. Our algorithms compute an edge-coloring of a graph $G$ with $n$ nodes and maximum degree $\Delta$ with at most $(1.6 + \epsilon)\Delta + \log^{2+\delta} n$ colors with high probability (arbitrarily close to 1), for any fixed $\epsilon,\delta greater than 0$. To analyze the performance of our algorithms, we introduce an extension of the Chernoff-Hoeffding bounds, which are fundamental tools that are used very frequently in estimating tail probabilities. However, they assume stochastic independence among certain random variables, which may not always hold. Our results extend the Chernoff-Hoeffding bounds to certain types of random variables which are not stochastically independent. We believe that these results are of independent interest, and merit further study.
Date Issued1993-06
Cornell University
computer science; technical report
Previously Published As
Technical Report


text:
$640—$779 1—2 bed 700 E College Boulevard, Pensacola FL, 32504
from $640 1—2 bed
700 E College Boulevard, Pensacola, 32504
Commute to Downtown Ferry Pass
The rent at Arbor Club Apartments ranges from $640 for a one bedroom to a $779 two bedroom. Apartments in this building are about 10% less expensive than the Pensacola average.
This apartment is in Pensacola. Nearby parks include Byran Park and Pintado Park.
Arbor Club Apartments has a Walk Score of 60 out of 100. This location is Somewhat Walkable so some errands can be accomplished on foot.
Arbor Club Apartments is a beautiful community that I am sure will meet your needs and expectations. We are located in, the heart of the city, just moments from Cordova Mall, major expressways, shopping, entertainment, and downtown. We are within walking distance of Pensacola Junior College and convenient to UWF. Our community offers a fitness center, which is accessible 24 hours a day for your convenience
google user 123 4
Sep 06, 2015
Maintenance repeatedly lies about when they are going to fix your maintenance emergency and never tells the manager about the previous dates and times the previous maintenance appointments were previously set. This is to give the impression that the many missed previous appointments never existed. Management then can't figure out why the tenant is angry and blames the tenant for being angry. The maintenance emergency stretches out over a couple of months at least (yes, broken items defined by the apartment complex management as emergency repair situations). Management does nothing about this. Maintenance also digs around in your personal life to try to find things they can hold over your head so you don't tell management about the maintenance problems. Maintenance threatens tenants with eviction over anything they might potentially personally dislike about your apartment, even though their dislike has nothing to do with payment of rent or any violation of the apartment rules. Maintenance likes to intimidate tenants due to personal mental mal-adjustment on the part of maintenance. Without a qualifying emergency,maintenance will eventually enter your apartment without notifying you that they will enter or informing you of when they will enter your apartment and then claim that never happened, while pointing to a previous occasion in which notice was given (one notice on a completely different occasion apparently makes maintenance feel they have a no-notice lifetime pass to your apartment to enter anytime they like). If you have any pets, maintenance will adjust the items in the apartment so that the pets will die when you are not home. Again, management cannot figure out why the tenant is angry and is hand-in-glove with their maintenance buddy.
Julian Chase
Apr 04, 2015
Do not move here they are very slow with completing task. Even when they complete task its left half done. My apartment is suppose to be renovated but there are parts in which they forgot to paint. It took them until the end of the month to finish the job and they still charged me for that month as if I my apartment was renovated the entire month. The staff are very respectful and nice. The maintenance guys change to frequently so you never get a chance to truly know them. Another bad thing about my apartment is I have to run the dish washer once a week or else the sewage water will fill it up leaving a horrible smell. I really cant wait to move out of here. To top everything off... I have the worst infestation of roaches in my apartment. I don't know where they come from and how they got here but I keep my apartment really clean and still manage to get my food and dishes ruined and covered with roaches. The pest control that come out doesn't really do much but spray the floor boards. He needs to investigate the problem and see where they are coming from. It is just so disgusting and I am at my pressure point. I am leaving this review so that others don't make this mistake moving here. I almost forgot that the trees are horrible here... leaves will cover your car and also ruin the paint. DO NOT waste your money on these. They are kind of overpriced for what you get. The only good thing that come from this place is the front office and how nice they are. MILITARY people stay away... Civilians stay away from here... EVERYONE stay away!!! Arbor Club please read this review and fix the issues with your property.
Dillon Ellis
Jul 01, 2015
This place was very frustrating to live in. When my wife and I first moved in it was under the management of a lady named Victoria. A month later without any notice there was completely new management. The new management will not answer any phone calls and they will not call you back. The sewage gets backed up at least 2-3 times a year and when that happens the whole bottom floor floods with sewage water. Maintenance sucks. You can put in a work order and you will be lucky if they get to you. I had black mold growing in my bathroom and we called several times to get them to look at it and take care of it and it took over a month of harassing management to get someone out there. Then when they finally came, all they did was wipe it down and spray some paint over it. The bubble of it was still there. The walls and ceiling are very thin so I could here ever single thing my neighbors were doing. The insulation in the apartments sucks. My electric bill ran $100 every month. You could see out side through the cracks in our front door. They claim this as a military apartment but they are located on the other side of Pensacola. It would take 30-40 minutes to get there depending on traffic. They have a pool but they never keep it clean and the fitness center is extremely small. They offer some apartments with washer and dryer hook ups but they also have a laundry mat. They have about 10 buildings full of about 8 or so apartments per building and all they have in the laundry mat is 8 washers and 8 dryers. There could be times we would go to do laundry and every single one would be filled. Go back the next day and the same clothes would be in the same washers. If I ever moved back to Pensacola, this would be the last place I would ever pick to live at.
A Google User
Nov 15, 2011
Everything has turned corporate and there is no welcoming feel when you come to the office. They will do everything they can to get as much money as possible. They even recently contracted a towing service to tow cars away at owners expense. They don't want to see their residents face and prefer rent is dropped off through a slot in the building. Overall, they are just awful and will not work with you whatsoever.
Caleb c
Feb 10, 2016
Owner/manager tools | Report bad listing | From apartmentsearch.com
Pensacola, Florida, 32504
Some errands can be accomplished on foot.
About your score
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from Arbor Club Apartments.
Bus lines:
63 Michigan Ave / Pensacola International Airport
0.2 mi
52 Cordova Mall / Pensacola State College
0.2 mi
31 Cordova Mall / 12th Avenue
0.3 mi
43 University of West Florida / Scenic Heights
0.3 mi
View all Pensacola apartments on a map.
Popular apartment searches include pool, single family and fitness.
Arbor Club Apartments is in the city of Pensacola, FL. Pensacola has an average Walk Score of 35 and has 51,923 residents.