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 an array of pixels, in a computer memory, performing a tone mapping method on the image, performing a log chromaticity method on the image and calculating a color value for each pixel as a function of information relevant to the tone mapping method and the log chromaticity method.

Abstract: The present description discusses apparatuses and methods for applying straps around a bundle of objects by applying a variable force to tension the strap around the bundle of objects and then actuating a series of cams to control the sealing of the strap around the bundle of objects. The apparatus includes a track assembly extending substantially about a strapping station. The track assembly is adapted to receive a strap and to release the strap during a tensioning operation. An accumulator delivers strap to the track assembly. The accumulator has a strap conveyor system that defines a strap path and an accumulator container adjacent to the strap path. Strap can be accumulated in the accumulator container and subsequently delivered to the track assembly.

Abstract: In an 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, identifying information in the image file relevant to a logical deduction regarding material and illumination aspects of an image and selected from information relevant to spatio-spectral aspects of an image and constituents of color; defining a constraint as a function of the information; and utilizing the constraint in an image segregation operation.

Abstract: Laser-based ultrasonic (LBU) systems and methods for measuring at least one material property of a ceramic cellular ceramic body during thermal processing are disclosed. The method includes subjecting the ceramic cellular ceramic body to a temperature cycle within an interior of an oven having first and second windows. For a plurality of temperatures within the temperature cycle, the cellular ceramic body is irradiated with a modulated laser beam through the first window. This modulated irradiation is sequential at one or more first locations and generates acoustic waves in the cellular ceramic body over a plurality of acoustic paths. The method also includes sequentially irradiating the cellular ceramic body through the second window using a detection laser beam. This probe irradiation is sequential at one or more second locations that correspond to the one or more first locations so that the acoustic waves associated with the plurality of optical paths are detected.

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, performing an image segregation operation on the image file to generate a set of intrinsic images corresponding to the image, modifying a preselected one of the set of intrinsic images according to a set of preselected operations and merging the modified one of the set of intrinsic images relative to the set of intrinsic images to provide a modified output image.

Abstract: A fluorescent dye comprising a xanthene-derived fluorophore having the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, alcohol, ether, alkenyl, alkenoxy, aryl, aralkyl and amido, except that R1, R4 and/or R5 is not H when bonded to Y, Y1 or Y2, respectively; X is either O? or S?; and at least one of Y, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 is a group for covalently bonding the dye, optionally through, the use of a coupling agent, to a target molecule, and is otherwise H. The dye may be covalently attached to a target molecule to form a complex, and the dye and/or complex finds use in cell analysis techniques, particularly pH measurement and analysis of kinetics of migration.

Abstract: Provided is use of a peptide, or a derivative of a peptide, in the manufacture of a medicament effective in stimulating fibroblasts to produce fibrillin, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence present in an ?-S2 casein precursor, said sequence comprising 3 or more amino acids, and not comprising at its N-terminal amino acid of the full ?-S2 casein precursor. Further provided is use of a peptide, or a derivative of a peptide, in the manufacture of a medicament effective in stimulating fibroblasts to produce fibrillin, wherein the peptide has an ?-S2 casein fragment activity.

Abstract: The present description discusses apparatuses and methods for applying straps around a bundle of objects by applying a variable force to tension the strap around the bundle of objects and then actuating a series of cams to control the sealing of the strap around the bundle of objects. The apparatus includes a track assembly extending substantially about a strapping station. The track assembly is adapted to receive a strap and to release the strap during a tensioning operation. An accumulator delivers strap to the track assembly. The accumulator has a strap conveyor system that defines a strap path and an accumulator container adjacent to the strap path. Strap can be accumulated in the accumulator container and subsequently delivered to the track assembly.

Abstract: A universal music production system and related software is provided that enables an open source microprocessor and its operating system to provide ergonomic and user friendly control of editing audio processing configurations of one or more systems, instruments or synthesizers in a music studio edit mode environment and then utilize the studio edit mode song/performance configurations in a live mode performance environment that disables the user from certain studio edit mode functions. When in edit mode, the universal music production system may check for illogical sound and effect plug-in order in a user created signal/sound stream and automatically stop its creation or warn the user of the illogical order. User created virtual controls can be displayed on a touch sensitive display screen enabling a user to control predetermined sound parameters easily during a live performance.

Abstract: A universal music production system and related software is provided that enables an open source microprocessor and its operating system to provide ergonomic and user friendly control of editing audio processing configurations of one or more systems, instruments or synthesizers in a music studio edit mode environment and then utilize the studio edit mode song/performance configurations in a live mode performance environment that disables the user from certain studio edit mode functions. Ergonomic user functionality for creating ivory keyboard splits is provided. Also a song configuration sustain feature allows sounds generated in a previous song to be held over or sustained while a next song configuration is established and the user begins playing the next song. User created virtual controls can be displayed on a touch sensitive display screen enabling a user to control predetermined sound or performance parameters easily during a live performance.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining illumination flux in an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of performing a computer learning technique to determine spatio-spectral information for the images, and utilizing the spatio-spectral information to identify illumination flux.

Abstract: In an 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, organizing spatio-spectral information for the image in a matrix equation expressed by: [A][x]=[b], wherein [A] expresses values determined by a constraining relationship imposed upon the spatio-spectral information, [b] expresses recorded information for the image, and [x] expresses an unknown material/illumination component of the image, and utilizing the matrix equation in an image segregation operation.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a test bed for optimizing an image segregation is provided. According to a feature of the present invention, the test bed comprises a memory storing an image file containing an image, a set of operations, a set of constraint software modules and a set of parameters relevant to the image, a transform module for performing a preselected one of the set of operations, defined by a preselected one of the set of constraint software modules, on the image, as a function of preselected ones of the set of parameters, to provide an output image, a test module utilizing the transform module output image, an analysis module for analyzing test module performance, and a feedback loop for varying selected ones of the operations, constraint software modules and parameters, for input to the transform module, to provide a new output image for input to the test module.

Abstract: In an 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 generating spatio-spectral information for the image, defining a constraint as a function of the spatio-spectral information, and performing an optimization operation as a function of the constraint to generate an intrinsic image corresponding to the image.

Abstract: A fluorescent dye comprising a xanthene-derived fluorophore having the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, alcohol, ether, alkenyl, alkenoxy, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and amido, except that R1, R4 and/or R5 is not H when bonded to Y, Y1 or Y2, respectively; X is either O? or S?; and at least one of Y, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 is a group for covalently bonding the dye, optionally through. the use of a coupling agent, to a target molecule, and is otherwise H. The dye may be covalently attached to a target molecule to form a complex, and the dye and/or complex finds use in cell analysis techniques, particularly pH measurement and analysis of kinetics of migration.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining the shape of a glass sheet during and/or after the forming process. In one example, a system for determining the shape of a glass sheet defining an interior bulk can include a light source, an image capture device and a processor that are configured to calculate the location of an energy centroid within a selected portion of the bulk of the glass sheet.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination boundary in an image. The method comprises the steps of performing dynamic sampling in preselected local areas of the image to determine spectral ratio information for the image at each of the preselected local areas, and utilizing the spectral ratio information to identify an illumination boundary.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method for manipulating an image is provided. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of selecting matched shadow/lit pairs of image portions from each of separate, different materials depicted in the image, utilizing the selected matched pairs to determine spectral ratio information for the image, calculating a correction term as a function of the spectral ratio information and utilizing the correction term to manipulate the image, to remove effects, such as, for example, path radiance.

Abstract: A digital and/or analog signal processing system and method for auditory enhancement and hearing conservation includes providing an audio signal with high intensity peaks, clipping the audio signal by limiting peak power to produce a clipped signal, and amplifying the clipped 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 step of performing a filter response technique to identify patches of uniform reflectance within the image. In a further exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the additional step of utilizing the identified patches of uniform material reflectance to generate single material token regions for use in processing material and illumination aspects of the image.