Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic feedback effects for control knobs are described. One method comprises the steps of receiving a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum in a degree of freedom, and determining a direction of the motion of the manipulandum in the degree of freedom based on the sensor signal. The method further comprises outputting a first force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a first direction in the degree of freedom, and outputting a second force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a second direction in the degree of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for uniform coating of a substrate at high deposition rates by evaporating a coating material in a vacuum chamber. The system includes an evaporator having a heating crucible for containing a coating material to be evaporated and a generally planar heat source disposed so as to heat a surface of a coating material contained in the heating crucible. Preferably, the heat source is manufactured from a ceramic or intermetallic material and includes a first layer defining a first set of openings and a second layer defining a second set of openings wherein the second layer overlies the first layer and is spaced apart therefrom. The first and second sets of openings allow the evaporated coating material to pass therethrough for dispersion of the coating material in a deposition zone defined by a containment shield disposed above the heat source.

Abstract: Methods and systems for textures and other spatial sensations for a relative haptic interface device are described. One embodiment includes a method comprising the steps of receiving a signal from a sensor, the sensor signal associated with a change in a position of a haptic feedback device, transmitting sensor data to a host processor, the sensor data associated with the sensor signal, receiving force information from the host processor, the force information comprising a texture sensation having at least one parameter describing at least one force to be output based at least in part on an interaction of a graphical object with a texture field, the force information further comprising at least one characteristic of the texture sensation, parsing the force information, storing the at least one characteristic, and determining when to output the at least one force based at least in part on the interaction.

Abstract: A sink according to the present invention includes a sink basin having a bottom surface and a top surface with at least one side wall extending therebetween. The sink includes a divider that may be inserted into or removed from an interior area of the sink for selectively dividing the basin into multiple smaller compartments. An electromagnet is positioned beneath the bottom surface of the sink and is attracted to a ferrous material on the bottom of the divider for holding the divider securely when actuated. Channels defined by the sink side wall and other sealing components establish a watertight seal between compartments when the electromagnet is actuated. The electromagnet may be connected to the residential power source and may be activated by a user or, automatically, by a sensor. When the divider is removed, the larger single basin may be used for washing larger items.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations are described. One described apparatus comprises a first surface, an input element distinct from the first surface, the input element operable to generate an input signal, and an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the first surface based at least in part on the input signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the transmissibility of forces produced by an actuator on a manipulandum. A haptic device, coupled to a host computer, outputs tactile sensations to a user based on interactions and events occurring in a displayed graphical environment. An actuator produces forces and a compliant suspension couples the actuator to the manipulandum. A compliance of the suspension is configured such that the suspension magnifies the forces for a particular frequency range of the forces. The magnified forces are transmitted to the manipulandum to be felt by the user.

Abstract: Low application temperature thermoplastic hot melt adhesives are particularly useful as elastic attachment adhesives. The adhesives have a viscosity at 275° F. of less than about 8,000 cp, a yield stress of less than about than 80 psi and a creep performance for a bond made through strand coating of less than about 15%. Preferred are adhesives that have a creep performance for a bond made through spiral coating of less than about 25%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control knob on a device that allows a user to control functions of the device. In one embodiment, the knob is rotatable in a rotary degree of freedom and moveable in at least one transverse direction approximately perpendicular to the axis. An actuator is coupled to the knob to output a force in the rotary degree of freedom about the axis, thus providing force feedback. In a different embodiment, the knob is provided with force feedback in a rotary degree of freedom about an axis and is also moveable in a linear degree of freedom approximately parallel to the axis, allowing the knob to be pushed and/or pulled by the user. The device controlled by the knob can be a variety of types of devices, such as an audio device, video device, etc. The device can also include a display providing an image updated in response to manipulation of the knob.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying thermal energy using thermally conductive solid objects within a closed circuit.

Abstract: Adhesive bandage or surgical dressing having markings or indicia providing or associated with wound care instructions. The present invention allows for the placement over a wound an adhesive bandage that clearly indicates information about what treatment the wound or patient should receive.

Abstract: A hermetic package for electronic components which is made of metallic silicon is disclosed. The package includes a plurality of silicon elements which are bonded together. A metallic layer of platinum or gold is bonded to an internal surface of the hermetically sealed enclosure. While either metallic layer may serve as a heating element by subjecting the electronic circuit connected thereto with a large current, the platinum layer can also be used as a thermal sensor by passing a lower current there through. An internal heater is included to stabilize the performance of the electronic components.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device, and an instrument driver in communication with the controller, the instrument driver configured for independently controlling each of number of desired motions of a flexible, elongate guide instrument in a body of a patient in response to control signals generated by the controller, the desired motions selected from the group comprising axial advancement, axial retraction, axial rotation, and radial bending. Integrated haptics capability may be provided, in which one or more motors provide tactile feedback to an operator through the master input device.

Abstract: A low-cost tactile feedback mouse device for providing haptic feedback to a user for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a graphical environment provided by a computer. The mouse device includes a sensor device able to detect the movement of the mouse in the planar workspace. An actuator is coupled to the housing of the mouse and applies an inertial force in a particular degree of freedom, preferably along an axis perpendicular to the planar workspace, where the inertial force is transmitted through the housing to the user. The actuator outputs the inertial force preferably by linearly moving an inertial mass along the Z-axis. The output force is correlated with interaction of a controlled graphical object, such as a cursor, with other graphical objects in a graphical environment displayed by the host computer. The inertial force can be a pulse, vibration, texture force, or other type of force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes.

Abstract: A fractional-N frequency synthesizer is described that includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a programmable integer divider, and a glitch-free phase rotator. The phase select inputs of the phase rotator are controlled by a delta-sigma modulator to provide fine frequency resolution in addition to randomization and noise shaping of fractional quantization noise. The delta-sigma modulator is clocked at rates higher than the synthesizer reference clock resulting in an improvement in clock jitter at the output of the frequency synthesizer. A glitch-free phase multiplexer design is used to implement the phase rotator fractional divider to enables operation at rates higher than the reference clock. The over-sampling ratio of the delta-sigma modulator over the reference clock frequency of the PLL translates directly into an improvement in the quality of the output clock with respect to fractional quantization noise, phase mismatch, and digital noise injection.

Abstract: A hermetic package for electronic components which is made of metallic silicon is disclosed. The package creates a cavity for receiving the electronic component, preferably a piezoelectric device, which provides a evacuated environment in the range of 1×10?5 to 1×10?11 torr. In a first embodiment, the single crystal metallic silicon is p-doped to make it electrically conductive, obviating the need for lead wires which could compromise the hermeticity of the package. Silicon-to-silicon bonding is preferably accomplished using brazing of the cover to the base member using gold indium eutectic alloy at 495° C. A method of making a surface mountable electronic component having an internal hermetic environment is also described.

Abstract: A rotor system for a gas turbine engine is provided having an outer rotor which includes an annular outer spool that comprises at least one ring portion of increased thickness with respect to the remainder of the outer spool, attached to a relatively thinner, axially extending arm portion. A plurality of outer turbine blades are attached to the ring portion of the outer spool and extend radially inwardly into a working gas flowpath of the engine. A casing surrounds the outer spool and defines an annular cavity between the casing and the outer spool, which is sealed by forward and aft brush seals at the forward and aft ends thereof. At least one inlet port is formed through the casing for admitting a flow of cooling air to the annular cavity. Means are provided for directing this cooling air flow to the ring portion of the outer spool.

Abstract: A method and ring oscillator circuit for measuring circuit delays over a wide operating range permits improved analysis of dynamic circuits. A pulse generator circuit provides a pulse to an input of a dynamic circuit under test, which may be a pre-charge or evaluation pulse that is triggered by a transition of an output of the dynamic circuit that occurs during the state opposite that of the state commanded by the pulse. The action of the circuit provides for measuring any amount of delay to the next transition in the opposite state irrespective of the pulse width. By providing a wide-range of operation, characteristics such as leakage, charge sharing, data dependent node capacitance, previous value dependence as well as other dynamic circuit behaviors may be determined. The ring oscillator circuit includes an enable start circuit that causes a first pulse to be generated by the one-shot when the ring oscillator circuit is enabled.