Abstract: A system and apparatus for scanning food products to determine at least one property of the food product. In one embodiment, two sources of the food product, such as a low fat and a high fat source, controllably feed into a grinder. The grinder feeds into an x-ray analysis apparatus which is adapted to determine the desired property of the food product by x-ray analysis. A controller then forms a feedback loop which controls the relative amount of food product being feed from each of the food product sources.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-destructive inspection of materials housed in containers involves orienting an X-ray beam emitter and detector to direct and detect an X-ray beam at an angle substantially parallel to a sloped surface of the container to be inspected. A first X-ray apparatus is located opposite a second X-ray apparatus, and both the first and second X-ray apparatus are adapted to provide two X-ray beams. This arrangement provides for imaging of the entire area of a sloped portion of the container without any shadow or hidden spots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating X-rays having a source for emitting electrons, a carrier which is provided with a material which generates X-rays as a result of the incidence of electrons, and a bearing by means of which the carrier is journalled so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, the device further having a chamber that is bounded by a heat transferring surface of the carrier and by a heat transferring surface of the first bearing member, and that is at least partially filled with a heat transferring material, the material being urged, during operation, towards both heat transferring surfaces so that a relatively high rate of heat transfer is obtained between the heat transferring surfaces and the transferring material, which is not affected when the transferring surfaces thermally deform at relatively high temperatures because the transferring material will follow deformations of the heat tranferring surfaces such that the reduction of the overall rate of heat transfer

Abstract: A method and system thereof for recording information in an Internet-based architecture; specifically, a method and system for implementing rewind and fast forward commands with digital voice files while a recording session is in progress. Audio content is recorded and digitized. As the recording session progresses, the recorded audio content is partitioned into a plurality of temporally sequenced voice files. Each of the voice files stores a contiguous segment of the audio content. A user input is received identifying a function for controlling the recording (e.g., rewind or fast forward). In response, a particular one of the voice files is accessed.

Abstract: A voice transcription system employing a speech engine to transcribe spoken words, detects the spelled entry of words via keyboard or voice to invoke a database of common words attempting to complete the word before all the letters have been input. This database is separate from the database of words used by the speech engine. A voice level indicator is presented to the operator to help the operator keep his or her voice in the ideal range of the speech engine.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a plurality of subscriber stations, a plurality of network elements and a voice recognition module. The voice recognition module is associated with a network element and is configured to recognize at least one biometric voice parameter.

Abstract: The voice storage device of the invention includes a storage means that stores a voice signal, and a voice compression means that compresses the voice signal requiring a re-coding compression, of the voice signal stored in the storage means, in accordance with a compression degree and a significance of the voice signal.

Abstract: A telephone device coupled to the public switched telephone network is utilized by a user to participate in a telephone call between the user and a second party. A data store is provided for storing one or more personal data elements configurable on behalf of the user, the personal data elements being stored according to respective pointers. The data store corresponds to a respective user telephone number. A data interface controller retrieves a particular personal data element in response to a control signal. A control signal generator generates the control signal during the telephone call according to a respective pointer corresponding to the particular personal data element. A data transmitter is coupled to the data interface controller for transmitting the particular personal data element retrieved by the data interface controller to be communicated to the second party.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage collect phone calling limits are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises: determining if collect calls from one or more predetermined locations to a terminating phone number have exceeded a collect calls limit; and determining a future date when collect calls will be permitted from the one or more predetermined locations to the terminating phone number if the collect calls limit has been exceeded.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring that a digital switching exchange is able to properly collect data on the charges incurred for pay connections by providing a verification of the accuracy of the communications data records generated by the digital switching exchange. A system and method containing at least one test unit that is able to be linked to the digital switching exchange. The test unit includes a device for generating a connection-related reference data record. The digital switching exchange is able to generate at least one connection-related communications data record from transmitted communications elements. The contents of the connection-related reference data record are compared in a system evaluator to the contents of each connection-related communications data record belonging to it.

Abstract: A method (200) of categorizing and prioritizing a phone call for a recipient's phone number can include the steps of defining (205) a set of rules for a predetermined caller or a group of predetermined callers and assigning (210) a code to the set of rules. The method can further include the steps of receiving (220) a call containing the code appended by a caller to the recipient's phone number and routing (235 or 245) the call in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for audible caller identification with nametag storage. A call signal is received, the call signal including an automatic number identification. A determination is made whether the automatic number identification matches a nametag-identified number on a nametag list stored in a telematics unit. An audible user action identification message is sent based on the determination. Monitoring for a user voice response to the audible user action identification message is performed. A determination is made whether to connect the call signal based on a received user voice response. The call signal is sent to a voice mail system or sent to a phone based on the received user voice response. An audible nametag storage message is sent. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for audible caller identification with nametag storage.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes telecommunication resources, points, and a connection manager. The connection manager is configured to establish connections between the telecommunications resources and the points in response to a request from an application. The connection manager uses routing tables to select the most efficient route from the available routes between a telecommunications resource and a point. The routing tables establish the connection by sending a request to allocate a telecommunications resource to a session manager.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for managing calls for a subscriber, including accessing a calling plan while the subscriber is in an existing active call with at least one other party. The call is placed or received by the subscriber at a first device. At least one service feature of the calling plan is invoked during the active call. This service feature includes an add callers feature for adding at least one additional party to the existing active call between the subscriber and the other party. The service feature additionally includes a transfer devices feature for transferring the existing active call to at least one additional device of the subscriber and hanging up on the first device by the subscriber to confirm the transfer of the call to the additional device.

Abstract: A power offload network has a node for receiving at least one supply V1. The power offload network includes at least one switch and a power offload element providing a supply drop of VR. The switch is configurable for selecting a linefeed supply level from the set including {V1, V1?VR}. A subscriber line interface circuit receives the selected linefeed supply level for driving a subscriber line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for noise cancellation in a multi-channel communication system is disclosed. In one embodiment this system is configured to cancel FEXT on a victim channel utilizing the signals received on the other channels. The processing benefits gained by a receiver's other filters, such as for example, the FFE and DFE filters, is utilized when generating a FEXT cancellation signal. As a result, the complexity of the apparatus that generates the FEXT cancellation signal may be made less complex since part of the processing burden is performed by other filter apparatus. In one configuration pre-code FEXT cancellation occurs in that a pre-code FEXT filter generates one or more pre-code FEXT cancellation signals corresponding to each of the other channels. The pre-code FEXT cancellation signals are combined, prior to transmission, with the signals associated with each of the other channels, to thereby pre-cancel FEXT prior to transmission.

Abstract: The public-key encryption method uses the sender-side apparatus by the creator of a ciphertest and creates the ciphertext of a plaintext x (?{0, 1}n) in y1=f (x0k1G(r)), y2=H (x0k1G(r))r with respect to the published trapdoor-equipped unidirectional function f and the random functions G, H. Meanwhile, the receiver of the ciphertext, who has received the ciphertext by the receiver-side apparatus via the communications line, performs the decryption processing with the use of f?1, i.e., the secret key, in accordance with the steps inverse to those of the encryption processing.

Abstract: A method for addressing terminals for receiving television programs subject to charge includes dividing the terminals into respective groups, each group having a respective group address. A respective identifier is assigned to each of the terminals of a group, each identifier being a respective binary vector. A data word and the respective group address of a first group is sent so as to address predetermined terminals of the first group. The data word is generated by logically combining the respective binary vectors of the terminals of the first group with a further binary vector, the further binary vector indicating the predetermined terminals.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an efficient transfer of content data. In a case of transferring the content data from a data transfer device on a primary recording medium side to a data recording device to record the content data in a secondary recording medium, a data compression system and a bit rate that are conformable to the data recording device are compared with a data compression system and a bit rate of the content data to be sent, so that a required transfer processing is brought into realization according to a result of the comparison. For instance, when both the data compression systems are equal, and the bit rate of the content data is not more than the bit rate that is conformable to the data recording device, the content data is sent as it is in an encrypted compressed data state.

Abstract: A method for processing and transducing audio signals. An audio system has a first audio signal and a second audio signal that have amplitudes. A method for processing the audio signals includes dividing the first audio signal into a first spectral band signal and a second spectral band signal; scaling the first spectral band signal by a first scaling factor proportional to the amplitude of the second audio signal; and scaling the first spectral band signal by a second scaling factor to create a second signal portion. Other portions of the disclosure include application of the signal processing method to multichannel audio systems, and to audio systems having different combinations of directional loudspeakers, full range loudspeakers, and limited range loudspeakers.

Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: The present invention uses multivoice coil drivers in conjunction with the small satellite speakers of multichannel surround sound systems to achieve an overall linear response between 100 Hz to above 15 KHz. The multivoice coil drivers are designed to respond only to frequencies that fall between conventional upper base and lower midrange crossover frequencies which typically extend between 75 Hz and 225 Hz. The invention relies on the characteristics of human hearing which limits the listener's ability to localize the source of sound approximately to the wavelength of the sound being heard. The system may be incorporated in existing front and rear center speakers or separate enclosures to supplement the overall surround sound system.

Abstract: A process and system for providing objective quality measurement of a target audio signal. Reference and target signals are processed by a peripheral ear processor, and compared to provide a basilar degradation signal. A cognitive processor employing a neural network then determines an objective quality measure from the basilar degradation signal by calculating certain key cognitive model components.

Abstract: An apparatus is designed for updating setting of parameters so as to control an audio signal. In the apparatus, a holding section holds current values of the parameters effective to control the audio signal. A storing section stores a plurality of scene data, each scene data has a set of setting values of the parameters. A specifying section reads out one of the scene data from the storing section and specifies a setting value of at least one parameter contained in the read scene data. A determining section determines a unit updating amount of the specified parameter for use in a manual update mode according to both of the current value of the specified parameter and the setting value of the specified parameter.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle that includes a first passenger location and a second passenger location, the second passenger location situated behind the first passenger location, the audio system including a first directional audio channel signal source; a surround audio channel signal source; a first electroacoustical transducer coupled to the first directional audio signal source and to the surround audio channel source, situated forward of the second passenger location and behind the first passenger location. The first electroacoustical transducer radiates sound waves corresponding to audio signals from the first directional audio channel signal source and corresponding to audio signals from the surround audio channel signal source. The system further includes a second electroacoustical transducer coupled to the first directional audio signal source, situated forward of the first electroacoustical transducer.

Abstract: A sound volume set-point value set by the variable resistor 1 is converted into a sound volume set-point value signal by a sound volume set-point value detecting section. A control signal generating section rectifies an input signal and adds it to a sound volume set-point value signal, thereby generating a control signal less fluctuated, and the amplification factor of amplifying section is adjusted by the control signal. The input signal is amplitude limited by this, to thereby prevent an output sound from being distorted. When the input signal is low in level, the amplitude limiting operation of the amplifier is stopped, to thereby retain a dynamic range of the original signal. Through the fluctuation suppression of the control signal, the unnatural feeling given to the listener when the amplitude limiting operation starts or stops is also lessened.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing aid assembly wherein the hearing aid is comprised of an acoustic receiver, an acoustic transmitter, and a body, and an annular channel, wherein the acoustic receiver is designed to fit into a external acoustic meatus of an ear, the acoustic transmitter is designed to fit into a inner ear canal, and the generally cylindrical body is disposed between the receiver and the transmitter, the annular channel is disposed on the surface of the body such that it circumscribes the body's circumference. The annular channel is adapted to receive an annular ring which functions as an acoustic seal.

Abstract: A balanced receiver providing significantly reduced vibration is disclosed. The balanced receiver comprises a closed loop operably attached between an armature and a diaphragm. The effective moving mass of the diaphragm is designed to match the effective moving mass of the armature. The closed loop facilitates the balancing of the motion of the diaphragm and the motion of the armature, thus reducing the vibration of the receiver.

Abstract: A speaker driver has a detachable motor and basket to allow attachment or separation of the motor assembly from the basket assembly. Two embodiments are disclosed, a thread-on detachable motor and a bolt-on detachable motor.

Abstract: A method for embedding a watermark into a digital image. The method includes independently changing real number components and imaginary number components of each of coefficient values of a complex watermark coefficient matrix using a key, from the watermark to be embedded in the digital image. The method further includes a step for performing a discrete Fourier inverse transform on the sequence matrix of the changed watermark and generating a watermark pattern. The method also includes a step for adding like tiling the water mark pattern to the original image, and generating an embedded image.

Abstract: A method displays an image only to an authorized user by generating a mask image from a data image. The data and mask image are then displayed periodically in an alternating manner on a display device by a select signal. The opening end shutting of an optical shutter device is synchronized to the displaying of the selected images so that only the data image is perceived by the authorized user viewing the display device through the optical shutter device, and a gray image is perceived by an unauthorized user viewing the data and mask images directly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various steganographic methods and apparatus. In one embodiment, a plurality of microlenses can provide a steganographic signal for a handheld device. The pattern corresponds to (or conveys) a device identifier. In another embodiment, a handheld computing device includes: a plurality of pixel elements; a set of microlenses; and electronic circuitry communicating with the set of microlenses. The set of microlenses are arranged to create a pattern, the pattern providing a plural-bit identifier. The electronic circuitry operates to change the unique identifier. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and searching for a face using 2nd-order independent component analysis (ICA) are provided. The method includes performing PCA on an input original image and generating a low-pass filtered image by removing high-frequency component from the original image, subtracting the low-pass filtered image from the original image and obtaining residual image having only frequency-components, and performing ICA on the residual image and generating feature information corresponding to the original image. While an original ICA subtracts independent components (i.e., independent basis components) from gray scale images, the proposed 2nd-order ICA is robust to illumination variation since it is applied to make the remaining images correspond to high pass frequency components.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a fingerprint operates in a selected mode to provide a finger recognition and/or a finger navigation application. Multiple light sources are capable of being sequentially selected for illumination of corresponding partitions of a finger interface upon which a user places a finger (or thumb). The selection of light sources is based on the selected mode of operation. A single sensor captures light reflected from the digit in all illuminated partitions as sequential partition images. The sensor further outputs image data corresponding to the captured partition images for processing in the selected mode.

Abstract: An object inspection system includes an object feeding device, a positioning device including a rotatable wheel with a peripheral edge face formed with retaining grooves for positioning objects from the feeding device, an image recognition detector for detecting a side portion of the object in each of the retaining grooves so as to generate image data, and an image processing device for receiving and converting the image data into a set of calculated dimensions and for comparing the set of calculated dimensions with a set of preset dimensions so as to generate a first signal or a second signal. First and second object removing member are controlled by the first and second signals, respectively, to remove the objects from the positioning device.

Abstract: A method links edges in stereo images into chains which correspond to physical contours in a scene. First, edges are detected in the stereo images. Edges between the stereo images are matched, such that each edge has associated stereo matches. The edges are linked into chains, such that each chained edge has a single associated stereo match, and neighboring edges in a chain have matches with a substantial similar stereo disparity.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3-D) image is generated from a plurality of portions of an image of an object, each captured portion of the image is based on a scan width of an image capture device. A range finding device obtains at least one range data value for each captured portion of the image as at least one corresponding position in each captured portions of the image, and a base to which the image capture device and the range finding device are mounted moves in increments based on the scan width of the image capture device.

Abstract: Images sensed through object lenses 100R and 100L, having zoom lenses, with image sensors 102R and 102L are processed by image signal processors 104R and 104L, and an image of an object in each of the sensed images is separated from a background image on the basis of the processed image signals. The separated image signals representing the image of the object enter the image processor 220, where a three-dimensional shape of the object is extracted on the basis of parameters used upon sensing the images. The parameters are automatically adjusted so that images of the object fall within the both image sensing areas of the image sensors 102R and 102L and that they fall within the both focal depths of the image sensors 102R and 102L.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing two-dimensional contrast images rendered from three-dimensional STIL data. Briefly, the rendered contrast image data is scaled based on a mean intensity value of all pixels of data therein, stretched to a predetermined dynamic range, modified to compensate for jitter and CCD array effects associated with the STIL camera system, normalized using an exponential decay function that describes contrast intensity roll-off associated therewith, and has a histogram clip routine applied thereto.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing two-dimensional range images rendered from three-dimensional STIL data. Briefly, the rendered range image data is modified to compensate for jitter effects associated with the STIL camera system, has background portions of the resulting data modified to compensate for CCD array effects and range intensity roll-off associated with the STIL camera system, has a “salt and pepper” noise reduction routine applied thereto, and has a histogram clip routine applied thereto.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing three dimensional shapes from two dimensional image domains uses glyph address carpets as a structured light pattern. The glyph address carpet includes a glyph encoding scheme in which the coordinates of any given point can be computed by looking at the glyph marks in a small neighborhood. The method includes calibrating at least one projecting device and at least one image detecting device and projecting a glyph address carpet pattern onto a three dimensional figure. The projected glyph address carpet pattern is detected and used to reconstruct the three dimensional coordinates for each readable glyph mark within the projected glyph address carpet pattern.

Abstract: A method and a system for progressive stereo matching of digital images representing a scene. In general, the present invention uses a progressive iterative technique that includes a disparity gradient limit principle and a least commitment strategy. Generally unambiguous pixel matches are found by beginning with a few reliable pixel matches and finding progressively more unambiguous pixel matches. Unambiguous pixel matches are used to define the search ranges for each pixel to guide matching in the current iteration. Unambiguous pixel matches then are found using a novel correlation technique and based on a correlation score associated with a pixel match. The search range is capable of being rotated, and is part of a novel correlation technique that provides a more robust estimate of pixel match reliability. Potential pixel matches found in the search ranges are tested for ambiguity and unambiguous matches are selected and added to the reliable pixel matches.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method and computer program product for identifying one or more new pattern classes and incorporating the classes into a pattern recognition classifier as output classes. A plurality of input patterns determined not to be associated with any of a set of at least one represented output class by a pattern recognition classifier are rejected. The rejected pattern samples are then grouped into clusters according to the similarities between the pattern samples. Clusters that represent new pattern classes are identified via independent review. The classifier is then retrained to include the new pattern classes as output classes.

Abstract: A system for compressing an image. The system determines a set of commonly occurring color values in the image and associates a designator with each commonly occurring color value. For each pixel in the image, the system identifies a color value for the pixel. If the pixel has a commonly occurring color value, the system substitutes the associated designator for the commonly occurring color value. Otherwise, if the pixel does not have a commonly occurring color value, the system adds the color value to a rare color list, and substitutes a special designator for the color value to indicate that the color value for the pixel is contained in the rare color list.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved system and method in which a pen-sized and shaped device detects, recognizes and stores handwriting as it is written by the device. The invention employs both an active feedback network and a character recognition methodology of partitioning detected input into character components. The active feedback network continually monitors device output to determine the sufficiency of the data input. If the data input is insufficient, the device modifies its detection methodology to obtain data the device readily recognizes. Data recognition is performed in multiple asynchronous processes. Elements of individual characters are sampled by the detector. Character elements are processed and recognized on this elemental level. Recognized character elements are stored for subsequent assembly and recognition on a character level. Thus, preferably two recognition sub-processes take place, one on a character element level and another on a character level.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention may be used to recognize digital image data arranged in rows and columns. Exemplary embodiments may include a feature extractor for extracting feature information from data representing the rows and columns of the digital image data, a feature compressor for compressing the extracted feature information, and a neural network for classifying the digital image data from the compressed, extracted feature information.

Abstract: A rather expanded binary image and a rather blurry binary image are generated from a multiple-valued image. A ruled line candidate area is extracted from the rather expanded binary image, and the extracted ruled line candidate area is verified using the rather blurry binary image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying differences between a stored pattern and a matching image subset, where variations in pattern position, orientation, and size do not give rise to false differences. The invention is also a system for analyzing an object image with respect to a model pattern so as to detect flaws in the object image. The system includes extracting pattern features from the model pattern; generating a vector-valued function using the pattern features to provide a pattern field; extracting image features from the object image; evaluating each image feature, using the pattern field and an n-dimensional transformation that associates image features with pattern features, so as to determine at least one associated feature characteristic; and using at least one feature characteristic to identify at least one flaw in the object image. The invention can find at least two distinct kinds of flaws: missing features, and extra features.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing clustering of a document image are disclosed. A property of an extracted mark from a document is compared to the properties of the existing clusters. If the property of the mark fails to match any of the properties of the existing clusters, the mark is added as a new cluster to the existing cluster. One property that can be utilized is x size and y size, which is the width and height, of the existing clusters. Another property that can be employed is ink size, which refers to the ratio of black pixels to total pixels in a cluster. Yet another property that can be utilized is a reduced mark or image, which is a pixel size reduced version the bitmap of the mark and/or cluster. The above properties can be employed to identify mismatches and reduce the number of bit by bit comparisons performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning-based automatic commercial content detection are described. In one aspect, program data is divided into multiple segments. The segments are analyzed to determine visual, audio, and context-based feature sets that differentiate commercial content from non-commercial content. The context-based features are a function of single-side left and/or right neighborhoods of segments of the multiple segments.