Abstract: An apparatus and a concomitant method for detecting and recognizing text information in a captured imagery. The present method transforms the image of the text to a normalized coordinate system before performing OCR, thereby yielding more robust recognition performance. The present invention also combines OCR results from multiple frames, in a manner that takes the best recognition results from each frame and forms a single result that can be more accurate than the results from any of the individual frames.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for person identification. In one embodiment, a method for identifying an individual includes obtaining at least one image of the individual, where the image depicts at least a portion of the individual's hair, comparing the visual characteristics of the individual's hair to the visual characteristics of imaged hair in one or more stored images, and identifying the individual based on the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus and a concomitant method for detecting and recognizing text information in a captured imagery. The present method transforms the image of the text to a normalized coordinate system before performing OCR, thereby yielding more robust recognition performance. The present invention also combines OCR results from multiple frames, in a manner that takes the best recognition results from each frame and forms a single result that can be more accurate than the results from any of the individual frames.

Abstract: A sheath (2) constituting the fixed support of a lengthwise displaceable specatacle side-piece (1) is pierced by a plurality of round positioning holes (5) and a rectangular window (6) disposed in second position on the sheath, after the first positioning hole. The side-piece (1) bears, on the same face, a boss (7) having a rectangular head on a flexible end (9) of the side-piece, as well as another boss (8) having a round head on the rigid portion (10) of the side-piece. Application to spectacles with interchangeable side-pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to spectacles comprising two eyepieces (2, 3) joined by a bridge (4), each eyepiece comprising a first end by which it is connected to the said bridge, and a second end, remote from the first one, to which is fixed a side-piece (21, 22).According to the invention, each side-piece has on one end a clip (23, 24) comprising two wings placed opposite each other, between which extends the said second end of the eyepiece, one of the wings bearing elastic retaining means arranged to cooperate with corresponding means provided on the eyepiece (2, 3) in such a way as to ensure a given positioning of the clip in relation to the eyepiece.Application to the manufacture of novelty spectacles.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device including a propeller shaft, a lower unit rotatably supporting the propeller shaft and including a lower unit exhaust passageway, and a propeller adapted to be submerged in water and including an inner hub connected to the propeller shaft. The propeller also includes an outer hub connected to and spaced from the inner hub and defining a propeller exhaust passageway having an inlet in communication with the lower unit exhaust passageway, a plurality of blades extending from the outer hub rearwardly of the inlet, an opening for communicating the lower unit exhaust passageway with water outside of the outer hub, and a member located adjacent and rearward of the opening, and extending forwardly and radially outwardly with respect to the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A mask to be worn flush on the face, consists of a case delimited by a frame, and open on one side to the face. The frame includes a flange consisting of two rims extending in both directions of the plane of the frame and transverse to the frame. The frange is extended by a flexible cushion which extends towards the wearer's face, on both sides of the frame and which is curved inwardly, remote from the rim on which the cushion is cantilevered.

Abstract: A closed water/glycol solar heating system for preheating a fluid so as to reduce energy requirements in bringing said fluid up to a desired temperature and holding same, said system including a solar collector having a flexible dome.