Abstract: A probe instrument for measuring the depth of a pocket in a variety of materials, including but not limited to human tissue, includes a handle, a probe movably mounted within a sheath that is movably mounted within the handle, a displacement sensor, and a force sensor. The probe terminates externally of the handle in a tip, and the sheath terminates externally of the handle in a front end. The tip of the probe is aligned with the front end of the sheath initially in a reference position. The front end of the sheath is rested on the edge of the pocket, and force is applied to the handle, causing the probe to emerge from the sheath and enter further into the pocket until the tip of the probe contacts the bottom of the pocket. The displacement sensor generates a first output signal indicative of the depth of the pocket, and the force sensor generates a second output signal indicative of the force of the probe against the bottom of the pocket.

Abstract: A function transformer is disclosed in which apparatus is used to transform an input signal that may be, originally, either in analog or digital form, into an output signal that is a selectable nonlinear function of the input signal, thereby using electronic apparatus where, in previous systems, mechanical apparatus, such as motor-driven cam(s), are usually used for such transformation of input to output.Although mechanical cams could be used for effecting transformations as disclosed herein, the use of electronic apparatus to effect such transformations, provides for greater flexibility, lower cost, graeter speed of transfomation, and simplicity, where very complex, non-linear, transformations are desired to be effected between data input and data output.

Abstract: A periodontal probe instrument for measuring the depth of a periodontal pocket in the gingiva adjacent a tooth includes a probe handle member in which a displacement sensor and a probe element are mounted. The probe element includes an external end and is disposed adjacent and parallel to the displacement sensor. A tip of the displacement sensor is aligned with the external end of the probe element in a first reference position. A pressure transducer is mounted in the handle member for generating a first output signal indicative of the magnitude of the force applied. A displacement transducer is mounted in the handle member for constantly encoding the displacement of the tip of the displacement sensor as it is moved from the first position to a second position to generate a second output signal indicative of the depth of the periodontal pocket.

Abstract: A security lighting system for automatically connecting and disconnecting a plug connected to electric power to an electric outlet connectable to an electric appliance includes a photodetector circuit, a microcomputer, and a switching device. The photodetector circuit senses the level of ambient light and generates a light signal. The microcomputer is controlled by a stored program for sampling the light signal from the photodetector circuit only between a first predetermined time of day and a second predetermined time of day. The switching device is responsive to the light signal for selectively connecting the plug to the electric outlet when the ambient light level is below a certain level between the first and second predetermined times of day and disconnecting the plug from the electric outlet when the ambient light level is above the certain level between the first and second predetermined times of day, as well as throughtout the remainder of the day regardless of the ambient light level.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically switching an electric circuit on and off at certain times of the day, in which those certain times of the day vary throughout the year in accordance with a pattern built into the system and are not intended to be altered by the user. A computer timer provides the time of day and day of the year. A memory is permanently programmed with data that are stored to identify switch-on times and switch-off times for each day. The time of day and day of the year are compared with the switch-on times and switch-off times that are stored in the memory, and a current switching device is operated accordingly to switch an appliance, such as an electric lamp, on and off at the programmed switch-on times and switch-off times, respectively.