Abstract: A method for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic condition. The method offers an important option and capability for automatic, and/or manual, medical-treatment and/or pacemaker-control feedback, in real time, to improve a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic status, with such a patient's resulting hemodynamic-behavioral/status changes caused by such feedback being viewable immediately in the invention's produced output display.

Abstract: A computer-based, cardio-function cafeteria method for gathering, handling, observing and presenting cardio-function data from a selected subject patient, and for utilizing that data to effect constructive and corrective, data-trend-based, cardio-function intervention. The method features (a) gathering cardio-relevant, cardio-functionality data from a patient including, over extended time, selected-category, cardio-functionality trend data, (b) utilizing such trend data in an implemented feedback manner to effect real-time changes in the patient's cardio-functionality as evidenced by that gathered trend data, and (c), while so implementing the mentioned feedback utilization, continuing to gather and observe the same-category trend data so as to achieve, through appropriate, recurrent utilization feedback, and related constructive and corrective intervention, improved cardio-functionality in relation to the associated trend data.

Abstract: A method employable during a tachycardia-tachyarrhythmia condition in a person for detecting, verifying and distinguishing ventricular and supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation, including (a) confirming the presence of a tachyarrhythmia heart rate, (b) on such confirmation, collecting time-frame-simultaneous ECG and heart-sound information, (c) following such collecting, choosing selected ECG time-span, and heart-sound intensity, data, and (d) utilizing the chosen, selected ECG time-span, and heart-sound intensity, data, characterizing the defined condition as resulting from one of (a) supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmia, (b) ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and (c) ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract: A method for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic condition.

Abstract: A system for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a patient's hemodynamic condition. The system offers an important option and capability for automatic, and/or manual, medical-treatment and/or pacemaker-control feedback, in real time, to improve a patient's hemodynamic status, with such a patient's resulting hemodynamic-behavioral/status changes caused by such feedback being viewable immediately in the invention's produced output display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for fast satellite antenna acquisition via signal identification. The method and apparatus operate by positioning a satellite antenna using signal identification in order to reduce false satellite signal locks and missed detections and speed the acquisition of the correct satellite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle mountable satellite antenna as defined in the claims which is operable while the vehicle is in motion. The satellite antenna of the present invention can be installed on top of (or embedded into) the roof of a vehicle. The antenna is capable of providing high gain and a narrow antenna beam for aiming at a satellite direction and enabling broadband communication to vehicle. The present invention provides a vehicle mounted satellite antenna which has low axial ratio, high efficiency and has low grating lobes gain. The vehicle mounted satellite antenna of the present invention provides two simultaneous polarization states.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring and characterizing a person's heart condition for various medically related purposes. The method includes the steps of (a) acquiring a selected person's acoustic heart signature, (b) acquiring, substantially simultaneously, that same person's electrical heart signature, (c) choosing elements of determined interest from these two acquired signatures and selectively processing and inter- and/or cross-relating such elements, and (d) employing the results of the relating step to create a heart-condition fingerprint useful in the characterization of that person's heart condition.

Abstract: A self-calibrating photoelectric control system for use in a checkstand to control the starting and stopping of a conveyer belt utilized to move products closer to a checkout clerk. The self-calibrating photoelectric control system including a light source for emitting a light beam having an intensity, a photoelectric sensor for receiving light from the light source and for generating an output signal when the received light is equal to or greater than a light-state threshold of the photoelectric sensor; and a calibration circuit for automatically calibrating the sensitivity of the photoelectric control system to partial beam breaks after occurrence of any one of a plurality of predefined events. The calibration circuit is operative for performing a calibration process which adjusts the intensity of the light beam emitted by the light source such that the intensity is slightly greater than the light-state threshold of the photoelectric sensor.

Abstract: A method for differentiating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from other ECG abnormalities. The method is performed by modeling selected ECG confounders that tend to obscure AMI evidence in the ECG waveform, and by purging a subject's ECG waveform of the effect(s) of these confounders through linking selected confounder models with an appropriate, computer-implementable purge algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting time-based, comparative, patient-specific ECG data in various presentation formats, wherein color-coding is employed as a visual device to communicate vividly different, selected “changed” characteristics in that patient's current ECG-detected status.

Abstract: A method for differentiating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from other ECG abnormalities. The method is performed by modeling selected ECG confounders that tend to obscure AMI evidence in the ECG waveform, and by purging a subject's ECG waveform of the effect(s) of these confounders through linking selected confounder models with an appropriate, computer-implementable purge algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting time-based, comparative, patient-specific ECG data in various presentation formats, wherein color-coding is employed as a visual device to communicate vividly different, selected “changed” characteristics in that patient's current ECG-detected status.

Abstract: Small-scale sensor structure attachable to a person's anatomy for collecting and conveying physiologically-related electrical and audio signals, including the conveying of processed output signals that relate input electrical and audio signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring and displaying physiological patient data wherein the amplitude of the data is represented in color.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a photoelectric sensor that is capable of resolving difficult low contrast sensing tasks by adjustment of the sensor's light source intensity, so as to prevent dark state saturation and extend the overall dynamic range of the sensor. The photosensor utilizes an enhanced dynamic (EDR.TM.) control circuit that combines the light source and offset adjustment of the DC amplifier circuit in a closed loop configuration. This connection provides an automatic reduction in the light source intensity as required to avoid saturation. Further, this is accomplished without sacrificing amplifier gain, so that the dynamic operating range of the photosensor is extended to include proper operation at very bright light levels. The EDR control circuit also includes an indicator circuit that is connected to the light intensity control circuit.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensing system, the adjustment of which is facilitated by the incorporation therein of a contrast indicator with a display in the form of an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) controlled by a driver circuit which is arranged for successive illumination of the LEDs, preferably on a one-to-one basis. This bargraph type instrument is also effective in photoelectric sensing tasks involving variations of the detected light between "light" and "dark" at a rapid rate, in which case the range of LEDs between these two extremes appears dimly lit at a steady glow.

Abstract: A start/stop control arrangement for material handling systems, particularly automated checkout systems in retail stores. From a beam sensing device at the delivery end of the incoming conveyor a control is derived not only for stopping the conveyor in response to the detection of the arrival at that end of a product but also a time control for automatically stopping the conveyor in response to no such product being detected by that device for a predetermined time. The arrangement may be incorporated in the amplifier unit which serves to amplify the output of the beam of the beam sensing device. Alternatively, and as shown herein, the arrangement may be implemented by a plug-in accessory module designed to be interposed between two cooperating plug-in modules--one of them mounting the above sensor amplifier--which provide for the first of these two controls only. Provisions are also made for double-using the arrangement for the start/stop control of the conveyor outgoing from the checkout stand.