Abstract: An apparatus and method incorporating at least two sensors that detect the presence of a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a method for transferring a substrate in a processing system is described. The method includes positioning a substrate on an end effector in a first chamber, moving the substrate through an opening between the first chamber and a second chamber along a substrate travel path, and sensing opposing sides of the substrate travel path using at least two sensors positioned proximate to the opening, each of the at least two sensors defining a beam path that is directed through opposing edge regions of the substrate when at least a portion of an edge region traverses the beam path.

Abstract: A system and method for decorative elements having multiple visual appearances. The decorative elements may present different colors and/or other visual appearance characteristics and yet function as a durable construction material, like a traditional brick, tile or shingle. The decorative elements may receive a mechanical operation that permanently physically alters the decorative element, such as a cutting, sawing, drilling or molding operation, while the decorative element is functional to provide a controllable visual appearance both before and after the physical alteration. The decorative elements may be autonomous in that power needed to change visual appearance states can be gathered by an integrated energy harvesting device, such as a solar cell. A color chip system may be used to select decorative element features.

Abstract: A system and method provide interactive techniques for sharing digital photos, in which a user of a portable electronic device may seek out a location at which another electronic device was used to capture a photo. The captured image may then be displayed on a display of the user's electronic device by superimposing the photo on the display while the display functions as an electronic viewfinder for a camera assembly of the electronic device. The viewing of another person's photos is made to be an interactive and entertaining experience. The disclosed techniques combine the user's “real world” presence (e.g., location and viewing perspective) with the previously captured photo to create a fun and exciting experience that also may serve as a trigger for communication between the user and the person who took the photo.

Abstract: An apparatus and method incorporating at least two sensors that detect the presence of a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a method for transferring a substrate in a processing system is described. The method includes positioning a substrate on an end effector in a first chamber, moving the substrate through an opening between the first chamber and a second chamber along a substrate travel path, and sensing opposing sides of the substrate travel path using at least two sensors positioned proximate to the opening, each of the at least two sensors defining a beam path that is directed through opposing edge regions of the substrate when at least a portion of an edge region traverses the beam path.

Abstract: A method of dating a food product that includes packaging at least two packages of a food product into a storage container and after packaging the at least two packages the method further includes making the at least two packages with a date wile the at least two packages are located within the storage container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method incorporating at least two sensors that detect the presence of substrate defects, such as breakage or misalignment, along the lengths of at least two parallel edges of a moving substrate. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting substrate defects includes a sensor arrangement including at least two sensors that continuously sense a substrate near at least two parallel edges of the substrate as the substrate passes the sensors. In another embodiment, an apparatus for detecting substrate defects includes a robot having a substrate support surface, and a sensor arrangement including at least two sensors that continuously sense a substrate near at least two parallel edges of the substrate during substrate transfer on the substrate support surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to printing rollers that are used in the dry offset printing industry. Presently there are no effective disposable printing rollers designed for use in printing presses used in the dry offset printing industry. The invention comes in different designs depending on the particular press involved. The invention can be manufactured and sold at a cost similar to the resurfacing costs of the present non-disposable printing rollers but is as structurally sound as a non-disposable printing roller. The invention provides the convenience of being disposable saving time and cost to the printer. The high administrative and logistic costs associated with resurfacing printing rollers are eliminated with the present invention. One need only use the disposable printing roller once and simply dispose of it once the roller is no longer useful.

Abstract: The invention relates to printing rollers that are used in the dry offset printing industry. Presently there are no effective disposable printing rollers designed for use in printing presses used in the dry offset printing industry. The invention comes in different designs depending on the particular press involved. The invention can be manufactured and sold at a cost similar to the resurfacing costs of the present non-disposable printing rollers but is as structurally sound as a non-disposable printing roller. The invention provides the convenience of being disposable saving time and cost to the printer. The high administrative and logistic costs associated with resurfacing printing rollers are eliminated with the present invention. One need only use the disposable printing roller once and simply dispose of it once the roller is no longer useful.

Abstract: A bone allograft applicator device and system is effective to apply a bone graft slurry to an artificial joint without having to remove a previously implanted prosthetic component. In one embodiment, the device includes a hollow member coupled to an actuation mechanism for discharging the bone slurry from the device via a nozzle coupled to a distal end of the hollow member. The device can be used to discharge bone graft slurry from the nozzle and through a screw hole in an acetabular component implanted in the acetabulum of a patient. A bone allograft system can include various components for loading the device with the slurry and/or a plurality of nozzles each having a geometry suited for a particular application.