Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Neopath, Inc.

Larry A Nelson

Shih-Jong James Lee

James W Woods

Seho Oh

Alan C Nelson

Chih-Chau L Kuan

J Michael Lengyel

Keith L Frost

Randy M Maner

Ronald C Robinder

David W Miller

William E Ortyn

Jon W Hayenga

Michael G Meyer

Emray R Goossen

Paul S Wilhelm

Wendy R Bannister

Armand R Losinski

Teddy J Wood

Robert D Habing

Dayle G Ellison

Florence W Patten

Carl E Youngmann

Stanley F Patten

A method and apparatus for optimizing biological and cytological specimen screening and diagnosis. A slide review process is recommended for cytological specimen screening to identify abnormal sub-populations for further review and also diagnosis by a human expert. An automated screener processes a cytological specimen. Using a slide score generated by the automated screener, a slide review process using a slide score classification is determined. The recommendation of slide review processes improves overall performance of the screening process as measured by sensitivity to abnormal specimens, and at the same time reduces the work load of a human reviewer. The system also effectively and smoothly integrates the process of initial screening of the specimen with the process of further review of the specimen and final diagnosis of the specimen.

Method and apparatus for optimizing biological and cytological specimen screening and diagnosis

The invention detects areas of interest at low magnification, locating possible abnormal cells or other cells of interest using image processing and statistical pattern recognition techniques. Next, at high magnification, the areas identified at low magnification are re-examined. The information from the low magnification and high magnification scans is collated and a determination is made about the slide--whether it is normal, abnormal, contains endocervical component, and so forth. The invention also provides a method and apparatus to train object feature and slide feature classifiers. The invention provides an automated cytology system that can process training slides for use in a feed back classifier development environment. The invention also can classify endocervical groups of cells.

Cytological slide scoring apparatus

A test method and system for the testing of fiber optic connectors in a fiber optic system while the system is operational without external test equipment. An input signal is applied to one end of a fiber optic path comprising a plurality of connections, which results in an output signal. The input signal has known characteristics (e.g., a training pulse) over the fiber optic path. The output signal, which is generated in response to the input signal, is converted from a time domain expression to a frequency domain expression using, for example, Fourier transform analysis. Then, the frequency domain expression of the output signal is combined with a frequency domain expression of the input signal to provide a waveform from which the location of each connector and its relative level of performance can be determined. Advantageously, the method and system do not require disassembly of the fiber optic path.

Method of and system for characterization of fiber optic connections in

A computer aided biological specimen screener is responsive to a priori information about biological specimens. An automated slide classifier scans a slide specimen and generates a set of scores. The classification which results from this set of scores depends on a priori information concerning the patient, such as patient age and prior health history and diagnosis. Using the patient information and an appropriate score, the specimen is classified. A normal threshold used for classification is changed over a wide range depending on the specificity appropriate to a particular patient risk category. The sensitivity of the classification is automatically maximized for a predetermined normal specificity.

Method and apparatus for highly efficient computer aided screening

The disclosure is directed to a color liquid crystal display backlight system for daytime and nighttime use. Night vision imaging system retirements are met so that light emissions from the 630 nm to 930 nm range are substantially reduced or eliminated. Separate daytime and nighttime light sources are utilized. The NVIS compatible nighttime source is positioned to be out of sight of a user and produces an appropriately filtered, substantially collimated beam which diffusively reflects from the inside walls and base of the display housing before it illuminates the display surface. Intensities of both daytime and nighttime light sources can be controlled.

Color liquid crystal display backlight system for night vision imaging

A cytological system dynamic normalization of a normal threshold. An analysis score from a slide is compared against a threshold to determine whether or not the slide is normal or requires microscopy review. The normal threshold is dynamically adjusted using a three step process. The process is implemented on an automatic cytology system. The first step is initial calibration of the system to determine an initial threshold. The second step is a running adjustment of the normal threshold in response to the presentation of new slides to the automatic cytology system. The third step is the batch certification of every slide. The threshold may be adjusted for an analysis score, a quality control score, or a screening score.

Method for cytological system dynamic normalization

A photographic facsimile of a line image at a predetermined orientation is illuminated by a collimated monochromatic light source to produce a diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern is focussed by a converging lens to image the Fourier transform of the line image on a spatial frequency plane. The image in the spatial frequency plane is applied to a detector for measuring the spatial power distribution as a function of the spatial frequency. The line image is then reoriented in the image plane, and successive measurements made as the image is rotated in the image plane. Resolution is quantified in the spatial frequency plane as the magnitude of a selected signal as a function of displacement (i.e, spatial frequency). By simulating selected imaging components and generating a resultant line image, the resolution of any imaging system component may be measured.

Method and apparatus for measurement of resolution of imaging systems

A photographic facsimile of a line image at a predetermined orientation is illuminated by a collimated monochromatic light source to produce a diffraction pattern. The Fourier distribution of the diffraction pattern is focussed by a converging lens to image on a spatial frequency plane of spatial signal and spatial noise components. The image in the spatial frequency plane is applied to a detector for selectively measuring the spatial power contribution of the signal and noise components, thereby to provide a measure of image quality relating to imaging system signal-to-noise ratio. A spatial filter (18) may be introduced into the optical path to block the spatial signal components, while allowing the noise components to impinge on the detector. The line image is then reoriented in the image plane, and successive measurements of spatial signal and noise contributions repeated. The ratio of signal-to-noise power is then computed for each orientation of the line image. By simulating selected imaging components and generating a resultant line image, the effect of such components on noise may be determined.

Method and apparatus for measurement of spatial signal and noise power

A video interface apparatus for converting an incoming interlaced video signal to an outgoing non-interlaced video signal for an LCD flat panel with an arbitrary number of rows and columns. The incoming video signal is digitized and stored in a memory. An address generator creates addresses for reading and writing data from and into the memory, and the resulting read data is used to reconstruct the digital signal into an image for display on the LCD flat panel.

Simplified image reconstruction interface

A cross-channel data link for interconnecting a plurality of computers together in a ring configuration using a single optical fiber between adjacent communication nodes includes wavelength division multiplexing circuitry in a way that improves the fault diagnostic capabilities of the system. By using a particular transmission protocol in which optical data representing signals of two discrete wavelengths are fed through a single optical fiber with one progressing in the clockwise direction and the other in a counterclockwise direction in two recurring time frames, at the conclusion each of the computers is guaranteed to have identical data irrespective of any single point failure in the data link.

Fault tolerant optical cross-channel data link

An electronic interface for converting an interlaced video signal to a non-interlaced video signal suitable for an LCD flat panel. An analog interpolator scheme is used in which the information available in an incoming video scan line is delayed and sampled, and output signals are created by interpolation between the sampled input and actual and interpolated scan line signals. The output signals are then converted into an integrated, sequential non-interlaced output signal having a frequency corresponding to the horizontal resolution of a scan line of the flat panel.

Flat panel image reconstruction interface for producing a non-interlaced

Apparatus and an associated method are described for testing liquid crystal matrix displays that can be performed prior to the assembly of the display. This display procedure involves applying of square wave signal to the control elements and a sine wave signal to the input terminal of an active element associated with the pixel under test. By selection of the sine wave signal frequency, the modulation products resulting from the combination of the square wave signals and the sine wave signal fall between the components resulting from the application of the square wave signal alone. As a result of the symmetry of the modulation components, a comb filter can be used to select the modulation components. The power of the transmitted modulation products provides a figure of merit for the active element associated with the pixel. A capacitor can be included along with the active element in the matrix display which couples the output signal of each active element to a row (control terminal) electrode on the same substrate as the active element. The capacitor provides an increase in the test result signal to noise level and permits testing of the active matrix substrate prior to display assembly.

Apparatus and method for testing an active matrix pixel display

A saturating column driver for an LCD substrate. Digital data is entered into a register in a serial fashion to produce a series of single-column addresses. The single-column addresses are latched and apparatus is provided for translating video binary words into grey scale codes. Also provided are switches responsive to the translated video binary words which switch a voltage input corresponding to the video binary word through to the LCD substrate to generate the desired grey scale.

Saturating column driver for grey scale LCD

A fiber optic transmission system including a fiber optic link. Transmitting apparatus transmits an optical signal having a concentration of energy at a particular wavelength. Routing apparatus then routes optical signals in response to the concentration of energy at the particular wavelength of the transmitted optical signal. The routing apparatus is disposed to receive the transmitted optical signal and also reflects a small portion of the transmitted optical signal. A first apparatus for receiving the reflected portion of the optical signal is disposed to cooperate with the routing apparatus and further has apparatus for converting the reflected portion into a control signal. Temperature sensing apparatus is disposed to sense temperature variations in the first receiving apparatus and apparatus for controlling the transmitting apparatus is adapted to receive the control signal and further is disposed so as to regulate the transmitting appratus responsively to the control signal. The controlling apparatus further operates to regulate the power of the transmitting apparatus as a function of temperature sensed by the temperature sensing apparatus so as to maintain a preselected power margin in the fiber optic link.

Optical transmitter power measurement and control

Apparatus for optimizing system performance for use in a transmission and signal distribution system which includes at least one fiber optic link having transmission and receiving means. The apparatus includes apparatus for measuring noise signals in each fiber optic link and apparatus for generating system performance data corresponding to the noise signals measured by the noise measurement apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Larry A Nelson