Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical boom with articulated arms and a base cabinet designed to accommodate modular equipment and utility racks that include video processing, computer, and electronic, and other utility equipment that can be easy inserted and removed from the base cabinet is disclosed. The boom includes a stationary base that is configured to be installed into an operating room and one or more boom arms supported by the stationary base and configured to extend over an operating table in the operating room. The structural base includes one or more bays configured to receive a modular rack of electrical equipment. In various embodiments, the structural base cabinet further incorporates wiring to connect the equipment installed in the modular racks to video monitors and other equipment mounted on the articulated booms. The modular racks are preconfigured with a variety of electronic equipment such as computers, video processors and the like.

Abstract: A video recording system utilizing one or more Miniature Digital Camcorders (MDC) which facilitates recording digital video of user's activity without diverting the user's attention from said activity or encumbering the user's performance of the activity. A wireless Remote Control allows controlling the start and stop function of one or more MDC units without distraction from the activity. Due to multiple MDC units responding to commands from a single Remote Control, the video captured by all such units is automatically synchronized. The video thereby created is suitable for subsequent transfer to a Personal Computer for viewing and editing.

Abstract: A portable interactive data storage device includes a disk drive, a microprocessor, a USB port, and a data storage card slot. The device also includes a small liquid crystal matrix display and a small number of user controls. The device is configured for data storage, rather than as a small general purpose computer, and preferably does not include a keyboard. The data storage card slot is configured to accept small data storage cards, such as flash memory PC cards or CompactFlash cards through a PC card adapter. The disk drive has a substantially larger capacity than the data storage cards. A user loads data onto a data storage card using a portable electronic device, such as a digital camera. The user then inserts the card into the storage device and uploads the data to the disk drive. The card can then be repeatedly reused in the digital camera by uploading the data to the storage device after each use.

Abstract: A portable content storage device is configured to hold digitally encoded video content on a disk drive. A user connects the device to a publicly located compatible interactive kiosk that stores several encoded content units, such as feature-length films. The user selects content units, and the kiosk copies the selections onto the device. At home, the user connects the device to a compatible set-top box that presents the content units as an output signal to a television set. The set-top box accumulates information related to the use of the video content units, such as how much of a content unit has been viewed and/or how many times it has been viewed. The set-top box then writes the information to the device. The information is read by the kiosk the next time the user connects the device to the kiosk and the user is billed for the use of the content.

Abstract: A barrel type engine with two-stroke cycle of operation. The engine of the present invention comprises two engine halves, each half having a plurality of pumping cylinders and a matching number of power cylinders. Double-ended pistons impart rotational motion to the engine shaft by a cam. The cylinder arrangement of the present invention facilitates efficient communication of intake air between the pumping cylinders and the power cylinders contained within each engine half, and further establishes a natural and beneficial timing relationship between the action of the pumping cylinders and the action of the corresponding power cylinders. In operation, intake air is drawn into the pumping cylinders and then transferred to the power cylinders by a transfer duct system.

Abstract: A computer housing and expansion card design facilitates the addition and removal of expansion cards from the front of a computer housing without disassembly of the housing, and further facilitates the connection of external cables to the expansion cards from the back of the computer housing.

Abstract: A computer housing and expansion card design facilitates the addition and removal of expansion cards from the front of a computer housing without disassembly of the housing, and further facilitates the connection of external cables to the expansion cards from the back of the computer housing.

Abstract: The modular battery recharger and power distribution system for notebook and lap top computers of the present invention encompasses both an apparatus and method enabling the use of as many standardized structures as is possible to construct a wide variety of power configurations. First, all of the structures of the present invention are adapted to accept a common charging voltage at advantageous points, which may in some instances be 12 volts. The components of the present invention interconnect and disconnect to enable the user to take advantage of alternate power sources. More importantly, the user can use the charger system to re-charge power packs separately while using the original external power supply to operate the computer. In other instances, the user can use a smaller "mini brick" unit to obtain power from a 12 volt DC source. A 12 volt wall unit can be used in conjunction with the "mini-brick" to power either the computer or stand-alone charger from a 115 volt AC wall unit.