Abstract: The invention is related to a method for compressing images. The proposed method comprises associating perceptual importance parameters with pixels of the image, applying a transform on the image, partitioning the transformed image into code blocks and encoding coefficient bits of a given code block together from a most significant bit plane towards a least significant bit plane, wherein encoding of at least one coefficient is truncated at a truncation bit plane depending on the perceptual importance parameter associated with the pixel to which said code block coefficient corresponds. Truncating encoding of coefficients in dependency on the perceptual importance of the pixel associated with the coefficient allows for truncating coefficients corresponding to perceptually less important pixels at more significant bit planes. So, the overall perceptual quality of the compressed image is enhanced.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having an inserting slot, and a bottom wall under the inserting slot. The bottom wall defines a supporting surface extending along a front-to-back direction, a horizontal guiding surface located in front of the supporting surface, and a plurality of depressions recessed from the supporting surface and arranged in one row along a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. A plurality of first contacts each has a planar first contact portion retained in the depression. A plurality of second contacts each has an arc-shaped second contact portion extending upwardly beyond the supporting surface and protruding into the inserting slot. The second contact portions are located behind the first contact portions.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having an inserting slot, and a bottom wall under the inserting slot. The bottom wall defines a supporting surface extending along a front-to-back direction, a horizontal guiding surface located in front of the supporting surface, and a plurality of depressions recessed from the supporting surface and arranged in one row along a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. A plurality of first contacts each has a planar first contact portion retained in the depression. A plurality of second contacts each has an arc-shaped second contact portion extending upwardly beyond the supporting surface and protruding into the inserting slot. The second contact portions are located behind the first contact portions.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for compressing images. The proposed method comprises associating perceptual importance parameters with pixels of the image, applying a transform on the image, partitioning the transformed image into code blocks and encoding coefficient bits of a given code block together from a most significant bit plane towards a least significant bit plane, wherein encoding of at least one coefficient is truncated at a truncation bit plane depending on the perceptual importance parameter associated with the pixel to which said code block coefficient corresponds. Truncating encoding of coefficients in dependency on the perceptual importance of the pixel associated with the coefficient allows for truncating coefficients corresponding to perceptually less important pixels at more significant bit planes. So, the overall perceptual quality of the compressed image is enhanced.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for predicting or otherwise determining a customer's likelihood of paying off a financial account. The financial account may have a maximum loan amount, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, or other term or condition associated with it. In some embodiments, the financial account may be secured or unsecured. The customer's likelihood of paying off the financial account may be predicted or otherwise determined by analyzing various parameters associated with the customer and/or the account. A score may be computed based on the parameters, which is indicative of the customer's likelihood of paying off the financial account. Once the score is computed, it may be used to select or otherwise determine one or more courses of actions (e.g., marketing activities) to take regarding the customer and/or the account.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for predicting or otherwise determining a customer's likelihood of reactivating or reusing a financial account, particularly when the account has a zero or near zero balance. The financial account may have a maximum loan amount, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, or other term or condition associated with it. In some embodiments, the financial account may be secured or unsecured. The customer's likelihood of reactivating the financial account may be predicted or otherwise determined by analyzing various parameters associated with the customer and/or the account. A score may be computed based on the parameters, which is indicative of the customer's likelihood of account reactivation. Once the score is computed, it may be used to select or otherwise determine one or more courses of actions (e.g., marketing activities) to take regarding the customer and/or the account.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for predicting or otherwise determining a customer's likelihood of reactivating or reusing a financial account, particularly when the account has a zero or near zero balance. The financial account may have a maximum loan amount, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, or other term or condition associated with it. In some embodiments, the financial account may be secured or unsecured. The customer's likelihood of reactivating the financial account may be predicted or otherwise determined by analyzing various parameters associated with the customer and/or the account. A score may be computed based on the parameters, which is indicative of the customer's likelihood of account reactivation. Once the score is computed, it may be used to select or otherwise determine one or more courses of actions (e.g., marketing activities) to take regarding the customer and/or the account.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for predicting or otherwise determining a customer's likelihood of paying off a financial account. The financial account may have a maximum loan amount, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, or other term or condition associated with it. In some embodiments, the financial account may be secured or unsecured. The customer's likelihood of paying off the financial account may be predicted or otherwise determined by analyzing various parameters associated with the customer and/or the account. A score may be computed based on the parameters, which is indicative of the customer's likelihood of paying off the financial account. Once the score is computed, it may be used to select or otherwise determine one or more courses of actions (e.g., marketing activities) to take regarding the customer and/or the account.