Abstract: “Universal improvement” of vision is achieved by effectively changing the shape of the anterior refracting surface of the cornea to an ideal “turtleback” shape, on which is imposed the necessary curvature adjustment to achieve correction of distance vision. In accordance with one embodiment, the cornea is actually formed to the turtleback shape through corneal surgery, preferably laser ablation surgery. In accordance with a second embodiment, a contact lens with the desired distance corrected ideal turtleback shape on its anterior surface is positioned over the cornea.

Abstract: An image forming device may select from among a plurality of rendering parameters to include selectable halftone frequency candidates automatically based on an internal determination regarding an operating condition of the device to improve image quality for formed images. As a time varying function of the status and/or condition of the components and/or consumables employed in the image forming device, a capability is provided for the device to independently determine an optimal individual or set of rendering parameters to be employed based on a monitored device status. Available monitoring data for a current overall condition of the image forming device, to include monitoring a condition of the components and/or the consumables within the device, is used to allow the device to internally perform automatic adjustment of one or more image rendering parameters, including automatically implementing an optimal halftone frequency election scheme.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recording and analyzing game session telemetry data are disclosed. A game console records telemetry data during a game session of a video game. The telemetry data may include location and time information for a player character performing various events in the video game. The telemetry data is sent to a title server corresponding to the video game, and the title server analyzes the data and stores the data in a database. A user, via a web site, can subsequently query the telemetry data stored in the database for user-specified criteria. A two-dimensional image of a view of the simulated environment within the video game is generated, overlaid with the location and time-based telemetry data, and is sent to the user for review and analysis.

Abstract: “Universal improvement” of vision is achieved by effectively changing the shape of the anterior refracting surface of the cornea to an ideal “turtleback” shape, on which is imposed the necessary curvature adjustment to achieve correction of distance vision. In accordance with one embodiment, the cornea is actually formed to the turtleback shape through corneal surgery, preferably laser ablation surgery. In accordance with a second embodiment, a contact lens with the desired distance corrected ideal turtleback shape on its anterior surface is positioned over the cornea.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recording and analyzing game session telemetry data are disclosed. A game console records telemetry data during a game session of a video game. The telemetry data may include location and time information for a player character performing various events in the video game. The telemetry data is sent to a title server corresponding to the video game, and the title server analyzes the data and stores the data in a database. A user, via a web site, can subsequently query the telemetry data stored in the database for user-specified criteria. A two-dimensional image of a view of the simulated environment within the video game is generated, overlaid with the location and time-based telemetry data, and is sent to the user for review and analysis.

Abstract: A first series of control patches is printed with a first marking engine. A second series of control patches is printed with a second marking engine. Relative reflectance values of the patches printed with the first and second marking engines are measured with respective first and second engine response sensors. Based at least on a difference in the measured relative reflectance values of the control patches printed with the first and second marking engines, a relative engine to engine error is determined. The engine to engine error is decomposed into components. Based on the decomposition, adjustment of at least binary values of a digital image is determined so that print density of a first marking engine output substantially matches print density of a second marking engine output.

Abstract: There is provided stereoselective route to a compound of formula I: wherein R represents H or an alkali metal, Ar1 represents 4-chlorophenyl and Ar2 represents 2,5-difluorophenyl.

Abstract: Eye measurements taken on a patient being fitted for contact lens will include a refraction test and an additional measurement representing corneal depth variation on the surface of an imaginary cylinder having the same diameter as the lens. This information then used during lens manufacture to produce lens in which the perimeter is not circular and does not lie in a plane, but which drops backwards towards the eye at appropriate points to produce a saddle-shaped perimeter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (610) are disclosed for diagnosing vision and improving vision in a manner which does not interfere with the natural shape of the cornea or its orientation relative to the remainder of the eye, but which changes its surface curvature appropriately to achieve the required correction of vision. The focus of the cornea (14) is adjusted so that different regions focus substantially to the same axis and preferably to substantially the same point on the axis. This can be accomplished by shaping the cornea (e.g. through ablation) or by applying an appropriate contact lens or other optical lens. In either case, correcting the central portions of the cornea should have a more significant effect on correcting focus scatter than correcting the more outward portions.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a TRC of an image is provided. The method involves receiving an image at an input resolution, resampling the image to a processing resolution if the imput resolution and the processing resolution are not same, processing the image using rank-ordered error diffusion, and resampling the processed image to a desired output resolution for the image if the processing resolution and the output resolution are not same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of intermediates for the preparation of compounds of formula (A): wherein n is 2 or 3 and various salt forms of these compounds. The compounds of formula (A) are useful as ???3 receptor antagonists.

Abstract: A frost plug adapter assembly having a locking mechanism that provides a positive capture through an existing frost plug aperture. A cylindrical body is engaged within a frost plug aperture and is maintained in place by a bolt, a locking element and a wing nut. The bolt is advantageously positioned through the cylindrical body with a bolt head at the outer end. The wing nut is screwed onto a threaded end of the bolt so that the wings engage channels of arms of the locking element to spread the arms until they contact an inner annulus of the frost plug aperture. The frost plug adapter assembly is also capable of providing access to engine fluid by providing channels through the inner end of the cylindrical body. The frost plug adapter assembly is easy to install and the locking mechanism prevents the assembly from falling out under severe conditions.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of halftoning an image which involves determining a quantization error for a selected target pixel of an image, selecting a diffusion mask, the mask relating to the target pixel and pixels neighboring thereto, receiving a first pair of neighboring pixel values for a first pixel pair including a first neighboring pixel and a second neighboring pixel, and receiving a second pair of neighboring pixel values for a second pixel pair including a third neighboring pixel and a fourth neighboring pixel. The method further involves determining a ranking order of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels by comparing pixel values of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels, and diffusing error to at least one of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels based on the determined ranking order of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A frost plug adapter assembly having a locking mechanism that provides a positive capture through an existing frost plug aperture. A cylindrical body is engaged within a frost plug aperture and is maintained in place by a bolt, a locking element and a wing nut. The bolt is advantageously positioned through the cylindrical body with a bolt head at the outer end. The wing nut is screwed onto a threaded end of the bolt so that the wings engage channels of arms of the locking element to spread the arms until they contact an inner annulus of the frost plug aperture. The frost plug adapter assembly is also capable of providing access to engine fluid by providing channels through the inner end of the cylindrical body. The frost plug adapter assembly is easy to install and the locking mechanism prevents the assembly from falling out under severe conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing method for producing enhanced halftone edges, particularly suited to those edges which only lie upon the background as apposed to those edges which abut other halftone screens. It utilizes a step of defining border pixels and a step of halftoning those border pixels in a different manner than the halftoning applied to the interior region of the tint or image segment. The preferred halftone for the border pixels will be related to the interior halftone by some number of common spatial frequency harmonics.

Abstract: In an image processing method, a first raster having a first resolution is divided into a plurality of sub-sampling cells each containing a selected number of neighboring pixels. A pixel from each of the sub-sampling cells is selected in a periodic or quasi-periodic pattern biased toward selecting a pixel position within each sub-sampling cell that is distal from a selection position within at least one neighboring sub sampling cell. The selected pixels define a second raster having a second resolution lower than the first resolution.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for processing image data to accomplish tuning or adjustment of images, so as to modify at least the darkness thereof, using compact, efficient methods and designs.

Abstract: There is disclosed in embodiments methods for halftone dot encoding for engine-dependent-rendering. The methods first carefully design an asymmetric halftone dot for a specific printer and then utilizes a halftone dot encoding algorithm, which encodes the asymmetric halftone dot into a symmetric format. The asymmetric halftone dot design is satisfies the requirements of raster output scanner electronics, as well as several engine dependent constraints. These include: rotation insensitivity, minimum dot size, minimum hole size, minimum appendage, and minimum cavity. The symmetric dot encoding allows perfect reconstruction of the binaries that may have been generated using the original asymmetric dot. This reconstruction is achieved using imbedded binary resolution conversion. In this way, this resolution conversion is acting as a decoder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for causing the optical center of the eye to align “HIGH point” of the anterior surface of the cornea. In accordance with one aspect of the invention relating to corneal ablation procedures, the HIGH point of the eye is used as the pole of a spherical surface which is fitted approximately to a portion of the anterior surface of the cornea within a “bounded region.” For corneal ablation procedures, the “bounded region” comprises a generally inverted-cup shaped region of the anterior surface of the eye bounded at its periphery by a plane which is substantially perpendicular to a local z-axis. During the operation local high points which project above the spherical surface are ablated. According to another aspect of the invention relating to radial keratotomy procedures, a pair of incisions in the plane of a “great circle” are formed in the cornea to weaken and flatten it.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for causing the optical center of the eye to align “HIGH point” of the anterior surface of the cornea. In accordance with one aspect of the invention relating to corneal ablation procedures, the HIGH point of the eye is used as the pole of a spherical surface which is fitted approximately to a portion of the anterior surface of the cornea within a “bounded region.” For corneal ablation procedures, the “bounded region” comprises a generally inverted-cup shaped region of the anterior surface of the eye bounded at its periphery by a plane which is substantially perpendicular to a local z-axis. During the operation local high points which project above the spherical surface are ablated. According to another aspect of the invention relating to radial keratotomy procedures, a pair of incisions in the plane of a “great circle” are formed in the cornea to weaken and flatten it.