Abstract: When a hobby enthusiast has recharged the battery for a remote controlled vehicle, such as a scale facsimile automobile, boat, helicopter or airplane, the battery must be connected again to the vehicle drive system, to provide power. This operation is typically performed by connecting each lead of an electronic speed controller to each corresponding lead of the battery, through a removable barrel receptacle lead and a mating barrel plug lead respectively, attached to each corresponding lead. An improved connector lead is described herein that protects components that may be attached to either lead in a connection. The charge dissipates in a resistive member that is physically coupled to a conductive member to form at least in part a first lead.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling one or more servos coupled to a model vehicle. An input signal having a series of input pulses encoded at an input pulse repetition frequency is received at a receiver coupled to a model vehicle having one or more servos. The input signal is decoded at the receiver. A servo control pulse is generated using at least one of the input pulses at the receiver. The servo control pulse is outputted to at least one of the servos at an output pulse repetition frequency that is different from the input pulse repetition frequency.

Abstract: Treatment table verification techniques involve comparing intended refraction information with expected optical refraction information, and validating or qualifying the treatment table based on such comparisons. Systems and methods for verifying treatment tables provide enhanced safety for laser vision correction treatments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing control inputs at a receiver for one or more servos coupled to a vehicle. A signal containing a plurality of control inputs generated in response to an activation of at least one control element on a transmitter is received at a receiver mounted on a vehicle. The plurality of control inputs is mapped to a vehicle-specific set of servo control signals at the receiver using operations such as reversing, shifting, scaling, delaying, and mixing.

Abstract: A Hall effect plasma accelerator includes inner and outer electromagnets, circumferentially surrounding the inner electromagnet along a thruster centerline axis and separated therefrom, inner and outer magnetic conductors, in physical connection with their respective inner and outer electromagnets, with the inner magnetic conductor having a mostly circular shape and the outer magnetic conductor having a mostly annular shape, a discharge chamber, located between the inner and outer magnetic conductors, a magnetically conducting back plate, in magnetic contact with the inner and outer magnetic conductors, and a combined anode electrode/gaseous propellant distributor, located at a bottom portion of the discharge chamber. The inner and outer electromagnets, the inner and outer magnetic conductors and the magnetically conducting back plate form a magnetic circuit that produces a magnetic field that is largely axial and radially symmetric with respect to the thruster centerline.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for performing selective ablation of a corneal surface of an eye to effect a desired corneal shape, particularly for correcting a hyperopic/astigmatic condition by laser sculpting the corneal surface to increase its curvature. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes the steps of directing a laser beam onto a corneal surface of an eye, and changing the corneal surface from an initial curvature having hyperopic and astigmatic optical properties to a subsequent curvature having correctively improved optical properties. Thus, the curvature of the anterior corneal surface is increased to correct hyperopia, while cylindrical volumetric sculpting of the corneal tissue is performed to correct the astigmatism. The hyperopic and astigmatic corrections are preferably performed by establishing an optical correction zone on the anterior corneal surface of the eye, and directing a laser beam through a variable aperture element designed to produce a rectangular ablation (i.e.

Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a number of battery cells in a battery pack is provided which includes an electronic detection circuit with a memory. The electronic detection circuit may be an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model. The electronic speed controller measures the battery pack voltage on power up to determine the cell count and the appropriate cutoff voltage for the determined cell count. The electronic speed controller provides an indication to the operator to verify that the correct cell count was determined.

Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.

Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a number of battery cells in a battery pack is provided which includes an electronic detection circuit with a memory. The electronic detection circuit may be an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model. The electronic speed controller measures the battery pack voltage on power up to determine the cell count and the appropriate cutoff voltage for the determined cell count. The electronic speed controller provides an indication to the operator to verify that the correct cell count was determined.

Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods are provided for verifying the scanning motion or adjustment of a laser beam. The system can advantageously be used in laser eye surgery where accurate control of the laser beam is crucial for patient safety and successful vision correction. In one embodiment, a laser system is provided for sculpting a portion of the eye. The system includes a laser for generating a laser beam suitable for ablation of a portion of the eye. A laser beam adjustment mechanism is optically coupled to the laser beam from the laser. The adjustment mechanism scans or adjusts the laser beam in accordance with a predetermined ablation pattern of the laser beam on the eye. An energy motion sensor optically coupled to the laser beam downstream from the adjustment mechanism is provided to verify adjustment of the laser beam in accordance with the ablation pattern. Typically, the energy motion sensor has a mask arranged to block varying portions of the laser beam in response to laser beam adjustment.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods are provided for verifying the scanning motion or adjustment of a laser beam. The system can advantageously be used in laser eye surgery where accurate control of the laser beam is crucial for patient safety and successful vision correction. In one embodiment, a laser system is provided for sculpting a portion of the eye. The system includes a laser for generating a laser beam suitable for ablation of a portion of the eye. A laser beam adjustment mechanism is optically coupled to the laser beam from the laser. The adjustment mechanism scans or adjusts the laser beam in accordance with a predetermined ablation pattern of the laser beam on the eye. An energy motion sensor optically coupled to the laser beam downstream from the adjustment mechanism is provided to verify adjustment of the laser beam in accordance with the ablation pattern. Typically, the energy motion sensor has a mask arranged to block varying portions of the laser beam in response to laser beam adjustment.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods are provided for verifying the scanning motion or adjustment of a laser beam. The system can advantageously be used in laser eye surgery where accurate control of the laser beam is crucial for patient safety and successful vision correction. In one embodiment, a laser system is provided for sculpting a portion of the eye. The system includes a laser for generating a laser beam suitable for ablation of a portion of the eye. A laser beam adjustment mechanism is optically coupled to the laser beam from the laser. The adjustment mechanism scans or adjusts the laser beam in accordance with a predetermined ablation pattern of the laser beam on the eye. An energy motion sensor optically coupled to the laser beam downstream from the adjustment mechanism is provided to verify adjustment of the laser beam in accordance with the ablation pattern. Typically, the energy motion sensor has a mask arranged to block varying portions of the laser beam in response to laser beam adjustment.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for performing selective ablation of a corneal surface of an eye to effect a desired corneal shape, particularly for correcting a hyperopic/astigmatic condition by laser sculpting the corneal surface to increase its curvature. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes the steps of directing a laser beam onto a corneal surface of an eye, and changing the corneal surface from an initial curvature having hyperopic and astigmatic optical properties to a subsequent curvature having correctively improved optical properties. Thus, the curvature of the anterior corneal surface is increased to correct hyperopia, while cylindrical volumetric sculpting of the corneal tissue is performed to correct the astigmatism. The hyperopic and astigmatic corrections are preferably performed by establishing an optical correction zone on the anterior corneal surface of the eye, and directing a laser beam through a variable aperture element designed to produce a rectangular ablation (i.e.