Did You Know...
...that when IBM conducted a market study of Chester Carlson's invention in 1959, the company concluded that it would take only 5000 units of his new product to saturate the market? IBM therefore declined to be part of the new product introduction. Too bad for IBM. Carlson's invention was the xerography process, and his new product was the beginning of the Xerox Corporation. It is estimated that every day, worldwide, 3,000,000,000 copies are made!!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7319466 | Method and apparatus for generating and interfacing with a haptic virtual reality environment A method for generating a haptic interactive representation including the steps of defining a haptic interaction space and building a hierarchical construct, for use within the haptic interaction space, using a plurality of underlying constructs. In one embodiment t... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7317955 | Virtual operating room integration A virtual control system for an operating room establishes virtual control devices to control surgical equipment and patient monitoring equipment and to display control, status and functionality information concerning the surgical equipment and condition information... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7209344 | Computer controlled display device The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may ... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7106313 | Force feedback interface device with force functionality button A force feedback mouse interface device connected to a host computer and providing realistic force feedback to a user. The mouse interface device includes a mouse object and a linkage coupled to the mouse that includes a plurality of members rotatably coupled to eac... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7103499 | 3-D selection and manipulation with a multiple dimension haptic interface Systems and methods provide a user the ability to select three-dimensional virtual objects in a three-dimensional modeling environment using two-dimensional representations of the objects. In broad overview, the invention involves a multidimensional degree of freedo... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7095418 | Apparatus and methods for texture mapping The invention provides texture mapping techniques that facilitate interactive painting of a three-dimensional virtual surface by a user in object space, without requiring global parameterization. The texture mapping techniques feature rendering texture for a given v... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7025064 | Method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are c... | 04/11/2006 |
| 6958752 | Systems and methods for three-dimensional modeling Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of th... | 10/25/2005 |
| 6826453 | Method and system for emission suppression in detection of data cartridge labels A system and method for minimizing electromagnetic radiation emissions from a data cartridge handling library employs intermittent operation of the video camera to ascertain correct bin locations and verify automated access between bin locations. This intermittent o... | 11/30/2004 |
| 6564669 | Remote handling device A remote handling device includes a master arm and a slave arm adapted to reproduce the movements of the master arm. The slave arm is located within a confinement chamber. The master arm is located outside the confinement chamber. The master and slave arm... | 05/20/2003 |
| 6281651 | Haptic pointing devices A haptic pointing device includes a plurality of rigid, elongated proximal members, each connected to a separate rigid, elongated distal member through an articulating joint. The other end of each proximal member is coupled to an actuator such as a motor,... | 08/28/2001 |
| 6247738 | Robot hand The invention provides a robot hand that can mimic the movements of a human hand in operation. The robot hand includes a thumb and at least one opposing finger having at least two phalanxes connectable to each other by a distal phalanx joint. The thumb of... | 06/19/2001 |
| 6126373 | Method and apparatus for realtime remote robotics command Methods and apparatus for controlling a remote device using a command glove system are disclosed. An apparatus for controlling a device is arranged to be at least partially supported on and operated by a human appendage. The apparatus is further arranged ... | 10/03/2000 |
| 6109852 | Soft actuators and artificial muscles A chemical (coating and reduction)/mechanical/electrical treatment of ion-exchange materials (preferably ion-exchange membranes) to convert them to artificial muscles. The figure is a perspective view of an actuator of the invention showing the treated me... | 08/29/2000 |
| 6026701 | "Master-slave" remote manipulation apparatus having six degrees of freedom A "master-slave" remote manipulation apparatus having six degrees of freedom. The apparatus includes a flexible parallelogram with two parallel arms hinged to a cross member with one degree of rotational freedom and to a frame with two degrees of rotation... | 02/22/2000 |
| 6019008 | Linear motion apparatus under ultra high vacuum A linear motion apparatus for moving an object in a vacuum chamber comprising an antenna or a telescoping shaft such as a fishing rod to effectively utilize space, and to avoid the need of a rear projection thereby achieving stability. The linear motion a... | 02/01/2000 |
| 5813813 | Surgical manipulator The present invention relates to a surgical manipulator for remotely grasping and manipulating things in response to movements of a human hand controlling the device. Movements of human fingers can be transmitted to mechanical finger-like devices through ... | 09/29/1998 |
| 5599151 | Surgical manipulator The present invention relates to a surgical manipulator for remotely grasping and manipulating things in response to movements of a human hand controlling the device. Movements of human fingers can be transmitted to mechanical finger-like devices through ... | 02/04/1997 |
| 5377950 | Platform mountings A platform is mounted by bellows, at least one for each degree of freedom (DOF) of the platform. The bellows may provide either an active or a passive mounting for the platform. By arranging a suitable number of such bellows in supporting relationship a p... | 01/03/1995 |
| 5286154 | In bundle foreign object search and retrieval apparatus An apparatus (10) for the location and removal of foreign objects from a difficult to access geometry utilizes a flexible lance (12) formed of individual hose bar segments (14) strung on cables (16) to give a structure that is flexible along its length an... | 02/15/1994 |
| 5207114 | Compact cable transmission with cable differential A pretensioned cable transmits power along a first support member (link) from a rotary actuator to a rotating output joint, typically an output pulley fixed to a second link arm but rotatable in a coupling between the first and second links. A reducer, ty... | 05/04/1993 |
| 5194215 | Automated robotic equipment for ultrasonic inspection of pressurizer heater wells A robotic device for remotely inspecting pressurizer heater wells is provided which has the advantages of quickly, precisely, and reliably acquiring data at reasonable cost while also reducing radiation exposure of an operator. The device comprises a prob... | 03/16/1993 |
| 5193963 | Force reflecting hand controller A universal input device for interfacing a human operator with a slave machine such as a robot or the like includes a plurality of serially connected mechanical links extending from a base. A handgrip is connected to the mechanical links distal from the b... | 03/16/1993 |
| 5098244 | Semiconductor wafer cassette handling cart A cassette handling tool according to the present invention utilizes a mobile cart for handling and transporting wafer cassettes. At one end of the cart is a holder which is adapted for holding and carrying wafer cassettes. At an opposite end of the cart ... | 03/24/1992 |
| 5080682 | Artificial robotic hand An electro-mechanical grasping device that simulates the movements of a human hand suitable for use as an artificial hand prosthesis that is lightweight, agile and includes a firm grasp. A lightweight platform houses a plurality of very small high torque ... | 01/14/1992 |
| 5046375 | Compact cable transmission with cable differential A pretensioned cable transmits power along a first support member (link) from a rotary actuator to a rotating output joint, typically an output pulley fixed to a second link arm but rotatable in a coupling between the first and second links. A reducer, ty... | 09/10/1991 |
| 4921293 | Multi-fingered robotic hand A robotic hand having a plurality of fingers, each having a plurality of joints pivotally connected one to the other, with actuators connected at one end to an actuating and control mechanism mounted remotely from the hand and at the other end to the join... | 05/01/1990 |
| 4915563 | Automatic lock for mechanisms controlling various movements of the gripping pliers of a remote handling device when dismounting the ball and socket joint bearing these pliers Strips (20), housed in the slave arms (10) of a remote handling device and used for transmitting to the pair of gripping pliers borne by this arm orientation and tightening movements remote controlled by an operator, rotate pinions (26a) mounted at the ex... | 04/10/1990 |
| 4903536 | Compact cable transmission with cable differential A pretensioned cable transmits power along a first support member (link) from a rotary actuator to a rotating output joint, typically an output pulley fixed to a second link arm but rotatable in a coupling between the first and second links. A reducer, ty... | 02/27/1990 |
| 4850631 | Article manipulator Application of tension simultaneously to three cords extending through respective coil springs and attached off the axes of the springs causes movement of tactile members on the ends of the springs to grasp, lift and rotate a workpiece. A capacity sensiti... | 07/25/1989 |
| 4845427 | Arrangement for the measurement of electronic units An arrangement for the measurement of electronic units with a large number of connection points situated close to one another and constituting points of measurement, as in integrated circuits. The arrangement comprises a measuring device (1) with at least... | 07/04/1989 |
| 4834761 | Robotic multiple-jointed digit control system This disclosure describes a mechanical hand constructed to simulate the range of motion of a human band. The mechanical hand provides a remote manipulator device capable of reproducing all of the motions of the human wrist, hand, fingers, and thumb in a c... | 05/30/1989 |
| 4815911 | Device for torsion-proof connection of an element in a robot arm or the like A device for torsion-proof connection of a number of elements (11, 12) in direct or indirect rolling contact with each other, which together make a robot arm or the like, whereby the elements are held together and actuated by force transmitting actuators,... | 03/28/1989 |
| 4792173 | Fluid actuated limb A fluid actuated limb comprising an elongate flexible core member having a first plurality of bellows extending parallel to the core member and being radially spaced from the core member around substantially the entire circumference thereof. A second plur... | 12/20/1988 |
| 4784042 | Method and system employing strings of opposed gaseous-fluid inflatable tension actuators in jointed arms, legs, beams and columns for controlling their movements The method and system employ strings of tension actuators in opposed relationship for controlling motions or deflections of jointed members: for example, for controlling the motions of arms, legs and elephant trunks or flexible antennae in robots and for ... | 11/15/1988 |
| 4756655 | Mechanical manipulator A manipulating mechanism is disclosed having a control handle adapted to be positioned freely in three dimensions, a fixture for supporting a tool to be positioned, a linkage system which causes the end of the tool to move in the same direction as the con... | 07/12/1988 |
| 4708578 | Robot arm A robot arm consisting of an upper arm link and a lower arm link which are interconnected by a uniaxial joint. The upper arm link is connected with a structure via a universal joint. In order to attain a weight balance, a toggle lever is placed on the upp... | 11/24/1987 |
| 4685349 | Flexibly foldable arm A flexibly foldable arm includes a series of arm sections each constituted by a plural number of joint members pivotally and serially connected to one another by connector shafts for rotation about two perpendicularly intersecting axes; a pair of pulleys ... | 08/11/1987 |
| 4637773 | Industrial robot of the articulated arm type An industrial robot of the articulated arm type comprises a movable robot body (11) arranged on a base (10). An upper arm (13) having root and tip portions is rotatably pivoted to the robot body (11) at the root portion thereof. A forearm (16) having rear... | 01/20/1987 |
| 4635802 | Bridge crane control unit A one-hand-operable control unit for a bridge crane. A cam, rotated by pointing a control handle in the direction toward which it is desired for the bridge crane hoist to be moved, operates switches which connect power to the appropriate motors of the bri... | 01/13/1987 |
