Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.

Abstract: A system and method for mass, automated scanning of objects, including dental study casts, housing parts, and other objects. The system and method are able to function with little or no human operator intervention, thereby facilitating high volume scanning and reducing scanning costs. The system includes a scanner having a scanning table, a conveyor mechanism adjacent the scanner for delivering objects to be scanned to the scanner, and a pick and place mechanism for taking an object from the conveyor mechanism and mounting it onto the scanning table of the scanner.

Abstract: The method and apparatus provides a system for automatically determining the location of individual teeth within an electronic model image of a patients mouth. The electronic model image allows for manipulation of the electronic model image by end users. Possible horizontal cut lines are determined within a horizontal plane cut through the electronic model image corresponding to possible separation lines between the teeth. Possible vertical cut lines are then determined within a vertical plane cut through the electronic model image corresponding to possible separation lines between teeth. The system then automatically determines the locations of individual teeth using the possible horizontal cut lines and the possible vertical cut lines.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a process for generating an electronic model image constructed using polygons to represent the surface of an object. The process scans an object to generate a plurality of surface points in a common coordinate system and generates a initial polygon representation for the object surface by connecting surface points to nearest neighbors.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically simulating jaw function within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.

Abstract: ABSTRACT A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.

Abstract: Methods for scanning and registering parts having complex geometries, such as dental study casts and mating housing shells for electronic devices, pacemakers, and other devices.

Abstract: A system and method for mass, automated scanning of objects, including dental study casts, housing parts, and other objects. The system and method are able to function with little or no human operator intervention, thereby facilitating high volume scanning and reducing scanning costs. The system includes a scanner having a scanning table, a conveyor mechanism adjacent the scanner for delivering objects to be scanned to the scanner, and a pick and place mechanism for taking an object from the conveyor mechanism and mounting it onto the scanning table of the scanner.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.

Abstract: Methods for scanning and registering parts having complex geometries, such as dental study casts and mating housing shells for electronic devices, pacemakers, and other devices.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer includes a laminate forming an I-core having a layer of magnetic material deposited between first and second non-magnetic substrates. The layer of magnetic material is generally perpendicular to and extends to a first surface of the I-core. A C-core member comprises a unitary magnetic body having a second surface confronting the first surface. A non-magnetic gap is between the first and second surfaces. An electrical coil or winding is wrapped around at least a portion of the laminate. In the preferred embodiment, lands are formed of the C-core to form a slider for the transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing against each other for bonding by use of a granule clamp the I and C bars which comprise the O bars from which head cores may be cut, includes a rotating frame so that the angular orientation of the O bars may be changed after embedding them in the granules. This allows bonding glass rods to be placed in the interior openings of the unbonded O bars and then by rotating the frame, cause the glass rods to fall into a position adjacent to the interior edge of the flux gap, and at the same time keep the plane of the flux gaps normal to the axis of the granule clamp's pressure die. When heat is then applied to the unbonded O bars, gravity draws the bonding glass into a fillet adjacent the interior edge of the flux gap.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.