Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a disposable insert for a laser handpiece providing a hygienic surface for applying monochromatic light to a patient. The disposable insert is configured for providing vacuum to a laser cavity and provides a measure of safety to the user by insuring that the laser will be inoperative in the absence of the insert.

Abstract: A peripheral card includes a two-part metal cover mounting a printed wiring board on a U-shaped plastic frame. The wiring board is spaced from inside surfaces of the cover preferably by a pair spring clips mountable on side edges of the wiring board, each clip having an apertured intermediate bight portion overlying and in aperture burr scraped contact with ground contact pads on the board. Barbed-end spring fingers extend integrally from the bight portion preferably toward the board side edge to which it affixed and into scraped contact with respective ones of the metal cover parts as the metal cover parts are assembled together. The clips hold the board from movement in the cover and electrically ground any static electrical charges on the metal cover parts to the contact pads and to a ground socket in the frame, and electrically ground the metal cover parts to provide electromagnetic shielding of the electrical circuitry on the wiring board.

Abstract: A dual mode facsimile data compression technique which possesses the advantage of symbol recognition and extended run-length coding methods. In operation, a symbol blocking operator isolates digital raster data representing valid alphanumeric characters and document symbols. The first symbol encoungered is placed in a memory or library and as each new symbol is detected, it is compared with each entry of the library. If the comparison is within a predetermined tolerance, a library identification code representing the symbol is generated and transmitted along with the symbol location coordinates. Otherwise, the new symbol is placed in the library and its digital pattern and location is transmitted. A scoring system determines which elements of the library are to be replaced by new prototypes once the library is filled. Non-isolated symbols are coded by a two-dimensional run-length coding method for transmission.

Abstract: A high speed character matcher and method for measuring the similarity between a pair of binary patterns representing two-dimensional images. The patterns are compared on a bit by bit basis and when a discrepancy is detected, it is assigned an error penalty which is based on the two-dimensional context in which the error occurred. The types of error context which are typical in the comparison of distorted but otherwise similar characters are given a lower error than those typically encountered in the comparison of dissimilar characters.