1. A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprising use of an MRI gantry and associated computers and hardware to:
acquire MRI map prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume;
decompose said acquired map prescan data to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for said imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of said inhomogeneity maps; and
use at least one of said transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and said receive RF field inhomogeneity map to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing said imaged patient volume,
wherein said geometrical model includes a plurality of variable geometric parameter values selected in an optimization process to fit in said predetermined imaged patient volume, and
wherein said geometrical model includes a plurality of spatially dependent terms, each of which each include an amplitude value that is independently fitted to said acquired map prescan data.
2. A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprising use of an MRI gantry and associated computers and hardware to:
acquire MRI map prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume;
decompose said acquired map prescan data to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for said imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of said inhomogeneity maps; and
use at least one of said transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and said receive RF field inhomogeneity map to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing said imaged patient volume,
wherein said geometrical model includes a plurality of variable geometric parameter values selected in an optimization process to fit in said predetermined imaged patient volume, and
wherein said model is guided by image feature detection to locate at least one predetermined model feature within the image.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said image feature detection includes detecting and utilizing increased patient width at the transition from head-neck anatomy to shoulders anatomy as a landmark from which model feature positions are determined.
4. A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprising use of an MRI gantry and associated computers and hardware to:
acquire MRI map prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume;
decompose said acquired map prescan data to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for said imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of said inhomogeneity maps; and
use at least one of said transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and said receive RF field inhomogeneity map to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing said imaged patient volume,
wherein spurious structure in background image noise andor the overall level of background noise is reduced by regularizing MAP prescan data or a ratio of MAP prescan data as a function of noise.
5. An MRI system comprising:
means for acquiring MRI MAP prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume;
means for decomposing said acquired MAP prescan data to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for said imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of said inhomogeneity maps; and
means for using at least one of said transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and said receive RF field inhomogeneity map to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing said imaged patient volume,
wherein said three-dimensional geometrical model is defined by a closed form mathematical function that has smoothly varying spatial dependence,
wherein said geometrical model includes a plurality of variable geometric parameter values selected in an optimization process to fit in said predetermined imaged patient volume, and
wherein said geometrical model includes a plurality of spatially dependent terms which each include an amplitude value that is independently fitted to said acquired map prescan data.
6. An MRI system comprising:
means for acquiring MRI MAP prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume;
means for decomposing said acquired MAP prescan data to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for said imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of said inhomogeneity maps;
means for using at least one of said transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and said receive RF field inhomogeneity map to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing said imaged patient volume,
wherein said three-dimensional geometrical model is defined by a closed form mathematical function that has smoothly varying spatial dependence,
wherein said geometrical model includes a plurality of variable geometric parameter values selected in an optimization process to fit in said predetermined imaged patient volume, and
wherein said model is guided by image feature detection to locate at least one predetermined model feature within the image.
7. The MRI system of claim 6, wherein said image feature detection includes detecting and utilizing increased patient width at the transition from head-neck anatomy to shoulders anatomy as a landmark from which model feature positions are determined.
8. An MRI system comprising:
means for acquiring MRI MAP prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume;
means for decomposing said acquired MAP prescan data to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for said imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of said inhomogeneity maps; and
means for using at least one of said transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and said receive RF field inhomogeneity map to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing said imaged patient volume,
wherein spurious structure in background image noise andor the overall level of background noise is reduced by regularizing map prescan data or a ratio of map prescan data as a function of noise.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method, comprising:
employing a data processor to execute instructions for managing a dynamic mobile coupon (DMC), the instructions causing the processor to:
assign the DMC to a target mobile device; and
establish an initial state of a variable characteristic of the DMC based on a factor pertinent to the target mobile device or a user account related to such device;
employing a communication interface to obtain data pertinent to the DMC; and
employing the data processor to manage a state of a DMC account associated with the target mobile device based on the data pertinent to the DMC.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein managing the state of the DMC account further comprises evaluating a subsequent state of the variable characteristic based on changes to the factor.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising evaluating processing load on the data processor resulting from evaluating the subsequent state.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:
suspend variability of the characteristic if the data processor exceeds a processing load threshold associated with processing DMC characteristics; or
restore variability of a suspended DMC characteristic if the data processor falls below the processing load threshold.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein managing the state of the DMC account further comprises updating a user account after redemption of the DMC.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising tracking post-redemption activity pertinent to the DMC.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising modifying a value of the user account based on the post-redemption activity.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein updating the user account further comprises:
tracking user-to-user sharing of DMCs involving the user account;
identifying redemption of a shared DMC for a disparate user account;
establish a value to the user account based on redemption of the shared DMC; and
updating the user account by the established value.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein managing the state of the user account further comprises:
identifying multiple products associated with the DMC;
obtaining data pertinent to redemption of the DMC with respect to a first of the multiple products;
obtaining data pertinent to a transaction involving a second of the multiple products;
establishing a value for a transaction involving the second product subsequent redemption of the DMC for the first product; and
updating the user account by the established value.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein managing the state of the DMC account further comprises automatically generating a virtual invoice for the user account based on data submitted by the target mobile device.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising extracting from the submitted data a DMC identifier (ID) and an ID of a product or service associated with the DMC.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
modifying price of a product or service based on a characteristic of the DMC; and
submitting the modified price of the product or service to the target mobile device.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving an ID of a retail entity from a network server and cross-referencing products of the retail entity with DMCs associated with the target mobile device.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising modifying a transaction characteristic of a product or service based on a current state of at least one of the DMCs to generate the virtual invoice, and submitting the virtual invoice to the target mobile device.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
referencing a customer loyalty database associated with the retail entity and modifying a transaction characteristic of a product or service based on a state of a user loyalty account associated with the target mobile device; and
including the modified transaction characteristic in the virtual invoice.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the DMC is bundled with a set of related or similar DMCs, and the DMC is assigned to the target mobile device as a part of the set.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing the data processor to execute a network browser application that provides a mobile device with a network interface to access a DMC user account, view media associated with the assigned DMC, share DMCs with other mobile device users, redeem the DMC in conjunction with a transaction, or a combination thereof
18. An apparatus for managing mobile coupons, comprising:
a data processor that executes a set of modules configured for managing a DMC, the set of modules comprising:
an allocation module that assigns the DMC to a mobile device user account;
an evaluation module that establishes an initial state of the DMC based on a factor pertinent to the mobile device user account; and
a management module that maintains a status of the mobile device user account based on data pertinent to the DMC; and
a database for storing the data pertinent to the DMC, the initial state of the DMC or the status of the mobile device user account.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the data processor analyzes changes to the factor pertinent to the mobile device user account to vary the initial state of the DMC.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a control module that evaluates processing load of the data processor and at least one of:
suspends the analysis and variation of the state of the DMC if the processing load exceeds a threshold; or
restores variability of a suspended DMC state if the processing load drops below the threshold.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the data processor sets a DMC state to a default state or a most recently established state while suspended by the control module.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a post-transaction account module that updates the mobile device user account after redemption of the DMC.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a tracking module that identifies post-transaction activity pertinent to the DMC and involving the mobile device user account.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the post-transaction account module updates a value of the mobile device user account based on post-transaction activity identified by the tracking module.
25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the post-transaction account module updates the mobile device user account if a copy of the DMC, shared with a second user account, is redeemed by the second user account.
26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the post-transaction account module updates the mobile device user account if a second product associated with the DMC is purchased after the DMC is redeemed for a first product associated with the DMC.
27. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a reference module that obtains data identifying the mobile device user account from a retail entity, and identifies products or services of the retail entity pertinent to the DMC.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising an input module that obtains a product or service selection, wherein the reference module determines whether the selected productservice is pertinent to the DMC.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a discount module that applies the DMC to the product or service to obtain a modified offer involving the product or service based on a current state of the DMC.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the reference module generates a virtual invoice including the modified offer, and submits the virtual invoice to the mobile device user account or the retail entity.
31. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising an integration module that couples the transaction module with a customer loyalty database of the retail entity.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein:
the integration module obtains a rule for modifying a product or service offer based on a user loyalty status associated with the mobile device user account; and
the transaction module applies the modification rule, or the DMC, to arrive at a modified product or service offer, and submits the modified offer to the mobile device user account or the retail entity.
33. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
means for processing instructions for managing a DMC, the instructions causing the means for processing to:
assign the DMC to a target mobile device; and
establish an initial state of a variable characteristic of the DMC based on a factor pertinent to the target mobile device or a user account related to such device;
means for employing a communication interface to obtain data pertinent to the DMC; and
means for managing a state of a DMC account associated with the target mobile device based on the data pertinent to the DMC.
34. At least one processor configured for wireless communication, comprising:
a first module for assigning a DMC to a target mobile device;
a second module for establishing an initial state of a variable characteristic of the DMC based on a factor pertinent to the target mobile device or a user account related to such device;
a third module for obtaining data pertinent to the DMC; and
a fourth module for managing a state of a DMC account associated with the target mobile device based on the data pertinent to the DMC.
35. A computer program product, comprising:
a computer-readable medium, comprising:
at least on instruction for causing a computer to assign a DMC to a target mobile device;
at least on instruction for causing the computer to establish an initial state of a variable characteristic of the DMC based on a factor pertinent to the target mobile device or a user account related to such device;
at least on instruction for causing the computer to obtain data pertinent to the DMC; and
at least on instruction for causing the computer to manage a state of a DMC account associated with the target mobile device based on the data pertinent to the DMC.
36. A method for facilitating management of mobile coupons, comprising:
employing a data processor to execute rules for maintaining a DMC associated with a mobile device user account, the rules causing the data processor to:
obtain an assignment of the DMC to the mobile device user account;
obtain a rule for calculating variability of the DMC; and
monitor data pertinent to the variability specified by the calculating rule;
employing a wireless communication interface to submit the data to a network entity identified by the rule; and
employing the wireless communication interface to obtain a network response to the submission, wherein the response affects the mobile device user account or the DMC.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising stopping the monitoring of data pertinent to the variability of the DMC as a result of the network response.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising re-initiating stopped monitoring of the data based on a second network response and obtaining a current state of the DMC.
39. The method of claim 36, further comprising obtaining a default or previous state of the DMC from the network response and applying the default or previous state to the DMC in conjunction with stopping the monitoring of the data.
40. The method of claim 36, further comprising obtaining a rule from the network entity establishing post-redemption activity associated with the mobile device user account affecting commercial value of the DMC.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising monitoring the post-redemption activity and submitting data pertaining to such activity to the network entity.
42. The method of claim 40, further comprising obtaining and displaying a report of an update to the mobile device user account based on the post-redemption activity.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the post-redemption activity comprises at least one of:
sharing and subsequent redemption of a copy of the DMC with a second user account; or
progression of a multi-product transaction associated with the DMC.
44. The method of claim 36, further comprising wirelessly coupling with a commercial entity pertaining to an ID of the mobile device user account.
45. The method of claim 44, further comprising submitting the ID to such entity and obtaining a product or service of the commercial entity affected by the DMC.
46. The method of claim 44, further comprising receiving an updated offer of the commercial entity based on a current status of the DMC or of a loyalty account associating the mobile device user account with the commercial entity.
47. The method of claim 36, further comprising:
wirelessly obtaining data descriptive of a product or service of the commercial entity; and
displaying the descriptive data at a display of a mobile device associated with the mobile device user account.
48. The method of claim 47, further comprising referencing the DMC for relevance to the product or service and displaying a modified offer with the descriptive data based on a current state of the DMC.
49. The method of claim 47, further comprising:
obtaining a user-selection of the product or service;
wirelessly conveying the selection to the commercial entity or the network entity; and
obtaining a virtual invoice of the product or service reflecting a modified offer based on a current state of the DMC or a current status of a user loyalty account associating the mobile device user account with the commercial entity.
50. The method of claim 36, further comprising employing electronic media recognition to identify a sponsor of the DMC from media data pertinent to the DMC, and searching for or retrieving additional DMCs provided by the sponsor.
51. The method of claim 36, further comprising at least one of:
identifying retail or network locations that facilitate redemption of the DMC; or
initiating a navigation application that provides navigation instructions or mapping to at least one identified retail location.
52. An apparatus for facilitating management of mobile coupons, comprising:
a data processor for executing a set of modules configured to support the mobile coupon management, the modules comprising:
an assignment module that associates a DMC with a user of the apparatus based on assignment of the DMC to a user account;
a tracking module that monitors data pertinent to variability of the DMC; and
a communication module that submits the pertinent data to a network management apparatus and obtains a response affecting the user account or a status of the DMC; and
memory for storing the monitored data or the response.
53. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a termination module that stops monitoring of the pertinent data based on a command in the response.
54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the termination module re-initiates monitoring of the data based on a message from the network management apparatus.
55. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the termination module applies a default state or previously determined state of the DMC in conjunction with stopping the monitoring.
56. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a post-redemption module that monitors activity pertinent to the user account after redemption of the DMC, the pertinent data comprises the pertinent activity.
57. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising a peer-to-peer communication interface that monitors the pertinent activity via wireless communication with a peer wireless apparatus.
58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the response comprises an update to the user account based on the monitored activity.
59. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the monitored activity comprises at least one of:
a multi-item transaction specified by the DMC that involves the user account; or
sharing and redemption of a copy of the DMC by a second user account associated with a wireless peer apparatus.
60. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a virtual shopping module that employs a wireless interface of the apparatus to couple with a commercial entity in conjunction with association of the DMC with products or services of such entity.
61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the virtual shopping module accesses a product or service list of the commercial entity and displays products or services relevant to the DMC.
62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the virtual shopping module submits an ID of the user account or of the DMC to the commercial entity and obtains a set of products or services relevant to the DMC in response to the submission.
63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the virtual shopping module submits an ID of a frequent shopper account to the commercial entity to integrate benefits provided by the frequent shopper account with benefits provided by the DMC.
64. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising a mapping module that obtains a digital map of a retail store associated with the commercial entity, and populates locations of the products or services on the digital map.
65. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a location module that determines a position location of the apparatus and updates the digital map with the position location.
66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein:
the commercial entity comprises a checkout device of a retail store;
the virtual shopping module submits an ID of the user account to the virtual shopping module; and
the virtual shopping module employs the ID to obtain an invoice of products or services selected by the apparatus, wherein the selection is conveyed wirelessly to a network server associated with the retail store.
67. An apparatus for facilitating management of mobile coupons, comprising:
means for processing rules configured to manage a DMC associated with a mobile device user account, the rules causing the means for processing to:
obtain an assignment of the DMC to the mobile device user account; and
monitor data pertinent to variability of the DMC; and
means for submitting the data to a network entity and for obtaining a network response to the submission, wherein the response affects the mobile device user account or the DMC.
68. At least one processor configured to facilitate management of mobile coupons, comprising:
a first module for obtaining an assignment of a DMC to a mobile device user account;
a second module for monitoring data pertinent to variability of the DMC; and
a third module for submitting the data to a network entity and for obtaining a network response to the submission, wherein the response affects the mobile device user account or the DMC.
69. A computer program product, comprising:
a computer-readable medium, comprising:
at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain an assignment of a DMC to a mobile device user account;
at least one instruction for causing the computer to monitor data pertinent to variability of the DMC; and
at least one instruction for causing the computer to submit the data to a network entity and obtain a network response to the submission, wherein the response affects the mobile device user account or the DMC.