Abstract: A modular head-to-head cross connector or construct extension system comprising a fastener element driven into a bone in a first orientation, a first U-shaped body operable to receive the fastener element and operable to receive a first rod in a first rod receiving channel, and a first compression element driven adjacent to and against the first rod in the first rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the first rod against the fastener element in a second orientation independent of the first orientation of the fastener element. The system further comprises a second U-shaped body operable to receive first compression element and operable to receive a second rod in a second rod receiving channel, and a second compression element driven adjacent to and against the second rod in the second rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the second rod against the first compression element in a third orientation independent of the second orientation.

Abstract: A multimedia router has code executable on the router from storage on a machine readable medium coupled to the router, the code providing routing functions, and a routing point identified in the router code for establishing at least one non-voice communications session between two or more communications appliances enabled for non-voice communications. During a voice call established between a calling party and one of the two or more communications appliances, the routing point is invoked from the called communications appliance by issuance of a non-voice routing request to establish at least one non-voice communications session between the called communications appliance and another of the two or more communications appliances.

Abstract: A modular head-to-head cross connector or construct extension system comprising a fastener element driven into a bone in a first orientation, a first U-shaped body operable to receive the fastener element and operable to receive a first rod in a first rod receiving channel, and a first compression element driven adjacent to and against the first rod in the first rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the first rod against the fastener element in a second orientation independent of the first orientation of the fastener element. The system further comprises a second U-shaped body operable to receive first compression element and operable to receive a second rod in a second rod receiving channel, and a second compression element driven adjacent to and against the second rod in the second rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the second rod against the first compression element in a third orientation independent of the second orientation.

Abstract: A multimedia router has code executable on the router from storage on a machine readable medium coupled to the router, the code providing routing functions, and a routing point identified in the router code for establishing at least one non-voice communications session between two or more communications appliances enabled for non-voice communications. During a voice call established between a calling party and one of the two or more communications appliances, the routing point is invoked from the called communications appliance by issuance of a non-voice routing request to establish at least one non-voice communications session between the called communications appliance and another of the two or more communications appliances.

Abstract: Detecting blur and defocusing in images is described. After detection, correction algorithms are applied. Detection provides an image processing system with parameters related to a blur (e.g., direction, strength) and noise levels, or may trigger a message to a user to re-take a photograph. Detection involves finding and analyzing edges of objects instead of an entire image. Disclosed detector may be used for OCR purposes, blur and defocusing detection in photographic and scanning devices, video cameras, print quality control systems, computer vision. Detection of blur and defocusing of an image involve second derivatives of image brightness. Object edges are detected. For points on edges, profiles of second derivative are obtained in the direction of the gradient. Statistics are gathered about parameters of profiles in various directions. By analyzing statistics, image distortions and their type (e.g., blur, defocusing), the strength of distortion, the direction of the blur are detected.

Abstract: A method for providing inbound call reservations to a communication center has steps for monitoring service access points into the communication center by reservation software executing from a machine-readable medium, evaluating communicators and potential communicators, and issuing invitations for reserved communication sessions to qualified communicators and potential communicators, the reserved times coordinated according to data pertaining to predicted communication load and resource availability statistics.

Abstract: A method for providing inbound call reservations to a communication center has steps for monitoring service access points into the communication center by reservation software executing from a machine-readable medium, evaluating communicators and potential communicators, and issuing invitations for reserved communication sessions to qualified communicators and potential communicators, the reserved times coordinated according to data pertaining to predicted communication load and resource availability statistics.

Abstract: A modular head-to-head cross connector or construct extension system comprising a fastener element driven into a bone in a first orientation, a first U-shaped body operable to receive the fastener element and operable to receive a first rod in a first rod receiving channel, and a first compression element driven adjacent to and against the first rod in the first rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the first rod against the fastener element in a second orientation independent of the first orientation of the fastener element. The system further comprises a second U-shaped body operable to receive first compression element and operable to receive a second rod in a second rod receiving channel, and a second compression element driven adjacent to and against the second rod in the second rod receiving channel, thereby engaging the second rod against the first compression element in a third orientation independent of the second orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a retractor device for retracting soft tissue to provide access to a surgical site. The retractor device includes a plurality of blades movable from a first, substantially closed position to a second, substantially open position. Related methods of using the retractor device are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a retractor device for retracting soft tissue to provide access to a surgical site. The retractor device includes a plurality of arms coupled to a frame and operatively coupled to a ring disposed at least partially within the frame. Related methods of using the retractor device are also described.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for inserting an expandable support device, where the insertion instrument includes an actuator device operable to rotate a component of an expandable support device to a rotated position, such that the rotation to the rotated position of the expandable support device causes a first longitudinally extending member of the expandable support device to be longitudinally fixed. The insertion instrument also includes a hollow body, where the hollow body includes a removable gear device or a removable screw driver device. The removable gear device is configurable to cause a first longitudinally extending member of expandable support device to longitudinally extend in a direction away from the center of the expandable support device. The removable screw driver device is configurable to insert a screw into the expandable support device to lock the rotated position into place.

Abstract: A method for providing continuity over a series of transactions is provided, comprising the steps of (a) creating a Portable Continuity Object (PCO) as a defined digital package by an instance of PCO software executing on a computerized appliance also capable of communication transaction; (b) providing identity of a person, an address of a communication device and a continuity context in the PCO; (c) sharing the PCO in related transactions, with the PCO updated with information concerning individual transactions by digital equipment enhanced with an instance of PCO software; and (d) providing context continuity in succeeding transactions by accessing the PCO by one or both parties to a transaction.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for encoding and decoding a video frame using spatial prediction. The video frame is separated into a plurality of image blocks, and a plurality of spatial predictors is created for an image block using methods well-known in the art. The set of predictors is reduced to a set containing fewer spatial predictors before continuing the coding process for the block. The reduction of spatial predictors involves comparing a plurality of spatial predictors and grouping or processing a subset of the spatial predictors to a set of representative spatial predictors. Because the number of spatial predictors is reduced, fewer bits may be used in a bit stream to identify a chosen spatial predictor, thus improving the efficiency of the coding process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, device and system for restoring a motion-blurred image. The method comprises determining parameters for a one-dimensional Optical Transfer Function (OTF) for the motion-blurred image in Fourier space; determining a signal-to-noise ratio for the motion-blurred image in the Fourier space; and correcting for motion blur based on the parameters of the OTF. Determining the parameters comprises calculating a function ?(p,q) which is based on the square of the modulus of the Fourier transform |G(p,q)|2 of the motion-blurred image. The parameters include the absolute value of the one-dimensional OTF, and the phase and sign of the OTF.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for inserting an expandable support device, where the insertion instrument includes an actuator device operable to rotate a component of an expandable support device to a rotated position, such that the rotation to the rotated position of the expandable support device causes a first longitudinally extending member of the expandable support device to be longitudinally fixed. The insertion instrument also includes a hollow body, where the hollow body includes a removable gear device or a removable screw driver device. The removable gear device is configurable to cause a first longitudinally extending member of expandable support device to longitudinally extend in a direction away from the center of the expandable support device. The removable screw driver device is configurable to insert a screw into the expandable support device to lock the rotated position into place.

Abstract: Detecting blur and defocusing in images is described. After detection, correction algorithms are applied. Detection provides an image processing system with parameters related to a blur (e.g., direction, strength) and noise levels, or may trigger a message to a user to re-take a photograph. Detection involves finding and analyzing edges of objects instead of an entire image. Disclosed detector may be used for OCR purposes, blur and defocusing detection in photographic and scanning devices, video cameras, print quality control systems, computer vision. Detection of blur and defocusing of an image involve second derivatives of image brightness. Object edges are detected. For points on edges, profiles of second derivative are obtained in the direction of the gradient. Statistics are gathered about parameters of profiles in various directions. By analyzing statistics, image distortions and their type (e.g., blur, defocusing), the strength of distortion, the direction of the blur are detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, device and system for restoring a motion-blurred image. The method comprises determining parameters for a one-dimensional Optical Transfer Function (OTF) for the motion-blurred image in Fourier space; determining a signal-to-noise ratio for the motion-blurred image in the Fourier space; and correcting for motion blur based on the parameters of the OTF. Determining the parameters comprises calculating a function ?(p,q) which is based on the square of the modulus of the Fourier transform |G(p,q)|2 of the motion-blurred image. The parameters include the absolute value of the one-dimensional OTF, and the phase and sign of the OTF.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for restoring a motion-blurred image. The method comprises determining parameters for a one-dimensional Optical Transfer Function (OTF) for the motion-blurred image in Fourier space; determining a signal-to-noise ratio for the motion-blurred image in the Fourier space; and correcting for motion blur based on the parameters of the OTF. Determining the parameters comprises calculating a function ?(p,q) which is based on the square of the modulus of the Fourier transform |G(p,q)|2 of the motion-blurred image. The parameters include the absolute value of the one-dimensional OTF, and the phase and sign of the OTF.

Abstract: A method for providing continuity over a series of transactions is provided, comprising the steps of (a) creating a Portable Continuity Object (PCO) as a defined digital package by an instance of PCO software executing on a computerized appliance also capable of communication transaction; (b) providing identity of a person, an address of a communication device and a continuity context in the PCO; (c) sharing the PCO in related transactions, with the PCO updated with information concerning individual transactions by digital equipment enhanced with an instance of PCO software; and (d) providing context continuity in succeeding transactions by accessing the PCO by one or both parties to a transaction.

Abstract: A multimedia router has code executable on the router from storage on a machine readable medium coupled to the router, the code providing routing functions, and a routing point identified in the router code for establishing at least one non-voice communications session between two or more communications appliances enabled for non-voice communications. During a voice call established between a calling party and one of the two or more communications appliances, the routing point is invoked from the called communications appliance by issuance of a non-voice routing request to establish at least one non-voice communications session between the called communications appliance and another of the two or more communications appliances.