A method and system are presented for reconstructing an input field where the latter is sensed by a measurement system. The method comprises: providing measured data corresponding to output field of said measurement system; providing data about sparsity of the input field, and data about effective response function of the measurement system; and processing the measured data based on said known data, the processing comprising: determining a sparse vector as a function of said measured data, said data about the sparsity of the input field, and said data about the effective response function; and using the sparse vector for reconstructing the input information. The invention allows for sub-wavelength resolution in imaging applications, and allows for detection of very short pulses by slow detectors in some other applications.

It is a common goal of various measurement systems to enhance the resolution of measured data. Such measurement systems include for example optical imaging systems, where the resolution is generally limited by diffraction limit, i.e. defining the smallest resolvable feature in optical imaging of the specific imaging system, which is determined mainly by the numerical aperture of optical components (lenses, etc.) involved. However, even a system with an infinite aperture has a resolution limit, which arises from the wavelength λ of an electromagnetic (EM) field. Therefore, the best recoverable resolution of the optical system is λ/2 regardless. This is because the propagation of EM waves in bulk media acts as a low-pass filter, for distances much larger than the wavelength, rendering spatial frequencies larger than 1/λ evanescent. Therefore, such spatial frequencies decay rapidly, on a distance scale of several wavelengths, and the observation of sub-wavelength features is essentially impossible using conventional imaging methods.
Over the years, there have been many attempts to bypass the λ/2 limit on optical imaging. Many of these attempts focused on measurements at a very close proximity ("near field") to the sub-wavelength specimen. One such approach is the Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM or SNOM). This technique is based on a very narrow tip, which samples the electromagnetic field point by point at the near field of the sub-wavelength specimen. However, this technique always requires scanning the sample point-by-point, at very high precision (nanometers) and at a very short distance from the sample (sub-microns). Hence, NSOM cannot capture a full image in real time. Other known approaches are based on probing the information with sub-wavelength holes made from thin film of plasmonic metals, and scanning the sample, or using specific arrangements of nano-hole arrays in plasmonic metals to construct super-oscillatory wavepackets in the form of sub-wavelength hot-spots, and then scan the sample at sub-wavelength resolution [1]. Both of these methods rely on scanning, hence cannot yield real-time imaging either. Other techniques for sub-wavelength imaging rely on distributing smaller-than-wavelength fluorescing items on the object and repeating the experiments multiple times [2,3]. All of these techniques suffer from such disadvantages as long scanning, or imaging time involved in scanning, or a need for repeating the experiments, rendering real-time imaging impractical.
Yet another method involves imaging devices (superlens, hyperlens, etc.) made of negative-index materials [4-7]. However, optical negative index materials suffer from huge losses, and in addition the hyperlens can deal only with one-dimensional information, not with full 2D images. Hence, negative-index materials currently do not offer viable technology for sub-wavelength optical imaging.
There have been attempts to achieve sub-wavelength imaging using algorithmic techniques (processing image data). These techniques rely on the analyticity of an EM field: if an analytic function is known exactly at some finite region, it can be completely recovered and uniquely found by analytic continuation. Several concepts and extrapolation methods based on the analytic theory have been developed. However, these methods are extremely sensitive to noise in the measured data and to the assumptions made on the information to be images (signal to be recovered).
Some examples of resolution enhancement techniques are described in US 2008/0260279 providing a method for iterative derivation of a master image from sampled images of non-identical, at least partially overlapping, regions of a scene. The method includes defining a transformation operator mapping positions within the master image to corresponding positions in the sampled image; a distortion operator simulating a modulation transfer function associated with an imaging sensor from which the sampled image was generated; and a sampling operator for reducing an image from the output resolution to the resolution of the sampled image. For each sampled image the transformation operator, distortion operator and sampling operator are applied to a current master image hypothesis to generate a predicted image A difference image is calculated which has pixel values corresponding to the difference in corresponding pixel values between the sampled image and the predicted image. A back-projection of each of the difference images is performed to generate a correction image for the current master image hypothesis. Finally, the correction images are employed to perform a correction to the current master image hypothesis to generate a new master image hypothesis. The correction to the current master image hypothesis includes combining the correction images by deriving a weighted average of values of corresponding pixels in the correction images. The weight of each pixel in each correction image is calculated as a function of a distance as measured in the sampled image between: a point in the sampled image to which the pixel in the correction image is mapped by the transformation operator, and at least one pixel centroid proximal to that point.
Pulse-shape measurement of a short pulse (optical or electronic) signal is another significant example where resolution enhancement of the measurement systems is of much interest. In optics, short laser pulses with durations in the range of nano second to picosecond and femtosecond time-scales are produced regularly. Ultra-short pulses in the attosecond time-scale have been recently produced. In many systems or applications where short pulses are engaged, it is very important to characterize the shape of the pulse (intensity only or amplitude and phase) at high resolution. There are several devices and techniques to measure the pulse-shape of a short laser pulse. For example, high-speed photodiodes or streak camera in conjunction with oscilloscopes are widely used for direct measurements of the pulse-shape (intensity profile) of laser pulses at nanosecond to picosecond temporal resolution because of their simplicity, robustness, relative insensitiveness to the light properties, small size, and low-cost. Several techniques for measuring the pulse-shape of short pulses make use of nonlinear interaction between the pulse and a another pulse with a known pulse-shape (e.g. cross correlation, or cross-correlation frequency resolved optical gating) or with a time-delayed replica of the measured pulse (e.g. autocorrelation, frequency resolved optical gating (FROG), and SPectral Interferometry for Direct E-field Reconstruction which is termed SPIDER).
In a different area of information processing, the past decades have witnessed major breakthroughs in data compression and advances in sampling techniques. Most notably, a new technique was developed in 2006, with the purpose of reducing the sampling rate of information. The technique is called compressed sensing (CS) and it is now widely used for sub-Nyquist sampling of data, and recovering data from a small number of samplings. In doing that, the technique mostly relates to interpolation of information from sub-sampled data, and relies on a single requirement for prior information that the signal (to be recovered) is sparse in a known basis [8-10]. Currently, there are two main mindsets in the field of CS, both mindsets trying to reconstruct a function by a few measurements. The first approach in the CS tries to reconstruct a sparse function by measuring randomly in the Fourier domain of the function. These randomly distributed measurements are aimed at reconstructing the entire function, provided the function is sparse. The second CS approach is aimed at enhancing the resolution of a known low-resolution image. This second technique is based on measurements in the same domain as the original image, and requires that information is retrieved from several defined examples in order to calibrate the algorithm for resolution enhancement. This method can, for example, produce a 200×200 pixels image from an original image with resolution of 20×20 pixels, but still cannot add data which was not in the original image.
Some examples of using the CS technique in signal processing are described in the following patent publications:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,646,924 provides a method and apparatus for compressed sensing yields acceptable quality reconstructions of an object from reduced numbers of measurements. A component x of a signal or image is represented as a vector having m entries. Measurements y, comprising a vector with n entries, where n is less than m, are made. An approximate reconstruction of the m-vector x is made from y. Special measurement matrices allow measurements y=Ax+z, where y is the measured m-vector, x the desired n-vector and z an m-vector representing noise. "A" is an n by m matrix, i.e. an array with fewer rows than columns. "A" enables delivery of an approximate reconstruction, x#, of x. An embodiment discloses approximate reconstruction of x from the reduced-dimensionality measurement y. Given y, and the matrix A, x# of x is possible. This embodiment is driven by the goal of promoting the approximate sparsity of x#.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,511,643 describes a method for approximating a plurality of digital signals or images using compressed sensing. In a scheme where a common component xc of said plurality of digital signals or images an innovative component xi of each of said plurality of digital signals each are represented as a vector with m entries, the method comprises the steps of making a measurement yc, where yc comprises a vector with only ni entries, where ni is less than m, making a measurement yi for each of said correlated digital signals, where yi comprises a vector with only ni entries, where ni is less than m, and from each said innovation components yi, producing an approximate reconstruction of each m-vector xi using said common component yc and said innovative component yi.
US 2009/141995 provides a method of compressed sensing imaging includes acquiring a sparse digital image b, said image comprising a plurality of intensities corresponding to an I-dimensional grid of points, initializing points (x(k), y(k)), wherein x(k) is an element of a first expanded image x defined by b=RΦ−1x, wherein R is a Fourier transform matrix, Φ is a wavelet transform matrix, y(k) is a point in ∂(Σi=11∇iΦ−1x(k))2)1/2, ∇i is a forward finite difference operator for a ith coordinate, and k is an iteration counter; calculating a first auxiliary variable s(k) from x(k)−τ1(αΦΣnLn*yn(k)+ΦR*(RΦ−1x(k)−b)), wherein τ1,α are predetermined positive scalar constants, the sum is over all points n in x, and L* is an adjoint of operator L=(∇1, . . . , ∇1); calculating a second auxiliary variable tn(k) from yn(k)+τ2LnΦ−1x(k), wherein τ2 is a predetermined positive scalar constant; updating x(k+1) from sign (s(k))max {0,|s(k)|−τ1β}, wherein β is a predetermined positive scalar constant; and updating yn(k+1) from min {1/τ2,∥tn(k)∥2}tn(k)/∥tn(k)∥2.
US 2010/0001901 provides for method and apparatus for developing radar scene and target profiles based on Compressive Sensing concept. An outgoing radar waveform is transmitted in the direction of a radar target and the radar reflectivity profile is recovered from the received radar wave sequence using a compressible or sparse representation of the radar reflectivity profile in combination with knowledge of the outgoing wave form. In an exemplary embodiment the outgoing waveform is a pseudo noise sequence or a linear FM waveform.
Also, the compressed sensing technique is described in "Image Super-Resolution as Sparse Representation of Raw Image Patches", Jianchao Yang, John Wright, Thomas Huang, Yi Ma., IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2008.
General Description
There is a need in the art in facilitating resolution enhancement of measurements of signals of various types (e.g. optical, electronic), such as to be beyond a so-called "physical resolution" of measurements. Such physical resolution limitation is typically defined by the response function of a measurement unit (sensor) or a measurement technique (e.g. cross-correlation of measured data with a known reference data).
The resolution with which a signal is collected and detected (measured) in a measurement unit is limited by three main parameters. The first parameter is associated with the sampling of a measurement procedure, such as the sampling rate of a detector, such as spatial resolution of an optical sensor (pixel size in a camera) used for capturing an image, or the temporal sampling rate of detector (e.g. oscilloscope), or the retardation step of an interferometer (or spectrometer). The second parameter is the effective response function of the measurement unit, corresponding to either spatial or temporal frequency response. In this connection, it should be understood that in systems which are linear and shift invariant (e.g. utilizing coherent or completely incoherent illumination) such effective response function is actually represented by a frequency response function itself, while for other system (e.g. non-linear and/or shift variant, e.g. utilizing partially incoherent illumination) the effective response function is determined by a relation between the input signal and the output signal (measured by said measurement system). For example, for measurements of an input field in the form of partially-spatially-incoherent light, there is actually no transfer function, because the operation is not linear and not shift-invariant. Thus, in the present application, the term "frequency response function" or "transfer function" or "spectral response function" should be interpreted broadly meaning the effective response function which in some cases is expressed by a relation between the input and output fields/signals/data. The third parameter is the signal to noise ratio of the measurements.
The inventors have found a technique to restore, from the sensed (measured) data, those features of the input information (input signal) that were lost in the sensed data due to the physical resolution limitation, and cannot be retrieved by just normalizing the measured data by the frequency transfer function of the measurement unit. In other words, the invented technique enables to overcome the limitation associated with the highest frequency in the measured data, at which the signal to noise ratio allows reconstruction through de-convolution (division of the measured data by the spectral transfer function of the measurement system).
The response function of the measurement system and the signal to noise ratio of measurements by said system are the main factors that define and limit the resolution at which the signal is measured. Most often, a spectral response function, g(ω), acts as a low pass filter (LPF) with a characteristic cutoff-frequency fc (where in the time-domain fc˜1/tc, tc being the rise-time of the detector). If the input data (signal or field) contains features at frequencies higher than the cutoff-frequency, then the sensor output signal (measured data) deviates from the input data. In this case, de-convolution methods are often used for extracting the input data. De-convolution methods consist of reversing the detector spectral filtering operation, where the latter is convolution of the input signal with the spectral transfer function of the detector (frequency filtering). De-convolution is achieved by re-amplifying the detector output signal (in the spectral domain) by a factor that corresponds to the inverse of the spectral transfer function of the detector (1/|g(ω)|). This amplification factor becomes very large at high-frequency spectral regions (|g(ω)|<<1). Hence, tiny errors in these spectral regions are very unforgiving because they are amplified by a very large factor, i.e. low noise in such frequencies is amplified (as well as the signal) thus reducing signal to noise ratio (SNR). In fact, de-convolution processes cannot recover information from spectral regions in which SNR(ω)<1/|g(ω)|.
Often, the response function of the system contains a genuine cutoff frequency, above which the transfer function is zero (or corresponds to very large attenuation). The amplitudes of frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency are greatly attenuated, such that these high-frequency signals are below the noise level and cannot be extracted (separated from the noise). Such high frequency information is therefore considered as lost. Thus, it is commonly believed that information in these high frequency spectral regions is lost and cannot be recovered. The frequency at which SNR(ω)<1/|g(ω)| actually presents the effective cutoff frequency of the measurement.
However, high resolution of a measured signal requires high frequency features of the input signal to be measured (i.e., high temporal frequencies for a time-varying signal, or high spatial frequencies in the case of an optical image). For example, in the conventional optical microscopy, an image cannot be captured with resolution higher than the diffraction limit of the optical system (i.e. λ/2 in case of free-space propagation). For example, considering free space propagation of an electromagnetic (EM) wave, if the EM wave propagates a distance z from an object plane to a detector much larger than the wavelength λ, then, since the transfer function of the optical system (CTF for coherent illumination or OTF for incoherent illumination) acts as a low-pass filter, all information carried by spatial frequencies larger than 1/λ are lost.
The present invention provides for reconstructing information (an input signal) at a resolution higher than that defined by the highest frequency of the measuring system or by a ratio between the spectral transfer-function and the signal-to-noise ratio [SNR(ω)<1/|g(ω)|].
In this connection, it should be understood that sensing (measuring) data includes: detection of signals by a suitable sensor unit (detector), where the detected signals may be the input field or those resulted from a known interaction between the input data and reference data (e.g., correlation with known signals); and processing of the measured (detected) data. The detection procedure is to be as accurate as possible, using any suitable detector. Such accurate detection may include any de-coding procedure, provided certain predetermined coding (or pre-processing) of the signal occurred during its propagation to the detector, e.g. at the spectral plane. Such coding or pre-processing may be done by software and/or hardware (e.g. using a mask, e.g. a phase mask or grating). The principles of the invention are applicable to any measured data, irrespective of whether the detection procedure includes de-coding or not. In case the coding/decoding is considered, the invented technique deals with the decoded measured data.
The present invention provides a novel processing technique for processing the measured data to recover details contained in the input information (input signal), that were filtered out in the detection stage, due to the response function of the measurement system (which includes a detector unit and possibly also signal collector(s) on the way to the detector). The filtering out results in that the measured amplitudes of those signals or signal components are so small that dividing them by the transfer response function leads to very large errors.
In other words, with the invented technique, the reconstructed/recovered information contains frequencies higher than the effective frequency cutoff of the effective response function of a measurement system. The reconstruction of measured data (optical field, in the context of optical imaging) according to the invention takes advantages of the principles of the known L1 minimization and compressed sensing techniques, in that it deals with the recovery of information (input signals) that is sparse in some known basis. It should be understood that a sparse signal is such that, in some basis it contains mostly zeros and very few elements differing from zero. The knowledge, or data, about the sparsity of the input field may only contain the fact that the signal is sparse in some basis, and the basis in which the signal is sparse might be a priori known or determined during the measurement procedure (e.g. during the reconstruction of the input field). It is also required that there is a known relation between the signal basis (where the information is sparse) and the measurement base, and back. For some systems, this relation might be written as a transformation operator. However, it should be understood that the present invention does not need such relation to be expressed as an operator, but just needs this relation to be known. The invention properly utilizes the measurement related data, namely data about effective response function of the measurement system, together with the above-described sparsity related data. As indicated above, the invention takes into account the effective response function of the measurement system being expressed by relation between the input field (represented in a basis in which it is sparse) and the output field. In this connection, it should be understood that considering the input field is represented in a basis in which it is sparse (e.g. by some kind of initial processing of the measured data using basic transformation), the relation between the sparsity basis and the measurement basis for linear shift-invariant measurement systems might correspond to the effective response function of the measurement system.
The invention allows for resolution enhancement beyond the effective frequency cutoff of the signal collector (physical limitation of the detection system). The present invention is based on the following: among all signals that can be written as a combination of some known basis functions, which yield the measured results after being "smeared" by the known transfer function (CTF or OTF), the sparsest one of the signals is to be found, i.e. the one comprised of the fewest basis functions. The inventors have termed this novel technique as SMARTER (Sparsity Mediated Algorithmic Reconstruction Technique for Enhanced Resolution) microscopy (in the sub-wavelength case) and SMARTER pulse diagnostics for the characterization of optical pulses.
Thus, according to one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reconstructing an input field sensed by a measurement system. The method comprises; providing data (prior knowledge) about the sparsity of the input field (that the input signal (information to be recovered) is sparse in a known basis), and data about effective response function of the measurement system; and processing measured data based on said known data. This "prior knowledge" is used for processing the measured data, generated by the measurement unit, to recover the original information (input signal). The processing stage comprises: a determination of a sparse vector as a function of the following: said data on the sparsity of the input field, said data about the effective response function), and the measured data (output of the measurement system); and using the sparse vector for reconstructing the input information.
The technique of the invention is based on the understanding that, out of all the possibilities of extrapolating the spectrum of the measured data (which all correspond to the same measured data), given the prior knowledge described above, the extrapolation yielding the sparsest input signal (information to be recovered) is unique (in the absence of noise), or, in the presence of noise, provides the recovered information that is very close and the closest to the input information [8-12]. The technique provides for better reconstruction (higher resolution) if the signal basis and the measurement basis are the least correlated, or in other words they are "incoherent with one another" (here the term "incoherence" should not be confused with coherence properties of optical fields). It should, however, be understood that such condition as the least correlation between the signal basis and the measurement basis, while being preferable might be optional for the operational principles and results of the technique of the present invention. Instead, having the measured data occupying the majority of the basis functions in the measurement basis would suffice to recover the input signal properly. When the sparsity basis and the measurement basis are the least correlated, the number of necessary samplings (in the measurement basis) is the smallest.
This technique allows for resolution of the reconstructed input field to be well above an effective frequency cutoff of said response function.
Let us consider for example, optical imaging applications, where prior knowledge about the sparsity of the input field and about the effective response function is provided (i.e. the input image contains a small fraction of non-zero pixels in some known or determined bases, and transformation from the near field to the plane where the data is measured is known). Here, the simplest basis is the near field. The least correlated basis with the near field is the far-field (Fourier plane of the information). Hence, in the optical imaging applications, the technique of the present invention might provider better results if the measurements are taken in the far-field. The transformation relating the near field and the far field is simply the Fourier transform multiplied by the effective transform function which is CTF for coherent fields or OTF for spatially-incoherent fields.
In the same context of optical imaging, one can use another measurement basis: the image plane of an optical imaging system. In this case, the transformation occurred during the input field propagation through the optical measurement system includes the following: Fourier transforming the input signal, multiplying the Fourier transform by the CTF (or OTF), and applying a further Fourier transform (with some magnification) to the results of the multiplication. In this case, the measurement basis and the sparsity basis are identical. Nevertheless, the invented technique still works well, provided that the effective response function satisfies the following condition: the measured data occupies a large fraction of the measurement basis, and the transformation between the two bases is known.
Thus, generally, the present invention is applicable to any measurement basis, as long as the measured data occupies a large fraction of the measurement basis, and the transformation between the two bases is known. The current invention works well in all those measurement bases, provided just that the input image is sparse in a known basis.
For optical imaging applications, the measurement unit is configured for optical measurements, thus including an optical system (lenses etc.) and a suitable optical detector (or camera). As indicated above, the effective response function of such measurement unit is defined by a spatial frequency transfer function which is associated with a Coherent Transfer Function (CTF) for coherent illumination case or an Optical Transfer Function (OTF) for incoherent illumination. Using the method of the invention, the reconstructed input information can have resolution above a cutoff of the OTF (or CTF), which naturally defines the smallest resolvable feature (diffraction limited spot) of the optical imaging system. Preferably, the output field corresponds to a far-field image of the input field.
It should be noted that the present invention provides for reconstruction of signals with non-uniform phase, i.e. signals with varying phases, such as signal with positive phase at one point and negative phase at another, and in the most general sense—signals with phase that can vary arbitrarily between 0 and 2π from one point to another. Thus, no further assumptions, such as non-negativity of the signal, are needed. The recovery of signals (information) with non-uniform phase is done, as part of the above-described reconstruction procedure, by further using an iterative method called nonlocal hard thresholding (NLHT). This technique consists of allocating an off-support of the sparse signal in an iterative fashion, by performing a thresholding step that depends on the values of the neighboring locations (in real space). It should be understood and will be described more specifically further below that generally, that in some embodiments the processor utility of the present invention might be preprogrammed to identify whether the measured signal has uniform or non-uniform phase and accordingly selectively apply either a first processing model that does not utility NLHT (but utilize Basis Pursuit (BP)) or a second processing model that does utilize NLHT; or to eliminate the identification step and utilize the second, more general model utilizing the NLHT. In some other embodiments, where the invention is intended to deal with uniform-phase signals (e.g. dealing with reconstruction of input pulse shapes), the processor utility might utilize only the BP model.
According to another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for reconstructing an input signal. The system includes an input utility which is capable of receiving and storing measured data generated by a measurement unit (being supplied directly therefrom or not). The measured data corresponds to an output signal generated by the measurement unit in response to an input signal which is to be reconstructed. The input unit also receives data indicative of the sparsity of the input field, and data indicative of the effective response function of the measurement unit (e.g. the spatial or temporal response function; or a relation between the input signal and the measurement signal). The system includes a data processor utility which is preprogrammed for analyzing and processing the received data. More specifically, the processor determines a sparse vector which is a function of the following: information about sparsity of the input signal, the measured output signal, and the data about the effective response function of the measurement unit; and uses the sparse vector to reconstruct the input signal by base transformation of the sparse vector onto the original base of the input signal.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for reconstructing an input optical field. The system includes an input utility capable of receiving and storing measured data (generated by an optical measurement unit and supplied directly therefrom or not) corresponding to an output field generated by the optical measurement unit in response to the input optical field. The input utility also receives data indicative of the sparsity of the input optical field, and data indicative of the effective response function of the optical measurement unit. The system includes a data processor utility which is preprogrammed for analyzing and processing the received data to determines a sparse vector as a function of the sparsity data, the measured date, and the effective response function of the optical measurement unit; and uses the sparse vector to reconstruct the input field by base transformation of the sparse vector onto the original base of the input signal.
In a yet further aspect, the invention provides a measurement system comprising: an imaging system defining an input field propagation to an optical detector, and a control unit having a processor utility for processing measured data output from said detector, the processor utility being configured and operable for processing the measured data based on data about sparsity of the input field and data about an effective response function of the imaging system to reconstruct the input field with resolution above an effective cutoff of said effective response function.
In some other embodiments, the invention is used for processing temporal profile of data, the measured data being that produced by an electronic sensing system. In this case, input field to be measured and reconstructed may be a pulse (e.g. optical pulse), especially a short pulse, namely relatively short as compared to the physical limitation (e.g. rise time) of a pulse detector. A general trend in short pulse-shape measurement techniques and devices is that measurements at higher resolution and larger bandwidth require more complicated and costly devices or systems. Consequently, it is of great interest to increase the resolution of a pulse-shape measurement device or system by post recovery algorithms.
The most attractive application of this aspect of the invention is for reconstructing the profile (intensity profile or amplitude and phase profiles), especially useful for ultra short pulses (in picoseconds range and shorter). In these embodiments, the effective response function of the measurement unit corresponds to a temporal frequency response of the electronic sensing system. Examples of measurement systems/detectors with which the invented technique can advantageously be used include the following: oscilloscope, photodiode, streak camera, cross correlation with a reference filed/signal, auto correlation of the signal/field with itself, frequency resolved optical gating (FROG), Spectral Interferometer for Direct E-field Reconstruction (SPIDER), Cross-correlation Frequency resolved optical gating (XFROG), GRENOUILLE, TADPOLE.
Thus, the invention, in it's yet another broad aspects, provides a method and system to recover the profile of a short pulse (an electronic pulse, an optical pulse, etc.), from measurements taken by a relatively slow measurement system (slow detector) in the meaning that the rise time of the detector is longer than the pulse duration. In these embodiments, the known (initially provided) data includes data about the sparsity of the input pulse and an effective response function (e.g. temporal frequency response function defining a relation between the measurement basis and the signal basis). The shape of the pulse can be complex and its spectrum can include frequencies at spectral regions beyond the effective cutoff frequency for the measurement. Reconstruction uses the measured output signals, the data about the effective transfer function of the detection system, and the fact that short pulses are inherently sparse (in time).
As indicated above, the measured data may include detection of the input field or its interaction with certain reference signal. For example, an optical short pulse can be cross-correlated with another (reference) pulse and the cross correlation signal is measured. The invention provides for reconstructing the input field (recover the structure (amplitude and phase) of a short input pulse, being e.g. electronic or optical pulse) by processing such measured data as well. Reconstruction uses the output cross correlation signal, the known shape of the reference pulse and the interaction model (i.e. cross correlation) between the two pulses.

Method and system for super-resolution signal reconstruction

TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD.


An optical disk device includes a controller and a parameter calibrating apparatus. The controller includes: a first sub-controller, a second sub-controller and a third sub-controller. The first sub-controller, a second sub-controller in series with the first sub-controller and a third sub-controller in parallel with the combination of the first sub-controller and second sub-controller are used for filtering and passing low-frequency components the input signal respectively. The parameter calibrating apparatus is used for evaluating a performance of the controller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to controllers. In particular, the present invention relates to a controller of an optical disk device.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, optical disks have been extensively developed as a means for storing a large amount of data. Optical disk devices use laser beams for recording data to or reproducing data from the optical disks.
Referring to FIG. 10, a schematic diagram of an optical disk device is shown. Generally, the optical disk device 90 includes a spindle motor 92, an optical pickup unit 94, a servo unit 96, and a controller 98.
The spindle motor 92 has a rotor 922 on which an optical disk 100 may be placed, and is used for driving the optical disk 100 to rotate around an axis of the rotor 922. The optical pickup unit 94 is configured for emitting a laser beam to the optical disk 100, receiving a return laser beam reflected from the optical disk 100, and converting the return laser beam into electric signals. The electric signals may include data-signals containing data recorded on the optical disk 100, and servo error signals of the optical pickup unit 94. The controller 98 receives the electric signals from the optical pickup unit 94 and generates servo-adjusting signals based on the servo error signals. The servo adjusting signals are transmitted to the optical pickup unit 94 and the servo unit 96 for performing focusing and/or tracking to eliminate or decrease focus and/or tracking error between the optical pickup unit 94 and the optical disk 100.
Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram illustrating an example of a controller used in an optical disk device is shown. The controller 110 includes a low pass filter 112, a first notch filter 114, a lead-lag controller 116, and a second notch filter 118. The low pass filter 112 is used for depressing high frequency components of inputted signals, and thus reducing control efforts caused by the high frequency components. The first notch filter 114 is collocated at a corresponding rotation frequency of a given optical disk, in order to give a large local gain at the rotation frequency. The lead-lag controller 116 is used for filtering at a relatively low frequency and maintaining a stable filtering loop. The second notch filter 118 is in correspondence with a resonance frequency of a given optical pickup unit and servo unit. See, for example, Sergio Bittanti, Fabio Dell'Orto et al. "RADIAL TRACKING IN HIGH-SPEED DVD PLAYERS (an application of notch filtering and multirate control)", Proceedings of the 40th IEEE conference on Decision and Control, Orlando, Fla. USA, December 2001.
However, the above mentioned article fails to give an example of an apparatus for calibrating parameters of the controller 98 when the controller 98 is utilized with a controlled plant, such as an optical pickup, and a tracking servo unit. Whereas, due to different characteristics of the controlled plant, parameters of the controller should be calibrated to generate controlling signals accurately. Otherwise the controller is not adaptable with different controlled plants. Therefore, a need exists in the industry for an apparatus for calibrating controller parameters for different controlled plants of different optical disk devices.


There is provided a differential mode amplifier driving circuit, including: a first port having one end connected to a single signal; a second port having one end connected to a differential signal; a first transmission line having one end grounded; and a third port having one end connected to the first transmission line and the other end connected to the differential signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a differential mode amplifier driving circuit capable of simplifying a circuit and reducing a loss generated in a passive device, by only applying an input signal to one input terminal of the differential mode amplifier, without using a balun.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a differential mode is frequently used in an amplifier such as a low noise amplifier (LAN), a power amplifier (PA), or the like, in an IC chip for a millimeter-wave band signal transmitting and receiving system. When an amplifier is designed by using the differential mode, a virtual ground may be utilized and noise characteristics may be improved as compared with a single mode.
However, a separate balun circuit for converting a single mode signal into a differential mode signal is required, in order to combine a differential mode amplifier with other components operated in a single mode.
An additive circuit, such as a marchand balun circuit, a rat race circuit, or the like, is required in order to operate a differential mode circuit of the related art in a single mode, that is, through a single input. The marchand balun circuit uses the coupling of two ¼ wavelength transmission lines, while the rat race circuit also uses a ¾ wavelength long transmission line. These circuits occupy a large area within an IC chip, and may cause a large loss at a high frequency within a millimeter-wave band or a tera-hertz band.
According to the Related Art Documents, Patent Document 1 (US Patent Registration No. 7027792) discloses that a single radio frequency (RF) and a differential local oscillator (LO) are present at an input terminal, as a single balanced mixer. However, this constitution requires differential input at a local oscillator (LO) input terminal, and thus, a balun circuit is required at the LO input terminal in the case in which an output of an oscillator generating an LO signal is in a single mode. Patent Document 2 (Korean Patent Registration No. 2009-0104160) does not disclose that a differential mode amplifier is driven without a balun circuit.

Differential mode amplifier driving circuit

Korea University Research & Business Foundation


The disclosed embodiments include a method to compensate for defective printer nozzles. The method can include detecting a defective printer nozzle and initiating a print job including image data of the defective printer nozzle for a pixel location of an image. The image is to be printed in accordance with a print mask that maps printer nozzles to pixel locations of the image. The method can include modifying the image to print the image data in a neighboring pixel location relative to the pixel location of the image and printing the modified image.

Common types of inkjet printers include single-pass systems and shuttle based systems (i.e., multi-pass systems). FIG. 1A illustrates an example of printing using a single-pass system. The printer includes one or more printheads that span the width of the printer, which is perpendicular to the direction of the paper transport. The printheads can access reservoirs of ink to print an image on media that advances under the printheads in a downstream direction. An image is a perceptible representation (e.g., a document, a banner, or a graphic) that can be recorded (e.g., printed) on media (e.g., physical substrates such as paper or tile). The printheads can dispense different inks to print a colored image on the media.
FIG. 1B illustrates an example of printing using a shuttle based system. As shown, printing involves multiple "passes" of a carriage (not shown) including a printhead that moves perpendicular to the direction that the media advances over a printing area. With each pass, ink can be dispensed onto a medium to print an image. Hence, the carriage can pass the printheads over media multiple times to produce full-color results.
The printheads of inkjet printers eject drops of ink through small openings onto media. These small openings are commonly referred to as ejection nozzles. Each drop of ink forms a printed dot on media. A printed image is formed from numerous pixels that can include printed dots. The nozzles can fail to operate properly when, for example, they become clogged with debris. When this occurs, printing is stopped to clean or replace the defective printer nozzles. Accordingly, existing techniques for correcting for defective printer nozzles are counterproductive and unfit for modern high speed printers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Modifying image data to compensate for defective printer nozzles


Control panels for a drum type washing machine, and a dryer including a first control panel mounted on a position for a drum type washing machine or a dryer, having a key part for applying a command for controlling the drum type washing machine or the dryer, and a display part for displaying an image in accordance with the command applied through the key part, a second control panel mounted on a position for the drum type washing machine or the dryer in symmetry with the first control panel, having a key part for applying a command for controlling the drum type washing machine or the dryer, and a display part for displaying an image in accordance with the command applied through the key part, in symmetry with the key part, and the display part in the first control panel respectively, and a first, and a second controlling parts connected to the first control panel or the second control panel, for controlling operation of the appliances according to the command of the user applied through the first control panel or the second control panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to drum type washing machines and dryers, and more particularly, to control panels for a drum type washing machine and a dryer.
2. Background of the Related Art
In general, the washing machine washes laundry by carrying out washing, rinsing, and spinning cycles according to a preset algorithm, and is sorted as a pulsator type, an agitator type, and a drum type. At first, the drum type washing machine will be described. FIG. 1 illustrates a related art drum type washing machine.
Referring to FIG. 1, the related art drum type washing machine is provided with a body 101, a tub 102 fastened to an inside of the body 101 with dampers (not shown), a drum 103 for carrying out a washing related cycle as the laundry is introduced into the tub 102, and the drum 103 receives a driving force of a motor 110 through a belt 111, and rotated thereby, a thermister 104 for measuring a temperature of a washing water supplied to the drum 103, a detergent box 105 for introducing detergent, a water supply pipe 106 connected to the detergent box, for supplying washing water, mixed with or without the detergent, a discharge pipe 107 for discharging the washing water used in a washing cycle to an outside of the washing machine, and a pump 108 and a discharge hose 109 connected to an end of the discharge pipe 107 for forced discharge of the washing water.
The operation of the drum type washing machine will be described.
The user opens a door (not shown) on a front part of the body 101, introduces laundry, and provides a washing command through a control panel. Then, a controlling part (not shown) detects an amount of laundry, i.e., an amount of cloth in the drum 103, and fills the washing water up to a water level set required for the detected amount of cloth through the water supply pipe 106 via the detergent box 105.
When the washing water is filled to a level higher than a preset level, the motor 110 is put into operation, and the drum 103 is rotated, to progress the washing. Then, upon finishing the washing, the pump 108 is put into operation, to discharge the washing water to an outside of the washing machine through the discharge pipe 107 and the discharge hose 109, and, when the discharge of washing water is finished, rinsing, and spinning cycles are carried out in succession, thereby finishing washing.
In the meantime, a laundry dryer, for automatic drying of wet laundry after finish of washing, has a trend of an increasing demand, recently. FIG. 2 illustrates a related art laundry dryer.
Referring to FIG. 2, the related art dryer is provided with a drying chamber 220 in a case 210, an opening 230 in a front part of the case 210 for introducing laundry into the drying chamber 220, and a door 240 on the opening for opening/closing the opening 230. There is a motor 250 in an upper part of the case 210, so that the drying chamber 220 is receives a driving force from the motor 250 through a drying chamber belt 260, and rotated thereby. There are a plurality of fins 270 on an inside wall of the drying chamber 220 for circulating the laundry during rotation of the drying chamber 220.
In the meantime, there is a circulating duct 280 between a rear surface of the drying chamber 220 and the opening 230, for circulating heated air. Of course, at a position thereof, the circulating duct 280 is provided with a heater 212 for heating the air, and a fan 290 for circulating the heated air. In general, the fan 290 is driven by a motor 250 through a belt 211.
The circulating duct 280 has an external air supply duct 213 for supplying external air during the circulation of the air, and a condensed water discharge duct 214 for discharging condensed water formed during circulation of the air, each connected thereto.
The operation of the dryer will be described.
The user opens the door 240, introduces laundry intended to dry into the drying chamber 220, and closes the door 240. If the dryer is put into operation under this state, the motor 250 is started, to rotate the drying chamber 220. In this instance, the laundry is circulated as the laundry is lifted by the fins 270 on an inside surface of the drying chamber 220, and falls down by gravity.
In the meantime, since the rotating force of the motor 250 is transmitted, not only to the drying chamber 220, but also to the fan 290, air circulates through the circulating duct 280, and heated by the heater 212. Accordingly, the heated air supplied to the drying chamber evaporates moisture form the laundry in the drying chamber, thereby drying the laundry.
As described above, since the fan 290 keeps running when the air circulates, and dries the laundry, the external air is supplied to the air circulating duct 280 through the external air supply duct 213 connected to an outside of the dryer. Therefore, the circulating air, and the supplied external air are mixed together, and circulates, and the moisture in the air circulating along the circulating duct 280 is condensed, and discharged to an outside of the dryer through the condensed water discharge duct 214.
Since people in Europe, the USA, Canada, and etc., prefer separate use of the drum type washing machine and the dryer, in most of cases, the drum type washing machine, and the dryer are installed side by side.
In recent preference of home appliances, not only functions of products, but also outer appearances are very important factors, and, accordingly, it is recent trend that manufacturers put much efforts on improving an overall, or partial sense of beauty of the product.
In light of this trend, for a case the drum type washing machine and the dryer are installed side by side, the drum type washing machine and the dryer are manufactured in variety of forms, not only taking a functional aspect, but also the sense of beauty into account.
However, as described before, the related art drum type washing machine and dryer have the following problems.
First, even if the related art drum type washing machine and dryer are installed side by side, operation of the related art drum type washing machine and dryer are controlled separately with respective key operation parts, it has not been convenient for the user to understand the operation states at a look.
Second, since the related art drum type washing machine and dryer are installed side by side, which are manufactured without paying attention to harmony, the outer appearance is poor.
Third, even when positions of the related art drum type washing machine and dryer are exchanged due to gas pipe to the dryer, or other reasons, inconvenience of the user is caused.

Control panels for drum type washing machine and dryer


The present invention relates to compounds represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Z represents Gly or Cys; X represents an (.alpha.-amino acid residue; Y represents a natural calcitonin moiety, a partial natural calcitonin peptide moiety, or a natural calcitonin-like peptide moiety; m represents an integer of 5-8, .alpha.-amino acid residues represented by X being the same or different; and n represents an integer of 0-3; provided that when m is 5, the sequence of 4 C-terminal residues of --(X).sub.m -- is different from the sequence of the third to sixth amino acids of natural calcitonin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

So far, calcitonin, derived from eel, salmon, human beings, pigs, fowl, cattle, sheep, rats and stingray, has been known as natural calcitonin. Calcitonin peptides of such various origins are all polypeptides consisting of 32 amino acids that have the common characteristics, that is, the first and the seventh amino acids are L-cysteine, mercapto groups of these two amino acids form a disulfide bond and the carboxyl terminals are prolinamide.
The disulfide bond of these various calcitonins is expected to be unstable in a solution. To solve this problem, calcitonin derivatives were known to be prepared in which the first amino acid cysteine was deleted, the seventh amino acid cysteine was replaced by .alpha.-amino acid having a kind of lower carboxyalkylene group, and the side-chain carboxyl group of this amino acid and .alpha.-amino group of the second amino acid were combined to form an amide bond (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Nos. 128993/76, 59688/78, and 112099/86). Particularly, the analogues based on the eel calcitonin sequence have been provided for practicable use as therapeutic agents against bone Paget disease, hypercalcemia, and osteoporosis. Analogues of this type in which single bonds in alkylene chain are partially replaced by double bond(s) or triple bond(s) are also known (WO 93/15106). As calcitonin analogues prepared for the same purpose, there are also known polypeptides in which the first amino acid is replaced by glycine or .beta.-alanine, the seventh amino acid is replaced by aspartic acid or glutamic acid, and an amide bond is formed between the .alpha.-amino group of the former and the side-chain carboxyl group of the latter, and peptides in which alkylene groups are partially replaced by phenylene group in addition to the above modifications (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Nos. 262595/90 and 178993/91).
Further, many kinds of calcitonin analogues prepared for the purpose of improving physiological activities of natural calcitonin have been reported [e.g., Endocrinology, vol. 117, p. 801 (1985), Eur. J. Biochem., vol. 159, p. 125 (1986), Biochem. Biophys, Res. Commun., vol. 152, p. 203 (1988), Endocrinology, vol. 127, p. 163 (1990)].


Described is the use of a recombinant single-strand monellin taken alone or further together with sclareolide and/or succinic acid for enhancing the alcoholic impact of a fruit liqueur beverage.

Our invention provides food and beverage flavor formulations containing both plant-derived and recombinant monellin derivatives and analogues thereof.
Various flavor formulations containing both natural and synthetic materials such as chocolate flavors, fruit flavors, various flavors used to augment or enhance the aroma and taste of alcoholic beverages, and mint flavors lack impact on dilution and have unpleasant aftertastes such as metallic aftertaste, acid aftertaste and bitter aftertaste. Such aftertastes are enhanced when using various artificial sweeteners such as the various types of thaumatin.
Accordingly, a need has arisen to create flavor enhancement of foodstuffs and beverages containing such flavor nuances. Furthermore, a need has arisen to create enhancement of such flavors for foodstuffs and beverages which also contain artificial sweeteners such as thaumatin; and particularly, alcohol-containing beverages, such as cordials, and low-fat peanut butter.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,478,923 issued on Dec. 26, 1995; 5,264,558 issued on Nov. 23, 1993 and 5,487,983 issued on Jan. 30, 1996 describe single-chain monellin analogues as low calorie, protein sweeteners as well as expression systems for making such single-chain monellin analogues. Nothing in these patents, however, discloses the utilization of such single-chain monellin analogues for augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of foodstuffs and beverages which contain high percentages of alcohol or which contain high percentages of alcohol in combination with artificial sweeteners such as thaumatin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,984 issued on Nov. 1, 1983 discloses flavored oral compositions containing thaumatin or monellin at a flavor potentiating level which level is below the sweetness threshold of thaumatin or monellin, respectively, in the composition. U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,984 further discloses a flavoring composition comprising a solution or dispersion of a flavoring agent in a carrier therefor and also contains thaumatin or monellin at a flavor potentiating level which level is below the level required to provide sweetness in a substrate when a flavoring composition is added thereto in a flavoring amount. In Example I at columns 2 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,984, a formulation containing 10% by weight glycerol, 10% ethanol, 0.05% cetyl pyridinium chloride, 0.066% cinnamon and mint flavor, 0.005 to 0.01% saccharin, 0.0001% thaumatin and water (up to 100%) is disclosed. The effects of using single-chain monellin analogues or natural monellin in place of the thaumatin or in addition to the thaumatin in such formulations containing ethyl alcohol is not recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,984.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,747 issued on Nov. 22, 1994 discloses the use of succinic acid taken alone or taken further together with sclareolide in enhancing the organoleptic properties of foodstuffs. Nothing is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,747 concerning the combination of such succinic acid taken alone or further together with sclareolide in combination with either the single-chain monellin analogues of our invention or with natural monellin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,207 issued on Mar. 12, 1991 discloses the improvement on the taste of foodstuffs especially having a sweet aftertaste and an astringent and other unpleasant aftertastes by means of the addition of sclareolide thereto. Although thaumatin is mentioned at column 8, line 28 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,207, the specific impact of single-chain monellin analogues or natural monellin on the depression of such aftertastes is neither set forth nor is it implied in said U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,207.
In general, nothing in the prior art discloses the use of single-chain monellin analogues or natural monellin or its analogues in augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of ethyl alcohol-containing beverages and foodstuffs, particularly when such ethyl alcohol-containing beverages or foodstuffs also contain thaumatin or succinic acid or sclareolide.

Fruit liqueur beverage containing recombinant monellin to enhance the alcoholic impact


An improved and efficient ice-fishing tip-up spool having a generally cylindrical shape comprising an arbor configured within a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the arbor has a diameter larger than conventional ice fishing tip-up spools. The larger arbor on the improved and efficient spool decreases the amount of fishing line required to have a full spool which can be achieved with less than 100 feet of fishing line. The large arbor spool also comprises a handle which is integrated onto the second wall and makes the spooling and re-spooling quicker in combination with the larger arbor as the fishing line spooled on per revolution is more than the fishing line spooled on per revolution by conventional ice fishing tip-up spools.

Ice fishing is a great way to go outdoors and enjoy the sport of fishing in the winter where the lakes freeze over. In order to ice fish, the right equipment will make the sport more enjoyable. A tip-up is one such equipment that ice fishing enthusiasts use. A tip-up is a tool that allows anglers to suspend a piece of bait at a set depth through a hole drilled in the ice. Once a fish strikes the bait, a spring-loaded flag will pop-up (tip-up) to signal the angler that a fish has taken their bait. Tip-ups allow ice fishermen to fish multiple holes at the same time and fish various depths at once. There are different kinds of tip-ups to choose from, however each one will need a spool that connects to one end of the tip-up. Most, if not all, tip-ups are designed so that the line spool is underwater when the tip-up is set up. The fishing line is wound onto the spool and it holds the line. Essentially, in one such tip-up design, a shaft holds the spool on one end, and the other end has the trip bar which is mounted to the flagpole that springs up. The line will run from the spool down into the water. There is some triggering mechanism that causes the flagpole to spring up when the fish takes the bait.
Current methods of putting the line on the spool involves manually winding the line onto the arbor of the spool or using a setup involving a drill that rotates the spool while manually holding the line so it winds onto the arbor. This is generally a tedious and time-consuming process. The arbor is the section of the spool onto which the line is wound on. The arbors will hold approximately 400 feet to 600 feet of line and the spools will operate at greater efficiency when near full. When the fish catches the bait, it will run the line either till the end of the line on the spool or when the fisherman stops the line from running. In either case, the line will need to be respooled back on to the spool. Respooling the line is time consuming and inefficient. Thus, there remains a need for an improved and efficient spool for tip-up ice fishing.
Hence, there remains a need for an improved and more suitable device that overcomes the above-described problems associated with most available spools and solutions specific for ice-fishing.


An asymmetric switch which minimizes transistor exposure to high voltage includes one pair of P-channel transistors with both N-wells coupled back to the programming voltage source and one pair of P-channel transistors with independent N-wells. Two pairs of N-channel transistors and an inverting circuit are also included to provide complementary input voltages to the switch. The P-channel and N-channel transistors used as guard devices may be biased by the same voltage or separate voltages.

The power and flexibility of personal computers has grown tremendously in terms of their use in many areas. Personal computers typically contain a microprocessor chip, random access memory and non-volatile memory provided by semi-conductor memory chips. Non-volatile memory retains previously stored information within the memory even when power is removed from the chip. One type of non-volatile memory, which will be referred to as flash memory, uses floating gate technology and may be electrically erased rather than erased by an external energy source such as ultraviolet light. Flash memories may also be programmed electrically by using a high-voltage programming current.
Flash memories have used complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) level-shifting circuits to switch to the high voltage required for programming operations. In a typical flash memory, the high voltage required for programming operations is controlled by 5-volt logic signals. These signals require a level-shifting circuit for switching to the higher voltages needed for programming, normally in the range of 10 to 13 volts. A typical level-shifting circuit for CMOS devices is shown in FIG. 1. The circuit is symmetrical, comprising a cascode configured pairs of P-channel and N-channel transistors. A cascode configuration is normally used to avoid snapback problems with metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), such as transistors 10, 12, 14 and 16, during high voltage switching. A disadvantage to this type of circuit is that one of the P-channel transistors, either 18 or 20, is coupled to Vss (ground) at its drain when their respective NMOS transistors are conducting, which results in a high reverse bias voltage (Vpp) on the drain to N-well junction. Another disadvantage is that one of the P-channel devices, either 14 or 16, is coupled to high voltage (Vpp) across its gate oxide while the device is activated, which may result in the deterioration and failure of the flash memory over time.
FIG. 2 illustrates a second known circuit which includes transistors 30 and 34 having their respective N-wells coupled to their sources. This approach limits the drain to N-well junction voltage to a level corresponding to a bias voltage (Vpt) minus the threshold voltage of the P-channel transistor. While this approach does limit the drain to N-well voltage on the P-channel transistors, one of the P-channel devices, either 32 or 36 depending on which of the devices is activated, still experiences a"Vpp" voltage differential across its gate oxide. As a result, the risk of deterioration and failure of the flash memory still exists.
Therefore, a need exists for a level-shifting switch which minimizes P-channel transistor exposure to high voltages on drain to N-well junctions and gate oxides, particularly in switching applications where the switch is known to be in one of its two logic states for most of the time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an asymmetric switch arranged to minimize transistor exposure to high voltage is provided. The switch, in a particular embodiment, comprises a pair of P-channel transistors with both N-wells coupled back to the programming voltage source and a pair of P-channel transistors with independent N-wells. Two pairs of N-channel transistors and an inverting circuit provide complementary input voltages to the switch. The P-channel and N-channel transistors may be biased by the same voltage or separate voltages.
In one embodiment, the present invention comprises: first and second P-channel MOSFETs in cascode connection with the first P-channel MOSFET source and first and second P-channel MOSFET N-wells being coupled to a first voltage; third and fourth P-channel MOSFETs in serial connection having independent N-wells, with the third P-channel MOSFET source being coupled to the first voltage and the gates of the second and fourth P-channel MOSFETs being coupled to a second voltage; the first P-channel gate being coupled to the fourth P-channel MOSFET source, and the third P-channel MOSFET gate being coupled to the second P-channel MOSFET drain forming an output line; and first, second, third, and fourth N-channel MOSFETs, the first and second N-channel MOSFETs being in serial connection with the output line, the third and fourth N-channel MOSFETs being in serial connection with the fourth P-channel MOSFET drain, the gates of the second and fourth N-channel MOSFETs being coupled to the second voltage, and the gates of the first and third N-channel MOSFETs being coupled to receive complementary input signals.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to present each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the associated description which follow.

Switch for minimizing transistor exposure to high voltage


The present invention relates to systems and methods for visual image audio composition. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for audio composition from a diversity of visual images and user determined sound database sources.

Listeners and viewers may associate a visual experience with an audio experience, or an audio experience with a visual experience. In certain settings the association of a visual experience with an audio experience may have particular value in, for example, personal entertainment, the entertainment industry, advertising, sports, game playing, inter-personal and inter-institutional communication and the like. At present, however, it is not possible for a user to acquire a preferred visual image, text and/or global positioning system (GPS) data and convert it to a preferred audio composition in real time wherein the user's preferences guide a computer system to generate an audio composition that comprises, for example, the user's input relating to one or more visual image regions, the user's input relating to one or more audio parameters, the user's input relating to methods of generating the audio output, the user's input relating to compatibility of one or more audio outputs, and/or the user's input relating methods of audio storage, reproduction and distribution. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods, systems, devices and kits for conversion of a preferred visual image to a preferred audio composition in, for example, real time and/or off-line.

Systems and methods for visual image audio composition based on user input


A mobile terminal includes a terminal body having a display unit; a band connected with both ends of the terminal body; and a manipulation unit disposed on the terminal body and moving in multiple directions based on a central shaft.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is directed to a mobile communication terminal that can be worn on a user's arm or wrist.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
There exists conventional mobile terminals that can be hand carried and has one or more functions such as voice and video call communication, inputting and outputting information, storing data, and the like.
As such functions become more diversified, the mobile terminal can support more complicated functions such as capturing images or video, reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcast signals, and the like. By comprehensively and collectively implementing such functions, the mobile terminal may be embodied in the form of a multimedia player or device.
In order to implement various functions, numerous attempts are being made in terms of hardware or software. For example, a user interface is provided to allow users to easily and conveniently search for and select one or more functions.
Also, as users consider their mobile terminal to be a personal portable device, various designs may be applied for mobile terminals to express personality of users.
Conventional mobile terminals are sized to be held in hand, so users carry around their mobile terminal in a hand-held manner or carry around their mobile terminal in pockets, purses or belt clips. However, conventional handheld mobile terminals can easily be lost or inadvertently dropped while being carried around.
Mobile terminals that can be put on like clothes, ornaments or a wristwatch have been proposed. However, for such a concept to be realized, it is required that such a device have good usability without degrading its external appearance.


A shirt storage and package apparatus for the shipping, storage, and display of shirts is described. The apparatus, preferably made of integrally molded polyvinylchloride plastic to insure visibility, includes a top cover having a generally rectangular shape; an upright collar insert integrally molded within and perpendicular to the plane of the cover; a bottom cover substantially identical to and placed opposite in orientation to the top cover; a means for moving the top and bottom covers between an open and a closed position; and a means for releasably locking the top and bottom covers to one another. The upright collar insert is adapted to fit within a shirt collar, thereby maintaining the the shirt in a non-crushable position. Two shirts can be accommodated in a back-to-back position and opposite orientation from one another within each apparatus, thereby allowing easy user and consumer inspection.

Plastic packages are made in a diversity of shapes and sizes for the display and storage of merchandise. Some plastic packages are designed for visual inspection so that customers can make informed purchasing decisions without having to open a package, while others are opaque and provide protection during the shipping and transportation of an item.
Semi-rigid plastic bubble packages, in which a plastic bubble is molded to conform to a certain shape and size and is affixed to a plastic or paper backing, find extensive use in rack merchandising of items. Reclosable plastic packaging provides added advantages of possible "hands on" inspection of an item and storage of remaining, unused portions of items.
Plastic packaging for articles of clothing has been directed toward small accessory items like jewelry, belts, ties, and hair ribbons, and crushable items such as hosiery and slippers. Such packaging is generally of a semi-rigid bubble type or small, rigid, half-opaque hinged box type, that provides limited visual inspection of an item. Neither of these types of packaging is adaptable for larger items of clothing that would provide protection from crumpling and wrinkling and yet allow nearly complete visual inspection for consumer information.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a plastic package that would be adaptable for larger articles of clothing. It further would be desirable to provide a rigid plastic container to prevent articles contained therein from being crushed and wrinkled. Semi-rigid plastic bubbles with paper or plastic backings and cardboard boxes do not provide sufficient rigidity to overcome this difficulty.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,029, issued Jan. 3, 1989 to Campbell et al, shows a shoe display and storage device. The device is a transparent plastic container whose bottom portion is molded in a preformed shape to receive a pair of shoes. The shoes are placed adjacent each other with a toe of one shoe lying near a heel of its partner shoe. The preformed shape of the molded container bottom serves to lock the pair of shoes into position for shipment and display purposes. A variety of mold forms are employed to create shoe devices that will accommodate different sizes and styles of men's, women's and children's shoes.
It would be desirable to provide a plastic package that would allow complete visual inspection of one or more shirts for the information of a customer. Additionally, it would be desirable to have such a package maintain a shirt collar in a non-movable position during shipping, display and of storage of the shirt.


Methods and Systems for image reconstruction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are provided. The method includes receiving MRI data and storing the received MRI data. The method further includes reordering the stored MRI data during an image reconstruction.

This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly, to methods and systems for performing image reconstruction in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system.
With an increase in image resolution and complexity in three-dimensional (3D) imaging in Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI), large volumes of MRI data are generated while performing MRI scans. During image construction, the MRI data is typically processed by performing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The FFT is used for backprojecting the MRI data. This, FFT process is often the most time consuming process in the image reconstruction.
The FFT is performed by computing machines or processors that usually operate using a hierarchical architecture for storing data. The MRI data in these computing machines may be stored at four different levels, namely in a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a cache memory, and a plurality of registers. With respect to the four levels, the hard disk can store the maximum volume of data and the register can store the minimum. However, the rate at which the data can be accessed for performing image reconstruction is maximum for the register and minimum for the hard disk. As a result, MRI data is stored in the RAM, and for efficiently performing image reconstruction, a part of the MRI data is transferred to the cache memory.
In the RAM, the 3D MRI image data is stored linearly. Thus, only one of three dimensions of the stored image data is contiguous in the RAM, and the other two dimensions are spaced apart across the RAM. As a result of this linear storage, the access of data (while performing a FFT) along the dimension for which the data is contiguous is efficient. The access of data along the other two dimensions is less efficient as this data is stored in different non-contiguous locations in the RAM. As a result, when the cache memory sends a request to RAM to access data along these two dimensions, a significant amount of time may be required to identify and locate the data along these two dimensions. In addition, due to the spaced apart storage of data along these two dimensions, cache misses may occur while accessing this data.

Method and system for performing image reconstruction in a magnetic resonance imaging system


A character recognition device to recognize characters in a text image read by an image scanner having a first recognition device to recognize the characters in the text image using a first character recognition method and a second recognition device to recognize the characters in the text image using a second character recognition method different from the first character recognition method. An extraction device extracts locations of recognized characters in the text image wherein the recognition results of the first recognition device do not coincide with the recognition results of the second recognition device. An output device outputs character recognition results designating the non-coinciding locations extracted by the extraction device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for and a method of recognizing characters in text images read by an image scanner, and to a computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to implement a character recognition method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a character recognition device, a method of character recognition and a computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to implement a character recognition method which allow a user to efficiently determine erroneously read characters in the character recognition results.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is currently a need for electronic recognition and storage of text to make the work flow in offices more efficient. To perform the electronic recognition and storage of the text, the text is read by an image scanner to convert the text to an electronic form, character recognition is performed and erroneously read characters are revised through manual input.
However, there is currently no technology available that enables character recognition devices to perform completely error-free character recognition. As a result, a cumbersome process is required to detect the erroneously read characters when conventional character recognition operations are carried out. Specifically, text that is to be electronically processed is read with an image scanner, character recognition is performed, erroneously read characters are detected manually, and the text is then further processed electronically by manually inputting revisions to the erroneously read characters. The user detects the erroneously read characters by comparing the text that is to be electronically processed with the text recognition results that have been processed by the character recognition device.
There is currently no support technology available in the prior art to ensure that the types of operations described above to detect erroneously read characters can be carried out efficiently.
A conventional character recognition device uses a method with the highest possible degree of character recognition accuracy when text that is to be electronically processed is read with an image scanner, character recognition is performed and the text is electronically processed by revising the erroneously read characters using manual input.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-114620 discloses a character recognition device which performs character recognition with a high recognition rate. More particularly, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-114620 discloses a character recognition device and method wherein handwritten characters input using a stylus pen or the like are recognized using multiple character recognition programs respectively using different recognition methods. The characters having the highest evaluation value out of those characters recognized by the character recognition program are determined to be "recognized characters". The multiple recognition character candidates are determined in the order of highest evaluation value and passed on to an application program.
In accordance with the conventional character recognition device, when text that is not electronically processed is read by an image scanner and character recognition of the text is performed, the user then detects the erroneously read characters by comparing the text prior to electronic processing with the recognition results after electronic processing, and the text is then electronically processed by revising the erroneously read characters.
However, the above-described conventional character recognition technology results in problems in that the operations required are extremely burdensome. In particular, the user has to search for the erroneously read characters by visually comparing each character of the text to be electronically processed with each character of the text recognition results recognized by the character recognition device.

Character recognition device and method for detecting erroneously read characters, and computer readable medium to implement character recognition


A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate having a pixel electrode formed of a conductor, a counter substrate having a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer held between the substrates and containing liquid crystal molecules set in a vertical alignment with respect to the substrates. The pixel electrode had a void space located in the conductor to provide minute domains between which different directors of the liquid crystal molecules are obtained when a potential difference is applied between the array and counter electrodes, and a bridge-wiring member interconnecting adjacent parts of the conductor in the void space, and the bride-wiring member is configured to make an electric field created in a part of the pixel area located on the bridge-wiring member weaker than that created in the minutes domains according to the potential difference.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liquid crystal display device wherein a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of electrode substrates and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device whose a liquid crystal layer is divided into a plurality of domains between which liquid crystal molecules are set in different tilt directions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal display devices are applied in various fields of OA equipments, information terminals, watches, televisions and the like because of their characteristics of lightness, thinness and low power consumption. Particularly, an active matrix type liquid crystal display panel has an excellent response characteristic obtained by thin film transistors (TFTs) for switching pixels. Thus, the active matrix type liquid crystal display panel is used as a monitor display for a portable TV or a computer, which is required to quickly display a large quantity of image information.
In recent years, with an increase in quantity of information, there is a demand for enhancement of the resolution and display speed of the liquid crystal display panel. As a technique of enhancing the resolution and display speed of the liquid crystal display panel, the number of increased by miniaturization of the TFT array structure. In this case, a liquid crystal display mode, which can provide a response speed of liquid crystal molecules twice to several tens of times higher than current level, is required to change the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in a period shortened according to the increase in the number of pixels. Such an liquid crystal display mode can be selected from Optically Compensated Birefringence (OCB), Vertically Aligned Nematic (VAN), Hybrid Aligned Nematic (HAN), and n-alignment modes using a nematic liquid crystal and Surface-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal (SSFLC) and Anti-Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal (AFLC) modes using a smectic liquid crystal, for example.
Particular attention has recently been paid to the VAN mode, which has a higher response speed than the conventional twisted nematic (TN) mode and adopts vertical alignment treatment, thus dispensing with a conventional rubbing process that may cause defects such as electrostatic destruction. Moreover, a design for viewing angle compensation becomes easier when the VAN mode is employed. The viewing angle can be enlarged by a multi-domain structure in which a liquid crystal layer of each pixel is divided into a plurality of domains between which liquid crystal molecules are set in different tilt directions.
When the multi-domain structure of the VAN mode is applied to pixels of the liquid crystal display device, the plurality of domains are created, for example, by distorting an electric field applied from each electrode to the liquid crystal layer, with a use of a slit formed inside the electrode or an insulating body formed periphery of the electrode, so that the tilt directions can be determined according to the dielectric constant anisotropy of a liquid crystal material and the distorted electric field.
FIG. 13 shows an example of the conventional liquid crystal display device in which a slit is formed to obtain a pixel with the multi-domain structure. A pixel electrode includes a plurality of electrode segments 1 which are separated by the slit 2 and set to the same potential by use of a bridge-wiring member 3. The bridge-wiring member 3 is integrally formed with the electrode segments 1 as a wiring which electrically connects the electrode segments 1 to each other on the same plane. Since the bridge-wiring member 3 is formed across a part of the slit 2, it causes an undesired distortion of the electric field defined in the liquid crystal layer by the slit 2. As a result, not only useful domains between which the tilt directions of liquid crystal molecules 4 depend on the slit 2 but also useless domains between which the tilt directions of the liquid crystal molecules 4 depend on the bridge-wiring member 3 may be caused by application of the electric field. When this is practically observed by use of a polarization microscope, a black line 5 which is called a schlieren texture is observed on the boundary between the above domains.
FIG. 14 shows the cross section taken along the XIV-XIV line of FIG. 13, for illustrating the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 4 adjacent to both ends of the bridge-wiring member 3. In this example, since electric flux lines 6 are not inclined as distortion of the electric field by the slit 2, the liquid crystal molecules 4 are aligned with those on the slit 2 side in two directions. FIG. 15 shows the cross section taken along the XV-XV line of FIG. 13, for illustrating the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 4 adjacent to both sides of the bridge-wiring member 3. In this example, the liquid crystal molecules 4 are influenced by the inclination of the electric flux lines 6, and are aligned in two directions that differ from those of FIG. 14. That is, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 4 is set in four directions within a local area including the bridge-wiring member 3.
When a mechanical shock is given to the liquid crystal display device by depressing the display screen with a finger during an image display operation, an irregular alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 4 occurs as shown in FIG. 16. Since the electric flux lines 6 are not inclined in positions adjacent to the both ends of the bridge-wiring member 3 in the cross section taken along the XVII-XVII line of FIG. 16, the liquid crystal molecules 4 can be aligned in any direction as shown in FIG. 17 from the alignment state is shown in FIG. 14 by external force. If the irregular alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 4 occurs in practice as shown in FIG. 16, this causes a phenomenon that the domain depending on the bridge-wiring member 3 becomes larger, and at the same time, the domain depending on the slit 2 becomes smaller. As a result, the black line 5 of the schlieren texture becomes longer as shown in FIG. 16 and gives an influence to the transmittance and the influence is visually observed as display irregularity on the display screen. If the electric field is kept applied for image display, it takes a long time for the liquid crystal molecules to return to the original alignment state in which no irregularity occurs, with a movement of misalignment called disclination. As a result, the display irregularity will be present until the liquid crystal molecules 4 return to the original alignment state shown in FIG. 14.
Further, in the liquid crystal display device of the CPA (Continuous Pinwheel Alignment) mode, each pixel is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels and the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules are set in rotation symmetry about the midpoint of the sub-pixel. The electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer from a plurality of sub-pixel electrode segments of, for example, a square form having high symmetry. Thus, the same problem occurs when a bridge-wiring member is provided as wirings that electrically connect the sub-pixel electrode segments to set them to the same potential without requiring a redundant wiring space.

Liquid crystal display device with a bridge wiring member with an electric field weaker than that created in minute domains above the pixel electrode

Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.


An image processing method of processing an image for diagnosis support enhances a circular shadow existing in an image by enhancing the pixel value gradient of the circular image, and extracts an isolated shadow from the enhanced image.

With recent advances in digital technology, a radiographic image is transformed into a digital image signal, which is displayed on a CRT or the like or printed out upon being subjected to image processing. In addition, recently, a diagnosis support apparatus which automatically extracts a tumor shadow or the like from a radiographic image has been developed. An image containing the tumor shadow or the like extracted by the diagnosis support apparatus is often displayed on a film or CRT.
Such methods of automatically extracting isolated shadows include, for example, the isolated shadow extraction method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,156. This method will be described briefly. A differential image between a tumor shadow enhanced image and a tumor shadow suppressed image is generated. Multiple threshold processing is performed for the generated differential image, and known labeling processing is simultaneously performed, thereby calculating a feature amount such as a roundness from an isolated shadow having a value that is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold and extracting an isolated shadow on the basis of the feature amount at the same time.
As another method of automatically extracting isolated shadows, the following extraction method is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,571,132. A component of a normalized gradient ∇fij/|∇fij| of image data fij of each pixel Pij (i=1, 2, . . . , 8; j=1, 2, 3) in the direction of a line segment Li is obtained by ∇fij/|∇fij|*ei (where ei represents a unit vector extending from each pixel Pij to a predetermined pixel P0, and * represents the inner product). (Note that the unit vectors ei are those extending from the pixel P0 in eight directions including horizontal directions, vertical directions, and 45° directions.)
Then, assuming that the inward direction (the direction toward the predetermined pixel P0) of the component is positive, and the outward direction is negative, the maximum value of each line segment Li (i=1, 2, . . . , 8) is obtained as follows:{∇fij/|∇fij|*ei}M (i=1, 2, . . . , 8)In addition, the sum of these maximum values {∇fij/|∇fij|*ei}M is obtained. This sum is compared as a feature value C2 with a predetermined threshold Th2. Depending on whether C2≧Th2 or C2<Th2, it is determined whether or not the predetermined pixel P0 is a pixel in each tumor shadow. In addition, a quoit like morphological filter used to extract an isolated shadow is described in "Study on Automatic Lung Cancer Lesion Recognition Using 3D Morphological Filter" (Masato Nakayama et al., Proceedings of Japanese Society of Medical Imaging Technology 95, pp. 155-16 (1995). This technique uses a Q filter expressed by a combination of a D filter (Disk Filter) having a radius ri and an R filter (Ring Filter) having inner radii r2 and r3. This transform is called Q transform. More specifically, Q transform is the processing of subtracting the pixel value obtained after Dilation using the R filter from the pixel value obtained after Dilation using the D filter. The processing of performing Q transform of an image after Q transform will be referred to as inverse Q transform. The relationship between Q transform and inverse Q transform is similar to that between Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform. This is because, Q transform can be regarded as a process of extracting a Q filter component in an image, and inverse Q transform can be regarded as a process of inversely transforming the extracted component to express it in the original image space.
The following is the definition expression of the Q filter. If the D filter (Disk Filter) D(x, y) and R filter (Ring Filter) R(x, y) are represented byD(x, y)=0: for x2+y2≦r12_∞: for others  (1)R(x, y)=0: for r22≦x2+y2≦r32_∞: for others  (2)then, Q transform is represented byG(x, y)=f(x, y)ΘD(x, y)−f(x, y)ΘR(x, y)  (3)where Θ represents Dilation. When an original image is represented by f(x, y), and a filter function is given by h(x, y), thenf(x, y)Θh(x, y)=max{f(x+x1, y+y1)+h(x1, y1) |(x1, y1)εK}  (4)where K is the domain of the filter function.
According to the inventions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,156 and Japanese Patent No. 2,571,132, isolated shadows can be enhanced. However, for example, in a chest image, images of regions other than an isolated shadow, e.g., edge portions such as a vomer shadow, are also enhanced. Consequently, not all regions with pixel values equal to or more than a predetermined value on an image after enhancement do indicate isolated shadow regions. In order to extract only an isolated shadow, therefore, some kind of feature extraction processing must be done with respect to an enhanced image.
In such processing, when a vomer shadow and tumor shadow are located near each other or they overlap, it is difficult to separate the tumor shadow from the vomer shadow, resulting in a deterioration in tumor extraction precision. In the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,571,132, in particular, if the pixel value gradient of an entire region in which a tumor exists is stronger than that of a tumor shadow, a normalized vector representing the tumor shadow cannot be properly calculated, resulting in a deterioration in tumor shadow extraction precision. This raises a problem in extracting a tumor shadow existing near the periphery of the lung field from, for example, a chest frontal image.
When a quoit-like morphological filter disclosed in "Study on Automatic Lung Cancer Lesion Recognition Using 3D Morphological Filter" is used, only an isolated shadow can be extracted. Therefore, feature amount extraction processing and the like need not be performed for isolated shadow extraction. In addition, even if a vomer shadow and tumor shadow overlap, only the tumor shadow can be extracted.
In practice, however, tumor shadows rarely exist in a bulging state, and tumor portions generally blend as images with surrounding images like stains. For this reason, a quoit-like morphological filter is not suited for the extraction of an actual tumor shadow existing in, for example, a chest image. This is because a quoit-like morphological filter works well only when a tumor shadow bulges from surrounding images. This raises a problem in extracting a tumor shadow existing near the periphery of the lung field in, for example, a chest frontal image.

Diagnosis support apparatus and image processing method


A system and method involve driver-side high beams to be selectively deactivated for oncoming traffic. It is intended to allow passenger-side high beams to continue operation to preserve the driver's peripheral vision. The driver's side high beam is manually controlled by a separate switch. During use, when an oncoming vehicle approaches, the activation of the switch allows the driver to deactivate only the driver side high beam while the passenger side high beam remains activated. This produces a situation in which the oncoming driver is no longer blinded, but the vehicle driver still maintains the extended vision of the high beam on the left-hand side of the vehicle.

While driving at night, one inevitably encounters the situation where the extended range of high beam headlights are necessary. However, when one encounters oncoming traffic, it is necessary to turn off the high beams to avoid blinding the oncoming driver. This produces a situation in which the driver's eyes suddenly need to refocus from a distant position eliminated by the high beams to a much closer position eliminated by the low beams. This rapid refocusing is difficult on the driver's eyes and may easily result in not seeing an obstacle in the road ahead during the time the eye takes to refocus.
This refocusing must occur every time the high beams are activated and deactivated, which can take a toll on the user's vision, especially those who are elderly and/or may have existing vision impairments. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the rapid refocusing of a driver's eyes from high beam range to low beam range can be reduced. The use of the present invention allows for increased headlight range and reduction of eye re-focusing, all while eliminating the blinding of oncoming drivers, thus providing safe driving conditions for all.

Vehicle high beam with selective directional illumination