Abstract: A Process for analyzing full-text is provided for identifying often-repea, high user interest, word phrases in a database. Often-repeated, high user interest, word phrases are defined as pervasive theme areas (PTAs). The process also allows the relationship defined as connectivity among the various PTAs to be identified. In addition, phrases that are in proximity to the PTAs and which are strongly supportive of the PTAs are identified. Numerical indices, figure of merit, and user defined thresholds are used to quantify relations between PTAs and among PTAs and phrases.

Abstract: Unification of a disjunctive system is performed based on context identifiers within data structures that correspond to disjunctions. Each context identifier is a logical combination of choices, with each choice identifying one of the disjuncts of a disjunction in the system. Each choice can include a disjunction identifier and a choice identifier identifying one of the disjuncts of the identified disjunction. The logical combination of choices in a context identifier thus corresponds to a combination of disjuncts, all of which could be from different disjunctions. If two data units have context identifiers identifying contexts that are genuine alternatives, those data units are not unified. Data units that have context identifiers that are not genuine alternatives are unified.

Abstract: A multi-tasking clinical laboratory work-flow system for test sample and reagent transfer to semi-automate various laboratory assays. The system includes a controller having a menu of protocols which provide format instructions to a robotic sample transfer device. The sample transfer device includes a work-flow surface (deck) having defined coordinates for mounting one or more test racks and one or more reaction mediums, and means for interacting a test sample with one or more reagent(s) or gel in a reaction medium.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography scanner detects coincident annihilation events occurring in the field of view of a detector array and stores them as a two-dimensional sinogram array. Prior to image reconstruction, the sinogram transmission data is filtered along both dimensions (R, .theta.) to improve image quality. Row direction (R) filtering is manually selected, and column direction (.theta.) filtering is calculated automatically as a function of the amount of row direction filtering selected and the size of the object being imaged relative to the scanner's field of view.

Abstract: Sales activity of a product at sales outlets including sales outlets at which sales activity data is sampled and unsampled sales outlets is estimated by determining the distances between each of the sampled sales outlets and each of the unsampled sales outlets and correlating sales activity data from the sampled sales outlets according to the determined distances. The sales activity volume of the product at the plurality of sampled outlets and the estimated sales activity volume of the product at the unsampled outlets are combined to obtain an estimate of sales activity for all the sales outlets. Sales activity of products prescribed by a physician at both the sampled and unsampled outlets can be estimated by correlating sales activity data for the prescribing physician at the sampled outlets according to the distances between the sampled outlets and the unsampled outlets.

Abstract: An improved multi-unit analyzer is provided by virtue of the present invention. An analog-to-digital converter (A/D) digitizes a multi-unit signal, a pulse detector triggers when the multi-unit signal reaches a specified threshold, and a pulse sampler outputs a packet of samples of the signal around the point where the signal passes the threshold. The packet is then transformed into a point on a plane, the P-plane. The transformed point is compared to one or more rectangles in the P-plane, to determine if the point falls within any rectangle. If a point falls within a rectangle, a pulse is output on a line corresponding to the rectangle. This compare and output process is given a high priority. A low priority process displays the packet of samples in a window corresponding to the rectangle which encloses the point in the P-plane which results from the transformation of the packet of samples.

Abstract: In order to display the surfaces of internal structures within a solid body from non-intrusively acquired data sets, it is useful to segment the data sets into the internal structures of interest before searching for the surfaces of such structures. To accomplish this, a data segmentation system uses a plurality of sample data points to construct a statistical probability distribution for a plurality of internal structures. Using these probability distributions, each data point is labeled with the most likely structure identification. Searching the thus-segmented data points for surfaces is considerably faster than is possible with the entire data set and produces surface renditions with fewer anomalies and errors. A non-intrusive imaging means is used to obtain a 3D data set. The probability distribution is bivariate and the two data sets are plotted against each other to assist in identifying tissue types.

Abstract: A method for the impedance imaging of a three-dimensional body utilizes electrtodes on the outer surface of the body which receive a set of current patterns. The resulting voltage patterns are measured at the outer boundary of the body. Synthesized resulting patterns are then calculated for inner boundaries of the body, each at a selected incremental distance inwardly of the outer boundary. The synthesis step is repeated for successive inner boundaries until the center of the body is reached. The measured and synthesized patterns are utilized to calculate or otherwise find various medium properties in the body, such as the electric conductivity and electric permittivity for the body. These impedance characteristics based on the measured and synthesized patterns are used to produce an image of the body.

Abstract: This device assesses the intake of all consumed ingestible substances along with associated factors. The associated factors describe one or more environmental conditions under which ingestible substances were consumed, such as relating to behavior, emotional state, or exercise. The device comprises a mat on which the ingestible substances are placed, a weighing device attached to the mat, a memory for storing data pertaining to the ingestible substances and associated factors, an input device for entering data and an output device. Health professionals can utilize the data stored by this device to assess digestive and various health disorders and also treat these disorders. The device can further be used to assist in an individual's weight gain, weight loss or to monitor restriction of certain substances.

Abstract: An improved Yomi and Kanji phrase editing method and system are provided. In accordance with the invention, a structured document editor includes a normal state, a Yomi state, a Kanji state, and an active state. In the normal state, when the operator types Yomi characters on the keyboard, the corresponding Yomi character is directly displayed on the display. In the Yomi state, when a Yomi character is typed on the keyboard, a Yomi text node structure is assembled. The text node structure in the Yomi state will include the Yomi character string along with control information. When the operator wishes to convert the Yomi phrases into the corresponding Kanji phrases, the Yomi string is accessed from the Yomi text node structure and is subjected to a conversion process. The process returns each Kanji phrase and the corresponding Yomi phrase and a bookmark to the conversion table which was used in carrying out the conversion.

Abstract: A language translation system for translating phrases from a first language into a second language comprises a store holding a collection of phrases in the second language. Phrases input in the first language are each characterized on the basis of one or more keywords, and the corresponding phrase in the second language is output. Such a phrasebook approach enables what is effectively rapid and accurate translation, even from speech. Since the phrases in the second language are prepared in advance and held in store, there need be no problems of poor translation or ungrammatical construction. The output may be in text, or, using speech synthesis, in voiced form. With appropriate choice of keywords it is possible to characterize a large number of relatively long and complex phrases with just a few keywords.

Abstract: A method for computer-aided detection of anomalies in an image comprise the steps of: (1) dividing the image into a plurality of m.times.n regions; (2) subtracting the background from each of the regions; (3) for each of the regions, selecting a smaller p.times.q subregion; (4) normalizing the p.times.q subregion; (5) feeding the p.times.q subregions into a neural network system, the neural network system having plural member neural networks, each trained to recognize a particular preselected anomaly type; (6) comparing each output value of the plurality of member neural networks to a first threshold; (7) selecting a maximum value from the output values which are greater than the first threshold; (8) comparing the maximum value to a second threshold above which the presence of an anomaly is indicated, and storing the result; (9) clustering a plurality of the stored results to form clusters; and (10) marking the location of the clusters.

Abstract: A device for monitoring medication of a patient and for prompting the patient into certain medication taking schedule and/or certain programming steps and routines. The device has a plurality of compartments, each of which may store medication and an electrical signaling system to emit medication alert signals from time-to-time, each of which the signals indicates (a) that medication should be taken, (b) from which compartment the medication should be taken, (c) and the quantity of medication to be taken. If a designated compartment is not opened and closed within a predetermined period of time, the electrical signaling system will sound an alarm. If each designated compartment is opened and closed, the take-medication signal and the alarm (if operating) are turned off and the event is recorded for later review. The device includes a display having a substantially continuous display area having portions thereof closely adjacent to each compartment.

Abstract: A system for analyzing syntax in a language processing system includes a memory which stores preselected indentation rules associated with a source code level language. A lexical analyzer reads a sequence of input symbols from the source code, and divides them into tokens, which tokens form sequences of symbols having a collective meaning. A syntax analyzer receives information from the tokens and compares the same to indentation rules stored in the memory. Source code correction, suggested source code correction, or warnings indicative of improper identation are selectively generated in accordance with an output of the syntax analyzer.

Abstract: An error correction control system for a control memory generates, when an error is detected in a microinstruction read out from a control memory to a microinstruction register, a first inhibit signal for inhibiting an updating the microinstruction register, and generates a second inhibit signal at the timing one clock period after the first inhibit signal is generated. After an error correction sequence is completed, the second inhibit signal is disabled at a timing one clock period after the first inhibit signal is disabled.

Abstract: An applications system has been developed to assist meat graders in deciding the yield and quality grades of carcasses. The applications system comprises: (1) an input for information relating to characteristics of a carcass to be graded; (2) a program comprising a knowledge base of facts and rules relating to grading of the carcasses; (3) an inference engine for processing the input information against the facts and rules of the knowledge base to arrive at yield and quality grades for the carcass; and (4) an output for the carcass grades. An embodiment useful for the grading of beef carcasses has been illustrated.

Abstract: Parity for every byte of the sum produced by addition of two operands is predicted based upon segmentation of each sum byte into three irregular groups of adjacent bits. Parity is generated for each group and the group parities are combined to form the parity of the sum byte. Adder technology is used to generate the group parities from operands and carry bits, which leads to Boolean minterm circuitry employing a minimum of exclusive-OR gates.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus of this invention includes retrieval processing sections constituted by semiconductor IC elements attached to each of the objects to be retrieved, and an operation section for supplying a retrieval condition to these retrieval processing sections. In each retrieval processing section, retrieval item information of an object to be retrieved to which the individual section is attached is stored in a storage section, a retrieval condition signaled from the operation section is received and analyzed, the analysis result is collated with the information stored in the storage section, and if a coincidence is detected, signaling is performed by light or sound. The retrieval condition may be constituted using logical product, logical sum and logical negation operators.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control and remote control of a battery driven apparatus is switched on and off upon the approach and withdrawal, respectively, of a user. The arrangement finds particular use in a water-rinsing system, which comprises an electrical adjustment member which can be activated upon the approach of the user. The apparatus transmits infrared detection pulses which are received again after reflection by the user. In response to the reflected pulses a control circuit (2) interrogates the measured charge state of the battery, conditions the adjustment member (7) to be switched on only if the battery (5) has a charge state such that the adjustment member can be switched off again, and transmits infrared state pulses instead of the detection pulses. The state pulses contain information about the charge state of the battery and can be received by an additional remotely located infrared reception unit (12) for evaluation.

Abstract: A computer network for use in the game of golf includes a central computer communicatively connected to a plurality of local master computers. Each local master computer transfers and receives golf related information to and from a plurality of mobile modules carried along by the golfer on the golf course. Transfer of information between the mobile modules and the local master computer is by ROM and RAM cartridges. The mobile modules present a display of the golf course played on, and allow for input of scoring data by the players.