Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting an image of a physical object constructed of for example bricks are presented. The method and system may detect boundaries and edges of a background using an edge detection operator, perform a perspective transformation calculation to compute a corrected virtual grid that is substantially aligned with the physical object's image, locate a color calibration palette in the digital image and extract color value information for pixels of the color calibration palette, and discern bricks as part of the physical object's image, the discernment being based in part on a determination of the brick's color compared to the color palette and the background color, the discerned bricks forming the extracted image. A computer readable medium may include instructions causing a system to extract an image of a physical object constructed of bricks according to the method.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, calculating processing scale parameter information as a function of width dimension information for penumbrae depicted in the image; and generating intrinsic illumination and material reflectance images corresponding to the image using the processing scale parameter information.

Abstract: A device and method for rendering content that includes analyzing previous and/or subsequent temporal portions of a content signal to determine elements that are positionally related to elements of a current portion of the content signal. The current portion of the content signal is rendered on a primary rendering device, such as a television, while the elements that are positionally related to elements of a current portion of the content signal are concurrently rendered on a secondary rendering device. In one embodiment, the elements that are rendered on the secondary rendering device may be rendered at a lower resolution and/or lower frame rate than the rendered current portion of the content signal. In one embodiment, at least one of previous and subsequent temporal portions of a content signal may be analyzed at a lower resolution than the content signal.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, assembling a feature vector for the image file, the feature vector containing information regarding a likelihood that a selected pair of regions of the image file are of a same intrinsic characteristic, providing a classifier derived from a computer learning technique, computing a classification score for the selected pair of regions of the image file, as a function of the feature vector and the classifier and classifying the regions as being of the same intrinsic characteristic, as a function of the classification score.

Abstract: A method of making a spectacle lens providing at least an astigmatic correction includes measuring a direction of an axis of an astigmatism of an eye for each of three different directions of gaze of the eye. Thereafter, a position of the spectacle lens is determined relative to the eye. A shape of a surface of the spectacle lens is computed based on the determined position of the spectacle lens relative to the eye and the at least three measured directions of the axis of the astigmatism. A primary orientation of the eye is determined based on the three measured directions of the axis of the astigmatism. The shape of the surface of the spectacle lens is calculated based on the determined position of the spectacle lens relative to the eye and by applying Listing's Law based on the determined primary orientation of the eye.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising a block copolymer of the following formula: [A]-B-[Q], wherein [A] is a polymer that has an affinity for a substrate; B is a linking group comprising an optionally-substituted, polyvalent linking group having a molecular weight of no more than 1000 g/mole; and [Q] comprises a semi-crosslinked, ungelled polymer derived from copolymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer with a poly-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer. Such block copolymers are cross-linked via the [Q] segment, but not macroscopically gelled. The [Q] segment is hydrophilic and has a degree of polymerization in the range of about 10 to about 10,000. The [A] segment is located on at least one terminal end of said block copolymer, comprises between about 1 and about 200 repeating units. The block copolymer is associated, via the linear substrate associative segment with a surface comprising at least one hydrophobic site, such as a silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: A soft contact lens for treating ametropia having an optical zone, a pressure control zone, an alignment zone, and a peripheral zone.

Abstract: A light source support on a first printed circuit for a lighting and/or signalling module, comprising a first housing intended to accommodate the first printed circuit and presenting an opening for the light source; means of positioning and fixation of the support; and means of positioning of a flexible printed circuit, intended to position the flexible printed circuit in relation to the first printed circuit, so as to link them electrically.

Abstract: In a method of recording and reading optical information in a recording medium using holography, a first recording operation is performed for recording optical information in a first recording region in an overlapping manner by allowing a reference beam and a signal beam with data loaded to interfere with each other in the first recording region, the reference beam being angularly multiplexed at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, a second recording operation is performed for recording optical information in a second recording region adjacent to the first recording region in an overlapping manner by allowing the reference beam and the signal beam to interfere with each other in the second recording region, the reference beam being angularly multiplexed between the predetermined intervals. Consequently, optical information can be recorded so as to easily detect and determine a selected reproducing beam, thus increasing the reading efficiency of the optical information.

Abstract: A robotic platform is capable of multi-tasking under control of a single remote operator. The platform may include a turret mounted on a positioning mechanism. The turret may incorporate an imaging sensor, a target designator and a weapon in a synchronized manner. The robotic platform is capable of switching between different modes: (i) an engaged mode, in which the turret is aligned with the preferred direction of travel of the platform; in the engaged mode the turret is designated by maneuvering the entire robotic platform; (ii) a disengaged mode, in which the robotic platform faces in a first direction while the turret faces another direction to acquired targets. Various functions of driving the platform and operating the turret may be automated to facilitate control by a single operator.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for flushing during endoscopic surgery to solve the problem of debris in the operating cavity. Included is the ability of reversing the inflow and outflow channels of the endoscope to make possible the beneficial cleaning of the ports of the endoscope from debris and e.g. bone particles without a need for removal of the optical instrument during such flushing procedure and consequently avoiding loss of pressure in the body cavity and spillage. Increased flushing occurs by providing a pressure-holding valve in the proximal opening of the double-channel endoscope, where the optical instrument is inserted, making it possible to remove the optical instrument and them enable the full channel of the endoscope sheath to be used for efficient evacuation of debris without loss of pressure in the operating cavity or spillage on the floor.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method and a wavefront measuring apparatus used to measure, in one or continuous measurements, one or more ophthalmic devices directly on a forming mandrel, in non-hydrated state and in a much faster way with high spatial resolution.

Abstract: A system for registering printing presses includes printing stations for printing color images on a web includes an imager acquiring images of a web common area. The acquired image includes a portion of a color image associated with a printing station and a portion of one other color image associated with an un-registered printing station and a processor, coupled with the imager. A portion of the color image is registered with a portion of the other color image according to two monochrome images, each corresponding to a color image printed on the common area and determined according to the location of each pixel of the acquired image in a color separation space, the location is determined according to the projected location on a color projection plane. The portion of the one color image is registered with the portion of the one other color image with a reference image.

Abstract: An optical component having an anti-fog coating obtainable by covalent attachment of a silane RoXmSiAn to the surface of the optical component, wherein m=1-3, n=1-2 and o=0-1, with the proviso that m+n+o=4; X is halogen or C1-4-alkoxy, and for m=2 or 3 the individual radicals X may be identical or different, R is C1-4-alkyl, A has the structure -A1-A2, in which -A1-is a hydrophobic group bonded to Si, and -A2 represents a terminal hydrophilic group bonded to A1, -A1-is selected from -arylene-; —C1-6-alkylene-arylene-; -arylene—C1-6-alkylene-; —C1-6-alkylene-arylene—C1-6-alkylene-; -poly(C3-6-alkoxylene)-, fluorinated or perfluormated -alkylene-, fluorinated or perfluormated -poly(C2-6-alkoxylene)-, or a combination thereof, and -A2 is poly(meth)acrylate, and for n=2 the individual radicals A may be identical or different, and where -A2 comprises monomer units selected from CH2?C(CH3)COOC1-4-alkyl, CH2?C(H)COOC1-4-alkyl hydroxyethylene methacrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid, trimethylolpro

Abstract: A method and system for displaying images captured by an in vivo imaging device are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention display image sequence data in a first display area. When a first annotated image is displayed in the first display area, a first thumbnail image in a second display area corresponding to the first annotated image is replaced to indicate an occurring correspondence between the first annotated image and the first thumbnail image corresponding to the first annotated image being displayed. In one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying the first thumbnail image in the second display area when one other image of the image sequence data is displayed in the first display area after the first annotated image is displayed.

Abstract: A method of using identical decks of playing cards for a game that needs more than the number of cards in the deck. Decks are combined until the total number of cards exceeds the number needed for the game. Then cards are removed from the combined deck, either randomly or predetermined, until the number of cards remaining is the number needed for the game.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to the axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: A method of storing digital data in a moving vehicle includes providing first and second digital data storage devices in the vehicle and, while the vehicle is moving, transmitting the digital data to the first digital data storage device and maintaining the second digital data storage device in an “off” or “sleep” mode. While the vehicle is stationary, the second digital data storage device is activated into an “on” mode data is transferred from the first to the second digital data storage device.