Abstract: A method for operating a surgical robot includes providing a plurality of virtual haptic geometries associated with different steps of a surgical procedure, evaluating a plurality of criteria associated with a first virtual haptic geometry of the plurality of virtual haptic geometries, activating the first virtual haptic geometry of the plurality of virtual haptic geometries without activating a second virtual haptic geometry of the plurality of virtual haptic geometries in response to satisfaction of the plurality of criteria, and controlling the surgical robot to constrain movement of an end effector of the surgical robot to the first virtual haptic geometry in response to activating the first virtual haptic geometry.

Abstract: An image recognition-based configuration/authorization method for video security systems is disclosed. The method includes detecting a code label within video captured by a security camera that is part of a security system. The method also includes carrying out image recognition on an image, within which is depicted the code label, and taken from the captured video. The carrying out image recognition includes extracting token identification data and an address for a network addressable authorization entity.

Abstract: A surgical guidance system for use with a robotic device configured to support and move a surgical tool includes a tracking system configured to track the surgical tool and at least one bone, a display device, and a control system coupled to the tracking system and the display device. The control system is configured to register a plurality of target trajectories to the at least one bone, determine a distance between the surgical tool and each target trajectory, automatically identify which one of the target trajectories is closest to and within a threshold distance of the surgical tool, and display, on the display device, the identified target trajectory relative to the at least one bone and a tracked pose of the surgical tool relative to the identified target trajectory.

Abstract: A surgical guidance system for use with a robotic device configured to support and move a surgical tool includes a tracking system configured to track the surgical tool and at least one bone, a display device, and a control system coupled to the tracking system and the display device. The control system is configured to register a plurality of target trajectories to the at least one bone, determine a distance between the surgical tool and each target trajectory, automatically identify which one of the target trajectories is closest to and within a threshold distance of the surgical tool, and display, on the display device, the identified target trajectory relative to the at least one bone and a tracked pose of the surgical tool relative to the identified target trajectory.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, an end effector mounted on the robotic device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry associated with a surgical task, track a position of the end effector, and determine whether the position of the end effector is at a location corresponding to a first virtual geometry of the plurality of virtual geometries. In response to a determination that the position of the end effector is at the location corresponding to the first virtual geometry, the processing circuit is configured to control the robotic device to facilitate completion of a first surgical task associated with the first virtual geometry.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, an end effector mounted on the robotic device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry associated with a surgical task, track a position of the end effector, and determine whether the position of the end effector is at a location corresponding to a first virtual geometry of the plurality of virtual geometries. In response to a determination that the position of the end effector is at the location corresponding to the first virtual geometry, the processing circuit is configured to control the robotic device to facilitate completion of a first surgical task associated with the first virtual geometry.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, an end effector mounted on the robotic device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry associated with a surgical task, track a position of the end effector, and determine whether the position of the end effector is at a location corresponding to a first virtual geometry of the plurality of virtual geometries. In response to a determination that the position of the end effector is at the location corresponding to the first virtual geometry, the processing circuit is configured to control the robotic device to facilitate completion of a first surgical task associated with the first virtual geometry.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, an end effector mounted on the robotic device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry associated with a surgical task, track a position of the end effector, and determine whether the position of the end effector is at a location corresponding to a first virtual geometry of the plurality of virtual geometries. In response to a determination that the position of the end effector is at the location corresponding to the first virtual geometry, the processing circuit is configured to control the robotic device to facilitate completion of a first surgical task associated with the first virtual geometry.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, an end effector mounted on the robotic device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry associated with a surgical task, track a position of the end effector, and determine whether the position of the end effector is at a location corresponding to a first virtual geometry of the plurality of virtual geometries. In response to a determination that the position of the end effector is at the location corresponding to the first virtual geometry, the processing circuit is configured to control the robotic device to facilitate completion of a first surgical task associated with the first virtual geometry.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, an end effector mounted on the robotic device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry associated with a surgical task, track a position of the end effector, and determine whether the position of the end effector is at a location corresponding to a first virtual geometry of the plurality of virtual geometries. In response to a determination that the position of the end effector is at the location corresponding to the first virtual geometry, the processing circuit is configured to control the robotic device to facilitate completion of a first surgical task associated with the first virtual geometry.

Abstract: A method for selectively activating a virtual geometry includes establishing a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry having a target feature and being available to be activated to guide an instrument to the target feature by restricting movement of the instrument within the confines of the virtual geometry. The method further includes displaying the plurality of virtual geometries on a display to a user and receiving user input selecting a virtual geometry from the displayed plurality of virtual geometries. The virtual geometry is activated based on the selection.

Abstract: A method for selectively activating a virtual geometry includes establishing a plurality of virtual geometries, each virtual geometry having a target feature and being available to be activated to guide an instrument to the target feature by restricting movement of the instrument within the confines of the virtual geometry. The method further includes displaying the plurality of virtual geometries on a display to a user and receiving user input selecting a virtual geometry from the displayed plurality of virtual geometries. The virtual geometry is activated based on the selection.

Abstract: A method for activating a virtual haptic geometry based on a position of a portion of an instrument relative to a target feature comprises detecting a presence of a reference point of an instrument within a threshold distance of a target feature. A virtual haptic geometry corresponding to the target feature is activated in response to the detected presence of the reference point of the instrument within the threshold distance.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the method of heat transfer in a direction, which is reverse to natural convection, includes introduction of an additional pumping substance into the heated area. The pumping substance is incapable to be dissolved in the heat-transfer agent and its boiling temperature is lower than the boiling temperature of the heat-transfer agent. The heat-transfer agent is heated up, the pumping substance evaporates and the vapor pressure of the pumping substance is used to force the hot heat-transfer agent to flow along the branches of the circulating loop. The device for heat transfer in a direction reverse to the natural convection characterized in that its design incorporates technical means intended for vapor condensation of the pumping substance as well as technical means intended for draining that condensate from the condensation area to the evaporation area.

Abstract: The invention describes a device and a method for multipath packet routing in computer networks. The device (router) maintains a Flow Forwarding Table (FFT) containing identifiers of active flows and related router outgoing interface identifiers, and the FFT is characteristic of the invention. When the first packet representing a new flow arrives to a router built according to this patent, an outgoing interface identifier is selected using existing methods utilising routing tables. Packets are then directed to an outgoing interface according to the FFT. A routing table is used for creation of the relationship between flow identifier and outgoing interface in the FFT.

Abstract: A method for activating a virtual haptic geometry based on a position of a portion of an instrument relative to a target feature comprises detecting a presence of a reference point of an instrument within a threshold distance of a target feature. A virtual haptic geometry corresponding to the target feature is activated in response to the detected presence of the reference point of the instrument within the threshold distance.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the method of heat transfer in a direction, which is reverse to natural convection, includes introduction of an additional pumping substance into the heated area. The pumping substance is incapable to be dissolved in the heat-transfer agent and its boiling temperature is lower than the boiling temperature of the heat-transfer agent. The heat-transfer agent is heated up, the pumping substance evaporates and the vapour pressure of the pumping substance is used to force the hot heat-transfer agent to flow along the branches of the circulating loop. The device for heat transfer in a direction reverse to the natural convection characterized in that its design incorporates technical means intended for vapour condensation of the pumping substance as well as technical means intended for draining that condensate from the condensation area to the evaporation area.

Abstract: A novel adhesive that finds use in a cold corrugating system has a 5 second tack at a temperature of 160° F. of at least 50±2 grams.

Abstract: A novel adhesive that finds use in a cold corrugating system has a 5 second tack at a temperature of 160° F. of at least 50±2 grams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selecting a fantasy team for a fantasy sporting event. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a fantasy team selection processor; b) providing a bidding pushbutton coupled to the fantasy team selection processor for each of a plurality of participants in the fantasy game; c) detecting a bid from a participant of the plurality of participants for a player; d) adding an incremental bid value of the detected bid to a current bid offer; e) waiting a predetermined time period of time and f) accepting the offer. If another bid is received during the predetermined time period, then steps d, e and f are repeated. Otherwise, the bid is accepted and the player is assigned to the participant.