Abstract: An ultrasonic image searching apparatus is provided, which includes an input unit for inputting a key word for selecting an object to be searched and an ultrasonic image, a feature extraction unit for extracting the feature of the ultrasonic image inputted via the input unit, a storage unit for storing a plurality of previously acquired ultrasonic images and a database of commentary information and image feature information with respect to each ultrasonic image, a display, and a controller for comparing the key word input from the input unit or the feature extracted from the feature extraction unit with the commentary information and the image feature information in the storage unit and outputting the ultrasonic images contained in the storage unit on the display according to a degree of similarity. Thus, a massive amount of the prestored ultrasonic images can be efficiently searched, and connection with the network such as a web server provides an effect of searching the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring voice and data from an outbound call platform to an inbound call platform. The outbound and inbound call platforms are separate hardware platforms connected to a controlling device using computer telephone integration (CTI) links and connected together using one or more communication paths, such as trunks or T1 lines. If an outbound agent connected to the outbound call platform determines that an outbound call should be handled by an inbound agent connected to the inbound call platform, the outbound agent can request a transfer of that outbound telephone call. The outbound dialer then transfers the voice portion of the outbound telephone call to a predetermined extension on the inbound platform, and the inbound platform assigns a call ID to the transferred outbound call. The transferred outbound call is assigned to the appropriate ACD queue until an inbound agent is available to handle the call.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a call list update processing system is provided. The system is incorporated into a predictive dialing system, which includes a call list controller, responsive to a source of call records for establishing and storing at least one call list. Each call record includes at least one telephone number to be called. The system includes a predictive dialer, which is responsive to the call list controller for dialing the telephone numbers included in the call records in the call list. The system is used to update a call list on a periodic basis and includes, at least a call list update processor, which itself includes at least a call list update file and a comparator. The call list update file is where call record update data, which is received periodically from the source of call records, is stored. The comparator compares the call record update data stored in the call list update file with call record data stored in the stored call records.

Abstract: A color imaging display method and apparatus in a color doppler imaging system can display a high quality of a color image in which a flash artifact which is a kind of a clutter signal is removed. The method and apparatus determines whether the flash artifact exists, according to the result obtained by frequency-estimating a doppler signal where an ultrasonic signal is filtered and a clutter signal where the ultrasonic signal is not filtered, and mixing the information obtained through the frequency estimation, and determines whether or not a corresponding pixel is displayed in an ultrasonic color doppler image. Thus, the pixel which has been determined as the flash artifact is not displayed, to thereby obtain a high quality of a color image.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a drilling tool for attachment to conventional drilling means, which roughens the internal surface of a pre-drilled hole to enhance attachment of an anchoring device and adhesive placed therein. The roughening device has a shaft for attaching to a conventional drilling device at one end and a tubular side wall bearing cutters/abraders at the other. There is a void between the shaft and the side wall which is filled by an elastomeric material which cushions the action of the cutters/abraders.

Abstract: A deck attachment bracket and method of attaching a deck to a building are provided. The attachment bracket is mountable to a concrete foundation of an existing house or other structure. The bracket includes a mounting surface for attaching the bracket to the structure, a support surface extending perpendicular to the attachment surface and at least one load transmission member interfacing the support surface to the attachment surface. The bracket further includes a deck joist retaining member attached to the support surface. The deck joist attachment member accepts a standard deck joist and allows the same to be adjustable retained therein. In one preferred embodiment, the deck joist attachment member is adjustably attached to the support member of the adjustment bracket to allow the deck joist retained in the joist retaining member to be adjustably spaced from the side of the house or other structure to account for a variety of siding materials and thicknesses.

Abstract: The driven pulley (10) is used in a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It is coaxially mountable around a main shaft (12) and comprises two opposite conical flanges, namely a first flange (14) and a second flange (18), which face each other. An annular cam plate (40) is coaxially connected to the side of the second flange (18) that is opposite the first flange (14). The cam plate (40) comprises at least two inclined first cam surfaces (42) and at least two inclined second cam surfaces (44) having an inverted inclination with reference to the first cam surfaces (42). A first radially-extending support (50) bears a set of first cam followers (54). The first support (50) is at a fixed axial distance from the first flange (14) and each first cam follower (54) is engaged with a respective one of the first cam surfaces (42). Similarly, a second radially-extending support (60) bear a set of second cam followers (64).

Abstract: A twin sheet forming system and method is used to form a hollow article, such as an automotive fuel tank, from first and second sheets of thermoplastic material. The system includes first and second loading stations, first and second heating stations, and first and second thermoforming stations in an in-line arrangement. The in-line arrangement allows the sheets to be transferred independently between the stations and the separate thermoforming stations allows the sheets to be thermoformed independently. Each of the thermoforming stations includes an upper and lower platen generally in a side by side arrangement for supporting thermoforming tools and plug assists. After heating, the sheets are independently transferred to the thermoforming stations and formed using the thermoforming tools and plug assists. The thermoforming tool and thermoformed piece in one of the thermoforming stations is then transferred to the other station, and the thermoformed pieces are fused together.

Abstract: A scent diffusion apparatus and method contains individual original scents for a plurality of scents to be diffused, constructs information on position information of the contained original scents and information on various scents to be diffused in a database, and mixes the original scents of the desired scent properly at a desired point in time based on the scent information, to thereby spray the desired scent. The scent diffusion method includes providing a plurality of scent spraying units containing original scents, heating the original scents via a heater, evaporating the original scents, and diffusing the evaporated scent with the air via an air supply pump. Thus, a desired scent can be transferred to a selected subject under correct concentration. The scent diffusion apparatus uses scent cartridges containing the original scents, such as cartridges used in an existing ink-jet printer, and uses the same control commands as those of a general personal computer or ink-jet printer compatibly.

Abstract: A corrugated pipe adapter for providing a sealing surface on a corrugated pipe includes a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface and at least one protrusion. The protrusions include side walls and an arched structure between the side walls. The protrusions extend from an inside of the generally cylindrical sleeve. The side walls move outwardly against the corrugations on the corrugated pipe when pressure is applied to the generally smooth outer clamping surface.

Abstract: A system and method of delaying the assignment of a modem data pump to a software application running on a client computer which is communicating with a computer network that provides a plurality of data pumps for assignment to software applications. The system separates modem function into a modem controller, which is provided locally to each client computer on which a software application is running that is to interact with a modem, and a data pump, remote from the user computer and connected by computer network, which is selected and allocated by a data pump allocator after the modem controller has obtained all modem information from the software application. The modem controller interacts with the software application providing the required timing, protocol and reply functions to prevent the software application from detecting an error based on modem communications.

Abstract: A configurable touch sensitive keyboard system is used to adjust or control the interface to a computer or other electronic device, particularly, for disabled individuals. The configurable touch sensitive keyboard system includes a touch sensitive keyboard having touch sensitive regions and a keyboard overlay having symbols corresponding to the touch sensitive regions. The symbols can be visually recognizable symbols or tactually recognizable symbols, such as Braille characters. A keyguard template is disposed on the keyboard over the overlay and includes keyboard access regions spatially separated on the keyguard. The keyboard access regions on the keyguard help disabled individuals to locate the touch sensitive regions for activation. Keyboard access cover members are used to selectively cover the keyboard access regions and the symbols and corresponding touch sensitive regions.

Abstract: A method of making an article from a lightweight cementitious composition includes molding a castable cementitious mixture including an aqueous slurry of at least perlite and concrete into an article, such as a hollow, decorative article. The castable cementitious mixture can include a fibrous material, for reinforcing the cement and perlite, and an air entraining agent, for facilitating mixability and reducing a density of the cementitious mixture and facilitating casting. The mold can include an external mold form that contains the cementitious mixture and an internal mold form that displaces the cementitious mixture within the external mold form to cast the hollow article in various shapes and with various surface textures. The external and internal mold forms include liners made of a lightweight flexible material that can be removed, unfolded, and prepared and/or cleaned.

Abstract: A power control system, which serves to protect a dissipative/resistive load from exceeding a predetermined temperature limit. The power control system accurately models the temperature of the load and enforces a cooling period to reduce the temperature of the load being protected to a base temperature level if the predetermined temperature limit is reached. Also provided is a method of selectively connecting and disconnecting a resistive load to and from a power source to prevent the resistive load from exceeding a predetermined high temperature limit. The method includes sensing a voltage proportional to the instantaneous power passing through the resistive load by wiring a current sensing resistor in series with the resistive load. Then, a load temperature is modeled using a load temperature modeling circuit to produce an output voltage proportional to a present temperature of the resistive load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machinery operator protection system and method, which inhibits the use of machinery unless the operator of the machinery is properly secured with a lanyard and/or body harness to the machinery. The disclosed system includes a lanyard connection detector for detecting proper attachment of at least one lanyard to a machinery operator and a lanyard interlock control for controlling a switch to selectively enable activation of the machinery when the lanyard connection detector indicates that the operator is properly attached to the machinery with the lanyard. The disclosed method includes the steps of: detecting when at least one safety lanyard is properly attached to a between a machinery operator and a piece of machinery; and inhibiting operation of the machinery unless proper operator safety lanyard attachment is detected.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an electronic chat session between at least one inquiring party and at least one agent includes an inquiring party data terminal through which an inquiring party requests an electronic chat session with a call center agent over a data flow path that the inquiring party establishes with an information provider. A computer network and associated network interfaces, interface the inquiring party data terminal, the information provider server, and the electronic chat session distribution system to the computer network and allows data to be exchanged there between. A call center controller, responsive to a chat session request, generates a routing signal which establishes a data flow path between the inquiring party and at least one call center agent.

Abstract: A system and method of retrieving customer records regardless of area code change affecting customer telephone numbers stored in customer records is provided. The method begins by providing an area code changes user interface on a system user display, which is configured to accept area code changes input by the system. Area code changes, which include actual area codes and old area codes are input using the interface. Next, each input area code change is stored in an area code changes memory. An ANI string corresponding to an incoming telephone call is then received and at least one customer record database is searched to identify any call records that include a telephone number corresponding to the ANI string. If no customer records are identified, then the area code changes memory is searched to identify if the ANI string includes an area code corresponding to an actual area code stored in the area code changes memory.

Abstract: A flexible, reconfigurable processing system architecture allows for the implementation of a variety of processing system configurations to be implemented on a single device, which is preferably a PCI bus add-in extension board with an attached daughter card attached and electrically connected thereto through a PCI Mezzanine type connector, and which is plugged into a personal computer PCI expansion slot. The architecture uses the PCI bus, for example, as the local CPU bus for an embedded processor, which not only allows for flexibility in system configuration but also allows PCI devices to be hidden from the host CPU to allow for proper system startup. The architecture further permits an embedded processing CPU to be re-booted when the secondary PCI bus host bus bridge fails to respond without affecting host CPU or other secondary PCI bus peripheral devices.