Abstract: A method of detecting one or more faults in a semiconductor device that includes generating a first test pattern set from a primary node list and a fault list. The primary node list includes one or more nodes and the fault list identifies one or more faults. The method also includes generating one or more secondary node lists from the primary node list and generating a second test pattern set from at least the first test pattern set and the secondary node list. Each node of the one or more nodes of the primary node list is associated with a corresponding secondary node list of the one or more secondary node lists.

Abstract: A multi channel and wide-angle observation system includes at least two lens modules, at least two polarization units, at least two polarization control units, at least two transmittance control units and a spectroscope to form a multiple structure, which utilizes the light polarization characteristics to control the light propagation, to control switching different channel to form an optical image in accordance with the timing control unit, and then to synthesize the images by an image processing unit. Since each channel of the system has different visual angles for capturing images, a wide-angle image can be got via the image synthesis and a light transmittance adjustment cab be processed via the transmission rate control module, so as to adjust the light intensity from different incident directions to balance the vision lightness of the wide-angle image.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching audio amplification. In an embodiment, an apparatus for switching audio amplification includes an output circuit. The output circuit is coupled to a plurality of different voltage potentials and a first voltage potential, and outputs an output signal to drive a load, wherein each of the different voltage potentials is greater than the first voltage potential. In an exemplary embodiment, a control circuit controls the output circuit to generate the output signal based on one of the different voltage potentials and first voltage potential selectively so as to enable the output signal to switch between any two adjacent corresponding voltage levels of the different voltage potentials and the first voltage potential.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for fetching optical images. Images from multiple channels are obtained. A device is used to automatically switch the images. The switching is based on time-sharing multiplexing (TSM). Thus, the images are formed on another device. The images are then integrated and displayed to be used in an optical vehicle safety assistant system.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for fetching optical images. Images from multiple channels are obtained. A device is used to automatically switch the images. The switching is based on time-sharing multiplexing (TSM). Thus, the images are formed on another device. The images are then integrated and displayed to be used in an optical vehicle safety assistant system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching audio amplification. In an embodiment, an apparatus for switching audio amplification includes an output circuit. The output circuit is coupled to a plurality of different voltage potentials and a first voltage potential, and outputs an output signal to drive a load, wherein each of the different voltage potentials is greater than the first voltage potential. In an exemplary embodiment, a control circuit controls the output circuit to generate the output signal based on one of the different voltage potentials and first voltage potential selectively so as to enable the output signal to switch between any two adjacent corresponding voltage levels of the different voltage potentials and the first voltage potential.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable mode-locked fiber laser system is provided and includes an optical cavity. The optical cavity outputs an output laser pulse having an adjustable principal wavelength, and includes a short-wavelength-pass filter, a polarization controller, an optical gain fiber and a fiber. The short-wavelength-pass filter produces an intracavity laser pulse. The fiber has a length, and connects the short-wavelength-pass filter, the polarization controller and the optical gain fiber in series. The optical cavity has an anomalous dispersion range and a net group-velocity dispersion being within the anomalous dispersion range due to the length of the fiber. The optical cavity causes the intracavity laser pulse to propagate therein for providing the output laser pulse, providing a first laser pulse, a second laser pulse and a third laser pulse to the short-wavelength-pass filter, the polarization controller and the optical gain fiber respectively, and adjusting the intracavity laser pulse.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable mode-locked fiber laser system is provided and includes an optical cavity. The optical cavity outputs an output laser pulse having an adjustable principal wavelength, and includes a short-wavelength-pass filter, a polarization controller, an optical gain fiber and a fiber. The short-wavelength-pass filter produces an intracavity laser pulse. The fiber has a length, and connects the short-wavelength-pass filter, the polarization controller and the optical gain fiber in series. The optical cavity has an anomalous dispersion range and a net group-velocity dispersion being within the anomalous dispersion range due to the length of the fiber. The optical cavity causes the intracavity laser pulse to propagate therein for providing the output laser pulse, providing a first laser pulse, a second laser pulse and a third laser pulse to the short-wavelength-pass filter, the polarization controller and the optical gain fiber respectively, and adjusting the intracavity laser pulse.

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.