Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a captured image of a medium, content on the medium, and a background surrounding the medium are provided. A captured image is processed by 1) improving the visibility of the content by recovering the original appearance of the medium and enhancing the appearance of the content image, 2) removing the background by determining the boundary of the medium, and/or 3) correcting geometric distortion in the content to improve readability. Any of the three processing steps may be used alone or any combination of the three processing steps may be used to process the image. The image processing may operate on the image after it is captured and stored to a memory and may be implemented on an image-capturing device that captures the image. In other embodiments, the image processing is implemented on another device that receives the image from the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A plug in communications module for achieving bi-directional communication along a single fiber-optic cable in a fiber-optic network. The plug in module is made such that it plugs directly into fiber-optic communication equipment of standard form factors. Bi-directional communication is achieved by using a low-cost circulator. The plug in module also has a receptacle that is used for attaching a patch cable between the fiber-optic network in the plug in module.

Abstract: A cell phone and holder system. The cell phone device includes a cell phone holder that has a backing plate and a cover forming a pocket for holding a cell phone. A cable retainer on the holder helps to retain a cable, such as portion of an earphone to the backing plate. In a preferred embodiment, an earphone is retractable held at the cell phone holder such that the earphone can be pulled out and place in an ear for hands-free operation of the cell phone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying integrated circuit chips or dice on a semiconductor wafer. Each chip comprises a ring oscillator having a characteristic oscillating frequency different from the oscillating frequency of the ring oscillators of other chips on the same wafer. Each chip can be associated with various attributes of the wafer on which it was formed and the process steps to which it was subjected using the ring oscillator frequency.

Abstract: A plug in communications module for achieving bidirectional communication along a single fiber-optic cable in a fiber-optic network. The plug in module is made such that it plugs directly into fiber-optic communication equipment of standard form factors. Bi-directional communication is achieved by using a low-cost circulator. The plug in module also has a receptacle that is used for attaching a patch cable between the fiber-optic network in the plug in module.

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a control unit, a portable computer, a receiving module and a controller. The control unit includes a connector, a laser-pointer transmission circuit, a control circuit, a transmission module and a chargeable battery. A power switch button and a set of operating buttons are provided on the control unit and respectively connect the control circuit. In the portable computer, a connection socket is internally mounted to engage with the connector of the control unit when the control unit is inserted in the portable computer. The connection socket is connected to a circuit control unit of the portable computer that controls the execution of a user's command. When the control unit is detached from the portable computer, the portable computer can be remotely controlled directly by means of the control unit.

Abstract: A low-cost circulator used in fiber optic networks to accomplish bi-directional communication along a single fiber optic cable. The circulator has three ports, namely an input port, an output port and a bi-directional network port. The circulator core is constructed such that when light with a specific polarization is input into the input port, it is bent into the bi-directional network port where it can be propagated to the fiber optic network. Light input from the bi-directional network port can be any state of polarization, and it passes through the circulator core to the output port.

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a control unit, a portable computer, a receiving module and a controller. The control unit includes a connector, a laser-pointer transmission circuit, a control circuit, a transmission module and a chargeable battery. A power switch button and a set of operating buttons are provided on the control unit and respectively connect the control circuit. In the portable computer, a connection socket is internally mounted to engage with the connector of the control unit when the control unit is inserted in the portable computer. The connection socket is connected to a circuit control unit of the portable computer that controls the execution of a user's command. When the control unit is detached from the portable computer, the portable computer can be remotely controlled directly by means of the control unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of determining the onset of osteoporosis by measuring the vibrational response of the musculoskeletal system. Risk of fracture of bones due to osteoporosis is mainly determined by three risk factors: muscle strength, bone mass, and postural stability. Because these three risk factors for fractures are interrelated and dependent on muscle function, they can be determined by quantifying physiologic vibration non-invasively using a low-mass accelerometer placed at an appropriate muscle belly. Muscle vibrations are produced by force fluctuations of unfused motor units during contraction and are expressed by the lateral expansion of muscle fibers. Muscle vibrational characteristics span a broad (0-100 Hz) frequency regime, directly reflecting the force provided by the muscle fibers being utilized and the nature of the dynamic mechanical milieu experienced by the skeleton during postural or locomotory muscle activity.

Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter including a housing, a metal needle, a plastic needle and a sheath. The metal needle is slidably fitted in the housing. The metal needle can be extended out of the housing or entirely retracted into the housing. In both the extended and retracted positions, the metal needle can be locked by means of pressing and pulling a depression block of an upper resilient plate formed on top face of the metal needle. A projecting block of a lower resilient plate of the metal needle is engaged in an engaging aperture of the housing, whereby the metal needle is prevented from extending out of the housing so as to ensure safety of medical personnel.

Abstract: The invention is directed a process for regenerating deactivated reforming catalysts comprising at least one Group VIII metal on zeolite L, preferably wherein the catalysts are extruded using a binder material such as alumina or silica. The process includes: a) coke burn at severe conditions to improve the accessibility of the Group VIII catalytic metal particles by transporting them to the outside of the zeolite microchannels; b) catalytic metal redispersion by wet oxychlorination with elemental chlorine and oxygen; c) stripping with a gas stream comprising oxygen and water at low pressure to remove as much residual chlorine as possible; and d) reduction of catalytic metals with hydrogen at low pressure. The process is particularly effective for recovering activity of catalysts which have been severely deactivated.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for regenerating deactivated catalyst or redispersing catalytic metal in a fresh catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII catalytic metal, zeolite, an inert binder. The process comprises coke burn, hydrogen reduction, catalyst conditioning, oxychlorination, low pressure stripping, and low pressure final hydrogen reduction.

Abstract: A low-pressure, high-temperature, wet post-treatment after oxyhalogenation during regeneration to improve activity and selectivity recovery of a regenerated catalyst involves exposing a halogenated catalyst to a gaseous stream including water having a partial pressure of up to about 1.5 psia, oxygen having a partial pressure of less than about 4.5 psia, and an inert gas at a temperature within the range of about 450.degree. C. to about 530.degree. C. at a pressure within the range of about 14.7 psia to about 65 psia for a time sufficient to effect a hydrogen halide partial pressure in offgas from the halogenated catalyst of less than about 0.004 psia to effectively remove excess halide from the halogenated catalyst.

Abstract: A folding sunshield is comprised of adjacent, panels which fold along their adjacent, long sides. There are two central panels whose opposing sides converge either toward the top or the bottom of the sunshield, adapting the sunshield to fit the shape of an automobile windshield. The overall shape of the sunshield is narrower at the top edge than at the bottom edge. In the folded position, the sunshield panels lie superimposed, but not necessarily congruent.