Abstract: A video processing system includes a data buffer and a storage controller. The data buffer is shared between a plurality of in-loop filters, wherein not all of the in-loop filters comply with a same video standard. The storage controller controls data access of the data buffer, wherein for each in-loop filter granted to access the data buffer, the data buffer stores a partial data of a picture processed by the in-loop filter. Another video processing system includes a storage device and a storage controller. The storage controller adaptively determines a size of a storage space according to a tile partition setting of a picture to be processed by an in-loop filter, and controls the storage device to allocate the storage space to serve as a data buffer for storing data of the in-loop filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying DF processing and SAO processing to reconstructed video data are disclosed. The DF processing is applied to a current access element of reconstructed video data to generate DF output data and the deblocking status is determined while applying the DF processing. Status-dependent SAO processing is applied to one or more pixels of the DF output data according to the deblocking status. The status-dependent SAO processing comprises SAO processing, partial SAO processing, and no SAO processing. The SAO starting time for SAO processing is between the DF-output starting time and ending time for the current block. The DF starting time of a next block can be earlier than the SAO ending time of the current block by a period oft, where t is smaller than time difference between the DF-output starting time and the DF starting time of the next block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for SAO (sample adaptive offset) processing in a video decoder are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention reduce the required line buffer associated with the SAO processing. According to one embodiment, tri-level comparison results for one deblocked pixel row or column of the image unit are determined according to SAO type of the deblocked pixel row or column. The tri-level comparison results are stored in a buffer and the tri-level comparison results are read back from the buffer for SAO processing of the subsequent row or column from a subsequent image unit. The comparison results correspond to “larger”, “equal” and “smaller” states. The comparison results can be stored more efficiently.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomasses into cellulosic, hemicellulosic and lignin fractions, wherein concentrated organic acid vapors are applied to the biomass at elevated temperatures at the location(s) or near the location(s) where the biomass has been harvested and gathered, to at least partly depolymerize or substantially solubilize the hemicelluloses and lignins in the biomass. The organic acid-treated biomass is in either case then dried and pelletized for extended bulk storage and/or for shipment to a second facility some distance away. The organic acid-treated biomass may be processed into desired chemicals, fuels and/or fuel additives at the local processing site or at a second facility away from the local processing site, or the pelletized material may be used as a ruminant feed locally or at a feedlot some distance removed from the local processing site.

Abstract: An exemplary decoding method of an input video bitstream including a first bitstream and a second bitstream includes: decoding a first picture in the first bitstream; after a required decoded data derived from decoding the first picture is ready for a first decoding operation of a second picture in the first bitstream, performing the first decoding operation; and after a required decoded data derived from decoding the first picture is ready for a second decoding operation of a picture in the second bitstream, performing the second decoding operation, wherein a time period of decoding the second picture in the first bitstream and a time period of decoding the picture in the second bitstream are overlapped in time.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A stacked gate dielectric is formed over a substrate, including a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer from bottom to top. A conductive layer is formed on the stacked gate dielectric and then patterned to form a gate conductor. The exposed portion of the third and the second dielectric layers are removed with a selective wet cleaning step. S/D extension regions are formed in the substrate with the gate conductor as a mask. A first spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate conductor and a portion of the first dielectric layer exposed by the first spacer is removed. S/D regions are formed in the substrate at both sides of the first spacer. A metal silicide layer is formed on the S/D regions.

Abstract: An apparatus of checking dimensions of an object includes a checking platform. The checking platform has a checking slot extending from one side and arriving at another side thereof. The checking slot is defined by a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall, wherein the first side wall has a front section connecting to a rear section. The second side wall has a middle section connecting to a front section and a rear section, wherein the distance between the front section of the first side wall and the front section of the second side wall is greater than that between the rear section of the first side wall and the rear section of the second side wall, and is smaller than that from a connecting location to the middle section of the second side wall.

Abstract: A multi-purpose camera system includes an image capture block and an image signal processing block. The image capture block is arranged for generating an image signal, wherein the image capture block has an image sensor, an optical system, and a control circuit. The image signal processing block is arranged for processing the image signal. When the multi-purpose camera system is operated in a first operation mode, the multi-purpose camera system acts as a camera for generating a captured image output; when the multi-purpose camera system is operated in a second operation mode, the multi-purpose camera system acts as part of a user input apparatus for receiving a user input; and an overall configuration of the control circuit and the image signal processing block in the first operation mode is different from an overall configuration of the control circuit and the image signal processing block in the second operation mode.

Abstract: An image processing method includes: receiving a disparity range setting which defines a target disparity range; receiving 3D image data with original disparity not fully within the target disparity range; receiving auxiliary graphical data with original disparity fully beyond the target disparity range; and generating modified 3D image data, including at least a modified portion with modified disparity fully within the target disparity range, by modifying at least a portion of the received 3D image data according to the obtained disparity range setting. At least the modified portion of the modified 3D image data is derived from at least the portion of the received 3D image data that has disparity overlapped with disparity of the received auxiliary graphical data. With the help of the disparity modification, the playback of the 3D image data may be protected from being obstructed by the display of the auxiliary graphical data.

Abstract: A method for managing access to network resources by a first network device may include establishing a communication session with the first network device. The method may also include receiving information from the first network device during the communication session, the information indicating that the first network device is not in compliance with at least one security-related rule. The method may further include determining whether to modify access by the first network device to at least one of the network resources based on the received information.

Abstract: An image resizing method includes at least the following steps: receiving at least one input image; performing an image content analysis upon at least one image selected from the at least one input image to obtain an image content analysis result; and creating a target image with a target image resolution by scaling the at least one input image according to the image content analysis result, wherein the target image resolution is different from an image resolution of the at least one input image.

Abstract: A capacitive touch module includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer, a liquid crystal layer, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a plurality of first electrodes, second electrodes and third electrodes. The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first glass layer and the second glass layer. The first insulating layer is formed between the first glass layer and the liquid crystal layer. The second insulating layer is formed between the liquid crystal layer and the second glass layer. The plurality of first electrodes are formed between the liquid crystal layer and the first insulating layer along a first axis. The plurality of second electrodes are formed between the second insulating layer and the second glass layer along the first axis. The plurality of third electrodes are formed between the first insulating layer and the first glass layer along a second axis.

Abstract: An image capture device has an image capture module and a controller. The image capture module is used for capturing a plurality of consecutive preview images under an automatic shot mode. In addition, the image capture module can be a multi-view image capture module, which is used to capture a plurality of multiple-angle preview images. The controller is used for analyzing the preview images to identify an image capture quality metric index, and determining if a target image capture condition is met by referring to at least the image capture quality metric index. A captured image for the automatic shot mode is stored when the controller determines that the target image capture condition is met.

Abstract: A preview system of an image capture apparatus has a processing circuit and a display apparatus. The processing circuit reads an input image, scales at least a portion of the input image to generate a first preview image, and derives a second preview image from a selected portion of the input image. The display apparatus displays the first preview image and the second preview image, concurrently. Besides, a preview method for an image capture apparatus includes at least the following steps: reading an input image; scaling at least a portion of the input image to generate a first preview image; deriving a second preview image from a selected portion of the input image; and displaying the first preview image and the second preview image on a display apparatus, concurrently.

Abstract: An image capture device has an image capture module, a sensor and a controller. The sensor senses an object to generate a sensing result. The controller checks the sensing result to determine if a specific action associated with the image capture module is about to be triggered, and controls the image capture module to start the specific action in advance when determining that the specific action is about to be triggered.

Abstract: An exemplary video recording method of recording an output video sequence for an image capture module includes at least the following steps: deriving a first video sequence from an input video sequence generated by the image capture module, wherein the first video sequence is composed of a plurality of video frames; calculating an image quality metric value for each of the video frames of the first video sequence; referring to the image quality metric value to select or drop each of the video frames of the first video sequence, and accordingly obtaining a second video sequence composed of selected video frames; and generating the recorded output video sequence according to the second video sequence.

Abstract: A touch display includes a display panel, a plurality of sensing electrodes and a driving circuit module. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of sensing electrodes are stacked with the display panel and are used for detecting a touch input and generating a sensing signal in response to the touch input. The driving circuit module is electrically coupled to the display panel and the plurality of sensing electrodes, for controlling the pixels of the display panel according to an image data, and generating a touch signal for indicating whether the touch display is touched or not in response to the image data and the sensing signal.

Abstract: A server for delivering advertisements to mobile devices includes an application programming interface executable by a processor and configured to: receive an ad call over a network from an application of a mobile device to deliver an advertisement to an ad position on a small screen thereof, the ad position located at a fixed location of the application, the fixed location having a fixed height and a fixed width as viewed by a user of the mobile device throughout use of the application; detect the ad position, including the fixed height and width of the ad position within the fixed location; retrieve from the storage memory an advertisement having an ad format best matching the fixed height and the fixed width for filling the ad call at the fixed location; and deliver the advertisement to the mobile device for display in the ad position during the execution of the application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for integrated circuits. An exemplary integrated circuit (IC) method includes providing an IC design layout that includes a design feature; determining a dimensional difference between the design feature and a corresponding developed photoresist feature of a photoresist layer; modifying the CD of the design feature to compensate for the difference, thereby generating a modified IC design layout; and making a mask using the modified IC design layout.