Abstract: A divide-and-conquer (DAC) method and system improve the detection of abnormalities, like lung nodules, in radiological images via the use of zone-based digital image processing and artificial neural networks. The DAC method and system divide the lung zone into different zones in order to enhance the efficiency in detection. Different image enhancement techniques are used for each different zone to enhance nodule images, as are different zone-specific techniques for selecting suspected abnormalities, extracting image features corresponding to selected abnormalities, and classifying the abnormalities as either true or false abnormalities.

Abstract: An adaptive sensory-motor encoder equipped with a central control unit for signal processing functions, monitoring functions, checking functions and/or external intervention functions. The encoder has a group of adaptive spatio-temporal filters for the purpose of converting sensor signals into stimulation pulse sequences, and it is equipped with an interface for coupling the encoder with an implantable microstructure for stimulation of nerve or glial tissue. The interface is executed in bi-directional design. Thus, along with control of nerve cells and administration of active substances, monitoring of sensor signals and biophysical parameters of spontaneous activity recorded at the implant site is also possible.

Abstract: In the data transmission system according to the present invention, a master apparatus transmits data to a plurality of slave apparatuses during a time block T1-1 and the individual slave apparatuses transmit data for the master apparatus during a time block T1-3. Slave apparatus control signals transmitted by the master apparatus for the individual slave apparatuses are transmitted through a control channel group 31 having time slots that correspond to the individual slave apparatuses, whereas master apparatus control signals for the master apparatus transmitted by the individual slave apparatuses are transmitted through a control channel group 35 having time slots that correspond to the individual slave apparatuses.

Abstract: An inventive method and computer system convert known or unknown input file formats to a common file format with a reduced amount of human intervention and greater speed, in comparison to prior-art methods and products. The conversion involves the viewing, by an operator, of a given input file; the determination as to whether or not the format of the input file matches a known format; the specification of data coordinates within each record in the input file; and the conversion of the input file to the common file format. Newly created file formats may be stored and used as existing file formats. A “garbage collection” module automatically removes extraneous unprintable characters and helps to standardize the control character formats, prior to matching.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved optical amplifier, which comprises a rare earth doped optical fiber for amplifying the optical signal, at least one pump laser for providing a pump signal to the rare earth doped optical fiber, a wavelength division multiplexer for extracting a backward amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) signal in the C-band wavelength (1525-1565 nm) differ from the L-band wavelength (1565-1610 nm) containing the optical signal to be transmitted, a gain controller for controlling a power level of the pump signal based on a received power of the backward ASE signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate having at least first, second and third metal layers formed over it. The metal layers comprise parallel strips. The strips of a given metal layer may be arranged such that they extend in a direction perpendicular to that of the direction in which the strips of a metal layer immediately above or below the given metal layer extend. The strips may further be arranged in parallel bands. The metal layers may comprise repeating patterns of strips. They may further provide customization. Vias may be formed to provide connections between metal layers. Such vias and/or one or more of the metal layers themselves may be used to provide customization.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for stopping the idling of an automobile engine, a system for relating the apparatus to a traffic signal device and further a signal display apparatus for supplying a driver information such as idling stop of the automobile engine and the like in relation to the system in order to prevent generation of exhaust gases caused by unnecessary engine idling when an automobile is stopped at a traffic signal and the like. A period of time tS corresponding to the period of time until the traffic signal of a traffic signal device is changed to green is calculated based on a signal received from by the traffic signal device. A period of time T, which serves as a base for determining whether idling is to be stopped or not, is determined based on the calculated period of time tS. The idling of the automobile engine is stopped only when the period of time T satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave amplifier and an electromagnetic wave generator operate using electron beams in a vacuum environment. The amplifier, arranged in a vacuum environment, comprises an electron emitting section for emitting electron beams and an amplifying section for amplifying an inputted electromagnetic wave in one direction by utilizing energy received from an electron beam emitted from the electron emitting section and traveling in the vacuum along a dielectric waveguide having a wave-shaped form. The generator, also arranged in a vacuum environment, comprises an electron emitting section for emitting electron beams and an oscillating section for generating an electromagnetic wave by utilizing electron beams emitted from the electron emitting section and travelling in the vacuum along a dielectric waveguide having a composite wave-shaped form.

Abstract: A logic circuit having a first logic gate and remaining logic gate or gates. The first logic gate is interposed in a signal path determining an operating speed, and includes at least one first MOS transistor which has a threshold voltage lower than a predetermined voltage and operates at a high speed. The remaining logic gate or gates include at least one of a second MOS transistor and a third MOS transistor as a transistor having a margin for operating speed. The second MOS transistor has a middle threshold voltage equal to or greater than the predetermined voltage, and the third MOS transistor has a high threshold voltage equal to or greater than the predetermined voltage. The power consumption of the entire logic circuit at the time of operation is reduced, while maintaining the maximum operating speed.

Abstract: A measurement system is used in particular to detect defects in test objects. To that end, the test object is lighted from a lighting unit that includes a plurality of laser diodes. The beam cones of the individual laser diodes generate a common lighting spot on the test object. The object being measured is observed interferometrically, where the interferometer is part of a measurement head. An electronic pattern sensor detects interference patterns generated by the interferometer.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the telemetering apparatus, which telemeters electric power, gas, and waterworks, for telemetering via a telephone network with an exchange, wherein the telemetering apparatus responds to the normal polarity inversion, the slow polarity inversion, and calling bell signal applied to the communication line therebetween upon starting or releasing of use of the communication line. To attain the above object, the telemetering appears according to the present invention comprises detection means for detecting a rising edge or falling edge of those polarity inversions and signal characterized thereby with reference to the respective predetermined voltage and the respective predetermined period, thus distinguishing one of these polarity inversions and signal from the others.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a light-emitting semiconductor device has a light-emitting layer with a certain bandgap energy, an upper cladding layer with a higher bandgap energy, a first diffusion area extending into the light-emitting layer, a second diffusion area extending only into the upper cladding layer, and an electrode making contact with the second diffusion area, without covering any part of the first diffusion area. The second diffusion area conducts current to the first diffusion area, where light is emitted from a pn junction in the light-emitting layer. In another aspect of the invention, a semiconductor contact layer is provided to assure ohmic contact with the electrode, and the semiconductor contact layer is removed from the light-emitting area, avoiding absorption of light.

Abstract: A mobile communication receiver generates an audio signal from a radio signal received on a communication channel, detects conditions on the communication channel, mutes the audio signal according to a first rule when the channel conditions are bad, and un-mutes the audio signal according to a second rule when the channel conditions are good. The first rule is more stringent than the second rule; as a result, sporadic muting and choppy muting are avoided.

Abstract: A solid state disk system having an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory is disclosed. The solid state disk system comprises a host interface for inputting data from and outputting data to a host computer located outside of said solid state disk system, a buffer memory coupled to the host interface for temporally storing data, an EEPROM coupled to the buffer memory, a micro-controller coupled to the host interface and buffer memory for controlling a replacement procedure. The EEPROM has a memory region divided into a plurality of blocks each of which is erased at the same time. The memory region has a user block region storing data accessed from the host computer, a spare block region storing data from the outside for replacing any defective block within the user block region, and a replacement information region storing information about an address of a spare block corresponding to the defective block.

Abstract: A sequence controller includes a sequencer to which a basic clock is applied. The sequencer sequentially generates at a period of 125 &mgr;sec address signals for reading statements to be executed at a period of 125 &mgr;sec and one block of statements to be executed at a period of 10 msec or one block of statements to be executed at a period of 100 msec. A memory stores the above statements beforehand. The statements are selectively read out of the memory in accordance with the address signals and fed to a decoder. The decoder decodes the statements and generates control signals respectively corresponding to the statements and feeds the control signals to a switch. The switch controls each of a plurality of function registers on the basis of the respective control signal.

Abstract: Tripolar stimulation of the heart utilizes electrodes implanted in at least two locations in the heart. In a first case, for bi-atrial or bi-ventricular stimulation, electrodes are placed in an appropriate heart chamber and in a blood vessel of the heart. In a second case, electrodes are placed in two separate locations in the same chamber of the heart. In either case, one location is for performing unipolar stimulation (i.e., has electrodes of only a singular polarity), while the other location is for bipolar stimulation (i.e., has electrodes of both positive and negative polarities).

Abstract: A first supply voltage is applied to a computer-controlled apparatus and to a first block of a simulator, while a second supply voltage is applied to a designator unit and to a second block of the simulator. The operation of the computer-controlled apparatus is simulated by the simulator in response to instruction signals supplied from the designator unit.

Abstract: A plurality of types of settlement conditions exist for transactions with electronic money. An electronic transaction system capable of being applied to a plurality of types of settlement conditions using a single automatic teller machine is provided. In order to achieve this, this system has the following configuration. Namely, in this electronic transaction system for carrying out transaction settlements using electronic money stored on a customer card while using an automatic teller machine, customer identification information and an electronic money amount are stored as balance information for each customer account established at a financial institution, with the customer card being such that stored information can be updated based on pre-decided transaction conditions. The automatic teller machine then houses customer cards corresponding to a plurality of transaction conditions and a plurality of ATM cards, and a plurality of control software is prepared.

Abstract: This invention discloses a customizable and programmable integrated circuit device including at least first and second programmable logic cells, and at least two electrical conductive paths interconnecting the at least first and second programmable logic cells, at least a portion of which can be removed for customization 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: This invention discloses a semiconductor device including a substrate, at least first, second and third metal layers formed over the substrate, the second metal layer including a plurality of generally parallel bands extending parallel to a first axis, each band comprising a multiplicity of second metal layer strips extending perpendicular to said first axis, and at least one via connecting at least one second metal layer strip with the first metal layer underlying the second metal layer.