817results about How to "Improve accuracy and reliability" patented technology

Methods and devices for monitoring fluid content within body tissues. An adherent device having a support configured to transmit a signal into a body of a patient, and receive a reflected portion of the signal, and adhere to the skin of the patient. In many embodiments, the adherent device includes an ultrasonic transducer and other sensors. In many embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer is used in coordination with the other sensors to predict a cardiac decompensation.

A method, apparatus, and a kit are capable of improving accuracy of CGS devices using dynamic outputs of continuous glucose sensors.

Systems and methods of employing experimental tasks, neurological and physiological recording devices, and a sequenced process of data acquisition and analysis to produce measurements of pre-verbal and pre-conscious brain processes. An array of measurement devices are connected non-invasively to an individual (the subject). The subject experiences one or more external stimuli via any combination of senses, including visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and / or gustatory. Experimental tasks, data acquisition, analysis, and / or presentation steps are processed to ascertain the subject's pre-verbal and pre-conscious responses to the external stimuli, including attentional triggering, emotional valence and arousal, interest, engagement, and activation of higher cognitive processes such as memory, preference formation, and decision making.

A substantially automatic blood parameter testing apparatus for obtaining a blood sample and determining the concentration of at least one analyte is connected to a venous or arterial access line and further comprises a pump fixedly attached to a tube originating from the vascular access point; a valve fixedly attached to the tube and located above the pump mechanism; at least one measurement element; a needleless port; and an electronic meter. In addition, the automated blood parameter testing apparatus may be integrated into a complete system, further including a monitor and a central monitoring station.

Apparatus and methods for non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain through skin surface stimulation of the peripheral nervous system as a treatment for movement disorders. Skin surface electrodes are positioned at predetermined peripheral surface stimulation sites on the skin surface using a variety of neural imaging techniques. A pulsatile electrical current is generated at the stimulation sites through a variety of standard electrical stimulation devices. Stimulation of the peripheral surface stimulation sites translates to electrical stimulation of a specific area of the brain.

A method and computer-based apparatus for monitoring the degradation of, predicting the remaining service life of, and / or planning maintenance for, an operating system are disclosed. Diagnostic information on degradation of the operating system is obtained through measurement of one or more performance characteristics by one or more sensors onboard and / or proximate the operating system. Though not required, it is preferred that the sensor data are validated to improve the accuracy and reliability of the service life predictions. The condition or degree of degradation of the operating system is presented to a user by way of one or more calculated, numeric degradation figures of merit that are trended against one or more independent variables using one or more mathematical techniques. Furthermore, more than one trendline and uncertainty interval may be generated for a given degradation figure of merit / independent variable data set. The trendline(s) and uncertainty interval(s) are subsequently compared to one or more degradation figure of merit thresholds to predict the remaining service life of the operating system. The present invention enables multiple mathematical approaches in determining which trendline(s) to use to provide the best estimate of the remaining service life.

The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

A method is provided for detecting spot defects on an object when an allowable variation (called the “background”) in the appearance of the object can be modeled. Methods are also provided for measuring and classifying detected spot defects. An alignment model is used to align the image of the object, a background model is then used to estimate the (possibly different) background in each region, and each background is substantially removed from the image so as to form a foreground image on which blob analysis can be applied to detect spot defects, the blob analysis using a threshold image that accommodates different noise statistics for each region. The method facilitates robust spot defect inspection of fiber optic end faces, or of any object with different object regions. The method also allows use of blob analysis over a larger range of conditions, including conditions that make simple blob analysis infeasible.

Provided is a biochemical analyzer in which a microfluidic biochemical assay may be performed. The analyzer includes: a microfluidic device loading space including a microfluidic device supporting unit detachably supporting a microfluidic device including an energy application region in which an energy is applied; an energy source loading space including an energy source applying the energy to the radiation application region; and an isolation wall isolating the microfluidic device loading space and the energy source loading space to prevent heat transfer between the microfluidic device loading space and the energy source loading space and including a window through which the energy can be transmitted. A method of controlling an internal temperature of the biochemical analyzer is also provided.

The present invention is directed at modifying digital images of faces automatically or semi-automatically. In one aspect, a method of detecting faces in digital images and matching and replacing features within the digital images is provided. Techniques for blending, recoloring, shifting and resizing of portions of digital images are disclosed. In other aspects, methods of virtual “face lifts” and methods of detecting faces within digital image are provided. Advantageously, the detection and localization of faces and facial features, such as the eyes, nose, lips and hair, can be achieved on an automated or semi-automated basis. User feedback and adjustment enables fine tuning of modified images. A variety of systems for matching and replacing features within digital images and detection of faces in digital images is also provided, including implementation as a website, through mobile phones, handheld computers, or a kiosk. Related computer program products are also disclosed.

System, including methods and apparatus, for performing droplet-based assays that are controlled and / or calibrated using signals detected from droplets.

A patient treatment monitoring system includes an interface for receiving multiple different types of patient medical information including data derived from a patient monitoring device and a patient medical imaging device. A data processor processes the received multiple different types of patient medical information to be suitable for presentation in a display image. A display processor initiates generation of data representing a single composite display image including an image element representing multiple sequentially performed individual stages of a treatment process. The individual stages are associated with corresponding different sets of the received multiple different types of patient medical information. The single composite display image includes multiple image areas for displaying one of the corresponding different sets of the received multiple different types of patient medical information, in response to user selection of a particular stage of the individual stages using the image element.

Provided herein are mass spectrometric methods for detecting a mutation in a target nucleic acid. In an embodiment, provided is a method which comprises digesting a target nucleic acid molecule; capturing digested fragments on a solid support that comprises oligonucleotides complementary thereto; and detecting hybrids and the molecular weights of captured fragments by mass spectrometry, thereby identifying mutations in the target nucleic acid molecule.

A method for controlling vehicle dynamics includes acquiring steering torque data indicative of forces acting on at least one tire of a vehicle and acquiring image data by capturing images of an area outside the vehicle. The friction coefficient between a tire of the vehicle and a road surface is determined as a function of vehicle data including at least the steering torque data. The lateral velocity of the vehicle is determined as a function of vehicle data including the steering torque data and / or the image data. A vehicle dynamics control is performed as a function of the lateral velocity and the friction coefficient.

A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, vibration source and detector mounted on the tube, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in the tube. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detector on the tube to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example. To measure the sample fluid density, the measurement module determines the resonant frequency of the sample flow tube. The density can then be calculated according to a formula that compensates for the temperature and pressure of the system.

What is disclosed is a system and method for automatically removing undesirable periodic or random background noise from heart rate measurement signals obtained from a video camera, ambient illuminator and other unknown electromagnetic sources to improve the overall reliability of biomedical measurements. In one embodiment, a time varying video image acquired over at least one imaging channel of a subject of interest is received. The video images are then segmented into a first region comprising a localized area where plethysmographic signals of the subject can be registered and a second region comprising a localized area of the environment where the plethysmographic signals cannot be registered. Both of the regions are exposed to the same environmental factors. The segmented video signals are pre-processed and the processed signals are subtracted from each other to generate an environmentally compensated signal. The environmentally compensated signal is then communicated to a computer system.

The present invention improves WAMLAT Timing Availability by using timing from one or more of a variety of sources. These sources include unaugmented SATNAV timing, from GPS or / and GALILEO, GEO timing from pseudo SATNAV signals, additional GEO timing for non SATNAV applications, timing derived from both terrestrial and satellite television and radio transmissions, and stable on board oscillators to withstand short term interruptions in satellite timing. The use of one or more of these multiple sources of timing improves accuracy and reliability of wide area multilateration systems.

Radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a transmitter and receiver unit whose directional characteristic has multiple lobes, at least one of which is directed parallel to the roadway surface, at least one other lobe being directed obliquely to the roadway surface.

A trusted device, such as a wristwatch 2, is provided with authentication circuitry 26, used to perform an authentication operation to switch the trusted device into an authenticated state. Retention monitoring circuitry 32 monitors the physical possession of the trusted device by the user following the authentication operation and switches the trusted device out of an authenticated state if the trusted device does not remain in the physical possession of the user. While the trusted device remains in the physical possession of the user, communication triggering circuitry 38 is used to detect a request to establish communication with a target device that is one of a plurality of different target devices and communication circuitry 40 is used to communicate with that target device using an authenticated identity of the user.

A method for processing magnetotelluric signals to identify subterranean deposits is provided for. The methods comprise obtaining magnetotelluric data from an area of interest. The magnetotelluric data comprises the amplitude of magnetotelluric signals recorded over time at one or more defined locations in the area of interest. The data for each location then is filtered through a set of frequency filters. The frequency filters correspond to subterranean depths over a range of interest. Amplitude peaks in the filtered data then are identified and analyzed to determine a value correlated to the resistance of the earth at each frequency and location. The resistance values are indicative of the presence or absence of deposits at the corresponding subterranean depth. Preferably, the amplitude data is power normalized across all locations in the survey, a gain factor is applied to the resistance values to scale the values for depth variation, and the resistance values are displayed as a depth-location plot for interpretation.

A method for surveying a subterranean borehole is provided. The method includes determining tool face angles at first and second longitudinal positions in the borehole. The method further includes processing the tool face angles to determine a change in borehole azimuth between the first and second positions. Exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a direct mathematical solution for the change in azimuth and therefore provide for improved accuracy and reliability of azimuth determination (as compared to the prior art) over nearly the entire range of possible borehole inclination, azimuth, tool face, and dogleg values.

The invention relates to methods and systems for high throughput precision “on-the-fly” dispensing of sub-microfluidic quantities of reagents and other liquids in specific patterns onto or into a target substrate. In certain embodiments, a high speed process is provided for creating and / or repeating spaced lines or line segments by dispensing spaced arrays of drops on a target. One example of a target is a biosensor or the like with spaced electrodes, wherein each electrode receives a dispensed line.

A method and apparatus for increasing the accuracy and reliability of geolocation estimates for wireless communication networks devices includes calculating a geolocation estimate of a wireless communication device for a plurality of time periods, and selecting from the plurality of calculated geolocation estimates, a most reliable geolocation estimate of the wireless communication device.

The invention relates to a method for predicting short-term air traffic flow based on real-time radar and flight information, which pertains to emulation of computers. On the basis of traditional prediction, real-time radar data and weather information are brought in; the radar data are directly led from an ATC system and the flight information and the weather information are led from an AFTN network. Corresponding flight models are set up according to different plane types; a flight route and specified cruising speed are obtained from a flight plan; time and speed of flying each way point, as well as when and where to pass through what controlled areas, are predicted roughly. After a plane takes off, the real-time radar data are used for amending existing prediction. During the whole way of flight, relevant upper wind data are brought in to judge the influence of wind on the flight and amend relevant flight models. A system is provided with a processing server of the flight information and weather, a processing server of the radar data, a processing server of the flow, a database and a display terminal. The invention greatly promotes correctness and reliability of flow prediction by carrying out data exchanging through ethernet network.

The invention discloses a method for monitoring motor temperature. The method comprises the following steps: arranging n temperature sensors for detecting the current temperature T of a motor, wherein, n is not less than 2; reading detection data from the n temperature sensors; and obtaining the current temperature T of the motor on the basis of the detection data from the temperature sensors which normally work in the n temperature sensors. The invention further provides a method for controlling motor power. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining the current temperature T of the motor by utilizing the method for monitoring motor temperature; judging temperature range of the current temperature T of the motor according to the current temperature T of the motor and a predetermined motor temperature range threshold; and setting the maximum output power of the motor according to the temperature range of the current temperature T of the motor. By utilizing the method for monitoring the motor temperature and the method for controlling the motor power, the current temperature of the motor can be effectively and reliably obtained, and reliably and maintenance-free performance of the motor can be improved.

The internal temperature of an electrochemical device may be probed without a thermocouple, infrared detector, or other auxiliary device to measure temperature. Some methods include exciting an electrochemical device with a driving profile; acquiring voltage and current data from the electrochemical device, in response to the driving profile; calculating an impulse response from the current and voltage data; calculating an impedance spectrum of the electrochemical device from the impulse response; calculating a state-of-charge of the electrochemical device; and then estimating internal temperature of the electrochemical device based on a temperature-impedance-state-of-charge relationship. The electrochemical device may be a battery, fuel cell, electrolytic cell, or capacitor, for example. The procedure is useful for on-line applications which benefit from real-time temperature sensing capabilities during operations. These methods may be readily implemented as part of a device management and safety system.

Disclosed herein is a method of performing robust white balance. The method includes a first process of dividing an input image into blocks, a second process of selecting blocks having higher color errors, and calculating average RGB values of the selected blocks, a third process of selecting a specific top percentage of bright blocks, and calculating the average RGB values of these selected blocks, a fourth process of calculating average RGB values through color clustering, a fifth process of converting the average RGB values into CIE xyY color space, a sixth process of calculating the Euclidean distances between the x and y values of standard light sources in a color space and the x and y values of the average RGB values in CIE xyY color space, and selecting an average RGB value having the shortest Euclidean distance (Ed), and a seventh process of calculating white balance gain values using the selected average RGB value, and correcting the input image using the balance gain values.