Abstract: A method for single photon counting transmission computed tomography (CT) is described. The method is based on an apparatus consisting of a radiation source and detectors on an opposite side of the subject from the source. The radiation source is for example an X-ray tube. The detectors are independently connected to parallel, fast, low-noise processing electronics capable of recording and counting individual X-ray photons at very high rate. In one embodiment of the invention, said detector is made of a scintillator coupled to a photodetector. The photodetector can be an avalanche photodiode (APD).

Abstract: The press formability of a galvanized steel sheet including an oxide film, which has a thickness of 10 nm to 100 nm, as a surface layer is nondestructively speedily evaluated.

Abstract: A handheld X-ray diffractometer comprises a miniaturized X-ray source and multiple area detectors to allow the diffractometer to obtain two-dimensional X-ray diffraction images in a large diffraction space without rotating the sample. The source and detectors are located inside of a radio opaque enclosure that protects the operator during use. The handheld diffractometer also comprises a sample monitoring and alignment system that allows an operator to observe the measuring area and to align the diffractometer to the sample from outside of the housing. A specially designed mouthpiece, which mates the diffractometer to the sample area, prevents x-ray leakage and triggers off the data collection. The detectors can be positioned to perform measurements necessary to calculate a mechanical stress in the sample. Linear detectors may also be used in place of the area detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a goniometer (1) and a method for measuring stresses and characterizing microstructure of particles. The goniometer comprises frame (4), a measurement head (7, 8, 9, 10) movably adapted to the frame (4) by a first linear movement unit (5), second linear movement unit (6) and a tilting movement unit (16), for performing measurement at a measurement point. According to the invention the axis of rotation (12) of the tilting movement unit (16) does not coincide with the measurement point, and the device has means (17) for creating arc-formed movement of the measurement head (7, 8, 9, 10) during the measurement with said movement units (5, 6, 16).

Abstract: An ultra-small angle X-ray scattering measuring apparatus includes a detector for detecting X-rays emitted from a sample, an X-ray collimating mirror arranged between the X-ray real focus and the sample, a monochromator arranged between the X-ray collimating mirror and the sample and an analyzer arranged between the sample and the detector. The X-ray collimating mirror includes a pair of X-ray mirrors that are arranged orthogonally relative to each other. The X-ray mirrors are multilayer film mirrors and their X-ray reflection surfaces are paraboloidal. The interplanar spacing of lattice planes of each of the multilayer films is continuously changed along the paraboloid so as to meet the Bragg's condition. The monochromator and the analyzer are formed by using a channel-cut crystal. The analyzer is driven to rotate for scanning around a 2?-axial line and diffracted rays reduced to a spectrum by the analyzer are detected by the detector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for detecting a material in an object to be analyzed in a radiographic imaging system. The method includes providing wide-field illumination of an object with partially monochromatic x-ray radiation from a divergent source without restrictively collimating the x-ray radiation. The x-ray radiation scattered by the object outside of a predetermined range of angles defined about a characteristic angle is rejected. The characteristic angle is a scattering angle about which a material of the object coherently scatters the incident x-ray radiation. In addition, the method includes the step of detecting coherently-scattered radiation, which is the x-ray radiation diffracted by the object within the predetermined range of angles defined about the characteristic angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for generating X-rays having different energy levels as well as a material discrimination system thereof. The method comprises the steps of: generating a first pulse voltage, a second pulse voltage, a third pulse voltage and a fourth pulse voltage, generating a first electron beam having a first beam load and a second electron beam having a second beam load, respectively, based on the first pulse voltage and second pulse voltage, generating a first microwave having a first power and a second microwave having a second power, respectively, based on the third pulse voltage and the fourth pulse voltage, accelerating the first and second electron beams respectively using the first and second microwave to obtain the accelerated first electron beam and the second electron beam, hitting a target with the accelerated first electron beam and the second electron beam to generate a first X-ray and a second X-ray having different energy levels.

Abstract: A system, a processor, and a method for tracking a focus of a beam are described. The method includes determining a plurality of intensities corresponding to a plurality of voltages, and applying a first voltage of the plurality of voltages corresponding to a maximum intensity of the plurality of intensities during a scan.

Abstract: A security central station monitors a plurality of individual subscriber security systems installed in residential or commercial accounts. Each security system at an account is programmed to periodically place a telephone call to the security central station receiver, and then to send a signal to the security central station receiver over the placed telephone call. The ten digit telephone number of the account is programmed into the security central station as the ten digit account number of record. When the signal sent by the security system is received by the security central station receiver, the security central station compares the ten digit caller telephone number with the ten digit account number of record. Normally, the ten digit caller telephone number will match the ten digit account number.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for collecting contemporaneous information relating to a critical event. The method includes receiving a call requesting an emergency response to a critical event and in response to the call, using at least one communication network to transmit a request for supplemental information from reporting devices located in a specified area related to the critical event. The supplemental information is received over the at least one communication network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for processing a service request received from a telephone communication device. The telephony system and method utilizes a call management server and a voice interpreter server. The call management server receives an incoming call from a user, and the voice interpreter server processes the service request contained in the incoming call. Data communication encapsulation is used to communicate data between the call management server and the voice interpreter platform in order to process the service request.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.

Abstract: A method for providing voicemail services includes receiving a voicemail message from a calling party and intended for a called party. The method further includes identifying a name associated with the calling party and storing the name associated with the calling party with the voicemail message.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for handling calls. In one embodiment of the invention, a call handling system is configured for handling a variety of emergency and/or non emergency related calls. The call handling system may enable recognition of and response to received call information. The call handling system comprises a call interface configured for receiving the call information. A processor is communicatively coupled to the call interface and configured for processing the call information to initiate a protocol. This protocol may, as it progresses, be used to generate data for use in a CAD system. The CAD system may subsequently dispatch responders based on the generated data. The call handling system includes an advisory component that recommends a type of dispatch and a risk assessment. The call handling system also includes a build component that allows for the generation of protocols.

Abstract: A system and method for providing integrated telephony and Internet services is described. An embodiment of the present invention comprises passively collecting incoming and/or outgoing call information from communications links communicatively coupled to a first party. The call information is extracted and customer information, such as demographic information, is retrieved. The customer information may be, for example, retrieved from a data provider or may have been previously collected or gathered. Thereafter, reports, charts, graphs, maps, and the like may be made available. In an embodiment, the reports, charts, graphs, maps, and the like are made available via a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a caller who does not provide caller identification on an unanswered call. The caller is asked to record his/her name (or some other characteristic utterance). If the call is unanswered, the record is retained and can be accessed by the called party when that party requests his/her stored voice mail. Advantageously, even on unanswered calls, the identity of the caller can be presented to the called party when that called party requests stored voice mail messages, even if the calling party has private service.

Abstract: Information is shared between an agent and a user. Information for a communications service is provided to the user. Information for a related service that relates to the communications service is retrieved. The related service is described to the user. The related service is activated for the user when the agent confirms that the related service has been described to the user.

Abstract: A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for advantageously powering a headset without a power cable. In one example, a headset includes a processor, an acoustic transducer, and a kinetic energy converter operably coupled to a power cell for powering the headset, the kinetic energy converter capable of converting kinetic energy of the headset into an output charge for charging the power cell. Advantageously, the present disclosure provides for reliably and efficiently powering a headset without having to replace or dock a headset battery and without requiring power cables.

Abstract: A telephone headset system having a network interface device, a head set including a headphone and a microphone, and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element. The network interface device, headset, and call answering and call ending element are electronically in communication with each other.

Abstract: A telephone handset that includes both a speaker and a secondary flux coil is provided. The secondary flux coil provides improved inductive coupling between the handset and a hearing aid. Due to the wiring configuration of the handset, the speaker and the secondary flux coil can be independently filtered, thus providing means for independently optimizing the performance of both the speaker and the secondary flux coil. Suitable filters include both passive circuits and digital signal processors.

Abstract: A slide module for a slide type electronic device includes a slide base having two opposite slide edges curling inside to form two longitudinal roll edges. A pair of slide rails are provided with a pair of slick guide recesses. The guide recess receives one roll edge sliding along the guide recess. A locating recess is defined above the guide recess. A guide hole is defined in the slide rail passing therethrough. A slide tray defines a pair of fixed blades located in the locating recesses respectively at two sides thereof. A torsion spring has two free ends. The first end is connected to the slide base and the second end is connected to the slide tray. A pair of guide rods are inserted in the guide holes respectively and equipped in both sides of the slide base. The guide rod slides along the guide hole.

Abstract: A method, system and article for encrypting data by applying an encryption process, wherein the encryption process includes storing progress data relating to the progress of the encryption process so that the encryption process may be resumed after an interruption. Even more specifically, after the interruption, progress data relating to the progress of the encryption process is accessed. Portions of the progress data are compared to determine the last encrypted data segment. After the last encrypted data segment, the encryption process at the data segment is resumed.

Abstract: Methods for encrypting a clear text message into hidden cipher text are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to encrypt clear text into a contextual altered form that does not appear to an observer to be cipher text. Embodiments of the present invention produce encrypted text without using a mathematical model of prime number factorization. Embodiments of the present invention provide better security by producing better quality cipher text output than known linguistic steganography approaches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for copy protection of an information carrier, said system comprising a diffractive layer for delivering a speckle pattern when illuminated by a light source, a spatial filter, which is aligned with respect to the diffractive layer, for delivering a filtered optical signal from the speckle pattern and a detector array for delivering, when illuminated by said filtered optical signal, an electrical signal. Said system further comprises means for computing a cryptographic key from the electrical signal, and means for decrypting encrypted data contained in the information carrier from the cryptographic key. It finds its application in copy protection of content carriers such as optical discs or in smart cards.

Abstract: A data encryption-decryption method includes the steps of receiving a data byte N and performing a triple-churning operation on byte N to obtain an encrypted byte N. Preferably, the triple-churning operation includes performing a first churning operation to obtain a first churned output, bit-wise XORing the first churned output with two values to obtain a first XOR result, performing a second churning operation on the first XOR result to obtain a second churned output, bit-wise XORing the second churned output with two values to obtain a second XOR result, and performing a third churning operation on the second XOR result to obtain encrypted byte N.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a source device and a method for encrypting digital contents at the source device. According to an embodiment, the method includes performing an addition operation by using a first source internal key and an identifier (ID), the first source internal key being associated with the source device, the ID being associated with at least one of a target device and a storage medium of the target device, and the target device being connected to the source device; generating a source encryption key based on an output of the addition operation and a second source internal key by using a predetermined encryption algorithm, the second source internal key being associated with the source device; encrypting the digital content using the source encryption key; and transmitting the encrypted digital content without the source encryption key to the target device.

Abstract: A method for secure bidirectional communication between two systems is described. A first key pair and a second key pair are generated, the latter including a second public key that is generated based upon a shared secret. First and second public keys are sent to a second system, and third and fourth public keys are received from the second system. The fourth public key is generated based upon the shared secret. A master key for encrypting messages is calculated based upon a first private key, a second private key, the third public key and the fourth public key. For re-keying, a new second key pair having a new second public key and a new second private key is generated, and a new fourth public key is received. A new master key is calculated using elliptic curve calculations using the new second private key and the new fourth public key.

Abstract: Key manager systems and methods for a QKD-based network are disclosed. The system includes a QKD layer that generates quantum encryption keys, a persistent storage layer that stores the quantum encryption keys, and a key management layer. The key management layer generates an application registration record that includes a list of multiple applications that use the quantum encryption keys. The key management layer also generates a corresponding key storage layer. The multiple applications reside in an applications layer. The applications in each node remove keys from the key storage layer so that each node can encrypt/decrypt data using quantum encryption keys. The methods also include secure QKD system boot-up and authentication that facilitate implementing a commercial QKD system in real-world environments.

Abstract: The invention provides for installing encryption keys on a device not having any previous security credentials. An installation authority generates a security token to be used by the device for secure communications, and an installation credential for the device, and stores them in association with one another. A user of the device is provided with the installation credential, whereby the user inputs the installation credential into the device. The device utilizes the installation credential as a temporary security key, establishes a secure communication channel with the installation authority and requests provision of the security token. The installation authority provides the security token associated with the installation credential to the device over the established secure communication channel, and the device installs the security token, after which the device erases the installation credential from the device.

Abstract: A method of encoding input signals (l, r) to generate encoded data (100) is provided. The method involves processing the input signals (l, r) to determine first parameters (?1, ?2) describing relative phase difference and temporal difference between the signals (l, r), and applying these first parameters (?1, ?2) to process the input signals to generate intermediate signals. The method involves processing the intermediate signals to determine second parameters (?; IID, ?) describing angular rotation of the first intermediate signals to generate a dominant signal (m) and a residual signal (s), the dominant signal (m) having a magnitude or energy greater than that of the residual signal (s). These second parameters are applicable to process the intermediate signals to generate the dominant (m) and residual (s) signals.

Abstract: A microphone bar for obtaining audio input for a video conferencing system includes a master module and one or more slave modules. The master module houses a first pair of unidirectional microphones for obtaining audio from opposite sides of the bar, and each of the slave modules houses a second pair of unidirectional microphones for obtaining audio from opposite sides of the bar. Extensions connect the modules together, and at least one bus conducts audio signals through the extension from the microphones to the video conferencing system. The microphones are operable according to a broadside mode of stereo operation when a central axis of the bar is substantially orthogonal to a view angle of the conferencing system. Furthermore, the microphones are operable according to an end-fire mode of stereo operation when the central axis of the bar is substantially parallel to the view angle of the conferencing system.

Abstract: In a condenser microphone including a microphone unit and an output module section which are connected to each other via a microphone cord, the length of a microphone cord in the output module section is shortened without interfering with soldering of the microphone cord to a circuit board of the output module section, so that noise caused by electromagnetic waves is prevented. In a condenser microphone where a condenser microphone unit 10 and an output module section 20, in which a circuit board 22 is housed in a shield case 21, are connected to each other via a microphone cord 30, a connection metal part 110 of the microphone cord and an output connector 23 are fixed to the circuit board 22 which can be inserted and removed in and from the shield case 21, the connection metal part 110 being detachably fit into an end opening 21a of the shield case 21. The connection metal part 110 of the microphone cord can be removed from the shield case 21 together with the circuit board 22.

Abstract: The hearing device comprises a housing with electronic components and a battery compartment with an opening in the housing. The battery compartment comprises means for removeably engaging a battery door. The hearing device further comprises a set of battery doors, each comprising mechanical means for detachably receiving a battery, the shells of each battery door of the set of battery doors having different shapes and sizes, each adapted to the size of the assigned specific battery type.

Abstract: A headset communication unit includes a housing and a microphone arm pivotally connected to the housing. The housing has a first pivotal portion that has a pivotal end and connects a supporting pillar in direction of the pivotal end. The microphone arm has a microphone and an elastic slice member received therein. In the process of the microphone arm rotating from an opening status to a closing status, the elastic slice member contacts the supporting pillar and rotates around the supporting pillar. Among this process, there is a farthest supporting position away from a geometric center of the cross-section of the supporting pillar in all supporting position of the supporting pillar. When the elastic slice member contacts the farthest supporting position, an elastic force stored in the deformed elastic slice is maximized. The elastic force is released to push the microphone arm forward to the closing status.

Abstract: A texture word map is produced by selecting a plurality of texture words to express the makeup textures; classifying the plurality of selected texture words into two types; producing a texture word map by arranging one characteristic in the ordinate and the other characteristic in the abscissa and arranging positional correlations of the texture words one another in the coordinates of the ordinate and the abscissa. A texture image map is produced by overlapping individual images on the texture word map and makeup with a texture is done based on the texture image map.

Abstract: Data to be impressed upon the average value of a chrominance portion of a block, is replicated at least once. The original and each replica is impressed on blocks in the same block position of separate frames. The frames that have like-positioned blocks that are carrying the same data are considered to be a group. Specific blocks of the frame may be embedded with a particular known data sequence rather than user data. Each group may employ a different known sequence. Instead of simply repeating the data for each like-positioned block of a group, the amount added to the average value for each such block may be changed slightly from frame to frame in group, even when the complexity of the blocks is the same. At a receiver, the multiple instances of the same data bit are extracted and combined to form a single received bit.

Abstract: A digital watermark embedding apparatus comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a topological invariant as digital watermark information, key information corresponding to the digital watermark information, and a target content in which the digital watermark information is to be embedded, function generation unit configured to generate a topological function corresponding to the topological invariant, a randomizing-function generation unit configured to generate a randomizing function based on the key information, and compute a composite function by composition of the randomizing function and the topological function, and a function-embedding unit configured to embed the composite function in the target content.

Abstract: A digital watermark detection apparatus includes an extraction unit extracting a specific frequency component signal from an input image signal, a first transformation unit orthogonal-transforming the image signal, a second transformation unit orthogonal-transforming the specific frequency component signal, a combination unit combining first and second transformed image signals from the first and second transformation units, a third transformation unit orthogonal-transforming a combined image signal, an estimation unit estimating embedded watermark information by searching for a peak appearing in a third transformed image signal of the third transformation unit, and a compressor compressing a target signal in amplitude based on a compression characteristic varying according to an amplitude and frequency of the target signal to obtain a compression signal, the target signal formed of at least one of the first transformed image signal, the second transformed image signal and the combined image signal.

Abstract: A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in response to a reflected portion of the illumination beam (20). A controller is coupled to the light source (46) and the receiver (62). The controller generates an image in response to the first image signal and the second image signal.

Abstract: The inventive method is characterized in that the prepaid postage indicia are checked to see if they contain a predefined security feature. If they do not, at least one selected read area of the mail is checked to determine whether it contains a predefined graphic representation of a prepaid postage indicia.

Abstract: A method and system, for detecting closely spaced objects with data from an imaging sensor. A CFAR detector performs detection on the image data at a threshold level. A processor runs a first algorithm on exceedances above the CFAR threshold. The first algorithm is for single target detection and includes a local-max algorithm that identifies multiple exceedances within a 2×2 matrix of image data and only keeps exceedance with the maximum value. All other exceedances in image are single target detections. The processor runs a second algorithm that identifies multiple exceedances (single target detections) within a local regional area across the whole image. The regional area size may be a 3×3, 4×4, or 5×5 matrix depending on the specified CSO separations. This algorithm may use a regional moving window across the whole image. An alternative method using the indices of all the exceedances' (x,y) coordinates is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using optical flow to detect objects moving past a camera and to select images of the moving objects. A shopping cart, for example, may be detected by subdividing an image into a plurality of image blocks; comparing the blocks to a preceding image to determine the motion of the portion of the object pictured; associating the most common motion with the shopping cart. The motion of the cart may also be integrated over time for purposes of tracking cart motion and selecting a subset of the captured images for object recognition processing. Detection of the cart and image selection improves computational efficiency an increase merchandise throughput.

Abstract: A vehicle tunnel detecting device includes an image pickup unit for picking up images of a forward area and an obliquely upper area with respect to a travel direction of a vehicle, an obliquely upper area brightness reduction detecting unit for judging whether an average brightness of the images of the obliquely upper area with respect to the travel direction picked up by the image pickup unit is lower than a predetermined value, a brightness difference detecting unit for calculating a difference in average brightness between the images of the forward and obliquely upper areas achieved by the image pickup unit when it is judged by the obliquely upper area brightness reduction detecting unit that the average brightness of the image of the obliquely upper area is lower than the predetermined value, and a tunnel identifying unit for identifying a tunnel when the difference in average brightness between the image of the forward area and the image of the obliquely upper area that is calculated by the brightness di

Abstract: A rain sensor provided in a vehicle includes a camera and a processor. The camera takes an image of a scene outside of the vehicle through a windshield of the vehicle with an infinite focal length. The processor detects rain based on a variation degree of intensities of pixels in the image from an average intensity of the pixels.

Abstract: An image processor for an automotive vehicle includes: an imaging element for capturing an image of a road; a traffic lane line detection element for detecting a position of a traffic lane line by determining an edge of the traffic lane line; a distance distribution calculation element for calculating a distance distribution of an edge intensity corresponding to a distance to the traffic lane line from the imaging element; and a detection reliability calculation element for calculating a degree of reliability of detection of the traffic lane line on the basis of the distance distribution of the edge intensity of the traffic lane line.

Abstract: There is provided an image processor and a method thereof for high-speed compensation for taken-image blurs produced by camera shakes or the like. In the first instance, a motion-detecting area is selected for each of two images taken by an image sensor. When projective data is calculated by means of computing in a predetermined direction pixels of the motion-detecting areas, the motion vector between the two images can be acquired based on the projective data. The image correlativity between the two images is then calculated in the direction that the motion vector designates; and the amount of pixel displacement between the two images is calculated based on the correlativity values acquired by the calculation.

Abstract: An image inspecting apparatus invention includes an original image storing memory 21 for storing an image data output from an image sensor 11, a filtering processing section 22 for obtaining a shading component-removed data in which the shading component is removed from the output image data, a preliminary processing memory 23 for storing the shading component-removed data, a block dividing/adding section 24 for dividing the shading component-removed data into blocks with a size of n×m and adding the shading component-removed data within the divided blocks to obtain a block divided/added data, a secondary processing memory 25 for storing the block divided/added data, a statistics processing section 26 for calculating an average value, a maximum value and a minimum value for the block divided/added data, a quality determining section 27 for determining a quality with the calculated average value, maximum value and minimum value and a determination result storing memory 28 for storing information for the block

Abstract: Every time to-be-verified biometric is input, the apparatus reflects the degree of fluctuation in the to-be-verified biometric information on narrowing down of registered feature information. After to-be-verified biometric information is input through the a biometric information input unit, the to-be-verified sub-feature information obtaining unit extracts two or more items of sub-feature information from the to-be-verified biometric information. Based on the pieces of to-be-verified sub-feature information, the to-be-verified sub-feature information assessing unit assesses an acquisition stability of each item of to-be-verified sub-feature information. According to the acquisition stability assessment, the registered feature information narrowing unit selects one or more pieces of registered feature information to be subjected to comparison/verification, thereby narrowing down the registered feature information.

Abstract: A Bayesian competitive model integrated with a generative classifier for unspecific person verification is described. In one aspect, a competitive measure for verification of an unspecific person is calculated using a discriminative classifier. The discriminative classifier is based on a Bayesian competitive model that is adaptable to unknown new classes. The Bayesian competitive model is integrated with a generative verification in view of a set of confidence criteria to make a decision regarding verification of the unspecific person.