Abstract: A method of determining eyeglass frame parameters from a digital image of the person's face and a digital image of an eyeglass frame. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a digital image of the person's face; (b) determining a physical scale of the face using a scaling factor; (c) locating center points P1, P2 of the left and right irises in the face image, and determining a pupil midpoint Pc; (d) providing a digital image of an eyeglass frame; (e) adjusting, if necessary, the size of the frame to the physical scale of the face; (f) combining the frame and face images such that the frame is superimposed on the face; (g) aligning the frame and face in accordance with the frame center point fc and the pupil midpoint Pc; and (h) determining the frame parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding sheet-like material, comprising an elongated frame. The frame includes a rear wall, a front wall, and an adjoining wall. The front and rear walls each have a free end, a joined end, and an interior side. The front and rear walls are disposed in opposing spaced relation such that their interior sides faces each other. The adjoining wall connects the joined ends of the rear and front walls together. The interior side of the rear wall includes a pair of spaced-apart projections at the free end of the rear wall. The interior side of the front wall has a curved portion at the free end of the front wall. The curved portion is in tight mating contact with the pair of projections. The free ends define an entry through which the sheet-like material is to be inserted. The entry is normally closed, and is openable by urging apart the front and rear walls. The rear, the front and the adjoining walls, together, define an elongated hollow that is configured to accommodate a wire binding.

Abstract: A dental mirror comprising a handle, a mirror, a tubular member inside the handle, a light source inside the tubular member, a light transmitting element coupled to the light source, a thermally conductive fluid conduit coiled around the tubular member, a fluid discharge manifold, a manifold support member for supporting the manifold adjacent to the mirror, a first connector attached to one end of the handle, a second connector attached to the first connector, and a combined electric/air supply line coupled to the second connector. The supply line couples electrical energy and compressed air to the handle via the connectors. The compressed air is coupled to the fluid conduit to aid in cooling the handle while the light source is energized. The air, having been warmed during the cooling process, is then channeled to the mirror to clean and defog the mirror.

Abstract: An expandable display apparatus comprises a main display unit and first and second expandable display panels. The main unit is defined as having a centerline axis. The main unit includes a pair of side walls oriented substantially along and disposed on opposite sides of the centerline axis. One or both of the side walls may include a display panel. The main unit contains first and second end openings oriented substantially across the centerline axis and disposed in opposing spaced-apart relation. The end openings communicate with a storage space between the pair of side walls. The display panels are removably stored side-by-side in the storage space and are movable in opposite directions through the end openings. The panels are movable along respective paths between respective stored positions inside the storage space and respective extended positions outside the storage space. The display panels align with the centerline axis of the main unit when the panels are in the extended position.

Abstract: A filter assembly, comprising first and second terminal caps in opposing relation to each other. The caps are physically and electrically coupled to each other. First and second circuit boards are physically coupled to the first cap. The first circuit board includes—(i) front and rear surfaces, (ii) a first circuit located on either or both of the front and rear surfaces, (iii) a ground lead connected to the first circuit, and (iv) a first electrical terminal coupled to the first circuit. The second circuit board includes—(i) front and rear surfaces, (ii) a second circuit located on either or both of the front and rear surfaces, (iii) a ground lead connected to the second circuit, and (iv) a second electrical terminal coupled to the second circuit. The first and second circuits are electrically coupled to each other, and each are electrically coupled to the first terminal cap via the ground leads. The circuit boards are positioned substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A weighing scale detects and indicates changes in a small weight that is embedded within a much larger residual weight. The scale device has a base and a top weighing pan above it, with a linkage supported between the base and the top pan. A counterbalance weight lever is supported on a pivot member, and has one end connected to the linkage, and a counterbalance weight on the other end. An adjustable tensioning spring provides a balancing force for the counterbalance weight lever within the weight range of the critical weight. A potentiometer of other detecting device can provide an electrical signal to an alarm device to warn the consumer that the weight of a consumable quantity has dropped into the critical weight range.

Abstract: An interactive eyewear selection system comprising: a video camera and digitizing system for acquiring a digital image of a person's face, including the temple areas of the face; an eyeglass frames database for storing digital eyeglass frame images; an automated interface for selecting an eyeglass frame image from the frames database, the image containing frame temple portions; a digital processing system for automatically superimposing the selected frame image on the image of the person's face, in a composite image, such that the frame appears to be worn naturally on the person's face and the frame temple portions are shown at the temple areas of the face; and a display device for displaying the digital image of the person's face and for displaying the composite image.