Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein describe a platform that automatically creates and executes a scoring guide for use in anatomical pathology. The platform can employ a fully-automated workflow for clustering the biological objects of interest and for providing cell-by-cell read-outs of heterogeneous tumor biomarkers based on their stain appearance. The platform can include a module for automatically creating and storing a scoring guide in a training database based on training digital images (240, 250), and an object classification module that executes the scoring guide when presented with new digital images to be scored pursuant to the scoring guide (299).

Abstract: Techniques for acquiring focused images of a microscope slide are disclosed. During a calibration phase, a “base” focal plane is determined using non-synthetic and/or synthetic auto-focus techniques. Furthermore, offset planes are determined for color channels (or filter bands) and used to generate an auto-focus model. During subsequent scans, the auto-focus model can be used to quickly estimate the focal plane of interest for each color channel (or filter band) rather than re-employing the non-synthetic and/or synthetic auto-focus techniques.

Abstract: The subject disclosure presents systems and methods for separating colors in an image by automatically and adaptively adjusting reference vectors based on information specific to the assay being imaged, resulting in an optimized unmixing process that provides stain information that is physically and physiologically plausible. The reference vectors are optimized iteratively, based on minimizing non-negative color contributions, background contributions, high-frequencies in color channels specific to background or unwanted fluorescence, signals from known immunohistochemical markers, and pairs of stains known to carry physiologically independent information. Adjustments to the reference vectors may be allowed within a range that is predetermined based on measuring colors from multiple input images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for unmixing of multichannel image data in the presence of locally varying image characteristics. Feature images created from a multi-channel input image form a feature vector for each pixel in the input image. Feature vectors are classified based on the local image characteristics, and areas are formed in the input image that share local image characteristics. Each area is unmixed separately using reference vectors that were obtained from regions in example images that have the same image characteristics. The unmixing results are combined to form a final unmixing result image created from the individually unmixed image areas.

Abstract: A method and associated method and computer program product for acquiring focused images of a specimen on a slide, by determining optimal scanning trajectories. The method includes capturing a relatively low magnification image of the slide to locate the specimen, forming a grid that includes an arrangement of grid points, overlaying at least part of the grid over a field of view that covers at least part of the specimen, capturing a relatively high magnification Z-stack of images of the specimen within the field of view, determining a best focus for each grid point within said at least part of the grid to form a resulting grid of three dimensional points, and based on the resulting grid, determining one or more three dimensional scanning trajectories.

Abstract: Techniques for acquiring focused images of a microscope slide are disclosed. During a calibration phase, a “base” focal plane is determined using non-synthetic and/or synthetic auto-focus techniques. Furthermore, offset planes are determined for color channels (or filter bands) and used to generate an auto-focus model. During subsequent scans, the auto-focus model can be used to quickly estimate the focal plane of interest for each color channel (or filter band) rather than re-employing the non-synthetic and/or synthetic auto-focus techniques.

Abstract: The subject disclosure presents systems and methods for separating colors in an image by automatically and adaptively adjusting reference vectors based on information specific to the assay being imaged, resulting in an optimized unmixing process that provides stain information that is physically and physiologically plausible. The reference vectors are optimized iteratively, based on minimizing non-negative color contributions, background contributions, high-frequencies in color channels specific to background or unwanted fluorescence, signals from known immunohistochemical markers, and pairs of stains known to carry physiologically independent information. Adjustments to the reference vectors may be allowed within a range that is predetermined based on measuring colors from multiple input images.

Abstract: A computer-based specimen analyzer (10) is configured to detect a level of expression of genes in a cell sample by detecting dots that represent differently stained genes and chromosomes in a cell. The color of the stained genes and the chromosomes is enhanced and filtered to produce a dot mask that defines areas in the image that are genes, chromosomes, or non-genetic material. Metrics are determined for the dots and/or pixels in the image of the cell in areas corresponding to the dots. The metrics are fed to a classifier that separates genes from chromosomes. The results of the classifier are counted to estimate the expression level of genes in the tissue samples.

Abstract: A probe for use in a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood having a cannula adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient. The cannula has a length so that when the distal extremity is in the vessel of the patient the proximal extremity is accessible outside of the patient. A gas sensor assembly is carried within the distal extremity of the cannula for determining gas characteristics of the blood in the vessel. A pressure sensor is carried within the distal extremity of the cannula for determining the pressure of the blood in the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adjusting a content of an oral presentation provided by an agent of an organization and perceived by a human target of the organization based upon an objective of the organization. The method includes the steps of detecting a content of the oral presentation provided by the agent and modifying the oral presentation provided by the agent to produce the oral presentation perceived by the human target based upon the detected content and the organizational objective.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting script to be followed by a telemarketer during a threaded conversation with a customer. The method includes the steps of recognizing a word content of a response of the customer to a first portion of the presented script and detecting key words and key words in context of the response. The method further includes the steps of evaluating the detected key words and key words in context to determine an information content, comparing the information content of the evaluated words with an information content of a plurality of expected customer responses and selecting the expected customer response with a closest relative match and following a script associated with the selected expected customer response of the customer as a second portion of the presented script.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying textual information for use in a threaded discussion. The method includes the steps of detecting key words and key words in context of the threaded discussion and weighting the detected words based upon an information content and context of each word and upon a time period since each word was last used to produce a weighted information content of the threaded discussion. The method further includes the steps of searching for and locating textual information within a database with an information content related to the weighted information content, comparing the information content of the located textual information with the weighted information content to provide an objective difference value and presenting the located textual information to the discussion where the objective difference value exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods of predicting transaction outcomes based on monitoring customer and agent interactions in a customer contact center including monitoring a customer and agent interaction for current attributes and analyzing the current attributes and an attribute history to determine an outcome probability for the interaction. The outcome probability is indicated to the agent and the current attributes and the outcome probability are stored in the attribute history. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting background sensory information to a call participant through a call connection. The method includes the steps of determining an identity of the call participant from call associated information and presenting the call participant with predetermined background sensory information through the call connection based upon the identity of the caller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for encoding a spoken language. The method includes the steps recognizing a verbal content of the spoken language, measuring an attribute of the recognized verbal content and encoding the recognized and measured verbal content.

Abstract: A system 100 and method for interconnecting a remote computer 102 and a computer service provider 104 via a telephonic switch 122 is provided. The telephonic switch 122 connects the remote computer 102 to the computer service provider 104 based on information received from the remote computer 102. An adult material circuit 126 in the telephonic switch 122 detects a request from the remote computer 102 to prohibit access to adult material available on the computer service provider 104. The request may be contained in automatic number identification information or dialed number identification service information. The telephonic switch 122 further comprises a caller prompting circuit 132 which prompts the remote computer 102 for instructions regarding whether to deny access to adult material.