Abstract: Electrical feedthroughs in printed circuit board support substrates for use in making double sided ceramic multilayer printed circuit boards are made by insulating the feedthrough openings with a first layer of nickel oxide and one or more layers of glass, and then filling the remainder of the feedthroughs with a conductive metal via fill ink. After firing, the resultant structure provides insulated electrical feedthroughs through the support substrate.

Abstract: A recording device is disclosed which in a preferred embodiment comprises a recording head comprising at least one chamber having an orifice therein, at least a portion of the chamber comprising an electret transducer; a recording medium for supplying recording medium from a reservoir to the chamber, and for a voltage pulse source and electrode applying a voltage pulse to the electret to deform the electret to change the volume of the chamber and eject a quantity of recording medium from the chamber through the orifice. The invention and device is further useful in manufacturing high density printheads, operable with multiple recording mediums to print recording medium on a recording surface.

Abstract: An automated balloon inflation device which has a supply of pressurized gas, a nozzle for receiving a balloon, and an actuator for sequentially closing a clamp on the balloon and the nozzle and subsequently supplying the pressurized gas to the balloon for the inflation thereof. Furthermore, a key-weight device may be employed for the dual purpose of controlling the supply of pressurized gas to the nozzle and to prevent the inadvertent loss of an inflated balloon which is secured to the key-weight. Additionally, the automated balloon inflation device is constructed so that any consumer may inflate a balloon with pressurized gas. In another embodiment, the automated balloon inflation device employs a connection block with a series of conduits therein to interconnect the pressurized gas supply with the clamping mechanism and the nozzle. This embodiment employs a clamping mechanism which uses a piston attached to a gear wherein the gears rotate clamping jaws onto the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an instrument is provided. The device may be a cutting tool for use in surgery, or other type of device applied to transform a specific object located in a defined area. The apparatus comprises a marker having a predetermined color. The marker is applied to the specific device or tool to form a marked device. An imager generates video signals representing a color image of the defined area. A color detector processes the imager signals to detect a range of colors in the image represented by the imager signals. The range of colors includes the predetermined color. The color detector provides an output signal representing instances of signals in the detected color range. A detection mechanism processes the output signal of the color detector to provide an indication of whether the detected instances represented by the output signal conform to the marked device.

Abstract: A system for automatically generating a mosaic from a plurality of input images. The system sequentially executes an image alignment process, an editing process, and a combining process such that, from a sequence of images, the system automatically produces a seamless mosaic for various applications. Illustrative applications for the mosaic include: (1) a mosaic based display system including an image printing system, (2) a surveillance system and (3) a mosaic based compression system. The mosaic based display system permits a system user to display, manipulate and alter a mosaic. The mosaic based compression system exploits the temporal and spatial redundancy in image sequences and efficiently compresses the image information. The compression system can be used for compressing image information for storage in a storage device or can be used for compressing image information for transmission through a band-limited transmission channel.

Abstract: A cycle saddle for a female, comprising a saddle body that defines a support surface on which a female can be supported, the support surface being profiled to conform anatomically to the shape of a female's buttock and genital regions. The saddle body comprises a cushion section that is adhesively bonded to a rigid moulded plastics base section, with the cushion section having a posterior region that defines a raised laterally flared cantle, and an intermediate region and an anterior region transitioning from the posterior region to form a horn section. The anterior region is raised thereby forming together with the posterior and intermediate regions, a continuous longitudinally concave profile for snugly supporting the buttock, perineal and pubic regions of a female.

Abstract: An electroluminescent display formed on a ceramic substrate having a front ceramic surface and a back ceramic surface. The ceramic substrate includes a metal core that provides structural support, electrical ground, and heat dissipation. Electroluminescent cells are mounted on the front ceramic surface and driver circuits for driving the of electroluminescent cells are mounted on the back ceramic surface. The driver circuits are positioned directly behind said electroluminescent cells. Connectors extend through said ceramic substrate and the electroluminescent cells to different driver circuits. By positioning the driver circuits close to the EL cells, the drive lines from the drivers to the EL cells are short which allows for high refresh rates and low resistance losses. Each of the driver circuits can drive one electroluminescent cell or a group of electroluminescent cells. EL display cells coupled to a cermet electrode can also be driven by a field emission device or a low power electron beam.

Abstract: A tribo-inhaler having a container portion for electrostatically retaining a predefined dose of medicament powder, where the medicament is tribo-electrically charged; and apparatus, attached to the container portion, for extracting said medicament powder from the container portion. The container portion contains a plurality of polymeric beads that have diameters of approximately 50 to 200 microns. Each of the polymeric beads has a specific quantity of dry powder medicament electrostatically adhered to its surface. To remove the medicament from the cavity, a patient merely inhales air through the container portion. The air flow forcefully moves the beads within the container portion causing the medicament to dislodge from the beads and be carried by the air flow into the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: Methods are provided for synthesizing a plurality of compounds in parallel. The methods use cross-over channels for moving samples from a reservoir of starting materials into a plurality of wells. The movement is achieved, for example, using an electrokinetic pump.

Abstract: A paint bucket having cylindrical side walls, a bottom, has two integrally-formed inclined rolling surfaces extending upward from the bottom and inward toward the center, which meet at a peak below the top rim and form rolling surfaces. The rolling surfaces are angled inward, the side walls are angled outward and the area underneath the rolling surfaces is hollow to allow multiple paint buckets to be stacked together.

Abstract: A dual chrominance signal processor is disclosed which may be used in a combination television and video cassette recorder system, for example. Such a chrominance signal processor includes first and second modulated chrominance signal sources, and first and second demodulating carrier signal sources, corresponding to the first and second modulated chrominance signal sources, respectively. A demodulator is responsive to a chrominance signal and a demodulating carrier signal, for demodulating the chrominance signal. A signal selector is coupled between the signal sources and the demodulator, and selectively couples one of the first and second chrominance signal sources, and the corresponding one of the first and second demodulating carrier signal sources, to the demodulator in response to a selection signal.

Abstract: By combining electro-osmotic and electrohydrodynamic pumps in a microchannel, both polar and non-polar fluids can be moved along said channel. The pumps can be made from pairs of wire electrodes inserted into openings in the channel and connected to a source of a pulsed DC power. By reversing the voltages on alternate pairs of pumps, fluid flow can be reversed, thereby acting as a gate or valve. By using digital drivers, for example shift registers that can apply a signal to a switching device connected to an electrode by means of enabling and latch signals to an AND gate, control of flow in individual channels in an array of channels can be had with a high degree of integration, and provide for ready manufacturability.

Abstract: A data driver circuit for an LCD including a switching circuit for transferring a data signal from a data channel to a first data line and a second data line. Also included is a sample circuit which alternately samples the data signal from the first data line and the second data line to produce and store respectively a first and second sampling data signal during a respective first and second time period. A data driver retrieves from the sample circuit the first sample data signal during the second time period and the second sampled data signal during the first time period. Then, the data driver transfers a driving pulse corresponding to one of the first sampled data signal and the second sampled data signal to the display.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and dispensing crickets, as food, to a live reptile. A container possesses a smooth inner surface. A hollow tube, whose length exceeds the height of the container, possesses a smooth outer surface and an inner surface suitable for grasping by crickets. A top for the container has an interior aperture for accommodating the tube in a substantially-vertical attitude when inserted. A lateral aperture at the bottom of the container provides ingress for crickets into the tube while a cap at the top assures that the crickets cannot escape.

Abstract: A ladder safety apparatus (10, 60, 70, 80) stabilizes a ladder (36) residing against a structure (38) by effectively securing the upper end of the ladder (36) to the structure (38). The safety apparatus (10, 60, 70, 80) includes at least first and second side members (12, 13) that are interconnected at a transverse angle, preferably ninety degrees. An opening (22) is located in the second side member (13) for receiving and passing one of the ladder rails (39a, 39b) therethrough. The opening (22) has a first part (24) for passing the rail (39a, 39b) and a second part (26) that interconnects the first part (24) to a boundary edge (28) of the second side member (13). The second part (26) enables installation of the apparatus (10, 60, 70, 80). Optionally, one or more apertures (16) may be disposed in the first wall (12) for receiving and passing a gutter ferrule (52) or other pin-like member therethrough for further stabilization of the ladder (36).

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for electronic stabilization of a image produced by an electronic imaging device. The input may be any sequence of image frames from an image source, such as a video camera, an IR or X-ray imager, radar, or from a storage medium such as computer disk memory, video tape or a computer graphics generator. The invention can also be used with images from multiple sources when these must be stabilized with respect to one another. The invention uses a feedback loop and second image warp stage to achieve precise image alignment as part of the displacement estimation process. The output of the stabilization system is a modified image sequence in which unwanted components of image motion have been reduced or removed, or in which new motion of a desired form has been introduced.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: An improved luer lock connector having a pair of tapered engagement surfaces between the hub and one of the two components of the luer connector. The tapered engagement surfaces provide a gradual frictional engagement when tightening the hub to minimize inadvertent reverse rotation and loosening of the hub. The tubular body is also provided with a plurality of axially extending splines for engagement with a plurality of inwardly radially directed ribs on the hub to positively rotationally lock the two components when the hub is in a proximal position. A small circumferential ridge provides tactile feedback to an operator to indicate when the hub is in a positive rotationally interlocked relationship with the tubular body. The hub may be completely removed in a proximal direction from the tubular body and retracted proximally along a supply line to remove it from the connector site.

Abstract: A plurality of rechargeable batteries are provided as part of an electronic system that includes an electronic circuit which controls periodic charging of the batteries and allows selection of the output voltage over a given range. The system is preferably packaged in a shape to be easily integrated with a carrying case, such as a briefcase, and/or to physically match a specific type of portable equipment, such as a notebook computer. In one embodiment, the batteries and circuitry are included in a wrist rest structure of a type used with portable computer keyboards. In other forms, the power supply is useable with a large number of other specific items of portable electronic equipment, such as portable video and telecommunications equipment.