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This paper seeks to develop a reliable and computationally efficient method for estimating and predicting large‐amplitude optical flows via taking into consideration their coherence along the time dimension.

Although the differential‐based techniques for estimating optical flows have long been in wide use owing to the relative simplicity of their mathematical description, their applicability is known to be limited to the situations, when the optical flow has a relatively small norm. In order to extend such method to deal with large‐amplitude optical flows, it is proposed to model the optical flow as a composition of its time‐delayed version and a complementary optical flow. The former is used to predict the current optical flow and, subsequently, to warp forward the preceding image of the tracking sequence, while the latter accounts for the residual displacements that are estimated using Kalman filtering based on the “small norm” assumption.

The study shows that taking into consideration the temporal coherence of optical flows results in considerable improvement in the quality of their estimation in the case when the amplitude of the optical flow is relatively large and, hence, the “small norm” assumption is not applicable.

In the present work, the algorithm is formulated under the assumption that the optical flow is affine. This assumption may be restrictive in practice. Consequently, an important direction to extend this work is to consider more general classes of optical flows.

The main contribution of the present study is the use of multigrid methods and a projection scheme to relate the state equation to the apparent image motion.

THE emergence of high speed military transmission systems, led to the adoption of a Data Bus system, whose parameters were defined by Mil‐Std‐1553B. Since its introduction several years ago, it has developed into a fully matured standard, with a worldwide acceptance from Government bodies, armed forces and industry. This has meant that the large bundle of cables have been replaced by a single twisted pair of wires. The effect of this on the industry has been to reduce the number of connectors.

This paper presents an analysis of the impact of electronic commerce on firms in the telecommunications equipment industry.

Using the OECD's value chain methodology, electronic commerce initiatives identified in the optical connectivity value chain were analyzed for each of the four layers of the chain, namely network operators, system integrators, assemblers and sub‐assemblers.

The findings from our case studies indicate that electronic commerce initiatives primarily influence process and relational innovations through supply chain collaboration. The real benefits of electronic commerce come from end‐to‐end visibility in the supply chain, and from the implementation of demand‐pull strategies for all levels of the optical connectivity equipment value chain.

Future research should concentrate on the impact of various emerging electronic marketplaces in demand‐driven integrated supply chains.

Results reveal to managers how e‐commerce can strengthen business relationships in the supply chain and how it can trigger information visibility through collaborative electronic tools.

The use of lasers to selectively solder joints in electronic assemblies has a number of advantages over methods which involve heating of the whole assembly. However, the localised energy delivery means that the heating and melting behaviour of the solder is particularly dependent on external and process influences. This paper aims to propose a new approach to monitoring and feedback control of the melting process through image acquisition and processing.

In order to evaluate the proposed feedback strategy, a series of experiments have been performed using a semiconductor diode laser controlled by a PC, which also performs image acquisition and processing operations. Two main processing techniques, based on edge detection and Fourier analysis, have been evaluated.

It has been shown that the proposed technique is capable of controlling laser pulse duration to correct for variations in joint geometry, material parameters and laser energy delivery and results in more consistent solder joint formation than is achieved using fixed pulse durations.

The results demonstrate that image processing is a viable technique for the control of laser soldering processes. This could significantly increase the range of applications of laser soldering techniques where determination and control of pulse parameters have been one of the major challenges.

Although some work has been conducted on the use of pyrometer feedback to control laser processing, it appears that no work has been published on the use of image processing. While the processing algorithms themselves are not novel, this is a new application of these algorithms.

Imitative innovation, defined as applying innovation in the same way in another organization, has been adopted by many companies. This paper seeks to focus on how a competent follower of R&D capability can employ such an innovative strategy and minimize risk by using existing organizational resources to enhance innovation capabilities.

An in‐depth case study is applied of resource management experience at a Taiwanese optical storage media manufacturing outlet and then the Sirmon resource management model is extended to offer a process model for imitative innovation capability development.

The imitative innovation process is deconstructed into four phases and three main sub‐processes for effective resource management, namely, structuring, bundling and leveraging activities. The study also found that there are four modes of effective resource management for a successful imitative innovation process: identifying position and confirming innovation strategy; examining core competences and exploring gaps in imitative innovation; deploying specific resources and complementary assets; and restructuring an industry's ecological environment.

The study offers researchers and practitioners a more detailed view of applicable resource management for successful imitative innovation.

Your computer may talk to other computers with light, over a glass data highway — fibre optic cabling. Since more and more personal computers and terminals are being connected to larger computer networks with light‐carrying fibre optics, you should know some of the do's and don'ts on how to use them and take care of them. Once you determine that your workstation uses pulses of light to communicate, you can do something to ensure that the light doesn't go out.

The Boeing Company is manufacturing two prototype YC‐14 aircraft as part of the United States Air Force Advanced Medium STOL (AMST) Programme. This programme is directed towards modern tactical airlift for the 1980's and the prototype aircraft are being built to demonstrate technology, performance and cost potential.