41st week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 28 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110249821 | ENCODING OF MULTICHANNEL DIGITAL AUDIO SIGNALS - A method for coding a multi-channel audio signal representing a sound scene comprising a plurality of sound sources is provided. This method comprises decomposing the multi-channel signal into frequency bands and, per frequency band, obtaining directivity information per sound source of the sound scene, the information being representative of the spatial distribution of the sound source in the sound scene, of selecting a set of sound sources of the sound scene constituting principal sources, of matrixing the selected principal sources to obtain a sum signal with a reduced number of channels and, of coding the directivity information and of forming a binary stream comprising the coded directivity information, the binary stream being transmittable in parallel with the sum signal. A decoding method is also provided that is able to decode the sum signal and the directivity information to obtain a multi-channel signal, to an adapted coder and an adapted decoder. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249822 | ADVANCED ENCODING OF MULTI-CHANNEL DIGITAL AUDIO SIGNALS - A method is provided for coding a multi-channel audio signal representing a sound scene comprising a plurality of sound sources. The method comprises decomposing the multi-channel signal into frequency bands and the following performed per frequency band: obtaining data representative of the direction of the sound sources of the sound scene, selecting a set of sound sources constituting principal sources, adapting the data representative of the direction of the selected principal sources, as a function of restitution characteristics of the multi-channel signal, determining a matrix for mixing the principal sources as a function of the adapted data, matrixing the principal sources by the matrix determined so as to obtain a sum signal with a reduced number of channels and coding the data representative of the direction of the sound sources and forming a binary stream comprising the coded data, the binary stream being transmittable in parallel with the sum signal. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249823 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A BINAURAL HEARING AID SYSTEM AND BINAURAL HEARING AID SYSTEM - Level compression applied to the acoustic signals ( | 2011-10-13 |
20110249824 | AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An audio signal processing apparatus includes a tapping detection unit to which an audio signal picked up by a microphone is input and that detects a tapping input operation on the basis of an energy increase/decrease determination process for making a determination as to whether an increase and a decrease of an energy level of low-frequency components of the audio signal occur within a first time period; and a control unit that performs a certain control process that is set for a tapping input operation in response to a tapping input operation being detected by the tapping detection unit. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249825 | Sound Field Control Apparatus and Method for Controlling Sound Field - A sound field control apparatus includes at least two main microphones; for each main microphone, a set of at least two sub microphones arranged such that the at least two sub microphones are placed in different axis directions about each of the main microphones; a filtering unit; and a filter coefficient calculating unit configured to calculate a filter coefficient for the filtering unit. A filter coefficient used to control sound pressure levels and air particle velocities of an output audio signal is calculated on the basis of a sound pressure level detected by each main microphone and the difference between the sound pressure level detected by the main microphone and that detected by each of the corresponding sub microphones. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249826 | ACTIVE AUDIO NOISE CANCELLING - A noise canceling system comprises a microphone ( | 2011-10-13 |
20110249827 | Systems and Methods for Improving the Intelligibility of Speech in a Noisy Environment - One aspect of the invention provides a method for enhancing speech output by an electro-acoustical transducer in a noisy listening environment. In some embodiments, this method includes: filtering an input audio signal x(t) using a filter H(z) to produce a filtered audio signal x(t) formula (I), wherein x(t) formula (I)—H(z)x(t); providing to an electro-acoustical transducer a signal corresponding to the filtered audio signal x(t) formula (I) to produce a sound wave corresponding to the filtered audio signal; and prior to filtering the audio signal using the filter, configuring the filter such that, with respect to one or more frequencies, the filtered audio signal has a higher signal level than the input audio signal, and such that the overall signal level of the filtered audio signal (sl | 2011-10-13 |
20110249828 | PROTECTING SECRET DATA ENTRY FROM INFRARED AND AUDIO EAVESDROPPING - A method for protecting a data entry device from eavesdropping includes masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. The signature may include a temperature differential in the data entry device from data entry by the user and the masking may include controlling the external temperature of the data entry device to reduce temperature differentials left in the data entry device by the user. Alternatively, the signature may include sound waves emitted from the data entry device and the masking may include masking sound waves emitted from the data entry device to reduce the detectability of the sound waves. A system may also be employed for protecting data entry to a data entry device from eavesdropping. The system includes a data entry device and means for masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249829 | SOUND TRANSMITTING DEVICE - A device for transmitting engine sound into an interior of a motor vehicle includes a sound transmission line having a first end in acoustic communication with an air intake tract and a second end arranged to direct engine sound towards the motor vehicle interior. A sound transmitting porous media is arranged in-line with said sound transmission line and restricts airflow wherein the porous media such that airflow in the sound transmission line is required to pass through said porous media. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249830 | MICROPHONE UNIT - There is provided a microphone unit having a plurality of miniature microphones for respectively recording audio signals and a carrier unit. The miniature microphones can be arranged on a side of the carrier unit. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249831 | WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS HAVING IMPROVED IMMUNITY TO RF INTERFERENCE - A wireless microphone system is disclosed that uses a multiplicity of antennas to reduce or eliminate effects of radio frequency interference and intermodulation distortion. Signals from the multiplicity of antennas are selectively filtered, amplified and distributed as left and right diversity signals to microphone receivers for audio processing. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249832 | SPEAKER DEVICE - A speaker device includes: a casing having a cylindrical shape which opens at one end side; and a sounding body arranged at the other end side of the casing and driven based on an audio signal, wherein a sealed space is formed by the casing and a setting surface when the casing is set, which functions as a cabinet. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249833 | PRENATAL SOUND DELIVERY SYSTEM - A flexible band may be worn around the stomach of a pregnant woman. The band may have speakers safely and comfortably integrated therein to provide sound to prenatal babies. The speakers may connect to a mp3 player that may be stored in a pocket in the band. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249834 | ELECTRET MATERIAL AND ELECTROSTATIC-TYPE ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER - An electret material having excellent charge retentivity against heat is provided. The electret material | 2011-10-13 |
20110249835 | N BAND FM DEMODULATION TO AID COCHLEAR HEARING IMPAIRED PERSONS - The invention relates to: A signal processing device comprising a signal processing unit for processing an electrical SPU-input signal comprising frequencies in the audible frequency range between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency, and providing a processed SPU output signal. The invention further relates to its use and to a method of operating an audio processing device. The object of the present invention is to provide a scheme for improving a user's perception of an acoustic signal. The problem is solved in that an FM to AM transformation unit for transforming an FM2AM input signal originating from the SPU-input signal and comprising at least a part of the frequency range of the SPU-input signal from a frequency modulated signal to an amplitude modulated signal to provide an FM2AM output signal, which is used in the generation of the processed SPU output signal. This has the advantage of providing an improved perception by a hearing impaired user of an input sound. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249836 | CONTROL OF LOW POWER OR STANDBY MODES OF A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249837 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH PROGRAMMABLE DIRECT AUDIO INPUT PORT - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to detect signals connected to a direct audio input port of a hearing assistance device. According to one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a processor and a direct audio input (DAI) port including a signal line connected to the processor. The DAI port is configured to connect to an external device, and the processor is programmed to detect audio signals of interest on the signal line and to process the audio signals of interest when detected as programmed. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249838 | Hearing Aid and Circuit for Detecting a Connector - A circuit for a hearing aid includes an interface including a contact element for receiving a connector. The interface is configured to provide produce an electrical signal when the connector contacts the contact element. The circuit further includes a logic circuit coupled to the interface for receiving the electrical signal and configured to detect the connector in response to receiving the electrical signal. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249839 | System and Method of Progressive Hearing Device Adjustment - A hearing aid includes a microphone to convert sound into an electrical signal and a processor coupled to the microphone. The processor is configured to apply a selected one of a sequence of incremental hearing corrections to the electrical signal to produce a modulated output signal to at least partially compensate for a hearing impairment of a user. The hearing aid further includes a speaker coupled to the processor and configured to convert the modulated output signal into an audible sound, | 2011-10-13 |
20110249840 | HEARING AID - A hearing aid includes: a sound collection unit configured to collect a surrounding sound; a sound output unit configured to output a sound; and a main body having a shape that can be attached to an ear. The main body includes: a hearing aid processing unit configured to perform hearing aid processing for the surrounding sound collected by the sound collection unit; an attaching determination unit configured to determine whether the main body is attached to the ear based on the surrounding sound; a specific sound generation unit configured to generate a predetermined signal; and a selection unit configured to select one of the sound subjected to the hearing aid processing by the hearing aid processing unit and the sound generated by the specific sound generation unit based on a determination result of the attaching determination unit and to output the selected sound to the sound output unit. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249841 | SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING SPECIAL FUNCTION BUTTONS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE APPLICATIONS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing assistance devices and hearing assistance applications. The present apparatus and method can be deployed on a hearing aid, a device in communication with the hearing aid, or on both. In one embodiment a programmable control, including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In one embodiment, a programmable control for a device including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In various embodiments, a programmable control for the hearing aid and a programmable control of the device are used to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249842 | RANGE CONTROL FOR WIRELESS HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SYSTEMS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for wireless hearing assistance devices and in particular to a controllable range control for wireless hearing assistance device systems. An advertisement is used to allow the receiver to quickly receive streaming information, thus conserving power. In various embodiments, a system for communications with a hearing assistance device includes a wireless streaming device having a range control. The range control is configured to provide a first range for an advertisement transmission and a second range for a streaming information transmission. The first range is less than the second range, in various embodiments. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249843 | SOUND PERCEPTION USING FREQUENCY TRANSPOSITION BY MOVING THE ENVELOPE - The application relates to a method of improving a user's perception of an input sound. The application further relates to an audio processing device and to its use. The object of the present application is to increase the sound quality of a sound signal as perceived by a user, e.g. a hearing impaired user. The method comprises a) Defining a critical frequency f | 2011-10-13 |
20110249844 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED NOISE REDUCTION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved noise reduction for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a processor configured to receive signals from the microphone. The processor is configured to perform noise reduction which adjusts maximum gain reduction as a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and which reduces the strength of its maximum gain reduction for intermediate signal-to-noise ratio levels to reduce speech distortion. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes a memory configured to log noise reduction data for user environments. Also provided are methods to further adjust the noise reduction based on the logged information. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249845 | STABILITY IMPROVEMENTS IN HEARING AIDS - A hearing aid includes an input transducer for provision of an input signal, a high pass filter configured for providing a high pass filtered part of the input signal, a low pass filter configured for providing a low pass filtered part of the input signal, a synthesizing unit configured for generating a synthetic signal from the high pass filtered part using a model based on a periodic function, wherein a phase of the synthetic signal is at least in part randomized, a combiner configured for combining the low pass filtered part with the synthetic signal for provision of a combined signal, a hearing loss processor configured for processing the combined signal for provision of a processed signal, and a receiver coupled to the hearing loss processor, wherein the receiver is configured for converting an audio output signal into an output sound signal. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249846 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ALLOCATING FEEDBACK CANCELLATION RESOURCES FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for allocating feedback cancellation resources for improved acoustic feedback cancellation for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a processor configured to receive signals from the microphone and process them according to a plurality of processing blocks. The processor is adapted to include an event detector that can provide detection of an event and an output to adjust one or more processing blocks of the overall process to more efficiently use resources of the processor for the event detected, in various embodiments. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249847 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EARLY AUDIO FEEDBACK CANCELLATION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved feedback cancellation for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments the present acoustic feedback cancellation system is configured to identify the onset of acoustic feedback. This early detection is accomplished in a variety of ways, including detection of an exponential rise in a periodic signal which is associated with early acoustic feedback. The present system is very rapid and so it can operate when the conditions surrounding the hearing aid change quickly. It also is useful to not impose feedback cancellation to longer notes that will “fool” less sophisticated acoustic feedback cancellers into thinking the sound is feedback. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249848 | HEARING AID WITH AUDIO SHOE - The invention relates to a hearing aid with an audio-shoe interface, an associated audio shoe and a hearing-aid system comprising a hearing aid and an audio shoe. A basic idea of the invention consists of a hearing aid with a housing, in which an undercut and an abutment are provided. The abutment is arranged opposite to the undercut. Undercut and abutment are embodied such that a retaining lug of an audio shoe can be inserted into the undercut by a rotational movement. The abutment is embodied such that a retaining lug inserted into the undercut can only be removed from the undercut again by a rotational movement in the opposite direction. Furthermore, provision is made for a lock that prevents a rotational movement of an inserted audio shoe in the opposite direction. When the electrical contacts between audio shoe and hearing aid are disposed in the undercut, these too are hidden from view and well protected against external influences. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249849 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IN-EAR SOUND GENERATION - A device for in-ear sound generation comprises a sound determining unit adapted to determine a first sound signal, a sound collecting unit exposed to the ear canal and adapted to collect a second sound signal, a sound correction determining unit adapted to determine a third sound signal, and a loudspeaker exposed to an ear canal and adapted to emit the third sound signal The third sound signal includes the first sound signal and a correction component, the correction component essentially corresponding to a weighted and phase-inverted signal. The phase-inverted signal is obtained by phase inversion from a difference signal essentially corresponding to a difference between the second sound signal and the first sound signal. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249850 | Acoustic ear tube retainer spring - A metal retainer spring bent into a forwardly tapered flexible spring for retaining an acoustic ear tube for use with behind-the-ear devices. A rearward hook or tapering slot holds the acoustic ear tube with a friction fit. A forward opening admits the acoustic ear tube therethrough to transmit sound to the eardrum. The ear canal-contacting surfaces of each spring have a friction surface to limit slippage without causing abrasions. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249851 | BEHIND-THE-EAR HEARING AID WHOSE MICROPHONE IS SET IN AN ENTRANCE OF EAR CANAL - There is provided a behind-the-ear hearing aid that makes it easy for a hearing aid wearer to estimate a position of a sound source with respect to a front-back direction and that enables an increase in aesthetic property when the hearing aid is worn. A behind-the-ear hearing aid of the present invention is used while fitted to an ear of a human body, and includes at least a microphone | 2011-10-13 |
20110249852 | WIRELESS MICROPHONE - A wireless microphone includes a grip that includes a barrel. The barrel includes a barrel body that is configured with a battery receiving space and that has one side formed with a cutout for access to the battery receiving space. The grip further includes a lid coupled to the barrel body and operable to a closing state for closing the cutout. The grip also includes an external thread formed on the barrel and the lid and constituted by a first thread part on the barrel and a second thread part on the lid. The wireless microphone further includes a retainer configured for threaded connection to the external thread to retain the lid in the closing state. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249853 | ACOUSTIC ENERGY TRANSDUCER - Illustrative acoustic transducers are provided. A monolithic semiconductor layer defines a plate, two or more flexible extensions and at least a portion of a support structure. Acoustic pressure transferred to the plate results in tensile strain of the flexible extensions. The flexible extensions exhibit varying electrical characteristics responsive to the tensile strain. An electric signal corresponding to the acoustic pressure can be derived from the varying electrical characteristics and processed for further use. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249854 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting a Position of a Pair of Ear Phones at a User - A method for detecting a position of a pair of headphones at a user and a detection apparatus for detecting a position of a pair of ear phones at a user are described. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249855 | Earphone - An earphone has a main body, a first tube portion that protrudes from the main body in a first direction, a speaker unit provided at a protruding top of the first tube portion, and a second tube portion that protrudes from the main body in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second tube portion communicates with the first tube portion through the main body. The speaker unit is provided with a space at one side thereof. The space is formed in the first and second tube portions and extends from the protruding top of the first tube portion to a protruding top of the second tube portion through the main body. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249856 | Earphone - An earphone includes a speaker unit, a housing that covers a rear surface of the speaker unit, and a bushing having a cord holding portion that holds a cord that carries an audio signal to the speaker unit and is running to the outside of the housing. The bushing also has an extended portion that is extended into the housing and spread along an inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the housing faces the rear surface of the speaker unit. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249857 | APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCTION OF SOUND - Apparatus for reproducing sound including at least three loudspeakers ( | 2011-10-13 |
20110249858 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL MICRO SPEAKER - A multifunctional micro speaker including a frame; a diaphragm having an outer circumferential portion fixed to the frame; a voice coil fixed to a lower surface of the diaphragm; a first suspension having one side fixed to the frame and having a predetermined elasticity; a yoke fixed to the first suspension and including a receiving groove; a first permanent magnet fixed to a bottom surface of the receiving groove; a plate fixed to an upper surface of the first permanent magnet; a second suspension having one side fixed to the frame, spaced apart from the first suspension in a downwards direction, and having a predetermined elasticity; and a second magnet fixed to the second suspension and spaced apart from the first suspension, wherein the first suspension and the second suspension have a plate shape, wherein at least one lateral surface of the first suspension is magnetized by the first permanent magnet, and wherein at least one lateral surface of the second suspension is magnetized by the second magnet. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249859 | VOICE COIL AND SMT MICRO SPEAKER USING SAME - A voice coil using a surface mount technology (SMT) to connect the voice coil and an electrode to each other, and a SMT speaker using the voice coil. A voice coil assembly includes a voice coil formed by stacking a plurality of laminated metal plates; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) for impedance matching between the voice coil and an electrode terminal for connecting an external device and for connecting the voice coil to the electrode terminal. The laminated metal plates of the voice coil are connected in series or in parallel to each other. An active device is installed on the FPCB so as to amplify a signal input through the electrode terminal and to apply the signal to the voice coil. Since the voice coil is formed by stacking the laminated metal plates and is connected to the electrode terminal through the FPCB, a SMT is used to manufacture the SMT speaker, thereby improving productivity and reliability. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249860 | INTEGRATING AND POSITIONING METHOD FOR HIGH RESOLUTION MULTI-SATELLITE IMAGES - An integrating and positioning method for high resolution multi-satellite images is provided. In the method, direct georeferencing and a Rational Functions Model (RFM) are combined, two heterogeneous mathematical integrating and positioning adjustment models are established, so as to acquire relevant positioning parameters of the direct georeferencing and the RFM, and acquire ground coordinates of ground control points and a strip tie point, and local system errors of the ground coordinates are modified through a least-square collocation method. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249861 | CONTENT INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, CONTENT INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, CONTENT INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT - An information processing apparatus comprising that includes a reproduction unit to reproduce video content comprising a plurality of frames; a memory to store a table including object identification information identifying an object image, and frame identification information identifying a frame of the plurality of frames that includes the object image; and a processor to extract the frame including the object image from the video content and generate display data of a reduced image corresponding to the frame for display. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249862 | IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM - According to one embodiment, an image display device that displays acquired image frames includes: an image processing unit that detects a location of a target in a first image frame among the image frames and generates a first predicted location of the target in a second image frame acquired at a first time when a predetermined number of frames or predetermined period of time has passed since the first image frame is acquired; a script processing unit that generates at least one tracking image that starts from the location of the target in the first image frame and heads toward the first predicted location in the second image frame; a synthesis unit that generates combined images where the at least one tracking image is put on image frames between the first and second image frame; and a display unit that displays the combined images. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249863 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing device includes a face detection unit that detects a face area from a target image, a feature point detection unit that detects a feature point of the detected face area, a determination unit that determines an attention area that is an area to which attention is paid in the face area based on the detected feature point, a reference color extraction unit that extracts a reference color that is color setting obtained from the target image in the determined attention area, an adjustment unit that adjusts the extracted reference color to a color setting for a modified image generated from the target image as a base, and a generation unit that generates the modified image from the target image by drawing the attention area using the color setting for the modified image. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249864 | MEASUREMENT OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOTION CHARACTERISTICS - A system for measurement of three-dimensional motion of an object is provided. The system includes a light projection means adapted for projecting, for distinct time intervals, light of at least two different colors with a cross-sectional pattern of fringe lines onto a surface of the object and also includes image acquisition means for capturing an image of the object during an exposure time, wherein the distinct time intervals are within the duration of the exposure time. The system further includes image processing means adapted for processing the image to obtain a different depth map for each color based on a projected pattern of fringe lines on the object as viewed from the position of the image acquisition means, to determine corresponding points on the depth maps of each color, and to determine a three-dimensional motion characteristic of the object based on the positions of corresponding points on the depth maps. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249865 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM PROVIDING MARKER-LESS MOTION CAPTURE OF HUMAN - Provided are an apparatus, method and computer-readable medium providing marker-less motion capture of a human. The apparatus may include a two-dimensional (2D) body part detection unit to detect, from input images, candidate 2D body part locations of candidate 2D body parts; a three-dimensional (3D) lower body part computation unit to compute 3D lower body parts using the detected candidate 2D body part locations; a 3D upper body computation unit to compute 3D upper body parts based on a body model; and a model rendering unit to render the model in accordance with a result of the computed 3D upper body parts. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249866 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL OPTICAL IMAGING, SENSING, PARTICLE LOCALIZATION AND MANIPULATION - Embodiments include methods, systems, and/or devices that may be used to image, obtain three-dimensional information from a scence, and/or locate multiple small particles and/or objects in three dimensions. A point spread function (PSF) with a predefined three dimensional shape may be implemented to obtain high Fisher information in 3D. The PSF may be generated via a phase mask, an amplitude mask, a hologram, or a diffractive optical element. The small particles may be imaged using the 3D PSF. The images may be used to find the precise location of the object using an estimation algorithm such as maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), expectation maximization, or Bayesian methods, for example. Calibration measurements can be used to improve the theoretical model of the optical system. Fiduciary particles/targets can also be used to compensate for drift and other type of movement of the sample relative to the detector. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249867 | DETECTION OF OBJECTS IN DIGITAL IMAGES - A system and method to detect objects in a digital image. At least one image representing at least one frame of a video sequence is received. A given color channel of the image is extracted. At least one blob that stands out from a background of the given color channel is identified. One or more features are extracted from the blob. The one or more features are provided to a plurality of pre-learned object models each including a set of pre-defined features associated with a pre-defined blob type. The one or more features are compared to the set of pre-defined features. The blob is determined to be of a type that substantially matches a pre-defined blob type associated with one of the pre-learned object models. At least a location of an object is visually indicated within the image that corresponds to the blob. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249868 | LINE-OF-SIGHT DIRECTION DETERMINATION DEVICE AND LINE-OF-SIGHT DIRECTION DETERMINATION METHOD - Provided are a line-of-sight direction determination device and a line-of-sight direction determination method capable of highly precisely and accurately determining a line-of-sight direction from immediately after start of measurement without indication of an object to be carefully observed and adjustment work done in advance. The line-of-sight direction determination device ( | 2011-10-13 |
20110249869 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT IMAGE FEATURE EXTRACTION - A system for efficient image feature extraction comprises a buffer for storing a slice of at least n lines of gradient direction pixel values of a directional gradient image. The buffer has an input for receiving the first plurality n of lines and an output for providing a second plurality m of columns of gradient direction pixel values of the slice to an input of a score network, which comprises comparators for comparing the gradient direction pixel values of the second plurality of columns with corresponding reference values of a reference directional gradient pattern of a shape and adders for providing partial scores depending on output values of the comparators to score network outputs which are coupled to corresponding inputs of an accumulation network having an output for providing a final score depending on the partial scores. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249870 | METHOD OF OCCLUSION HANDLING - In a method of occlusion handling, a reference frame and a current frame are first provided, and at least one foreground object is determined. At least a covered region or an uncovered region with respect to the foreground object is determined. The covered region is then interpolated exclusively accordingly to the current frame, or the uncovered region is interpolated exclusively according to the reference frame. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249871 | PAGE LOAD PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS - Page load time analysis. The analysis may allow a web page designer to determine improvements that could be made to the web page to decrease load time, and perhaps identify the modules or components that are critical paths in decreasing page load time. The analysis is performed based on the monitoring of multiple requests associated with a page request. The user may be notified of the graph or the results of analysis of the graph. The user may then determine whether the page load time can be improved. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249872 | IMAGE TEMPLATE MASKING - A method of identifying images as matching comprises comparing two image templates using a master mask to select corresponding codes from the templates. The master mask excludes blocks from the matching process and/or weights blocks according to their known or expected reliability. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249873 | FINGER/PALM-PRINT IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, FINGER/PALM-PRINT IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH FINGER/PALM-PRINT IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM HAS BEEN RECORDED - A finger/palm-print image processing apparatus comprises: an image converting means that converts finger/palm-print images to conversion images consisting of first and second sets of elements; and an area detecting means that detects, from the conversion images as converted by the image converting means, an area where the number of the first set of elements is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The first and second sets of elements herein are the elements of sets each of which consists of elements of the finger/palm-print images. The first set of elements have those degrees of change in color information which meet a predetermined criterion, while the second set of elements have those degrees of change in color information which do not meet the predetermined criterion. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249874 | EVALUATION METHOD FOR A SERIES OF IMAGE DATA SETS WITH TWO-FOLD ELASTIC DISTORTION OF THE IMAGE DATA SETS - A series of image data sets of a region of an organism is acquired while the acquired region of the organism moves dependent on breathing and heartbeat, and supplied to a processor. The processor determines a first contour that moves depending on the breathing in the acquired image data sets. The acquired image data sets are distorted elastically in the processor into singly distorted image data sets such that the first contours of the singly distorted image data sets spatially correspond with one another. A second contour is determined in the processor in the acquired image data sets or in the singly distorted image data sets, this second contour moves depending on the heartbeat. The singly distorted image data sets are distorted elastically into doubly distorted image data sets such that the second contours of the doubly distorted image data sets spatially correspond with one another. Regions of the doubly distorted image data sets that spatially correspond to one another are evaluated in the processor across image data sets. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249875 | METHOD OF PERFORMING MEASUREMENTS ON DIGITAL IMAGES - A first and a second image are expressed in a common coordinate system by applying a geometric transformation to the second image so as to map a structure in the second image onto a corresponding structure in the first image in a common coordinate system. Starting from initial values, the parameters of the geometric transformation are updated taking into account the result of an evaluation of a cost function. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249876 | METHOD OF PERFORMING MEASUREMENTS ON DIGITAL IMAGES - A first and a second image are expressed in a common coordinate system by applying a geometric transformation to the second image so as to map a structure in the second image onto a corresponding structure in the first image in a common coordinate system. Starting from initial values, the parameters of the geometric transformation are updated taking into account the result of an evaluation of a cost function. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249877 | IDENTIFYING AORTA EXIT POINTS FROM IMAGING DATA - A method of defining a heart region from imaging data is provided. Received imaging data is projected into a first plane. A first threshold is applied to the first plane of data to eliminate data associated with air. A largest first connected component is identified from the first threshold applied data. A first center of mass of the identified largest first connected component is calculated to define a first coordinate and a second coordinate of the heart region. The received imaging data is projected into a second plane, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane. A second threshold is applied to the second plane of data to eliminate data associated with air. A largest second connected component is identified from the second threshold applied data. A second center of mass of the identified largest second connected component is calculated to define a third coordinate of the heart region. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249878 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED IMAGING OF OBJECTS WITHIN AN IMAGE - Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249879 | CT SPECTRAL CALIBRATION - The present disclosure relates to the performing spectral calibration of a CT imaging system. In accordance with certain embodiments, spectral calibration phantoms are scanned while positioned on a table in the imaging volume of the CT imaging system. The scans of the calibration phantoms, in conjunction with air sans performed on the CT imaging system, are used to derive information about the deviation of the measured phantom scans from an ideal. The deviation information is in turn used to derive spectral calibration vectors that may be used with the CT imaging system. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249880 | MOTION COMPENSATION FOR MEDICAL IMAGING AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Medical imaging and localization methods and systems for producing a motion-compensated image of a planning target volume (PTV) of a patient. In one embodiment, an imaging and localization system includes sensors that are positioned to receive an electromagnetic location signal from one or more active markers affixed to or adjacent a PTV. A signal processing component can produce real-time localization data corresponding to the location signal, and a system interface can receive such localization data. The system interface can also receive raw image data from an imaging subsystem and process the raw image data based on the localization data. For example, the imaging subsystem can include a computed tomography (CT) imaging system and image slices or frames can be binned based on the localization data. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249881 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF COMPENSATION FOR READOUT GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD ERROR - In nonlinear measurement in which a dephasing readout gradient magnetic field is not used, a positional shift of the k space data, which is caused by a difference between a readout gradient magnetic field actually applied and the calculated value, and a deterioration in the image quality resulting therefrom are reduced. In order to do so, in the invention, when executing an imaging pulse sequence including a nonlinear measurement which does not use a dephasing gradient magnetic field, a prescan sequence is executed and a correction value for correcting the shift of the readout gradient magnetic field from the set value is calculated from the data acquired in the prescan. When gridding the data acquired in the imaging pulse sequence, a parameter value of the gridding is corrected using the correction value to perform the gridding. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249882 | IMAGE PROCESSING - A method and image processing system for correcting motion artefacts in captured projection images of a body part caused by movement relative to the co-ordinate system of an imaging system between capture of the images are described. A first image data set is obtained representing a first captured image of the body part for which the imaging system had a first geometry. A second image data set is obtained representing a second captured image of the same body part for which the imaging system had a second geometry and in which the second captured image is from a different direction to the first captured image. The position of at least a first anatomical landmark point is identified in the first captured image from first image data set. The position of the at least first anatomical landmark point is projected into the second captured image. A transformation required to map the position of the same anatomical landmark point from the second image data set onto the projected position of the at least first anatomical landmark is determined. The so determined transformation represents the true position of the body part relative to the imaging system when the second image was captured. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249883 | METHODS FOR SEGMENTING OBJECTS IN IMAGES - A method for segmenting a digital image into a plurality of target objects, comprising, generating a plurality of probability maps of the image, wherein each probability map is derived from a different segmentation classifier; generating a combined probability map based on the plurality of probability maps; mapping a plurality of image points based on one or more local object maxima; applying one or more object constraints based at least in part on the mapped points to identify local object information; applying one or more regional thresholds to the combined probability map, given the local object information and a background mask, to segment the image into regions; creating a segmented image at least in part by merging the segmented regions with corresponding local object maxima; and at least temporarily storing or displaying the segmented image on a digital device. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249884 | CHECKING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHECKING HOLES POSITION AND SIZE IN A PLATE - A checking apparatus for checking holes position and size in a plate. The checking apparatus includes a memory, an image obtaining unit and a processor. The memory stores a file. The file records an expected number, size and placement of pixels representing the holes and a pixel value. The image obtaining unit obtains an image of the plate. The processor determines a target region in the image according to the values recorded in the file, scans the target region to obtain the number and placement of pixels representing the hole in the target region with a value equal to a pixel value. In addition, the processor compares the obtained number and placement of pixels representing the hole with the expected number and placement of pixels, and generates a signal to indicate the holes defined in the target region are defective if the obtained number and placement of pixels do not match the expected number and placement of pixels. A method for checking holes position and size in a plate is also disclosed. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249885 | Mask inspection apparatus and image generation method - A mask inspection system includes irradiation means for irradiating a sample with an electron beam, electron detection means for detecting a quantity of electrons generated from the sample, image processing means, storage means, and control means for calculating the number of divided images, which foam an entire combined image, on the basis of a size of a specified observed area of the sample, determining divided areas in such a way that divided images adjacent to each other overlap with each other, acquiring the divided images of the respective divided areas, and storing the divided images in the storage means, the divided images forming an entire combined image. The control means extracts two divided images adjacent to each other in a predetermined sequence starting from a specified one of the divided images. For each of the two divided images adjacent to each other, the control means then detects an image of a same pattern formation area included in an overlap area, and determines the detected image to be a combination reference image. The control means then combines the two divided images adjacent to each other on the basis of the combination reference image to thereby form an entire SEM image of the observed area. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249886 | IMAGE CONVERTING DEVICE AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - An image converting device includes; a downscaling unit which downscales a two-dimensional image to generate at least one downscaling image, a feature map generating unit which extracts feature information from the downscaling image to generate a feature map, wherein the feature map includes a plurality of objects, an object segmentation unit which divides the plurality of objects, an object order determining unit which determines a depth order of the plurality of objects, and adds a first weight value to an object having the shallowest depth among the plurality of objects, and a visual attention calculating unit which generates a low-level attention map based on visual attention of the feature map. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249887 | IMAGE SYNTHESIS APPARATUS, IMAGE SYNTHESIS METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image synthesis apparatus includes: an image selection section adapted to select two or more three-dimensional images to be synthesized from among a plurality of three-dimensional images; an order determination section adapted to determine, based on parallax amounts of the selected three-dimensional images, a synthesis order representative of an order in which the selected three-dimensional images are to be synthesized; an image synthesis section adapted to synthesize the selected three-dimensional images in accordance with the synthesis order; and a control section adapted to control the image selection section, the order determination section and the image synthesis section in response to an operation of a user. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249888 | Method and Apparatus for Measuring an Audiovisual Parameter - There is provided a method of measuring 3D depth of a stereoscopic image, comprising providing left and right eye input images, applying an edge extraction filter to each of the left and right eye input images, and determining 3D depth of the stereoscopic image using the edge extracted left and right eye images. There is also provided an apparatus for carrying out the method of measuring 3D depth of a stereoscopic image. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249889 | STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE PAIR ALIGNMENT APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein operate to produce an image alignment shift vector used to shift left and right image portions of a stereoscopic image with respect to each other in order to reduce or eliminate undesirable horizontal and vertical disparity components. Vertical and horizontal projections of luminance value aggregations from selected left and right image pixel blocks are correlated to derive vertical and horizontal components of a disparity vector corresponding to each left/right pixel block pair. Disparity vectors corresponding to multiple image blocks are algebraically combined to yield the image alignment shift vector. The left and/or right images are then shifted in proportion to the magnitude of the image alignment shift vector at an angle corresponding to that of the image alignment shift vector. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249890 | Apparatus and method for enhancing visibility of color image - An apparatus for enhancing the visibility of color images includes: a luminance value cumulative distribution calculator that calculates a cumulative distribution function of the number of pixels from a minimum value of luminance values; a baseband signal determining unit that determines baseband signal pixels having luminance values smaller than a threshold level; a luminance compensation value generator that generates luminance compensation values to apply the lower-level luminance compensation values as the pixels have higher-level luminance values, for the pixels having the luminance values larger than the threshold level; a luminance gain generator that determines a luminance gain applied to the luminance compensation values according to a mean luminance values of the input images and the level of the luminance values of the pixels to which the luminance compensation values are applied; and a luminance value enhancing unit that summing the luminance compensation values including the gain with the luminance values. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249891 | Ethnicity Classification Using Multiple Features - Frontal face images are classified into four categories such as Asian, Caucasian, African and others. A new representation of face appearance, named BITF (Block Intensity and Texture Feature), is employed as the discrimination feature. An ensemble of three component classifiers, each trained with a different number of BITF features as inputs, is designed to achieve a reliable classification. Further reliability is obtained by taking into consideration other secondary features to boost the classification performance. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249892 | BLIND BLOCKING ARTIFACT MEASUREMENT APPROACHES FOR DIGITAL IMAGERY - Systems and methods of performing quantitative measurements of blocking artifacts in digital images and digital image sequences that are computationally efficient, and that employ no reference information in the measurement process. At least one normalized gradient image array is calculated, with reference to at least one specified gradient direction, from image pixel data contained in an image pixel array derived from a given digital image. The calculated results are accumulated into at least one profile array, and the data contained in the respective profile array is analyzed in the frequency domain to obtain a quantitative measurement of blockiness in the given digital image. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249893 | Cross Device Image Recognition Improvement - A method includes modifying values of image data of a first image of an object, the first image taken by a user using a user equipment. The modifying is performed to map one or more color characteristics of one or more color components of the user equipment to corresponding one or more color characteristics for the one or more color components of a reference device. The modifying creates a modified image. On the user equipment, comparisons are performed between the modified image and a number of second images of objects taken by the reference device. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed. Additionally, a user interface is disclosed that provides for training a device model that is used during the mapping. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249894 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COMPRESSING DATA - A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for compressing data in a manner that decorrelates a plurality of components of multicomponent data and then encodes data relating to decorrelation of the components. The components may be decorrelated by organizing samples of a component into classes based upon values of samples having corresponding spatial locations in at least one preceding component. In this regard, the organization of samples of a component into classes may include defining classes based upon values of the samples in at least one preceding component. In addition, the method may also define classes based upon the slope of the samples in at least two preceding component. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249895 | COMPENSATING FOR FILL-IN ARTIFACT EFFECT VIA TONE-DEPENDENT DILATION OF PIXELS IN A DIGITAL COLOR IMAGE - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for calculating an amount of a total dilation for reverse objects in order to compensate for fill-in effects to improve quality of a digital image in a digital document reproduction system. In a manner more fully described herein, a tone-dependent compensation factor is determined which is a function of a gamma-corrected background density. The tone-dependent compensation factor is then used to scale the maximum base dilation to produce an amount of total dilation. The total dilation amount is applied to contone pixels along an edge of the reverse object to compensate for fill-in artifact effects. By adjusting pixels along the edges of reverse objects by the total dilation determined hereby, the sharpness (or crispness) of reverse fine features is improved on sweeps and for hue shifts at the edges of the reverse objects on backgrounds of more than one color separation. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249896 | RULE-BASED COLOR MANAGEMENT AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Color management converting source-side color images into destination-side color images. A module library includes module entries corresponding to function modules implementing color processing functionalities. Each module entry includes a module locator, and some include a profile interface definition. A profile library includes profile entries corresponding to sources of parameters. Profile entries include a profile locator and a profile interface definition. A rule library includes external and internal rules which characterize color transformation workflows. Each external rule is associated with function modules. An interface receives factual input including factual input derived from source-side color image data. A rule engine determines a sequence of function modules and sources of parameters by using the factual input and the plural and external rules in the rule library, and builds the color transformation workflow from the determined sequence of function modules and sources of parameters. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249897 | CHARACTER RECOGNITION - Systems and methods for character recognition by performing lateral view-based analysis on the character data and generating a feature vector based on the lateral view-based analysis. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249898 | HANDWRITING RECOGNITION DEVICE HAVING AN EXTERNALLY DEFINED INPUT AREA - A handwriting recognition device includes a main body having a side surface and an operation surface perpendicularly connecting to the side surface, and a first lens module and a second lens module arranged at opposite sides of the side surface. A first optical axis of the first lens module extends to perpendicularly cross a second optical axis of the second camera module outside the side surface. An overlapped area of a view angle of the first lens module and a view angle of the second lens module is defined as an input area. The first lens module is configured to capture a first picture of a handwriting tool in the input area. The second lens module is configured to capture a second picture of the handwriting tool in the input area. The handwriting recognition device calculates coordinates of the handwriting tool according to the first and the second pictures. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249899 | RECOGNITION DEVICE, RECOGNITION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A recognition device includes storage unit that stores information of a cluster to which a model feature point belongs; extracting unit that extracts a feature amount of a query feature point; generating unit that determines a first set of the query feature point including a reference point and a dependent point, and generates geometric information; clustering unit that clusters the query feature point; correcting unit that sets up the model feature point as a nearest candidate of the reference point, sets up the model feature point as a nearest candidate of the dependent point, determines whether or not the nearest candidate of the reference point is present, and corrects the model feature point; and similarity degree calculating unit that calculates a similarity degree of the first set and a second set and determines the second set nearest to the first set. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249900 | METHODS AND DEVICES THAT USE AN IMAGE-CAPTURED POINTER FOR SELECTING A PORTION OF A CAPTURED IMAGE - An electronic device includes a camera that is configured to generate a visual data signal that corresponds to dynamically captured graphic content that includes an image and a pointer that is operable to communicate a selection characteristic of the image. A signal processor receives the visual data signal and is operable to identify a portion of the image in the dynamically captured graphic content responsive to the selection characteristic communicated by the pointer. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249901 | Anti-Aliasing System and Method - A system to reduce aliasing in a graphical image includes an edge detector configured to read image depth information from a depth buffer. The edge detector also applies edge detection procedures to detect an object edge within the image. An edge style detector is configured to identify a first edge end and a second edge end. The edge style detector also identifies an edge style associated with the detected edge based on the first edge end and the second edge end. The system also includes a restoration module configured to identify pixel data associated with the detected edge and a blending module configured to blend the pixel data associated with the detected edge. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249902 | Tracking Workflow in Manipulating Media Items - A computer-implemented method is described including receiving input specifying an image frame from among a series of image frames, and automatically detecting one or more points in the specified image frame that would be suitable for tracking a point in the series of image frames. In addition, a computer-implemented method is described including choosing a first position of a point on a first image frame of a plurality of image frames, and displaying in a bounded region on the first image frame content relating to a second image frame of the plurality of image frames, wherein the content displayed in the bounded region includes a second position of the point at a different time than the first position of the point. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249903 | SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING NON-RECTANGULAR IMAGES IN ELECTRONIC CONTENT ON A READER DEVICE - A system for and method of displaying non-rectangular images in electronic content on an electronic device in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include identifying, using a template identification computing apparatus, an image shape template associated with a non-rectangular image that is part of electronic content to be displayed on the electronic device, determining, using a boundary region determination computing apparatus, a boundary region of the image shape template, placing, using an image placement computing apparatus, the non-rectangular image inside the boundary region of the image shape template and on the electronic content, flowing, using a text flow computing apparatus, text that is part of the electronic content outside and along the boundary region of the image shape template, and transmitting, using a communication computing apparatus, the electronic content along with the non-rectangular image to the electronic device via a network. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249904 | FACE CLUSTERING DEVICE, FACE CLUSTERING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided is a face clustering device that detects a face included in an image, detects a direction of the detected face, detects, taking into account the detected direction of the face, a face with a similar feature and forms a collection of pieces of face information showing a feature of this face, narrows down, for each collection of pieces of face information which has been formed, the number of pieces of face information to a number set in advance for each face direction and sets each collection of pieces of face information for which the number has been narrowed down as a unit group, and performs, with the set unit group as a unit, clustering based on pieces of face information included in each unit group. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249905 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY EXTRACTING DATA FROM ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS INCLUDING TABLES - A method of automatically extracting data from an electronic document including tables is provided. The method includes: automatically identifying rows of the table using gaps in horizontal projections of the plurality of image sections, wherein at least some of the identified rows in close proximity are collected to form table formations; and automatically identifying columns of the table using at least some of the plurality of image sections that are vertically aligned, wherein the identified columns are grown in each of the table formations using gaps in vertical projections of the plurality of image sections until an obstruction is reached. The method further includes automatically identifying labels in the plurality of corresponding image sections to associate the identified labels with at least one of the identified columns and the identified rows; and automatically extracting data from cells of the table formed by the identified rows and columns. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249906 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF WRITING COMPRESSED DATA INTO FRAME BUFFER AND READING BUFFERED DATA FROM FRAME BUFFER ALTERNATELY AND RELATED IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - An image processing apparatus includes a processing circuit and a storage system. The processing circuit generates a first processing result and a second processing result by processing a first horizontal line group of a first frame and a second horizontal line group of a second frame preceding the first frame, respectively. The storage system includes: a frame buffer; a write circuit for storing the first processing result into the frame buffer; a read circuit for reading the second processing result from the frame buffer; and a timing controller for controlling the write circuit to start storing the first processing result at a first time point not prior to a specific time point when the processing circuit finishes receiving the first horizontal line group, and controlling the read circuit to start reading the second processing result at a second time point which is prior to the specific time point. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249907 | IMAGE COMPARISON APPARATUS, IMAGE COMPARISON METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A code block size comparison unit examines an inclusion relationship of code block size. A comparing target code block determination unit determines a comparing target code block based on an inclusion relationship of code block. A zero bit plane number comparison unit compares the numbers of zero bit planes of the comparing target code blocks and determines match or mismatch between a specific image and a comparing target code stream. The invention can be applied to, for example, an image comparison apparatus. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249908 | Optimized Prediction Based Image Compression - A technique for optimizing a prediction method of samples in blocks of an image is provided. The image includes a first block, a second block, a third block, and a fourth block, each of the blocks include 8×8 blocks and form one Macro block. The method includes performing a prediction of the second block, the third block and the fourth block by performing at least one of prediction methods. A prediction error per block (P | 2011-10-13 |
20110249909 | FILTER AND FILTERING METHOD FOR REDUCING IMAGE NOISE - A filter for reducing image noise including a sum of absolute difference (SAD) unit and a weighting unit is provided. The SAD unit receives pixels of a target window and receives multiple pixels of multiple peripheral windows, which are neighboring to a target pixel of the target window. Each of the peripheral windows has a peripheral pixel neighboring to the target pixel. The SAD unit calculates absolute differences for each of the pixels corresponding to the target window and the peripheral window. The absolute differences are calculated by a difference calculation to obtain a difference analyzed value. The weighting unit receives each of the difference analyzed values and assigns multiple weights respectively to the peripheral pixels according to a data table. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249910 | IMAGE QUALITY ASSESSMENT INCLUDING COMPARISON OF OVERLAPPED MARGINS - Image quality is assessed for a digital image that is a composite of tiles or other image segments, especially focus accuracy for a microscopic pathology sample. An algorithm or combination of algorithms correlated to image quality is applied to pixel data at margins where adjacent image segments overlap and thus contain the same content in separately acquired images. The margins may be edges merged to join the image segments smoothly into a composite image, and typically occur on four sides of the image segments. The two versions of the same image content at each margin are processed by the quality algorithm, producing two assessment values. A sign and difference value are compared with other image segments, including by subsets selected for the orientation of the margins on sides on the image segments. The differences are mapped to displays. Selection criteria determine segments to be re-acquired. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249911 | SPECTRAL UNMIXING FOR VISUALIZATION OF SAMPLES - Disclosed methods include: acquiring a first sequence of multiple images of a sample, with each image in the first sequence corresponding to a different spectral weighting function; unmixing the first sequence of images into data corresponding to a first set of unmixed images, where each unmixed image in the first set corresponds to a spatial distribution in the sample of a different one of multiple components at a first time; acquiring one or more additional images of the sample and combining the additional images with one or more of the images in the first sequence to form a second sequence of images; unmixing the second sequence of images into data corresponding to a second set of unmixed images; and displaying information about the sample as a function of time based on the data corresponding to the first and second sets of unmixed images. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249912 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPH FINDING - Digital image data including discrete photographic images of a variety of different subjects, times, and so forth, are collected and analyzed to identify specific features in the photographs. In an embodiment of the invention, distinctive markers are distributed to aid in the identification of particular subject matter. Facial recognition may also be employed. The digital image data is maintained in a database and quarried in response to search requests. The search requests include criteria specifying any feature category or other identifying information, such as date, time, and location that each photograph was taken, associated with each photograph. Candidate images are provided for review by requesters, who may select desired images for purchase or downloading. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249913 | IMAGE REGISTRATION SYSTEM - An image registration server which can communicate with a client device, includes an image data receiving device for receiving image data transmitted from the client device, an image data generation device for generating image data representing the same image as an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device and having a different form of representation therefrom, and an image data storage device for storing the image data generated by the image data generation device so as to be accessible. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249914 | Traveling Pillow Tote - A pillow tote has an interior in which a pillow may be contained. In one embodiment, a pillow tote includes a body. The body has an exterior side, an interior, and an interior opening. The exterior side has an outer attachment region. The outer attachment region has an outer pocket and a sleeve. The interior has an interior side. In addition, the interior side has an inner attachment region. The pillow tote also has a closure means. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249915 | BAG STRUCTURE - A bag structure includes a main body which has an opening at the upper end, two opposing surfaces, two folded portions formed on the surfaces close to the opening, and handles below the folded portions to facilitate hand grasping and hanging. When in use, the folded portions are folded and overlapped to form a folded edge; the handles are lifted to wrap the folded edge to increase the thickness above the handles so that support strength increases and grasping comfort improves. The bag thus formed can be fabricated easier at a lower cost in mass production, and can be neatly folded and stored. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249916 | DISPOSABLE BAG COMPRISING A MULTILAYER FILM - The present invention relates to a disposable bag which comprises a multilayer film for accommodating a fluid, and a device which comprises a support holder for the disposable bag according to the invention in which the disposable bag is arranged. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of the disposable bag. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249917 | AIR DISCHARGE VALVE FOR A VACUUM-SEALED CLOTHES BAG - An air discharge valve for a vacuum-sealed clothes bag having a flexible container includes a valve body for openably closing the vacuum-sealed clothes bag. A hanger is attached to the valve body to extend upwards from the valve body, the hanger being arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship with the valve body. An anchor member is securely attached to the flexible container. First and second fixing caps are fixed to opposite surfaces of the anchor member. A cloth holder is suspended from the anchor member to hold a cloth contained in the flexible container. The valve body is fitted to the first and second fixing caps in a rotatable manner. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249918 | BAG WITH LINER AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME - A bag for encasing material is described. The bag comprises a sheet having a top panel, a bottom panel, an extended panel and a liner. A tear line separates the extended panel from the bottom panel, and a fold line separating the bottom panel from the top panel. The top panel is defined by a top border, a bottom edge, a bottom border, and the fold line. The bottom panel is defined by a top border, the fold line, a bottom border, and the tear line. The extended panel is defined by a top border, the tear line, a bottom border, and a top edge. The liner is welded to a first side of the sheet and intersects the fold line. The first side of the sheet is folded onto itself at the fold line. The top panel top edge is joined to the bottom panel top edge, and the top panel bottom edge is joined to the bottom panel bottom edge. A method of forming the bag is also provided. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249919 | RECLOSABLE POUCH CLOSURES AND RELATED PACKAGING AND METHODS - A reclosable package that includes a pouch of flexible material that includes a reclosable closure secured to the flexible material adjacent an opening to releasably retain the opening of the pouch in a closed state. The closure includes fastenable closure strips that extend along opposite sides of the opening and that are releasably fastenable in multiple relative positions spaced along each of two perpendicular directions. The closure and flexible material of the pouch are configured to provide a maximum stiffness, in resistance to bending about a pouch axis extending along the pouch perpendicular to the closure strips, as determined at a point along the closure with the closure strips fastened, that is more than 10 times the maximum stiffness, in resistance to bending about the pouch axis, of one of the closure strips as secured to the flexible material, as determined at the point along the closure with the closure strips unfastened. | 2011-10-13 |
20110249920 | SLIDING MEMBER AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - High surface pressure is applied to the sliding surfaces such that local solid contact occurs on sliding interfaces. Microscopic wear occurs on the sliding surfaces. Carbon-based molecules | 2011-10-13 |