Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification handpiece including a cutting tip ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic transducer. A power supply is provided for driving the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency of the transducer and cutting tip and varying power to the transducer, in response to loading of the cutting tip, by phase shifting voltage and current supplied to the transducer.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification handpiece including a cutting tip ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic transducer. A power supply is provided for driving the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency of the transducer and cutting tip and varying power to the transducer, in response to loading of the cutting tip, by phase shifting drive signals to the resonant converter which supplies power to the transducer.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification handpiece including a cutting tip ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic transducer. A power supply is provided for driving the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency of the transducer and cutting tip and varying power to the transducer, in response to loading of the cutting tip, by phase shifting drive signals to the resonant converter which supplies power to the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a signature characterizing an interval of a video signal representing a picture for use in broadcast segment recognition. The signature is produced based on portions of the video signal representing corresponding regions of the picture. The invention also serves to produce a corresponding mast word including a plurality of bit values each representing a reliability of a corresponding value of the signature. The first signature is formed having a plurality of values each of which is based on a respective one of the portions of the video signal. A second signature is formed also having a plurality of values each based on respective ones of a plurality of shifted portions of the video signal.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a signature which characterizes an audio broadcast signal for use in broadcast signal recognition, wherein the signature is based on a comparison of time-displaced frequency band values each representing a respective frequency band of the audio broadcast signal. Each of a first group of the frequency band values is compared with a respective value from the second group representing portions of the audio broadcast signal within the same predetermined frequency band. At least a part of the signal portions represented by the second group were broadcast prior to the signal portions represented by the first group, and a signature is formed based on the comparison of the first and second groups.

Abstract: Signatures are produced for characterizing an interval of a video signal representing a picture for use in broadcast segment recognition. The signature is produced based on portions of the video signal representing corresponding regions of the picture each spaced by a certain amount from a nominal edge of the picture. A shift in the video signal corresponding with a shift in the edge of the picture from a nominal edge of the picture is detected. The portions of the video signal are adjusted to compensate for the shift in the edge of the picture and a signature is produced based on the adjusted portions of the video signal.

Abstract: The broadcast audio signal and/or the broadcast video signal of a monitored broadcast are temporarily stored and predetermined signal events are detected which indicate possible new broadcast segments of interest of the monitored broadcast. Intervals of the monitored broadcast are selected as possible new broadcast segments of interest based on the predetermined signal events. A first capture level is assigned to a first selected interval based on predetermined characteristics of the interval which indicate that it is likely to be a new segment of interest. A second capture level is assigned to a second selected interval based on predetermined characteristics of that interval which indicate that it is relatively less likely than the first selected interval to be a new segment of interest.

Abstract: Broadcast segment recognition systems and methods are provided in which a signature representing a monitored broadcast segment is compared with broadcast segment signatures in a data base representing known broadcast segments to determine whether a match exists. Criteria for determining the validity of such a match are provided. In addition, signatures characterizing respective intervals of a broadcast signal exhibiting correlation are produced by generating a difference vector for each respective interval and carrying out vector transformations of the different vectors to reduce such correlation. Also, a broadcast segment recognition data base is updated by monitoring a broadcast signal to detect signal events indicating possible broadcast segments of interest in which at least two alternative segments of interest are detected by assigning priority to one of the two segments based upon predetermined criteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrotherapeutic apparatus that produces a signal that, upon application to a patient, is exponential in character. The signal includes a relatively low-frequency, constant amplitude, periodic-exponential signal for muscle stimulation. Further, the signal preferably includes a relatively high-frequency, periodic-exponential signal for sensory stimulation.

Abstract: Failsafe apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow from syringes. One or more syringes are positioned so that the piston of each syringe is caused to be precisely displaced to thereby safely deliver medicament from the syringe to a patient. To effect movement of each piston, a rack is provided, either as a part of the piston or secured thereto, and longitudinal movement of each rack is effected by rotating an associated pinion gear that is connected with a pulse-driven, stepper motor utilized in a power-efficient electromechanical configuration, with the operation of the stepper motor being accomplished through dual-redundant state machines controlled by a pre-programmed memory unit, and with the apparatus being repeatedly subjected to a plurality of error checks and data integrity verifications to assure continued proper operation.

Abstract: Distance measurements are made using two or more signal frequencies. Ultrasonic energy is transmitted from a transducer to an object. Returned ultrasonic energy is received by the transducer and processed to provide an accurate determination of the distance between the transducer and the point on the object receiving the ultrasonic energy. In connection with the processing, a number of relationships are utilized. Using certain of the relationships, a range of integers is determined using high and low frequency ultrasonic energy, as well as propagation time. A time-related phase shift determination is also made for each of the high and low frequencies using certain of the other known relationships. Using a range of distance values and the measured time-related values, an accurate determination of distance from the transducer to the object can be made. In one application, a number of different distance values are obtained to define the surface plane of the object, such as a wheel or tire.

Abstract: A syringe positioning device is disclosed for enhancing control of fluid flow from a syringe. A disposable unit that includes a syringe and rack mounted on a retaining clip is positionable on a drive unit so that, when so positioned, the piston of the syringe is precisely displaced to deliver medicament from the syringe to a patient. A non-disposable unit is also disclosed onto which a syringe and piston can be positioned so that the device thereafter also provides precise medicament delivery. The longitudinal movement of the rack is effected by rotating the pinion gear that is connected with a pulse-driven, power efficient stepper motor, with the operation of the stepper motor being controlled by a pre-programmed memory unit. A hinged rack is also disclosed, as is a one-way ball drive unit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for recognizing broadcast segments, such as commercials, in real time by continuous pattern recognition without resorting to cues or codes in the broadcast signal. Each broadcast frame is parametized to yield a digital word and a signature is constructed for segments to be recognized by selecting, in accordance with a set of predefined rules, a number of words from among random locations throughout the segment and storing them along with offset information indicating their relative locations. As a broadcast signal is monitored, it is parametized in the same way and the library of signatures is compared against each digital word and words offset therefrom by the stored offset amounts. A data reduction technique minimizes the number of comparisons required while still maintaining a large database.

Abstract: Access to a complete data base stored on optical disk media is limited to portions of the data base to which individual users are entitled by provision of an additional code on the optical disk, indicating the portions of the data base which the customers may access. The disk reader comprises an additional reader for reading the additional code and means for preventing access to other portions of the data base. The additional code may be conventional bar code.

Abstract: A control system for moving a piston in a reciprocating piston respirator which utilizes predictive servo control techniques. Present invention uses nonlinear time domain analysis rather than linear frequency domain analysis to produce a predictive servo control system for precisely controlling the movement of a piston in a reciprocating piston respirator. A plurality of flow profiles can be produced using stored factor tables. Current pressure and position information are used in the predictive servo control system.

Abstract: In a system having a frequency encoded data stream and a source of clock signals phase locked to the data stream, for subsequent demodulation of the data stream, the clock source is at a frequency that is a multiple of the nominal frequency for demodulating, and a counter is employed to divide the clock. The counter is controlled by the output of a phase comparator, to control the addition to and inhibiting of counting of the counter. The control circuit controls the counter in a non-linear relationship with respect to the phase error, and has a memory function for storing previous states of the counter, to permit repetitive correction for small errors in the same manner. The phase comparator and control are preferably a programmed logic array.

Abstract: A device operable as an interface controller for a defined data bus, wherein the interface controller operates to transfer entire blocks of data, bidirectionally, one byte at a time, while making each byte available as it is received for use by either the computer or by the memory. In addition, the present invention utilizes an interface controller with a single flow-through register, and pluralities of switches, operable in accordance with decoded commands for transferring data in the aforementioned manner in either direction through the same register.