Abstract: A video image creation system provides intensity or color data from one or more stores. The image is created under manual control which effectively defines the coordinates of the artists implement at any given time.A processor receives the incoming image data and previously derived data from a frame store and modifies this data in dependance on a parameter available from another store. The created image can be viewed on a monitor.The parameter controls the contribution made from any adjacent, previously created, parts of the image and can be such as to simulate different pencil or brush shapes or types of paint for example. Additional facilities such as pressure sensitivity and blurring can be provided.

Abstract: A translation machine having a storing unit for storing information of words and grammer rules, the translation machine being capable of translating sentences described in a source language into a target language includes a unit for dividing input sentence described in the source language into morphologic elements and for generating a mark-inserted sentence by adding a mark which represents an information of the detected morphologic elements, a unit connected to the dividing unit for analyzing a syntax of the morphologic elements in accordance with the information stored in the storing unit, and a unit connected to the analyzing unit for converting a structure of the syntax obtained in the dividing unit into a structure of syntax in the target language so that translated sentence is generated on a basis of the syntax structure in the target language obtained by the converting unit.

Abstract: Telecommunications or similar bills are prepared on diskette in an optimal format for further processing, display, and analysis on popularly-available, inexpensive personal computers. A telecommunications carrier provides, for participating customers, appropriately selected billing records at the stage in the carrier's ordinary billing process after the carrier has completed all billing activities except actually printing a paper bill. This ensures that the information ultimately supplied on diskette will exactly correspond to that on the paper bill. In a first step, preferably performed on a large computer, the records are sorted, edited and reformatted into an optimal organization for further processing on a personal computer. In addition, a variety of preprocessed summary reports and graphs are prepared for rapid retrieval on the customer's computer.

Abstract: A computer network extends around all the holes of a golf course including a series of interconnected display terminals that can display the real time scores of all players on the course at any time. They may also be equipped with printers for generating hard copies of scores. The terminals are provided with transceivers for two-way radio communication with transceivers in portable player's units carried by each of the players. Each player's unit is provided with a unique transmittable code signal that identifies the unit to the system. Before starting play, a player's identity and the code of the player's unit carried are registered in the system, as well as the team or foursome he is playing with. Before each stroke, a player actuates his unit, which sends a coded radio signal to the nearby terminal. The terminal identifies the player by the code, adds one stroke to his score, and transmits to all players on his team, through their player's units, an audible signal so that honest score keeping is insured.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for guiding the needle of a tissue sampling device to a target location within the body of a patient. The device permits accurate and easy retrieval of acceptable tissue specimens from locations within the body of a patient which require angling of the needle to reach the target tissue. The apparatus further permits accurate and easy retrieval of tissue specimens from even small pathological changes, and the apparatus can be introduced into the tomograph with the patient to verify correct location of the biopsy needle with respect to the target tissue. The device not only directs the biopsy needle along the desired path but also controls the depth of penetration of the needle to prevent accidental overpenetration of the needle. The guidance device is not limited to the plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the patient but is capable of guiding the needle in a plane which is oblique to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method for making a production schedule of an instant process which produces a plurality types of products and supplies the products to a plurality of following processes by trucks. A truck delivery schedule including a number of truck deliveries and times is taken into account when the production schedule of the instant process is made. On the production schedule, a production order of the products is determined, and a stocking schedule also is made on the production order schedule.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for use with training systems. The exemplary embodiment of the scheduler is incorporated into an aircrew training system for a military aircraft. A training system for training aircrews involves the use of academic media such as classrooms, training devices such as ground-based flight simulation trainers, and training flights in the air. In addition, it involves a computer network having terminals located at a central site, a plurality of training sites, and other remote sites. The computer data base is located at a central site, and the training facilities are located at training sites. Typically, computer terminals are connected together in a computer network by both dedicated and dial-up telephone lines, and typically the network may employ Intel 80386 machines running UNIX V, release 3.2. The scheduler of the present invention comprises an integrated system of hardware and software which is integrated into the already existing training system.

Abstract: A data processing and communication system distributes and displays financial market ticker, quotation, news and ancillary information via a plurality of stored program controlled work stations. Stock trade executions, quotations and other ticker plant information is communicated in parallel to a hierarchy of system data processing terminals, e.g., those located at area, branch and individual work station locations. Storage media at the several system data processing levels extracts and stores data base information of differing purport and completeness for the disseminated data to support the system work station users.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, information characterizing a dynamically changing sub-population of the overall ensemble of market securities is maintained at and becomes immediately available to each work station responsive to the pattern of usage at that specific station.

Abstract: Scattered radiation in an X-ray image causes a reduction of contrast. An estimate of the scattered radiation contribution is obtained by means of a version of the original image which is spread-out in space and which is multiplied by a location-dependent weighting factor. By subtracting this scattered radiation image from the X-ray image, a corrected image with enhanced contrast is obtained. The estimate of the scattered radiation image is adapted to the adjustment values for the imaging parameters of the X-ray system.

Abstract: In a system for carrying out financial transactions via facsimile machines, account customized transaction vouchers are completed by at least one party to a transaction. The transaction vouchers issued to that party contain thereon in bar code format a series of pseudo random alphanumeric characters with a different set of characters on each voucher. The party transmits by facsimile an image of the completed voucher to a facsimile machine at a central facility. A character reader at the central facility reads the incoming data and authorizes the requested transaction based on the pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters on the voucher when confirmed by a comparison to a list of pseudo random alphanumeric sets of characters in the account record of that party. Used sets of alphanumeric characters are deleted from the list in the account data to permit onetime usage of a voucher. A credit voucher is sent from the central facility to a facsimile machine at the site of the other party to the transaction.

Abstract: A central check clearing association by which different member banks and financial institutions can each settle debit and credit balances with respect to other member institutions on a predetermined periodic basis and methods and systems by which the association is operable. The system and method is independent of conventional central bank district geographic and institutional boundaries and time zones.

Abstract: A financial transaction network employs a shareholder network serviced by a host processor. The financial network maintains (n) number of mutual fund portfolios operating in different currencies. The host processor acts a communications switch validating incoming transaction requests and routing them to a central Transfer Agent system for execution. The host processor maintains central records that can be queried through the host. The Transfer Agent is responsible for updating the database. The financial network provides accessibility, speed and finality of settlement in transactions by using mutual fund shares in diverse currencies as substitutes for those currencies.

Abstract: A system for helping infants or physically impaired individuals to communicate with others, such as parents or caregivers, to learn cause and effect relationships, to control a surrounding environment, and to promote normal development by facilitating the individual's exploration of a developmental sequence of sounds and a repertoire of simple spoken words. The system includes an input device with a plurality of actuator elements that are selectively responsive to gross physical movement of the individual, an audiovisual output device for providing feedback to the individual and emitting communicated messages to others, and an adaptive control unit for transforming information provided by the input device into instructions for use by the audiovisual output device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if a pregnant woman is at significant risk of carrying a fetus with Down syndrome. The method comprises measuring the pregnant woman's maternal blood levels of the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. The level of free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin individually or with other marker may be compared to reference data. A computerized apparatus for making the determination preferably using a probability density function generated from a set of reference data by a linear discriminant analysis procedure is disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A translation machine system for translating an input sentence includes a circuit for determining the language to be input depending on the processing status of the translation machine, and a setting circuit to set the input mode corresponding to the input language determined by the circuit.

Abstract: An interactive computerized apparatus and method for presenting medical information for diagnosis and study of disease is disclosed. Findings of disease are color-coded according the significance of the presence or absence of each finding in ruling in or ruling out the possibility of the disease being present and presented on a color display to aid a physician or other user to diagnose or study disease.

Abstract: To aid a medical practitioner in positioning a surgical instrument or implant when performing surgery on or examining portions of a patient, patient data is developed which identifies the position and orientation of the portion to which surgical procedures or examinations are to be applied. The position and orientation of the instrument or implant is sensed and instrument data is developed from this sensing. The patient data is converted to objective signals to be displayed on a video display, and the instrument data is converted to instrument signals for presenting the position and orientation of the instrument or implant on the same display. Thus, by watching the display, the medical practitioner is aided in manipulating the instrument or implant relative to the portion.

Abstract: A market research system is provided for management of manufacturer's discount coupon offers. The market research system includes an automated coupon processing system for processing coupon redemption data. The coupon redemption data includes offer identification. At least one manufacturer provides a coupon release input. A central controller is coupled to the coupon processing system and the manufacturer for receiving the coupon redemption data and the coupon release input. The central controller defines a knowledge database responsive to the received coupon redemption data. Responsive to the defined knowledge database, the central controller generates a response template library. The central controller selects a response template from the generated response template library responsive to a received coupon release input and transmits the selected response template to the manufacturer.

Abstract: A portable electronic financial calculator and planner displays all the variables associated with the financial problem to be calculated on one screen to enable the user to more efficiently input numeric information corresponding to the various variables of the desired financial calculation. To display all the variables in common English terms, the portable financial calculator and planner has separated the financial problems into separate applications which enables this device to display variables distinct to the selected problem. This portable financial calculator and planner includes a display panel having at least eight lines of multi-digit display units. The portable electronic financial calculator and planner also has an input device which allows the operator to input numeric information into the fields corresponding to the known variables of the financial problem by allowing the user to utilize a movable cursor which is capable of moving from field to field.