Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for and a method of filtering noise from a mixed sound signal to obtained a filtered target signal, comprising the steps of inputting the mixed signal through a pair of microphones into a first channel and a second channel, separately Fourier transforming each said mixed signal into the frequency domain, computing a signal short-time spectral amplitude |?| from said transformed signals, computing a signal short-time spectral complex exponential ei arg(S) from said transformed signals, where arg(S) is the phase of the target signal in the frequency domain, computing said target signal S in the frequency domain from said spectral amplitude and said complex exponential.

Abstract: A method for segmentation of 2D structures in CT and MR images is provided. The method is based on 2D ray propagation by mean-shift analysis with a smoothness constraint. Ray propagation is used to guide an evolving curve due to its computational efficiency and shape priors are incorporated for robust convergence. The method includes the steps of receiving 2D image data; visualizing the 2D image data on a display device; selecting a structure in the 2D image data by placing a seed in the structure; initializing a plurality of rays from the seed to form a curve; determining a speed function of each of the rays; evolving the curve by propagating the rays based on the speed function of each of the rays; converging the rays on a boundary of the structure; and segmenting the structure when all of the rays have converged on the structure's boundary.

Abstract: A method for the generation of a 3D statistical shape model for a left ventricle of a heart generating an average left ventricle by aligning the datasets, selecting landmarks, and setting weights expressing confidence for each landmark, and determining a statistical model from a set of aligned shape model by principle component analysis.

Abstract: A signal processing technique can be effectively used for source separation, signal enhancement, and noise reduction when using a twin microphone system. The class of stochastic signals for which ratio-estimates can be computed from histograms is defined. This class fits real-world signals of interest such as voice signals. Theoretical computation in closed form of the optimal estimator for this class of signals is disclosed. Two practical implementation solutions are disclosed, as is a practical solution to exploit an echoic environment model. Furthermore, two novel techniques for signal demixing are presented. The application of the optimal estimator and the suboptimal estimator to the case of more than two channels is disclosed.

Abstract: A voltage generating circuit and method thereof for preventing a current from flowing from a voltage generating node to a pumping node in transiting of the circuit from an active operation to a pre-charge operation are provided. The voltage generating circuit comprises a pre-charge circuit for pre-charging a pumping node and a voltage transmitting control node during a pre-charge operation; a voltage pumping circuit for pumping a signal at the pumping node during an active operation; a voltage transmitting circuit for transmitting the signal from the pumping node to a voltage generating node in response to a signal at the voltage transmitting control node during the active operation; and a countercurrent preventing circuit for varying the signal at the voltage transmitting control node based on the signal at the pumping node during the pre-charge operation and for preventing a current from flowing between the pumping node and the voltage transmitting control node during the active operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit device which includes a test element group circuit connected between a first and a second pad. The test element group circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices connected in series between the first and second pads. At least two adjacent ones of the semiconductor devices are connected to each other via a signal path that is formed by a multi-layer interconnection structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for combining various types of diagnostic images. In one embodiment of the present invention, a composite image is obtained by fusing MPR and MIP images. The MPR is obtained from a CT scan, and the MIP is obtained from a PET scan. The resulting superimposed images help a physician to see the diagnostic information in context. In other embodiments of the present invention, techniques for an MIP-MIP overlay, VR-MIP overlay, and VR-MPR overlay are provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal conducting layer is provided. A metal conducting layer pattern having the metal conducting layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A portion of the metal conducting layer is partially exposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate having the metal conducting layer pattern is loaded into a reaction chamber. A first silicon source gas is flowed into the reaction chamber. A silicon oxide layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the metal conducting layer pattern by supplying a second silicon source gas and an oxygen source gas into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) imaging system and method include a processor for generating a volume-rendered 3D image on a display using a plurality of voxels from a 3D image dataset; and a view selector which responds to user inputs for determining a first set of voxels corresponding to a boundary in the volume-rendered 3D image using a predetermined boundary-specifying criteria applied to a function of the opacity of the plurality of voxels. The processor responds to the first set and to a user function selection by performing the selected function to modify the volume-rendered 3D image relative to the detected boundaries. The selected function is a display function, a measurement function, or a segmentation function. The view selector determines the boundary from voxels having opacities greater than a predetermined threshold, or determines the boundary from voxels having a gradient in opacities greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Improved image reconstruction methods for cone beam ROI (region of interest) imaging of long objects with an area detector using a two or more circular scans and a connecting line scan, wherein essentially the entire detector area is utilized for acquiring cone beam data for all source positions.

Abstract: An improved graphics system for a graphical user interface in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed is disclosed. Conventional systems comprises targeting means for determining a screen object targeted by the pointer; and selection means for reading a pointer selection and for selecting a screen object. The invention is characterized by the selection means comprising means for selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi).

Abstract: A method for automatic CR image composition includes the following steps for each image in a CR image pair. A vertical gradient image is projected onto a y-axis to obtain a y-axis projection. Edge positions (candidates) are identified from white band edge positions based on an absolute maximum value of the y-axis projection. An intensity change constancy identifies candidates having orientation angles less than a threshold angle with respect to a horizontal. An intensity change value verifies intensity value differences on two candidate sides. A cross-correlation score is computed for the candidates having an error value below a threshold for the intensity change constancy and the intensity change value, by comparing a consistency of the candidates against image data of the CR image pair. A final overlap is identified for the CR image pair, based upon the cross-correlation score.

Abstract: A resistor for driving a motor for an air conditioner blower is provided, in which internal resistance bodies are stacked over one after another between insulation plates in the resistor, to accordingly reduce the volume of the entire of the resistor is reduced, and the resistance bodies are separated into a plurality of metal thin plates not a single plate and stacked over one after another, to thereby increase a line width. Also, a temperature fuse is disposed externally. The air conditioner fan blower motor driving resistor is obtained by stacking resistance bodies made of at least two metal thin plates over one after another. The resistance bodies are formed of an independent resistance body forming a second resistance body and a third resistance body on two separate thin plates, and another independent resistance body forming a first resistance body on another thin plate.

Abstract: A method for matching images includes the step of providing a template image and an input image. A Laplacian-of-Gaussian filtered log (LOG-log) image function is computed with respect to the template image and the input image to obtain a Laplacian-of-Gaussian filtered template image and a Laplacian-of-Gaussian filtered input image, respectively. An energy function is minimized to determine estimated geometric transformation parameters and estimated photometric parameters for the input image with respect to the template image. The energy function is formed by weighting non-linear least squared differences of data constraints corresponding to locations of both the Laplacian-of-Gaussian filtered template image and the Laplacian-of-Gaussian filtered input image. The estimated geometric transformation parameters and the estimated photometric parameters are output for further processing. The method allows for image matching under non-uniform illumination variations.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting pedicle positions in an image, in accordance with the present invention, includes providing a set of feature prototypes for a plurality of pedicle positions and orientations, providing an input image to be analyzed for pedicle positions and orientations, and determining intensity curvatures for a pedicle in the input image. The intensity curvatures are transformed to determine a feature vector for the pedicle in the input image. The feature vector is correlated to the feature prototypes to determine most likely positions and orientations of the pedicle.

Abstract: A method for tracking a video object in a time-ordered sequence of image frames, comprises the steps of (a) identifying the object to be tracked in a first frame and determining its shape in the first frame; (b) selecting another frame, referred to as the last frame and identifying the shape of the object in the last frame; (c) selecting a number of intermediate frames between the first and last frames; (d) automatically identifying the shape of the object in the intermediate frames; and (e) interpolating between all of the frames in the sequence so as to determine the trajectory of the object in all of the frames.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying partial periodic patterns in an event sequence, wherein pattern includes a list of events from the event sequence. At least one subsequence of the event sequence and at least pattern in the at least one subsequence is identified, such that the at least one pattern exceeds a minimum number of repetitions in the at least one subsequence, and a distance between successive repetitions of the at least one pattern in the at least one subsequence does not exceed a predefined distance threshold. At least one of the at least one pattern and the at least one subsequence is stored.

Abstract: A method for dynamically placing objects in slots on a web page in response to a current client request for the web page comprises the steps of classifying users into user groups based one or more user-characteristics, accumulating self-learning data based on user click behavior for each user group, matching the current client request with a corresponding user group and scheduling real-time selection of the slots for the objects on the web page based on the self-learning data of the corresponding user group.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device having low-voltage MOS transistors and high-voltage metal-oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) transistors are provided. The method includes forming a device isolation layer at a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate. The device isolation layer defines first and second active regions in low and high-voltage MOS transistor regions, respectively. A capping layer pattern is formed to cover the low-voltage MOS transistor region. The capping layer pattern exposes the second active region in the high-voltage MOS transistor region. A first gate oxide layer is formed on an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate having the capping layer pattern. The first gate oxide layer is formed using a chemical vapor deposition (“CVD”) technique. The first gate oxide layer serves as a gate insulating layer of the high-voltage MOS transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed are call processing methods which are performed by a network terminator located at a subscriber's premise. The network terminator is coupled to a digital network and a communication device at the subscriber's premise and can perform call waiting, caller identification, call conferencing without intervention from a telco's switching system that requires an additional charge to the subscriber for these services. In addition, the network terminator can perform a method which allows two digital communication devices coupled to one S-bus to share a communication session. In another embodiment, up to a six way conference call can be established with an analog telephone coupled to an ISDN network via the network terminator of the present invention.