Abstract: Bar codes, comprised of black and white stripes, are shown to be a finite topic, and the optimum bar code methodology, binary coded binary, BCB, is disclosed. Binary digits are utilized to represent bar coded messages and each binary digit is immediately complemented, forming two independent but binarily complemented messages in one bar code symbol. BCB represents given information in less space than, e.g., Interleaved 2 of 5 and Code 39, while using the same x width (the width of a module), and BCB is far more versatile and is easier and less expensive to print and scan. BCB avoids misreads more reliably and achieves a dramatically higher first time read rate through use of applicants' error correcting bar codes. Methods of representing any size character set most efficiently in one number are disclosed as are continuous bar code forms. Optimum error detecting and correcting techniques for binary coding are also disclosed using applicants' sub-pile method of reverse engineering coding questions.

Abstract: A computer-controlled graphics display system using object-based representations of the displayed objects, and cooperating with a user-operated motion-sensitive input device. A powerful user interface technique called "wiping" is described. This allows selection by the user of target objects to be acted on by accessing an applicator and sweeping the applicator over the display. Selected objects are determined by selection criteria including spatial intersection of the applicator sweep stroke with the displayed object, and time of object creation. The effect on the selected objects is on the entire object and is determined by an operator associated by the user with the applicator, such as object grouping, deletion, coloring, uncoloring, thickening, or object size relocation.

Abstract: Printer with multifunctional paper handling capability having a lambda rear front structure section, a first (P1) paper path for paper front feeding by a first removable tractor set (21), a second paper path (P2) for cut sheet frontal feeding by driving rollers (22) and a third paper path (P3) for paper rear feeding by the first tractor set or a second tractor set (41), all the manual paper loading operations being performable from the printer front having a dihedral recess.

Abstract: A battery charger and method are disclosed for charging alkaline, Ni-Cad and zinc-based batteries, particularly sizes N, AAA, AA, C and D. For batteries rated at about 1.25 volts to about 1.5 volts, the battery charger and method provide a constant charging current of between about 0.28 ma to about 1.5 ma per gram weight of the battery. A substantially constant current is supplied to the battery while a reference voltage greater than the battery voltage is provided. Thereafter, as the battery voltage increases, the reference voltage is incremented up to a predetermined maximum reference voltage. Charging is terminated when the reference voltage reaches the predetermined maximum, or when the battery voltage does not increase during charging to be greater than a first or a subsequent reference voltage during a predetermined charging time period. The controller may also cause the constant current to be increased by from about 2.

Abstract: A chart recorder or other instrument has a window 10 within which is a key panel 1 composed of materials which are transparent in normal conditions. Incorporated in or associated with the individual elements of the key panel are display elements 22 applied to the transparent window material 20. The display elements are normally transparent but become visible, for example by fluorescence, when illuminated by radiation transmitted through the body of the transparent window material 20, rendering the key panel visible when needed for use.

Abstract: A revolving security door for the controlled passage of persons from a non-protected environment to a protected environment, for example a bank, which permits the normal transit of persons even in the event of the interception of an unwelcome person, including a cylindrical chamber formed inside a structure, a turnstile rotatable within the chamber in a predetermined sense of rotation and having sectors each for accommodating a person, an entry aperture and an exit aperture formed in the structure, a sensor associated with the structure for detecting an unwelcome person or object and for emitting an alarm signal, an emergency door associated with the exit aperture and activated to close by the said alarm signal, the said door comprising a first panel and a second panel which are held together and made to rotate in the opposite sense of rotation from that of the turnstile, after the door has been closed by the first panel and before the door is opened by the opening of both panels.

Abstract: A disposable dental floss holder for removing plaque and food debris from tooth surfaces and from the interspaces between teeth has a handle part, a bow and a length of dental floss spanning the bow. A movable element is provided which can cause a portion of the floss holder to move and tighten the strand of floss and thus momentarily reduce slack in the floss. The invention further includes methods for manufacturing floss holders with slack in the floss, and for manufacturing floss holders with operable components for momentarily reducing slack which was designed into a flosser or which developed in the flosser due to stretching of the floss. The floss holder designs vary to include multiple bows on a single device, and to reduce the slack by moving selected parts of the bow.

Abstract: In order to examine an object with radiation and measure the intensity of radiation used to illuminate the object, radiation is directed onto a wavelength selective mirror (31). In a first position, the mirror (31) reflects the illuminating radiation to a beam splitter (30) which passes the radiation to a detector (34). In a second position the mirror (31) directs the radiation to an object (33), radiation of the selected wavelength emanating from the object being reflected by the mirror via beam splitter (30) to the detector (34). The mirror (31) is rotated between the first and second position. In order to classify a diamond as natural or synthetic, a first signal is derived dependent upon the intensity of ultra-violet radiation transmitted by the diamond at 254 nm, and a second signal is derived dependent upon the intensity of radiation transmitted by the diamond at 365 nm and the diamond is classified as being definitely natural if the first signal is substantially greater than the second signal.

Abstract: Digital information error correcting apparatus for the correction of single errors (SEC), the detection of double errors (DED) and multiple single byte errors (SBD) and the correction of an odd number of single byte errors (ODDSBC) comprising a syndrome generator with generation matrices constituted by the juxtaposition of a plurality of non-zero and distinct submatrices having b rows and r columns where b is the number of bits per byte and r (r.gtoreq.b+2) is the number of syndrome and error check bits, each constituted by an identity submatrix Ib having b rows and columns, vertically aligned over a matrix H having r-b rows and b columns formed by an even number .gtoreq.2 of rows of all 1 elements and the remaining rows being all 0 elements.

Abstract: A system for scanning a room to find the location of target devices, and then locking onto them with stationary directed beams for two-way communication. In one embodiment, a base system in each room comprises an IR source/receiver combination plus an LCD display panel which covers the source/receiver and is addressed in such a way as to open up dynamic apertures through which IR radiation in a scanning mode can be directed toward any particular location in the room. When a device at that location senses that it is being irradiated by the base station, the targeted device responds by emitting a coded packet of IR pulses. This system takes advantage of the higher bandwidth communication that can be obtained with point-to-point communications, while still allowing for multiple devices at arbitrary locations in the same room.

Abstract: A toy oven has a heating compartment accessible through an aperture in a front wall of a housing of the oven. A door is provided which is manually movable to close off the aperture. IN one embodiment, the door is slidably mounted and in another embodiment it is pivotally mounted. A mechanical interlock engages the door to prevent it from opening if the electrical power switch is on. Another mechanical interlock prevents the door from opening when the heating compartment is at a high temperature. The oven is thus safe to use by children in normal play. A fan may be provided to cool the heating compartment when the power switch is turned off and is thereafter automatically turned off after a predetermined time or when the temperature in the heating compartment falls to a safe level. A timer may also be provided to automatically switch power off after a predetermined time of inactivity.

Abstract: An image decoding and recognition system and method comprising a fast heuristic algorithm using hidden Markov models (HMM). The new search algorithm, called an "iterative complete path" (ICP) algorithm, patterned after well-known branch-and-bound (B&B) methods, significantly reduces the complexity and improves the speed of HMM image decoding without sacrificing the optimality of the straightforward procedure. An advantageous form of the heuristic functions which is useful in applying the ICP algorithm to text-like images is described. The ICP algorithm is directly applicable to the separable type of finite-state source models. Also disclosed is a technique for transforming more general source models into such a separable form.

Abstract: An automatically-actuated sealing device is disclosed which seals a gap between a door bottom (or edge) and a surface defining part of an opening through which weather, dust, insects, etc. may otherwise pass. The sealing device includes a support element attachable to the door bottom, a seal actuating element movably supported by the support element, a sealing element moved by the seal actuating element into a sealing position, and a plurality of metal, plastic or metal and plastic spring elements which couple the seal actuating element to the support element and urge the seal actuating element to seal the gap. The sealing devices operate by coupling the device to the opening defining surface so that opening and closing of the door generates movement of the seal actuating element. A projection on the seal actuating element is engaged by the door jamb or a bearing element attached to the jamb, and is laterally moved in response to opening and closing the door.

Abstract: A computerized multilingual translation dictionary includes a set of word and phrases for each of the languages it contains, plus a mapping that indicates for each word or phrase in one language what the corresponding translations in the other languages are. The set of words and phrases for each language are divided up among corresponding concept groups based on an abstract pivot language. The words and phrases are encoded as token numbers assigned by a word-number mapper laid out in sequence that can be searched fairly rapidly with a simple linear scan. The complex associations of words and phrases to particular pivot language senses are represented by including a list of pivot-language sense numbers with each word or phrase. The preferred coding of these sense numbers is by means of a bit vector for each word, where each bit corresponds to a particular pivot element in the abstract language, and the bit is ON if the given word is a translation of that pivot element.

Abstract: Connecting module for an orthodontic treatment device, consisting of a flat housing with a bow resiliently latched thereto for the attachment to a head harness and a flat fastening band for the attachment to a face bow, the one end of which comprising a flat slide bar section, projecting through an opening in the housing into same, and being held there by means of a helical pressure spring which is located between the free end of the bar slide section and an abutment in the housing, the outer diameter of the helical pressure spring being larger than the thickness of the slide bar section, which may be partially pulled out of the housing against the bias of the helical pressure spring. The slide bar section has an opening extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, with the helical pressure spring being disposed between the axial ends thereof.

Abstract: An inflatable racing car is formed of a plurality of separate air chambers which are combined in fixed relationship to each other to form the vehicle which is suitable as a display or toy or sculptural work of art. For each left/right wheel-set there is a cylindrical air chamber terminating at each end in the form of a tire. A third air chamber is formed somewhat like a partially flattened egg which represents the passenger compartment situated above and between the two wheel-sets. A fourth inflatable chamber is the remainder of the car body which generally encompasses the wheel-sets and supports the passenger compartment. Within the car body are numerous webs formed as flat sheets of plastic positioned transversely with respect to various outside walls so that when the body is inflated these webs prevent these opposite walls from extending excessively outward and leading to an improper shape. The four air chambers cooperate to provide strength, realism and economy of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition based on hydrated lipidic lamelar phases or on liposomes and to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical, particularly dermatological composition incorporating it. The hydrated lipidic lamelar phases or the liposomes contain at least in part a derivative of labdane, or a plant extract containing it. The invention reduces hair drop and promotes regrowth of hair and also prevents gray hair from appearing and provides a treatment for gray hair.