Abstract: A method, system, and product for separating an image into a set of layers (background, foreground, and selector) and processing those layers to produce an output image of reduced size with improved compression and greater image quality. Each pixel of image data is processed based on signals produced from the set of layers and their attributes. The method includes determining values for signals being processed based on a look-up table or template, as well as changing values based on each pixel and its neighboring pixels.

Abstract: Lacrimal implants for treating diseases or disorders are disclosed. More particularly, lacrimal implants, methods of making such implants, and methods of treating ocular, respiration, inner ear or other diseases or disorders using such implants are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic annotated document including embedding annotation information into an electronic annotation object having image data including an annotation, and producing the electronic annotated document using pixel information from the electronic document and the electronic annotation object. The annotation embedded information may be used to select corresponding pixel information from one of the electronic annotated object and electronic document to be provided in the electronic annotated document. A system and tangible storage medium having machine-readable instructions for producing an electronic annotated document are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hair dyeing agent, a combination of the hair dyeing agent and a softener for dyeing hair and the method of using the combination are disclosed. The hair dyeing agent comprises a dye active, a mordant active, a stabilizer, water, and a carrier and/or an excipient. The dye active is selected from gallic acids, salts and esters thereof and their combinations. The mordant active is a ferrous salt selected from ferrous sulfate, ferrous chloride, ferrous nitrate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous lactate and ferrous fumarate.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The adapter further includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power flow within the electronic device. A cable, which is electrically coupled to the adapter, has a connector at its distal end. The power supply equipment further includes a plurality of tips, each of which has an input connector, an output connector and at least three conductors. The input connector of each tip is detachable mateable to the connector on the distal end of the cable. The output connector of each tip is detachably mateable to a corresponding electronic device. The conductors transfer the DC power and the data signal from the input connector to the output connector. A tip output connector has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device to which the tip corresponds.

Abstract: The invention features an indexable wear plate/piercing tip insert that is configured to be removably and repositionably attached to the front, nose portion of the upper, movable jaw of a metal demolition shears. The insert functions as both a wear plate and a piercing tip and is indexable in that a non-worn or less worn portion of the wear surface of the wear plate portion of the insert, and non-worn shearing and piercing edges of the piercing tip portion of the insert, can be presented simultaneously simply by rotating the insert 180° and reattaching it to the nose portion of the upper, movable jaw of a metal demolition shears.

Abstract: An actuator having a two-parameters energy converter is coupled to a transducer and is driven by a controller. Prior to assembly and operation of the actuator, a calibration procedure is performed. The calibration procedure, together with the unique controller, enable accurate control of the output parameters of the actuator. In one example, the parameters are rate and force, and the calibration and controller enable accurate control of the rate and force at the output of the actuator by measuring only the rate at the output of the energy converter. Consequently, no sensors are needed at the output of the actuator, i.e., at the output of the transducer, where the load is applied.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a document handling apparatus includes an image detection unit including a plurality of light sources to irradiate a surface of a paper sheet as an inspection target with light from two different directions, and a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light from the surface of the paper sheet, and configured to detect an image on the surface of the paper sheet, and a detected information processing unit configured process detected information from the image detection unit and determine a defacement degree of the paper sheet. The detected information processing unit is configured to detect gray contamination of the paper sheet from an image detected by simultaneously turning on the plurality of light sources and to detect wrinkles or folds of the paper sheet from an image detected by turning on one of the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making two electrically separated inductors using deposition and wet-etching techniques, which inductors are formed by interwinding one of the inductors within the other inductor on the same planar level. In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making various levels inductors, each level having at least two electrically separated inductors, using deposition and wet-etching techniques. The inductors on each planar level are formed by interwinding one of the inductors within the other inductor, and then stacking these in a preferred manner. In still another aspect, there is provided a manner of connecting together inductors formed according to the above methods in order to achieve various inductor configurations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a natural hair care composition comprising extract of flowers of plant Butea frondosa and/or stem bark of plant Butea parviflora, and/or the exudates of stem and root of plant Butea superba, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining the plant extract and use thereof in regulation of hair growth and prevention of hair loss in all kinds of hair disorders.

Abstract: An image printing system configured to minimize two-dimensional image quality non-uniformities on printed documents is provided. The image printing system includes a marking engine, a linear array sensor, an image analyzer, and a controller. The marking engine is constructed to print toner images on an image bearing surface moving in a process direction. The marking engine comprising of a toner development system. The linear array sensor is adjacent the image bearing surface and is extending in a cross-process direction. The linear array sensor is configured to scan the toner image on the image bearing surface. The image analyzer is configured to detect a two-dimensional non-uniformity in the toner image. The controller is configured to control at least one control parameter of the toner development system based on the two-dimensional image quality non-uniformity in the toner image that is detected by the linear array sensor.

Abstract: A method of making an imprint template includes providing a transfer layer on a substrate and providing a layer of imprintable medium on the transfer layer, using a master imprint template to imprint a pattern into the imprintable medium, polymerizing the imprintable medium by exposing it to actinic radiation, then etching the resulting polymer layer, the transfer layer and the substrate such that the imprinted pattern is transferred to the substrate, the substrate thereby becoming an imprint template bearing a pattern which is the inverse of a pattern provided on the master imprint template.

Abstract: A resinous compound of the formulas or a salt thereof, wherein G1 is —X1C(O)OR1, —X2OC(O)R2, or —X2OH; G2 is R4, R12, —C(O)R2, —C(O)X1C(O)OR1, or —C(O)X2OC(O)R2; R1 is an alkyl having from 10 to 80 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkyl having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms; each R3 and R4 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl; each R5 and each R6 is independently hydrogen or alkyl; X1 and X2 are both a straight or branched alkylene group; t1 is 1 to 20; t2 and t3 is independently 0 to 20; u1 is 1 to 30; u2 and u3 is independently 0 to 30; each R7 and each R8 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, or alkoxyl; each R9 and each R10 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, or alkoxyl; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic moiety; p is 1 to 5; q is 1 to 12; A? is selected from the group consisting of Cl?, Br?, I?, HSO4?, HSO3?, CH3SO3?, NO3?, HCOO?, CH3COO?, H2PO4?, SCN?, BF4?, ClO4?, SSO3?, PF6?, and SbCl6?; and J is alkyl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for converting energy from electro-magnetic (EM) radiation into electric power using a simultaneous collector of ambient radio frequencies (SCARF) circuit. In one embodiment this is done by capturing EM radiation from a plurality of ambient signals using an array of antennae where each signal has a resonant frequency and aggregating the ambient signals to generate an aggregated signal having a single frequency with greater AC power than the AC power of each of the plurality of ambient signals individually. The single frequency can be produced by either the sum of the resonant frequencies of the ambient signals or the difference between the resonant frequencies of the ambient signals.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic annotated document including embedding annotation information into an electronic annotation object having image data including an annotation, and producing the electronic annotated document using pixel information from the electronic document and the electronic annotation object. The annotation embedded information may be used to select corresponding pixel information from one of the electronic annotated object and electronic document to be provided in the electronic annotated document. A system and tangible storage medium having machine-readable instructions for producing an electronic annotated document are also disclosed.

Abstract: A toll violation enforcement system that contains a capture unit that receives a trigger signal and takes vehicle images of passing vehicles. A lighting unit configured to operate continuously is provided to establish a major lighting source incident on the vehicle. A processing unit is provided that processes the vehicle image and controls the settings employed by the capture unit. The processing unit preferably contains a plate location module for extracting an original resolution license plate area image from a first vehicle image; an exposure control module for controlling the exposure setting on the capture unit to provide consistent intensity of the license plate area; a resolution reset module for changing the image resolution for a second vehicle image; an image enhancement module for brightening pixels of the second vehicle image; and an image compression module for compressing the license plate area image and second vehicle image to a predetermined format.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a tradable (e.g., exchange-listed) instrument by securitizing foreign currency using a foreign currency trust or other special-purpose vehicle that is established to hold one or more particular foreign currency and to issue foreign currency trust shares and/or receipts corresponding to the value of the foreign currency(s) held by the Trust. The foreign currency trust shares may represent a proportional interest in the Trust and/or the foreign currency held by the trust. The Trust may include one or more Trust accounts to receive and store the foreign currency deposited with the Trust. The Trust can operate to receive an investment amount in a first currency and provide shares or Trust receipts having a value in a second currency. The shares or receipts of the trust can be listed, quoted, and traded on a trading system.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a support configured to support a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation to form a patterned beam of radiation; a positioning device configured to move the support in a first direction; a measurement device configured to measure a relative position of the patterning device with respect to the support and to generate a measuring signal, the measurement device including a reference unit constructed and arranged to be coupled to the patterning device at a fixed relative position, and a position sensor configured to measure the position of the reference unit with respect to the support, wherein the positioning device is constructed and arranged to correct a position of the support based on the measuring signal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for receiving speech and/or non-speech communications of natural language questions and/or commands and executing the questions and/or commands. The invention provides a conversational human-machine interface that includes a conversational speech analyzer, a general cognitive model, an environmental model, and a personalized cognitive model to determine context, domain knowledge, and invoke prior information to interpret a spoken utterance or a received non-spoken message. The system and method creates, stores and uses extensive personal profile information for each user, thereby improving the reliability of determining the context of the speech or non-speech communication and presenting the expected results for a particular question or command.

Abstract: This invention relates to the printing of a substrate having a pre-printed “print pattern” with a “design layer” of ink where there is differential adhesion within and without the print pattern. The print pattern is receptive to an ink, and the design layer ink forms a durable image material with good bond to the print pattern, but the ink does not form a durable image material on the portions of the substrate outside the print pattern. The design layer ink is a UV-curable ink, and the print pattern may have a higher surface energy than the portions of the substrate outside the print pattern.