Abstract: An access point comprises a wireless transceiver and host logic coupled to the wireless transceiver. The host logic is adapted to provide access by a wireless station to a wired network. Through the wireless transceiver, the host logic wirelessly provides a symmetric encryption key to the wireless station using asymmetric encryption.

Abstract: Stateless hardware security modules facilitate securing data transfers between devices in a data communication system. The stateless hardware security module may communicate with other devices via a secure communication channel to securely transfer information between the client device and another device. As a result, sensitive information such as cryptographic keys and data may be securely routed between the client device and another device. The stateless hardware security module may support a limited set of key management operations to facilitate routing of information between the client device and another device. However, the stateless hardware security module does not need to maintain state information for the keys it maintains and/or uses. As a result, the stateless hardware security module may be advantageously integrated into a variety of client devices.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for storing data. The apparatus includes a directory key generator generating a directory key required for encrypting and decrypting the data by inputting a device-specific key to a key generating function, the device-specific key being unique information allocated to the device and stored in a secure region of the device. The data is stored in at least one directory, and the directory key is used in encrypting and decrypting the data in units of directories. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize consumption of resources required to encrypt and decrypt the data.

Abstract: The data representation apparatus (100) for representing data by means of an audio signal (o), contains an processing unit (102) arranged to deliver the audio signal (o) with a characteristic (C) dependent on a positionless data variable (p) capable of having a first value (206) and a second value (208), whereby the data representation apparatus (100) comprises a mapping unit (132), arranged to map by means of a mapping the first value (206) of the data variable (p) to a first position (216) in three-dimensional space, and the second value (208) of the data variable (p) to a second position (218) in three-dimensional space, and the audio processing unit (102) is arranged to change the characteristic (C), resulting in the audio signal appearing to originate from the first position (216) for the data variable (p) having the first value (206) respectively the second position (218) for the data variable (p) having the second value (208), to a user (200) listening to the audio signal (o).

Abstract: An acoustic system that is capable of forming a desired sound field and sound pressure as desired and in a flexible manner depending on the situation when speakers are newly installed and when installed speakers are increased or decreased later. A plurality of speaker units each include a plurality of speakers. Delay processing is performed on audio signals to be input to the respective speakers. A controller unit detects a connection status of the plurality of speaker units and also detects the array pattern of the plurality of speaker units from speaker unit array patterns stored in advance. The controller unit then outputs a sound field control instruction for realizing a desired sound field based on the detected array pattern to the plurality of speaker units.

Abstract: A method of removing reverberation from audio signals is disclosed. The method comprises spectro-temporally analyzing the first audio signal and the second audio signal to derive an energy function of time for a plurality of frequency bands. The method further comprises determining a delay stability between the energy function of time for the first audio signal and the second audio signal in each band, determining a gain function in each band based on the delay stability, adjusting the energy of the first audio signal and the second audio signal using the gain function within each band, and resynthesizing audio signals from the energy in each band of the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine a channel response for an alternative sensor using an alternative sensor signal and an air conduction microphone signal. The channel response is then used to estimate a clean speech value using at least a portion of the alternative sensor signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described which reduce the presence of an unwanted signal. According to one embodiment, a first signal is provided from a desired location that includes an unwanted signal while a second signal is provided from an alternate location (e.g., one where the unwanted signal is less of a proportion of the total signal). The first and alternate signals are provided to respective signal processors. A level for a selected frequency band of the first and alternate signals is adjusted so that an increase in one results in a decrease in the other. Doing so allows the frequency band that includes the unwanted signal to be reduced in the desired first signal and filled in with a similar frequency band from the alternate signal.

Abstract: In a device equipped with audio output, a range of the audio output level in regular use is set. When an attempt is made to change the setting to a volume level exceeding the range of the audio output level having been set, a request is made for an acknowledgement that the operation is appropriate, and only if a reply is given within a given time, the volume setting is changed. Such a method prevents the audio output from a television set or audio equipment to be increased to a volume level higher than necessary due to an operating error in a volume setting operation.

Abstract: To provide an electrostatic ultrasonic transducer arranged so that sound wave is not radiated from the rear surface while utilizing advantages of a push-pull type electrostatic ultrasonic transducer. A push-pull type electrostatic ultrasonic transducer includes a vibrating film 11 having a conductive layer and a pair of fixed electrodes 12, 13 provided facing respective surfaces of the vibrating film, and applies a direct current bias voltage to the conductive layer of the vibrating film and applies an alternating current signal between the pair of fixed electrodes so as to allow the vibrating film to generate sound wave and outputting the sound wave generated from the vibrating film from two sound wave output surfaces via through holes provided in the respective pair of fixed electrodes.

Abstract: A crosspoint matrix for digital signal routing and control, the matrix realized by software code includes a plurality of configurable inputs adapted to accept one or more input signals; a plurality of configurable outputs connected via signal paths to the inputs; and a plurality of variable gain control circuits described by code at each signal path intersection for enabling signal strength level adjustment. In a preferred embodiment, the matrix is a software interface inserted between a sound editing application and a sound card.

Abstract: A loudspeaker (8), including a piezoelectric disk (10) having a first diameter and a diaphragm disk (12) which is fixed to the second diameter greater than the first diameter. The loudspeaker further includes a cover (14), consisting of a convex surface (24) bounded by an annulus (26, 27), which mates with the diaphragm disk to form a generally plano-convex volume (28) between the diaphragm disk and the cover. A labyrinth (16, 18) is fixedly coupled to a circumference of the annulus to provide a path (34) for sound waves.

Abstract: A speaker system utilizes dipole speaker drivers in conjunction with monopole speaker drivers in a listening area to disperse a surround sound effect to a listener. The dipole speaker drivers are physically mounted on top of the front left and right speakers and are angled in a way that the surround information is delivered to the listener via wall/room reflections. By reflecting the sound off the walls, the system provides a delayed diffuse audio signal from the dipole speakers, enhancing the surround effect.

Abstract: An electronic battery-powered hearing instrument comprises a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal arranged to contact a battery, a rectifier circuit for providing a positive supply voltage (Up) and a negative supply voltage (Un) regardless of a polarity of the battery relative to the first and second power supply terminal, primary function means arranged to provide at least one drive signal (Ud) to a drive circuit for driving an electroacoustic conversion means by controlling electrical valve means (14, 15, 16, 17). The drive circuit is electrically connected to the first power supply terminal and to the second power supply terminal, and the electrical valve means (14, 15, 16, 17) are polarity-independent, that is, they are able to operate regardless of the polarity of the voltage applied to their terminals.

Abstract: At the exit of a hearing device (3) (for acoustic or sound-signals) a tube-like connecting-element or an angle piece (21) is arranged. At the end of the connecting element or angle piece (21) a thread (23) is arranged for connecting a tube (29) for sound or acoustic transmission of the hearing device into an ear-cannel.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention employ a subwoofer speaker adapted to be recessed within a wall or other building structure. In another aspect of the present invention, an amplifier is adapted to be recessed within a wall or other building structure, and can be employed with the recessed subwoofer or with another component of an entertainment system. In some embodiments, the subwoofer speaker is mounted in a wall cavity and supported therein with brackets. If desired, the amplifier can be supported by a frame within a wall cavity.

Abstract: A loudspeaker apparatus in which a diaphragm is reinforced easily and favorably. The loudspeaker apparatus includes a loudspeaker diaphragm formed by joining a domed diaphragm and an edge-like diaphragm and vibrated using a voice coil, and a reinforcement ring reinforcing a junctional flat portion or the vicinity of the junctional flat portion of the diaphragm. The reinforcement ring is formed of a permeable material, and the permeable reinforcement ring is stuck to the junctional flat portion or the vicinity of the junctional flat portion of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Substantially invisible elements of an electronic code can be embedded in a document independent of the layout of the image being displayed to provide document related data. Generally, code elements are printed in a color that has luminance values that do not vary substantially from the luminance of the location on the document where they are placed. Thus, the embedded data will be substantially invisible to the human eye at normal reading distances, yet capable of being captured by a conventional digital scanner. In one aspect, elements of the code are printed on a black and white document, as blue dots in content locations and as yellow dots in background locations. To decode the information, the system and method identifies locations for potential code element candidates based upon the relative luminance of the pixel and the surrounding location of the image.

Abstract: Techniques for positioning images in an electronic document. The images may encode information that can be decoded by devices configured to read the images. An area within the electronic document for positioning the image and a set of one or more colors to be used for the image are determined. The determined area and set of colors are such that the image when positioned in the electronic document blends in with the contents of the electronic document while still being clearly visible for reading by reader devices that are configured read and decode the information encoded by the image.

Abstract: Determining a chrominance portion to be watermarked employs a perception-based table that indicates for various pixel values which of the chrominance portions, if any, should be selected for watermarking. Only the Y, U, and V values of a pixel are needed to access the table and determine which chrominance portion should be selected. However, the table may be represented such that it may be accessed using only R, G, and B values. The table may be modified so that it may indicate which of U or V should be selected, or that neither should be selected, indicating that this pixel should not be watermarked at all. Advantageously, the table may be simplified by employing some processing, because a large section of the table may be replaced by a simple test on the pixel values, e.g., U<128, to determine the selected chrominance portion.

Abstract: A printed image can be redundantly encoded by printing a visible image using a colorant with a luminance that contrasts with that of the output sheet and printing a redundant image using a colorant with a luminance that varies only slightly from that of the output sheet. Accordingly, the visible image can be easily read by a user while the redundant image is substantially invisible to the human eye at normal-reading distances, yet capable of being captured by a conventional digital scanner. In one aspect, redundantly encoded images may be printed on a white background, with visible images printed in black text and redundant images printed in blue in content regions of the visible image and in yellow in its background regions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extracting unit to extract watermark data from image data of an image; a generating unit to generate a watermark image based on the watermark data; and a superimposing unit to superimpose the watermark image on the image.

Abstract: An image is digitally watermarked to convey position data about the subject of the image, such as latitude, longitude and elevation of a point depicted therein. Additional information, e.g., about camera attributes, camera angle, and 3D warp-characterizing polynomial coefficients, can also be included. In another implementation, a method includes receiving data representing an image or video, and embedding the data with a digital watermark. The digital watermark includes a plural-bit payload having information to: i) identify a spatial position or area depicted in the image and designated as an origin, and ii) identify a position or direction relative to the origin.

Abstract: Provided are an information processing apparatus, method, program and storage medium whereby prescribed additional information such as a digital watermark can be embedded directly in encoded data, and later extracted, without decoding data that has been compressed and encoded by the JPEG scheme, etc. First, encoded data, which is information that has been encoded, is input from an encoded data input unit (101). An embed coefficient is selected in an embed coefficient selector (102) block by prescribed block, and a code transformation unit (103) replaces the encoded data by different encoded data, which corresponds to the input encoded data, input using a transformation table (104), whereby a digital watermark is embedded.

Abstract: The disclosure details methods and systems for watermark encoding and decoding. In one implementation a method is provided to detect steganographic indicia embedded in a streaming media signal. The method includes receiving a streaming media signal; caching selected portions of the streaming media signal; detecting steganographic indicia from cached portions of streaming content; and carrying out an action based at least in part on detection of the steganographic indicia. Additional solutions, methods and implementations are detailed in the disclosure.

Abstract: A method of embedding information in digital content representing media streams. The method includes (1) selecting a set of locations within that digital content reprensenting the media stream to embed information, (2) selecting a set of possible alterations to make at those locations, and (3) making a subset of the possible alterations. The set of locations and possible alterations is herein sometimes called a “watermark.” The subset of actual alterations that are made is herein sometimes called a “fingerprint.” The method determines a set of locations at which there are alternative versions of digital content representing the same media stream, such as one being the original and one being an alternative version of the same digital content, herein sometimes called the “original movie” and the “alt-movie,” or herein sometimes called the “original block” and the “alt-block” for a particular block in the digital content representing the media stream.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for inventory control of items in a location are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises a surveillance system comprising a plurality of cameras and at least one display, at least one identification tag, at least one identification tag reader configured to read the identification tag and placed to cover at least a portion of the location, and a computer configured to process information including the identification tag read by the reader. In response to the information, the computer controls a video camera to display an image showing an area around the identification tag. This may be based on a determination of heightened risk, such as when the identification tag is associated with a receipt and is brought back to the location after being removed from the location.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring surroundings of a vehicle by displaying images taken by a plurality of cameras provided at the vehicle on a display apparatus provided in a vehicle compartment includes an image processing portion.

Abstract: To authenticate images taken by image capturing elements (3) of offending vehicles, for example, when exceeding the authorized speed, provided elements are provided for allowing informative data on the offence to be supplied, such as the speed of the vehicle, the date, the time and the place of the offence and various processing methods are provided which enable, during exploitation of the images, detection of whether or not manipulations have been carried out on the images.

Abstract: A selector (502) for selecting a background motion vector for a pixel in an occlusion region of an image, from a set of motion vectors being computed for the image, comprises: computing means (510) for computing a model-based motion vector for the pixel on basis of a motion model being determined on basis of a part of (402-436) a motion vector field (400) of the image; comparing means (511) for comparing the model-based motion vector with each of the motion vectors of the set of motion vectors; and selecting means (512) for selecting a particular motion vector of the set of motion vectors on basis of the comparing and for assigning the particular motion vector as the background motion vector.

Abstract: Using known methods of face recognition, appliances can be automatically initiated and/or adjusted as a user enters an environment, such as a home or a room. The environment is networked such that there is a communication link between a camera monitoring the entrance to the environment, a face recognition system, and the appliances. The method of automatically controlling a networked environment includes capturing a face image of an individual, storing the face image (i.e., in a memory), and associating at least one appliance setup to the face image. The method also includes comparing the face image to stored face images, retrieving the at least one appliance setup for a matched face image, and initiating the at least one appliance setup. An appliance setup controls turning on or off an appliance, such as an illumination source, a television, or a stereo.

Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes an image capturing means for capturing an image of a driver's seat, and a controlling means for performing a face identification determination, and an inattentive and drowsy driving determination of a driver based on an image captured by the image capturing means, wherein the controlling means determines whether or not a driver on the driver's seat is a registered driver on the basis of an image captured by the image capturing means when a shifting means is in a parking position, and determines whether or not a driver is looking aside or falling asleep on the basis of an image captured by the image capturing means when the shifting means is in a shift position other than the parking position.

Abstract: Biometric iris detection systems are adaptable for control of alarm conditions through the systems scanner or reader by physical actions of a user's eye and/or eye lid. An alarm condition can be set in a biometric iris detection system following a predetermined blinking pattern by a user's eyelid. An alarm condition also can be set in a biometric iris detection system following closure of a user's eyelid for a predetermined time following user identification/acceptance by the system. An alarm condition can following a predetermined movement patter of a user's eyeball (e.g., a user looks at a particular area, or areas, within a biometric reader, e.g., upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right, during user identification and acceptance procedures. The embodiments of the present invention can be carried out using biometric iris detection hardware and image processing/control software.

Abstract: In a method for determining the bearing surface in images of skin prints, the skin having ridges and furrows and the images existing in the form of image data, the image is filtered with a plurality of Gabor filters whose cosine functions are oriented in different directions in the spatial domain. From the filter responses, surfaces are determined that are each distinguished by an approximate direction of the ridges/furrows, which direction is preset by the respective Gabor filter. The surfaces are combined to an overall surface that represents the bearing surface.

Abstract: A fingerprint image pickup device includes a light source that emits light for transmission through a fingertip portion having a fingerprint to be photographed, an image pickup unit that picks up the light from the light source and transmitted through the fingertip portion and acquires a fingerprint image in which a convex part of the fingerprint is dark and a concave part of the fingerprint is bright, and an optical system that images the light transmitted through the fingertip portion from the light source on the image pickup unit. The light from the light source illuminates a portion other than a nail of the fingertip portion, and the light has a center of illumination on a center line, in a width direction of a face where the nail of the fingertip portions is present, and on a skin side of a border of the nail and skin of the fingertip portion.

Abstract: A fingerprint image pickup device includes a light source that emits a light for transmission through a fingertip portion having a fingerprint to be photographed, an image pickup unit that picks up the light from the light source and transmitted through the subject to acquire a fingerprint image in which convex and concave parts of the fingerprint are dark and bright, respectively, and an optical system that images the light transmitted through the fingertip portion on the image pickup unit. The optical system is arranged so that a distal side of the fingertip portion is tilted at a predetermined angle, farther away from the optical system thank an opposite sides with reference to a position at which a ventral side of the fingertip portion contacts a face orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for structuring dynamic data from a plurality of images. Certain embodiments include accessing an image data set including data representing a plurality of images, determining a dynamic or functional attribute in the image data set, associating the dynamic or functional attribute with a lexical attribute from a lexicon, and storing the lexical attribute and an associated code. The lexical attribute and associated code may be stored in a database and/or a structured report, for example. The lexicon may be modified to accommodate attributes and medical terminology. Attributes relate to a feature and/or a region of interest in the image data set.

Abstract: Medical overlay mirror methods and related systems.

Abstract: Magnitude enhancement analysis of medical and dental images of tissue or organs such as MRI, PET, CT and x-ray images configured to display intensity-related features of high-bit images, such as grayscale without distorting the underlying intensity unless desired, and/or enhancing perception of saturation, hue, color channels and other space dimensions in a digital image, and external datasets related to a 2D image. In a preferred embodiment, the tissue or organ has been administered a contrast agent prior to the image being taken. In a more preferred embodiment, a series of images of the same tissue or organ has been taken over time to show changes in the tissue or organ over time.

Abstract: A method for performing distributed statistical iterative reconstruction of an image volume using a computed tomography (CT) system is provided. The method comprises partitioning the image volume across one or more computing nodes. Each computing node receives a portion of measured sinogram data corresponding to a portion of the image volume. The method further comprises distributing a reconstruction operation of the image volume across the one or more computing nodes.

Abstract: A method for iteratively reconstructing image data acquired by a computed tomography system is provided. The method comprises generating a calculated sinogram from an image estimate and generating an error sinogram based on the calculated sinogram and a measured sinogram. Then, one or more backprojections are performed, each based upon a reconstruction parameter. The reconstruction parameter impacts at least one of convergence speed and computational cost of each iterative step and corresponding reconstruction. A filtering step is performed prior to performing the one or more backprojections. Finally, the initial image is updated by adding corresponding results of the one or more backprojections to the image estimate to obtain the reconstructed image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing a series of images. A contour initializer establishes a plurality of initial contours from respective images within the series of images. A model initializer interconnects the plurality of initial contours into a surface model. A model refiner refines the plurality of initial contours by manipulating the surface model.

Abstract: A method for correction of scatter in an image includes receiving data of an image having a scatter characteristic, performing a deconvolution procedure on the data using Hermite expansion technique, and generating modified image data based on a result from the step of performing. A method for correction of scatter in an image includes receiving data of an image having a scatter characteristic, and generating modified image data using Fredholm integral technique.

Abstract: A method of analyzing images of stained slides on a remote client computer connected to a wide area network such as the Internet includes the steps of scanning a stained slide to produce a digital image file of the stained slide and storing the digital image at a first location. An image viewer and analysis program is executed on a client computer in a location remote from the first location. A stored digital image from the first location is transferred to the client computer. A user selects a field from the stored digital image using the image and analysis viewer program. The field is then scored either manually or automatically. A user may also score a section of a field. Multiple fields and/or sections may be scored to achieve an overall score for the slide. A hardcopy report may be generated based on the scoring.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a photomask is described. Photomask patterns are transferred onto a wafer, and an abnormal photomask pattern is searched out and coordinates thereof are acquired. A photomask region containing the abnormal photomask pattern is defined, and coordinates thereof are acquired. Next, a shot on the wafer is arbitrarily selected, and coordinates of a wafer region in the shot corresponding to the photomask region are acquired. Further, a position of a possible abnormal wafer pattern in the shot corresponding to the abnormal phoromask pattern is calculated on the basis of coordinates of the abnormal photomask pattern, photomask region, and wafer region. Based on the above coordinates, coordinates of the position of a possible abnormal wafer pattern in the shot corresponding to the abnormal phoromask pattern are acquired. Finally, it is determined whether the abnormal wafer pattern indeed exists at the above position in the shot.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a presence of macro and micro defects. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to the registration of ultrasound image data of an object and of three-dimensional second image data of the object. It is proposed to support a manual registration by an automatic process. Reference information defining a reference location in the ultrasound image are used, wherein the reference location is located on a surface of the object or is located at a defined distance to the surface of the object when the ultrasound detector generates the ultrasound image data. At least one surface point on the surface of the object or at a defined distance to the surface is identified in the second image. The ultrasound image data and the second image data are aligned with respect to one registration direction using the reference information and using information concerning a location of the surface point in the second image.

Abstract: A robot system having a vision sensor. The robot system includes a robot; a robot controlling section for controlling an operation of the robot; an imaging section provided on the robot and obtaining image data of a working environment of the robot; an image processing section for processing the image data obtained in the imaging section; a vision controlling section for controlling the imaging section and the image processing section to cause execution of obtaining the image data, transmitting the image data thus obtained, and processing the image data; and a communication network to which the robot controlling section, the image processing section and the vision controlling section are connected.

Abstract: A three-dimensional-based modeling method and system designed for dentistry and related medical (and appropriate non-medical) applications. Data capture means produces a point cloud representing the three-dimensional surface of an object (e.g., dental arch). Three-dimensional recognition objects are provided, particularly within those areas in the image field that have low image definition, and particularly in such of these areas that appear in overlapping portions of at least two images, to provide the three-dimensional image processing software with position, angulation, and orientation information sufficient to enable highly accurate combining (or “stitching”) of adjoining and overlapping images. Alignment, and creation of aligned related objects or models thereof, such as maxillar and mandibular arches, is facilitated.