Abstract: A method and associated equipment for use by a first entity (17) of a radio access network (101), such as a node B, in communicating with a UE (18) so as to control an uplink rate used by the UE (18) in communicating with the first entity (17), the method characterized by: a step in which the first entity (17) transmits to the UE (18) a rate control signal (RA) conveying information regarding the uplink rate. The rate control signal may be used to command the UE (18) to adjust the maximum uplink rate in a range or set of uplink rates; alternatively, it may be used to command the UE (18) to adjust the uplink rate. The rate control signal (RA) may be sent as a response to a rate change request signal (RR) received from the UE (18) by the first entity (17).

Abstract: The inventive opto-electronic switch comprises a light-emitting element (1) and a receiving element (2) which outputs a first signal (U(t)) whose value changes according to the amount of light received. The emitting element (1) and the receiving element (2) are arranged in such a manner that the light emitted by the emitting element (1) is diffused or reflected by objects, which are located within a determined area, such that at least one portion of this diffused or reflected light reaches the receiving element (2). The first signal (U(t)) is fed to an evaluation unit in which a switching element (18) changes its switching state if the change of the amount of reflected or dispersed light received by the receiving element, which is caused by motion of the object, is located within the limits of a predetermined motion pattern that corresponds to a tapping of a defined area. The evaluation unit determines time-variable changes in motion and identifies a change in motion of the object as tapping.

Abstract: A method for image management of X-ray images stores the images in files along with reduced-size versions of the images and additional information relating to the images. A user may preview each image in a reduced-size display, based on the reduced-size image, which preview may also include the additional information. The image may then be selected from the display for complete display of the original image.

Abstract: A personalizable and programmable integrated circuit device including at least first and second programmable logic cells and at least one permanent electrical conductive path interconnecting the at least first and second programmable logic cells for personalization of the integrated circuit device, wherein the at least first and second programmable logic cells are programmable by the application of an electrical signal thereto.

Abstract: A method of detecting and analyzing abnormalities, like lung nodules, in thoracic computer tomography (CT) images uses digital image processing techniques and adaptive computing methods. The techniques include an automatic detection process to detect candidate abnormalities, an image matching process to match CT slices from two different CT scans, and a measurement process that determines parameters of the candidate abnormalities. Final results and processed CT images are displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: A PWM-based controller for controlling a voltage applied to a DC-powered electric heating blanket from a power source includes a square wave producing circuit for connection in the circuit with the battery and the blanket. The square wave producing circuit produces a variable duty cycle square wave for controlling application of power to the blanket in accordance with the duty cycle of the square wave. The square wave producing circuit has a control input for varying the duty cycle of the square wave in response to a voltage at the control input. The voltage at the control input may be set manually using a voltage varying circuit connected to the power source. A low voltage detection circuit may also be connected to the power source and coupled to the control input of the square wave producing circuit for automatically producing a voltage that decreases the duty cycle of the square wave when the battery voltage decreases to or below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A system for communicating information among participants in a distributed application having peripheral communications devices comprises a central agent having two-way links to the peripheral devices, a notice generator triggered by an information input from one participant directed to at least one other participant, the notice generator generating a notice for the other participant(s) and pushing the notice to the peripheral device of the other participant(s) only if the information input was directed to the other participant(s), a central storage medium storing the information input, and an access channel by which the other participant(s) may receive the information input only if the other participant(s) responds to the notice. The links may form a computer network, cable network, telecommunications network, wireless network, or other network, or a combination. Additional information inputs may be associated with the first information input or may modify or delete it.

Abstract: A method and system improve the detection of abnormalities, such as lung nodules, in radiological images using digital image processing and artificial neural network techniques. The detection method and system use a nodule phantom for matching in order to enhance the efficiency in detection. The detection method and system use spherical parameters to characterize true nodules, thus enabling detection of the nodules in the mediastinum. The detection method and system use a multi-layer back-propagation neural network architecture not only for the classification of lung nodules but also for the integration of detection results from different classifiers. In addition, this method and system improve the detection efficiency by recommending the ranking of true nodules and several false positive nodules prior to the training of the neural network classifier. The method and system use image segmentation to remove regions outside the chest in order to reduce the false positives outside the chest region.

Abstract: A personalizable and programmable integrated circuit device including at least first and second programmable logic cells and at least one permanent electrical conductive path interconnecting the at least first and second programmable logic cells for personalization of the integrated circuit device, wherein the at least first and second programmable logic cells are programmable by the application of an electrical signal thereto.

Abstract: To facilitate direct conversion to digital form of an acoustic signal acting on the acoustic receptor of an acoustic receiver while satisfying requirements of dynamic range, noise and adequate quantization, the following is proposed: the acoustic receptor should be exposed to a counter-signal when the acoustic signal acts on it in such a way that the acoustic receptor is largely maintained in its rest state despite the action of the acoustic signal. The counter-signal is derived from the control variable of a control circuit which is a component of the acoustic receptor. The control variable contains the information on the acting acoustic signal. Any deviation of the receptor from its rest state immediately generates a digital “nought” or “one.

Abstract: A method for implementing a video tripwire includes steps of calibrating a sensing device to determine sensing device parameters for use by the system; initializing the system, including entering at least one virtual tripwire; obtaining data from the sensing device; analyzing the data obtained from the sensing device to determine if the at least one virtual tripwire has been crossed; and triggering a response to a virtual tripwire crossing.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for designing and manufacturing semiconductors including the steps of: (i) producing a fab-ready design for a semiconductor device by importing into the design at least one core from a remote source, the core bearing an identification indicium, (ii) utilizing the fab-ready design to fabricate the semiconductor device, and (iii) reading the identification indicium from the semiconductor device to indicate incorporation of the at least one core therein.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic based classification (FLBC) method for the automated discrimination of objects and the automated identification of nodules based on their features, a computer programmed to implement the method, and a storage medium which stores a program for implementing the method, wherein nodule (or, object) features are first normalized and then automatically selected. Based on the selected features, suspect nodules (or, objects) are pre-grouped and then subjected to the corresponding trained linear classifier to remove those false positive nodules or abnormal objects that are linearly separable. Finally, the remaining suspect nodules or objects are further subjected to a trained fuzzy classifier for removing those false positive nodules or abnormal objects that are not linearly separable.

Abstract: A to-be-sent signal (20) is comprised of a header (21) and convolution encoded data (22). An error correcting code (23) has a capability to correct a bit error or burst error contained in an objective data (24) placed apart from the header (21) in said convolution encoded data (22). Because an error arises easily in data placed apart from a header compared with that positioned near said header generally, said error correcting code (23) is added to data placed apart from said header and the addition of said error correcting code is omitted in data placed near to said header, thereby reducing whole information contents and transmission power.

Abstract: This invention discloses a customizable logic array including an array of programmable cells having a multiplicity of inputs and a multiplicity of outputs; and customized interconnections providing permanent direct interconnections among at least a plurality of the multiplicity of inputs and at least a plurality of the multiplicity of outputs.

Abstract: There is provided a variable rate TDM switching system comprising steps of: arranging a plurality of incoming lines and a plurality of sending lines in lattice form; providing time-division gates at cross-points of the incoming lines and the sending lines; connecting time-division temporal switches having a function of transposing the order of time slots in input TDM frames to forward stage of respective incoming lines of the time-division space switches for performing the switching between the incoming lines and the sending lines with time slot unit while holding the multiplexing, by switching these time-division gates; connecting a scheduler for concentratedly controlling the time-division gates and the time-division temporal switches to these gates and time switches; transmitting the headers of the TDM frames to the scheduler in case of inputting the header of TDM frame, and deciding the temporal switching schedule by the scheduler as to the transposition of the order of time slots in the time-division tem

Abstract: A method for segmenting video data into foreground and background portions utilizes statistical modeling of the pixels. A statistical model of the background is built for each pixel, and each pixel in an incoming video frame is compared with the background statistical model for that pixel. Pixels are determined to be foreground or background based on the comparisons.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic focusing apparatus for automatically focusing on a subject in an image plane. The automatic focusing apparatus includes a focus lens for focusing on the subject, drive means for moving the focus lens, an image element for picking up image data from the subject through the focus lens, an image processor for extracting luminance signals of each pixel from the image data picked up by the image element, and a controller for computing contrast value under the luminance signals of each pixel extracted by the image processor, for computing moving quantity of the focus lens by using inverse number of the contrast value, and for controlling the drive means according to the moving quantity.

Abstract: An individual identification device and a method for extracting an iris region which can extract the iris region with high accuracy even if the shape of a pupil is not circular as in the case of a horse, cattle or the like. Contour lines of the pupil and an granula iridia are extracted from an image inputted. Part of a circle is applied to a contour line of the pupil and a radius of the contour line outside the iris region is estimated by an angle formed by two lines, one to connect both ends of the pupil and the other to pass the center of the circle. An iris circle is estimated by applying part of the circle to the contour line inside and outside the iris region.

Abstract: An inventive method of forming a Ti film above an oxide material electrode in a semiconductor device involves forming a contact hole to an upper electrode and a lower electrode, forming a TiN film by a sputtering method, then remaining TiN film on the bottom of the contact when, by a lift off method, the other TiN film is removed. Forming of TiOx on the oxide material electrode and peeling can thereby be prevented. The bottom of the diffusion layer contact to a diffusion layer is formed by the multilayer metal of Ti film and Al film; a loose contact with a Si substrate can thereby be prevented.