Abstract: Various embodiments of a facial recognition system are provided. In one embodiment, a processor determines a value for a lighting parameter associated with a captured facial image, determines whether any previously obtained images in a biometric database includes a similar value for the lighting parameter and, if not, stores the newly captured image in the database along with the lighting parameter value. In another embodiment, the processor calculates a score indicative of the likelihood that the face in the captured facial image is identical to the face of a previously obtained image in the database, determines whether the score exceeds a threshold value and, if so, generates a signal indicating a match. The processor adjusts the threshold based on one or more parameter values.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a facial recognition system are provided. In one embodiment, a processor determines a value for a lighting parameter associated with a captured facial image, determines whether any previously obtained images in a biometric database includes a similar value for the lighting parameter and, if not, stores the newly captured image in the database along with the lighting parameter value. In another embodiment, the processor calculates a score indicative of the likelihood that the face in the captured facial image is identical to the face of a previously obtained image in the database, determines whether the score exceeds a threshold value and, if so, generates a signal indicating a match. The processor adjusts the threshold based on one or more parameter values.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a facial recognition system are provided. In one embodiment, a processor determines a value for a lighting parameter associated with a captured facial image, determines whether any previously obtained images in a biometric database includes a similar value for the lighting parameter and, if not, stores the newly captured image in the database along with the lighting parameter value. In another embodiment, the processor calculates a score indicative of the likelihood that the face in the captured facial image is identical to the face of a previously obtained image in the database, determines whether the score exceeds a threshold value and, if so, generates a signal indicating a match. The processor adjusts the threshold based on one or more parameter values.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a facial recognition system are provided. In one embodiment, a processor determines a value for a lighting parameter associated with a captured facial image, determines whether any previously obtained images in a biometric database includes a similar value for the lighting parameter and, if not, stores the newly captured image in the database along with the lighting parameter value. In another embodiment, the processor calculates a score indicative of the likelihood that the face in the captured facial image is identical to the face of a previously obtained image in the database, determines whether the score exceeds a threshold value and, if so, generates a signal indicating a match. The processor adjusts the threshold based on one or more parameter values.

Abstract: A method of at least partially removing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprising the nucleus and an annulus surrounding the nucleus is described. The method comprises the steps of: insonating the nucleus with ultrasound thereby to cause at least partial fragmentation of the nucleus; and extracting at least part of the fragmented nucleus. A system for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for measuring the surface potential of a polarized sample includes: measuring the topographic profile of the sample by scanning its surface with a tapered tip connected to a micro-lever activated at the resonance frequency of same by a piezoelectric actuator; placing the tapered tip a constant distance away from the topographic profile of the surface obtained during the previous step; and measuring the electrostatic potential of the surface. The sample is not polarized during the step of measuring the topographic profile. The sample is polarized during the measurement of the potential profile.

Abstract: A method of at least partially removing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprising the nucleus and an annulus surrounding the nucleus is described. The method comprises the steps of : insonating the nucleus with ultrasound thereby to cause at least partial fragmentation of the nucleus; and extracting at least part of the fragmented nucleus. A system for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: A composite material casing of varying thickness, in particular for a gas turbine fan, is made by forming fiber reinforcement and densifying the reinforcement with a matrix. The fiber reinforcement is made by winding superposed layers of a fiber texture onto a mandrel, the texture being made by three-dimensional weaving with varying thickness.

Abstract: A twin fan turbomachine with two contrarotating fans, one upstream and one downstream, driven by two contrarotating coaxial shafts each of which connects one fan impeller to at least one low-pressure turbine impeller located downstream, the downstream fan impeller being connected by its downstream part to its drive shaft.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow blade for a turbomachine including drilling channels into a blank of the blade, placing inserts into the channels, forging the blank, and removing the inserts by chemical dissolution, and the blade is an aluminum alloy and the inserts are a copper alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural or non-structural turbojet engine fan casing connecting arm that also acts as a flow straightener downstream of the fan rotor. Its distinctive feature is that it is constructed to form an acoustic attenuator. In particular, it comprises a closed cavity and perforations on one of the faces so as to form a Helmholtz resonator. The arm forms part of the intermediate casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for decoupling a bearing bracket in a turbomachine, said bearing bracket having an upstream part and a downstream part respectively comprising a plurality of upstream holes and downstream holes through which stress-limiting screws pass, which device comprises, between each upstream hole and the stress-limiting screw that passes through it, a clearance that prevents any contact between the upstream hole and the stress-limiting screw, and is a device wherein the upstream part and the downstream part of the bearing bracket are in mutual contact via surfaces that form a dual centering means.

Abstract: A twin fan turbomachine with two contrarotating fans, one upstream and one downstream, driven by two contrarotating coaxial shafts each of which connects one fan impeller to at least one low-pressure turbine impeller located downstream, the downstream fan impeller being connected by its downstream part to its drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural or non-structural turbojet engine fan casing connecting arm (8B) that also acts as a flow straightener downstream of the fan rotor (3). Its distinctive feature is that it is constructed in such a way as to form an acoustic attenuator. In particular, it comprises a closed cavity and perforations (83) on one of the faces (8B in, 8Bex) so as to form a Helmholtz resonator. The arm forms part of the intermediate casing (8).

Abstract: A composite material casing of varying thickness, in particular for a gas turbine fan, is made by forming fiber reinforcement and densifying the reinforcement with a matrix. The fiber reinforcement is made by winding superposed layers of a fiber texture onto a mandrel, the texture being made by three-dimensional weaving with varying thickness.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more temperature dependent optical properties of a structure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes heating at least a portion of a photonic band-gap structure and oxidizing the portion of the photonic band-gap structure during the heating to alter at least one temperature dependent optical property of the stack.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more temperature dependent optical properties of a structure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes heating at least a portion of a photonic band-gap structure and oxidizing the portion of the photonic band-gap structure during the heating to alter at least one temperature dependent optical property of the stack.