Abstract: Given input HDR and SDR images representing the same scene, a prediction model to predict the HDR image from a compressed representation of the input SDR image is generated as follows: a) generate noise data based at least on the characteristics of the HDR image b) generate a noisy SDR image by adding the noise data to the SDR image c) generate an augmented HDR data set and an augmented SDR data set by using the input HDR and SDR images and the noisy SDR image d) generate a prediction model to predict the augmented HDR data set based on the augmented SDR data set and e) solve the prediction model according to a minimization-error criterion to generate a set of prediction parameters to be transmitted to a decoder together with a compressed representation of the input SDR image to reconstruct an approximation of the input HDR image.

Abstract: An intelligent defecation device for living creature includes a device body, a supporting portion, an image module, and a first analysis module. The supporting portion is formed within the inner side of the device body for accommodating a moisture absorption member so as to allow the living creature to leave over its excrement therein. The image module is also arranged at the device body for dynamically capturing the images of the excrement in the supporting portion and outputting the image. The first analysis module is arranged in the device body and connected with the image module to analyze and calculate the defecation mode with the image based on preset or accumulated data, so as to generate a signal when an abnormal defecation mode is diagnosed.

Abstract: A method for distributing High Dynamic Range (HDR) content to playback devices for displaying images where the HDR content is encoded to an HDR bitstream and the HDR bitstream is subsequently decoded by a playback device. The HDR bitstream contains auxiliary metadata packets that are based upon the processing capability of the playback device.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor structure including a substrate, at least two tested structures, an isolation structure, and a short-circuit detection structure. At least two tested structures are disposed on the substrate. The at least two tested structures include a conductive material. The isolation structure is sandwiched between at least two tested structures. The detection structure includes a detecting layer, and the detecting layer is disposed on one of the at least two tested structures, so that a short circuit defect between the at least two tested structures may be identified in an electron beam detecting process, and the detecting layer includes a conductive material. A manufacturing method of the semiconductor structure and a method for detecting a short circuit of the semiconductor structure are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for frame rate scalability are described. Support is provided for input and output video sequences with variable frame rate and variable shutter angle across scenes, or for input video sequences with fixed input frame rate and input shutter angle, but allowing a decoder to generate a video output at a different output frame rate and shutter angle than the corresponding input values. Techniques allowing a decoder to decode more computationally-efficiently a specific backward compatible target frame rate and shutter angle among those allowed are also presented.

Abstract: An intelligent defecation device for living creature includes a device body, a supporting portion, an image module, and a first analysis module. The supporting portion is formed within the inner side of the device body for accommodating a moisture absorption member so as to allow the living creature to leave over its excrement therein. The image module is also arranged at the device body for dynamically capturing the images of the excrement in the supporting portion and outputting the image. The first analysis module is arranged in the device body and connected with the image module to analyze and calculate the defecation mode with the image based on preset or accumulated data, so as to generate a signal when an abnormal defecation mode is diagnosed.

Abstract: A backward reshaping mapping table is initially generated as an inverse of a forward reshaping mapping table. The backward reshaping mapping table is updated by replacing the content-mapped luminance codewords with forward reshaped luminance codewords generated by applying a luminance forward mapping to the sampled luminance codewords. The luminance forward mapping is constructed from the forward reshaping mapping table. The backward reshaping mapping table and the luminance forward mapping are used to generate backward reshaping mappings for creating a reconstructed image from a forward reshaped image. The forward reshaped image is encoded, in a video signal, along with image metadata specifying the backward reshaping mappings. A recipient device of the video signal applies the backward reshaping mappings to the forward reshaped image to create the reconstructed image of the second dynamic range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing banding artifacts when displaying images are described. Identified image bands are filtered using an adaptive sparse finite response filter, where the tap-distance in the sparse filter is adapted according to an estimated width of each image band. Image debanding may be performed across multiple pixel orientations, such as rows, columns, a 45-degree angle, or a ?45-degree angle. Given a threshold to decide whether sparse filtering needs to be performed or not, an iterative debanding process is also proposed.

Abstract: In an encoder, a high-dynamic range (HDR) image is encoded using a family of local forward reshaping functions selected according to an array of forward mapping indices (FMI) indicating which local forward reshaping function needs to be used for each pixel in the HDR image to generate a reshaped standard dynamic range (SDR) image. A decoder, given the reshaped SDR image, iteratively generates a reconstructed HDR image and estimated reshaped SDR images by adjusting a local FMI array and a local array of backward mapping indices (BMI) until an error metric related to the difference between the local BMI and FMI arrays and the difference between the estimate SDR images and the reshaped SDR image satisfy a convergence criterion. Techniques for generating families of local forward reshaping functions and local backward reshaping functions based on a global forward reshaping function are also presented.

Abstract: A source color grade and a destination color grade may be received by an end-to-end image mapping pipeline comprising forward and backward paths. Forward neural networks in the forward path may be applied to generate, from the source color grade, a forward reshaped color grade corresponding to the destination color grade. Backward neural networks in the backward path may be applied to generate, from the forward reshaped color grade, a backward reshaped color grade corresponding to the source color grade. An overall neural network cost function may be specified for the forward path and the backward path to generate a cost that may be used as a basis for determining operational parameters for the forward and backward neural networks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for frame rate scalability are described. Support is provided for input and output video sequences with variable frame rate and variable shutter angle across scenes, or for input video sequences with fixed input frame rate and input shutter angle, but allowing a decoder to generate a video output at a different output frame rate and shutter angle than the corresponding input values. Techniques allowing a decoder to decode more computationally-efficiently a specific backward compatible target frame rate and shutter angle among those allowed are also presented.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing software and hardware based solutions to the problem of synthesizing noise for a digital image. According to one aspect, a probability image is generated and noise blocks are randomly placed at locations in the probability image where the locations have probability values that are compared to a threshold criterion, creating a synthesized noise image. Embodiments include generating synthesized film grain images and synthesized digital camera noise images.

Abstract: Methods and systems for frame rate scalability are described. Support is provided for input and output video sequences with variable frame rate and variable shutter angle across scenes, or for input video sequences with fixed input frame rate and input shutter angle, but allowing a decoder to generate a video output at a different output frame rate and shutter angle than the corresponding input values. Techniques allowing a decoder to decode more computationally-efficiently a specific backward compatible target frame rate and shutter angle among those allowed are also presented.

Abstract: Given an input image in a high dynamic range (HDR) which is mapped to a second image in a second dynamic range using a reshaping function, to improve coding efficiency, a reshaping function generator may adjust the codeword range of the HDR input under certain criteria, such as for noisy HDR images with a relatively-small codeword range. An example of generating a scaler for adjusting the HDR codeword range based on the original codeword range and a metric of the percentage of edge-points in the HDR image is provided. The adjusted reshaping function allows for more efficient rate control during the compression of reshaped images.

Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor, including a semiconductor layer, a first gate structure, and a light sensing device, is provided. The semiconductor layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first gate structure is disposed on the second surface. The light sensing device is located in the semiconductor layer. The light sensing device extends from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A confidentiality preserving system and method for performing a rank-ordered search and retrieval of contents of a data collection. The system includes at least one computer system including a search and retrieval algorithm using term frequency and/or similar features for rank-ordering selective contents of the data collection, and enabling secure retrieval of the selective contents based on the rank-order. The search and retrieval algorithm includes a baseline algorithm, a partially server oriented algorithm, and/or a fully server oriented algorithm. The partially and/or fully server oriented algorithms use homomorphic and/or order preserving encryption for enabling search capability from a user other than an owner of the contents of the data collection. The confidentiality preserving method includes using term frequency for rank-ordering selective contents of the data collection, and retrieving the selective contents based on the rank-order.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for securing an expansion card assembly in a computer chassis includes a lever, a stop member, a rotary latch, a first biasing structure, and a second biasing structure. The lever includes a latching end and an opposing pinned end. The stop member extends from the pinned end. The rotary latch is connected to the latching end and includes a receiving chamber and a hook structure. The hook structure includes a notch for receiving a stop pin. The first biasing structure extends from the lever into the receiving chamber and is configured to urge the rotary latch into a locked position. The second biasing structure is configured to urge the lever about the pinned end to an open position.

Abstract: A first predictor is applied to an input image to generate first-stage predicted codewords approximating prediction target codewords of a prediction target image. Second-stage prediction target values are created by performing an inverse cascade operation on the prediction target codewords and the first-stage predicted codewords. A second predictor is applied to the input image to generate second-stage predicted values approximating the second-stage prediction target values. Multiple sets of cascade prediction coefficients are generated to comprise first and second sets of cascade prediction coefficients specifying the first and second predictors. The multiple sets of cascade prediction coefficients are encoded, in a video signal, as image metadata. The video signal is further encoded with the input image.

Abstract: A method for image segmentation includes (a) clustering, based upon k-means clustering, pixels of an image into first clusters, (b) outputting a cluster map of the first clusters (c) re-clustering the pixels into a new plurality of non-disjoint pixel-clusters, and (d) classifying the non-disjoint pixel-clusters in categories, according to a user-indicated classification. Another method for image segmentation includes (a) forming a graph with each node of the graph corresponding to a first respective non-disjoint pixel-cluster of the image and connected to each terminal of the graph and to all other nodes corresponding to other respective non-disjoint pixel-clusters that, in the image, are within a neighborhood of the first respective non-disjoint pixel-cluster, (b) setting weights of connections of the graph according to a user-indicated classification in categories respectively associated with the terminals, and (c) segmenting the image into the categories by cutting the graph based upon the weights.

Abstract: A set of tensor-product B-Spline (TPB) basis functions is determined. A set of selected TPB prediction parameters to be used with the set of TPB basis functions for generating predicted image data in mapped images from source image data in source images of a source color grade is generated. The set of selected TPB prediction parameters is generated by minimizing differences between the predicted image data in the mapped images and reference image data in reference images of a reference color grade. The reference images correspond to the source images and depict same visual content as depicted by the source images. The set of selected TPB prediction parameters is encoded in a video signal as a part of image metadata along with the source image data in the source images. The mapped images are caused to be reconstructed and rendered with a recipient device of the video signal.