Abstract: Partially polarized light produced by an integrator/polarization conversion system combination and two non-pixilated twisted nematic liquid crystal display cells (TN-LCD) or other light modulators are utilized. By adjusting the voltages on the TN-LCD cells, it is possible to adjust the relative amounts of the greatest two of the colors supplied, of the red, green and blue colors, used by the display without changing the light of the color in the least supply. Because all of the adjustments are done electronically through voltage controls, not mechanically, the “white” point correction system is both simple and reliable.

Abstract: A system and method for providing concurrent transmission in a wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) are provided. The WLAN includes a plurality of stations for transmitting information via an assigned TDM time slot, and an access point in communication with the stations for monitoring access control and providing time allocation to allow data exchange between multiples pairs of stations, without the intervention of the access point. For establishing concurrent transmission, the access point periodically broadcasts a signal message to the stations over a wireless communication channel to determine pairs of stations that are hidden from each other based on the interference power level reported by each station.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a driver's attention to driving a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view wherein a driver's face is positioned in the field of view of the camera. The system also includes a gaze and facial pose determiner coupled to the camera which receives signals corresponding to images of the driver's face for analysis. The gaze and facial pose determiner determines whether the gaze and facial pose of the driver are oriented in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The system also includes an alarm responsive to the gaze and facial pose determiner for advising the driver that his gaze and facial pose are not oriented in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: The system increases a resolution of at least a portion of a reference frame of video based on pixels in the reference frame and pixels in one or more succeeding target frames of the video. Specifically, the system selects a first block of pixels in the reference frame, and then locates, in N (N≧1) target frames, one or more blocks of pixels that substantially correspond to the first block of pixels, where the N target frames are separate from the reference frame. In the particular case of MPEG-coded video, blocks in the N target frames are located using motion vector information present in the MPEG bitstream. Values of additional pixels are determined based on values of pixels in the first block and on values of pixels in the one or more blocks, whereafter the additional pixels are added among the pixels in the first block in order to increase the block's resolution.

Abstract: A system and method that detects and identifies an event from a sequence of images received. The system comprises a control unit that receives and processes the sequence of images from the camera. The control unit identifies at least one stationary image prior to the event and one stationary image subsequent to the event. The control unit compares one or more representations corresponding to one or more edges in the first stationary image with one or more representations corresponding to one or more edges in the second stationary image to determine whether an object has been deposited or removed during the event.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an animation video signal of sign language gestures corresponding to words in an audio/video signal for display on a monitor screen. A speech component is isolated from the audio/video signal and the spoken words in the speech signal are recognized. The spoken words are then used to identify sign language gestures which are mapped onto an animation model for generating an animation signal. The animation signal is used to animate a character icon stored in the monitor to display sign language gestures corresponding to the words of the speech signal.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically detect and isolate segments of interest from sports programs is provided. Accordingly, the method includes the steps of: segmenting incoming video programs into a plurality of segments; detecting a slow moving object between the frames; computing the corresponding gravity level of the detected segments representing the slow moving object; and, comparing the computed gravity level to a predetermined threshold. The system includes a segmentation circuit for segmenting each frame of incoming video programs into a plurality of segments, and a motion detection circuit for detecting the slow moving object between successive frames and for determining the gravity level corresponding to the slow moving object.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the production of high quality thermally grown oxide on top of silicon carbide. The high quality oxide is obtained by selectively removing the carbon from the silicon carbide in the areas where oxide formation is desired or required.

Abstract: Semiconductor power devices with improved electrical characteristics are disclosed including rectifying contacts on a specially prepared semiconductor surface with little or no additional exposure to other chemical treatments, with oxide passivation and edge termination at a face of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to and surrounding the power device. The edge termination region is preferably formed by implanting electrically inactive ions, such as argon, into the substrate face at sufficient energy and dose to amorphize a portion of the substrate face and preferably self-aligned to the device. The passivated, edge-terminated devices exhibit improved characteristics relative to passivated devices with characteristics approaching those of the native semiconductor with the additional advantages of passivation protection. Methods for making and using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a technique for flexibly and efficiently coding of video data. The technique involves coding of a portion of the video data called base layer frames and coding of residual images generated from the video data and the prediction signal. The prediction for each video frame is generated using multiple decoded base layer frames and may use motion compensation. The residual images are called enhancement layer frames and are then coded. Based on this technique, since a wider locality of base layer frames are utilized, better prediction can be obtained. Since the resulting residual data in enhancement layer frames is small, they can be efficiently coded. For coding of enhancement layer frames, fine granular scalability techniques (such as DCT transform coding or wavelet coding) are employed. The decoding process is reverse of encoding process. Therefore, flexible, yet efficient coding and decoding of video is accomplished.

Abstract: By using special frequency response manipulation in the difference channel of a stereo signal, the stereo image appears to extend beyond the actual placement of the loudspeakers. This is accomplished by shaping the difference channel response to simulate the response one would be subjected to if the sources were physically moved to the virtual position, and by additionally cancelling the crosstalk effect in each channel.

Abstract: A radio frequency device has an input transistor from which a capacitance is seen, and a fast charging circuit for charging the capacitance. The input transistor receives a radio frequency signal. The capacitance is quickly charged when the device is switched from off to on and/or from low gain to high gain, thereby reducing the switching-on time of the device.

Abstract: A method of scaling image and video processing computational complexity in accordance with maximum available quantities of computational resource units, the method including the steps of: performing a plurality of data multiplications which processes digital image and video data, each data multiplication having a data dependent value multiplied by data independent value, the performance of each data multiplication requiring a predetermined quantity of computational resource units; selecting one of the data multiplications; selecting a shift/add-, a shift/subtract or a shift-operation using the data independent value associated with the selected multiplication that requires a quantity of computational resource units which is less than the predetermined quantity of computational resource units required for performing the selected multiplication; and performing the selected multiplication with the selected operation.

Abstract: A flat display device, preferably of the PALC type, in which the plasma channels are formed by etching laterally-spaced slots in a spacer plate, attaching a thin dielectric sheet over the etched spacer plate, and bonding the etched spacer plate to a transparent substrate such that each channel is formed by the portion of the substrate between flanking walls formed by the etched slots in the spacer plate, adjacent flanking walls in the spacer plate, and the overlying portion of the thin dielectric sheet. In a modification, strengthening crossbars are formed between adjacent flanking walls.

Abstract: An in-line pre-compensation circuit distorts an electronic information signal prior to using the signal to modulate a laser beam in order to compensate for distortions resulting from transmitting the resulting optical signal through an optical fiber. The pre-compensation circuit is dynamically adjustable for different lengths of optical fiber for simple installation and maintenance of the system. The adjustment can be made from a front panel of a laser transmitter during operation. Even though the optical signal is more distorted at the output of the laser transmitter, the optical signal that arrives at the receiver is less distorted.

Abstract: Real-time events are electronically recommended using a fuzzy-now function of time. Real-time experiencing apparatus can be automatically tuned to a particular real-time event using a surf ring related to recommendations or automatically without a user request.

Abstract: In a semiconductor liquid application apparatus, a calibration tool enables the rapid and accurate adjustment of height and center of a liquid dispense nozzle. In an example embodiment, the tool comprises a circular disk in which a first beveled out area corresponding to the shape of the liquid dispense nozzle is defined on the topside of the disk. Underneath the disk, a second beveled out area corresponding to the shape of the wafer chuck is defined therein. The calibration depth is determined by the thickness of the tool's substrate less the sum of the depth of the first beveled out area and the depth of the second beveled out area. This calibration depth is determined by the configuration of the nozzle used in a liquid-dispense spinner. In using the calibration tool, the nozzle height and center becomes more repeatable from operator-to-operator and machine-to-machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing closed loop feedback control is presented. The method consists of a hybrid software and hardware solution to take advantage of the useful attributes of both. Analog signals output by the device are sampled at a rate sufficient to preserve all necessary high frequency information, and preprocessed at high speed in hardware. The outputs of the preprocessing stage are then operated on in software at much lower speeds. The method and apparatus allow for the complex real time processing of feedback signals in the digital domain, yet allow the cost efficiencies and programming flexibility of a standard micro-controller to be utilized.

Abstract: A camera system and method for operating same. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a camera system comprising a camera and a central processing unit, capturing a view of a subject with the camera, determining cinematographic parameters of the view, comparing the determined cinematographic parameters to reference cinematographic parameters, formulating recommended camera operation based on the comparison of the determined cinematographic parameters to the reference cinematographic parameters, and indicating the recommended camera operation to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying compliance with predetermined examination procedures. The system comprises at least one examination site data processing system comprising a data processing device, a user interface in data communication with the data processing device, and a recording device for recording audio and video information about the examination site and a user, and a central data processor in data communication with the data processing device of the examination site data processing system. The central data processor is configured to correlate video and audio data received from the examination site data processing device with user data inputted into the user interface in order to determine whether the user is complying with predetermined examination procedures.