Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to an actuator which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with systems such as fluidic circulating systems (e.g., the circulatory system of a living organism). In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using dynamically applied dither perturbations (e.g., modulation) on the various axes associated with the vessel. In a second aspect, an improved apparatus and method are provided for monitoring hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, in a continuous and non-invasive manner while operating under a single unifying scheme. One variant of this scheme using a simulated annealing (SA) type approach to determining and maintaining an optimal operating state.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with systems such as fluidic circulating systems (e.g., the circulatory system of a living organism). In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using dynamically applied dither perturbations (e.g., modulation) on the various axes associated with the vessel. In a second aspect, an improved apparatus and method are provided for monitoring hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, in a continuous and non-invasive manner while operating under a single unifying scheme. One variant of this scheme using a simulated annealing (SA) type approach to determining and maintaining an optimal operating state.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with systems such as fluidic circulating systems (e.g., the circulatory system of a living organism). In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using dynamically applied dither perturbations (e.g., modulation) on the various axes associated with the vessel. In a second aspect, an improved apparatus and method are provided for monitoring hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, in a continuous and non-invasive manner while operating under a single unifying scheme. One variant of this scheme using a simulated annealing (SA) type approach to determining and maintaining an optimal operating state.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to an actuator which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to an actuator which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with systems such as fluidic circulating systems (e.g., the circulatory system of a living organism). In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using dynamically applied dither perturbations (e.g., modulation) on the various axes associated with the vessel. In a second aspect, an improved apparatus and method are provided for monitoring hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, in a continuous and non-invasive manner while operating under a single unifying scheme. One variant of this scheme using a simulated annealing (SA) type approach to determining and maintaining an optimal operating state.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with systems such as fluidic circulating systems (e.g., the circulatory system of a living organism). In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using dynamically applied dither perturbations (e.g., modulation) on the various axes associated with the vessel. In a second aspect, an improved apparatus and method are provided for monitoring hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, in a continuous and non-invasive manner while operating under a single unifying scheme. One variant of this scheme using a simulated annealing (SA) type approach to determining and maintaining an optimal operating state.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to an actuator which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A color imaging system comprising a color image sensor having a matrix of photosites and a color filter array (CFA) masking the matrix of photosites, such that each photosite captures one color of first, second, and third colors, the CFA constituting a repetitive pattern of the first, second and third colors, the sensor producing a color image signal including a matrix of monocolor pixels corresponding to the color filter array pattern; and a field programmable gate array which is programmed as a spatial non-uniformity color corrector for correcting each of the monocolor pixels of the color image signal by a simplified quadratic function along each image axis.

Abstract: In a high speed video capture and display system including an N.sub.channels channel sensor for producing N.sub.channels parallel analog video signals, N.sub.channels signal processing channels for processing the analog video signals, each of the N.sub.channels signal processing channels including an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having gain and offset which are controlled by controlling the common mode and differential voltages across each ADC ladder network; and a central processing unit for controlling the gain and offset by means of digital control signals; the method of calibrating the system to produce a uniform image comprising the steps of.a) illuminating the sensor with a broadband and spatially uniform light source to determine L.sub.max ;b) initially setting the common mode and differential voltages of each ADC to nominal settings;c) illuminating the sensor with a spatially uniform broadband illumination N.sub.

Abstract: A method for correcting a color video signal for white balance comprising the steps of:providing a digital color image signal having a sequence of monocolor pixels, wherein each of the pixels represents one color of first, second, and third different colors, which are repeated in a preset pattern;coarse white balance processing each monocolor pixel for a coarse white balance;spatial processing the sequence of monocolor pixels to produce a sequence of tricolor pixels, wherein each of the tricolor pixels represents the first, second, and third different colors; andcolor correction and fine white balance processing each of the tricolor pixels by means of a matrix multiplier for color correction and fine white balance.

Abstract: An imaging system having an image sensor which is read out as a plurality of parallel image signals. A plurality of parallel image signal processing channels are provided to process said plurality of image signals. Each channel includes a programmable I/O station for receiving, storing, and transmitting data used in controlling the channel. A closed loop serial I/O transmission link serially connects the programmable I/O stations. A controller is connected to the link to control the transmission of data to one or more of said plurality of programmable I/O stations.

Abstract: A high frame rate camera includes;a multi-channel sensor array for producing a plurality of parallel analog image signals representative of a sensed image;a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADC) for converting each of the parallel analog image signals to parallel digital image signals, wherein each of the ADCs has a fine gain parameter which is a function of a top ladder potential and also has a fine offset parameter which is a function of a bottom ladder potential; anda control for controlling the fine gain and offset parameters of each of the ADCs by means of fine gain and offset control signals which are a function of desired average output black and gray levels of the image signal.

Abstract: A video imaging system having an image memory for storing a plurality of image frames and a video display having a matrix of pixels. Apparatus generates addresses for accessing pixels stored in the image memory to be displayed on the video display. The address generating apparatus includes a programmable mapping memory for storing a pixel descriptor of each pixel to be displayed on the video display, each pixel descriptor including a pixel group identification field which identifies a group of pixels on the video display, and an address field which includes address information of the image memory of pixels to be displayed. An address manager and a control causes each pixel descriptor read out of the mapping memory to be processed according to its pixel group to effect multiple format display of multiple format source video.

Abstract: A motion analysis system records a sequence of image frames of an event at a fast frame rate. A 2-D or 3-D still image depicting the kinetics of the multiple recorded, images is constructed by spatio-temporal visualization techniques. In the spatio-temporal (ST)-2-D technique, a path of pixels is defined showing travel of an object over time. The path of pixels of each image frame is represented in the ST-2-D image as a horizontal line of pixels. Each line in the vertical or horizontal direction is taken from one frame so that the sequence of lines represents the sequence of image frames of the event. In the ST-3-D visualization technique, a closed curve path of pixels is defined and represented in the ST-3-D image using 3-D graphical display techniques.

Abstract: A reel to reel web transport apparatus includes an adaptive control which eliminates the necessity (1) for mechanical or vacuum web buffers, (2) for a capstan or tachometer to meter or control web velocity; and (3) for a tension transducer to control web tension. The web transport apparatus includes supply and takeup reels driven by brushless direct current (DC) motors. Hall device assemblies associated with the brushless DC motors provide Hall signals which are used during a learning mode to determine several unknown parameters for servo control of the web transport apparatus.