Abstract: In a speech recognition system, the received speech and the sequence of words, recognized in the speech by a recognizer (100), are stored in a memory (320, 330). Markers are stored as well, indicating a correspondence between the word and a segment of the received signal in which the word was recognized. In a synchronous reproduction mode, a controller (310) ensures that the speech is played-back via speakers (350) and that for each speech segment a word, which has been recognized for the segment, is indicated (e.g. highlighted) on a display (340). The controller (310) can detect whether the user has provided an editing instruction, while the synchronous reproduction is active. If so, the synchronous reproduction is automatically paused and the editing instruction executed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to determine the frequency weighting matrix that will provide the best image quality during MPEG4 FGS enhancement layer encoding, and to change this determination on a scene characteristics change basis, thereby optimizing the resulting output picture quality, especially in bandwidth-deprived applications.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system for imaging ultrasound scatterers, comprising a probe (208) for transmitting ultrasound waves and detecting ultrasound echoes reflected by said ultrasound scatterers, wherein said probe comprises a first group of transducer elements, labeled transmitting group (T), to transmit ultrasound waves, and a distinct second group of transducer elements, labeled receiving group (R), to detect ultrasound echoes reflected by said ultrasound scatterers.

Abstract: A dictation apparatus is disclosed for storing a speech signal in a memory. The dictation apparatus includes a data compression unit for compressing the speech signal and a storing unit for storing the data compressed speech signal in the memory. The data compression unit performs the data compression on the speech signal in one of at least two different selectable data compression modes. The data compression unit also creates data files including portions of the data compressed speech signal and a header portion including an identifier signal identifying the data compression mode selected. For realizing an insert, a control unit is included that is selectively operable by a user for providing an insert signal and an end of insert signal. In response to the occurrence of each insert signal, a block of at least two and at most three pointing vectors is generated.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic resonance image involves separate measurement of the position of a measuring site. The magnetic resonance image is corrected on the basis of the measured position of the measuring site.

Abstract: The invention is a wafer having variable acoustic properties. The wafer may be used as a substrate over which to form an ultrasonic transducer, an IC, or may be used as a circuit board. An ultrasonic transducer formed on the wafer may include piezoelectric ceramic transducer elements or MUT elements. By controlling the acoustic impedance of the wafer upon which the integrated control circuitry for an ultrasonic transducer is formed, the acoustic impedance of the wafer can be matched to the acoustic impedance requirements of the ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, by the addition of internal voids, the wafer reduces or eliminates the lateral propagation of acoustic energy through the wafer.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method is described for fast dynamic imaging from a plurality of signals acquired by an array of multiple sensors. The k-space will be segmented into regions of different acquisition. In the region of a first acquisition type a first partial image will be reconstructed by data of normal magnetic resonance imaging with a full set of phase encoding steps or by data of fast dynamic imaging with a number of phase encoding steps being with a low reduction factor with respect to the fall set thereof and in the region of a second acquisition type a second partial image will be reconstructed by data of fast dynamic imaging with a full reduction factor. Thereafter the first and the second partial images will be formed to the full image of the scanned object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical field type MRI apparatus provided with a superconducting coil system 20a, 20b for generating a substantially homogeneous magnetic field in an imaging volume 18 of the apparatus. The coil system includes a circular outer coil 28 and a supplementary coil 30 which is positioned in the same plane 32 as and within the outer coil, which coils conduct opposite currents. The ratio Da/Do of the diameter Da of the supplementary coil to the diameter Do of the outer coil lies between 0,7 and 0,9. Further coils 34 to 38, 40 to 46 for making the field even more homogeneous are preferably located on a conical surface 48, 50 within the first mentioned coils 28, 30 in such a manner that a recess is formed in which a conically shaped gradient coil system 52 can be accommodated, with the result that the expensive outer coil 28 and the supplementary coil 30 can be arranged at an as short as possible distance from the space for receiving the patient to be examined.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR device with apparatus for localizing and/or visualizing a medical instrument inserted into an object to be examined. In order to construct such a device in a more economical and more reliable manner, according to the invention, the medical instrument is provided with a magnet device which is controllable by a control unit in such a manner that information concerning the position of the magnet device in MR data sets can be specifically changed. The invention also relates to a corresponding MR method.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent is incorporated into microbubbles of a contrast agent, and the microbubbles containing the therapeutic agent are delivered to a region of interest in a patient. An ultrasound image of the region of interest is generated by an ultrasound imaging system, and ultrasound energy for destroying the microbubbles of the contrast agent is transmitted to the region of interest. Parameter data that is representative of activation of the therapeutic agent in the region of interest is acquired, and a parameter display is generated. One or more parameters of the ultrasound energy applied to the region of interest for activating the therapeutic agent may be adjusted, either manually based on the parameter display or automatically based on acquired parameter data. In one embodiment, the parameter display is indicative of a parameter associated with the ultrasound energy transmitted to the region of interest.

Abstract: A tailgating safety system for a vehicle includes a distance determiner for determining a distance of the vehicle from objects which are leading or following the vehicle. The system also includes a speedometer for determining a speed of the vehicle and an alarm. If the speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed, and the distance of the vehicle from another object is less than a predetermined distance, then the alarm is activated to advise the driver that at the speed the vehicle is traveling, the distance between the vehicle and the object is not a safe traveling distance.

Abstract: A method of providing a display (10) for a graphical user interface in which a user may define a selected region (20) of a subject image (3) is disclosed together with a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium (72) and apparatus for the same (71). The method comprising the steps of displaying the subject image (3); displaying at least one mask (12, 13, 14, 15) over the subject image wherein at least part of the or each mask extends to the periphery of the subject image (11); and defining the selected region (20) as those parts of the subject image not covered by a mask. The or each mask has a geometry which may vary in accordance with a user's input whereby the user selecting a first point within a mask and a second point displaced therefrom causes the geometry of that mask to vary in relation to the displacement (16, 17, 18, 19, 21) between the first and second points.

Abstract: A correction device (4) for a speech recognition device (2) is provided, with which the replacement of incorrectly recognized words (FETI) of the recognized text (ETI) is especially simple to execute. The correction device (4) is based on the recognition that the phoneme sequences of incorrectly recognized words and the spoken words actually to be recognized are very similar, and automatically marks words in the recognized text (ETI) which show a phoneme sequence similar to that of a correction word (KWI) put in by the user.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging to receive a signal from contrast agent microbubbles in arterioles of a myocardium, without being masked by a signal from microbubbles in capillaries of the myocardium. For example, high power ultrasonic energy is emitted to destroy microbubbles in the arterioles and capillaries. A time delay passes from the destruction. The time delay is sufficiently long to allow the arterioles to refill with microbubbles and sufficiently short so that the capillaries do not completely refill with microbubbles. Ultrasonic imaging is then performed to receive a signal between harmonics from the microbubbles refilled in the arterioles. Various other destructive and non-destructive imaging techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: At least one quantity which is characteristic of the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of magnetizable material which interacts with the magnetic fields of a magnetic resonance imaging device is determined in order to compensate the temporally varying strength of the main magnetic field of a main magnet of such a device. On the basis of this quantity a compensation signal is formed for the correction of the influence of the varying field strength on the imaging result.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for forming a fast dynamic image from a plurality of signals of an RF probe is described. The RF probe is moved relative to an object to be imaged so as to acquire at least two adjacent Fields-of-View (FOV) which are reconstructed so as to form an image of a region of interest which includes both FOVs. The object to be imaged is scanned by a moving RF antenna. Furthermore, the first FOV is centered at the initial probe position and after each subsequent scan the position of the imaging field within the actual FOV is determined. From that data the next position of the RF probe relative to the object is computed and, if the imaging field runs out of the actual FOV, the RF antenna is moved to the estimated next position of the RF probe so that the subsequent FOV is centered again at the RF probe position. A composite image is then generated from the successive images of the various adjacent FOVs.

Abstract: A method of determining a quantitative statement concerning the quality of a medical measurement signal in pulsoximetry includes the steps of determining factors relevant to the measurement signal and interlinking the factors by means of an uncertain logic into a quality indicator. The factors relate to combinations selected from the group consisting of signal recording, signal processing, and signal evaluation. The uncertain logic includes fuzzy logic. The quality indicator quantitatively describes a quality of a determined measurement value of the measurement signal.

Abstract: A beamformer for an ultrasound imaging system is provided, the ultrasound imaging system having a probe having a transducer array for transmitting and receiving analog signals, and a personal computer. The beamformer includes a beamformer software application module configured for execution by the computing device for performing at least partial beamforming processing on digital data transmitted between the transducer array and the computing device, and means for exchanging signals and data between the transducer array and the computing device and performing at least one of A/D and D/A conversions on the exchanged signals and data. In the preferred embodiment, the beamformer further includes a module integrated within architecture of the computing device, wherein the integrated module is preferably Random Access Memory (RAM) included in storage means of the computing device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for electronically scanning a volumetric region using a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to a beamformer. Elements of the array are actuated to transmit ultrasonic energy into the volumetric region. Echo signals are received by elements of the array in response to the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Beams are formed which sample the volumetric region that allows choices of size, location and geometry shapes such as in one of a circular and elliptical beam pattern.

Abstract: A user interface for an imaging device provides a first controller for adjusting the output of a transducer and a second controller for high power imaging. A control circuit, in response to input from the first controller adjusts the output power level of the imaging device and when a power level over a predetermined value is requested requires input from the second controller prior to adjusting the output of the imaging device to the requested power level. Alternatively, the first control can be used to set the imaging device for low power imaging, while the second control is used to set the imaging device for high power imaging. The imaging device can also be provided with a variety of display interfaces to facility safe high power imaging. A graph of power vs. depth may be displayed in conjunction with the ultrasound image and the portions of the image that receive the highest power can be highlighted.