Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and apparatus for localizing a region of interest using a dynamic hand gesture are disclosed. For example, the method captures the ego-centric video containing the dynamic hand gesture, analyzes a frame of the ego-centric video to detect pixels that correspond to a fingertip using a hand segmentation algorithm, analyzes temporally one or more frames of the ego-centric video to compute a path of the fingertip in the dynamic hand gesture, localizes the region of interest based on the path of the fingertip in the dynamic hand gesture and performs an action based on an object in the region of interest.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for localizing a region of interest using a hand gesture are disclosed. For example, the method acquires an image containing the hand gesture from the ego-centric video, detects pixels that correspond to one or more hands in the image using a hand segmentation algorithm, identifies a hand enclosure in the pixels that are detected within the image, localizes a region of interest based on the hand enclosure and performs an action based on the object in the region of interest.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for training hand detection in an ego-centric video are disclosed. For example, the method prompts a user to provide a hand gesture, captures the ego-centric video containing the hand gesture, analyzes the hand gesture in a frame of the ego-centric video to identify a set of pixels in the image corresponding to a hand region, generates a training set of features from the set of pixels that correspond to the hand region and trains a head-mounted video device to detect the hand in subsequently captured ego-centric video images based on the training set of features.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus of establishing a free-space communication link through a medium. The medium can be an occluded environment with increased absorption and/or scattering effects. The free-space communication link includes a transmitter configured to transmit an optical signal at a wavelength suitable for transmission through the medium without suffering excessive optical losses due to absorption and/or scattering effects. The free-space communication link includes a receiver configured to receive the transmitted optical signal. The transmitter-receiver pair is configured to efficiently transmit optical signals at the suitable wavelength over a distance between about 1 mm and about 50 m. The transmitter and the receiver can be configured as portions of a fiber-optic connector assembly that can be used to connect two fiber-optic cables in an occluded environment.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur compounds from a feed stream. A first separation zone removes sulfur compounds and produces a partially cleaned stream. A first adsorption zone adsorbs the remaining organic sulfur compounds on a regenerable adsorbent a produces a treated gas stream. A portion of the treated gas stream may regenerate the adsorbent in the first adsorption zone by removing organic sulfur compounds. The organic sulfur compound rich stream can be passed to a non-regenerable adsorption zone. The non-regenerable adsorption zone will separate out the organic sulfur compounds and provide a re-treated gas stream which may be recycled to a portion of the process. The non-regenerable adsorption zone may include regenerable adsorbent, but the zone is not operated to regenerate the adsorbent while it is in the non-regenerable adsorption zone.

Abstract: A system captures or otherwise receives a video and uses the video to create an electronic file corresponding to a multi-faceted printed artifact, such as a multi-page document. When the system receives the video, it selects a set of some or all of the video's image frames, determines a frame quality for each frame in the set, and identifies a subset of the frames such that the frame quality of each frame in the subset satisfies one or more image quality criteria. The subset will include at least one frame for each facet of the multi-faceted printed artifact, such as a page of the document. The processor then automatically combines the subset of frames into a single electronic file.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus of establishing a free-space communication link through a medium. The medium can be an occluded environment with increased absorption and/or scattering effects. The free-space communication link includes a transmitter configured to transmit an optical signal at a wavelength suitable for transmission through the medium without suffering excessive optical losses due to absorption and/or scattering effects. The free-space communication link includes a receiver configured to receive the transmitted optical signal. The transmitter-receiver pair is configured to efficiently transmit optical signals at the suitable wavelength over a distance between about 1 mm and about 50 m. The transmitter and the receiver can be configured as portions of a fiber-optic connector assembly that can be used to connect two fiber-optic cables in an occluded environment.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time feedback of an estimated quality of a captured final image, the method including obtaining a preliminary image, calculating a quality score of the preliminary image, and in response to the quality score of the preliminary image exceeding a threshold quality value, taking a first action.

Abstract: A polymer is characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (I): or a copolymer thereof. A crosslinked polymer characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V): or a copolymer thereof, wherein at least one such repeat unit of a first polymer strand is crosslinked with at least one repeat unit of a second polymer strand by at least one bridging unit, the first and second polymer strands and the repeat unit being components of the crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a polymeric nanocomposite are provided. The methods include combining one or more monomers to form a mixture and adding a plurality of carbon fibers to the mixture prior to or concurrently with formation of a polymer from the monomers. The methods can also include polymerizing the monomers to form the polymer and adding a hydrophobic agent and a plasticizer to the mixture to form the polymer nanocomposite.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to estimating the sharpness of images or photos such as document pages or scenes. The systems and methods are based on calculating a difference in grayscale values between pixels at an edge of an image. The differences may be accomplished by taking a slope of grayscale values between two pixels at an edge window, and estimating the edge sharpness based on the slope, multiple slopes, or differences in the slopes.

Abstract: A chemical compound of structural formula (I) useful in preparation of flame retardant materials is disclosed. Homopolymer, and copolymers of a compound of formula (I), as well as methods of preparing said homo- and copolymers are also disclosed. Polymers described herein advantageous possess low heat release capacities and high char yields.

Abstract: An online pre-tail, e-tail and re-tailing platform that facilitates various commercial transactions between buyers and sellers is disclosed herein. The platform has ability to display products that are submitted by sellers, validate and generate demands for the products, arrange manufacturing and fulfill orders. The manufacturing of the product is funded at least in part by funds from the preorders received prior to the manufacturing.

Abstract: A system captures or otherwise receives a video and uses the video to create an electronic file corresponding to a multi-faceted printed artifact, such as a multi-page document. When the system receives the video, it selects a set of some or all of the video's image frames, determines a frame quality for each frame in the set, and identifies a subset of the frames such that the frame quality of each frame in the subset satisfies one or more image quality criteria. The subset will include at least one frame for each facet of the multi-faceted printed artifact, such as a page of the document. The processor then automatically combines the subset of frames into a single electronic file.

Abstract: A chemical compound of structural formula (I) useful in preparation of flame retardant materials is disclosed. Homopolymer, and copolymers of a compound of formula (I), as well as methods of preparing said homo- and copolymers are also disclosed. Polymers described herein advantageous possess low heat release capacities and high char yields.

Abstract: A polymer is characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (I): or a copolymer thereof. A crosslinked polymer characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V): or a copolymer thereof, wherein at least one such repeat unit of a first polymer strand is crosslinked with at least one repeat unit of a second polymer strand by at least one bridging unit, the first and second polymer strands and the repeat unit being components of the crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time feedback of an estimated quality of a captured final image, the method including obtaining a preliminary image, calculating a quality score of the preliminary image, and in response to the quality score of the preliminary image exceeding a threshold quality value, taking a first action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic polymers, and micelles and compositions comprising the same, and their use in a variety of biological settings, including imaging, targeting drugs, or a combination thereof for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A system and related methods of displaying receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) information on a display element of an aircraft are provided. The method obtains geographic position data for the aircraft, accesses lateral map data corresponding to the geographic position data, obtains RAIM outage data, and renders a dynamic lateral map on the display element. The map is rendered in accordance with the geographic position data, the lateral map data, and the RAIM outage data, and the map includes a graphical representation of a map and a graphical representation of a RAIM outage region.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to estimating the sharpness of images or photos such as document pages or scenes. The systems and methods are based on calculating a difference in grayscale values between pixels at an edge of an image. The differences may be accomplished by taking a slope of grayscale values between two pixels at an edge window, and estimating the edge sharpness based on the slope, multiple slopes, or differences in the slopes.