Abstract: A method of contrast enhancement for improved visualization of diagnostically important tissue structures, such as blood vessels. A texture analysis algorithm is applied to identify regions with a high likelihood of disease. Mathematical morphology operations are applied to identify areas of high and low brightness (intensity). The low intensity areas are then subtracted, and controllably variable amounts of the high intensity areas are added, controlled by a selectable tuning parameter, to produce an image with controllably variable visualization enhancement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for improving the security of access to contents. A virus/phishing site list contains a list of URLs of phishing sites, which masquerade as valid websites and are provided with an attempt to acquire private information including card numbers, PIN numbers and passwords, from users illegally. When a communication control unit receives, via a network, a packet that contains communication data for requesting access to a content, a search circuit compares the URL of the content to be accessed included in the communication data, with URLs of phishing sites included in the virus/phishing site list. If the address of the content to be accessed matches a URL of a phishing site, a process execution circuit will prohibit the access to the content.

Abstract: Automated image quality assessment methods, which include locating a region of interest, region assessment, contrast assessment, blur assessment, and contaminant detection, on video data and high-resolution imagery. Where the blur assessment is performed without a reference image by dividing the region into non-overlapping block, measuring the wavenumber frequency of the blocks and calculating the ratio of the low frequency to high frequency areas.

Abstract: A communication control apparatus includes a database which stores identification information of a party on the other end of communication with whom communication should be controlled, a search circuit which acquires communication data for requesting a connection to a party on the other end of communication and searches the database for the identification information of the party on the other end of communication, and a control unit which, if the identification information of the party on the other end of communication is found in the database, transmits a connection termination request to a terminal of the transmission source, and further transmits a connection request thereto so as to establish, in place of the party on the other end of communication, a connection with the terminal of the transmission source of the communication data and controls communication between the transmission source and the party on the other end of communication.

Abstract: This invention uses LEDs and cross-polarization to produce bright, high-resolution digital images, both with and without glint (which adversely affects the clarity of standard colposcopic images), as well as streaming video at lower resolution. The invention allows for deeper layers of the tissue to be more efficiently visualized at multiple magnifications, thereby enhancing the invention's diagnostic capabilities, and it includes a focusing subsystem and a computerized data management system to archive and annotate still image data.

Abstract: A process for cultivating photosynthetic microbes comprising Closed Systems for continuous cultivation and Open Systems for batch cultivation, in which (a) the Closed System Area occupies no more than 20% of the Total Land Area of the cultivation facility; (b) batch cultures in the Open Systems are initiated with an inoculum from the Closed Systems containing a cell biomass of no less than 5% of the carrying capacity of said Open System; (c) the doubling rate of said photosynthetic microbe is no less than once every 16 hours; and (d) the residence time of the batch culture in said Open System is no more than a period of 5 days.

Abstract: A method for differentiating cancerous lesions from surrounding tissue, which includes extracting an opacity parameter from acetowhite regions of pre acetic acid and post acetic acid images of a cervix.

Abstract: Current MRI technologies require subjects to remain largely motionless for achieving high quality magnetic resonance (MR) scans, typically for 5-10 minutes at a time. However, lying absolutely still inside the tight MR imager (MRI) tunnel is a difficult task, especially for children, very sick patients, or the mentally ill. Even motion ranging less than 1 mm or 1 degree can corrupt a scan. This invention involves a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time. An object orientation marker, preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on a patients' head or other body organ of interest during MRI. The RGR makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track the organ of interest. A camera-based tracking system observes the marker and continuously extracts its pose.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the detection of atypical vessels in digital cervical imagery. A pre-processing stage is applied to enhance the contrast of blood vessel features compared to the surrounding tissue. Next, a segmentation stage is applied to identify regions of interest for atypical vessels using texture and gradient information. Finally, a post-processing stage (1) identifies other clinically relevant features in the cervical imager, and removes these features from the region of interest; and (2) uses color, size, and shape information to further refine the region of interest to eliminate false positives and determine a final region of interest. This automated method of atypical vessel detection is especially useful for diagnostic purposes such as cervical cancer detection.

Abstract: An apparatus for determine a glucose level having a calibration module; an image acquisition module; an image compensation module; and, a dynamic pattern matching module. A method using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An adaptable-tool hook comprises a wire-frame buckle and hook with a strap. The strap can be positioned on the buckle-hook in two different orthogonal positions to allow the strap to wrap an object or tool laterally or longitudinally. The hook stays with the tool and can be hooked on any available belt, pocket, rail, or wire.

Abstract: A method of automated image calibration that corrects for non-uniform illumination and calibrates color that is simple, fast, automated, accurate and reliable. A gray balance algorithm is applied to correct for non-uniform illumination and a color calibration algorithm is then applied to calibrate the human subject data. The system has been applied in multiple clinical sites with different instruments.

Abstract: The noninvasive measurement system provides a technique for manipulating wave data. In particular, wave data reflected from a biological entity is received, and the reflected wave data is correlated to a substance in the biological entity. The wave data may comprise light waves, and the biological entity may comprise a human being or blood. Additionally, a substance may comprise, for example, a molecule or ionic substance. The molecule may be, for example, a glucose molecule. Furthermore, the wave data is used to form a matrix of pixels with the received wave data. The matrix of pixels may be modified by techniques of masking, stretching, or removing hot spots. Then, the pixels may be integrated to obtain an integration value that is correlated to a glucose level. The correlation process may use a lookup table, which may be calibrated to a particular biological entity.

Abstract: A deposit beverage container counting device in which containers can be visually inspected while sliding down an inclined feed channel having an abrupt downward bend of about 15 degrees to cause the containers to accelerate suddenly, singulating the containers; that is, creating or increasing the space between containers, which enables accurate counting. The singulated containers pass into a sensor housing that contains a photoelectric sensor that senses the passing of each container and sends a signal to one or more counters. The counter(s) keeps track of the count, and displays the count on a LCD or LED display. Multiple counters can be provided to enable both the operator and customers to see the count display. The electronic components are preferably low voltage, low current devices using transistorized circuits. The counting device preferably is battery-powered, and has no moving parts.