International Business Machines Corporation

Other

David D Grossman

Peter M Will

John E Griffith

John Peter Karidis

Russell H Taylor

Peter Anthony Franaszek

Janez Funda

David Arthur LaRose

Francis P Carrubba

Roger C Evans

F Neil Lamka

Matthew L Seaburn

Myron M Kutcher

A computerized method for online brokering of multiple leasing products from multiple providers is provided. The method includes determining the creditworthiness of a Buyer, and determining whether or not to offer a lease, based on the specific criteria provided by multiple credit providers.

Method and apparatus for credit brokering for point-of-sale leasing

An apparatus used to assist a surgeon in surgery is divided into two parts, proximal and distal. The apparatus has a number of rigid links which rotate about pivots to position and re-position an instrument, like a surgical instrument, at a work point proximal to a patient but remote from the apparatus. The links cooperate in a way to move the manipulator about a center-of-motion with orthogonally decoupled degrees of freedom resolved at the work point. The proximal part of the apparatus is adjustably fixed to a stationary object, like an operating table, while the distal part of the apparatus holds the instrument. Certain links which can be adjusted in length, move the distal part with respect to the proximal part of the apparatus. In this manner, the work point of the manipulator and the working radius of the apparatus are changed without moving the proximal part. Actuators, manual or remotely (computer) controlled, both rotate the links about their pivots and adjust the length of the adjustable links. All the actuators can be mounted on the proximal part of the apparatus and electrically isolated from the manipulator in order to reduce the shock hazard to the patient.

Remote center-of-motion robot for surgery

The invention consists of a plurality of separate pieces that may be fastened together to create a portable automobile snowplow. Each of the parts is folded in a specified fashion in order to define a particular portion of the snowplow. Then, by means of tabs and slots or other suitable fastening means, the parts may be affixed together. For simplified storage, the parts may be sized in a manner to permit them to be nested within each other.

Portable automobile snow plow

A method and apparatus for calibrating a robot and using the results of this calibration to compensate for inaccuracies of the robot and also to diagnose robot deterioration. The method includes moving the robot to a set of nominal positions, commanded by the robot controller or measured by position encoders built into the robot, and determining the associated actual positions by measuring the robot position with an independent accurate measuring means or by aligning the robot end effector with an accurate calibration mask. The calibration results are stored and subsequently used to compensate for robot inaccuracy so that the robot moves to the actual desired positions.

Method and apparatus for calibrating a robot to compensate for

In a delta modulator a sequence of code symbols are generated which are indicative of increments of signal level, with each code symbol being determined in accordance with the difference in signal level between an input signal and a prediction signal which is a representation of the input signal. A sequence of the generated code symbols are stored, including the most recent code symbol and a preceding number of code symbols, with the pattern of code symbols at any instant defining a state of signal activity. There is a table of delta increments, a table of threshold values, and a digital gain logic network, all of which provide signal outputs which are controlled by the state of signal activity represented by the stored code signal pattern. The signal output from the delta table and the threshold table are modified an amount determined by the value of the signal output from the digital gain logic network. An accumulation of modified delta increments are summed with modified threshold values for providing the prediction signal. The prediction signal and the input signal are compared for generating a new code symbol.

Gain method and apparatus for a delta modulator

A quasi-liquid vise is provided for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces which comprises an open-topped vessel into which a workpiece may be inserted, a particulate fluidizable material located within and, substantially filling said vessel, pressure means connected to said vessel for introducing a gas or fluid therein to fluidize said particulate material, and means for applying a vacuum to said vessel and the particulate material to substantially solidify said particulate material when it is desired to clamp a workpiece therein. The solidifying effect of said vacuum applied to said particulate material may be enhanced by utilizing alternate layers of different sized particulate material wherein smaller particles fill voids and enhance the vacuum effect and hence the rigidity of the particulate material when it is desired to solidify same. Two additional approaches to improving the vacuum solidification effect include coating relatively dense particles with a somewhat resilient deformable material whereby better sealing action will be effected. Also, uniquely shaped particles may be utilized wherein a more rigid interlocking particle effect will be obtained upon application of the vacuum.

Growing community of inventors

Chappaqua, NY, United States of America

David D Grossman