Abstract: An ultrasound system enables simplified setup of a remote terminal for display of ultrasound images acquired by the ultrasound system. An image acquired by the ultrasound system is processed by or with display parameters for different viewing conditions or devices, such as display gamma correction, ambient lighting, or image quality. A plurality of versions of an image with slightly different display appearances are exported to the remote terminal, where a viewer can view all of the image versions simultaneously. The viewer selects the best image, and the display characteristics of the selected image are used for images subsequently exported from the ultrasound system to the remote terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection molding a foamed product. A short shot of formable resin is injected into a cavity (124) defined by respective inner surfaces (134,136) of a plurality of molding plates (120,122) at an amount less than a volume of the cavity (124), the resin comprising a chemical foaming agent. The injected resin is allowed to foam for a predetermined period of time, during which the injected foamable resin foams and expands to substantially fill the cavity (124) and a portion of an outer surface face of the foamable resin contacts the respective inner surfaces (134,136) of the molding plates (120,122). Pressurized gas is injected into the cavity (124) after the predetermined time has elapsed to urge the skinned outer surface of the foamed resin against the inner surfaces (134,136) of the molding plates (120,122).

Abstract: A hosted pre-compilation system is described herein that provides a way to enable ahead-of-time compilation for managed code running inside a host. The host triggers ahead-of-time compilation at application runtime, after any configuration settings are available. The host can choose which modules to compile, when to compile them, and where to persist the generated images. Upon detecting a module load, the host can trigger pre-compilation, provide the loader an existing pre-compiled image of the module, or do nothing. The runtime/platform validates the integrity of any host-supplied pre-compiled image and provides application programming interfaces (APIs) to inform the host when an image becomes invalid and fails to load. The platform also provides APIs to let the host trigger compilation of binaries at any time relevant to the host, and to generate the images either synchronously or in a background process.

Abstract: A method of protecting a sensor for use in an environment, includes providing a protective enclosure formed in a plurality of sections, at least a first section of the plurality of sections being movable relative to a second section of the plurality of sections so that the protective enclosure can be placed around at least a portion of the sensor; placing the first section adjacent the sensor while the first section and the second section are in an open state; and moving the second section to place the first section and the second section in a closed state in which the first section and the second section encompass the at least a portion of the sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe acquires a 3D image dataset of a volumetric region of the body. The 3D image data is reformatted into a sequence of successive parallel image planes extending in one of three orthogonal directions through the volume. The sequence of images (74, 84, 94) is preferably formatted in accordance with the DICOM standard so that a clinician can review the 3D image data as a sequence of DICOM images on an image workstation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a peripheral port of a computer system by identifying, within the computer system, a descriptor list for a peripheral device and manipulating the descriptor list to manage communications between a peripheral device and resources of the computer system via the peripheral port.

Abstract: A hosted pre-compilation system is described herein that provides a way to enable ahead-of-time compilation for managed code running inside a host. The host triggers ahead-of-time compilation at application runtime, after any configuration settings are available. The host can choose which modules to compile, when to compile them, and where to persist the generated images. Upon detecting a module load, the host can trigger pre-compilation, provide the loader an existing pre-compiled image of the module, or do nothing. The runtime/platform validates the integrity of any host-supplied pre-compiled image and provides application programming interfaces (APIs) to inform the host when an image becomes invalid and fails to load. The platform also provides APIs to let the host trigger compilation of binaries at any time relevant to the host, and to generate the images either synchronously or in a background process.

Abstract: A method for implementing data communication between a host computer and a remotely-located processor peripheral device is disclosed. A remotely-located processor in control of the peripheral device receives a lists of descriptors or commands for constructing a list of descriptors from the host computer, determines differences between changes made to the lists of descriptors stored on the host computer and changes to the lists of descriptors stored on the remotely-located processor. Changes are made to the lists of descriptors on the remotely-located processor to eliminate the determined differences reflect the changes made to the lists of descriptors stored on the host computer; these changes are sent back to the host computer and the remotely-located processor operates the peripheral device by traversing its lists of descriptors and executing commands that correspond to the descriptors in the lists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling connectivity comprising a connectivity control element coupled between an interface connector and an interface circuit, and an interface controller, coupled to the connectivity control element, for authenticating a peripheral device and controlling connectivity between the interface connector and the interface circuit based upon authentication of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A method for coordinating descriptor lists updates between a host computer and a client computer, where the host and the client each maintain respective descriptor lists of bus controller commands. The client computer has a bus controller that changes its descriptor list. The host computer receives from the client computer update commands that, when executed, change the host's descriptor lists in substantially the same manner in which the bus controller changes the descriptor lists on the host computer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a baking dish formed from a unitary non-metallic material. The baking dish comprises a flat tray portion of various shapes with handles extending from the sides of the flat tray portion. The handles are formed from the same non-metallic material that forms the other portions of the baking dish.

Abstract: A distributed diagnostic imaging system (62) and method includes a data processor coupled to a variety of diagnostic imaging components through a network (80). The diagnostic imaging components include acquisition devices (90) that are used to obtain diagnostic imaging signals, displays (98) on which obtained images can be viewed, and control units (94) that are used with either acquisition units (90) or displays (98) to control the manner in which an image is obtained or displayed. The distributed nature of the system (62) makes it relatively easy and inexpensive to upgrade or modify individual imaging components, and allows the businesses of selling, distributing, and upgrading an imaging lab, and obtaining and reviewing diagnostic images to be conducted in a novel manner, such as by costing an imaging procedure on a “per use” basis.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a product includes a conveyor assembly and a slitter assembly. The conveyor assembly conveys the product in a feed direction and defines a conveyance surface, on which the product is conveyed. The slitter assembly slits the product into strips as the product is conveyed in the feed direction. The slitter assembly comprises a plurality of cutting elements arranged in a V shape and overlapping one another in the feed direction, as viewed in a direction substantially normal to the conveyance surface. A chopping assembly is positioned downstream of the slitter assembly. The chopping assembly comprises an elongated blade, which moves in an elliptical cutting motion, such that it has a component in the downward direction to sever the strips of product, and a component in the feed direction to toss the severed pieces of product in the feed direction.

Abstract: A distributed diagnostic imaging system and method includes a data processor coupled to a variety of diagnostic imaging components through a network. The diagnostic imaging components include acquisition devices that are used to obtain diagnostic imaging signals, displays on which obtained images can be viewed, and control units that are used with either acquisition units or displays to control the manner in which an image is obtained or displayed. The distributed nature of the system makes it relatively easy and inexpensive to upgrade or modify individual imaging components, and allows the businesses of selling, distributing, and upgrading an imaging lab, and obtaining and reviewing diagnostic images to be conducted in a novel manner, such as by costing an imaging procedure on a “per use” or “per imaging application” basis.

Abstract: The present invention is a consumer product packaging system comprising at least one consumer product wrapped in a UV—protective thermoplastic packaging film. At least one of the consumer products wrapped in the UV—protective thermoplastic packaging film has a brightness value wherein the brightness value of the consumer product changes about 5 percent or less during an exposure to light for a period of about 12 months or more.

Abstract: The present invention is a consumer product packaging system comprising at least one consumer product wrapped in an UV thermoplastic packaging film. At least one of the consumer products wrapped in the UV thermoplastic packaging film has a brightness wherein the brightness of the consumer product changes about 5 percent or less during an exposure to light for a period of about 12 months or more.