Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and potentially in addition to the content displayed on the operating system monitor. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces separate from the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.

Abstract: The present invention automates the process of selecting lids to be inserted over produce containers. In one embodiment, labels are affixed to the bottom container when the selected produce products have been loaded into the container. As the containers move along an assembly line, the label is read and the container directed to a specific lidding station where the desired lid is selected and placed over the container. Multiple lidding stations are provided such that the containers are automatically directed to the appropriate lidding station so that the selected lid may be placed on the container. Alternatively, the system may simply track the movement of containers and count quantities of containers rather than rely on labels affixed to the container. In this manner, containers full of produce are directed to the appropriate lidding stations where lids are automatically selected and positioned over the container.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and a process for enhancing images of subtle structures, such as tumor tissue within a soft tissue matrix. Specifically, the process and apparatus provides a transmissive ultrasonic holography imaging system having an acoustical opaque small element variably placed so as to block from being transmitted into an image plane that portion of the transmitted sound that is not scattered by the object. Alternately, the process and apparatus provides for an acoustical opaque plane with an opening variably placed so as to block from being transmitted into an image plane that portion of the transmitted sound that is scattered by the object. Alternately, the process and apparatus provide for an acoustically opaque element in the shape of a plane with an circular openings variably placed so as allow passage only that portion of the transmitted sound that is scattered by the object at a selected location within the focal plane of the lens means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for non-invasively determining dimensions of a lesion within soft tissue, comprising: (a) ultrasonically imaging soft tissue in an apparatus having an acoustic transducer, an acoustic focussing system, a holographic imaging detector, and a means for visualizing the holographic image; (b) obtaining a holographic planar image of a lesion in a first plane having a thickness z and having a dimension across a wide area of the lesion of x and a length across the lesion of y wherein y is at an approximately 90 degree angle to x; (c) determining if the image of the lesion is contained in different planar images; (d) measuring the x and y dimensions of the lesion in the plane having the largest sum of x plus y dimensions; and (e) determining the 3-dimensional size with a means for z-axis measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument for resectioning hemorrhoids for the minimal invasive subanodermal removal of hemorrhoidal tissue. In order to reduce surgical intervention to an absolute minimum and to subject a patient suffering from hemorrhoids to an operation which is as gentle as possible, the invention provides for an instrument for resectioning hemorrhoids, comprising a narrow, elongated carrier device, a vibrating surgical device which reduces the size of tissue so that hemorrhoidal tissue can be prepared and fragmented, and at least one milling unit for removing said tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects including a feed and tension unit, a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.

Abstract: A bandgap reference voltage circuit is provided that substantially prevents noise sensitivity. The bandgap reference voltage circuit includes an operational amplifier, transistors, and a resistive element on one input of the operational amplifier. The resistive element substantially prevents noise from creating a non-zero mean change in current across one of the transistors. Thus, the resistive element substantially precludes noise from being rectified by a transistor, so that the output reference voltage of the bandgap reference voltage circuit is substantially stable and fixed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a theater having a first screen and a second screen movable relative to the first screen. The first and second screens are typically designed for different movie formats. The second screen is mounted to a frame in sections, and a rotating member is operable to move sections of the second screen away from the first screen. A projection system disposed in front of one of the screens is operable to project screen images alternatively on the first screen or on the second screen. A plurality of speakers are mountable to the frame to provide a sound system.

Abstract: An integrated circuit voltage ramp generator is presented. The circuit includes at least one operational amplifier having a non-inverting input terminal connected to a voltage reference, and having an output terminal coupled in a feedback relationship to an output terminal of the generator circuit. The ramp voltage generator further includes a first storage capacitance connected between the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier and a ground reference, which is loaded by means of a second pumping capacitance connected in parallel to the first capacitance. The pumping and voltage generation is and controlled by a series of passgates coupled to clock signals.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a hybrid VLIW-SIMD programming model for a digital signal processor. The hybrid programming model broadcasts a packet of information to a plurality of functional units or processing elements. Each packet contains several instructions having certain characteristics, such as instruction type and instruction length, among others. The hybrid programming model includes functional units which are reconfigurable based upon the instructions with an instruction packet and the availability of the functional units. The model groups the functional units such that the operations specified in the instructions can be efficiently executed and selects which functional units should be utilized for a given operation.

Abstract: A symmetrical communication protocol allows handsets to operate as a master unit or a slave unit and operate independently of any base station. Remote units may contact each other directly with the calling unit being temporarily designated as a master unit and the called unit being designated temporarily as a slave unit. A wireless communication link is established between the two units and the units frequency-hop in synchronization in accordance with FCC requirements. The units independently monitor the signal strength of the incoming signal and can transmit power change commands to the other unit to increase or decrease transmission power as required. A calling unit initially transmits a call request on a limited number of the available frequency channels in order to decrease the acquisition time period. An idle unit has a sleep cycle and an awake cycle.

Abstract: An improved frequency detector circuit and method is disclosed for frequency acquisition. The frequency detector is particularly useful as part of a frequency loop in a standard two loop clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit because, for among other reasons, the frequency detector is not limited in frequency range. Typically a CDR circuit includes a phase loop and a frequency loop. The frequency loop includes an improved frequency detector which can be simplified as having two parts; a frequency too low detector (FTLD) and a dynamic leakage circuit (DLC). The FTLD monitors the incoming NRZ data and the VCO frequency looking for a rising edge of the VCO between two edges of the data. In one embodiment, the FTLD includes one or more flip-flops to detect the rise and fall of the data and to count the data and clock edges. The DLC is essentially a too high detector and includes a double edge sampler. The DLC monitors the beat frequency between the incoming NRZ data and the VCO.

Abstract: A satellite communication system includes Earth-based terminal and a satellite constellation in non-geosynchronous Earth orbits. When two or more satellites are within range of a first Earth-based terminal, the station requests a communication link with the first satellite at a first data rate. If the first satellite will accept data transfer at the first communication rate, the first Earth-based terminal transmits data to the first satellite at the requested first data rate. If, however, the first satellite will not accept data transfer at the requested first data rate, the first Earth-based terminal transmits a first portion of the data to the first satellite at a second data rate and transmits a second portion of the data, different from the first portion of the data, to the second satellite at a third data rate. The first and second satellites relay the respective data portions to a second Earth-based terminal, either directly or via additional satellites.

Abstract: A device to detect the location of a plurality of magnets uses a plurality of magnetic sensors, having sensor elements arranged in a known fashion. Each sensor element senses the magnetic field strength generated by each of the plurality of magnets and provides data indicative of the direction of the magnets in a three-dimensional space. The device uses fundamental equations for electricity and magnetism that relate the measured magnetic field strength to the location and strength of the magnetic dipole for each of the plurality of magnets. The device may use an iterative process to determine the actual location and orientation of each magnet. An initial estimation of the location and orientation of each magnet results in the generation of predicted magnetic field values. The predicted magnetic field values are compared with the actual measured values provided by the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: A low-cost, low maintenance earth-based station is disclosed which includes a fixed aperture antenna directed to a fixed location. The system operates with a plurality of non-geosynchronous satellites that will periodically pass through a beam coverage region of the antenna. When one of the satellites comes within range of the earth-based station, the earth-based station detects the presence of the satellite and synchronizes the earth-based station with the satellite. When synchronization is complete, the earth-based station transmits stored data to the satellite. The data to be transmitted is stored within a data storage device that may be present at the earth-based station or remotely located and transmitted to the earth-based station using conventional techniques.

Abstract: A bread making machine having an automated dispenser unit and a pause function Is described. The automated dispenser unit is integrated within a chamber lid covering a bread making chamber in which bread making ingredients are mixed, kneaded, and baked. The automated dispenser accepts certain ingredients, such as fruit and/or nuts, which are automatically added to the bread making chamber after significant processing of other ingredients in the bread making chamber has occurred. The automatic dispenser unit includes a dispenser door adjacent to the bread making chamber. The dispenser door is held in a closed position by a latch assembly. The latch assembly is mechanically linked to a solenoid core, which moves in response to a control signal issued by electronic control circuitry, causing the dispenser door to open. The bread making machine includes a pause function, which allows a user to temporarily suspend the bread making operation at any time, by pressing a pause key on a user interface keyboard.

Abstract: A method for the therapeutic treatment of diseased cells in a patient is disclosed. An electromagnetic field is generated and the patient exposed to the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be a pulsed electromagnetic field and may be used for the treatment of a patient having AIDS. The method may also comprise exposing the patient to an electromagnetic field having frequencies in a visible spectrum in combination with an electromagnetic field having frequencies not in the visible spectrum, such as may be useful to treat a variety of conditions.

Abstract: A device to detect the location of a magnet coupled to an indwelling medical device within a patient uses three or more sets of magnetic sensors each having sensor elements arranged in a known fashion. Each sensor element senses the magnetic field strength generated by the magnet and provides data indicative of the direction of the magnet in a three-dimensional space. The device uses findamental equations for electricity and magnetism that relate measured magnetic field strength and magnetic field gradient to the location and strength of a magnetic dipole. The device uses an iterative process to determine the actual location and orientation of the magnet. An initial estimate of the location and orientation of the magnet results in the generation of predicted magnetic field values. The predicted magnetic field values are compared with the actual measured values provided by the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method analyzes data for patterns, such as data produced from DNA sequencers. An ASCII text file, generated by DNA sequencer software, is used as the input source for the pattern analysis software program. This text file contains peak intensity data, identified by gel-lane and mobility, for bands corresponding to 2 sequences of differing length. The software uses gel-mobility values of control DNA samples to identify bands of interest from test samples in the dataset. Spurious data point or artifacts are filtered out in this selection process. The selected data is then imported to a second software program that performs algorithms such as linear progression and curve fitting.

Abstract: An anatomical marker uses a permanent magnet to indicate a selected location within a patient. The magnet is enclosed within a non-degradable envelope and is coupled to a retention member that is preferably manufactured from a biodegradable material, such as a polyglucuronic acid based material. The retention member may include one or more barbs to retain the anatomical marker in the selected location. An insertion tool, usable with an endoscope, can insert the anatomical marker. A retention magnet is fixedly attached to the insertion tool and holds the anatomical marker in place due to the attractive magnetic forces between the retention magnet and the marker magnet in the non-biodegradable envelope.