Abstract: A method and system for updating virus signature files of a computer system. The method includes the steps of storing first update data on a storage medium including second update data to be installed to the computer system, and installing the second update data to the computer system wherein the first update data includes virus signature updating data. The system includes: a least one computer and the portable storage medium adapted to deliver data to the at least one computer. The portable storage medium includes first and second data wherein the first data includes virus signature update data.

Abstract: A semi-automated method of classifying a histological specimen for the presence of premalignant or malignant cells, including the steps of treating a specimen with an immunohistochemical marker to provide a visual indication of cell proliferation, ranking individual objects in the specimen in an order according to the likelihood that each object has attributes consistent with a premalignant or malignant cell or cell cluster, selecting for display a set of said objects according to said ranking, and displaying images of said selected objects to facilitate review by an operator.

Abstract: A method of mapping areas of a slide includes the steps of selectively illuminating the slide from a first light source oriented generally obliquely to the surface of the slide, obtaining a first image of the slide illuminated by the first light source, selectively illuminated the slide from a second light source providing generally scattered light, obtaining an image of said second image illuminated by the second light source, and generating a map of areas of significance based on the first and second images.

Abstract: A method of determining the reliability of a cytological screening test including the steps of viewing at least part of a cytological specimen, creating an image of the view, producing a digital representation of the image, ranking objects in the digital representation based on the degree to which each respective object has characteristics more likely found in a typical premalignant or malignant cell than in a typical benign cell, and displaying for review by an operator the images of at least a minimum number of the highest ranked objects such that objects of a predetermined cell type are displayed in the absence of premalignant or malignant cells, wherein the detection by the operator of the presence in the display of at least one cell of the predetermined cell type tends to indicate that the test is reliable.

Abstract: A slide positioning and holding device includes a base, a number of first bearing members defining a bearing surface for slidably engaging a first edge of the slide, at least one second bearing member for slidably engaging a second edge of the slide generally perpendicular to the first edge, and first and second arms for contact with third and fourth edges, respectively, of the slide to urge the first and second edges of the slide into contact with the bearing members.

Abstract: A device for the visual inspection of a specimen, comprising a first microscope for obtaining a magnified view of different areas of a specimen, a display monitor for displaying images of at least a subset of the different areas of the specimen, selection means for enabling the selection of a image displayed on the monitor, a second microscope for review of an area of the specimen corresponding to the selected image, a motorized stage for positioning said specimen with respect to the field of view of the second microscope, and a processor for determining the image selected and instructing the motorized stage to position the specimen so that the area of the specimen corresponding to the selected image is in the field of view of the second microscope.

Abstract: The MTF for an optical or electronic device(s) is evaluated over a substantial portion of an image signal. As a result, a composite MTF representing a more global evaluation is achieved. Furthermore, the MTF for all or part of a system can be evaluated in situ.

Abstract: A method for classifying objects within a specimen as likely to be premalignant or malignant cells includes the steps of forming an intensity image of a specimen, calculating and storing the maximum and minimum grey scale values at a plural number of distances from a pixel in the intensity image, finding the difference between the maximum and minimum grey scale values at like distances from the pixel, determining the slope of the log of the differences as a function of the log of the distances, storing the slope at the pixel location in a resultant image, and identifying objects in the intensity image as likely to be malignant or premalignant based on the value of the slope.

Abstract: A semi-automated method of classifying a histological specimen for the presence of premalignant or malignant cells, including the steps of treating a specimen with an immunohistochemical marker to provide a visual indication of cell proliferation, ranking individual objects in the specimen in an order according to the likelihood that each object has attributes consistent with a premalignant or malignant cell or cell cluster, selecting for display a set of said objects according to said ranking, and displaying images of said selected objects to facilitate review by an operator.

Abstract: A method of checking a process of individually inspecting successive sets of one or more images displayed on a screen, includes the steps of displaying at least one predetermined image having at least one area of interest for which inspection is to be performed, temporarily preventing a new set of at least one image from being displayed, recording each time that an event occurs at a predetermined location in such at least one image, and permitting a new set of at least one image to be displayed after the event has been recorded as having occurred at all predetermined areas of interest in the current display.

Abstract: An automated screening system and method for cytological specimen classification in which a neural network is utilized in performance of the classification function. Also included is an automated microscope and associated image processing circuitry.

Abstract: A method of classifying cells based upon their morphology includes a method of classifying objects in a cytological specimen, including the steps of obtaining a first image of at least part of a cytological specimen, classifying objects in the first image on the basis of a predetermined criteria, obtaining a second image of at least one of the objects most likely to have a predetermined criteria, and displaying at least part of the second image to produce a visual display of at least one of the objects most likely to have a predetermined criteria.