Abstract: Described is an active learning system for fingerprinting an object identified in an image frame. The active learning system comprises a flow-based object segmentation module for segmenting a potential object candidate from a video sequence, a fixed-basis function decomposition module using Haar wavelets to extract a relevant feature set from the potential object candidate, a static classifier for initial classification of the potential object candidate, an incremental learning module for predicting a general class of the potential object candidate, an oriented localized filter module to extract features from the potential object candidate, and a learning-feature graph-fingerprinting module configured to receive the features and build a fingerprint of the object for tracking the object.

Abstract: An electro-active sensor includes a nonconductive platform with a first electrode set attached with a first side of a nonconductive platform. The first electrode set serves as an electrochemical cell that may be utilized to detect electro-active species in solution. A plurality of electrode sets and a variety of additional electrochemical cells and sensors may be attached with the nonconductive platform. The present invention also includes a method for constructing the aforementioned electro-active sensor. Additionally, an apparatus for detection and observation is disclosed, where the apparatus includes a sealable chamber for insertion of a portion of an electro-active sensor. The apparatus allows for monitoring and detection activities. Allowing for control of attached cells and sensors, a dual-mode circuitry is also disclosed. The dual-mode circuitry includes a switch, allowing the circuitry to be switched from a potentiostat to a galvanostat mode.

Abstract: A hybrid active deformable material structure is presented. The hybrid active deformable material structure comprises a deformation unit. Each deformation unit includes a selectively deformable material structure and an actively deformable material structure in cooperation with the selectively deformable material structure. The selectively deformable structure may be caused to deform in response to a deformation of the actively deformable material structure and, when deformed, to retain a shape into which it was deformed. A plurality of deformation activation elements may be positioned about the structure to provide for multi-directional bending-type deformation, stretching-type deformation, and twisting-type deformation. The hybrid active deformable material structure may further comprise a passive material structure in cooperation with the selectively deformable material structure and the actively deformable material structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load bearing apparatus, and more particularly, to a passive exoskeleton whereby a load may be placed on the passive exoskeleton and thereby transfer weight of the load from the passive exoskeleton to a ground surface. The passive exoskeleton comprises a rigid body member for attaching proximate a portion of a user's body, a sliding rod attached with the body member, and a ground surface engage-able foot analog attached with the sliding rod. When a user places a load on the body member, weight of the load from is transferred from the body member, through the sliding rod, and into the foot analog, causing the passive exoskeleton to support at least a portion of the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel spinning toy vehicle in a blister package with a clutch mechanism that keeps the wheel from launching off of the toy vehicle while spinning.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for three-dimensional shape estimation using constrained disparity propagation are presented. An act of receiving a stereoscopic pair of images of an area occupied by at least one object is performed. Next, pattern regions and non-pattern regions are detected in the images. An initial estimate of ?patial disparities between the pattern regions in the images is generated. The initial estimate is used to generate a subsequent estimate of the spatial disparities between the non-pattern regions. The subsequent estimate is used to generate further subsequent estimates of the spatial disparities using the disparity constraints until there is no change between the results of subsequent iterations, generating a final estimate of the spatial disparities. A disparity map of the area occupied by at least one object is generated from the final estimate of the three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: An object recognition system is described that incorporates swarming classifiers. The swarming classifiers comprise a plurality of software agents configured to operate as a cooperative swarm to classify an object in a domain as seen from multiple view points. Each agent is a complete classifier and is assigned an initial velocity vector to explore a solution space for object solutions. Each agent is configured to perform an iteration, the iteration being a search in the solution space for a potential solution optima where each agent keeps track of its coordinates in multi-dimensional space that are associated with an observed best solution (pbest) that the agent has identified, and a global best solution (gbest) where the gbest is used to store the best location among all agents. Each velocity vector changes towards pbest and gbest, allowing the cooperative swarm to concentrate on the vicinity of the object and classify the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tunable filters. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus that allows tuning of a wavelength over a large optical band. The disclosed system and method allows an arbitrary wavelength selection of an incoming beam of light. The disclosed system and method may be used in imaging systems like telescopes or microscopes, or for point sources like laser or optical fibers. Further, in the case of optical fibers, it may be used as an add/drop filter.

Abstract: A handheld virtual overlay system (HVOS) device is presented that includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for detecting a global position of the HVOS device; a compass/tilt sensor for detecting a direction and tilt of the HVOS device; a communication module for transmitting the global position, the direction, and the tilt to a data store; and an input/output display configured to receive and display a rendered image. The data store is configured to receive the global position, the direction, and the tilt, and to generate geo-coded data for transmission to a server, where the server is configured to receive the geo-coded data and to transform and render the geo-coded data into a rendered image. A user can point the HVOS device at a scene, with the HVOS device producing a rendered image representing the scene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to MEM switches. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for making MEM switches having a common ground plane. One method for making MEM switches includes: patterning a common ground plane layer on a substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the common ground plane layer; depositing a DC electrode region through the dielectric layer to contact the common ground plane layer; and depositing a conducting layer on the DC electrode region so that regions of the conducting layer contact the DC electrode region, so that the common ground plane layer provides a common ground for the regions of the conducting layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reference current circuit. The reference circuit comprises a low-level current bias circuit, a voltage proportional-to-absolute temperature generator for creating a proportional-to-absolute temperature voltage (VPTAT), and a MOSFET-based constant-IC regulator circuit. The MOSFET-based constant-IC regulator circuit includes a constant-IC input and constant-IC output. The constant-IC input is electrically connected with the VPTAT generator such that the voltage proportional-to-absolute temperature is the input into the constant-IC regulator circuit. Thus the constant-IC output maintains the constant-IC ratio across any temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for determining a confidence measure for the output of a process for assessing proteomic and genomic information samples. Typically, data is received as the results from a microarry experiment. The confidence measure is intended to determine whether the results of the experiment have been degraded due to experimental error. Several criteria are used by which quality is determined. The criteria are preferably combined into a combined quality measure in order to account for several possible sources of error.

Abstract: A toy comprises a housing connected with a launcher to rotate and launch an object. The launcher comprises a driving element to form a drive connection with a receiving element on the object. The launcher is connected with a launcher rotating system, which imparts a rotary movement to the launcher. When the launcher ceases to accelerate the object, the receiving element disengages from the drive connection and launches the object. In one aspect, the launcher rotating system is a gear train capable of being rotated by a gear rack pulled by a user. The launcher is configured to release the object in only one direction, and a stopper prevents the launcher rotating system from rotating the object in an undesirable direction. The toy is also configured to launch multiple objects simultaneously or load multiple objects to launch in sequence.

Abstract: A method for fabricating heterojunction bipolar transistors that exhibit simultaneous low base resistance and short base transit times, which translate into semiconductor devices with low power consumption and fast switching times, is presented. The method comprises acts for fabricating a set of extrinsic layers by depositing a highly-doped p+ layer on a substrate, depositing a masking layer on highly-doped p+ layer, patterning the masking layer with a masking opening, removing a portion of the highly-doped p+ layer and the substrate through the masking opening in the masking layer to form a well, and growing an intrinsic layered device in the well by a combination of insitu etching and epitaxial regrowth, where an intrinsic layer has a thickness selected independently from a thickness of its corresponding extrinsic layer, thus allowing the resulting device to have thick extrinsic base layer (low base resistance) and thin intrinsic base layer (short base transit times) simultaneously.

Abstract: A dual-wheel remotely controlled (RC) vehicle with two independently-controlled detachably attachable wheels is described. The RC vehicle comprises a body member having a right wheel and left wheel rotationally mounted proximate the body member. Each of the right and left wheels are drivably coupled with their own motors, such that each of the right and left wheels are independently controlled. Additionally, a quick release apparatus is included to provide for quick release of the wheels. Through use of the quick release apparatus, the wheels are interchangeable wheels and may be easily replaced with other interchangeable wheels. Furthermore, a stabilization apparatus is attached with the body member such that when the wheels are engaged, the stabilization apparatus is forced against a supporting surface, thereby preventing the body member from continuously spinning in place. Additionally, the detachably attachable wheels are formed to be used with devices other than a remotely controlled vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) hologram display system. The 3D hologram display system includes a projector device for projecting an image upon a display medium to form a 3D hologram. The 3D hologram is formed such that a viewer can view the holographic image from multiple angles up to 360 degrees. Multiple display media are described, namely a spinning diffusive screen, a circular diffuser screen, and an aerogel. The spinning diffusive screen utilizes spatial light modulators to control the image such that the 3D image is displayed on the rotating screen in a time-multiplexing manner. The circular diffuser screen includes multiple, simultaneously-operated projectors to project the image onto the circular diffuser screen from a plurality of locations, thereby forming the 3D image. The aerogel can use the projection device described as applicable to either the spinning diffusive screen or the circular diffuser screen.

Abstract: A kite system having a light transmitter and a light receiver is described. The kite system comprises a kite having a light receiver attached with the kite. The light receiver is capable of receiving and registering a light signal. A light transmitter is included for emitting a light signal. The light transmitter is encased within a hand held transmitter housing. The hand held transmitter further includes a kite string attachment mechanism for holding kite string for attaching with the kite. A user may fly the kite and use the light transmitter to project the light signal toward the light receiver, and upon receiving the light signal, the light receiver registers that it has received the light signal. Additionally, the kite system is formed as a kite shooting game such that hitting the light receiver with the light signal provides a user with a point.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for determining and assessing information for collection from information sources for a desired level of decision accuracy are presented. Operations include: receiving a partial set of information; performing a minimax entropy-based test to determine a source with useful information; performing a mutual information or a conditional entropy-based test check minimax test validity. With an invalid result, the information source is excluded from further consideration and the minimax test is repeated; with a valid result, a cost/benefit analysis is determines whether to gather the information. If the cost/benefit analysis succeeds, the information is gathered. Otherwise, the information source is excluded and the minimax test is performed again. A consistency check ensures validity of the information prior to restarting the process.