Abstract: The present invention discloses an encoding apparatus using a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) scanning, which includes a mode selection means for selecting an optimal mode for intra prediction; an intra prediction means for performing intra prediction onto video inputted based on the mode selected in the mode selection means; a DCT and quantization means for performing DCT and quantization onto residual coefficients of a block outputted from the intra prediction means; and an entropy encoding means for performing entropy encoding onto DCT coefficients acquired from the DCT and quantization by using a scanning mode decided based on pixel similarity of the residual coefficients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image encoding and decoding technique, and more particularly, to an image encoder and decoder using unidirectional prediction. The image encoder includes a dividing unit to divide a macro block into a plurality of sub-blocks, a unidirectional application determining unit to determine whether an identical prediction mode is applied to each of the plurality of sub-blocks, and a prediction mode determining unit to determine a prediction mode with respect to each of the plurality of sub-blocks based on a determined result of the unidirectional application determining unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for encoding and decoding an image by skip encoding. The image-encoding method by skip encoding, which performs intra-prediction, comprises: performing a filtering operation on the signal which is reconstructed prior to an encoding object signal in an encoding object image; using the filtered reconstructed signal to generate a prediction signal for the encoding object signal; setting the generated prediction signal as a reconstruction signal for the encoding object signal; and not encoding the residual signal which can be generated on the basis of the difference between the encoding object signal and the prediction signal, thereby performing skip encoding on the encoding object signal.

Abstract: A lumbar retractor according to an embodiment comprises: a first fixing part for fixing the user's lumbar regions; a second fixing part for fixing the user's pelvic regions; and a connection part disposed between the first fixing part and the second fixing part to connect the first fixing part and the second fixing part, wherein the distance between the first fixing part and the second fixing part can be adjusted by changing the length of the connection part, and the first fixing part can press each of a plurality of segments of the user's lumbar regions individually.

Abstract: An electrical connector and system for connecting to a terminal post. The electrical connector includes a housing body, a contact and a locking release member. The housing body includes a post receiving passage for receiving the terminal post therein. The contact is provided in the post receiving passage and is positioned about the circumference of the post receiving passage. The contact will make an electrical engagement with a terminal post inserted into the post receiving passage regardless of the orientation of the terminal post with respect to the contact. The electrical connector which prevents the improper mating of the connector to the post, prevents unwanted rotation of the connector, provides a visual indication that the proper connection is secured and provides a secondary lock to ensure that unwanted unmating of the connector does not occur.

Abstract: An electrical connector and system for connecting to a terminal post. The electrical connector includes a housing body, a contact and a locking release member. The housing body includes a post receiving passage for receiving the terminal post therein. The contact is provided in the post receiving passage and is positioned about the circumference of the post receiving passage. The contact will make an electrical engagement with a terminal post inserted into the post receiving passage regardless of the orientation of the terminal post with respect to the contact. The electrical connector which prevents the improper mating of the connector to the post, prevents unwanted rotation of the connector, provides a visual indication that the proper connection is secured and provides a secondary lock to ensure that unwanted unmating of the connector does not occur.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression of a particular type of NAC transcription factor, an AP2-2 polypeptide, or an APETELA2-70-like (AP2-70-like) polypeptide in plants. The particular type of NAC transcription factor is one having an amino acid sequence, which when used in the construction of a NAC phylogenetic tree, tends to cluster with the group of NACs comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, 51, 53, 55, 57 or 59 rather than with any other NAC group. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a NAC transcription factor, AP2-2 polypeptide, or AP2-70-like polypeptide, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants. The invention also provides hitherto unknown NAC, AP2-2 and AP2-70-like-encoding nucleic acids, and constructs comprising the same, useful in performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A contact element for providing high current capabilities between an electrical contact and a mating contact. The contact element includes multiple first resilient contact arms and multiple second resilient contact arms. The first contact arms and the second contact arms have first contact sections and second contact sections. The first contact sections electrically engage the mating contact when the mating contact is fully inserted into the electrical contact. The second contact sections electrically engage a portion of the electrical contact when the mating contact is fully inserted into the electrical contact. The first contact sections and the second contact sections provide redundant contact sections which allow for the passage of a high amperage current with low resistance and low temperature.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a receptacle, and an electrically conductive insert held by the housing within the receptacle. The electrically conductive insert includes a plurality of module openings. The electrically conductive insert includes electrically conductive segments that extend between adjacent module openings. A plurality of signal modules are held by the electrically conductive insert. Each signal module has two differential pairs of electrical contacts. The signal modules are held by the electrically conductive insert such that the electrical contacts of each signal module extend within a corresponding module opening. The electrically conducive segments of the electrically conductive insert extend between adjacent signal modules to electrically isolate the electrical contacts of the adjacent signal modules from each other.

Abstract: A powered rail system is provided for a weapon that includes a barrel. The powered rail system includes a base having a longitudinal opening. The base is configured to be mounted to the weapon such that the barrel is received within the longitudinal opening and the base extends around at least a segment of a length of the barrel. A rail extends from the base. An electrical component is mounted to the rail. An electrical power source is held by the base. The electrical power source is electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to a terminal post. The electrical connector includes a housing body, a contact and a locking release member. The housing body includes a post receiving passage for receiving the terminal post therein. The contact is provided in the post receiving passage and is positioned about the circumference of the post receiving passage. The contact will make an electrical engagement with a terminal post inserted into the post receiving passage regardless of the orientation of the terminal post with respect to the contact. The locking release member is moveably mounted to the housing body and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The locking release member cooperates with a locking spring member. The locking spring member has a locking section which cooperates with a recess of the terminal post when the locking release member is in the first position.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to a terminal post. A contact is provided in electrical engagement with the terminal post regardless of the orientation of the contact with respect to the terminal post. A locking slide is moveably mounted to the housing body. A first reference member is provided on a first end of the body of the connector, the first reference member is provided proximate a first sidewall of the body of the connector. A second reference member is provided on the first end of the body of the connector, the second reference member is provided proximate a second sidewall of the body of the connector. When the locking slide is in the prelocked position, the first reference member is visible and when the locking slide is in the locked position, the second reference member is visible.

Abstract: A communication connector system is provided for a weapon. The system includes an upper connector configured to be mounted directly to an exterior side surface of an upper receiver of the weapon. The upper connector is configured to be communicatively connected to electronics associated with the upper receiver. The upper connector has a mating interface. The system includes a lower connector configured to be communicatively connected to electronics in a base of the weapon. The lower connector is configured to be mounted directly to an exterior side surface of a lower receiver of the weapon. The lower connector has a mating interface that is mated with the mating interface of the upper connector when the upper receiver is in a closed position. The mating interfaces are physically separable from one another such that the upper receiver is configured to be moved to an open position from the closed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to a terminal post. A contact is provided in electrical engagement with the terminal post regardless of the orientation of the contact with respect to the terminal post. A locking slide is moveably mounted to the housing body. A first reference member is provided on a first end of the body of the connector, the first reference member is provided proximate a first sidewall of the body of the connector. A second reference member is provided on the first end of the body of the connector, the second reference member is provided proximate a second sidewall of the body of the connector. When the locking slide is in the prelocked position, the first reference member is visible and when the locking slide is in the locked position, the second reference member is visible.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to a terminal post. The electrical connector includes a housing body, a contact and a locking release member. The housing body includes a post receiving passage for receiving the terminal post therein. The contact is provided in the post receiving passage and is positioned about the circumference of the post receiving passage. The contact will make an electrical engagement with a terminal post inserted into the post receiving passage regardless of the orientation of the terminal post with respect to the contact. The locking release member is moveably mounted to the housing body and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The locking release member cooperates with a locking spring member. The locking spring member has a locking section which cooperates with a recess of the terminal post when the locking release member is in the first position.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a receptacle, and an electrically conductive insert held by the housing within the receptacle. The electrically conductive insert includes a plurality of module openings. The electrically conductive insert includes electrically conductive segments that extend between adjacent module openings. A plurality of signal modules are held by the electrically conductive insert. Each signal module has two differential pairs of electrical contacts. The signal modules are held by the electrically conductive insert such that the electrical contacts of each signal module extend within a corresponding module opening. The electrically conducive segments of the electrically conductive insert extend between adjacent signal modules to electrically isolate the electrical contacts of the adjacent signal modules from each other.

Abstract: A powered rail system is provided for a weapon that includes a barrel. The powered rail system includes a base having a longitudinal opening. The base is configured to be mounted to the weapon such that the barrel is received within the longitudinal opening and the base extends around at least a segment of a length of the barrel. A rail extends from the base. An electrical component is mounted to the rail. An electrical power source is held by the base. The electrical power source is electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating a cable. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact configured to be terminated to an end of a wire of the cable, and a housing having a dielectric member and an electrically conductive material extending on the dielectric member. The electrical contact is held by the housing. The housing extends from a mating end to a cable end. The housing is configured to mate with a mating connector at the mating end. The cable end includes a shield fitting that is configured to hold an end of a shield of the cable such that the electrically conductive material of the housing is engaged with, and electrically connected to, the shield.

Abstract: A plug assembly includes a circular plug shell having a cavity configured to receive a modular plug connector therein. The circular plug shell is configured to be threadably coupled to a corresponding circular jack shell. An insert is loaded into the cavity or the circular plug shell. The insert includes an adapter having a one or two piece body having a circular geometry. The body has a connector chamber configured to hold the modular plug connector therein.

Abstract: A high-reliability contact includes a termination portion configured to receive a wire. A mating portion is formed integrally with the termination portion. The mating portion has edges. The mating portion is stamped and formed so that the edges are rolled together to form a mating barrel having a longitudinal axis. The mating barrel is configured to receive a corresponding contact. At least one contact finger is formed in the mating barrel. The at least contact finger extends into the mating barrel toward the longitudinal axis to facilitate contacting the corresponding contact. A contact hood is formed at a distal end of the mating portion to facilitate protecting the at least one contact finger when the mating portion is coupled to the corresponding contact.