Abstract: An image registration method is disclosed for processing a distorted image into a registered image that is aligned with reference to an original image. Distortions from the original image may include scaling, rotation, and noise. The method is based on correlating Radon transforms of both images to determine the rotation angle, and the scaling factor is determined by dividing averages of the overall luminance of each image on the assumption that any added noise will cancel. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is used to estimate global spatial shifts. In one embodiment, the distorted image is first scaled to the size of the original image before being rotated. In another embodiment, the original image is first scaled to the size of the distorted image before rotating the distorted image, and finally scaling it to match the original image. A corresponding system for image registration is also provided.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer comprising: a body defining a rotation axis about which the acetabular reamer is rotatable; a reaming element movable between a reaming element inner position and a reaming element outer position relative to the body; an actuator for moving the reaming element between the reaming element inner and outer positions; and a reaming element lock configurable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the reaming element is freely movable by the actuator between the reaming element inner and outer positions. In the locked configuration, the reaming element lock prevents the reaming element from moving relative to the body. In use, when the reaming element lock is in the locked configuration and reaction forces are exerted onto the reaming element, a larger portion of the reaction forces is transmitted to the body than to the actuator.

Abstract: A method for quality-aware transcoding of an input image into an output image for display on a terminal having device file size and image size constraints are disclosed. The method extracts features of the input image including dimensions and file size of the input image, predicts a file size of the output image taking into account constraints of the terminal and extracted features, including selecting a set of feasible transcoding parameters so that a corresponding predicted file size of the output image meets the device file size constraint of the terminal, determines quality metric values of the output image, characterizing a measure of distortion of the input image introduced by the transcoding, corresponding to the feasible transcoding parameters in the set of feasible transcoding parameters, and selects those transcoding parameters from the set of feasible transcoding parameters, which yield the highest quality metric value. A corresponding system is also provided.

Abstract: Method and system for low complexity assessment of quality of an image are presented. By performing multiresolution decomposition of images using, for example, a discrete wavelet transform, and determining a metric based on a structural similarity index or a structural similarity map, a structural similarity score, characterizing similarity between images with a high degree of accuracy, is produced. The processing time is much smaller in comparison to that required by other methods producing image quality metrics of comparable accuracy.

Abstract: A method and system for generation of a block mode conversion table for use in online transcoding of a sequence of input images in a first format to a sequence of output images in a second format are described. The table is based on a sequence of training images and provides an effective mapping between the encoding block modes and respective candidate transcoding block modes used during the online transcoding. The method utilizes the encoding block mode, the motion vectors and the residual information extracted during the decoding of the training image to generate the block mode conversion table. A corresponding system is also provided.

Abstract: An acquisition and tracking apparatus is provided for tracking digitized spread spectrum navigation signals modulated with a spreading code according to any of a set of modulation types including Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) with and without Frequency Domain Multiplexing Access (FDMA), time multiplexed BPSK, Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), sine and cosine Binary Offset Carrier (BOC), modified, complex, and time multiplexed BOC (TMBOC), the apparatus comprising a plurality of universal tracking channels, each coupled to an interrupt module. The universal tracking channel includes a carrier demodulation module, a code generation module, a correlator module, a code frequencies generation module, and a subcarrier combining module for efficiently using the correlator resources in the correlation of the data and the pilot components of the signal within a single universal tracking channel. A corresponding method of operation is also provided.

Abstract: Method and system for low complexity transcoding of images with near optimal quality for display on a terminal are presented. Generating effective transcoding parameters prior to transcoding and retrieving the transcoding parameters based on the features of the input image and the characteristics of the terminal, an output image quality close to that produced by optimal quality transcoding is achieved. The processing time is much smaller in comparison to that required for optimal quality transcoding.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a file size of an image subject to transformation by scaling and a change of at least one quality-controlling parameter are described. The system receives the file size of the image before transformation, information about at least one quality-controlling parameter of the image before transformation, information about at least one quality-controlling parameter and a scaling factor to be applied to the image during transformation. A relative size prediction is calculated using the received quality-controlling parameters information and the scaling factor. The file size of the image after the transformation is finally calculated as a function of the file size of the image before the transformation and the calculated relative size prediction. Images are partitioned into classes of images, and for each class of images, an array of relative file size predictions, having at least two dimensions, is computed.

Abstract: An active cancellation unit is disclosed for improving the noise cancellation between a transmitter and a receiver which are connected to an antenna using a duplexer, the unit comprising a coupler sampling a signal to transmit provided by the transmitter, a cancellation duplexer having characteristics similar to the duplexer and receiving the sampled signal to provide a simulated signal and an active component receiving the simulated signal and providing an amplified signal having a phase 180 degree shifted with respect to the simulated signal; and a coupler for injecting the simulated signal at the receiver.

Abstract: There is described a duplexer comprising: a dielectric substrate having a circuit-receiving surface and an opposite surface; a ground structure deposited on the circuit-receiving surface or the opposite surface; a first filter connectable to a first terminal and having a first frequency bandpass; a second filter connectable to a second terminal and having a second frequency bandpass different from the first frequency bandpass, the first filter and the second filter each having at least one filter section deposited on the circuit-receiving surface; and an uncovered coupling circuit connectable to a third terminal and deposited on the circuit-receiving surface between the first filter and the second filter, the coupling circuit being spaced apart from the first and second filter by a coupling gap and configured for electromagnetically coupling the first filter and the second filter together.

Abstract: Method and system for low complexity assessment of quality of an image are presented. By performing multiresolution decomposition of images using, for example, a discrete wavelet transform, and determining a metric based on a structural similarity index or a structural similarity map, a structural similarity score, characterizing similarity between images with a high degree of accuracy, is produced. The processing time is much smaller in comparison to that required by other methods producing image quality metrics of comparable accuracy.

Abstract: A binding component for binding together a pair of biological tissues. The binding component includes an elongated body defining a body longitudinal axis, the body being made, at least in part, of a shape memory material. The body is configured and sized so as to be both substantially flexible and substantially compressible in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Method and system for low complexity transcoding of images with near optimal quality for display on a terminal are presented. Generating effective transcoding parameters prior to transcoding and retrieving the transcoding parameters based on the features of the input image and the characteristics of the terminal, an output image quality close to that produced by optimal quality transcoding is achieved. The processing time is much smaller in comparison to that required for optimal quality transcoding.

Abstract: Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.

Abstract: Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a file size of an image subject to transformation by scaling and a change about at least one quality-controlling parameter, in which an input receives (a) the file size of the image before transformation, (b) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter of the image before transformation, (c) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter for application to the image during transformation, and (d) a scaling factor for application to the image during transformation. A relative size prediction is calculated on the basis of the received quality-controlling parameters information and scaling factor. The file size of the image after transformation is finally calculated as a function of the file size of the image before transformation and the calculated relative size prediction.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method that could be advantageously implemented in a satellite local area network (LAN) in which an average number of sites share a TDMA link. The invention provides for both a dedicated bandwidth to all the sites and a shared bandwidth that is dynamically assigned to the sites, therefore allowing for both synchronous traffic and for on request burst mode traffic. The method includes a reservation method of this shared bandwidth which is specially optimized for a satellite link. The method provides also for a network that automatically managed its communication bandwidth resources and the synchronization of the sites, without the need of an external controller. The present invention also provides for a satellite modem to transmit data from a site, to receive data from the sites and to manage the bandwidth resources of the TDMA satellite in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: Method for reconstruction of a three-dimensional model of a body structure of a subject, said structure comprising a plurality of objects, wherein a database (21) of the structure is provided, the database comprising means to estimate, from a parameter of any object of the structure, another parameter for an object of the structure, a preliminary solution for a first object (L1) is modified to be brought in concordance with subject-specific data (23a, 23b), a reconstruction of the second object (T12) is obtained based on the modified first object and on the database of structure (21).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for performing a multi-equalization of a transmitted signal on a channel having varying characteristics comprising equalizing the transmitted signal using a plurality of setting defining a plurality of equalizing functions to provide a corresponding plurality of symbol signal, synchronizing each of the plurality of symbol signals to provide a plurality of synchronized signals, selecting at least one of the plurality of synchronized signals according to at least one transmission performance criterion and providing the selected one of the plurality of synchronized signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for modeling a body part with a high precision. Image data of a body part is collected from an imaging system with a first resolution. After processing the image data collected from the imaging system, a 3-dimensional description of the body part is generated, the 3-dimensional description of the body part having a second resolution higher than the first one. A 3-dimensional parametric description of the body part is then generated. The 3-dimensional parametric description may be used to create a replica of the body part or an implant tightly fitting the said body part.