Abstract: An image processing system recovers 3-D depth information for pixels of a base image representing a view of a scene. The system detects a plurality of pixels in a base image that represents a first view of a scene. The system the determines 3-D depth of the plurality of pixels in the base image by matching correspondence to a plurality of pixels in a plurality of images representing a plurality of views of the scene. The system then traces pixels in a virtual piecewise continuous depth surface by spatial propagation starting from the detected pixels in the base image by using the matching and corresponding plurality of pixels in the plurality of images to create the virtual piecewise continuous depth surface viewed from the base image, each successfully traced pixel being associated with a depth in the scene viewed from the base image.

Abstract: An arithmetic circuit for use with an RNS is provided. The arithmetic circuit includes an arithmetic core, test circuitry, and logic circuitry. The arithmetic core performs an RNS arithmetic operation, and the test circuitry verifies proper circuit delay by inducing oscillation at the output of the arithmetic core during testing. The logic circuitry produces a pass/fail signal based on whether the oscillation frequency of the arithmetic core is at least equal to a minimum threshold value. In one preferred embodiment, the logic circuitry includes a counter that counts oscillations of the output of the arithmetic core during testing, and a comparator that compares the output of the counter after a predetermined test period with the minimum threshold value. Also provided is a method for testing the propagation delay of an RNS arithmetic circuit having an arithmetic core.

Abstract: An image processing system and method reconstructs 3D image information corresponding to a scene from a plurality of 2D images of the scene. The method receives a plurality of image features corresponded between different 2D views of the scene, the corresponded image features deviating between different views as a result of camera relative motion. The method determines image features of the received plurality of image features that are occluded views, determines image features of the received plurality of image features that are confident seeds associated with 3D depth information, and propagates 3D depth information from the confident seeds to neighboring image features, while avoiding image features that have been determined to be occluded views. The 3D image information can be rendered and displayed such as for a virtual walkthrough of the scene.

Abstract: A method for associating search results is provided. According to the method, an original list of search results is provided to a first user in response to a first query, and the search results selected by the first user are recorded and associated with the first query. Additionally, a second query that is the same as or similar to the first query is received from a second user, and an alternate list of search results is provided to the second user. The alternate list lists those search results from the original list that have been associated with the first query due to selection by a user. Also provided is a system for providing search results that includes a search engine, a query database, and a controller. The search engine provides original lists of search results in response to queries, and the query database stores the search results selected by users in response to each of the queries.

Abstract: A process for forming a low resistivity titanium silicide layer on the surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate. In the process, an effective amount of a metallic element such as indium, gallium, tin, or lead is implanted or deposited on the surface of the silicon substrate. A titanium layer is deposited on the surface of the silicon substrate, and a rapid thermal annealing of the titanium-coated silicon substrate is performed to form low resistivity titanium silicide. In preferred processes, the metallic element is indium or gallium, and more preferably the metallic element is indium. A semiconductor device that has a titanium silicide layer on the surface of a silicon substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming an interface free layer of silicon on a substrate of monocrystalline silicon is provided. According to the method, a substrate of monocrystalline silicon having a surface substantially free of oxide is provided. A silicon layer in-situ doped is deposited on the surface of the substrate in an oxygen-free environment and at a temperature below 700° C. so as to produce a monocrystalline portion of the silicon layer adjacent to the substrate and a polycrystalline portion of the silicon layer spaced apart from the substrate. The silicon layer is heated so as to grow the monocrystalline portion of the silicon layer through a part of the polycrystalline portion of the silicon layer. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a bipolar transistor.

Abstract: A protection device is provided for protecting a switching device that is able to control a current through an inductive load which is subject to a supply voltage, by switching a first and a second terminal of the inductive load to the respective pole of the supply voltage. The switching device is under control of a switching control device. The switching control device operates based on a predetermined algorithm. The switching device also includes flyback body diodes. The protection device includes measuring means for measuring a voltage level on a terminal of the load, and decision means for making a decision on switching the first terminal of the load if the measured voltage level exceeds the supply voltage. The protection device also includes instructing means for instructing the switching control device based on the decision for switching a first terminal of the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for buffering 2-dimensional graphical image data to be supplied to a scrolling display controller. A 2-dimensional, circularly addressed data buffer is used to store a portion of an entire image. The data buffer is larger than the amount of data displayed at one time. A user enters scrolling commands and the display scrolls around the data initially in the buffer. New data is loaded into the buffer as the displayed data approaches the edge of the buffered data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a circuit using the method thereof for minimising the phase errors during the driving of an electric motor, and a circuit using the method thereof, having a stator winding, a permanent magnet rotor assembly, and devices able to sense a rotor position, which comprises the following steps: a) generating of a rotor position signal (10, 14, 39), by means of said devices able to sense said rotor position; b) detecting at least two information from at least two edges (11, 12; 15, 16) of said rotor position signal (10, 14, 39) inside a measure period; c) generating a driving signal (9, 13, 38), in function of said at least two information (11, 12; 15, 16) inside the measure period, so as to follow the rotor velocity.

Abstract: A bootstrap circuit in DC/DC static converters is provided that includes a power transistor having a first non drivable terminal coupled with a first input voltage and driving means connected with a drivable terminal of the power transistor and adapted for determining the on time and the off time of the power transistor for each prefixed switching time period. The bootstrap circuit includes a capacitor coupled respectively with the second non drivable terminal of the power transistor and with a second input voltage and an input of the driving means so that the voltage between its terminals is substantially equal to the voltage between the second non drivable terminal and the drivable terminal during the off time of the power transistor. The bootstrap circuit includes an overcharge circuit arranged between the second non drivable terminal and ground; the overcharge circuit is able to allow overcharging the capacitor during the off time of the power transistor and for a time period lower than the off time.

Abstract: A method and a bit counting device (100) count bits set to one in a data word of arbitrary size. The bit counting device (100) includes a first data register (110) for storing a data word, an offset register (112) for storing an offset value, a second data register (120), and a one-cycle shifter (114), electrically connected to the first data register (110), to the second data register (120), and to the offset register (112), for shifting the data word by a value stored in the offset register (112) and storing the shifted data word in the second data register (120).

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit. According to the method, a second dielectric layer is formed above a first dielectric layer, and holes and/or trenches are etched in the first and second dielectric layers. The holes and/or trenches are filled with metal in order to form electrical connection elements, and at least a third dielectric layer is formed. Holes and/or trenches are selectively etched in the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer with respect to the first dielectric layer and the elements, in order to control the depth of the etch. Additionally, there is provided an integrated circuit of the type having metallization levels separated by dielectric layers and metallized vias connecting lines of different metallization levels. The integrated circuit includes first and second metallization levels, first and second superposed dielectric layers located above the first metallization level, and a third dielectric layer located above the first and second dielectric layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor package is provided that includes an electrical connection and support means having a front face and a recess in the front face. The semiconductor package also includes a semiconductor component having a front face including a sensor and a rear face which presses on the bottom of the recess of the electrical connection and support means. Further included in the semiconductor package is a positioning and locking means for locking the semiconductor component onto the electrical connection and support means. The positioning and locking means is engaged in a space which separates the periphery of the semiconductor component from the periphery of the recess and keeps the semiconductor component pressed against the bottom of the recess. Thus, there is provided a semiconductor package having efficiently oriented components.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing an integrated circuit in an automatic test environment. According to the method, the automatic test environment is set up, and there is performed a repetitive measurement of at least one electrical quantity representative of an integrated circuit response to a set of prescribed integrated circuit test conditions. The automatic test environment is reset, and the integrated circuit test conditions are changed in synchrony with a synchronization signal having a prescribed periodicity, so that all of the measurements are allotted a time slot of the same length. Also provided is an automatic test equipment apparatus that includes a synchronization generator for supplying a synchronization signal having a prescribed periodicity to means for putting the integrated circuit in a set test condition. The means changes the set test condition in synchrony with the synchronization signal, so that all of the measurements are allotted a time slot of the same length.

Abstract: In a computer network such as the Internet including one or more servers and one or more user units or clients wherein at least some user units do not transmit client identification information such as Web cookies, a method and system for performing the method for a server to communicate with at least one of the client units, comprising the steps of: receiving an access request from one of the user units, the user unit including a network browser; determining whether the access request received originated from a cookies capable or cookies enabled network browser; and simulate and proxy cookies support at the server, on behalf of the network browser, at the server when it is determined that the access request received did not originate from a non-cookies capable or non-cookies enabled network browser.

Abstract: A MOS semiconductor device formed on a substrate of a first conductivity type is provided. The device includes active zones for elementary active elements, and at least one inactive zone suitable for electric signal input or output. The substrate is connected with the drain terminal of the device, and at least one of the elementary active elements includes a body region of a second conductivity type that is connected with the source terminal of the device. The at least one inactive zone includes a semiconductor region of the second conductivity type formed in the substrate and adjacent a surface of the substrate, a conductive layer located over the semiconductor region, and a silicon oxide layer located between the semiconductor region and the conductive layer. The silicon oxide layer has alternating first zones and second zones that are contiguous to each other, with the first zones having a greater thickness than the second zones.

Abstract: A method is provided for tracking printed articles. Input indicating that a first carrier is being mounted to take up printed articles is read, and an ID of the first carrier is read in. A record associating the printed articles with the first carrier is made. In a preferred embodiment, the ID of the first carrier is read in by reading a bar code of the first carrier. Also provided is a system for producing custom printed articles.

Abstract: It is determined whether audio identifying information generated for an audio content image matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. If the audio identifying information generated for the audio content image matches audio identifying information in the audio content database, at least one product containing or relating to audio content that corresponds to the matching audio identifying information is identified. In one embodiment, the audio content image is received, and the audio identifying information is generated for the audio content image. In another embodiment, the audio identifying information for the audio content image is received. Also provided is a system for selling products.

Abstract: A driving circuit for electronically switched motors is provided. The driving circuit includes a supply voltage rectifying stage for providing a rectified supply voltage, first switching means for switching state based on output of a first control block, magnetic means for providing a magnetic flux according to the state of the first switching means, transmission diodes for transmitting an exciting current that flows through the magnetic means, first energy storing means for storing the exciting current, an energy return stage for transferring the energy stored in the first energy storing means to the rectifying stage, and energetic conversion means for receiving the energy stored in the energy storing means through second switching means controlled by a second control block, so as to provide a current as sinusoidal as possible.

Abstract: A mirroring circuit operating at high frequencies is provided. The mirroring circuit includes a first branch having a first transistor in series with a first resistor, a second branch having a second transistor in series with a second resistor, and a servo circuit for controlling current flowing in the first branch and the second branch. The servo circuit includes a third transistor configured as a diode, a source of the third transistor coupled to a source of the first transistor, a fourth transistor configured as a shift lever, a source of the fourth transistor coupled to ground via a third resistor, a fifth transistor configured as a diode, a source of the fifth transistor coupled to a source of the second transistor, and a sixth transistor configured as a shift lever, a source of the sixth transistor coupled to ground via the third resistor.