Abstract: Two gamma-rays emitted simultaneously from each of the radionuclides in a radioactivated sample are simultaneously measured with a multiple gamma-ray detector assembly to construct a two-dimensional matrix rather than a one-dimensional spectrum, and the individual nuclides are measured in a completely separate form without performing any artificial operation such as chemical separation.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided which comprises: a CT scanner; a first storage unit storing a plurality of transverse images taken by the CT scanner; an image conversion unit producing a two-dimensional cross sectional image on the basis of the transverse images, for which the transverse images are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a transverse plane; a second storage unit storing the cross sectional image; a peak detection unit extracting an outline of the cross sectional image for detecting peaks or troughs of the outline; a peak interpolation unit carrying out interpolation on the basis of a specified standard for an outline between the peaks or between the troughs detected by the peak detecting unit; and an image construction unit reconstructing the cross sectional image stored in the second storage unit using the outline interpolated by the peak interpolation unit.

Abstract: An x-ray system using a slot-shaped detector having n rows and m columns of pixels, where n<<m, and providing a variety of relative motions between a patient table and a source-detector unit, including translation along the length of the table, translation across the table, and rotation about the focal spot, and processing the pixel values in a variety of ways to produce information such a shadow graphic x-ray images, tomosynthetic images of surfaces that need not be planar, and bone density estimates. In another embodiment, tomographic images can be obtained directly, using a post-patient collimator that passes nearly all of the primary beam to the imager while eliminating nearly all of the scatter. A feedback loop can equalize the exposure for selected parts of the image substantially in real time.

Abstract: In a method and computer program for checking an image reproduction device a test zone is included as a partial region of the displayed image. An image parameter is assigned to the test zone and a partial region of the test zone is altered with regard to the image parameter. An input by the user is detected upon identification of a difference in the image parameter between the partial region and the remaining test zone. The image parameter of the partial region is stored and it, or of a transformation thereof, is composed with a predetermined guide value for the image parameter.

Abstract: In an X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray source, a digital X-ray detector and a display device, an arrangement is provided for setting or establishing the dynamic range of the image at the display device. The detector is operated to provide a set of count values representing X-ray image data acquired by the detector from an object of imaging, and a set of standardized values, such as optical density values, is derived from the count values. The optical density values collectively define a range of optical density values, and the dynamic range of the display device is mapped thereto. The display device is enabled to present an image of the object which appears similar to or substantially the same as an image of the object presented by, for example, a specified analog X-ray film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for addressing and broadcasting a message to recipients having both telephone network-based receiving devices and data network-based receiving devices. The apparatus includes a message router that translates the broadcast message into individual messages that are addressed to each message recipient in a format, e.g., voice, text, email, fax, pager, compatible with each message recipient's receiving device. The individual messages are transmitted by a data network server over a data network. Individual messages designated for recipients having receiving devices addressable by the data network are delivered directly over the data network to the receiving devices. Individual messages designated for recipients having receiving devices addressable by the telephone network are delivered over the data network first to a telephone network server.

Abstract: A communication system for communicating content to a telephone user in response to a request for the content from the telephone user. The system includes a voice application operable for receiving a request from the telephone user for content and for generating a content request indicative of the content requested by the telephone user. A first consent provider is operable for periodically generating pushed content files and a second content provider is operable for generating on-demand content files. In response to receiving a content request from the voice application a content server is operable for providing content handlers having audio versions of pushed and on-demand content files related to the content requested by the telephone user from the content providers to the voice application. The voice application then plays the audio versions of the content files related to the content requested by the telephone user to the telephone user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a communication service in which sponsors pay for communication services initiated by a caller. A caller may invoke the service by entering only the telephone number identifying the desired connection. A communication switch interprets the digits entered by the caller, determines whether the caller wishes to invoke the advertiser supported communication service and if so plays a message to the caller. At the end of the message the communication switch completes the desired connection.

Abstract: A profile management system is provided for accessing and maintaining profile data associated with a telecommunications service subscribed to by a user. The profile data is stored on a telecommunications network which executes the telecommunications service subscribed to by the user in accordance with the profile data. The profile management system includes a client and a server. The client hosts a user interface allowing the user to view and update the profile data. The server processes user requests from the client to view and update the profile data by obtaining the profile data from the telecommunications network and forwarding the profile data to the client. The server also processes user requests from the client to update the profile data by forwarding user updates of the profile data from the client to the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A signal receiving unit receives call information (termination trunk number) of a termination call, a user number, and so forth from an originator. Thereafter, the signal receiving unit transfers the termination call to an operator unit through a PBX. The operator unit receives the call information of the transfer call and inquires of the signal receiving unit about the user number and so forth with a key of the call information. In addition, the operator unit searches user information with a key of the user number from a database and displays the searched result. Even if the PBX is using an ACD function or the like, user identification information received by the signal receiving unit can be sent to the operator unit as a transfer destination.

Abstract: A known cross-talk adaptive noise cancellation apparatus uses two adaptive filters for suppressing the correlated noise in the main signal, which contains wanted voice and unwanted noise, by a reference signal, which contains unwanted noise and wanted voice via cross-talking. A noise canceler is provided in the present invention including some additional parts, such as a voice detection circuitry and a step size decision circuitry. The voice detection circuitry detects whether the wanted voice exists. The step size decision circuitry decides what the step sizes are used for the next update of the two adaptive filters.

Abstract: A cryptographic processing method in which dependence of cryptographic processing process and secret information on each other is cut off; and in which, when a scalar multiplied point is calculated from a scalar value and a point on an elliptic curve in an elliptic curve cryptosystem, a value of a bit of the scalar value is judged; and in which operations on the elliptic curve are executed a predetermined times and in a predetermined order without depending on the judged value of the bit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a countermeasure method in an electronic component using a public key cryptography algorithm based on the use of elliptic curves. From a private key d and a number of points n on an elliptic curve, a new deciphering integer d′ is calculated. The present invention applies particularly to any existing electronic component, such as a smart card.

Abstract: An entered signature is compared with registered signature data to calculate an evaluation value, and when the evaluation value for the entered signature is within the allowable range for successful authentication, it is determined whether aging has occurred. When aging is determined to have occurred, a warning message is displayed to urge re-registration of the signature. According to such a configuration, it is possible, when a change in signature is caused by aging, to avoid circumstances in which authentication becomes suddenly impossible.

Abstract: An access point device and its authentication method are provided which can dramatically improve a wireless LAN system in security level. The access point device includes: authentication request display means for notifying a network administrator administering the LAN of the presence of an authentication-requesting mobile station so as to gain the final authorization of an authentication procedure when a mobile station in the area perform the authentication procedure before the initiation of an association procedure; and authentication input means from which the network administrator notified inputs an authentication-authorizing or -rejecting instruction with respect to the authentication-requesting mobile station.

Abstract: A communications system and method is provided to reliably protect communication systems, such as mobile phone systems, from unauthorized use, as well as to make the interception of wireless communication more difficult. Specifically, the static wireless phone number or other similar identifiers are not used for identification and authorization during communication between the mobile unit and a base station. Instead, a set of private identifiers is determined and is known only to the phone company and the base stations controlling the mobile phone calls. These private identifiers allow dynamic and continual updating of the mobile phone and base station directories with current valid identifiers that are used for communication between the devices.

Abstract: Methods of providing an estimate of the location of a first device are discloses comprising the steps of determining the location of a separately housed, second device located near to the first device; providing the location of the second device to the first device; and using the location of the second device as an estimate of the location of the first device. Either the second device is arranged to perform a function based on its location other than providing its location as an estimate of the location of the first device, or the location of the second device is provided to the first device using a wireless communications link.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in the secured transmission of information in a networked environment. Network communications are bi-directionally enabled and encrypted. The need or ability for any individual to access an account encryption Key is eliminated and only communication devices have access to an operational account Key that is used to encrypt or decrypt data passing through the device. A master Key is established and stored at a Recipient Device. Messages that are sent to the Recipient Device may optionally include an intermediate Key exclusive to that message. A method of integrating security hardware to protect the integrity of account data and Keys is also provided. Hardware or software tampering is also monitored. A method of sending the Key to a device in an encrypted form during registration is also provided. A method to perform all encryption and decryption without impeding the data communication rate is provided.

Abstract: A receiver/transmitter for use in an audio system having a reproducing device for providing reproduced audio signals and located in a home or office. The receiver/transmitter may be operable in a number of modes in which one of such modes enables reproduced audio signals to be transmitted over a broadcast frequency for reception by a wireless receiver tuned to the broadcast frequency and located in a different location of the home or office from that of the receiver/transmitter. Such wireless receiver may be a portable type radio receiver or a stationary type radio receiver. As a result, an operator may listen to a desired portion of a compact disc or tape or the like which is being reproduced by the reproducing device in one room or portion of the home or office while the operator is in a different room or portion of the home or office or while the operator is moving between rooms or portions of the home or office.

Abstract: An audio apparatus for a vehicle made up of a car-mounted audio apparatus 100 and portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b transmits/receives contents data such as music via radio communication. As a communication system for this in-car radio communication, a short-distance data communication system is used, which allows the apparatuses to recognize and authenticate one another and perform data communication with one another in the vehicle. Received music data is reproduced/output in real time.

Abstract: An insulating bushing of an electret condenser microphone is disposed on the rear side of a back electrode portion and abuts against the rear surface of back electrode plate. When a predetermined force is applied to the insulating bushing from the opened end of the case by way of a fixing ring and a printed circuit board, the insulating bushing deforms so as to fit into a gap formed between the inner peripheral face of the case and an end portion of the back electrode plate. Since the insulating bushing fits between the inner peripheral face of the case and the end portion of the back electrode plate, the back electrode plate is positioned and fixed with respect to the case in a state where the back electrode plate and the case are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: A panel loudspeaker has a panel (61) which supports resonant bending wave modes imparted by a transducer (63) mounted on the panel, and a panel suspension (71) for suspending the panel on a support (67). The panel (61) is elongate and the panel suspension (71) is located in the region of each short end of the panel to partially restrain the short ends so that the motion of a central region of the panel is significantly greater than the motion of the short ends. A television comprising a screen and a molding surrounding the screen may incorporate one or more panel loudspeakers as described above mounted in the molding adjacent the screen.

Abstract: An EPG retrieval system includes a data server, a client, and a dictionary database. The data server stores program information of an EPG. The client includes an access unit for accessing the data server, and an input unit for inputting a retrieval keyword for performing retrieval on the program information. The dictionary database stores retrieval keywords and keywords relevant to the retrieval keywords. The client inputs an arbitrary keyword, and extracts keywords relevant to the input keyword. The extracted keywords and the input keyword are used to perform retrieval on the program information.

Abstract: A semantic video object extraction system using mathematical morphology and perspective motion modeling. A user indicates a rough outline around an image feature of interest for a first frame in a video sequence. Without further user assistance, the rough outline is processed by a morphological segmentation tool to snap the rough outline into a precise boundary surrounding the image feature. Motion modeling is performed on the image feature to track its movement into a subsequent video frame. The motion model is applied to the precise boundary to warp the precise outline into a new rough outline for the image feature in the subsequent video frame. This new rough outline is then snapped to locate a new precise boundary. Automatic processing is repeated for subsequent video frames.

Abstract: A system for measuring the distance traveled by bodies in flight during sports events, the bodies executing trajectories having a common predetermined take-off area, and a variable landing point within a landing surface. The system includes a fixed image acquisition device positioned at a predetermined distance from the take-off area for acquiring the image of the landing surface, a recorder for recording the landing surface image at least from the moment of initiation of the flight to completion of the flight, an identifying device for identifying a landing point of the body within the landing surface, and a calculating device for calculating the distance of the landing point from the take-off area.

Abstract: A method and system for applying substance formulations to a land area is disclosed. A flexible, easily modifiable graphical representation of subareas of the area is provided, wherein to each subarea it is desired to apply a combination of one or more substance formulations uniformly throughout the subarea. A user (e.g., a farmer) needs only to specify a boundary for each subarea on a graphical image of the land area for computationally defining the subarea. Subsequently, since the land area image and the subarea boundaries thereon are geographically referenced to latitude and longitude coordinates, when applying such formulations to the land area, the present invention utilizes global positioning system (GPS) signals to thereby determine when such a subarea boundary has been traversed so that a corresponding change in the applied formulation(s) can be performed.

Abstract: A method of ensuring that each newborn infant is identified at birth and maintaining the correct newborn and mother pairing at least until discharge of the mother and child. The method involves genotyping the infant and/or birth mother at one or more times.

Abstract: Approximate position matching processing is firstly performed with respect to entire areas of two images of a single same object. Selection is then made to find local area limited regions, between which a degree of shift is high, in the two images, whose positions have been approximately matched with each other by the approximate position matching processing. Position re-matching processing is then performed with respect to at least the local area limited regions, which have thus been selected. The approximate position matching processing may be global position matching processing, local position matching processing, or a combination of the global position matching processing and the local position matching processing.

Abstract: Template regions and corresponding search regions are set in two images. In each search region, a subregion in which a degree of image pattern coincidence with the corresponding template region is high, is determined. A position relationship between each template region and the corresponding subregion is calculated. Operations are iterated, in which a size of the search region and/or a search range is reduced in stages, the template region and the search region are set in accordance with the position relationship having been calculated, and a position relationship between the template region and the corresponding subregion is calculated successively, an ultimate position relationship being thereby calculated. Image position matching is performed in accordance with the ultimate corresponding position relationship.

Abstract: An inspection method capable of performing an inspection for all items concerning the installation condition of a cap by a single imaging process. A mark is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cap. A bag fitted with the cap is held with a holding device so as to face an imaging device in a predetermined positional relationship to take a vertical image of the whole cap. The mark and two portions of the cap at bilaterally symmetric positions near right and left side edge portions in the vicinity of the upper end edge of the cap, together with a ring, are defined as inspective object portions. First, second and third inspection gates are set in correspondence to the inspective object portions. Portions of the images of the inspective object portions present within the inspection gates are subjected to image processing to obtain data for judgment. The data for judgment is compared with preset reference values to judge whether the installation condition of the cap is good or not.

Abstract: Controlling processes comprising detecting and measuring a parameter, for example presence and location of an element of a good, with at least two determinations as representations of the target parameter, transmitting signals to the computer, and processing the signals to compare the parameter to acceptable conditions. The detection can include three or more replications, optionally each for at least two parameters, optionally using at least two different methods to analyze the signals. The invention contemplates detecting and analyzing the target parameters using two or more analytical tools within the respective image to detect a given component of the product, namely two or more measurements of the parameter on a single visual image.

Abstract: In order to inspect a substance to be detected such as a foreign substance in accordance with the condition of the surface of a sample to be inspected such as a semiconductor substrate manufactured in various manufacturing processes under a suitable inspection condition, this method includes the steps of: inspecting a substance to be detected on a sample to be inspected under a plurality inspection conditions, which are previously set, as a single unit to detect at least the data of a detected substance for each of the plurality of inspection conditions; checking the data of the detected substance for the respective inspection conditions against each other to make check data; analyzing the detected substance based on the check data of the detected substance to classify the detected substance; adding the data of classified detected substance to the coordinate data of the detected substance for the respective inspection conditions to make data relating to the classified detected substance for the respective ins

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for displaying novel three-dimensional line drawing images on a display screen is disclosed. A character object line drawing image is displayed on a virtual road object line drawing image having obstacle object line drawing images therein. By imparting vibrations to the obstacle object line drawing images, virtual road object line drawing image, and character object line drawing image, novel line drawing images can be displayed.

Abstract: An integrated vision system is disclosed. Images of outside area are taken by at least one stereo-camera installed in a vehicle. A pair of images taken by the stereo-camera are processed by a stereo-image recognizer for recognition of objects that are obstacles to the front, thus generating obstacle data. Integrated view data including three-dimensional view data are generated by an integrated view data generator based on the pair of images and the obstacle data. The integrated view data are displayed by an integrated image display as visible images to crew on the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the resolution of images (either analog images, analytic images, or images having a higher resolution than that of a display device) to be rendered on patterned displays. In one aspect of the present invention, an overscaling or oversampling process may accept analytic character information, such as contours for example, and a scale factor or grid and overscale or oversample the analytic character information to produce an overscaled or oversampled image. The overscaled or oversampled image generated has a higher resolution than the display upon which the character is to be rendered. Displaced samples of the overscaled or oversampled image are then combined (or filtered). An analytic image, such as a line drawing for example, may be applied to the oversampling/overscaling process as was the case with the character analytic image. However, since the analytic image may have different units than that of the character analytic image, the scale factor applied may be different.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for classification of a product bearing nonuniform color patterns. A learning and classification mode is employed where the apparatus is trained with image data derived by a CCD color camera and lighting from a plurality of reference colored products, and this image data is stored to provide product color classes and subclasses. Then image data from an unknown product is compared with the stored class and subclass data to provide a classification for the unknown product.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for improving the quality of image data. The method comprises the step of identifying a reference feature whose characteristics are invariant as the film develops. The method also comprises the step of adjusting image data in response to the reference feature, where the image data and the reference feature captured from the film while the film has developing chemical applied thereto.

Abstract: An indexing method of a feature vector data space, which can be used for a similarity search in a multidimensional vector space, is provided. The indexing method includes the steps of (a) determining whether at least one cell, on which feature vectors are concentrated, exists, and (b) hierarchically indexing the feature vector data space when it is determined that at least one cell, on which feature vectors are concentrated, exists in the step (a). Accordingly, the feature vector data space can be finely indexed when feature vectors are not uniformly distributed in a high-dimensional vector space.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a method for an encoder to encode audiovisual information for transmission to the decoder without any prior knowledge of the computational capabilities of the decoder. A descriptor containing parameters that can be used to estimate the complexity of the decoding process is embedded in the system stream. The encoder also encodes the video information in such a manner that the decoder can choose to ignore some of the information and only decode a subset of the encoded information in order to reduce the computational requirements. This method allows more than one decoder to decode the same bitstream giving different resolutions depending on the computational capability of the decoder.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for compressing motion image information by means of predictive coding with a high compression ratio while maintaining high image quality. An image in each frame is divided into blocks in advance, and each of all blocks is approximated by (replaced with) a single plane defined by three data representing the magnitude of the intensity of the block, the block-to-block gradient of the intensity in the x direction, and the block-to-block gradient of the intensity in the y direction. Furthermore, corresponding pixels are compared with each other in each block consisting of n×m pixels between frames, and differential information is generated according to the comparison result. Pixels indicated as being not greater than a parameter is treated (deleted) as pixels having no difference between frames. Information compression is performed for pixels indicated as being greater than the parameter.

Abstract: MPEG-4 encoded data is input, and a shape code decoder decodes shape data contained in the encoded image data to obtain ROI information contained in that image. The frequency transforms of the decoded image data are computed to generate transform coefficients. A bit shift unit bit-shifts transform coefficients, corresponding to the ROI, of the generated transform coefficients, to upper bit planes, stuffs “0”s in blank fields outside the ROI, which are generated by the bit shift process, and stuffs audio data from an audio buffer in blank fields within the ROI, which are generated by the bit shift process.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided, which makes it possible to enlarge an input or original image in such a way as to suppress or eliminate jaggies at the contours in the image, and which is applicable to a dot-matrix type display device with a fixed resolution. In the step (a) a local area is defined in an input image. The local area includes a target pixel and neighboring pixels surrounding the target pixel. In the step (b), a filtering operation is applied to the target pixel and the neighboring pixels in the local area while all the pixels in the local area are successively assigned to the target pixel, thereby outputting a filtered image. In the step (c), the filtered image and the input image are mixed together at a specific mixing ratio, thereby forming an output image. In the step (b), the median or average value is preferably used for forming the filtered image.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing an image by receiving a scaling factor which defines a window. Input pixel intensities of the image are summed in real time as they are input and stored until all pixels within the window have been received. The sum is then divided by the number of pixels within the window which produces an average intensity. A pixel having the average intensity is output.

Abstract: An image transfer system is provided with an image transfer controller which transfers image information input from image input systems to selected one of a plurality of image handling systems. Destination image handling systems for image information are entered in a memory in advance by the kinds of the image information. The kind of the image information is read out from information attached to the image information and input into the image transfer controller. When image information is input, the image transfer controller reads out destination image handling system corresponding to the kind of the image information from the memory and transfers the image information to the destination image handling system.

Abstract: A digital camera inputs an image capture guide list including at least one of image titles as targets to be recorded, and displays the image title(s) included in the image capture guide list on its display part. User takes a picture or pictures while checking the image title(s) in the image capture guide list.

Abstract: A linear motion guiding apparatus comprises a guide rail provided with a ball running groove, and a movable block movably arranged along the guide rail through balls. The movable block is provided with a ball running counter-groove, a ball returning passage arranged away from the ball running counter-groove and direction changing passages for connecting these members. A resin-formed body for forming a ball circulation passage comprises a pair of ball passage forming portions, a returning passage forming portion and a pail of direction changing passage-inner guide forming portions. The resin-formed body is separately formed from a body of the movable block.

Abstract: A roller retainer 11 encloses an outer periphery of the roller 9 situated on a diagonal 20 when the roller 9 is viewed from the side surface thereof. Whether the rollers 9 are arranged in a parallel manner or in a cross manner, the roller retainer 11 is able to keep a constant position and thus the disposition of the roller retainer 11 is free from the influence of the direction the roller 9. Also, since the roller retainer 11 restricts a corner portion 9a of the roller 9, the roller 9 is difficult to slip off the roller retainer 11 and thus the roller 9 can be restricted positively, thereby being able to control the skew of the roller 9.

Abstract: The hydrostatic fluid bearing comprises a cylindrical stator having orifices for introducing a fluid under pressure, on its inside surface the stator has a split ring constituted by an assembly comprising a plane metal plate and a layer of self-lubricating composite material. The layer of composite material has cells for surrounding orifices for introducing fluid under pressure, once the assembly has been put into place inside the stator.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic type bearing unit comprises a shaft member 2, a bearing member 4 and a bearing clearance formed between the shaft member 2 and a bearing member 4 to produce a hydrodynamic pressure during the rotation of a shaft member 2. The bearing clearance is composed of a first clearance C1 on one axial side and a second clearance C2 on the other axial side and the first and second clearances C1 and C2 are mutually oppositely inclined against an axial direction.

Abstract: A rotary stage having a rotary table mounted by a bearing on a shaft defining a table axis of rotation and supported on a base plate by an optically polished surface, the bearing comprising a ball bearing pre-loaded axially by an axially adjustable split ring in engagement with an annular chamfer on a race of the bearing to center the bearing relative to the table axis.