Abstract: A photoelectric sensor array apparatus and method, relates to at least two photoelectric rail elements each having alternating light emitting diode transmitters and photo detecting receivers. The array produces a plurality of light devices with corresponding sensors, whereby the light beams are blocked in the region where an opaque object is located. Each rail contains both transmitters and receivers so that control circuits for the transmitters and receivers are substantially identical and mounted on opposite sides of the array apparatus, to provide a more compact unit of higher resolution and to reduce the design and manufacturing costs. Such construction and method enable the sensing array apparatus to function in direct sunlight or other such photoelectric saturation conditions, which would otherwise blind conventional light sensitive sensor arrays.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the signal retention of a liquid crystal sensing element comprising an embossed cavity containing the liquid crystal and a cover layer sealing the liquid crystal in the cavity by heat treating at about 95 to about 120° C. for a time sufficient to cause the embossed cavity to shrink to substantially its original form thereby forcing the liquid crystal to be forced up against the cover layer to form a domed structure. Essential to the success of the process is incorporation in the cavity of about 10 to about 50% by volume of air based on the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A wiring board construction includes at least one microvia disposed in a base substrate and includes a deep imprinted cup shaped in the top surface thereof. A conductor material is disposed within the recess, and has a portion disposed at the bottom thereof. A conductor disposed at a bottom surface of the substrate opposite to the conductor material bottom portion helps to complete an electrically conductor path through the substrate to help complete an electrically conductive path through the substrate.

Abstract: A method for creating and providing information used in a television game show, where that information is obtained from the Internet. Users register and answer a questionnaire over the Internet, to create a user profile for each registered user. A fixed number of user profiles are randomly selected periodically, and then posted on the Internet. Users then vote for their favorite user profile, and the winner is given a large monetary award, to be presented live during a television broadcast. The winner must spend the large monetary award within a fixed period of time, or else lose the unspent portion of the award. Sponsors will provide the large monetary award each week, and will be given a prominent advertisement that will be posted on the pertinent Internet web site at which the users register and vote.

Abstract: A method and system of facilitating the management of patient care includes storing clinical pathway templates of pre-defined patient care paths, and assigning a template to a given patient undergoing treatment. The assigned template is tailored for the requirements of the given patient, and variances from the patient care path are collected so that the pre-defined patient care path templates can be modified with patient treatment experience.

Abstract: An apparatus and method facilitates the determination of the desired quantity of portions of comestibles to be consumed by the user. The apparatus includes a visual cue indicia device having indicia thereon being configured in the shape of a familiar object of a size similar to the size of a desired portion of a comestible product to be consumed. The user can control the quantities of portions of comestible groups being consumed. In one form of the invention, the apparatus includes a book having a plurality of pages, at least one of the pages having the visual cue indicia device being removable disposed thereon. The visual cue indicia device preferably includes a paper board sheet having its indicia on the front face thereof to facilitate carrying it conveniently with the user so that it can be use discretely for gauging the size of a portion to be consumed.

Abstract: A voice input system has a microphone coupled to a computing device, with the computing device typically operating a computer software application. A user speaks voice commands into the microphone, with the computing device operating a voice command module that interprets the voice command and causes the graphical or non-graphical application to be commanded and controlled consistent with the use of a physical mouse. In one form of the invention, voice commands are overlayed on normal command points of the application program. Such voice commands are stored in a separate voice command repository, with an edit mode provided to create new voice command sequences and to edit existing voice command sequences.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment, for providing information to an individual user about the location of any other individuals of the group and for gaining assistance to locate and reunite lost individuals. The system uses an identification Tag with serial identification Tag number worn by each individual of the group, has means for communicating with each Tag as it moves with the individual through the environment and means for using the communication to determine the position of the Tag in the environment. The system also uses strategically placed ID stations distributed within the environment for users to activate a request that the system locate members and for displaying a map indicating the location of members of the group.

Abstract: A disposable travel mask has a body and is held in position over the nose and mouth of a wearer. The body of the ask has a filter area for entrapping air-borne contaminates. The filter area has at least two layers, such as an inner layer adjacent the wearer's mouth and an outer layer. The outer layer entraps large contaminates such as dust and also traps at least a portion of the bacteria or other germs. The other layer entraps contaminates that have passed through the first layer. The travel mask may be assembled from commonly available materials. For example, an anti-allergen filter material may be sealed to a surgical mask or a laser mask. The travel mask may have a printed design or pattern to make the travel mask more aesthetically pleasing and to allow the travel mask to better blend into a travel environment.

Abstract: A shielding method for achieving highly uniform temperatures in liquids during microwave heating by substantially enhancing vertical mixing currents in said liquids, making determinations of final temperature reached in said liquids either by touch or the use of a temperature indicator efficacious, comprising: a electrically conductive shield having very low impedance at microwave frequencies; having, a generally cylindrical shape, and dimensions chosen to accommodate a variety of microwaveable containers. said shield: to be concentric with a microwaveable container, containing a liquid to be heated by microwave radiation; and, to be located so as the top edge of said shield is at or above a vertical level corresponding to the level of the liquid in said container; and, to be of sufficient height as to cover at least 10% of the height of the liquid in said container.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating microwave heating of a liquid includes the use of a generally cylindrical holder for receiving the liquid to be heated. A shielding sleeve at least partially composed of high microwave reflectivity material, blocks microwave energy from entering a selected interior portion only of the holder to prevent direct microwave heating of the liquid in the selected portion. As a result, there are shielded and unshielded portions of the liquid being heated to cause the liquid to be heated to a substantially uniform temperature throughout the liquid being heated. A mechanism enables the sleeve to be positioned such that the blocking portion of the sleeve is positioned at or above the level of the liquid disposed within the interior of the holder so that the top layer of the liquid is shielded from direct microwave heating to prevent unwanted super heating of a portion of the liquid and thus causing hot spots.

Abstract: A new and improved clinical critical care path system, which can be tailored readily for a given patient diagnosis for either single or combined medical and/or surgical diagnoses. The clinical information system stores critical care information for various patient diagnoses and retrieves them for a given patient. Treatment information is tailored to a given patient by enabling selected treatment information to be edited. Where multiple diagnoses are present, the prescribed or ordered treatment plans for each diagnosis are merged for a given patient, and potential conflicts are determined for any ordered activity. Upon determination of a conflict, patient treatment information is repeated on separate display lines to alert the healthcare provider to permit the healthcare provider to analyze the conflict and to determine what order or orders should be entered. Customized multiple diagnosis treatment information can then be entered and stored for a given patient.

Abstract: A living plant is rooted in a growing medium, conically shaped plug which supports and helps nourish the roots of the living plant. A sleeve surrounds the plant and at least a portion of the plug to protect the plant and to retain the plug intact. The plug fits within an open bottom portion of the conical sleeve and receives nourishment during the display thereof. In another aspect of the invention, a display assembly includes a nourishing liquid containing pan having a plug receiving tray disposed therein. The tray is apertured to permit the liquid to be received therein for engaging the plug for nourishing the living plant while being displayed for sale.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement with a pair of angularly disposed, spaced apart groups of character keys dedicated for operating use respectively by the left hand and the right hand of a user. A space bar key is operable by either thumb of the user and bridges between the two groups of character keys. The rows of keys in each group are staggered, and each key bears character indica disposed at an angle to the transverse direction of its group of keys.

Abstract: Embodied in the flexile forms of both an endless-loop and as a linear-tape, a unique tooth flossing device for cleaning away bacteria between the teeth is set forth. Comprised of a nontoxic extrusion-molded thermo-plastic polyurethane having particular properties of excellent elasticity, almost film-like guage of thickness, and a natural random surface-texture serving to aid the flossing procedure. In use, a FLOSS-LOOP™ is simply held in the user's thumb-&-forefinger of both hands, so as to pre-stretch “thin” that portion to be slid vertically between the teeth. The exceptionally high stretched tensile-strength of this device enables it to endure the duress of insertion between the teeth, yet once interposed interstitially adjacent the gum-line, the release of excess tension upon the tensioned segment of the loop enables it to resume it's natural thickness-guage of approximately 0.325 mm(0.0128-inch).

Abstract: Tube securing devices and method of using them are disclosed for immobilizing an endotracheal tube or the like in a body cavity such as in an intubated position. The device includes an elongated tube grasping arrangement having a ribbon securing device for helping to maintain the position of the tube grasping device in place. The tube grasping device includes a gripping portion disposed between its opposite ends to help limit sliding movement relative to the tube grasping assembly.

Abstract: A macro recording and playback device has inputs for coupling to a plurality of computer input devices. The computer input devices provide a sequence of input messages for performing a repetitive function. In a record mode, a macro indicative of the sequence of input messages is stored in a memory, with an identifier associated with the macro. In a playback mode, the macro causes output messages to a computer device which are indicative of the serious of input messages. Thereby, playing the macro causes the computing device to perform the repetitive function. Further, a method is disclosed for receiving in a parallel manner a sequence of input messages from computer input devices, with the parallel messages forming a data word. The sequence of data words are stored, forming a macro. When the macro is selected and played, messages are sent to the computer device indicative of the received input messages.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting multimedia packages employs a corrugated support having at least one crowned surface for supporting the multimedia packages from below in a closely spaced side-by-side configuration. A pair of front and rear retainers confine the series of packages therebetween. The crowned surface includes a series of curved projections for defining a series of equally spaced apart notches disposed at intersections between adjacent ones of the projections to receive corner portions of the packages for supporting them in an inclined position and for enabling each of the supported packages to be repositioned to another one of said notches so that the packages can be flipped between forwardly and rearwardly inclined positions.

Abstract: A device for separating sheets (10) of a recording medium stored in a horizontally disposed stack includes an advance roller (16) resting on the stack and following the decreasing height of the stack. The advance roller (16) is drivable in order to acquire the topmost sheet (10.1) of the stack under frictional closure and to slide it for separation with its leading edge up on an obliquity (14). In order to be able to separate sheets (10) of different stiffness, the advance roller (16), while it is driven on the topmost sheet (10.1), drifts from the obliquity (14) until the leading edge of the sheet (10.1) runs up on the obliquity (14). The advance roller (16) is movable vertically. The counter force acting during the driving of the advance roller (16) is additionally supported in a rocker in order to increase the contact pressure against the topmost sheet (10.1) in case of the sheets of great stiffness.