Abstract: A system for processing plastic waste may include a feed line, a feed fractionator, a hydrotreater, a catalytic reforming unit, a heavy oil cracker, and a steam cracker. A pyrolyzed plastics feed is separated into light, medium, and heavy hydrocarbon streams. The hydrotreater removes sulfur, and the catalytic reforming unit produces a circular aromatic-rich stream. The heavy oil cracker generates cracked streams. The steam cracker produces a circular olefin stream from a cracked stream. A system for processing plastic waste may include the feed line, the feed fractionator, the hydrotreater, a medium hydrocarbon fractionator, the catalytic reforming unit, a full-range reforming unit, the heavy oil cracker, and the steam cracker. The medium hydrocarbon fractionator produces two hydrocarbon streams. The full-range naphtha reforming unit produces a second circular aromatic-rich stream.

Abstract: Global motion between frames of a motion-compensated inter-frame encoded video sequence is estimated directly from the motion vectors encoded within the frames. For any particular frame, the motion vectors are first decoded, and a finite number of sets of vectors are selected. An affine or other geometrical transform is then used to generate a motion estimation for each set, and then the least median squared error present in each motion estimation is calculated for each estimation. The motion estimation with the smallest least median squared error is then selected as being representative of the global motion in the image of the frame. A panoramic image generating method and system makes uses of the global motion estimations thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to estimating the global motion between frames of a motion-compensated inter-frame encoded video sequence, directly from the motion vectors encoded within the frames. For any particular frame, a motion estimation is determined from motion vectors direct from the frame's anchor frame to the frame in question. This motion estimation is then checked against pre-determined criteria, and where the criteria are not met, re-estimation along a different route is performed, using the bi-directional motion vectors contained within B-frames. A panoramic image generating method and system which makes uses of the global motion estimations thus obtained is also described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the generation of image data, particularly, though not exclusively for motion estimation in the context of video coders employing inter frame differential coding. A method is provided for generating image data using a set of sampled pixels, the sampled pixels being representative of a sampled image, the method including the steps of: (i) at intermediate positions between sampled pixels, interpolating the sampled pixels so as to provide at least one set of interpolated pixels arranged along a plurality of lines, the or each set of interpolated pixels having a respective offset relative to the sampled pixels, and, (ii) storing the or each set of interpolated pixels with a respective address in a memory, the addresses forming an ordered sequence, wherein along a given line, neighbouring interpolated pixels having the same offset are stored with respective addresses that are consecutive to one another in the ordered sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system wherein first video images are directly overlaid with remote video images to produce a combined video image which is then displayed to the user and/or stored as appropriate. Preferably at least one of the first and/or remote images is subject to an image processing operation prior to the overlay operation being performed, the image processing operation being such that the scenes contained within the images to be overlaid when processed are separably distinguishable to a user within the combined video image when viewed by the user. The overlay operation is performed such that the scenes contained within the respective video images are substantially in alignment on top of each other.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the generation of image data, particularly, though not exclusively for motion estimation in the context of video coders employing inter frame differential coding. A method is provided for generating image data using a set of sampled pixels, the sampled pixels being representative of a sampled image, the method including the steps of: (i) at intermediate positions between sampled pixels, interpolating the sampled pixels so as to provide at least one set of interpolated pixels arranged along a plurality of lines, the or each set of interpolated pixels having a respective offset relative to the sampled pixels, and, (ii) storing the or each set of interpolated pixels with a respective address in a memory, the addresses forming an ordered sequence, wherein along a given line, neighbouring interpolated pixels having the same offset are stored with respective addresses that are consecutive to one another in the ordered sequence.

Abstract: An image recognition process applied to a photograph is preceded by a pre-processing step which identifies parts of the image which are in focus. The recognition process is then limited to those parts. The pre-processing typically operates by creating a measure of high spatial frequency activity and applying a threshold to them.

Abstract: A portable or other video communications device has a display 106 and camera 111. It provides a user with feedback as to his position in relation to the camera, with a head location unit 113 serving to modify (at 105) the displayed incoming picture—e.g. by degrading its quality and/or shifting it—if the user's head is off-centre. The location and modification can alternatively be located elsewhere in a remote device or intervening network. A preferred arrangement employs centre-weighted compression.

Abstract: An image recognition process (15) applied to a photograph is preceded by a pre-processing step which identifies parts of the image which are in focus. The recognition process is then limited to those parts. The pre-processing typically operates by creating (10-12) a measure of high spatial frequency activity and applying a threshold to them (13, 14).

Abstract: Values, such as a set of coefficients in a transform-based video coder are to be transmitted sequentially in any one of a number of possible preset orders. The order to be selected is the one that results in the largest number of consecutive zeros (or low values) at the end of the sequence. Values are supplied (in an arbitrary sequence) with addresses, in parallel to a bank of assessment sections--one for each preset order--each of which translates the addresses into addresses representing a position in the respective order and records the highest for which the associated value is non-zero. The outputs of the sections are then compared to identify the lowest, and hence the optimum order of transmission.

Abstract: A method of coding a video signal for transmission includes the steps of coding data representing the video signal by a base layer coding operation which includes base layer quantizer having a base layer quantization step size to provide coded video data for transmission; deriving inverse-coded video data by carrying out an inverse base layer coding operation on the coded video data; deriving difference data from the data representing the video signal and the inverse coded video data; and coding the difference data by an enhancement layer coding operation only when the energy of the difference data exceeds a variable threshold, the threshold being inversely proportional to the base layer quantization step size.

Abstract: A predictive coder, e.g., a hybrid DCT interframe predictive video decoder, reduces the tendency of long-term bias error in the decoded difference signal to accumulate in a predictor (7) by periodically alternating the polarity of the bias error relative to the contents of the predictor. Inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) stage (6) in a receiver is bracketed by switchable invertors (9a,9b) which, when operating, invert the signal into IDCT stage (6) and then reinvert the signal, plus error, out of IDCT stage (6), thereby inverting the error relative to the difference signal. Control means (10), e.g., a pseudo-random number generator, switches the invertors (9a,9b) in and out periodically such that, over several frames, each block spends an equal amount of time in "normal" and "inverted" modes.

Abstract: A coder assembles bursts of blocks of image data (e.g. transform coded coefficients) and associated overhead data into a sequence of data which are then transmitted. Both the transform coded coefficients and the overhead data are initially stored in separate FIFO memory stores (21), (22). The blocks of transform coded coefficients have a `last coefficient` flag accompanying the last coefficient, and the overhead information contains a unique word SWITCH, after the header information but before the `end-of-block` flag. The `last coefficient` flag and the SWITCH word are recognized by a toggle controller (29) which controls the reading of the stores so that the coefficient data and overhead data are selectively passed to a buffer (30) in a desired sequence. The buffer (30) is followed by a variable length coder (31) which supplies the output of the coder at a constant bit rate.

Abstract: A poultry litter is disclosed in two preferred embodiments: compacted peat in fragments ranging in nominal diameter from 1/8 of an inch to 11/2 inches, and compacted peat fragments combined with a conventional litter material such as wood shavings, with the peat accounting for at least ten percent of the mixture weight. In this latter case, the peat fragments preferably have nominal diameters no greater than 1/8 of an inch. Preferably the peat is of the reed sedge type, with a pH of from 3.5 to 4.5, and a moisture content of no more than fifty percent by weight. For enhanced capacity to absorb moisture and dust control, the peat fragments are provided with a coating of a feed grade petroleum based oil, vegetable oil or animal fat.

Abstract: A binder ingredient for pelleted feeds comprising a direct binding agent present as a dry thin film layer or coating upon a solid particle of organic nutrient-filler. The dry thin film layer or coating comprises a water soluble lignin sulfonate such as calcium lignin sulfonate, while the organic nutrient-filler comprises granular dried reed sedge peat. The binder is mixed with the feed ingredients in a desired range, such as in the range of approximately 2 percent by weight, to form a pelleted feed.

Abstract: A television picture transmission system using conditional replenishment employs a scanning rate at the transmitter which differs (for asynchronous operation, slightly; or for operation between systems using different standards, considerably) from the scanning standard at the the receiver. The frame rate conversion is effected by the updating loops at the transmitter or receiver by, respectively, periodically stopping the coding loop for a field or frame so that no data is produced to produce a lower frame rate or periodically repeating a field or frame in the loop without adding any updating data so as to produce a higher frame rate. Resulting variations in data rate are accommodated by utilizing the buffering inherent in conditional replenishment systems.

Abstract: A coder assembles bursts of blocks of image data (e.g. transform coded coefficients) and associated overhead data into a sequence of data which are then transmitted. Both the transform coded coefficients and the overhead data are initially stored in separate FIFO memory stores (21), (22). The blocks of transform coded coefficients have a `last coefficient` flag accompanying the last coefficient, and the overhead information contains a unique word SWITCH, after the header information but before the `end-of-block` flag. The `last coefficient` flag and the SWITCH word are recognized by a toggle controller (29) which controls the reading of the stores so that the coefficient data and overhead data are selectively passed to a buffer (30) in a desired sequence. The buffer (30) is followed by a variable length coder (31) which supplies the output of the coder at a constant bit rate.