Abstract: Locating the physical placement location of a plurality of brackets on a patient's study cast includes obtaining an array of data points from a study cast and generating a virtual model of a dental impression from the array of scanned data points, Individual teeth from the dental impression can be manually severed or “cut” and manually dragged from a start position to a finished position to determine a treatment plan. The orthodontist virtually marks the position on the virtual model where a physical bracket is desired. A marking device physically marks a physical model with the corresponding bracket locations. The physical model can serve as a template or guide to locate brackets for an indirect bonding style tray.

Abstract: An apparatus and method perform static timing analysis on an integrated circuit design. Certain pessimistic assumptions regarding slack when data launch and clock test signals are on opposite edges and derived from common logic blocks are improved by allowing the designer to identify common logic blocks, to compute the difference between maximum and minimum delays in the common logic blocks, and to improve the slack using this computed difference and a correction factor, thereby accounting for excessive pessimism in the static timing analysis that results from the common logic blocks. The apparatus and method give credit for slack in common blocks automatically, thereby allowing a large number of pessimistic slack values to be automatically corrected and reducing the workload of an integrated circuit designer in addressing the timing problems in an integrated circuit design.

Abstract: The method and apparatus provides a system for automatically determining the location of individual teeth within an electronic model image of a patients mouth. The electronic model image allows for manipulation of the electronic model image by end users. Possible horizontal cut lines are determined within a horizontal plane cut through the electronic model image corresponding to possible separation lines between the teeth. Possible vertical cut lines are then determined within a vertical plane cut through the electronic model image corresponding to possible separation lines between teeth. The system then automatically determines the locations of individual teeth using the possible horizontal cut lines and the possible vertical cut lines.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method perform static timing analysis on an integrated circuit design. Certain pessimistic assumptions regarding slack when data launch and clock test signals are on opposite edges and derived from common logic blocks are improved by creating a dummy clock edge that is on the same edge as the data launch signal, and allowing the timing tool to compute the slack improvement using its native functions. The slack improvement is then multiplied by a conversion factor, and the result is used to adjust the slack. The apparatus and method give credit for slack in common blocks automatically, thereby allowing a large number of pessimistic slack values to be automatically corrected and reducing the workload of an integrated circuit designer in addressing the timing problems in an integrated circuit design.

Abstract: A tamper proof seal for egg cartons that is particularly suitable for transparent egg cartons is described The seal is typically located on the side rims of the tray and lid. The seal is comprised of first contact area on the tray rim and a second contact area on the lid rim. The first and second contact areas are mechanically engaged or bonded together to form a sealed area between the lid and the tray that prevents the lid from being opened from the tray. A tear-away section on the tray and lid rim surrounds the sealed area. The tear-away section allows the sealed area to be easily removed from the egg carton by tearing-away the sealed area from the rim thereby allowing the egg carton to be opened.

Abstract: A flexible inflatable hinge includes curable resin for rigidly positioning panels of solar cells about the hinge in which wrap around contacts and flex circuits are disposed for routing power from the solar cells to the power bus further used for grounding the hinge. An indium tin oxide and magnesium fluoride coating is used to prevent static discharge while being transparent to ultraviolet light that cures the embedded resin after deployment for rigidizing the inflatable hinge.

Abstract: A wrap around contact is disposed on the edge of a solar cell panel for providing electrical connections between a thin film solar cell contact and electrical conductors in a flex circuit for routing electrical energy produced by the solar cells to a power bus. The wrap around contact wraps around an edge of a solar cell on top of which is the solar cell contact. Under the solar cell, power bus conductor traces are laser welded to the wrap around contract so as to connect the flex circuit power bus to the silver contact of the thin film solar cell.

Abstract: An imaging and marking method and system for locating the physical placement location of a plurality of brackets on a patient's study cast is disclosed. The system includes a three-dimensional scanner; a computer including a processor, memory associated with the processor, one or more input devices, and a video display unit; and a marking device. The scanner gathers an array of data points from the study cast. The computer generates a virtual model of the teeth from the array of scanned data points. Each tooth that is desired to be moved by the orthodontist (i.e., in an orthodontic treatment plan) may be manually severed or “cut” from the other portions of the virtual model and manually dragged with a computer input device by the orthodontist from a starting position (e.g., that position where the tooth originally begins) to a finished position (e.g., the position that the tooth will be physically located at the end of the treatment plan).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a process for generating an electronic model image constructed using polygons to represent the surface of an object. The process scans an object to generate a plurality of surface points in a common coordinate system and generates a initial polygon representation for the object surface by connecting surface points to nearest neighbors.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a

Abstract: An imaging and marking method and system for locating the physical placement location of a plurality of brackets on a patient's study cast is disclosed. The system includes a three-dimensional scanner; a computer including a processor, memory associated with the processor, one or more input devices, and a video display unit; and a marking device. The scanner gathers an array of data points from the study cast. The computer generates a virtual model of the teeth from the array of scanned data points. Each tooth that is desired to be moved by the orthodontist (i.e., in an orthodontic treatment plan) may be manually severed or “cut” from the other portions of the virtual model and manually dragged with a computer input device by the orthodontist from a starting position (e.g., that position where the tooth originally begins) to a finished position (e.g., the position that the tooth will be physically located at the end of the treatment plan).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically simulating jaw function within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.

Abstract: ABSTRACT A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.

Abstract: A rotary cutting mechanism includes a holder and a fixture that cooperate to hold an article therebetween. A cavity is formed in the body of the fixture. A blade is rotatably mounted in the fixture cavity. The blade rotates between a first position in which the cutting edge of the blade is not operative to cut the article, and a second position in which the cutting edge is operative to cut the opening in the article. In another embodiment, the rotary cutting mechanism includes a fixture having a cavity formed in the fixture body, and a holding mechanism that holds the article on the fixture. A blade is rotatably mounted in the fixture cavity to cut the opening in the article.

Abstract: A method for cutting openings in a sheet of thermoformed containers. The sheet of containers is indexed into a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a shear plate having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, and having an upper surface which defines a cutting plane. A locating means including a plurality of anvils is raised so that the anvils enter the containers and raise the sheet toward the shear plate. The end portions of the containers are located within the openings of the shear plate, and a portion of the containers is positioned in the cutting plane. The cutting assembly includes a blade mounted on piston/cylinder assembly for sliding movement along the upper surface of the shear plate. The cylinder is actuated to move the blade along the cutting plane. The blade cuts off the portion of the containers and creates an opening in the containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cylindrical fuel cell comprising: providing an anode comprising a substantially solid cylindrical porous conductive matrix, said anode having an anode outer surface; intimately contacting a first proton exchange catalyst with said anode; conforming around and in intimate contact with said anode outer surface an inner polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a membrane outer surface and a membrane inner surface, wherein said membrane inner surface defines a tubular compartment and ionically communicates with said first proton exchange catalyst; providing a source of hydrogen gas in fluid communication with said first proton exchange catalyst; and, disposing around and in ionic communication with said membrane outer surface a cathode comprising a catalytically effective amount of a second proton exchange catalyst.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring characteristics of a piece of material, typically semiconductor materials including photovoltaic devices. The characteristics may include dislocation defect density, grain boundaries, reflectance, external LBIC, internal LBIC, and minority carrier diffusion length. The apparatus includes a light source, an integrating sphere, and a detector communicating with a computer. The measurement or calculation of the characteristics is calibrated to provide accurate, absolute values. The calibration is performed by substituting a standard sample for the piece of material, the sample having a known quantity of one or more of the relevant characteristics. The quantity measured by the system of the relevant characteristic is compared to the known quantity and a calibration constant is created thereby.