Abstract: A progressive resistance knee pad coupled to the inner surfaces of a knee brace to prevent metal components of an orthotic support from contacting clothing, tissue or skin surface of the wearer of the orthotic support appliance. The knee pad has a cushion layer having a contoured contact surface and a support surface. A middle layer has a mating surface and a middle layer base surface. A base layer has a top surface and a mounting surface. An imbedded mounting plate has uniform thickness and is imbedded in the base layer. The middle layer support surface is formed to shape the cushion layer contact surface to conform with a contoured surface. The thickness of the middle layer is controlled and adjusted to provide a substantially planar middle layer base surface. The base layer imbedded mounting plate is characterized to receive fastening means for coupling the progressive resistance knee pad to the appliance.

Abstract: Two methods for determining a best initial heading estimate for use in an AINS system, while recording position data values and in-motion data values, assigning incremental changes to indexed heading ?k, calculating a set of time indexed present AINS position values and a corresponding set of time indexed absolute horizontal position measurement residual values, recording the absolute maximum time indexed horizontal position measurement residual and the corresponding value of ?k returning to the step of assigning an incremental increase to a next value to indexed heading ?k up to 360 degrees, identifying the maximum time indexed horizontal position measurement residual and corresponding ?k, followed by identifying the ?k having the smallest absolute maximum horizontal position measurement residual as Ak Second method uses a circular array of AINS ENGINES each with a different ?k running in parallel and finding smallest horizontal position measurement residual for Ak.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a fluid with no contraction/expansion “glug, glug” effect has a cover forming a sealed top with a pouring spout on top of the cover and at least one elongated handle on top of the cover. The elongated handle extends longitudinally away from the pouring spout and has a distant end coupled to a vacuum manifold formed under the cover as a void space distant from the pouring spout and above fluid within the fluid tight container. A pouring spout has a circular aperture leading into the fluid tight container. The circular aperture has a central axis; the circular aperture is bordered by a peripheral circular sealing surface that extends radially away from the aperture. An air vent opening is positioned on the circular aperture's highest radial central position on the circular sealing surface.

Abstract: A compact fisheye objective lens comprising a series of six lens elements arranged on an optical axis to focus an image on an image plane, the compact fisheye objective lens having a first lens element with a convex object surface that faces the object and a concave image surface that faces image plane, and a second lens element spaced to the right of the first lens element concave image surface, the second lens element having a concave object surface and a concave image surface. The compact fisheye objective lens having singlet third and fourth lens elements, the fifth and sixth lens elements being combined to form a doublet having a positive power.

Abstract: A Sensor glove is an instrument, in the same way that a piano is an instrument. The Sensor glove is purchased and the owner then learns to use it and the sensors therein to develop the performance of a sound, character or model, or to “conduct” or “play” the sensor movements and experience the response of the model in real time. Several performers with a number of the Sensor glove can control over 200 motors or hundreds of control points on a character at one time, manipulate audio data, or computer images etc. The characteristics of the sensors on the gloves can be adjusted to the needs and demands of the wearer or the many performer and wearers in those venues where multiple performers are used with many gloves to control or produce the motions and sounds of many distinct characters in a screen play.

Abstract: A method and means of providing stromal repair and improved refractive correction by creating corneal stromal collagen tissue with fibril diameter and spacing that duplicates the optical transmission and diffusion characteristics of natural corneal collagen. The repair method includes implanting the collagen scaffold during laser corneal ablation or other interlamellar surgery to improve visual acuity or to preclude the possibility of ectasia.

Abstract: A method and means of providing an improved refractive correction contact lens which increases user comfort, retards protein and lipid deposition, and can be utilized for pharmaceutical delivery. The invention discloses a technique for creating polymer fibril diameters and spacing that duplicates the optical transmission and diffusion characteristics of natural corneal collagen.

Abstract: A method of fiber production relating in general to electrospinning and specifically to MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical Structures). Utilizing integrated circuit manufacturing processes, a nanoscale, self-contained device has been developed to execute the process of electrospinning large arrays of fibers and fiber arrays. One of the benefits of using the disclosed MEMS device is that the voltage required to produce a “so called” Taylor Cone would is substantially reduced and the requirement of a hydrostatic feed negated through the use of passive capillarity based wick surface treatment.

Abstract: The compact imaging assembly has an electronic imager and an objective lens with a focal length fo. The objective lens receives light and forms an image of the object on the imager's image plane. The image plane has a maximum effective dimension DI. The objective lens has a first lens group comprising two to three elements with an object surface facing the object and an image surface facing an image plane. The objective lens also has a middle lens element with a concave object surface that is facing the lens group image surface, and a final lens element that has a positive power. The distance from the lens group object surface to the image plane is TT. The lens group, the middle lens and the final lens elements are coaxially aligned and on an optical axis normal to the image plane.

Abstract: A Land Surveyor System with Reprocessing is carried by a surveyor moving from a first known position at the start of a survey interval to a second known position at the end of the survey interval has an AINS (aided inertial navigation system) that provides a continuing sequence of time-indexed present position values. A Position Computing System uses a program that stores the sequence of time-indexed present position values in a memory. A reprocessing computer and program is activated at the second known position to access and process the continuing sequence of time-indexed present position values with a smoothing program to provide indexed and adjusted present position values for at least some of the time-indexed present position values. The system is packaged for transport and use by a surveyor. A switch permits the surveyor to signal that the unit is stationary as a reset for the AINS.

Abstract: A manually releasable clip holder for receiving, securely holding and manually releasing a serpentine clip has a substantially flat base-plate. An insert is coupled to the base-plate. The insert has an insert cover with a top edge that forms an insert channel over the base plate. A channel aperture is formed at the insert cover top edge. A flap is pivotally coupled to the base plate and has a bottom edge. A spring is coupled to provide a restoring force to return the flap to a predetermined restored position with the flap bottom edge positioned above and beyond the insert cover top edge and the channel aperture. The separation between the flap bottom edge in the restored position and the insert cover top edge forms a window to the channel aperture. The flap is displaced toward the base-plate in response to a light deflection force from a serpentine clip.

Abstract: A walking stick navigator (WSN) apparatus and process comprises an aided INS (AINS) on a staff assembly similar in operation and appearance to a GPS survey instrument. However, when GPS is available, the AINS is aided by GPS data, and the surveyor manipulates the staff assembly like a standard GPS survey instrument. When GPS is not available due to signal obstruction, the surveyor manipulates the staff assembly as a walking stick. A switch means coupled to the lower end of the staff assembly provides a stationary interval signal when the surveyor plants and holds the WSN on the ground while walking. An input process is coupled to the AINS output signals and to the stationary interval signals and provides at least one aiding input signal to the AINS for each successive stationary interval, thereby allowing the AINS to control its velocity error and position drift during a GPS outage.

Abstract: A six element fisheye objective lens comprising a first lens element having a convex object surface facing the object and a concave image surface facing the image plane, a second lens element having a convex object surface facing the object and a concave image facing the image plan. A third lens element has a positive power. A positively powered lens group has a positively powered cemented doublet lens pair. A singlet lens element has a positive power, The lens group has an object surface facing the object and an image surface facing the image. The ratio of the total track to the focal length satisfies the condition that 8<TT/fo<15. The fisheye objective lens has an optical axis, the first, second, third and the lens group being coaxially aligned on the optical axis.

Abstract: A high power inverter using toroidal transformer with a first end and a second end. A first and second switch for switching the first end and the second end of the transformer primary alternately to ground during alternate half cycles for first and second on-time intervals. a pulse-width modulator and driver circuit for driving the first and second switch into conduction and for modulating the first and second on time intervals. A non-conductive interval is interposed between switch on-times. A control circuit for sensing the output voltage to maintain the output voltage within a predetermined range. An acoustic reference for a clock circuit, the clock circuit controlling the start of each power cycle. A current sense circuit for signaling overload when the on-voltage across the switching means exceeds a predetermined threshold. A switch for connecting the first and second ends of the transformer primary together between on-times.

Abstract: An audio boost circuit having an input buffer responsive to a program input signal for providing a buffered program signal, An all pass phase inverter having an input coupled to receive the buffered program signal and an output providing an inverted buffered program signal. A band pass filter having a predetermined Q, responsive to the buffered program signal for providing an inverted band pass boosted program signal. A summing amplifier for adding the inverted buffered program signal to the inverted band pass boosted program signal and for providing a composite program signal signal. A frequency adjustment means for adjusting the frequency at which the peak gain occurs. The input buffer is a state-variable input filter that processes the program input signal into high, low and mid-range frequency signal components. The input buffer has gain control circuitry for balancing and summing the high and mid-range signal components.

Abstract: A ruggedized inverter structure or chassis has an integral frame with a right, rear and left vertical wall formed in the shape of a channel or U from a single plate of aluminum. A rectangular base also formed from a single plate has a front, right, rear and left side bordering a rectangular base plate. A front, right, rear and left vertical wall is formed on the rectangular base plate, each with a single bend. The front and rear walls are bent to form front and a rear mounting flanges. The base plate right and left vertical walls are coupled to the inner surface of the corresponding integral frame right and left vertical walls. A base plate rear wall is coupled to the integral frame rear wall. A transformer mounting plate is coupled to the front and rear mounting flanges. Right and left power modules are mounted.

Abstract: A optical viewfinder has a single viewfinder element formed from a homogenous material such as glass or plastic. The viewfinder element has an object surface and an image surface. The object and image surfaces are centered on a common optical axis. The object surface has a periphery extending to a first clear aperture, CA1. The image surface has a periphery extending to a second clear aperture, CA2. A reticle is formed on the object surface. The reticle is centered on the optical axis. A micro-lens is formed on the image surface and is centered on the optical axis. The micro-lens has a periphery extending to a third clear aperture, CA3 inside of the diameter of the second clear aperture.

Abstract: A walking stick navigator (WSN) apparatus and method comprises an aided INS (AINS) on a staff assembly with the “look and feel” of a GPS survey instrument. When GPS is available, the AINS is aided by GPS data, and the survey or manipulates the staff assembly like a standard GPS survey instrument. When GPS is not available due to signal obstruction, the surveyor manipulates the staff assembly as a walking stick. A switch means coupled to the lower end of the staff assembly provides a stationary interval signal when the surveyor plants and holds the WSN on the ground while walking. A digital computer is coupled to be responsive to AINS output signals and to the stationary interval signals and to run a program that solves a position aiding algorithm and a velocity aiding algorithm that provide at least one aiding input to the AINS for each successive stationary interval.

Abstract: A imaging module has an electronic imager and an objective lens system. The electronic imager has an active area that is typically rectangular is shape. An image is formed on the active area with a maximum effective image dimension DI. An objective lens system forms an image of a distant object on the image plane. The objective lens system has a focal length f0 and a height TT. A first lens element has a convex first surface that faces the object and a second surface. The first lens element has a positive power. A second lens element has a concave first surface facing the first lens second surface and an aspherical second surface facing the image plane. The first and second lens elements are shaped and spaced to obtain a ratio of f1/f0 from 0.5 to 2.0, and ratio of TT/DI<1.5.

Abstract: A lens assembly particularly suited to use with high resolution digital cameras and other portable electronic devices. The lens includes a positive powered front group having one or two elements and a second, aberration correcting, rear group having in order from the front a bi-concave element, a meniscus element and a bi-concave element. The aperture stop plane is just in front of the front group. A combined operator and shutter device is positioned at the aperture stop plane. All of the lens elements are made of glass and have spherical surfaces.