Abstract: An evaluator can determine whether there is a material change in the observed parameter of a crop or field with respect to average measurements of the observed parameter. A location-determining receiver is adapted to determine a location of a vehicle corresponding to the material change in the observed parameter. An imaging device is adapted to collect the image data for a time interval associated with the material change. A data processor is arranged for associating the image data with the corresponding location data and storing the image data and corresponding location data in a data storage device.

Abstract: An example system includes a robotic device, at least one invisible fiducial marker on the robotic device that is detectable within a particular band of invisible light, a camera that is configured to detect the particular band of invisible light, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an image of the robotic device within an environment, identify at least one position within the image of the at least one invisible fiducial marker on the robotic device, determine a position of the robotic device relative to the camera, determine one or more positions within the image to overlay one or more virtual annotations, and provide for display of the image of the robotic device within the environment with the one or more virtual annotations overlaid at the one or more determined positions within the image.

Abstract: A network device determines an exposure time associated with an image sensor coupled to a spacecraft for capturing an image of a target object orbiting the Earth. The network device computes a maximum relative angular velocity associated with the target object based on the exposure time and a dimension of a pixel of the image sensor. The network device identifies a first pointing direction of the image sensor for initiating a search for the target object. The network device generates a first angular velocity probability distribution map for the target object and divides the first angular velocity probability distribution map into a first set of angular velocity regions (AVRs). The network device selects a first AVR from the first set of AVRs for scanning by the image sensor and generates a search schedule that includes a first entry for informing the spacecraft to scan the first AVR.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method that receives a real-time image of a road from a camera sensor communicatively coupled to an onboard computer of a vehicle. The method includes dividing the real-time image into superpixels. The method includes merging the superpixels to form superpixel regions. The method includes generating prior maps from a dataset of road scene images. The method includes drawing a set of bounding boxes where each bounding box surrounds one of the superpixel regions. The method includes comparing the bounding boxes in the set of bounding boxes to a road prior map to identify a road region in the real-time image. The method includes pruning bounding boxes from the set of bounding boxes to reduce the set to remaining bounding boxes. The method may include using a categorization module that identifies the presence of a road scene object in the remaining bounding boxes.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle is provided. The detection system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area forward of the vehicle, the area including a curb separating a road surface from an off-road surface and a data interface. The detection system may also include at least one processing device programmed to receive the plurality of images via the data interface, and determine a plurality of curb edge line candidates in the plurality of images. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to identify at least one edge line candidate as an edge line of the curb.

Abstract: A method of estimating a time to collision (TTC) of a vehicle with an object comprising: acquiring a plurality of images of the object; and determining a TTC from the images that is responsive to a relative velocity and relative acceleration between the vehicle and the object.

Abstract: An automated system and method to authenticate one or more users based on capturing one or more images of a set of teeth, obtaining a selected image from the one or more captured images and extracting a portion of the selected image to obtain an extracted image. Each extracted image is converted into a grayscale image and stored in a database along with the username and the user keyword of the one or more users. A unique signature matrix and a pattern vector is generated by processing the grayscale image and stored in the database along with the username. One or more images comprising a set of teeth of at least one user is captured and a unique signature matrix obtained from the same is compared with a set of unique signature matrices previously stored in the database and at least one action is triggered based on the comparison.

Abstract: A moving method for moving a plurality of objects by repeating a process of capturing an image of objects, recognizing a position of an object using the image acquired by image capturing, and moving the recognized object includes acquiring an image of a plurality of objects randomly placed in a first state in each of a first space and a second space partitioned from each other, setting a first partial area corresponding to the first space and a second partial area corresponding to the second space in an entire area of the image in the first state, recognizing a position of a first object in the first partial area and a position of a second object in the second partial area using the image in the first state, and moving the recognized first and second objects using a robot.

Abstract: A method for processing an image includes calculating a vanishing point located at a same position in a plurality of images that are temporally successive, receiving specification of a target object whose privacy is to be protected in at least one of the plurality of images, calculating a target location area, which includes the vanishing point and in which the target object is located in each of the plurality of images, on the basis of the specification of the target object in the at least one of the plurality of images received in the receiving and the vanishing point calculated in the calculating the vanishing point, and performing image processing for protecting privacy in an area in each of the plurality of images located at a same position as the target location area calculated in the calculating the target location area.

Abstract: Various approaches for providing textual information to an application, system, or service are disclosed. In particular, various embodiments enable a user to capture an image with a camera of a portable computing device. The computing device is capable of taking the image and processing it to recognize, identify, and/or isolate the text in order to forward the text to an application or function. The application or function can then utilize the text to perform an action in substantially real-time. The text may include an email, phone number, URL, an address, and the like and the application or function may be dialing the phone number, navigating to the URL, opening an address book to save contact information, displaying a map to show the address, and so on.

Abstract: A system for processing an image comprises a region detector (1). The region detector comprises an artifact detector (7) for detecting a region comprising an artifact in the image. The system comprises a parameter determining unit (2) for determining a parameter, based on a portion of the image excluding the detected region. The system comprises an image processing module (3) for processing the image, using the derived parameter. The system comprises a display unit (5) for displaying the processed image with an indication of the detected region. The parameter determined by the parameter determining unit (2) can comprise a normalization parameter, and the image processing module (3) can be arranged for performing a normalization of the image according to the normalization parameter.

Abstract: At least one image processing apparatus, and at least one method, of the present invention(s) generate a corrected image obtained by removing, from a color image whose pixel values contain components derived from scattered light, at least part of the components derived from the scattered light. The at least one image processing apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate the corrected image by correcting a pixel value of a first color component of each pixel in the color image by using a first reference intensity and a weight value, and by correcting a pixel value of a second color component of each pixel in the color image by using a second reference intensity and a weight value.

Abstract: A method generates an image for display by deriving an expected depth of field for the image and by generating the image for display by the display device by applying a blurring function. The expected depth of field is derived with respect to a point of focus in the image, in response to lighting conditions of the environment represented by the image. The blurring function is applied to simulate the expected depth of field of the image by blurring as a function of apparent spatial depth within the image. The degree of blurring applied to a closer depth region, in an apparent depth direction, to the point of focus is lower than the degree applied to a further depth region from the point of focus. Variation of the blurring function with respect to depth separation from the point of focus depends upon the expected depth of field.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus with at least one circuit provided to perform a process of determining a candidate color region including at least a partial region in an image using color information of an input image signal, prompt a user to select an extraction color region in case a plurality of color regions are determined as the candidate color region, and perform image processing on at least one of the extraction color region of the input image signal and the remaining region of the input image signal excluding the extraction color region, to obtain an output image signal.

Abstract: In one particular aspect, a portable computing device (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) senses audio and/or image content from a user's environment, and initiates one or more recognition agents (e.g., performing image watermark recognition, image recognition, object recognition, facial recognition, barcode recognition, optical character recognition, audio watermark recognition, speech recognition, speaker recognition, or music recognition). Resource allocation to a recognition agent can be varied based on (a) progress of the recognition agent to achieve its recognition goal, and (b) user interest data indicating user interest in the output of the recognition agent. A second candidate recognition agent can be evaluated for possible launch, based on a relevance score, and a cost score. In some embodiments, the device adapts its operation to changing context, by terminating a first recognition agent in favor of a second recognition agent, without express user instruction to do so.

Abstract: A food recognition assistant system includes technologies to recognize foods and combinations of foods depicted in a digital picture of food. Some embodiments include technologies to estimate portion size and calories, and to estimate nutritional value of the foods. In some embodiments, data identifying recognized foods and related information are generated in an automated fashion without relying on human assistance to identify the foods. In some embodiments, the system includes technologies for achieving automatic food detection and recognition in a real-life setting with a cluttered background, without the images being taken in a controlled lab setting, and without requiring additional user input (such as user-defined bounding boxes). Some embodiments of the system include technologies for personalizing the food classification based on user-specific habits, location and/or other criteria.

Abstract: A feature point is extracted from an input image including an image region for which depth values of pixels change consecutively. A transformation that normalizes depth values of pixels of a vicinity of the feature point with respect to a region of at least a portion of the input image is set as a normalization transformation, and an image for a feature amount calculation is generated by performing the normalization transformation on a pixel position of the feature point. A feature amount is calculated from the image for the feature amount calculation.

Abstract: A source deconvolutional network is adaptively trained to perform semantic segmentation. Image data is then input to the source deconvolutional network and outputs of the S-Net are measured. The same image data and the measured outputs of the source deconvolutional network are then used to train a target deconvolutional network. The target deconvolutional network is defined by a substantially fewer numerical parameters than the source deconvolutional network.

Abstract: An automatic classifying system in a dining environment includes a picture uploading module implemented in an electronic device for transmitting a set of pictures via the Internet, and a server for directly or indirectly receiving the set of pictures. The server has a picture analysis module for classifying one of the pictures according to at least two classifications and generating an analysis result to a web-platform system so as to display the picture and the analysis result.

Abstract: Techniques for determining depth for a visual content item using machine-learning classifiers include obtaining a visual content item of a reference light pattern projected onto an object, and determining shifts in locations of pixels relative to other pixels representing the reference light pattern. Disparity, and thus depth, for pixels may be determined by executing one or more classifiers trained to identify disparity for pixels based on the shifts in locations of the pixels relative to other pixels of a visual content item depicting in the reference light pattern. Disparity for pixels may be determined using a visual content item of a reference light pattern projected onto an object without having to match pixels between two visual content items, such as a reference light pattern and a captured visual content item.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing image quality optimization individualized for a user includes a computer receiving raw image data acquired from an image scanner and identifying one or more raw image quality features based on the raw image data. The computer automatically determines one or more target image quality features by applying one or more user preferences to the one or more raw image quality features. The computer also automatically determines one or more processing parameters based on the one or more target image quality features. The computer may then process the raw image data using the one or more processing parameters to yield an image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image generating unit and a printing device. The image generating unit is configured to generate a document image based on document data of a user. The printing device is configured to print the document image. If a character appears plural times in the document data, the image generating unit converts the character that appears plural times to respective user-specific handwritten characters that are different from each other.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a 2D barcode. In an embodiment, the method includes: embedding primary information that can be read by a 2D-barcode-reader in a primary information pattern, and embedding secondary information that is made difficult to reproduce without alteration in a visible pattern. In an embodiment, the visible pattern is embedded within the barcode in at least one area that does not contain any primary information.

Abstract: A control circuit determines a reception parameter for an RFID tag that is attached to an object (such as an ice pack) and then determines a frozen state of the object as a function of that reception parameter. By one approach the RFID tag provides a transmission to support the aforementioned determinations, which transmission provides no data that explicitly represents temperature. The reception parameter can comprise, for example, an indication of received signal strength. So configured, a relatively higher indication of received signal strength can serve to determine that the object is and/or remains at least substantially frozen while a relatively lower indication of received signal strength can serve to determine that the object is not at least substantially frozen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional touch smart card, having: an operation center, a touch part, a security element, and a battery. The touch part is capable of controlling operation of the operation center and the security element. The battery supplies power to the operation center, the security element, and the touch part. A touch button design is adopted for the smart card of the present invention, so a button of the present invention can be disposed at any position of the smart card. Thus, not only may the card have a more beautiful appearance design, but also it is easier to lay out circuits of the smart card.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that selectively propagates information through a neuromorphic circuit comprising a set of interconnected neurons. During operation, a neuron in the set of neurons receives information-carrying current pulses from one or more upstream information-carrying neurons, wherein the information-carrying current pulses are insufficient to cause the neuron to generate output current pulses. The neuron also receives selectively generated gating current pulses from one or more gating neurons, wherein the gating current pulses cause a neural voltage of the neuron to approach a firing threshold. In this way, concurrently received information-carrying current pulses combine with the gating current pulses to cause the neural voltage to exceed the firing threshold, which causes the neuron to generate output current pulses that propagate to downstream neurons.

Abstract: An apparatus is described herein. The apparatus comprises an accumulator, a controller, and a convolutional neural network. The accumulator is to accumulate a plurality of values within a predetermined bit width. The controller is to determine a parameter quantization and a data quantization. The convolutional neural network is adapted to the data quantization, wherein a quantization point is selected based on the parameter quantization, data quantization, and accumulator bit width.

Abstract: A method for providing cognitive insights via a cognitive information processing system comprising: receiving data from a plurality of data sources; receiving and processing queries; and, bridging the queries into a cognitive graph.

Abstract: A method for ingesting a plurality of content according to a statistical similarity of at least one portion of the ingested plurality of content into an information handling system capable of answering questions, whereby the ingested plurality of content is based on a received topic and ingesting the plurality of content comprises ingesting a plurality of documents associated with the received topic is provided. The method may include determining at least one similarity between each document based on a similarity criteria. The method may also include applying a statistical model to characterize the determined at least one similarity between each document. The method may further include creating at least one pair-wise link for each document. The method may additionally include mapping the created at least one pair-wise link. The method may include generating a plurality of rules for ingesting a plurality of additional content.

Abstract: A method for ingesting a plurality of content according to a statistical similarity of at least one portion of the ingested plurality of content into an information handling system capable of answering questions, whereby the ingested plurality of content is based on a received topic and ingesting the plurality of content comprises ingesting a plurality of documents associated with the received topic is provided. The method may include determining at least one similarity between each document based on a similarity criteria. The method may also include applying a statistical model to characterize the determined at least one similarity between each document. The method may further include creating at least one pair-wise link for each document. The method may additionally include mapping the created at least one pair-wise link. The method may include generating a plurality of rules for ingesting a plurality of additional content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to predictive analysis, and more specifically to predictive analysis of one or more data types in a data center environment. The data center environment itself includes a power manager in communication with at least one cabinet power distribution unit (CDU) that is in power-supplying communication with at least one electronic appliance in an electronic equipment rack. The predictive analysis approach estimates the rate of change over a future interval of time for at least one data type based on said historical data and predicts when said at least one data type will reach an associated user-defined threshold based on said rate of change. Results can be displayed graphically on an application program associated with the power manager.

Abstract: Certain relationships representing material insights are identified from among a set of discovered relationships. Cognitive discovery of relationships in a knowledge base, or corpus, are ranked according to one or more metrics indicative of material insights, including recentness and degree of alignment.

Abstract: A smart office desk interactive with the user, defined on the basis of an individual work desk (M) and various hardware and software elements applied to it and whose main hardware components comprise a working desktop divided into two zones, one which can be raised at an angle, motor-driven legs which raise and lower the desktop, a footrest tray and a series of sensors integrated into the desktop structure and in the legs. The smart office desk learns from the user by machine learning algorithms, and proposes physical actions in accordance with what has been learned. The table collects information from the user concerning their postures and working habits, using various physical sensors, and by their interactions with the software application displayed onscreen. It is thus a table controlled by a computer system which receives data on the user and the working environment as inputs.

Abstract: Specification covers new algorithms, methods, and systems for artificial intelligence, soft computing, and deep learning/recognition, e.g., image recognition (e.g., for action, gesture, emotion, expression, biometrics, fingerprint, facial, OCR (text), background, relationship, position, pattern, and object), Big Data analytics, machine learning, training schemes, crowd-sourcing (experts), feature space, clustering, classification, SVM, similarity measures, modified Boltzmann Machines, optimization, search engine, ranking, question-answering system, soft (fuzzy or unsharp) boundaries/impreciseness/ambiguities/fuzziness in language, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computing-with-Words (CWW), parsing, machine translation, sound and speech recognition, video search and analysis (e.g.

Abstract: Described herein is a computer implemented method for generating a probabilistic model usable to identify instances of a target feature in geophysical data sets stored on a memory device.

Abstract: Scalable-effort machine learning may automatically and dynamically adjust the amount of computational effort applied to input data based on the complexity of the input data. This is in contrast to fixed-effort machine learning, which uses a one-size-fits-all approach to applying a single classifier algorithm to both simple data and complex data. Scalable-effort machine learning involves, among other things, classifiers that may be arranged as a series of multiple classifier stages having increasing complexity (and accuracy). A first classifier stage may involve relatively simple machine learning models able to classify data that is relatively simple. Subsequent classifier stages have increasingly complex machine learning models and are able to classify more complex data. Scalable-effort machine learning includes algorithms that can differentiate among data based on complexity of the data.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a history acquisition section configured to acquire history data including a history indicating that a plurality of selection subjects have selected selection objects; a learning processing section configured to allow a choice model to learn a preference of each selection subject for a feature and an environmental dependence of selection of each selection object in each selection environment using the history data, where the choice model uses a feature value possessed by each selection object, the preference of each selection subject for the feature, and the environmental dependence indicative of ease of selection of each selection object in each of a plurality of selection environments to calculate a selectability with which each of the plurality of selection subjects selects each selection object; and an output section configured to output results of learning by the learning processing section.

Abstract: A machine learning method operates on training instances from a plurality of domains including one or more source domains and a target domain. Each training instance is represented by values for a set of features. Domain adaptation is performed using stacked marginalized denoising autoencoding (mSDA) operating on the training instances to generate a stack of domain adaptation transform layers. Each iteration of the domain adaptation includes corrupting the training instances in accord with feature corruption probabilities that are non-uniform over at least one of the set of features and the domains. A classifier is learned on the training instances transformed using the stack of domain adaptation transform layers. Thereafter, a label prediction is generated for an input instance from the target domain represented by values for the set of features by applying the classifier to the input instance transformed using the stack of domain adaptation transform domains.

Abstract: An interactive rapid response Internet accessed air travel management system. The system includes a web-based planning and reservation interface system and an interactive access device. The system responds to details of a member's desired travel, to thereafter act in real time to contact the domains of associated travel service providers to arrange for every aspect of the member's trip, from airline and hotel reservations, ticket issuance, and ground transportation, to restaurant and theater reservations, and any other travel related needs of the member. The system stores identification information to verify access device possession to prohibit unauthorized use of the system and to provide security pre-clearance to system members.

Abstract: An information providing apparatus caches, based on a number of reservation remains which is periodically acquired from a management apparatus managing numbers of reservation remains of services, a number of remains of a reservation target in a cache means for each reservation target identified by a combination of a service and a time of providing the service; estimates, for each of a plurality of reservation targets corresponding to a request of a user, a probability that information related to a reservation target is browsed by the user; acquires the number of remains of a reservation target where the probability is greater than or equal to a threshold value from the management apparatus and acquires the number of remains of a reservation target where the probability is smaller than the threshold value from the cache means; and provides a state of remains of each of the plurality of reservation targets, the state of remains corresponding to the number of remains.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for portable network interfaces to manage authentication and license enforcement. A system may include a plurality of resource instances including a producer instance configured to implement a network-accessible service, and an authentication coordinator. The coordinator may assign an interface record to the service, wherein the interface record comprises an IP address and a set of security properties. The coordinator may configure the security properties to allow a client to request an attachment of the interface record to a selected resource instance, such that the selected resource instance is enabled to transmit network messages from the IP address using one or more physical network interfaces of the selected resource instance. The producer resource instance initiates authentication operations for the service, including at least one authentication operation based on the IP address of the interface record.

Abstract: A system that facilitates direct communication of a transaction between an automation controller and a business system comprises a request analyzer that receives a request for data relating to the automation controller and locates a transaction definition within the automation controller based upon the request. A subscribing component subscribes the business system to the automation controller based at least in part upon the located transaction definition.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of equipment pieces and operations within a factory for the manufacture of carbon fiber pieces, in order to increase production rate and reduce thereby manufacturing costs. In the method of the invention, collected production times are classified as added value production time or as wasted production time, and an efficiency parameter is calculated as a proportion between the sum of the added value production times, and a period of production time needed to complete said operation. Based on that efficiency parameter, causes for said wasted production times are identified and corrected. The invention provides a methodology for detecting and correcting causes which reduce production efficiency, in industries with low productivity cadence.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing and controlling the quality of a project in a production environment is provided. The apparatus is configured to: receive a first score, wherein the first score comprises a first numerical value associated with a first level of quality, wherein the first level of quality is associated with a first deliverable; receive a second score, wherein the second score comprises a second numerical value associated with a second level of quality, wherein the second level of quality is associated with the first deliverable; and process the first score and the second score to generate a third score.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for orchestrating a business process in a computer network. A script describing a business process is received from a client machine over the computer network. The script is compiled into executable program instructions. A reference to the script and data to be operated on by the script is received from the client machine over the computer network. The data is processed in accordance with the script. The result of the data processing is returned to the client machine over the computer network.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for allocating products to one or more sellers. The system includes a database operable to store data associated with one or more enterprises. The system further includes an order promising system coupled with the database and operable to model the flow of the products through the one or more enterprises and allocate resources to the one or more sellers based on the modeled flow of the products.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for optimizing business continuity in IT environments. One such method involves comparing a representation and a template. The representation represents units of computing entities, and relationships between the units of computing entities. The method determines whether a system represented by the representation meets a threshold represented by the template based on a result of the comparing, and provides a result of the determining. The threshold can established by a disaster recovery site, a service level agreement, or a configuration drift, and the result of the determining can be used to evaluate the disaster recovery site, the service level agreement, or the configuration drift.

Abstract: Delay in a workflow is avoided by introducing a skip operation upon execution of the workflow. Additionally, a person in charge of the workflow eventually participates in the workflow process even if he/she has been skipped. The workflow design defines skippable activities, in advance, as well as re-execution points in order to reassign the skipped activities.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward incorporating corporate culture, change management, and employee morale concerns into a business facilities management process to ensure continuity of operations and revenues when managing a change event. A preferred methodology focuses on flexible and careful consideration of human factors throughout the change process, with frequent status re-assessment and plan re-alignment. A preferred system may allow the user to incorporate existing preferred software tools to manage logistics associated with an office move, and together with an information-based kit, address human factors and provide a form factor solution to facilitate teamwork and buoy employee morale. In a preferred configuration, the relocation kit may simplify the change process and enable managers of change and mobile employees to experience a sense of control, order, calm, and fun.

Abstract: A method of assessing a risk level of an enterprise using cloud-based services from one or more cloud service providers includes assessing provider risk scores associated with the one or more cloud service providers; assessing cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise; and generating a risk score for the enterprise based on the provider risk scores and on the cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise. The risk score is indicative of the risk of the enterprise relating to the use of the cloud-based services from the one or more cloud service providers.