Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a pixel difference calculator, a summing unit, a determining unit, and an output unit. The pixel difference calculator receives a present image having first pixels and a previous image having second pixels, calculates pixel differences between corresponding first and second pixels, and outputs positive and negative pixel difference values. The summing unit obtains a first output value by adding up those of the positive pixel difference values and a second output value by adding up those of the negative pixel difference values. The determining unit determines a noise level of the present image from the first and second output values, and outputs a blended value. The output unit adds together weights of pixels at the same positions of the present and previous images according to the blended value to generate an output image. An image processing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Automatic gain control method and apparatus control a gain of a received signal. While the gain is adjusted and thus converges, a finding mode is entered to additionally change the gain at least once according to at least one characteristic value obtained from a relationship between the gain and time, such that the gain approaches a target level. In other embodiments, a tracking mode is further entered to periodically adjust the gain at a period greater than that before when signal strength is being tracked to reduce noise energy introduced. Hence, the embodiments can improve a gain converging speed and reduce the influence of the noise on the communication system in a dynamic receiving environment, and thus enhance the signal receiving performance.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer readable mediums for generating item purchase recommendations. To provide such a recommendation, first data is accessed using a server, the first data comprising an interaction history of an entity with respect to at least one network site. Also, second data is accessed using the server, the second data comprising a record of use of media by the entity on at least one media device remote to the server. An item recommendation is generated in the server for the entity based on the first and second data.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for failover recovery in a distributed data store. A computing device determines whether it is a master data store in a distributed data store. New data item updates are assigned the next transaction identifier in a gapless numbering scheme relative to the most durably persisted entry. New data item updates are also associated with a data store identifier that identifies the new master data store.

Abstract: A video layer effects processing system which receives normal video and special effects information on separate layers has been presented. The system selectively mixes various video layers to transmit a composite video signal for a video display such as a television, or a virtual reality system. Special effects include spotlights, zooming, etc. Additional special effects such as shaping of objects and ghost effects are created by masking and superimposing selected video layers. The selective mixing, for example, to enable or disable, strengthen or weaken, or otherwise arrange special effects, can be directed from a remote source or locally by a user through real-time control or prior setup. The video layer effects processing system can also be incorporated into a set-top-box or a local consumer box.

Abstract: Display devices for displaying a first and second view are provided. A representative display device includes a color generating layer (CF) and an array layer (AR). The color generating layer incorporates a plurality of color elements arranged in a two-dimensional array extending in a plurality of rows in a horizontal direction (X) and a plurality of columns in a vertical direction (Y). The array layer includes array metal circuitry covering a portion of each of the color elements. The color generating layer includes means for preventing light generated for one of the first and second views from being transmitted by reflection by at least a portion of a surface of the array metal circuitry in a direction of the other of the first and second views.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing dynamic item pricing to a customer during online shopping and/or purchasing of wireless devices. In a representative embodiment, a dynamic pricing system is executed in a computing device that generates a network page to send to a client device over a network, the network page including a price for a specified wireless device. The dynamic pricing system communicates with the client device over the network to obtain a selected service plan associated with the specified wireless device. The dynamic pricing system determines an updated price for the specified wireless device in response to the selected service plan for access by the customer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound of the formula (I) or the formula (II) in which: W is an oxygen atom or a radical of the formula NH; X is hydrogen or an alkaline cation or a C1-C8 alkyl or a —(CH2)n3—C(R4)(R5)(R6) radical; X and R on the one hand and X and R1 on the other hand may independently form an optionally substituted cycle with 5, 6 or 7 links. The invention also relates to complexes of said compounds with at least one metal selected from the group comprising copper, palladium, ruthenium, iridium and rhodium, and to a method for the synthesis of these compounds. These compounds and complexes can be used in various asymmetrical catalysis methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a light source module and an electronic device using the same. The light source module is disposed in a housing component of the electronic device and includes a light source and a light guide element having a light-entering surface, a light-departing curved surface and a light-reflecting curved surface. The light-entering surface receives the light from the light source. The normal line directions of the light-departing curved surface are approximately perpendicular to the normal line direction of the light-entering surface. The light is reflected by the light-reflecting curved surface and then leaves the light guide element in the normal line directions of the light-departing curved surface.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication system using multiple imaging devices, and a method for operating such a device is described. An embodiment of the present invention may use an image processor to analyze and modify image data from one or more imaging devices, and from the far-end party, in order to improve the perceived level of eye contact experienced by the users. The output signals from the imaging devices may be individually selected for transmission to the far end party, or may be used in combination in the synthesis of a composite image, using information derived from the imaging devices and/or from the image of the far-end party.

Abstract: A signal detecting method and a receiver using the same are provided. The method includes the following steps. A receiving signal vector y is received through a number of channels, wherein the receiving signal vector y corresponds to a transmitting signal vector x transmitted by at least one of the channels. A channel matrix H is determined, wherein the channel matrix H represents at least one of the channels. A factorization matrix D is chosen, wherein D is invertible to make the channel matrix H expressed as H={tilde over (H)}D, and {tilde over (H)} is a corresponding channel matrix. The factorization matrix D is determined to make an expected value of the signal estimate error become smaller. The receiving signal vector y is detected to estimate the transmitting signal vector x according to the corresponding channel matrix {tilde over (H)} and the factorization matrix D.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic equipment having a laser component and capability of inspecting leak of laser and an inspecting method for inspecting leak of laser thereof. The electronic equipment according to the invention includes a three-dimensional image-capturing device. According to the invention, the three-dimensional image-capturing device is controlled to capture a two-dimensional image, and to measure an actual depth map. The captured two-dimensional image is processed to obtain an estimated depth map. The invention selectively determines that the laser component occurs leak of laser or malfunctions in accordance with the estimated depth map and the actual depth map.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing water-treatment particles comprises respectively preparing a particle-fabricating solution that comprises chitinous composition and a forming solution first. Next, a complex solution is prepared by adding calcium sulfite into the particle-fabricating solution. Finally, the complex solution is pumped into the forming solution to form water-treatment particles. In addition, water-treatment particles manufactured by the method above are also disclosed in the specification.

Abstract: The invention discloses an optical touch sensing apparatus applied to a panel. The optical touch sensing apparatus comprises an frame, a first image capturing module, a second image capturing module, and a processing module. The first image capturing module is set at a first position for capturing a first image corresponding to a touch point on the panel; the second image capturing module is set at a second position for capturing a second image corresponding to the touch point. The processing module is used for determining a coordinate of the touch point according to the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A method of operating a touch control electronic device includes the steps of: (a) activating a program; (b) detecting a touch signal forming a curve, which includes a first sensing point and a second sensing point; and (c) calculating a distance variation between the first sensing point and the second sensing point with a reference point so as to change an attribute value of the program, wherein the reference point is set according to the curve.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and methods for designing, implementing, and operating model predictive controllers that can deliver perfect tracking of set points and that can reject the effect of disturbances when steady-state operation is reached are disclosed. High performance is achieved through the incorporation of set-point tracking costs, integral costs, and velocity costs, as well as the adoption of incremental model systems for prediction purposes. Embodiments can deliver offset-free performance for tracking set points with constant final values, set points of a ramp type, and set points of a parabolic form, while rejecting disturbances that have a constant final value. The approach reduces the complexity of model predictive control design, delivers improved performance, and requires modest computational power.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a linear voltage regulator are described that use a bipolar output transistor to deliver current and a regulated voltage to a load. The bipolar output transistor assures low output impedance providing isolation from load induced noise. A first depletion mode field effect transistor FET drives the output transistor dependent on a correction signal from an error amplifier. The error amplifier compares a fixed voltage reference to a portion of the output voltage to set a control voltage for the FET gate. Output voltage is set with an offset voltage referenced to circuit ground and can be generated with a single resistor to circuit ground by a current through the resistor which is set from VREF and the regulated output voltage. Output current is limited with a second depletion mode FET that senses the difference in regulator output voltage and voltage at said first FET transistor drain.

Abstract: A method for processing booting failure of a computer system is adapted for being performed at a computer. The method includes the following steps. First, a parameter selecting signal is generated according to a triggering signal by a control module. Second, a driving parameter is chosen from a look-up table according to the parameter selecting signal by a basic input output system (BIOS), and the driving parameter is loaded into the BIOS and provided to a driving module. Third, a memory is driven according to the driving parameter by the driving module. Fourth, the driving parameter is stored by BIOS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying dimensions of shot subject, implemented on an identification system including a photo shooting unit capable of adjusting focal lengths. The method includes steps of using the photo shooting unit to focus on plural positions respectively having different field depths on a shot subject and respectively capture a image thereof, determining whether resolutions of the captured images are same, and if so, the shot subject is a two dimensional object, otherwise, the shot subject is a three dimensional object.