Abstract: The present disclosure relates to magnetization-free Faraday rotator systems, apparatuses, and related methods. One such system comprises a Faraday rotator device comprising a magneto-optical composite material having first and second magnetic component materials in a periodic or uniform pattern in an X-Y plane, wherein the first and second magnetic component materials are magnetized along a Z-axis in opposite directions and the Faraday rotator device produces nonzero magnetic Faraday rotation for the electromagnetic wave propagating in a Z-axis direction in the absence of an external bias magnetic field.

Abstract: A layered sheet polarizer including a multilayered structure having multiple transparent, low-absorption layers, the transparent, low-absorption layers including first layers having a relatively high index of refraction and second layers having a relatively low index of refraction, the first and second layers being arranged in an alternating manner within the structure so as to form resonator structures, and a dichroic layer positioned within the multilayered structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid cleaning compositions useful in cold water and hard water laundry applications, and methods for making and using such compositions. The compositions of the invention use surfactants or surfactant blends, such as ?-sulfofatty acid esters or mixtures thereof (optionally along with one or more additional components), that have increased solubility/stability at cold temperatures, at higher-than-usual concentrations, and/or in hard water, with the composition remaining as a clear liquid. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention may be provided in the form of a unit dose, for example in a water-soluble pack or pouch. In use, the compositions of the invention result in an enhanced detergency along with a reduced amount of residue remaining in the machine, on laundered garments or cleaned dishware or hard surfaces, and on the body in personal care settings, and demonstrate a longer shelf-life, particularly when stored or used in colder temperatures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for visually designating a plurality of points in three-dimensional space using an apparatus including at least one laser configured to emit visible light, at least one lens configured to collimate the visible light emitted from the laser, a plurality of independently controllable reflective surfaces wherein each surface is configured to independently steer a portion of the collimated visible light dynamically in time, and a control means configured to adjust the steering of the collimated light. The method includes selecting a plurality of points on an arbitrary plane. A portion of the collimated visible light is steered to locations corresponding to the selected plurality of points on the arbitrary plane. And, at least one of the points of the plurality of points is illuminated with the portion of the collimated visible light. Alternatively, a plurality of non-planar points is selected in the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A dynamic laser pointer is provided having a laser configured to emit visible light. A lens is configured to collimate the visible light emitted from the laser. A reflector includes a plurality of independent, controllable reflective surfaces. Each surface is configured to independently steer a portion of the collimated visible light dynamically in time.

Abstract: A method and system for low-latency processing of intra-frame video pixel block prediction including: predicting a pixel block based on boundary pixels of left and upper neighbor blocks of said pixel block; subtracting said predicted pixel block from a source pixel block to generate a prediction error; forward transforming and quantizing said prediction error to generate a residual data; inverse transforming and quantizing said residual data; adding said predicted pixel block to said inverse transformed and quantized residual data to generate a reconstructed pixel block; pre-computing blocks of DC-coefficients used with luma and chroma intra prediction modes; pre-computing mode selection of a best prediction mode of said luma and chroma intra prediction modes; and outputting said residual data to be used in entropy or arithmetic coding, and a reconstructed data used for motion prediction.

Abstract: A parallel processor for motion estimation including: a matrix of elementary processors configured in rows and columns, local connections between the elementary processors for transmitting partial results, and row outputs for outputting a set of best match values (for example, SAD values), one value for each pixel row of a current block of image pixels; and search area delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the search area as input and forming a reference block row. The processor further includes current block delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the current block as input; a sum module coupled to the row outputs for computing a final match value from the row outputs; and a sorting module for sequentially selecting a best match value from the final match values outputted from the sum module, and generating a corresponding motion vector.

Abstract: A method and system for low-latency processing of intra-frame video pixel block prediction including: predicting a pixel block based on boundary pixels of left and upper neighbor blocks of said pixel block; subtracting said predicted pixel block from a source pixel block to generate a prediction error; forward transforming and quantizing said prediction error to generate a residual data; inverse transforming and quantizing said residual data; adding said predicted pixel block to said inverse transformed and quantized residual data to generate a reconstructed pixel block; pre-computing blocks of DC-coefficients used with luma and chroma intra prediction modes; pre-computing mode selection of a best prediction mode of said luma and chroma intra prediction modes; and outputting said residual data to be used in entropy or arithmetic coding, and a reconstructed data used for motion prediction.

Abstract: The coupling of a pair of optical waveguides is trimmed and/or tuned in an optimal manner by alteration of the refractive index of the structure in a segment of the waveguide structure.