Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a simple and efficient layered video coding technique using a parametric rate-distortion (RD) model. The video coding system may include an rate-distortion optimized data partitioning encoder and decoder. The generalized RD-DP encoder adapts the partition point block-by-block which greatly improves the coding efficiency of the base layer bit stream without explicit transmission thereby saving the bandwidth significantly. Furthermore, even for the non-parametric rate-distortion curves, the parameteric rate-distortion model prevents the underpartitioning of the base-layer from happening, and the parametric model is simultaneously being updated at the encoder and decoder for synchronization.

Abstract: Method for partitioning video data into a base layer and at least one enhancement layer entailing receiving video data, determining DCT coefficients for a plurality of blocks of a video frame to form the base layer and the at least one enhancement layer and for each block, quantizing the DCT coefficients, converting the quantized DCT coefficients of the base layer into a set of (run, length) pairs, and determining which pairs lie on a convex hull. Thereafter rate-distortion optimal partitioning points are determined from only those pairs which lie on the convex hull in a causally optimal way. The (run, length) pairs before and inclusive of the partitioning point are encoded in the base layer while the other (run, length) pairs are encoded in the enhancement layer(s). A video encoder (22) and decoder (28) applying the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A series of information portions are provided to a transmitter, the information portions have critical times when they need to be available to a receiver. The transmitter estimates whether the information portions can be transmitted by the transmitter in time to be made available to the receiver before the critical time. Then the transmitter only transmits the information to the receiver if it is estimated that the information portions will be transmitted in time to be made available to the receiver before the critical time.

Abstract: Encoding and decoding methods and apparatuses are provided for encoding and decoding video frames. The encoding method (600) and apparatus (110) use motion compensated discrete cosine transform coding for the base layer and inband motion compensated temporal filtering in the overcomplete wavelet domain for the enhancement layer. The decoding method (700) and apparatus (118) use motion compensated discrete cosine transform decoding for the base layer and inverse motion compensated temporal filtering in the overcomplete wavelet domain for the enhancement layer.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for fractal video coding, based on the circular prediction mapping (CPM) in overcomplete wavelet domain. According to the disclosed process, each range block [B] is approximated by a domain block [A] in circularly previous frame [Fn-1]. The size of the domain block is made larger than that of the range block using a complete-to-overcomplete transform [FIG. 2], which provides faster convergence speed compared to the conventional CPM algorithm that uses the same domain block size. However, high temporal correlation is very well exploited between the adjacent frames, since the extended reference [210] is generated by shifting the original image [202] and hence retains the high temporal correlation to the range blocks. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment provides a spatial scalability.

Abstract: Encoding and decoding methods and apparatuses are provided for encoding and decoding video frames. The encoding method (700) and apparatus (110) use three dimensional lifting in an overcomplete wavelet domain to compress video frames. The decoding method (800) and apparatus (118) also use three dimensional lifting in the overcomplete wavelet domain to decompress the video frames.

Abstract: A method for extracting information of a cardiac cycle from projection data is presented. The method provides for acquiring one or more sets of computed tomography (CT) projection data. Further, the method includes analyzing the one or sets of CT projection data to obtain a center of cardiac mass. Also, the method provides for estimating raw motion data representative of the motion of the center of cardiac mass from the one or more sets of CT projection data. In addition, the method includes processing the center of mass through time to extract a motion signal from the raw projection data. Also, the method provides for extracting the periodicity information from the motion signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide an improved encoding scheme where input video is encoded into a base layer and a enhancement layer according to a fine-granular scalability coding to generate a plurality of equal priority descriptions, then the generated descriptions are decoded by a decoder. The plurality of equal priority partitions is comprised of partitions generated from the base and enhancement layers and a forward error correction (FEC) code according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing image data from measured sinogram data acquired from a CT system is provided. The CT system is configured for industrial imaging. The method includes pre-processing the measured sinogram data. The pre-processing includes performing a beam hardening correction on the measured sinogram data and performing a detector point spread function (PSF) correction and a detector lag correction on the measured sinogram data. The pre-processed sinogram data is reconstructed to generate the image data.

Abstract: A method and device for coding video where a video signal is spatially decomposed into at least two signals of different frequency sub-bands, an individualized motion compensated temporal filtering scheme is applied to each sub-band signal adaptively according to signal contents, and texture coding is applied to each of the motion compensated temporally filtered subband signals adaptively according to the signal content.

Abstract: A technique is provided for CT reconstruction for use in CT metrology. The boundary based CT reconstruction method includes the steps of initializing a boundary of an object to obtain a boundary estimate, defining a forward model based on the boundary estimate, linearizing the forward model to obtain a system matrix and implementing an iterative image reconstruction process using the system matrix to update the boundary estimate.

Abstract: An electrical driving system which may be conveniently installed on or removed from a wheelchair is provided. The electrical driving system comprises a coupling assembly which houses a storage battery and a control circuit board. The system also comprises a holder assembly which houses motors and planetary gears which drive a pair of drive wheels. The electrical driving system is installed on the wheelchair by coupling together an upper connector and a lower connector of the coupling assembly about each of the tipping levers of the wheelchair. The coupling assembly includes a plurality of coupling pins, finger elements, and set pins, the appropriate coupling of which enables each finger element to be pivotally displaced to selectively press or release an upper connector to correspondingly grip or release the given tipping lever captured between that upper connector and a lower connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power saving apparatus of an in-line skate lighting wheel wherein a switch is provided through which a circuit is shifted either to a ready condition or to an off condition depending on need; when said circuit is shifted to said ready condition, said lighting wheel under movement can flicker; while, when shifted to said off condition, power of batteries of said lighting wheel won't be consumed.

Abstract: A collapsible and portable hair dryer with gas combustion heat supply system is provided. Gas combustion is adapted to supply heat for air inside the hair dryer. A motor ran by a self-contained power source system is provided to rotate a fan in order to blow air through several bladelike portions, which are heated by the gas flame. Thus, the air passed through the heated bladelike portions becomes hot and is blown out for use. The hair dryer can be used outdoors because an electrical socket is not needed.

Abstract: A light-generating wheel for an in-line skate includes two side shells and an electric board sandwiched between the two side shells. The electric board has a plurality of light emitters protruding out of one of said two side shells to light on and off, i.e. to flash while the wheel is rotated in skating on the ground.

Abstract: A roller skating shoe with a light emitting device includes an elongate inverted U-shaped plate fixed under a skating shoe, a plurality of rollers combined rotatably with the elongate inverted U-shaped plate by means of two locating plates and bearings and rod shafts passing through the inverted U-shaped plate, the locating plates, and the rollers to be tightly screwed with anti-loose nuts. Coils are electrically connected with light emitters fixed on both sides of each roller. Magnets are fixed on the two locating plates producing magnetism to cross each coil to allow the coil to produce electricity to light up each emitter when the rollers are rotated by a skater.

Abstract: A running machine is provided. The machine includes a base consisting of a flat upper plate and flat lower plate, a plurality of roller shafts provided laterally and spaced above the upper plate. An endless belt moves around the roller shafts by means of a motor. Four lifts are provided between the upper plate and the lower plate at the respective four corners thereof, to incline the upper plate. A computer for controlling the motor and the lifts is also provided. The computer controls the motor and lifts according to a program provided on a disk recorded with a program of various conditions of a rod. A visual-acoustic mask is connected to the computer, and includes a screen and a speaker to present images and sounds according to the program to a user wearing the mask while running on the belt for exercise.

Abstract: An automatic sun screen for vehicles having a sun screen cylinder, a set of transmission devices, a sun screen, a stationary part, operating buttons and a power source plug characterized in that the transmission device in the left side of the sun screen cylinder can be transmitted by a motor, and the sun screen with steel spring plates in the right side of the sun screen cylinder being connected with the transmission device can be rolled up or released by the obverse and reverse movement of the motor when drivers push the operating buttons upwardly or downwardly.