Abstract: A dental wedge device, comprising of a hollow body with perforations on all three sides of a general triangular cross section, is coupled to a flexible tubing which can be connected to a dental vacuum device, readily available in a dental operatory. The dental wedge device incorporates a novel element that addresses a major issue of moisture control. Moisture contamination of a dental restoration during placement will compromise the longevity of the restorative material. The perforated sides of the wedge allow any moisture including gingival fluids, saliva and blood to be aspirated from the cavity preparation into a suction chamber. The fluids are then drawn into the flexible tubing line for complete ejection into a dental vacuum device. Another embodiment is described and shown.

Abstract: Devices and methods to reduce or attenuate electromagnetic radiation emitted by an electronic device such that the electromagnetic radiation does not impinge on a user of the electronic device include one or more layers of material. The one or more layers of material have properties including one or both of absorption and/or reflection of electromagnetic radiation in frequency ranges used for wireless telephonic communication. The one or more layers of material are arranged to be disposed near the back side of the electronic device. Use of the one or more layers of material attenuates the electromagnetic radiation as measured at or near the front of the electronic device during use by about 75%.

Abstract: A method and a system for dynamically detecting and correcting anomalous pixels in the raw data taken from an image sensor array such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor array, thus allowing the use of dumb cameras to capture digital images for subsequent use by an intelligent host—such as being displayed on a computer monitor. This invention uses software algorithms running on an intelligent host processor to dynamically correct the anomalous pixels in the raw data taken from an image sensor array typical of those in a digital still or a video camera. Using the combination of a dumb camera which provides raw data to an intelligent host, which does all the subsequent image processing, the system works by scanning an image frame for pixels that vary more than a specified amount in their brightness value from their neighboring pixels and designating those as defective pixels. The location and frequency of the photosites sending the defective pixels are stored in a statistical database in the computer's memory.

Abstract: A low cost camera by implementing the major functions in host software is provided. This is accomplished by sending raw, digitized data from the camera directly to the host. The increased volume of raw data is handled by either an improved compression/decompression scheme using lossless compression, using lossy compression or using a shared bus with higher bandwidth. By moving such functions as color processing and scaling to the host, the pixel correction can also be moved to the host. This in turn allows the elimination of the frame buffer memory from the camera. Finally, the camera can use a low cost lens by implementing vignetting, distortion, gamma or aliasing correction with a correction value stored in a register of the camera for later access by the host to perform corrections.

Abstract: A system and a method for the transfer of data between a digital camera and a host using a novel combination of hardware and software related elements. An aspect of the hardware-related elements provides a camera base unit which remains connected with the host, and which the camera is connected with to facilitate the transfer of data to the host. The camera base unit significantly simplifies the connection between the camera and the host by alleviating the need to directly connect the camera with a host. Furthermore, the camera base unit, by providing a pass-through connection and placement guides that mate with the camera, assures that an intuitive placement of the camera on the camera base unit also enables an electronic connection between the camera and the host. Therefore, the simple placement of the camera in contact with the camera base unit ensures a proper interface between the camera and the host, which is connected with the camera base unit.

Abstract: A low cost camera by implementing the major functions in host software is provided. This is accomplished by sending raw, digitized data from the camera directly to the host. The increased volume of raw data is handled by either an improved compression/decompression scheme using lossless compression, using lossy compression or using a shared bus with higher bandwidth. By moving such functions as color processing and scaling to the host, the pixel correction can also be moved to the host. This in turn allows the elimination of the frame buffer memory from the camera. Finally, the camera can use a low cost lens by implementing vignetting, distortion, gamma or aliasing correction with a correction value stored in a register of the camera for later access by the host to perform corrections.

Abstract: A rotary electrical actuator for mounting to a support surface in industrial applications having integral electronics that are isolated by vibration isolators from vibrations. The rotary actuator comprises a stator housing supporting a lamination stack and coils. The actuator housing has a mounting structure for mounting to the support surface (such as the mounting surface of an engine or a turbine for example) for support thereby. A rotor is carried for rotation in the stator housing. The actuator further comprises an electronics housing containing the electronics that control output of the electrical actuator. Vibration isolators supported by the stator housing in turn support the electronics housing, whereby vibrations received at mounting structure and traveling through the stator housing are dampened prior to traveling to the electronics housing. A number of embodiments are disclosed utilizing a tie rod assembly concept for the vibration isolators.

Abstract: A system and a method for the transfer of data between a digital camera and a host using a novel combination of hardware and software related elements. An aspect of the hardware-related elements provides a camera base unit which remains connected with the host, and which the camera is connected with to facilitate the transfer of data to the host. The camera base unit significantly simplifies the connection between the camera and the host by alleviating the need to directly connect the camera with a host. Furthermore, the camera base unit, by providing a pass-through connection and placement guides that mate with the camera, assures that an intuitive placement of the camera on the camera base unit also enables an electronic connection between the camera and the host. Therefore, the simple placement of the camera in contact with the camera base unit ensures a proper interface between the camera and the host, which is connected with the camera base unit.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a shaft. The shock absorber comprises a collar having an opening receiving the shaft. A clearance gap is defined between the collar opening and the shaft. A pin offset from the axis connects the collar to a shoulder on the shaft. A resilient o-ring arranged in the clearance gap engages the collar and the shaft. In operation, the collar and the shaft rotate in unison. However, when the collar accelerates or comes to a sudden stop, the resilient o-ring compresses to provide the shock absorption. The shock absorber may be incorporated into a rotary actuator. In a rotary actuator, the collar includes a stop tab that rotates between two stop surfaces of the actuator housing. When the stop tab strikes one of the stop surfaces, the resilient member compresses thereby absorbing and reducing impact force. Compression in the resilient member is snubbed via mechanical stops.

Abstract: A rotary electrical actuator for mounting to a support surface in industrial applications having integral electronics that are isolated by vibration isolators from vibrations. The rotary actuator comprises a stator housing supporting a lamination stack and coils. The actuator housing has a mounting structure for mounting to the support surface (such as the mounting surface of an engine or a turbine for example) for support thereby. A rotor is carried for rotation in the stator housing. The actuator further comprises an electronics housing containing the electronics that control output of the electrical actuator. Vibration isolators supported by the stator housing in turn support the electronics housing, whereby vibrations received at mounting structure and traveling through the stator housing are dampened prior to traveling to the electronics housing. A number of embodiments are disclosed utilizing a tie rod assembly concept for the vibration isolators.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a shaft. The shock absorber comprises a collar having an opening receiving the shaft. A clearance gap is defined between the collar opening and the shaft. A pin offset from the axis connects the collar to a shoulder on the shaft. A resilient o-ring arranged in the clearance gap engages the collar and the shaft. In operation, the collar and the shaft rotate in unison. However, when the collar accelerates or comes to a sudden stop, the resilient o-ring compresses to provide the shock absorption. The shock absorber may be incorporated into a rotary actuator. In a rotary actuator, the collar includes a stop tab that rotates between two stop surfaces of the actuator housing. When the stop tab strikes one of the stop surfaces, the resilient member compresses thereby absorbing and reducing impact force. Compression in the resilient member is snubbed via mechanical stops.

Abstract: A low cost camera by implementing the major functions in host software is provided. This is accomplished by sending raw, digitized data from the camera directly to the host. The increased volume of raw data is handled by either an improved compression/decompression scheme using lossless compression, using lossy compression or using a shared bus with higher bandwidth. By moving such functions as color processing and scaling to the host, the pixel correction can also be moved to the host. This in turn allows the elimination of the frame buffer memory from the camera. Finally, the camera can use a low cost lens by implementing vignetting, distortion, gamma or aliasing correction with a correction value stored in a register of the camera for later access by the host to perform corrections.

Abstract: A printer/facsimile system includes a printer/facsimile driver to automatically insert a facsimile cover sheet at the beginning of a facsimile document.

Abstract: The method generates and displays an adaptive graphical user interface of a current configuration and current capabilities of a networked peripheral device connected to a local area network. The method includes the steps of requesting from a user's work station a current configuration and current capabilities of a networked peripheral device, transmitting, in response to the request, an interrogation command to the networked peripheral device over the local area network, and receiving, from the networked peripheral device, information corresponding to a current configuration and capabilities of the networked peripheral device.

Abstract: A printer/facsimile system includes a printer/facsimile driver to automatically insert a facsimile cover sheet at the beginning of a facsimile document.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 30) operative from a first liquid pressure only and configured to generate and selectively direct a stream of first liquid or a third liquid is disclosed. Since no electrical power is used, the apparatus can be safely operated in any moist environments (e.g. a shower). In preferred embodiments, the apparatus is configured to operate in series with a showerhead (22) and a sink tap (32) for dental irrigation. Either water or dental solution which is comprised of water mixed with dental concentrate, can be independently selected. A mixer valve (48) controls the concentration of the irrigating solution. A handheld syringe (40) contains all other controls necessary for operation.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 60) capable of dispensing a liquid 1 (e.g. water) or a liquid 1/liquid 2 mixture through a hand held syringe (26) and configured, in embodiments thereof, to be attached to a showerhead (24) or sink faucet (68) is provided. Liquid 2 (e.g. a dental concentrate) is held in a container (140) and dispensed by liquid 1 pressure on a piston (142) therein. A spool valve (84) responsive to a liquid 1 pressure bleed line (110a, 110b) diverts liquid 1 from the showerhead or sink faucet to drive the piston. The apparatus is controlled by a mode control disc (30) mounted in the syringe. Provisions for adjusting the flow rate of the dispensed liquid (34) and the proportional mix of the liquid 1/liquid 2 mixture (160) are provided.

Abstract: A memory in a print control arrangement stores one or more application program blocks that control information signal processing, a printer driver block that controls conversion of information signals to print data and a document formatting block. A processor operates on the information signals according to control signals from the memory and operates to convert information signals to be printed according to control signals from the print driver block. Print data sent from the processor to a print spooler is intercepted and reformatted according to user provided formatting parameters in response to control signals of the document formatting block. The reformatted print data is sent to the print spooler.

Abstract: An oral irrigating liquid dispenser (20) is disclosed which operates from a liquid pressure source (22) to dispense two liquids (54, 72) from an orifice (26). A valve member (24) moves to different positions to couple the source respectively to a piston face (64A), a conduit (60) and an outlet port (71). Flow control valves (80, 89) are provided to control flow from the orifice. Since no electrical power is involved the dispenser may safely be used in the presence of liquids and electrical grounds.