47th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 33 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110286633 | System And Method For Detecting, Tracking And Counting Human Objects of Interest - A method of identifying, tracking, and counting human objects of interest based upon at least one pair of stereo image frames taken by at least one image capturing device, comprising the steps of: obtaining said stereo image frames and converting each said stereo image frame to a rectified image frame using calibration data obtained for said at least one image capturing device; generating a disparity map based upon a pair of said rectified image frames; generating a depth map based upon said disparity map and said calibration data; identifying the presence or absence of said objects of interest from said depth map and comparing each of said objects of interest to existing tracks comprising previously identified objects of interest; for each said presence of an object of interest, adding said object of interest to one of said existing tracks if said object of interest matches said one existing track, or creating a new track comprising said object of interest if said object of interest does not match any of said existing tracks; updating each said existing track; and maintaining a count of said objects of interest in a given time period based upon said existing tracks created or modified during said given time period. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286634 | IMAGING DEVICE AND DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICE USING SAME - An image capture device according to the present invention includes: a first optical system 10 that has a longitudinal chromatic aberration to cause first, second and third colors to form images at mutually different positions on an optical axis; a first image capturing region Na for generating an image that has a component in at least one of the first, second and third colors by using light that has been transmitted through the first optical system 10; a second optical system 20 that has a different longitudinal chromatic aberration from that of the first optical system 10; a second image capturing region Nb for generating an image that has a component in the same color as the at least one color by using light that has been transmitted through the second optical system 20; and an arithmetic processing section C for generating an output image by using one of the two images that has been generated in the first or second image capturing region Na or Nb so as to have the component in the at least one color apiece and that has the component with the higher degree of sharpness. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286635 | FAST SUB-PIXEL OPTICAL FLOW ESTIMATION - A system and method are disclosed for fast sub-pixel optical flow estimation in a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional space. The system includes a pixel-level optical flow estimation module, a matching score map module, and a sub-pixel optical flow estimation module. The pixel-level optical flow estimation module is configured to estimate pixel-level optical flow for each pixel of an input image using a reference image. The matching score map module is configured to generate a matching score map for each pixel being estimated based on pixel-level optical flow estimation. The sub-pixel optical flow estimation module is configured to select the best pixel-level optical flow from multiple pixel-level optical flow candidates, and use the selected pixel-level optical flow, its four neighboring optical flow vectors and matching scores associated with the pixel-level optical flows to estimate the sub-pixel optical flow for the pixel of the input image. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286636 | System and method of determining nitrogen levels from a digital image - A system and method of determining nitrogen levels from a digital image. In particular, a method of determining leaf nitrogen concentration and yield from a digital photograph of a fully developed leaf (collared leaf) of a crop of nonlegumes, such as corn, rice, wheat, cotton, potatoes or sugarcane. The digital image is processed to determine a dark green color index (“DGCI”), which is closely related to leaf nitrogen concentration and yield. Standardized color disks having known DGCI values are included in the digital photograph and serve as an internal standard. The internal standard allows correction of DGCI of samples when using different cameras and/or when lighting conditions change. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286637 | METHOD FOR ASSIGNING A STONEFRUIT TO A PREDETERMINED CLASS AND A DEVICE THEREFOR - Method for assigning a stonefruit to a predetermined class, in which the stonefruit is transported along at least one source of high-energy electromagnetic radiation such that at least a part of the radiation penetrates through the stonefruit to at least one camera thereto provided and is there captured by the camera to form a contrast image using the captured radiation after which the contrast image is processed by a processing unit which is provided to evaluate a pattern in the contrast image caused by a variation in the density or thickness of a material of the stonefruit corresponding to at least one predetermined feature of the stonefruit and to assign, based on the evaluation of the feature, the stonefruit to a predetermined class, characterised in that the feature mainly corresponds to the presence or absence of a slit in a pit of the stonefruit. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286638 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE WORK SESSIONS - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating the usage of an online workforce to remotely monitor security-sensitive sites and report potential security breaches. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286639 | FINGERPRINT SCANNING WITH A CAMERA - A photography subsystem is configured to be operated in fingerprint scanning mode and a normal mode. An autofocus module may be initialized to control a lens with an initial focal length set according to received instructions indicating one of the modes of operation. An image signal processor associated with the photography subsystem may process images received from the photography subsystem and, if necessary, process the images to form a candidate digital fingerprint for use in an authentication process. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286640 | ROLLED FINGERPRINT ACQUISITION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETECTING START AND END OF REGISTRATION AND SYNTHESIS - Provided are a rolled fingerprint acquisition apparatus and method for automatically detecting the start and end of registration and synthesis to acquire an accurate fingerprint. The rolled fingerprint acquisition apparatus compares at least one of fingerprint characteristic information and the amount of variation between the fingerprint characteristic information to reference fingerprint characteristic information to determine whether to start or end registration and synthesis, wherein the fingerprint characteristic information is information about fingerprints included in rolled fingerprint frames that are sequentially acquired, and registers and synthesizes the rolled fingerprint frames according to the result of the determination. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286641 | Sensor System Having A Platen With A Dome-Shaped Contact Surface - A sensor system and a method for collecting information about a surface of an object are disclosed. The sensor has a plurality of detectors and a platen. The platen has a contact surface, at least part of which is dome-shaped. When the surface of an object is in contact with the contact surface, an energy signal may be sent to toward the contact surface, and the detectors may detect the reflected signal. The detected signal may be used to provide information about the object's surface, including an image of the surface. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286642 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to the Use of Imaging and Surface Information to Influence a Radiation Treatment Plan to Accommodate Dynamic Physical Changes During the Treatment - A radiation-treatment planning apparatus accesses imaging information regarding at least a patient's treatment volume and surface information regarding dynamic surfaces within the radiation-treatment environment as pertains to the radiation treatment. The apparatus acquires the imaging information using a first imaging technology and the surface information using a second technology that is different than the first imaging technology. The apparatus uses the imaging and surface information to influence a radiation treatment plan for treating the treatment volume with radiation to accommodate dynamic physical changes within the radiation-treatment environment during the radiation treatment of the treatment volume. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286643 | Systems and Methods for Monitoring the Condition of the Skin - Systems, methods, apparatuses and program products for analyzing and/or monitoring the condition of skin are provided. Various embodiments provide for accessing images of the skin, analyzing the characteristics of skin conditions as represented by the images, and providing outputs useful for analyzing and/or monitoring conditions of the skin. Certain embodiments provide for automated analysis of skin conditions such as moles and/or wrinkles. The automated analysis may include for example characterization of a skin condition and comparison to similar skin conditions of a patient or of other patients. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286644 | IMAGE CALIBRATION AND ANALYSIS - Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer program products for image calibration and analysis are described. One aspect provides quantitatively analyzing a representation of a dermatological condition of an image; and providing one or more outputs responsive to said quantitatively analyzing said representation of said dermatological condition of said image. Other embodiments are described. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286645 | TRANSMURAL PERFUSION GRADIENT IMAGE ANALYSIS | 2011-11-24 |
20110286646 | Method For Radiation Dose Reduction Using Prior Image Constrained Image Reconstruction - A method for reconstructing an image of a subject with a medical imaging system is provided. Image data is acquired with the medical imaging system, typically in an undersampled manner. A prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) image reconstruction method is then implemented to reconstruct images of the subject being imaged. The prior image used in such a method is produced from so-called averaged image data. The averaged image data is produced by effectively averaging signal information associated with a plurality of different slice locations along a direction orthogonal to the plane parallel to the slice locations. Weightings are calculated from images reconstructed in a conventional manner from the acquired image data, and these weightings are employed to produce the averaged image data. By producing a prior image in this manner, a higher signal-to-noise ratio is achievable, allowing trade-offs with factors such as radiation dose in x-ray imaging. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286647 | Image Browsing and Navigating User Interface - Techniques for image browsing, navigating and user interface operation are described herein. An image cube, having three axes representing a medical patient's body parts, imaging technology and image date, may be displayed on a visual display. Image piles of icons or thumbnail images may be positioned within the image cube, according to the three axes. By fixing the body parts axis on a specific body part, an image plane may be selected from the image cube. The selected image plane replaces the image cube in the visual display, including only image piles of the selected body part, organized according to axes indicating imaging technology and image date. An image pile may be selected from the image plane, to replace the image plane on the visual display. Image pile operations allow the user to select from the image pile a desired image(s) for display. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286648 | AUTO-CALIBRATING PARALLEL MRI TECHNIQUE WITH DISTORTION-OPTIMAL IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - The invention is a new computational method for the formation of magnetic resonance (MR) images. The method utilizes the data acquired by the multiple receiver channels available as parallel imaging hardware on standard MRI scanners to: (i) automatically identify a set of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems (e.g., MIMO filter banks) that act as interpolation kernels for acquired MR data sets (that can be subsampled with respect to the Nyquist criterion) without requiring a separate calibration scan; and (ii) use the identified MIMO systems to synthesize MR data sets that can in turn be used to produce high quality images, thereby enabling high quality imaging with fewer data samples than current methods (or equivalently provide higher image quality with the same number of data samples). A unique feature of the present invention is its ability to account for aliasing effects and minimize the associated image distortion by optimally adapting the said MIMO interpolation (image reconstruction) kernels. This ability to image with a reduced number of data samples accelerates the imaging process; hence, overcoming the main shortcoming of MRI compared to other medical imaging modalities. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286649 | GENERATING PSEUDO-CT IMAGE VOLUMES FROM ULTRA-SHORT ECHO TIME MR - A method for generating a pseudo-computed tomography (CT) image volume includes acquiring a first magnetic resonance (MR) image volume (UTE | 2011-11-24 |
20110286650 | READY AUTOMATED SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS & CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUE FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SIGNAL FROM VENTRICULAR ZONE CONTOUR OF BRAIN - The invention relates to a fully automated screening, diagnosis and classification technique for Alzheimer's disease using magnetic resonance imaging signals from the ventricular zone contour of the brain to get a fundamental index of brain deterioration comprising the steps: —obtaining a gray scale MRI image of the brain region; —applying a contour edge-detecting algorithm to the image; —employing a grid covering method for calculating a first order metric index of ventricular zone contour; —superimposing metric square grids of increasing edge length to the binary contour image and counting the metric grid squares; —plotting the logs of metric grid squares against the logs of edge lengths, wherein the gradient of the plot is the linear topological metric index. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286651 | Projection-Space Denoising with Bilateral Filtering in Computed Tomography - Projection data acquired with an x-ray CT system is filtered using a bilateral filter to reduce image noise and enable the acquisition at lower x-ray dose without the loss of image diagnostic quality. The bilateral filtering is performed before image reconstruction by producing a noise equivalent data set from the acquired projection data and then converting the bilateral filtered values back to a projection data set suitable for image reconstruction. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286652 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING LUNG VENTILATION INFORMATION - A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input ( | 2011-11-24 |
20110286653 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING RADIOLOGICAL IMAGES TO DETERMINE A 3D POSITION OF A NEEDLE - A method to process images for interventional imaging, wherein a 3D image of an object is visualized with a medical imaging system, the medical imaging system comprising an X-ray source and a detector, is provided. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of 2D-projected images of the object along a plurality of orientations of the imaging chain, wherein a rectilinear instrument has been inserted into the object. The method also comprises determining a 3D reconstruction of the instrument such that a plurality of 2D projections of the 3D image of the instrument, along the respective orientations in the 2D-projected images of the object were acquired, are closest to the acquired 2D-projected images of the object. The method further comprises superimposing the 3D reconstruction of the instrument over the 3D image of the object so as to obtain a 3D image comprising the object and the instrument. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286654 | Segmentation of Biological Image Data - Described herein are systems and methods for automated segmentation of image data. According to one aspect of the present technology, systems and methods are provided for detecting regions of interest within biological images. In particular, first and second images of first and second biological samples are received, wherein one or more routine stains have previously been applied to the first biological sample. A region of interest in the first image may be segmented to generate a boundary. The boundary may then be transferred to the second image to segment a corresponding region of interest in the second image. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286655 | METHOD FOR DETECTING MONETARY BANKNOTE - A method for detecting an image corresponding to at least a monetary banknote is provided. The method includes selecting a detection procedure from a plurality of different detection procedures, and verifying the image according to the selected detection procedure. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286656 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR UTILIZING DESIGN DATA IN COMBINATION WITH INSPECTION DATA - Various methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data are provided. One computer-implemented method for binning defects detected on a wafer includes comparing portions of design data proximate positions of the defects in design data space. The method also includes determining if the design data in the portions is at least similar based on results of the comparing step. In addition, the method includes binning the defects in groups such that the portions of the design data proximate the positions of the defects in each of the groups are at least to similar. The method further includes storing results of the binning step in a storage medium. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286657 | DEFECT ANALYSIS METHOD, DEFECT ANALYSIS APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - According to the embodiments, a plurality of positional relationships between a coordinate system for indicating a defect position on a wafer that is used by an inspection device and a coordinate system that is used in design data on a pattern is set, the defect position output by the inspection device and the design data are aligned by using each of the set positional relationships, and a local pattern of a portion in which the defect position is aligned is extracted from the design data for each positional relationship. Then, the extracted local pattern is classified based on a degree of matching of graphical feature. The number of classification patterns is calculated for each positional relationship. Then, a pattern dependence degree of the detected defect group is calculated by using the calculated number of classification patterns of each positional relationship. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286658 | PATTERN INSPECTION METHOD AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In one embodiment, a pattern inspection method is disclosed. The method can include predicting an edge shape at a given future time with respect to the same inspection target pattern, setting a threshold corresponding to a required specification of the inspection target pattern, and predicting the time when the inspection target pattern fails to meet the required specification from the predicted edge shape and the threshold. The method can further include taking a plurality of images concerning the inspection target pattern at different times by use of an imaging apparatus, detecting edges of the obtained images, respectively, matching the detected edges of different imaging times, and obtaining a difference between corresponding edges to generate a difference vector after the matching. The edge shape of the future time can be predicted based on the generated difference vector and an interval between the imaging times. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286659 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Computer Program - A plurality of first multivalued images of non-defective items picked up by an image pickup device are obtained, and a plurality of characteristic amounts at least including a pixel value of a color component and edge intensities in two different directions are extracted for each pixel in the obtained first multivalued images. Selection of any one of the plurality of extracted characteristic amounts is received, and the characteristic amount of which selection is received is extracted, whereby a distribution range for determining the non-defective item is calculated. A second multivalued image of a determination target object is obtained, and the characteristic amount of which selection is received is extracted for each pixel in the obtained second multivalued image, whereby determination is made as to whether the characteristic amount is included in the distribution range corresponding to the extracted characteristic amount. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286660 | Spatially Registering User Photographs - Photographs of an object may be oriented with respect to both the geographic location and orientation of the object by registering a 3D model derived from a plurality of photographs of the objects with a 2D image of the object having a known location and orientation. For example, a 3D point cloud of an object created from photographs of the object using a Photosynth™ tool may be aligned with a satellite photograph of the object, where the satellite photograph has location and orientation information. A tool providing scaling and rotation of the 3D model with respect to the 2D image may be used or an automatic alignment may be performed using a function based on object edges filtered at particular angles. Once aligned, data may be recorded that registers camera locations for the plurality of photographs with geographic coordinates of the object, either absolute latitude/longitude or relative to the object. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286661 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPORALLY INTERPOLATING THREE-DIMENSIONAL DEPTH IMAGE - A method and apparatus for temporally interpolating a three-dimensional (3D) depth image are provided to generate an intermediate depth image in a desired time. The apparatus may interpolate depth images generated by a depth camera, using a temporal interpolation procedure, may generate an intermediate depth image in a new time using the interpolated depth images, and may combine the generated intermediate depth image with color images, to generate a high-precision 3D image. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286662 | SYSTEM FOR BUILDING A PERSONALIZED-CHARACTER DATABASE AND METHOD THEREOF - Input personal handwriting of a character stored in a system character database into an input device. Divide the personal handwriting of the character into a group of personalized roots. Store the group of personalized roots in a personalized-root database. Form a plurality of personalized characters according to a plurality of personalized roots stored in the personalized-root database. Store the plurality of personalized characters in a personalized-character database. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286663 | Method And Apparatus Of Color Image Rotation For Display And Recording Using JPEG - A method and apparatus of color image rotation for display and recording using JPEG compression and decompression is provided. The method includes the steps of: setting the operation modes of JPEG encoder and JPEG decoder respectively; waiting until the image data ready for encoding; performing JPEG encoding and reentry information processing; waiting until the compression of one entire frame of image completed; setting the operation mode of JPEG encoder; and then performing JPEG decoding and reentry information updating processing. For displaying the image on an image output device, the method includes the steps of: displaying processing; waiting until JPEG decoding completed; and displaying final image on the display. At this point, the process of one frame display is accomplished. On the other hand, for recording to a mass storage device, the method includes the steps of: standard lossless JEPG encoding; waiting until JPEG encoding completed; and storing final encoded data to the mass storage device. At this point, the process to record one frame image is accomplished. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286664 | PROVIDING A SYMBOL - In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of providing a symbol includes using a computer to receive a request to provide the symbol, retrieve an image based on the request, modify the image based on the request, convert the image to form the symbol and provide the symbol. In another aspect, an article includes a machine-readable medium that stores executable instructions to provide a symbol. The instructions cause a machine to receive a request to provide the symbol, retrieve an image based on the request, modify the image based on the request, convert the image to the symbol and provide the symbol. In a further aspect, an apparatus to provide a symbol includes circuitry to receive a request to provide the symbol, retrieve an image based on the request, modify the image based on the request, convert the image to the symbol and provide the symbol. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286665 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus which corrects color balance of an image in image data captured by an image capturing apparatus having a color balance correction function, the apparatus comprises a light source estimation unit configured to estimate a capturing light source of the image based on a color value of an object; a first color conversion unit configured to perform first color conversion of converting, based on the capturing light source and the color value, the image into an image in which color balance correction applied depending on the image capturing apparatus that has captured the image data containing the image is weakened; and a second color conversion unit configured to perform second color conversion for the image having undergone the first color conversion, by using an adaptation rate corresponding to a color value defined based on chromatic adaptation of a man under the capturing light source. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286666 | Image Sharpening - Provided is a method for sharpening an image, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least a first value for a first color channel and a second value for a second color channel, the method comprising:
| 2011-11-24 |
20110286667 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product - An image processing apparatus includes a hue identifying unit that identifies to which hue region among three or more hue regions provided in a color space a hue of each pixel contained in input image data belongs; an output-color converting unit that converts a color of each pixel to a predetermined output color in accordance with the identified hue region; a luminance calculating unit that selects a luminance calculation coefficient corresponding to the identified hue region of each pixel from among luminance calculation coefficients determined for the respective hue regions, and calculates luminance to be applied to each pixel of image data converted to the output color, on the basis of the selected luminance calculation coefficient; and an image-data generating unit that applies the calculated luminance to each pixel in the converted image data to generate color-reduced image data containing a reduced number of colors than the input image data. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286668 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image processing device includes a storage module, character recognition module, a circumscribed rectangle extraction module, a ratio extraction module, and a character size calculation module. The storage module stores a reference ratio between a reference size of a reference circumscribed rectangle and a reference character size in a reference character image representing a reference character in association with a reference character identification code which uniquely identified the reference character. The character recognition module recognizes a character image in an image to get a character identification code from the recognized character image. The circumscribed rectangle extraction module extracts a circumscribed rectangle of the character image. The ratio extraction module extracts the reference ratio corresponding to the reference character identification code stored in the storage module based on the character identification code. The character size calculation module calculates a character size of the character image. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286669 | FORM PROCESSING SYSTEM, OCR DEVICE, FORM CREATION DEVICE, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - There is provided a form processing system including a form creation device and an OCR device, wherein the form creation device includes a layout generation unit that generates layout information denoting a layout of a form and a layout transmission unit that transmits the layout information generated to the OCR device, and the OCR device includes a layout acquisition unit that acquires the layout information transmitted from the form creation device and an OCR processing unit that performs OCR processing on image data of the form read by a scanner, based on the layout information acquired. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286670 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, PROCESSING METHOD THEREFOR, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus extends the edge portion of an image in a prescribed range, detects, from the image, a plurality of feature points that each indicate a setting position of a local region, sets a local region corresponding to each of the feature points in the image on which region extension has been performed, and calculates a local feature amount corresponding to each feature point based on image information in the local region. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286671 | EDGE DETECTION TECHNIQUE HAVING IMPROVED FEATURE VISIBILITY - A method for determining edge features of an image comprising filtering at least a portion of the image to attenuate high frequency signals of the image to an extent greater than low frequency signals of the image. Performing a one-dimensional search in a two different horizontal directions relative to a particular pixel of the image to determine horizontal direction local maximums. Calculating a horizontal gradient based upon the horizontal direction local maximums. Performing a one-dimensional search in a two vertical horizontal directions relative to a particular pixel of the image to determine vertical direction local maximums. Calculating a vertical gradient based upon the vertical direction local maximums. Calculating a gradient for the particular pixel based upon the horizontal gradient and the vertical gradient. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286672 | TRANSLUCENT IMAGE DETECTION APPARATUS, TRANSLUCENT IMAGE EDGE DETECTION APPARATUS, TRANSLUCENT IMAGE DETECTION METHOD, AND TRANSLUCENT IMAGE EDGE DETECTION METHOD - A translucent image edge detection apparatus is provided with a detector that detects isolated point pixels in an image, the isolated point pixels being pixels having a density higher than that of neighboring pixels adjacent to the isolated point pixels; a determination portion that detects periodic pixels from the isolated point pixels, the periodic pixels being seen at regular intervals; a closing processing portion that performs closing processing on a region containing the periodic pixels, and thereby, obtains a post-closing region; an expanded region calculation portion that obtains an expanded region by expanding the post-closing region; a reduced region calculation portion that obtains a reduced region by reducing the post-closing region; and an edge calculation portion that detects an edge of a translucent image based on a difference between the expanded region and the reduced region. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286673 | METHOD SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED MODULES AND SOFTWARE COMPONENTS FOR PROVIDING IMAGE SENSOR BASED HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACING - Disclosed is an image based human machine interface which comprises an image acquisition assembly which may acquire one or more of two-dimensional images of a user, wherein substantially each image may be associated with a different point in time. The human machine interface further comprises a processing unit which may classify one or more groups of pixels as either background or foreground. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286674 | DETECTING POTENTIAL CHANGED OBJECTS IN IMAGES - A method of detecting potential changed objects in a first image and a second image, where the first and second images at least partially overlap. The method includes obtaining data describing first and second images and detecting sets of objects in images. A common coordinate system for the sets of objects is calculated. Objects in the sets are eliminated based on positions of the objects and objects outside an area of overlap of the images are eliminated. Data indicating the zero or more remaining objects in the sets is output to indicate potential changed objects. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286675 | Automated Image Sizing and Placement - Versions of user-selected content images are automatically created, sized, and positioned within a template such that all versions are simultaneously displayed without overlapping in a defined acceptable image area of the template. Creating the content image versions may include creating a frame image for the content image. A predefined anchor point associated with the acceptable image area is used to control the location of the image versions within the image area. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286676 | SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL GESTURE RECOGNITION IN VEHICLES - A method and system for performing gesture recognition of a vehicle occupant employing a time of flight (TOF) sensor and a computing system in a vehicle. An embodiment of the method of the invention includes the steps of receiving one or more raw frames from the TOF sensor, performing clustering to locate one or more body part clusters of the vehicle occupant, locating the palm cluster of the vehicle occupant, calculating the location of the tip of the hand of the vehicle occupant, determining whether the hand has performed a dynamic or a static gesture, retrieving a command corresponding to one of the determined static or dynamic gestures, and executing the command. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286677 | RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON CODED INFORMATION USING PLUS AND/OR MINUS ROUNDING OF IMAGES - Image decoder including: a memory to store a reference image which is a previously decoded image; and a synthesizer to receive an encoded bitstream including information of I and P frames, and execute motion compensation by synthesizing a predicted image of a current frame using motion vector information included in the encoded bitstream and the reference image. The motion compensation includes calculating intensity values at points where no pixels actually exist by bilinear interpolation performable using a positive and negative rounding method, and is performed using the rounding method specified by rounding method information included in the encoded bitstream of the current frame when the current frame is a P frame. Such specifies one of two values specifying a positive or a negative rounding method. The rounding method information is not received from the encoded bitstream of the current frame when the current frame is an I frame. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286678 | MULTI-VIEW IMAGE CODING METHOD, MULTI-VIEW IMAGE DECODING METHOD, MULTI-VIEW IMAGE CODING DEVICE, MULTI-VIEW IMAGE DECODING DEVICE, MULTI-VIEW IMAGE CODING PROGRAM, AND MULTI-VIEW IMAGE DECODING PROGRAM - In the disclosed multi-view image encoding/decoding method in which a frame to be encoded/decoded is divided and encoding/decoding is done to each region, first, a prediction image is generated not only for the region to be processed, but also for the already encoded/decoded regions neighboring to the region to be processed. The prediction image is generated using the same prediction method for both kinds of regions. Next, correction parameters for correcting illumination and color mismatches are estimated from the prediction image and decoded image of the neighboring regions. At this time, the estimated correction parameters can be obtained even at the decoding side, therefore, encoding them is unnecessary. Thus, by using the estimated correction parameters to correct the predicted image that was generated for the region to be processed, a corrected predicted image that can be actually used is generated. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286679 | IMAGE ENCODING/DECODING SYSTEM - A picture prediction encoding device includes: a region division unit for dividing an input picture into a plurality of blocks; a prediction signal generation unit for generating a prediction signal with respect to a pixel signal that is included in a subject block to be processed among the blocks; a residual signal generation unit for generating a residual signal between the pixel signal of the subject block and the generated prediction signal; a signal encoding unit for generating a compressed signal by encoding the residual signal; and a storage unit for decompressing the compressed signal and storing the decompressed signal as a reproduced pixel signal. The prediction signal generation unit is configured to sub-divide the subject block into a plurality of small regions, at least one of the small regions is non-square, and a length of a first side of the non-square small region is longer than a length of a second side that is different from the first side. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286680 | MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an image processing program causing a computer to execute an image processing on image data to be processed, the image processing program including an obtaining step obtaining the image data, a gradation conversion processing step performing gradation conversion processing on the image data at an intermediate part of gradation according to input/output characteristics having characteristics to which characteristics to reduce a contrast are added, and a correcting step making a correction to enhance a local contrast indicative of contrast at a local part of an image for the image data subjected to the gradation conversion processing by using a gain curve in which a degree of enhancement changes in accordance with luminance information of a pixel to be processed, and thus, bright and dark part gradations are improved while suppressing a change in a hue and color saturation as well as maintaining an apparent contrast. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286681 | System and Methods for De-Blurring Motion Blurred Images - Systems and methods for providing a substantially de-blurred image of a scene from a motion blurred image of the scene are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a primary detector for sensing the motion blurred image and generating primary image information representing the blurred image, a secondary detector for sensing two or more secondary images of the scene and for generating secondary image information representing the two or more secondary images, and a processor for determining motion information from the secondary image information, estimating a point spread function for the motion blurred image from the motion information, and applying the estimated point spread function to the primary image information to generate information representing the substantially de-blurred image. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286682 | ESTIMATING BLUR DEGRADATION OF AN IMAGE USING SPECULAR HIGHLIGHTS - A method and apparatus ( | 2011-11-24 |
20110286683 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to this invention, image processes are classified into a plurality of categories, and the result of processes belonging to each category is written in an intermediate buffer prepared for the category. The order of categories is determined in advance, and an output from a process of a preceding category serves as an input to a process of a succeeding category. The preceding category includes image processes such as automatic correction requiring no quick response. The succeeding category includes image processes such as manual correction requiring a quick response. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286684 | Selecting A Reference Image For Images To Be Joined - The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to selecting a reference image for images to be joined in accordance with projective transformations. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes obtaining projective transformations corresponding to two dimensional images to be joined together in accordance with the projective transformations; selecting one of the two dimensional images to be a reference image for remaining ones of the two dimensional images, the selecting being based on a measure of overall distortion for the two dimensional images; setting a projective transformation of the one of the images according to a group transform; correcting remaining projective transformations of the remaining images in accordance with the setting the projective transformation of the one of the images; and making the two dimensional images and the projective transformations available for further processing and output. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286685 | IMAGE FORMATION METHOD AND IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE - Provided are an image formation method and a charged particle beam device which can accurately measure a plurality of objects to be measured and contained in an image by executing a small number of scans. For this, a scan line is set in a direction other than the edge direction of a plurality of objects to be measured and contained in the image view field and the charged particle beam is scanned according to the setting. Provided also are a method and a device for setting a scan line direction in an appropriate direction not affected by the pattern deformation or the like. For this, a direction of disconnection between two patterns to be connected is obtained according to the deformation of the two patterns and a scan line is set in the direction determined according to the one of more directions of disconnection. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286686 | ROLLED FINGERPRINT ACQUISITION APPARATUS AND METHOD USING REGISTRATION AND SYNTHESIS - Provided are a rolled fingerprint acquisition apparatus and method for accurately registering and synthesizing fingerprints. The rolled fingerprint acquisition apparatus selects a reference frame from among rolled fingerprint frames that are sequentially acquired, calculates the central locations of fingerprints included in the rolled fingerprint frames, sets an order in which the reference frame and rolled fingerprint frames are performed based on the central locations of the fingerprints, and registers and synthesizes the reference frame with the rolled fingerprint frames according to the set order. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286687 | PARTICULATE MATERIAL RETAINING BAG FOR WALL CONSTRUCTION AND EROSION CONTROL - This invention relates to a composite bag for use in earth bag construction systems such as backfill pack systems in underground mines and a construction system using such bags. The composite bags each comprises a pair of long, narrow inner bags of woven polypropylene located longitudinally within and constrained along their length by an outer bag of woven polypropylene. In use, the composite bags are laid flat on top of one another on a working surface (for instance the footwall in an underground mine). The bags could be glued or otherwise attached to one another in this configuration. Tie elements, such as timber elongates, are threaded through aligned slits spaced apart along the length of the bags. The elongates are set against the hanging wall and a backfill slurry is pumped into the inner bags. As each inflating composite bag expands, the slurry water weeps from the bags which rise up the timber elongates during the pumping process. The size differential between the two inner bags and the outer bag gives rise to the formation of a relatively straight line abutment between the two inner bags to provide a stable wall-like structure such as a mine ventilation wall or a backfill pack, as illustrated. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286688 | RECOLSABLE GUSSET BAG - A bag has two flexible face panels and a pair of gussets each having a crease and two generally parallel side edges flanking the crease and joined to side edge of the panels. The face panels both have extensions extending upward past at least one of the gussets and of a horizontal width measured perpendicular to the side edges that is substantially less than a width of the face panels perpendicular to the side edges. A reclosable fastener extends along the upper edges only at the extensions and forms therewith a spout that can be folded over and juxtaposed with one of the face panels. The spout can be releasably secured to the one face when folded over the one face panel. This side gusset bag is intended, in particular, for packaging lumpy, granular, and pourable bulk material. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286689 | ELASTIC FORCE ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR SLIDE ASSEMBLY - An elastic force adjustment device for slide assembly includes a fixing member, a movable member, an adjustment member and at least one elastic member. The fixing member includes a threaded rod and a longitudinal body. A longitudinal guiding portion is located between two ends of the longitudinal body. The adjustment frame has a mounting portion connected to the threaded rod. The adjustment member contacts the adjustment frame and has a threaded portion threadedly connected to the threaded rod. The at least one elastic member has two ends which are respectively connected to the movable member and the adjustment frame. A force of the at least one elastic member or the position of the movable member is adjusted by rotating the adjustment member on the threaded rod. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286690 | OPTICAL PACKAGE AND RELATED METHODS - A package for an electronic chip including an optical component protects the chip and the component, while allowing for an optical connection of the component with another optical device. This is achieved, in various embodiments, by forming a well in a protective material deposited over the chip to expose the optical component, and by providing alignment features in the protective material to align and connect the optical component with another optical device. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286691 | DATA STORAGE SYSTEM, A MODULAR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, A BACKPLANE AND A BACKPLANE COMPONENT - The invention provides a component electro-optical printed circuit board backplane for assembly in a modular electro-optical backplane, the component electro-optical printed circuit board backplane comprising: optical channels for the propagation and transmission of optical data signals and electrical channels for the propagation and transmission of power and control signals; connectors for connection in-plane to at least one other component electro-optical printed circuit board; and, at least one socket for receiving, in use, a user circuit. The invention also provides a modular backplane made up of plural such component backplanes. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286692 | OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide device, includes obtaining an optical waveguide by forming sequentially a first cladding layer, a core layer, and a second cladding layer on a substrate, forming a groove portion including a light path conversion inclined surface and a sidewall surface which intersects with it, and the groove portion dividing the second cladding layer and the core layer, on both end sides of the optical waveguide respectively, forming selectively a metal layer on the light path conversion inclined surface and the sidewall surface of the groove portion, forming a protection insulating layer sealing the metal layer on the optical waveguide, and obtaining a light path conversion mirror that the metal layer is formed on the light path conversion inclined surface, by forming a concave portion which penetrates the core layer from the protection insulating layer to remove the metal layer formed on the sidewall surface of the groove portion. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286693 | OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE DEVICE AND RESIN COMPOSITION FOR USE IN FORMATION OF OVER CLADDING LAYER THEREOF - An optical waveguide device capable of preventing a light-receiving element from malfunctioning when used in environments where the illuminance of disturbance light such as sunlight is high, and a resin composition for use in the formation of an over cladding layer of the optical waveguide device are provided. The optical waveguide device includes an optical waveguide, and the light-receiving element optically coupled to one end portion of the optical waveguide. The over cladding layer has a surface serving as an entrance surface which receives the disturbance light. The over cladding layer includes a hardened body of a resin composition having an ultraviolet curable resin as a main component and containing a dye that absorbs the disturbance light, and has a thickness of not less than 100 μm as measured from the top surface of cores provided in the optical waveguide to the surface of the over cladding layer. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286694 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION MODULE - An optical transmission module includes a semiconductor substrate, a first film layer, an electronic component layer and a waveguide structure. The electronic component layer is used for converting a first electrical signal into an optical signal. The waveguide structure is formed on the first film layer, and includes a first reflective surface, a waveguide body and a second reflective surface. After the optical signal is transmitted through the semiconductor substrate and the first film layer and enters the waveguide structure, the optical signal is reflected by the first reflective surface, transmitted within the waveguide body and reflected by the second reflective surface. After the optical signal reflected by the second reflective surface is transmitted through the first film layer and the semiconductor substrate and received by the electronic component layer, the optical signal is converted into a second electrical signal by the electronic component layer. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286695 | OPTICAL COUPLER MODULE HAVING OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE STRUCTURE - The optical coupler module for converting and transmitting electrical/optical signals includes a semiconductor substrate, a first film, a second film, an electrical transmission unit, at least one signal conversion unit and an optical waveguide structure. The first film and the second film are formed on opposite surfaces of the semiconductor substrate. The signal conversion unit and the optical waveguide structure are disposed on opposite sides of the semiconductor substrate. The optical waveguide structure has a reflector and a waveguide body. The optical signal generated from the signal conversion unit sequentially passes the first film, the semiconductor substrate and the second film and enters the optical waveguide structure. Then, the optical signal is reflected by the reflector and transmitted in the waveguide body to be outputted. Alternatively, the optical signal is transmitted in a reverse direction from the optical waveguide structure to the signal conversion unit. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286696 | WAVELENGTH CONTROL DEVICE AND WAVELENGTH CONTROL METHOD - The wavelength control device comprises a first Mach-Zehnder filter which receives a first optical signal and outputs an optical signal having a predetermined wavelength, a second Mach-Zehnder filter which receives a second optical signal and outputs an optical signal having a predetermined wavelength, a heating unit heating respective parts of either one of the waveguides of the first and second Mach-Zehnder filters, a first wavelength detecting unit which receives an optical signal from the first Mach-Zehnder filter and detects a wavelength thereof, a second wavelength detecting unit which receives an optical signal from the second Mach-Zehnder filter and detects a wavelength thereof, a power control unit which controls power supplied to the heating unit based on the wavelength received from the first wavelength detecting unit, and an output unit which outputs a wavelength value based on the wavelength received from the second wavelength detecting unit. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286697 | OPTICAL FIBER COUPLER - An optical fiber coupler includes a receiving interface and two lenses. The receiving interface is configured for matching and connecting to an external optical fiber of a particular diameter within a range of 62.5 μm to 100 μm, and for receiving optical signals from the external optical fiber. The two lenses are configured for coupling the received optical signals. A distance between the two lenses falls within a range from 0.5 mm to 0.95 mm. A curvature radius of each of the two lenses falls within a range from 0.3579 mm to 0.3898 mm. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286698 | Fiber optic connector microlens with self-aligning optical fiber cavity - A fiber optical connector microlens is provided with a self-aligning optical fiber cavity. The microlens includes a convex first lens surface and a second lens surface. A fiber alignment cavity is integrally formed with the second lens surface to accept an optical fiber core. A lens body is interposed between the first and second lens surfaces, having a cross-sectional area with a lens center axis, and the fiber alignment cavity is aligned with the lens center axis. In a first aspect, the fiber alignment cavity penetrates the lens second surface. In a second aspect, an integrally formed cradle with a cradle surface extends from the lens second surface, and a channel is formed in the cradle surface, with a center axis aligned with the lens center axis. The fiber alignment cavity includes a bridge covering a portion of the channel. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286699 | LIGHT GUIDE BODY AND LIGHTING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - The present invention provides a light guide body that has a light incidence portion through which light enters the light guide body; a light reflecting portion positioned opposite a light emitting surface that extends from the light incidence portion in a longitudinal direction of the light guide body; and a tapered portion having an inner surface that gradually expands from the light incidence portion toward the light reflecting portion. The tapered portion has a light shielding portion to shield, from the light, a part of the light reflecting portion closest to the light incidence portion. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286700 | Extension of steps in reflective optical gratings - An optical device includes a light-transmitting medium positioned on a base. The light-transmitting medium at least partially defines a free propagation region through which light signals travel. A reflective grating includes stepped reflecting surfaces positioned such that light signals that travel through the free propagation region are received by the reflecting surfaces. The reflecting surfaces are configured to reflect the light signal back into the free propagation region such that the light signals associated with different wavelengths separate as the light signals travel through the free propagation region. At least a portion of the reflecting surfaces each includes an overlapping region. Additionally, at least a portion of the reflecting surfaces each includes an overlapped region and un un-overlapped region. The reflecting grating is configured such that the light signals travel toward the overlapped regions and the un-overlapped regions before being reflected. The un-overlapped regions are positioned such that the un-overlapped regions receive the light signals but the overlapping regions are positioned between the overlapped region and the light signals so that the overlapping regions receive the light signals before the light signals can be received by the overlapped regions. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286701 | OPTICAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE TO BE USED FOR THE OPTICAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE - An optical connection structure which permits easy and automatic alignment between the optical axes of optical fibers and the optical axes of cores of an optical waveguide, and a production method which ensures that an optical waveguide for the optical connection structure can be efficiently produced with higher dimensional accuracy are provided. An over-cladding layer of the optical waveguide includes an extension portion provided in a longitudinal end portion thereof, and optical fiber fixing grooves are provided in the extension portion as extending along extension lines of cores coaxially with the cores and each having opposite ends, one of which is open in an end face of the extension portion and the other of which is closed. Optical fibers are fitted and fixed in the respective optical fiber fixing grooves. The over-cladding layer further includes a boundary portion ( | 2011-11-24 |
20110286702 | Locking Optical and/or Electrical Connectors and Cable Assemblies - A blocking member is sized and shaped to be installed beneath a trigger or triggers of a duplex connector. The blocking member prevents depression of the trigger(s) of the duplex connector and hence prevents depression of latches to release the plugs of the duplex connector from mated receptacles. The blocking member does not block actuation of the latches of the duplex connector. Through the use of a tool, the trigger(s) may be bypassed and the latches operated directly by the tool to release the plugs of the duplex connector when mated to receptacles. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286703 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM, CONNECTING CABLE AND RECEIVING TOOL - A connector provided on a projector has an RF chip. A plug connected to the connector has an RF chip at a position opposite to the RF chip of the connector. When a protruding section of the plug is inserted and fit into an aperture section of the connector, the RF chip of the plug and the RF chip of the connector perform wireless communication with each other in a non-contact state. Thus, a connecting tool can be easily attached to/detached from a receiving tool without breaking a terminal due to contact such as in a case where a conventional contact type terminal is used. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286704 | System and Method for Performing and Protecting Hybrid Line Splices - A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable that has a fiber optic line and an electrical line includes the steps of providing a mechanical optic splice in the fiber optic line; providing a electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice; providing a jacket over the optic splice; installing a boot over the electrical splice; disposing the jacket and the boot in a slotted sleeve; positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing; and anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286705 | METHODS OF CONTROLLING BONDING AND ARTICLES FORMED THEREFROM - The bond between abutting layers is controlled by introducing particulate matter at the interface of the layers. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286706 | CABLE JACKET WITH VARIABLE PERIMETER BOND - The bond between an armor and a cable covering jacket is controlled by introducing intervening material at the interface of the layers along selected bond regions. The intervening material can comprise particulate matter or a strip of material introduced at selected locations of the armor perimeter to allow ease of access at the selected regions. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286707 | FLAT DROP CABLE WITH MEDIAL BUMP - An example fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile defining a bowtie shape. The outer jacket defines at least first and second separate passages that extend through the outer jacket along a lengthwise axis of the outer jacket. The fiber optic cable includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the first passage and a tensile strength member positioned within the second passage. The tensile strength member has a highly flexible construction and a transverse cross-sectional profile that is elongated in the orientation extending along the major axis. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286708 | Factory Spliced Cable Assembly - A telecommunications cable including a main cable having a central buffer tube enclosed within a cable jacket and a ribbon stack positioned within the buffer tube. The main cable includes a cut region where a slot has been cut through the cable jacket and the buffer tube to provide access to the ribbon stack during manufacture of the telecommunication cable. A tether branches from the main cable at the cut region. The tether includes an optical fiber that is optically coupled to an optical fiber of the ribbon stack. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286709 | Method and System for Edge Cladding of Laser Gain Media - A gain medium operable to amplify light at a gain wavelength and having reduced transverse ASE includes an input surface and an output surface opposing the input surface. The gain medium also includes a central region including gain material and extending between the input surface and the output surface along a longitudinal optical axis of the gain medium. The gain medium further includes an edge cladding region surrounding the central region and extending between the input surface and the output surface along the longitudinal optical axis of the gain medium. The edge cladding region includes the gain material and a dopant operable to absorb light at the gain wavelength. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286710 | Single Mode Optical Fiber - An optical transmission fiber comprises a central core having an index difference Δn | 2011-11-24 |
20110286711 | OPTICAL FIBER - Provided is an optical fiber including: a core at a center thereof; a first cladding adjacent to the core to cover a circumference of the core; and a second cladding adjacent to the first cladding to cover a circumference of the first cladding, where 0.35%≦(Δ | 2011-11-24 |
20110286712 | OPTICAL FIBER DISTRIBUTION FRAME WITH OUTSIDE PLANT ENCLOSURE - A fiber optic telecommunications frame is provided including panels having front and rear termination locations, the panels positioned on left and right sides of the frame. The frame includes vertical access for the rear cables. The frame further includes left and right vertical cable guides for the front patch cables. The frame further includes cable storage spools for the patch cables. The frame includes a horizontal passage linking the left and right panels and the cable guides. A portion of the frame defines splice tray holders and a central passage from the splice tray holders to the rear sides of the left and right panels. From a front of each panel, access to a rear of the panel is provided by the hinged panels. Alternatively, the panels can form connector modules with front termination locations and rear connection locations for connecting to the rear cables. The modules can house couplers, such as splitters, combiners, and wave division multiplexers. The termination locations can be located on the same side of the frame as the splice tray holders, or on an opposite side. An enclosure of the frame included hinged or otherwise moveable panels to allow access to the terminations or the splice trays. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286713 | PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN COMPOSITION, OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE FILM, FILM FOR FORMING OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE, OPTICAL INTERCONNECT, OPTO-ELECTRIC HYBRID CIRCUIT BOARD, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE FILM - A photosensitive resin composition which includes (A) a cyclic olefin; (B) at least either one of a monomer having a cyclic ether group and an oligomer having a cyclic ether group, having a refractive index different from that of the component (A); and (C) a photoacid generator, is provided. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286714 | WIDE-BAND MULTI-FORMAT AUDIO/VIDEO PRODUCTION SYSTEM WITH FRAME-RATE CONVERSION - A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities. The step of converting the signal to a HDTV format is preferably performed using a modified upconversion process for wideband signals (utilizing a higher sampling clock frequency) and a resizing to HDTV format frame dimensions in pixels. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286715 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING A VIDEO PLAYBACK DEVICE WITH A SUBTITLE-BASED REPEAT/PLAYBACK FUNCTION, AND ASSOCIATED VIDEO PLAYBACK DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED PROCESSING CIRCUIT - A method for providing a video playback device with a subtitle-based repeat/playback function includes: storing at least one subtitle start time point corresponding to at least one subtitle; and providing the video playback device with a user interface for controlling the video playback device to perform at least one predetermined operation according to the at least one subtitle start time point in response to at least one predetermined user control activity. An associated video playback device and an associated processing circuit are provided. In particular, the processing circuit includes: a controller arranged to control operations of the video playback device; and a program code embedded in the controller or received from outside the controller, where the controller executing the program code is arranged to provide the user interface of the subtitle-based repeat/playback function for controlling the video playback device to perform the at least one predetermined operation. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286716 | COMMUNICATION APPARATUS - A computer conversation system comprising: at least one server including a processor and memory and configured for communication with a plurality of user computers which each comprise a display; a video recording application configured to record video or receive recorded video from some, and preferably all, of the individual computers of the plurality of user computers; wherein the at least one server is configured to send a sequence of recorded videos to the plurality of users, the sequence of recorded videos based on the videos recorded or received from the individual computers and optionally the system is configured to send a file to the plurality of user computers which results in each of the plurality of computers displaying on the display an array of visual indicators in a set order, wherein each of a plurality of the visual indicators corresponds to at least one recorded video to be sent by the server, and the set order of the array corresponds to the order of at least part of the sequence of recorded video. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286717 | WIRELESS AUDIO/VIDEO TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, WIRELESS TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICE AND VIDEO OUTPUT DEVICE - Provided is a wireless video and audio transmission system which is more convenient for a user even when a destination to which video and audio data is transmitted is switched, from a video and audio output device such as a TV, to a video output device such as a liquid-crystal projector. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286718 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING COLLABORATIVE INFORMATION - A system and method for recording a collaborative session includes two phases. One is performed in real-time and includes determining portions of a composite image of collaborative session content that are constant over time or preprocessed. The portions are removed from the composite image of the collaborative session content. Remaining content of the composite image and any of the portions not already compressed is compressed and stored. A second phase is performed when off-line and includes decoding the remaining content of the composite image and the portions to reconstruct the composite image of the collaborative session content and formatting the composite image. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286719 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRIMMING RECORDED CONTENT USING A MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Systems and methods for trimming recorded content or segments using a media guidance application are provided. A first program scheduled for recording during one timeslot. A determination is made that the first program will run beyond the scheduled broadcast time. The first program may be rescheduled for recording during a second larger timeslot that overlaps with the scheduled broadcast time of a second program. Content provided by the program source may be recorded during the second timeslot. The recorded content may be trimmed to remove portions of the recorded content that correspond to the second program. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286720 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, VIDEO PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An electronic apparatus includes: a storage to store video data including a plurality of frames and feature frame information related to a feature frame including a predetermined video feature among the plurality of frames; a reproduction unit to reproduce the stored video data; an operation reception unit to receive a search operation of a user instructing to perform fast-forward or rewind of the reproduced video data at an arbitrary speed; and a controller to extract, when the search operation is received, a predetermined number of candidate frames from a frame at a time point the search operation is received, sort a plurality of frames between which the feature frame is not interposed from the candidate frames, extract a partial image from different parts of the plurality of sorted frames, generate a coupling frame by coupling the partial images in time series, and control to reproduce the coupling frame. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286721 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED TRICK-PLAY FUNCTIONS - Systems and methods for rewinding a video to a point before the video was first viewed. Video transmitted by a media source is cached by a remote server. Upon a trick-play request for the video, the server generates a rewind stream that includes the video that was transmitted by the media source before the user started to view the video. Upon receiving the rewind stream, the user's equipment may cache the rewind stream in a rewind buffer and rewind or play from the rewind buffer. The server may also generate and transmit a forward stream of the video that the media source has not yet transmitted. The user's equipment may cache the forward stream in a forward buffer. To perform trick-play operations with the video, the user's equipment may migrate the playback of the video to the rewind and forward buffers and rewind or fast-forward the video from the buffers. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286722 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA COMMUNICATION USING A BODY - A portable device for data communication using a body as a conductor to transmit data to a receiver, the portable device includes a data receiving unit to receive data, a controller unit to control processing of data to be transmitted, a current limiting circuit to limit a current of a signal corresponding to the data to be transmitted to a predetermined value, and transmitting electrodes connected to the current limiting circuit and to contact the body to transmit the signal having the current of predetermined value to the receiver. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286723 | DC motor assembly with step adjusting control arrangement - A DC motor assembly includes a motorized unit for generating a rotatable power at an output shaft, and a step adjusting control arrangement including an optical grating and a photocoupler. The optical grating, which is operatively coupled at the output shaft, has a plurality of light transmissible portions and a plurality of light blocking portions alternating with the light transmissible portions. The photocoupler is activated to send out an impulse signal in responsive to a phase shift between the light transmissible portion and the light blocking portion of the optical grating, wherein the output shaft is controllably driven to be rotated and stopped in a sequent manner as a stepping movement thereof in responsive to the impulse signal so as to controllably adjust the rotational speed of the output shaft. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286724 | Modular Thermal Energy Retention and Transfer System - Described is a modular thermal energy transfer system. The modular thermal energy transfer system includes a plurality of modular thermal units, each modular thermal unit having a thermal retainer with a conditioning pipe and a usable fluid pipe disposed therein. The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, and the usable fluid pipes are in fluidic communication with one another. The conditioning pipes are adapted to carry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the conditioning fluid. The usable fluid pipes are adapted to carry a usable fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the usable fluid. The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units are configured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286725 | High Heat Electric Fireplace - Provided is an electric fireplace comprising adaptations to permit the electric fireplace to accept electrical energy at first rate from an associated AC power supply and adaptations to permit the electric fireplace to output energy at second rate, where the second rate exceeds the first rate. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286726 | Warmers for scented oils - A warmer for scented oil is provided. The warmer includes a base, a cover removably positioned on the base, and a warming device. The cover has a substantially spherical shape with an opening at an upper apex and an open channel formed in the cover at the upper apex around an outer periphery of the opening. The open channel is configured to receive the scented oil. The warming device is in a heat conductive relationship with the cover so that scented oil in the open channel is warmed by the warming device. The warming device can be one or more of a lighting device with an incandescent light bulb, a resistance heater with or without a lighting device such as a light emitting diode, or a candle. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286727 | HYBRID SPA HEATER - A hybrid spa heater is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the hybrid spa heater includes a cavitation fitting, where the cavitation fitting includes a plurality of orifices adapted to use water pressure to force water through to increase water temperature. The hybrid spa heater also includes an electric heater in fluid communication with the cavitation fitting, where the electric heater is adapted to increase the water temperature when an electrical resistance is applied. In addition, the cavitation fitting includes a chamber in downstream fluid communication with the plurality of orifices and is adapted to create a fluid vortex within the cavitation fitting to increase the water temperature. The cavitation fitting includes internal threading to mate with external threading of a water pump housing to allow the cavitation fitting to be removed for inspection and cleaning. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286728 | HEATER AND ELECTRIC INSTANT WATER HEATER - The present invention provides a heater and an electric instant water heater with the heater. The electric instant water heater includes a water tank having an outlet, a heater communicated with the outlet of the water tank and a control circuit. The heater includes an electric heating pipe and a thermal conductor having a curved water channel. The electric heating pipe is embedded in the thermal conductor. The spiral electric heating pipe is embedded in the thermal conductor to thereby increase the heat transferring area, and the spiral water channel is formed in the thermal conductor. The inner wall of the metal pipe is provided with screw threads to increase the heated area and have a self-cleaning function. Thus, the cold water is instantly heated. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286729 | IDENTIFYING A PHOTOGRAPHER - A method of identifying a photographer includes determining a steadiness signal related to movement of a camera held by a first photographer while capturing an image or video, wherein the steadiness signal identifies the motion of the camera in at least two dimensions as a function of time and storing a set of steadiness signals where each steadiness signal has an associated known photographer. The method further includes using a processor to compare the steadiness signal to the set of steadiness signals to produce a set of similarity scores between the first photographer and each of the known photographers; and using the set of similarity scores to identify the photographer that has captured the image or video. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286730 | ESTIMATING GENDER OR AGE OF A PHOTOGRAPHER - A method of estimating the gender or approximate age of a photographer, includes: determining a steadiness signal related to movement of a camera held by a photographer while capturing an image or video, wherein the steadiness signal identifies the motion of the camera in at least two dimensions as a function of time. Then using a processor for determining a demographic classification for the photographer based on an analysis of the steadiness signal, wherein the demographic classification includes the approximate age or the gender of the photographer. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286731 | DETERMINING CAMERA ACTIVITY FROM A STEADINESS SIGNAL - A method of identifying the activity of a camera used for capturing an image or video, such activity not being related to the activity of subjects of the scene being captured includes determining a steadiness signal related to movement of the camera while capturing an image or video, wherein the steadiness signal identifies the motion of the camera in at least two dimensions as a function of time; and using a processor for determining a camera activity classification for the camera based on an analysis of the steadiness signal, wherein the camera activity classification includes categories of the camera being stationary, the camera being located in a moving vehicle, the camera being held by hand, or the camera being held by a jogging or walking user. | 2011-11-24 |
20110286732 | LENS DRIVING APPARATUS - A lens driving apparatus has a lens portion | 2011-11-24 |