Abstract: An amplifier circuit and a method of signal amplification are provided. The amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier and a charge pump. The first amplifier includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The first terminal is coupled to a first external voltage. The second terminal is coupled to a negative voltage. The third terminal is coupled to a ground reference voltage. The charge pump is coupled to the first amplifier for providing the negative voltage transformed from a second external voltage.

Abstract: Computer software for and a method of determining location of a target image within a two-dimensional input image by employing a three-dimensional reference image comprising determining object edge points in the input image; given estimated seeker line-of-sight orientation and range data, computing a two-dimensional reference image from the three-dimensional reference image; applying a weighted-direction-cross-product Hough Transform to the object edge points and points of the two-dimensional reference image; classifying the input image as containing a target image or not; if the image contains a target image, identifying a location of the target image within the two-dimensional input image; computing confidence measure as to the selected location of the target image; and in the case of sequential decision, also performing confidence accumulation through multi-frames or multi-looks.

Abstract: An FFT correlation tracker that is capable of effectively tracking targets against non-uniform backgrounds in realtime, includes a background correction implemented using a FFT with the 2-dimension sinc function. The tracker tracks an object by effectively computing the first and third terms of the mean-square-error function C(s,t) defined as C ? ( s , t ) = 1 N ? ? N ? f 2 ? ( x , y ) + 1 N ? ? N ? g 2 ? ( x - s , y - t ) - 2 · 1 N ? ? N ? [ f ? ( x , y ) · g ? ( x - s , y - t ) ] This is done by first transforming the first and third terms into the frequency domain, where the first term, the background correction term, can be computed much more efficiently in real-time by using the 2-dimension sinc function. Multiplications and additions necessary to carry out the computations in the frequency domain are then performed.

Abstract: An FFT correlation tracker that is capable of effectively tracking targets against non-uniform backgrounds in realtime, includes a background correction implemented using a FFT with the 2-dimension sinc function. The tracker tracks an object by effectively computing the first and third terms of the mean-square-error function C(s,t) defined as C ? ( s , t ) = 1 N ? ? N ? f 2 ? ( x , y ) + 1 N ? ? N ? g 2 ? ( x - s , y - t ) - 2 · 1 N ? ? N ? [ f ? ( x , y ) · g ? ( x - s , y - t ) ] This is done by first transforming the first and third terms into the frequency domain, where the first term, the background correction term, can be computed much more efficiently in real-time by using the 2-dimension sinc function. Multiplications and additions necessary to carry out the computations in the frequency domain are then performed.

Abstract: A multi-stage infrared (IR) image-based tracking system is provided that accurately identifies and tracks targets across a variety of different situations and environmental conditions. The system includes primary and secondary trackers. The secondary tracker supports the primary tracker by identifying and tracking targets when the primary tracker loses or fails to identify one or more targets, and helps the primary tracker reacquire valid targets. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the primary tracker is a correlation-based tracker, and the secondary tracker is a feature-based tracker. A prescreener is also included, which operates concurrently with the correlation-based and feature-based trackers to generate a list of possible targets. The list can be used to provide a confidence level for the probable targets identified by each of the primary and secondary trackers.

Abstract: Computer software for and a method of determining location of a target image within a two-dimensional input image by employing a three-dimensional reference image comprising determining object edge points in the input image; given estimated seeker line-of-sight orientation and range data, computing a two-dimensional reference image from the three-dimensional reference image; applying a weighted-direction-cross-product Hough Transform to the object edge points and points of the two-dimensional reference image; classifying the input image as containing a target image or not; if the image contains a target image, identifying a location of the target image within the two-dimensional input image; computing confidence measure as to the selected location of the target image; and in the case of sequential decision, also performing confidence accumulation through multi-frames or multi-looks.

Abstract: An FFT correlation tracker that is capable of effectively tracking targets against non-uniform backgrounds in realtime, includes a background correction implemented using a FFT with the 2-dimension sinc function. The tracker tracks an object by effectively computing the first and third terms of the mean-square-error function C(s,t) defined as C ? ( s , t ) = 1 N ? ? N ? ? f 2 ? ( x , y ) + 1 N ? ? N ? ? g 2 ? ( x - s , y - t ) - 2 · 1 N ? ? N ? ? [ f ? ( x , y ) · g ? ( x - s , y - t ) ] This is done by first transforming the first and third terms into the frequency domain, where the first term, the background correction term, can be computed much more efficiently in real-time by using the 2-dimension sinc function. Multiplications and additions necessary to carry out the computations in the frequency domain are then performed.

Abstract: An FFT correlation tracker that is capable of effectively tracking targets against non-uniform backgrounds in realtime, includes a background correction implemented using a FFT with the 2-dimension sinc function. The tracker tracks an object by effectively computing the first and third terms of the mean-square-error function C(s,t) defined as C ? ( s , t ) = ? 1 N ? ? N ? f 2 ? ( x , y ) + 1 N ? ? N ? g 2 ? ( x - s , y - t ) - ? 2 · 1 N ? ? N ? [ f ? ( x , y ) · g ? ( x - s , y - t ) ] This is done by first transforming the first and third terms into the frequency domain, where the first term, the background correction term, can be computed much more efficiently in real-time by using the 2-dimension sinc function. Multiplications and additions necessary to carry out the computations in the frequency domain are then performed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a composite matrix containing chitosan derivatives, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an anionic chitosan derivative solution (A); (b) providing a cationic polysaccharide solution (B); and (c) mixing solution (A) and solution (B) to form microcapsules. Metallic ion cross-linking agent and/or natural protein solution can be added optionally to adjust the mechanical strength of the shell and the interior physic state of the microcapsules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable thermal-sensitive gel system, which comprises at least one polysaccharide solution, at least one electrolytic salt, and at least one buffer solution for adjusting pH. A natural protein as well as a cross-linking agent can be added to the gel system optionally. Said gel system is liquid at room temperature (25° C.) and solidifies at or above 37° C.

Abstract: A biodegradable composite matrix for enhancing angiogenesis. The matrix includes a biodegradable material and a phospholipid distributed in the biodegradable material as a liposome or micelle. Derivatives of phospholipid have chemo-attraction properties and thus induce the transfer of endothelial cells into the system through tropism-inductive mechanism. The biodegradable composite matrix induces an intracellular signal cascade that is different from cascade induced by a growth factor, and can coordinate with the growth factor-induced cascade to enhance angiogenesis. The present invention also includes the method for producing the biodegradable composite matrix.

Abstract: In an optical rotation angle polarimeter for investigating optical activity of a test object, a two-frequency laser source generates a laser beam with two eigen modes of two different temporal frequencies and two orthogonal linear polarized waves. The laser beam is to be passed through the test object. The polarized beam splitter is adapted to receive and split the laser beam, which exits the test object, into first and second orthogonal optical heterodyne interference X-axis and Y-axis components. Each of first and second photo detectors receives a respective one of the first and second orthogonal optical heterodyne interference X-axis and Y-axis components from the polarized beam splitter, and generates a corresponding optical heterodyne interference signal. A signal processor is connected to the first and second photo detectors, and combines the optical heterodyne interference signals therefrom so as to obtain an optical heterodyne interference output.

Abstract: A fast digital logic circuit for comparing two binary numbers and outputting the greater of the two is disclosed.