Abstract: A gastro-electric stimulation system includes an INS for producing an electrical stimulation signal, at least one medical electrical lead, and at least two electrical contacts. The medical electrical lead has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the INS and the distal end being adapted for placement in or near a patient's stomach or appropriate nerve or nerve portion. The electrodes are disposed near the distal end of the medical electrical lead, and the electrodes are electrically connected through the medical electrical lead to the INS to receive the electrical stimulation signal and convey such signal to the selected electrode implant position. The electrical stimulation signal is provided in an amount and manner adapted to decrease the pH of the gastric acid in the patient's stomach and/or to increase the amount of gastric acid produced thereby.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning and scheduling resource requests to resource providers use a modified "best-first" search technique that combines optimization, artificial intelligence, and constraint-processing to arrive at near-optimal assignment and scheduling solutions. In response to changes in a dynamic resource environment, potential changes to an existing assignment set are evaluated in a search for a better solution. New calls are assigned and scheduled as they are received, and the assignment set is readjusted as the field service environment changes, resulting in global optimization. Each search operation is in response to either an incremental change to the assignment set such as adding a new resource request, removing a pending resource request, reassigning a pending resource request, or to a request for further evaluation. Thus, the search technique assumes that the existing assignment set is already optimized, and limits the task only to evaluating the effects of the incremental change.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing contact between a donor sheet and a receptor sheet in a laser-induced thermal transfer printer make use of a support means for supporting a receptor sheet, means for mounting a donor sheet proximal to the receptor sheet over the support means, and means for applying tension to the donor sheet to draw the donor sheet into contact with the receptor sheet. The means for mounting the donor sheet and applying tension may be a clamp mechanism mounted on the support means. The clamp mechanism has a first clamp for holding a first end of the donor sheet and a second clamp for holding a second end of the donor sheet. The second clamp is movable relative to the first clamp to apply tension to the donor sheet, thereby drawing the donor sheet into contact with the receptor sheet.

Abstract: A multi-module radiation detecting device, a radiation detecting module for incorporation in a multi-module radiation detecting device, and a method for assembling a multi-module radiation detecting device are provided. The radiation detecting module includes a carrier substrate and a radiation detecting tile mounted over the carrier substrate. The module includes interconnection structure for connecting radiation detecting elements in the radiation detecting tile to conductive contacts on a base substrate. The module facilitates attachment and detachment of the module relative to the base substrate and relative to a test fixture used in test and burn-in operations. The module is constructed to isolate the radiation detecting tile from thermal and/or mechanical stresses produced at the interconnection interface during attachment and detachment for test and burn-in, assembly, and rework operations.

Abstract: A medical imaging system for communicating image information between a plurality of different input imaging devices having different input protocols and a plurality of different output imaging devices having different output protocols takes advantage of a reusable software architecture having a plurality of functionally independent components. The individual components can be configured in a communication pipeline to communicate image information between an input imaging device and an output imaging device according to desired protocols. Each component can be interchanged with a differently configured component to facilitate communication of image information according to a different protocol, thereby reconfiguring the pipeline to achieve significant flexibility. Moreover, the software architecture is scalable to produce a plurality of communication pipelines, each of which can be configured according to desired protocols.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling resource requests for a resource provider generate a first schedule, based on expected durations of each resource request, and a second schedule, based on longer, pessimistic durations of each resource request. A user interface simultaneously displays the first and second schedules to a system user. The first schedule provides the system user with a guide to good overall management of the resource performance. The second schedule provides the system user with a guide for making time commitments to customers with a greater degree of confidence. The system and method employ a variety of techniques including statistic probability calculations to determine expected and pessimistic durations for each resource request, and incorporate features for updating the first and second schedules in response to dynamic changes in the resource environment.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus and method use an acoustooptic element as a shutter element and as a device to scan two different beams. The beams are diffracted by modulating the acoustooptic frequency of the acoustooptic element to form band-shaped spot rows on a moving image recording medium. The spot rows include a first beam row and a second beam row that are incident on the image recording medium at different times. The positions of the adjacent beam spots of the first beam row are adjusted relative to the positions of the adjacent beam spots of the second beam row.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing residual electrostatic potential and ghosting in a photoconductor alleviates the problems of low optical density and ghosting. A charge is applied to a surface of the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is exposed to conditioning radiation having wavelengths selected to release charge carriers from trap sites within the photoconductor. The applied charge establishes an electric field across the photoconductor. The released charge carriers are transported within the photoconductor under influence of the electric field to reduce residual electrostatic potential in the photoconductor. The resulting reduction in residual electrostatic potential increases optical density and eliminates ghosting problems. The system and method can be applied to existing electrophotography machines, and can be realized, at least in part, by adaptation of existing hardware present in such machines, thereby adding very little complexity, cost, size, or power consumption.

Abstract: A set of thinned halftone dot patterns useful in inkjet printing comprises a plurality of halftone cells corresponding to respective shade values. Each of the halftone cells includes a plurality of addressable points, with at least some of the points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, and at least some of the "on" points defining a core component of the halftone dot pattern being selectively turned "off", thereby producing a thinned halftone dot pattern. The thinned halftone dot patterns enable the use of higher addressability in an inkjet printing system to achieve a wider range of shade values while avoiding undesirable over-inking of printed halftone dot patterns due to excessive overlap between printed ink spots.

Abstract: A light collection device for use in a film image digitizing apparatus comprises a housing having an elongated aperture extending along a light beam scan line. The aperture receives light transmitted through a sheet of film from a light source. A diffusing member, disposed within the aperture and extending along the scan line, optically diffuses the light received by the aperture. The housing may include one or more reflective interior surfaces. A linear array of photodiodes, disposed within the housing and extending along the scan line, detects the light diffused by the diffusing member. Each of the photodiodes generates an analog signal representing an intensity of the detected light for each of a plurality of pixels. A summing circuit, coupled to each of the photodiodes, sums the analog signals generated by the photodiodes for each of the pixels to produce an output analog signal representing an overall intensity of the light transmitted through the sheet of film for each of the pixels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning developer from an imaging substrate carry out a plurality of cleaning operations. The apparatus and method first operate to move the imaging substrate in a first direction while delivering cleaning liquid to the imaging substrate. In a subsequent operation, the apparatus and method operate to contact the imaging substrate with a cleaning blade that cleans at least some of the developer from the imaging substrate. At the same time, some of the developer cleaned from the imaging substrate collect on the cleaning blade. In another operation, the apparatus and method operate to move the imaging substrate in a second direction. During this operation, the imaging substrate removes developer collected on the cleaning blade, and the cleaning liquid cleans from the imaging substrate the developer removed from the cleaning blade.

Abstract: A fixture and method for use in deposition of a material over a substrate make use of an apparatus for actively heating and cooling the substrate during the deposition process. The active heating and cooling structure enables careful control of the temperature of the substrate, and can provide rapid temperature adjustment in response to temperature variation. The fixture and method are thereby capable of accelerating the overall deposition process. The fixture and method also make use of structure for reducing warpage in the fixture during the deposition process due to thermal gradients. By reducing the susceptibility of the fixture to warpage and providing improved temperature control, the fixture and method enable fabrication of layers with more consistent characteristics.

Abstract: A resource assignment system provides mixed-initiative updates of a user interface display in response to asynchronous events independently triggering updates. The system features an update module capable of selecting one of a plurality of diverse update modes based on system user input and additional criteria relating to each update. The update modes enable the system user to develop an update behavior appropriate for her individual circumstances. Selection of an update behavior can prevent disruption of the system user's work, producing an appearance of interface stability without sacrificing near real-time response to asynchronous events.

Abstract: A method for automatic analysis and enhancement of digitized images to identify the area of interest (AOI) from background areas divides a digitized image into a number of regions, and calculates histograms of gray scale or density for each region. An image of the regions in histogram space is created according to a selected sequence of the regions, chosen to preserve spatial proximity. This image is then processed by peak detection to identify features grouped spatially and by similarity of histograms. From this the AOI is identified, and the contrast enhancement is applied to the original image, according to the characteristics of the output device. The method is particularly adapted for enhancing medical X-ray images, for output to viewing devices.

Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system includes a cleaning roller for removing back-plated developer from a development device such as a development roller, and a squeegee apparatus for removing both "drip-line" developer liquid and "wrap-around" developer liquid from the imaging substrate. The squeegee apparatus may include a squeegee roller having a crowned profile and a loading mechanism configured to achieve a uniform loading force across a pressure nip formed between the squeegee roller and the imaging substrate. The cleaning roller may include a fiber cleaning media and fluid delivery means for flushing back-plated developer from the cleaning media. The development apparatus also may include means for spacing the development apparatus relative to the imaging substrate without contacting the imaging substrate, thereby avoiding disruption of the motion quality of the imaging substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming grey-scale images on a photosensitive imaging medium, the medium being capable of spatial resolution finer than pixel dimensions of the exposing apparatus. The medium is exposed to a pixellated array of exposure sources which may be liquid crystal shutters or light emitting diodes. A transmission density is developed in imaged areas that varies non-linearly with the exposure energy received by the imaged areas in which the exposure conditions are adjusted such that the variation in average transmission over a whole pixel area from image pixel to image pixel caused by spatial energy distribution variations is less than 5% for the same energy delivered to each pixel area.

Abstract: A process for producing a polysilicon thin film transistor includes hydrogenating the thin film transistor and depositing an atomic hydrogen-containing layer on the thin film transistor. The thin film transistor is characterized by leakage current rates as low as 10.sup.-13 A.

Abstract: A process for producing an array of solid state radiation detectors includes depositing on a substrate one or more layers of silicon-based materials and then depositing a metal layer overlying silicon-based substance. The metal layer is formed into an array of metal layer regions, and then the metal layer is used as a mask to remove exposed adjacent silicon-based substance layers thereby forming an array of silicon-based substance layers that are aligned with the array of metal layers for forming an array of photosensitive sensing devices. The process of the present invention reduces the number of microlithography steps that are used in forming an array of layered amorphous silicon photosensitive devices.

Abstract: A system and method for representing a multi-color, halftone image on a multi-color, continuous-tone device can be configured to employ an approximation technique for determining areas of overlap regions produced by adjacent device spots in a printed halftone image based on a halftone device model. The approximation technique enables consideration of the effects of a variety of halftone device characteristics such as addressability, device spot size, and color values on the appearance of a printed halftone image. The system and method can be configured to employ the approximation technique in a manner that also enables consideration of the effect of misregistration between color separations on the appearance of a printed halftone image. As an alternative, the system and method can be configured to employ a geometrical abstract that effectively centers device spots on the corners of addressable units.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning a photoconductive radiation detector achieve charge redistribution within a photoconductive layer without the need for charge removal or charge injection techniques. A first conditioning voltage is applied across the detector to establish a first electric field. The first electric field is reversed relative to fields applied to the detector during image exposure and image read-out operations. While the first conditioning voltage is maintained, the photoconductive layer is exposed for a period of time to first conditioning radiation having one or more wavelengths selected to penetrate at least a portion of the photoconductive layer. A second conditioning voltage, less than the first conditioning voltage, then can be optionally applied across the detector to establish a forward bias electric field. While the second conditioning voltage is maintained, the photoconductive layer is exposed for a period of time to second, broad spectrum conditioning radiation.