239 results about "Subject areas" patented technology

A system and method are directed towards prefetching content for a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content similar to previously requested content is prefetched and cached in anticipation of the mobile terminal making a similar request. Prefetching may also occur based on a trigger event such as the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. Prefetching may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal.

A system and method are directed towards providing non-requested content to a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content related to previously requested content is provided to the mobile terminal upon a trigger that is related to the requested content. The trigger event may include the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. The non-requested content may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal.

A computer implemented method to extract a selected subject from its background, by removing the background, including that portion of the background visible through semi transparent areas of the subject, and generating a matte signal containing a record of background levels outside of and within semitransparent subject areas. The observed RGB signal levels of a pixel in the semitransparent transition between a subject and its background, are a mixture of color contributed by the subject, and by the background. The estimated subject color, and the estimated background color, and the observed color of a transition pixel (pixRGB), may be shown as three points in a three dimensional color space.

An Internet server matches experts offering consulting services in the biological sciences or the like with potential customers of such consulting services. The server presents each expert with a Web interface through which the expert inputs his or her qualifications and times of availability. The qualifications are organized in a two-tier hierarchy of broad subject areas and sub-areas within each area. The times of availability are organized in terms of starting time of availability and duration of availability from that starting time. The server also presents each customer with a Web interface through which the customer inputs the qualification and times of availability sought. The qualifications and times are organized in the same fashion as for the expert. The customer can input multiple service requests, each with different qualifications and times of availability. The server uses the input data to match experts with customers. At first, the experts and the customers are anonymous to one another. Once either an expert or a customer chooses to purchase the record concerning a match, the record with contact information is released, and the expert and the customer can contact each other. The server provides other functions, such as allowing a physician to contact a manufacturer or a product, using only the brand name of that product; allowing companies to conduct surveys of physicians; and providing distance learning.

An Internet server matches experts offering consulting services in the biological sciences or the like with potential customers of such consulting services. The server presents each expert with a Web interface through which the expert inputs his or her qualifications and times of availability. The qualifications are organized in a two-tier hierarchy of broad subject areas and sub-areas within each area. The times of availability are organized in terms of starting time of availability and duration of availability from that starting time. The server also presents each customer with a Web interface through which the customer inputs the qualification and times of availability sought. The qualifications and times are organized in the same fashion as for the expert. The customer can input multiple service requests, each with different qualifications and times of availability. The server uses the input data to match experts with customers. At first, the experts and the customers are anonymous to one another. Once either an expert or a customer chooses to purchase the record concerning a match, the record with contact information is released, and the expert and the customer can contact each other. The server provides other functions, such as allowing a physician to contact a manufacturer or a product, using only the brand name of that product; allowing companies to conduct surveys of physicians; and providing distance learning.

Apparatus and method for automatically generating panoramic still photographs from a sequence of images collected during panning. Programming within the camera allows creating the panoramic image output from multiple captured stills and / or video frames without laborious user “stitching”. A sequence of images are captured under control of the camera which span a desired subject area being panned (in any direction) by the user. As the images are being captured, the programming assures that the edges of adjacent images in the sequence sufficiently overlap one another as the desired subject area is being panned, as well as controlling other necessary camera adjustments (e.g., maintaining fixed focus). A set of sequential overlapping image frames is collected and combined to create at least one panoramic still photograph. The user can preferably change settings to control how the images are put together into the panoramic image output.

A method and apparatus are provided for performing natural language translation in a finite domain, e.g., where the finite domain describes a specific subject area or field of use. In one embodiment, a method for translating user input relating to a finite domain includes receiving user input in a source language and translating the user input into a target language in accordance with the finite domain. In some embodiments, the resultant output is substantially grammatically correct and / or sociolinguistically appropriate.

An image processing apparatus includes a face detector and a gamma corrector. The face detector detects a subject area or areas out of image data output from an image sensor. A correction table is produced on the basis of luminance values of the subject area and a frequency distribution of luminance, i.e., distribution information derived from the entire or part of an area represented by the image data. The gamma corrector uses either one of the above correction table and a basic correction table to correct the tone of the image data.

An image pickup device includes a system control section which determines an area with closest proximity as an AF area among AF evaluation areas in a central part of an image. In addition, a block with the same distance as the AF area is determined as a main subject block. Then the system control section calculates and memorizes an average brightness of an image data of a position corresponding to a main subject block. Then, the system control section determines a main subject area based on obtained information on the main subject block and a photographed image. Furthermore, based on information on a main subject area, an extraction processing of the main subject image, a blur processing of a background image and a composite processing are sequentially performed.

Enhancing queries for information retrieval that automatically finds the preferred, first ranked matching term usage subject area (“TUSA”) from a prior query. The process automatically finds alternative TUSAs for the prior query, ranked by degree of match or preference, and provides an option to switch among the alternative TUSAs. It is required that a TUSA for the query be passively accepted or actively selected from a presented list based on the prior query. Using means prepared in advance from data sets of messages collected for each TUSA and general vocabulary the process also ranks and presents to the user alternative and additional query terms and phrases reflecting specificity and relevance to the query and the TUSA. Significantly relevant terms and phrases are presented for query refinement and ranked by relevance permitting the user to select and deselect query terms and effect a new search based on the enhanced query.

Disclosed is in-camera generation of high quality composite panoramic images. Apparatus and method for automatically generating panoramic still photographs from a sequence of images collected during panning. Programming within the camera allows creating the panoramic image output from multiple captured stills and / or video frames without laborious user ''stitching''. A sequence of images are captured under control of the camera which span a desired subject area being panned (in any direction) by the user. As the images are being captured, the programming assures that the edges of adjacent images in the sequence sufficiently overlap one another as the desired subject area is being panned, as well as controlling other necessary camera adjustments (e.g., maintaining fixed focus). A set of sequential overlapping image frames is collected and combined to create at least one panoramic still photograph. The user can preferably change settings to control how the images are put together into the panoramic image output.

A subject area extracting unit extracts a main-subject area from the color image data; a correction amount calculating unit calculates a gradation correction amount based on the information on the thus-extracted main-subject area; a control zone extracting unit extracts a predetermined control zone from a brightness zone to which the main-subject area does not belongs; a determining unit determines whether or not the gradation correction amount on the control zone should be controlled, according to a predetermined control requirement; and a control unit controls the gradation correction amount according to the determination result of the determination unit.

The invention relates generally to a system and methodology for learning, and in particular for practicing for tests. The system and method employs algorithms for performing various analytics. A computerized system analyzes Meta-Data associated with the Tests, Questions and the learner / student response to those and provides information which helps the learner / student learn faster, get a deeper understanding of the subject area and helps them focus and practice for the subject area of needs. As the data for a student is collected the system can analyze the core strength and weakness of student for the subject, topic or subtopic etc. and in various other dimensions. Additionally as data from multiple students is aggregated the methodology defines the mechanism to analyze and quantify the outcome from three areas of learning namely, the learner effort, an instructor effort and the quality of learning contents. Such a meta-data based learning methodology greatly reduces the potential for guess and subjective analysis and improves the learning of an individual based on the quantifiable data, either at the user choice or being driven by the system recommendation.

A subject area extracting unit extracts a main-subject area from the color image data; a correction amount calculating unit calculates a gradation correction amount based on the information on the thus-extracted main-subject area; a control zone extracting unit extracts a predetermined control zone from a brightness zone to which the main-subject area does not belongs; a determining unit determines whether or not the gradation correction amount on the control zone should be controlled, according to a predetermined control requirement; and a control unit controls the gradation correction amount according to the determination result of the determination unit.

An image combining method for combining an image obtained by image sensing real space with a computer-generated image and displaying the combined image. Mask area color information is determined based on a first real image including an object as the subject of mask area and a second real image not including the object, and the color information is registered. The mask area is extracted from the real image by using the registered mask area color information, and the real image and the computer-generated image are combined by using the mask area.

A criteria search performed by a search engine comprises associating each of a plurality of users with at least one knowledge domain, associating a user's query to at least one subject area in the at least one knowledge domain, and generating search results based on the user's query and the at least one subject area. A search engine comprises a plurality of search repositories configured to perform different types of searches and a search component. The search component receives a search query from a user, modifies the query based on one or more knowledge domains that the user is associated with, submits the modified search query to the plurality of search repositories, and receives search results from the plurality of search repositories.

In a black character detection processing, RGB data read from a line buffer is converted into YIQ data. For a subject pixel, a subject area centered on the subject pixel is set, and a judgment pixel that has the lowest brightness in the subject area is set. Then, a judgment area is set as being centered on the judgment pixel. If the absolute values of the averages of chroma components I and Q in the judgment area are both less than the corresponding thresholds T1 and T2, the subject pixel is determined as being an achromatic pixel. Black codes are added to fine-line pixels and edge pixels if the fine-line pixels and edge pixels are determined as being achromatic. Thus, the fine-line pixels and edge pixels can be specified as to be printed in black monochromatic ink. Therefore, black character or similar fine-line or edge part images can be outputted with high quality.

An image sensing method and image sensing apparatus, including a subject detection unit and a flash unit, are provided. The method includes a first detection step of detecting a subject from image data obtained during preparation for main image sensing, a second detection step of detecting a subject based on reflected light data obtained during pre-flash after an instruction to begin main image sensing, a step of setting a flash illumination area based on a comparison result between a first proportion of the subject detected in the first detection step within a subject area in which the subject exists and a second proportion of the subject detected in the second detection step within the subject area, a step of calculating a flash illumination amount based on the set flash illumination area, and a step of controlling the flash unit during main image sensing based on the calculated flash illumination amount.

A card game for learning entails competitive play between players. As the game proceeds, the winner of a match must recite out loud the facts of learning printed on the playing cards. The game repetitively exposes the players to facts in a given subject area such as math, history, science, geography, literature, etc. The learning experience may be geared to different age brackets by tailoring the subject facts to different age brackets. Audible and visual cues help players to associate information for memory retention. Different decks for different age brackets and subjects are provided.

A shareable utility that provides quality information to users in a given subject area. The utility maintains a quality database of information on the subject area on a local computing device. The quality database has links to objects of interest residing on the Internet and on the local device. All of the information in the quality database has been recommended for inclusion by an expert in the field. The present utility provides for dual searching of the local computing device and the Internet. A primary screen with multiple secondary windows is used as the starting point. The primary screen is designed to provide structure and direction to the search, but may also be customized to include a user / predefined template representing a broad level of interest. Subsequent display screens are used to display more detailed levels of interest in the given subject area. The present utility is well suited for applications in education, and knowledge transfer applications (e.g. specific code routines, best practices, lessons learned, etc.). The present utility architecture is highly adaptable, reusable and supports searches of all kinds (e.g. financial statements 2004, branch info, etc.). By aggregating expert knowledge (of “where” to look), other vendors search capabilities and the digitized resources available, one can leverage this utility to maximum advantage.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates data stewardship in for metadata in a data warehouse system. The system operates by first allowing a user to create metadata for the database system. Next, the system allows a super user to create a plurality of collections for a list of subject areas. Finally, the system allows a super user to move the metadata into and out of a collection. The super user then assigns a data steward for the collection, wherein the data steward is allowed to manipulate the metadata in the collection.

An image processing system for a vehicle including a plurality of image pickup devices directed toward different predetermined areas around the vehicle to provide captured images and a display unit. Subject areas are extracted from the captured images, wherein the subject areas correspond to partial areas of predetermined areas captured by the image pickup devices that are adjacent to the image pickup devices. Brightness values of the subject areas are equalized to provide processed images, and the processed image are combined to generate a display image.

A method and apparatus are provided for performing natural language translation in a finite domain, e.g., where the finite domain describes a specific subject area or field of use. In one embodiment, a method for translating user input relating to a finite domain includes receiving user input in a source language and translating the user input into a target language in accordance with the finite domain. In some embodiments, the resultant output is substantially grammatically correct and / or sociolinguistically appropriate.

An image processing device comprises: plane conversion means which receives a subject image in which a subject having a particular shape has been captured and shape information about three-dimensional shape of the subject from the outside and converts the subject image into a plane image in which the subject is viewed from a prescribed direction based on the shape information; and in-plane position detection means which recognizes a subject area in the plane image as an area representing the subject and determines a position of the subject in the plane image.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving imaging based on a time-series of images. In one embodiment, a time-series of images are acquired using a same imaging protocol of the same subject area, but the images are spaced in time by one or more time intervals (e.g, 1, 2, 3 . . . seconds apart). A sub-region is projected across all of the images to perform a localized analysis (corresponding X-Y pixels or X-Y-Z voxels are analyzed across all images) that identifies temporal components within each sub-region. In some of the sub-regions, the temporal components are removed when the amplitude of the component is below a predetermined amplitude threshold. The images are then combined using the sub-regions with reduced components in order to obtain a single image with reduced noise.

A photography mode selecting section allows a photographer to select continuous photographing. An imaging section captures an image of a subject. An area setting section detects a photographic subject based on a photographic image captured by the imaging section for every photographing in the continuous photographing, and sets the size and position of a photographic subject area including the detected photographic subject, when the continuous photographing is selected by the photography mode selecting section. A memory section stores an image inside the photographic subject area as a photographic subject image. Consequently, in continuous photographing of a moving body, the size of the photographic subject area for every photographing in the continuous photographing can be changed according to change in the size of the image of the moving body with respect to an image screen of the imaging section, thereby preventing wasteful usage of a memory area of the memory section.

Conventionally, on a subject in which range, refocus can be performed at the time of image capturing or at the time of editing an image is not specified clearly, and therefore, it is difficult for a user to capture an image or to edit an image in a manner the user intends. An image processing apparatus has an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image including a plurality of subject areas and distance information corresponding to the plurality of subject areas and a generation unit configured to generate a shifted image in which positions of the plurality of subject areas are shifted in the image based on the distance information.

The invention belongs to the fields of computer application and natural language processing and provides a subject area-oriented method for recognizing a new specialized vocabulary. The principle of the method is that: an initial document is subjected to the steps of text preprocessing, new word string counting, garbage word string filtration, result sorting and the like, and new words found from the document are output. Specialized terms of the subject area can be well found and results are sorted, and therefore the method overcomes the shortcomings of the conventional algorithm and is more favorable for mastering the development trend and the core value of the subject.