Abstract: A data recovery device. The device adjusts a digital signal according to a pulse signal output by a phase-locked loop circuit. The sampling circuit samples each bit of the digital signal five times to generate a first sampled signal. The data delay buffer decides a sampling range of the first sampled signal and outputs a second sampled signal. The sampling range selector picks a part of bits of the second sampled signal and outputs output data. The weighted detecting module outputs a phase shifting signal responding to the output data. The first loop filter outputs a first adjusting signal. The first sampling window module outputs a phase selecting signal. The second loop filter outputs the recovery signal and a second adjusting signal. The second sampling window module outputs the first phase checking signal and the second phase checking signal. The phase picking module outputs the output data.

Abstract: A frequency detector for use with a PLL utilizes a counter and a preset value to produce frequency information related to a VCO signal. The frequency information is used to control the frequency of the VCO signal and to determine whether the VCO signal should be controlled by the frequency detector or a phase detector. Using the counter and preset value involves establishing a preset value that is used to obtain the desired frequency information. The preset value is set such that the counter is at one-half full-scale at the end of a known time period when the VCO signal is oscillating at a target frequency. When the preset value is set to such a value, the most significant bit of the counter after the known time period indicates whether the frequency of the VCO signal is above or below the target frequency.

Abstract: A shift register in an amorphous-silicon gate driver comprises a pull-up transistor and two pull-down modules. The pull-up transistor produces a positive pulse when the clock signal is high and the gate of the pull-up transistor is also high. The gate of the pull-up transistor is pulled down to a negative voltage level Vss by two pull-down transistors in the pull-down modules. Each pull-down module also has a further pull-down transistor to keep the output terminal at Vss after the output pulse is produced. The two pull-down modules are operated in a cooperative manner so that each pull-down transistor is conducting approximately 50% of the time. The gates of the pull-down transistors are kept at a positive voltage level approximately 50% of the time and at Vss? approximately 50% of the time with Vss? being more negative than Vss.

Abstract: A method for real-time target reconstruction from target image projections including dividing an object into external and internal sub-objects, acquiring external sub-object data, acquiring internal projections, each internal projection including an internal-internal projection which is the projection of the internal sub-object only as if the external sub-object is null, and an internal-external projection which is the projection of the external sub-object only as if the internal sub-object is null, using the external sub-object data to estimate internal-external projections, subtracting the estimated internal-external projections from the acquired internal projections to obtain internal-internal projections, and reconstructing the internal sub-object from the internal-internal projections.

Abstract: An object rotating type cone beam radiation CT radiographing device in which a high speed and high sensitivity are obtained with low costs is provided. Thus, a radiation CT device of high performance for vehicle-mounted use and group medical examination can be provided at low costs. In the object rotating type cone beam radiation CT radiographing device, a rotational angle of an object is detected, a signal storage period of a batch-exposure type radiation image sensor panel is controlled on the basis of the rotational angle signal, and a signal storage period of a signal storage type reference signal generator is controlled. There is provided a radiation CT radiographing device in which the object can be photographed at arbitrary resolution during the photographing, a fluctuation of a radiation source during the photographing can be detected without using a special detector and corrected in accordance with its detection amount.

Abstract: A scintillator pack comprises an array of scintillator pixels and an x-ray absorbing layer disposed in inter-scintillator regions between the scintillator pixels. The x-ray absorbing layer acts to absorb x-rays and protect underlying regions of the inter-scintillator regions. The x-ray absorbing layer may be formed by a number of methods including casting and melt infiltration.

Abstract: On a production line for component mounting substrate, mutually communicating inspection apparatus are each provided to a different one of production processes that are carried out sequentially such as the solder printing, component mounting and soldering processes. Each inspection apparatus can generate an X-ray transmission image of the substrate. Each inspection apparatus on the downstream side inputs an image from another inspection apparatus on the upstream side and generates a differential image of the inputted image and an X-ray transmission image of the same substrate generated by itself after the production process associated with itself is carried out. The differential image thus generated is used for inspecting the substrate such that the effect of the associated production process can be more accurately inspected.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a field of view, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises an x-ray source positioned adjacent to the field of view, a source mask located between the x-ray source and the field of view having at least one source aperture defined therethrough, and an emission detector, such as a gamma camera, adjacent to the field of view. The apparatus may allow substantially concurrent x-ray imaging and gamma imaging of the field of view.

Abstract: A system for generating a tunable X-ray pulse comprises a first electron beam source configured to direct a first electron pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards a first interaction zone, a laser beam source configured to direct a first photon pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards the first interaction zone to interact with the first electron pulse. The first interaction produces a substantially monochromatic second photon pulse of higher photon energy directed towards a second interaction zone, and a second electron beam source configured to direct a second electron pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards the second interaction zone so that the second interaction produces an X-ray pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length in a cascaded inverse Compton scattering (ICS) configuration.

Abstract: A compact and low-cost electromagnetic wave generator in which X-rays having high intensity can be generated and the energy of generated X-rays can rapidly be switched. In an electromagnetic wave generator including a circular accelerator, a deflection electromagnet incorporated in the circular accelerator focuses injected and accelerated electrons. The circular accelerator produces stable closed electron orbits in respective regions with respective widths in the radial direction of the accelerator. The closed electron orbits are stable during injection and acceleration of electrons. A target is arranged across only some of the stable closed electron orbits so that a collision region, where a circulating electron beam collides with the target, and a non-collision region, where a circulating electron beam does not collide with the target, are produced.

Abstract: A single-leaf X-ray collimator comprises at least one collimating leaf member having at least one collimating aperture. The collimating leaf member is adapted to be configured to rotate about at least one of a vertical or horizontal plane. The collimator provides elliptical collimation and hence improved dosage efficiency.

Abstract: Grids and collimators, for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, include at least a metal layer that is formed, for example, by electroplating/electroforming or casting. The metal layer includes top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of solid integrated walls. Each of the solid integrated walls extends from the top to bottom surface and has a plurality of side surfaces. The side surfaces of the solid integrated walls are arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer. At least some of the walls also can include projections extending into the respective openings formed by the walls.

Abstract: Message delivery system primarily for answering machines which provides a realistic sounding recorded message containing an individualized personal greeting which can be delivered onto one or more answering machines. This automated method of delivering a recorded personalized information message via an automated dialing system to automated recorders involves a series of steps of: forming a database of first names, determining frequency of occurrence of greatest number of the first names in the database; recording individual personal greetings to the first names having the greatest frequency of occurrence and, playing the individualized personally greeting without truncation onto answering machines associated with the first names having the greatest frequency of occurrence. This system provides a preliminary personalized greeting to the beginning of the generic message being delivered so that the recipient believes the message is coming from a real person.

Abstract: A system includes telephony devices that provide services and applications through the execution of scripts in web pages.

Abstract: A method for placing a telephone call from a caller using a prepaid phone card includes the steps of connecting a caller with a caller interface having a speech recognition application, receiving voice input from the caller in the form of phone card information spoken by the caller, comparing the voice input from the caller with personalized prepaid phone card information previously stored in a database and placing a requested telephone call if the voice input from the caller matches the personalized prepaid phone card information stored in the database. The personalized prepaid phone card information stored in the database may be a personal identification number (PIN) assigned to the caller's phone card and the voice input from the caller is in the form of a personal identification number (PIN) spoken by the caller. The speech recognition application then compares the spoken personal identification number with the personal identification number (PIN) stored in the database.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking telephone usage and notifying a user of his telephone usage includes a software program for tracking telephone usage based on the time and day that a phone call is made. The software program designates a timer for tracking phone usage. The timer has a time block and a time usage variable associated therewith. When a call is made, the time used by the call is recorded to the time usage variable if the call was made within the time block. The user may then be notified of how much time has been used. The software may be implemented in a number of environments, including a computer system accessible remotely or a processor located on the user's telephone.

Abstract: A system for adding or updating contact data in a wireless communication device, cellular telephone, pager or personal digital assistant (PDA) is shown. Contact data associated with actual or potential communicants may be entered into a database in the wireless communication device using a detachable input interface, a touch display, a personal computer or a wireless receiver. The contact data may include name, telephone number, fax number, address, email, image or sound data associated with actual or potential communicants. In one embodiment, data may be entered or modified from a detachable keyboard while viewing a cursor location that is presented within a small touch display in the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may include a cellular or paging link and can receive Caller ID data originating from the public switched telephone network over a wireless communication system.

Abstract: An enhanced AIN telephone system that can screen incoming calls during predetermined time periods and block some calls while allowing selected calls to be completed.

Abstract: A method of routing interLATA network traffic includes the steps of receiving a number of dialed digits at a first service switching point (18) in a first virtual network (10). Then a query is sent to a service control point (24). When the dialed digits result in the call to a facility (32) in a second virtual network (26) connected to the first virtual network (10) by a tie line (38), the call is routed to a hub service switching point (34) in the second virtual network (26) over the tie line (38).

Abstract: An arrangement provides a work environment to a remote user who is logged-in as a member of an enterprise, which work environment includes both a telecommunication capability and a data processing capability, and both are concurrently associated with the logged-in user. The data processing capability is restricted to the user obtaining only views of files, rather than the files themselves, and all file processing that can potentially store data is restricted to applications that can store files only in a range of locations specified by the enterprise.

Abstract: The present invention is directed most particularly to wireless communication systems for interconnection with telephone systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus to suppress unwanted and annoying audio spikes or bursts that infiltrate the wireless system from ultimately reaching the user's earpiece. An embodiment of the invention is directed to a telephone headset amplifier system with a noise blanking or squelching capability, which attenuates the incoming audio signal when the incoming signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An object is to enhance the difficulty in decrypting ciphertext. In order to do input into an encryption algorithm that receives plaintext to output ciphertext, a particular plaintext detector for detecting that the plaintext satisfying a predetermined condition is inputted, the particular plaintext detector includes: a receiving part for receiving the plaintext; a counter part for separating a predetermined part from a bit string forming the plaintext into a fixed part and a remaining part into a variable part, counting the inputted plaintext having a value of the fixed part included in a set of values of the fixed parts at every set of the values of the fixed parts formed of 1 or a plurality of the values of the fixed parts, and storing it as a separate count; and a detecting part for outputting a detection signal when at least one of the separate counts exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain embodiments carried out at a television provider headend involves receiving a feed of scrambled television content in the form of a stream of packets; descrambling the scrambled television content to produce a stream of clear packets; selecting a packet for multiple encryption; duplicating the packet to provide first and second packets; re-mapping the first and second packets to first and second packet identifiers; encrypting the first packet under a first encryption algorithm to produce a first encrypted packet; encrypting the second packet under a second encryption algorithm to produce a second encrypted packet; and re-mapping clear packets to the first packet identifier. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A single decryption engine is used for decrypting a plurality of encrypted transport streams. Packets in each of the plurality of encrypted transport streams are tagged with a tag value to indicate their origin stream. The tagged packets from the plurality of encrypted transport streams are merged into a merged transport stream. The packets in the merged transport stream are decrypted with the decryption engine to produce a decrypted merged transport stream. The decrypted merged transport stream is split into a plurality of decrypted transport streams, equal in number to the plurality of encrypted transport streams, by routing packets in the decrypted merged transport stream to specific decrypted transport streams according to their tag value. A null-packet padding technique, a gapped-clock technique and a multi-port static RAM controller technique are disclosed.

Abstract: A control method, apparatus, and system capable of securely distributing a shared secret network encryption key from a host to a wireless peripheral device. The sharing of the secret network encryption key is accomplished without the intervention of a man-machine interface at the peripheral. Embodiments enable a wireless device to receive and store multiple encryption keys, to select the appropriate encryption key depending on the network in range of the device, and thus to freely associate with multiple networks.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for frequency-domain adaptive filtering that has broad applications such as to equalizers, but is particularly suitable for use in acoustic echo cancellation circuits for stereophonic and other multiple channel teleconferencing systems. The method and apparatus utilizes a frequency-domain recursive least squares criterion that minimizes the error signal in the frequency-domain. In order to reduce the complexity of the algorithm, a constraint is removed resulting in an unconstrained frequency-domain recursive least mean squares method and apparatus. A method and apparatus for selecting an optimal adaptation step for the UFLMS is disclosed. The method and apparatus is generalized to the multiple channel case and exploits the cross-power spectra among all of the channels.

Abstract: A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly.

Abstract: A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention preferably uses transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.

Abstract: The present invention can detect watermark information from motion picture of various scanning methods and various picture sizes without causing increase of a memory capacity. A watermark information detection apparatus 1 converts encoded watermarked motion picture 4 into standard motion picture 5 having the smallest data size among the assumed kinds of motion picture. Further, the watermark information detection apparatus 1 scales a standard coordination system that is utilized for specifying embedding locations of a watermark pattern. Then, with respect to each field of the standard motion picture 5, watermark information is detected from predetermined locations specified in the scaled standard coordinate system by the watermark pattern.

Abstract: A false alteration detecting method using an electronic watermark method of fragile type by number theoretic transform.

Abstract: Hybrid cables for communication networks are disclosed. An example cable includes a plurality of electrical conductors disposed along a central axis of the cable. The plurality of electrical conductors includes a first twisted pair cable in a twisted configuration with a second twisted pair cable. The cable also includes a first jacket surrounding the plurality of electrical conductors and a plurality of optical fibers adjacent to an outer surface of the first jacket.

Abstract: A class of measurement devices can be made available using a family of projection patterns and image processing and computer vision algorithms. The proposed system involves a camera system, one or more structured light source, or a special pattern that is already drawn on the object under measurement. The camera system uses computer vision and image processing techniques to measure the real length of the projected pattern. The method can be extended to measure the volumes of boxes, or angles on planar surfaces.

Abstract: A biometric based system with advanced security and privacy characteristics for the verification of a person's identity using neural net engine simulation software code and neural net weights obtained from a computer enrollment system and ported into any electronic device with an embedded microprocessor and memory. The neural net structure has both inter and intra layer connections of all nodes.

Abstract: An overlapped portion of a plurality of partial images of a fingerprint that are input from a fingerprint input device (7) is corrected to be reconfigured at a reconfiguration process section (106). The characteristics are extracted from the input partial images at the fingerprint characteristic information extracting section (110) and the extracted characteristic information is stored in an input characteristic information memory. A verification process section executes DP comparison (dynamic programming method) between the characteristic information stored in the input characteristic information memory and the characteristic information stored in the registered characteristic information memory. The distance value obtained by the DP comparison is compared to a threshold that is previously set. If the distance value is smaller than the threshold, it is judged the fingerprint is identified and if the distance value is larger than the threshold, it is judged that the fingerprint is not identified.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing a subject image signal obtained from a sensor has a first shading data generator, a second shading data generator, and a removal unit. The first shading data generator generates shading data from image signals obtained from at least two portions within the image signal obtained from the sensor. The second shading data generator generates shading data for the remaining portion of the sensor based on the shading data generated by the first shading data generator. The removal unit removes the shading data generated by the second shading data generator from the subject image signal of the remaining portion of the sensor.

Abstract: A technique is provided for segmenting a structure of interest from a volume dataset. The technique identifies regions of the structure using templates having characteristics of the structure of interest. The identified regions may then undergo a constrained growth process using dynamic constraints that may vary based on local statistics associated with the identified structure regions. Edges within the volume may be determined using gradient data determined by evaluating the strongest gradient between each pixel and all adjacent pixels. The edge data may be used to prevent the constrained growing process from exceeding the boundaries of the structure of interest.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in one aspect, a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object is constructed from a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of the object using a specialized filter. The specialized filter implements a linear ramp function, a windowing function, and/or a polynomial function. The 3D image is back-projected from the filtered two-dimensional images, yielding a 3D image that has improved visual distinction of overlapping anatomic structures and reduced blurring.

Abstract: An image processing method and system in which the artifacts occurring in an interimage-difference image obtained based on two or more diagnostic images taken of the same subject are reduced. An image processing procedure is performed by which the artifacts occurring in an energy subtraction image are controlled relative to the substantial difference between the two images based upon which the energy subtraction image has been obtained.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a stencil having apertures through which a substance is deposited onto an electronic substrate includes depositing the substance through the stencil and onto the substrate, capturing a first image of the stencil after the deposit of the substance and detecting variations in texture of the substance in the first image, capturing a second image of the electronic substrate having the substance on its surface and detecting variations in texture of the substance in the second image, defining a region of interest in the first image and in the second image to determine whether at least one feature exists in the region of interest, measuring a first span of the at least one feature in the region of interest in the first image and a second span of the at least one feature in the region of interest in the second image, and correlating the first span of the at least one feature and the second span of the at least one feature to determine whether a threshold span of the at least one feature has bee

Abstract: A robot having an imaging capability includes: an imaging device, and at least one actuator separate from the imaging device for moving at least a portion of the robot. The at least one actuator is controllable in response to a control command, the imaging device being responsive to the control command to modify characteristics of image data produced.

Abstract: A replacement sensor model for optimally exploiting imaging data obtained by an image sensor. The replacement sensor model includes a ground-to-image function such as a polynomial for converting three-dimensional ground point data to two-dimensional image (pixel) data. Coefficients of the polynomial can be determined from a rigorous sensor model of the image sensor, which reflects physical characteristics of the particular image sensor. The polynomial can be adjusted by an adjustment vector. The adjustment vector can be determined from a pre-determined list of possible adjustment components having particular characteristics relating to the image sensor and reflecting errors in the physical characteristics of the image sensor as included in the rigorous sensor model. Finally, an error covariance associated with the adjustment vector can be determined from an error covariance associated with the rigorous sensor model.

Abstract: A method for processing data includes identifying a time signature of an infra-red (IR) beacon. Image data associated with the IR beacon is identified using the time signature.

Abstract: A method and computer product is disclosed for analyzing video surveillance data from a plurality of video inputs recording entrants to a secured location. A plurality of entrant profiles are constructed, detailing typical attributes of the entrants, via data mining algorithms. Video inputs are analyzed, with a plurality of independent automated decision-making systems each determining if an abnormal condition exists based upon the constructed profiles. The determinations of the plurality of decision-making systems are then processed to determine if an alarm condition exists.

Abstract: A method for the automatic detection and correction of red eye in a digital image is disclosed. The method includes defining a digital image in a hue-saturation-intensity (HSI) color space, and identifying a red eye region in a digital image. Using HSI criteria, identified regions are filtered to discard areas unlikely to be the result of red eye effect, and then a plurality of algorithms are used to apply a color correction to each pixel in the identified red eye region. The color correction manipulates each pixel of the red eye region remove the red eye effect. The method is automatic, and requires no input from a user to define the red eye region, to identify the true color of the red eye region, or to apply the color correction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus creates a pixel value histogram of an objective image, and approximates a predetermined range of the created histogram by a bended line formed from two straight lines. Then the apparatus extracts a pixel value at a boundary between a predetermined region and another region of the objective image in accordance with the approximation.

Abstract: Determining image block significance based on region contrast, including partitioning an image into multiple regions of at least one pixel each, pairing any region with an unpaired, adjoining region, calculating a similarity value for any region pair, merging paired regions of any pair into a single region, where the region pair to be merged has a predefined similarity value, thereby creating a new image partition of multiple regions, repeatedly performing the preceding steps, thereby obtaining a sequence of image partitions, selecting within the image an image sub-area of a predefined size and shape, identifying a partition in the sequence in which the image sub-area is covered by any region to the extent of a predefined coverage measure, and calculating a region contrast significance value of the image sub-area as a value which is proportional to the position of the identified partition in the sequence.

Abstract: A recognition device which judges whether a target is identical with a predetermined reference, comprising: a holding unit which holds the target; multiple deformation units which deform the target held by the holding unit with at least one degree of flexibility in deformation; multiple deformed amount estimation units which correspond to the deformation units in a one-to-one relationship and estimate a deformed amount of the target from the reference with respect to the flexibility in deformation according to the corresponding deformation unit; an estimated error evaluation unit which evaluates an estimated error of the deformed amount estimated by the deformed amount estimation unit; an adjustment unit which operates any of the deformation units with precedence according to the estimated error evaluated by the estimated error evaluation unit; a similarity calculation unit which calculates a similarity between the reference and the target which is deformed by the deformation unit operated with precedence by

Abstract: In response to a partial codestream truncation command, a partial codestream truncation process unit temporarily truncates a code line of encoded data. The partial codestream truncation process unit can also temporarily truncate the code line frame by frame. In response to an undo command, a restoration process unit restores the encoded data that has temporarily truncated code line. The temporarily truncated frames are included in a group of frames of the moving image. In response to an undo releasing command, a code line discarding unit discards the temporarily truncated code line or frames. The encoded data has a form of JPEG2000 or Motion-JPEG2000.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain an image photographed with an image-sensing device using a flash, in which the brightness of the image of the subject of the photograph is proper. An integrated value of brightness of a photographed image is obtained; a weighted evaluation value is calculated; contrast of the photographed image is obtained; a gain of an image signal is obtained by using the evaluation value after which, a suppression gain, by which a value of suppressing the gain fluctuates according to the contrast, is obtained in order to correct the brightness of a photographed subject to the proper brightness; a correction gain for making final corrections to an image by using the gain and the suppression gain is calculated; and the image signal is amplified by a gain adjustment circuit, thereby correcting the photographed image.

Abstract: An image processing system enabling luminance regulation depending on displayed images is provided by a projector, the projector including: a signal input section which input an image signal; a signal output section which outputs a corrected image signal; an image projecting section; a correction table storage section which stores a correction table showing the relationship between a correction amount and a position in an image; an instruction input section which inputs instruction information representing a correction instruction from a user; and a luminance regulating section which corrects a luminance value of the input image signal to make a luminance value in a central portion of an image lower than the current luminance value of the center portion when uniformity improvement of luminance values in central and marginal portions of the image is desired, or corrects that to make a luminance value in a marginal portion of an image lower than the current luminance value of the marginal portion when emphasis