Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for the formation of a three-dimensional image data set of a periodically moving body organ (11) of a patient (5) by means of an X-ray device (1) which includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector (3), a motion signal (H, B) which is related to the periodic motion of the body organ (11) being measured simultaneously with the acquisition of the projection data sets (D0, D1, . . . , D16). In order to improve such a method or such a device, notably in order to improve the construction and to reduce the time required for data processing while keeping the radiation dose for the patient as small as possible and while ensuring an as high as possible image quality, the invention proposes to acquire the projection data sets (D0, D1, . . . , D16) necessary for the formation of the three-dimensional image data set successively from different X-ray positions (p0, p1, . . .

Abstract: An improved infant formula resulting in reduced constipation, abdominal discomfort and gastrointestinal problems, comprises at least one protein component having a phosphorus content of less than 0.75 g P/100 g protein, and at least one lipid component that can be easily digested by an infant. Preferably, it further comprises at least one prebiotic component, and at least one viscosity-improving component. The protein fraction of the formula is preferably a hydrolysate prepared by hydrolysing a protein starting material, especially a whey protein with a combination of at least one endo- and at least one exoproteinase.

Abstract: A method of reconfiguring the software interface in software defined radios in which when a transmitting station (PS) sends a reconfiguration software message to a receiving station (SS), the receiving station responds with a message giving an estimated time duration for carrying-out the reconfiguration of its software. The transmitting station listens for the estimated time duration for a message which confirms that the receiving station has been successfully reconfigured and commences normal communications using the new configuration. The estimated time duration may be computed using indicia present in the reconfiguration software message.

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: The present invention involves a recordable disk having a first plurality of S1 servo sample wedges in a first servo zone at an outermost position on the disk, a second plurality of S2 servo sample wedges in a second servo zone which is radially adjacent the first servo zone, and a third plurality of S3 servo sample wedges in a third servo zone which is radially adjacent the second servo zone. The S1 servo sample wedges of the first plurality are equally spaced apart circumferentially around the disk by a first angle ?1, the S2 servo sample wedges of the second plurality are equally spaced apart circumferentially around the disk by a second angle ?2=?1*N1, and the S3 servo sample wedges of the third plurality are equally spaced apart circumferentially around the disk by a third angle ?3=?2*N2.

Abstract: A sufficient number of data items are selected for inclusion in a data set so as to discourage a transmission of the entire set over a limited bandwidth communications path, such as the Internet. Each data item comprises one or more sections, which taken together constitute the complete data set. Each section of the data set is linked to another section of the data set, and each section's link is bound to the section via the use of one or more watermarks. Upon presentation of material for rendering, the presence of the entirety of the data set is verified by ascertaining the presence of linked-to sections. For further security, the links between sections is formed by a random selection of each linked-to section. To verify that each linked-to section corresponds to the original section that was linked-to, each link contains an identifier of the linked-to section that can be used to determine that a retrieval of a linked-to section corresponds to the originally assigned linked-to section.

Abstract: A medical imaging system diagnostics package includes the ability to analyze operator usage data to detect aspects of the manner in which the system is used which may be a source of operating problems. Detecting problems arising from the manner in which the system is used can reduce the number of “no trouble found” repair calls and can often be permanently resolved by additional operator training in the use of the system. The diagnostic package includes the ability to assess the effects of software aging by analyzing the status of components of the medical system which are used by software such as registers, memory and disk drives. The results of this analysis can be used to improve software performance which is degraded but not failing completely such as system slowdowns and lengthened response times.

Abstract: A device for enclosing an elongate object (20), such as a cable splice, including a flexible sheet (2) which can be laid around the elongate object and secured by support members (5, 6) attached to edges (3, 4) of the sheet. The support members (5, 6) may be hinged half-shells. The flexible sheet (2) may be a gel layer and/or a rubber layer which is stretched when the device is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting products moving through a detection zone directs a light beam having a given cross sectional area towards a scanning zone through which the products move and are impinged upon by the light beam. A first detector is disposed to receive reflected light back from the products and has a first field of view larger than the light beam cross sectional area, the first detector being sensitive to substantially all of the direct and diffused reflected light from the products and generating a first signal corresponding thereto. A second detector also receives the reflected light and has a second field of view generally equal to the cross sectional area of the light beam. The second detector is sensitive to substantially only the direct reflected light from the products and generates a second signal corresponding thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure, method, computer program and a system for displaying information on a portable wireless device. This may be accomplished by receiving a light signal containing embedded data and converting the signal into electrical power. It may also be accomplished by demodulating the embedded data, retrieving information from the database in the storage device and displaying the information on a Light Emitting Polymer display screen.

Abstract: A loudspeaker protection system includes a filter arrangement for defining one or more frequency bands of an audio signal, controllable amplifier/attenuator combinations coupled to the filter arrangement, and a processing arrangement coupled to control the amplifier/attenuator combinations, such as to determine audio power in at least one of the frequency bands representing relevant loudspeaker protection information used for selective audio power control in the at least one frequency band. This system has the features for a fast and/or slow thermal protection, as well as for a cone excursion protection, all for a loudspeaker in such a system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system including an apparatus and a plurality of remote controls. Each remote control is equipped with a detector for detecting infrared signals from the other remote controls. The remote controls are capable of controlling the transmission of messages in dependence on a detection of signals from the other remote controls. In this way, collision between signals from different remote controls is prevented.

Abstract: An image processing method for extracting a thread-like structure (GW) represented on the background in a digital noisy original image (IM1,IM0), comprising steps of acquisition (1) of the original image data of one End-Point (P0, Q0) of the threadlike structure and comprising steps of iterative Front Propagation stage (4) starting from the unique End-Point (P0, Q0) and supplying an End-Front (F1, F2) yielding End-Front Points (41); constructing a set of Candidate Paths between the unique End-Point (P0, Q0) and said End-Front Points and selecting (42) one Best Candidate Path for representing the threadlike structure. Application: Medical Imaging; X-ray apparatus with image processing means and display means.

Abstract: This atomic force microscope has a probe for surface analysis of a sample (E), comprising a support body and an elastically deformable strip linked to the body, the strip being provided with a tip designed to come into contact with the sample (E) to be analysed. The microscope also has a mechanism for relative displacement of the analysis probe with respect to the surface of the sample (E), a detector for determining the position of the strip, and elements for vibrating the strip. These means for vibrating the strip include elements for conduction of electricity along a continuous path forming a loop, an alternating-current generator, and a magnetic-field source designed to set up a magnetic field ({right arrow over (B)}) in the region of the strip of the analysis probe.

Abstract: A histogram comparison process is provided that compares a histogram-vector of a first dataset to a corresponding histogram-vector of a second dataset. The histogram-vectors of the first and second datasets are formed from the histogram values of a select few of the histogram classes, the select few classes being the classes of the first dataset that contain the highest frequency count. The second dataset is characterized using only the select few classes of the first dataset; data items with values that belong to other classes are ignored. A palette dataset is created, corresponding to the second dataset, wherein the data items in the third dataset correspond to indexes to the select classes of the first dataset, or null indexes for the ignored data items. The histograms corresponding to overlapping regions is determined recursively, based on the third dataset.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for depositing transition metal nitride thin films by an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) type process. According to the method vapor-phase pulse of a source material, a reducing agent capable of reducing metal source material, and a nitrogen source material capable of reacting with the reduced metal source material are alternately and sequentially fed into a reaction space and contacted with the substrate. According to the invention as the reducing agent is used a boron compound which is capable of forming gaseous reaction byproducts when reacting with the metal source material.

Abstract: The Customer Activated Multi-Value (CAM) card provides a customer with a primary use as a transaction card which can be further activated to have a secondary use as a credit card. The CAM card can be activated as a transaction card or as a transaction card with a credit card feature. Activation of the CAM card as a transaction card allows the customer to purchase goods and services from one specific vendor and to establish a relationship with that vendor for the goods or services rendered (for example, telephone calling card or gasoline product purchasing card) while enjoying reward benefits based on those purchases. Activation of the credit feature of the card allows the customer to interact with any merchant that accepts traditional credit cards such as VISA®, MASTERCARD®, AMERICAN EXPRESS®, or DISCOVER®. The combination of features allows a customer to purchase various goods and services from several different merchants.