Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system acquires 3D image data from a volumetric region and processes the image data to produce a live 3D image of the volumetric region in a given orientation. A user control can be switched by a user to present the image in a different orientation if desired. Both the anatomy in the 3D image and the image format can be inverted, and the left-right appearance of the 3D image can be reversed with a corresponding front-back reversal of the anatomy.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system includes a matrix array transducer which is capable of scanning beams over a maximal volumetric region. The array transducer is operable to selectively scan one of a plurality of subvolumes of the maximal volumetric region at a real time scanning rate such that a live 3D image of the subvolume is processed and displayed. A user control is actuated to step the system through the scanning of a sequence different subvolumes. In an illustrated embodiment the maximal volumetric region encompasses the heart, and the system can be stepped through the scanning and display of live 3D images of front, center, and back subvolumes of the heart.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system produces a live steerable 3D image of a volumetric region of a subject. The system includes a user control which is continuously adjustable by a user to sweep the displayed 3D volume between the limits of left and right beam steering angles of an electronically steered matrix array transducer.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system acquires 3D image data from a volumetric region and processes the image data to produce a live 3D image of the volumetric region, a 2D image of a face or a central cut plane of the volumetric region, and a 2D image of a cut plane which is orthogonal to the plane of the first 2D image. The two 2D images enable the user to quickly orient the position of the anatomy shown in 3D in the live 3D image.

Abstract: A bar code imaging system provides increased resolution for accurately interpreting width modulated bar code symbols. The bar code imaging system comprises an imaging element adapted to receive light reflected from a bar code symbol and provide a two-dimensional image of the bar code symbol. The two-dimensional image is decoded into data representative of the bar code symbol. More particularly, the spacing between adjacent bar elements and adjacent space elements of said bar code symbol is measured by sampling along a diagonal line segment that intersects the adjacent bar elements. The diagonal sampling allows a greater number of pixels to be included in the measurement. If necessary, a perpendicular spacing measurement can be derived from the diagonal measurement.

Abstract: A coded symbol encoding and decoding system and method provides improved efficiency and security by compressing and/or encrypting data prior to encoding the data into a coded symbol symbology. Prior to encoding the data into the coded symbol symbology, the encoding portion of the system compresses and/or encrypts the data. If compression decreases the size of the data by a given threshold, the system encodes the compressed data. Otherwise, the system encodes the uncompressed data. An unused character in the encoded data is used as a flag to indicate whether the data was compressed and/or encrypted. The encoded data is then printed as a coded symbol pattern. Conversely, the decoding portion reads the printed pattern, decodes the resulting data, and if necessary, decompresses and/or decrypts the data. Use of an unused character in the encoded data to indicate whether the data was compressed and/or encrypted allows the system and method to be used with existing symbologies.