Abstract: An Active Appearance Model, AAM, uses an L1 minimization-based approach to aligning an input test image. In each iterative application of its statistical model fitting function, a shape parameter coefficient p and an appearance parameter coefficient ? within the statistical model fitting function are updated by L1 minimization. The AAM further includes a canonical classifier to determine if an aligned image is a true example of the class of object being sought before the AAM is permitted to output its aligned image.

Abstract: An active appearance model is built by arranging the training images in its training library into a hierarchical tree with the training images at each parent node being divided into two child nodes according to similarities in characteristic features. The number of node levels is such that the number of training images associated with each leaf node is smaller than a predefined maximum. A separate AAM, one per leaf node, is constructed using each leaf node's corresponding training images. In operation, starting at the root node, a test image is compared with each parent node's two child nodes and follows a node-path of model images that most closely matches the test image. The test image is submitted to an AAM selected for being associated with the leaf node at which the test image rests. The selected AAM's output aligned image may be resubmitted to the hierarchical tree if sufficient alignment is not achieved.

Abstract: A watermarking system uses distinct bit patterns to identify a logic 0, a logic 1, and a marker bit, which demarcates segments of logic bit information. Marker bits, which are printed on both foreground and background areas of an image, outline message blocks. In message extraction, a preprocessing step removes any white boarders, identifies the best defined corner of a message block, crops the image, and rotates the image to place the identified corner at the top-left corner. Message extraction scans the rotated image in window segments of increasing size during multiple cycles. During each cycle, if a bit pattern cannot be identified as a data bit, then the size of the examined bit area is increased and rechecked to see it specifically is a marker bit. If no bit information can be definitively identified, then it is assigned a logic bit value based on a 50% random assignment.

Abstract: A panoramic 3D image is created by using multiple projectors whose field-of-view is narrower than the screen's width. Each projector provides a different image of a common subject from a different view angle, and the different images are mosaiced onto the screen. An observer may have a limited view of the composite image depending on which projectors are within the observer's field-of-view. A viewing volume is also extended by using space beyond a far limit line dependent upon the observer's inter-pupillary distance, the width of each projector's viewing window, and the distance from the projection baseline to the screen.

Abstract: Application of an image filtering algorithm, which defines an algorithm window within which a center pixel is processed relative to the other pixels within the algorithm window, is improved by use of an extended window larger than and encompassing the algorithm window. This approached is applied with an edge preserving filter that works on the principle of matting affinity and allows a better representation of the range filter term in bilateral class filters. An approximate bi-affinity filter whose output is shown to be very similar to the traditional bilateral filter is defined. The present technique has the added advantage that no color space changes are required and hence an input image can be handled in its original color space.

Abstract: An Active Appearance Model AAM is trained using expanded library having examples of true outlier images. The AAM creates a first statistical fitting pair (a model image of the class of object and corresponding statistical model fitting) using characteristic features drawn only from the expanded library. All images within the expanded library that the first statistical fitting pair cannot align are collected into a smaller, second library of true outlier cases. A second statistical fitting pair is created using characteristic features drawn only from the second library, and samples not aligned by the second statistical fitting pair are collected into a still smaller, third library. This process is repeated until a desired percentage of all the images within the initial, expanded library have been aligned. In operation, the AAM applies each of its created statistical fitting pairs, in turn, until it has successfully aligned a submitted test image, or until a stop criterion has been reached.

Abstract: A watermarking system uses two distinct bit patterns to identify three distinct bits, a logic 0 bit, a logic 1 bit, and a marker bit that demarcates message block boundaries. A correct orientation is determining by rotating the input image by 90 degrees and determining which orientation renders the greatest number of valid bits. Bit mapping is used from block to block to predefine a shifting starting position for a watermark message within consecutive message blocks.

Abstract: A method, algorithm, circuits, and/or systems for demodulation in an amplitude modulated (AM) radio receiver are disclosed. In one embodiment, a radio receiver can include an amplifier configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal and a gain control signal, and provide an amplified signal, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit configured to receive a high threshold comparator output and provide the gain control signal, a mixer configured to combine the amplified signal and a local oscillation signal and provide a mixed output, a high threshold comparator configured to compare the mixed output with a reference level and provide the high threshold comparator output, and a low threshold comparator configured to compare the mixed output with the reference level and provide an output of the radio receiver.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for a moving object placed between a projector and a projection scene is shown. The method/system dividing a movement pattern of the moving object into N discrete position states, and for each of said N position states determining a corresponding view projection matrix. While projecting an image within any of the N position states, multiplying a desired projection image by the corresponding view projection matrix.

Abstract: Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.

Abstract: An interface device backs up printer settings and operating history data of printer so that the settings and history data can be easily restored. A nonvolatile memory 109 in the printer 101 stores printer settings data. Commands from a host 161 are passed by the interface device 131 and received by a receiver 103 within the printer. If the command data is a print command, the print mechanism 108 prints the specified text or image. If the command data is a command for updating the settings data, the corresponding settings data in the nonvolatile memory 109 is updated and at an appropriate backup time the updated settings data is copied to a nonvolatile memory 135 in the interface device 131. The settings data backed up into the interface device 131 can then be restored back to the printer's nonvolatile memory 109 at an appropriate data restore time.

Abstract: A check processing apparatus and method acquire and save data verifying the identity of a person using a check, and output this information in an effective manner to prevent improper use of the check. A check scanner 140 images all or part of the presented check C. A photo ID scanner 110 scans personal identification 71 presented as proof of identity by the person using the check, and a controller 160 converts the scanner output to generate personal identification image data. A merge file generating means 170 merges the image data from the check scanner with the personal identification image data to produce a merged file. The merged file is stored in merged file storage means 180 and output to a display 33.

Abstract: An integrated variable inductor is achieved by placing a second closed-loop inductor immediately above or below a primary inductor. The closed-loop configuration of the second inductor may be broken on-chip by several ways, including use of a transistor to selectively short together both ends of the second inductor. If one wishes to alter the inherent inductance characteristics of the primary inductor, the transistor coupling both ends of the second inductor is actuated. Thus, a current applied to the primary inductor induces a current in the second inductor by inductive coupling. The second current in the second inductor then alters the impedance of the primary inductor by mutual inductance. Thus, the inductance value of the primary inductor is altered. To remove the influence of the second inductor on the primary inductor, the closed-loop configuration of the second inductor is broken.

Abstract: When the printer is off-line and receives a large volume of data, the receive buffer is not filled and the communication interface with the host computer does not enter a busy state. A receive buffer temporarily stores data, including control commands, from the host computer, and the printer operates according to the sequentially interpreted content of data stored to the receive buffer. By detecting whether the printer is on-line or off-line, data in the receive buffer is cleared when the printer goes off-line and data received from the host while the printer is off-line is discarded without being buffered.

Abstract: A support member for semiconductor device elements includes a conductive layer separated from the semiconductor elements by an insulative layer. A protective potential lower than any operating potential applied to the semiconductor device elements is applied to the conductive layer. The relatively negative potential on the conductive layer forms an electric field for gettering mobile ions from layers of the support member both above and below the conductive layer. Additionally, the conductive layer within the support member serves as a second plate in construction of capacitors and as a wiring layer for use with the semiconductor device elements. Also, due to the reflective properties of the conductive layer, it may function as a light shield or reflector in the construction of optic devices.

Abstract: Data in the host device that was processed before a data interrupt process could run, and data that was already being sent to the printer, can be reliably deleted when an error occurs.

Abstract: An interface device backs up printer settings and operating history data of printer so that the settings and history data can be easily restored. A nonvolatile memory 109 in the printer 101 stores printer settings data. Commands from a host 161 are passed by the interface device 131 and received by a receiver 103 within the printer. If the command data is a print command, the print mechanism 108 prints the specified text or image. If the command data is a command for updating the settings data, the corresponding settings data in the nonvolatile memory 109 is updated and at an appropriate backup time the updated settings data is copied to a nonvolatile memory 135 in the interface device 131. The settings data backed up into the interface device 131 can then be restored back to the printer's nonvolatile memory 109 at an appropriate data restore time.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus and ink management method determine how much ink leaks when an ink cartridge is replaced, prompts the user to replace the ink sponge with another sponge of the necessary thickness and ink absorption capacity, and thus prevents ink leakage from soiling the cartridge holder. The amount of ink leakage is detected based on the time from when the ink cover 8 opens until the ink cartridge 12 is removed from the cartridge holder 16, and manages the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing material 20 accordingly.

Abstract: A radio wave correction timepiece has an antenna 21 for receiving external radio information including time information consisting of external time data, a reception circuit 22, and a time counter 53 for producing internal time data. A control circuit 24 has a comparison circuit 54 for determining the difference between received external time data and internal time data, and outputting a difference data value. A reception information storage unit 71 stores at least a plurality of data sets, each consisting of received external time data and its resultant difference data value. A correction calculation unit 62 calculates an estimated correction value using the plurality of stored data sets, and the elapsed time from the last reception. An internal time correction control unit 61 corrects the internal time using the estimated correction value.

Abstract: The construction of Shallow Trench Isolation, STI, regions is integrated in to a SIMOX fabrication process for a Silicon On Insulator, SOI, wafer. Prior to the beginning of the SOI process, a preferred nitrogen (N2) implant is applied to the silicon wafer in areas designated as active regions. The nitrogen modifies the oxidation rate of later implanted oxygen. Regions where the N2 is implanted result in thinner oxide layers. The SIMOX process can begin following the implantation of nitrogen. This results in buried regions of thick and thin oxide layers at fixed depths in the Si substrate. Excess Si on top of the buried thick and thin oxide regions can be polished down to the thick oxide regions to form the active device regions over the thin oxide regions. Thus, the SOI wafer exhibits an STI structure upon completion of the SOI process without a need for additional STI manufacturing steps.