Abstract: Systems and methods to define and implement a spread trading strategy having multiple lean legs are described. An example method includes receiving, via a computing device, a definition of a spread trading strategy. The definition includes a first leg associated with a first tradeable object, a second leg associated with a second tradeable object and a third leg associated with a third tradeable object. The example method includes determining, via the computing device, a first leg price for the first leg using a first lean pricing technique and determining, via the computing device, a second leg price for the second leg using a second lean pricing technique. The second lean pricing technique is different than the first lean pricing technique.

Abstract: Example methods, systems, and computer-readable media to indicate a market trend using a graphical indicator are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying price levels of a tradeable object on a trading interface. The trading interface is to be used to execute trades via an electronic exchange. The example method also includes monitoring a price and a volume of trades of the tradeable object. The example method further includes displaying a graphical indicator on the trading interface to indicate a trend between the volume of trades and the price.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining bid adjustments that may result in lower costs and/or increased benefit to content providers, and providing recommendations for adjusting a bidding strategy accordingly, are disclosed. One method includes determining a first marginal cost associated with a first set of one or more of a plurality of auctions for presentation of content items within one or more resources. The marginal costs represents a cost to a content provider associated with an additional action performed in association with the content items presented within the resources. The method further includes determining a second marginal cost associated with a second set of one or more of the plurality of auctions. The method further includes determining whether a difference between the first marginal cost and the second marginal cost exceeds a threshold, and generating a recommendation to adjust a bidding strategy in response to determining the difference exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A scalable, adaptable, modular, and web-centric Insurance Back-Office System (IBOS) for serving the needs of carriers, agencies, agents, and service providers in the insurance industry is disclosed. The IBOS provides a framework for allowing web-centric collaboration among agents, agencies, carriers, and service providers, using applications that manage applicants, cases, and policies in an efficient and secure manner. The IBOS infrastructure is designed to facilitate the creation of a new application, module, tool, or view in a simplified manner.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, communication device includes a display, the display being capable of showing a first insurance premium of a first insurance and a second insurance premium of a second insurance, and the second insurance premium rises when the first insurance premium rises.

Abstract: Data is received characterizing claim information submitted for approval by a member of a peer-to-peer risk pool. The claim information is inserted as a transaction into a block using a private key. The block is added to a chain of blocks, the chain of blocks including prior claim and payment information of the member. The chain of blocks is distributed to a plurality of additional members of the peer-to-peer risk pool for review by the additional members for approving or disproving the claim. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a tax return preparation system with an analytics modules includes matching a user to one or more common user profiles. The analytics module generates a plurality of common profiles by applying an alternating least squares algorithm to a large matrix including data from a large number of previously prepared tax returns. The analytics module matches the user to one or more of the common profiles by comparing data received from the user with the common profiles. The analytics module customizes a tax return preparation process of the user based on the one or more profiles to which the user is matched.

Abstract: A method and system gathers user tax data for a user, from one or more sources of tax information, to prepare the user's tax return within a tax return preparation system, in one embodiment. The method and system populate a database with relationships between existing user metadata and one or more sources of tax information, in one embodiment. The method and system analyze new user metadata for the user to identify which of the one or more sources of tax information are relevant to the user, in one embodiment. The method and system retrieve new user tax data from the identified ones of the one or more sources of tax information that are relevant to the new user metadata of the user, in one embodiment. The method and system populate the user's tax return with the new user data, within the tax return preparation system, in one embodiment.

Abstract: A mine management system to mine ore in a mine including a mining area, a first mine shaft, and a second mine shaft connecting the mining area and the first mine shaft, the mine management system includes: a transporting machine loading the ore mined in the mining area and transporting the ore to a soil discharge area while traveling in the first mine shaft; a loading machine staying in the second mine shaft while a space for the transporting machine to travel therein is left inside the first mine shaft, excavating the ore in the mining area, conveying the mined ore from the mining area in an opposite direction, and loading the mined ore on the transporting machine; and a management device determining a mining area in which the loading machine is disposed based on a difference between a production plan and an actual production amount of the mine.

Abstract: There are provided systems and method for smart table devices and accessories for determining ordering aspects and bills. A smart table may include one or more modules, devices, and/or accessory devices that determine aspects of users and items associated with the smart table, such as movements of the users, quantities of items located on the table, or other aspects. The aspects may be communicated to a merchant device to determine information about the users and items, such as if the user requires attention or if a drink is empty. Based on the information, notifications may be generated, which may be communicated to a merchant or merchant employee to provide assistance or service to the table. The information may also be utilized to generate and update historical sales statistics for the merchant, such as commonly ordered items, time until receipt of service or food, and preferred payment methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for creating, managing and distributing real estate related content associated with spatial data and property listing data that represents properties of interest. The system and method also publishes the data for display on an accessible map interface through a web browser.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing recognition accounts stored in a social network system, comprising providing content to a patron computer, determining whether the content is able to result in monetary compensation, including, within a presentation format of the content, a user interface feature usable to signal an authorization for monetary compensation for the content, accepting, from the patron computer, an indication of a request to provide monetary compensation to a creator of the content, determining, using the patron computer or the social network system, based on patron actions or patron default settings, whether to give nonmonetary recognition for the content, updating a nonmonetary recognition database based on nonmonetary recognition given for the content, and transferring amounts among recognition accounts.

Abstract: A system for recording a user's life is provided. The system includes a server and a database communicatively coupled to the server. The system causes the server to receive, over a computer network, content from a user; store, in the database, the content and an association between the content and the user; receive, over a computer network, an appointed guardian over the content; receive a notification of the death of the user; and grant the guardian administrative access to the content based at least in part on the notification.

Abstract: A school ranking system may be configured to determine a rank of a school based on career outcomes data, which may be obtained from member profile data stored by an on-line social network system. Schools may be ranked on the basis of proportions of their graduates who obtained employment at some of the most desirable companies for a given profession or occupation. In order to make university rankings robust to potential noise in company desirability, a large number of perturbed sets of desirable companies are generated by repeatedly substituting a subset of companies from the set of desirable companies with companies outside that set.

Abstract: A method for payment of healthcare costs for a patient includes supplying a healthcare provider with a card swipe machine having a card sensor for reading a payment card, a processor for calculating a bill, and a memory storing established discounts and risk payment amounts. A patient utilizing the payment card has a predetermined discount applied to a healthcare services bill. The payment card provider pays to the healthcare provider the discounted bill minus a negotiated risk payment amount for assuming the risk for collecting the payment. The payment card provider invoices the patient for the amount of the billed healthcare services and collects that amount from the patient.

Abstract: A terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes a recovered item and a new item packaged together as a single stock keeping unit. A method for processing at least a portion of a first medical procedure kit includes the steps of receiving a recoverable item of the first kit, performing a processing operation on the recoverable item, providing a new item, combining the recoverable item and the new item in a second kit, and terminally sterilizing the second kit. A method for recovering at least a portion of a terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes the steps of purchasing a recoverable item of the first kit from an owner and receiving the recoverable item by the purchaser.

Abstract: Techniques for determining brand information and refining a position of a mobile device are described herein. An example of a method for displaying branding information on a mobile device includes receiving a reference image feature data table based on a rough location of the mobile device, such that the reference image feature data table includes a collection of entity records and wherein each entity record includes a plurality of logo image feature fields, obtaining an image including a displayed logo, utilizing an image recognition process and the reference image feature data table on the image to determine a recognized logo, and displaying brand information based on the recognized logo.

Abstract: A watermark encoder receives a current video image together with current metadata associated with the current image. A metadata delay also makes available to the watermark decoder delayed metadata associated respectively with four or more of the preceding. Then the watermark encoder modifies pixel values of the current image not only to encode the current metadata but also the delayed metadata. At a decoder, if metadata for the current image is corrupted or missing, it can be recovered from one of the succeeding images.

Abstract: Embedding a watermark payload in content, including: a counter configured to store a random seed; a permutation generator configured to receive and process the watermark payload and the random seed, and generate a shuffled payload based on the random seed; and a watermark embedder configured to receive and embed the shuffled payload into the content. Key words include watermark payload and collusion.

Abstract: An information insertion method, an information extraction method, and an information extraction apparatus using dot-based information are provided herein. The information extraction apparatus includes an identification unit and an extraction unit. The identification unit identifies a set of at least one dot output to a target. The extraction unit extracts information from the set of at least one dot.

Abstract: Differential modulation schemes encode a data channel within host signal or noisy environment in a manner that is robust, flexible to achieve perceptual quality constraints, and provides improved data capacity. Differential arrangements enable a decoder to suppress host signal or other background signal interference when detecting, synchronizing and extracting an encoded data channel. They also enable the incorporation of implicit or explicit synchronization components, which are either formed from the data signal or are complementary to it.

Abstract: A method and manufacture for graphics processing in which a first line of raw Bayer data and a second line of raw Bayer data are received. Each two-by-two array of a plurality of non-overlapping two-by-two arrays of the first line of raw Bayer data and the second line of raw Bayer data is mapped as a separate corresponding texel to provide a plurality of texel. At least one operation is performed on at least one of the plurality of texels.

Abstract: In an embodiment, at least one computer readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon for causing a system to send, from a processor to a task execution device, a first call to execute a first subroutine of a set of chained subroutines. The first subroutine may have a first subroutine output argument that includes a first token to indicate that first output data from execution of the first subroutine is intermediate data of the set of chained subroutines. The instructions are also for causing the system, responsive to inclusion of the first token in the first subroutine output argument, to enable the processor to execute one or more operations while the task execution device executes the first subroutine. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A graphics processing unit (GPU) is provided to preemptively flush one or more bins. The GPU generates bin data of a display area according to an association of primitive data with the bins that correspond to the display area. Upon detecting an adaptive condition, a signal is generated to indicate that one or more bins of a first frame are to be flushed in a first order before the first frame is fully binned. The signal interrupts bin flush of a second frame in a second order in order to flush the one or more bins of the first frame in the first order. After the one or more bins of the first frame are flushed, the bin flush of the second frame is resumed in the second order.

Abstract: A method comprising: acquiring, by an electronic device, a first image; acquiring a stretch state of a stretchable display of the electronic device; generating, by the electronic device, a second image based on the first image and the stretch state; and displaying the second image on the stretchable display.

Abstract: A method includes generating, by a processor, a label map by labeling pixels in an image. A percentage of a first and second type of texture pixels is determined based on the label map to generate a texture map. The texture map is updated. A directional edge map is generated based on a data correlation analysis based on the texture map and the label map. A gain map with boundaries and smoothing is generated using localized pixels based on information from one or more of the label map, the texture map, and the directional edge map. An enhancement controlled upscaled image frame is generated using one or more of the label map, the texture map, the directional edge map and the gain map as a weight factor.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing device including a scaling unit configured to enlarge an input image represented by an input image signal to generate an enlarged image, a gain calculating unit configured to calculate a gain for enhancing the enlarged image for each target pixel of the enlarged image on a basis of the input image signal, and an adding unit configured to add, for each target pixel, a pixel value of the target pixel and the gain corresponding to the pixel value of the target pixel.

Abstract: A method comprising determining a first display angle of a display comprised by an apparatus with respect to gravity, determining a first contiguous subset of a sequential arrangement of information based, at least in part, on the first display angle, performing a first operation based, at least in part, on the first contiguous subset, determining a second display angle of the display with respect to gravity, the second display angle being different from the first display angle, determining a second contiguous subset of the sequential arrangement based, at least in part, on the second display angle, and performing a second operation based, at least in part, on the second contiguous subset is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for improving the image quality of a three-dimensional magnetic resonance image dataset recorded with a magnetic resonance device, wherein, from at least one correction image dataset recorded with a modality other than magnetic resonance imaging, registered with the magnetic resonance image dataset, showing at least partly the same recording region as the magnetic resonance image dataset, especially an x-ray image dataset, relevant material parameters are derived locally-resolved for the magnetic resonance imaging, which are used for establishing a virtual magnetic resonance comparison dataset in a simulation wherein, as a function of a comparison between the magnetic resonance image dataset and the magnetic resonance comparison dataset, at least one measure parameter describing an image quality improvement measure to be applied in the k-space is determined and the image quality improvement measure is carried out with the measure parameter relating to the magnetic resonance image dataset.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automated system comprising methods for improving image quality and image features by using feedback methodologies. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize a feedback loop that takes corrective actions based on the difference between the desired and the actual quality of the image in the enhancement system. The systems and methods include a multi-level design along with feedback loops between the current iteration and each previous iteration so that a measure can control the output by providing inputs to the imaging systems. By evaluating the difference between the computed measure of an enhanced image and its desired image, the system can supply a corrective action. If the system undergoes some image change that affects the regulated image, it can sense this change and force itself back to the desired enhanced image.

Abstract: Image inpainting is controlled in response to a structure analysis and recovery process for a missing object region. Structure edges are detected about the periphery of the removed object area, and extensions determined in response to color and depth information. Intersections are determined in a structure framework, whose regions are then synthesized using a patch filling process, after which remaining areas of the image similarly synthesized.

Abstract: A parking guide system, including: a memory which stores camera parameter information and design reference information; a travelling detecting unit which measures travelling information; an image receiving unit which sequentially receives a first image taken before travelling and a second image taken after the travelling from a camera; a characteristic point extracting unit which extracts and matches characteristic points commonly included in the first and images; a homography calculating unit configured to calculate a first homography based on the camera parameter information, the design reference information, and the travelling information, and calculate a second homography that is a homography between the first image and the second image based on coordinates of the characteristic point; and an error calculating unit which calculates a third homography that is a homography for correcting an image according to a result of a comparison of the first homography and the second homography.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for two-dimensional image processing based on third dimension data are described. Some implementations can include a method comprising obtaining first image data having a plurality of pixel values and obtaining second image data corresponding to each pixel value in the first image data. The method can also include receiving an indication of one or more control points in the first image data. The method can further include selectively filtering the first image data based on a distance from the control point and on one or more data values in the second image data corresponding to the corresponding control point. The method can also include outputting the selectively filtered first image data.

Abstract: A method for deformable registration involves a reconstruction of a preoperative anatomical image (23) into a preoperative multi-zone image (41) including a plurality of color zones and a reconstruction of an intraoperative anatomical image (33) into an intraoperative multi-zone image (42) including the plurality of color zones, Each color zone represents a different variation of a non-uniform biomechanical property associated with the preoperative anatomical image (23) and the intraoperative anatomical image (33) or a different biomechanical property associated with the preoperative anatomical image (23) and the intraoperative anatomical image (33).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and system for monitoring food product processing operations and facilities. The food products are examined and/or analyzed with respect to the quality and integrity of the processing thereof, any markings applied thereto, and compliance with commercial, regulatory, or customer requirements. The present disclosure provides a machine vision system that is used in connection with the food processing operations to examine and analyze the eggs being processed. In a preferred embodiment, the machine vision system includes at least one imaging sensor for capturing images of the processing thereof and is positioned above the path along which the food products are conveyed.

Abstract: Active imaging systems for plant growth monitoring acquire images in which each pixel represents an absolute NDVI value obtained with active illumination.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising a volume data unit for obtaining a volumetric image data set, and a rendering process unit configured to set a position of a light source, determine a plurality of sample points with respect to the volumetric image data set, for each sample point, determine at least one offset point, wherein the or each offset point is positioned at a respective offset distance from the sample point, for each offset point, determine an irradiance arising from light virtually emitted from the light source, determine or refine an irradiance at each sample point based on the irradiance at its respective at least one offset point, and render, based on the determined or refined irradiances at the sample points, an image.

Abstract: A PACS viewer and an associated method and computer program product are provided for identifying patient orientation. With respect to a PACS viewer, the PACS viewer includes processing circuitry configured to register an image onto a template. The processing circuitry is also configured to determine a representative seed point within each of the left and right lungs as represented by the image. The processing circuitry is further configured to apply an active contour model to each of the left and right lungs to generate a binary image of the left and right lungs. In this regard, the processing circuitry is configured to apply the active contour model by initializing the active contour model with a mask constructed using the representative seed points. Further, the processing circuitry is configured to detect at least one feature from the binary image to permit identification of the left and right lungs.

Abstract: Techniques for performing health and fitness monitoring via long-term temporal analysis of biometric data are provided. In one embodiment, a computing device can receive biometric data for a user that is captured via a biometric authentication system. The computing device can further extract one or more features from the biometric data pertaining to the user's health, fitness, or personal appearance and can analyze the one or more features in view of previous features extracted from previous biometric data for the user. The computing device can then determine a health or fitness status (or change in status) of the user based on that analysis.

Abstract: The following generally relates to scaling irregularity maps based at least on one of a histogram bin width, an image noise or a contrast agent concentration. A method includes obtaining a non-scaled irregularity map generated based on local weighted histograms of voxel distributions about voxels of interest from volumetric image data of a subject or object. The local weighted histograms include a plurality of bins having a predetermined bin width. The local weights are determined based on a predetermined cluster length. The method further includes scaling the non-scaled irregularity map, generating a scaled irregularity map. The non-scaled irregularity map is scaled based at least on the histogram bin width.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical data processing method of segmenting image features in medical images generated with different imaging modalities, wherein the image features represent a corresponding anatomical structure in each of the medical images, the method being constituted to be executed by a computer and comprising the following steps: a) acquiring (SI) first modality medical image data describing a first modality medical image containing a first modality image representation of the anatomical structure; b) acquiring (SI) second modality medical image data describing a second modality medical image containing a second modality image representation of the anatomical structure; c) determining, based on the first modality medical image data and the second modality medical image data, modality transformation data describing a mapping transformation between the image information in the first modality image data and the image information in the second modality image data; d) acquiring colour value data d

Abstract: A method of processing X-ray images of a breast (B), the method comprising the steps of —generating (GEN3DV) a 3D volume from a plurality of X-ray images, —processing (DETMC) the 3D volume and/or the plurality of X-ray images, —computing (DETMC-CTR), for each region of interest in the 3D volume, a 3D characteristic position of the region of interest, —computing (CALCTGT) at least one needle target 3D position from a plurality of said computed 3D characteristic positions, —associating (SELIMG-TGT) each needle target position with a target image, —displaying (DISP-IMG) a slice image on a graphical interface, and —if the current slice image is a target image, displaying (DISP-TGT) on the graphical interface a target marker indicating each needle target position associated with the displayed current slice image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying image acquisition parameters. One method includes receiving a patient data set including one or more reconstructions, one or more preliminary scans or patient information, and one or more acquisition parameters; computing one or more patient characteristics based on one or both of one or more preliminary scans and the patient information; computing one or more image characteristics associated with the one or more reconstructions; grouping the patient data set with one or more other patient data sets using the one or more patient characteristics; and identifying one or more image acquisition parameters suitable for the patient data set using the one or more image characteristics, the grouping of the patient data set with one or more other patient data sets, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support apparatus (1) for supporting a user in a diagnosis process, especially for assisting a physician in staging prostate cancer. A segmentation unit (3) determines three-dimensional segments of an anatomical object like a prostate based on a three-dimensional image being preferentially a magnetic resonance image, wherein the segments comprise anatomical segment boundaries and non-anatomical segment boundaries. A visualization generating unit (4) generates a visualization of the segments in the image, a graphical user interface providing unit (5) provides a graphical user interface allowing the user to assign scores to the determined three-dimensional segments, and a display (9) displays the visualization and the graphical user interface. Thus, an automatic delineation of segments may be provided to which a user like a physician can assign scores, wherein based on the scores assigned to the segments a diagnosis can be performed, in particular, prostate cancer can be staged.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia in a heart, including (i) determining that cardiac tissue is viable but with reduced innervation; and (ii) ablating the tissue to reduce a prevalence of arrhythmia in said heart. Optionally, the determining comprises detecting portions of heart wall which lack electrical activity. Optionally, at least some tissue which is viable but lacks nervous control is ablated, for example, to reduce or avoid arrhythmia.

Abstract: There are provided a feature point extraction unit that extracts an anatomical feature point included in a medical image based on the medical image and a standardization conditions acquisition unit that acquires standardization conditions of pixel values of the medical image based on some pixel values around the anatomical feature point among the pixel values of the medical image.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automated polyp detection in optical colonoscopy images. The system includes an input configured to acquire a series of optical images, and a processor configured to process the optical images. Processing steps include performing a boundary classification with steps comprising locating a series of edge pixels using at least one acquired optical image, selecting an image patch around each said edge pixel, performing a classification threshold analysis on each image patch of said edge pixels using a set of determined boundary classifiers, and identifying, based on the classification threshold analysis, polyp edge pixels consistent with a polyp edge. Processing steps for the processor also include performing a vote accumulation, using the identified polyp edge pixels, to determine a polyp location. The system also includes an output configured to indicate potential polyps using the determined polyp location.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus includes a weight applier configured to, when a difference between a first imaginary component of a first frame image and a second imaginary component of a second frame image, the second frame image being adjacent to the first frame image, is less than or equal to a first threshold value, apply a first weight to the second imaginary component to increase the difference; and an image generator configured to generate a movement-amplified image based on the first frame image and the second frame image to which the first weight is applied so that a movement of interest corresponding to the increased difference is amplified.

Abstract: A camera outputs video as a sequence of video frames having pixel values in a first (e.g., relatively low dimensional) color space, where the first color space has a first number of channels. An image-processing device maps the video frames to a second (e.g., relatively higher dimensional) color representation of video frames. The mapping causes the second color representation of video frames to have a greater number of channels relative to the first number of channels. The image-processing device extracts a second color representation of a background frame of the scene. The image-processing device can then detect foreground objects in a current frame of the second color representation of video frames by comparing the current frame with the second color representation of a background frame. The image-processing device then outputs an identification of the foreground objects in the current frame of the video.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an image processing device (50) for the registration of two images (I1, I2) that may for example be provided by a CT scanner (10) and/or an MRI scanner (20). According to one embodiment of the invention, the images are first globally registered (GR) with a given registration algorithm using a first parameter vector (p). A user may then select a region of interest ROI, and a plurality of local registrations (LR1, . . . LRs, . . . LRn) are calculated for this ROI using the same registration algorithm but different parameter vectors (p, p, . . . p). The results of the local registrations (LR1, . . . LRs, . . . LRn) are displayed and the user can select the best local registration(s). In a final step, the selected local registration(s) (LRs) and the global registration (GR) may be merged. Additionally or alternatively, a parameter vector for a local registration in the ROI may be determined by an automatic analysis of the ROI.