Abstract: A sequence of low force, high compliance, long extension, piezofilm-based sensors for a biofeedback system for self-monitoring of selected body motions. Flexible, large area, piezofim sensors are mounted on compliant but less flexible, larger area, backbone structures so as to distribute localized stress anomolies and produce a useful, coherent, signal voltage for realtime body motion monitoring. The sensors are used in combination with body appliances that permit suitable placement of the sensors proximate the body, in areas suitable for measuring body motion, such as twist, stretch and flexure. The sensors provide input signals to a small, self contained signal processing and feedback module that generates a limited sequence of stepped announcements indicating the amount of motion detected. Instant feedback is provided to the user in the form of audible tones, colored lights, or other means intended to provide periphery feedback without directly interferring with the intended motion.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a dispenser that is a teaching tool and uses audio and visual means to promote compliance with proper washing techniques. A detection means is used to commence a time interval, and washing instructions are used to communicate with the user as an instructional tool in washing. There is a feedback response during the washing cycle to walk the user through the washing cycle and provide progress indicators during the cycle. A usage indicator tracks the number of usages as part of a management tool of assessing overall employee performance.

Abstract: A biofeedback system for self-monitoring of selected body motions includes configurable mounting appliances, compatible twist, stretch and flexure sensors, coded means for positioning and orienting sensors at any location of the body, and a small, self contained signal processing and feedback module. Multi-level instant audible feedback is employed to provide a quick learning environment. The motion sensors include low force, high compliance, long extension sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring key components of body movement and flexure during kinetic activities, and providing intuitive, audible, real time biofeedback to the user. The system uses one or more transducers of types that are directionally sensitive to motion, distance, velocity, and the like, or sensitive to flexure of body joints, at frequencies and magnitudes consistent with human physical activities. Universal appliances aid in the ready emplacement of transducers at user selected points on the body, with user selected orientation. Transducers are connected by wires or wireless means to a small, battery powered signal processor and biofeedback module worn by the user. Individual or integrated transducer outputs are processed to obtain the selected parameter, such as speed of rotation or degree of flexure, and measured against a multistep scale of preferably 3 to 5 steps calibrated to the range of interest and separated by perceptible difference in value.

Abstract: A training system for monitoring kinetic activities of an individual uses one or more transducers that are highly directionally sensitive to detect certain characteristics of a user's activity, such as motion, direction of motion, distance, velocity, and the like. The sensors have a housing which includes an acceleration-responsive transducer and circuitry responsive to output signals from the transducer to provide an indication to the user of certain characteristics of the activity. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor has a pointer indicating the direction of maximum sensitivity of the transducer, so that the user can orient it to preferentially detect motion in certain directions. The output signal supplied to the user preferably comprises a tone having one of several discrete frequencies corresponding to discrete range intervals of the transducer output.

Abstract: A head tending apparatus for an ink jet printing system with at least one ink jet being disclosed. The apparatus includes a solvent supply system for spraying solvent on the faces of the ink jets and in the jet openings and a brush for scrubbing the ink jet faces during and immediately after the spraying process. Solvent vapors enter the jets and deprime the jets so that the ink remaining in the jets drains out of the jets back to the ink reservoir allowing solvent vapors to penetrate the jets to the reservoir. Resultantly, when the jets are next primed with ink, the jets are substantially free of air bubbles. Head tending is normally performed when the printer is shut down, or prior to the priming of the ink jets.

Abstract: A color reproduction controller accesses corrected color values for driving an output color reproduction device by forming, for each color value of each pixel to be reproduced, a data pointer comprising a first word portion of a first color value and second and third word portions of second and third color values, the second and third word portions being smaller than the first word portion. The resultant words are smaller than those of the combined length of the color values from which they are formed and result in significantly smaller memory space.

Abstract: A head tending apparatus for an ink jet printing system with at least one ink jet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a solvent supply system for spraying solvent on the faces of the ink jets and in the jet openings. The apparatus also has a brush for scrubbing the ink jet faces during and immediately after the spraying process. The solvent loosens and dissolves any solid matter that may have formed on the jet faces or in the jet openings and also deprimes any ink remaining in the jets when the printer is shut down; the brush cleans the loosened matter off the jet faces. If the printer has a rotating image insert assembly with the ink jets thereon, the brush and a solvent jet are mounted to a shell adjacent the ink jets. The brush includes a bristle-free section that is normally adjacent the image insert assembly and spaced away therefrom when the head tending appartaus is deactivated; this prevents the apparatus from interfering with the normal operation of the printer.

Abstract: An ink curing apparatus for use with an ink jet printer that discharges liquefied ink is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shell assembly disposed around the portion of the printer imaging assembly that includes the ink jets. The imaging assembly and the shell wall are shaped so that a first cavity is formed between the imaging assembly and the paper printed on, and a second cavity is formed between the paper and the shell wall. A pair of fans are arranged to draw air currents over both sides of the portion of the paper that is being printed on. The air currents cool the paper so the ink solidifies upon contact with the paper and does not soak through it. The air currents also insure that the ink solidifies at a uniform rate regardless where it is applied on the paper. This insures the final image on the paper has a uniform appearance.

Abstract: An ink jet priming system for an ink jet printer having a reservoir containing ink for ink jets connected thereto and a reservoir opening for receiving ink is described. The ink jet priming system is provided with a seal for selectively closing the reservoir opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the reservoir from a tank connected thereto through an opening in the seal. The flow of air to the reservoir is controlled so that there is an initial low pressure air flow to force ink into the jets followed by a high pressure flow to force the discharge of the streaming discharge of the ink. A gutter assembly, connected to a disposable waste container is provided for receiving and collecting the ink discharged during the priming process. The ink jet priming system can be used with a moving print head that contains two or more separate reservoirs each with a separate reservoir opening.

Abstract: An ink jet ink formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate start-up problems when an ink jet apparatus is initially discharged. The ink comprises at least two fluid components. The components have been matched to provide an ink that substantially maintains its initial formulation despite evaporation of the components.

Abstract: An ink jet ink formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate start-up problems when an ink jet apparatus is initially discharged. The ink comprises at least two fluid components. The components have been matched to provide an ink that substantially maintains its initial formulation despite evaporation of the components.

Abstract: A rotatable disc type printer for use in conjunction with a typewriter having a movable carrier. The type element or characters are carried on radially extending petals and are arranged at varying distances from the center of disc rotation so as to define a circumferential spiral path. The angular placement or position of each petal or spoke is determined by the following formula: angular placement of i.sup.th petal=360.degree./n .+-. tan .sup.-1 id/nL where n defines the total number of petals, d is the character spacing and L is the minimum distance from the center of disc to the print point. The length or distance from the center of disc rotation to the type character or element is defined by: L.sub.i (length for i.sup.th element=.sqroot.i L.sup.2 +(i/nd).sup.2 where i/nd ids the linear distance of travel of the disc center while rotating from a home position to the position for printing the character carried by the i.sup.th petal.