Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for detecting boundaries between areas of different languages in a body of text.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and computer-implemented methods for evaluating integrals using quasi-Monte Carlo methodologies, and in particular embodiments, adaptive quasi-Monte Carlo integration and adaptive integro-approximation in conjunction with techniques including a scrambled Halton Sequence, stratification by radical inversion, stratified samples from the Halton Sequence, deterministic scrambling, bias elimination by randomization, adaptive and deterministic anti-aliasing, anti-aliasing by rank-1 lattices, and trajectory splitting by dependent sampling and rank-1 lattices.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for a pixel in an image, the pixel value being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera, the computer graphics system comprising a sample point generator and a function evaluator. The sample point generator is configured to generate a set of sample points, at least one sample point being generated using at least one depenent sample comprising at least one element of a low-discrepancy sequence offset by at least one element of another low-discrepancy sequence. The function evaluator is configured to generate at least one value representing an evaluation of a selection function at one of the sample points, the value generated by the function evaluator corresponding to the pixel value.

Abstract: An air-clad optical fiber is provided having a core that is surrounded by an inner cladding region, an air-clad region, and an outer region. A lead end of the air-clad optical fiber is prepared for splicing by removing the air-clad region and all fiber regions outside of the air-clad region, so as to expose an inner fiber region. The prepared lead end of the air-clad optical fiber is then spliced to a lead end of the optical device. The air-clad region may be removed from a selected portion of an air-clad fiber by causing an etchant gas to stream through the air-clad region in the selected portion of the fiber. Heat is then applied to the selected fiber portion, causing at least some of the microstructure to be etched away.

Abstract: Computer graphics systems and methods are provided for generating a representation of a feature in a surface defined by a mesh representation, the mesh comprising at a selected level a plurality of points including at least one point connected to a plurality of neighboring points by respective edges, the feature being defined in connection with the vertex and at least one of the neighboring points and the edge interconnection the vertex and the at least one of the neighboring points in the mesh representation. The feature generating arrangement comprises a weight vector generator module and a feature representation generator module.

Abstract: A system is described for generating a plurality of identifiers, each associated with one of a like plurality of subdivision surfaces of a surface element, and for generating, using an identifier for a subdivision surface, coordinates for the subdivision surface. Each identifier includes one or more position codes. Each position code indicates the position of a subdivision surface at a respective level relative to the next higher level, so that successive position codes in the identifier indicate the positions of subdivision surfaces through successive subdivision levels. To generate coordinates for a subdivision surface from the identifier associated with the subdivision surface, the system sequences through successive position codes in the identifier to determine locations of the subdivision surfaces through the successive levels.

Abstract: Computer graphics apparatus, methods and systems and program products operable to generate and display human-perceptible images, comprise a ray tracer operable to generate a ray tree, the ray tree comprising a primary ray shot along a selected direction and a plurality of other rays, the other rays being generated by recursive splitting. A ray is split when it encounters a predetermined condition, and each of the rays into which it is split is directed along a selected direction. The ray tracer comprises a low-discrepancy sequence generator an condition detector and a ray generator. The low-discrepancy sequence generator is configured to generate elements of at least one low-discrepancy sequence. The condition detector is configured to determine, for one of the rays in the ray tree, whether the one of the rays encounters the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A coupling waveguide is interconnected between a launching fiber and a receiving fiber to reduce coupling loss. The coupling waveguide includes an integrally formed graded index lens having a non-parabolic refractive index profile. The graded index lens receives as an input a coupling mode field of an optical signal launched by the launching fiber and transforms the coupling mode field into a transverse spatial distribution matching a corresponding coupling mode field of the receiving fiber.

Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby, enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.

Abstract: A system, methods and apparatus for rapidly and automatically orienting spherical objects, such as game balls, for subsequent downstream processing comprises a series of processing steps that can be performed at four separate, mechanically similar (or even identical) workstations. An imaging sub-system needs only one camera to image the spherical object and image the work process. The method of transposing the spherical object between work stations is simple, requiring an apparatus having only one degree of freedom to simultaneously convey and rotate spherical objects, and the system and method can automatically and rapidly determine the object's spatial orientation and change the orientation as required for downstream processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for motivating students in mathematics education, computer technology education and information encoding. The apparatus consists of a container holding multi-state sources and a reading device, if necessary, that can determine the state of the sources in the container when it is closed. Students determine the states of the sources and use a predetermined algorithm to determine the information or data represented in the container. The apparatus and method can be presented to an audience as a magic trick.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for generating a representation of a feature in a surface defined by a mesh representation, the mesh comprising at a selected level a plurality of points including at least one point connected to a plurality of neighboring points by respective edges, the feature being defined in connection with the vertex and at least one of the neighboring points and the edge interconnecting the vertex and the at least one of the neighboring points in the mesh representation. The feature generating arrangement comprises a weight vector generator module and a feature representation generator module. The weight vector generator module is configured to generate at least one weight vector based on a parameterized subdivision rule defined at a plurality of levels, for which a value of at least one parameter differs at at least two levels in the mesh.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions of films using selected blends of primary and secondary fatty amide additives at critical ratios, which enable the primary fatty amides to interact favorably with the secondary amides so as to provide controlled COF and other useful surface properties in polyolefin and other films.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for an image using a selected ray-tracing methodology in which simulated rays are shot from the pixel into a scene, the simulated rays representing paths of simulated photons, the pixel value being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera. The computer graphics system comprises a subdomain generator, a subdomain photon evaluator, an area value generator and a radiance value generator. The subdomain generator, for a query point “x” in the scene, and a selected number “k” of photons, generates a set of “M” subdomains Di on a disk D of radius r(Bk(x)) centered at the query point “x” that is tangent to a minimal sphere around point “x” that encompasses “k” photons, such that ? i = 0 M - 1 ? D i = D ? ? and ? ? D i ? D j ? 0 ? ? for ? ? i ? j , ? where ? ? ? D i ? = ? D ? M = ? ? ? r 2 ? ( B k ? ( x ) ) M .

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for a pixel in an image, the pixel value being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera, the computer graphics system comprising a photon map generator, a sample point generator and a function evaluator. The photon map generator is configured to a plurality of photon maps, each photon map being associated with a respective point in time during a time interval. The sample point generator is configured to generate a set of sample points in accordance with a selected low-discrepancy sequence, each sample point representing a respective point in time during the time interval.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for a pixel in an image, the pixel being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera. The computer graphics system comprises a sample point generator and a function evaluator. The sample point generator is configured to generate a set of sample points representing at least one simulated element of the simulated camera, the sample points representing elements of, illustratively, for sample points on the image plane, during time interval during which the shutter is open, and on the lens, a Hammersley sequence, and, for use in global illumination, a scrambled Halton sequence. The function evaluator configured to generate at least one value representing an evaluation of said selected function at one of the sample points generated by said sample point generator, the value generated by the function evaluator corresponding to the pixel value.

Abstract: An optical fiber has a core region and a first cladding region surrounding the core. The first cladding region is doped to increase the fiber's refractive index volume. A second cladding region surrounds the first cladding region. The second cladding region is doped to reduce the fiber's cutoff wavelength, offsetting an increase in the fiber's cutoff wavelength caused by the first cladding region. An outer cladding surrounds the cutoff reduction region. In a further embodiment, the volume increasing region is doped to have a refractive index profile that is sloped to increase from the region's outer circumference towards its inner circumference. In another embodiment, the cutoff reduction region has a step refractive index profile that may have more than one section.

Abstract: A method for group authentication using a public key cryptosystem that includes a public key and a private key, comprising the steps of providing a Private Key Share to a Tool of each Entity of each Group encompassed by a Boolean Expression of a prescribed Rule based upon the private key, encrypting a random number using the public key of the public key cryptosystem to generate a ciphertext challenge at a Verification Device, conveying the ciphertext challenge to the Tool of each Entity in communication with the Verification Device, generating a response to the ciphertext challenge using the Private Key Share of the Tool of each Entity in communication with the Verification Device, transmitting the response generated by each Entity in communication with the Verification Device to the Verification Device, combining the responses received from the Entities in communication with the Verification Device, determining whether any combination of the responses equals the random number wherein any combination that equ

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for a pixel in an image, the pixel being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera, the computer graphics system being configured to generate the pixel value for an image using a selected ray-tracing methodology in which simulated rays are shot from respective ones of a plurality of subpixels in the pixel, each subpixel having coordinates (sx,sy) in the image plane The computer graphics system comprises a sample point generator and a function evaluator.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for generating a coarse level mesh representing a surface, from a finer level mesh surface representation. The arrangement includes an indicator value generator and a coarse level mesh generator. The indicator value generator, for respective ones of the points in the finer level mesh surface representation, evaluates an indicator function, the value indicating whether a subdivision-inverse filter methodology or a least-squares optimization methodology is to be used to determine a position for the corresponding point in the coarse level mesh representation. The coarse level mesh generator determines, for each of the points that is to be provided in the coarse level mesh representation, a position in response to the position of the corresponding point in the finer level mesh representation, in accordance with the one of the subdivision-inverse filter methodology and least-squares optimization methodology indicated by the indicator value generated by the indicator value generator.