Abstract: A Viterbi decoding system interprets bits in received QAM constellations as many-valued parameters rather than binary valued parameters. It performs the Viterbi algorithm using these many-valued parameters to provide results superior to hard decision decoding. Rather than applying a hard 0-1 function to the QAM data, the system uses a non-stepped linear or curved transfer function to assign values to the bits. This results in performance superior to pure hard decision decoding and approaches that of soft decision decoding; moreover, it is applicable in many situations where soft decision decoding cannot be used.

Abstract: A noise elimination method is characterized in that when transmitting signals in the same direction on at least two distributed constant lines, a resistance of a terminating resistor at a far-end is set so that voltages propagated to the far-end become equal between two kinds of propagation modes on coupled distributed constant lines. The two kinds of propagation modes are a common mode which propagates with respect to a ground plane and a differential mode which propagates between the coupled lines.

Abstract: A communication device is provided with a turbo encoder (1) which carries out a turbo encoding process on the lower two bits of transmission data so as to output two-bit information bits and two-bit redundant bits that are generated so as to uniform the correction capabilities with respect to the respective information bits; a turbo decoder (a first decoder (11), a second decoder (15), etc.) which carries out a soft-judgment on the lower two bits of a received signal that are susceptible to degradation in characteristics, and also carries out an error-correction process using Reed Solomon codes thereon so that the information bits of the lower two bits are estimated, and a third judging device (22) which carries out a hard-judging process on the other bits of the received signal so that the other upper bits are estimated.

Abstract: To use high noise transmission lines, such as an electric wire, as the lines to transmit signals, it is imperative to reduce the level of signals. The present invention is provided with a sending signal generating means 10, which outputs converted data after converting an input signal into a plurality of carrier signals assuming values at such intervals on the axis of frequency that the frequencies may not interfere with each other. If an interfering noise with any one of the plurality of frequencies arises on the transmission line, removal of only a carrier of the noise frequency would leave the communication in a good condition.

Abstract: For purposes of noise suppression, spectral subtraction filtering is performed in sample-wise fashion in the time domain using a time-domain representation of a spectral subtraction gain function computed in block-wise fashion in the frequency domain. By continuously performing time-domain filtering on a sample by sample basis, the disclosed methods and apparatus avoid block-processing delays associated with frequency-domain based spectral subtraction systems. Consequently, the disclosed methods and apparatus are particularly well suited for applications requiring very short processing delays. Moreover, since the spectral subtraction gain function is computed in a block-wise fashion in the frequency domain, high quality performance in terms of reduced tonal artifacts and low signal distortion is retained.

Abstract: A bandpass sampling system (10) of this invention employs a conventional mixer (14) driven by a frequency-tunable LO (16) to upconvert a signal frequency band to an IF frequency band that is above the signal frequency band. The IF frequency band is passed through an IF bandpass filter (18) to provide to subsequent digitization stages (20, 24) an IF bandpass range of signal frequency components. In this architecture, the IF bandpass filter acts as an anti-alias filter for the digitization stages. The LO frequency is selected to place the upconverted signal frequency band within the pass band of the IF bandpass filter. The resultant IF bandpass signal is sampled and digitized at a rate that is commensurate with the IF bandwidth, but typically much lower than the IF bandpass center frequency. Signal sampling is carried out by a sample-and-hold or a track-and-hold circuit (20), the output of which is applied to an ADC (24) that is clocked (22) at the same rate as the sampling circuit.

Abstract: A digital modulator and digital demodulator with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) schemes, which are designed to modulate or demodulate RZ-coded baseband signals. The digital modulator comprises first to fourth roll-off filters and a first and second inverters connected to the second and fourth roll-off filters. It also comprises a parallel-to-serial converter to successively selects the outputs of the first roll-off filter, third roll-off filter, first inverter, and second inverter. A D/A converter converts the selected digital signal stream into an analog signal. The roll-off filters and inverters operate at a predetermined clock frequency, while the parallel-to-serial converter and the D/A converter work at a frequency four times the predetermined clock frequency. The digital demodulator reverses the above modulation process to reproduce the baseband signals.

Abstract: A bandpass phase tracker automatically samples at prescribed carrier phases when digitizing a vestigial-sideband intermediate-frequency signal, which VSB I-F signal is modulated in accordance with a baseband symbol code of a prescribed symbol frequency. Heterodyning circuitry mixes oscillations from a local oscillator with the VSB I-F signal received from the I-F amplifier to generate an analog low-frequency heterodyne signal offset from zero frequency. The heterodyne signal is digitized in accordance with a first sampling clock signal to supply input signal for digital demodulation circuitry that demodulates the VSB I-F signal to supply real and imaginary components of a demodulated signal at baseband. The real component of the demodulated signal is supplied to an equalizer and symbol decoded; the imaginary component controls the frequency and phase of the local oscillator.

Abstract: In a direct conversion receiving apparatus, a first frequency converting section includes a first capacitor, and frequency-converts a high frequency reception signal into a first base band signal using a first local oscillation frequency signal. Then, the; first frequency converting section removes a DC component from the first base band signal using the first capacitor, and converts the first base band signal with the DC component removed into a first digital signal. A second frequency converting section includes a second capacitor, and frequency-converts the high frequency reception signal into a second base band signal using a second local oscillation frequency signal which is different from the first local oscillation frequency signal by 90 degrees in phase. Then, the second frequency converting section removes a DC component from the second base band signal, using the second capacitor, and converts the second base band signal with the DC component removed into a second digital signal.

Abstract: A digital communication transmitter (30) implements a phase constellation (40) which defines a digital communication signal stream that is subsequently compressed (50), thereby introducing distortion into a communication signal (56) transmitted to a complementary receiver (30). The receiver (30) includes a magnitude adjuster (80) which increases the magnitude component of selected phase estimates to at least partially compensate for the compression distortion. The receiver also includes a branch metrics generator (90) having a segment (138) in which branch metric transfer function peaks and valleys are not positioned in receiver phase space to coincide with ideal phase points. The branch metric transfer functions are generated in accordance with a process (102) which bases branch metric calculations upon empirically determined probabilities that characterize system-induced distortions.

Abstract: An address generator for generating addresses in an prescribed order in the case of writing/reading data to/from predetermined storage means, comprises a first address data generating means for generating a plurality of first address data which have predetermined address intervals, a second address data generating means for generating a plurality of second address data representing sequentially shifted positions of the first address data one row by one row within address intervals, and an addition means for generating addresses which have predetermined intervals in order by adding the second address data to the first address data.

Abstract: A flow diverter is provided for attachment to a spacer cell above a part-length fuel rod. The flow diverter includes a tubular base having a plurality of laterally projecting tabs extending in an upstream direction for diverting flow from between the spacer cells into the volume above the spacer void of a fuel rod. A vortex generator is secured to or forms an integral part with the flow diverter for swirling the flow onto and into the interstices of laterally adjacent fuel rods. The flow diverter and vortex generator are formed of tubular stock. The vanes of the vortex generator are formed by providing slits along the tubular stock and twisting alternating edges of the stock inwardly to form the vanes.

Abstract: An X-ray three-dimensional imaging method in which the step of irradiating an object of imaging with X-rays from an X-ray tube so as to obtain a radioactivity density as an X-ray original image is performed with at least positions of X-ray irradiation changed, thus obtaining X-ray original images at respective X-ray irradiation positions; and the step of performing irradiation from an X-ray irradiation position in a specified position with respect to a certain observation point in the object is performed, so that an X-ray transmissivity obtained by dividing planar density of radioactivity of X-rays passing through an observation point by planar density of radioactivity if it is assumed that no object of imaging is present is obtained from pixels determined from positions of the irradiation position and observation point within the X-ray original image that corresponds to the irradiation position.

Abstract: A method for reducing imaging artifacts in at least one image representative of an object with a scanning imaging system is provided. The imaging system has a multislice detector array and a radiation source configured to emit a radiation beam through the object and towards the multislice detector array. The multislice detector array has a plurality of detector elements arranged in a plurality of detector rows. The method includes scanning the object with the scanning imaging system to acquire a plurality of projection data acquired from a plurality of detector rows including two end rows and a plurality of interior detector rows. The method also includes defining a first plane of reconstruction (POR) for a particular detector row, and defining a second plane of reconstruction (POR) for the particular detector row.

Abstract: A method for statistically reconstructing an X-ray computed tomography image produced by a single X-ray CT scan having a polyenergetic source spectrum and an image reconstructor which utilize a convergent statistical algorithm which explicitly accounts for the polyenergetic source spectrum are provided. First and second related statistical iterative methods for CT reconstruction based on a Poisson statistical model are described. Both methods are accelerated by the use of ordered subsets, which replace sums over the angular index of a sinogram with a series of sums over angular subsets of the sinogram. The first method is generalized to model the more realistic case of polyenergetic computed tomography (CT). The second method eliminates beam hardening artifacts seen when filtered back projection (FBP) is used without post-processing correction. The methods are superior to FBP reconstruction in terms of noise reduction.

Abstract: A metrology system and method for measuring the thickness of thin-films of semiconductor wafer. This system and method analyze x-ray reflectivity data to determine transmission characteristics of thin-film layers. Based on these transmission characteristics the thickness of the thin-layer can be determined. Unlike some prior systems and methods, the system and method herein does not determine the thickness of the thin-film layer based on a fringe pattern in reflectivity for the thin-film layer. The fact that the system and method herein does not rely the fringe pattern is particularly advantageous in situations where the thin-film layer is of thickness which makes it very difficult to resolve the fringe pattern in the reflectivity data.

Abstract: A system and method for radiographic inspection of an aircraft fuselage includes a radiation source located on one side of the fuselage and a plurality of radiation detectors located on another side of the fuselage. The system includes manipulators for moving the radiation source and the radiation detectors in a coordinated fashion. Radiation detected by the radiation detectors is processed to display stereoscopic images of areas of interest of the fuselage. The radiation source and detector positions are manipulated to obtain multiple sets of images from different viewing angles. The multiple sets of images are used to produce the stereoscopic images.

Abstract: Method and device for rapid characterization of arrays of crystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous materials; in particular for the formation and X-ray diffraction analysis of polymorph libraries and the discovery of new crystal forms. According to one aspect, a multi-well plate comprising a masking plate with an array of openings and a removable base plate is used to crystallize precipitates. X-ray diffraction analysis is performed by scanning an X-ray beam over the base plate and recording diffractograms of the crystalline precipitates.

Abstract: An electronic video camera apparatus is provided for focusing light rays from object plane proximate image intensifier of a medical x-ray imaging system onto an image plane proximate a light sensor. The electronic video camera includes a lens system located between the object and image planes to focus light rays from the object plane onto the image plane. The light rays at the object plane are representative of a patient image. An optical filter is located between the object and image planes and partially blocks light rays passing there through. The optical filter includes at least first and second filter regions having different opacity. The first and second filter regions are alignable with the lens system at different times to block differing first and second amounts of light rays, respectively, associated with differing first and second x-ray amounts transmitted at different times.

Abstract: In a method for modulating a radiation dose from an x-ray tube, and in an x-ray tube-containing apparatus, the x-ray tube has at least one variable operating parameter which, when varied, modulates the radiation dose, with a modulation speed, for x-rays produced by the x-ray tube, and the x-ray tube is operated while varying this parameter through a parameter range to generate modulation speed data, representing modulation speeds of the x-ray tube respectively for different values of the operating parameter. When an examination subject is to be irradiated with an x-ray dose from the x-ray tube, an exposure effect associated with the exposure of the subject to the radiation dose is identified, this exposure effect being dependent on modulation of the radiation dose.

Abstract: An X-ray beam position monitor has a first plate assembly (1, 3) for detecting the position of the X-ray beam in a horizontal plane and a second plate assembly (6, 8) for detecting the position of the X-ray beam in a vertical plane. The first plate assembly (1, 3) and the second plate assembly (6, 8) are located at the same position along the direction of propagation of the X-ray beam, to provide a compact arrangement suitable for use with X-ray diffractors and for laboratory use.

Abstract: X-ray-generation devices are disclosed that generate X-rays in a stable manner over extended periods of time. An exemplary device includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode coaxially arranged, and an insulating member. A nozzle connected to a reservoir of fluid target material directs a flow of fluid target material to the anode electrode. Meanwhile, a pulsed high voltage is applied between the anode electrode and cathode electrode in coordination with the supply of target material. The pulses are timed such that, whenever a unit of target material reaches a tip of the anode electrode, a plasma sheath generated at the surface of the insulating member also reaches the tip of the anode electrode. Hence, the target material is supplied automatically as required to produce X-rays continuously over an extended time period. Intense X-ray fluxes can be produced in a stable manner by monitoring the rate at which target material is supplied to the plasma, relative to the timing of discharge pulses.

Abstract: In order to control a collimator so that an X-ray impingement position on an X-ray detector is kept constant, an error of the impingement position of a fan-shaped beam (400) in the direction of side-by-side arrangement of a plurality of detector element rows in a detector element array (24) is detected (101), and the collimator is controlled (103) based on the detected error so that the impingement position of the fan-shaped beam is kept at a constant position.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to speech recognition systems as applied to voice and electronic message mailing. More particularly the invention is a system and method for converting speech to a text message suitable for sending as an e-mail message and for viewing on a text display device. After an audio message from a caller is received, a text message file is generated and sent to the intended recipient's e-mail address, which has been stored prior to the receipt of the audio message. If the caller is identified, a caller-specific voice file may be used to facilitate speech recognition for generation of the text message file. Also, if the caller specifies a subject for the message, a specialized vocabulary file may be used to facilitate the generation of the text message file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the use of a pre-paid card linked to a stored value card account (e.g., a debit type card associated with an available, remaining money value, etc.). The system and method include and involve a data storage system for storing data related to a pre-paid card and a stored value card account. The stored value card account is maintained and managed by a stored value card processing system. The stored value card processing system stores a money value applicable to purchases and telephone calls. The system and method also include and involve a pre-paid telephone calling card processing system that is coupled to the data storage system and is configured to receive a request to initiate a telephone call in relation to the prepaid telephone calling card and to instruct the stored value card processing system to adjust the money value in relation to the telephone call.

Abstract: A method for changing service data includes setting up service data in at least one of subscriber register nodes of a telecommunications network, the service data containing subscription-related data concerning subscribers of the network and the service data to be altered by at least one message of a functional protocol. The at least one message of a functional protocol is sent to the at least one of the subscriber register nodes. A terminal of the network generates a handler message based on a specific command input by a user on the terminal. The handler message is independent of the functional protocol and has identification information concerning a subscriber of the network and change information regarding a nature and scope of a change of the service data of the subscriber. The terminal sends the handler message to a service control point of the network.

Abstract: A communication device connecting a computer to a data-network correctly recognizes a telecommunication company call-waiting signal, and notifies a user regarding the attempted call. The user is allowed to handle the call-waiting event by performing a sequence of predefined alternative actions in a flexible manner that correspond to the known options supplied by the telecommunication company in respect to the call-waiting event.

Abstract: A system for providing bulk calling over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) comprising: an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony gateway for receiving at least one PSTN line; a database connected to the gateway for providing telephone customer information; one or more client information processing units, each unit capable of being linked to at least one IP telephone; and local area network connecting each of the client information processing units with the gateway. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method and computer readable storage medium that corresponds to the above system.

Abstract: The invention is a novel method of processing incoming and outgoing call requests by a switching unit such as a KSU, PBX or PC server. Each established circuit and each call request is associated with a priority. For an outgoing call request, if an available external bandwidth channel of the appropriate type is found, then a circuit is established at once. However, if there is no available external bandwidth channel of the appropriate type, then the priority of the outgoing call request is checked against the priority of the established circuits. If a lower-priority circuit is found, then that circuit is torn down and a new circuit is established between the internal bandwidth channel carrying the outgoing call request and the external bandwidth channel formerly occupying the established circuit that was torn down. In the case of an incoming call request, a destination terminal device and associated internal bandwidth channels will be specified and availability thereof is verified.

Abstract: A thin ISUP layer (100) for internetworking an SS7 gateway and distributed ISUPs (90) residing on separate processors suitable for use in an SS7 network (50). The thin-ISUP layer (100) defines an operations/management module that controls circuit signaling functions between an SS7 gateway and the distributed ISUPs (90). A set of ISUP messaging functions are provided to control the sequencing of messages for distribution among the processors. Connection supervision is provided to maintain the connections between the processors. The thin ISUP layer (100) can be implemented between the MPT layer (84, 86, 88) and an ISUP layer (90) of distributed processors in the network (50).

Abstract: A noise dosimeter for an appliance including a speaker to broadcast signals includes a filter receiving signals to be broadcast and having a transfer function generally modeling the frequency response of the appliance to provide output approximating noise appearing at the speaker. Signal processing circuitry processes the filter output before it is accumulated by an accumulator. The value of the accumulator represents a user's exposure to noise when using the appliance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (1) for coupling a communication device (3) having at least one unidirectional transmission channel (4) and at least one unidirectional receive channel (5) to a bidirectional communication device having at least one differential amplifier (Q1, Q2). For optimizing the properties of the coupling by such a circuit arrangement (1) with the simplest possible means, there is proposed to couple the control inputs (C, D) of the differential amplifier (Q1, Q2) to the outputs of a transmission channel (4), its outputs (A, B) to the bidirectional communication device and the negative feedback path of the differential amplifier (Q1, Q2) to an input (E) of a receive channel (5). Its negative feedback path includes a matching impedance (R4, R5, C2) for adjusting a DC voltage/DC current characteristic (6) for the circuit arrangement (1) when connected to the bidirectional communication device.

Abstract: An echo canceller circuit for use in an echo canceller system is set forth that provides sensitive non-linear echo path response detection. The echo canceller circuit comprises a first digital filter having non-adaptive tap coefficients to simulate an echo response occurring during a call. A second digital filter having adaptive tap coefficients to simulate an echo response occurring during the call is also used. The adaptive tap coefficients of the second digital filter are updated over the duration of the call. A coefficient transfer controller is disposed in the echo canceller circuit to transfer the adaptive tap coefficients of the second digital filter to replace the tap coefficients of the first digital filter when a set of one or more transfer conditions is met. A non-linear echo path response detector is provided. The non-linear echo path detector is responsive to one or more parameters of the first and second digital filters to detect a non-linear echo path condition.

Abstract: A hybrid echo suppresser and associated methods of use provide echo suppression in a bi-directional communications system, while minimizing desired-voice signal disruption. The hybrid echo suppresser includes a linear echo canceller (LEC), a non-linear processor (NLP), and a control circuit. The LEC operates on an echo-causing signal to produce an estimated-echo signal, which is subtracted from an input echo-containing signal, thereby producing an echo-cancelled signal. The NLP operates on this echo-cancelled signal to eliminate residual echo arising from system non-linearities. The control circuit repeatedly compares the echo-containing signal and the estimated-echo signal to determine if the echo-containing signal includes a desired-voice component. If not, the control circuit operates the NLP in an echo-voice mode having substantial signal attenuation.

Abstract: A telephone line interface circuit is disclosed that functions with use of PTC resistors so that temperature increases within the battery feed resistors is minimized. Utilizing current and voltage feedback loops within the line interface circuit, the PTC resistors are implemented without significantly reducing the performance of the overall circuit that would normally be caused by the PTC resistors' inherent impedance inaccuracies. In normal operation, the feedback loops adjust the current and voltage on the telephone line to the desired level without regard for the impedance values of the PTC resistors. In the case that a high voltage is applied to a telephone line, the significant increase in current flow into the line interface circuit causes the battery feed resistors to heat up, and therefore the PTC resistors, that are physically local to the feed resistors, to heat up and significantly increase in impedance.

Abstract: An ear mike phone as a hand-free device is disclosed, in which switches and the like for supplying a power to the mike and the speaker are efficient, and therefore, the driver's driving attention can be prevented from being dissipated. The ear mike phone includes a main body part connected to a mike and a speaker, and connected to a cable to be connected to a hand phone. A switch is installed on an adjustment board of the main body part, for activating the mike and the speaker. A switch control part is provided, with its one side contacting to the switch, and with its another side projecting from a side of the main body part. Upon activation of the switch, the main body part is more firmly settled into the ear, and therefore, the ear mike phone is operated in a sure manner.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an encryption processor and a signing processor is provided. The encryption processor takes a data message and provides an encryption using an encryption process. The signing processor takes the encryption and adds a signature to the encryption using a signing process. The encryption processor can employ EIGamal encryption. The encryption processor may use a function of the encryption to perform the signing process. The signing processor may perform a Schnorr signature process for the signing process. The signing processor uses part of the encryption process to perform the signing process, such as a random number used during the encryption process.

Abstract: A stereophonic sound image enhancement apparatus comprises a first filter for changing a phase of a left channel input signal in response to a frequency of the left channel input signal; a second filter for changing a phase of a right channel input signal in response to a frequency of the right channel input signal; a first calculating means for calculating a difference between the left channel input signal and the phase-changed signal derived from the second filter to thereby output the difference signal as a left channel output signal; and a second calculating means for calculating a difference between the right channel input signal and the phase-changed signal derived from the first filter to thereby output.the difference signal as a right channel output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implements a novel surround sound panning paradigm. Rather than controlling the x-y position of a perceived sound source within a linear grid, the perceived sound is characterized by specifying perceived arrival energy as a function of direction of arrival. In one embodiment, perceived sound source azimuth and width (or spatial extent) are specified, which parameters are used in a novel panning law to control each output channel. In a preferred implementation, the panning control is provided in a Plug-In application for a conventional DAW environment such as Pro Tools, which application includes an interface that provides precise control over the direction and spatial extent of audio.

Abstract: A microphone apparatus or assembly includes three or more microphone elements supported on a horizontal plane or planes, which microphones are physically arranged and electrically combined such that the resulting composite stereo signals, left total and right total, produce a surround image and are compatible with current standard surround decoders.

Abstract: A method for enhancing air to ground target detection, acquisition and terminal guidance which includes providing a reference image of a target scene, detecting contrast boundaries, tracing edges along the edge pixels, storing in computer memory endpoints of fitted straight line segments, providing a video image of the target scene, identifying contrast boundaries, scaling and transforming the template, correlating it with the edges of the video image, and converting the target designation in the reference image to the sensor image. A multispectral gradient based image correlation system including a template containing information as to edges, a video image of a target processed by a gradient operator, means for correlating the template and the image edge-to-edge, a means for transferring the target from the template to the image, that provides an enhanced video image with the target within it.

Abstract: A method for estimating the optical flow between a plurality of images is provided. The method includes obtaining a motion orientation component and a motion magnitude component. Determining the motion orientation component includes creating, a first graph using spatio-temporal derivatives of the plurality of images, solving for a first maximum-flow in the first graph to thereby obtain a first minimum-cut therefrom, and computing the motion orientation component from the first minimum-cut. Determining the motion magnitude component includes creating a second graph using spatio-temporal derivatives of the plurality of images and the motion orientation component, solving for a second maximum-flow in the second graph to thereby obtain a second minimum-cut therefrom, and computing the motion magnitude component from the second minimum-cut. The motion orientation component and the motion magnitude component together comprise the estimate of the optical flow between the plurality of images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biometric recognition of an individual living organism uses electric and/or magnetic or acoustic energy. A biometric recognition system measures at least one bio-electrical and/or biomagnetic property to recognize of an individual living organism's identity. In one embodiment, an individual's hand is tested to provide a ratio of internal electric and/or magnetic properties of the fingers. This provides a biometric signature that is placed in memory for later comparison with a measured ratio of a presented hand to validate the individual's identity. The method and apparatus can be used to enable operation of a computer, or provide secure communication between an individual at a first location and a second location.

Abstract: A computer controlled apparatus for detecting breast tumors by mechanically palpating a breast in a full scan manner to detect small lumps or anomalies. The patient is positioned on a fully adjustable bed and oriented relative to the apparatus. A detection head mounted for movement in three dimensions is positioned above the bed. A palpation finger is brought into pressure contact with a sequence of small areas across the entire breast, palpating each area to measure tissue density. Concurrent with the palpation scan, a scan of breast color and temperature is conducted. A locator head positions the detector for the scan in a manner that assures repeatability during each of a series of periodic examinations. This system detects very small lumps and allows easy, accurate monitoring of suspicious areas over an extended time period. Several different embodiments of the detection head and location head are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: A technique of synthesizing a panoramic environment map containing intensity and range information of a scene, which includes estimation of orthographic range from a plurality of pairs of stereo images, transformation of orthographic range estimates to perspective or directional range estimates, transformation of planar intensity and range images to cylindrical images, registration of overlapping cylindrical images, and blending of intensity and range information.

Abstract: A method of compensating for dot gain in printing with stochastic screens comprises obtaining continuous tone CMYK files and screening the files at a resolution that is lower than the resolution of an output device that will be used to print the files. The lower resolution stochasticly screened files are then expanded to the resolution of the output device, thereby effectively increasing the size of the dots by creating a number of subdots for each dot in the lower resolution stochasticly screened files. Subdots within the expanded stochasticly screened files can then be selectively removed to compensate for dot gain. In addition, overlapping dots in the screened CMYK files are removed and additional stochasticly screened files are created that print a dot of a color of the previously overlapping dots and at the location of the previously overlapping dots to prevent colors from running together when printing on certain media.

Abstract: In a color digital imaging apparatus, a light source selector is provided for a user to select a proper illumination condition. When down loading the captured image in a computer system, a color correction function is performed at the computer system.

Abstract: An image enhancing apparatus is provided and includes a histogram equalizer and a compensating circuit. The histogram equalizer equalizes an input image, which is expressed by a predetermined number of gray levels, and outputs a corresponding equalized output image. The compensating circuit determines an input mean value corresponding to the input image and an output mean value corresponding to the output image and calculates a mean difference based on the input and output mean values. Then, the compensating circuit adjusts the equalized output image based on the mean difference to prevent a reduction in the mean brightness of the equalized output image. As a result, a reduction in the mean brightness of a light screen can be avoided and any deterioration of the output signal caused by the histogram equalization can be prevented to provide a stable image display. In-addition, a method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting clusters of a set of data items by using a histogram. This method includes receiving item data including coordinates of a metric space; dividing the metric space into a plurality of bins; associating a distance from at least a particular coordinate to each of the item data; inserting each of the item data into a bin within the distance of the item data so as to generate a histogram and, using the histogram to obtain one or more clusters.