Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for traveling wave transport of charged particles, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for the loading, conveying and dispensing of particles for use in the preparation of pharmaceutical dosages as well as the monitoring and control thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multiple-pitch carrier tape feeding, including a carrier tape reel support, a slidable tape window and cover tape peel edge for exposing a component at a pick location adjacent a peel edge, and a carrier tape drive mechanism for advancing the carrier tape through the tape guide. The feeder also includes a pitch selection cam having a plurality of positions, each corresponding to one of a plurality of carrier tape pitch sizes, wherein movement of said selection cam is directly translated into movement of the tape guide. A sensor is employed for detecting the position of the selection cam, and a control unit, responsive to the sensor, controls the carrier tape drive, thereby advancing the carrier tape a predetermined distance according to the selected pitch size.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method of assembling a block and tackle counter balance for windows that reduces the cost of manufacture and installation. In particular, the balance provides vertical support to a window sash using a semi-rigid channel, a top shoe for insertion into one end of the semi-rigid channel, and a bottom shoe for insertion into another end of the semi-rigid channel. Connected to the top shoe is a spring, and a block and tackle pulley assembly is connected between the bottom end of the spring and the bottom shoe, wherein a cord from the pulley assembly extends outward from the bottom shoe for connection to the window sash.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for scoring and marking sheet goods, particularly drywall or plasterboard. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a conventional T-square and consists of a clamp for locking the apparatus at a fixed position along the T-square blade and a scoring mechanism such as a utility-knife blade for scoring the sheet as the T-square slides along a straight edge thereof. The apparatus further includes a marking mechanism, aligned with the scoring mechanism so as to allow a user to optionally mark the sheet rather than scoring it.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for use on large areas such as parking lots and airport runways to remove snow and other debris or material therefrom. The apparatus includes at least two blades pivotally connected to one another, and mounting receptacle or bracket having a series of pairs of posts extending from the rear thereof to facilitate operational attachment to a loader or similar construction equipment. The present invention further includes improvements to enable the segmenting and automatic folding of the pusher.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the delivery of electrostatically charged toner particles to an image receiving member using a traveling electrostatic wave toner conveyor. The traveling electrostatic wave toner conveyor is overlaid with barrier electrodes that divide the conveyor into parallel columns, forming isolated potential wells to receive pixel packets of toner. An ejector electrode in registry with each conveyor column modulates the quantity of toner in pixel packets that travel along the parallel conveyor columns. The quantity in the packets is responsive to the modulated voltage applied to the ejector electrode. Focusing electrodes transfer pixel packets from the traveling wave conveyor as toner jets focused onto the image receiving member. A repulsive dc bias is applied to the barrier electrodes to confine toner within the conveyor columns. Another embodiment includes an image transfer conveyor similarly overlaid with barrier electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for parting and peeling-back the cover tape on a carrier tape (consisting of a component tape with pockets therein and cover tape thereover) in order to expose the component for retrieval by an automated assembly system. More specifically, the cover tape is parted along one edge, or slit in the middle for wider component tapes. The cover tape flap(s) created by the parting operation are then retracted back away from the region above the component, whereby the component is exposed for retrieval at the pick-up location. Subsequent to the pick-up location the carrier tape, with the parted cover tape flap(s) still attached thereto, is directed to a waste receptacle or similar disposal mechanism, avoiding the need for a separate cover tape take-up reel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for locating and coloring true boundaries of image elements forming a color image defined with colors having one or more color separations. Once a boundary of an image element is located and determined to be a true boundary of the color image, the original color of the image element boundary is mapped to a solid color so that ragged edges created when rendering certain colors are minimized when reproducing. the color image element.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for the display and mailing of advertisements including a large transparent display window and a plurality of transparent pockets associated therewith for the purpose of providing cards or samples, and to such an apparatus that may be easily folded and sealed so as to provide its own mailing envelope and also having a plurality of holes along one edge so as to be suitable for storage in a binder notebook.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for holding sporting equipment. The rack includes a pair of U-shaped arms spaced apart from one another and in a generally equivalent horizontal position. At least one flexible longitudinal support is suspended between the arms and at least one flexible lateral support is suspended between opposing ends of each arm so that lateral and longitudinal supports, in combination, support the sporting equipment thereon without contacting the arms.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for automatic image segmentation using template matching filters. The invention generally segments differing binary textures or structures within an input image by passing one or more structures while removing other structures. More particularly, the method and apparatus segment a stored binary image using a template matching filter that is designed to pass therethrough, for example, text regions while removing halftone regions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting insets in the structure of a document page so as to further complement the document layout and textual information provided in an optical character recognition system. A system employing the present method preferably includes a document layout analysis system wherein the inset detection methodology is used to extend the capability of an associated character recognition package to more accurately recreate the document being processed.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus to partially counter normal gravitational force. The personnel lifting device is a paraballoon, a lighter-than-air gas-filled balloon having a harness to suspend a user therefrom. The paraballoon further includes a plurality of flaps extending therefrom in order to allow the paraballoon to be maneuvered during descent, wherein the paraballoon may be used as a component of an amusement. In addition, various applications and attachments and embodiments are described.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the lossless precompression and de-precompression of high resolution binary images that are to be stored or transmitted. More specifically, the present invention employs an area-based precompression/de-precompression technique that is particularly appropriate for high resolution bit replicated images. The technique searches for regularly sized image regions of a common color or binary state and represents the areas in a coded fashion. The compression technique employed by the present invention enables high resolution images to be compressed and stored or transmitted at an image size approximating the size of an image typically obtained by lossless compression of the original bitmap binary image from which the high resolution image was generated.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for performing filtering operations on a digital image. One embodiment is enhancement of the contour fidelity of the image represented by a plurality of pixels, by storing pixel values representing a segment of the image in memory; isolating a plurality of regions of the pixels of said image segment to form a plurality of windows including a central pixel and a plurality of pixels surrounding said central pixel. Then comparing at least two of the regions of pixels within the windows with a set of standard pixel patterns for each of the windows and identifying matching pixel patterns within each of the windows.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for automatic image segmentation using template matching filters. The invention generally segments differing binary textures or structures within an input image by passing one or more structures while removing other structures. More particularly, the method and apparatus segment a stored binary image using a template matching filter that is designed to pass therethrough, for example, text regions while removing halftone regions.