Abstract: A soft-computing method for establishing the dissipation law of the heat in a diesel Common Rail engine, in particular for establishing the dissipation mean speed (HRR) of the heat, includes the following steps: choosing a number of Wiebe functions whereon a dissipation speed signal (HRR) of the heat is decomposed; applying a Transform ? to the dissipation speed signal (HRR) of the heat; carrying out analysis of homogeneity of the Transform ? output; realizing a corresponding neural network MLP wherein the design is guided by an evolutive algorithm; and training and testing the neural network MLP.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for measuring the differential mode delay of multimode optical fiber. The apparatus includes a tunable laser source, an interferometer, a data collecting device, and a computer. The tunable laser source outputs light, frequencies of which vary linearly. The interferometer generates multimode light and single mode light by separating light, which is output from the tunable laser source, transmitting the multimode light and the single mode light to the multimode optical fiber, which is a measurement target, and a single mode path, which is a reference, and generating a beating signal by causing the multimode light and the single mode light to interfere with each other. The data collecting device collects the beating signal from the interferometer. The computer converts the frequency components of the beating signal into components in a time domain, and calculating the mode delay of the multimode light.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to automated methods and systems for converting image streams having a first frame rate to a second frame rate without the need for user intervention. Embodiments of the present invention obviate the effects of processing of a telecine process. In one embodiment, where frames are encoded by a single video field, a statistical analysis of the differences between adjacent frames reveals a telecine pattern, thereby identifying which frames to remove. In another embodiment, where frames are encoded by even and odd video fields, which are interleaved to produce the frame, a statistical analysis of the differences between adjacent fields reveals the telecine pattern, identifies which frames to remove, and identifies frames that are candidates for re-interleaving.

Abstract: A wireless electronic authentication device with an authenticating smart chip, a local radio communication circuit, an input circuit that receives user input, and a power supply, all housed in a portable housing. Preferably, the authentication device is a mobile telephone with an authenticating smart chip. The user enters a knowledge token, such as a password stated by voice or a personal identification number input at the keyboard, to indicate that he is both in possession of the authorization device and knows the critical information. The knowledge token may be entered in advance and merely confirmed by the user pressing a key on the keypad when a confirmation is requested. A method is provided for making use of the authentication device to perform authorizations. A similar method is disclosed for use in existing systems and then achieving a gradual transition from existing systems to the new authentication device.

Abstract: A method for programming an electrically programmable memory including a plurality of memory cells arranged in individually-selectable memory cell sets each including at least one memory cell. The programming method includes causing the memory cells of a selected memory cells set to be brought into a predetermined, starting programming state. Receiving a target value for the first data bits groups of the memory cells of the selected memory cells set. Receiving a target value for the second data bits groups of the memory cells of the selected memory cells set. After having received the target values of both the first and the second data bits groups, applying to the memory cells of the selected memory cells set a programming sequence adapted to cause the memory cells of the selected memory cells sets to be brought into a target programming state jointly determined by the target values of the first and second data bits groups.

Abstract: Systems, methods, etc., that that assist a print examiner to thoroughly search and compare a print or substantial portion thereof against a known print database contained within an AFIS system. In certain embodiments, the prints can be definitively matched to a corresponding same print in the database. A result of a more thorough search and comparison can be a higher hit score and accuracy rate. In certain embodiments, the database comprises a candidate list of previously obtained prints to assist in the identification.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the leveling device applying the optical interaction between a laser beam and a freely floating air bubble confined in a transparent, liquid-filled vial. When the air bubble is impacted by the laser beam, the curved surface of the air-bubble deflects the beam toward the end of the vial, where a photo-electric device is positioned. The photo-electric device activates a sound emitter such as a buzzer. The function of the level being based on the optical interaction between a laser beam and the curvature of an air-bubble, it is highly accurate and consistent. It is applicable for vertical and horizontal settings, has an adjustable arm for secure attachment to structural frames or other objects. No direct eye and manual contact with the device is needed while in operation.

Abstract: A method of indexing a plurality of dice obtained from a material wafer comprising a plurality of stacked material layers, each die being obtained in a respective die position in the wafer, the method including providing a visible index on each die indicative of the respective die position, wherein providing the visible index on each die includes: forming in a first material layer of the die a reference structure adapted to defining a mapping of the wafer; and forming in a second material layer of the die a marker associated with the reference structure, a position of the marker with respect to the reference structure being adapted to provide an indication of the die position in the wafer.

Abstract: Proprietary programs for execution in game systems or other computers are downloaded from an Internet server in encrypted form to protect the programs from unauthorized use. The encrypted programs can be decrypted and executed only in a secure cryptoprocessor that initially ordered the software for download. Unlike DRM protected music, video, and text, decrypted program instructions need never be revealed to users. Each cryptoprocessor contains a unique chip identifier that is transmitted to the server in encrypted form to control encryption of a random session key that controls decryption of the downloaded programs. Hence, each copy of the encrypted software is encrypted differently. If the crypto processor is in a cartridge, it can be manually unplugged from one computer or game system and plugged into another system.

Abstract: A portable game system that uses polygon graphics to generate a 3-D player character, or body part such as a hand, moving through a 3-D simulated game space for display on an LCD screen in the portable game system. Overlaying an LCD screen is a touch screen that senses the variable locations of a physical object, such as the player's finger, moving on the touchscreen so that motions of the displayed player character follow the motions of the touching object. Whenever the player character collides with a second object, motion of the player character deviates from the touchscreen-controlled motion in response to the collision.

Abstract: In-situ monitoring of a crystallization state is used for laser anneal processing for applying an energy line irradiation for at least one of crystallization of a thin film and promotion of the crystallization. A method is characterized by simultaneously irradiating at least a plurality of monitoring places in a region having a predetermined area of at least one of the surface and the underside of the thin film by a monitor light for monitoring a crystallization state of the thin film at least during or after of before, during and after the energy line irradiation directly or through a substrate, and measuring a temporal change of the intensity of at least one of a reflected light and a transmitted light, from the surface or the underside of the thin film, of the monitor light as a light intensity distribution related to the positions of the monitoring places. Apparatus according to the invention perform such methods.

Abstract: A haptic mouse interface system includes a mouse, a first force feedback unit for providing a first force feedback in a first direction of a virtual object to the user's hand and arm, a second force feedback unit for providing a second force feedback in second and third directions to the user's fingers, and a tactile feedback unit for providing tactile sensations to the user's fingers. The first force feedback unit has first and second encoders to receive signals relating to a first direction of the virtual object, first and second motors driven by the first and second encoders, and a linkage, which is connected between shafts of the first and second motors and the mouse. The second force feedback unit is provided in the mouse, and has a third encoder to receive a signal relating to the second and third directions of the virtual object, a third motor driven by the third encoder and having a shaft, a pair of finger pads provided at both sides of the mouse and linearly moved by the third motor.

Abstract: A method decodes a noisy signal from the coordinates of a point in a point constellation, each point associated with a digital data item of a determined number of bits, consisting of determining components of a received point; determining a reference point corresponding to the constellation point closest to the received point; determining at least one concurrent point corresponding to the constellation point closest to the reference point, having a bit of determined rank opposite to the bit of determined rank of the reference data; and determining, at least for the bit of the reference digital data at said determined rank, a precision data item based the received, reference, and concurrent points, in which the determination of the bits of the concurrent point is performed based on the values of some of the bits of the reference digital data and on said rank.

Abstract: A circuit of protection against electrostatic discharges, comprising a first MOS transistor for detecting a leakage current between a first input node of a circuit to be protected and a second node at an output voltage, a second MOS transistor constitute of a switch directly connecting said nodes, and a leakage current amplifier in the first transistor to control the second one.

Abstract: A page buffer for an electrically programmable memory including at least one read/program unit having a coupling line operatively associable with at least one of said bit lines and adapted to at least temporarily storing data bits read from or to be written into either one of the first or second memory page stored in the memory cells of a selected memory cell sets. The read/program unit includes enabling means for selectively enabling a change in programming state of a selected memory cell by causing the coupling line to take one among a program enabling potential and a program inhibition potential, conditioned to a target data value to be stored in the first group of data bits of the selected memory cell and an existing data value already stored in the second group of data bits of the selected memory cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for forming a semiconductor film having an excellent crystallinity from a non-single crystal semiconducting layer formed on a base layer made of an insulating material. The apparatus includes a light source, a homogenizer for homogenizing an intensity distribution of the emitted light, an amplitude-modulation means for performing the amplitude-modulation such that the amplitude of the light, of which the intensity distribution is homogenized, is increased in the direction of the relative motion of the light to the base layer, an optional light projection optical system for projecting the amplitude-modulated light onto the surface of the non-single crystal semiconductor such that a predetermined irradiation energy can be obtained, a phase shifter for providing a low temperature point in the surface irradiated by the light, and a substrate stage to move the light relative to the substrate thereby enabling scanning in the X and Y axis.

Abstract: A method and system for making error corrections on digital information coded as symbol sequences, for example digital information stored in electronic memory systems or transmitted from and to these systems is described, provides the transmission of sequences incorporating a portion of error corrector code allowing the sequence which is more probably the original transmitted through the calculation of an error syndrome using a parity matrix to be restored when received. Advantageously according to embodiments of the invention, the error code incorporated in the original sequence belongs to a non Boolean group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of precisely correcting geometrically distorted satellite images. In order to correct a geometrically distorted satellite image, the position and attitude of a satellite must be accurately recognized. In this case, a correlation between the position and attitude values of the satellite exists, so accurate position and attitude values cannot be obtained. Therefore, the present invention accurately obtains position and attitude information of the satellite by separating variables having a high correlation to minimize the correlation between the position and attitude of the satellite and then calculating corresponding variables, and precisely corrects a geometrically distorted satellite image using the position and attitude information of the satellite.