Abstract: A touchless input device for a computer replaces a computer mouse and does not require physical contact between the user-operator and any part of the input device. The touchless input device uses multiple, linear near infrared, optical sensors and multiple near infrared light emitters working in a plane in space, all held inside a frame with an opening that defines the detection region. The device images the plane and processes the images to determine the presence, location and velocity of objects in the plane. The operator introduces an object, such as a finger, into the plane and moves the object in the plane to emulate the motion of a computer mouse across a desktop. Mouse buttons and other functions are emulated by unique motions in the plane. The device communicates these motions and events to the computer typically using a Universal Serial Bus.

Abstract: An interposer adapted to interrupt the power source of a streetlight and intervening between an existing photo-controller and the streetlight with a lamp connected to a power line, the interposer having a body having a top and a bottom, the top of the body having an electrical receptacle, the bottom of the body having an electrical plug, the body containing a microprocessor and a load switch connected to the main power line and lamp, wherein the microprocessor instructs the load switch to selectively connect and disconnect the power line and the lamp, or to dim a multi-level lighting device.

Abstract: A touchless input device for a computer replaces a computer mouse and does not require physical contact between the user-operator and any part of the input device. The touchless input device uses multiple, linear near infrared, optical sensors and multiple near infrared light emitters working in a plane in space, all held inside a frame with an opening that defines the detection region. The device images the plane and processes the images to determine the presence, location and velocity of objects in the plane. The operator introduces an object, such as a finger, into the plane and moves the object in the plane to emulate the motion of a computer mouse across a desktop. Mouse buttons and other functions are emulated by unique motions in the plane. The device communicates these motions and events to the computer typically using a Universal Serial Bus.

Abstract: A high density tape library includes a plurality of rectangular platforms mounted adjacent one another for movement in a plane, with tape cassette magazines mounted on the platforms. The platforms have depending guide and cam follower members for movement around a generally rectangular track under the control of a series of cams. At a cassette handling station, selected tape cassettes are shifted from a magazine to a tape drive.

Abstract: A high density tape library includes a plurality of rectangular platforms mounted adjacent one another for movement in a plane, with tape cassette magazines mounted on the platforms. The platforms have depending guide and cam follower members for movement around a generally rectangular track under the control of a series of cams. At a cassette handling station, selected tape cassettes are shifted from a magazine to a tape drive.

Abstract: A high density tape library includes a plurality of rectangular platforms mounted adjacent one another for movement in a plane, with tape cassette magazines mounted on the platforms. The platforms have depending guide and cam follower members for movement around a generally rectangular track under the control of a series of cams. At a cassette handling station, selected tape cassettes are shifted from a magazine to a tape drive.

Abstract: A high density tape library includes a plurality of rectangular platforms mounted adjacent one another for movement in a plane, with tape cassette magazines mounted on the platforms. The platforms have depending guide and cam follower members for movement around a generally rectangular track under the control of a series of cams. At a cassette handling station, selected tape cassettes are shifted from a magazine to a tape drive.

Abstract: A compact tape cassette or cartridge storage and accessing system includes a longitudinally extending frame with two endless link chains, one on each side of the frame; and cassette carriers are mounted in two layers by linkages to the chains, with one layer moving forward and the other to the rear. At the ends, a cam follower on each cassette carrier, and a control groove, and associate guide and latch members, tilt the cassette carriers to smoothly shift them from one layer to the other. With 8 mm tape cassettes, the height of the system is within 1¾ inches, for compatibility with standard electrical equipment racks.

Abstract: A cassette handling system has a plurality of storage units each storing a plurality of cassettes and at least one tape drive unit. A carrier assembly transports a cassette from one unit to another by extracting the cassette from one of the units and inserting the cassette into another unit. An engaging assembly with a pair of couplers is mounted on a carrier of the carrier assembly. The couplers engage the cassette and hold the cassette above a reference platen on the top of the carrier. The reference platen defines a position from which the cassette is insertable into the units without obstruction. The engaging assembly disengages the cassette onto the reference platen and immediately re-engages the cassette in an accurately determined vertical position. The cassette is then inserted into the desired unit. The carrier assembly also has a threaded shaft which is tensioned for avoiding or damping vibration due to the movement of various components thereof.

Abstract: A programmable X-ray film changer for use, for example, in making angiograms, is provided with an improved pressure plate mechanism, feed and removal mechanism, photographic plate indexing mechanism, a clutched single cycle drive mechanism, a receiving photographic plate cassette and control methodology. The improvements in combination permit a substantial reduction of the number of parts in the film changer resulting in increased reliability, a decrease in the expense of manufacture, and decreased weight. Furthermore, the X-ray photographic film changer is arbitrarily orientable in space and independent of gravity feed mechanisms or the interference of gravity with respect to its operation. The improved pressure plate is normally substantially flat and is bowed to form a convex surface by a pressure plate bowing mechanism. Misfeeds of multiple numbers of photographic plates are thus tolerated by the natural resiliency of the pressure plate.