Abstract: A method of reducing the effects of Compton scattered photons detected in a gamma ray detection arrangement includes the steps of receiving data responsive to energy states of the detected photons and storing the data in memory locations corresponding to predetermined image grid points, grouping the stored data, whereby a coarser grid having fewer image grid points is produced, calibrating the gamma ray detection arrangement by utilizing a spectral shape corresponding to a calibration function which is expected to correspond to a first data set corresponding to unscattered ones of the detected photons, processing the stored data for at least selected ones of the predetermined grid points employing minimization of a function which includes a product of an energy regularization term times an energy regularization parameter, as well as a spatial regularization term times a spatial regularization parameter, for separating the stored data into the first data set corresponding to unscattered ones of the detected ph

Abstract: Continuous tomographic image data obtained by a tomographic image forming unit such as an X-ray CT scanner is stored in a two-dimensional image memory under the control of a control computer. A two-dimensional space filtering processor, a two-dimensional affine transformation processor and a two-dimensional image addition processor are connected to the control computer and execute two-dimensional affine transformation, two-dimensional image addition and two dimensional space filtering of the tomographic image data, so that a pseudo three-dimensional reprojected image is obtained.

Abstract: A non-invasive, programmable cardio-respiratory monitoring system for performing automated autonomic nervous system function tests by monitoring and analyzing EKG signals in relation to specific paced breathing and/or posture regimens, and immediately computing and disclosing the test results automatically upon completion of one or all of the tests. The accuracy of these tests, which are currently being performed manually and/or with multiple components, is greatly improved bt the invention's capability to issue automated audio-visual instructions to the patient, to analyze any major peak of the QRS complex for determining heart rate variation, to discriminate between normal and abnormal EKG signals, and to edit the automated test results to enhance the validity of the test results.

Abstract: A text information extraction device extracts analysis networks from texts and stores them in a database. The analysis networks consist of lines each including elements and relations extracted from the texts. The analysis networks are complemented via synonym/near synonym/thesaurus process and via complementary template and the lines thereof are weighted via concept template. A text similarity matching device judges similarity of input and database analysis networks on the basis of agreements of words, word pairs, and lines. A text search system stores texts and complementary term lists prepared therefrom in respective databases. Queries are inputted in the form of analysis networks from which sets of keywords and relations are extracted. After searching the texts and complementary term lists stored in databases with respect to the keywords extracted from each input query, agreements of the sets of keywords and relations are determined.

Abstract: The radiotherapy treatment planning system is for calculating the radiation dose to be absorbed by an object to be irradiated, prior to radiotherapy. The distribution of contribution output unit outputs the distribution of contribution showing the contribution rates of scattered beam or electron beam to an observational point in each point of the object to be irradiated. The arithmetic unit calculates the absorbed dose of the observational point due to the scattered beam or the absorbed dose due to the electron beam, by summing up each contribution rate multiplied with the electron density at the point corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture ultrasonic imaging system for imaging a target with a resolution limited by a designated aperture. A phased array of nonuniformly spaced ultrasound transducers having an average inter-transducer spacing which is greater than a .lambda./2 Nyquist spacing for the transducers is used for imaging in a manner so as to either obtain a desired point spread function which is unattainable by a single image taken by the nonuniformly spaced transducers or to provide coarray equivalence to a phased array of transducers which are uniformly spaced at the .lambda./2 Nyquist spacing for the designated aperture. Coarray equivalence makes possible the technique of applying amplitude weightings to each of the nonuniformly spaced ultrasound transducers during transmit and receive modes and by forming a number of component images which when added together form a sum image substantially equivalent to a single image formed by a scan beam of the uniformly spaced transducers with the designated aperture.

Abstract: An airline seat reservation system wherein seat reservations are controlled using, in part, a computerized seat inventory control system. The seat inventory control system, based on a concept termed Network-Based Expected Marginal Seat Revenue (EMSR), does not require the large number of variables required by the other network-based approaches, and it incorporates a probabilistic demand model without resorting to computationally intractable integer programming. The seat inventory control system uses iterative leg-based methods to control bookings in a flight network comprised of a plurality of itinerary/fare class combinations using a plurality of flight legs. When considering a particular flight leg, the total fare paid by a passenger using the leg is adjusted by taking into account an estimate of the displacement cost of the travel on the other legs of the itinerary to create a virtual fare.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enabling the translation of machine readable information from a first national language to a second national language. The method includes the steps of forming a table of rules setting forth the number of additional spaces required to contain the second national language translation for a phrase of machine readable information written in the first national language. Then, an appropriate number of additional space is taken from the table is automatically added to each phrase of the machine readable information written in the first national language.