Abstract: An actuating mechanism for spectacles which include two variable focus lens units. The mechanism mounts on the spectacle bridge; and includes two elongated drive levers mounted near opposite ends of the bridge, each extending toward the other end of the bridge. The free end of each driving lever is connected to its corresponding lens unit through a linkage. The driving levers are caused to rotate simultaneously, but in opposite directions, by a cam that is driven by a sliding member that slides along the bridge. By positioning the sliding member as desired, the spectacles wearer causes the cam to rotate, thereby causing the driving levers to rotate, and both lens units to change focal length.

Abstract: An improvement for liquid-filled variable focus lenses for eyeglasses. The invention is applicable to lenses of the type having a rigid lens, a distensible membrane, liquid filling the space between the rigid lens and the membrane, and some means for causing the liquid to press against and distend the membrane. The improvement comprises fabricating the rigid lens from material that has a substantially higher index of refraction than does the liquid filling, and shaping the rigid lens to provide an additional positive refractive surface. The positive optical power so provided reduces the required curvature on the exterior of the rigid lens so that this exterior curvature can be concave, even for hyperopic corrections.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for spectacles which include two variable focal length lens units. Each lens unit is fitted with a coupling member which extends from the lens unit into the bridge of the spectacles. A linearly-movable finger-operated slider, having a finger pad extending above the bridge, causes a cam within the bridge to rotate as it is moved, the cam being coupled to the coupling members causing them to move and the focal length of the lens units thereby to change.

Abstract: A liquid-filled variable focal length lens of the type which has a distensible membrane as one of the lens surfaces, and a membrane support member to support the perimeter of the free area of the membrane. By using a membrane support member having a toroidally shaped portion, the membrane is supported such that it has a circular free area irrespective of the shape of the perimeter of the lens. The cross sectional shape of the toroidal portion of the support member is preferably approximately an arc of a circle, and the perimeter of the free area of the membrane is maintained tangent thereto.

Abstract: An actuating system for liquid-filled variable focus lenses of the type where the focus is adjusted by changing the spacing between a rigid lens and a distensible membrane. The actuating system involves a finger-operated positioner which drives an elongated flexible actuating member, i.e., a thin band, which is supported in a channel to prevent buckling. The band drives one or more actuating mechanisms which are located around the periphery of the lens and which provide a mechanical advantage so that the motion of the finger-operated positioner is in a comfortable range.

Abstract: A liquid-filled variable focus lens unit, particularly useful in eyeglasses, comprised of a generic variable focus capsule to which a fixed-focus rigid lens is attached. The capsule has a preestablished optical power at its distance setting, which may be the same for all capsules of a given style, and a variable optical addition. The rigid lens, which is attached to a completed capsule, includes a surface having a shape related to the visual acuity of an intended user so that the combination of a generic capsule and the rigid lens results in a lens unit having a net optical power which matches the refractive prescription of the intended user at all distances.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens whose peripheral shape can be arbitrarily specified, for use in spectacles, which includes a rigid lens to provide the wearer's distance correction, and a liquid-filled lens bounded by a stretched distensible elastomeric membrane to provide a variable near addition. The liquid, which has a fixed volume, is stored in the field of view between the elastomeric membrane and the rigid lens. Variation of the optical power of the liquid filled lens is achieved by displacement of a membrane support to which the outer periphery of the stretched elastomeric membrane is attached. The shape of the distended membrane is kept substantially spherical, despite the circumference of the membrane being non-circular, by making the free area of the membrane circular. This is accomplished by supporting the membrane on a transparent spacing member which has substantially the same refractive index as the liquid and which includes a circular opening which defines the free area of the membrane.

Abstract: A non-circular variable focal length lens, for use in spectacles, which includes a rigid lens to provide the wearer's distance correction, and a liquid-filled lens bounded by a distensible stretched elastomeric membrane to provide a variable near addition. The liquid, which has a fixed volume, is stored in the field of view between the elastomeric membrane and the rigid lens. Variation of the optical power of the liquid filled lens is achieved by displacement of a membrane support to which the outer periphery of the stretched elastomeric membrane is attached. The shape of the distended membrane is kept substantially spherical, despite the circumference of the membrane being non-circular, by allowing the membrane support to bend in a predetermined controlled manner as it is moved.

Abstract: A plain paper facsimile receiver using a reciprocating shuttle, and, preferably, an ink jet printhead having one or more columns of ink jet nozzles. The printhead is mounted on the shuttle carriage at an angle so as to result in a line density of twice the line density specified in the facsimile standard used. In a first embodiment, the control circuitry is arranged so that dots formed by any nozzle can be formed only in alternate dot columns of the printed image, and dots formed by adjacent nozzles cannot be formed in the same dot column. In a second embodiment, a denser image is formed by printing an even number of dots in each pel corresponding to a picture element of the original facsimile image.

Abstract: A hand held printer and guiding means which maintains the printer in a fixed angular orientation with respect to an article to be printed, such as an envelope, and which constrains the printer to move linearly in a series of parallel line segments whereby an address can be printed on the envelope. Also disclosed is a printer and printer control system which utilizes a two dimensional position encoder using a ball which rolls on the surface to be printed to control the printing of data stored in a RAM memory in the printer.

Abstract: A reciprocating printer shuttle which includes a printhead constrained to move with a linear motion and driven by a drive link attached to a belt which runs continuously in one direction around two spaced pulleys. The printhead motion is parallel to the run of the belt between the two pulleys. Printhead motion reverses each time the point of attachemnt of the drive link passes around one of the pulleys. A counterbalance which has the same mass as the printhead, and is constrained to move parallel to it, is also driven by a drive link attached to the belt. The counterbalance drive link is attached halfway around the belt from the printhead; the counterbalance's decelerations and accelerations at each end of the reciprocating motion are, therefore, exactly opposite to those of the printhead.

Abstract: A printing control system for a facsimile receiver of the type having a printhead which scans across the page and prints multiple lines of the facsimile image simultaneously. The system includes a first in-first out memory for storing incoming facsimile data which arrives more rapidly than the printing system can accommodate. The stored incoming data is transferred to one or more scan buffers as needed, and then sequentially to the printhead drivers.

Abstract: A method and system for reproducing facimile images or other images in a dot matrix format wherein the normal printhead line resolution is not the same as the image line resolution. Two embodiments are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a commercially available printhead having two columns of dot forming elements is used. The printhead is slanted so as to change the effective spacing of the dot forming elements, and the dots making up the image are formed by the two columns alternately so as to increase the speed of operation. In the second embodiment disclosed, each of the scan lines of the image is comprised of dots formed by three dot forming elements. Each picture element is printed by two of the three dot forming elements and no two adjacent picture elements are printed by the same group of two.

Abstract: A thermocouple type electronic thermometer which includes automatic adjustment of the signal conditioning circuitry to be compatible with the calibration curve of the thermocouple in use. A plurality of thermocouples are stored in a container which has conductive markings imprinted thereon which are a representation of the voltage/temperature characteristic of the thermocouples in the container. The markings are detected by contacts in the thermometer case, and the calibration of the instrument is altered so that the display will be an accurate indication of the temperature being measured. The principle is applicable to the measurement of other physical phenomena. The instrument is automatically switched on when a thermocouple probe is connected, and switched off when the probe is disconnected.

Abstract: A clinical instrument using a thermocouple probe for the measurement of pulse rate and body temperature using a single sensor. The variation in temperature due to heart beat found at the base of the tongue is detected with a fine wire thermocouple and timed. Pulse rate is calculated and displayed based on the time between beats. The DC component of the thermocouple output is digitized and displayed as body temperature.