Abstract: The control panel and display of a cart-borne ultrasound system are support by a lift which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. The pivot elbows allow the control panel and display to be turned and rotated. A pair of hydraulic struts are mounted to the four-bar linkage to support the weight of the control panel and display. When a control button on the handle of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Abstract: The control panel and display of a cart-borne ultrasound system are support by a lift which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. The pivot elbows allow the control panel and display to be turned and rotated. A pair of hydraulic struts are mounted to the four-bar linkage to support the weight of the control panel and display. When a control button on the handle of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Abstract: The control panel and display of a cart-borne ultrasound system are support by a lift which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. The pivot elbows allow the control panel and display to be turned and rotated. A pair of hydraulic struts are mounted to the four-bar linkage to support the weight of the control panel and display. When a control button on the handle of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Abstract: The control panel and display of a cart-borne ultrasound system are support by a lift which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. The pivot elbows allow the control panel and display to be turned and rotated. A pair of hydraulic struts are mounted to the four-bar linkage to support the weight of the control panel and display. When a control button on the handle of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Abstract: The control panel (14) and display (16) of a cart-borne ultrasound system (10) are support by a lift (30) which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow (70) mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow (70) on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. When a control button (26) on the handle (24) of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Abstract: The control panel (14) and display (16) of a cart-borne ultrasound system (10) are support by a lift (30) which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow (70) mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow (70) on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. When a control button (26) on the handle (24) of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Abstract: A system for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a shade fabric varies roller tube rotational speed for constant linear shade speed. The desired linear shade speed, roller tube diameter and shade fabric thickness and length are stored in a memory for use by a microprocessor. Preferably, the roller tube rotational speed is varied by the microprocessor depending on shade position determined by signals from Hall effect sensors. The microprocessor maintains a counter number that is increased or decreased depending on direction of rotation. Based on the counter number, the microprocessor determines shade position and a corrected rotational speed for the desired linear shade speed. Preferably, the microprocessor controls roller tube rotational speed using a pulse width modulated signal. The system may be used to control first and second roller shades having roller tubes of differing diameters or shade fabrics of varying thicknesses.

Abstract: A system for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a shade fabric varies roller tube rotational speed for constant linear shade speed. The desired linear shade speed, roller tube diameter and shade fabric thickness and length are stored in a memory for use by a microprocessor. Preferably, the roller tube rotational speed is varied by the microprocessor depending on shade position determined by signals from Hall effect sensors. The microprocessor maintains a counter number that is increased or decreased depending on direction of rotation. Based on the counter number, the microprocessor determines shade position and a corrected rotational speed for the desired linear shade speed. Preferably, the microprocessor controls roller tube rotational speed using a pulse width modulated signal. The system may be used to control first and second roller shades having roller tubes of differing diameters or shade fabrics of varying thicknesses.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: A dimmer circuit for providing AC power from an AC voltage source to an inductive lighting load disposed in series with the dimmer circuit, comprising: a bidirectional semiconductor switch having at least one control electrode provided with a control signal for controlling the amount of power provided to the load, the switch in normal operation being able to be controlled to block voltage in first and second opposite polarity half-cycles of the AC voltage source but in a failure mode being able to block the AC voltage source in only one polarity half-cycle of the AC voltage source and not being able to block the AC voltage source in the second opposite polarity half-cycle; a controller for the switch for determining if said failure mode of the switch occurs which can cause an asymmetry between the half-cycles delivered to the load and thus a DC voltage component to be delivered to the load; a power supply for supplying power to the controller and provided with power across the dimmer circuit; the controller c

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. As a result of locating these devices beneath these stations, the desired movement of the carriers can be achieved without increasing the footprint of the station. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, a complete set of assemblies is provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. This set of assemblies accomplishes this movement in a completely automated, high speed, mass production basis. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: A motorized shade control system includes electronic drive units (EDUs) having programmable control units directing a motor to move an associated shade in response to command signals directed to the control units from wall-mounted keypad controllers or from alternate devices or control systems connected to a contact closure interface (CCI). Each of the EDUs, keypad controllers and CCIs of the system is connected to a common communication bus. The system provides for initiation of soft addressing of the system components from any keypad controller, CCI or EDU. The system also provides for setting of EDU limit positions and assignment of EDUs to keypad controllers from the keypad controllers or CCIs. The system may also include infrared receivers for receiving infrared command signals from an infrared transmitter.

Abstract: A system for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a shade fabric varies roller tube rotational speed for constant linear shade speed. The desired linear shade speed, roller tube diameter and shade fabric thickness and length are stored in a memory for use by a microprocessor. Preferably, the roller tube rotational speed is varied by the microprocessor depending on shade position determined by signals from Hall effect sensors. The microprocessor maintains a counter number that is increased or decreased depending on direction of rotation. Based on the counter number, the microprocessor determines shade position and a corrected rotational speed for the desired linear shade speed. Preferably, the microprocessor controls roller tube rotational speed using a pulse width modulated signal. The system may be used to control first and second roller shades having roller tubes of differing diameters or shade fabrics of varying thicknesses.

Abstract: A convertible financial instrument provides incentives to holders to keep the instruments outstanding so that issuers maintain flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. The instrument may provide issuers with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument. The instrument may contain a provision calling for contingent payments (which may include, for example, contingent interest, preferred distributions, contingent principal, dividends, and other pay-outs) to the holder in some circumstances, which may be based on formulae calculations. For example, this may occur when the trading value of the convertible instrument exceeds a predetermined value such as, for example, a certain percentage of the accreted value of the convertible instrument, or, for example, another circumstance that may trigger a contingent payment may be when the price of another financial instrument (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a wet object, such as a contact lens comprising a probe having a passage for at least one vacuum source, and a tip at one end of the probe for receiving the wet object, the tip comprising at least one aperature, the aperature being in communication with the passage; and the passage having at least one relief hole to provide for gas flow into the passage when the wet object is present over the aperature on said tip. A cleaning apparatus and method for a transfer apparatus for a wet object, comprising means for directing at least one source of fluid at said transfer apparatus at a location on said transfer apparatus above the expected location of a wet object on the transfer apparatus. A transfer apparatus for a wet object comprising a probe, means for receiving on said probe said wet object from a first station, and means for aligning said transfer apparatus with said first station to prevent damage to said wet object.

Abstract: In a soft contact lens manufacturing process, an injection molding machine (IMM) produces many thermoplastic injection molded front curve (FC) and back curve (BC) mold parts, each of which mold parts is subsequently used only once to mold a single soft contact lens. An inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes provide for the precise transfer to and alignment of the FC and BC molds in pallets during their transfer from the IMM to pallets on an assembly line in a high speed automated commercial production operation. A rotatable FC transfer arm and a rotatable BC transfer arm transfer the FC and BC molds from the IMM machine to the pallets in an inlay station. The precisely aligned transfer is provided by two alignment rods of an alignment assembly which pass through two alignment apertures in the pallet and then pass through two alignment apertures in one of the FC or BC alignment arms.

Abstract: The invention relates to the inspection of ophthalmic lenses, using at least two different machine vision inspection techniques in the manufacturing process for said ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: This invention provides an arrangement for moving an item from a first station to a transfer tube comprising a transfer tube, a transfer arm for placement of the item on the transfer tube, and alignment means for aligning the item with the transfer tube.