Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, generating an illumination image from the image; and factoring the illumination image to generate a diffuse illumination image and a harsh shadow illumination image.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, assembling a feature vector for the image file, the feature vector containing information regarding a likelihood that a selected pair of regions of the image file are of a same intrinsic characteristic, providing a classifier derived from a computer learning technique, computing a classification score for the selected pair of regions of the image file, as a function of the feature vector and the classifier and classifying the regions as being of the same intrinsic characteristic, as a function of the classification score.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, forming a set of selectively varied representations of the image file and performing an image segregation operation on at least one preselected representation of the image of the image file, to generate intrinsic images corresponding to the image. According to a feature of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the selectively varied representations comprise multi-resolution representations such as a scale-spaced pyramid of representations. In a further feature of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the intrinsic images comprise a material image and an illumination image.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image, organizing spatio-spectral information for the image in a matrix equation expressed by: [A][x]=[b], wherein [A] expresses values determined by a constraining relationship imposed upon the spatio-spectral information, [b] expresses recorded information for the image, and [x] expresses an unknown material/illumination component of the image, and utilizing the matrix equation in an image segregation operation.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image, identifying a constraint defined by spatio-spectral aspects of the image, providing an optimization function augmented by an L1, L? function, and utilizing the augmented optimization function to perform an optimization operation as a function of the constraint to generate an intrinsic image corresponding to the image.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of generating spatio-spectral information for the image, defining a constraint as a function of the spatio-spectral information, and performing an optimization operation as a function of the constraint to generate an intrinsic image corresponding to the image.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a test bed for optimizing an image segregation is provided. According to a feature of the present invention, the test bed comprises a memory storing an image file containing an image, a set of operations, a set of constraint software modules and a set of parameters relevant to the image, a transform module for performing a preselected one of the set of operations, defined by a preselected one of the set of constraint software modules, on the image, as a function of preselected ones of the set of parameters, to provide an output image, a test module utilizing the transform module output image, an analysis module for analyzing test module performance, and a feedback loop for varying selected ones of the operations, constraint software modules and parameters, for input to the transform module, to provide a new output image for input to the test module.

Abstract: A mobile radio receiver system for a vehicle providing recent segment replay function is disclosed. The wireless receiver is adapted to be contained within the vehicle. A digital delay line is coupled to receive the output of the wireless receiver. A delay selection switch is coupled to the digital delay line to route the output of the wireless receiver with a selected temporal delay in response to actuation by a person riding in the vehicle. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the recent transmitted segment ends at the time that the delay selection switch is actuated. A control device is associated with the wireless receiver for receiving control selections from the person riding in the vehicle. An amplifier is coupled to receive the routed output of the wireless receiver. An audio transducer this adapted to receive the output of the amplifier and provide an audible signal to the person riding in the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile radio receiver system for a vehicle providing recent segment replay function is disclosed. The wireless receiver is adapted to be contained within the vehicle. A digital delay line is coupled to receive the output of the wireless receiver. A delay selection switch is coupled to the digital delay line to route the output of the wireless receiver with a selected temporal delay in response to actuation by a person riding in the vehicle. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the recent transmitted segment ends at the time that the delay selection switch is actuated. A control device is associated with the wireless receiver for receiving control selections from the person riding in the vehicle. An amplifier is coupled to receive the routed output of the wireless receiver. An audio transducer this adapted to receive the output of the amplifier and provide an audible signal to the person riding in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vasocasostomy stent of the present invention comprises an elongate tube including a wall defining an inner lumen and a plurality of apertures extending along a substantial length of the tube. A method of anastomosis for a vas deferens comprises inserting an apertured stent into free ends of a severed vas, slidingly advancing the free ends of the severed vas toward each other over the stent until the free ends are in abutment, and securing the free ends of the severed vas together over the stent.