Abstract: A system for three-dimensional diagnostic imaging generates a plurality of slice images of a specimen. A region of interest is selected from within a slice and is extrapolated to subsequent slices. A boundary indicative of a surface of interest is selected from within the region of interest to facilitate generation of an image representative of a three-dimensional surface of interest to be assembled from subsequent slices of the plurality. A viewing surface is defined in relation to a generated surface image which was selected from the boundary. A scaling means assigns a scaled gray level to the three-dimensional image to facilitate three-dimensional viewing of the object when it is projected on the viewing surface. Image information is selectably modified by data from the original slice images to add surface density visualization. Means is also provided to facilitate selective segmentation of a three-dimensional image along a plane or planes of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the heart rate of each of a plurality of subjects comprises a main circuit for transmitting a predetermined signal of predetermined frequency and duration and at predetermined time intervals to cause each of a plurality of remote subcircuits to transmit subcircuit identity data and heart rate data in predetermined timed sequence, a receiver for receiving remote subcircuit transmissions and producing an output representative of the heart rate of a subject and a plurality of remote subcircuits, each remote subciruit having a pulse monitoring device adapted to be secured to a subject for detecting and producing an output in response to a heart beat, and a detector for detecting the pulse monitoring device output and determining the number of the outputs which occur within a predetermined time interval, and being responsive to the main circuit predetermined signal for transmitting to the main circuit a signal representative of subcircuit identity data and the number of t

Abstract: A formula retrieval and management system (200) for retrieving paint formulas, creating paint formulas, updating paint inventory, and providing miscellaneous reports. The system presents a ruled scale representation of actual sizes on a display, including a bar portion extendable along the ruled scale representation. User movement of the bar portion selects the desired paint size. Furthermore, multiple variants of a formula can be stored and selected from a special menu. When the system program is used for the first time in a given day, various types of reports of the previous day's paint usage are made available.

Abstract: In a transaction processing system including a plurality of POS terminal devices (cash registers), a POS terminal group management device (cluster controller) and a sales management device (store controller), only necessary totalized data are transmitted from the POS terminal devices to the sales management device through the POS terminal group management device in accordance with totalization pattern information respectively associated with each individual POS terminal device, which information is pre-stored in the group management device, thus increasing efficiency and speed of sales information processing.

Abstract: Improvements in a hand-held spelling machine increase the speed with which a query word is compared against the words in memory. One technique is to provide a look up table to encode all character sets of one or two letters into a coded string. Where the set of letters is three or more characters, a previously known algorithm is employed. Search of the memory is limited to only a few main branches of the tree. The limitation is a function of the first query word letter. The time it takes to calculate the similarity function is saved in two circumstances. When a similarity function is calculated at a particular level of the tree and found to be great enough so that there is no prune of the tree, then that decision not to prune is carried forward for other tree branches having the same letters prior to the level involved.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pin setting device for each lane, a pin setter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pin setter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane. A manager's control system is coupled to each of the lane pair control systems and includes a bowler input station similar to the game control unit bowler input station.

Abstract: A context-free parsing algorithm employing register vector grammars provides fast parsing of natural languages. A compiler for register vector grammars accepts input grammars as standard phase structure rules and generates strongly equivalent grammars in register vector grammar form. By applying the context-free register vector grammar parsing algorithm to the resulting grammars, strings may be parsed and trees may be constructed in the same manner performed with phase structure grammar.

Abstract: An apparatus for reconciling checking account and other transaction data including first and second data reconciliation control units, each including associated memory, data transference/communication channels for facilitating two-way data communication between the first and second data reconciliation control units, data comparison circuitry, data discrepancy identification circuitry, data editing circuitry and data display circuitry. Data stored in the first memory is compared with data stored in the second memory and discrepancies are identified and if desired the first data set is automatically revised to conform to the second data set. The system gives the user an authorized validation message when the account is reconciled. It also provides for pre-reconciliation error detecting and float projecting for estimating real balances based upon typical transaction clearing delays.

Abstract: A medical alert system for domestic use wherein the system is comprised of two major components, a device worn about the neck and a home computer. The device worn about the neck and the home computer reciprocally communicate with one another to provide the wearer of the device, as well as an attendant to the wearer of the device, both instructions for care and a method to call for emergency help. The home computer contains an audio synthesizer and a voice amplification device to communicate verbally to the individual. The device may be used to summons an ambulance from a remote location if a the injured person is unable to reach a telephone. The device may also be actuated by an attitude wherein an emergency call can be made should the individual fall during a heart attack or a seizure.

Abstract: A tournament system for electronic games in which scores achieved on the games are transmitted to one or a hierarchy of computers in which a winner is determined. At least one computer stores a player code associated with player credits. The players insert credit cards into the games which read the player codes, send the codes to a computer, obtain verification signals from the computer and are thereby enabled. The computer also stores handicap values associated with players and/or the games, and modifies the scores by the handicap values. The computer can also download advertising, winner or other messages to specific ones or all the games for display, and can cause the games played to be modified or changed.

Abstract: A system for removing the effects of Compton scattering in systems such as tomographic scanning and radioisotope imaging arrangements, which detect gamma rays, utilizes the smoothness of the Compton component over the image to reduce computing time. Data responsive to energy states of the photons which are detected are received and values corresponding thereto are stored in at least one memory location. In some embodiments, where imaging is the ultimate function of the gamma ray detection system, the data correspond to predetermined image grid points. Also, the data which is stored is processed so as to be separated into a first data set corresponding to unscattered ones of the detected photons and a second data set corresponding to scattered ones of the detected photons. The gamma ray detection arrangement is calibrated by acquiring a spectral shape corresponding to unscattered photons. The processing utilizes non-linear least squares fitting analysis.

Abstract: Distortion is reduced in images derived by Fourier transform methods from projection samples by manipulating the Fourier transformed values by a predetermined procedure of a kind that subjects the image values to unwanted distortion, and then applying to the projection samples or image values a correction function that corresponds to the predefined procedure.

Abstract: A computer, in particular a word processor, is structured to enter and store Japanese symbols and character strings. The word processor includes an operator defined dictionary. To enter the new words in particular Japanese words into the operator defined dictionary, reference familiar to the operator are displayed. The reference words which are similar in linguistic form to the new words, have parts of speech which are prestored in a dictionary of the word processor. The operator obtains the parts of speech of the reference words which are comparable to the new words. Thereafter, the new words with identified parts of speech in proper form are entered into the operator defined dictionary.

Abstract: LOWTRAN 7 is a low-resolution propagation model and computer code for predicting atmospheric transmittance and background radiance from 0 to 50,000 cm.sup.- at a resolution of 20 cm.sup.-. The code is based on the LOWTRAN 6 (1983) model with a number of improvements. Multiple scattered radiation has been added to the model as well as new molecular band model parameters and new ozone and molecular oxygen absorption parameters for the UV. Other modifications include a wind-dependent desert model, new cirrus cloud models, and new cloud and rain models. The code also includes new representative (geographical and seasonal) atmospheric models and updated aerosol models with options to replace them with user-derived values. An improved extra-terrestrial solar source function is also included. Six modes of program execution are allowed with the new model and computer code for a given slant path geometry.

Abstract: An object is exposed to penetrating radiation at each of a plurality of partial rotations of the object. Radiation transmitted through the object strikes a separate sheet of radiographic film for each exposure to record an entire radiographic image of the object for each angular orientation. At least two reference markers for providing a reference relative to the object are positioned between a rotating device and the sheet of radiographic film. They are positioned so that their centers constitute the base points of an equilateral triangle, the apex point thereof being the center of the rotating device.

Abstract: An imaging system generates images of the interior of an object using radiation which is attenuated and scattered by the interior of the object. The object is radiated at a number of points near the exterior of the object, and the radiation emerging from the object is measured at an array of exit points near the exterior of the object. The interior of the object is modelled as an array of volume elements called voxels. Each voxel is modelled as having scattering and attenuation properties, represented by numerical coefficients. The system computes the intensity of radiation that would emerge from the object at the exit points if the interior of the object were characterized by a currently assigned set of values for the scattering and attenuation coefficients. Then, the differences between the measured intensities and the computer intensities are used to compute an error function relates to the magnitude of the errors in the reconstruction.

Abstract: A digital information transmitting and receiving system constructed of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a high efficiency encoding circuit for compressing digital information codes using correlativity among the digital information codes, and outputting compressed information codes; an error correcting code generating circuit for sampling the compressed information codes in the direction of correlativity used by the high efficiency encoding circuit, and generating an error correcting code using the sampled compressed information codes; and a transmitting unit for transmitting a code train including the compressed information codes and the error correcting code.

Abstract: It is desirable to bypass the defects within a cache memory so that a high percentage of the cache is usable; otherwise the entire chip containing the cache memory must be scrapped. Since VLSI chips with a small number of defects form a large proportion of the scrapped yield, rendering chips with a small number of defects usable greatly increases the production yield and reduces the cost of each chip. Therefore, a cache memory is provided wherein each memory location includes a bit which is set in response to a detected hardware defect. Preferably, each memory location in the cache is tested by error detecting software, which sets the defect bit in any memory location containing a defect. The defect bit is tested every time data is retrieved from each memory location, and a set defect bit prohibits further use of a defective memory location.

Abstract: In a microprocessor based interactive audio game for two users to play against one another, or for one user to play against the computer, the game having the ability to store and retrieve sets of statistical data corresponding to the performance of actual players, keys for the users to affect the state of the game, and an audio output for communicating the state of the game or the results of a game play to the users, the audio output for a particular game state or game play result being variable in order to maintain user interest. A plurality of visual indicators are arranged in a grid that represents the flight of a thrown ball through a vertical cross section of the strike zone. Visual indicators are sequentially flashed a predetermined number of times and in a predetermined pattern for a particular variety of pitch.

Abstract: A commodity trading system having a centralized computer and data base. Each commodity, such as a bale of cotton, is represented in the data base as a file having all the information unique to such bale, including a title flag. The title flag field of the file indicates whether the title to the cotton bale is carried by way of a card-type warehouse receipt, or electronically. The electronic representation of title eliminates the transferral of documentary type title which is traditionally mailed to various locations to follow the trading transactions.