31results about How to "Improved technique" patented technology

The method provides a spectral speech description to be used for synthesis of a speech utterance, where at least one spectral envelope input representation is received. In one solution the improvement is made by manipulation an extremum, i.e. a peak or a valley, in the rapidly varying component of the spectral envelope representation. The rapidly varying component of the spectral envelope representation is manipulated to sharpen and / or accentuate extrema after which it is merged back with the slowly varying component or the spectral envelope input representation to create an enhanced spectral envelope final representation. In other solutions a complex spectrum envelope final representation is created with phase information derived from one of the group delay representation of a real spectral envelope input representation corresponding to a short-time speech signal and a transformed phase component of the discrete complex frequency domain input representation corresponding to the speech utterance.

An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image (122) from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image (120) from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter (18) in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor (68), wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens (22) in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor (68), and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter (15) in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.

The method provides a spectral speech description to be used for synthesis of a speech utterance, where at least one spectral envelope input representation is received. In one solution the improvement is made by manipulation an extremum, i.e. a peak or a valley, in the rapidly varying component of the spectral envelope representation. The rapidly varying component of the spectral envelope representation is manipulated to sharpen and / or accentuate extrema after which it is merged back with the slowly varying component or the spectral envelope input representation to create an enhanced spectral envelope final representation. In other solutions a complex spectrum envelope final representation is created with phase information derived from one of the group delay representation of a real spectral envelope input representation corresponding to a short-time speech signal and a transformed phase component of the discrete complex frequency domain input representation corresponding to the speech utterance.

An implant for fracture fixation having external portion shaped to be externally engaged on and secured to a stable bone fragment on one side of a bone fracture and an integral internal portion sized and shaped for being inserted into and accommodated in an intramedullary canal of an unstable bone fragment on an opposite side of the fracture. The internal portion has an end with a rounded tip of bullet-shape for fitting in an apical space at an endosteal surface of the unstable bone fragment to provide a bearing support for the unstable bone fragment over a large area.

A method increases the wireless information carrying capability of a single bit-limited message by providing a plurality of different training sequences TS, such as a conventional 41 bit TS and two new 41-bit TSs, each with low cross-correlation and high auto-correlation. One of the TSs is selected, appended to an 11-bit Packet Channel Request message, and transmitted. The message with TS is detected and the message is interpreted in light of the TS. In EGPRS, selection of TS1 indicates one of a one-phase access request (OPAR), a short access request (SAR), or a two-phase access request (TPAR) with 8-PSK modulation capability on the uplink. Selection of TS2 indicates one of OPAR, SAR, or TPAR with GMSK modulation capability only on the uplink. Selection of TS_GSM indicates one of GPRS, OPAR, SAR or TPAR, or one of a page response, cell update, mobility management procedure, or a single block without a TBF establishment message.

An implant for fracture fixation having external portion shaped to be externally engaged on and secured to a stable bone fragment on one side of a bone fracture and an integral internal portion sized and shaped for being inserted into and accommodated in an intramedullary canal of an unstable bone fragment on an opposite side of the fracture. The internal portion has an end with a rounded tip of bullet-shape for fitting in an apical space at an endosteal surface of the unstable bone fragment to provide a bearing support for the unstable bone fragment over a large area.

A system and method are proposed for performing gradient-based compositing in a manner that reduces the appearance of residual errors as compared to traditional techniques. In embodiments, a target gradient field may be determined for a composite image and a solution composite image may be sought which minimizes a weighted aggregate error between the gradient field of the composite image and the target gradient field. The weighted aggregate error may be calculated such that a greater weight is placed on residuals occurring in smooth regions than on those occurring in textured regions, since residuals in textured regions may be less noticeable. In some embodiments, a weighted aggregate error may be defined as a weighted least-squares sum and / or minimized by solving a weighted Poisson equation. The computational cost of solving the weighted Poisson equation may be mitigated by ensuring that the equation is linear.

Techniques are disclosed for detecting shoplifting or theft, particularly in a retail environment, using radio-frequency identification (“RFID”). Preferred embodiments leverage RFID tags on merchandise and RFID data that is written at the point of sale on the merchandise-borne RFID tags themselves, on the customer's receipt, or both. Some embodiments also leverage RFID tags on customer identification or “loyalty” cards. After writing RFID data on the merchandise-borne tags and / or receipt, a matching operation is performed at an RFID reader when the shopper and his merchandise exit the premises, in order to determine whether the shopper has paid for the items in his possession.

A vehicular driving control system for performing vehicular driving control based on automated driving and / or driving assistance is provided. The vehicular driving control system includes a driver operation measuring instrument that measures driving operation of a driver, a user uneasiness degree measuring instrument that measures how large a degree of uneasiness of a user is, and a driving control apparatus. When it is determined that the user feels uneasy based on the user uneasiness degree, the driving control apparatus determines an uneasiness factor serving as a source of the uneasiness based on user property data in relation to a traveling situation of a vehicle. Based on the determined uneasiness factor, the driving control apparatus adjusts a control degree of the vehicular driving control, and changes the vehicular driving control so as to decrease the uneasiness of the user.

A method and device for capturing speckles are described. A highly coherent light emitted from a light source is used to illuminate a surface and produces scattered lights. The scattered lights pass through a light restrictive element and the diffracted lights produced by this restrictive element interfere with one another to generate a speckle pattern. An image sensor is then used to pick up the speckle pattern to form a speckle image. Therefore, the effects of diffraction and interference and a light restrictive element to enlarge the speckle size and reduce the variation of the speckle pattern during the movement of the imaging device are utilized, so that the speckle pattern can be clearly identified in the image. As a result, the method and device for capturing speckles are fairly stable and sensitive.

Heat exchanger plates for indirect evaporative coolers, of the type having a dry side having low permeability to an evaporative liquid and formed to allow a product fluid to flow over a heat transfer area of its surface, a wet side designed to have its surface wet by an evaporative liquid, and formed to allow a working gas to flow over its surface to evaporate the evaporative liquid, are formed such that the wet side comprises a hydrophobic fiber sheet and the dry side comprises a non-permeable sealing layer on the sheet. Heat seal strips are formed at the inlet and outlet of the plates and air flow perforations are formed through the plates.

Improved phased array techniques and architectures are provided. For example, a linear phased array includes N discrete phase shifters and N−1 variable phase shifters, wherein the N−1 variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters such that the N discrete phase shifters reduce an amount of continuous phase shift provided by the N−1 variable phase shifters. Each of the N discrete phase shifters may select between two or more discrete phase shifts. The N discrete phase shifters also preferably eliminate a need for a variable termination impedance in the linear phased array.

Improved techniques for representation of Java data types in Java computing environments are disclosed. A word consisting of four bytes is used to represent primitive and non-primitive Java data types. As will be appreciated, the Java data type representations can be used by a Java virtual machine to efficiently represent various Java data types encountered in Java computing environments. As a result, various components that can represent Java data types (e.g., signatures of Java methods) can efficiently be constructed.

A low-cost method of coating low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or combinations of the two is disclosed. The method includes treating the polyethylene with a proprietary coating and then digitally printing the coated polyethylene substrate. The coated substrate may then be over-coated to protect the printing, and the substrate may then be formed as desired. For example, the substrate may then be coated with a clear thin protective coating and heat-sealed on three sides to form a small tote bag. The coated polyethylene is also disclosed.

In one example embodiment, an analysis application implements a technique for measuring a property of interest of an input dataset of location samples. The analysis application may process the input dataset in one or more multi-stage pipelines to produce values that measure a metric for the input dataset. The values that measure the metric for the input dataset may be compared with values that measure the metric for one or more labeled datasets that are generated by the analysis application, for example, using a feedback loop and sampling from a plurality of delta data sets. Each labeled datasets may have different values that measure the metric and corresponding measures of the property of interest. Based on the comparison, the analysis application may determine the measure of the property of interest for the input dataset and such measure may be returned, for example, to a remote device.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for verifying images based on image verification codes, the method comprising selecting an identification image and multiple candidate images from an image gallery, where the candidate image comprise interference images and correct images corresponding to the identification image. The method also includes providing hint information for the identification image, the candidate images, and relationships between the identification image and the correct images. The method also includes receiving selection information of images selected from the candidate images. The method also includes determining if the verification passed when the correct images are determined to have been selected based on the selection information or, determining that verification has failed when the correct images are determined not to have been selected based on the selection information.

Improved techniques are provided for detecting and correcting errors and skew in inter-cluster communications within computer systems having a plurality of multi-processor clusters. The local nodes of each cluster include a plurality of processors and an interconnection controller. Intra-cluster links are formed between the local nodes, including the interconnection controller, within a cluster. Inter-cluster links are formed between interconnection controllers of different clusters. Intra-cluster packets may be serialized and encapsulated as inter-cluster packets for transmission on inter-cluster links, preferably with link-layer encapsulation. Each inter-cluster packet may include a sequence identifier and error information computed for that packet. Clock data may be embedded in symbols sent on each bit lane of the inter-cluster links. Copies of transmitted inter-cluster packets may be stored until an acknowledgement is received. The use of inter-cluster packets on an inter-cluster link is preferably transparent to other links and to the protocol layer.

A method comprises receiving a request to remove a given application from a first device, identifying one or more verification rules previously established by a user of the first device for processing of the removal request, sending a notification regarding said one or more verification rules, receiving verification input responsive to the notification, and granting or denying the removal request based at least in part on the received verification input. Denying the removal request comprises removing protected application data from the first device. Receiving the removal request, identifying one or more verification rules, sending the notification, receiving the verification input, and granting or denying the removal request may be implemented in a verification platform adapted for communication with the first device.

Improved techniques are disclosed for quantizing complex vectors in communication systems. For example, a method includes the following steps. At least one complex vector representative of at least one element of a communication system is obtained. A codeword that approximates the complex vector is identified. The identified codeword is a codeword, from a set of codewords, wherein a real part of a product of the codeword and a scaled version of the complex vector is about maximal over the set of codewords. The scaled version of the complex vector is the product of the complex vector and a constant from a set of constants. In one embodiment, the element of the communication system that the complex vector represents is a channel between a base station and a user terminal in the communication system.

Certain embodiments herein relate to a baseball multi-tee training system that comprises a base that is attached to a vertically extending tube. The baseball multi-tee training system further comprises an upper rotatable collar that is disposed around the vertically extending tube that attaches an upper horizontal arm to the vertically extending tube, and a lower rotatable collar that is disposed around the vertically extending tube that attaches a lower horizontal arm to the vertically extending tube. Disposed at each end of the upper horizontal arm are one or more upper ball supports that each supports a ball. Similarly, disposed at each end of the lower horizontal arm is one or more lower ball that each support a ball, where the ball supported by each of the upper ball supports and the lower ball supports do not cause an obstruction in relation to each other.

Improved techniques for storing and retrieving field descriptors in Java computing environments are disclosed. The techniques can be used to implement garbage collection for Java programs in a manner that is more efficient, especially for systems with limited resources (e.g., embedded systems). A reference identifier suitable for use by a Java virtual machine is disclosed. The reference identifier is associated with a Java object and can be stored in the internal class representation associated with the Java object at load time. Moreover, the reference identifier can be used at runtime to quickly determine whether a field of the associated Java object is a reference to another Java object. As a result, the amount of processing conventionally performed at runtime is reduced. This, in turn, can improve the runtime performance of Java virtual machines, especially those operating with limited resources (e.g., embedded systems).

An automated robotic navigational surgical system that will detect dye (which is injected external to this system) that marks the areas of operation. The color and type of dye used will be one that is both distinct and highly reflective. There are four sections to the automated robotic navigational surgical system: Energy Source, Display Unit and Control Arm, Sensor Array, Disposable Tip.

Improved high aspect ratio vias and techniques for the formation thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a copper plated high aspect ratio via is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A high aspect ratio via is etched in a dielectric layer. A diffusion barrier layer is deposited into the high aspect ratio via and over one or more surfaces of the dielectric layer. A copper layer is deposited over the diffusion barrier layer. A ruthenium layer is deposited over the copper layer. The high aspect ratio via is filled with copper plated onto the ruthenium layer. A copper plated high aspect ratio via formed by this method is also provided.

Disclosed herein are prosthesis, surgical tools, and methods to preserve one or more ligaments of the knee by cutting a least a portion of natural bone during joint surgery. The natural bone may be cut using various methods and associated cutting guides, and the natural bone is retained along with the natural attachment of an associated soft tissue structure. The bone block cutting guides may create a variety of standard natural block shapes or may create mechanical mating features (e.g., keystone or dovetail configuration) in the natural bone portion that may be inserted, wedged, press-fit, and / or mechanically attached to the tibia. The natural bone block with the associated soft tissue may be further secured by incorporating features in the tibial prosthesis, providing the surgeon with additional fixation components and / or fixation mechanisms.

A method for selectively compressing unstructured data includes preparing, at a host system, a data blob made up of unstructured data, for storage on a storage system. The method encodes a first portion of the data blob with a first color and a second portion of the data blob with a second color. The first color indicates that the associated portion should remain uncompressed, while the second color indicates that the associated portion should be compressed. The method transmits the encoded data blob to a storage virtualization layer associated with the storage system. In response, the storage virtualization layer stores the first portion in an uncompressed format, and compresses the second portion and stores the second portion in a compressed format. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

A technique for driving a PDP, which includes scan and sustain electrodes arranged in pairs, data electrodes arranged alternately with the scan electrodes, and sub-fields for one TV field to display a multi-gradation, includes applying a reset pulse voltage to the sustain electrodes, applying a first voltage alternately to the scan electrodes and the sustain electrodes to cause a sustain discharge, and after applying a second voltage to the sustain electrodes or removing part of the first voltage applied to the sustain electrodes, applying third and fourth voltages to the scan electrodes and the data electrodes, respectively, before applying the first voltage, to erase wall charges in cells defined by the sustain electrodes, the data electrodes, and the scan electrodes.

Disclosed herein are prosthesis, surgical tools, and methods to preserve one or more ligaments of the knee by cutting a least a portion of natural bone during joint surgery, with a portion of the natural bone retained along with the natural attachment of an associated soft tissue structure. The natural bone portion with the associated soft tissue may be re-secured to relevant anatomy during or after knee surgery, which may include retention by features of a tibial prosthesis.

The invention discloses a recombinant gene which enhances the ability of fish to tolerate low dissolved oxygen (DO) stress and the use thereof. Carp β-actin gene promoter is used as a promoter and Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene is used as a target gene, so as to construct the recombinant Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene driven by carp β-actin promoter. The modeling organism zebrafish is used as the research object, and the recombinant gene is microinjected into zygotes of zebrafish. After PCR screening and 156 h low DO stress test, transgenic fish are obtained with a survival rate of 92%, which is significantly different from the survival rate of 65% of the control fish group. The vhb transgenic zebrafish obtain hypoxia tolerance. When the recombinant gene is applied to the economically farmed species, i.e., blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), it enhances their hypoxia tolerance as well. Such genetically improved breeding technique may be widely used for breeding new excellent farmed species with the hypoxia tolerance.

A method and inspection system to inspect a first pattern on a specimen for defects against a second pattern that is intended to be the same where the second pattern has known responses to at least one probe. The inspection is performed by applying at least one probe to a point of the first pattern on the specimen to generate at least two responses from the specimen. Then the first and second responses are detected from the first pattern, and each of those responses is then compared with the corresponding response from the same point of the second pattern to develop first and second response difference signals. Those first and second response difference signals are then processed together to unilaterally determine a first pattern defect list.