Abstract: A financial account that represents value is maintained on behalf of an account holder. The financial account has a plurality of account identifiers that enable a party that presents a debit account identifier to effect a debit transaction in the account, or a party that presents a general account identifier to effect both debit and credit transactions in the account. A third party is permitted to effect a credit transaction in the account by presenting a credit identifier, which is an identifier different from the debit or general account identifiers. The credit identifier is insufficient to enable a third party to effect a debit transaction in the account.

Abstract: A financial account that represents value is maintained on behalf of an account holder. The financial account has a plurality of account identifiers that enable a party that presents a debit account identifier to effect a debit transaction in the account, or a party that presents a general account identifier to effect both debit and credit transactions in the account. A third party is permitted to effect a credit transaction in the account by presenting a credit identifier, which is an identifier different from the debit or general account identifiers. The credit identifier is insufficient to enable a third party to effect a debit transaction in the account.

Abstract: A system for interfacing between a user and a computer includes a microvideo display monitor, which may be mounted in a position which is substantially fixed relative to a given eye of the user, and a video input device which obtains an image of the given eye. The video input device is maintained in a fixed spatial relationship with the microvideo display monitor. From the image of the user's eye obtained by the video input device, the location on the display on which this eye is focused may be determined. A computer which controls the generation of selected displays on the microvideo display monitor responds to the eye focus location to perform predetermined functions. A voice or speech recognition unit may also be used to provide inputs to the computer. The computer may then perform predetermined functions in response to any combination of speech, and eye location data. The system may also be used for identification of the user and to determine whether the user is impaired.

Abstract: An apparatus generates power at micro-scale dimensions that is sufficient to simulate the muscle activity required by the joints of robotic fingers. The apparatus includes a bellows device for generating a motion stimulus in response to pressure changes within the bellows. A configuration of programmable micromachined valves is used to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid within the bellows. A microprocessor is responsive to motion commands for controlling the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured as an integrated device that is coupled to the articulations of a robotic hand via suitable attachment mechanisms.

Abstract: A system for providing real-time measurements of constriction pressure applied by the inner surface of a body lumen, such as a sphincter, includes a probe comprising an elongated core member having a matrix of pressure transducer regions distributed over the surface of the elongated core member. The preferred matrix of pressure transducer regions is addressed by a first inner array of substantially parallel electrically conductive strips substantially conformed circumferentially to at least a portion of the elongated core member, the first array being disposed in overlapping relationship with a second outer array of substantially parallel electrically conductive strips, and substantially conformed axially to at least the same portion of the elongated core member, so as to provide a matrix of intersection regions.

Abstract: A data processing system and method obtains a three dimensional representation of an object with complex and unique geometry, using a sampling probe having a tip for tracing the surface of the object. Electrical signals are received which are indicative of the position of the tip of the probe. An origin is determined with reference to the object. A plurality of distances, each distance corresponding to a given direction from the origin, is stored in a device addressable by the given direction to store and to retrieve a corresponding distance. The direction and distance of the probe tip with reference to the origin in response to a received signal. The determined distance is compared to any stored distance corresponding to the determined direction. The determined distance is stored when it is less than any stored distance. The probe tip position may be displayed as a projection on a reference surface which surrounds the origin.

Abstract: A technique for modeling dental prostheses for a selected posterior tooth is provided. The technique involves selecting a standard tooth form for the tooth from a library of standard tooth forms with a corresponding digital mapping being stored for each form. The stored tooth form is then bilaterally scaled in both the buccal/lingual dimension and the mesial/distal dimension based on measured data for teeth of the patient other than the selected tooth. The stored tooth is also aligned in six dimensions with the proximal and occluding teeth, the six dimensions including angular dimensions to compensate for both the curve of Spee and the curve of Wilson. The depth position of the tooth is obtained by matching mating cusps and grooves and adjusting the tooth position to compensate for the offset and, for mandibular teeth, by adjusting or scaling the height of the buccal cusp to compensate for offsets.

Abstract: A dental surface tracer includes a probe with a tip that can be moved to trace a given dental surface, including a mounting device for mounting the tracer to a stable reference location and defining a base plane; a first plurality of links which are substantially coplanar and define a plane of movement; the links being pivotably attached to the mounting device so that the plane of movement makes a variable angle with the base plane; a distal one of the first plurality of links being movable in two dimensions within the plane of movement; circuitry for generating electrical signals representative of movements of the probe tip, as a function exclusively of movements of the first plurality of links; a dental handpiece supporting the probe; and a second plurality of links which hold the handpiece and are attached to the first plurality of links; the second plurality of links holding the probe tip at all times at a fixed location in the plane of movement with respect to the distal link of the first plurality of li