Abstract: A hand-held combination dispenser and electronic game includes a dispenser housing as outer walls which define at least one interior hallow chamber. The interior chamber can be filled with candy or other items to be dispensed. An electronic game display is mounted on an outer wall. Game controls are also mounted on an outer wall in a location which allows the user to operate the game while holding the dispenser. An exterior surface of the outer walls that define the hollow chambers simultaneously provide a gripping surface adapted for placement of the hands of a user while playing the electronic game.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and data processing apparatus using numeric processing. Firstly, a corrective mechanism enables a method for performing accurate integer divisions to be derived from an approximate division method which does not, of itself, always produce an accurate result but for which the range of errors is known. By applying the corrective mechanism to a suitable approximate division method, a numeric processor or software-implemented numeric processing mechanism implementing the invention can perform the integer division operation efficiently. Secondly, an approximate division method which uses only rapid operations for fast integer division, and which has only a small possible range of errors, is used to enable the correction method to be completed rapidly.

Abstract: A splicer quickly and accurately joins together with tape the ends of plain sheets or perforated sheets, such as the ends of fanfold sheet commonly used for printing. The sheets are clamped between mating pairs of resilient strips by a top which hinges down onto a base. The base has a combination of frictional clamps and retractable pins, for aligning the ends of sheet before they are clamped in place by the top, according to whether the sheets are perforated or not. A head is then moved rearwardly along the top, to first slit overlapping sheets and create a precise butt line, when that is required. An anti-friction surface on one of the resilient clamping strips attached to the top enables selective removal a one trim piece, to expose the butt line for taping, without release of the clamping action on the sheets. The head is then moved forward to precisely apply tape from a dispenser, and to automatically cut the tape and the end of the run.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and data processing apparatus using numeric processing. Firstly, a corrective mechanism enables a method for performing accurate integer divisions to be derived from an approximate division method which does not, of itself, always produce an accurate result but for which the range of errors is known. By applying the corrective mechanism to a suitable approximate division method, a numeric processor or software-implemented numeric processing mechanism implementing the invention can perform the integer division operation efficiently. Secondly, an approximate division method which uses only rapid operations for fast integer division, and which has only a small possible range of errors, is used to enable the correction method to be completed rapidly.

Abstract: Provided is a framework supporting presentation of help information via a computer system user interface in response to the proximity of an input device pointer to an interface area associated with a user interface component. The framework provides generic methods which remove from user interface components much of the task of managing the presentation of help information. The framework supports presentation of help information for a platform-independent component programming environment and supports presentations in a plurality of different styles (such as text, audio, animating graphics, etc) by means of selectable presentation methods.

Abstract: A vehicle test apparatus having a rotationally supported steer member and a steer arm assembly including a steer arm operable coupled to the steer member and movable therewith. The steer arm is coupled to the steer member in a first position to form a forward steer arm connectable to a forward steer unit and orientable in a second position to form a rear steer arm connectable to a rear steer unit for front and rear steer testing. A steer actuator is coupled to the steer member and operable between forward and rear actuation modes for forward and rear steer testing.

Abstract: There is disclosed numerous embodiments of a method and apparatus for a particle scanning system and an automatic inspection system. In each of these a particle beam is directed at the surface of a substrate for scanning that substrate. Also included are a selection of detectors to detect at least one of the secondary particles, back-scattered particles and transmitted particles from the substrate. The substrate is mounted on an x-y stage to provide it with at least one degree of freedom while the substrate is being scanned by the/particle beam. The substrate is also subjected to an electric field on it's surface to accelerate the secondary particles. The system also has the capability to accurately measure the position of the substrate with respect to the charged particle beam. Additionally, there is an optical alignment means for initially aligning the substrate beneath the,particle beam means.

Abstract: A high average power, high repetition rate pulsed gas transport laser system is disclosed. A pulse forming network location for minimizing electrical discharge loop inductance is provided. RFI shielding is included as a result of containment of the pulse forming network housed in a dielectric structure eccentrically mounted within a pressurizable vessel and forming a portion of a high-speed gas flow loop. The gas recirculating blower motor is mounted external to the pressurizable vessel and, therefore, does not add to the laser system dimensions. The blower is coupled to the blower motor by a magnetic coupling. Blower speed and power can be changed readily. Corona or cold-cathode X-ray preionization is provided in order to provide arc-free gas discharge. Materials compatible with the laser gases are used in construction. The laser system is configured to be compact, to be easily maintainable, and to be readily adapted for laser industrial processing.

Abstract: A laser electrode assembly comprises an elongated bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets and is removably secured to a carrier which is anchored to the laser base and has a like number of plugs resiliently press-fitted within the sockets, respectively. Each plug has opposed sides to which are fastened a plurality of outwardly curved resilient fingers extending parallel to the direction of insertion of the plugs into the sockets. Each socket has a width less than the overall width of the plug and finger combination so that the fingers resiliently frictionally engage the bar within each socket. The bar is readily removed from the carrier for maintenance and repair purposes by prying the former from the plugs without necessitating removal of screws or bolts and thereafter passing the bar through the window opening aligned with the discharge gap.

Abstract: An optical resonator assembly mounted externally on a hermetically sealed gas transport laser comprises a U-shaped tubular bench secured to the laser housing top wall and having an elongated beam with legs extending at right angles to opposite ends, respectively, of the beam adjacent to the front and rear walls of the laser housing. Flat bases depend from the respective bench legs and overlay optical windows in the front and rear housing walls through which the internally generated laser beam passes. The bases have openings aligned with the windows, respectively, and adjustably mount mirror support plates, respectively, adjacent to those openings. Mirrors attached to the support plates define the laser optical cavity. The bench is a rigid tubular structure providing stable support for the optical components and also constituting a fluid conduit for carrying cooling air to minimize thermally induced dimensional changes.

Abstract: A physically compact gas transport laser operable at high pulse rates (greater than 1 kHz) in a high vacuum (greater than 10.sup.-5 Torr) is achieved by flowing the active gas at high velocity (greater than 50 m/sec) between two discharge electrodes in a hermetically sealed housing containing squirrel cage type blowers, a heat exchanger and the laser electrodes. A pulse forming network and blower motors are mounted externally of the housing as is the optical resonator assembly. A central partition divides the housing interior into upper and lower gas flow channels. The blowers are located in the lower channel at the housing end downstream from the electrodes and are rotatable in a plane parallel to the plane of the partition. The heat exchanger is located at the opposite end of the housing and both cools and stabalizes the flow of the circulating gas.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a compact high vacuum pulsed gas discharge laser comprises an elongated cathode and a coextensive anode spaced apart in a direction transversely of the flow of gas to define a discharge gap. Each of the electrodes is connected at a plurality of equally spaced points along its length to a like number of conductive rods which extend through the top wall of the laser housing for connection to a power source. The cathode comprises a carrier bar directly attached to said rods and a cathode bar adjustably secured to the carrier bar for vertical movement toward and away from the anode to permit attainment of a uniform discharge gap throughout the length of the electrodes. Preionization of the discharge gap is achieved by means of a conductive sleeve electrically connected to one of the electrodes and disposed against the inner surface of a dielectric tube which contacts the other electrode throughout its length.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system including a reflector composed of a plurality of discrete planar reflector segments, each of uniform area and supported on a frame in an array having a substantially paraboloidal shape. Rotational movement of the frame about first and second axes is produced, respectively, by first and second drive mechanisms that respond to a control circuit to produce sun tracking movement of the array. A collector having a planar collection surface with dimensions that are two times those of each of the light reflecting surfaces is positioned to receive reflected energy therefrom. Preferably, the first rotational axis is substantially normal to the energy collection surface of the collector and is aligned substantially with the center of the array and the second rotational axis bisects the array.