Abstract: An apparatus and method for an inspection apparatus for inspecting a component. The inspection apparatus including a robotic arm. A micro-XRF instrument having an instrument head coupled to the robotic arm. A seat supporting the component within a scanning area during inspection; and a computer in communication with the robotic arm and the micro-XRF instrument.

Abstract: Methods of image interpolation disclosed herein include a method of irregular-grid expanded-block weighted motion compensation (IEWMC) and a method of block-wise directional hole interpolation (BDHI). The IEWMC can be used with unidirectional motion or disparity trajectories. The IEWMC can be applied in both forward and backward directions, and the interpolated images resulting from IEWMC application can be superimposed, or averaged, to reduce the blocking artifacts and handle the holes and overlaps. The BDHI takes into account the orientation of local edges and textures when filling the holes, which results in a sharper interpolated image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating an image relation model for two or more related images based on a plurality of point correspondences. The method includes using a weighted random sampling algorithm to repeatedly draw subsets of point correspondences for generating model estimates, evaluating said model estimates for the full plurality of the point correspondences, and updating weights associated with each of the point correspondences in the random sampling algorithm based on information obtained in said evaluating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing blocking artifacts in block-wise coding of still and video images. A learning filter generator is provided at the image encoder for generating a set of filters and associated filtering rules for filtering cross-boundary image patterns based on representative original and decoded training images using a supervised machine learning algorithm. An adaptive filter at the image decoder receives the generated filters and associated filtering rules and performs locally adaptive filtering in accordance with the received filtering rules.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising: a main body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction through the first and second ends; a writing tip disposed at the first end of the main body; an ink-containing cartridge; a rear body comprising an elongate housing having a first end a second end and an access opening at the first end allowing the ink-containing cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the housing, the housing extending in a loading direction between the first and second ends of the elongate housing; and an articulation means connecting the main body and the rear body. The articulation means allows the rear body to pivot with respect to the main body about an axis of articulation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between a loading or open position in which the access opening is rotated away from the longitudinal axis of the main body and a closed position in which the longitudinal direction and the loading direction substantially coincide.

Abstract: Methods of image interpolation disclosed herein include a method of irregular-grid expanded-block weighted motion compensation (IEWMC) and a method of block-wise directional hole interpolation (BDHI). The IEWMC can be used with unidirectional motion or disparity trajectories. The IEWMC can be applied in both forward and backward directions, and the interpolated images resulting from IEWMC application can be superimposed, or averaged, to reduce the blocking artifacts and handle the holes and overlaps. The BDHI takes into account the orientation of local edges and textures when filling the holes, which results in a sharper interpolated image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating an image relation model for two or more related images based on a plurality of point correspondences. The method includes using a weighted random sampling algorithm to repeatedly draw subsets of point correspondences for generating model estimates, evaluating said model estimates for the full plurality of the point correspondences, and updating weights associated with each of the point correspondences in the random sampling algorithm based on information obtained in said evaluating.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the performance of DVC systems using a differential adaptive-base representation of video data to be transmitted, wherein frame data are truncated to the least significant digits in a base-B numeral system, wherein the base B is adaptively determined at the DVC receiver based on a side information error estimate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing blocking artifacts in block-wise coding of still and video images. A learning filter generator is provided at the image encoder for generating a set of filters and associated filtering rules for filtering cross-boundary image patterns based on representative original and decoded training images using a supervised machine learning algorithm. An adaptive filter at the image decoder receives the generated filters and associated filtering rules and performs locally adaptive filtering in accordance with the received filtering rules.

Abstract: A curved wavelet transform and a related image/video compression system are disclosed. The curved wavelet transform (CWT) is carried out by applying one-dimensional (1-D) wavelet filters along curves, rather than along only horizontal and vertical directions. The image/video compression system includes a curve determination unit, a curved wavelet transform unit, a wavelet coefficient quantization unit, a wavelet coefficient coding unit, and a curve coding unit. The quantization and coding of the wavelet coefficients are related to the curves. In one embodiment, recursive wavelet filters are used for inverse wavelet decomposition. The system provides higher compression capability than conventional wavelet-based image compression systems.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising: a main body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction through the first and second ends; a writing tip disposed at the first end of the main body; an ink-containing cartridge; a rear body comprising an elongate housing having a first end a second end and an access opening at the first end allowing the ink-containing cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the housing, the housing extending in a loading direction between the first and second ends of the elongate housing; and an articulation means connecting the main body and the rear body. The articulation means allows the rear body to pivot with respect to the main body about an axis of articulation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between a loading or open position in which the access opening is rotated away from the longitudinal axis of the main body and a closed position in which the longitudinal direction and the loading direction substantially coincide.

Abstract: A curved wavelet transform and a related image/video compression system are disclosed. The curved wavelet transform (CWT) is carried out by applying one-dimensional (1-D) wavelet filters along curves, rather than along only horizontal and vertical directions. The image/video compression system includes a curve determination unit, a curved wavelet transform unit, a wavelet coefficient quantization unit, a wavelet coefficient coding unit, and a curve coding unit. The quantization and coding of the wavelet coefficients are related to the curves. In one embodiment, recursive wavelet filters are used for inverse wavelet decomposition. The system provides higher compression capability than conventional wavelet-based image compression systems.

Abstract: A method for temporal interpolation of an image sequence using object-based image analysis is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of image segmentation for partitioning a known image into objects, motion estimation, object-based motion field processing, determination of object depth order, detection of covered areas and newly exposed areas, adaptive interpolation using motion projection, and graceful degradation for alleviating remaining visible artifacts. The method produces interpolated images of high quality in real time for every type of image areas including fast moving objects, covered areas, and newly exposed areas.

Abstract: A method for temporal interpolation of an image sequence using object-based image analysis is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of image segmentation for partitioning a known image into objects, motion estimation, object-based motion field processing, determination of object depth order, detection of covered areas and newly exposed areas, adaptive interpolation using motion projection, and graceful degradation for alleviating remaining visible artifacts. The method produces interpolated images of high quality in real time for every type of image areas including fast moving objects, covered areas, and newly exposed areas.

Abstract: Joint member for a hip prosthesis having a joint head, a supporting portion including a supporting surface co-operating with a corresponding supporting surface on the proximal femur and fixation means members for securing joint head and supporting means portion to the femur, characterized in that a shankless and block-like supporting member (4, 41) includes at least a supporting surface (10, 11, 43, 44) disposed adjacent the joint head (2, 40) such that the corresponding femur supporting surface (7", 7') is adjacent the proximal medical femural cortex, in that further retaining means members (15, 21) are provided coacting with the proximal femur (7) and engaging the supporting member (4) through a bore (13') in the femur supporting surface (7") in order to exert a tensile force on the supporting member (4) laterally to press the supporting surface (10, 11) against the femur supporting surface (7", 7'), and in that the supporting member (4) and/or the retaining members are prevented from rotation about the axi