Abstract: A method for recognizing input characters handwritten onto an input area of an input device, each point of the input area being represented by coordinate values. The method includes the steps of receiving a signal representative of an input character, determining an input position representative of the input character using information about the coordinate values, and recognizing the input character as one of a plurality of reference characters in a reference library. The recognizing step at least uses recognition features and a weighting function of each of the plurality of reference characters in the reference library and the input position. The signal includes at least information about the coordinate values of the input character.

Abstract: A dual pointing device to be used in cooperation with an imaging apparatus, a tracking system, and an object to be imaged. The dual pointing device provides a means for tracking a point on in image in both the image's frame of reference and Euclidean absolute coordinates. This is accomplished by having two tracking systems follow the dual pointing device. Since the two tracking systems follow the same physical device, and since one tracking system operates in the image coordinates while the other tracking system operates in the absolute coordinates, the device makes it possible to effect automatic transformations between the two systems. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the dual pointing device, which is intended for use with a magnetic resonance imager, the absolute tracking system is based on infra-red reflectors on the device that are tracked by an infrared transponder.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for soft modem software protection using a key. The key is stored in a hardware device in the modem subsystem and transmitted to the central processing unit (CPU) in a designated time slot of a serial bus of a computer. In one embodiment, the key is stored as bit data in the registers of the modem codec. In another embodiment, the key is stored in a hardware device connected to the general purpose input output pins of the modem codec. In a further embodiment, the key is stored in a hardware device connected to the on/off hook and analog input connections of the modem codec. A second key is associated with the soft modem software. If the second key is incompatible with the transmitted key, the operation of the soft modem software is altered. Altematively, the soft modem software is a customized version downloaded from an external computer to a local computer. The customized version has a unique identifier associated with the local computer associated with it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the control of gas flow in air conditioning systmes. The device comprises a two part housing for a damper element. The two parts are identical provided with male and female interconnection elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system is varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Abstract: Concurrent calls are multiplexed over packet network connections such as TCP/UDP/IP connections. Initially, semi-permanent, open channels (e.g., TCP and/or UDP channels) are established between two or more packet switches. The switches format incoming calls, as necessary, and multiplex them onto the open channels. Identifiers may be added to the multiplexed calls to facilitate the demultiplexing of the calls by the receiving switch. The multiplexed calls are encapsulated into packet network protocol packets (e.g., TCP/IP or UDP/IP) for routing over a packet-based network (e.g., IP).

Abstract: Skin including hypotrophic scars is irradiated with laser radiation having a wavelength between about 525 and 550 nanometers. The irradiation is delivered at a fluence that stimulates wound healing responses without actually inflicting a wound. The wound healing properties promote growth of dermal extracellular matrix. Absorption properties of hemoglobin and melanin in the 525 to 550 nanometer wavelength range provide that wound healing response is concentrated close to upper regions of the skin and accordingly close to the location of the scars. The growth of dermal extracellular matrix “bulks-up” irradiated dermal tissue. This makes the depressions of hypertrophic scars shallower and less apparent. The method has also been observed to cause shrinkage of enlarged pores.

Abstract: A virtual ground array includes memory elements, select transistors, select lines connected with the select transistors, word lines, global bit lines and local bit lines connecting the select transistors with the memory elements, wherein each of the memory elements has a source and a drain, the virtual ground array is operative to select a set of memory elements and to fix the drains of the set of memory elements to a predetermined potential, the word lines and at least two of the select transistors select the set of memory elements and the global bit lines connect the select transistors to source and drain power supplies.

Abstract: A method for operating bits of memory cells in a memory array, the method including applying operating pulses to bits of a sample of memory cells, determining a response of at least one of an electrical, physical and mechanical property (e.g., threshold voltage) of the bits to the operating pulses, and applying at least one further operating pulse to the rest of the array, the at least one further operating pulse being a function of the response.

Abstract: A video based system and method for detecting and counting persons traversing an area being monitored is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically converting source code from a first software language and platform to a second software language and platform. The method includes the steps of separating the source code of the first software language and platform into at least one element in at least one table, optimizing the element producing at least one optimized element, and rewriting the source code in the second software language and platform from the optimized element.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a data compression encoder for use with the discrete cosine transform compression process. The invention enhances compression using the discrete cosine transform by utilizing a prediction engine that breaks the data received into predicted and unpredicted portions. The predicted portions are excluded from the discrete cosine transform reducing the time-required to compress a file. The prediction engine relies, in part, upon look-up tables that are used to determine the predicted blocks. A table build engine and database compiler are used to create the look-up tables.

Abstract: A forward error correction system including a coder operative to encode a data stream into at least one primary code word and at least one secondary code word, where each primary code word is encoded at a first code rate, and each secondary code word is encoded at a second code rate that is greater than the first code rate, at least one transmitting modem for transmitting the code words, at least one receiving modem for receiving the code words, a decoder operative to detect errors in any of the code words, correct any of the errors and erasures in the code words, and communicate the positions of any of the errors, and a controller operative to receive the communication of the error positions, predict from any of the errors in the primary code word at least one error in the secondary code word, and report any of the predicted errors as erasure positions to the decoder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controlled release drug delivery system comprising a drug which is susceptible to enzymatic degradation by enzymes present in the intestinal tract; and a polymeric matrix which undergoes erosion in the gastrointestinal tract comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of (a) polymers which are themselves capable of enhancing absorption of said drug across the intestinal mucosal tissues and of inbihiting degradation of said drug by intestinal enzymes; and (b) polymers which are not themselves capable of enhancing absorption of said drug across the intestinal mucosal tissues and of inhibiting degradation of said drug by intestinal enzymes; wherein when the matrix comprises a polymer belonging to group (b) the delivery system further comprises an agent which enhances absorption of said drug across the intestinal mucosal tissues and/or an agent which inhibits degradation of said drug by intestinal enzymes and when the matrix comprises a polymer belon

Abstract: A multi-cell cluster which includes a plurality of light-detecting unit cells and a single charge-integration and readout circuitry. Typically, each of the cells produces charge representative of the detected light. The circuit may be shared by the plurality of unit cells, and used to read-out the charge in real-time. The cluster may also Include a switch associated with each unit cell, such that each switch connects its associated unit cell to the circuit. The switch may also be controlled in a time-multiplexing manner. Each unit cell may include a photodetector, a photodiode, or a photogate. The circuit may include a shared storage device, a shared reset circuit, or a readout circuit. Typically, the shared storage device may be for accumulating the charge in the focal plane. The here-above described apparatus facilitates either static or dynamic, either local or global image resolution/sensitivity tradeoffs.

Abstract: A composition for controlling growth of pathological organisms on a plant, said composition comprises an effective amount of one or more of metal ion(s); one or more of chelating agent(s); and phosphorous acid, and/or salt or hydrate thereof, said composition is in an agriculturally compatible carrier or vehicle.

Abstract: A method of NEXT cancellation in a modem pool having a plurality of modems, where each modem has at least one FIR filter, each FIR filter for filtering signals from a transmitting one of the modems, each modem transmitting a signal having a plurality of contiguous signal blocks, the method including providing a frequency response vector per FIR filter, for each corresponding one of the transmitted signal blocks for each of the modems adapting the length of the signal block to equal the length of the frequency response vector, transforming the adapted signal block into the frequency domain, thereby generating a frequency-domain signal vector, for each of the modems and its at least one FIR filter multiplying the frequency response vector of the FIR filter by a corresponding one of the frequency-domain signal vectors, thereby generating a filtered frequency-domain signal vector, adding the filtered frequency-domain signal vectors, thereby generating a combined filtered frequency-domain signal vector, transformi

Abstract: A method for preparing cross-linked collagen and cross-linked collagen products. The method includes incubating collagen in a solution including water, at least one polar solvent and at least one sugar, to form cross-linked collagen. The solution may include a buffer having a suitable pH and ionic strength. The method may include removing excess unreacted sugar(s) and polar solvent(s) by washing the cross-linked collagen or by other methods. The method may also include dehydrating the cross-linked collagen, and may include subjecting the cross-linked collagen to critical point drying, or subjecting the collagen to drying or freeze-drying prior to cross-linking. The collagen may be prepared from atelopeptide collagen to reduce antigenicity, but may also be prepared from other suitable collagen types. The concentration and type of the polar solvent(s), the concentration and type of the reducing sugar(s), and the incubation duration may be varied to control the degree of cross-linking.