Abstract: In a financial product an amount of money is provided as a loan principal in return for the obligation to make periodical loan payments during a term. The amount of the periodical loan payments is periodically adjusted on basis of an index number during at least a part of the loan term. The addition of such an indexing of the periodical loan payments provides applicants for fixed interest rate mortgages, loans and other financial products with an extended freedom of choice. One can choose for a construction in which less interest is paid or for a construction in which a higher loan principal can be obtained. Even a combination of these two options is possible. As a result of this extension of possibilities it is, for example, possible to obtain a higher loan principal without facing irresponsible debt payments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for segmenting an image [IM] by path extraction using minimization of at least a potential [POT], said potential being calculated [CAS] from a feature [FEA] of the image [IM] using a cost assignment function [CAF], said calculation [CAS] being realized using the definition of two groups of points [NP and PP] in a neighborhood of a drawn [DRW] contour: the ones that are considered to be relevant to a boundary, called positive points [PP] and the ones that are not considered to be relevant to said boundary, called negative points [NP]. A refined characterization of positive points is constructed by combining characterizations of positive and negative points and the cost assignment function [CAF] is modified [CAL] using this refined characterization.

Abstract: An image processing method for processing a sequence of images of a distortable 3-D Object, each image being registered at a corresponding image instant within the interval of time of the sequence having steps to construct and display an image of said 3-D Object represented with regions, each region showing a quantified indication relating to its maximal contraction or relaxation within said interval of time. Each region of the constructed and displayed image is attributed a respective color of a color coded scale that is function of the calculated quantified indication relating to the maximum of contraction or relaxation of said region. The quantified indications may be the instant when a face or region has had its maximum of contraction or relaxation; or the phase value corresponding to said maximum; or the delay to attain said maximum.

Abstract: A method for anatomical imaging includes acquiring image data representative of three-dimensional volume segments of an image volume of interest in a subject. The image data are acquired in synchronism with corresponding physiological cycles of the subject. Each volume segment contains image data distributed in three dimensions. Acquiring image data includes selecting a sequence of scan lines for each respective volume segment configured to minimize an occurrence of motion artifacts throughout the image volume. The image data representative of the volume segments is combined to produce a representation of a three-dimensional anatomical image of the image volume.

Abstract: Image processing method for displaying an image sequence of a deformable 3-D object with indications of the object wall motions comprising steps of acquiring image data of an image sequence, segmenting the 3-D object in the images of the sequence for locating the wall of the 3-D object, and coloring voxels or parts of the wall in function of their displacement with respect to the wall of the 3-D object in one image of the sequence chosen as a reference. Color images of the 3-D object with color coded voxels or parts of the wall are displayed in a sequence for the user to estimate the object wall motion. This method is used in medical examination apparatus for studying ultrasound images of organs whose walls have motion.

Abstract: A method for extracting geometrical data from a 2-D digital image of the spine, comprising steps for determining spine outlines, endplates and corners wherein:

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method of extracting geometrical data of the spine, for extracting the left and right pedicle landmarks of each spine vertebra, comprising steps of:

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for processing an intensity image (J0) formed of points representing an object (LV), including steps for automatically supplying points so as to determine a minimum path representing the object contour (CT), involving: acquiring data of the intensity image, evaluating probability values (P) indicating the probability that a given point of the image belongs to predefined regions of the image relating to the object, and deriving a contour model (SP) of the object from said probability values (P), transforming the image (J0) into a three-dimensional matrix image (IM) based on said contour model (SP) and said probability values (P), performing dynamic programming (DP) in order to determine said minimum path (CT) in said three-dimensional matrix image (IM).

Abstract: In a CVD chamber (120) having a chuck (122) to hold a semiconductor substrate (100) and having a plasma generator (121) to generate a plasma (125), a trench in the substrate is filled with dielectric material from ions (126) of the plasma. The ions are forced to move in a direction (127) that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate by a pulsed unidirectional voltage between the plasma generator and the substrate, by a circular magnetic field, or by a combination of both fields.

Abstract: An image processing method for providing three-dimensional geometric modeling of the spine, using a biplanar image reconstruction, comprising steps of acquisition of a first view (F) of a part of the spine, and a second view (L) of the same part of the spine taken from a different angle around the longitudinal axis of the spine, matching the dimensions of the views (F,L) from two predetermined corresponding landmarks (P1, P2) on each view and deriving three-dimensional coordinates (z, x, y) of corresponding points (P) along the spine. Application: X-ray medical 3-D imaging.

Abstract: System for monitoring the discharging/charging cycles of a rechargeable battery which includes adaptive calculation means for providing a predictive indication of when the battery will reach a critical discharge voltage. The adaptive calculation means includes parameters which can be modified by other adaptive calculation means so as to optimize the monitor's performance depending on the battery's actual use. The adaptive calculation means may be neural networks formed by a microprocessor and memory, and the monitor system may be coupled to a host system.