Abstract: Pattern matching apparatus for comparing signal samples with a pattern to find signal samples substantially matching said pattern, the apparatus comprising: a projector for projecting said signal samples over a tree of projection vectors of successively increasing frequency at nodes of said tree to successively provide projection values, a distance measurer, associated with an output of said projector for determining a distance between a projection value and a corresponding projection value of said pattern, said distance being an expression of a minimum bound of a true distance between said sample and said pattern, and a thresholder, associated with an output of said distance measurer for applying a threshold to said minimum bound to successively reject samples at respective nodes.

Abstract: A system (10) for recognizing handwriting includes an input/output device (12) and a second computer (24 or 28). The system (10) converts handwritten symbols to text by using a grammar (50) that is comprised of the text (60) that is expected to be entered into a text display/text input area (17) of an input/output device (12). The grammar (50) and handwriting-to-text conversion can be performed in either the input/output device (12) or a remote computer (24, 28).

Abstract: A method of data compression, for example for image or audio signals, comprises encoding the data using a transform such as a wavelet transform or DCT, and transmitting only a predefined number of the most significant bits for each coefficient. It has been found experimentally that while such a method may marginally decrease the signal to noise ratio, the subjective quality of the received image or audio signal is nevertheless enhanced.

Abstract: An image processing method includes obtaining raw image data of an object by generating the object by an imager that generates an image of the object with color decomposition, decomposing the raw image data into a plurality of color planes such that each of the color planes comprises pixel information of a color pertinent to the color plane, and compressing data of each color plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a non-interlaced image includes a wavelet transform part and a determination part. The wavelet transform part performs two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform of a level higher than or equal to level one on the data of the non-interlaced image. The determination part determines the movement speed of an object within the non-interlaced image based on at least the values of the wavelet coefficients of a 1LH sub-band of the wavelet coefficients obtained by the wavelet transform unit.

Abstract: Methods for fast generating spatially reduced-size images directly from compressed video streams supporting the coding of interlaced frames through transform coding and motion compensation. A sequence of reduced-size images are rapidly generated from compressed video streams by efficiently combining the steps of inverse transform, down-sampling and construction of each field image. The construction of reduced-size field images also allows the efficient motion compensation. The fast generation of reduced-size images is applicable to a variety of low-cost applications such as video browsing, video summary, fast thumbnail playback and video indexing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for converting image data, including a block extraction unit extracts a class tap from a composite signal. A pixel-location-mode output unit determines a pixel location mode from the extracted class tap, and outputs it to a coefficient memory. A coefficient calculation unit acquires a seed coefficient from a seed coefficient memory to determine a predictive coefficient based on a transform method selection signal input from a designation unit, and stores the result into the coefficient memory. The coefficient memory supplies a predictive coefficient corresponding to the pixel location mode to a predictive calculation unit. A block extraction unit extracts a predictive tap from the composite signal, and outputs the result to the predictive calculation unit. The predictive calculation unit outputs a component signal or a transformed component signal based on the predictive tap and the predictive coefficient.

Abstract: An image coding method is utilized to provide high quality images without error accumulation. Such an image coding method comprises estimating motion vectors between an input image to be coded and a reference image; synthesizing a prediction image of the input image using the motion vectors and the reference image; generating a difference image by calculating a difference between the input image and the prediction image; and outputting coded information of the input image including information related to the difference image and the motion vectors. The prediction image is synthesized by calculating intensity values at points where no pixels actually exist in the reference image by interpolation. Such an interpolation is performed according to information specifying a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method when the current frame is a P frame, and using a predetermined rounding method which is a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method when the current frame is a B frame.

Abstract: A recording medium having recorded thereon information of images coded by performing motion compensation is provided to obtain high quality images without error accumulation. Such information includes rounding method information specifying a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method for interpolation intensity values of pixels in performing the motion compensation.

Abstract: A recording medium is provided to store coded information of an image sequence to obtain high quality images without error accumulation. Such coded information includes coded data of P and B frames, wherein the coded data of a P frame includes information specifying a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method which is used for interpolating intensity values of pixels in motion compensation, when the P frame is decoded; and wherein the coded data of a B frame does not include information specifying a rounding method which is used for interpolating intensity values of pixels in motion compensation, when the B frame is decoded.

Abstract: An encoder may have a compressed mode in which a stream of input characters may be encoded into code words. The encoder may have a transparent mode in which the output stream is substantially identical to the input stream. The encoder may switch from one mode to the other based at least in part upon a data compressibility test. The test may comprise comparing an N-segment sliding average of the number of bits required by the encoder in compressed mode to represent a segment of a fixed number of characters to the number of bits required by the encoder in transparent mode to represent the segment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method decide and manage a coding mode for each motion estimated block without an operation of a system control unit in an image coding and without storing a detected SAD for each motion estimated block. The apparatus includes a motion estimation unit, a system control unit, and a comparator. The motion estimation unit detects an optimal sum of absolute differences (SAD) by a motion estimated block when a motion is estimated by using a current frame data and a previous frame data. The system control unit outputs a predetermined threshold related to the optimal sum of absolute differences. The comparator compares the optimal sum of absolute differences output from the motion estimation unit with the predetermined threshold and outputs information indicating the coding mode for a current motion estimated block. The information indicating the coding mode output from the comparator is expressed by using a bit.

Abstract: Image encoding apparatus 10 according to the present invention is an image encoding apparatus 10 for dividing image signals into blocks, performing an orthogonal transform of each block, reading resultant orthogonal transform coefficients to obtain a coefficient string, and performing entropy coding, which has block selector 14 for selecting a size of a block for the orthogonal transform, out of a plurality of blocks of different sizes; coefficient string divider 12 for, when a block of a size larger than a minimum size is selected by block selector 14, dividing a coefficient string in the block into a plurality of coefficient strings of a length equal to that of a coefficient string in a block of the minimum size; and encoder 13 for performing entropy coding adapted to the coefficient string in the block of the minimum size. This substantializes the image encoding apparatus capable of achieving efficient entropy coding in the orthogonal transform of variable sizes.

Abstract: A code conversion apparatus includes an input section to input compressed and transformed input codes, a header information rewriting section to rewrite only header information within the codes so as to change a decoded state of the input codes, and an output section to output the codes, including rewritten header information, to a target object such as a display unit and an external equipment.

Abstract: The coded block parameters used to code blocks of image samples into structures called macroblocks are compressed more efficiently by exploiting the correlation between chrominance and luminance blocks in each macroblock. In particular, the coded block pattern for chrominance and luminance are combined into a single parameter for the macroblock and jointly coded with a single variable length code. To further enhance coding efficiency, the spatial coherence of coded block patterns can be exploited by using spatial prediction to compute predicted values for coded block pattern parameters.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer readable medium are described that compress and/or decompress digital images in a lossless or a lossy manner. In some embodiments, a display controller may quantize pels of a digital image and may identify runs of successive quantized pels which are equal. The display controller may generate a symbol to represent an identified run of pels. The symbol may comprise a run length and a quantized pel that may be used to reconstruct the run of pels. The symbol may further comprise an error vector for each of the pels of the run that may be used to further reconstruct the run of pels.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer readable medium are described that compress and/or decompress a digital image in a lossless or a lossy manner. In some embodiments, a display controller may compress a digital image by generating a symbol for each pel of the digital image. In particular, the symbol may represent a pel via a match vector and a channel error vector. The match vector may indicate which quantized channels of the pel matched quantized channels of a previous pel. Further, the channel error vector may comprise a lossless or lossy channel for each quantized channel of the pel that did not match a corresponding quantized channel of the previous pel. The channel error may also comprise a lossless or lossy channel error for each quantized channel of the pel that matched a corresponding quantized channel of the previous pel.

Abstract: A domain block image is extracted from an original image by a domain block extracting section, and the domain block image is classified by a domain block classifying section. A range block extracting section extracts a range block image larger than the domain block image from the original image, and a reduced range block forming section reduces the range block image at the same size as the domain block image. A similarity degree judging section judges a similarity degree between the reduced range block image and the domain block image, and an improved domain block forming section performs a conversion of pixel values with respect to the reduced range block image in accordance with this similarity degree. Further, an edge enhancement processing section executes an edge enhancement processing as to the step edge portion so as to obtain an improved domain block image.

Abstract: Digital video imagery is deblocked as a function of horizontal and/or vertically oriented pixels that share a common attribute (such as a corresponding pixel value). In particular, a deblocking filter can be selected from amongst a plurality of candidate deblocking filters as a function of the presence of pixels that are both adjacent to one another and that are substantially similar to one another. The selected deblocking filter can be applied as a function, at least in part, of a respective center of the pixels that are both adjacent and similar to one another. In one embodiment, luminance information is deblocked pursuant to a process that is different from a deblocking process that is used with chrominance information.

Abstract: A symmetric type image filter processing apparatus having a symmetric type image filter composed of symmetric kernel coefficients, in which SIMD commands are utilized efficiently for making the filtering processes high speed, is provided. The symmetric type image filter processing apparatus provides a row-wise intermediate data generating section, a row-wise intermediate data utilizing section, and a memory. The row-wise intermediate data generating section multiplies each kernel coefficient of M pieces in each column of {(N+1)/2} columns at the right or left column by each pixel of M pieces in the column direction of image data having P pixels in one row, and cumulatively adds the multiplied results, by using SIMD commands that can process sequential data of Q pieces. This multiplication and addition operation is executed P/Q times, and intermediate data in one row of the image data are generated and stored in an intermediate data storing region in the memory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for identifying intended response marks in an optically scanned image of a response sheet having key marks and response targets printed in the same color. Pixel darkness values assigned by a digital imaging scanner are used to locate key marks and response targets and to identify response marks. Areas of the sheet may be selectively filtered to mask the response targets. Alternatively, a color imaging scanner may be used to produce a set of color values, such as RBG values, for each pixel. Software can act as a virtual filter by using the RBG values to detect or to mask a color in the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the quality of reproduced images are provided. More specifically, provided are an apparatus and method for enhancing the quality of reproduced, progressive images, which are capable of obtaining more natural and smoother progressive images and preventing such problems as blurry colors and aliased images that could be brought about in the process of converting interlaced images into progressive images.

Abstract: A method and system for automated annotation and retrieval of remote digital content is described. The image capture device of the present invention is configured to communicate with one or more external devices using a wired or wireless protocol. For example, Smart tag, 802.11, or Bluetooth protocols may be used to enable the camera to communicate with the external device, associated with an object of interest, to obtain metadata corresponding to a captured image of the object. The metadata collected using various forms of technology, as noted above for instance, can be used to automatically index a digital image and/or other digital content without any manual intervention.

Abstract: In order to provide durable shock absorbers, a bearing to bear a piston rod is enhanced in wear resistance and made low in friction. A cylindrical-shaped bearing for reciprocatory sliding, to bear a piston rod comprises lengthy inclined portions and a short parallel portion on an inner-peripheral surface of the bearing.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing module for cooling fans connects the fixed part and the rotating part of a cooling fan and provides lubrication and support when the rotating part rotates relative to the fixed part. In the design of the invention the fluid dynamic bearing is a module that utilizes a bearing seat, a wear-resistant element and an anti-lift element to make the bearing module leak-proof, lift-proof, wear-resistant and able to create a balance of the lubricant and air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction bearing composite material with a metal base layer a porous support layer applied thereto and a low friction layer made from PTFE forming a bearing surface for a bearing partner. The low friction material forming the sliding surface also fills the pores in the support layer and comprises at least 60 vol. % PTFE and 10-25 vol. % zinc sulphide. In order to achieve a high wear resistance with a low coefficient of friction the low friction material further comprises 1.5-3.5 vol. % carbon fibers and 1-7 vol. % PFA.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting rod bearing shell or bushing for internal combustion engines or to a main bearing shell for crankshaft mounting in internal combustion engines, made of a sliding bearing composite material having a metal, preferably steel support layer and a metal sliding layer applied thereto. The sliding bearing composite material is suitable for all applications cited and the sliding layer is made up of a copper zinc alloy with 10-25 wt. % Zn. 1-3 wt. % Mn. 1-3 wt. % Ni. 2-6 wt. % Fe: the remainder being copper, and impurity elements, respectively accounting for a maximum of 0.1%, corresponding to a maximum overall sum of 1 wt. % and the sliding layer is exclusively crystallised in the &agr;-phase.

Abstract: A compact rolling bearing with a rotation sensor is proposed which has a shortened axial length of a housing for mounting the rotation sensor. The rolling bearing comprises a rotating bearing ring and a fixed bearing ring, and the rotation sensor comprises a rotating element mounted to the rotating bearing ring and a detecting element mounted on the fixed bearing ring so as to oppose the rotating element, and an electric circuit board. The electric circuit board has a flexibility. With this arrangement, it is possible to mount the electric circuit board in a curved state in a limited space on a peripheral wall of the sensor housing, and thus to shorten the axial length of the sensor housing. This provides a compact rolling bearing with the rotation sensor. Another embodiment has a magnetic encoder, the binder for which is heat-resistant nitrile rubber, fluorine rubber or silicone rubber.

Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly includes inner and outer members (1 and 2) and at least one row of rolling elements (3) operatively interposed between the inner and outer members (1 and 2) and an annular sealing device (5) sealing an open end of an annular space defined between the inner and outer members (1 and 2). The sealing device (5) includes first and second annular sealing plates (11 and 12) fitted to different members out of the inner and outer members (1 and 2). Each of the first and second sealing plates (11 and 12) includes a generally cylindrical wall (11a or 12a) and a radial wall (11b or 12b) assembled together to represent a generally L-shaped section. The first sealing plate (11) is fitted to one of the inner and outer members (1 and 2) that serves as a rotating member. An elastic member (14) mixed with a powdered magnetic material is bonded by vulcanization to the radial wall (11b) of the first sealing plate (11).

Abstract: A textured rolling element bearing and method for determining a texture that improves bearing performance parameters. The bearing has a first bearing element with a first surface and a second bearing element with a second surface. The first surface is rollable with respect to the second surface and has a first predetermined macro-texture. The method steps include selecting a bearing performance parameter and establishing a corresponding bearing performance goal, prospectively defining a topography for the first surface and formulating and iteratively solving a contact model representing an elastic deformation of the first surface relative to the second surface based on a separation distance “h” between the first and second surfaces, a fluid model representing a pressure “p” of the lubricant between the first surface and the second surface; and a viscosity model representing a viscosity “&mgr;” of the lubricant based on the pressure of a lubricant between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for bicycle connected to one of two ends of the head tube includes a first race having a skirt portion and a groove defined in an inner periphery of the skirt portion so as to receive beads therein. A second race is engaged with the skirt portion and positions the beads in the groove. An insertion extends from the first race and includes threads defined in an outer periphery thereof. The head tube has two inner threaded sections defined in an inner periphery in two open ends thereof and the insertion is threadedly engaged with one of the inner threaded sections of the head tube.

Abstract: A motor suspension unit for an axle of a railway carriage or locomotive, said unit comprising two bearing mountings located one at each end of a generally U-shaped motor suspension tube, each, of said bearing mountings having an axially aligned cylindrical bearing receiving aperture, an annular shoulder being located at one end of said aperture adjacent said tube and against which a bearing race or bearing cup is intended to abut, an annular groove formed in said aperture and having an axial length less than that of the aperture, a diameter greater than the nominal diameter of the aperture, and also abutting the shoulder, wherein an axially split hollow sleeve having an axial length corresponding to that of said groove is retained in said groove, and the inner surface or said sleeve is machined to said nominal diameter to receive said bearing race or cup and the face surfaces normal to said axle are machined to return same to true.

Abstract: Generally, and in one form of the present invention, is a polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer for depth resolved birefringence measurement. With the present invention, linear birefringence of a sample may be measured from data recorded in a single A-Scan. In addition, the present invention provides for the simultaneous measurement of retardation and orientation of birefringent axes, wherein measured retardation is insensitive to sample rotation in the plane perpendicular to ranging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for determining concentrations of organic additives in metal plating solutions, based on infrared spectroscopy, and more specifically attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR).

Abstract: A novel micro optical system as a platform technology for electrical and optical interconnections, thermal and mechanical assembly and integration of electronic, optoelectronic, passive and active components. This platform provides optical coupling and chip-to-chip interconnection by microwave electrical, optical guided and unguided waves, and power or bias electrical contacts or interfaces by a novel chip in flexible circuit, rigid or inflexible embodiments.

Abstract: A multiplayer integrated optical structure includes an integrated optical microguide having an integrated core for transmitting at least a light wave. A gap extends along the transmission core and encloses at least part of its periphery. This gap is filled with a material whose elasticity or deformability are higher than those of the lower layer and those of the upper layer of the core. Thus, the stresses and/or possible deformations of the core can be eliminated or reduced.

Abstract: An optical waveguide circuit includes a first loss component for causing a diffraction loss of light propagating through an optical waveguide, and a second loss component provided at least one of before and after the first loss component, for causing a diffraction loss less than the diffraction loss in the first loss component to the light propagating through the optical waveguide. This enables the beam spot size of the lightwave launched into the first loss component to be magnified seemingly, and to reduce the radiation angle of the lightwave at the first loss component, thereby making it possible to reduce the excess loss involved in the propagation of the light through the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide device including an optical waveguide, and optical input and output ports for inputting and outputting an optical signal to and from the optical waveguide, characterized in that the optical input port receives an optical signal inputted from the optical output port to the optical waveguide in accordance with a timing control signal inputted as an electrical signal to the optical input port.

Abstract: Optical switches and modulators contain a single-mode waveguide (401) and at least one closed-loop resonator (402). The single-mode waveguide (401) is optically coupled to the closed-loop resonator (402), and the light propagating in the single-mode waveguide (401) is modulated by applying an inducing effect, e.g. optically pumping, to the closed-loop resonator (402) so as to vary the effective propagation loss in the closed-loop resonator. Alternatively, the optical signal propagating in the single mode waveguide (401) is modulated by applying an inducing effect, e.g. electro-optics, to vary the coupling between the single-mode waveguide and the closed loop resonator (402).

Abstract: A photonic crystal interferometric switch has a photonic crystal; a waveguide in the photonic crystal, the waveguide having at least one input portion, at least two output portions and an interference channel connecting the at least two output portions, the waveguide capable of transmitting light within a bandgap of said photonic crystal; and a resonant member connected to at least one of the at least two output portions to control a property of light in the at least one output portion, to control the interference of light in the waveguide. A 1×2 optical switch may be constructed by tuning the parameters of the resonant member, either optically or electronically, resulting in a switching of a light signal from one output portion to another output portion. Furthermore, by isolating one output portion of the interferometer, the apparatus may be utilized as an optical modulator.

Abstract: An optical switch having a common waveguide and optical properties to improve switch performance is presented. The common waveguide is located between a first plural light deflection elements and a second plural light deflection elements, each including prisms made by electro-optic material. The common waveguide material is selected to improve switch performance by increasing the deflection of the light deflecting elements and/or reducing the effects induced by birefringence from the electro-optical material. The present invention can be used in optical switch designs having common waveguides or other optical switches.

Abstract: An optical router and its method of use. The router is integrated in an InP-based substrate bonded to a single thermo-electric cooler for packet-based networks utilizing wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) on silica fibers. Input and output arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) respectively demultiplex and multiplex the WDM signals to and from multiple transmission fibers. Input and output wavelength converters are connected between the input and outputs AWGs and a switching AWG. The output converts may include a tunable laser and interferometer formed in the same substrate. The header information is preferably carried out-of-channel from the WDM data signals, either in the same fiber band or a different one. Photodetectors and laser diodes are formed in the same substrate. Fast RF electronics are formed in GaAs chips and slower electronics formed in a silicon chip are bonded to the InP wafer.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectronic component is mounted to a substrate, and an optical thumbtack is inserted into a through-hole of the substrate. The optical thumbtack is positioned to receive light from or send light to the optical or optoelectronic component and provide a conditioned, for example collimated or focused, beam. The optical thumbtack comprises a lens portion, a spacer portion, and a foot portion. Light may enter the thumbtack from either direction.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a graded-index lens, a single-mode fiber disposed at a first end of the graded-index lens, and a refractive lens having a hyperbolic or near-hyperbolic shape disposed at a second end of the graded-index lens to focus a beam from the single-mode fiber to a diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: An athermal package for fiber photonic devices includes a ferrule to attach the optical fiber to the package. The ferrule has an opening to receive the optical fiber. The ferule is collapsed to attach the optical fiber to the athermal package. Alternatively, the athermal package uses adhesive bonds disposed in pockets of the package. The pockets have a narrow end and a wide end, with the narrow ends facing each other. The adhesive bonds are disposed in the pockets in contact the narrow ends of the pockets but not with the wide ends. The narrow ends physically confine the adhesive bonds so that if the bonds expand or contract due to environmental conditions (or the curing process), the adhesive either expands or contracts near the wide ends of the pockets. This allows the strain on the optical fiber segment between the bonds to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A holographic photonic integrated circuit includes a substrate with a ridge plane, a waveguide formed in the ridge plane haing an input and an output, a hologram formed in the ridge plane at least partially through the waveguide, and a CW light source wherein an optical signal entering the input is modulated by the CW light source to create a modulated output signal.

Abstract: A device and a method of temperature compensating are disclosed. The device and method are employed for temperature compensation of a section of optical fiber. The device and method are useful for limiting any change in optical properties of the section of optical fiber or optical structures that can be corrected by changing the linear dimension accordingly. Such optical properties include the characteristic wavelengths of FBGs, Fabry-Perot cavities, and the like. The device includes a composite plate comprising plural fiber laminae, each of which has a designed orientation, and having a specific temperature-dependent characteristic in a direction for compensating an optical component positioned thereon having a temperature-dependent deformation, wherein said specific temperature-dependent characteristic is determined by said designed orientations of said plural fiber laminae.

Abstract: An optical device (300) including first and second facets (340, 350); an at least partially bent waveguide (320) formed on a substrate and including a portion perpendicular to the first facet; and a light amplification region (310) coupled to the bent waveguide. The light amplification region includes an expanding tapered portion and a contracting tapered portion which approaches the second facet.

Abstract: One or more optical or optoelectronic components are mounted to one or more substrates/boards, and an optical assembly is inserted into one or more through-holes in the one or more substrates/boards. The optical assembly is positioned to receive light from or send light to the optical or optoelectronic components and provide a conditioned, for example collimated or focused, beam. The optical assembly comprises at least one lens portion, spacer portion, coupler portion, and a waveguide.

Abstract: A module comprises an electrical device having at least one memory device. A plurality of electrical contacts provide electrical signals to the electrical device. The memory apparatus also includes an optical interface, and an optical-to-electrical signal converter is coupled to receive optical signals from the optical interface and provide electrical signals to the electrical device.