1. A visual sensing and control system, comprising:
a first image sensing device;
a first controller associated with said first image sensing device; and
a computer vision system in communication with said first image sensing device and first controller, wherein said computer vision system receives image data from said first image sensing device and sends a signal through said controller to control a recognized object.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a haptic stimulator.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the image sensing device is a video camera.
4. A visual sensing and tactile stimulation system, comprising:
a first image sensing device;
a first haptic stimulator associated with said first image sensing device; and
a computer vision system in communication with said first image sensing device and first haptic stimulator, wherein said computer vision system receives image data from said first image sensing device and sends a signal to said first haptic stimulator when said received image data corresponds to a recognized object.
5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising:
a second image sensing device; and
a second haptic stimulator associated with said second image sensing device, wherein said second image sensing device and second haptic stimulator are in communication with said computer vision system.
6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the image sensing device is a video camera.
7. The system according to claim 4, wherein the image sensing device is a laser range finder.
8. The system according to claim 4, wherein the haptic stimulator is a vibratory transducer.
8. The system according to claim 4, wherein the haptic stimulator is a pneumatic device.
10. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of navigational beacons.
11. A method for remotely sensing the environment, comprising the steps of:
gathering image data using an image sensing device mounted on a user;
communicating the image data to a computer vision system;
processing the image data by the computer vision system to identify a specific feature in the environment; and
transmitting a signal to a haptic stimulator mounted on a user which provides tactile sensations when the specific feature in the environment is identified by the computer vision system.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the image sensing device and haptic stimulator are mounted on the dorsal aspect of a fingertip.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said processing step identifies edges or obstructions in the environment, and further wherein said transmitting step includes transmitting signals to the haptic stimulator when edges or obstructions in the environment are identified.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the computer vision system includes a database housing a plurality of predefined features in the environment.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the specific feature in said processing step is selected from said database via voice command.
16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising transmitting a command signal from said computer vision system to a controller associated with an object in the environment.
17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the image sensing device is mounted on the dorsal aspect of a fingertip.
18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the specific object identified by the computer vision system is a cursor on a computer screen, and further wherein the controller transmits signals to move the cursor on the computer screen.
19. A method according to claim 11, wherein said step of gathering image data includes gathering image data using a plurality of image sensing devices mounted on a user.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said step of processing the image data includes the computer vision system identifying a different specific feature in the environment for each of said plurality of image sensing devices.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A liquid pump comprising
an annular stator having wire windings and a central opening,
a non-ferrous sealed housing having an inner opening that is accessible only through an input opening and an output opening,
a portion of said housing extending through said central opening of said stator,
a brushless rotor mounted on a shaft,
said brushless rotor and said shaft being entirely within said housing, and
a drive attached to said shaft wherein liquid from said input opening is urged by said drive toward said output opening.
2. A pump comprising
a sealed outer housing,
said sealed outer housing having a central opening accessible only through an input opening and an output opening,
a stator having a plurality of windings surrounding a central opening,
said central opening of said stator forming a portion of said central opening of said housing wherein liquid entering said central opening of said pump through said input opening will pass through said central opening of said stator to reach said output opening,
a rotor within said central opening of said stator, and
a drive connected to said rotor and within said central opening of said housing for urging said liquid or gas from said input opening to said output opening.
3. The pump of claim 21 wherein
said windings are configured as a plurality of lobes around a portion of said central opening of said housing, and
a spacing between two of said lobes wherein a portion of said liquid moving from said input opening passes between said spacing to reach said output opening.
4. The pump of claim 3 wherein said stator comprises at least four of said lobes and a spacing exists between adjacent pairs of said lobes wherein a portion of said liquid will pass between said adjacent pairs of lobes.
5. The pump of claim 2 and further comprising a sealing material applied to an outer surface of said windings to protect said windings from said liquid.