Abstract: Platelets or blood cells are detected in a fluid sample by adjusting a focal depth of a microscope through a range of values, the microscope having a mounted sample and an objective lens adapted with one or both of (a) a spherical aberration correction unmatched to a utilized cover plate for the sample, or (2) a numerical aperture unmatched to a utilized illumination source for the sample. Images are recorded at different specific focal depths and in multiple z planes of a fluid bearing the platelets, where the position of platelets may overlap on different of the multiple z planes that are recorded, the images recorded through the cover plate, thus causing the generation of a specific light-dark pattern indicative of platelets at particular positions and at multiple depths in the fluid media. The images are analyzed for the specific light-dark pattern.

Abstract: Platelets or blood cells are detected in a fluid sample by adjusting a focal depth of a microscope through a range of values, the microscope having a mounted sample and an objective lens adapted with one or both of (a) a spherical aberration correction unmatched to a utilized cover plate for the sample, or (2) a numerical aperture unmatched to a utilized illumination source for the sample. Images are recorded at different specific focal depths and in multiple z planes of a fluid bearing the platelets, where the position of platelets may overlap on different of the multiple z planes that are recorded, the images recorded through the cover plate, thus causing the generation of a specific light-dark pattern indicative of platelets at particular positions and at multiple depths in the fluid media. The images are analyzed for the specific light-dark pattern.

Abstract: Platelets or blood cells are detected in a fluid sample by adjusting a focal depth of a microscope through a range of values, the microscope having a mounted sample and an objective lens adapted with one or both of (a) a spherical aberration correction unmatched to a utilized cover plate for the sample, or (2) a numerical aperture unmatched to a utilized illumination source for the sample. Images are recorded at different specific focal depths and in multiple z planes of a fluid bearing the platelets, where the position of platelets may overlap on different of the multiple z planes that are recorded, the images recorded through the cover plate, thus causing the generation of a specific light-dark pattern indicative of platelets at particular positions and at multiple depths in the fluid media. The images are analyzed for the specific light-dark pattern.

Abstract: Platelets or blood cells are detected in a fluid sample by adjusting a focal depth of a microscope through a range of values, the microscope having a mounted sample and an objective lens adapted with one or both of (a) a spherical aberration correction unmatched to a utilized cover plate for the sample, or (2) a numerical aperture unmatched to a utilized illumination source for the sample. Images are recorded at different specific focal depths and in multiple z planes of a fluid bearing the platelets, where the position of platelets may overlap on different of the multiple z planes that are recorded, the images recorded through the cover plate, thus causing the generation of a specific light-dark pattern indicative of platelets at particular positions and at multiple depths in the fluid media. The images are analyzed for the specific light-dark pattern.

Abstract: A method for configuring an array of transducers in an ultrasonic test apparatus for detecting flaws in welds connecting the edges of metal bodies such as plates or pipelines. The method includes the steps of: providing geometrical data of the bevelled edges of the bodies before being welded; identifying different facets of the geometry of the edges; providing geometrical data of a reference plate including a reflector; selecting the angles; and the positions of the transducers in accordance with the geometry of the edges; mounting the transducers to a scanning mechanism in accordance with the selections made; connecting the transducers to at least one control unit for transmitting ultrasound and receiving echo signals by means of the transducers and subsequently calibrating by means of the reference plate the positions of the transducers relative to the scanning mechanism and calibrating gain and gate settings by means of the reference plate.

Abstract: Device for ultrasonic inspection of a wall of a pipeline that encloses a fluidum. The device is arranged to be moveable along a device axis through the pipeline along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline. The device is provided with electronic means, a body, a transmitting transducer and at least two receiving transducers, mutually spaced apart in a first transducer array along an array direction that is directed substantially parallel to the device axis. The electronic means are arranged to operate the transmitting transducer for transmitting a first ultrasonic signal to propagate through the fluidum to reach the wall, and to operate the at least two receiving transducers for receiving a second ultrasonic signal, which originates from the first ultrasonic signal after it is modified by the wall, according to a tandem method. The at least two receiving transducers are operated for receiving substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A transducer for generating acoustic waves more particularly for generating compression waves, comprising an array of transmitter elements and an array of receiver elements, at least one wedge for the array of transmitter elements and the array of receiver elements and preferably an acoustical barrier separating the array of transmitter elements and the array of receiver elements. The pitch of the transmitter array varies along the length of the transmitter array.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a pipeline with ultrasound, provided with a transport device arranged to move in a transport direction through the pipeline, a plurality of transducers and a transmitting and receiving device connected with the transducers. The transducers and the transmitting and receiving device are mounted on the transport device. The transducers are provided with a first set of transducers, a second set of transducers and a third set of transducers. The system is arranged to move the first set of transducers, the second set of transducers and the third set of transducers in a tangential direction with respect to the transport direction along an interior wall of the pipeline. The system is arranged to bring the transducers of the first set, the second set and the third set into contact with the interior wall of the pipeline during the performance of a measurement.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic inspecting a substantially circular circumferential weld which connects an inner pipe and an outer pipe which are aligned coaxial relative to each other, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning at least one ultrasonic probe inside the inner pipe; b) moving the at least one probe in tangential direction relative to the inner pipe a while emitting at least one ultrasonic beam towards the weld and receiving ultrasonic signals by means of the at least one probe.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a pipeline with ultrasound, provided with a transport device arranged to move in a transport direction through the pipeline, a plurality of transducers and a transmitting and receiving device connected with the transducers. The transducers and the transmitting and receiving device are mounted on the transport device. The transducers are provided with a first set of transducers, a second set of transducers and a third set of transducers. The system is arranged to move the first set of transducers, the second set of transducers and the third set of transducers in a tangential direction with respect to the transport direction along an interior wall of the pipeline. The system is arranged to bring the transducers of the first set, the second set and the third set into contact with the interior wall of the pipeline during the performance of a measurement.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve the performance of a multitasking data processing system in which at least one exclusive resource is used for executing at least two task flows. The method according to the invention achieves this by using a so-called master schedule, which is used as a template to construct the schedules for individual task flows. The term master schedule refers to a set of reservations of the exclusive resources for task flows.

Abstract: A method for configuring an array of transducers in an ultrasonic test apparatus for detecting flaws in welds connecting the edges of metal bodies such as plates or pipelines. The method comprising: providing geometrical data of the bevelled edges of the bodies before being welded; identifying different facets of the geometry of the edges; providing geometrical data of a reference plate including a reflector; selecting the angles; and the positions of the transducers in accordance with the geometry of the edges; mounting the transducers to a scanning mechanism in accordance with the selections made; connecting the transducers to at least one control unit for transmitting ultrasound and receiving echo signals by means of the transducers and subsequently calibrating by means of the reference plate the positions of the transducers relative to the scanning mechanism and calibrating gain and gate settings by means of the reference plate.

Abstract: Device for ultrasonic inspection of a wall of a pipeline that encloses a fluidum. The device is arranged to be moveable along a device axis through the pipeline along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline. The device is provided with electronic means, a body, a transmitting transducer and at least two receiving transducers, mutually spaced apart in a first transducer array along an array direction that is directed substantially parallel to the device axis. The electronic means are arranged to operate the transmitting transducer for transmitting a first ultrasonic signal to propagate through the fluidum to reach the wall, and to operate the at least two receiving transducers for receiving a second ultrasonic signal, which originates from the first ultrasonic signal after it is modified by the wall, according to a tandem method. The at least two receiving transducers are operated for receiving substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A transducer for generating acoustic waves more particularly for generating compression waves, comprising an array of transmitter elements and an array of receiver elements, at least one wedge for the array of transmitter elements and the array of receiver elements and preferably an acoustical barrier separating the array of transmitter elements and the array of receiver elements. The pitch of the transmitter array varies along the length of the transmitter array.

Abstract: An apparatus for texture mapping in a computer graphics system, using a predetermined set of standardized textures. Each texture of the standardized set is a procedural texture, and is supplied to the apparatus as one or a sequence of program commands the execution of which will result in the generation of the respective procedural texture. In a preferred embodiment, the means for processing the program commands comprises a processor operable to implement only those input program commands or sequences of input program commands as are required to generate the procedural textures of the standardized set.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for executing processes with different priorities in a multiprocessing environment comprising execution of a low priority process and a high priority process where the high priority process and the low priority process (T1) share a given resource, the method comprising the step of: raising the effective priority of the low priority process when the low priority process is going to use the shared resource, where the effective priority is raised to above other processes in the multiprocessing environment. This allows for as short delay, by other processes, of the high priority process as possible.

Abstract: For raising a frame rate, first a sequence of source frames is received at a source frame rate. For a pair of immediately adjacent source frames of this sequence, one or more intermediate frames are synthesized through a geometrical transform. In particular, each intermediate frame is based exclusively on an immediately preceding source frame. Display frames are selected from the sequence of the intermediate frames, and as the case may be, also from the source frames.

Abstract: An apparatus (34) for texture mapping in a computer graphics system, using a predetermined set of standardised textures. Each texture of the standardised set is a procedural texture, and is supplied to the apparatus (34) as one or a sequence of program commands (44) the execution of which will result in the generation of the respective procedural texture. In a preferred embodiment, the means for processing the program commands (4) comprises a processor operable to implement only those input program commands or sequences of input programme commands as are required to generate the procedural textures of the standardised set.

Abstract: An image display device wherein pixel drive values are generated on the basis of digital information words. Each information word is translated twice, using a look-up table, first to obtain a drive value for a relevant pixel and then to obtain a drive value for a direct neighbor of that pixel. The pixels may be in successive fields of an interlaced image, in which case the content of the look-up table is replaced between the two translations so as to correspond with the respective interlaced fields. The content of the look-up table for the first pixel provides only a limited range of possible pixel drive values, whereas the content of the table for neighboring pixels provides a broader range of pixel drive values corresponding to interpolations between pairs of drive values in the limited range.

Abstract: A series of points on a surface is projected onto pixels of an image along a projection axis. Furthermore, texture coordinates are allocated to the points as follows. First a normalized coordinate which is a ratio of the texture coordinate to a depth of the point along the projection axis is determined by linear interpolation. Displacement of the pixel is determined relative to a line in the image onto which a part of the surface, which has a constant depth in the projection direction, is projected. Subsequently, an interpolation function is calculated which interpolates the depth as a function of the displacement. The texture coordinate is determined by multiplication of the normalized coordinate by the depth. The image contribution by the point to an image content of the pixel is determined on the basis of the texture coordinate.