Abstract: Systems and methods are described for processing financial instruments are disclosed. An option on a calendar spread index futures contract allows market participants to manage risks associated with the volatility associated with the calendar spread market for index futures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a securities trading system that utilizes a distributed blockchain ledger to conduct security transactions. Users are provided with cryptographic wallets that enable the users to access a peer-to-peer network of computing nodes on which the distributed blockchain ledger is managed. The securities made available through the network may be stored directly on the blockchain ledger itself. Smart contracts may be utilized to transfer the securities among the users and to verify that all transactions are in compliance with applicable regulatory rules and other restrictions.

Abstract: A method for brokering a company pension scheme for employees of a company, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) Establishing a data structure with basic project data concerning the company, on a central computer system; (b) Creating a software program with the central computer system, which program has an input module and an encryption module, and comprises the basic project data; (c) Transferring the software program from the central computer system to a computer system of the company, and running the software program on the computer system of the company; (d) Via the input module, collecting personal data about an employee, including salary data; (e) Encrypting confidential data about the employee via the encryption module, and generating a data set about the employee, comprised of an unencrypted part and an encrypted part, as well as a key for decrypting the encrypted part; (f) Transferring the key to the employee; (g) Transferring the data set to the central computer system; (h) Trans

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system and method of a guaranteed income including execution of a browser program to deliver pension plan financial content on a local or consumer device, and displaying at an option of a financial structure of a financial portfolio. The financial portfolio includes an allocation to an investment option selectable as part of a pension. Some embodiments include coupling to an investment database including pre-modeling investment data, and to a third-party source of financial models based on the pre-modeling investment data. The operations include calculating and displaying a pension glide path option or scenario including a representation of how the financial portfolio will be managed over time based on the financial models. Purchase cost options are calculated based on a user's target date input, and a guaranteed income pension is calculated based on the financial models, the target date, and/or a user's purchase selection.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are presented for providing and managing investments and workflow for investors and sponsors are described. The system provides and utilizes an actionable, reliable, transparent, real-time, collaborative marketplace for facilitating funding and distribution and for reviewing the performance of private placements via an online, authoritative, unified compliance and execution platform for private placements and other investments.

Abstract: Methods and computer software for options trading, and more specifically, to a analyzing a potential options trade instantaneously are described.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining safety scores for locations, frequency of users traversing the locations, or a combination thereof to calculate fee rates. The approach involves determining at least one safety score associated with one or more locations, at least one user traversing the one or more locations, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves determining at least one frequency of traversal of the at least one location by the at least one user. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a calculation of at least one fee rate for the at least one user based, at least in part, on the at least one safety score and the at least one frequency of traversal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for modular data processing which accepts specific data inputs into complex and specially-programmed data processing modules configured to be executed in a synchronous, multi-threaded, and/or parallel processing system environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for improved confirmation of the identity of the vehicle whose data are to be captured for any purposes, including usage-based insurance. It can perform this service to improve confidence in certain data captured by stand-alone smartphone applications, as well as for all data captured by stand-alone hardware devices that attach to the vehicle for power but do not electronically confirm VIN from the vehicle.

Abstract: A claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a PDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured's involvement.

Abstract: A claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a PDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured's involvement.

Abstract: A claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a FDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured's involvement.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method implementing a commission-plan document designer application includes the step of providing a sales-commission plan document. The sales-commission plan document comprises a digital document. The method includes the step of providing a set of rules that govern a sales-commission calculation for when a sales representative receives credit for a sale. The method includes the step of generating a set of sales-commission computer-executable algorithms for calculating the sales commission based on the set of rules. The method includes the step of embedding the set of rules that govern a sales-commission calculation and the set of sales-commission computer-executable algorithms into the sales-commission plan document to generate an executable sales-commission plan document. The method includes the step of storing the executable sales-commission plan document in the computer memory.

Abstract: A method and system connects brands, users and communities via socially shared content elements that take the form of, for example, words, pictures/images, videos and/or audio objects. The method creates a social media engagement and distribution capability of dynamic, interactive impressions linking users to users and users to brands around shared “day in the life” moments. The spectrum of reach and range of content types combined with user daily lives creates a ubiquitous new web medium of social content. The user experience created by this method and system creates a sustainable stickiness for members, capturing, creating, sharing and responding to each other interactively in any communication format, at any time, in any place and for any reason.

Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for signing a petition or other computer based document with an image. The system collects the images, and, either automatically, or at the direction of the originator of the petition or document, can create a collection of the images of signers to represent graphically and dramatically the support for the document or petition. This collection of images in one embodiment is in the form of a mosaic of all of the image signers of the petition. After certain milestones (e.g. number of signers) the system may communicate with each existing signer to show them the mosaic and to encourage further activity.

Abstract: A method for ensuring accurate display of information on a display device receiving data from a database, the method including requiring an acknowledgement at a frequency from a responsible party of at least one establishment of a piece of data from the database, the piece of data is associated with an address, providing a means for receiving the acknowledgement, determining the relevance of the piece of data based on its associated address with respect to the current location of the display device, whereby if the acknowledgement is not received, the piece of data is marked as deactivated in the database such that it is prevented from being presented in the display device and if the piece of data is determined to be relevant, the piece of data is not prevented from being displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A manager manipulates a local computer station or mobile device having management application software thereon; entering a message relating to specials, services and events the manager utilizes the management computer of to transmit parameter based messages to local users of mobile devices and to local display devices. A mobile patron user purchases tokens from a payment processor and uses these tokens to purchase specials, drinks or to get extra services such as ticketing, VIP or event related information and specials.

Abstract: Described are systems, media, and methods for providing high quality, gamified real estate video listings by providing an interface for creating a video listing, the video listing of a type selected from: property walkthrough, neighborhood tour, or neighborhood location, the interface comprising an interactive scaffolded video template comprising a plurality of sequenced video sections, each section defining a subject matter and a video length and, upon activation by a user, facilitating acquisition of a corresponding video clip; providing a map view interface comprising video listings; and awarding points for user activity within the application, the user activity comprising creation of video listings, the points used to allocate user promotions.

Abstract: A method of marketing real estate is disclosed for real estate that contains a structure having an outer perimeter, rooms within the outer perimeter, and an environment surrounding the structure. The method may include: obtaining an aerial photograph of the real estate that includes the structure and the environment surrounding the structure; obtaining a floor plan of the structure that has an outer perimeter; creating a composite image of the aerial photograph and the floor plan by superimposing the floor plan on the aerial photograph such that the outer perimeter of the floor plan and the outer perimeter of the structure substantially overlap; and making the composite image available to one or more persons interested in purchasing or leasing the real estate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices execute techniques including providing, by a computing device, a user interface that allows a user to record inspection information. Further, embodiments include entering inspection information in an interactive data structure as well as receiving a laboratory sample analysis of suspect materials in a lab report data structure. In addition, embodiments include generating a table of identified suspect materials in a table data structure based on the HA information in the interactive data structure and the laboratory sample analysis in the lab report data structure. Moreover, embodiments include compiling a final report in a final report data structure based on the entered inspection information, the laboratory sample analysis and table of identified suspect materials as well as generating chain of custody report in a chain of custody data structure.

Abstract: Possible events in the future can be predicted by analyzing existing data. A document analysis system (1) includes: a score calculator (116) that calculates a score that represents a strength of connection of a document extracted from document information to a classification symbol representing a degree of relevancy between the document information and a litigation or fraud investigation; a phase identifying section (122) that identifies a phase by which a predetermined action to be a cause of the litigation or fraud investigation is classified along with development of the predetermined action, based on the calculated score; and a change estimation unit (120) that estimates change in the identified phase, based on temporal transition of the phase.

Abstract: In discovery, it is necessary to execute efficiently work and the like. A data analysis system (5) includes an identifying section (121) that, when a first word that indicates a predetermined action is included in data, identifies a second word that indicates an object of the predetermined action; and an association assigner (122) that associates attribute information that indicates an attribute of data including the first word and the second word with the first word and second word.

Abstract: Analysis of document information used for a litigation is to be facilitated. A document analysis system of the present invention includes an investigation basis database that stores a generation process model of occurrence of a predetermined action to be a cause of a litigation or fraud investigation, for each of phases classified according to development of the predetermined action, stores information related to the litigation or fraud investigation, for each of categories to which the litigation or fraud investigation belongs and the generation process model, and further stores time series information representing temporal order of the phases, and a relationship between people related to the litigation or fraud investigation; and an identifying section that analyzes the document information, based on information related to the litigation or fraud investigation, the generation process model, the time series information, and the relationship between people, and identifies a current phase.

Abstract: A license number management system performs a login process according to first authentication or second authentication. The first authentication is performed for allowing usage of a service in both an online and offline status, and the second authentication is performed for allowing usage of the service only in the online status. In a case of authenticating a terminal according to the first authentication, license management information is updated to a used state when data needed for using the service is transmitted to the terminal, and the license management information is updated to a not used state when the data is received from the terminal. In a case of authenticating the terminal according to the second authentication, the license management information is updated to a used state when the terminal is successfully authenticated and the license management information is updated to a not used state when the terminal logs out.

Abstract: A system and method for electronic signature creation and application is disclosed. In particular, this disclosure relates to the placement of electronic signatures on a document, signature order automation, and electronic signature creation. In addition, the disclosed embodiments include the handling of documents within one collaborative party, as well as permissions of that document for an opposing party.

Abstract: To make predictions about racing, a point to pay attention to in pre-race movements of each racer can be presented. To this end, for racers entered in a race to be processed, a plurality of captured pre-race movement images of pre-race movements made by the racers before a race are retrieved. By using the retrieved pre-race movement images and racing result information corresponding to each pre-race movement image, an attention point to be paid attention to while each racer is making pre-race movements are identified. Presentation information for presenting information about the identified attention point is then generated and controlled to be presented to a user on an external terminal.

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises position determining system, a digital imaging system and a photograph customization system coupled to the position locating system and the digital imaging system. The position determining system is configured to provide information indicating a current position of the wireless communication device. The digital imaging system is configured to create digitally rendered images of visual content acquired thereby. The visual content is displayed on an image viewing structure of the digital imaging device while being acquired. The photograph customization system is configured to use the current location of the digital imaging device for providing one or more embeddable content images and to display information from at least one of the one or more embeddable content images on an image viewing structure of the digital imaging device while the visual content being acquired by the digital imaging system is being displayed on the image viewing structure.

Abstract: A method for measuring performance of virtual desktop services offered by a server including a processor is described. A first encoded watermark is embedded into user interface display generated by a virtual desktop when initiating an operation. The first encoded watermark includes pixels identifying the operation and indicating its initiation. A second encoded watermark is embedded into the user interface upon completion of the operation indicating completion of the operation. An action performance time is then computed and stored in a memory. Multiple performance times may be compiled from multiple operations of multiple virtual desktops to assess the performance of the system as a whole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of streaming interactive computer graphics from a server to a client device. The method includes the steps of: intercepting graphics instructions transmitted from an application destined for a graphical processing unit (GPU) at the server; processing the graphics instructions to generate graphics data at the server; generating index information for, at least, some of the graphics data at the server; transmitting the index information in place of the graphics data to a client device; extracting corresponding graphics data stored at the client device utilizing the index information; and rendering computer graphics at a graphical processing unit (GPU) at the client device using the corresponding graphics data. A system for streaming interactive computer graphics is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer implemented method of image processing comprising, upon receiving of first and second images from an imaging unit, the first and second images being respectively associated with first and second rotational changes between a reference orientation and the orientations of the first and second images: processing data representative of the first image and of the second image to compensate the first and second rotational changes between the reference orientation and the respective orientations of the first and second images, thereby obtaining first and second corrected images; processing the first corrected image to detect distinctive keypoints within a fronto-parallel strip of the first corrected image; searching keypoints in the second corrected image corresponding to the detected keypoints, and estimating a geometric transformation between the first and second images based on matching the keypoints in the first and the second corrected images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for registering and visualizing at least two images, the method comprising the steps of: measuring (S1) a navigation speed used by a user during a scrollable and/or zoomable visualization of a first image of the at least two images and comparing the navigation speed with a navigation speed threshold value; visualizing (S2) the first image by solving deformations of the first image using a first level of computational load, if the navigation speed is below the navigation speed threshold value; and visualizing (S3) the first image by solving deformations of the first image using a second level of computational load, if the navigation speed is above the navigation speed threshold value.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image determiner which determines whether an image data is a still image or a motion picture image, a first compensator which gradually changes a scaling ratio of the image data of which a center part is fixed and a second compensator which divides the image data into a plurality of sub-image data and change a scaling ratio of the sub-image data.

Abstract: A method, device, system, and article of manufacture are provided for generating an enhanced image of a predetermined scene from images. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a computing device, a first indication associated with continuous image capture of a predetermined scene being enabled; in response to the continuous image capture being enabled, receiving, by the computing device, from an image sensor, a reference image and a first image, wherein each of the reference image and the first image is of the predetermined scene and has a first resolution; determining an estimated second resolution of an enhanced image of the predetermined scene using the reference image and the first image; and in response to the continuous image capture being disabled, determining the enhanced image using the reference image and the first image, wherein the enhanced image has a second resolution that is at least the first resolution and about the estimated second resolution.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for presenting graphics on a display device is disclosed. The system may include an eye tracking device and a graphics processing device. The eye tracking device may be for determining a gaze point of a user on a display device. The graphics processing device may be for causing graphics to be displayed on the display device. The graphics displayed on the display device may be modified such that the graphics are of higher quality in an area including the gaze point of the user, than outside the area.

Abstract: A digital image processing technique, such as an image warping operation, is stored in a pre-computed lookup table (LUT) prior to image processing. The LUT represents a pixel-to-pixel mapping of pixel coordinates in a source image to pixel coordinates in a destination image. For vectors containing only inlier pixels, a fast remap table is generated based on the original LUT. Each SIMD vector listed in the fast remap is indexed to the coordinates of one of the source pixels that maps to one of the destination pixels in the vector. Other SIMD vectors that contain at least one outlier pixel are listed in an outlier index. For each vector indexed in the fast remap, linear vector I/O operations are used to load the corresponding source pixels instead of using scatter/gather vector I/O load operations via the LUT. The remaining outlier pixels are processed using scatter/gather I/O operations via the LUT.

Abstract: A video deblurring method based on a layered blur model includes estimating a latent image, an object motion and a mask for each layer in each frame using images consisting of a combination of layers during an exposure time of a camera when receiving a blurred video frame, applying the estimated latent image, object motion and mask for each layer in each frame to the layered blur model to generate a blurry frame, comparing the generated blurry frame and the received blurred video frame, and outputting a final latent image based on the estimated object motion and mask for each layer in each frame, when the generated blurry frame and the received blurred video frame match. Accordingly, by modeling a blurred image as an overlap of images consisting of a combination of foreground and background during exposure, more accurate deblurring results at object boundaries can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for detecting defects on a semiconductor sample. The system includes an illumination module for directing a nonzero-order Gaussian illumination beam towards a plurality of locations on a sample and a collection module for detecting light scattered from the sample in response to the nonzero-order Gaussian illumination beams and generating a plurality of output images or signals for each location on the sample. The system further comprises a processor system for detecting defects by (i) processing the output images or signals so as to retain filtered image or signal portions that substantially match a point spread function of the one or more nonzero-order Gaussian illumination beams, and (ii) analyzing the filtered image or signal portions to detect defects on the sample.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including circuitry configured to generate an image of a subject under an illumination environment based on illumination information, from subject information which is associated with illumination of the subject and from the illumination information, wherein the illumination information is acquired on the basis of a virtual illumination body within a real space.

Abstract: A bilateral filtering method includes decomposing an image patch by pixel intensity to form a stack of patches; computing spatial filtering response of each intensity; multiplying the spatial filtering response of each intensity by corresponding intensity, thereby resulting in multiplied spatial filtering response of each intensity; and summing up the multiplied spatial filtering responses of different intensities weighted with corresponding range weights.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods and apparatus for confirming fixture/display assembly and/or compliance. In some forms, systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for assessing the accuracy of fixture and display assemblies or setups and/or confirming compliance of fixtures and displays at specific periods of time. In still other forms, thin or thick client systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed. For example, in one form, a method comprises: receiving, at a mobile computing device, an indicium of a fixture; receiving, at the mobile computing device, fixture data based on the indicium of the fixture; presenting, via a display device of the mobile computing device, a graphical representation of the fixture data; capturing, via an image capture device of the mobile device, an image of the fixture; and determining, based on the image of the fixture and the fixture data, compliance of the fixture.

Abstract: A system and method involve transmitting, using an optical device, a plurality of optical pulses into an atmospheric propagation channel towards a target object. Using an imaging device, more than one optical signals and an image of the target object are detected from the atmospheric propagation channel. The optical signals are produced by interaction between the transmitted optical pulses and the atmospheric propagation channel and include elastic backscatter return signals, inelastic backscatter return signals, and polarization signals. A processor simultaneously processes the elastic and inelastic backscatter return signals, the polarization signals, and information contained within the image of the target to determine estimates of one or more physical parameters of the atmospheric propagation channel.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes an ultrasound probe to transmit and receive an ultrasound signal to obtain an ultrasound image of an object; a sensor coupled to the ultrasound probe to provide a position information related to an ultrasound imaging position in the object; and a processor to extract a certain anatomical feature from the ultrasound image and the certain anatomical feature from a medical image of the object acquired by an imaging modality different from an ultrasound apparatus, perform a first registration between the medical image and the ultrasound image based on the certain anatomical feature, perform a second registration between the sensor and the medical image based on the position information and the first registration, and control a display to display a portion of the medical image corresponding to the ultrasound imaging position based on the second registration.

Abstract: A method of verifying a laser scan at a predetermined location within an object includes imaging at least a portion of the object, the resulting image comprising the predetermined location; identifying the predetermined location in the image, thereby establishing an expected scan location of the laser scan in the image; performing a laser scan on the object by scanning a focal point of the laser beam in a scanned area; detecting a luminescence from the scanned area and identifying an actual scanned location within the image based on the detected luminescence; and determining whether the difference between the actual scanned location and the expected scan location is within a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus divides a photographed image of a sheet-like inspection object into blocks each of which has a size of a predetermined number of pixels by a predetermined number of pixels, calculates a longitudinal variance based on pixel values in a longitudinal direction in each block and a lateral variance based on pixel values in a lateral direction in the block, determines whether the block is a defect candidate using the longitudinal variance and the lateral variance as sheet-like inspection object defect determination evaluation values, and determines, based on one of a length and an area of the blocks determined as the defect candidates, whether the sheet-like inspection object has defect.

Abstract: A ground based wind turbine blade inspection system and method consists of a thermal imaging camera configured to detect propagating defects by acquiring thermal imaging data from a wind turbine blade when it is substantially at thermal equilibrium with respect to surrounding air and analyzing the thermal imaging data with a processor to identify thermal effects associated with latent defects caused by internal friction due to cyclic gravitational stresses and wind loads during normal turbine operation. The system permits latent defects to be identified using a ground-based in situ inspection before they become visually apparent, which allows repairs to be made economically while the blade is in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for detecting defects in a pressing test of a touch screen. The method for detecting defects in a pressing test of a touch screen includes: Step S1: acquiring, after each test point of the touch screen is tested, an image of a test region in which the test point is located, when performing the pressing test; Step S2: identifying a quantity of abnormal points in the acquired image; and Step S3: comparing the identified quantity of abnormal points with a quantity of abnormal points allowed in the pressing test, and determining that the touch screen has defects if the identified quantity of abnormal points exceeds the quantity of abnormal points allowed in the pressing test. The above method for detecting defects can check instantly and accurately whether defects arise on the touch screen during the pressing test.

Abstract: A method for lithography nanotopography metrology is provided. The method includes receiving wafer thickness data for a plurality of wafers and applying an elongated filter to the wafer thickness data to produce a filtered thickness map for each of the plurality of wafers. The filter has a first cutoff wavelength in the x-direction and a second cutoff wavelength in the y-direction. The method further includes generating a report including at least one wafer metric associated with the filtered thickness map.

Abstract: A control system for a froth flotation system receives inputs from one or more sensors comprising images of a fluid having bubbles and particles therein; some of the bubbles are attached to some of the particles and suspended in the fluid. For at least some of the bubbles with attached particles, it is determined from the inputs at least two contact angles at different locations at which the respective bubble is attached to the particle. These contact angles are used to predict a process improvement by which bubbles would more efficiently float the particles out of the fluid, as compared to that represented by the input images. An output is then provided for driving a graphical display screen, the output comprising at least one of: a) a graphical representation of the determined at least two contact angles; and b) a graphical representation of the predicted process improvement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inspection system and more particularly to a system and method for inspection of wet ophthalmic lens, preferably in an automated lens manufacturing line. The inspection system provides for capturing multiple images of an ophthalmic lens using multiple cameras, each with a customized optical unit which may use wavelength filters, and the ophthalmic lens illuminated by multiple lighting modules each configured for a different wavelength, or a different polarization and triggered to strobe the illumination at the same instance or at different instances in the time domain. Suitable filters used in the optical module for each camera ensures appropriate images at different illuminating wavelength, especially when all the illuminations are strobed at the same time. Images captured and inspected by this configuration aids in improvement in method of inspection with enhanced degree of reliability and quality.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cavitation quantitative imaging method for a microsecond-resolution cavitation spatial-temporal distribution includes steps of: after each wide beam detection, moving an array transducer by one unit; waiting until the cavitation nuclei distribution backs to an initial state, then detecting the cavitation by the wide beam detection with same cavitation energy incitation, so as to obtain a spatial series of two-dimensional cavitation raw radio frequency data corresponding to different placing positions of the array transducer; then changing the cavitation energy source duration, time delays between energy source incitation and the wide beam transmitted by the array transducer, and time delays between the pulsating pump and energy source incitation, so as to obtain a temporal series of two-dimensional cavitation raw radio frequency data; and then obtaining a microsecond-resolution three-dimensional cavitation spatial-temporal distribution image and a cavitation micro bubble concentration quan