49th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 32 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110299679 | CONTROLLER, CONTROL METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM FOR COMPUTER PROGRAM, RECORDING APPARATUS, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR RECORDING APPARATUS - A controller for embedding in a recording medium apparatus in order to control memory access comprises a unique key generation unit that generates a unique key assigned to the controller, a decryption unit that acquires encrypted key information generated by encrypting a private key for the recording medium apparatus with the unique key, and that decrypts the encrypted key information so acquired with the unique key to generate decrypted information; a private key verification unit that verifies whether or not the decrypted information is the private key, and an encrypted key information write unit that writes the encrypted key information so acquired to memory when the decrypted information is verified to be the private key. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299680 | Methods and Apparatuses for Securing Playback Content - An apparatus for secured playback is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a controller that includes a key derivation module to manage authentication and key derivation. In one embodiment, the apparatus provides a video decryption key to a graphics engine if video data portions in a data stream are retrievable without having to decrypt the data stream. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a decryption module to decrypt a part of data in conjunction with an encryption key to generate video information and video data. The controller then writes an encrypted version of the video data to a video buffer of a graphics engine. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299681 | CIPHERING IN A PACKET-SWITCHED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - A method including generating a plurality of convergence layer protocol data units in a packet-switched telecommunications system protocol stack; ciphering said plurality of convergence layer protocol data units using a ciphering sequence number; transferring said plurality of ciphered convergence layer protocol data units to a link layer of the packet-switched telecommunications system; discarding at least one ciphered convergence layer protocol data unit at the link layer and generating a link layer protocol data unit from at least one of the ciphered convergence layer protocol data units that has not been discarded; and transmitting the link layer protocol data unit and information relating to the discarding for a peer link layer. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299682 | Security Solution For Voice Over LTE Via GAN (VoLGA) - A VoLGA Access Network Controller (VANC), a User Equipment, and methods are described herein for providing security to Voice over Long-Term Evolution via Generic Access (VoLGA) traffic. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299683 | DESCRAMBLER - According to one embodiment of the invention, the descrambler IC comprises a local memory to store a unique key and a plurality of process blocks. A first process block is adapted to perform cryptographic operations on input information using the unique key to produce a user key. A second process block is adapted to perform cryptographic operations on incoming information using the user key to produce a copy protection key while a third process block uses the unique key to decrypt an encrypted descrambling key and recover the descrambling key. The decryption logic uses the descrambling key to decrypt encrypted incoming digital content and produce digital content in a clear format. The encryption logic uses the copy protection key to re-encrypt the digital content in the clear format and produce encrypted digital content for transmission from the descrambler. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299684 | SMART ENERGY NETWORK CONFIGURATION USING AN AUXILIARY GATEWAY - Various embodiments include a method and system for configuring a smart energy network using an auxiliary gateway where an auxiliary gateway is capable of communicating with an energy services interface and a link key database. The auxiliary gateway, on a smart energy network, extracts the unique identifier from a communication related to the smart energy device. The auxiliary gateway may then use the unique identifier to retrieve the smart energy device information from the link key database and communicate the smart energy device information to the energy services interface. The energy services interface may then use the smart energy device information to decrypt a communication from the smart energy device or access manufacturer specific functionality of the smart energy device. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299685 | SECURE MOBILE AD HOC NETWORK - Security in a mobile ad hoc network is maintained by using various forms of encryption, various encryption schemes, and various multi-phase keying techniques. In one configuration, an over the air, three-phase, re-keying technique is utilized to ensure that no authorized nodes are lost during re-keying and that nodes that are intended to be excluded from re-keying are excluded. In another configuration, an over the air, two-phase keying technique, is utilized to maintain backwards secrecy. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299686 | WIRELESS DEVICE SETUP - A computer computes an SSID and a key from a string. The computer wirelessly accesses a wireless-access-device preconfigured with the SSID and the key. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299687 | AUTOMATED KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for automatic key and certificate management is disclosed. In particular, a key store in a base computer contains both new and previously viewed cryptographic keys. In one embodiment, for each new key, if a corresponding certificate matches an existing certificate, the new certificate may be automatically downloaded to a mobile communications device without prompting a user. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299688 | HIGH SPEED DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER WITH REDUCED SPURIOUS OUTPUTS - A system includes a first circuit including a scrambling module that receives N digital data streams and that scrambles the N digital data streams using a scrambling sequence. A data bus receives the N scrambled digital data streams and the scrambling sequence. A second circuit communicates with the data bus and includes a first processing module that processes the N scrambled digital data streams and that outputs M digital data streams, where M and N are integers greater than one. The second circuit includes one or more descrambling and processing modules that receive the M digital data streams, that descramble the M digital data streams based on the scrambling sequence, and that further process the M digital data streams. The second circuit includes a digital to analog converter (DAC) module that receives an output of the one or more descrambling and processing modules. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299689 | Flameless Candle with Multimedia Capabilities - A flameless candle having speaker and lighting capability is provided. Multiple of such flameless candles can be used in a system to generate stereo or surround sound, as well as various lighting modes. The flameless candle or flameless candle system can have AM/FM radio functions, clock functions, alarm functions, etc., and can be used as an audio monitor. In addition, the flameless candle or candle system may be equipped with video capability. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299690 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING AUDIO DATA - A method and apparatus for transmitting audio data is disclosed. In the method of sending audio data, audio data to be sent are divided into basic channel audio data and supplementary audio data for services of a high channel. When a left channel or a right channel is selected in response to a word selection signal in accordance with the standards of a serial bus, the basic channel audio data corresponding to a selected channel are sent, and at least one of the supplementary audio data is sent during the remaining time until another channel is selected in response to the word selection signal. Accordingly, audio data of a high channel, such as a 5.1 channel, can be sent without a design change using a serial bus for supporting a 2 channel, such as an I2S bus. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299691 | SPEAKER POLARITY DETERMINATION DEVICE - A speaker determination device determines a polarity of a speaker connected to output terminals. Test sound is outputted to an acoustic space via the connected speaker and is collected by a microphone. A reference signal is generated based on the test signal. A polarity determining unit compares predetermined frequency range components of the microphone signal obtained by the microphone and the reference signal, and determines the polarity of the speaker, i.e., whether the speaker is connected in positive phase or in negative phase. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299692 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND HEARING AIDS FOR IN SITU OCCLUSION EFFECT MEASUREMENT - A hearing aid ( | 2011-12-08 |
20110299693 | METHOD FOR TESTING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN CONNECTION WITH A FITTING DEVICE AND A HEARING DEVICE AS WELL AS A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method for testing a wireless communication system is disclosed comprising a fitting device ( | 2011-12-08 |
20110299694 | AUDIO EXTENSION SYSTEM - The present invention discloses an audio extension system. The audio extension system comprises a permanent magnet; a holder having a concave portion for holding the permanent magnet; a tube disposed at a gap between a side of the permanent and a side of the concave portion of the holder for holding a coil surrounded a periphery of the permanent magnet and supported the coil to vibrate freely; and a conducting part, mounted at one end of the tube for vibration to a vibrating member disposed therein; wherein two ends of a conducting cable formed the coil are directly connecting to a jack of an earphone or a headphone of outputting an audio signal, and the conducting part on the audio signal outputted from the jack is conducting the vibration of the coil through the tube to output a sound from the vibrating member. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299695 | ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION DECISIONS IN A PORTABLE AUDIO DEVICE - Active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry is coupled to the input of an earpiece speaker in a portable audio device, to control the ambient acoustic noise outside of the device and that may be heard by a user of the device. A microphone is to pickup sound emitted from the earpiece speaker, as well as the ambient acoustic noise. Control circuitry deactivates the ANC in response to determining that an estimate of how much sound emitted from the earpiece speaker has been corrupted by noise indicates insufficient corruption by noise. In another embodiment, the ANC decision is in response to determining that an estimate of the ambient noise level is greater than a threshold level of an audio artifact that could be induced by the ANC. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299696 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AMPLIFIERS - Techniques for controlling one or more audio amplifiers in or associated with a device coupled on a local area network are disclosed. The device receives at least one selected source from other devices also coupled on the network According to one aspect of the techniques, an automatic shutdown control module is provided in the device to power down the audio amplifiers when there is no audio data flow coming to the device or power up the audio amplifiers when there is audio data flow coming to the device. In one embodiment, the procedure to power down or power up the amplifiers is in accordance with a hysteresis, wherein the hysteresis, being lagging of an effect behind its cause, protects the amplifiers and makes the powering-down or powering-up procedure unnoticeable to a user. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299697 | AUDIO PLAYBACK APPARATUS, CONTROL AND USAGE METHOD FOR AUDIO PLAYBACK APPARATUS, AND MOBILE PHONE TERMINAL WITH STORAGE DEVICE - An audio playback apparatus includes an integrated circuit in which an FM reception circuit and a near field wireless communication circuit are integrated and packaged into one chip, a switch unit configured to switch between output of an audio signal supplied from the FM reception circuit and output of an audio signal supplied from the near field wireless communication circuit, and a connection terminal configured to output an audio signal selected using the switch unit and supply an FM broadcast signal received through a cable of an earphone connected to the connection terminal to the FM reception circuit. An associated method performed by the audio playback apparatus cooperates with the mobile terminal apparatus and associated method to provide a functional system. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299698 | LIGHTWEIGHT AUDIO SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD - A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299699 | LIGHTWEIGHT AUDIO SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD - A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299700 | LIGHTWEIGHT AUDIO SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD - A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299701 | MINIATURE MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) BASED DIRECTIONAL SOUND SENSOR - A micro-electromechanical (MEMS) based directional sound sensor includes a two sensor wings attached to a surrounding support structure by two legs. The support structure is hollow beneath the sensor wings allowing the sensor wings to vibrate in response to sound excitation. In one embodiment, interdigitated comb finger capacitors attached on the sensor wing edges and the support structure enable an electrostatic (capacitive) readout related to the vibrations of the sensor which allows determination of the sound direction. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299702 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING A SET OF SPATIAL CUES ON THE BASIS OF A MICROPHONE SIGNAL AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TWO-CHANNEL AUDIO SIGNAL AND A SET OF SPATIAL CUES - An apparatus for providing a set of spatial cues associated with an upmix audio signal having more than two channels on the basis of a two-channel microphone signal has a signal analyzer and a spatial side information generator. The signal analyzer is configured to obtain a component energy information and a direction information on the basis of the two-channel microphone signal, such that the component energy information describes estimates of energies of a direct sound component of the two-channel microphone signal and of a diffuse sound component of the two-channel microphone signal, and such that the directional information describes an estimate of a direction from which the direct sound component of the two-channel microphone signal originates. The spatial side information generator is configured to map the component energy information and the direction information onto a spatial cue information describing the set of spatial cues associated with an upmix audio signal having more than two channels. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299703 | MINIATURE TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED DE-COUPLING COILS - The present invention relates to a miniature transducer assembly for a wireless portable terminal. The miniature transducer assembly of the present invention comprises a transducer unit comprising a number of voice coils for displacing a diaphragm of said transducer unit. Moreover, the transducer assembly comprises at least one de-coupling coil for avoiding interference between the transducer unit and an antenna of the wireless portable terminal. In order to reduce the dimensions of the transducer assembly at least one de-coupling coil forms an integral part of a lead-out wire from of a voice coil. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299704 | Frequency-tracked synthesizer employing selective harmonic amplification and/or frequency scaling - This invention relates to effects processing of a monophonic analog signal, meaning a signal whose frequency components are all integer multiples of a first fundamental frequency. For example, the signal could come from almost any musical instrument, voice included. However, for generality, the invention is not restricted to cases where the signal source is musical. The digital signal processing is simplified as a result of the DSP being clocked at a constant multiple of f | 2011-12-08 |
20110299705 | AUDIO SIGNAL ADJUSTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An audio signal adjusting method is disclosed, which comprises steps of: determining an environment noise level; calculating a ratio between an environment noise level and an output audio signal level to form a measuring value; comparing the measuring value with a predetermined threshold as an audio comfort value; and determining whether or not to adjust an audio signal parameter according to the comparison result. If the comparison result is incorrect, then the audio signal parameter is adjusted, and the output audio signal should be outputted according to the adjusted audio signal parameter. The audio signal adjusting method can satisfy the different user needs on different environment types. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299706 | AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An audio signal processing apparatus includes: a test signal supply unit to supply a test signal to each speaker of a multi-channel speaker including a center speaker and others; a speaker angle calculation unit to calculate an installation angle of each speaker with an orientation of a microphone as a reference, based on test audio output from each speaker and collected by the microphone; a speaker angle determination unit to determine an installation angle of each speaker with a direction of the center speaker from the microphone as a reference, based on the installation angle of the center speaker and the installation angles of the other speakers with the orientation of the microphone as a reference; and a signal processing unit to perform correction processing on an audio signal based on the installation angles of the speakers with the direction of the center speaker from the microphone as a reference. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299707 | VIRTUAL SPATIAL SOUND SCAPE - An apparatus, method and computer program product relating to spatialized audio. There is a set of headphones having an accelerometer and a tilt sensor for tracking the location and orientation of the set of headphones and a computer apparatus which includes a headphone position processor to receive headphone location and orientation information from the set of headphones, virtual speaker location processors (VSLPs) which receive a digital signal containing audio information from a digital audio stream and a digital signal containing headphone location and orientation information from the headphone position processor and output a digital signal containing audio information, a summing processor to receive the digital output signals from the VSLPs, sum them and output them to a digital to analog (D/A) converter. The D/A converter converts the summed digital output signals received from the VSLPs to an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the set of headphones. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299708 | METHOD OF FORMING A CONNECTOR FOR A HEARING AID - A method of forming a connector for a hearing aid, by providing a plug, a receiver housing and an interconnecting tube; providing or arranging one or more accommodated elements in the interconnecting tube, and elongating the interconnecting tube by forcing the first and the second ends of the interconnecting elements away from each other whereby a length of the interconnecting element is increased. A connector for a hearing aid, the connector comprising a plug and a receiver housing interconnected by an interconnecting tube, wherein the width of the interconnecting tube is below 3 mm and wherein at least four electrical conductors are arranged in the interconnecting tube such that the electrical conductors co-extend with the interconnecting tube. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299709 | HEARING SYSTEM AND METHOD AS WELL AS EAR-LEVEL DEVICE AND CONTROL DEVICE APPLIED THEREIN - An ear-level hearing device and a handheld computer (e.g., smartphone) with a graphical user interface determines a subject's own hearing threshold. Hardware includes the smartphone, viewing screen of the smartphone, smartphone software, ear level hearing device, transmitter on the smartphone and receiver on the ear level device (ELD) communicating with the graphical user interface on the smartphone to the ear level hearing device. The interface software on the smartphone may include an automatic routine or buttons to vary frequency and amplitude of a frequency dependent sound presentation to the earpiece. Software installed on the hand-held smartphone system sends wireless signals to the ELD changing acoustic parameters in the listening device. The firmware/software in the ELD stores frequency/amplitude parameters of the thresholds and wirelessly delivers them to the smartphone. The smartphone device uses the threshold data to derive the appropriate amplified acoustical signal (relative to the thresholds) to the subject. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299710 | HEARING AID - The invention is a hearing aid that is mounted on both the left and right ears and generates a notification sound to notify the user to a state change. This hearing aid comprises a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid mounted on the left and right ears, respectively. The first and second hearing aids each have a communication unit, an operating unit, a notification sound generator, and a notification sound generation delay unit. The communication unit performs communication between the first and second hearing aids. The operating unit changes the operating state of the first and second hearing aids. The notification sound generator generates a notification sound when the operating state of the first and second hearing aids changes due to operating of the operating unit. The notification sound generation delay unit controls the notification sound generator of the first hearing aid or the second hearing aid so as to delay by a specific amount the timing at which a notification sound is generated by the notification sound generator in the first hearing aid or the second hearing aid, on the basis of delay time information received through the communication unit. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299711 | SOUND MESSAGE RECORDING SYSTEM FOR A HEARING AID - A system for recording and playing sound messages to be applied for the indication of a status in a hearing aid ( | 2011-12-08 |
20110299712 | Cerumen Filter For A Hearing Aid - A cerumen filter at least a part of which is adapted to be inserted into an opening of a hearing aid. The cerumen filter comprises a body defining an audio passage extending through the cerumen filter and a cerumen filter arrangement comprising an outer cerumen filter and an inner cerumen filter. The cerumen filter arrangement is arranged to prevent flow of cerumen into the audio passage. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299713 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING A FOLDED SUBSTRATE - A portable electronic device having a) a folded substrate carrying components of the device, and b) another, separate component having a fixed outer contour, and c) a housing for enclosing said folded substrate and said separate component, said housing having an inner contour, wherein said folded substrate is folded from a planar substrate along a folding line, said folded substrate exhibiting outer edges comprising a folded edge following said folding line. A method of manufacturing a folded substrate. An object of the present application is to facilitate miniaturization of a portable electronic device, such as a hearing aid. A problem is solved in that the folded substrate is shaped to provide that at least one of said outer edges follow(s) the fixed outer contour of the separate component and/or the inner contour of said housing. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299714 | EARPHONE FOR REPLACEABLE CABLES - An earphone to fit with a plurality of audio cables with difference application lengths includes an earphone body and a first buckle structure. The earphone body further includes an audio jack to couple with an audio terminal of a relevant audio cable with an appropriate application length. The first buckle structure is located at the audio jack for providing a firm connection between the audio terminal and the audio jack. By providing the earphone body to engage firmly the audio cable with an appropriate application length in a separable manner, any application situation featuring a particular application length can be easily overcome. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299715 | Novelty Garment and Related Method of Use - The invention is directed to a novelty garment, formed as a clothing article, which can broadcast a sound recording. The clothing article may be a t-shirt, tank top, or related garment having an outside and an inside. An annular sleeve is attached to the inside of the clothing article and encases a circuit board having a processor, a memory device, a power source, and a speaker. Placed around the circuit board is a waterproof bladder having a sufficient size and dimension to fit within the annular sleeve. The processor is capable of receiving signals from one or more pressure sensors, an RFID Tag or a WIFI receiver to upload a sound recording stored within the memory device for performance by the speaker. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299716 | FLAT DIAPHRAGM LOUDSPEAKER - The invention relates to a loudspeaker system in which the diaphragm of the speaker has a defined material thickness particularly in the edge region thereof and comprises a suspension which is axially symmetrical about the mechanical rest position of said diaphragm and is formed by one, preferably two identical mirrored components, characterized in that the sound emission towards the rear is performed to at least 50 percent by the inner space of a magnetic system. The invention further relates to the use of the loudspeaker system as loudspeaker boxes or in radios, television screens, radio receivers, hand-held radio devices, measurement receivers, mobile telephones and headphones or the like. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299717 | LOUDSPEAKER WITH REPLACEABLE MOTOR ASSEMBLY - A loudspeaker is provided in which precise alignment is obtained between the frame and motor assembly before they are connected to one another so that a voice coil coupled to the frame may be properly radially and vertically positioned with respect to a magnetic gap in the motor assembly while allowing the motor assembly and frame to be easily and quickly separated from one another to perform repairs or complete replacement of the motor assembly. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299718 | System for Vibration Confinement - Systems and apparatuses are provided for vibration confinement and stress management in a loudspeaker. In one embodiment, the loudspeaker comprises a diaphragm that extends from an inner diaphragm region (e.g., dome or cone-shaped) to an outer diaphragm region, wherein the outer diaphragm region bends at a defined angle (e.g., between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees) relative to the inner diaphragm region. The loudspeaker also comprises a suspension member extending from an inner suspension region to an outer suspension region, the inner suspension region overlapping and attaching with the outer diaphragm region. The bend in the diaphragm isolates the inner diaphragm region from spurious vibrations in the suspension member. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299719 | Specific Absorption Rate Measurement and Energy-Delivery Device Characterization Using Thermal Phantom and Image Analysis - A method of predicting a radiation pattern emitted by an energy applicator includes the steps of providing thermal profile data for an energy applicator, determining a specific absorption rate around the energy applicator as a function of the thermal profile data, and generating a simulated radiation pattern for the energy applicator as a function of the determined specific absorption rate. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299720 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MATERIAL LAYER IDENTIFICATION THROUGH IMAGE PROCESSING - A fast and fully automated approach for determining the number of atomic planes in layered material samples is provided. Examples of such materials may include graphene and bismuth telluride (Bi | 2011-12-08 |
20110299721 | PROJECTION BASED HASHING THAT BALANCES ROBUSTNESS AND SENSITIVITY OF MEDIA FINGERPRINTS - Multiple candidate feature components of media content or projection matrices (or other hash functions, e.g., non-linear projections) are identified. Each of the candidate projection matrices (or other hash functions) includes an array of coefficients that relate to the candidate features. A subgroup of the candidate features or the projection matrices (or other hash functions) are selected based at least partially on an optimized combination of at least two characteristics of the candidate features or projection matrices (or other hash functions). Media fingerprints that uniquely identify the media content are derived from the selected optimized subgroup. Optimal projection matrices (or other hash functions) may be designed. Performance or sensitivity (e.g., search time) characteristics of the fingerprints are thus balanced with robustness characteristics thereof. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299722 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PRINTED SHEETS, ESPECIALLY SHEETS OF PRINTED SECURITIES, INTO INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTS - There is described method of processing printed sheets ( | 2011-12-08 |
20110299723 | Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium - An image processing apparatus includes a watermark adding section for adding a watermark for copy control to an image, where the watermark includes a dot pattern which becomes visible when copy, and a pattern adding section for adding a predetermined pattern to an appropriate position of an image, wherein the watermark adding section includes a watermark generating section for generating a watermark for copy control, where the watermark includes a dot pattern which becomes invisible when copy, a determining section for determining whether or not the pattern adding section adds the predetermined pattern to the image, when the generated watermark is added to the image, and a region setting section for setting a region where the predetermined pattern is to be appeared at a different portion where the dot pattern is added, when the determining section determines that the predetermined pattern is to be added to the image. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299724 | REMOTE DYNAMIC INDICATION OF SUPERVISORY CONTROL AND MONITORING - A system and method for assigning unique and immutable attributes to user profiles and associated image(s) to facilitate the dynamic indication of supervisory control and monitoring through iconic representation, steganographic processing and/or encryption processing. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299725 | METHODS INVOLVING MAPS, IMAGERY, VIDEO AND STEGANOGRAPHY - The disclosure describes methods and apparatus of providing steganographic indicia or digital watermarking in image or video data. One implementation provides a method of embedding a digital watermark in image data captured by an imager, with watermark embedding occurring on-chip with the imager. Another implementation provides a method of managing images. Each of the images comprises plural-bit data steganographically embedded therein in the form of a digital watermark, with the plural-bit data corresponding to a geo-location. Yet another implementation provides a method of identifying locations on a map, with the map being for display via a computer display. Still another implementation provides a method of introducing a watermark message to a watermark embedder located on-chip with an image array. Other implementations and embodiments are provided as well. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299726 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING WHETHER A SURFACE OF AN ARTICLE IS PROVIDED WITH A VALUABLE DOCUMENT - A method and an apparatus inspect whether a surface of an article has a valuable document, in particular whether a piece of mail is provided with a franking mark. A computer-available image of the surface region to be examined is generated. An inspection determines whether the image contains an object image which corresponds to an object image stored in a valuable document data memory. When the image contains a corresponding object image, it is determined that the surface region has a valuable document. When the image does not contain such an object image, then an inspection is carried out to determine if a predefined inspection region has a predefined security feature. When a security feature has been determined, a valuable document is sought in the inspection region using the image. When a valuable document is found in the inspection region, an image of the valuable document is generated and stored. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299727 | Specific Absorption Rate Measurement and Energy-Delivery Device Characterization Using Thermal Phantom and Image Analysis - A system for use in characterizing an energy applicator includes a test fixture assembly. The test fixture assembly includes an interior area defined therein. The system also includes a thermally-sensitive medium disposed in the interior area of the test fixture assembly. The thermally-sensitive medium includes a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium. The cut-out portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the energy applicator therein. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299728 | AUTOMATIC DEPTH CAMERA AIMING - Automatic depth camera aiming is provided by a method which includes receiving from the depth camera one or more observed depth images of a scene. The method further includes, if a point of interest of a target is found within the scene, determining if the point of interest is within a far range relative to the depth camera. The method further includes, if the point of interest of the target is within the far range, operating the depth camera with a far logic, or if the point of interest of the target is not within the far range, operating the depth camera with a near logic. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299729 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING GOLF CLUB SHAFT FLEX AND GOLF SIMULATION SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE SAME - A method for measuring shaft flex comprises capturing at least one image of a shaft during movement of the shaft through a swing plane and examining the at least one image to determine the flex of the shaft. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299730 | VEHICLE LOCALIZATION IN OPEN-PIT MINING USING GPS AND MONOCULAR CAMERA - Described herein is a method and system for vehicle localization in an open pit mining environment having intermittent or incomplete GPS coverage. The system comprises GPS receivers associated with the vehicles and providing GPS measurements when available, as well as one or more cameras | 2011-12-08 |
20110299731 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing device includes a first calculation unit which calculates a score of each sample image including a positive image in which an object as an identification object is present and a negative image in which the object as the identification object is not present, for each weak identifier of an identifier including a plurality of weak identifiers, a second calculation unit which calculates the number of scores when the negative image is processed, which are scores less than a minimum score among scores when the positive image is processed; and an realignment unit which realigns the weak identifiers in order from a weak identifier in which the number calculated by the second calculation unit is a maximum. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299732 | SYSTEM OF DRONES PROVIDED WITH RECOGNITION BEACONS - The present invention relates to a system ( | 2011-12-08 |
20110299733 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING RADAR IMAGERY - The present invention relates to a system and method for processing imagery, such as may be derived from a coherent imaging system e.g. a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The system processes sequences of SAR images of a region taken in at least two different passes and generates Coherent Change Detection (CCD) base images from corresponding images of each pass. A reference image is formed from one or more of the CCD base images images, and an incoherent change detection image formed by comparison between a given CCD base image and the reference image. The technique is able to detect targets from tracks left in soft ground, or from shadow areas caused by vehicles, and so does not rely on a reflection directly from the target itself. The technique may be implemented on data recorded in real time, or may be done in post-processing on a suitable computer system. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299734 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING TARGET OBJECTS - With a method and a system for detecting target objects, which are detected by a sensor device, for example, by radar, laser or passive reception of electromagnetic waves, through an imaging electro-optical sensor with subsequent digital image evaluation, it is proposed for a rapid allocation of the image sensor with changeable direction that takes into account the different importance of the individual target objects to predefine in an assessment device different assessment criteria for a target parameter of the respective target objects and to derive therefrom a prioritization value for each individual target. Based on the prioritization values a ranking is compiled of the target objects for detection by the image sensor, and the target objects are successively detected by the image sensor in the order given by the ranking and evaluated, in particular classified, in an image evaluation device. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299735 | METHOD OF USING STRUCTURAL MODELS FOR OPTICAL RECOGNITION - A method and system for recognizing all varieties of objects in an image by using structure models are disclosed. Structural elements are sought when comparing a structural model with an image but only within a framework of one or more generated hypotheses. The method for identifying objects includes preliminarily creating a structural model of objects by specifying a plurality of basic geometric structural elements corresponding to one or more portions of the object, recording a spatial characteristic of each identified basic geometric structural element, and recording a relational characteristic for each specified basic geometric structural element. Objects in the image are isolated and a list of hypotheses for each object is provided. Hypotheses are tested by determining if the corresponding group of basic geometric structural elements corresponds to another supposed object described in a classifier. Results of testing of hypotheses may be saved and the results may be used to identify objects. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299736 | APPARATUS FOR LOCALIZATION USING IMAGE AND RANGE DATA AND METHOD THEREOF - A localization apparatus and method for localizing by use of image information and range data are provided. The localization apparatus includes an image sensor which captures an image and outputs image data, a range sensor which senses a distance and outputs a range sensing signal, an image feature point information processing unit which extracts image feature points from the sensed image and generates image feature point information about the extracted image feature points, a range feature point information processing unit which generates range feature point information about range feature points from the range sensing signal, and a state estimation unit which estimates a state variable including a position of the localization apparatus by using the image feature point information and the range feature point information as an observation value. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299737 | VISION-BASED HAND MOVEMENT RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A vision-based hand movement recognition system and method thereof are disclosed. In embodiment, a hand posture is recognized according to consecutive hand images first. If the hand posture matches a start posture, the system then separates the consecutive hand images into multiple image groups and calculates motion vectors of these image groups. The distributions of these motion vectors are compared with multiple three-dimensional motion vector histogram equalizations to determine a corresponding movement for each image group. For example, the corresponding movement can be a left moving action, a right moving action, an up moving action or a down moving action. Finally, the combination of these corresponding movements is defined as a gesture, and an instruction mapped to this gesture is then executed. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299738 | Method for Determining Flow Conditions - The invention relates to a method for determining flow conditions in a measured volume permeated by a fluid spiked with optically detectable particles. A plurality of two-dimensional images of the particle distribution is thereby created at each of a plurality of times, an estimated particle distribution is determined therefrom, and a three-dimensional displacement vector field is calculated. According to the invention, a transfer function for the image detectors used is first determined, by means of which the real distribution is mapped by the image detector. Starting from a roughly estimated initial distribution, and by means of the transfer function, virtual images of the estimated distribution are then calculated and compared to the associated real images. The estimated distribution is modified in an iterative method until sufficient matching of the virtual and real images has been achieved. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299739 | OBJECT MOTION ESTIMATING DEVICE, OBJECT MOTION ESTIMATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An embodiment of the present invention provides an object motion estimating device and the like, which solve a problem of assuming translational movement (that is, a spatial gradient is 0) of an optical flow and are suitable to estimation of an optical flow by an image analysis of captured images. The object motion estimating device performs the image analysis of the captured images of the object to estimate motion of the object. The object motion estimating device includes an image analyzing unit | 2011-12-08 |
20110299740 | BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION UNIT - A biometric authentication unit includes a position detecting section for detecting a user's finger position from a pressure distribution detected by a right-side pressure detecting plate, a left-side pressure detecting plate, a front-side pressure detecting plate, a rear-side pressure detecting plate and a fingertip pressure detecting plate; corrects a finger vein pattern of a registrant data on the basis of the difference between the detected user's finger position and a correct position; collates the acquired user's finger vein pattern with the corrected registrant data; and authenticates whether the user is the registrant. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299741 | Distinguishing Live Faces from Flat Surfaces - Multiple images including a face presented by a user are accessed. One or more determinations are made based on the multiple images, such as a determination of whether the face included in the multiple images is a 3-dimensional structure or a flat surface and/or a determination of whether motion is present in one or more face components (e.g., eyes or mouth). If it is determined that the face included in the multiple images is a 3-dimensional structure or that that motion is present in the one or more face components, then an indication is provided that the user can be authenticated. However, if it is determined that the face included in the multiple images is a flat surface or that motion is not present in the one or more face components, then an indication is provided that the user cannot be authenticated. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299742 | METHOD FOR CORRECTING THE POSITION OF THE EYES IN AN IMAGE - A method for determining the position of the eyes includes: a step for determining approximate positions of the eyes in the digital image; a step for determining adjacent positions; a step of geometric transformation of the digital image into normalized images in such a way as to make the adjacent positions coincide with the reference positions; a step of comparison of at least a part of each normalized image with a corresponding part of a predetermined image, each comparison providing a score representing the level of resemblance between the parts of images; and a step of declaration of the adjacent positions associated with the best score as actual positions of the eyes of the face. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299743 | SCALABLE FACE IMAGE RETRIEVAL - A system for identifying individuals in digital images and for providing matching digital images is provided. A set of images that include faces of known individuals is received. Faces are detected in the images and facial components are identified in each face. Visual words corresponding to the facial components are generated, stored, and associated with identifiers of the individuals. At a later time, a user may provide an image that includes the face of one of the known individuals. Visual words are determined from the face of the individual in the provided image and matched against the stored visual words. Images associated with matching visual words are ranked and presented to the user. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299744 | System and method for fingerprint recognition and collection at points-of-sale and points-of-entry - A method of apprehending a criminal, including scanning fingerprint images from a contact area of at least one item at a point-of-sale (POS) location and/or point-of-entry (POE) location and transmitting the fingerprint images to a local or remote electronic device to identify the criminal is presented. A fingerprint recognition and collection device is also presented including a fingerprint scanner for scanning fingerprint images from a contact area of at least one item; a transmitting unit for transmitting the fingerprint images; a receiving unit for receiving the fingerprint images; and an analyzing unit for analyzing the fingerprint images to identify persons of interest. The fingerprint scanner operates concurrently with a price scanner and/or ticket scanner. The fingerprint scanner is fixedly secured at the POS location and/or the POE location and operates concurrently with the price scanner and/or ticket scanner. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299745 | PARALLEL PROCESS FOR LEVEL SET SEGMENTATION OF VOLUME DATA - A parallelized sparse field method for segmenting a volume dataset is provided. Using a processor a level set field within a multi-dimensional dataset comprising a plurality of voxels is initialized in parallel operation. The multi-dimensional dataset is indicative of an object. An initial set of active voxels is then generated in parallel operation in dependence upon the initialized level set field. New active voxels are determined in parallel operation. Duplicate active voxels are then removed in parallel operation, followed by compacting the active voxels in parallel operation. The process is repeated until a quantitative stopping criterion is met and level set segmentation data indicative of a feature of the object are determined in dependence upon the level set field. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299746 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus and a medical image diagnosis apparatus comprise a creation unit, a designation unit, a measurement unit, and a display control unit. The creation unit is configured to create a virtual endoscopic image observed using a preset viewpoint position and a preset line-of-sight direction based on 3-dimensional image data. The designation unit is configured to analyze the 3-dimensional image data to designate a plaque portion and/or a calcification portion. The measurement unit is configured to measure information on spatial distribution of the plaque portion and/or the calcification portion designated by the designation unit. The display control unit is configured to perform control to display the virtual endoscopic image created by the creation unit and the information on spatial distribution measured by the measurement unit. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299747 | FUNCTIONAL IMAGING - A method includes obtaining an image of a region of interest of a subject, wherein the image is generated with image data produced by an imaging system used to scan the subject, obtaining a signal indicative of a physiological state of the subject before the scan, and displaying both the image and data indicative of the physiological state. In another aspect, a method includes correcting, via a processor, a tracer uptake value for a target region of interest based on a tracer uptake correction factor. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299748 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, LUMINAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, LUMINAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAMS FOR THE SAME - There is provided a medical image processing apparatus including an image-extracting section extracting a frame image from in vivo motion picture data picked up by an in vivo image pickup device or a plurality of consecutively picked-up still image data, and an image analysis section analyzing the frame image extracted by the image-extracting section to output an image analysis result. The image analysis section includes a first biological-feature detection section detecting a first biological feature, a second biological-feature detection section detecting, based on a detection result obtained by the first biological feature detection section, a second biological feature in a frame image picked up temporally before or after the image used for detection by the first biological feature detection section; and a condition determination section making a determination for a biological condition based on a detection result obtained by the second biological feature detection section to output the determination. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299749 | Medical Image and Vessel Characteristic Data Processing System - An image data processing system automatically indicates an image of a digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image sequence is associated with at least one of, arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow. The system includes an interface for acquiring data representing a DSA sequence of digitally subtracted images enhancing vessel structure. An image data processor automatically indicates an image of the DSA sequence is associated with at least one of, arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow by determining individual minimum luminance intensity level values of individual images of the DSA sequence and using the determined individual minimum luminance intensity level values in identifying images of the DSA sequence are associated with at least one of, arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow. An output processor automatically assigns an attribute to image data to identify vessel phase in response to the identifying images of the DSA sequence, | 2011-12-08 |
20110299750 | 3D TISSUE MODEL FORMATION FROM NON-PARALLEL 2D IMAGES - Biopsy of the prostate using 2D transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance is the current gold standard for diagnosis of prostate cancer; however, the current procedure is limited by using 2D biopsy tools to target 3D biopsy locations. We have discovered a technique for patient-specific 3D prostate model reconstruction from a sparse collection of non-parallel 2D TRUS biopsy images. Our method can be easily integrated with current TRUS biopsy equipment and could be incorporated into current clinical biopsy procedures for needle guidance without the need for expensive hardware additions. We have demonstrated the model reconstruction technique using simulated biopsy images from 3D TRUS prostate images of 10 biopsy patients. This technique of model reconstruction is not limited to the prostate, but can be applied to the reconstruction of any tissue acquired with non-parallel 2-dimensional ultrasound images. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299751 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Development of Therapeutic Treatment Plans - A digital image processing apparatus acquires first information comprising a first multi-dimensional high-energy study of a given treatment volume for a given person. This apparatus then combines this first information with second information that comprises a second multi-dimensional high-energy study of a given volume for a person that includes, but also exceeds, the given treatment volume. This second multi-dimensional high-energy study precedes in time the first multi-dimensional high-energy study. This combination yields resultant multi-dimensional high-energy image information for the given treatment volume that includes imaging information beyond the given treatment volume. The apparatus then uses this resultant information to facilitate development of a treatment plan for the given person without requiring a projection of the multi-dimensional high-energy image information into sinogram space. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299752 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING DEPTH DECONVOLUTION ALGORITHM FOR ENHANCED THERMAL TOMOGRAPHY 3D IMAGING - A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product implement enhanced thermal tomography three-dimensional (3D) thermal effusivity imaging. Experimental thermal imaging data is acquired. A response function is derived and a convolution formulation is constructed from the experimental thermal imaging data. A deconvolution solution procedure is implemented that includes constructing a matrix solution equation with a damping parameter, and solving the matrix solution equation with a selected number of iterations to construct a plurality of effusivity images. Using the novel depth deconvolution algorithm with experimental data acquired from a one-sided pulsed thermal-imaging system provides greater sensitivity for internal sample features substantially eliminating degradation in depth resolution. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299753 | MULTI-RESOLUTION EDGE FLOW APPROACH TO VASCULAR ULTRASOUND FOR INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS (IMT) MEASUREMENT - A computer-implemented system and method for fast, reliable, and automated embodiments for using a multi-resolution edge flow approach to vascular ultrasound for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using edge flow, labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299754 | VALIDATION EMBEDDED SEGMENTATION METHOD FOR VASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGES - A computer-implemented system and method for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements using a validation embedded segmentation method. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery by embedding anatomic information; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using edge flow, labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299755 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXTENDED ULTRASOUND IMAGING - An ultrasound imaging system and method provides for extended imaging. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299756 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEGMENTING A DIGITAL CELL IMAGE - A method and a device for segmenting a digital image of biological cells, a method and a device for analyzing the dynamic behavior of biological cells and a method and a device for visualizing the dynamic behavior of biological cells. To provide a segmentation method that has minimal technical requirements, does not necessitate any special preparation or manipulation of the cells to be observed and which requires as few assumptions as possible to be made about the properties of the cells, it is proposed that the method comprises the following steps: determining a maximum gradient for each pixel of the image as the maximum difference between a pixel value of the pixel and the respective pixel values of all or selected neighboring pixels, determining a segmentation threshold value using the frequencies of the maximum gradients, classifying the images into an object class and an environment class using the segmentation threshold value and forming a segmentation zone of the digital image using a class merging method, in particular a region growing method. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299757 | Prescription Bottle Imaging System and Method - The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299758 | Wafer Plane Detection of Lithographically Significant Contamination Photomask Defects - Provided are novel methods and systems for inspecting photomasks to identify lithographically significant contamination defects. Inspection may be performed without a separate reference image provided from a database or another die. Inspection techniques described herein involve capturing one or more test images of a photomask and constructing corresponding test “simulation” images using specific lithographic and/or resist models. These test simulation images simulate printable and/or resist patterns of the inspected photomask. Furthermore, the initial test images are used in parallel operations to generate “synthetic” images. These images represent a defect-free photomask pattern. The synthetic images are then used for generating reference simulation images, which are similar to the test simulation images but are free from lithographically significant contamination defects. Finally, the reference simulation images are compared to the test simulation images to identify the lithographically significant contamination defects on the photomask. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299759 | RETICLE DEFECT INSPECTION WITH MODEL-BASED THIN LINE APPROACHES - Provided are novel inspection methods and systems for inspecting photomasks to identify various defects using a model-based approach and information obtained from modeled images. Modeled or simulation images are generated directly from test or reference images. Some examples include aerial images that represent expected patterns projected by a lithography system on a substrate as well as photoresist images that represent expected resist patterns. Test images are first represented as a band limited mask pattern, which may include only linear terms for faster image processing. This pattern is then used to construct a modeled image, which in turn is used to construct a model-based feature map. This map serves as a base for inspecting the original test images to identify photomask defects and may include information that allows differentiating between various feature types based on their lithographic significance and other characteristics. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299760 | DEFECT OBSERVATION METHOD AND DEFECT OBSERVATION APPARATUS - Provided is a defect observation apparatus capable of analyzing a structure such as an arrangement and a vertical relationship of a circuit pattern formed by using design information of a sample, creating a non-defective product image from a defect image based on the analysis results, and detecting a defect by comparative inspection. The defect observation apparatus is provided with a computing unit | 2011-12-08 |
20110299761 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Program - An image processing apparatus includes a projective transformation unit that performs projective transformation on left and right images captured from different points of view, a projective transformation parameter generating unit that generates a projective transformation parameter used by the projective transformation unit by receiving feature point information regarding the left and right images, a stereo matching unit that performs stereo matching using left and right projective transformation images subjected to projective transformation, and a matching error minimization control unit that computes image rotation angle information regarding the left and right projective transformation images and correspondence information of an error evaluation value of the stereo matching. The matching error minimization control unit computes the image rotation angle at which the error evaluation value is minimized, and the projective transformation parameter generating unit computes the projective transformation parameter that reflects the image rotation angle at which the error evaluation value is minimized. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299762 | Process Of Correcting An Image Provided On A Support Which Is Subsequently Submitted To A Deformation Process - The invention relates to a method for adapting a visual representation which subsequently is subjected to a deformation, like in packaging. To be able to take into account the deformations on the visual representation the method comprises the steps of: providing a pattern on a support, wherein the pattern comprises a distribution of codes, which are arranged such that each code is unique, deforming the support with the pattern, taking at least two images of the deformed support under different points of view, and determining a 3D surface model based on the matching of at least one code of the pattern in the at least two images. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299763 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INFORMATION EXTRACTION FROM ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY BASED UPON MULTI-CHARACTERISTIC SPATIAL GEOMETRY PROCESSING - An apparatus for information extraction from electromagnetic energy via multi-characteristic spatial geometry processing to determine three-dimensional aspects. Structure receives the electromagnetic energy, which has a plurality of spatial phase characteristics. Structure separates the plurality of spatial phase characteristics of the received electromagnetic energy. Structure identifies spatially segregated portions of each of the plurality of spatial phase characteristics, with each spatially segregated portion corresponding in a point to point relationship to a spatially segregated portion for each of the other of the plurality of spatial phase characteristics in a group. Structure quantifies each segregated portion to provide a spatial phase metric of each segregated portion for providing a data map of the spatial phase metric of each separated spatial phase characteristic of the plurality of spatial phase characteristics. Structure processes the spatial phase metrics to determine surface contour information for each segregated portion of the data map. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299764 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATED CATEGORIZATION OF HUMAN FACE IMAGES BASED ON FACIAL TRAITS - A method for automated categorization of human face images based on facial traits, said method comprising a facial trait extracting phase, comprising the steps of: providing a multitude of images comprising human faces, for each image sampling a multitude of points in said image to obtain point sample data, for each sampled point extracting visual features from said point sample data, for each image assigning said visual features to predefined codewords by applying a codebook transform, for each image extracting facial traits by applying a kernel-based learning method's prediction algorithm to said codewords to establish the probability that a facial trait from a predefined set of facial traits is present in said image, and extract said facial trait for said image if said probability is higher than a predefined threshold. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299765 | ROBUST PATTERN RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD USING SOCRATIC AGENTS - A computer-implemented pattern recognition method, system and program product, the method comprising in one embodiment: creating electronically a linkage between a plurality of models within a classifier module within a pattern recognition system such that any one of said plurality of models may be selected as an active model in a recognition process; creating electronically a null hypothesis between at least one model of said plurality of linked models and at least a second model among said plurality of linked models; accumulating electronically evidence to accept or reject said null hypothesis until sufficient evidence is accumulated to reject said null hypothesis in favor of one of said plurality of linked models or until a stopping criterion is met; and transmitting at least a portion of the electronically accumulated evidence or a summary thereof to accept or reject said null hypothesis to a pattern classifier module. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299766 | DATA DRIVEN INTERPOLATION USING GEODESIC AFFINITY - Often, information regarding images and/or other data may be incomplete. For example, an image may have depth information associated with a portion of the image, but not the entire image. It may be advantageous to extrapolate the values from the known points to the entire image. Accordingly, a dimensional array representing an image (or other data) may be traversed one or more times to generate an interpolated table. The interpolated table may comprise pixels of unknown value, where a pixel of unknown value may be associated with a number of pixels with known values. In this way, values for pixels may be specified based upon values of pixels having known values. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299767 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A tile image including a predetermined number of pixels (e.g., 32×32 pixels) is divided into blocks (pieces) of a size of 2×2 pixels each to compare color data of each pixel in each piece. A pattern flag indicating an arrangement pattern of the color data contained in each piece is identified, and first color data and color data other than the first color data in each piece are identified, where the first color data is color data corresponding to a pixel at a predetermined position in each piece. If it is determined that all the pieces, except for a piece consisting of the same color, included in the tile image consist of the same color, the two colors are set to representative colors for reference in the tile image. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299768 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR SPECTRAL IMAGE SAMPLING - The present invention relates to spectral image sampling. An image is projected onto an array of optical transformation devices. Image intensity values transmitted by said array of optical transformation devices are detected at each sensor element of an image sensor. The image sensor comprises a plurality of photosensitive sensor elements configured to detect a magnitude of incident light, wherein said sensor elements are shaped as regular polygons whose aspect ratio is controlled to minimize sensor element count while obtaining a desired image quality. The detected image intensity values are processed to infer the image. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299769 | IMAGE PROCESSING USING A BILATERAL GRID - A method of processing a digital image. The method comprises: populating ( | 2011-12-08 |
20110299770 | PERFORMANCE OF IMAGE RECOGNITION ALGORITHMS BY PRUNING FEATURES, IMAGE SCALING, AND SPATIALLY CONSTRAINED FEATURE MATCHING - A method for feature matching in image recognition is provided. First, image scaling may be based on a feature distribution across scale spaces for an image to estimate image size/resolution, where peak(s) in the keypoint distribution at different scales is used to track a dominant image scale and roughly track object sizes. Second, instead of using all detected features in an image for feature matching, keypoints may be pruned based on cluster density and/or the scale level in which the keypoints are detected. Keypoints falling within high-density clusters may be preferred over features falling within lower density clusters for purposes of feature matching. Third, inlier-to-outlier keypoint ratios are increased by spatially constraining keypoints into clusters in order to reduce or avoid geometric consistency checking for the image. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299771 | METHOD FOR SKIN TONE DETECTION - There is described a method for detecting the presence of skin tone in an image. A gray scale representation of a pixel within the image is provided. Next, a red chrominance independent representation for is provided for the pixel. Then, the two representations are analysed to determine whether a difference in value between the representations corresponds with a the presence of a skin tone value. The present invention provides a rapid skin tone detection classifier particularly useful for real time applications. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299772 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING A DIGITAL IMAGE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD OF PROCESSING A DIGITAL IMAGE - A processing unit for an image processing apparatus enables the reduction of background noise or disturbances on a scanned image. The processing unit is arranged to apply an image enhancement method to the luminance image data of the scanned image only and merge the obtained modified luminance image data with additional luminance image data obtained from the chrominance image data so as to recover light shades on the background that may have been removed by the image enhancement method. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299773 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - The grayscale of an input signal is converted without amplifying noise components thereof. A grayscale conversion portion performs grayscale conversion on an input signal IS to create a converted signal TS, a noise reduction degree determining portion determines a noise reduction degree NR that expresses a strength of noise reduction processing to be applied to the converted signal based on the input signal IS and the converted signal TS, and a noise reducing portion executes noise reduction processing on the converted signal TS based on the noise reduction degree NR. By doing this, it is possible to convert the grayscale of the input signal without enhancing the noise. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299774 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND TRACKING HANDS IN AN IMAGE - A method and system for detecting and tracking hands in an image. The method for detecting and tracking hands in an image comprises the steps of calculating a first probability map comprising of probabilities that respective pixels in the image corresponds to skin based on colour information associated with the respective pixels; calculating a second probability map comprising of probabilities that the respective pixels in the image corresponds to a part of a hand based on depth information associated with the respective pixels; calculating a joint probability map by combining the first probability map and the second probability map; and detecting and tracking hands in the image using an algorithm with a weight output as a detection threshold applied on the joint probability map. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299775 | CORRECTING PAGE CURL IN SCANNED BOOKS - A computer implemented method for correcting distortion in an image of a page includes identifying a set of high quality (HQ) words in undistorted regions of one or more images of pages having content related to the content of the page. At least one distorted word in the image the page is identified such that each distorted word corresponds to a high quality word of the set. A global transformation function is generated for application to the image of the page so as to tranform the distorted word into its corresponding high quality word. The global transformation function is applied to pixels of the image of the page. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299776 | Systems and methods for segmenting human hairs and faces in color images - Systems for segmenting human hairs and faces in color images are disclosed, with methods and processes for making and using the same. The image may be cropped around the face area and roughly centered. Optionally, the illumination environment of the input image may be determined. If the image is taken under dark environment or the contrast between the face and hair regions and background is low, an extra image enhancement may be applied. Sub-processes for identifying the pose angle and chin contours may be performed. A preliminary mask for the face by using multiple cues, such as skin color, pose angle, face shape and contour information can be represented. An initial hair mask by using the abovementioned multiple cues plus texture and hair shape information may be created. The preliminary face and hair masks are globally refined using multiple techniques. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299777 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED COMPUTATIONAL PROCESSING EFFICIENCY IN THE HSEG ALGORITHM - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing image information using a more computationally efficient version of a previously developed HSEG (Hierarchical Segmentation) algorithm. The HSEG algorithm includes iterations intertwining two forms of region growing to produce a set of hierarchically related image segmentations. The first form is a commonly used approach in which regions are grown by merging the most similar spatially adjacent regions. The second form is a unique approach in which regions are grown by also merging spatially non-adjacent regions that are at least as similar as the spatially adjacent regions merged by the first form in the same iteration. The improved HSEG algorithm limits the regions considered for non-adjacent region merging in the second form of operation to regions having at least a minimum number of pixels. This minimum is dynamically controlled to optimize processing efficiency and image segmentation quality. | 2011-12-08 |
20110299778 | METHOD FOR UTILIZING SEGEMENTATION OF RASTER IMAGE FOR COMPRESSION OF AN IMAGE - The invention relates to a method for the compression of a raster type image material by using segmentation, such that: a widespread start image ( | 2011-12-08 |