366results about How to "Less distortion" patented technology

A variety of support structures and build styles for use in Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing systems are described wherein particular emphasis is given to Thermal Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, and Selective Deposition Modeling systems, and wherein a 3D modeling system is presented which uses multijet dispensing and a single material for both object and support formation.

A golf club that is preferably made from fiber-reinforced plastic composite by an injection molding process. The preferred golf club head includes a striking face for striking a golf ball, an outer periphery, a cavity formed between the outer periphery and the back of the striking face, a sole enclosing the bottom portion of said cavity, and at least one elongate power bar extending across the cavity from the striking face to the outer periphery. The sole is preferably integrally formed with the face plate and outer periphery. The cavity of the golf club head opens to the top of the club head. Each elongate power bar separates the cavity into receptacles. Inserts may be placed within the receptacles for aesthetic, aerodynamic, acoustic, and other purposes.

A canal hearing device with a dual acoustic seal system for preventing feedback while minimizing occlusion effects. The two-part device comprises a main module and an elongated tubular insert for conducting sound to the tympanic membrane and sealing within the bony region of the ear canal. The main module is positioned in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. The tubular insert comprises a sound conduction tube and a cylindrically hollow primary seal medially positioned in the bony region. The device also comprises a secondary seal laterally positioned in the cartilaginous region. The secondary seal, although providing additional acoustic sealing for the prevention of feedback, is sufficiently vented to provide a path of least acoustic resistance for occlusion sounds within the ear canal. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular insert comprises a coiled skeletal frame to provide high radial flexibility while maintaining sufficient axial rigidity for comfortable, kink-resistant, and consistent placement within the ear canal.

Cameras are installed at the front, right, left, and back side of a vehicle, and two feature points are located at each of the common field of view areas between the front-right cameras, front-left cameras, back-right cameras, and back-left cameras. A camera calibration device includes a parameter extraction unit for extracting transformation parameters for projecting each camera's captured image on the ground and synthesizing them. After transformation parameters for the left and right cameras are obtained by a perspective projection transformation, transformation parameters for the front and back cameras are obtained by a planar projective transformation so as to accommodate transformation parameters for the front and back cameras with the transformation parameters for the left and right cameras.

The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to at least one package and processes the data, including recordings of neural activity, and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that are attached to the at least one package. The device is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals. A brain stimulator, preferably a deep brain stimulator, stimulates the brain in response to neural recordings in a closed feedback loop. The device is advantageous in providing neuromodulation therapies for neurological disorders such as chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, or similar disorders. The invention and components thereof are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain.

The vibrator system is for generating bone conduction vibrations. A magnet (8a) provides a static magnetic flux (φ1) that follows a first path. A bobbin (4a) is disposed at a center a vibrator (2). A housing (10) encloses the bobbin and has a coil surrounding a center of the bobbin. The coil is powered by an alternating current for providing an alternating dynamic magnetic flux (φ2) following the first path through a magnetic circuit. The housing has an upper end (116). The upper end and the bobbin have a first gap (14a) formed therebetween. The housing has a lower end (118) opposite the upper end. The lower end and the bobbin have a second gap (14b) formed therebetween. The magnet is positioned so that the static magnetic flux (φ1) is passing through the first and second gaps in a direction substantially parallel with an axial direction (A) of the vibrator. Suspension means (16a, 16b) are provided for suspending the bobbin in a center of the housing.

A plurality of optical communications systems including a SPW modulator are described. The communications systems include an optical transmitter coupled to an optical fiber communications link which carries a optically modulated information signal to an optical receiver. The laser transmitter includes a laser light source which is optically coupled to a SPW modulator which has been particularly adapted for broadband communications by selecting its transfer characteristic and modulation structure. A broadband signal containing a plurality of information channels, for example CATV channels, is applied to it modulator electrodes. The modulation signal varies the power coupling between the guided laser light source signal and a SPW in the modulator. The result is an intensity modulated optical signal that is output to the optical fiber for transmission to the optical receiver of the system. Alternatively, the communications system includes a high power laser coupled to an optical splitter to divide its output power in two or more optical source outputs. Each optical source output is then used to drive an associated SPW modulator. Each of the modulators receives a broadband signal with which to modulate its optical source. After modulation, the modulated lightwave from a modulator is coupled to a corresponding optical fiber for carriage to an optical receiver. In this manner, several broadband information signals can be communicated over the system using only one laser source. A net benefit from using one higher power laser, rather than several lower power ones, is one of cost, purity and similarity of the several signals. This configuration is enhanced by the lower loss and higher linearity of the SPW modulators. Further, several WDM embodiments including those having serially cascaded SPW modulators are provided. The transfer characteristic of the SPW modulators are tailored to either be more efficient for an analog or a digital modulation signal by adding or subtracting grating effects.

A fully integrated automated laser weld process control system (LWPCS) and method of controlling the fabrication of structural parts, particularly for shipbuilding and other industries. The LWPCS defines joint and weld quality attributes as process control variables and integrates these weld quality variables, along with the more traditional process parameters such as laser power, wire feed, GMAW voltage and active seam tracking, into a closed-loop monitoring and control system. The LWPCS includes a central processor and a plurality of subsystems that control laser beam positioning, vision-based monitoring and image processing, active weld-quality monitoring and inspection, adaptive beam delivery, and seam tracking. Cross-communication between subsystems is managed by the central processor. In addition to process control, the system extracts weld quality attributes during the weld process and provides immediate documentation of the weld quality.

A defect inspecting apparatus is provided for generating a less distorted test image to reliably observe a surface of a sample for detecting defects thereon. The defect detecting apparatus comprises a primary electron beam source for irradiating a sample, electrostatic lenses for focusing secondary electrons emitted from the surface of the sample irradiated with the primary electron beam, a detector for detecting the secondary electrons, and an image processing unit for processing a signal from the detector. Further, a second electron source may be provided for emitting an electron beam irradiated to the sample, wherein the sample may be irradiated with the electron beam from the second electron source before it is irradiated with the primary electron beam from the first electron source for observing the sample. A device manufacturing method is also provided for inspecting devices under processing with high throughput using the defect detecting apparatus.

A modular plastic floor assembly formed from a plurality of shaped tiles (1) and a plurality of shaped connector tiles (3). The shape tiles are substantially larger than the shaped connector tiles and the shaped connector tiles fit into interstices between the shaped tiles when the floor assembly is formed. Each of the shaped tiles and the shaped connector tiles have a substantially planar upper surface (20) and a support array (5, 28) extending from a lower surface of the body. The shaped tiles have connectors (11) and the shaped connector tiles have complementary connectors (24). The connectors are adapted to interengage to interlock the shaped tiles to adjacent shaped connector tiles. Resiliently loaded fingers (118) allow for expansion and contraction between the adjacent tiles. The support array may include resiliently moulded shock absorbing portions (141). The upper surface may have in-mould decoration to provide a surface with changed appearance, frictional properties and / or surface hardness.

A system and method for the improved compression of audio signals and the restoration and enhancement of audio recordings missing high frequency content. In the preferred embodiment the different context models are applied to increase the compression ratio of spectral information, quantization coefficients and other information. Context models and arithmetic compression are used for final compression. The time-frequency amplitude envelope and degree of tonality parameters are extracted from the low frequency component. An estimate of the high frequency component is performed by applying a multiband distortion effect, waveshaping, to the low frequency content. Control of tonality is achieved by varying the number of bands within the multiband framework. A filterbank is used that roughly shapes the reconstructed high frequency component according to an estimation of the most probable shape.

An improved method for adaptively cancelling acoustic feedback in hearing aids and other audio amplification devices. Feedback cancellation is limited to a frequency band that encompasses all unstable frequencies. By limiting the bandwidth of the feedback cancellation signal, the distortion due to the adaptive filter is minimized and limited only to the unstable feedback regions. A relatively simple signal processing algorithm is used to produce highly effective results with minimal signal distortion.

A compression system and process include adaptive quantization for selection of one quantizer, for each video frame or frame portion, from a group of quantizers, where each quantizer is a set of predefined quantizer values, and coding of the quantized values using a common entropy coding table for all quantizers, or a separate entropy coding table for each quantizer. The entropy coding tables are obtained during a training procedure. The selection of the quantizer is based on a formula which takes into account the distortion and bit rate characteristics of each quantizer. A similar formula, based on the distortion and bit rate characteristics, is used to select the particular quantizer value within the chosen quantizer for each video signal value being coded.

A top-emitting OLED device with improved off-axis viewing includes a substrate; a reflective, substantially opaque, and conductive anode including a metal or metal alloy or both formed over the substrate; at least one organic layer formed over the anode and including an electroluminescent material; a cathode including a semitransparent metallic layer provided over the organic layer wherein the semitransparent metallic layer includes a low reflectivity metal; an light transmissive layer provided over the cathode; and the cathode and light transmissive layer being selected to reduce the color shift with respect to an off-axis viewing angle.

Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Methods and systems for securing digital imagery are provided. In one respect, embedding, compression, encryption, data hiding, and other imaging processing techniques and systems may be provided for digital image security. In one non-limiting example, a method for producing a compressed and encrypted image is provided. An image may be converted into a binary bit stream, and the bit stream may be decomposed into a plurality of segments. A binary sequence based on a first key may be generated and may be used to generate a code matrix. A distance between the code matrix and the distance may be determined for each of the plurality of segments. Using a combined first and second key, a compressed and encrypted image may be obtained.

A method of obtaining uniform thermal distribution imaging in a thermally initiated and thermally based laser sintering process whereby a three-dimensional object is formed layer-by-layer in which the scanning sequences in successive layers is varied to more uniformly control the build up of heat within a three-dimensional object being formed. An improved method of image scanning multiple parts in a single build process is also employed.

Systems and methods disclosed herein monitor and control input to a converter in one or more of a UPS, a frequency converter, or a line conditioner. Distortion due at least in part to ripple voltage can be removed from a control signal that controls input current to the converter. The systems and methods described herein afford a simple and effective way to reduce or eliminate one or more of subharmonic oscillation and total harmonic distortion from a converter input current during synchronous and asynchronous modes of operation. The converter may include one or more of a rectifier and an inverter.

An apparatus for processing a plurality of real-valued subband signals using a first real-valued subband signal and a second real-valued subband signal to provide at least a complex-valued subband signal comprises a multiband filter for providing an intermediate real-valued subband signal and a calculator for providing the complex-valued subband signal by combining a real-valued subband signal from the plurality of real-valued subband signals and the intermediate subband signal.

Any given part is cut out from a distorted circular image photographed by use of a fisheye lens and converted into a planar regular image with less distortion. A virtual sphere H having a radius R on a distorted circular image S on an XY plane is defined, thereby allowing a user to designate a cut-out center point P, a magnification m, and a planar inclination angle φ. A visual line vector n passing through an intersecting point Q immediately above the point P is determined to define an UV orthogonal coordinate system having an orientation depending on the angle φ on a plane orthogonal to a visual line vector n at a point G in which a distance between two points OG is given as m·R. The UV orthogonal coordinate system is curved along the side face C of a “virtual cylindrical column in which the point G forms one point on the side face to have a straight line V′ parallel to the V axis and also passing through the point O as a central axis,” thereby defining the UV curved coordinate system. Correspondence relationship equations between a point Ci (ui, vi) on the UV curved coordinate system and a point Si (xi, yi) on the XY coordinate system are used to obtain an image in the vicinity of a point P on the UV curved coordinate system, and the image is expanded on a plane T to obtain a planar regular image.

A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that has a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 12 includes a support structure 16 and a filtering structure 18. The support structure 16 contains an auxetic mesh 20 that has been molded into an intended cup-shape configuration, and the filtering structure 18 contains a filtration layer 42 for removing contaminants from the ambient air. The use of an auxetic mesh 20 in the support structure 16 provides more uniformly-sized openings 26 in the mesh 20 and reduces opportunities for mesh overlapping and mesh distortion.

A compression system and process include adaptive quantization for selection of one quantizer, for each video frame or frame portion, from a group of quantizers, where each quantizer is a set of predefined quantizer values, and coding of the quantized values using a common entropy coding table for all quantizers, or a separate entropy coding table for each quantizer. The entropy coding tables are obtained during a training procedure. The selection of the quantizer is based on a formula which takes into account the distortion and bit rate characteristics of each quantizer. A similar formula, based on the distortion and bit rate characteristics, is used to select the particular quantizer value within the chosen quantizer for each video signal value being coded.

The illumination system described below comprises an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise by used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site.

A system for communication of signals between remote devices and monitoring and control devices via fiber. The system in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a plurality of remote interface units each coupled to a corresponding one of the remote devices, a base unit coupled to one or more monitoring devices and one or more control devices, and a central hub coupled between the base unit and the plurality of remote interface units. The central hub is coupled to the base unit by a first fiber optic link, and is coupled to the remote interface units by additional fiber optic links.

In a digital hearing aid device (1) frequency modification is employed above a lower spectral bound and in accordance with a compression factor. The frequency modification is dynamically adjusted in dependence on a sound environment analysis (10) or an end-user input (30), by modifying the frequency modification parameters such as a lower spectral bound and a compression factor. The adjustment can be based on an interpolation between predefined parameters. In certain sound environments, such as loud noise, own-voice and telephone conversations, frequency modification is reduced or switched off. The proposed solutions have the advantage that the occurrence of disturbing noise and of distortions of harmonic relationships at the end-user's ear is reduced and signal processing resources as well as battery resources are saved.

The present invention is directed toward a communications channel comprising a link level protocol, a driver, a receiver, and a canceller / equalizer. The link level protocol provides logic for DC-free signal encoding and recovery as well as supporting many features including CRC error detection and message resend to accommodate infrequent bit errors across the medium. The canceller / equalizer provides equalization for destabilized data signals and also provides simultaneous bi-directional data transfer. The receiver provides bit deskewing by removing synchronization error, or skewing, between data signals. The driver provides impedance controlling by monitoring the characteristics of the communications medium, like voltage or temperature, and providing a matching output impedance in the signal driver so that fewer distortions occur while the data travels across the communications medium.

A backlit display apparatus mounts to an exterior surface, including an automobile, wherein plain paper designs, digital photographs on plain paper or transparencies may be displayed between a white translucent dispersing panel and a clear front panel, with the front panel and the dispersing panel having a weather-proof seal. A high lumen light source, which could consist of a single bulb or a plurality of low lumen light sources, is located behind the dispersing panel, powered by either an internal DC electrical power source, an external DC electrical power source or an external 110 volt AC power source, the high lumen light source having a variable illumination control mechanism to select from a constant illumination, a flashing illumination or a passive illumination, such passive illumination derived from the external power source, including the brake light electrical system or the running light electrical system of an automobile to which the apparatus may be attached.

A spectrum analyzer is provided that includes components to achieve from below 9 kHz to above 20 GHz operation range while remaining hand-held. Components of the spectrum analyzer include an integrated precision stand-alone step attenuator that does not rely on printed circuit board (PCB) mounted circuit elements within the signal path. Further, a PIN diplexing switch separates signals into different base-band and highband paths. The baseband path includes a pre-amplifier for low frequency signals, while the higher frequency bands may not necessarily include a pre-amplifier. The baseband path further provides improved broadband termination of its 1st mixer IF port by incorporating a new quadrature-coupled directional (QCD) filter that includes a ring resonator. An inexpensive air dielectric multi-cavity baseband filter is also used to suppress 2nd mixer IF images. The highband path incorporates multi-throw MMIC PIN diode switches to selectively filter different bands of input signals. At least three total 1st mixers are used to increase operation bandwidth. A phase locked loop providing a 1st LO to the 1st mixers is created that uses a divide-by-two frequency divider in cascade with a sampler-type frequency downconverter. The output of the 1st LO is frequency doubled and filtered to increase the frequency range of the highband signal path.