Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe for dispensing a liquid, the syringe (1) comprising: a barrel (10) including a first end (12) and a second end (14) opposite the first end (12), wherein said barrel (10) is provided with a discharge opening (18) at or near said second end (14) and wherein at least one first chamber (26) is defined inside said barrel (10), with said first chamber (26) for receiving said liquid to be dispensed through said discharge opening (18), wherein a plunger (28) is received within said barrel (10), wherein said plunger (28) supports an element (30) that is both translationally movable with regard to the barrel (10) and translationally movable with regard to the plunger (28), wherein the movement of aid element (30) is controllable independently from the movement of said plunger (28), and to a method.

Abstract: Apparatus including a light emitting diode; a constant current source for driving the diode; modulation circuitry for modulating the current supplied to the light emitting diode so that digital information can be carried on light from the diode; and a filtering circuit between the constant current source and the light emitting diode to minimize the effect of LED modulation on the current source. Alternatively, the constant current source can supply current to the diode or to one of a power dissipating element or power storage element. A method for powering a light emitting diode includes using a constant current source; and modulating the current supplied by the constant current source at a frequency for transmitting digital data on light produced. In the alternative, a method can also include diverting current from the constant current source away from the light emitting diode, when the light emitting diode is not emitting light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for insulating and/or identifying beverages of a tower beverage dispenser. Particularly, a tower wrap can provide sufficient insulation to a beverage tower of the tower beverage dispenser. For example, the tower wrap can prevent substantial rise in temperature of the beverages located within the beverage tower, while the beverage passes through or remains within the beverage tower.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing B-picture scene changes. A prediction stage predicts a B-picture scene change based upon a sequence of statistical information in an encoder order and a reaction stage is responsive to the prediction stage for modifying a quantization scale of a rate control algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing B-picture scene changes. A prediction stage predicts a B-picture scene change based upon a sequence of statistical information in an encoder order and a reaction stage is responsive to the prediction stage for modifying a quantization scale of a rate control algorithm.

Abstract: An electronic tongue strike mechanism which can be mounted in a door frame is disclosed. The electronic tongue strike mechanism has a main mounting bracket which is mountable to a door frame, a tension plate which is pivotally mounted to the main mounting bracket a tongue strike mounted on the tension plate for engaging a door bolt and a pressure sensor mounted on the tension plate to sense relative movement between the tension plate and the main mounting bracket caused by the door bolt being urged against the tongue strike. The pressure sensor feeds electronics which operate to control release of the tongue strike.

Abstract: An electronic tongue strike mechanism which can be mounted in a door frame is disclosed. The electronic tongue strike mechanism has a main mounting bracket which is mountable to a door frame, a tension plate which is pivotally mounted to the main mounting bracket a tongue strike mounted on the tension plate for engaging a door bolt and a pressure sensor mounted on the tension plate to sense relative movement between the tension plate and the main mounting bracket caused by the door bolt being urged against the tongue strike. The pressure sensor feeds electronics which operate to control release of the tongue strike.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a variable localized pressure to a selected portion of the human spine to modify human behavior or treat a human condition or ailment. A flexible and resilient pressure member is brought into engagement with the spine portion, and a mechanism is connected to the pressure member to support it in engagement with the spine portion and to create reciprocatory movement of the pressure member in a predetermined timed sequence to effect the variable localized pressure on the spine portion.

Abstract: An MPEG digital video decoder system, method and computer program product are presented for monitoring decoding of an encoded digital video signal for one or more predefined illegal conditions. Error detection logic is coupled to the variable length (VLC) decoder, inverse quantizer (IQ), inverse discrete cosine transformer (IDCT) and motion compensator (MC) of the decoder for detecting an illegal condition within at least one of the VLC decoder, IQ, IDCT and MC during decoding of the encoded digital video signal. The monitored illegal conditions can include a VLC/IQ control error, an IQ level overrun, and IQ/IDCT buffer error, an MC idle error and an MC macroblock start error. Error signals are reported to a central error register which is monitored periodically by the decoder's control processor. The control processor initiates recovery within the decoder system prior to stoppage of the system due to the illegal condition.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for identifying a Dual Prime motion estimation best match and generating motion vectors pertaining thereto for inter-picture video compression in a motion picture having images of F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 parities. The Dual Prime method of motion estimation described herein includes a method of generating motion vectors. The motion vectors point from a macroblock in a current field to a macroblock in a past field for inter-picture video compression in a motion picture having images of F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 parities. The first step in the method is defining a macroblock in a parity field of the current picture. Next, the preceding field of the same or opposite parity is searched to find a first best match macroblock in the preceding field. Once a best match macroblock is found, a vector is formed from the current macroblock in the current parity field to the first best match macroblock in the preceding parity field.

Abstract: A digital video encoding method, apparatus and computer program product are described with enhanced encoding of a picture having a plurality of macroblocks. The approach is to partition the picture into at least two regions and then to set or adjust at least one encoding parameter for each macroblock of the picture based upon the region of the picture within which the macroblock is located. As one specific implementation, the picture is partitioned into a center region and at least one outer region and the at least one encoding parameter is set to enhance picture quality in the center region at the expense of picture quality in the at least one outer region. The encoding parameter can, for example, be a motion estimation parameter, a quantization value, or a target bits per macroblock.

Abstract: A reconfigurable keyboard includes at least two key switches which each has a plunger housing projecting from a top surface thereof, and a multi-switch key cap engageable with the key switch and having at least one dimension that is sufficient to span the at least two key switches. The key cap includes one active switch post to which a plunger is attached, the plunger being reciprocally movable in the plunger housing of one key switch for actuating the key switch when the key cap is depressed, and at least one passive switch post which is also reciprocally movable in the plunger housing of another key switch without actuating the switch when the key cap is depressed. The key cap is selectively positionable anywhere on the keyboard in either a horizontal or a vertical direction. Each key switch further includes four openings each of which are located in a corner of the top surface of the key switch.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for correcting for changes in the charge transfer efficiency of a charge coupled device (12) includes a light source (38) for providing synthetic reference images to a preselected portion (26) of the image array (16) of the charge coupled device (12). The initial synthetic reference image is compared with subsequent synthetic references images to determine the changes in the charge transfer efficiency of the charge coupled device (12). The changes are used to correct images form the image array (16).