Abstract: Techniques for generating a gradient characterization for a first fingerprint image are provided. One or more fingerprint feature points are selected from the first fingerprint image. A region is obtained for each of the one or more selected fingerprint feature points. The region is a representation of an area proximate a given fingerprint feature point. Each of the obtained regions is divided into a plurality of sub-regions. A histogram is generated for each of the plurality of sub-regions. For each of the one or more selected fingerprint feature points, the one or more generated histograms are combined into a concatenated histogram. The concatenated histogram is used for identification purposes.

Abstract: A video processing system is operable to perform one or more display queue trick (DQT) operations utilizing decoded frames queued in memory. The decoded frames are generated from the start of random access points (RAPs) in frame segments in an encoded video stream. Location of RAPs may be determined during decoding of the encoded video stream. Exemplary encoding scheme comprise MPEG, AVC and/or VC1. The DQT modes include forward and/or reverse display modes. The used frames are selected based on determination of DQT mode parameters, queuing limitations and/or frame properties of selected and/or unselected frames in the frame segments. Frame properties comprise frame discardability and/or display inter-frame dependencies between selected and/or unselected frames. The video processing system is operable to jump to preceding and/or subsequent RAPs during DQT mode operations. The video processing system is also operable to skip one or more RAPs during such jumps.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for repeatable facial distortion. One embodiment of a method for generating a secure facial image from an original facial image includes receiving the original facial image and a key, the key being associated with a subject depicted in the original facial image, and distorting the original facial image, in accordance with the key, to produce the secure facial image, where the distorting includes transforming at least one of: the albedo of the original facial image or the shape of the original facial image.

Abstract: Schemes for rewinding a HITS stream in video recorder and playback systems are presented herein. Reference pictures are stored for a group of pictures, allowing subsequent pictures to be decoded from the reference pictures. The foregoing significantly reduces the number of picture decodes required to display a HITS stream in reverse order.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises storing a reference picture in a memory; taking samples from at least one line of a prediction block; generating at least one data word, the data word being a function of the samples; addressing the memory with the at least one data word; receiving one or more addresses, said one or more addresses associated with one or more blocks; and selecting a reference block from the one or more blocks for the prediction block.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a carbide-containing article includes a carbide body with an attached optional superabrasive layer. A braze metal coating is attached to a surface the carbide substrate. The coating primarily is made of particles of a metal having a melting point of less than 1200° C., the particles having a size of less than 0.1 mm. In another embodiment, a process for applying a braze metal coating to a carbide body of a superabrasive or other article includes depositing finely divided particles of a low melting point metal onto the carbide body by spraying the particles and gas onto the body at a velocity that is between 500 km/sec and 2 km/sec, with volumetric delivery of the particles being less than 50 grams per minute.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for modifying images characterized in that it includes the ability to assign colour intensity values to pixels exposed during image manipulation operations comprising: means for using the color intensity values of remaining pixels in the original image, and means for assigning color values to the exposed pixels that are similar to those of the surrounding pixels so that the exposed regions blends smoothly with the surrounding region. The instant invention also provides a configured computer program product for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying images has an ability to assign color intensity values to pixels exposed during image manipulation operations. The system and method for modifying images comprises means for using the color intensity values of remaining pixels in the original image, and for assigning color values to the exposed pixels that are similar to those of the surrounding pixels so that the exposed regions blends smoothly with the surrounding region. The means for assigning color values assigns the value of color intensity based on the color intensity value function determined at a location of a pixel. The color intensity value function used to assign values to exposed pixels is determined by fitting a function to the known color intensity values of pixels in the boundary regions of the exposed surrounding pixels. The color intensity value function is approximated using energy minimization along with boundary conditions.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for reducing the video decoder processing requirements for rewinding a HITS stream are presented herein. During rewind of a HITS stream, the video decoder builds a clean reference picture. The clean reference picture is built by decoding each of the P-pictures in the EP-EP segment. However, because the P-pictures are not displayed, the decoder does not decode the portion of the P-picture below the last intracoded slice. The decoder can build the clean reference picture without decoding the portions of the P-pictures below the last intracoded slice because the subsequent pictures do not use the said portions for prediction.

Abstract: A matrix converter includes a plurality of switches that electrically connect a multi-phase input voltage source to a multi-phase load; and a controller to output pulse-width modulated (PWM) switching signals to control the switches to produce a multi-phase output voltage from the multi-phase input voltage source. The controller outputs the PWM switching signals by modulating a carrier signal with a time-varying signal having a frequency determined from a desired output frequency for the output voltage.

Abstract: Presented herein is a direct memory access engine for providing data words in the reverse order. The data words are fetched in batches comprising a predetermined number of data words starting from the last data word and proceeding to the first data word. The batches are stored in a local buffer. The contents of the local buffer are transmitted in reverse order.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for reducing the video decoder processing requirements are presented herein. During a rewind operation, a reference picture for a group of pictures is decoded and stored into a reference frame buffer. By storing a reference picture for the group, the reference picture need not be decoded to display each picture in the group during the rewind operation.

Abstract: A method (and system) for guaranteeing authenticity of an object, includes providing a sample of material obtainable only by at least one of chemical and physical processes such that the sample is random and not reproducible, associating a number reproducibly to the sample by using a specific reader, and forming at least one coded version of the number, the at least one coded version being obtained by a key signature, and the version being recorded into an area of the object.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for reducing the video decoder processing requirements are presented herein. During a rewind operation, a reference picture for a group of pictures is decoded and stored into a reference frame buffer. By storing a reference picture for the group, the reference picture need not be decoded to display each picture in the group during the rewind operation.

Abstract: Described herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for embedding personal video recorder functions at the picture level. In one embodiment, there is presented a computer readable medium for storing a data structure. The data structure comprises a picture header and at least one command following the picture header.

Abstract: Presented herein are system(s) and method(s) for clean channel changes. In one embodiment, there is presented a method for changing a channel. The method comprises receiving a portion of a first video bitstream associated with a first channel; receiving a command to switch display from the first channel to a second channel after receiving the portion of the first video; and displaying the portion of the first video bitstream associated with the first channel after receiving the command.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for improving performance of video decoders during rewind and fast forward operation. Video decoder performance is improved by avoiding repetitive decoding of prediction pictures. When a decoded prediction picture is stored in a frame buffer, techniques are presented for decoding multiple pictures in the rewind order which are dependent thereon, displaying the picture directly from the frame buffer, and setting one type of prediction picture as another type of prediction picture.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises addressing a first memory with one or more data words for a first prediction block, and addressing a second memory with one or more data words for a second prediction block while addressing the first memory.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises storing a reference picture in a memory; taking samples from at least one line of a prediction block, wherein each of the samples comprises a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits comprising most significant bits and least significant bits; concatenating the samples; replacing the least significant bits of the samples with “don't cares”, thereby generating at least one data word; addressing the memory with the at least one data word; receiving one or more addresses, said one or more addresses associated with one or more blocks; replacing a portion of the “don't cares” with a portion of the least significant bits of the samples, thereby generating another one or more data words; and addressing the memory with the another one or more data words.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises storing a reference picture in a memory; taking samples from at least one line of a prediction block; generating at least one data word, the data word being a function of the samples; addressing the memory with the at least one data word; receiving one or more addresses, said one or more addresses associated with one or more blocks; and selecting a reference block from the one or more blocks for the prediction block.