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 defined by image locations, in a computer memory, generating a bi-illuminant chromaticity plane in a log color space for representing the image locations of the image in a log-chromaticity representation for the image, providing a set of estimates for the orientation of the bi-illuminant chromaticity plane and calculating an orientation for each one of the image locations as a function of the set of estimates for the orientation.

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 defined by image locations, in a computer memory, generating a bi-illuminant chromaticity plane in a log color space for representing the image locations of the image in a log-chromaticity representation for the image, providing a set of estimates for an orientation of the bi-illuminant chromaticity plane and calculating a single orientation for each one of the image locations as a function of the set of estimates for an orientation.

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 defined by image locations, in a computer memory, generating a bi-illuminant chromaticity plane in a log color space for representing the image locations of the image in a log-chromaticity representation for the image, providing an estimate for an orientation of the bi-illuminant chromaticity plane and optimizing the estimate of an orientation as a function of a minimization of a weighted entropy.

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 represented in a spatial plane, organizing spatio-spectral information for the image in a matrix equation expressed by normal and tangential constraints determined as a function of a spatial orientation of selected image locations, relative to the spatial plane of the image and utilizing the matrix equation to solve for an intrinsic image corresponding to the image.

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 defined by image locations, in a computer memory, generating a bi-illuminant chromaticity plane in a log color space for representing the image locations of the image in a log-chromaticity representation for the image, providing a set of estimates for an orientation of the bi-illuminant chromaticity plane and calculating a single orientation for each one of the image locations as a function of the set of estimates for an orientation.

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 defined by image locations, in a computer memory, generating a bi-illuminant chromaticity plane in a log color space for representing the image locations of the image in a log-chromaticity representation for the image, providing a set of estimates for the orientation of the bi-illuminant chromaticity plane and calculating an orientation for each one of the image locations as a function of the set of estimates for the orientation.

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 defined by image locations, in a computer memory, generating a bi-illuminant chromaticity plane in a log color space for representing the image locations of the image in a log-chromaticity representation for the image, providing an estimate for an orientation of the bi-illuminant chromaticity plane and optimizing the estimate of an orientation as a function of a minimization of a weighted entropy.

Abstract: In a system and method of patient flow and treatment management, information regarding a patient admitted to a first unit of a patient treatment facility that is received into a first one of a number of user devices is dispatched to a server computer. Upon receipt of this patient information the server computer runs (desirably in real-time) a prediction application/algorithm that predicts an estimate of (1) the patient needing a resource in the first unit or a second unit of the facility, (2) a length of time before the patient needs the resource, and/or (3) an identity of the unit that has the needed resource. The server computer then dispatches (again, desirably in real-time) one or more of the predictions to one or more of the user devices, each of which receives and displays the prediction on a display thereof.

Abstract: In a method and system of controlling patient care logistics, a computer determines for each of a number of user devices a unique priority sorted list of queue tasks on the basis of global criterion. Each user device is dispatched the unique priority sorted list of queue tasks determined for the user device. In response to receiving a change in at least one global criterion, the computer determines for each user device either an amendment to the unique priority sorted list of queue tasks for the user of the user device or a new unique priority sorted list of queue tasks for the user of the user device, and then dispatches the unique priority sorted list of queue to the user device.

Abstract: A non-contact measuring method and apparatus for producing a signal representative of a distance between facing surfaces of first and second parts, which are closely spaced apart such as the rotor and stator of an electric rotating machine. The method resides in positioning a sensor on the surface of the first part. The sensor includes first and second parallel, superimposed conductive plates electrically insulated from one another. The second plate is located in between the first plate and the surface of the first part. The first plate is fed with a high frequency signal through a resistance. A high impedance, low input capacity, unitary gain voltage amplifier is fed with the high frequency signal through the resistance. The second plate is fed with an output signal of the amplifier. The output signal of the amplifier is directly proportional to the distance between the two surfaces.

Abstract: The current surge indicator (10) has a ferromagnetic member (12) held about a conductor (15) with the ends of the member (12) in proximity and facing each other such that the ends are attracted to one another with a given force as current passes through the conductor (15). When the force exceeds a given threshold, a signal is created to help in locating where the current surge took place. The member may be spring loaded to open up, and the signal may be provided by the member being released by the current surge such that the member falls from the conductor. The conductor may be an anchor cable of an insulator or tower beam for a power transmission line.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the dynamic and non-contact measurement of the distance separating the surface of a first part that may be conductive or not, from the surface of at least one second conductive part closely spaced from the first conductive part. The method resides in positioning, on the surface of the first part, at least one sensor including two conductive plates that are parallel, superimposed and electrically insulated from one another. The two plates of this at least one sensor are then fed with a same high frequency signal under the same voltage and the current generated by this high frequency signal, between the plate of the sensor which is closest to the surface of the second conductive part and this second conductive part, is measured.

Abstract: An antenna receives, by capacitive effect, a current of which the intensity is a function of the distance separating the antenna from an electrical power line. The other factors that influence the current are fixed, constant or are considered negligible. A measuring and conditioning circuit converts the current at the output of the antenna into a coded signal and transmits this coded signal to a control unit. The control unit compares the coded signal to predetermined values stored therein. Alarms are generated by the control unit when the current from the antenna exceeds the predetermined values.

Abstract: A filtering circuit having the behavior of a low-pass filter capable of having a long time constant. The filtering circuit comprises an input circuit for receiving a voltage input signal to be filtered. A summator circuit is provided for monitoring the input signal relative to an analog output signal from an accumulator circuit and providing an error signal representative of the difference of the input and output signals. The error signal is fed to a voltage controlled oscillator to generate a frequency signal proportional to the error signal. The accumulator has a frequency dividing circuit is provided to divide the frequency signal by a predetermined division factor to control the low cut-off frequency of the filtering circuit whereby to increase the response time thereof. The accumulator also integrates the divided frequency signal. An output circuit provides an output of the stored integrated frequency signal to constitute the analog output signal.

Abstract: An electric arc lighting device for igniting inflammable products. The device comprises a direct current supply source and an oscillating unit constituted of a first inductance and an amplifying circuit connected in parallel with the supply source. The unit is adapted to generate an oscillation at a given frequency. A second inductance is connected in series with electrodes spaced one from another and between which the electric arc is produced at the given frequency and under a voltage induced in the second inductance by the first inductance, the first and second inductances being wounded around a same core.