Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for authenticating a user. The method includes registering a plurality of user accounts for a plurality of users based at least partially on user information and account data for each user of the plurality of users, the account data for each user including an account identifier associated with a portable payment device, generating an identity score for each user, registering a plurality of provider accounts for a plurality of third-party service providers based at least partially on third-party service provider data, receiving a request to authenticate a user of the plurality of users, receiving user credentials corresponding to a user account of the user, validating the user credentials based at least partially on the identity score of the user, and communicating an authentication response message to the third-party system in response to validating the user credentials.

Abstract: A process for catalytic cracking of an iron-contaminated fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) feedstock. The process may include combining a FCC catalyst, a slurry containing a magnesium compound, and an iron-contaminated FCC feedstock during a FCC process under fluid catalytic cracking conditions, thereby generating an equilibrium FCC catalyst with reduced iron poisoning. The slurry containing the magnesium compound may not contain a calcium compound.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for detection and utilization of similarities among tables in multiple data systems that include a first data system and a second data system. A semantic dataset is generated. A first measure (X) of similarity between semantic data in columns of the first and second data systems is computed using the semantic dataset. A first, different measure (Y) of similarity between semantic data in columns of the first and second data systems is computed using the semantic dataset. A third measure (Z) similarity between columns of the first and second data systems is computed based on data in cells within the columns. A weighted combination (U) of X, Y, and Z between the columns of tables in the first and second data systems is computed. X, Y, Z, U or combinations thereof are used to improve a computer system.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for detection and utilization of similarities among tables in multiple data systems that include a first data system and a second data system. A semantic dataset is generated. A first measure (X) of similarity between semantic data in columns of the first and second data systems is computed using the semantic dataset. A first, different measure (Y) of similarity between semantic data in columns of the first and second data systems is computed using the semantic dataset. A third measure (Z) similarity between columns of the first and second data systems is computed based on data in cells within the columns. A weighted combination (U) of X, Y, and Z between the columns of tables in the first and second data systems is computed. X, Y, Z, U or combinations thereof are used to improve a computer system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an image comprising a plurality of pixels, determining, for a particular pixel of the plurality of pixels, a gradient value, classifying, based on the gradient value, the particular pixel into a flat class or one of a plurality of edge classes, and denoising the particular pixel based on the classification.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed, describing an adaptive, subject-aware approach for image bracket selection and fusion, e.g., to generate high quality images in a wide variety of capturing conditions, including low light conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, comprising images captured using differing default exposure values, e.g., according to a predetermined pattern. When a capture request is received, it may be detected whether one or more human or animal subjects are present in the incoming image stream. If a subject is detected, an exposure time of one or more images selected from the incoming image stream may be reduced relative to its default exposure time. Prior to the fusion operation, one of the selected images may be designated a reference image for the fusion operation based, at least in part, on a sharpness score and/or a blink score of the image.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed describing an adaptive approach for image bracket selection and fusion, e.g., to generate low noise and high dynamic range (HDR) images in a wide variety of capturing conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, wherein the incoming image stream comprises a variety of differently-exposed captures, e.g., EV0 images, EV? images, EV+ images, long exposure (or synthetic long exposure) images, EV0/EV? image pairs, etc., which are received according to a particular pattern. When a capture request is received, a set of rules and/or a decision tree may be used to evaluate one or more capture conditions associated with the images from the incoming image stream and determine which two or more images to select for a fusion operation. A noise reduction process may optionally be performed on the selected images before (or after) the registration and fusion operations.

Abstract: An improved process and catalyst composition for cracking hydrocarbons in a fluidized cracking process are disclosed. The process employs circulating inventory of a regenerated cracking having a minimal carbon content. The regenerated catalyst comprises a catalyst/additive composition which contains a pentasil zeolite, iron oxide, and a phosphorous compound. In accordance with the present disclosure, the catalyst/additive contains controlled amounts of iron oxide which is maintained in an oxidized state by maintaining low amounts of carbon on the regenerated catalyst inventory. In this manner it was discovered that the catalyst composition greatly enhances the production and selectivity of light hydrocarbons, such as propylene.

Abstract: A process for preparing a peptized alumina having increased solids and acid contents and a decreased water content. The process comprising mixing a boehmite or pseudoboehmite alumina and acid with a high intensity, high energy mixer at a ratio of 0.16 to 0.65 moles acid/moles alumina for a time period sufficient to form a substantially free-flowing solid particulate having a solids content of 45 to 65 wt %. When used in catalyst manufacture, peptized alumina produced by the process provides an increased rate in catalyst production and decreased costs due to high solids concentration and the presence of less water to be evaporated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method includes determining, for a particular pixel of the plurality of pixels, a feature value. The method includes selecting, based on the feature value, a set of selected pixels from a set of candidate pixels in an image region surrounding the particular pixel. The method includes denoising the particular pixel based on the set of selected pixels.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media describing an adaptive approach to reference image selection are disclosed herein, e.g., to generate fused images with reduced motion distortion. More particularly, an incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, which image stream may comprise a variety of different image captures, e.g., including “image frame pairs” (IFPs) that are captured consecutively, wherein the images in a given IFP are captured with differing exposure settings. When a capture request is received at the image capture device, the image capture device may select two or more images from the incoming image stream for fusion, e.g., including at least one IFP. In some embodiments, one of the images from the at least one IFP will be designated as the reference image for a fusion operation, e.g., based on a robust motion detection analysis process performed on the images of the at least one IFP.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed describing an adaptive approach for image bracket selection and fusion, e.g., to generate low noise and high dynamic range (HDR) images in a wide variety of capturing conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, wherein the incoming image stream comprises a variety of differently-exposed captures, e.g., EV0 images, EV? images, EV+ images, long exposure (or synthetic long exposure) images, EV0/EV? image pairs, etc., which are received according to a particular pattern. When a capture request is received, a set of rules and/or a decision tree may be used to evaluate one or more capture conditions associated with the images from the incoming image stream and determine which two or more images to select for a fusion operation. A noise reduction process may optionally be performed on the selected images before (or after) the registration and fusion operations.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media describing an adaptive approach for image selection, fusion, and noise reduction, e.g., to generate low noise and high dynamic range (HDR) images with improved motion freezing in a variety of capturing conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, wherein the image stream comprises a variety of differently-exposed captures, e.g., EV0 images, EV? images, EV+ images. When a capture request is received, a set of rules may be used to evaluate one or more capture conditions associated with the images from the incoming image stream and determine which two or more images to select for a fusion operation. The fusion operation may be designed to adaptively fuse the selected images, e.g., in a fashion that is determined to be optimal from a noise variance minimization standpoint. A fusion-adaptive noise reduction process may further be performed on the resultant fused image.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to biasing an image noise filter to reduce edge and texture blurring of image data. Pixel values used to determine photometric coefficients for a bilateral filter are modified by offset values. The offset value for a pixel value is determined by applying a high pass filter to the pixel (referred to as the center pixel) and neighboring pixels of the center pixel. By adding the offset value to the center pixel value, the pixel value difference between the neighboring pixels and the center pixel becomes smaller for pixels on the same side of an edge as the center pixel. Thus, pixels on the same side of the edge get more weight in the bilateral noise filter. Conversely, pixels on the opposite side of the edge as the center pixel get less weight in the bilateral filter. As a result, the biased bilateral filter reduces blurring of edges and increases preservation of texture in the image data.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed describing an adaptive approach for image bracket selection and fusion, e.g., to generate low noise and high dynamic range (HDR) images in a wide variety of capturing conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, wherein the incoming image stream comprises a variety of differently-exposed captures, e.g., EV0 images, EV? images, EV+ images, long exposure (or synthetic long exposure) images, EV0/EV? image pairs, etc., which are received according to a particular pattern. When a capture request is received, a set of rules and/or a decision tree may be used to evaluate one or more capture conditions associated with the images from the incoming image stream and determine which two or more images to select for a fusion operation. A noise reduction process may optionally be performed on the selected images before (or after) the registration and fusion operations.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to biasing an image noise filter to reduce edge and texture blurring of image data. Pixel values used to determine photometric coefficients for a bilateral filter are modified by offset values. The offset value for a pixel value is determined by applying a high pass filter to the pixel (referred to as the center pixel) and neighboring pixels of the center pixel. By adding the offset value to the center pixel value, the pixel value difference between the neighboring pixels and the center pixel becomes smaller for pixels on the same side of an edge as the center pixel. Thus, pixels on the same side of the edge get more weight in the bilateral noise filter. Conversely, pixels on the opposite side of the edge as the center pixel get less weight in the bilateral filter. As a result, the biased bilateral filter reduces blurring of edges and increases preservation of texture in the image data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network stores an archive image to a storage location of the device. The archive image comprises a plurality of compressed files. For one or more of the files, the device copies a segment of a particular file in the archive image to a segment copy in the storage location of the device and deletes the segment of particular file from the archive image. The device repeats the copying and deleting steps until the particular file has been fully deleted from the archive image. The device reconstitutes the particular file by merging the segment copy with one or more other segment copies associated with the particular file.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed describing an adaptive approach for image bracket selection and fusion, e.g., to generate low noise and high dynamic range (HDR) images in a wide variety of capturing conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, wherein the incoming image stream comprises a variety of differently-exposed captures, e.g., EV0 images, EV? images, EV+ images, long exposure (or synthetic long exposure) images, EV0/EV? image pairs, etc., which are received according to a particular pattern. When a capture request is received, a set of rules and/or a decision tree may be used to evaluate one or more capture conditions associated with the images from the incoming image stream and determine which two or more images to select for a fusion operation. A noise reduction process may optionally be performed on the selected images before (or after) the registration and fusion operations.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses; and a sensor array having a plurality of photoelectric elements that are arranged into a plurality of macro pixels. Each macro pixel includes a first photoelectric element, a second photoelectric element, a third photoelectric element, and a fourth photoelectric element that receive incident light via a first microlens, a second microlens, a third microlens, and a fourth lens in the plurality of microlenses. The first microlens, the second microlens, the third microlens, and the fourth microlens in each macro pixel have a first initial offset, a second initial offset, a third initial offset, and a fourth initial offset, respectively. The first microlens and the second microlens in each of the plurality of macro pixels further have a first additional offset and a second additional offset, respectively.

Abstract: A process for preparing a peptized alumina having increased solids and acid contents and a decreased water content. The process comprising mixing a boehmite or pseudoboehmite alumina and acid with a high intensity, high energy mixer at a ratio of 0.16 to 0.65 moles acid/moles alumina for a time period sufficient to form a substantially free-flowing solid particulate having a solids content of 45 to 65 wt %. When used in catalyst manufacture, peptized alumina produced by the process provides an increased rate in catalyst production and decreased costs due to high solids concentration and the presence of less water to be evaporated.