Makita Electric Works, Ltd.

Nippondenso Co., Ltd.

Makita Corporation

Yoshio Yokoyama

Fusao Fushiya

Akihito Hara

Koji Haneda

Takashi Hieda

Takahiro Itakura

Toshihiro Asai

Pixels A, B, C, D and E of a reference image X, which are suitable for use in a pattern matching operation, are automatically determined on a pattern of the reference image. The automatic determination of the pixels is done based on a change of brightness at areas around the selected pixels. Coordinates of all of the selected pixels, such as (x.sub.1, y.sub.1), (x.sub.2, y.sub.2), (x.sub.3, y.sub.3), (x.sub.4, y.sub.4) and (x.sub.5, y.sub.5) are stored in memory. A scan of the image to be detected is done at a fixed offset area for each of the selected pixels. The values of the difference in brightness between the selected pixels and the scanned points are accumulated. The minimum value of the accumulated difference is detected, and the coordinate of the scanned point which provides the minimum accumulated difference is determined as a deviation of the detected image from the reference image.

Method and device for measuring the position of a pattern

A hedge trimmer includes a motor and a cutting mechanism driven by the motor. A clutch mechanism is interposed between the motor and the cutting mechanism. A first and a second handle are provided to be grasped with both hands of an operator. A clutch control mechanism is provided for connecting and disconnecting the clutch mechanism. The clutch control mechanism includes a first and a second switch lever which are associated with the first and second handles, respectively, and which are operable by the operator between a first and a second position, respectively. A pin is operably connected to the first and second switch levers and is movable between a connecting position for connecting the clutch mechanism and a disconnecting position for disconnecting the clutch mechanism. Biasing members serve to hold the pin at the disconnecting position when at least one of the first and second switch levers are at the first position. The biasing members permit movement of the pin from the disconnecting position to the connecting position when both the first and second switch levers are moved from the first position to the second position.

Hedge trimmer

An image processing system for inspection of an over-printed matter having at least first and second layers different in lightness under appropriate illumination, wherein a digital image of the surface of the overprinted matter is formed, first and second reference images representing each normal image of the first and second layers are memorized, a first deviation between a first boundary of the first reference image to the second reference image and a portion of the digital image corresponding with the first boundary is measured, a second deviation between a second boundary of the second reference image to the first reference image and a portion of the digital image corresponding with the second boundary is measured, the first reference image is corrected to a first corrected reference image in such a manner as to eliminate the measured first deviation, the second reference image is corrected to a second corrected reference image in such a manner as to eliminate the measured second deviation, a finally corrected reference image is produced on a basis of logical sum of the first and second corrected reference images, and a matching process of the finally corrected reference image and the digital image is carried out for discrimination of the quality of the surface of the overprinted matter.

Image processing system for inspection of overprinted matter

An appratus for inspecting lightness on the surface of an object having at least first and second surface portions different in lightness, wherein an image of the first and second surface portions of the object are taken under appropriate illumination, the taken image is memorized, first and second reference lightness of the first and second surface portions are defined respectively, whether or not each pixel of the taken image belongs to either one of pixel regions defining the first and second surface portions are determined in accordance with values defining preliminarily memorized pixel regions respectively, lightness difference between each pixel of the taken image corresponding to the first surface portion and the first reference lightness is calculated, lightness difference between each pixel of the taken image corresponding to the second surface portion and said second reference lightness are calculated, and quality in lightness on the surface of the object are determined on a basis of the respective lightness difference.

Method and apparatus for inspecting lightness on the surface of an object

A mechanism for returning a hammer of an electrically-operated tacker from the tack-driving position to the starting position, in two stages, includes first and second hammer-returning elements and a rotating element for returning the hammer to the starting position.

Two-stage returning mechanism

Portable electric grinder

An elecrically-operated tacker includes means for driving a tack which is urged toward a muzzle section by a spring, an operating means for moving the driving means back to a starting position, a switch having a push button, a trigger means having a pair of first and second depressing elements, a control member for maintaining the first depressing element in an operative position, a safety means for normally maintaining the control member in a safety position, first and second engaging elements provided on the operating means, third, fourth and fifth engaging elements on the driving means, and a release means. Initially the driving means is located in a starting position immediately before a first extreme position. When the trigger is depressed, the push button is depressed by the first depressing element to move the driving means for a slight distance to the first extreme position so that the driving means springs to the second extreme position by the action of the spring to drive a tack. At substantially the same time that the driving means springs to the second extreme position, the first depressing element is forced out of the engagement with the push button. However, before the first depressing element is disengaged therefrom, the second depressing element is allowed to engage with the push button. When the driving means has reached the second extreme position, the second engaging element engages with the third engaging element to move the driving means to a substantially middle position and, then the first engaging element engages with the fourth engaging element to move the driving means to the starting position. At the same time that the driving means reaches the starting position, the release means disengages the second depressing element from the push button of the switch to switch the tacker off.

Growing community of inventors

Anjo, Japan

Yoshio Yokoyama