Abstract: 3D image processing methods and systems for use in an electronic device having an image decoding unit are provided. The image decoding unit includes a sequence of decoding sub-units. First, a first decoding sub-unit receives at least one 3D image. A second decoding sub-unit decomposes the 3D image into a left image or a right image according to a 3D format corresponding to the 3D image. Then, a third decoding sub-unit performs a management/control operation according to the left image or the right image, wherein the third decoding sub-unit is in the rear of the second decoding sub-unit in the sequence. In some embodiment, the second decoding sub-unit can put a tag of image type or information of image processing into a specific position of data corresponding to the left image or the right image, for subsequent decoding sub-units to process the image.

Abstract: The present technique relates to image processing devices and methods for enabling more appropriate removals of block distortions. When the difference between the quantization parameter QPc of a current region C and the quantization parameter QPN of a neighboring region N is determined to be larger than a predetermined threshold value, a deblocking filter adjusts the deblocking filtering operation so that stronger filtering is performed on a boundary between the current region and the neighboring region. This disclosure can be applied to image processing devices, for example.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to compression of parameters of an encoded texture block such that an efficient encoding is achieved. Index data is used as an example of parameters to be encoded. Accordingly, encoding the index data is achieved by predicting the index data, wherein the prediction is done in the pixel color domain, where changes often are smooth, instead of in the pixel index domain where the changes vary a lot. Hence, according to embodiments of the present invention the index data is predicted from previously predicted neighboring pixels taking into account that the base value and a modifier table value are known. When the index value is predicted the real index value can be decoded with the prediction as an aid. Since this way of predicting the index provides a very good prediction, it lowers the number of bits needed to represent the pixel index.

Abstract: The technology described in this document relates to filters and functions that are based on exponential decay functions. In one aspect, the technology is embodied in a method that includes using a computing device to compute a first function as a combination of (i) an exponential decay function, a decay factor for which is chosen based on a Gaussian function, and (ii) at least a second function that is obtained by one or more convolution operations on the decay function. The first function provides an approximation of at least a portion of the Gaussian function.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and a method. An intensity gradient between first and second optical image data of an optical image produced by an optical scanning device is determined. The first optical image data is a first optical image pixel and the second optical image data is a second optical image pixel. An intensity gradient image comprising a plurality of intensity gradient image pixels is determined, each intensity gradient image pixel representing the magnitude of an intensity gradient. One or more anomalies in the optical image in dependence on the magnitude of the intensity gradient being greater than or equal to a threshold value is identified.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for image filtering are described. Structural information is employed during the calculation of filtering coefficients. The structural information is described by the regions defined through an edge map of the image. In one embodiment, the region correlation between the target pixel and a contributing pixel is selected as a structural filtering coefficient. The region correlation, which indicates the possibility of two pixels being in the same regions, is calculated by evaluating the strongest edge cut by a path between the target pixel and a contributing pixel. The structural filtering coefficient is further combined with spatial information and intensity information to form a spatial-intensity-region (SIR) filter. The structural information based filter is applicable to applications such as denoising, tone mapping, and exposure fusion.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog pixel value into a first digital pixel value. The imaging system also includes an index value source configured to receive the first digital pixel value from the analog-to-digital converter and to generate a digital index value based on a comparison of the first digital pixel value to a digital reference value. In addition, the imaging system includes a transmitter in communication with the index value source and configured to transmit the digital index value. Further, the imaging system includes an image processing component configured to receive the digital index value and to generate a second digital pixel value based at least in part on the received digital index value and a lookup table of the image processing component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at least one transformation identifier associated with a first image maintained by a social networking system. The transformation identifier includes at least one transformation version. The method further includes determining at least one transformation for application to the first image based on the at least one transformation identifier and the at least one transformation version.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of obtaining a high-quality image at high speed even when frame rate is high. A frame rate control unit controls frame rate for the shooting. An image decimation unit samples a plurality of images at predetermined time intervals and selects at least two images among the plurality of images as decimation images. A moving vector detection unit detects a moving vector indicative of a moving direction and a moving amount of a subject between the decimation images. A decimation control unit changes decimation conditions according to an absolute value of the moving vector output from the moving vector detection unit. A synthesizing unit aligns the plurality of images based on the output from the moving vector detection unit and then synthesizes the aligned plurality of images to obtain the composite image.

Abstract: A method and system for combining, communicating, storing and/or separating image data and non-image data. The method involves a computer programmed to identify an end-of-file (EOF) marker of an image file, and being programmed to add the non-image data to the image file after the EOF marker.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a specific date setting module configured to set an input date along with an image setting module, an image extraction module and an image display module. The image setting module associates a still image with the specific date. The image extraction module extracts still images when a present date is within a first time period comprising the specific date, the extracted still images comprising at least a still image which is relevant to the date and time. The image display module displays a moving picture using the extracted still images, where the moving picture being different with respect to at least one of a length of the moving picture, a combination of still images used in the moving picture, and an effect used in the moving picture, on a day-by-day basis within the first time period.

Abstract: A biodegradable lawn waste collection system is provided. The system generally includes a waste receiver, a shaping insert, and a handle. The waste receiver may comprise a mesh structure having a filling end and a sealing end. The mesh structure may be formed from a biodegradable polymer composition. The shaping insert is configured for removable reception within the filling end of the waste receiver. The shaping insert provides the waste receiver with rigidity and stability when filling the waste receiver with lawn waste. After the waste receiver has been filled with lawn waste, the shaping inert is removed and the filling end is secured, such as by tying a knot. The full waste receiver is then releasably attached to the handle, which enables the full waste receiver to be easily carried or dragged to a desired destination.

Abstract: A combined beverage container and storage device easily storable until usage and capable of being removable from premises for dispensing contents contained in the container for later consumption and provided with a sealable non-leak sealing mechanism. The beverage container is formed from flexible plastic material and the beverage dispenser has one end in contact with contents in the container and another end to provide access by a user to the contents and a closure including a sealable non-leak sealing mechanism providing an opening and closing a container opening through which the tubular member is inserted into the container, or an elastomeric material surrounding the container opening for insertion of the dispenser, fixed with the outside of the container to close the opening.

Abstract: A method for suppressing vibrations, the method having the steps of providing a first device having a first rotating shaft, and a second device having a second rotating shaft. The orbits of the first rotating shaft are measured are analyzed, and the misalignment and unbalance is determined. The first rotating shaft and the bearings are then displaced to eliminate vibrations.

Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing a low profile sliding drawer used in information technology equipment (ITE). A low-profile slide mechanism having a substantially horizontal cross section telescopes outwardly a predefined length and includes a plurality of rail sections that are interconnected with shouldered T pins, with sliding of the rail sections occurring on the T pin shoulders spacing apart the rail sections from an associated base pan and drawer. Each of the rail sections is movable a set amount of an overall length of the slide mechanism. The low-profile slide mechanism is friction based and includes different predefined selected materials forming the shouldered T pins and the rail sections to prevent galling and having predefined rigidity and strength.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing device (21) includes: a shaft member (22); a housing (29) as an outer member which is arranged on a radially outer side of the shaft member (22) and is opened at both ends; a radial bearing gap which is formed on a radially inner side of the housing (29) and faces an outer peripheral surface of the shaft member (22); and a lid member (30) closing an opening on one end side of the housing (29), wherein the lid member (30) is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the housing (29) with a fastening allowance which does not affect accuracy of a surface defining an outer diameter dimension of the radial bearing gap so that the housing (29) and the lid member (30) are bonded and fixed to each other.

Abstract: A turret/vessel bearing arrangement and method for replacing bearings in situ without removing other bearings. The bearings are capable of being separated. A removable axial spacer secures the vessel and the turret into engagement with the upper and lower thrust bearings. Removal of the spacer allows increased separation between vessel and turret flanges that sandwich the thrust bearings. The mid radial bearing assembly includes one or more radially arranged bearing pads that allow for limited axial displacement of the turret with respect to the vessel during thrust bearing replacement while still bearing radial loads and allowing rotation. The addition of a temporary thrust bearing allows the vessel to weathervane about the turret while thrust bearing are replaced in situ.

Abstract: A crank drive includes a crankshaft journal having a concave-shaped surface, a bearing element in which the crankshaft journal is rotatably mounted, and a bearing shell disposed between the crankshaft journal and the bearing element and having a first convex-shaped surface matched with the concave-shaped surface of the crankshaft journal. The bearing shell has a second surface associated with the bearing element and is constructed such that the bearing shell has a non-constant cross section in the longitudinal direction of the crankshaft journal. The bearing element surface facing the bearing shell is adapted to the second surface of the bearing shell regarding the shape of the bearing element surface, and the second surface of the bearing shell is cylindrical or concave and has a smaller curvature than the concave-shaped surface of the crankshaft journal.

Abstract: A bearing includes an outer ring (14) having an inner surface (26), an inner ring (18) at least partially positioned within the outer ring (14) and having an outer surface (22) in facing relationship with the inner surface (26), a groove (30) defined in either the inner surface (26) or the outer surface (22), and a porous material (38) positioned in the groove (30) in which lubricant is absorbed. The porous material (38) is configured to secrete the absorbed lubricant in response to being compressed.

Abstract: A rolling-element bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring having at least two adjacently disposed raceways for at least two rows of rolling elements. In order to avoid or reduce corrosion on the raceways of the outer ring caused by condensation forming on the outer raceway, the outer ring has at least one radially-outwardly-extending groove in the axial region between its at least two raceways for collecting condensation at a location away from the raceways.

Abstract: A cage segment for a rolling-element bearing has at least one pocket for a rolling element and is formed by a first segment part and a second segment part. The second segment part abuts the first segment part in an axial direction and is connected to the first segment part by an interference-fit or a friction-fit, or in a materially-bonded manner.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rolling-element bearing assembly includes providing a first bearing ring, a second bearing ring and rolling-elements, rotating the first bearing ring relative to the second bearing ring and joining the first bearing ring, the second bearing ring and the rolling elements while the first bearing ring is rotating relative to the second bearing ring. The method additionally includes connecting one of the bearing rings to a bearing ring of another rolling-element bearing or to a spacer while the first bearing ring is rotating relative to the second bearing ring.

Abstract: An in-transit mixing machine drive (2) having an output bearing (8) for supporting an output shaft for rotation relative to a drive housing, in which the output shaft is arranged inclined relative to a horizontal plane (5) at an angle (?) and the output bearing (8) is formed by a pendulum roller bearing (9) whose rolling bodies (13, 14) roll in two bearing rows (10, 11) at pressure angles (?, ?) about a bearing axis (12). The pressure angles (?, ?) of the two bearing rows (10, 11) differ from each other or the rolling bodies (13, 14) of the two bearing rows (10, 11) differ from each other.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a rotary element (13) with respect to a ground member (12) comprises a unidirectional clutch (41) and a rotary actuator (21, 33, 39). Actuation of the actuator is against a resilient bias (34), and overcomes friction between the rotary element and the ground member to advance the rotary element with the unidirectional clutch locked. Release of the actuator allows re-setting thereof by the resilient bias, the friction between the rotary element and the ground member resisting further relative movement.

Abstract: A method and structure for a modulator which includes a forward-biased diode optimized for power and area to perform a tuning function, and a reverse-biased diode optimized for speed to perform a modulation function.

Abstract: A fiber is wound into first and second coils lying substantially in respective first and second planar directions having a substantially orthogonal relationship. The first and second coils are configured to result in respective first and second birefringences that are dominated by bend-induced birefringence. The first and second birefringences have respective axes that are rotated with respect to each other in real space by an angle that is substantially equal to 90 degrees. Light traveling through the fiber has a state of polarization that evolves in substantially opposite directions as it travels respectively through the first and second coils. The first and second coils are configured such that light traveling through the fiber acquires respective, substantially opposite first and second phase shifts. Light traveling through the fiber acquires respective first and second differential group delays that substantially compensate for each other.

Abstract: An impact sensor of an active hood system includes a rear member, optical fiber sensors, a front member and membrane switch. Each of the optical fiber sensors is disposed on upper and lower portions of a front of the rear member and senses an impact force delivered from a bumper at the time of a crash with a pedestrian. The front member is disposed at the front of the rear member and has a protrusion part pressing the optical fiber sensors by the impact force delivered from the bumper at the time of the crash with the pedestrian. The membrane switch is disposed between the front member and the optical fiber sensor, divided into a plurality of regions from a left of the front member to a right thereof, and configured to sense a region which is pressed when the pedestrian crashes with the region.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for diffracting incident light from a lithographic scanner in an IC process flow. Embodiments include forming a diffraction grating in a first layer on a semiconductor substrate; and forming a plurality of lithographic alignment marks in a second layer, overlying the first layer, wherein the diffraction grating has a width and a length greater than or equal to a width and length, respectively, of the plurality of lithographic alignment marks.

Abstract: Provided is an optical waveguide device capable of reducing stress that occurs inside an optical waveguide substrate due to a difference in a coefficient of thermal expansion. The optical waveguide device (10) includes an optical waveguide substrate (11) having a thickness of 30 ?m or less, and a liquid crystal polymer substrate (12) which holds the optical waveguide substrate (11) and has permittivity lower than that of the optical waveguide substrate (11). The optical waveguide substrate (11) and the liquid crystal polymer substrate (12) are bonded to each other by an adhesive layer (14).

Abstract: A light-trapping sheet includes: a light-transmitting sheet having first and second principal surfaces; and a plurality of light-coupling structures arranged in an inner portion of the light-transmitting sheet, wherein: each of the plurality of light-coupling structures includes a first light-transmitting layer, a second light-transmitting layer, and a third light-transmitting layer sandwiched therebetween; a refractive index of the first and second light-transmitting layers is smaller than a refractive index of the light-transmitting sheet; a refractive index of the third light-transmitting layer is larger than the refractive index of the first and second light-transmitting layers; and the third light-transmitting layer has a two-dimensional diffraction grating parallel to the first and second principal surfaces of the light-transmitting sheet.

Abstract: An optical coupling system for coupling a first optical waveguide having a first core surrounded by a first sheath to a second optical waveguide having a second core surrounded by a second sheath. An end face of the first core of the first optical waveguide abuts an end face of the second core of the second optical waveguide at a coupling location and the second core is flush with the first core in the axial direction, wherein, in the region of the coupling location, over at least part of a predetermined axial portion, both the second sheath of the second optical waveguide and the first sheath of the first optical waveguide together form a cladding of the optical waveguide in the predetermined portion.

Abstract: A reconfigurable polarity detachable connector assembly includes a housing defining two accommodation channels and providing a springy protruding member at a top side, two mating simplex connectors respectively detachably mounted in the accommodation channels of the housing, a fiber optic cable fastened to the housing with two optical fiber cores thereof respectively inserted into respective calibration support rods of the mating simplex connectors, and a sliding cap slidably coupled to the housing. The sliding cap is unlocked and can be moved backwardly relative to the housing to expose the optical fiber cores of the fiber optic cable to the outside of the housing for allowing position exchange between the two mating simplex connectors after the user presses the springy protruding member.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector has a first mating end and a second end and a first optical fiber terminated thereto. The fiber defines a first end adjacent the mating end and a second end protruding from the second end of the connector. A polymeric carrier having a connector end and an oppositely disposed cable end is engaged with the connector. The carrier includes a heat activated meltable portion adjacent the cable end. An alignment structure is disposed on the carrier that includes a first end, a second end, and a throughhole. The first end of the alignment structure is for receiving the second end of the first optical fiber and the second end of the alignment structure is for receiving an end of a second optical fiber entering the cable end of the carrier.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a housing configured to mate with a receptacle, a collar body that includes a fiber stub and a mechanical splice device, a backbone to retain the collar body within the housing, and a boot. The backbone includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the terminated optical fiber upon actuation. The boot actuates the fiber jacket clamping portion of the backbone upon attachment to the backbone. The optical fiber connector can be terminated in the field without the need to use a separate termination platform or tool.

Abstract: A connector for a fiber optic cable is disclosed, as well as a housing therefor, wherein the housing is formed as a single unitary piece to simplify construction and assembly. A ferrule assembly may be configured in conjunction with the housing to provide a retentive coupling between the assembly and the housing upon insertion of the assembly into the housing.

Abstract: A dust cap assembly for sealing an end face of a fiber optic ferrule includes a sleeve and a sealant. The sleeve is configured to be placed onto the fiber optic ferrule and frictionally engage a medial portion of the fiber optic ferrule. The sealant, which is at least partially disposed on the sleeve, comprises a curable liquid configured to create a removable seal that directly contacts the end face on the fiber optic ferrule when the sleeve is placed onto the fiber optic ferrule. The sealant is also configured adhere to contaminants present on the end face such that upon removal of the sleeve and sealant from the fiber optic ferule remedial cleaning of the end face occurs.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable is provided as one capable of preventing damage of an inside tube and an outside tube. An optical fiber cable 1 is provided with an optical fiber 2 for propagating laser light, an inside tube 3 housing an end portion of this optical fiber 2, and an outside tube 4 arranged outside the inside tube 3 and surrounding the inside tube 3. A space portion 5 is provided between the optical fiber 2 and an inner peripheral surface of the inside tube 3.

Abstract: An optical fibre designed to simultaneously attenuate the effect of modulation instability and stimulated Raman scattering. A first solution proposes to use non-zero dispersion shifted fibres in the normal dispersion regime to reduce both influences at the same time. A further solution proposes to implement corresponding filter elements in the signal line. A still further solution proposes to additionally provide absorber elements for the Raman wavelengths or to design the core as a leaky one for these wavelengths.

Abstract: A porous layer is formed by depositing a silica glass particle around a core rod. The porous layer is dehydrated. The dehydrated porous layer is sintered under a decreased pressure until the dehydrated porous layer becomes a translucent glass layer containing a closed pore. The translucent glass layer is vitrified under an ambient atmosphere including an inert gas other than a helium gas.

Abstract: A fiber distribution device includes a swing frame chassis pivotally mounted to a support structure. At least a first optical splitter module is mounted to the swing frame chassis. Pigtails having connectorized ends are carried by the swing frame chassis and have portions that are routed generally vertically on the swing frame chassis. An optical termination field includes fiber optic adapters carried by the swing frame chassis. The fiber optic adapters are configured to receive the connectorized ends of the pigtails.

Abstract: A cable closure includes a housing delimiting an interior of the cable closure. The housing includes a covering body having cable insertion regions on opposite sides and shells that each have, at the cable insertion regions, a barrier wall associated with the interior of the cable closure and a barrier wall remote from the interior of the cable closure. Deformable sealing elements are positioned in the cable insertion regions, there being a deformable sealing element associated with each shell at each cable insertion region positioned between the barrier wall associated with the interior of the cable closure and the barrier wall remote from the interior of the cable closure. At least one of the barrier walls of each of the shells includes a first segment fixedly attached to the respective shell and at least one second segment detachable from the first segment.

Abstract: A method for playing videos, applied to an electronic system, is provided. A video is played through a player application program, and a playing status stored in an embedded control random access memory of a keyboard controller of the electronic system is set to a first status when the video is played. Then, all light signals of the electronic system are turned off by the keyboard controller according to the first status.

Abstract: At a master device are registered one or more other devices associated with one or more audio channels for recording at least one acoustic signal from one or more sound sources. The at least one acoustic signal is recorded using at least one of the master device and one or more other devices, and the at least one recorded acoustic signal is either collected by at least one of the master device and the one or more other devices, or transmitted to another entity by at least one of the master device and the one or more other devices. In the examples the registration assigns audio and/or video channels to different microphones of the different devices. In one embodiment these different recordings are mixed at the master device and in another they are mixed at a web server into a multi-channel audio/sound (or audio-video) file.

Abstract: The invention discloses a correction method and system for object linking in video sequences that are captured by a multiple camera surveillance video system. The invention allows a user to select a specific object to track and for trace correction through an interactive user platform. The interactive user platform shows a video sequence captured by the user-selected camera at the selected time; lists of previous and post video sequences related to the user-selected object or video sequences, and lists of object linking results before and after the selected time. The user refers to the linking results, shown in lists of object linking results before and after the selected time to select one of objects for correction in selected frame of selected video sequence. The selection directs the proposed system to correct the trace of the specific object to track. Henceforth, the correct linking results can be automatically generated.

Abstract: For evaluating an image file in a social website through an image player, on which the image file is also shown, the image player automatically issues a wireless connection signal to a handheld electronic device in the vicinity of the image player. The image player automatically transmits the image file to the handheld electronic device in a wireless transmission manner after the connection is successfully established. The handheld electronic device transmits an evaluation message regarding the image file to the image player. The image player automatically executes a transfer program to transfer the evaluation message to the social website.

Abstract: An information processing system is disclosed. The information processing system includes: a recording/playback apparatus; and a playback terminal. The recording/playback apparatus includes an output unit, a management unit, and a playback unit. The playback terminal includes a playback unit, a generating unit, and an output unit.

Abstract: A recording medium has a main-view stream, a sub-view stream, and an extended stream recorded thereon. The main-view stream contains a main-view video stream constituting main views of stereoscopic video images, and is divided into a plurality of main-view extents arranged on the recording medium. The sub-view stream contains a sub-view video stream constituting sub-views of the stereoscopic video images, and is divided into a plurality of sub-view extents arranged on the recording medium. The extended stream contains extended data to be used in combination with the main-view stream, and is divided into a plurality of extended extents arranged on the recording medium. Between an adjacent pair of the plurality of extended extents, at least two each of the plurality of the main-view extents and the plurality of the sub-view extents are placed in a continuous, interleaved arrangement.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern recording content based on program identifier information included in a fragment of the content. Example apparatus and methods facilitate identifying a content fragment (e.g., f-MP4 fragment) based on an identifier located in the fragment rather than information located in some external source (e.g., Event Information Table (EIT)). One example method includes identifying a fragment based, at least in part, on a program identifier (PI) encoded as a universally unique identifier (UUID) in the fragment and then selectively recording the fragment based, at least in part, on the PI. Rather than rely only on a predicted start time, a predicted start time, and a predicted channel, example apparatus and methods may be better prepared to account for unanticipated start times, ending times, schedule changes, channel changes, and other changes that may frustrate users.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for publicly broadcasting and user display of video frames or groups of video frames of program content. A program content processor is utilized with an added material processor to insert added material to a limited number of the video frames or groups of video frames of the program content. A broadcasting device configured to broadcast the program content with the added material to a plurality of users who can selectively receive the program content. A controller operable for selectively controlling a speed of the playback of the program content so that the added material becomes readily discernible by the user. An electronic response device is utilized by the user to respond to the now user detectable added material.

Abstract: Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.