Abstract: A method for is provided for creating a shadow-reduced image from a captured image for distinguishing a clear path of travel. Each pixel of a captured input image is plotted according to a two dimensional logarithmic graph. A specific color set relating to an associated color value of a clear path. A linear illumination-invariant axis is determined as a function of the specific color set. An illumination direction for the linear illumination-invariant axis is determined. A log-chromaticity value of each plotted pixel of the specific color set is projected on the axis. Edges in the input image and the illumination-invariant image domain are identified. The identified edges of the input image are compared to identify edges in the illumination-invariant image domain. A determination is made whether a shadow edge is present in response to comparing the edges. A shadow-reduced image is generated for scene analysis by a vehicle vision-based system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method comprise a magnetoresistive head configured to respond to magnetization states of patterned cells formed on a patterned medium. The magnetoresistive head detects the magnetization states of at least two patterned cells formed on a patterned medium. The magnetoresistive head generates a readback signal based on the magnetization state of the at least two patterned cells. A detector circuit coupled to the head determines a bit pattern corresponding to the readback signal. A processor circuit coupled to the detector circuit determines positional information associated with the magnetoresistive head relative to the at least two patterned cells based on the bit pattern. The system further comprises a patterned medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method comprise a magnetoresistive head configured to respond to magnetization states of patterned cells formed on a patterned medium. The magnetoresistive head detects the magnetization states of at least two patterned cells formed on a patterned medium. The magnetoresistive head generates a readback signal based on the magnetization state of the at least two patterned cells. A detector circuit coupled to the head determines a bit pattern corresponding to the readback signal. A processor circuit coupled to the detector circuit determines positional information associated with the magnetoresistive head relative to the at least two patterned cells based on the bit pattern. The system further comprises a patterned medium.

Abstract: A method and system for uniquely identifying a subject based on an iris image. After obtaining the iris image, the method produces a filtered iris image by applying filters to the iris image to enhance discriminative features of the iris image. The method analyzes an intensity value for pixels in the filtered iris image to produce an iris code that uniquely identifies the subject. The method also creates a segmented iris image by detecting an inner and outer boundary for an iris region in the iris image, and remapping pixels in the iris region, represented in a Cartesian coordinate system, to pixels in the segmented iris image, represented in a log-polar coordinate system, by employing a logarithm representation process. The method also creates a one-dimensional iris string from the iris image by unfolding the iris region by employing a spiral sampling method to obtain sample pixels in the iris region, wherein the sample pixels are the one-dimensional iris string.

Abstract: A methodology is described to reduce the complexity of filters for face recognition by reducing the memory requirement to, for example, 2 bits/pixel in the frequency domain. Reduced-complexity correlations are achieved by having quantized MACE, UMACE, OTSDF, UOTSDF, MACH, and other filters, in conjunction with a quantized Fourier transform of the input image. This reduces complexity in comparison to the advanced correlation filters using full-phase correlation. However, the verification performance of the reduced complexity filters is comparable to that of full-complexity filters. A special case of using 4-phases to represent both the filter and training/test images in the Fourier domain leads to further reductions in the computational formulations. This also enables the storage and synthesis of filters in limited-memory and limited-computational power platforms such as PDAs, cell phones, etc.

Abstract: Tracking methods and systems for providing timing recovery of continuous signals is presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes: sampling a continuous signal; estimating a timing disturbance of the sampled continuous signal; generating a timing adjustment signal in accordance with the estimated timing disturbance; and adjusting a sampling signal associated with a sampling device based on the timing adjustment signal.

Abstract: A method for communicating binary data and a digital communication system are presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes encoding a message word by multiplying the message word with a generator matrix, wherein the generator matrix multiplied by the transpose of a parity check matrix for a low density parity check code yields a null set, and wherein the parity check matrix has a column weight of two. Additionally disclosed is an encoding scheme based on a three-tier Tanner graph having a girth of twelve.

Abstract: A methodology is described to reduce the complexity of filters for face recognition by reducing the memory requirement to, for example, 2 bits/pixel in the frequency domain. Reduced-complexity correlations are achieved by having quantized MACE, UMACE, OTSDF, UOTSDF, MACH, and other filters, in conjunction with a quantized Fourier transform of the input image. This reduces complexity in comparison to the advanced correlation filters using full-phase correlation. However, the verification performance of the reduced complexity filters is comparable to that of full-complexity filters. A special case of using 4-phases to represent both the filter and training/test images in the Fourier domain leads to further reductions in the computational formulations. This also enables the storage and synthesis of filters in limited-memory and limited-computational power platforms such as PDAs, cell phones, etc.

Abstract: Recording/reproducing methods and apparatuses for a magneto-optical recording medium are disclosed. The magneto-optical recording medium may include a recording layer in which information can be recorded and a reproducing layer to which information in the recording layer can be transferred. According to one embodiment, the method includes encoding the data to be recorded/reproduced with a low-density parity check code, writing the encoded data to the recording layer of the magneto-optical recording medium, transferring the encoded data from the recording layer to the reproducing layer, and decoding the encoded data from the reproducing layer.

Abstract: Tracking methods and systems for providing timing recovery of continuous signals is presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes: sampling a continuous signal; estimating a timing disturbance of the sampled continuous signal; generating a timing adjustment signal in accordance with the estimated timing disturbance; and adjusting a sampling signal associated with a sampling device based on the timing adjustment signal.

Abstract: A method for communicating binary data and a digital communication system are presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes encoding a message word by multiplying the message word with a generator matrix, wherein the generator matrix multiplied by the transpose of a parity check matrix for a low density parity check code yields a null set, and wherein the parity check matrix has a column weight of two. Additionally disclosed is an encoding scheme based on a three-tier Tanner graph having a girth of twelve.

Abstract: This invention describes a secure method for consistently reproducing a digital key using a biometric, such as a fingerprint. The digital key is linked to the biometric only through a secure block of data, known as the protected filter. The key cannot be released from the protected filter other than via the interaction with the correct biometric image. Once generated, the digital key may be used in a system as an encryption/decryption key, or as a personal identification number (PIN).