Abstract: Hydride phase vapor epitaxy (HVPE) growth apparatus, methods and materials and structures grown thereby. An HVPE reactor includes generation, accumulation, and growth zones. A source material for growth of indium nitride is generated and collected inside the reactor. A first reactive gas reacts with an indium source inside the generation zone to produce a first gas product having an indium-containing compound. The first gas product is cooled and condenses into a liquid or solid condensate or source material having an indium-containing compound. The source material is collected in the accumulation zone. Vapor or gas resulting from evaporation of the condensate forms a second gas product, which reacts with a second reactive gas in the growth zone for growth of indium nitride.

Abstract: A method and device for operating a Self-Driving Car (SDC) are disclosed. The device executes in real-time a first processing pipeline including generating static attributes for a plurality of potential positions of the SDC on the road segment, and caching the static attributes in association with the respective ones of the plurality of potential positions. The device executes in real-time a second processing pipeline in parallel with the first processing pipeline including generating a graph-structure for operating the SDC on the road segment. The generating the graph-structure includes generating dynamic attributes for a given edge of the graph-structure, acquiring from the cache memory static attributes for the given edge of the graph-structure, such that the given edge in the graph-structure is associated with the static attributes generated by the first processing pipeline and with the dynamic attributes generated by the second processing pipeline.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an inlet duct, a compressor, an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, and a turbine section including a turbine shaft configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft and the engine shaft are parallel to each other. The turbine shaft, the engine shaft and at least part of the inlet duct are all radially offset from one another. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: Virtual aircraft simulators are used to educate and train aircraft pilots flying solo or with another pilot, instructor, and air-traffic controller. The device contains a capsule installed on a computerized mechanical platform providing up to six degrees of freedom of real-time movement, and a pilot seat. To simulate real sensations of the pilot more closely, the capsule may also be equipped with a control stick, one or more thrust levers, and pedals. The stereo glasses are used to create virtual reality. The invention improves the functionality of the simulator by introducing a virtual avatar with artificial intelligence, which, when flying with a trainee, can replicate the actions of a captain, co-pilot, air-traffic controller, or instructor. The avatar also can maintain a verbal dialogue with the trainee within the scope of a standard pilot communication protocol thesaurus. The device is suitable for any aircraft type without changing the hardware.

Abstract: Various aspects of an image-processing apparatus and method for object boundary stabilization in an image of a sequence of image frames are disclosed. The image-processing apparatus includes an image processor that receives a depth image of a scene from a first-type of sensor and a color image of the scene from the second-type of sensor. The scene may comprise at least an object-of-interest. A first object mask of the object-of-interest is generated by a depth thresholding operation on the received depth image. Dangling-pixels artifact present on a first object boundary of the first object mask, are removed. The first object boundary is smoothened using a moving-template filter on the color image. A second object mask having a second object boundary is generated based on the smoothening of the first object boundary. The object-of-interest from the color image is extracted based on the generated second object mask.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section, and a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core. A casing is connected to the turbine section, compressor and engine core. A mount cage is connected to mounts attached to the casing between the compressor and a hot zone including the turbine section and exhaust pipe(s). The struts are separated from the hot zone by at least one firewall. The mount cage may include a plurality of struts all extending from the mounts away from the turbine section and engine core. The casing may be a gearbox module casing through which the turbine shaft in engaged with the engine shaft. The mount cage may be completely contained within an axial space with the turbine section and exhaust pipe(s) being located outside of the axial space.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section, and a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core. A casing is connected to the turbine section, the compressor and the engine core. A mount cage is connected to mounts attached to the casing between the compressor and a hot zone including the turbine section and the engine core. The mount cage includes a plurality of struts all extending from the mounts away from the turbine section and engine core. The casing may be a gearbox module casing through which the turbine shaft in engaged with the engine shaft. The mount cage may be completely contained within an axial space with the turbine section and engine core being located outside of the axial space.

Abstract: Various aspects of an image-processing apparatus and method to track and retain an articulated object in a sequence of image frames are disclosed. The image-processing apparatus is configured to segment each image frame in the sequence of image frames into different segmented regions that corresponds to different super-pixels. An articulated object in a first motion state is detected by non-zero temporal derivatives between a first image frame and a second image frame. A first connectivity graph of a first set of super-pixels of the first image frame, is constructed. A second connectivity graph of a second set of super-pixels of the second image frame, is further constructed. A complete object mask of the articulated object in a second motion state is generated based on the first connectivity graph and the second connectivity graph, where at least a portion of the articulated object is stationary in the second motion state.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an inlet duct having an inlet surrounded by an inlet lip including at least one conduit extending therethrough, a compressor, an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section having a turbine shaft in driving engagement with the engine shaft, and an exhaust conduit providing a fluid communication between the outlet of the turbine section and the conduit(s) of the inlet lip. An exhaust duct and ant exhaust conduit providing a fluid communication between the outlet of the turbine section and the exhaust duct may also be provided. The internal combustion engine(s) may be rotary engine(s). A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: Various aspects of an image-processing apparatus and method to track and retain an articulated object in a sequence of image frames are disclosed. The image-processing apparatus is configured to segment each image frame in the sequence of image frames into different segmented regions that corresponds to different super-pixels. An articulated object in a first motion state is detected by non-zero temporal derivatives between a first image frame and a second image frame. A first connectivity graph of a first set of super-pixels of the first image frame, is constructed. A second connectivity graph of a second set of super-pixels of the second image frame, is further constructed. A complete object mask of the articulated object in a second motion state is generated based on the first connectivity graph and the second connectivity graph, where at least a portion of the articulated object is stationary in the second motion state.

Abstract: Various aspects of an image-processing apparatus and method for object boundary stabilization in an image of a sequence of image frames are disclosed. The image-processing apparatus includes an image processor that receives a depth image of a scene from a first-type of sensor and a color image of the scene from the second-type of sensor. The scene may comprise at least an object-of-interest. A first object mask of the object-of-interest is generated by a depth thresholding operation on the received depth image. Dangling-pixels artifact present on a first object boundary of the first object mask, are removed. The first object boundary is smoothened using a moving-template filter on the color image. A second object mask having a second object boundary is generated based on the smoothening of the first object boundary. The object-of-interest from the color image is extracted based on the generated second object mask.

Abstract: An engine assembly including an engine core with at least one internal combustion engine, a first casing, a turbine module including a second casing located outside of the first casing, and a compressor module including a third casing located outside of the first and second casings. The turbine shaft extends into the first casing, is rotationally supported by a bearings all contained within the first casing, and is free of rotational support within the second casing. The first casing may be a gearbox module casing through which the turbine shaft is in driving engagement with the engine shaft. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft, and an engine assembly with a rotary engine core, a gearbox module with a first casing, and a second module including a second casing located outside of the first casing and detachably connected to the first casing are also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section including a turbine shaft in driving engagement with the engine shaft, and a compressor, and a firewall. The compressor is located on one side of the firewall, and the turbine section and the engine core are located on the other side. The assembly may include a gearbox module with the turbine section and the engine core located on a same side of the gearbox module casing and the compressor located on the opposite side of the gearbox module casing, and with the firewall extending from the gearbox module casing. One or more rotatable accessory may be located on a same side of the firewall as the compressor. A method of reducing fire hazard in a compound engine assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an inlet duct, a compressor, an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, and a turbine section including a turbine shaft configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft and the engine shaft are parallel to each other. The turbine shaft, the engine shaft and at least part of the inlet duct are all radially offset from one another. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: An automated process of transferring an object (e.g., the head with hair) from an image into another image, or to a different location in the same image is described. The implementation is a comprehensive and fully automated approach enabling the object's transfer without intermediate intervention and support from the user. The process automates both steps: the object's delineation, and its blending into the new background as well.

Abstract: Various aspects of an apparatus and a method to generate a shadow of an object embedded in a target image are disclosed herein. The method includes generation of an object mask of the embedded object in the target image. The object mask is categorized into a first category or a second category based on a pre-determined set of rules. Based on the categorization, a shadow of the object in the target image is generated. The generation of the shadow comprises dilating the categorized object mask by a predetermined multiplication factor when the categorized object mask corresponds to the first category. The generation of the shadow further comprises determination of depth information of the categorized object mask at a pre-determined height when the categorized object mask corresponds to the second category.

Abstract: Various aspects of an apparatus and a method to generate a shadow of an object embedded in a target image are disclosed herein. The method includes generation of an object mask of the embedded object in the target image. The object mask is categorized into a first category or a second category based on a pre-determined set of rules. Based on the categorization, a shadow of the object in the target image is generated. The generation of the shadow comprises dilating the categorized object mask by a predetermined multiplication factor when the categorized object mask corresponds to the first category. The generation of the shadow further comprises determination of depth information of the categorized object mask at a pre-determined height when the categorized object mask corresponds to the second category.

Abstract: An automated process of transferring an object (e.g., the head with hair) from an image into another image, or to a different location in the same image is described. The implementation is a comprehensive and fully automated approach enabling the object's transfer without intermediate intervention and support from the user. The process automates both steps: the object's delineation, and its blending into the new background as well.

Abstract: Image segmentation utilizing the color and brightness of sections of the image to generate super-pixels is described herein. The image segmentation is implemented pixel-wise. A color triangle is utilized in the classification of the pixels. By using a hierarchical classification table, the memory usage is significantly reduced, and the image segmentation is able to be performed on-the-fly in real-time.

Abstract: Automatic scaling of image objects being moved or copied to a target object location is presented. An original image and its depth map are received within which the user selects an original object and a target location for the object to be moved or copied. A center of scaling is found and a base location selected at which depth value is to be obtained at the target location for use in scaling. Target object is then scaled in response to a ratio between original object depth and target object depth. An occlusion check is made, after which non-occluded pixels are pasted to the target location to complete the move/copy which is in proper proportion and accounts for surrounding structures.