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Abstract

A high-quality, low-bit-rate method of compressing physiological-waveform data obtained from a signal sent from a diagnostic medical device is disclosed. Associated with the signal are time and voltage characteristics. The method includes the steps of (1) examining such signal during a periodic event in which such data occurs, and which data includes a first region dominated by high-frequency information and a second region dominated by low-frequency information, and (2) removing the first region from the event based upon preselected criteria, which criteria are independent of indicia related to the first region. Also included is the step of compressing the data by processing the removed first region according to a first preselected plan which emphasizes low-bit-rate compression, and by processing the data of the entire event according to a second preselected plan which emphasizes high-quality compression. The removing step may further include the substeps of identifying a set of potential plural peaks associated with the first region, and confirming that the potential peaks are the desired ones by using a preselected frequency analysis.

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First Claim