Abstract: This invention focuses on resolving outstanding problems of pharmaceutical dispensing systems. A need for dispensing of both medicaments and pre-packed medications has been addressed. This invention comprises an accurate counting system for multiple concurrently dispensed medicaments. Accurate, high speed medicament dispensing with little or no jam ups is achieved. Self recovery is provided to prevent medicament over counts. Machine self learn modes replace manual intervention by pharmacy personnel. Concurrent multi-tasking is provided and a quick action robotic arm further expedites the dispensing process. A touch screen computer is provided for coordinating the individual modules and overall control. The apparatus covers internal security and restricts access to unauthorized persons.

Abstract: A method and device for inspecting and classifying a plurality of microscopic crystals. An indexing device sequentially places microscopic crystals in camera-view of a camera. The camera takes images of the microscopic crystals and then transfers the images to a computer where the are received. The computer then classifies the images. The computer is also programmed to control the indexing device and the camera. In a preferred embodiment, the microscopic crystals are protein crystals that have been grown in the wells of micro-well plates. Also, preferably, the computer is programmed to automatically classify the images.

Abstract: An anchor for anchoring a vessel to an underwater structure. The anchor includes a shaft and at least three inexpensive flukes each attached to the shaft with a tension adjustable release mechanism. In use at least one of the inexpensive flukes grapple onto a portion of the structure securing the vessel in place. If sufficient tension is applied to the anchor line connecting the anchor to the vessel the release mechanism releases the inexpensive fluke to free the anchor without damage to the underwater structure. In a preferred embodiment each of the release mechanisms includes a spring and a threaded bolt for placing the spring in compression by compressing the spring between the head of the bolt and a first end of a rod into which the bolt is screwed. The rod is contained within a tube. A tab on the inexpensive fluke fits into a slot at the second end of the rod and the tab is trapped in the slot by the inside surface of the tube.

Abstract: A superlattice thermoelectric device. The device includes p-legs and n-legs, each leg includes a large number of at least two different very thin alternating layers of elements. The n-legs in the device includes alternating layers of silicon and silicon carbide. In preferred embodiments p-legs include a superlatice of B-C layers, with alternating layers of different stoichiometric forms of B-C. This preferred embodiment is designed to produce 20 Watts with a temperature difference of 300 degrees C. with a module efficiency of about 30 percent. The module is about 1 cm thick with a cross section area of about 7 cm2 and has about 10,000 sets of n and p legs each set of legs being about 55 microns thick and having about 5,000 very thin layers (each layer about 10 nm thick).

Abstract: A cooking system having a cooking appliance and a remote computer. The cooking appliance has a programmable control module that controls a heating device. The heating device is in communication with and provides heat to a cooking location. The programmable control module is in communication with the remote computer unit via a wireless communication link. In a preferred embodiment, the remote computer unit is a Palm Pilot and the wireless communication link is an infrared (IR) link. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a temperature acquisition module is in communication with the Palm Pilot via a serial link. A temperature probe is connected to the temperature acquisition module. The temperature probe is in communication with the cooking location and senses the temperature of the cooking location. The sensed temperature is transmitted via the temperature acquisition module to the Palm Pilot. In a preferred embodiment, the Palm Pilot is used to transmit calibration instructions to the programmable control module.

Abstract: A remotely controlled and monitored spa. An interface signal converter is electrically connected to a spa controller. The interface signal converter has an interface means for communicating with a remote computer through a communications link. The signal converter converts communications signals transferred from the remote computer via the communications link and directs the converted signals to the spa controller. Also, the signal converter converts signals from the spa controller to be communicated to the remote computer via the communications link. In a preferred embodiment, the signal converter comprises an IR transceiver. In another preferred embodiment the signal converter also has an RS-485 transceiver. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the interface signal converter is contained within an interface module that is mounted onto the outside of the spa's skirt.

Abstract: A free space laser communication system that maintains dynamic alignment is presented. The system comprises two laser transceivers positioned a distance apart. Each transceiver includes the following components. A beacon laser is provided for transmitting a beacon beam at a first wavelength in a beam having a first divergence. A signal laser is provided for transmitting a signal beam carrying information to be transmitted to the other transceiver. A special telescope system is provided for collecting both the incoming beacon beam and the incoming signal beam from the other transceiver and for transmitting at least an outgoing signal beam. In a preferred embodiment the special telescope images the pupil of the telescope onto a tracking mirror. The tracking mirror pivots at least tilt and tip.

Abstract: A multicolor lamp system. The multicolor lamp system includes a dimming circuit and an illumination module electrically connected to the dimming circuit. The illumination module has a detection circuit for detecting the output of the dimming circuit. The detection circuit generates a detection signal corresponding to the output of the dimming circuit. A microcontroller is programmed to receive the detection signal and to supply a corresponding electrical signal to a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are able to generate a variety of colors corresponding to the electrical signal supplied from the microcontroller. In a preferred embodiment the illumination module also includes an infrared receiver.

Abstract: A far-field simulator (FFS) which can be accurately calibrated and verified to sub-wavelength optical precision under any applicable test conditions is described. The FFS can be used over a tremendous range of ambient temperatures, and other conditions without detriment to its inherent accuracy. The accuracy is provided by means of interferometric self-reference capability rather than by complex, delicate, and/or extremely expensive metering structures. As such, the described approach provides a test instrument that is highly insensitive to packing, shipping, and other sources of system misalignment, and yet provides alignment accuracy to the extent practically achievable by comparable systems. These preferred embodiments include an FFS with an autostigmatic cube an objective mirror and interferometer optics for calibrating the FFS with precision.

Abstract: A novel MOS or CMOS based active sensor array for producing electronic images from electron-hole producing light. Each pixel of the array includes a layered photodiode for converting the electron-hole producing light into electrical charges and MOS and/or CMOS pixel circuits located under the layered photodiodes for collecting the charges. The present invention also provides additional MOS or CMOS circuits in and/or on the same crystalline substrate for converting the collected charges into images and manipulating image data. The layered photodiode of each pixel is fabricated as continuous layers of charge generating material on top of the MOS and/or CMOS pixel circuits so that extremely small pixels are possible with almost 100 percent packing factors. In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a 0.3 mega pixel (3.2 mm×2.4 mm, 640×480) array of 5 micron square pixels which is compatible with a lens of {fraction (1/4.5)} inch optical format.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting an electronic module to a control panel. A flange is attached to an electronic module body section. At least one bracket is rotatably attached to the flange. The rotation of the at least one bracket is controllable from the front side of the control panel. When the at least one bracket is tightened a compressive force holding the electronic module body section in place is imparted between the flange, the control panel wall and the at least one bracket. In a preferred embodiment the at least one bracket is two brackets. In the preferred embodiment the two brackets are further controllable from the back side of the control panel. Also, in the preferred embodiment, two bolts are inserted through the flange. Two locking nuts are attached to the two bolts. The electronic module body section has two cavities for housing the two brackets prior to tightening them against the control panel wall.

Abstract: A wireless cellular communication system in which groups of cellular base stations communicate with a central office via a narrow-band millimeter wave trunk line. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing beam divergence small enough to ensure efficient spatial and directional partitioning of the data channels so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers will be able to simultaneously use the same millimeter wave spectrum. In a preferred embodiment the trunk line communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A large number of base stations are each allocated a few MHz portion of a 900 MHz bandwidth of the millimeter wave trunk line. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth.

Abstract: A chemotheraputic cancer treatment in which Gö6976 or a compound chemically similar to Gö6976 is administered to a mammal for the treatment of the cancer. The chemical compound is targeted to PKC &agr; activity. Experiments have shown Gö6976 and similar compounds to be effective for the treatment of breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, bone cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, brain tumor, cervical cancer, and cancers located in the digestive tract including gastric cancer and colorectal cancers. These treatments may be accomplished utilizing Gö6976 and compounds similar to it alone or in combination with prior art chemotherapy agents or with radiation therapy. In a preferred embodiment Gö6976 is used for the treatment of cancer as a preventative drug by preventing cancer cell formation.

Abstract: A surfing craft with removable fin. A removable fin is disposed in a fin box and the fin box is disposed in a surfing craft body. A releasable locking mechanism has a spring actuated locking arm, a locking tab and an indention. The spring actuated locking arm applies spring force for locking the locking tab into the indention. A counter force is applied to the spring actuated locking arm to remove the fin from the fin box. In one preferred embodiment, the locking tab is attached to the locking arm and the locking arm is bendably connected to the fin. In this preferred embodiment the indention is on the fin box and the locking arm's locking tab is engaged with the indention of the fin box to prevent the fin from disconnecting from the fin box. Also in this preferred embodiment, by applying finger force the locking arm is bent causing the locking tab to disengage the indention so that the fin can be removed.

Abstract: An optical flow monitor. Fluid flow is determined by correlating two interference signals produced by coherent laser beams passing through a flowing fluid at two spaced-apart paths. The distance between the two paths is known and the correlation of the two signals is used to determine the time required for the fluid to flow between the two paths. In a preferred embodiment actually built and tested by Applicant the correlation is made by having an operator monitor on an oscilloscope the intensities of interference fringes corresponding to each of the two beam paths. Intensity variations in the interference fringes are caused by the same turbulent eddies passing each of the two paths. These turbulent eddies cause fluctuations in the index of refraction of the fluid which produce similar patterns on the oscilloscope which are separated on the oscilloscope time scale by an amount corresponding to the distance between the two beam paths and the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave trunk line communications link at high data rates in excess of 1 Gbps and at ranges of several miles during normal weather conditions. This link is combined with an Ethernet network to provide high speed digital data communication among a large number of users. In a preferred embodiment a trunk line communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing beam divergence small enough to ensure efficient spatial and directional partitioning of the data channels so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers will be able to simultaneously use the same spectrum.

Abstract: A device and method for the automated storage and retrieval of trays holding subject matter. A plurality of trays is inserted into an access device. A computer system is programmed to control a storage gantry to move the trays between the access device, a storage rack and a work cell gantry. The computer system is also programmed to control the work cell gantry to move the subject matter to and from an automated receiving machine. In a preferred embodiment, the subject matter in the trays is a plurality of micro-well plates in which microscopic crystals may be growing and the automated receiving machine is configured to inspect and classify microscopic crystals.

Abstract: A laser treatment device and process with controlled cooling. The device contains a cooling element with high heat conduction properties, which is transparent to the laser beam. A surface of the cooling element is held in contact with the tissue being treated while at least one other surface of the cooling element is cooled by the evaporation of a cryogenic fluid. The cooling is coordinated with the application of the laser beam so as to control the temperatures of all affected layers of tissues. In a preferred embodiment useful for removal of wrinkles and spider veins, the cooling element is a sapphire plate. A cryogenic spray cools the top surface of the plate and the bottom surface of the plate is in contact with the skin. In preferred embodiments the wavelength of the laser beam is chosen so that absorption in targeted tissue is low enough so that substantial absorption occurs throughout the targeted tissue. In a preferred embodiment for treating large spider veins with diameters in the range of 1.