Abstract: Techniques and systems that provide interactions between a 3D representation of a selected pair of glasses and a fully-textured 3D face model are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an interactive platform is displayed to allow a user to select a pair of glasses and try the selected glasses on a user-provided 3D face model. The interactions provided in the platform include spatial adjustments of the glasses around the face model, various perspective views of the 3D face with the glasses on and other cosmetic alternations to the selected glasses. According to one application, when the user finishes the try-on process, the information about the glasses can be transmitted to a business that can subsequently produce a pair of customized glasses for the user.

Abstract: Techniques for direct modulation of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with adaptive digital gain control for wideband wireless applications are disclosed. A digital adaptive gain control loop is used to directly modulate the VCO, and a phase-locked loop (PLL) to track the frequency drift and other nonlinear effects of the VCO. As the PLL is applied to track the carrier frequency without passing the modulation signal into the PLL loop filter, the PLL can be implemented with a narrow loop bandwidth. The wideband frequency modulated signal is directly up-converted to the radio frequency (RF) signal by directly modulating the VCO through a digital-to-analog converter which is digitally controlled by an adaptive gain control loop. Thus, both wide bandwidth and low output noise for a frequency synthesizer and modulator can be achieved.

Abstract: Designs of optical devices particularly useful for separating channels signals that are originally multiplexed are disclosed. In accordance with one design, an optical filter configured to reflect a particular channel signal is positioned to receive a multiplexed signal at a small incident angle so as to minimize residuals of other signals in the channel signal. To further increase isolation from the other channel signals, another filter is introduced to transmit only the reflected channel signal, the another filter has a frequency response reciprocal to that of the original optical filter. One of the key advantages, benefits and objects of the designs is to increase channel signals separation efficiency by increasing isolation among separated channel signals.

Abstract: A 3D modeling system for automatically generating fully-textured 3D models of objects from a sequence of images taken around the objects is disclosed. There are several processes developed to facilitate the operation of the 3D modeling system by an ordinary skilled person. One of the processes is the automatic calibration of a camera using only a portion of a calibration disc to essentially provide a larger effective field of view of the camera. Another process is a space carving process that subdivides volumetric cells recursively to fit to a 3D object using a tree structure that encodes the entire process. Still another process is a 3D mesh model generation process that begins with the tree structure and generates self-constraint and interconnected triangles, in a sense that all triangles intersect with each other either not at all or at common boundary faces, to represent the shape of the 3D object.

Abstract: New designs of optical devices, particularly for adding or dropping a selected wavelength or a group of wavelengths are disclosed. In one aspect, no collimators or the like are used. Instead, two fibers are coupled effectively via a concave mirror. Depending on the shape of the concave mirror that may have a shape substantially similar to a portion of an oblate spheroid or sphere, the facets or tips of these two fibers are positioned near or upon the foci of the oblate spheroid or the center of the sphere. Utilizing the special characteristics of the concave mirror, these two fibers can be optically coupled with minimal loss and without the use of any optical collimators.

Abstract: An autonomous and portable smartcard reader device incorporates a high level of embedded security countermeasures. Data transfers are encrypted with two specific input devices, namely a light sensor and PIN or other keyboard entry, and at the output through the use of a dual-tone encoder-decoder. The unit may be used alone or as a plug-in to another device such as a PDA, cell phone, or remote control. The reader may further be coupled to various biometric or plug-in devices to achieve at least five levels of authentication, namely, (1) the smartcard itself; (2) the smartcard reader; (2) the PIN; (3) private-key cryptography (PKI); and (5) the (optional) biometric device. These five levels account for an extremely strong authentication applicable to public networking on public/private computers, and even on TV (satellite, cable, DVD, CD AUDIO, software applications. Transactions including payments may be carried out without any risk of communication tampering, authentication misconduct or identity theft.

Abstract: Pixel image sensors with lateral photodiode elements and vertical overflow drain systems. According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, an image sensor pixel includes a lateral photodiode element and a vertical overflow drain system for draining excessive charges accumulated in the charge collecting region of the lateral photodiode element and for resetting the charge collecting region of the lateral photodiode element.

Abstract: Computer-assisted navigation is achieved with component-oriented programming and instructions that provide a distributed component programming navigation system. The computer-assisted navigation is achieved with a computing device having program memory. Operationally, the component-oriented application loaded in the memory provides a distributed navigation system comprising a User Interface component, a Service Manager component, a User Positioning category of components that provides a user position based on navigation sensor data, and a Mapping category of components that accesses a map database and places the user position on a road segment of the map database. The components within the component-oriented application are managed by the service manager component to perform distributed navigation services.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing transformers with center-taps are described. Based on an overlay winding structure, according to one embodiment, the primary and the secondary of the transformer are respectively formed on two separate layers that are stacked on top of each other, wherein the secondary includes two segments, the two respective terminals of the two segments are coupled together to a component in a circuit to form a center-tap of the secondary. According to another embodiment, three or more separating windings are formed on separate layers. At least one of the windings is a conducting stripe wound in loops and includes a center-tap that extends across but not electrically connected to the loops of the conducting stripe by detouring the conducting stripe through other layers.

Abstract: Improved designs of optical devices for processing optical signals with own or more specified wavelengths are disclosed. According to embodiment, a filter mirror assembly appears an “L” shape and provides a filtering function as well as a reflecting function. The filter mirror assembly is so mounted that a rotation thereof will not alter the optical path the beam positions of signals resulted from the filter mirror assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for realistic, real-time recreations of live events are described. One or more virtual stages, equipped with assorted live-event reproductions media, receive a real-time feed from a live event. This produces an audio-visual experience which is nearly indistinguishable from the live event for specially situated attendees.

Abstract: Optical devices for adding/dropping an optical signal with a particular wavelength are disclosed. According to embodiment, a reflection channel module including a grin lens and a bandpass filter is employed to transmit the optical with a particular wavelength and reflect all other channel signals. The transmitted signal is regulated by an optical regulator (e.g. variable optical attenuator) before it is output from the device via a grin lens. As a result, a regulated channel can be dropped or added depending on an application.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling and monitoring MEMS optical switches are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic feedback loop is employed to determine a control signal to a MEMS switch actuator in accordance with an instruction. The control signal is so determined in such a way that the switching statuses are maximally guaranteed. To generate an appropriate control signal, AC or DC impedances of the MEMS switch are detected and used to configure the control signal to drive the switch. When it is detected that the impedance changes do not meet respective thresholds, the control signal is adjusted. In the case that the stiction happens, the switch actuator is overcharged, discharged and repeatedly applied for a limited time to overcome the stiction.

Abstract: A new class of avatars (“organizational avatars”) created in accordance with the present invention holds a value or a significance independent from their use in a virtual environment, unlike the generic avatars whose value is limited to their being used in a chatroom. For example, an organizational avatar may be in the image of a trademark (which may be copyrighted), such as Mickey Mouse, Colonel Sanders, or Pikachu (a Pokemon character). The organizational avatars may represent certain organizations, typically the organizations that own trademark and/or copyright rights to the images used to form the avatars in virtual environments. Therefore, users of virtual environments can interface various companies by interacting with organizational avatars. Alternatively, organizational avatars may represent users independent of the organization, but under a contract with the organization that owns the image the avatars depict.

Abstract: The use of a method/apparatus for generating structured documents is disclosed. A counter is coupled for a product implementing the method/apparatus. When the counter is permitted to increment, the structured documents can be generated from unstructured documents. Identifiers in user-defined document type definitions are used to associate selected objects or group objects in the unstructured documents so that association information of the selected objects or group objects can facilitate the generation of files in a markup language suitable for presentations on various media.

Abstract: New designs of optical devices, particularly for adding or dropping a selected wavelength or a group of wavelengths are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical filter is positioned a distance from a first lens to form an assembly with a mechanical axis. The optical filter is configured at a selected wavelength and reflecting light beams at wavelengths other than the selected wavelength and transmitting a light beam at the selected wavelength. The distance is obtained with respect to a reflection measurement of a light beam at a wavelength other than the selected wavelength such that the reflection measurement is minimized. A second lens is initially positioned towards the optical filter. Before being fixed with respect to the assembly, the second lens is laterally shifted from the mechanical axis of the assembly to collect with a minimum loss a light beam refracted from the assembly. Such lateral shift also benefits when a light beam comes out from the second lens.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for facilitating the input of information into a computing device by a scanning means. A pocket scanner that has only the minimum components/parts therein and will not operate without being connected to the computing device that subsequently receives scanning signals therefrom. In particular, the disclosed scanner does not have a separate power supply to energize the components/parts to work.

Abstract: A generic solution is disclosed to facilitate and improve the management of infant care, the complex nutritional and health requirements of infants. According to one embodiment, a portable device collects information regarding the subject infant and can manually or automatically configure various reminders for a caregiver to attend to the infant under care. According to another embodiment, based on the collected information, the apparatus configures reminders in accordance with associated product information (i.e., product nutrition, serial numbers and use information). As a result, a caregiver can be always reminded of what, when and how much of infant products an infant shall be fed with.

Abstract: The inventions invention relates to a generic re-configurable WDM optical cross connection device which may be viewed as an optical network element comprising transport interfaces optionally along with tributary interfaces. An switch system includes a plurality of switch modules each essentially including a pair of R-channel input collimators on one side and a pair of R-channel output collimators on the other side with a switching prism moveably positioned therebetween in an existence/active or non-existence/inactive manner. A pair of input fibers are respectively connected to the two input collimators and an pair of output fibers are respectively connected t the two output collimators. A plurality of jumper fibers cascading said switch modules together.

Abstract: An image sensor element includes a vertical overflow drain structure to eliminate substrate charge diffusion causing CMOS image sensor noise. An extra chemical mechanical polish step used to shorten the micro-lens to silicon surface distance in order to reduce optical cross talking. One embodiment uses N type substrate material with P? epitaxial layer to form a vertical overflow drain. Deep P well implantation is introduced to the standard CMOS process to prevent latch-up between an N well to an N type substrate. A photo diode is realized by stacked N well/Deep N well and stacked P well/Deep P well to improve performance.