Abstract: The present invention relates to an image enhancement unit and a method of enhancing a first structure (S1) of samples into a second structure (S2) of samples, the first and the second structure both representing a first property of a scene and having a first resolution, based on a third structure (S3) of samples representing a second property and having the first resolution, the first property and the second property respectively representing different properties of substantially the same scene. The method comprising generating a fourth structure (S4) of samples representing the first property, the fourth structure (S4) of samples having a second resolution lower than the first resolution, by down-scaling first samples of the first structure (S1) of samples to form the samples of the fourth structure (S4) of samples.

Abstract: A method is described for alignment of a substrate during a double patterning process. A first resist layer containing at least one alignment mark is formed on the substrate. After the first resist layer is developed, a second resist layer is deposited over the first resist layer, leaving a planar top surface (i.e., without topography). By baking the second resist layer appropriately, a symmetric alignment mark is formed in the second resist layer with little or no offset error from the alignment mark in the first resist layer. The symmetry of the alignment mark formed in the second resist can be enhanced by appropriate adjustments of the respective thicknesses of the first and second resist layers, the coating process parameters, and the baking process parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lighting module (101) comprising a carrier (103), a plurality of LED groups (109), arranged in an array on the carrier (103), a mesh (105), arranged at the carrier (103), and a front diffuser plate (107) arranged in front of the mesh (105). The mesh (105) has walls, which are arranged in a geometrical pattern forming a plurality of cells (113), such that the light emitted from at least some of the LED groups, which are adjacent to each other, is mixed before passing the diffuser plate.

Abstract: A system and method (600) of communication by a wireless device (200) operating according to a first communication protocol in at least a first set of frequency bands (320), provides a silent period for detecting the presence of a second wireless device operating according to a second communication protocol in a second set of frequency bands (310) that at least partially overlaps the first set of frequency bands (320).

Abstract: An automatic external defibrillator produces audible prompts for a user by providing the audible information with default audio characteristics in response to a first ambient noise condition and providing the audible information having different audio characteristics than the default audio characteristics in response to a second ambient noise condition. An automatic external defibrillator provides voice prompts by selecting one of a plurality of different levels of sound quality at which to playback the voice prompts and playing back the voice prompts at the selected level of sound quality.

Abstract: Supply circuits (1-3,101-102,201-203) for supplying output current signals to loads (6,106,206) and comprising first circuits (1,101,201) with transistors (11-14,111-112,211-212) for converting input voltage signals into pulse signals and comprising second circuits (2,102,202) with resonance circuits for receiving the pulse signals and for supplying the output current signals to the loads (6,106,206) are provided with third circuits (3,203) for controlling the first circuits (1,101,201), which third circuits (3,203) comprise generators (35-37) for generating control signals for controlling the transistors (11-14,111-112,211-212) for reducing dependencies between the input voltage signals and the output current signals. The third circuits (3,203) supply the control signals in dependence of the input voltage signals and independently from the output current signals. The transistors (11-14,111-112,211-212) may form a full bridge, a full bridge operated in a half bridge mode, or a half bridge.

Abstract: In summary, this application describes a psycho-acoustically motivated, parametric description of the spatial attributes of multichannel audio signals. This parametric description allows strong bitrate reductions in audio coders, since only one monaural signal has to be transmitted, combined with (quantized) parameters which describe the spatial properties of the signal. The decoder can form the original amount of audio channels by applying the spatial parameters. For near-CD-quality stereo audio, a bitrate associated with these spatial parameters of 10 kbit/s or less seems sufficient to reproduce the correct spatial impression at the receiving end.

Abstract: A radiological imaging method comprises: acquiring radiological lines of response (LOR's) from a subject; grouping the acquired LOR's into time intervals such that each group of LOR's (20) was acquired during a selected time interval; identifying a region of interest (60, 74) for each time interval based on LOR's grouped into that time interval; for each time interval, determining a positional characteristic (102) of the region of interest identified for that time interval based on LOR's grouped into that time interval; for each time interval, spatially adjusting LOR's grouped into that time interval based on the positional characteristic of the region of interest identified for that time interval; and reconstructing at least the spatially adjusted LOR's to generate a motion compensated reconstructed image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-dosing detergent delivery device. In embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a housing (2) for receiving a cartridge (200). The cartridge (200) has a plurality X of chambers, each accommodating a detergent composition. The device has a lid (3,1100) for receiving water/wash liquor and directing it selectively into a chamber of the cartridge (200) to contact the detergent composition therein and an outlet to allow the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device. The device has automatic indexing means (100) for automatic movement of said cartridge (200) relative to said lid (3,1100) so as to cause a neighboring chamber to be in an exposed, ready to be used, position prior to a next washing cycle and features an end stop mechanism (A,B) for preventing actuation of said automatic indexing mechanism (100) subsequent to an Xth washing cycle.

Abstract: Methods are provided for production of pre-collapsed capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs). Methods disclosed generally include the steps of obtaining a nearly completed traditional cMUT structure prior to etching and sealing the membrane, defining holes through the membrane of the cMUT structure for each electrode ring fixed relative to the top face of the membrane, applying a bias voltage across the membrane and substrate of the cMUT structure so as to collapse the areas of the membrane proximate to the holes to or toward the substrate, fixing and sealing the collapsed areas of the membrane to the substrate by applying an encasing layer, and discontinuing or reducing the bias voltage. CMUT assemblies are provided, including packaged assemblies, integrated assemblies with an integrated circuit/chip (e.g., a beam-steering chip) and a cMUT/lens assembly. Advantageous cMUT-based applications utilizing the disclosed pre-collapsed cMUTs are also provided, e.g.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer (10) comprises an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (14), an array of acoustic elements (20), and a pitch independent interposer (12). The ASIC (14) includes a plurality of contact pads (16) on a surface of the ASIC that are separated from adjacent ones thereof by a first pitch. The acoustic elements (22) of the array (20) are separated from adjacent ones thereof by a second pitch. In addition, the pitch independent interposer (12) features a plurality of conductive elements (26) separated from adjacent ones thereof by a third pitch different from both the first pitch and the second pitch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and to a corresponding method for optical coherence tomography having an interferometer (10) and a detector system (30, 31) which comprises a detector (30) for collecting the light reflected by a specimen (1) to be examined and has a sensitivity to the light reflected by the specimen (1). In order to reduce the times required for the most reliable possible recording of interference signals provision is made such that the sensitivity of the detector system (30, 31) to the light reflected by the specimen (1) and impinging on the detector (30) is modulated with a modulation frequency.

Abstract: A method is described for driving a light source, particularly a HID lamp (2), the method comprising the steps of: providing a commutating DC current for supplying the lamp; and varying a commutation period (T) in order to transmit data. In an embodiment, the duration of each commutation period (T) is set to be equal to one of two possible values (T1, T2) such as to encode a digital bit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns aryl and heteroaryl substituted pyrazinone derivatives having antagonistic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) activity, in particular MCH-1 activity according to the general Formula (I) a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, an N-oxide form thereof or a quaternary ammonium salt thereof, wherein the variables are defined in Claim 1. It further relates to their preparation, compositions comprising them and their use as a medicine. The compounds according to the invention are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to anxiety, eating disorders, mood disorders, such as bipolar disorders and depression, psychoses, such as schizophrenia, and sleeping disorders; obesity; diabetes; sexual disorders and neurological disorders.

Abstract: A system for the determination of optical coefficients in an object including an ultrasonic scanner for recording first and second pulse echoes before and after the object has been illuminated with a heating light beam from a light source. An evaluation unit determines a map of temperature increase caused by the heating light beam inside the object based on apparent displacements showing up between the second and first pulse echoes.

Abstract: A method and system for dependently controlling color light sources. The lighting system comprises a drive current controller providing current signals for one or more first groups of light-emitting elements, and a signal derivation module operatively connected to the drive current controller. The signal derivation module is configured to determine and provide current signals for one or more second groups of light-emitting elements, the current signals being based on the current signals provided to the first groups of light-emitting elements. The method comprises the steps of determining one or more first drive currents for driving one or more first groups of light-emitting elements, and determining one or more second drive currents for driving one or more second groups of light-emitting elements, wherein each of the one or more second drive currents is predetermined based on at least one of the one or more first drive currents.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an x-ray source (112) having a focal spot that emits radiation that traverses an examination region (108). The position of the focal spot along a longitudinal direction is a function of a temperature of one or more x-ray source components. The system further includes a detector (120) that detects the radiation and a collimator (116), disposed between the x-ray source (112) and the examination region (108), that collimates that radiation along the longitudinal direction. A focal spot position estimator (132) dynamically computes an estimated position of the focal spot along the longitudinal direction based on the temperature of one or more x-ray source components. A collimator positioner (128) positions the collimator (116) along the longitudinal direction based on the estimated focal spot position prior to performing a scan.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for enforcing investment policies created by an account owner. An investment policy tool may receive account data from an account database, including a portfolio and a policy, and a transaction generated by a trader for the account from a trading system. The investment policy tool may use the portfolio and the transaction to generate a speculative portfolio. The transaction and the speculative portfolio may be compared with the policy, to determine if either the transaction or the speculative portfolio violates any elements of the policy. If the investment policy tool determines that the policy has been violated, the investment policy tool may stop the transaction, stop the transaction and notify the account owner of the violation, hold the transaction and request approval from the account owner, or allow the transaction to proceed and notify the account owner of the violation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-beam transmission apparatus and system, and to a method for operating a multi-beam transmission system, wherein a first transmission resource information and a second transmission resource information are determined for respective first and second transmission beam, and wherein a first transmission parameter information and a second transmission parameter information are determined for the respective first and second transmission beams. The first and second transmission resource information and the first and second transmission parameter information are jointly encoded into a joint signal; and the joint signal is transmitted via the first and second transmission beams from a first station to a second station.