Abstract: An assembly toy is provided for constructing a three-dimensional composite object as defined by the successive edges of a plurality planar members stacked upon one another in a particular order. An axial structure such as a pair of rods is mounted to a base structure and passes through holes of each of the stacked members to align the holes of each such member and thereby fix its position and orientation. The toy may be provided as a puzzle with the user left to discover the particular order of stacking which results in the predetermined composite object, or each member may be labeled to indicate its stacking order.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for internally delivering cellular transplants to a patient under the automatic control of a computer. A diagnostic imaging modality, such as a CAT or MRI scanning system, generates one or more images of the patient's anatomy showing an anatomical region into which it is desired to deliver the cellular transplants. For each such image, location coordinates with respect to a patient support means are calculated by the computer for each individual pixel making up the image. Location coordinates arc then defined for a select body region corresponding to pixels of the anatomical image(s) designated by a user of the system to receive the cellular transplants. The computer then operates a manipulator arm in order to position a tranplantation tool such as an injection needle or catheter mounted on the arm adjacent to the select body region.

Abstract: Improvements in product and production codes and methods for reading same. In one form a bar code is provided wherein one or more of the individual bars of the code are printed or otherwise formed with coded information recorded therein. The bars may be made of printed matter and either divided into code defining segments or voids therein defining readable auxiliary information. In another form, the bars may be printed of magnetic recording material containing magnetic recordings therein of readable auxiliary information. The auxiliary information may be read when the bars are scanned for their coded information or without scanning the bars for the bar code. Reading may be by scanning a path or paths extending normal or oblique to the bars or in a direction parallel to or longitudinally along one or more of the bars to provided substantial additional information, if needed.

Abstract: A method for forming synthetic diamond coatings on surfaces, such as select surfaces of boat hulls, motor vehicle underbodies, chemical storage tanks and the like, which are subject to corrosion and/or erosion. In a preferred form, the apparatus is portable and is either hand-holdable or is carried by a self propelled vehicle or computer controlled automatic manipulator. In a particular form, the apparatus includes a chamber having an opening therein with a circumscribing rim adapted to be forced against a portion of the surface to be coated while one or more carbon atom, containing materials in gaseous and/or solid particle form are fed to the surface interior of such rin and form a synthetic diamond coating or the like thereagainst.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed in which the centrifugation of a liquid mixture in order to separate out components of the mixture with different sedimentation rates is adaptively controlled by monitoring the sedimentation of detectable particles and controlling the centrifugation so as to effect a desired localization of the detectable particles. Such adaptive control may be performed with a continuous flow centrifugal separator or a batch-type centrifuge. The detectable particles may be test particles having a sedimentation constant approximately equal to a component of interest in the mixture whose localization is desired.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for purifying water for drinking or bathing purposes employing an optical scanning device for detecting organisms in the water such as bacteria, algae, or viruses. The optical scanning device may be a video camera or may comprise a laser for irradiating the organisms and a photodetector for detecting radiation emanating from the organisms. A computer analyzes scanning signals generated by the scanning device and controls a device for neutralizing the organisms, such as a chemical injector or radiation source, in accordance with the scanning signals. The system may also be used to detect and neutralize disease producing organisms in a body fluid of a patient or in any fluid used for biological experimentation, testing, or production.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease and drug units for use in performing such method. The method involves invading and flooding select cells of a living being with a drug or medical material to correct a genetic flaw, destroy or otherwise prevent the production or multiplication of a disease defining substance such as a virus in such cells or prevent the cells from uncontrollably growing or dividing. The method involves injecting or otherwise administering a dose of drug units to the body or bloodstream of a living being and targeting such drug units to the select cells to be treated and invaded with the drug of the units.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the reception of video signals in accordance with the program content of the signals is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, a digital program code is simultaneously transmitted along with the audio and video information in an unused portion of the composite video signal, such as the so-called back porch region of the blanking interval. Circuitry is interposed between the video signal and the display generating circuitry of a television receiver which extracts such program code and either passes or blocks the reception and display of the video signal in accordance with a comparison between the extracted program code and a stored program code. The stored program code indicates those types of programs which are desired to be blocked from reception and display by the television receiver, such as programs containing violence, nudity, or strong language.

Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photographic reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding permits a fluent molding material to be flowed into a mold cavity for shaping into a configuration defined by the mold walls. A master controller controls the transfer of heat with respect to the molding material, to control the temperature of the molding material in a predetermined way. A sensor measures the temperature of the molding material flowed into the cavity and produces feedback signals, which are compared to reference signals indicative of a desired molding material temperature. The apparatus generates a further control signal, which is applied to control the variables of the molding operation, including the temperature of the molding material and the flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for automatically inspecting two- or three-dimensional objects or subjects. A detector and the object are moved relative to each other. In one form, a detector, such as a camera or radiation receiver, moves around an object, which is supported to be rotatable such that the detector may receive electromagnetic energy signals from the object from a variety of angles. The energy may be directed as a beam at and reflected from the object, as for visible light, or passed through the object, as for x-ray radiation. Alternatively, the detector passively receives energy from the object, as in an infrared detector. The detector generates analog image signals resulting from the detected radiation, and an electronic computer process and analyzes the analog signals and generates digital codes, which may be stored or employed to control a display.

Abstract: A measuring device, such as a micrometer or other form of dimensional measuring instrument, is provided which is operable to indicate dimensional measurements made thereby in numerical form on a display, such as an electronic digital display. The measuring device or micrometer is controlled to generate digital electrical signals which are indicative of a measurement, which signals of each measurement are recorded in an electronic memory which may be supported by the device or connected thereto. The memory is employed to both indicate each measurement as it is made and to record all or selected measurements made for future reference. Other information generated, for example, by a suitable input means such as a keyboard, and defining such variables as part number, part lot, time and date of measurement, etc. may be recorded in such memory along with the recording or recordings of data defining the measurements made.

Abstract: Fastening devices such as washers, seals and drive pins subject to corrosive deterioration of all or select portions thereof wherein all or such select portions are protected from such corrosion and failure by a thin coating or coatings of hard surface material or materials. In a preferred form, the fastening device is coated with a synthetic diamond material formed as a thin layer in situ thereon. In addition to preventing moisture and other corrosive material from penetrating to the base metal, such synthetic diamond material serves to preserve the surface integrity of the fastening device preventing the formation or spread of surface flaws produced during use or during the fabrication of the fastening device.

Abstract: A fiber optic refractometer is disclosed for use in on-line measurement of the refractive index of a process fluid. The refractometer does not require light to pass through the process fluid and is hence unaffected by the presence of light diffusing particulate matter in the process fluid. A particular application for which the refractometer is well-suited is the on-line measurement of the hydrogenation state of edible oils (which correlates with refractive index) during the partial hydrogenation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively treating the surface of a substrate with a material. The method comprises supporting a workpiece at a work station and providing a source of fluent material for treating a preselected portion of a surface of the workpiece. A stream of the fluent material is directed toward the surface of the workpiece while effecting controllable relative movement between the stream of fluent material and the workpiece to impinge a select amount of the fluent material along a preselected path on the preselected portion of the surface of the workpiece. The fluent material is bonded with the preselected portion of the surface of the workpiece to produce a predetermined physical change on the preselected portion. The apparatus of the invention includes a mechanism to effect the specific steps of the novel method.

Abstract: Improved structures in bearings operable to receive and support shafts or members which are supported for rotation on shafts or pins are disclosed. In one form, just the inner cylindrical surface of a solid bearing made of metal or hard ceramic material is coated with a synthetic diamond material deposited in situ therein as carbon atoms by means of high energy radiation, which also serves to form synthetic diamond structures of layers of such carbon atoms so deposited. In another form, the entire race of a multiple part bearing is coated with synthetic diamond material. In a third form, a rolling member type bearing, such as a ball or roller bearing, is provided containing an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of balls, rollers, or other rolling members supported between the inner and outer race. In certain instances, the rolling members are retained by means of a cage supported therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for automatically inspecting three-dimensional objects or subjects. A detector and the object are moved relative to each other. In one form, a detector, such as a camera or radiation receiver, moves around an object, which is supported to be rotatable such that the detector may receive electromagnetic energy signals from the object from a variety of angles. The energy may be directed as a beam at and reflected from the object, as for visible light, or passed through the object, as for x-ray radiation. Alternatively, the detector passively receives energy from the object, as in an infrared detector. The detector generates analog image signals resulting from the detected radiation, and an electronic computing means process and analyzes the analog signals and generates digital codes, which may be stored or employed to control a display.

Abstract: A method for molding is disclosed in which a fluent molding material is flowed into a cavity of a mold, which is then shaped into a configuration defined by the mold. Control signals which are applied by operating a master controller to control the transfer of heat with respect to the molding material, in order to predeterminately control the temperature of the molding material as it flows into and is retained within the mold. The temperature of the molding material flowed into the cavity is sensed, and feedback signals are generated relating to the sensed temperature. The feedback signals are compared to reference signals indicative of a desired molding material temperature and a further control signal is generated which is applied to control the variables of the molding operation, including the temperature of the molding material.

Abstract: An automatic scanning apparatus and method for detecting the presence of one or more objects in an image field under investigation or inspection. Electro-optical scanning means, such as a television camera, is employed to scan an image field and generate output electrical signals which vary in accordancd with variations in the optical characteristics of the matter and objects in the image field scanned. Such signals are computer processed and analyzed to generate coded electrical signals which define optical characteristics of portion of the image field scanned, such as objects or the images of objects scanned, their shape, color of a combination of color and shape.