Abstract: A laser crafting apparatus for directing electromagnetic radiation toward a workpiece may include various features. For example, the laser crafting apparatus may include a material support tray that is removably supported within an internal volume of the laser crafting apparatus. Further, the apparatus may include pre-filter disposed in a ventilation pathway between a workspace region of the internal volume and an extractor fan. The laser crafting apparatus may include a laser carriage assembly that houses a laser module and the assembly may include a lens tray detachably coupled to the support structure of the laser carriage assembly. In various embodiments, the laser crafting apparatus includes a lid having a radiation attenuation layer and a fire suppression layer.

Abstract: In view of the health and addiction risks associated with opiates, anesthetic emulsions are described herein comprising eutectic mixtures of local anesthetics. In some embodiments, the anesthetic emulsions release one or more local anesthetics over a period of several days for continuous pain relief. An anesthetic emulsion, in some embodiments, comprises a dispersed phase comprising a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and benzocaine, and an aqueous or aqueous- based continuous phase comprising bupivacaine.

Abstract: Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure relate to processing operations for dynamic badge generation and presentation, for example, within a user interface of an exemplary application/service. Data associated with a user account of an application may be accessed. As an example, the application may be a social networking application configured for team collaboration. A status of the user account is detected that relates to satisfaction of a badge count threshold for display of a specific badge within the application. In response to the detected status, a badge icon for the specific badge is dynamically generated. As an example, the application may be configured to call a process for execution of rendering operations that dynamically generates the exemplary badge icon. The badge icon may comprise image content that is rendered in real-time for the detected status. The badge icon may be presented through the user interface of the application.

Abstract: A tooth brushing training system that appears to be a game to children captures video of a user during tooth brushing and displays the captured video alongside an animated or recorded video illustrating the desired tooth brushing motion. An animated character with exaggerated teeth and a head that flips open may aid in illustrating the desired tooth brush position and motion, guides the user through a desired brushing routine. At the conclusion of the brushing routine, a series of screens are displayed to the user in which the user's position at a particular point in the brushing routine is shown in one quadrant while three instructional images are shown in the other quadrants. The user is asked to select the correct instructional image that corresponds to the user's displayed tooth brush position. Points are assigned for correct answers and various types of electronic rewards are provided for high scores.

Abstract: Systems and methods of networking and managing audio effects processors for musical instruments and vocal microphones, in which multiple sets of parameter settings involved in audio effects processing can be stored as well as modified within a central management hub. In response to one or more simple user inputs, the respective sets of parameter settings can be recalled or otherwise accessed from the central management hub and applied to selected ones of the audio effects processors, thereby allowing both musicians and vocalists to create a multitude of characteristic sounds with their musical instruments and vocal microphones, respectively, with increased convenience and ease-of-use.

Abstract: A logic visualization machine that uses dynamic physical analog pictograms to illustrate logical argument structures. With this approach, an analysis of alternative hypotheses is presented in a side-by-side comparison in which each hypothesis is visualized by a similar physical analog pictogram. Elements of evidence are illustrated as physical analog components in the pictograms and ascribed to each pictogram on a consistent basis allowing dynamic adjustment of the pictogram to visually represent the comparative weighting of the evidence in the competing hypotheses. The invention further includes mechanism for incorporating and visualizing logical complexities into the pictograms, including logical operations (e.g., and, or and xor groups) and nested statements. Logic trees and the entry points for individual pieces of evidence can be readily revealed. Quantitative factors including the valence assigned to evidence and validity assessments are made explicit and exposed visually within the pictogram construct.

Abstract: A toothbrush training system for children includes an instrumented toothbrush with physics sensors, along with optional feedback elements, interacting with a dynamic audio-visual instructional program providing guidance, assessment and feedback on proper brushing procedures. The system provides instruction on tooth brushing technique in combination with monitoring and corrective feedback based on that technique in the context of an audio-visual game environment. The instructional program uses an animated character to illustrate the desired toothbrush positioning and movement for cleaning specific tooth surfaces. The content and progress of the audio-visual presentation may be dynamically altered based on data received from the toothbrush to adjust the presentation in response to a comparison of the instructional information and the actual tooth brushing movement performed by the user.

Abstract: An audio effects control for and method of controlling the application of special audio effects applied to an audio signal, comprises a sensor configured to sense movement associated with the generation of the audio signal, wherein the sensor produces a control signal in response to detecting the movement, and the control signal is transmitted to an audio effects unit to control application of an audio effect on an audio signal.

Abstract: An extension handle for a nail gun includes an extension piece that mounts to the nail gun, one or more handles that mount on the extension piece, a pull cable that connects to a trigger on the nail gun, and a pull ring attached to the pull cable such that pulling the pull ring pulls the trigger. In one embodiment, the extension handle further includes a mounting piece that mounts to the nail gun through a bolt in an end of the nail gun, and the extension piece mounts to the nail gun by attaching to the mounting piece. Preferably, the pull ring can be pulled from either of two handles. In another embodiment, at least one of the handles can be moved to an intermediate location on the extension piece.