Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting properties of sample tubes in a laboratory environment include a drawer vision system that can be trained and calibrated. Images of a tube tray captured by at least one camera are analyzed to extract image patches that allow a processor to automatically determine if a tube slot is occupied, if the tube has a cap, and if the tube has a tube top cup. The processor can be trained using a random forest technique and a plurality of training image patches. Cameras can be calibrated using a three-dimensional calibration target that can be inserted into the drawer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically calibrating an RGB-D sensor and an imaging device using a transformation matrix includes using a medical image scanner to acquire a first dataset representative of an apparatus attached to a downward facing surface of a patient table, wherein corners of the apparatus are located at a plurality of corner locations. The plurality of corner locations are identified based on the first dataset and the RGB-D sensor is used to acquire a second dataset representative of a plurality of calibration markers displayed on an upward facing surface of the patient table at the corner locations. A plurality of calibration marker locations are identified based on the second dataset and the transformation matrix is generated by aligning the first dataset and the second dataset using the plurality of corner locations and the plurality of calibration marker locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for X-ray tube scanner automation using a 3D camera is disclosed. An RGBD image of a patient on a patient table is received from a 3D camera mounted on an X-ray tube. A transformation between a coordinate system of the 3D camera and a coordinate system of the patient table is calculated. A patient model is estimated from the RGBD image of the patient. The X-ray tube is automatically controlled to acquire an X-ray image of a region of interest of the patient based on the patient model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a see-through visualization of a patient includes receiving an image dataset representative of anatomical features of the patient acquired using a medical image scanner and acquiring a body surface model of the patient using an RGB-D sensor. The body surface model is aligned with the image dataset in a canonical/common coordinate system to yield an aligned body surface model. A relative pose of a mobile device is determined with respect to the RGB-D sensor and a pose dependent visualization of the patient is created by rendering the image dataset at a viewpoint corresponding to the relative pose of the mobile device. Then, the pose dependent visualization of the patient may be presented on the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically calibrating an RGB-D sensor and an imaging device using a transformation matrix includes using a medical image scanner to acquire a first dataset representative of an apparatus attached to a downward facing surface of a patient table, wherein corners of the apparatus are located at a plurality of corner locations. The plurality of corner locations are identified based on the first dataset and the RGB-D sensor is used to acquire a second dataset representative of a plurality of calibration markers displayed on an upward facing surface of the patient table at the corner locations. A plurality of calibration marker locations are identified based on the second dataset and the transformation matrix is generated by aligning the first dataset and the second dataset using the plurality of corner locations and the plurality of calibration marker locations.

Abstract: A double-port energy storage system includes a bi-directional power conversion circuit, a DC-AC inverter circuit, an electric energy storage facility, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a first AC port and a second AC port. The double-port energy storage system controllably provides various classifications of power supply quality by controllably switching on or off some of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch the fourth switch via the first AC port and the second AC port.

Abstract: Embodiments of a plasma apparatus are provided. The plasma apparatus includes a processing chamber and a wafer chuck disposed in the processing chamber. The plasma apparatus also includes a target element located over the wafer chuck and an electromagnet array located over the target element and having a number of electromagnets. Some of the electromagnets in a magnetic-field zone of the electromagnet array are enabled to generate a magnetic field adjacent to the target element. The magnetic-field zone is moved during a semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a 3D personalized mesh of a person from a depth camera image for medical imaging scan planning is disclosed. A depth camera image of a subject is converted to a 3D point cloud. A plurality of anatomical landmarks are detected in the 3D point cloud. A 3D avatar mesh is initialized by aligning a template mesh to the 3D point cloud based on the detected anatomical landmarks. A personalized 3D avatar mesh of the subject is generated by optimizing the 3D avatar mesh using a trained parametric deformable model (PDM). The optimization is subject to constraints that take into account clothing worn by the subject and the presence of a table on which the subject in lying.

Abstract: A method of encoding or decoding coding units of a video content in a palette coding mode using an adaptive palette predictor is provided. The method includes adaptively determining a maximum size of the adaptive palette predictor based on at least one of a complexity of the video content and coding quality of the video content; and encoding or decoding the coding units of the video content in the palette coding mode using the adaptive palette predictor while limiting the adaptive palette predictor that is derived from all palette(s) of previously encoded or decoded coding unit(s) of the video content within the maximum size determined in the adaptively determining step. An apparatus of encoding or decoding coding units of a video content in a palette coding mode using an adaptive palette predictor is also provided.

Abstract: A video encoding method includes receiving a source video frame, dividing the source video frame into a coding tree unit, determining a coding unit from the coding tree unit, determining a correlation between components of the coding unit, enabling or disabling a coding mode of the coding unit, determining whether to evaluate a size of a transform unit for an enabled coding mode, and determining a transform unit of the coding unit for the enabled coding mode, wherein the size of the coding unit is defined by a number (N) of samples.

Abstract: A video encoding method includes receiving a source video frame, dividing the source video frame into a coding tree unit, determining a coding unit from the coding tree unit, enabling or disabling a coding mode of the coding unit, determining, if the coding mode is enabled, whether to evaluate a size of a transform unit for the enabled coding mode, and determining a transform unit of the coding unit for the enabled coding mode, wherein the size of the coding unit is defined by a number (N) of samples.

Abstract: A method for estimating a body surface model of a patient includes: (a) segmenting, by a computer processor, three-dimensional sensor image data to isolate patient data from environmental data; (b) categorizing, by the computer processor, a body pose of the patient from the patient data using a first trained classifier; (c) parsing, by the computer processor, the patient data to an anatomical feature of the patient using a second trained classifier, wherein the parsing is based on a result of the categorizing; and (d) estimating, by the computer processor, the body surface model of the patient based on a result of the parsing. Systems for estimating a body surface model of a patient are described.

Abstract: A keyboard and a method of controlling the same are provided. The keyboard includes a base, a plurality of keys, a plurality of key chips and a controller. The base has a plurality of connecting portions. Each key is detachably connected to one of the connecting portions. Each key chip is correspondingly disposed on one of the keys and has a corresponding key code. The controller is disposed on the base. The controller outputs an inquiring code to each key chip, and each key chip determines whether the key code thereof corresponds to the inquiring code. The key chip which has the corresponded key code feedbacks a press state of the corresponding key to the controller.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for inter-picture cost computation are provided. The inter-picture cost computation apparatus includes an original difference calculation module, a before-compensation difference calculation module, an inter-picture cost computation module, and a compensation module. The original difference calculation module calculates original differences between first original pixels at the first frame time and second original pixels at the second frame time. The before-compensation difference calculation module calculates before-compensation differences between first compensated pixels at the first frame time and reconstructed pixels at the second frame time. The inter-picture cost calculation module calculates an inter-picture cost according to the sample adaptive offset (SAO) compensation value, the original differences, and the before-compensation differences.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an encoding method includes generating a histogram corresponding to all pixels in a coding unit. The encoding method further includes seeking a first color value according to the histogram, wherein a first number of pixels of the first color value in the histogram is greater than or equals to a first threshold. The encoding method further includes seeking a second color value in a first range of the first color value according to the histogram. The encoding method further includes removing one or more pixels of the first color value from the histogram when a second number of pixels of the second color value is greater than or equals to a second threshold. The encoding method further includes adding the first color value into an initial color table when the second number of pixels is less than the second threshold. An encoder is also provided in the disclosure.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise machine with a treading depth adjustment mechanism includes a frame, a swing unit, a pedal unit, a damping unit, a guiding unit and an adjusting unit. The swing unit includes a pair of swing arms swingable relative to the frame. The pedal unit includes a pair of stepping bars respectively pivotally connected to the swing arms. The damping unit is adapted for providing swing damping to the stepping bars and includes a rotating wheel mounted at the frame and a resistant member for providing a damping resistance to the rotating wheel. The guiding unit includes a pair of rocking rods swingable relative to the frame and adapted for supporting sliding movement of the stepping bars and a pair of connection rods for driving the rotating wheel to rotate. The adjusting unit is adapted for adjusting the treading depth of the rear end portions of the stepping bars.

Abstract: A robust metallization profile is formed by pre-treat an anti-reflective coating layer by plasma before forming a hard mask layer. Pre-treatment is helpful especially in small feature size process, for example, 50 nm and below. By changing constitution of a surface layer of the anti-reflective coating, interface of the anti-reflective coating layer and the hard mask layer is smoothed which results in less overhang and better gap-filling performance.

Abstract: A method for decoding, a method for encoding, a codec system, a decoder and an encoder are provided. The method includes receiving a first flag corresponding to a coding unit block, and receiving and reading a second flag corresponding to the coding unit block and index values of each pixel of the coding unit block when a state value of the first flag is conformed with a predetermined state value. The method also includes selecting N colors corresponding to N index pixels from a neighboring area of the coding unit block according to the second flag, wherein the second flag indicates an amount of the N colors corresponding to the N index pixels and colors of each of the N colors are different. The method further includes reconstructing pixels of the coding unit block according to the N colors corresponding to the N index pixels.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of color palette coding and an electronic device using the same method. The proposed method would include not limited to encoding, by using a processor, a bit stream to represent a color of a coding unit and storing the bit stream in a storage medium or transmitting the bit stream. The bit stream would include not limited to a binary bit representing a run flag, a N binary bit sequence representing up to 2N major colors in a coding unit with each of the possible values of the N binary bit sequence representing an unique major color index of N major color indices, and a M binary bit sequence representing up to 2M extended colors with each of the possible values of the M binary bit sequence representing an unique extended color index of M extended color indices.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable stride length includes a frame, a driving unit, an adjustment unit, and a coupling unit. The driving unit includes two pedals, a pair of handlebars and a pair of wheels. The handlebars and the wheels are correspondingly and respectively mounted to the frame. A crank is interposed between the wheels. Two pedal shafts are pivotally and respectively mounted between each wheel and each handlebar. The adjustment unit includes a stationery member mounted to the frame, a driving member mounted to the stationery member, and a linearly movable coupling member. The coupling unit includes two first shafts pivotally connected to the coupling member, two second shafts respectively and pivotally mounted between each handlebar and each first shaft. Two bars are pivotally and respectively engaged to each second shaft and the crank. Thereby, a stride length of the two pedals can be simultaneously adjusted.