Abstract: Whether a (stroke) patient is at risk for oral or pharyngeal dysphagia is determined by conducting a cough-based screening process for clinically evaluating the patient's swallow. The cough-based screening methodology is able to identify those patients who require a modified barium swallow test in order to rule out aspiration, and which patients do not need a modified barium swallow test. In accordance with the process the patient attempts to cough voluntarily. If the patient is unable to cough voluntarily, the patient is required to inhale an aerosol that stimulates a sensory innervation of the patient's larynx, thereby causing the patient to cough. The resulting cough is graded to determine whether the patient is at risk to a prescribed physiological condition, in particular pneumonia. The cough tests are supplemented by monitoring the ability of the patient to hold water in the patient's mouth for a prescribed period of time.

Abstract: A system for administering spirometry co-operative a test subject having limited comprehension capacity. The system includes a measuring sensor for measurement of a flow of air moving therethrough and one or more PID-controllers for evaluating the measurement of the flow of air. The system also includes a processor to co-ordinate actions of components to process data pertaining to evaluation of the measurement of the flow of air, and translate the measurement of the flow of air to clinically relevant parameters.

Abstract: An &agr; wave signal and a &bgr; wave signal are separated from a brain wave signal S at the points of the subject's forehead, and under the condition of preset time of a sampling cycle with a settled integration time, a ratio of an integration value of the &bgr; wave signal to an integration value of the &agr; wave signal is calculated to obtain the information for judgment of the brain activity. Under the condition of preset time of the sampling cycle with a settled integration time, each integration value of brain wave signal S, said &agr; wave signal and said &bgr; wave signal are calculated, then an occurrence ratio of the integration value of the &agr; wave signal to the integration value of the brain signal S is calculated and made to be &agr;% for each sampling cycle, &bgr;% is calculated by the same procedure, and the frequency distribution curve of the &agr;% and &bgr;% is calculated to obtain the information for judgment of the brain activity.

Abstract: An intraluminal device having an adhesive primer coat formed of a carbonaceous material and a lubricious top coat of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The invention also comprises the methods of making such intraluminal devices. The primer coat of the invention may comprise pure carbon, or a carbon based material such as a polymer. Preferably, the primer coat has a thickness of about 0.1 to about 2 &mgr;m. In a presently preferred embodiment, the primer coat is applied using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), but in certain embodiments, physical vapor deposition (PVD) may be suitable. The deposited primer coat forms an effective substrate for adhesion of the hydrophilic polymer top coat.

Abstract: An musculus orbicularis oris power measuring apparatus for quantitatively determining the power of the musculus orbicularis oris around the human mouth is provided. A force for closing the mouth lips is detected as an electric output signal by a load sensor shaped so as to be held between the lips. A maximum value of the load force as detected by the load sensor is sensed by a peak hold circuit and stored therein. The thus stored value is indicated either in an analog form or in a digital form by a peak value indicator.

Abstract: A dispensing device and method for forming a least partially solid or gel-like material from a liquid. At least one liquid issuing from an outlet is subjected to an electric field causing the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet which, after formation, forms a fiber (F) or breaks up into fiber fragments (FF) or particles (D). The thus formed at least partially solid or gel-like material may be directly deposited, by virtue of the energy in the electrical field, onto a surface area, for example an area of skin enabling, for example, formation of a dressing for a wound or burn which is of high specific area and extremely absorbent. A biologically active ingredient such as a pharmaceutical ingredient or biological matter such as DNA may be incorporated into the fibers (F), fragments (FF) or particles (D). Fibrils, particles or microcapsules incorporating a biologically active ingredient may be supplied for oral or nasal administration to an animal such as a human being.

Abstract: A cannula for providing an external connection with an implanted artificial port for communicating with the body lumen of a patient. The artificial port has an entrance conduit with an inwardly tapering section. The tapered cannula is sized and proportioned to substantially match and seal with the inwardly tapering section of the entrance conduit. Thus the cannula can form a readily removable seal with the inwardly tapering section. A typical angle of taper is one to two degrees.

Abstract: A tip cap is provided for positive sealing engagement with the tip of a syringe barrel. The tip cap includes an inner cap formed from an elastomeric material dimensioned for sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe barrel. The tip cap further includes an outer cap engaged with the inner cap to limit or prevent both axial movement and rotational movement therebetween. The outer cap includes an array of threads for threaded engagement with a luer collar. The luer collar may be a separate component mountable to a syringe barrel or an integral part of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An absorbent structure in an absorbent article such as a diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin, wound dressing, bed protection and the like, formed from at least two superposed layers (5′; 5″) of one or more web-shaped absorption materials (5), said layers (5′; 5″) having different widths as seen in the transverse direction of the article. The absorbent structure (4) comprised of said layers has been compressed to a thickness which is substantially the same over the width of the structure, in such a way that the structure has a higher density in the areas thereof where the layers overlap each other and a lower density in other areas.

Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin which is simple, compact, sanitary, and easy to unwrap for use and to dispose of after use. The absorbent article avoids the need for a separate peel strip and pouch because it is provided with a wrapper that can be folded into a pouch. Substantially the entire backsheet of the absorbent article directly faces the wrapper and is secured to it to form an assembly. In the case of a winged or tabbed type absorbent article, this configuration obviates the need for a separate peel strip to cover the garment adhesive located on the wings or tabs. The assembly is wrapped by folding the lateral flaps thereof longitudinally over one another to enclose the article to prevent the garment adhesive from becoming contaminated. The package is then tri-folded laterally to form an e-shaped pouch. Wrapping and folding can be performed by an in-line process that uses simple equipment and that does not require reversal in the direction of article conveyance.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a pair of gasketing cuffs, each of the paired gasketing cuffs is divided into a high stiffness zone and a low stiffness zone in a transverse direction of the diaper.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy of PRK wherein a UV power meter is placed in the optical path of the laser beam. In one preferred embodiment, the power meter is placed distal to the last optical element so that any optical degradation that affects laser performance is taken into account. The meter consists of a UV-B cube and a pulnix camera with a software package. The meter is used to monitor the fluence of each laser pulse. The power meter is used to size each pulse and to quantify the energy in each pulse. Sensing means is employed to measure intraoperative pulse-to-pulse energy during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), using said data in conjunction with the location of the pulse within the ablation zone to determine the cumulative energy thus being achieved, and adjusting said laser to treat more or less at each point based upon the difference between the ideal cumulative energy map and the observed cumulative energy map derived from intraoperative power determination.

Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical system for ultrasonically vibrating said needle along with a power source for providing pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical system. Irrigation fluid is provided to the handpiece needle and aspirating fluid is removed from the handpiece needle. A determination of a voltage current phase relationship of the provided electrical power is made and in response thereto a control system varies a power level duty cycle provided to the handpiece electrical system from the power source and/or modify the aspiration flow rate. In addition, a separate input enables manual control of pulse amplitude and the control system in response to a selected amplitude determines a duty cycle of the provided pulsed electrical power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neurosurgical guide device for use in neurosurgery. The device is particularly useful in stereotactically targeted surgical treatment of abnormalities of brain function. The neurosurgical guide device comprising a tube for insertion into a brain of a patient to a vicinity of a desired target, wherein the tube has a head attached to one end thereof and whereby an instrument can be introduced through the opening and passed along the bore from a proximal end to a distal end thereof.

Abstract: A hemorrhoid relief and anal hygiene device is provided including a pressure member for placement between opposing buttock surfaces in the natal cleft adjacent to the anus of the user. The pressure member has opposite side faces for each positioning against one of the opposing buttock surfaces of the user. Each of the side faces of the pressure member is substantially planar. Each of the side faces of the pressure member lie in substantially parallel planes. The pressure member has a perimeter wall that extends between the opposite side faces. The perimeter wall has a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first and second sections of the perimeter wall has inboard ends converging at a protruding crest adapted for partial insertion in the anus of the user. The first and second sections are concave for abutting opposite areas of the surface of the anus. The third section extends between outboard ends of the first and second sections.

Abstract: A system, a closure, and method of use for sealing a percutaneous puncture in a blood vessel. The puncture includes an opening in the vessel wall and a tract leading to the opening. The system includes an introducer sheath and associated positioning device, a hemostatic puncture closure, and a deployment instrument. The positioning device enables the introducer sheath to be positioned at a desired position within the vessel. The deployment instrument includes a tubular carrier storing the closure. The closure comprises a rigid, e.g., radio-opaque, anchor, a compressed collagen plug, and a thin filament connecting the two in a pulley-like arrangement. The instrument and introducer are used to introduce the closure into the puncture, with the anchor located within the artery and with the collagen plug within the puncture tract. A locking member is provided to hold the closure in place at its operative position, whereupon hemostasis occurs rapidly, thereby sealing the puncture.

Abstract: A differential discrete-time signal processing channel differentially processes cardiac signals in an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. Such signal processing effectively uses downsampling to uses lower bias currents, thereby saving power and prolonging the life of the implanted device, and also reduces clock feedthrough, provides a wider dynamic range and better rejection of power supply noise. The device includes a continuous-time buffer, a decimator/averager and/or other filter and/or amplifier circuits, and an analog-to-digital converter, each configured for processing differential signals. The device also includes an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), for the discrete-time differential signal processing. The OTA provides, among other things, an output common mode adjustment circuit and an offset compensation circuit.

Abstract: An operating method for an implantable cardiologic device comprises the following steps for detection of a significant event or condition a patient is subject to:

Abstract: A catheter system for inserting a first guidewire in a primary vessel and a second guidewire in a branch vessel, comprising: a dual lumen catheter having a first guidewire slidably received within a first lumen; and a side sheath received within a second lumen; and a second guidewire slidably received within a lumen of the side sheath.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the material's Collagen IV Index.

Abstract: An automation system including a control device for controlling a processing device having at least one sensor for transmitting sensor data from the processing device to the control device. The sensor comprises a radio transmission device for providing wireless transmission of the sensor data from the transmission device to a radio reception device connected to or located in the control device.

Abstract: According to the power shutoff method for the TCP/IP network device, the connection status of the terminal connected to the TCP/IP network is monitored, whether the power can be shut off or not is judged based on the result of the monitoring, and the power for the terminal is shut off when it is judged acceptable to shut off the power in the judgment step.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is disclosed for data processing an audio signal. The data processing apparatus comprises an input terminal (1) for receiving the audio signal, a 1-bit A/D converter (4) for A/D converting the audio signal so as to obtain a bitstream signal, a prediction unit (10) for carrying out a prediction step on the bitstream signal so as to obtain a predicted bitstream signal, a signal combination unit (42) for combining the bitstream signal and the predicted bitstream signal so as to obtain a residue bitstream signal, and an output terminal (14) for supplying the residual bitstream signal (FIG. 1). Further, a recording apparatus (FIG. 4) and a transmitter apparatus (FIG. 5) comprising the data processing apparatus are disclosed. Other data processing apparatuses can be found in the FIGS. 18, 19 and 20.

Abstract: A controller for a powered loudspeaker including a bus monitor configured to monitor a bus for activity and a click suppression unit coupled to the bus monitor and configured to control speaker volume by ramping the volume down if an absence of data on the bus is detected, and restoring the volume once bus activity begins again. In this manner, undesired clicks and hisses upon power up and power down are minimized.

Abstract: The engraving information such as the characters and barcodes of an engraving identification mark is inputted into a engraving device body. An identification markis engraved on a sliced wafer by a laser head. A turntable supporting the sliced wafer is rotated so that the identification mark thereof is disposed under a reading camera. The identification mark is read by the reading camera. The engraving information inputted in the engraving device body and the engraved mark read in the reading device body are compared in an information processing device. The engraving is thus controlled by the engraving device body in accordance with the compared result.

Abstract: An arrangement in a vehicle for determining vehicle occupant position relative to a fixed structure within the vehicle including an array which receives an image of a portion of the passenger compartment in which the occupant is likely to be situated and a lens arranged between the array and the portion of the passenger compartment. The image may be changed by adjusting the lens, e.g., adjusting the focal length of the lens and/or the position of the lens relative to the array, by adjusting the array, e.g., the position of the array relative to the lens, and/or by using software to perform a focusing process. By changing the image to obtain the clearest image, i.e., focusing the image, a distance between the occupant and the fixed structure can be obtained based on the parameters of the change of the image.

Abstract: A navigation system detects a present position of a movable body and performs a navigation for the movable body on the basis of map information.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an angle sensor ascertains an output signal for a zero point and measures an associated operating temperature. The output signal and a reference signal stored for the operating temperature are used to form a new reference signal. A navigation system equipped with a temperature sensor for measuring the operating temperature of the angle sensor and with a memory for storing reference signals is also provided. The calibration method and the navigation system substantially eliminate angle sensor measurement errors attributed to temperature influences.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a method and apparatus for monitoring operation of a thermal device, which allows accurate understanding of the operating states up until occurrence of a failure. The method includes the steps of: storing in sequence detection data on operating states and detection time thereof as operating state data at specified time intervals; storing detection data and detection time in the event of a failure in a thermal device as point-of-failure data; storing operating state data for a specified period of time including failure occurrence time; and outputting the same. The apparatus is equipped with detection means for detecting operating states, processing means, storage means and output means.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically collecting and for analyzing information about time and work performed on a computer includes a hardware abstraction layer for monitoring activity on various user input devices. The system also includes the following elements: a data collector for monitoring certain portions of a user's computer activity and for logging into a log file those certain portions of a user's computer activity; a data analyzer for determining by following user-defined rules showing which portions of those certain portions of a user's computer activity constitutes continuous work activities, and how this work should be categorized by project and task with project; and an external interface for building the rules defining work. The data collector includes a resident module, such as a TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) module, which extends the file system of the computer so that detailed records are kept of file activities.

Abstract: A method for increasing voice recognition rate in a voice recognition system comprising the steps of: establishing a reference model for user voices subjected to recognition; receiving the user voices for voice recognition commands; detecting the range and characteristics of the received voice data; comparing the range and characteristics of the detected voice data with the characteristics of the previously obtained reference voice model to retrieve a word having the largest similarity; comparing the similarity of the retrieved word with the similarity reference value to report a voice recognition failure when the compared result is below the reference value, and to report a voice recognition success and perform the command corresponding to the recognized word when the compared result is at least the reference value; and modifying the characteristics of the voice data which succeeded in the voice recognition into the reference voice model which was used in the corresponding voice recognition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating a maximum entropy speech model for a speech recognition system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for checking real names on the internet. The apparatus comprises a web unit for transmitting web pages to the user; a user management unit for receiving the user's personal information, transmitting the information to a bank, receiving a real name checking result from the bank, and checking the user's real name; and a database provided for the web unit and the user management unit. The bank transmits the user's real name checking message to a real name checking server when a real name checking code provided by the user who desires to open an account is identical with a code provided by the user management unit. The method comprises the steps of receiving personal information from a user; transmitting a real name checking code to the user and storing the real name checking code; transmitting the personal information and the real name checking code to a bank; and receiving a real name checking result from the bank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for bridging the gap between the virtual multimedia-based Internet world and the physical world of tangible object media, such as print media. More particularly, the methods are based on initiating a communication from a printed medium or other object containing provider information using a scanner, a portal server and a receiver connected across a network. The method involves scanning a machine-readable code corresponding to the provider information from the object using the scanner and storing the machine-readable code in a memory. The provider information may include network link information, or it may include information from which a default portal server can deduce an appropriate link automatically. The link information is then extracted from the machine readable code in the memory. A user input information corresponding to the provider information may also be obtained and stored in the memory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for bridging the gap between the virtual multimedia-based Internet world and the physical world of tangible object media, such as print media. More particularly, the methods are based on initiating a communication from a printed medium or other object containing provider information using a scanner, a portal server and a receiver connected across a network. The method involves scanning a machine-readable code corresponding to the provider information from the object using the scanner and storing the machine-readable code in a memory. The provider information may include network link information, or it may include information from which a default portal server can deduce an appropriate link automatically. The link information is then extracted from the machine readable code in the memory. A user input information corresponding to the provider information may also be obtained and stored in the memory.

Abstract: An auto-registration method for scanners. The method includes implanting a serial number into a scanner. When the scanner operates, the serial number is automatically retrieved. If the scanner is linked to a network, the serial number is transmitted to a documentary file inside a registration center through the net. On the other hand, if the scanner is not connected to a network, other data transmission means can be used to carry out the registration. According to the registered information, various post-registration services are executed.

Abstract: A data processing system provides an interface with a securities exchange system over which securities are traded. The system allows a user to configure displays tailored for specific functions and to show displays for a particular security. The user may also view a display showing information about selected securities, monitor trade activity, participate in a trade, and report trades. In addition, a user may display information for a selected set of securities on a continuously updated basis and can easily select from a displayed list, a desired security and certain information and functions associated with the selected security.

Abstract: In previous print services, print ordering is complex, and burden on an orderer is large. In an information storage system there are included a server apparatus that is connected to a network and stores image data supplied via the network and a terminal that is installed in the street and used by the user to transmit the image data to the server apparatus via the network and read the image data specified according to external operations from the server apparatus via the network.

Abstract: An environmental information exhibiting system includes (a) an environmental information server, and (b) at least one client terminal connected to the environmental information server through a network. The client terminal includes (b1) an interface receiving data to identify an environmental information which a client terminal user requests the environmental information server to exhibit, and (b2) a communicator transmitting a request made by the interface to the environmental information server through the network, and receiving an environmental information transmitted from the environmental information server.

Abstract: A method of seeking images in a database, each of the stored images being associated with a data of a first type representing a characteristic of the visual content of the image, comprises the steps of: associating with each new a new image to be stored in the database, a data of a second type representing the location of at least one region of interest in the new image; receiving a data of the second type representing the location of at least one region of interest in the example image; obtaining a data of the first type associated with the example image; calculating a similarity between the example image and each of the stored images, the similarity being calculated from the data of the first type and of the second type associated respectively with the example image and with the stored image; and supplying at least one image from the database according to its degree of similarity with the example image.

Abstract: A library of query templates and a dictionary that relates keywords to more abstract concepts are first prepared on a computer system. Each template contains one or more typed variables. A query is then generated by entering into the system one or more keywords. Each keyword is abstracted to a concept. Advantageously, each concept may be further refined, for example, by additional abstraction, or by picking one concept from several candidates, or by successive abstraction and rejection of different keywords until an acceptable concept is found. Next, for the concepts that are obtained, the system finds all query templates are then instantiated with those concepts or with the keywords used to form the concepts. The user then selects the most appropriate query from among the instantiated query templates. The invention may be practiced in formulating queries to access any set of information sources.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that Internet users who utilize Internet televison devices to interface with the Internet do not have the same needs as Internet users who use computers. The present invention addresses the needs of television Internet users to interface with the Internet by providing appropriate interfacing methods, compositions and articles of manufacture. One aspect of the present invention is a word code that includes a series of numerical digits that relates to a word or portion of a word. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of making a word code that includes identifying a word or portion of a word that is an appropriate word code and translating the word or portion of a word into a word code. A further aspect of the present invention is a composition of matter or an article of manufacture that includes at least two word codes.

Abstract: A method for updating multimedia feature information such as weight and reliability is provided. The method according to the present invention first performs a multimedia retrieval based on the previously used weight, receives one or more user feedback on a relevance of the retrieval, calculates a performance of the present retrieval, and updates reliability of the present multimedia feature in consideration of the calculated retrieval performance. On the basis of the updated reliability, the weight of the present multimedia feature is updated.

Abstract: A computer system and method concurrently present multiple development threads represented by a collection of chronologically-arranged information. An abstraction stack is used to access a body of knowledge stratified into a plurality of levels of abstraction and including a plurality of information elements associated with the plurality of levels of abstraction and organized generally chronologically in the body of knowledge. The abstraction stack concurrently displays first and second representations of a common portion of the body of knowledge, with the first and second representations respectively displaying first and second information elements respectively associated with first and second levels of abstraction. The first and second levels of abstraction are respectively associated with separate development threads such that such threads are concurrently presented to a user.

Abstract: The task parallelization method is realized by: detecting both data which may be probably referred to a relevant task capable of satisfying a predetermined condition and also an instruction code contained in the task when being compiled; producing an information transfer task which is constructed of such an instruction for instructing that both the data and the instruction code are transferred to a storage apparatus closer to a processor to which the task is allocated; and adding to the process, a task scheduling process constituted by allocation instructions by which a next-execution task is acquired and the information transfer task with respect to the next-execution task is executed by an idle processor.

Abstract: A video jukebox service has a world-wide array of file servers interconnected by data links and having video input apparatus. Each file server has a plurality of connected clients. Video clippings input at the video input apparatus are shared with the other file servers and stored in a database at each file server. Clients are notified of availability of video clippings, and clippings are downloaded to client stations on demand. In a preferred embodiment, the file server network is a toriodal arrangement, and client communication nodes equal in number to the number of file servers are interconnected in a toroidal fashion as well. Individual client stations are connected to individual ones of the client communication nodes, with the overall network in the form of nested toroids.

Abstract: The destination setting operation of conventional electronic mail is not graphical. The present invention provides a graphical user interface with excellent operability as message exchange means.

Abstract: With conventional printing services it is too complex to place an order for prints, which has been a burden on users. In a printing system and a method thereof, a server means connected to a network, for retaining image data supplied through the above network, printing means connected to the network and installed in a plurality, for printing images based on the image data appointed by means of external operations and retrieved from the server means through the network, and image data transferring means connected to the network, for transferring the image data to the server means through the network are provided. Thereby, is now possible to have images printed based on image data retained in the server means with the use of a desired printing means of the plurality of printing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication device and a software for operating multimedia applications in one or more communication networks, with a computing manager unit (52) for managing and providing multimedia applications on the basis of a communication with one or more communication devices in the one or more communication networks, whereby the computing manager unit (52) controls a device discovery manager unit (58) for detecting the availability of one or more devices and/or one or more communication networks, a service discovery manager unit (56) for providing available services from and/or for said one or more communication networks, and a virtual device manager unit (60) providing a graphical user interface for controlling devices and/or services of the one or more communication networks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus at servicing-linked applications in a client-server environment are disclosed. A client 20 is in communication with a server 30, and both are running a main application (in one form a goods and services ordering application). An associated application (for example, On-Line Help) is supported by a second server 30′. When OLH is invoiced on the client 20, a unique identifier is passed to the main application server 30, which locates a corresponding URL string and passes the string to a browser 130 on the client 20. The browser 130 passes the URL to the OHL server 30′ where the respective OLH document is retrieved from a datastore 40, and returned to the client 20 for display on the screen 100.