Abstract: A portable media device 100 including two onboard hardware media decoders (124, 128) operative to decode a given digital content item 148 is provided. In some embodiments, one of the onboard hardware media decoders 128 has a relatively high power consumption and produces a relatively ‘high quality’ media signal, and the other of the onboard hardware media decoder 124 has a relatively low power consumption and produces a relatively ‘low quality’ media signal.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging an artery contained in an arterial tree. A microprocessor generates a three-dimensional reconstruction of the arterial tree from two or more angiographic images obtained from different perspectives. The orientation of the axis of the artery in the arterial tree is then determined, and a perspective of the artery perpendicular to the axis of the artery is determined. A three dimensional reconstruction of the artery from angiographic images obtained from the determined perspective is then generated.

Abstract: A portable data storage device (dongle) is configured to serve as a joystick. A method and system are supplied for using the dongle joystick to modify the presentation of an a electric media content item over a host and for using the dongle joystick as a user input interface to select a content item to be presented over a host or to select a datum to be stored. One portion of the dongle joystick is connected to the host and held stationary while a user imposes a force on a second part of the joystick to select and play content. The dongle joystick may include a processor to process output into a format compatible with a legacy playing device host.

Abstract: A portable storage device having a memory and a wireless remote control receiver is equipped for connection to a digital content player, which is controllable by a wireless remote control transmitter. The memory stores digital content data. The remote control transmitter communicates with the remote control receiver to play the digital content data on the digital content player. Accordingly, an additional remote control transmitter is not necessary for the remote control playing of digital content data residing on the portable storage device. The digital content data may be loaded from an external source, such as a personal computer. The personal computer can also be controlled to play the digital content data by using remote control transmitter using a known protocol. Thus, a user wishing to play the digital content data stored in the portable storage device does not need to acquire an additional specially-matched remote control transmitter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a portable digital media player, and in particular to a portable digital media player device having specific mechanical properties. In some embodiments, the portable digital media player includes a device port that is configured as a supportive port. In some embodiments, the device port is a plug. In some embodiments, a volume ratio between a minimally circumscribing rectangular prism of the digital media player and a minimally circumscribing rectangular prism of the plug is at most 10:1, or at most 5:1. In some embodiments, a media system is provided where the digital media player is mated with the host presentation device. In some embodiments, the media system provides certain mechanical properties.

Abstract: A small electrical appliance, such as an electrical wet shaver or electrical toothbrush, is driven by the energy generated by the temperature differential in its environment of use. The heat of the hot water used when wet shaving with an electrical wet shaver, versus the relatively lower temperature of the handle, which is in an environment at room temperature, causes a thermoelectric generator operating as a Peltier cooler using the Seebeck mode, to generate enough electrical power to drive the motor of the appliance and/or to recharge a rechargeable electrical battery, which may also be present.

Abstract: A method for processing an image of coronary arteries given by an intensity function I(x,y). A function z(x,y) is obtained describing the heart surface. The image is then processed to produce an image having an intensity function I?(x,y) where I? is obtained in a calculation involving the function z. The method may be used to enhance the stereoscopic effect of a stereo pair of images of coronary arteries.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging an artery contained in an arterial tree. A microprocessor generates a three-dimensional reconstruction of the arterial tree from two or more angiographic images obtained from different perspectives. The orientation of the axis of the artery in the arterial tree is then determined, and a perspective of the artery perpendicular to the axis of the artery is determined. A three dimensional reconstruction of the artery from angiographic images obtained from the determined perspective is then generated.

Abstract: A video system for providing an operator with a three dimensional stereoscopic image of the oral cavity of a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging unit for providing at least two stereoscopic images of the oral cavity, a pair of switchable shutters for alternatingly blocking the view of the left eye and the right eye of the operator, a synchronizing unit for synchronizing the switching of the pair of switchable shutters with the rate of generation of the two stereoscopic video images by the imaging unit and a video display for displaying the two stereoscopic images.

Abstract: A method for processing an image of coronary arteries given by an intensity function I(x,y). A function z(x,y) is obtained describing the heart surface. The image is then processed to produce an image having an intensity function I′(x,y) where I′ is obtained in a calculation involving the function z. The method may be used to enhance the stereoscopic effect of a stereo pair of images of coronary arteries.

Abstract: Optical system for directing an auxiliary image towards an observer so as to be superimposed on to a main image. The optical system comprises a pentagonal prism having a first surface for intercepting the auxiliary image and directing an auxiliary image beam toward an opposing second surface so as to be internally reflected by the second surface towards a third surface so as to be internally reflected by the third surface and propagated out of the pentagonal prism through a fourth surface opposite the third surface towards the observer. At least one of the surfaces of the pentagonal prism is aspeheric and a directing optics constituted by a wedge proximate and external to the third surface directs a main image beam derived from the main image through the third surface into the pentagonal prism and out of the fourth surface thereof towards the observer.

Abstract: An optical combiner for use with an optical eyepiece which is adjusted for viewing a first image, and which injects a non-collimated light beam from a second image substantially along an optical axis of the eyepiece so as to present a combined image to an observer. The combiner comprises a beam splitter for inserting into the eyepiece and having an entry aperture for intercepting the non-collimated light beam and directing a portion thereof outside the eyepiece so as to superimpose the second image on the first image.

Abstract: An adapter for an optical eyepiece for propagating a non-collimated light beam from an object along an optical axis of the eyepiece so as to present an image to an observer, the adapter comprising a beam splitter for inserting into the eyepiece so as to intercept the light beam and direct a portion thereof outside the eyepiece through an exit aperture of the beam splitter without substantially changing the image to the observer. The adapter is particularly useful for extracting a portion of an image from an eyepiece having restricted access in a night vision goggles thus permitting an external scene to be recorded simultaneous with its being viewed by the observer.

Abstract: A method and system for testing the performance of at least one electro-optical test device, comprising constructing an electro-optical system having a light source, a test target, a lens and an imaging device as required in combination with the test devices. A respective identity code of a plurality of precalibrated devices together with corresponding electro-optical performances are stored in a database and the imaging device is aligned to the test target so as to produce a focused image thereof. Pre-calibbrated devices are selected from the database and the focussed image is digitized and stored so as to produce a digitized image which is analyzed so as to determine an electro-optical performance representative of the performance of the electro-optical system which is equal to the product of component electro-optical performances of each of the electro-optical test devices and each of the additional pre-calibrated devices.

Abstract: A high resolution two-directional optical scanner, comprising a source of very high frequency light pulses, a first acousto-optic cell for diffracting the light pulses towards an image plane so as to form on a predetermined area thereof a line of pixels corresponding to the data, and a second acousto-optic cell intermediate the first acousto-optic cell and the image plane for intercepting the light pulses diffracted by the first acousto-optic cell and diffracting them towards the image plane in a second direction perpendicular to the line of pixels at an angle dependent on a scanning signal fed to the second acousto-optic cell. The invention is particularly suited for use with flat bed plotters and reduces the need to transport the plotter bed mechanically in order to achieve scanning normal to the direction of each complete scan line.