Abstract: A method for making and selectively dispensing a beverage includes making the beverage in a base and storing the beverage in a carafe removably disposed in a carafe receptacle of the base. The carafe is selectively laterally removed from a lateral opening in the base; the carafe is tipped and the beverage poured from a top of the carafe; and the carafe is laterally replaced into the lateral recess of the base. The carafe is selectively retained on the base and the beverage dispensed from a downward facing outlet on a bottom of the carafe by selectively displacing a valve disposed in the outlet.

Abstract: A handheld food preparation appliance and a method of selectively preparing food ingredients. The handheld food preparation appliance has a housing including a handle and a chuck. The handle and chuck are pivotally coupled together and have two interconnected orientation configurations with respect to one another, including an aligned configuration in which a longitudinal axis of the handle is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the chuck, and a transverse configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the handle is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chuck. The handle is configured to be gripped and the chuck is configured to support at least one rotational element. The appliance has a motor carried by the housing. The appliance also has two separate switches associated with the housing and operably coupled to the motor. Each switch is operable with a different orientation configuration of the handle and chuck.

Abstract: A combination bread toaster and steamer device and method includes inserting at least one piece of bread into a bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing another food into the steamer compartment; activating at least one bread heating element disposed adjacent the bread slot and a steamer heating element disposed adjacent the steamer compartment; and activation of the steamer heating element reducing wattage to the bread heating element that would be used by the bread heating element when operating alone.

Abstract: A combination bread toaster and steamer device and method includes inserting at least one piece of bread into a bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing another food into the steamer compartment; activating at least one bread heating element disposed adjacent the bread slot and a steamer heating element disposed adjacent the steamer compartment; and activation of the steamer heating element reducing wattage to the bread heating element that would be used by the bread heating element when operating alone.

Abstract: A beverage mixer device with a base including a motor to turn a drive mechanism extending from the base. The beverage mixer includes a container, removably disposable on the base. The container has a mixing assembly rotatably disposed in the container and engagable by the drive mechanism when the container is disposed on the base. The container also includes a spigot operatively coupled to the container to dispense contents of the container. A spigot actuator is carried by the base, and a linkage is operatively coupled to the spigot actuator on the base and the spigot to operate the spigot. The spigot actuator is operatively coupled to the motor such that operation of the linkage actuates the motor to turn the mixing assembly in the container.

Abstract: A optical system for a viewing instrument with a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising shaft, first and second reflectors located at the distal end of the shaft, where the first reflector rotates about an axis angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and an entrance pupil positioned in the optical path created by the reflectors and preceding the reflecting surface of the second reflector. In certain embodiments, the entrance pupil comprises an aperture stop positioned between the first and second reflectors. In some embodiments, the system includes negative and positive lenses located adjacent the entrance and exit faces of the first reflector.

Abstract: A illumination system for variable direction of view instruments is disclosed generally comprising an endoscope having a longitudinal axis and a variable view vector that pivots about a pivot axis angularly offset from the longitudinal axis. The view vector has an attendant viewing field that travels along a path as the view vector pivots, defining a viewing range. A source of illumination is arranged in a plane offset from the plane in which the view vector pivots and provides an annular, solid angle of illumination that covers the viewing range. In certain embodiments, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the illumination plane is parallel to the pivot plane. In some embodiments, the source of illumination is a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged around the pivot axis.

Abstract: A viewing instrument having a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising a shaft, a sensor mounted in the distal end of the shaft such that the image plane of the sensor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a reflecting element that rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, a negative lens is mounted adjacent the reflecting element, and in certain embodiments, a positive lens is positioned adjacent the image sensor.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a scope and an image sensor housing is disclosed generally comprising an image orientation unit having first and second coupling sections for coupling the unit to a scope and an image sensor housing, such as a camera head, an optical assembly with a rotatable optical element for rotating the images, a rotation sensor for monitoring rotation of the optical element, an accelerometer for monitoring rotation of the unit, and a processor for receiving signals from the rotation sensor and the accelerometer and calculating the orientation of the images relative to the direction of gravity. In certain embodiments, the processor causes an actuator to rotate the optical element to level the images. In some embodiments, the processor activates a visual indicator, such as a diode, to indicate the direction of vertical.

Abstract: A viewing instrument with a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising an outer instrument shaft, such as endoscope shaft, with a viewing element at its distal end, and an inner drive shaft within the outer shaft for moving the viewing element in order to change the direction of the view vector. First and second on-board actuators, such as motors, are arranged in the proximal portion of the instrument for rotating the outer and inner shaft, respectively, in order to rotate the viewing element through two degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the axes of the shafts are coincident, and the viewing element rotates about a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to shaft axes. In some embodiments, the axes of the motors are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A method for a variable direction of view endoscope used in combination with an image guided surgical system to provide new diagnostic and surgical capabilities. The method provides the following capabilities: greatly improved endoscopic orientation capabilities, global monitoring of endoscopic viewing direction, and greatly improved surgical approach and procedure planning.

Abstract: A method for avoiding rapid or sudden image rotation or reversal in a gravity leveled endoscopic imaging system is disclosed. A mathematical neighborhood of a singular viewing configuration is defined and within this neighborhood the endoscopic image orientation follows specified rules.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in for presenting an indicator of the upright orientation of an endoscopic image. An electronic rotation pick-up means is fixed to the housing of an endoscope. The electronic rotation pick-up means produces signals indicating rotations of the endoscope. A microprocessor uses these signals to calculate the difference between the upright image orientation and the actual image orientation. The calculation includes factors to account for endoscope roll, endoscope pitch, and endoscope viewing direction. The upright indicator is displayed on a video display device along with the endoscopic image.

Abstract: A system and method for using a variable direction of view endoscope in conjunction with an electromechanical endoscope holder.

Abstract: An endoscope having a longitudinal axis, a view vector angularly offset from said longitudinal axis, an accelerometer, and an image rotator effectively responsive to said accelerometer, wherein said accelerometer is arranged for measuring rotations about a measurement axis which is generally parallel to said view vector. Through the use of this apparatus, an image is maintained in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A variable direction of view endoscope has a robust tip that allows wide range viewing and prevents snagging.

Abstract: A method and interface are provided for configuring a variable direction of view endoscope to afford the advantages of traditional fixed-angle endoscopy while avoiding the disadvantages of using multiple instruments.

Abstract: A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.