Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems where one or more projectors are utilized to project a video, a still image, or combinations thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of calibrating and operating such systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an image display system is provided. According to the method, one or more image sensors acquire respective overlapping portions I1, I2 of a projected image. Screen position coordinates for image fiducials in the first and second portions I1, I2 of the projected image are identified and used to establish first and second sets of distance metrics D1, D2 for the first and second portions of the projected image. A global point set is constructed from the first and second sets of distance metrics D1, D2. Global points within a region where the first and second portions I1, I2 of the projected image overlap are derived from only one of the first and second sets of distance metrics D1, D2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems where one or more projectors are utilized to project a video, a still image, or combinations thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of calibrating and operating such systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of calibrating an image display system is provided. The system comprises one or more projectors oriented to project an image on a projection screen and one or more image sensors oriented to acquire an image projected on the projection screen. According to the method, the projector is operated to project a calibration image comprising one or more image fiducials on the image projection screen. The image sensor acquires the projected calibration image including the image fiducials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-projector image rendering systems and methods for their operation. According to the present invention, a plurality of image projectors are coupled to an image processor and the system utilizes specialized image processing methodology to render an output image that is composed of pixels collectively rendered from the plural image projectors. As a result, the resolution of the rendered video can exceed the video resolution that would be available from a single projector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems where multiple projectors are utilized to create respective complementary portions of a projected image. More particularly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of calibrating a multi-projector image display system is provided. According to the method, non-parametric calibration data for the display system is recovered and used to generate a non-parametric model of the display system. Local parametric models relating to the display surface of the projection screen are generated using canonical surface data representing the image projection screen. The local parametric models are compared with data points defined by the non-parametric calibration data to identify one or more local errors in the non-parametric calibration data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to using methyl acetate from a vinyl acetate-based or a vinyl-or ethylene-alcohol based polymer or copolymer process directly for use in a methanol carbonylation production process to produce acetic acid, acetic anhydride, or a coproduction of each. Methyl acetate is a by-product of commercial polyvinyl-alcohol or alkene vinyl alcohol copolymer-based processes. Generally, this material is processed to recover methanol and acetic acid. Discussed herein is a cost-saving scheme to by-pass the methyl acetate processing at production or plant facilities and utilize the methyl acetate in an integrated methanol carbonylation unit. The scheme discussed eliminates an expensive hydrolysis step often associated with the polymer process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems where multiple projectors are utilized to create respective complementary portions of a projected image. The present invention also relates to methods of calibrating and operating individual image projectors. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an attenuation map is generated for the projectors and pixel intensity values are established for the projectors by applying one or more intensity transfer functions to the attenuation maps. The intensity transfer functions are configured to at least partially account for the non-linear response of the output intensity of the projectors, as a function of an input intensity control signal applied to the projectors. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to using methyl acetate from a vinyl acetate-based or a vinyl-or ethylene-alcohol based polymer or copolymer process directly for use in a methanol carbonylation production process to produce acetic acid, acetic anhydride, or a coproduction of each. Methyl acetate is a by-product of commercial polyvinyl-alcohol or alkene vinyl alcohol copolymer-based processes. Generally, this material is processed to recover methanol and acetic acid. Discussed herein is a cost-saving scheme to by-pass the methyl acetate processing at production or plant facilities and utilize the methyl acetate in an integrated methanol carbonylation unit. The scheme discussed eliminates an expensive hydrolysis step often associated with the polymer process.

Abstract: An optical communications system comprising: an optical input and an output, a source of input signals in an asymmetric format and having a duty cycle, a modulator for modulating the input signals, to produce an asymmetric signal, the modulator comprising a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; drive means for driving the modulator at a predetermined modulator drive voltage; bias means for applying a bias voltage to the modulator; adjustment means for adjusting a first variable chosen from one of the bias voltage, gain voltage, or duty cycle in response to the relationship existing between changes in the amplitude of the asymmetric signal and changes in the first variable, characterised in that the system further comprising varying means for varying a second variable, different to the first variable and chosen from one of the bias voltage, gain voltage or duty cycle in response to adjustments made to the first variable; and a monitor for recording the average optical output power.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for optimising the pulse shape of optical signals output from an optical transmitter. The optical transmitter includes an optical modulator controlled by a bias voltage and a signal drive level, wherein the bias voltage and signal drive level are controlled automatically in a systematic way in dependence on one another to adapt the pulse shape of an optical output signal for optimal transmission over a transmission line.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for obtaining an enhanced estimate of bit error rate performance. A receiver module counts a predetermined number of bit errors and concurrently measures the time taken for the predetermined number of bit errors to occur. In this way an estimate of the bit error rate (BER) is obtained which has the same statistical weight regardless of the numerical value of the BER. The estimate of BER can subsequently be used to optimise the parameters of the system such that the true value of BER is at a minimum.

Abstract: When a door is open, at a hinge side of the space between the door and door frame a gap appears and this presents an opening into which a young child's hand or fingers can very easily be inserted. The invention provides a cover for this space which can help to reduce risk of injury if the door should be closed accidentally when a child's hand is present. A door safety device comprises a cover for the gap at the hinge side of a door (2) and door frame (4) combination, the cover comprising a strip of a rigid material which is flexible about its major axis, the strip having attachment means at its long edges so that one edge may be secured to the door (2) and the other edge to the door frame (4) of the combination, and the cover including fastener means (13) adjacent to one of its long sides such that the cover may be secured to a second similar cover in order to increase the effective width of the safety device.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes an arm, a spring case, and a helical spring having inwardly projecting first and second end portions. Another belt tensioner includes a spring, an arm, a spring case, and a pivot bushing surrounding the spring. An additional belt tensioner includes an idler pulley having a bearing with a mounting hole and includes an arm having a post. The post is positioned in the mounting hole, and an annular rim of the post is deformed radially outward and over the bearing. A method for manufacturing an arm and a spring case of a belt-tensioner includes obtaining a belt-tensioner-arm casting mold including a first section and a second section and obtaining a belt-tensioner-spring-case casting mold including a first segment and a second segment.

Abstract: A first belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, and arm plate. The arm is adapted to support an idler pulley and has a hook portion. The spring case is disposed in the arm and has a first spring seat. The spring is disposed in the spring case. The arm plate has a second spring seat. The spring is longitudinally compressed between the arm plate and the spring case. The spring is in torsion with the end portions of the spring seated against a corresponding spring seat and with the arm plate rotationally positioned under the hook portion. A method for assembling the first belt tensioner includes using the arm plate to longitudinally compress the spring and rotating the arm plate. A second belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, arm plate, and pivot bushing.

Abstract: A belt tensioner is provided for mounting on a mounting surface of a structure. The tensioner comprises a body, which defines a cavity, and a drain hole that is in communication with the cavity. The drain hole is located on the body so as to be facing the mounting surface of the structure when the tensioner is mounted on the structure. In this manner it is more difficult for contaminants to enter the body than to exit the body.

Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting data over a channel in the form of a digital signal comprising bits of data, the system comprising an encoder for encoding the data prior to transmission, the encoder producing coding in the form of an overhead, and a decoder for decoding the data after transmission, characterised in that a first portion only of the data is encoded, the second portion remaining uncoded, the system further comprising a partitioner for partitioning the overhead from the uncoded data portion of the signal, after the first portion data has been encoded.

Abstract: In a computer system, methods and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking motion of a subject in an activity captured by camera. The camera supplies pluralities of discrete images of the subject to a computing system environment. An event window, displayed on a monitor, has at least two cells for receiving a user input pertaining to an action of the subject in the activity. In a first of the two cells, the user indicates a specific image number corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete images and an estimate of a fractional percent thereof. In the second cell, the user indicates another specific image number and estimate of a fractional percentage thereof. Software calculates a delta between the specific image numbers and their corresponding estimated fractions. Scroll and position bars provide user-aid for navigating between discrete images. Example subjects include horses in a horse race activity while an action includes a horse stride length.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing transmission system, the system comprising: a plurality of channels at different wavelengths, each channel comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more amplifiers, the system further comprising an encoder for encoding data with a coding, and; a decoder for decoding transmitted data; prioritising means for prioritising the data on each channel; monitoring means for monitoring directly or indirectly, raw (uncorrected) bit errors on each channel; power adjusting means for, varying the power on a channel in response to tho bit error rate.

Abstract: In a computer system, methods and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking motion of a subject in an activity captured by camera. The camera supplies pluralities of discrete images of the subject to a computing system environment. An event window, displayed on a monitor, has at least two cells for receiving a user input pertaining to an action of the subject in the activity. In a first of the two cells, the user indicates a specific image number corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete images and an estimate of a fractional percent thereof. In the second cell, the user indicates another specific image number and estimate of a fractional percentage thereof. Software calculates a delta between the specific image numbers and their corresponding estimated fractions. Scroll and position bars provide user-aid for navigating between discrete images. Example subjects include horses in a horse race activity while an action includes a horse stride length.

Abstract: A palette-based graphical user interface for a computer-implemented system. The palettes can be customized in a number of different ways to make them more user-friendly.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture of the invention provide for collapsing a dialog window of an application. A complete dialog window of a currently active application is displayed on a display device. A location of a cursor with respect to the dialog window is determined. A collapsed version of the dialog window is displayed when the cursor moves outside of the complete dialog window, wherein the collapsed version of the dialog window consumes a smaller area of the display device than the complete dialog window. A complete version of the dialog window is displayed when the cursor moves within the collapsed version of the dialog window.