Abstract: A system and methods for telephoning individuals associated with a domain. A current location of a given individual within a domain is automatically determined and the given individual is automatically associated with a telephone extension number based on the current location of the given individual. As the given individual moves around within the domain, the associated telephone extension number associated with the given individual is updated. A receptionist or other individual within the domain may select to telephone the given individual thereby automatically accessing and dialing the telephone extension number currently associated with the given individual in response to selecting to telephone the given individual. If the given individual is not currently located within the domain, an external telephone number associated with the given individual may be automatically accessed and dialed in response to selecting to telephone the given individual.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically changing an operational state of an appliance associated with a known fixed location. A current location of an individual is automatically determined with respect to a known fixed location using at least one wireless communication device. The system automatically determines if an operational state of at least one appliance associated with the known fixed location is to be changed based on at least the current location of the individual. The operational state of the at least one appliance is automatically changed if it is determined that the operational state is to be changed.

Abstract: System and method for automatically providing tailored customer services at a point-of-sale location. An identity of a customer approaching the point-of-sale location is automatically determined using an auto-identifying technology. Stored customer activity data corresponding to the identified customer is automatically accessed using a computer-based system operatively interfacing to the auto-identifying technology. At least one tailored customer service is automatically generated for the customer by processing at least a portion of the accessed customer activity data using the computer-based system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating coordinated video content for display. The apparatus takes video signals from independent sources and allows a user to select portions of the video signals, corresponding to desired portions of video content to be displayed, and combines those video signal portions into a single composite video signal. The composite video signal may be displayed, for example, on a television screen showing the desired portions of video content.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for acquiring search content based on digital information content provided from a video source. Video information and associated non-video information are received from a video source. The video information includes program video content and the associated non-video information includes digital information content. At least a portion of the digital information content is transformed into a search query and the search query is communicated to a first search data source. A query result is received from the first search data source based on the search query. At least a portion of the search query results are transformed into query result display data which may then be encoded as a video signal for display.

Abstract: A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent transferring. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a data transfer interface component integrated within the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be transferred into a data field, selected by a user of the hand-held device, of a software application running on a separate processor-based apparatus.

Abstract: A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent printing. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a printing head integrated at a distal end portion of the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be printed onto a printable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a distal end of the hand-held device across (or onto) the printable medium.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting parameters of an imaging machine are disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensor device to capture sensed characteristic information of a next person to be medically imaged. The system also includes a computer to receive the sensed characteristic information from the at least one sensor device and to generate adjustment data based on the sensed characteristic information. The system further includes a medical imaging machine to receive the adjustment data from the computer and to adjust at least one parameter of the imaging machine in response to the adjustment data.

Abstract: Methods of making a device for removing a facial blemish. A facial scraping element is configured to be substantially rigid and flat, and a distal end of the facial scraping element is transformed for contacting and advancing across a facial surface of a user. A pad member is configured to be substantially non-rigid and non-flat. The facial scraping element may be attached to the pad member to form a collection area between a surface of the pad member and a surface of the facial scraping element. The resultant device is capable of being gripped between a finger and thumb of a user and advanced across the face of a user to remove and collect facial blemishes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and physical computer-readable storage media for performing geometric data compression and geometric data decompression and/or geometric data encryption and geometric data decryption. A virtual geometric compression object is generated within a computer system by defining a plurality of discrete elements arranged in a geometric shape and assigning one or more data bit values to each of the plurality of discrete elements. The virtual geometric compression object is used by the computer system to compress sequences of uncompressed data bits into compression definitions. A compression definition defines a path through the virtual geometric compression object corresponding to a sequence of uncompressed data bits. In a reverse manner, for data decompression, at least a portion of a virtual geometric compression object is generated and a compression definition is used to extract a corresponding sequence of uncompressed data bits from the portion of the virtual geometric compression object.

Abstract: A system and methods for facilitating the automatic distribution of acquired images within a medical facility. Apparatus capable of displaying digital images within two or more operatories is provided. Apparatus capable of scanning scannable image media is also provided, to read an encoded identifier and a captured image from each of the scannable image media. The encoded identifier of any given scannable image medium is associated with one operatory of the medical facility. Apparatus capable of transmitting a read image to the apparatus capable of displaying digital images within a particular operatory in dependence on the read associated identifier is further provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for performing pan-oral imaging. A plurality of data points are generated which are representative of spatial positions of an actual dentition of a patient with respect to a defined spatial coordinate system. A fitted curve through at least a portion of the spatial positions of the dentition is computed using the plurality of data points. A pan-oral image acquisition trajectory is then computed with respect to a defined spatial coordinate system using the fitted curve. A pan-oral image of the dentition is then acquired along the pan-oral image acquisition trajectory.

Abstract: A system and method for generating text data from graphical image information of a first data form and passing the generated text data to another data form is disclosed. The system comprises a computer-based platform configured to obtain search criteria data from a current data form of interest and search an operating system of the computer-based platform for at least one other data form having first data that match the search criteria data to identify any matching data forms. The computer-based platform is further configured to perform an image capture operation on at least one predefined area of any matching data forms to form at least one captured image. An optical character reading operation is performed on the at least one captured image to generate at least one instance of second data and the at least one instance of second data is passed to the current data form of interest.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices providing single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays. Direct communication links to multiple computers are provided to automatically transmit peripheral computer device position and peripheral computer device commands to one of the multiple computers using, for example, a single computer mouse and/or a single computer keyboard device, based on a configuration map which maps mouse position to display position of the multiple computers and displays as the current mouse position is automatically tracked.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for automatically disabling a utility of a facility. The safety apparatus includes at least one remote sensor that transmits a signal if an environmental parameter reaches a preset default setting or a setting selected by a user. The safety apparatus also includes an electronic controller device operatively connected to the utility and capable of disabling the utility upon receiving the signal from the sensor based upon the environmental parameter.

Abstract: Image servers, methods, software applications, and computer readable medium for retrieving images of various levels of patient anonymity via multiple image confidentiality software ports. In an image server, at least two image confidentiality software ports are provided, where each of the image confidentiality software ports is capable of providing images at a predetermined level of patient anonymity, and where the predetermined level of patient anonymity is different for each of the image confidentiality software ports.

Abstract: A method and systems for capturing digital intra-oral images, while automatically determining a location of an intra-oral sensor placed within a mouth of a patient, is disclosed. A spatial frame-of-reference is established with respect to teeth within the mouth of the patient. An intra-oral digital imaging sensor is placed within the mouth of the patient adjacent to at least one tooth within the mouth that is to be imaged using the intra-oral sensor. Spatial location information is automatically generated such that the spatial location information defines how the intra-oral sensor is placed with respect to the spatial frame-of-reference. A digital image of at least one tooth is acquired using the intra-oral sensor and the spatial location information is automatically associated with the acquired digital image. The associated spatial location information may be used to automatically correlate the acquired image to a tooth or teeth within the mouth and/or to automatically orient the acquired image for display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener.

Abstract: A system, a method, and computer readable media for generating a corrected image from image information extracted from an X-ray sensitive plate. First, flaw map image information is extracted from an X-ray sensitive plate in order to determine any flaws (e.g., scratches) on the plate. Then the plate is exposed to capture physical image information (e.g., anatomical information) and the physical image information is extracted from the plate. The flaw map information is used to identify corresponding flaws in the extracted physical image information. Image processing is performed to correct the flaws (e.g., due to scratches on the X-ray sensitive plate) in the physical image information to form a corrected physical image.

Abstract: A temporarily modified entry way to a venue and a method of temporarily transforming an external entry way of a venue. A temporary rigid structure is erected outside of a venue such that the temporary rigid structure guides persons from at least one inlet of the structure to at least one exit of the structure through at least one passageway in a queued manner, where an exit of the structure is located at an entrance into the venue. The temporary rigid structure may be erected quickly for use and subsequently disassembled quickly when no longer needed.