Abstract: The present invention includes a processor configured to receive at least one operating parameter from an operating parameter input and, based on the operating parameter, configure at least one filter to filter a signal.

Abstract: An audio distributor includes a rotor disc rotatably supported by a stationary base. The rotor disc includes a shaft extending within the stationary housing and supporting at least one light emitting diode. Each light emitting diode supported on the shaft is positioned to operably interact with a plurality of photo resistors. Each photo resistor is connected between an input port and an output port for controlling the transfer of the audio signal from the input port to one of a plurality of output ports based on the level of light sensed by the corresponding plurality of photo resistors connected to the circuit for operably receiving the light emitted from the diode supported by the shaft.

Abstract: An entertainment system mounted on a vehicle comprises a plurality of audio sources. The entertainment system further comprises a head unit provided in the front seat area and a rear controller provided in the rear seat area. The head unit includes a control switch for switching between front control and rear control. The front control selects a front audio source to be played in the front seat area and controls the selected front audio source. The rear control selects a rear audio source to be played in the rear seat area and controls the selected rear audio source. Thus, a front user can operate the rear audio source. The head unit further includes an enabling switch for switching between an enabled state in which operation of the rear controller is enabled and a disabled state in which operation of the rear controller is disabled. Thus, audio operation by a rear user can be restricted.

Abstract: A method for detecting voice activity comprises receiving audio signals on a plurality of channels and processing the audio signals on the channels to improve the signal-to-noise ratio thereof. The processed audio signals on each channel are then fed to associated voice activity detection algorithms and further processed. A voice or silence determination is then rendered based on at least the output of the voice activity detection algorithms. A voice activity detector is also provided.

Abstract: An input signal is applied to a notch filter having a transfer function that is the inverse of the expected noise signal. The filtered signal is coupled to a first amplifier and the input signal is coupled to a second amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers are summed. The gains of the amplifiers are oppositely adjusted in response to the magnitude of the input signal. At low amplitude, the filtered signal is amplified more than the unfiltered signal. At high amplitude, the unfiltered signal is amplified more than the filtered signal.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling gain in a signal chain are presented. A first signal is processed to produce a processed signal. A gain is adjustably applied to the processed signal using an automatic gain control (AGC) mechanism. A resulting signal is produced. The gain is adjusted based on the first signal. As such, even when a desired signal is not substantially present in the first signal, gain is not excessively applied to the processed signal.

Abstract: A vehicle component for mounting in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the component comprising a loudspeaker having an acoustic radiator capable of supporting bending wave vibration and an electromechanical force transducer mounted to the acoustic radiator to excite bending waves in the acoustic radiator to produce an acoustic output, characterized in that the transducer has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range and a coupler on the resonant element for mounting the transducer to the acoustic radiator.

Abstract: A device comprising a vibration system having a vibration component capable of vibrating and an electromechanical force transducer mounted to the component to excite vibration in the component. The transducer has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range and coupler for mounting the transducer to the component.

Abstract: A coincident source stereo speaker in accordance with the present invention includes a high-frequency component (tweeter) and a low-frequency component (woofer) that are separated by a sound channel. The tweeter emits a first sound pattern directly outward from the speaker, with the sound pattern having a corresponding high frequency center axis. The sound channel is located between the tweeter and woofer and is symmetrically oriented around the high-frequency component. The woofer emits a second sound pattern into the sound channel for re-direction out of the speaker. With this configuration, the second sound pattern has an effective low frequency center axis that is coincident with the high frequency center axis. As a result, the tweeter and woofer exhibit co-axial performance characteristics, even though they are not physically located co-axially.

Abstract: A piezo-electric speaker ensures a uniform sound in a broad band and can easily reproduce a signal of large amplitude or sound. A piezo-electric speaker has a piezo-electric member to generate a vibration according to an electric signal applied thereto. A piezo-electric vibration plate converts the vibration to a sound. The piezo-electric vibration plate is positioned closely to the piezo-electric member. The piezo-electric vibration plate is divided into parts of any configuration and is connected to the piezo-electric member.

Abstract: A method for equalizing output signals from a plurality of signal paths is disclosed. The method comprises steps of identifying a transfer function for each of signal paths, determining a filtering function for each signal path such that a product of the transfer function, and the filtering function is a selected function and applying the filtering function to the corresponding signal path, thereby correcting the transfer function of the signal path to the selected function to equalize the output signals from the signal paths. The step of applying the filtering function comprises steps of providing an equalization filter to the signal path and applying the filtering function to the equalization filter of its corresponding signal path, thereby equalizing output signals from the filter of the signal paths.

Abstract: A feedback cancellation system with reduced sensitivity to low-frequency tonal inputs is provided. Such a system can be used, for example, in a hearing aid to prevent cancellation of the desired tonal inputs to the hearing aid, thus improving the gain at high frequencies of the hearing aid while simultaneously preserving the desired tonal inputs at low frequencies. The feedback cancellation system comprises a first adaptive filter block for adaptively filtering an error signal to remove the low-frequency tonal components from the error signal. The first adaptive filter block is constrained so that only low-frequency tones in the error signal are cancelled, thus enabling the feedback cancellation system to still cancel “whistling” at high frequencies due to the temporary instability of the hearing aid. A second adaptive filter block adaptively filters a feedback path signal to produce an adaptively filtered feedback path signal.

Abstract: A modular audio loudspeaker array system. The system includes a first speaker module, and a second speaker module, constructed and arranged to radiate sound waves responsive to audio signals. Sound waves radiated by the first speaker module and the sound waves radiated by the second speaker module combine to form a radiation pattern. The system further includes a positioning system, for positioning the first bass module relative to the second bass module at a plurality of fixed predetermined distances; an audio signal input terminal electronically for coupling the loudspeaker array to a source of the audio signals for receiving the audio signals; an audio signal processing device, electronically coupling the audio signal input terminal to the first bass module and to the second bass module, for processing the audio signals and transmitting the audio signals to the first speaker module and to the second loudspeaker module.

Abstract: An eletrostatic microphone capsule includes a diaphragm which is subjected to a sound field and is excited to oscillate by the sound field, and an electrode arranged at a distance from the diaphragm. The electrode has at least two areas with different charge densities. The at least two areas may include an at least essentially circular area and an at least essentially annular area. At least two of the areas of the electrode may operate in accordance with the capacitor principle, wherein different voltages are applied to the areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an earphone device for motorcycle rider and passenger, more particularly to an earphone having a main circuit board with major components such as an interactive mode switch, a mobile phone connector, and a speaker connector, and being coupled to a safety helmet that has a loudspeaker and a microphone on it, or any caps that have similar function and structure as those of a safety helmet; characterized in that by using the connection of separated connection lines of the handset of the mobile phone, and the loudspeaker and microphone of the safety helmet to the main circuit board. If the user rides on the motorcycle as a rider or a passenger and wants to use the mobile phone, the user can talk directly and easily to the caller or the receiver via the microphone and speaker of the phone that is connected to the safety helmet. It assures and enhances the driving safety since the rider does not need to hold the handset for communication.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a bobbin, a coil wound around an outer surface of the bobbin, a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap the coil is inserted, a first cylinder fixed to the outer surface of the bobbin, a second cylinder connected with the first cylinder, a diaphragm and a damper coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the second cylinder, an edge coupled to the diaphragm, a frame on which an outer circumference of the damper and an outer circumference of the edge are fixed, and terminals fixed on the frame and electrically connected with the coil. In a speaker of the present invention, the outer circumference of a yoke constituting the magnetic circuit has a plurality of slits, while the first cylinder and the second cylinder are connected together by a plurality of radially-disposed joints. Speakers in the present invention have a flat profile yet they are compatible with large amplitude and high output power, capable of reproducing a wide range of sounds from a low tone to a high tone.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprising an image-sensing means for sensing an image of a subject, an extracting means for extracting predetermined feature data from the image sensed by the image-sensing means, a setting means for setting sound data to be reproduced and a reproducing means for reproducing the sound data set by the setting means according to the feature data extracted by the extracting means.

Abstract: A watermark system includes an embedder, detector, and reader. The watermark embedder encodes a watermark signal in a host signal to create a combined signal. The detector looks for the watermark signal in a potentially corrupted version of the combined signal, and computes its orientation. Finally, a reader extracts a message in the watermark signal from the combined signal using the orientation to approximate the original state of the combined signal. While adapted for images, video and audio, the watermark system applies to other electronic and physical media. For example, it can be applied to mark graphical models, blank paper, film and other substrates, texturing objects for ID purposes, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides steganographic-embedding techniques. In one implementation a digital watermark signal is mapped to a set of spatial positions. Physical message objects are positioned according to the set of spatial positions. The signal is provided on a physical structure such as a building or road. The signal may include geo-location information. The geo-location information identifies the location of the physical structure. In other cases the signal includes a marker or identifier. The marker or identifier provides a reference point for images depicting the physical structure.

Abstract: An ITV system that monitors and stores data related to digital video broadcasts. Such data may include digital sound files, image files, subscription data, software programs, television program information, ITV advertising content, and the like. The monitoring system stores information about a pre-determined set of data that is being monitored in a digital video stream, in one or more log files. The log files may then be used to generate a plurality of user defined reports. The reports may be used by broadcasters, cable operators, and content providers, and the like to establish general auditing and billing services.

Abstract: A digital watermark is embedded in an image or text. The embedded image or text is burned into a data side of a CD, CD-RW, SACD or DVD. The digital watermark is used as a counterfeit deterrent and as an identifier. Once extracted, the identifier can be used to link to related content via the internet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inserting a message in a sequence of digital images, characterized in that it comprises the insertion (S4), in the spatial domain, of at least one symbol of the message in at least one part of an image (In), said image being bounded between two images in which no symbol is inserted in their respective parts in spatial correspondence with said part.

Abstract: A system and method for use in monitoring a search area includes positioning a plurality of imaging devices at one or more installation sites such that corresponding fields of view for the plurality of imaging devices cover a defined search area. For example, each field of view of each imaging device may include a field of view portion which overlaps with at least one other field of view of another imaging device, e.g., the field of view portion which overlaps may be greater than about 25 percent and less than about 85 percent of the field of view of the imaging device. Further, for example, images may be fused using one or more homography transformation matrices.

Abstract: A method and system for use in monitoring a search area includes the provision of object path data representative of at least one object path of one or more moving objects in the search area. Defined normal and/or abnormal object path feature models are provided based on one or more characteristics associated with normal or abnormal object paths of moving objects in the search area. The feature models may be based on a clustering process. The object path data is compared to the one or more defined normal and/or abnormal object path feature models for use in determining whether the object path is normal or abnormal.

Abstract: A method in image processing for detection of a change in the scene in an area. The method comprises the steps of recording a digital image of the area using a sensor and transforming the recorded image by an operator. The operator is based on a previous modeling of changes in the lighting in the area and on a modeling of how the sensor depicts the area in grayscale values in the recorded image. The method further comprises the step of comparing the transformed image with a reference image of the area in order to detect a difference that indicates a change in the scene.

Abstract: A method (500, 600) of tracking a feature (201) across a sequence of image frames is disclosed. A current feature position in a current frame is estimated from at least a previous feature position in a previous frame. Feature data is extracted from pixel data of the current frame. The feature data is then compared with reference data. If a difference between the feature data and the reference data is larger than a predetermined number, then track of the feature (201) has been lost. Alternatively, the current feature position is appended to the trajectory of the feature, and the reference data is updated periodically with feature data of a plurality of frames. Preferably the reference data is a statistical representation of feature data of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: A security method uses a single stored object as both an MPEG4 object for video compression, and for user identification and security. An authorized user video image is digitized to create corresponding authorized user identity data, which is stored as pixel data. A method is provided using the authorized user video image as a reference image for compression techniques. A stored image difference threshold level, defines the required degree of image match necessary. A present user video image is received, and digitized to create corresponding present user identity data. Image differences, between the present user video image and the authorized user video image are determined and compared to the image difference threshold level to determine whether to permit device usage. In one embodiment, video images are stored in MPEG4 format. The protected device is disabled when differences between a present user video image and an authorized user video image exceed threshold level.

Abstract: A digital image processing method detects facial features in a digital image. This method includes the steps of detecting iris pixels in the image, clustering the iris pixels, and selecting at least one of the following schemes to identify eye positions: applying geometric reasoning to detect eye positions using the iris pixel clusters; applying a summation of squared difference method using the iris pixel clusters to detect eye positions; and applying a summation of squared difference method to detect eye positions from the pixels in the image. The method applied to identify eye positions is selected on the basis of the number of iris pixel clusters, and the facial features are located using the identified eye positions.

Abstract: A method and system for use in detecting a face of a person includes providing image data representative of reflected light of a scene in at least one bandwidth within a reflected infrared radiation range. Regions of the scene in the image data which may correspond to one or both eyebrows of a person and which may correspond to one or both eyes of the person are extracted from the data. The extracted regions which may correspond to one or both eyebrows of the person are combined with the extracted regions that may correspond to one or both eyes of the person resulting in a composite feature image. The composite feature image is searched based on model data representative of an eye region to detect one or both eyes of the person.

Abstract: A removable swipe-imaging device and a method for identifying the device are disclosed. The removable swipe-imaging device is for limiting access to protected area to authorized individuals. The removable swipe-imaging device comprises a sensing pad with an integrated processor for processing sensed biometric image data; the processor comprising an encoding circuit for encoding the sensed biometric image data in response to a challenge received from a host processor, the encoded sensed image data for being transmitted to the host processor and decoded based on the challenge.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or apparatus to provide a binary image are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for segmenting cardiac images and, in particular, segmenting the left ventricle of the heart using a contour propagation model that integrates visual information and anatomical constraints. The visual information comprises a gradient vector flow-based boundary component and a region component that separates the cardiac contours/regions according to their global intensity properties that reflect the different tissue properties. The anatomical constraints couple the propagation of cardiac contours according to their relative distance. The propagation model comprises a weighted integration of a boundary segmentation model, a region model and coupling function.

Abstract: A device for generating fusion images by fusioning two images, in particular medical images, comprising an image-processing computation unit (2) for fusioning the images, as well as a monitor (3) connected thereto for image output, a gray-value histogram (7, I, II) being displayable on the monitor (3) for each image of the images to be fusioned, which device is designed in such a way that, in each gray-value histogram (7, I, II) of the images to be fusioned, one or more gray-value ranges can be selected by user-controlled highlighting of one or more markings (8) on the monitor (3), as well as for generating the fusion image with the aid of the selected gray-value ranges.

Abstract: In magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), the MRA data (40) is smoothed and converted into an isotropic format (52). A binary surface fitting mask (56) that differentiates vascular regions from surrounding tissue is generated from the isotropic MRA data. Vascular starting points (60) are identified based on the binary surface fitting mask. The vascular system corresponding to each starting point is tracked (62). The tracked vascular system is graphically displayed (68). Preferably, the arteries and the veins in the binary surface fitting mask data are differentiated (58) based on anatomical constraints. The tracking (62) preferably includes estimating an oblique plane that is orthogonal to the vessel (204), determining the vessel edges in the oblique plane (212), and determining an estimated vessel center in the oblique plane (216). The vessel edges are preferably determined by determining a raw vessel edge (208), and refining the raw vessel edge to obtain a refined vessel edge representation (212).

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of digital subtraction angiography. An image processing method is applied to a digitized mask (100) and to a sequence of digitized opacified images (101). A logarithmic function (105) is applied to the values of the pixels of the digitized mask and to the values of the pixels of the sequence of digitized opacified images, and then a subtraction (108) is made of the logarithmic value of each pixel of a digitized opacified image from the logarithmic value of the corresponding pixel in the digitized mask. In order to improve the quality of the images processed, a processing step (102) able to decrease certain pixel values of the digitized mask and of the digitized opacified images is applied before applying the logarithmic function.

Abstract: Several methods for retrospective correction of intensity inhomogeneites in digital diagnostic radiation images are presented. The methods are based on the correction of a digital image representation by means of a bias field. The bias field is deduced from the digital image representation of the diagnostic radiation image.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of enhancing the quality of a radiographic image for medical purposes. Thereto at least one not relevant image area is defined in said radiographic image in which the image points are assigned different values such that a pattern is formed for masking off said image area. As an alternative or in combination therewith, the image points in the not relevant image area are assigned color values.

Abstract: In a method for radiographic scoring of a radiographic image at least one region of interest is determined. Each of the determined regions of interest is displayed in close proximity to a number of reference stages each having an associated score. For each region of interest a reference stage image best matching the displayed region of interest is selected and the score number associated with the selected reference stage image is associated with the region of interest. Score numbers retained for each of the regions of interest are combined to form the score number of the radiographic image.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer product for the automated segmentation of the lung fields and costophrenic angle (CP) regions in posteroanterior (PA) chest radiographs, wherein image segmentation based on gray-level threshold analysis is performed by applying an iterative global gray-level thresholding method to a chest image based on the features of a global gray-level histogram. Features of the regions in a binary image constructed at each iteration are identified and analyzed to exclude regions external to the lung fields. The initial lung contours that result from this global process are used to facilitate a local gray-level thresholding method. Individual regions-of-interest (ROIs) are placed along the initial contour. A procedure is implemented to determine the gray-level thresholds to be applied to the pixels within the individual ROIs. The result is a binary image, from which final contours are constructed. Smoothing processes are applied, including a unique adaptation of a rolling ball method.

Abstract: A pattern inspection method and a pattern inspection apparatus, which are able to detect a killer defect as a defect candidate and also reduce considerably the number of non-killer defects detected as a defect candidate, have been disclosed, wherein a differential image of two patterns to be compared is calculated, with the polarities included, and after the absolute value of the differential image is compared with a first threshold value to detect the part as a defect candidate, the polarities of the differential image of the part of the defect candidate are inspected and the part of one of the polarities is judged as a defect candidate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image detection system capable of picking up a high resolution image of the surface condition of a circuit pattern-formed wafer without being affected by steep pattern steps, discontinuous reflectance distributions and optically transparent substances which are formed after resist patterns are formed and removed. A defect detection apparatus using such an image detection apparatus is also provided by the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for performing basic training in a dynamic image recognition system, including collecting raw image data on a blank object, segmenting out a region of interest on the object, performing spatial image transforms to generate a set of derived spaces for the region of interest, generating a set of presence/absence features for the object by creating a set of presence/absence features, representing each significant presence/absence feature as one or more presence/absence boxes, building a blank object presence/absence score set, building an assembled board presence/absence score set, building a presence/absence knowledge base using the blank object presence/absence score set and the assembled object presence absence score set, and pruning each presence/absence box. The system and method further includes generating a set of polarity features from a first assembled object.

Abstract: A device for exposure of a strip-shaped workpiece with a meander correction device which is capable of carrying out meander correction with high precision even in the case of a thin workpiece or the formation of static electricity. The device includes two means for edge determination which are located at two locations in the transport direction of the strip-shaped workpiece and which photographs the edge of the strip-shaped workpiece, a pattern formed by the intersection of a linear part of a mask and the workpiece edge, a CCD camera for capturing the pattern formed, an image processing part for recording the pattern and searching for matching preset patterns, and a controller for computing the amount of meander of the strip-shaped workpiece, outputting a control signal if the amount of meander is outside of a preset range, and correcting the meander by rotating the workpiece and/or moving the workpiece in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A method and installation for precision imaging of the geometry of workpieces provides relative movement of a CCD detector (13) and the object workpiece (4) in a guided motion. In the process, the CCD detector (13) images the workpiece (4) segment by segment, and the positions of the CCD detector (13) relative to the workpiece (4) and the positions of the imaged workpiece segments are determined. Prior to functional motion of the CCD detector relative to the workpiece (4) to determine its geometry, a rectilinearity and/or angularity calibration is/are performed and, if necessary, a correction value is defined. In at least one subsequent functional motion of the installation, the correction value is factored in for the determination of the positions of the imaged workpiece segments.

Abstract: A sound imaging system and method for generating multi-channel audio data from an audio/video signal having an audio component and a video component. The system comprises: a system for associating sound sources within the audio component to video objects within the video component of the audio/video signal; a system for determining position information of each sound source based on a position of the associated video object in the video component; and a system for assigning sound sources to audio channels based on the position information of each sound source.

Abstract: A method of image processing is provided, the method including acquiring a digital image having a three-dimensional shadow, determining a boundary of the three-dimensional shadow, and lightening the three-dimensional shadow within the boundary.

Abstract: A color management system that transforms input image data from an input colorant space to an output colorant space using input and output device appearance transforms and a customizable gamut mapping algorithm. The gamut mapping algorithm is customizable based on the color management session in question, and in particular may be customizable based on the content of the image data, based on a comparison between input device appearance transforms and output device appearance transforms, or based on viewing conditions, output conditions or print media involved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mechanism of dynamically selecting a gamut mapping component for use in a color management system which transforms colors specified in image data from a first color space to a second color space, the method comprising automatically generating prediction information for use in selecting from a plurality of gamut mapping components, wherein the prediction information is based on determined gamut mapping preferences corresponding to at least one characteristic of the image data, and automatically selecting at least one of the plurality of gamut mapping components based on the prediction information.

Abstract: What is disclosed is method that interpolates missing color components for an original pixel by utilizing color gravities for surrounding blocks of green pixels. A new pixel is output which has complete color information which is a function of the original pixel and interpolated color components. The interpolated pixel is a true representation of both luminance and chrominance information.

Abstract: A method (100) of locating human faces, if present, in a cluttered scene captured on a digital image (105) is disclosed. The method (100) relies on a two step process, the first being the detection of segments with a high probability of being human skin in the colour image (105), and to then determine a bounday box, or other boundary indication, to border each of those segments. The second step (140) is the analysis of features within each of those boundary boxes to determine which of the segments are likely to be a human face. As human skin is not highly textured, in order to detect segments with a high probability of being human skin, a binary texture map (121) is formed from the image (105), and segments having high texture are discarded.