Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: A method of enhanced tandem communication is provided between at least a first portion of a network suitable for voice communications and a second portion of a network suitable for voice communications. In an embodiment of the present invention, two representations of an encoded signal are transmitted from the first portion of a network, the encoded signal produced by a codec of the first portion of a network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tandem communication between at least a first portion of a network suitable for voice communications and a second portion of a network suitable for voice communications. In an embodiment of the present invention, a common data format is applied to an encoded signal produced by a codec of the first portion of a network. Upon application, the common data format comprises quantised parameters of the encoded signal and descriptors characterising the coding scheme of the first codec.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of preparing data for transmission, which method comprises: multiplexing data from a plurality of sources (S1, . . . Si, . . . Sn), the multiplexing comprising, for at least one source (Si), classifying the data from the source (Si) into two or more classes (C1,f.Cj, . . . Cm) according to the data's priority, and mapping data from the sources into positions in a data structure (D) according both to the class (Cj) of the data and to a further priority assigned to the source (Si) from which the data originated, the division of data into classes (C1, . . . Cj, . . . Cm) and/or the prioritization of the sources (S1, . . . Si, . . . Sn) being done according to the potential impact of transmission errors on the data; and sub-dividing the data in the data structure (D) into frames while preserving the relative prioritization of the data. The sources may be various multi-media sources.

Abstract: A method of assigning an access mechanism for the transmission of data comprises classifying a plurality of components of the data and assigning these individually to a particular access mechanism according to the suitability of the access mechanism in relation to a particular parameter or set of parameters of the data component by which it is clasified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables selection a communication system when a user of a mobile unit is away from a home system to which it is registered. According to one novel aspect, the visited communication system broadcasts (402) a list of standardized type services including tariff information, which is used by the mobile unit to select a system. According to another novel aspect, the mobile initiates an outgoing call of a non-standardised type service by accessing (502) a candidate system and informing it of the location of the home network and desired service identifier. The candidate system obtains (504) the service information on this service from the home network, and then provides (546) a quotation for a required service. Also, a communication system according to the present invention minimises incoming call costs to the user wherein the home system polls (606) the communication systems within range of the mobile unit to select the best system to provide service.

Abstract: A method as shown in FIG. 2 for allocating resources in a radio communications system having a plurality of communications resources for at least one receiver and transmitter to communicate over where the communications resources have signal levels which vary due to a multipath environment resulting in periods of poor communication quality over at least one particular communications resource including measuring at a first receiver a parameter indicative of a quality of communications between the first receiver and a first transmitter over a currently assigned communications resource and determining whether to allocate a different communications resource based on the measured parameter in order to effectively reduce periods of poor communications quality between the first receiver and the first transmitter.