Abstract: A method for adjusting and limiting a color saturation level S of a color pixel of an input image includes steps of: obtaining a first chrominance value U and a second chrominance value V representing the color pixel of the input image; determining the color saturation level S in dependence on the first chrominance value U and the second chrominance value V; determining a saturation limiting parameter ? in dependence on the color saturation level S; obtaining an adjusted first chrominance value by multiplying the first chrominance value U by the saturation limiting parameter ?; obtaining an adjusted second chrominance value by multiplying the second chrominance value by the saturation limiting parameter ?; and representing a color pixel of an output image with the adjusted first and second chrominance values. The process is repeated for each pixel of each image of the input video signal.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the saturation levels of the pixels of a time varying image being represented by RGB color sample vectors {right arrow over (C)} in an RGB color system. The method does not require the RGB color sample vectors {right arrow over (C)} to be converted into YUV samples in order to subsequently perform saturation adjustment.
Abstract: A sensor is fabricated with micron feature sizes capable of simultaneously measuring absolute angles of rotation and angular rotational rates. The measurements are made directly from the position and velocity of the device without the need for electronic integration or differentiation. The device measures angle directly, avoiding the integration of electronic errors and allowing for higher performance in attitude measurement. These performance improvements and flexibility in usage allow for long term attitude sensing applications such as implantable prosthetics, micro-vehicle navigation, structural health monitoring, and long range smart munitions. Through the fabrication of the device using lithographic methods, the device can be made small and in large qualities, resulting in low costs and low power consumption.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 23, 2004
Date of Patent:
May 9, 2006
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: A method and system is provided for detecting, commanding and controlling diverse home devices currently connected to a home network. An interface is provided for accessing the home devices that are currently connected to a home network. According to the method, a device link file is generated, wherein the device link file identifies home devices that are currently connected to the home network. A device link page is created, wherein the device link page contains a device button that is associated with each home device that is identified in the device link file. A hyper-text link is associated with each device button, wherein the hyper-text link provides a link to an HTML page that is contained on the home device that is associated with the device button, and the device link page is displayed on a browser based home device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 24, 1998
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2006
Assignee:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Inventors:
Richard James Humpleman, G. Kevin Harms, Michael S. Deacon, Robert M. Wolff
Abstract: A restraining device that is mountable on a track, has an elongated member and an attachment mechanism connected to an end of the elongated member, to mount the member on a track. The elongated member has a tubular core with an upper end and a lower end and a tubular sleeve having an upper-end opening and a lower-end opening. The core is received within the sleeve such that the sleeve is axially movable relative to the core, and the upper end of the core is connected to the attachment mechanism through the upper-end opening of the sleeve. A spring provides spring-loading for the sleeve such that the upper end of the sleeve is urged against the track to resist motion of the elongated member on the track. The attachment mechanism has a mount for slidably mounting the elongated member on the track, and a pivoting joint connected between the elongated member and the mount, such that the pivoting joint allows the elongated member to be pivoted relative to the track.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 17, 2003
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2006
Assignee:
Hannibal Material Handling, Inc.
Inventors:
Stephen James Rogers, Vadim Chernobilsky, Gregory Rudin, Senad Dzaferovic, Gregor Dermendzhyan
Abstract: A feed forward power amplifier is disclosed which utilizes three signal cancellation loops. Loop 1 includes a main amplifier and is used to derive a carrier cancelled sample of the main amplifier output. Loop 2 includes an error amplifier used to amplify the carrier cancelled signal derived from Loop 1 operation in order to cancel distortion products generated due to the nonlinear nature of the main amplifier. Loop 2 also utilizes a very short Loop 2 delay line. A significant efficiency gain is provided due to reduced output power losses associated with the Loop 2 delay line. Lower output losses also results in lower distortion levels produced by the main amplifier. This, in turn, reduces the size and performance requirements placed on the error amplifier. A smaller and more efficient error amplifier is employed resulting in further amplifier system efficiency improvement.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 10, 2004
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2006
Assignee:
Powerwave Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Gurvich, Bill Vassilakis, Ezmarai Arbab, Alexander Rabinovich
Abstract: A method and apparatus for linear amplification of a modulated carrier signal or multi-carrier signal is disclosed. The linearity of the amplifier is improved by employing dynamic load line adjustments. A second current source coupled to the amplifier output load is turned on just before the amplifier reaches a nonlinear regime and reduces the effective load to prevent the amplifier allowing sufficient power to reach the nonlinear regime near saturation. The technique is particularly advantageous for amplification of a signal with large peak to average ratio.
Abstract: An RF power amplifier having reduced memory effects is disclosed. This is achieved by a novel design of the DC supply feed network to achieve low impedance across video frequencies, whilst maintaining the correct RF output matching. One or more transmission zeros are provided in the bias circuit transfer function, which are positioned in the video bandwidth so as to provide low and relatively constant impedance across the video bandwidth. Also, a parallel DC feed line may be employed to reduce impedance across the video bandwidth. The reduction in memory effects allows improved performance of predistortion linearization techniques and an implementation in a feed forward amplifier employing predistortion linearization is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 25, 2006
Assignee:
Powerwave Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Ahmad Khanifar, Nikolai Maslennikov, Gareth Spiller
Abstract: The locknut is adapted for axial engagement of a threaded shaft having an axis and an outer thread. The locknut has properties for limiting a tightening torque on the shaft to a predetermined torque value. In one aspect, a first member is adapted for engagement by a user and rotation about the shaft. A second member having inner threads is disposed in a rotatable, coaxial relationship with the first member. At least one deflection wall is included in the first member and is provided with properties for deflecting outwardly in response to a radial force. At least one deflecting element is included in the second member and is disposed to exert a radial force against the deflection wall. The deflecting element has a generally engaged relationship with the deflection wall at a torque level not greater than the predetermined torque to maintain the inner threads of the second member in an engaged relationship with the first member.
Abstract: A shower curtain rod and holding devices provide for a shower area to be covered on a plurality of sides by an associated shower curtain to prevent shower water from escaping. The shower curtain rod is non-linear and is mounted at distal ends to walls of the shower area at least one-third of a total shower depth from a front of the shower. The holding devices have mounting portions that can be attached to walls in a variety of ways. A method of preventing water from escaping from the shower implements the rod and holding devices. A method of installing the rod and holding devices is easy and requires few steps.
Abstract: A phase-resolved functional optical coherence tomography system simultaneously obtains the Stokes vectors, structure, blood flow velocity, standard deviation, and birefringence images in human skin. The multifunctional images were obtained by processing the analytical interference fringe signals derived from the two perpendicular polarization detection channels. The blood flow velocity and standard deviation images were obtained by comparing the phase from the pairs of analytical signals in the neighboring A-lines in the same polarization state. The Stokes vectors were obtained by processing the analytical signals from two polarization diversity detection channels for the same reference polarization state. From the four Stokes vectors, the birefringence image, which is insensitive to the orientations of the optical axis in the sample, was obtained. Multifunctional images of a port wine stain birthmark in human skin are demonstrated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 9, 2003
Date of Patent:
March 21, 2006
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: A proximity warning system is disposed in a sound protecting earmuff-type headset or other means of providing acoustic ear protection. The ear protector prevents the user from hearing damage from high levels of ambient sound and would otherwise generally make the user unable to hear the sounds of approaching objects like vehicles and machinery. However, an audio transducer is provided in each ear shell of the headset and is connected to a ranging device, which in the illustrated embodiment is an infrared ranging device which generates an alarm signal upon the approach of an object within a predetermined critical alarm limit. A plurality of variable alarm signals can be provided to distinguish the direction, size and speed of the approaching object. In general, the ranging device may be optical, acoustic, thermal or electromagnetic.
Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly includes a chassis, a magnet assembly supported by the chassis and disposed at a rear side thereof, a moveable voice coil, a rear suspension, and a diaphragm connected to the voice coil and to the chassis. The assembly defines a voice coil gap receiving the voice coil. To improve the cooling of the assembly, particularly when the magnet assembly includes neodymium, the assembly is positioned at least substantially in front of the diaphragm, and the chassis is positioned outwardly of the magnet assembly. Heat generated by the coil, which could adversely affect the magnet, is dissipated by conduction to the chassis and by convection and radiation to ambient air. The rear suspension supports the voice coil, is secured to the assembly and is connected to the chassis only through the magnet assembly and through the diaphragm.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing thermo-mechanical damage to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is disclosed. The method and apparatus of the invention use materials with superior thermo-mechanical properties, in particular, the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), melting temperature, tensile strength and fracture toughness. The thermo-mechanical energy absorber materials are incorporated in, or replace, components of the ESD device that are susceptible to thermo-mechanical stress and cracking due to localized heating and thermal expansion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 6, 2003
Date of Patent:
March 7, 2006
Assignee:
ESD Pulse, Inc.
Inventors:
Vladimir Rodov, Wlodzimierz Woytek Tworzydlo
Abstract: An articulating shaft includes an outer tubular member having a longitudinal axis and portions defining a slot. An inner tubular member is disposed within the outer member and movable about the axis of the outer member. A wedge carried by the inner member is movable within the slot in an interference fit with the slot portions to articulate the outer member. In an associated method, the inner member can be turned in a first direction to bend the outer member in an associated second direction, and the inner member can be turned in a third direction to move the outer member in an associated fourth direction.
Abstract: A three dimensional adiabatic taper provides a funnel for light to be coupled into high index material. The taper is formed by shadow deposition or sputtering from polysilicon, which can be used to match the refractive index of waveguiding material to which the taper is optically coupled. When designed with the correct shape and adequate smoothness, such tapers form efficient waveguide couplers. Once the light has been coupled through the adiabatic coupler into an index guide on a wafer or chip, an integral design of the transition between the index guide and photonic crystal ensures low loss coupling with a minimum of diffraction and back reflection.