Abstract: A visual copyright protection system is disclosed, including input content, a disruption processor, and output content. The disruption processor inserts disruptive content to the input content creating output content that impedes the ability of optical recording devices to make useful copies of output content.

Abstract: A safety mailbox system including a mailbox container integrated with at least one decontaminating mechanism is disclosed. Contaminants may include chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for measuring a relative utility for each of a plurality of goals which comprise a system objective. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying the relative contribution of specific goals to a set of broader goals, and for enabling decision making, and resource allocation, with regard to the performance of those goals based on the quantified relative contribution. In preferred embodiments, a lattice is created based on an ordering relation and relative values are apportioned to the goals using their position in the lattice as including, included, and/or unrelated goals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a construction for key management module functionality which provides for secure encoding and decoding of messages which are up to two blocks long. A method for generating an encoded value having a first encoded value part and a second encoded value part from an unencoded value having a first unencoded value part and a second unencoded value part, comprising the steps of: obtaining an initialization vector; and generating the first and second encoded value parts.

Abstract: A method for embedding a watermark into content is disclosed. The content contains content samples. The method including the steps of: receiving the content, creating a continuous watermark sequence from the watermark, and for each content sample in a first predetermined order: calculating a sample mean, calculating a sample variance, and normalizing the content. Further steps include generating a set of content coefficients from the content, generating a set of watermark coefficients from the watermark sequence, embedding the watermark in the content by adjusting the amplitude of the watermark coefficients so that the distortion between the content coefficients and the associated watermark coefficients are minimized using a secret mapping function, and outputting the content. The mapping functions may be controlled by a key-dependent random sequence to protect the watermarks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and playing high definition content is disclosed. This invention provides a mechanism for storing and playing back high definition content on a medium such as DVD optical disc. One aspect of the invention is that elementary streams may be multiplexed and processed in a high definition media player instead of at authoring time. Another aspect of the invention is that it provides for extended real-time features such as inserting watermarks into the content stream, decrypting selected sections of the content stream, and performing trick playback display modes.

Abstract: The subject invention comprises methods for developing a decision hierarchy and including data as well as judgments in the evaluation of alternatives. Using a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, data for alternatives with respect to covering objectives in a decision hierarchy can be mapped into ratio scale preferences using linear increasing or decreasing functions, non-linear concave or convex increasing or decreasing functions, in conjunction with either-or interval step function scales, verbal intensity rating scales, or directly applied value scores. Upper and lower bounds can also be specified over which these functions are defined. Qualitative data, such as ratings or step scale intervals, can be mapped into a preference scale by making pair-wise comparisons to assess the ratings' intensities.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the similarity between an image and at least one training sample is disclosed. This invention is a novel Gabor Feature Classifier (GFC), a principal application of which may be for face recognition. The GFC applies the Enhanced FLD Model (EFM) to an augmented Gabor feature vector derived from the Gabor wavelet transformation of images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for managing sensors. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a sensor management system determines system information needs, selects one of several measurement functions capable of satisfying the system information needs, and identifies sensors to be used for performing the selected measurement function.

Abstract: A method for fractal image compression using reinforced learning is disclosed. The reinforced learning algorithm improves the performance of fractal image compression algorithms by improving image partitioning and transform family selection while considering the impact of domain to range matching. The present invention differs from other fractal image compression algorithms in that it makes decisions about transform family and image partitioning by generalizing from experience compressing small portions of an image to compressing an image as a whole.

Abstract: A motion transform is implemented for calculating the motion field between two images. An optical flow calculator is configured for generating an image motion vector field by iteratively comparing a predicted image with a second image frame, the predicted image being produced based upon a first memory frame and image gradients generated according to a motion estimate that is produced according to a transform function using transform coefficients. The transform coefficients are estimated based upon a previously determined image gradient.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an image motion vector field which describes a motion of individual image components of a first image frame and corresponding image components of a second image frame in a sequence of image frames. The apparatus comprises a first frame memory for receiving said first image frame, a second frame memory for receiving a second image frame, and an optical flow calculator. The optical flow calculator is configured for generating an image motion vector field by iteratively comparing a predicted image with the second image frame. The predicted image is generated according to a current motion estimate in proximity to an observation point, wherein the observation point migrates according to a previous motion estimate and is implemented by the calculator to generate a current motion estimate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel systems and methods in which a machine learning mode is used to generate new populations in an evolutionary process. A preferred embodiment of the present invention called Learnable Evolution Model (briefly, LEM) employs a machine learning mode at selected steps of evolutionary computation to determine reasons why certain individuals in a population are superior to others in performing a designated class of tasks. These reasons, expressed as inductive hypotheses, are used to create a new generation of individuals (phenotypes or genotypes). An evolutionary process in LEM can alternate between a machine learning mode and a Darwinian evolution mode switching to another mode, in any effective order, when a mode termination condition is met, or it can rely on a repetitious application of the machine learning mode with randomly or methodologically generated populations.

Abstract: An optical switch is disclosed which includes hollow waveguide structures having cantilevered beam deflectors to couple light out of the waveguide plane. An array of such waveguides with deflector combinations may be fabricated on a substrate. By combining substrates, devices such as all-optical cross bar switches, image display and scanning devices may be created.

Abstract: A party favor is disclosed that integrates a noise-making article with removable graphics for the purpose of proving amusement. This party favor is a lamination of several layers generally including but not limited to a noise making cellular sheet material layer, an adhesive layer and a graphic layer. The cells of the noise making cellular sheet material layer may be popped to produce a multitude of popping noises for the entertainment of the user. The graphics layer decorated the party favor and may include removable graphics including but not limited to stickers, posters, place mats, tattoos, banners, signs, game boards, cut-outs, or cling images.