Abstract: A sparse array that uses a small fraction of a fully populated array but yields a radiation pattern that is suitable for high quality medical imaging. The sparse array consists of two or more separate zones for transmitting and receiving as opposed to the overlapping arrays of the prior art. More specifically, a preferred embodiment sets forth an inner array of transmit elements with a narrow effective aperture and a separate non-overlapping outer array of receive elements with a wide effective aperture. The combination of asymmetric apertures is particularly useful for parallel processing applications. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for patents, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A system for optimally mapping circuits into packets based on round trip delay (RTD), and a system for measuring RTD for use in packet communications systems such as circuit emulation (CEM) systems is disclosed. The measured RTD value can be used in a system that adjusts packet size to reduce capture delay to partially offset an increase in RTD. As the use of smaller packets increases the overhead burden on the packet communication system, the packet size can be increased to reduce the overhead burden when the size of the current RTD becomes appropriately short. The disclosure also teaches the placement of data from two or more circuits destined for the same emulation endpoint into the same transmission packet in order to improve system performance. The abstract is a tool for finding relevant disclosures and not a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: The size of a Jitter Absorption Buffer (JAB) is automatically changed in response to changes in network conditions. The JAB size is changed based on the fullness of the JAB and the recent variations in JAB depth. Automatic adjustment allows for a balance of providing adequate correction for Packet Delay Variation (PDV) while avoiding unnecessary increases in Absolute Packet Delay (APD) from the prolonged use of an oversized JAB. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for patents, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A circular buffer is used to receive packets transmitted to an application. Normally, incoming packets are placed at the “tail” of the buffer, which is indicated by the write pointer. Packets to be used by the application are read from the “head” of the buffer, which is indicated by the read pointer. In contrast, the present invention uses the sequence number to direct the packets to specific places in the circular buffer. This inventive use of sequence number allows the packets to be written at the proper place in the buffer, regardless of the location of the write pointer. Within certain limits, a packet that arrives out of sequence is not bound by the position of the write pointer to be placed into the buffer out of sequence. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for patents, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Packet communication systems, or networks, are commonly used for the conveyance of information for data applications. The receive rate of incoming packets varies as congestion in the network causes variation in the amount of time for a packet to traverse the network before being placed into the JAB (Jitter Absorption Buffer). The disclosure contains methods for calculating a real time measurement of PDV (Packet Delay Variation). This real time measurement is useful as a metric on the quality of the service provided by the network or as a trigger for dynamic adjustment of the operation of equipment to optimize for current network conditions. More specifically, the disclosure includes a method that uses variations in the buffer depth of the JAB to measure PDV. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for patents, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Various x-y input devices are disclosed that are adapted to allow a user to hold and operate the input device with a stress-reducing, open grip posture with the thumb pointing forward and on top of the device. One preferred embodiment discloses an input device for a computer comprising an x-y input sensor (such as a touchpad) positioned perpendicular to the thumb such that the user provides input with the thumb tip by using pivotal movement of the thumb. Various stress-reducing zero force touch switches are disclosed including zero force touch switches that can be adjusted to accommodate variations in user finger length. The mode of x-y cursor control can be altered through the use of x-y input sensor perimeter inputs. One preferred embodiment discloses a thumb actuated scroll select touch switch that alters the response to actuation of the finger actuated zero force touch switches from mouse button input to scroll wheel input.

Abstract: A microcurrent therapy device (MCTD) for use in applying a DC current of less than one milliampere between two conductive pads through the tissue of a therapy recipient has an electronic stack that can be placed in electrical connection with the user's skin and thus in electrical connection with the other skin contact plate, a profile minimizing system using an off the shelf “coin ” battery within the electronic stack, and a battery clip used in conjunction with a coin battery and the circuit board of the MCTD.

Abstract: A Phase-locked Loop (PLL) (204) that is dynamically and automatically altered in response to changes in the jitter of the input is disclosed. The Analysis Block (304) receives one or more inputs from the PLL operation. The output of the Analysis Block (304) triggers a change in the Parametric Control Block (308) which in turn imparts changes on the gains of one or more of the various components or the value of &ohgr;N of the PLL Low Pass Filter (116). The dynamic change to at least one parameter of the PLL adjusts the tradeoff between removing as much of the jitter as possible and having a responsive system that has a reduced risk of buffer underflow or overflow. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for relevant disclosures, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A powdering attachment for applying powder to tooth surfaces is disclosed. Such an attachment is useful in operations such as preparations of a tooth before the use of dental equipment in the CEREC® family of products. The powdering attachment may be connected to a dry air syringe that is adapted to allow for the removable connection of dental accessories such as the powdering attachment. When connected to the dry air syringe, the control valve mechanism on the dry air syringe controls the air flow into the powdering attachment. An air tip assembly is given as an illustration of another dental accessory that may be attached to the modified dry air syringe.

Abstract: A microcurrent therapy device (MCTD)for use in applying a DC current of less than one milliampere between two conductive pads through the tissue of a therapy recipient; the MCTD having an indicator such as an LED to provide an indication of imperceptible current flow through the tissue of the therapy recipient. The preferred embodiment uses a battery clip in conjunction with a coin battery and the circuit board of the MCTD.

Abstract: A temperature gradient calorimeter and method of calculating heats of reactions is disclosed. The calorimeter has a two dimensional array of reaction chambers located in a thermally conductive substrate. A first heat transfer medium is in thermal contact with the thermal conductive substrate and is located at one region of the array of reaction chambers. A second heat transfer medium is in thermal contact with the thermal conductive substrate and is located on the opposite side of the array from the first heat transfer medium. The first and second heat transfer mediums are at two different temperatures. That temperature difference produces a temperature gradient across the array of reaction chambers.The fluorescence intensities are measured for reactant samples located in the array of reaction chambers.