Abstract: This invention comprises a method and system for displaying free-space, full color, high-resolution video or still images while simultaneously enabling the user to have real-time direct interaction with the visual images. The system comprises a self-generating means for creating a dynamic, non-solid particle cloud by ejecting atomized condensate present in the surrounding air, in a controlled fashion, into an invisible particle cloud. A projection system consisting of an image generating means and projection optics, projects an image onto the particle cloud. Any physical intrusion, occurring spatially within the image region, is captured by a detection system and the intrusion information is used to enable real-time user interaction in updating the image. This input/output (I/O) interface provides a display and computer link, permitting the user to select, translate and manipulate free-space floating visual information beyond the physical constraints of the device creating the image.

Abstract: A medical device transportation unit comprising an upper compartment, a center compartment and a lower compartment, all said compartments having a front panel, a rear panel and two opposite side panels, a grated shelf between said upper compartment and said center compartment, a grated shelf between said center compartment and said lower compartment, the front panel of said upper compartment, the front panel of said lower compartment and all four panels of said center compartment being removably attached.

Abstract: A method for modifying an audio visual recording originally produced with an original audio track of an original speaker, using a second audio dub track of a second speaker, comprising analyzing the original audio track to convert it into a continuous time coded facial and acoustic symbol stream to identify corresponding visual facial motions of the original speaker to create continuous data sets of facial motion corresponding to speech utterance states and transformations, storing these continuous data sets in a database, analyzing the second audio dub track to convert it to a continuous tune coded facial and acoustic symbol stream, using the second audio dub track's continuous time coded facial and acoustic symbol stream to animate the original speaker's face, synchronized to the second audio dub track to create natural continuous facial speech expression by the original speaker of the second dub audio track.

Abstract: A dental oral appliance for use with patients who suffer with sleep disorders, to reduce or eliminate snoring and to open the airway for a sleeping individual who suffers with obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance covers the inside (lingual) of the upper teeth and has an open palate. Retention for the appliance is provided by clasps placed over the upper right and left molars and a retainer in the anterior area from cuspid to cuspid. Over the upper central incisors is a raised strip that extends from the incisal tip (biting edge) of the central incisors toward the lingual. It extends back from the middle of the central incisors, where they meet or touch each other, to the middle of the palate. This raised anterior area is to separate the posterior teeth to reduce spasm on the temporalis muscle. There is a transverse strip that extends from the inside (lingual) of the upper right molars to the inside of the upper left molars which covers the tongue, holding it down, opening the airway.

Abstract: A system for measuring the eye comprising a light source 10 which sends a narrow collimated beam of light 12, to reflect from a beam splitter 14. The beam of light 12 enters the eye 16 through the pupil 17 where it is focused to a point 20 on the retina 18. The light 12 is reflected from the retina 18 where it passes through a series of relay lenses 22, 24. The light then passes through one or more reticles 26, 28. A CCD camera 30 records the shadow pattern formed by reticles 26, 28. The shadow pattern is digitized into a computer and algorithms are created to calculate the distortions. As a result of the above steps being performed, the refractive power of the eye can be measured at many points, simultaneously.

Abstract: A yoga mat that is able to be rolled up tightly and then held closed by two straps being wrapped around the rolled up mat. The straps are part of the piece of mat material from which the mat is manufactured and are made by cutting sections from the end of the mat, thereby leaving one end of each strap as part of the original material. A shoulder strap is attached, between the two straps, so that the mat can be carried over the shoulder with both hands and arms free.

Abstract: Prism Lantern with a pair of concentric glass cylinders, the first the cylinder being approximately three and one half inches in diameter and eight and one half inches tall, the second the cylinder being approximately three and three eighths inches in diameter and eight and one half inches tall, the cylinders fastened at their bottom surfaces to a base plate so that there is a concentric air space between the first cylinder and the second cylinder, a sheet of plastic material having a plurality of molded in prisms is placed in between the outer wall of said first cylinder and the inner wall of said second cylinder, and a closure ring enclosing the top of said concentric cylinders. Said plastic prism material creates a unique multi colored star burst pattern when viewed by an onlooker.

Abstract: A process comprising taking a plurality of wire rods, laying them out together, side-by-side, ganging them together with a strapping means to form a flat, rectangular shaped array or panel, placing the array into a metal forming press and bending one end of all of the rods together, uniformly and simultaneously. The bound array can then be rotated 180 degrees, if desired, and the other end of the panel inserted to bend that end of all the rods, uniformly and simultaneously.

Abstract: A system for conducting queries from any document displayed on any computer device, comprising the creation of more focused “brilliant queries” by conducting a statistical frequency analysis of the word occurrence in the document to determine both the primary subject matter (the hook) of the corpus and the keywords in the corpus, using editorial judgment or filtering of the keyword list to determine the most important keywords, application and tuning of the keyword set to target particular databases and adding the suggested hook/keyword combinations to the document for use by the computer user in selecting queries.

Abstract: A portable basketball return apparatus adapted to be attached to a rim attached to a backboard by a bracket, comprising, a holding clamp for attachment of the apparatus to the bracket, a spine attached to said holding clamp, a return panel attached to said spine, said holding clamp comprising an upper plate and a lower plate adapted to fit over said bracket, a screw passing through said lower plate, pole means to lift the apparatus, from the ground onto the bracket and to rotate the screw to tighten the holding clamp onto the bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable sliding door and window track rod comprising an elongated hollow rod into which a dowel fits telescopically, the dowel having a plurality of alternating slots and raised teeth, a locking pin, which frictionally fits into the hollow tube, and has a central bore through which passes the dowel. A locking clip fits over the locking pin and engages the teeth of the dowel, locking the dowel from moving into or out of the hollow rod, fixing the length of the track rod.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method and apparatus for displaying full color, high resolution dynamically generated real images and allowing the user to have direct interaction with the image. This input/output device provides an intuitive computer/video interface that permits the operator to grab, translate and manipulate a real image. The apparatus comprises a pair of coaxially positioned parabolic mirrors and a video imaging device allowing for 360 degree viewing. The real image, that appears floating within the opening of a viewport, is completely interactive by means of a detection system that tracks the operator, allowing the user to place his/her hand or finger through the image and engage it. Applications for this device are wide ranging, and include, for example, computer-aided design (CAD) and the entertainment/gaming industry by abandoning the conventional keyboard and mouse and allowing the user to have direct contact with the image.

Abstract: An inflation needle storage rack comprising one or more elongated members each having two or more cross-members, each of the cross-members having a slotted hole or a hole adapted to hold one inflation needle. The elongated bases have a double-sided adhesive attached to the rear thereof, so that the outer side of the adhesive may be attached to any convenient surface determined by the user, such as a wall, gym bag, pump, or other location, to prevent loss of the inflation needles. In the alternative, the elongated member has a hole therein to pass a chain or string to hang the unit on a nail, key ring, gym bag handle, air pump handle, or other location.

Abstract: Applicant's invention comprises adding to a standard ceiling fan assembly an illumination to decorate the fan, comprising an array of light emitting diodes, together with means to adjust the color and array of the light emitting diodes in order to vary the the color or layout of the illumination. Another embodiment of the illumination of the ceiling fan is to provide a message display unit as a part of the fan, circling the fan, in which any message can be displayed.

Abstract: This invention comprises a parked vehicle shade device called an auto sun buffer zone, which provides a buffer zone to keep the vehicle cool when parked outdoors under the sun. The shade device covers the top, front windshield, rear window, side windows, trunk and hood (all the upper surfaces) of the vehicle. A space (buffer zone) is provided between the top of the vehicle and the shade device, which provides a zone through which air can pass, which is more effective in cooling. The shade device provides protection to occupants in a parked vehicle sitting in the sun, and to the interior and exterior of an unoccupied vehicle.

Abstract: A length of material, such as woven polyethylene, woven polypropylene, burlap, or other woven material, divided into a series of two or more substantially equal sized sections. Every other section is filled with sand, or other material. When the length of material is put in place, each row alternating a filled section and an unfilled section, a very secure, interlocking, substantially water-tight structure is formed which is much more effective in preventing the flow of water, mud or silt. Because each section is substantially square, the sections can be stacked in a parallel or transverse direction, to effect a wider and stronger structure which is substantially impervious to the flow of water, mud or silt.

Abstract: A damper for an air turbine mounted on the roof of a house, or other structure, comprising a tube adapted to fit into the opening below the turbine, a cover hingedly attached to the tube, a cable attached to the cover adapted to be pulled out to close the cover or pushed in to open the cover. The damper is attached to the turbine by clips which attach to a flange of the turbine or by brackets affixed to the roof.

Abstract: A ballistically deployable cover for an object, such as vehicle, comprising a light weight fabric, having a plurality of weights affixed thereto, generally evenly spaced around the perimeter of the fabric, each of said weights comprising an outer pouch, a layer of padding within said pouch and ballast material within said padding.

Abstract: A grommet adapted to be placed through an aperture in a work surface, such as a desk. A lip, with a diameter larger than the aperture in the work surface, is located at the top of the housing, or body of the grommet, so that the lip rests over the aperture in the desk while the housing of the grommet passes through the aperture, so that the great majority of the grommet lies below the surface of the work surface. The grommet contains a plurality of electrical plugs and/or a plurality of data modular couplers for communication terminals so that power and communications wires may be passed over the lip of the grommet and down into the housing to be connected inside of the grommet. The grommet has a power wire connected near the base of the grommet, for connection to a power source, such as a wall plug. Communication and data wires connect to a communication source, such as a telephone plug.