Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for assisting a person with completion of a task. The method comprises recognizing one or more objects in an environment associated with said task; presenting media that demonstrates a use of the one or more objects associated with said task to the person; and interacting with the person throughout said task to measure progress towards the completion of the task. The system comprises a processor; a knowledge base operable to store state information, rules, attributes and associations, associated with an environment, objects associated with the environment, and one or more users; a server module operable to recognize one or more objects in an environment associated with said task, present media that demonstrates a use of the one or more objects associated with said task to the person, and interact with the person throughout said task to measure progress towards the completion of the task.

Abstract: An optoelectronic lII-V or II-VI semiconductor device comprises a thin film coating with optical characteristics providing low midgap interface state density. A field effect device for inversion channel applications on III-V semiconductors also comprises a thin dielectric film providing required interface characteristics. The thin film is also applicable to passivation of states on exposed surfaces of electronic III-V devices. The thin film comprises a uniform, homogeneous, dense, stoichiometric gallium oxide (Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3) dielectric thin film, fabricated by electron-beam evaporation of a single crystal, high purity Gd.sub.3 Ga.sub.5 O.sub.12 complex compound on semiconductor substrates kept at temperatures ranging from 40.degree. to 370.degree. C. and at background pressures at or above 1.times.10.sup.-10 Torr.

Abstract: A medical ventilator is provided for providing continuous, closed-loop control of the pressure of gas within a patient's mouth or respiratory tract in accordance with any selected pressure input waveform. The medical ventilator comprises an adaptive, feedback controller which provides independent control of the inspiratory and expiratory branches of the ventilator, while continuously controlling mouth pressure. The digital coefficients of the controller are updated to adjust for variations in the resistance of the patient's respiratory tract resulting from the magnitude of flow of inspiratory gas into the tract and patient-to-patient differences. Pressure in the expiratory branch is controlled by controlling, through a pressure-regulating valve, the magnitude of back pressure applied to a diaphragm valve. A venturi provides a reference pressure for the pressure-regulating valve below that of the surrounding atmosphere to enable application of a negative back pressure to the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A magneto-pneumatic timing device is disclosed that provides a pressure signal alternating between a high and a low pressure output signal. The duty cycle may be varied as well as the overall cycle time. A magnetically biased flexible diaphragm divides a chamber into a pair of subchambers and the differential pressure between the subchambers is controlled to cause the flexible diaphragm to pull away from the magnetic bias to one position and to return to its biased position. Control of the output pressure signal is carried out by varying the resistance in certain of the pneumatic passages that are part of the control function for the differential pressure. The device is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct and features very few moving parts, thus it is reliable and capable of high production, low cost manufacture.

Abstract: An intermittent suction device for removing fluids from a patient where the duty cycle between the OFF and ON cycles is controlled by a magnetically susceptible diaphragm that switches back and forth between first and second positions, representing ON and OFF positions, by controlling the differential pressure across the diaphragm. The diaphragm is biased toward it first position by a permanent magnet that acts to attract the flexible diaphragm. The device has few moving parts and its duty cycle and overall cycle times are easily adjusted by the user.

Abstract: An electrically pumped vertical cavity laser depends upon reflection as between an unaided DBR reflector on one side of the cavity and a metal-supplemented DBR reflector on the other. Placement of the shorter supplemented DBR on the p-conductivity type side of the cavity reduces the resistance of the electrical series pump path. Permitted use of an active region of a thickness of 1 .mu.m or less in the lasing direction results in low lasing threshold. The structural approach is of significance for laser integration in integrated circuits, whether electro-optic or all-optic.