Abstract: A method of controlling a wearable tap detection system having a processor and a plurality of sensors for detecting contact by one or more fingers against a surface, including at least one mechanical sensor, includes detecting, as a tap event, a signal from the at least one mechanical sensor that exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the tap event is detected, the processor is switched from a first power mode to a second power mode, the second power mode using more power than the first power mode. Then, using the processor in the second power mode, processing of one or more signals from the plurality of sensors is performed to generate processed signal data. After the processed signal data is generated, the processor is switched from the second power mode to the first power mode.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a display, a communication interface configured to receive signals from a tap device, one or more processors, and one or memories storing instructions. Upon execution by the one or more processors, the instructions cause the one or more processors to: display a plurality of icons on the display in a predetermined pattern as a graphical user interface; in response to a selection signal received from the tap device, select one of the plurality of displayed icons; in response to an activation signal received from the tap device, activate a function corresponding to the selected icon; and in response to a shift signal received from the tap device, shift the plurality of icons to different positions in the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wearable tap detection system having a processor and a plurality of sensors for detecting contact by one or more fingers against a surface, including at least one mechanical sensor, includes detecting, as a tap event, a signal from the at least one mechanical sensor that exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the tap event is detected, the processor is switched from a first power mode to a second power mode, the second power mode using more power than the first power mode. Then, using the processor in the second power mode, processing of one or more signals from the plurality of sensors is performed to generate processed signal data. After the processed signal data is generated, the processor is switched from the second power mode to the first power mode.

Abstract: Data receiving systems, methods and computer products are provided that include actuators in mechanical communication with fingers. Each of the actuators is arranged to apply a mechanical stimulus to a respective finger.

Abstract: A one-handed, chorded data entry system enables an operator to tap a combination of fingers on any surface, thereby causing a character or command to be entered on an electronic device. The fingers can be arranged in any position and neither the fingers nor the fingertips of the user need be aimed at any particular target. Data indicating contact by finger combinations sharing a similar characteristic is mapped to characters sharing a similar characteristic. For example, data indicating contact by only one of five fingers during a data collection period is mapped to a respective one of the five vowels.

Abstract: A method for processing user input entered via a data entry system includes the steps of receiving a signal representative of a contact of one or more fingers singly or in combination against an arbitrary surface; detecting a predetermined number of contacts within a time window; and mapping the predetermined number of contacts to a secondary character from a set of secondary characters.

Abstract: A method for processing user input entered via a data entry system includes the steps of receiving a signal representative of a contact of one or more fingers singly or in combination against an arbitrary surface; detecting a predetermined number of contacts within a time window; and mapping the predetermined number of contacts to a secondary character from a set of secondary characters.

Abstract: A wearable data entry system includes a plurality of sensors corresponding to respective fingers of a user's hand, which are worn on the user's hand and generate respective signals representative of contact by one or more fingers against an arbitrary surface. A processor detects which fingers contacted the arbitrary surface by analyzing the signals during a data collection period and generates data indicating which fingers contacted the arbitrary surface during the data collection period, and a transmitter transmits information corresponding to the fingers that contacted the arbitrary surface to an external device, using a predetermined protocol. The wearable data entry system includes a memory that stores a mode value, and at least one of (i) the detecting by the processor and (ii) the predetermined protocol used by the transmitter, depends on the stored mode value.

Abstract: A method for processing user input entered via a data entry system includes the steps of receiving a signal representative of a contact of one or more fingers singly or in combination against an arbitrary surface; detecting a predetermined number of contacts within a time window; and mapping the predetermined number of contacts to a secondary character from a set of secondary characters.

Abstract: A one-handed, chorded data entry system enables an operator to tap a combination of fingers on any surface, thereby causing a character or command to be entered on an electronic device. The fingers can be arranged in any position and neither the fingers nor the fingertips of the user need be aimed at any particular target. Data indicating contact by finger combinations sharing a similar characteristic is mapped to characters sharing a similar characteristic. For example, data indicating contact by only one of five fingers during a data collection period is mapped to a respective one of the five vowels.

Abstract: A one-handed, chorded data entry system enables an operator to tap a combination of fingers on any surface, thereby causing a character or command to be entered on an electronic device. The fingers can be arranged in any position and neither the fingers nor the fingertips of the user need be aimed at any particular target.

Abstract: A one-handed, chorded data entry system enables an operator to tap a combination of fingers on any surface, thereby causing a character or command to be entered on an electronic device. The fingers can be arranged in any position and neither the fingers nor the fingertips of the user need be aimed at any particular target.

Abstract: An x-ray system comprises an x-ray tube, covered by a housing, which emits x-rays therefrom, and a receiver mounted within the x-ray tube housing. An electronic sensor receives the emitted x-rays, converts the received x-rays into electrical image data signals, and transmits the electrical image data signals to the receiver. An image processing unit processes the electrical image data signals received from the receiver.

Abstract: A method for generating electricity from a ground source. A temperature differential is created across a thermoelectric generator by passing a first fluid that has been maintained at air temperature over one side of the generator, and passing a second fluid that has been maintained at ground temperature over the other side of the generator. Electricity is generated from a voltage induced by the temperature differential across the thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: An intraoral sensor includes a radiation sensitive sensor array, an event detection circuit, and a transmitter. The radiation sensitive sensor array includes a scintillator which converts x-rays into visible light radiation, and a plurality of pixels sensitive to visible light radiation to capture an image upon the presence of incident radiation. The event detection circuit includes a current sensing device and is configured to generate a triggering signal indicating the presence of radiation incident on the sensor array based upon the amount of electrical current drawn by the sensor array. The transmitter is adapted to transmit via a wireless link signals representing an image captured by the sensor array.

Abstract: An automatic frequency tuning (AFT) system which can effect immediate and accurate automatic frequency tuning of the local oscillator (LO) of a receiver, in order to achieve a stable intermediate frequency (IF) signal while reducing the power consumption and the cost of the system. In the automatic frequency tuning (AFT) system, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts the intermediate frequency (IF) to a digital value which is sent to a microcontroller. A signal sent from the microcontroller accurately and automatically tunes the local oscillator (LO).

Abstract: A system for capturing multiple intraoral images includes an intraoral sensor. The sensor includes a sensor array, a transmitter and a power source that provides power to the sensor array and the transmitter. The sensor is configured to be inserted inside a patient's oral cavity, capture an image upon the presence of incident radiation and transmit from within the oral cavity via a wireless link electrical signals representing the image. A base station positioned outside the oral cavity is configured to receive the electrical signals transmitted from the sensor. The sensor is capable of capturing transmitting to the base station electrical signals representing multiple intraoral images without requiring that the sensor be removed from the patient's oral cavity.

Abstract: A method of determining that radiation is incident upon a radiation sensor comprising a plurality of radiation sensitive pixels includes the steps of monitoring an amount of current drawn by the pixels, and generating a signal indicating a presence of incident radiation which the amount of current exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An electronic image sensor includes a first subsystem that has a radiation sensitive sensor array that captures an image upon the presence of incident radiation, a second subsystem that provides signals to control the reading out of data from the sensor array; and a third subsystem that provides electrical power to the first and second subsystems. A fourth subsystem has a controller that provides control signals to the third subsystem, to selectively control the provision of electrical power to the first subsystem and the second subsystem.

Abstract: A dental camera is provided having multiple lenses. The dental camera has at least a first lens for use in an intra-oral mode, and at least a second lens for use in an extra-oral mode. The dental camera is switchable between the intra-oral mode and the extra-oral mode. Each lens is associated with an image sensor, for example, a CMOS active pixel sensor or a charge-coupled device.