Abstract: A method of and a system for finding similarities between major boundaries of images using a wavelet detector is described herein. Unimportant edges of the image are disregarded by eliminating Gaussian wavelet coefficients and Haar wavelet coefficients of lower significance. Comparison between the images is made on the basis of quantized color, sign and magnitude of the Haar wavelet coefficients. The method performs the comparison between images in two steps. First, the method checks for exact matches between the Haar wavelet coefficients to determine whether the images are very similar. This is followed by binning of the coefficients into nine spatial bins in the image. A representative is assigned to each of the bins in terms of color, orientation and sign. Each bin of one image is compared with all the bins of the other image. Thus, images that are similar but not identical are still detected.

Abstract: A menu-driven electronic device utilizes a display and a single two-dimensional navigation key. The display is configured to selectively display one of a plurality of menus, including a main menu and a sub-menu. The two-dimensional navigation key is configured to select one of a plurality of main menu items and to select a sub-menu item of the sub-menu associated with a selected main menu item. A portion of the plurality of menu main items is displayed. The main menu and the sub-menu can be accessed by maintaining contact with the two-dimensional navigation key. The device is configured to display a main menu item icon to provide a visual reference to the selected main menu item in a menu tree of the menu being displayed. The device is preferably a cellular phone.

Abstract: An optical module includes a first optics group, a second optics group, and an image sensor, wherein the first optics group and second optics group are configured to provide an image having a focus and a magnification to the image sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, a first optics assembly includes a first optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a first lead screw so that rotation of the first lead screw results in translation of the first optics group along an axis of the first lead screw, a first actuator for rotating the first lead screw; and a first sensing target configured to permit detection of rotation of the first lead screw.

Abstract: A ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) cell circuit formed in a TCAM memory cell array having cells arranged in rows and columns can include a first storage circuit with first and second data path, a second storage circuit with a third and fourth data path, and a compare circuit. No more than four conductive lines in a column wise direction have a direct electrical connection to the TCAM cell. Such conductive lines can include a first bit line coupled to the first data path and the third data path and a second bit line coupled to the second data path and the fourth data path.

Abstract: A method of and a system for finding similarities between major boundaries of images using a wavelet detector is described herein. Unimportant edges of the image are disregarded by eliminating Gaussian wavelet coefficients and Haar wavelet coefficients of lower significance. Comparison between the images is made on the basis of quantized color, sign and magnitude of the Haar wavelet coefficients. The method performs the comparison between images in two steps. First, the method checks for exact matches between the Haar wavelet coefficients to determine whether the images are very similar. This is followed by binning of the coefficients into nine spatial bins in the image. A representative is assigned to each of the bins in terms of color, orientation and sign. Each bin of one image is compared with all the bins of the other image. Thus, images that are similar but not identical are still detected.

Abstract: A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an encapsulant, a semiconductor die within the encapsulant, and a terminal for electrically coupling the semiconductor die to a node exterior to the package. The package further includes solder coupling the semiconductor die to the terminal. The semiconductor package is configured to dissipate heat through a top surface of the package. To directly dissipate heat via the top surface of the package, a portion of the semiconductor die is preferably exposed at the top surface of the package. Alternatively, instead of having a semiconductor device or die directly exposed at a surface of the package, a layer of thermally conductive material is coupled to the semiconductor device, and the layer is exposed at a surface of the package.

Abstract: A hand tool and bit storage device configured to allow easy storage and access to a wide variety of bits. The hand tool comprises a body portion, a stem portion and a bit interface. The hand tool couples with the storage device. The storage device holds one or more tool frames or bit inserts each comprising a plurality of bits. The bit inserts are deformable to allow easy access to the bits contained therein. In some embodiments, the bit inserts may be locked in the storage device.

Abstract: An architecture, a system and a method monitors data structures over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. The data structures are portions of entries posted and stored to a descriptor mechanism. A resource request is submitted by a requesting control device to an AV/C resource schedule bulletin board subunit, where request data is stored and posted. The requesting control device submits a corresponding notify command data frame to the AV/C bulletin board subunit. When a competing control device performs a specified type of access activity on a specified data structure, the bulletin board subunit sends a notify response frame to the original requesting control device. The notify response frame provides an alert to the original requesting control device that the specified access activity has been performed on the specified data structure by a competing control device.

Abstract: Antennas using nonwoven geotextiles with embedded metallic or other wave carrying fibers are described herein. The geotextiles antennas are designed to be an internal, integral part of the nation's infrastructure. Geotextile antennas are flexible and easily conform to natural and manmade surfaces such as exterior building surfaces, for example, roads, roofs and bridges. Geotextile antennas are considerably less vulnerable to damage and probably much less expensive than the current, highly vulnerable and costly cell towers. In particular, geotextiles used in roads are especially well protected by the asphalt pavement above. The fabric-based conformal antenna enhances the usefulness and reliability of the communication infrastructure which is exceedingly vulnerable to vandalism, terrorism and natural disasters.

Abstract: A method of processing bone material using supercritical fluids is disclosed. The method comprises placing the bone material in a processing chamber, adding supercritical fluid to the processing chamber, pulsing the supercritical fluid in the processing chamber, and rinsing the bone material. A processing system for processing bone material using supercritical fluids in accordance with the present invention comprises a processing chamber for housing the bone material, a vat for storing a processing fluid, a pump, a heating element, a flow path, a tank, and a solvent port.

Abstract: A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.

Abstract: The method described herein enables the introduction of external impurities into Silicon Carbide (SiC) to be conducted at a temperature between 1150-1400° C. Advantages include: a) low temperature diffusion procedure with greater control of the doping process, b) prevent roughness of SiC surface, c) less surface defects and d) better device performance and higher yield. The method described herein involves depositing a ceramic layer that contains the desired impurity and a certain element such as oxygen (in the form of oxide), or other elements/compounds that draw out the silicon and carbon atoms from the surface region of the SiC leaving behind carbon and silicon vacancies which then allow the external impurity to diffuse into the SiC more easily. In another embodiment, the deposited layer also has carbon atoms that discourage carbon from escaping from the SiC, thus generating a surface region of excess carbon in addition to the silicon vacancies.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to emit a periodic function with a parameter correlated to the speed of the vehicle, an acceleration monitoring system, a braking system engagement detector to detect a braking status of the vehicle, an alerting device capable of signaling other drivers of a deceleration condition of the vehicle, and a control device. The acceleration monitoring system is configured to compute the acceleration of the vehicle from variations in the parameter of the periodic function of the vehicle speed sensor and to output a deceleration status of the vehicle. The control device is coupled to the acceleration monitoring system, the braking system engagement detector, and the alerting device, wherein the acceleration monitoring system sends signals to the control device and the control device operates the alerting device in a manner dependent on the deceleration status of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for parallel processing video compression is described herein. A picture is divided into N zones vertically, and Vertical Split Parallelism (VSP) deploys N+1 processes: N M-coding processes for general macroblock coding in N zones and one E-coding process for entropy coding. By dividing a macroblock encoding process into M-coding and E-coding processes, multiple M-coding threads and one E-coding thread are able to progress simultaneously with proper synchronization between threads. Since the workload of M-coding processes is greater than E-coding for each macroblock coding process, two cores are able to be designated to the two M-coding processes. Either of the cores are able to be designated to the E-coding process since the workload of E-coding is light. Therefore, VSP utilizes parallel processing computing power efficiently.

Abstract: A power converter device and method are provided. The power converter device includes an input power source and an input inductor configured for coupling a power of the input power source to the device. A switch is configured to regulate a power of the input power source through the input inductor. A shunting diode is coupled between the switch and the input inductor. A resonant load is coupled with the input inductor. A switching element is coupled with the input inductor and the resonant load and configured to operate at a fixed frequency. The power converter device also includes a control circuit for modulating a frequency of the switch and a driving module for driving the switching element at the fixed frequency. In an exemplary embodiment, the power converter device is a Class-E amplifier. The fixed frequency is a frequency equal to a resonant frequency of the resonant load. In one embodiment, the power converter device is configured as an integrated circuit device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a target frequency having an over-sampled data rate using a system clock having a different frequency are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the circuit includes, a digital phase locked loop coupled to the system clock. The digital phase locked loop including an oscillator output and an oscillator input. The circuit further comprises an extra pulse eliminator coupled to the oscillator output. The extra pulse eliminator includes an extra pulse eliminator output. One or more frequency dividers may be coupled to an extra pulse eliminator output.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes, in part, a cellular communication module, a first antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the mobile communication module and a cellular network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication module, a second antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the Wi-Fi communication module and a VoIP network, a signal monitoring circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch an existing communication from the cellular communication module to the Wi-Fi communication module or vice versa.

Abstract: A power adaptor and storage unit is configured to simultaneously provide power to a portable electronic device and to a portable power module. In some cases, the portable power module is integrated into the power adaptor. The power adaptor receives power unusable by the electronic device, converts it to a usable form, stores some of the converted power if possible, and supplies the power to the device.