Abstract: A defective pixel detection and correction mechanism for use in an image sensor integrated circuit determines whether a current pixel is a defective pixel in a consistent manner from frame to frame. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism also replaces defective pixels with stable replacement values. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism has a defective pixel detection mechanism that employs a look-up table with defective pixel locations for providing a non-varying determination of whether a pixel is defective or non-defective. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism also has a defective pixel correction mechanism that employs a consistent replacement choice facility to provide a previous pixel value in the same frame, on the same row, and a predetermined number of pixels from the current pixel location as a replacement value and a replacement unit (e.g., multiplexer) for replacing the defective pixel value with the replacement value.

Abstract: A defective pixel detection and correction mechanism for use in an image sensor integrated circuit determines whether a current pixel is a defective pixel in a consistent manner from frame to frame. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism also replaces defective pixels with stable replacement values. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism has a defective pixel detection mechanism that employs a look-up table with defective pixel locations for providing a non-varying determination of whether a pixel is defective or non-defective. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism also has a defective pixel correction mechanism that employs a consistent replacement choice facility to provide a previous pixel value in the same frame, on the same row, and a predetermined number of pixels from the current pixel location as a replacement value and a replacement unit (e.g., multiplexer) for replacing the defective pixel value with the replacement value.

Abstract: A defective pixel detection and correction mechanism for use in an image sensor integrated circuit determines whether a current pixel is a defective pixel in a consistent manner from frame to frame. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism also replaces defective pixels with stable replacement values. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism has a defective pixel detection mechanism that employs a look-up table with defective pixel locations for providing a non-varying determination of whether a pixel is defective or non-defective. The defective pixel detection and correction mechanism also has a defective pixel correction mechanism that employs a consistent replacement choice facility to provide a previous pixel value in the same frame, on the same row, and a predetermined number of pixels from the current pixel location as a replacement value and a replacement unit (e.g., multiplexer) for replacing the defective pixel value with the replacement value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying heartbeats obtains ECG data from a plurality of ECG waveforms, which are in turn obtained from signals received from a plurality of ECG electrodes. QRS detection logic detects heartbeats in the ECG data. Classification logic classifies the detected heartbeats into categories based on shape and/or timing. This classification is done by comparing each heartbeat against a group of templates corresponding to one or more heartbeat classifications. The templates are updated to track changes in the morphology of the heartbeats. The heartbeat classification is displayed to the cardiologist or medical professional for diagnosis of the condition of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A method and device for efficient defibrillation, to be utilized in external defibrillation machines, capable of being utilized with 2, 3, or more defibrillation electrodes. The method and device achieve the efficient defibrillation by ensuring that the defibrillation machine energizes the patient with the waveform which is optimum for the number of defibrillation electrodes in use. The method and device accomplishes this by (1) sensing the number of defibrillation electrodes in use, and by (2) selecting the optimum defibrillation waveform for energization of the sensed number of defibrillation electrodes in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting heartbeats obtains ECG data from a plurality of ECG waveforms, which are in turn obtained from signals received from a plurality of ECG electrodes. QRS detection logic detects heartbeats in the ECG data. This logic calculates an activity function from a subset of the plurality of ECG waveforms determined to be least noisy, and uses this activity function to search for heartbeats. The QRS detection logic allows for true heartbeats to be detected while discarding false "noise" beats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining heartbeat measurements obtains ECG data from a plurality of ECG waveforms, which are in turn obtained from signals received from a plurality of ECG electrodes. QRS detection logic detects heartbeats in the ECG data. Classification logic classifies heartbeats into categories based on shape and/or timing. Alignment logic aligns the heartbeats. Representative heartbeat creation logic creates a representative heartbeat from the aligned heartbeats. Measurement logic measures various aspects of the representative heartbeat. This logic analyzes the ECG waveforms to determine an earliest QRS onset and latest QRS offset, and uses these values to perform a variety of measurements. This results in robust measurements even in very noisy environments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating a heart rate obtains ECG data from a plurality of ECG waveforms, which are in turn obtained from signals received from a plurality of ECG electrodes. Heart rate calculation logic calculates the patient's heart rate. This logic determines the intervals between the heartbeats detected in the ECG data, discards a percentage of the shortest and longest intervals, and averages the remaining intervals to arrive at the patient's heart rate. This results in a robust calculation of the heart rate even in the presence of noise falsely detected as heartbeats and missed beats, both of which are common in noisy environments. The heart rate is displayed to the cardiologist or medical professional for diagnosis of the condition of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a representative heartbeat obtains ECG data from a plurality of ECG waveforms, which are in turn obtained from signals received from a plurality of ECG electrodes. QRS detection logic detects heartbeats in the ECG data. Classification logic classifies heartbeats into categories based on shape and/or timing. Alignment logic aligns the heartbeats. This logic slides the heartbeats occurring at various times across a stationary alignment template to calculate when the heartbeats are best aligned, and performs adjustments to reduce the effects of noise or jitter on the different ECG waveforms. Representative heartbeat creation logic creates a representative heartbeat from the aligned heartbeats. This logic time slices through the aligned heartbeats, discarding a percentage of the smallest and largest magnitudes of the aligned heartbeats at each instance of time, and averaging the remaining magnitudes to produce a representative heartbeat.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously displaying images of different resolutions on a single raster scan video monitor begins with the step of storing lower resolution text and graphics data in a first memory. The data in the first memory is used to generate a first video frame having N1 pixels per line. A first video data stream is generated from the first memory at a first rate corresponding generally to the bandwidth of the video monitor. Higher resolution biological waveform data is stored in a second memory. The data in the second memory represents a second video frame having N2 pixels per line. If desired, the second memory can include data for stationary and scrolling high resolution images. A second video data stream is generated from the second memory at a second rate, which is faster than the first rate. The ratio of the second rate divided by the first rate is approximately equal to N2 divided by N1.

Abstract: A rotating stand or rack is provided for displaying various items of merchandise, such as greeting cards, paperback books, cassettes, cartridges, floppy disks, folders, and the like. The stand includes an elongated shaft mounted on the base for rotation around its longitudinal axis. The shaft extends away from the base and has a plurality of grooves in its outer surface extending along its length. One or more shelves are mounted on the shaft. Each shelf has an opening through its center and a plurality of guides around the shelf which extend into the shelf opening along its height. The number and positioning of the guides corresponds to the number and positioning of the shaft grooves so that when the shelf is on the shaft, the shelf guides are in the shaft grooves. The size of the grooves and guides are such that they provide a press or friction fit with each other to thereby hold the shelf firmly in position on the shaft.