Abstract: A method for detecting an R-wave from an ECG signal derived from a living body, the ECG signal including a plurality of ECG channel signals, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of channel R-wave detectors each processing a distinct signal of the plurality of channel ECG signals to generate a distinct channel trigger signal of a plurality of channel trigger signals, and inputting each channel trigger signal into a composite R-wave detector to generate a composite R-wave trigger, whereby the composite R-wave detector more accurately detects R-waves than each of the plurality of channel R-wave detectors.

Abstract: A method for detecting an R-wave from an ECG signal (x(t)) derived from a living body, the method comprising the steps of (a) acquiring the ECG signal from the living body, (b) digitizing the ECG signal into a digital ECG signal (x(ti)), (c) filtering the digital ECG signal with a bandpass filter (53) and applying an absolute value filter (55) thereto to create a filtered ECG signal (g(ti)), (d) for each sequential value of the filtered ECG signal, comparing (57) the filtered ECG signal to an ECG tracking threshold (TT), (e) if the filtered ECG signal is no greater than TT, incrementing a counter (59), but if greater than TT, setting the counter to zero; and (f) comparing (63) the counter to a predetermined refractory count RC and, if the count is equal to RC, outputting an R-wave trigger indicating that an R-wave has been detected.

Abstract: A method for detecting an R-wave from an ECG signal derived from a living body, the ECG signal including a plurality of ECG channel signals, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of channel R-wave detectors each processing a distinct signal of the plurality of channel ECG signals to generate a distinct channel trigger signal of a plurality of channel trigger signals, and inputting each channel trigger signal into a composite R-wave detector to generate a composite R-wave trigger, whereby the composite R-wave detector more accurately detects R-waves than each of the plurality of channel R-wave detectors.

Abstract: A low-voltage LED lighting system, LED lighting fixtures, and a method for installation thereof in which the system includes: (a) at least one LED lighting fixture each having one or more LEDs; (b) at least one remotely-located power driver; and (c) interconnections between the at least one LED fixture and the at least one driver using communication network cabling and standard 8P8C network connectors. Preferred lighting fixtures are recessed lighting fixtures adapted for ceiling mounting.

Abstract: A method for detecting an R-wave from an ECG signal (x(t)) derived from a living body, the method comprising the steps of (a) acquiring the ECG signal from the living body, (b) digitizing the ECG signal into a digital ECG signal (x(ti)), (c) filtering the digital ECG signal with a bandpass filter (53) and applying an absolute value filter (55) thereto to create a filtered ECG signal (g(ti)), (d) for each sequential value of the filtered ECG signal, comparing (57) the filtered ECG signal to an ECG tracking threshold (TT), (e) if the filtered ECG signal is no greater than TT, incrementing a counter (59), but if greater than TT, setting the counter to zero; and (f) comparing (63) the counter to a predetermined refractory count RC and, if the count is equal to RC, outputting an R-wave trigger indicating that an R-wave has been detected.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining the 3D position and orientation of a radio-opaque medical object in a living body using single-plane fluoroscopy comprising capturing a stream of digitized 2D images from a single-plane fluoroscope (10), detecting the image of the medical object in a subset of the digital 2D images, applying pixel-level geometric calculations to measure the medical-object image, applying conical projection and radial elongation corrections (31) to the image measurements, and calculating the 3D position and orientation of the medical object from the corrected 2D image measurements.

Abstract: A low-voltage LED lighting system, LED lighting fixtures, and a method for installation thereof in which the system includes: (a) at least one LED lighting fixture each having one or more LEDs; (b) at least one remotely-located power driver; and (c) interconnections between the at least one LED fixture and the at least one driver using communication network cabling and standard 8P8C network connectors. Preferred lighting fixtures are recessed lighting fixtures adapted for ceiling mounting.

Abstract: A low-voltage LED lighting system and method for installation thereof in which the system includes: (a) at least one LED lighting fixture each having one or more LEDs; (b) at least one remotely-located power driver; and (c) interconnections between the at least one LED fixture and the at least one driver using communication network cabling and standard 8P8C network connectors. Preferred lighting fixtures are recessed lighting fixtures adapted for ceiling mounting.

Abstract: A low-voltage LED lighting system and method for installation thereof in which the system includes: (a) at least one LED lighting fixture each having one or more LEDs; (b) at least one remotely-located power driver; and (c) interconnections between the at least one LED fixture and the at least one driver using communication network cabling and standard 8P8C network connectors. Preferred lighting fixtures are recessed lighting fixtures adapted for ceiling mounting.

Abstract: A method for preparing a graphic on a sheet of material which also includes at least one registration mark at and about the graphic in predetermined positions. The method involves the steps of applying the graphic and at least one registration mark on a sheet of material in positions according to layout data, transferring the layout data to a processing controller, placing the sheet of material on a sheet-receiving surface, sensing the position of the registration mark on the sheet of material, and utilizing the layout data and the position of the registration mark to precisely narrow-path-process around the graphic on the sheet of material. Certain embodiments use either (a) a subset of marks which is applied on one side of graphic or certain reference features, such as edges and corners of the sheet and elements of the graphic, to ascertain the position and orientation of the sheet on the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for preparing a graphic on a sheet of material which also includes at least one registration mark at and about the graphic in predetermined positions. The method involves the steps of applying the graphic and at least one registration mark on a sheet of material in positions according to layout data, transferring the layout data to a processing controller, placing the sheet of material on a sheet-receiving surface, sensing the position of the registration mark on the sheet of material, and utilizing the layout data and the position of the registration mark to precisely narrow-path-process around the graphic on the sheet of material. Certain embodiments use either (a) a subset of marks which is applied on one side of graphic or certain reference features, such as edges and corners of the sheet and elements of the graphic, to ascertain the position and orientation of the sheet on the apparatus. The invention provides efficient, rapid, automated, and precise processing around the graphic.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for cutting graphics areas from a sheet of material bearing a combination of graphics areas and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, the combination being in a predetermined approximate position and orientation with respect to a set of reference features of the sheet. The method involves automatically determining whether the reference features are in an expected coordinate region on a sheet-receiving surface, and, if not, automatically determining the coordinate region of such features. Further steps then include sensing metrics of the reference features to determine the position and orientation of the sheet, inferring therefrom the approximate positions of the registration marks and then sensing the precise positions thereof with a main sensor, and cutting the graphics areas from the sheet in response to such precise positions.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for cutting graphics areas from a sheet of material bearing a combination of graphics areas and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, the combination being in a predetermined approximate position and orientation with respect to a set of reference features of the sheet. The method involves automatically determining whether the reference features are in an expected coordinate region on a sheet-receiving surface, and, if not, automatically determining the coordinate region of such features. Further steps then include sensing metrics of the reference features to determine the position and orientation of the sheet, inferring therefrom the approximate positions of the registration marks and then sensing the precise positions thereof with a main sensor, and cutting the graphics areas from the sheet in response to such precise positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carpet cleaning machine having a revolving, cylinder-shaped, double-ended carpet cleaning member powered by a gear-driven drive shaft for removing dirty material from a carpet. In the improvement, the drive shaft is coupled to the first end and an idler shaft is coupled to the second end, is spaced from the drive shaft and supports the second end for rotation. Double-ended support of the cleaning member materially reduces problems arising from cantilever shafts used in prior art machines to drive cleaning members. Another embodiment has a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth and two flow guides fixed with respect to such mouth. The flow guides have differing aperture areas and a cavity is between the guides for capturing material otherwise permitted to flow downstream and prematurely clog a mesh filter.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine includes a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth having a mouth area. The improvement involves two air flow guides having, respectively, first and second apertures. The area of the second aperture is less than that of the first aperture and the guides define an annular cavity between them. Such cavity "captures" dirty material that would otherwise pass downstream into a mechanical filter and prematurely clog such filter. A new, related machine nozzle and method for removing dirty material from air flowing in a carpet cleaning machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new platform (sometimes referred to as a "caddy") for transporting a carpet cleaning machine includes a base for supporting the machine and a machine restraint mechanism for releasably coupling the machine and the platform to one another. The platform also has wheels (or an elongated roller-like wheel) mounted with respect to the base for rolling the base and the machine across a surface. The restraint mechanism has features preventing relative platform-machine movement along a single axis or, when the mechanism includes pairs of two different types of restraining members, along plural axes. A new method is used for transporting a carpet cleaning machine of the type having a carpet brushing apparatus and a brush drive motor. The method includes the steps of providing a transport platform having a base, energizing the brush drive motor and tipping the machine to transfer more weight onto a brush. Such weight transfer causes the apparatus to urge the machine onto the platform.

Abstract: A sugarcane billet washing apparatus tumbles and thorougly washes billets moving through a container in a continuous stream. Washing is by sprayers extending along the container. Preferred embodiments include the container being tilted to facilitate throughput, and a used water handling apparatus. The apparatus is suitable for use with continuous, integrated sugarcane processing systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting a plurality of substantially identical parts has a holding bin having a volume for holding a plurality of substantially identical parts and an opening for releasing some of the parts; a spring-mass system for translating the parts forward; a channel having a width of approximately nx, where n is an integer greater than one and x is the width of a characteristic dimension of the parts based on a preferred orientation due to translation of the parts; and a fluted chute having n rounded bottom, downwardly extending, diverging flutes each of a width of at least x, for separating remaining stacked parts and dividing a single plane of parts into n one dimensional lines of parts, such that the parts may be individually handled.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting a plurality of parts includes: a holding bin having an opening for releasing some parts; a vibrator for imparting forward translation to the parts; a channel having a width of approximately nx, where n is an integer greater than one and x is the width of a characteristic dimension of the parts based on a preferred translation orientation; and a descending fluted chute having substantially n rounded flutes, each of a width of at least x. The channel accepts the parts from the opening in the holding bin, and due to the vibrator arranges the parts into a substantially single plane parts or no more than n abreast in the channel. The fluted chute guarantees that any parts till stacked are separted.