Abstract: A microphone system has a base coupled with first and second microphone apparatuses. The first microphone apparatus is capable of producing a first output signal having a noise component, while the second microphone apparatus is capable of producing a second output signal. The system also has combining logic operatively coupled with the first microphone apparatus and the second microphone apparatus. The combining logic uses the second output signal to remove at least a portion of the noise component from the first output signal.

Abstract: A portable media player comprises an earphone transmission port, a detection circuit, a switch circuit, and a processor. The earphone transmission port mounted on the portable media player is electrically connected to a connector for receiving a signal or power transmitted from the connector. The detection circuit electrically connected to the earphone transmission port is used to detect a type of the connector for sending an informing signal. The switch circuit electrically connected to the earphone transmission port is used to switch between a signal inputting status and a signal outputting status according to the type of the connector. The processor electrically connected to the detection circuit and the switch circuit is used to receive the informing signal for turning on or off the switch circuit.

Abstract: A microphone system implements multiple microphones on a single base. To that end, the microphone system has a base, and a plurality of substantially independently movable diaphragms secured to the base. Each of the plurality of diaphragms forms a variable capacitance with the base and thus, each diaphragm effectively forms a generally independent, separate microphone with the base.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a speaker grille, a built-in speaker provided behind the speaker grille, and an output amplifier connected to the built-in speaker. A voltage applied to the output amplifier is increased to a level higher than the level of voltage applied to the output amplifier while audio signals are being produced, and instead of the audio signals, low-frequency continuous signals are applied to the output amplifier. By increasing the voltage applied to the output amplifier to a level higher than the level of voltage applied to the output amplifier while audio signals are being produced, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the speaker is increased. Also, instead of the audio signals, low-frequency continuous signals are applied to the output amplifier so that the speaker produces a higher sound pressure than while audio signals are being produced to discharge water in the speaker grille under the sound pressure.

Abstract: A cycle sound system is disclosed that quick-connects interchangeably to cycle seats, backpacks, handbags, and shoulder bags. Left and right gripping assemblies mount quick-connectably to the handlebars and include control levers or buttons for preferably wireless connection to the sound system. The gripping assemblies preferably include speakers and can alternatively be used alone as a complete cycle sound system.

Abstract: The object is to automate and simplify the programming of a hearing aid or some other hearing apparatus. Toward that end provision is made to provide the hearing aid with a transponder device which is connected to a signal processing means and an antenna device of the hearing aid. By means of the transponder device it is possible to extract energy for the signal processing device, for example, from a data signal received by the antenna device. As a result it is possible to program, by wireless means, a hearing aid which is not equipped with a battery or which is not switched on.

Abstract: An in-the-ear hearing aid is to have a more compact design. For this purpose there is inserted into a housing shell an electronics module having all the electronic components of the hearing aid, the electronic components being secured to a flexible supporting structure. As a result of the open construction of the electronics module, the individual electronic components can be compactly inserted with short stranded wires, thus also increasing electromagnetic compatibility. The flexibility of the supporting structure enables allowance to be made for individually differing auditory canal shapes.

Abstract: A hearing device with an audio shoe is to be designed in a simpler and less interference-susceptible manner. To this end, provision is made for an audio shoe to comprise contact springs of such type that directly contact the circuit boards of a hearing device. A contact intermediate piece between the audio shoe and the circuit board of the hearing device can thus be dispensed with. Furthermore, contact problems caused by the intermediate piece can hereby be avoided and the assembly cost for the hearing device reduced.

Abstract: A micro electrical and/or electronical device, as in particular a hearing aid being worn e.g. behind the ear, is characterized by a housing shell (1), which at least partially comprises a skid-proof surface (11). This skid-proof surface can be made out of an elastomeric polymer or an elastic polymer. Preferably such part (11) of the surface of the housing or shell (1) is being made skid-proof, which is in contact with the skin, while wearing the hearing aid.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A speaker device includes a diaphragm and a voice coil including plus and minus lead wires. In this speaker device, as a measure of fixing (reinforcing) each of the plus and minus lead wires, a solventless adhesive is used. Each of the plus and minus lead wires is fixed (reinforced) onto a sound output surface of the diaphragm by the solventless adhesive.

Abstract: A speaker device which makes it possible to prevent the entry of foreign matter such as magnetic dust into a magnetic gap through the gap between a diffuser and a voice coil bobbin, to thereby improve the operational reliability and service life of the product. In a speaker device in which a diffuser that improves directional characteristics is provided on a front side of a center pole that makes up a magnetic circuit, the diffuser has a magnet portion which is provided in a ring shape making one round around its outer periphery and is magnetized in a radial direction. As foreign matter such as magnetic dust is attracted by the magnet portion of the diffuser, the entry of the foreign matter into a magnetic gap side is prevented.

Abstract: A linkage assembly (140) is used for mechanically coupling an armature (124) and a diaphragm (118) of a balanced receiver (100), the linkage assembly (140) formed from a first linkage member (822) displaced from a strip of stock material (800) relative to the plane of the stock material (800) and a second linkage member (826) displaced from the strip (800) relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members (822, 826) are then joined while secured to the strip (800). At least one severable connecting member (870a-c) securing the linkage member to the strip (800) is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly (140).

Abstract: A diaphragm for a micro-electroacoustic transducer includes a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The central portion is deformed to integrally form a corrugation which may increase the rigidity and the resonance frequency of the diaphragm. A plurality of elongated indents are integrally formed at the peripheral portion for decreasing the resonance frequency of the diaphragm. The low frequency characteristics of a loudspeaker fitted with the diaphragm of the embodiments therefore is adjustable by adjusting the number of the indents.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant text stream watermarking system is provided. Content such as any text-based document including programming code is encoded with a watermarking mechanism. The mechanism modifies the text itself according to a preset repeating pattern without changing the substance. Examples include patterned use of white spaces, contractions, abbreviations, order of local variables in programming code, and the like. The pattern may include a binary fingerprint that can be used to trace the watermarked document to an assigned source or version of the original document. In analyzing a suspect text stream, patterns are generated based on instances of the mechanism and their corresponding bit values. Repeating patterns are combined into a bit stream along with separators between each pattern. The bit stream can then be analyzed to determine a source of the watermarked text stream.

Abstract: In an information embedding apparatus, an image selecting unit selects original image data from an original image data group, a decoder detects a code from the selected original image data, and a candidate code determining unit calculates a candidate code. A candidate code embedding unit embeds the candidate code in the selected original image data.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to digital watermarking and steganography. In one implementation, a method is provided including acts of receiving a media signal comprising a steganographic signal redundantly embedded therein; selecting a subset of the media signal for steganographic signal detection, wherein the subset of the media signal is selected based on at least one media signal characteristic associated with the subset; and detecting a steganographic signal hidden in the subset of the media signal. In another implementation, a digital watermark detector is providing including: electronic processing circuitry; memory; and executable instructions stored in memory for execution by said electronic processing circuitry.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a person's facial features to assist in facial image makeover and hair styling comprising uploading a working image of the person onto a computer, determining horizontal balance data, determining spatial balance data, determining feature balance data, determining natural hair growth pattern data, determining color balance data, and providing beauty advice to enhance the appearance of a more symmetrical face is provided.

Abstract: We propose methods for generating a halftone image, in which each pixel takes one of two tone values. The generated image contains hidden data, which is present at data storage pixels chosen using a pseudo-random number generator. In a first case, the data is hidden within an existing halftone image by reversing the tone value at certain of the data storage pixels, and at pixels neighbouring the data storage pixels. In a second case, the halftone image is generated from a grey-scale image, and data is hidden during this conversion process.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processing audio or video content. In one embodiment, a method is provided including receiving audio or video content, the audio or video content includes a first watermark associated therewith, the first watermark has first data indicating that the audio or video content is rights protected; and associated a second watermark with the audio or video content, the second watermark including second data indicating permissible uses or restrictions associated with the audio or video content, wherein the second watermark is associated with the audio or video content later in time relative to the first watermark. Other embodiments are described and claimed as well.

Abstract: A visible digital watermark is applied to output images from a computer program. Various attributes of the watermark are modified from image to image, making the watermark difficult to remove. For example, a watermark indicating “not for commercial use” can be applied to all output images from the program. Such watermarking permits full functioning demonstration versions of the computer program to be freely distributed to users while commercial use is inhibited. This is accomplished by a minimal level of intrusiveness to file sharing capabilities between a commercial version of the software and a non-commercial version of the software.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates generally to digital watermarking and processing media files. In one implementation, a method is provided including: obtaining first media; obtaining second media; aggregating the first media and the second media to yield a unit; and examining the unit for the presence of a digital watermark. In another implementation, a method is provided including: accessing a target website; collecting display or scripting instructions associated with at least one portion of the website; collecting at least one media file associated with the at least one portion of the website; processing the media file with reference to at least the display or scripting instructions; and analyzing the processed media file to obtain information there from. In some cases, the analyzing includes decoding digital watermarking. Other implementations and embodiments are described and claimed as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking and steganographic encoding. In one implementation, contours associated with vector graphics are modulated to steganographically hide a message. Additional implementations are described and claimed.

Abstract: A design for the high speed identification of a pedestrian at an image is provided, having an input feature vector generation unit 23b for generating, based on an image of an object, an input feature vector u that includes as elements the object's size, the object's upper portion shape, and the object's side portion shape; a kernel discriminant analysis operations unit 23c for generating a vector y mapped to the discriminant space, through performing operations for kernel discriminant analysis based on the input feature vector, and an object determination unit 23d for determining whether the object is a pedestrian or not, depending on whether or not this vector y is within a fixed area at the discriminant space.

Abstract: Capturing and processing facial motion data includes: coupling a plurality of sensors to target points on a facial surface of an actor; capturing frame by frame images of the plurality of sensors disposed on the facial surface of the actor using at least one motion capture camera disposed on a head-mounted system; performing, in the head-mounted system, a tracking function on the frame by frame images of the plurality of sensors to accurately map the plurality of sensors for each frame; and generating, in the head-mounted system, a modeled surface representing the facial surface of the actor.

Abstract: To enable a rapid and safe automatic recognition of the position of the catheter, particularly for an electrophysiological examination with an automatic control system of an electrode catheter, a two-stage image evaluation of an x-ray fluoroscopy image is provided. In the first analysis step, frequency polygons are herewith developed as potential locations of the catheters with the aid of structures contained in the image. In the second analysis step, only the previously identified potential catheter positions are investigated with the aid of a template method and the actual catheter position is identified.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quick retrieval of personal medical history profile is disclosed. The method includes maintaining in a database for each of a plurality of individuals a medical history profile and corresponding at least one biometric characteristic. The medical history profile is retrieved from the database based on the at least one biometric characteristic of the individual.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus includes an input unit which inputs information on a user's fingerprint, an enrolled-image storage which stores a plurality of enrolled images, namely a plurality of fingerprint images, to be verified against a fingerprint image generated by the input unit, and an authentication unit which authenticates the user's fingerprint in a manner such that verification of the fingerprint image against the plurality of enrolled images stored in the enrolled-image storage is performed sequentially in two stages. In the two stages in the verification performed in the authentication unit, enrolled images to be used in the subsequent stage are selected, in the earlier stage thereof, by verifying the fingerprint image against the plurality of enrolled images, and then the user's fingerprint is identified by verifying the fingerprint image against the selected enrolled images in the subsequent stage.

Abstract: A method for identifying an iris image can include obtaining an iris image of an eye, segmenting the iris image, generating, from the segmented iris image, a normalized iris image, and generating, from the normalized iris image, an iris template. The method can also include generating a modified iris template by extracting a portion of the iris template, comparing the modified iris template with a plurality of previously stored other modified iris templates and matching the modified iris template with one of the plurality of previously stored other modified iris templates. The method can also include generating a modified iris template by extracting a portion of the iris template, comparing the modified iris template with a plurality of previously stored other modified iris templates, and matching the modified iris template with one of the plurality of previously stored other modified iris templates.

Abstract: A method of digital processing of an image of the iris of an eye or the like, including at least a first filtering step corresponding to a morphological closing by a first structuring element corresponding to a disk having a radius in number of pixels approximately corresponding to the thickness of an eyelash in the image, and a second filtering step corresponding to a morphological opening of the image resulting from the previous step by a second structuring element corresponding to a disk having a radius in number of pixels ranging between two and five times that of the disk of the first step.

Abstract: A device for performing enrollment of 2D and 3D face biometrics captures an image of a pattern projected on an object, such as a human face, and distorted on the 3D surface and an image of a two-dimensional (2D) surface of the object. These images can be used for identification and facial recognition of the object.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a face-image detector configured to detect a region of a face image from an image supplied thereto; a face-direction detector configured to detect a direction that a face in the detected face image is facing; a feature-position detector configured to detect feature positions corresponding to features of the face from the detected face image and the detected face direction; a feature-value calculator configured to calculate feature values at the detected feature positions; a mapper configured to map the calculated feature values using predetermined mapping functions; and a recognizer configured to recognize whether the detected face is a registered face, using the mapped feature values and feature values registered in advance.

Abstract: An authentication method comprising the step of designating a finger to apply for fingerprint authentication.

Abstract: An image collation apparatus includes a collation unit, minimum coincidence ratio extraction unit, and determination unit. The collation unit obtains a coincidence ratio between first and second images within a printing element range for each collation unit by collating the first and second images with each other. The minimum coincidence ratio extraction unit obtains a minimum coincidence ratio from coincidence ratios obtained from the collation unit. The determination unit determines that the first and second images are identical, if the extracted minimum coincidence ratio is smaller than a predetermined threshold. An image collation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An asperity detection apparatus and method wherein asperities are detected over a period of time. The resultant information can be used to characterize the asperities as three dimensional structures and/or with respect to their elastic and/or resilient behaviors or properties over time.

Abstract: An asperity detection apparatus and method wherein asperities are detected over a period of time. The resultant information can be used to characterize the asperities as three dimensional structures and/or with respect to their elastic and/or resilient behaviors or properties over time.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system includes a method, system, and computer program product for shared document annotation. A shared annotation is received or retrieved for a source document displayed in a browser. A modified document comprising a hotspot corresponding to the shared annotation is displayed in the browser, and upon a printing command, coordinates are captured corresponding to a printed representation of the modified document and the hotspot, resulting in a rendered page layout comprising the printed representation including the hotspot.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system provides a method to associate related documents. The method acquires two associated documents and associates the related portions together. When the method acquires a portion of one of the document, it identifies the portion acquired, and provides the related portion of the other document.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system provides a user with information related to the location of the user. The system acquires a document, extracts location related information from the document, identifies the location of the users, and provides information to the user based on the identified location and the extracted information.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for capturing a fingerprint are provided. In a first example method, first fingerprint image may be obtained in a guard region within a captured image, the guard region including less than all of the captured image. A fingerprint region may be extracted from the captured image based on a predicted color distribution, the predicted color distribution based on color information associated with the first fingerprint image, the extracted fingerprint region including the first fingerprint image within the guard region and at least a portion of the fingerprint region extending beyond the guard region within the captured image. In a second example method, guard region may be defined within a picture boundary area, the defined guard region including less than all of the picture boundary area. At least one image may be captured, the captured image spanning the picture boundary area. Information associated with the captured image may be extracted from within the guard region.

Abstract: A ridge direction extraction device capable of extracting ridge directions accurately even in direction unstable areas is provided. In the ridge direction extraction device, a zone direction extractor calculates ridge directions and direction confidence of each zone, and a high confidence zone area determiner determines a high confidence zone area. A direction expectation calculator selects a propagation candidate zone and a reference zone, and calculates direction expectation of the ridge direction of the propagation candidate zone based on the ridge direction and distance of the reference zone. A propagation zone direction extractor recalculates the direction confidence calculated by the zone direction extractor based on the direction expectation of each propagation candidate zone, and extracts the ridge direction of a propagation candidate zone based on the direction confidence recalculated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating an orientation are disclosed. Methods of estimating an orientation include: dividing a fingerprint image into first partial regions, measuring the gradient of each pixel of the fingerprint image, and estimating a representative orientation of each of the first partial regions; obtaining an improved fingerprint image by filtering the fingerprint image using a double orientation filter, and remeasuring the representative orientation of each of the first partial regions by remeasuring the gradient of each pixel of the improved fingerprint image; and dividing the first partial regions into second partial regions, and estimating the representative orientation of the second partial regions with respect to the curvatures of the first partial regions in response to the remeasured representative orientation of each of the first partial regions and the remeasured gradients of the pixels.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for building a training set and classifier model for tissue classification from MRI images using limited training data are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the method begins with a given set of multispectral MRI scans of an abdominal slice of a human organ. A clustering algorithm is applied to the image data to cluster different objects in the image into unique clusters. A deterministic initialization procedure is applied to the clustering algorithm to ensure solution uniqueness, convergence, and the creation of meaningful clusters. A human domain expert then produces a corrected set of clusters by retaining only clusters of interest. A training set is generated that represents samples of each of the tissue types of interest, as well as a validation set. One or more classifiers are constructed from the training set and then evaluated for accuracy using the validation set.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus automatically detect vessels in a diagnostic image. The method according to one embodiment accesses digital image data representing a diagnostic image; detects vessel candidates in the diagnostic image by processing the diagnostic image data, the step of detecting vessel candidates including identifying edge pixel pairs of vessels in a diagnostic image by iteratively adjusting a plurality of constraints relating to a general direction and shape of a vessel for a next iteration of edge pixel pair identification in a diagnostic image; and determines whether the plurality of edge pixel pairs form a vessel using learned features.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a digitized ultrasound image includes providing a digitized in-phase/quadrature ultrasound image comprising a plurality of intensities defined on an N-dimensional grid, decorrelating the ultrasound image wherein spatial correlations are substantially reduced in the intensity data, modeling the decorrelated image intensities with a statistical distribution, propagating, an active contour in the image where the contour segments the image, where the contour is propagated based on the statistical distributions of intensity data inside and outside the active contour.

Abstract: A gray value model is generated encoding photometric knowledge at landmark positions. This step exploits intensity correlation in neighborhoods sampled around landmark positions. A geometric model is generated encoding geometric knowledge between landmarks. This step exploits spatial correlation between landmarks of segmented anatomic entities.

Abstract: For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position, comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for evaluation of a cinematographic image series of the heart during a heart cycle, wherein the image series is acquired with an acquisition unit, and in the image series healthy heart muscle tissue is presented as differentiable from damaged heart muscle tissue, at least two individual images of the image series are processed in a data processing unit, with at least one region of the healthy heart muscle and/or of the damaged heart muscle being detected in each of the individual images by a pattern recognition algorithm, and at least one descriptive quantity is measured that describes a geometric property of the region that has been detected by the pattern recognition algorithm, a dynamic change of the descriptive quantity is detected, and medically-relevant information that is acquired from the dynamic change of the descriptive quantity is made available as an output.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identification of a contrasted blood vessel in digital 3D image data.

Abstract: A peripheral equalization (PE) method and apparatus for compensating for thickness reduction in outer edges of the breast in a mammogram (i.e. a two-dimensional image) while keeping the central area substantially unchanged. The PE method and apparatus can also be applied to three dimensional (tomosynthesis) images of a breast. The peripheral equalization is achieved by segmenting the image of the breast into at least two regions and using a multi-threshold technique to process the data in at least one of the two regions.