Abstract: A proximity detector on an audio device to limits the output level when a person's head is detected nearby. Although other detection schemes are anticipated, such a proximity detector may rely upon optical, acoustic, or radio-frequency energy.

Abstract: The following components are connected in parallel: a capacitor, a resistor and a diode. In a typical application, to one end of the combination one may connect the signal from an electric guitar's pickup. The other end of the combination is connected to the input of a guitar amp, generally a transistor (solid-state) amp which it is desired to make sound like a tube amp.

Abstract: A panel type speaker according to the present invention includes an exciter having bimorph type beams which are made of a piezoelectric material and in each of which a flexural oscillation is excited, and a beam holding part for holding the beams, and a diaphragm which is attached to the exciter to generate a flexural oscillation based on oscillation transmitted from the exciter and serves as a transparent protective plate for a display. A bottom surface of the beam holding part of the exciter has an area which is greater than or equal to one-fourth of an area of the largest beam of the beams, and is fixed to a surface of the diaphragm so that the exciter is held on the diaphragm. The panel type speaker has high excitation efficiency and a simple structure, making it easy to add an acoustic characteristic regulating mechanism.

Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic element 1 of the present invention comprising a hollow casing 5 having a opening 3, a piezoelectric element 7 that is disposed in said casing 5 and bends when a voltage is applied thereto, and diaphragm 8 provided at the opening 3 of said casing 5; wherein said piezoelectric element 7 and said diaphragm 8 are joined through a vibration transmitting member 9.

Abstract: An earphone structure comprises a housing body and a cover body combined therewith. A first speaker, a second speaker and a hood body are respectively combined to the inside and the outside of said cover body. The central axes of the first speaker and the second speaker are respectively pointed to a direction in which the lower end of the hood body is corresponding to an earhole of a user's ear. Whereby, when the user wears the earphone, the user's earhole can receive the largest amplitude of sound wave emitted from each speaker so as to obtain the best stereo sound effect.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a circuit board having a battery affixed thereon and a switch that utilizes a portion of the circuit board as a portion of the switch. The battery is permanently affixed to the circuit board in at least one location and at least a portion of the battery is spaced away from the circuit board. The circuit board further includes at least one pair of printed switch traces. The switch is integrated into the circuit board in a way that utilizes the circuit board to form a rotary switch.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a shell (104) manufactured by a rapid prototyping process, so as to include a first part customized to adapt it to the shape of the ear canal of a user, and a second part that defines an aperture; an electronics module; and a plug (200) with means for retaining it in a fixed position in the shell. The shell has guideways (212) for guiding lateral portions of the plug to support the plug in the aperture. The shell is adapted to receive by the aperture the electronics module; and the electronics module is adapted to engage a lip (206) of the plug to secure it in the shell. The invention further provides a method of assembling a part of a hearing aid.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an integrated electro acoustic equipment, characterised by the fact that it uses the parallelepiped case of the main loudspeaker for low frequencies, suitably provided with wheels for easier handling and transportation, as structure to contain all components of the equipment—such as audio mixer, power unit and two satellites for the reproduction of medium and high frequencies—together with electrical connections.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a housing including at least one first tube in communication with at least one first cavity, at least one second tube in communication with at least one second cavity, one third tube in communication with at least one third cavity, and at least one microphone element separating the first, second and third cavities, wherein sound waves are received in the first, second, and third tubes and directed into the cavities and received by the microphone element. A method for converting sound waves into an electrical signal includes receiving the sound waves through at least three tube openings and directing the received sound waves along tube pathways into at least a first, second, and third cavity to a microphone separating the first, second, and third cavity. The method further includes converting the received sound waves into an electrical signal with the microphone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earphone (1) with leakage control, which can be switched between states with and without leakage to adapt the earphone to different listening situations. The leakage of the earphone may be enabled and disabled automatically in dependence of the sound source and/or may be controlled manually by the user. The earphone is connectable to a device and comprises: a housing (2) substantially covering the external auditory meatus, and accommodating a loudspeaker element (3); the housing further comprising a channel (4) extending between an inner end (5) facing the external auditory meatus, and an outer end (6) facing the environment; and closure means (7) being switchable between a closed state in which said channel is substantially closed, and an open state in which said channel is admitting sound from the environment. The invention also relates to a device co-operating therewith, such as a mobile telephone.

Abstract: A speaker grille attachment system for a loudspeaker securely and easily attaches a speaker grille to the speaker as well as attains an improved aesthetic effect by hiding components used for the attachment. The attachment system includes a plurality of fastening members, a plurality of clamp hole pieces each having a hole for inserting the fastening member therethrough, a plurality of openings formed on an outer rim of the speaker grille, a speaker gasket having a plurality of openings each receiving the clamp hole piece and the fastening member, a speaker frame or cabinet having a plurality of fastening means for attaching the speaker grille, and a cover member for covering an area of the outer rim of the speaker grille thereby making the components for the attachment invisible.

Abstract: A thermal management system improves thermal property of the speaker system by promoting air circulation to cool the speaker system. The thermal management system includes a speaker frame, an air guide formed on the speaker frame for guiding the air, a ventilation slit formed on the air guide which penetrates through the speaker frame for air communication, and a spider mounting ring for mountinq a spider of the speaker system on the speaker frame. The spider mounting ring has a cut-out at its upper edge which positionally match the air guide. The cut-out is curved sharply at its upper surface while a lower edge of the spider mounting ring is gently curved, thereby creating an air passage of directional property.

Abstract: A thermal management system promotes cooling effects of a loudspeaker. The thermal management system includes an internal heat sink having a tubular shape and mounted between a pole piece and a magnet of the loudspeaker, the internal heat sink having pleat portions to form a plurality of air passages on an inner surface from top to bottom thereof; and a back plate connected to the pole piece and having ventilation holes that vertically penetrate through the back plate, the internal heat sink and the magnet being mounted on the back plate. A lower end of the air passage on the internal heat sink is positionally matched with an upper opening of the ventilation hole on the back plate, thereby allowing an air flow through the air passage and the ventilation hole.

Abstract: Voice coil body of a loudspeaker is provided at the outer circumferential wall surface with a supporting section. Diameter of the inner circumference of suspension holder is greater than outer diameter of the voice coil body while diameter of the inner circumference of diaphragm is greater than diameter of the inner circumference of suspension holder for facilitating a gluing of the inner circumferential end of suspension holder and the inner circumferential end of diaphragm on the supporting section and to the voice coil body. By so doing, harmonic distortion of a loudspeaker can be further reduced.

Abstract: A loudspeaker cone including a plated fabric is provided. The material of the loudspeaker cone is produced by laminating an interweaved plated fabric, and a light-weight and tough cloth together, and then a loudspeaker cone is produced by molding the material of the loudspeaker cone under high temperature and high pressure. The produced loudspeaker cone is light-weight, tough, pressure-resistant, not easily deformed, and can be used for a long term.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining preferred image locations for placing watermark information (both hidden and obvious). The disclosure includes at least three criteria (image similarity, contrast, and image value range) that may be used alone or in combination to determine a preferred area of the target image for placing the watermark depending upon the user's intent for the mark (hiding or showing watermark).

Abstract: Stationery, or other printable media, is encoded with a digital watermark. The watermark is not conspicuous to a human observer of the media, yet conveys plural bits of auxiliary information when optically scanned and digitally processed. The watermark can be formed by ink-jet printing, or otherwise. The encoded information can be used for various purposes, including authenticating the document as an original, linking to associated on-line resources, and distinguishing seemingly-identical versions of the same document (document serialization).

Abstract: A method for controlling watermark embedding in a media object through the use of a watermark embedding command. The use of the embedding command enables watermark embedding to be adapted for the transmission channel at the time of transmission.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feature value generating unit configured to generate a feature value of an image of a first page; and an embedding unit configured to embed the feature value of the image of the first page generated by the feature value generating unit in an image of a second page, which is different from the first page.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing illegitimate distribution of digital contents on Internet obtains a first wavelet image having a user information-embedding region by performing a wavelet transformation (WT). The user information embedding region of the first wavelet image is wavelet-transformed to obtain a second wavelet image composed of a discrete cosine (DC) region and high-frequency regions second wavelet image. A high-frequency components removed image is obtained by removing high-frequency components in the high-frequency regions of the second wavelet image, and subjected to an inverse WT (IWT) to be outputted as an IWT image. A user information embedding unit embeds user information to the IWT image, wherein data of the user information are sequentially embedded to positions where a difference value between the user information embedding region and the new user information embedding region is small, to thereby reset the user information embedding region as the user information.

Abstract: A method is provided for reprinting damaged mailpieces for use in a mailpiece inserter. The method comprising the steps of producing an object-oriented data file of the mailpiece content material including a scan code and storing the object-oriented data files in a reprint repository. The status of a mail run is tracked as mailpieces are fabricated and the results are recorded in a reprint file. The results record whether a mailpiece was successfully fabricated and reprint files are generated in connection with unsuccessfully fabricated mailpieces.

Abstract: When a main shooting subject is moving, the movement of the main shooting subject naturally viewed and recognized by a user is different from an actual frequent movement of the main shooting subject. If the display of an object identification mark accurately follows up a moving object, the visibility of the mark may deteriorate. The present invention provides a display method for differentiating the follow-up response characteristics of the mark depending on a shift direction of a main shooting subject. For example, the follow-up response of the mark is lowered if a main shooting subject causes an up-and-down motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biometric authentication apparatus including: a biometric reading unit reading biometric data; a verification data storage unit storing a plurality of pieces of verification data for verifying against the biometric data; a priority order table storage unit storing a priority order table in which a priority order of searching the plurality of pieces of verification data is set; a control unit registering the priority order into the priority order table, and sequentially searching the verification data at an order based on the priority order registered in the priority order table when the biometric data is read by the biometric reading unit to verify the biometric data against the verification data; and an information unit informing of a verification result by the control unit.

Abstract: Provided is a small-sized, flat, vein authentication device of high authentication accuracy by photographing a living body several times and thus obtaining as registration data plural images that are picked up at different positions. A biometric information processing device of this invention comprising an image pickup device, which picks up a vein image, an image computing unit, which processes the vein image picked up by the image pickup device, an interface on which a part of a living body to be picked up is placed, and a light source, which emits infrared light. The biometric information processing device is further comprised of a sensor unit, which detects the presence or absence of a subject picked up by the image pickup device, a unit to obtain plural images as registration data, and a unit to select optimum registration data out of images obtained as registration data.

Abstract: An authentication utility may be provided to entities, such as businesses, organizations or even individuals, that require the identification, verification and control of the identity of another entity, for example, an individual, such as a consumer, employee, etc. The authentication utility may also determine and provide the financial and non-financial characteristics of an individual. Before entering into a relationship or transaction, an entity could verify the other party's identity with the authentication utility.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing device includes: a biometrics device, an interface control unit for controlling the biometrics device, a first storage unit for concealing a user identifier and user authentication information, a second storage unit for storing a program executed by the information processing device, and a processor for releasing the concealment of the first storage unit based on the program stored in the second storage unit and acquiring biometrics information inputted from the biometrics device, so as to compare it with the user authentication information. Thus, it is possible to prevent lowering of user-friendliness and increase of the cost when using an external authentication device in a laptop type personal computer and to provide an authentication control configuration and an authentication procedure optimal for an information processing device such as a laptop type personal computer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for verifying a person's identity, which includes obtaining a password and/or random key from a person, and comparing the obtained password and/or random key to a plurality of known passwords and/or random keys to determine a likely identity of the person. The method further includes measuring a specific biometric of the person, the specific biometric comprising a respiratory, cardiac, or other physiologic biometric, and comparing the measured specific biometric to the known specific biometric of the person that is associated with the obtained password and/or random key to verify the likely identity of the person.

Abstract: In a biometrics system for a building entrance unlocking or a bank account authentication, reference information registered under administration by the system is transmitted to a room or mobile-phone for private storage, with the original reference information deleted from the system. Biologic information gotten upon authentication is transmitted through wireless system to the room or mobile-phone for comparison with the reference, the result being returned to the system. Or, the reference is tentatively sent back to the system for comparison with the gotten biologic information. The biologic information sent to mobile-phone also includes health control information for storage and display. Mobile-phone also can receive blood pressure information at a waiting lounge of medical institution though wireless local communication even if the main power shut down. The communication between the biometrics system and the mobile-phone is encrypted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for acquiring personal identification data by extracting a ridge-and-recess pattern corresponding to a fingerprint or a knuckle joint and lines on a palm by utilizing characteristics by which subcutaneous bloodstream distribution is spatially modulated by the ridge-and-recess pattern on the surface when measuring a subcutaneous bloodstream distribution based on a bloodstream measuring technology utilizing laser scattering, and by acquiring the same as personal identification data based on living body information, and the same method for acquiring personal identification data includes the steps of: irradiating a laser beam onto at least a part of a fingertip surface or a palm; imaging reflection light from subcutaneous blood vessel layers at an irradiation spot to which a laser beam is irradiated by receiving the same on an image sensor as laser speckles; calculating a change ratio of a light-receiving amount at respective pixels of the laser speckles; preparing a two-di

Abstract: Improved techniques are disclosed for adapting signature verification systems to natural signature variations. For example, a technique for adapting a signature verification system to variations in a signature of a user includes the following steps/operations. One or more signature samples are obtained from the user. The one or more obtained signature samples are submitted by the user as part of a regular authentication procedure associated with the signature verification system. A reference set of signature samples for the user is updated through selection of one or more signature samples from the obtained signature samples, such that the updated reference set is usable by the signature verification system for verifying subsequent signature samples attributed to the user.

Abstract: A fingerprint recognition system having detecting pore and a method are disclosed. The system comprises a fingerprint image capture apparatus, a pore detection apparatus, a fingerprint detection apparatus and a recognition apparatus. A fingerprint image is captured by the fingerprint image capture apparatus. A pore data of the fingerprint image is detected by the pore detection apparatus. A fingerprint data of the fingerprint image is detected by the fingerprint detection apparatus. The recognition apparatus is used to implement a comparison action for the fingerprint image and a pre-stored fingerprint image based on any one selection or combination from the pore data and the fingerprint data. The fingerprint recognition accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: A fire alarm manual station includes an image capture device for capturing an image of a fingerprint and processing of the captured image. The image may be stored locally and be downloaded to a lap top computer or other storage device, or the image may be transmitted to a central station. The image may further be processed to validate that the image is an actual fingerprint image, and a fire alarm activated only for an actual fingerprint image. The image may also be compared to a list of authorized fingerprint images, and the image may be compared to a list of prohibited fingerprint images.

Abstract: A removable storage device includes: an interface which is defined by a predetermined format and to which an external device is connectable; a data storage part in which data is stored and data is exchanged between the data storage part and the external device connected to the interface; a fingerprint reading sensor configured to read a fingerprint; authentication method selection unit for selecting an authentication method; first authentication means for verifying whether the fingerprint read by the fingerprint reading sensor is matched with a fingerprint registered beforehand by comparing them in accordance with the selection by the authentication method selection means; second authentication means for verifying whether character and symbol information extracted based on traces drawn on the fingerprint reading sensor is matched with registered character and symbol information registered beforehand by comparing them in accordance with the selection by the authentication method selection means; and determinat

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus has an associated machine vision system. The vision system may acquire an image of at least one fluidic chamber, which can be analyzed by the machine vision system and/or stored. The image and/or analysis of the image may provide a record of the actions of the sample processing apparatus, which permits a user to verify proper operation of the sample processing apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a predicted window level transformation for image data associated with a loading image based on user selections of window level transformations. A learning image associated with a set of learning context characteristics is displayed to the user in order to elicit selection of a first selected window transformation. Learned rules are established based on the learning context characteristics and the first selected window transformation. When there is a request to display a loading image associated with a set of loading context characteristics, the learned rules are evaluated based on the loading context characteristics to determine a set of inferred window level transformations. The predicted window level transformation is then determined by selecting the most desirable inferred window level transformation.

Abstract: A navigation tool that provides a side-by-side display of two temporally related medical images of the same region of a patient. A plurality of lines extend between the images, at least a first line beginning at a feature at a first location in a first image and ending at a corresponding feature at a corresponding location in the second image and at least a second line extending from a feature found at a second location in one of the images toward a corresponding second location in the other image where no corresponding feature is found. Thus, the second line indicates a feature found in one image but not the other. Advantageously, the first and second lines have different visual appearance. For example, they are different colors. Preferably, the navigational tool also includes a scroll bar alongside the display of medical images. On the scroll bar are a series of markers, each marker corresponding to one of the plurality of lines that extend between the images and preferably being aligned with that line.

Abstract: Detection inputs are classified using two thresholds. In a preferred embodiment, a multiplicity of inputs are scored and the scored inputs are searched to locate an input that has a score greater than a first threshold. If such input is found, every input having a score in excess of a second threshold lower than the first threshold is identified as belonging to a first class of interest. If no input is found having a score in excess of the first threshold, no inputs are identified as belonging to the first class.

Abstract: An intuitive user interface is provided that allows for selection of an abnormality level in features in a medical image on the basis of graphical depictions of the abnormalities themselves. In one embodiment, the user interface displays realistic images of actual abnormalities in a series ranging from least severe to most severe and the medical practitioner selects the abnormality level by mouse-clicking on one of the images. The user interface then displays an annotated map of suspected abnormalities with annotations only on those suspected abnormalities that are at least as severe as the selected abnormality. In alternative embodiments, the user interface displays stylized images of the abnormalities plotted by the display using mathematical functions. In yet another alternative, the images are hand-drawn images.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying, on a medical image, template data corresponding to an implant. The apparatus and method include a storing the template data and a predetermined portion distance of a predetermined portion of a representation by the template data, a displaying the stored template data, measuring length information of the displayed template data, specifying an error range of the variable magnification of the displayed template data, and judging, based on the measured length information and the stored predetermined portion distance, whether the variable magnification of the displayed template data is within the specified error range.

Abstract: A method of generating a 3 dimensional object includes providing a volumetric scan of a study object as a series of image slices. An image segmentation algorithm is used to image segment each image slice into at least a first region and a second region, the first region of each image slice corresponds to a first object of the study object, and the second region of each image slice corresponds to a second object of the study object. The first region is selected from a first image slice. Regions of adjacent image slices are statistically compared to the first region of the first image slice using a comparison of touching regions to designate corresponding first regions in the adjacent image slices. The first region of each image slice of the series of image slices corresponding to the first object is binned to form a first binned object. A 3 dimensional object of the first binned object is formed.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment a radiologist traces the pulmonary artery and pulmonary veins visible in a set of CT images and identifies the arteries and veins. The radiologist's identification of the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins is then received by an image analyzer and combined with the analyzer's identification of the pulmonary arteries to form a combined identification; and the analyzer then reviews this combined identification of the pulmonary arteries to detect any pulmonary embolisms. The radiologist's identification of any pulmonary embolisms is compared with the analyzer's identification of any pulmonary embolisms to determine if there are any embolisms identified by the analyzer that were not identified by the radiologist.

Abstract: A microscope array with staggered rows of magnifying imaging systems is used to scan a biological tissue sample in a single linear pass to produce an image and corresponding optical-density data. A conventional computerized algorithm is used to identify, isolate and produce segmented images of nuclei contained in the image. The OD values corresponding to nuclear chromatin are used to identify numerical patterns known to have statistical significance in relation to the health condition of the biological tissue. These patterns are analyzed to detect pre-neoplastic changes in histologically normal-appearing tissue that suggest a risk for the development of a pre-malignant and a potentially malignant lesion. This information is then converted to a visually perceptible form incorporated into the image of the tissue sample and is displayed for qualitative analysis by a pathologist.

Abstract: A fault inspection method and apparatus in which the scattergram is separated or objects of comparison are combined in such a manner as to reduce the difference between an inspection object image and a reference image. As a result, the difference between images caused by the thickness difference in the wafer can be tolerated and the false information generation prevented without adversely affecting the sensitivity.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting the presence of a broken or mis-positioned wafer during bench processing of the wafers. In one embodiment, a charge-coupled device (CCD) is provided above a wet bench bath, and is positioned to record an image of the bath and its contents. The CCD is connected to processing software that compares the image with a stored image of the bath. Based on the image comparison, the system can provide either a “go” indication, where the images are deemed substantially the same, or an “error” indication, where the images are deemed substantially different thus indicating the presence of broken wafer pieces in the bath. In a second embodiment, the CCD may be positioned to record an image of a plurality of wafers carried on a cassette-less wafer lifter held above the bath. Again, the CCD may be connected to processing software that compares the image with a stored image of the plurality of wafers on the lifter.

Abstract: A solder paste inspection machine carries out the steps of automatically generating inspection data for solder paste deposits, automatically determining a squeegee direction of travel for said paste deposits. It associates the squeegee direction with the inspection data, and feeds the inspection data back to a solder paste printer with an indication of squeegee direction. The direction is determined from three-dimensional range maps, the direction of squeegee travel being in the direction of upward slope.

Abstract: A workpiece picking device capable of correctly detecting the size of a workpiece. The picking device has a robot capable of picking the same kind of workpieces contained in a work container, a robot controller for controlling the robot, a video camera positioned above the work container so as to widely image the workpieces and an image processor for processing an image obtained by the video camera. The three-dimensional position and posture of each workpiece is measured by a three-dimensional vision sensor arranged on a wrist element of the robot.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, a method of identifying marked images based at least in part on frequency domain coefficient differences is disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, one or more sequences of learning video data is provided. The learning video sequences include an action. One or more features of the action are extracted from the one or more sequences of learning video data. Thereafter, a reception of a sequence of operational video data is enabled, and an extraction of the one or more features of the action from the sequence of operational video data is enabled. A comparison is then enabled between the extracted one or more features of the action from the one or more sequences of learning video data and the one or more features of the action from the sequence of operational video data. In an embodiment, this comparison allows the determination of whether the action in present in the operational video data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus automatically detect and remove eyeglasses from an image. The method according to one embodiment accesses digital image data representing an image including a face; detects eyeglasses in the image to produce a report about presence or absence of eyeglasses in the image; normalizes illumination of the image to obtain a normalized image; and removes eyeglasses from the normalized image to obtain a face image without eyeglasses.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus automatically detect eyeglasses in an image. The method according to one embodiment accesses digital image data representing an image including a face; detects eyeglasses in the image by using nose ridge masking; and outputs a decision about presence or absence of eyeglasses in the image.