Abstract: In an inventory control method and system, changes of sales for individual goods are forecasted and the excess or deficiency of a stock of each of the goods at the present point of time is estimated from the results of forecast. In order to facilitate an inventory control, merchandise information is sorted and displayed in accordance with the degree of urgency, the degree of importance or the like of inventory adjustment on the basis of the results of estimation.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus determines characteristics of nerve fibers. The apparatus includes an imaging unit that creates a digital image data representative of an image of a cross-section of a nerve fiber to be tested; a control unit, including image processing capability, is coupled to the imaging unit and analyzes the digital image data created by the imaging unit to identify particular characteristics of the nerve fibers including axon area, the myelin sheath area, the fiber area, the myelin sheath thickness, the fiber perimeter and the fiber eccentricity.

Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, a plurality of transducers arranged in an ultrasound probe are classified into two transducer groups. By using a parallel simultaneous reception method, ultrasound beams from an observation point of an object to be examined along a transmitting direction of an ultrasound beam are received by the transducer groups. In other words, echo signals from different directions at the observation point are received. Flow velocities are respectively calculated on the basis of the echo signals received by the transducer groups, and the calculated flow velocities are added and averaged.

Abstract: A credit card status verification system is disclosed in which the status of very large numbers of credit cards is contained and accessed from a compact storage media, such as a CD-ROM disk, at a remote location, thereby eliminating the necessity of obtaining the status information from a centrally located facility via a communication link. A data mapping algorithm is employed to map credit card numbers to status containing locations within memory without requiring large amounts of memory space for addressing. A multiple level screening process is employed for checking the validity of a credit card number and the credit status of a credit card which is both quick and economical.

Abstract: A borehole correction software of a multipole sonic well tool adapted to be disposed in a borehole determines a true, corrected value of shear wave slowness from a measured uncorrected shear wave slowness value by first building a look up table comprising hole diameter, measured synthetic shear wave slowness and correction factor, and using the table in a system including the look up table and a multiplier to determine a bias, which bias is subtracted from the measured uncorrected shear wave slowness to produce an output medium reflecting a true, corrected value of shear wave slowness. The measured uncorrected shear wave slowness values are input to the look up table. For a given hole diameter, the measured uncorrected shear wave slowness is matched to a measured synthetic shear wave slowness, and a value of correction factor is determined from the table. The correction factor is multiplied by the measured uncorrected shear wave slowness, via the multiplier, and a bias figure is determined.

Abstract: A two-dimensional phased array ultrasound imaging system distributes signal delays between its probe and its base section. The transducer elements are grouped and relative delays between elements of a group are introduced within the probe. Once the intragroup delays are introduced, the signals from the elements of a group are combined to generate a group signal. A group signal is generated for each group and, collectively, the group signals are transmitted to the base section via a multi-wire cable. Delays between groups are introduced at the base section. This distribution of delays maintains power dissipation within the probe at a tolerable level while requiring only a manageable number of data and signal lines between the probe and base section.

Abstract: A method of eliminating scattered gamma rays and collecting an image comprises the steps of detecting a radioisotope (RI) given to a living body, to form an RI distribution image, and eliminating scattered gamma rays generated in the living body or a gamma camera from the RI distribution image. In this case, the energy spectrums of gamma rays incident to individual positions in the gamma camera in association with pixels of the RI distribution image are collected at the same time as or during the collection of the RI distribution image. A ratio of the scattered gamma rays with respect to the RI distribution image is acquired from the energy spectrum for each position, and a scattered gamma ray component is eliminated from the RI distribution image for each pixel, by multiplying the ratio of the scattered gamma rays to the RI distribution image.

Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating an x-ray scanner, in which the lengths d.sub.ij of x-ray paths are first computed by means of the image of the calibration standard. There are then computed both the theoretical attenuations Ac.sub.ij and the attenuations Am.sub.ij measured on the image. There are then deduced the coefficient of proportionality K between the values Ac.sub.ij and Am.sub.ij in order to obtain values of K.times.Ac.sub.i. The values KAc.sub.i and Am.sub.i are employed for calculating the corrections to be made per channel as a function of the attenuation.

Abstract: An automated system and concomitant methodology for minimizing the procurement costs of products and for generating a list of selected products based on the results of the minimization is disclosed for the Business Volume Discount regime. The system processing covers purchasing situations wherein multiple vendors offer a plurality of products and the vendors give discounts based on the total dollar amount of business received from the purchasers. The processing effected by the system utilizes a linear programming technique to solve a model of the business volume discount regime given a variety of constraints.

Abstract: Using a non-invasive blood pressure measuring apparatus that comprises a cuff, a pressurizing unit and bleeding valve, methods to acquire the arterial response to pulsating blood flow through an artery against the bleeding cuff's pressure are described. There are also described method for displaying in real time the entire arterial response on a display unit such as a CRT or LCD, which show the physical and psychological environment where a subject is placed. With the acquired data, accurate systolic and diastolic readings sensitive to environmental change are determined while monitoring in real time the entire arterial response. Remote monitoring of blood pressure can be done by transmitting the acquired data via telephone lines or directly to medical personnel or other instruments.

Abstract: An automated voting system that integrates the stages of registering and certifying voters and collecting their votes. A computer-based voter registration station accesses a database to verify that the voter is eligible to vote. Vote entry stations provide a computer-based interactive graphic interface for permitting the voter to enter votes. A vote entry controller activates and monitors the vote entry stations to prevent unauthorized voting. Votes may be collected at either the vote entry stations or at the vote entry controller to which they are downloaded, which enhances security by providing a means to compare votes collected at one point in the system with votes collected at another point.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing pathology diagnostic opinions to physicians at sites remote from where the consulting pathologist is physically located. The system includes a robotically controlled microscope at the remote site equipped with a video camera means for collecting video signals from the microscope. The system also uses a bidirectional communication means to link the microscope with a pathologist workstation. The workstation includes a monitor for viewing images received from the video camera means and control means for generating control signals which are sent over the bidirectional communication means to thereby remotely control the microscope. Preferably, the system also includes means for electronically storing the X, Y, and Z microscope stage coordinates for particular points of the specimen viewed by the pathologist together with means for storing electronically and reproducing photographically the images viewed.

Abstract: Video image creation in which a raster-scan monitor displays an image comprising realistic, inherently non-aliased strokes created by combining proportions of the values of: (i) pixels defining a simulated brush moving along the image as an artist moves a pen on a tablet in continuous strokes; and (ii) the values of the pixels in the image that are under the brush at the time. The pixel values resulting from such combining replace the corresponding pixel values in the image so that, after an initial portion of a stroke, the pixel values in the image which are under the brush and therefore will be combined with the brush values comprise pixel values which are the cumulative result of a number of previous such combining operations. Manual pressure on the pen controls the proportions used in such combining operations. As the artist presses harder on the pen, the effect seen on the monitor is that more "paint" is applied.

Abstract: In a development portion (2) of a directed graph, when a program specification (1) is provided, descriptive elements having characteristics of sets described in the specification and descriptive elements defining a calculation method described therein are mapped with vertices and arcs based on descriptive elements defining a calculation method described therein are drawn between the vertices. Thus, the program specification is developed to the directed graph. The developed directed graph is analyzed by an analyzing portion (3) in view of the characteristics of sets and mappings and global characteristics of the directed graph, and arcs and vertices where flows of execution timing of the calculation synchronize and arcs and vertices where flows of execution timing of the calculation do not synchronize are detected.

Abstract: In the transfer of checks between facilities receiving checks and facilities for processing checks, checks are sorted into batches according to selected classifications at the check receiving facilities. The checks are accumulated in bundles and transferred to the check processing facility according to a predetermined schedule. In the present invention, a batch slip is provided with each transferred bundle. The batch slip identifies the type of checks in the batch, identification of the receiving facility and a sequence number. The information is provided both in a bar code format and in a MICR format. The batch slip is kept with the associated batch of checks during the processing in the processing facility. Bar code readers are provided at various processing stations.

Abstract: System and method for the localization of functional activity in the human brain during neurosurgery. The system includes an electronic flash illuminator for illuminating the surface of the exposed portion of the patient's brain, optical bandpass filters for sequentially illuminating the exposed brain surface with monochromatic light of a number of predetermined wavelengths, a positioning mechanism for rapid positioning of the optical filters in the path of illumination, a video camera for acquiring an image of the exposed brain surface during illumination with each wavelength of monochromatic light, a circuit for converting the linear output signal of the video camera into a logarithmic signal in video format, a digitizer and frame storage memory for digitizing the logarithmic video signal to obtain multiple two-dimensional matrices. Each matrix represents the magnitude of light reflected at a particular wavelength from a regular grid of points over the exposed brain surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically selecting the job category or categories within which an applicant should be placed using only the applicant's resume is disclosed. The invention accepts as input a computer-readable version of the applicant's resume. An extractor, using a predetermined list of word patterns, the word patterns having been selected as indicative of skill in different job categories and assigned a weight commensurate with its value as an indicator of skill in a particular job catagory or categories, locates those words and word groups found in the resume that match the patterns. The weights of these words or word groups are then summed for each particular job category and the job category or categories having the highest point totals are selected as the most appropriate areas within the applicant should be placed.

Abstract: A crisis management system having a crisis command center and multiple remote units. Information gathered by the remote units, or received at crisis command center, is input to a central computer designed to organize the information in various topic files. The information is tagged automatically with a time of entry and then organized chronologically in a selected file. The information is then utilized to update automatically any files related to the selected file. Next, the information is transmitted from the crisis command center to the remote units and input to the appropriate file in each remote computer. The transmitted information is used to update all related files located at the remote unit, thereby enabling all remote units to maintain up-to-date information pertaining to the crisis.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing work in process is provided. An initial transaction records case specific information. The case specific information is automatically linked with a work source index which includes basic client information. An electronic file is created for each case arising out of the initial transaction record. As work is performed on the case, the system tracks its progress and providces a variety of support functions. An electronic activity log function maintains a record of key activities involved in the processing of work items. An electronic diary function provides a means for prioritizing work and for scheduling various tasks. A staff table function provides a facility for storing information relevant to office personnel. Most of the system functions are integrated with the staff table function which provides a number of security and function parameters.

Abstract: A method of reducing artifacts in images acquired with fan beam, helical scanning, tomographic imaging systems, applies a weighting function to the tomographic projection set. The weighting function reduces the contribution to the final image of projection data with large helical offset. Other redundant data within the projection set is increased in weight by the weighting function to prevent image artifacts from the weighting. In one embodiment, the projection set is centered on the slice plane to avoid discontinuities in the projection data caused by the weighting functions.