Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for virtual reality (VR) behavior modification. The system includes a VR headset adapted or configured to generate a VR environment comprising at least one VR object corresponding to a behavioral condition of a user; display the VR environment to the user; receive a response from the user comprising an interaction of the user with the at least one VR object; determine a behavioral modification score for the user based on the received response; and alter the at least one VR object based on the received response and the determined behavioral modification score.

Abstract: A system for delivering physical therapy to a user includes an active video gaming system that has a motion detector capable of detecting the physical motions of a user. The system includes parameters related to movement restrictions that a user may have and the system creates a gaming environment based on the parameters.

Abstract: A method for correcting the signal in an image having a plurality of regions of interest, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image having a plurality of regions of interest, these regions of interest having areas between them; (b) determining a region of correction between at least two regions of interest; (c) calculating a correction signal from the region of correction; and (d) using the correction signal to correct a measured signal from one or more regions of interest.

Abstract: A method for correcting the signal in an image having a plurality of regions of interest, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image having a plurality of regions of interest, these regions of interest having areas between them; (b) determining a region of correction between at least two regions of interest; (c) calculating a correction signal from the region of correction; and (d) using the correction signal to correct a measured signal from one or more regions of interest.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) of providing information about a communications device. The method includes the steps of establishing (312) a communications connection between a first mobile communications unit (128) and at least a second mobile communications unit (130), transmitting (314) from the first mobile communications unit to the second mobile communications unit a condition of at least one operational parameter of the first mobile communications unit and informing (316) a user of the second mobile communications unit of the conditions of the operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit. The operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit can include a signal strength, a battery level, a location, an audio configuration, an alert configuration, a conference indicator and a phone type indicator.

Abstract: A control device that can be mounted against the face plate of a rocker switch automatically operates the rocker switch in accordance with at least one predetermined program. The device also allows the predetermined program to be overridden to manipulate the switch as desired without removing the device. The device includes a controller for activating the device according to parameters of the predetermined program; a power component that is responsive to the controller; and a rotating member that is rotated by the power component with respect to the switch. The rotating member includes an inclined plane extending from a surface thereof and adapted to abut the rocker. When the inclined plane abuts a first portion of the rocker, the switch is placed in an opened position, and when the inclined plane abuts a second portion of the rocker, the switch is placed in a closed position.

Abstract: A control device that can be mounted against the face plate of a rocker switch automatically operates the rocker switch in accordance with at least one predetermined program. The device also allows the predetermined program to be overridden to manipulate the rocker switch as desired without removing of the device. The device includes a controller for activating the device according to parameters of the predetermined program; a power component that is responsive to the controller; and a plate that is moved by the power component with respect to the switch. The plate has a finger adapted to abut the rocker. When the finger abuts of a first portion of the rocker, the switch is placed in an opened position, and when the finger abuts a second portion of the rocker, the switch is placed in a closed position.

Abstract: A device (50) capable of selectively altering its appearance can include a housing portion (64) of the device having at least one photochromic compound and an ultraviolet light source (60) forming a portion of the device for exposing the portion of the device having the photochromic compound to the ultraviolet light source. A reaction by the photochromic compound can provide or serve as a status indicator for the device. The device can be any number of devices such as a portable communication device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a camera, a GPS device, a printer, a camcorder, a vehicle, a toy, a personal hygiene device, a watch, a calculator, and a writing instrument for example. The device can be formed so that reactions by the photochromic compounds within the device are controlled solely by the ultraviolet light sources (54 and 60) within the device.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path. The process path comprises a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for moving a container holding the sample along the process path. A first pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing the sample to the container. A second pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing a reagent to the container. A device is operatively connected with the process path and is selectively engagable with the container for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container.

Abstract: A method of performing a determination of an item of interest in a sample using a single structure is disclosed. A sample is provided accessible to the single structure. A first container for processing the sample is placed in a first process path on the single structure. The sample is transferred to the first container in the first process path. A reagent is added to the first container in the first process path. Contents of the first container is mixed in the first process path. The item of interest in the sample is separated from the contents of the first container in the first process path. The separated item of interest in the sample is transferred from the first container in the first process path to a second container in a second process path on the single structure. Contents of the second container is brought to a first temperature different from a temperature of the first process path in the second process path. The item of interest in the second container is detected in the second process path.

Abstract: A method of performing a determination of an item of interest in a sample using a single structure is disclosed. A sample is provided accessible to the single structure. A first container for processing the sample is placed in a first process path on the single structure. The sample is transferred to the first container in the first process path. A reagent is added to the first container in the first process path. Contents of the first container is mixed in the first process path. The item of interest in the sample is separated from the contents of the first container in the first process path. The separated item of interest in the sample is transferred from the first container in the first process path to a second container in a second process path on the single structure. Contents of the second container is brought to a first temperature different from a temperature of the first process path in the second process path. The item of interest in the second container is detected in the second process path.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. In one method, a process path comprising a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided is provided. A container holding the sample is moved along the process path. The sample is introduced to the container. A reagent is introduced to the container. The sample and the reagent are mixed in the container. The container is selectively positioned in a selected one of the process step performance lane and the process step avoidance lane. The item of interest in the sample is determined based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods of performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample. In one embodiment, a container for holding the sample is accepted in a process lane where a process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container. The process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container. An effective length of the process lane is maintained constant while a physical length of the process lane is selectively varied.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the time sequence activation of a wall mounted toggle switch is mounted directly to the toggle switch cover plate. The device is then programmed to turn the switch on and off in accordance with the programmed entry instructions. A sliding plate within the device contacts and moves the toggle into its on and off position in accordance with the program. The housing of the device defines an opening large enough for the toggle to be manually manipulated without removal of any components of the device.

Abstract: A device for clamping together two lengths of rope such as a rope formed of braided plastic, the device having a pair of inner core members each having a mating inner surface so that when the members are positioned in engagement or adjacent to each other they provide an elongated core having a generally tapered truncated conical external surface having threads on the external surface. Each of the core members has a recess in the inner surface in the plane of the longitudinal axis so that two portions of a rope may be positioned between mated core members. An outer ring having a tapered opening therethrough is internally threaded so that when the outer ring is screwed onto the abutted core members it forces them together, clamping rope portions therebetween, the grooves formed in the abutting surfaces of the core members preferably have integral pointed spikes which penetrate the fibers of rope portions positioned between the core members to more securely hold the rope portions against slippage.

Abstract: The blades of a pair of suture scissors are pivotably mounted within a tapered hood. The nose of the hood is smoothly curved and a slot is formed thereacross such that the plane of the slot is in parallel alignment with the shearing line of the blades of the scissors. The width of the slot is such as to accommodate suture threads but not great enough to receive a knot in the suture. The mouth of the slot is smoothly curved to provide convex surfaces to assist in guiding the suture threads into the slot.

Abstract: A roller skate formed of a plate with an upper surface to receive a shoe and having a forward and rearward downwardly extending suspension housing, each housing having an opening therethrough, an axle extending through each suspension housing opening having means at each end for receiving a skate wheel, a first and second elastomeric member received in each suspension housing in spaced apart relationship, each of the elastomeric members having an opening receiving the axle, bolts extending through threaded openings at the top of the suspension housing, the ends of the bolts engaging the upper surfaces of the elastomeric members so that the compressive force applied by the elastomeric members to the axle may be adjusted by threadably positioning the bolts. Another arrangement includes each axle in two portions hinged in the middle so that each roller skate wheel is independently resiliently supported relative to the skate body.

Abstract: A double-flier armature winding machine includes a pair of opposing non-rotating winding chucks or forms for engaging the armature core. Each winding form is supported by a bearing mounted on a rotary flier assembly which is mounted on a shaft supported for both rotary and axial movement. Each winding form supports a wire deflector finger for pivotal movement in response to axial movement of an actuator carried by the flier assembly. While the flier assembly is rotating, each actuator is movable axially relative to its corresponding flier assembly by actuation of a fluid cylinder to insure engagement of a wire lead with a predetermined tang on the armature commutator.

Abstract: An electrically operated grinding wheel is described wherein the grinding wheel is adapted with a slidable tool rest member which will automatically position itself at a preselected distance from the grinding wheel. As the grinding wheel becomes worn and its wheel diameter decreased, the slidable tool rest member will be automatically moved towards the grinding wheel and a safe operational spacing between the grinding wheel and the tool rest member maintained. This is achieved through a motorized gear train which is actuated by a photoelectric cell carried within the housing of the tool rest member. Another feature is that as the wheel is worn and approaches a preselected minimum diameter, a switch is automatically actuated which will turn off the power to the grinding wheel preventing its operation until such time that the worn grinding wheel is replaced.