Abstract: The illustrated embodiment of the invention encompasses an apparatus for intraoral imaging of teeth of a patient which includes a camera, a robotic arm coupled to the camera which arm is capable of rotating the camera for selectively positioning the camera into the mouth of the patient, at least one sensor coupled to arm to sense the relative position of the teeth and/or mouth with respect to the camera, and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and arm for controlling the arm to avoid any collision between the teeth or the interior of the mouth and the camera and/or arm, where the controller further selectively moves the arm to track any movement of the patient to keep the camera in a constant relative position with respect to the teeth or mouth.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a jig for an orthodontic bracket corresponding to a tooth includes the steps of scanning recorded bracket tooth shape, bracket type and location data from a radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip in or on the bracket for the tooth at a treatment site. The RFID microchip has recorded therein bracket tooth shape, bracket type and location data of the intended precise position of the bracket on the corresponding tooth, or in the absence of the RFID microchip downloading the tooth shape, bracket type and location data for the tooth from a computer database. The tooth shape, bracket type and location data is provided to a three dimensional printer. A jig is manufactured at the treatment site using the three dimensional printer to provide a jig which precisely fits the tooth and which carries the correct type bracket for precise placement onto the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system used on the anterior lower teeth includes a plurality of alternating high-low brackets which is made up of a subplurality of high brackets and low brackets. The plurality of alternating high-low brackets are fixed to the anterior teeth, namely the subplurality of high brackets is fixed to alternately successive anterior teeth and the low brackets are fixed to other ones of alternately successive anterior teeth. A first orthodontic wire is coupled or attached to the subplurality of high brackets. A second orthodontic wire is coupled or attached to the subplurality of low brackets. The first and second orthodontic wires are selectively bent between selected brackets to which the first and second orthodontic wires are coupled, so that length of the first and second wire between each bracket to which it is coupled is increased, leaving space between brackets for bends formed in the wire.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment of the invention encompasses an apparatus for intraoral imaging of teeth of a patient which includes a camera, a robotic arm coupled to the camera which arm is capable of rotating the camera for selectively positioning the camera into the mouth of the patient, least one sensor coupled to arm to sense the relative position of the teeth and/or mouth with respect to the camera, and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and arm for controlling the arm to avoid any collision between the teeth or the interior of the mouth and the camera and/or arm, where the controller further selectively moves the arm to track any movement of the patient to keep the camera in a constant relative position with respect to the teeth or mouth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system used on the anterior lower teeth includes a plurality of alternating high-low brackets which is made up of a subplurality of high brackets and low brackets. The plurality of alternating high-low brackets are fixed to the anterior teeth, namely the subplurality of high brackets is fixed to alternately successive anterior teeth and the low brackets are fixed to other ones of alternately successive anterior teeth. A first orthodontic wire is coupled or attached to the subplurality of high brackets. A second orthodontic wire is coupled or attached to the subplurality of low brackets. The first and second orthodontic wires are selectively bent between selected brackets to which the first and second orthodontic wires are coupled, so that length of the first and second wire between each bracket to which it is coupled is increased, leaving space between brackets for bends formed in the wire.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for use in bonding a plurality of brackets and/or tubes to a specific patient's teeth which includes a resilient orthodontic indirect bonding tray having at least one lingual surface. The plurality of brackets and/or tubes is selectively arranged and configured in the tray for bonding to the specific patient's teeth. At least one standoff is disposed in the tray to urge the lingual surface of the tray away from the teeth while the lingual surface is passing over the teeth and prior to the tray assuming an intended final position.

Abstract: The invention is a messaging subsystem used in combination with a software based intercom system for receiving and handling voice telephone calls from a plurality of callers and/or notes. The invention comprises a message pad module resident in the intercom system for capturing information pertaining to the voice telephone calls from the plurality of callers and/or notes. A database stores information obtained from the callers and/or notes other than the captured information. A computer module or program correlates the captured information to the corresponding stored information obtained from the callers and/or notes in the database. In the preferred embodiment, the database comprises a patient treatment database corresponding to treatment provided to a patient, such as a dental or medical history.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of: generating a three dimensional intra-oral image of the crown of a tooth or crowns of a plurality of selected teeth; generating a three dimensional image of the root of the corresponding tooth or roots of the corresponding selected teeth; and compositing the three dimensional images of the crown(s) and root(s) of the tooth to produce a composite image. An apparatus comprises means for performing each the foregoing steps. A computer-readable storage medium includes instructions for controlling a computer system to perform each of the steps.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for use in bonding a plurality of brackets and/or tubes to a specific patient's teeth which includes a resilient orthodontic indirect bonding tray having at least one buccal and/or lingual surface. The plurality of brackets and/or tubes is selectively arranged and configured in the tray for bonding to the specific patient's teeth. At least one standoff is disposed in the tray to urge the buccal and/or lingual surface of the tray away from the teeth while the buccal and/or lingual surface is passing over the teeth and prior to the tray assuming an intended final position.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus, recorded computer program, and a method for use in dentistry, orthodontics, or medical/dental fields, which method includes the steps of designating a referring source for a data image or scan, making the data image or scan, storing the data image or scan in a file corresponding to a patient, and automatically uploading the stored file to a predetermined remote computer site accessible to the referring source.

Abstract: An apparatus provides a warning of propeller rotation or CO/CO2 hazard in a marine craft and includes a sensor in communication with the propeller to directly or indirectly sense rotation of the propeller and to generate a signal in response to the hazard, a controller coupled to the sensor to process the signal from the sensor, and a sensory alarm coupled to the controller to generate a warning alarm signal when the sensor returns a signal indicative of a predetermined state of hazard, namely actual rotation of the propeller from a nonzero rpm to a user or factory defined rpm or CO/CO2 levels at or above a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: An apparatus provides automatically controlled facial rejuvenation treatments and is comprised of a scanner for scanning a patient's face, a treatment robot, including a plurality of dermatological devices for treatment of facial skin, and a computer coupled to the scanner and robot for determining a treatment protocol of the patient's face based on a scanned input of the patient's face and for generating a plurality of commands for the treatment robot for movement and/or control of the plurality of dermatological devices for the automated treatment of the skin of the patient's face. A dermatological laser, needle injector, and/or air injector are used. The needle injector injects a minute amount of substance at a multiplicity of points within a computer-identified treatment area on the patient's face.

Abstract: A proximity warning system is disposed in a sound protecting earmuff-type headset or other means of providing acoustic ear protection. The ear protector prevents the user from hearing damage from high levels of ambient sound and would otherwise generally make the user unable to hear the sounds of approaching objects like vehicles and machinery. However, an audio transducer is provided in each ear shell of the headset and is connected to a ranging device, which in the illustrated embodiment is an infrared ranging device which generates an alarm signal upon the approach of an object within a predetermined critical alarm limit. A plurality of variable alarm signals can be provided to distinguish the direction, size and speed of the approaching object. In general, the ranging device may be optical, acoustic, thermal or electromagnetic.

Abstract: A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher module to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee's computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority. A recipient can respond directly to a message by interfacing with a visual display associated with the message.

Abstract: A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher portion to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module portion to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee's computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority.

Abstract: A method for producing appointment cards comprises the steps of selecting one of a plurality of patient management systems in which data retrieval is to occur. Data is retrieved according to the format assumed in the database of that selected patient management system. Both text and/or image data on the appointment card corresponding to the corresponding patient, such as image data of the corresponding patient relating to the treatment received by or to be received by the patient like dental images relating to orthodontic improvement in the patient. Selected advertisements as controlled from a remote server on the internet are printed onto the card as determined by a remote advertising sales manager or advertising schedule, selected according to patient data criteria communicated to the server, including biographical, geographic and treatment information uploaded to the server.

Abstract: A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher module to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee's computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority. A recipient can respond directly to a message by interfacing with a visual display associated with the message.

Abstract: A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher portion to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module portion to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee's computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority.