Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.

Abstract: An information accessing system and method enables users to easily navigate through and switch between multiple paths of linked pages of information stored in an information base of text, graphic, video, audio, and animation data. Linked pages of information are displayed in multiple panels on a window on the display. The system displays a navigation panel, a preview panel, a history panel and an expert path panel. The system allows users to preview different possible paths emanating from a specific page of information prior to selecting a specific path to explore.

Abstract: An adjustable, removable, interlocking iliac crest belt for a body brace is disclosed. The belt can be secured to the inside of a posterior portion of the body brace, and is secured about the patient's waist and upper hip region, engaging the iliac crests of the patient and providing additional pressure and stabilization force. Adjustable hook and loop fastening elements can be used to fasten the iliac crest belt. The belt is intended for use in body braces of the type for immobilizing or stabilizing a patient's spine in a post-surgical therapeutic application, or for treating abnormal spinal curvature, which brace may include body-conforming front and back shell elements molded from plastic, and adjustable strap elements affixed thereto for attaching the shells together around the torso of the patient with a selected compressive force.

Abstract: A smart card-based information processing system capable of compatibly operating under a standard requiring the complete processing of one command at a time, but which is also capable of queuing commands received from applications external to the smart card that it cannot immediately process. When the smart card receives a command that it can process immediately, it processes the command and returns an appropriate status response word. When the smart card receives a command that it cannot process immediately, it places the command in a command queue and returns a status response word indicating that it cannot immediately process the command, along with an index/identifier defining the memory location of the queued command in the command queue. If the smart card also has data or other information developed as a result of executing a previously queued command, it transmits an appropriate proactive command to the application, so that the application can send a command to request the information.

Abstract: A multi-fiber in-line attenuator module configured for insertion in the fiber optic pathway of an optoelectronic network to provide a predetermined value of attenuation for all propagating modes in the pathway includes first and second multi-channel interface members each having a mating face, an interconnect face, and alignment holes and n-optical channels formed therethrough, a multi-fiber ribbon cable terminating in the interconnect face of each multi-channel interface member with the optical fibers thereof disposed in the n-optical channels, alignment pins disposed in the alignment holes of the first and second multi-channel interface members so that the n-optical channels of the first and second multi-channel interface members are optically aligned, a mating clip for retaining the first and second multi-channel interface members in mated combination, and an NDF (neutral density filter) film adhered to at least one of the mating faces of the first and second the multi-channel interface members, the adhere

Abstract: A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capacitive proximity and contact sensing employ one or more simple sensors (which may be a conductive fiber or pattern of conductive ink) in communication with a microcontroller. Digital signal processing executed by the microcontroller enables resolution enhancement, automatic and continuous calibration, noise reduction, pattern recognition and the configuration of virtual sensors capable of detecting how an object incorporating the sensors is being manipulated.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating a video signal defining an image for display by a video display device, the video display device displaying at least one image on a video display screen providing a plurality of pixels generally arranged in a plurality of rows. The system comprises a frame buffer, an averaging device, a video signal generator, and a control module. The frame buffer has a plurality of storage locations each configured to store a pixel value, respective storage locations being associated with pixels displayed by the video display device. The averaging device, which in one embodiment is a flicker filter, is configured to receive pixel values from a plurality of storage locations and generate therefrom an average pixel value according to a predetermined function. The video signal generator is configured to receive the average pixel value and generate the video signal therefrom for use by the video display device.

Abstract: Systems and elements are disclosed for creating a continuous, collimated detection zone for an automatically-actuated device or container, such as an automatic waste container, wherein the detection zone can be made to match the opening periphery of the container, is height adjustable, immune from ambient light fluctuations and relatively simple and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: Methods of remote control of a mobile robot and an intuitive user interface for remotely controlling a mobile robot are provided. Using a point-and-click device (405), the user is able to choose a target location (430) within a heads-up display (400) toward which to move a mobile robot. Additional graphical overlays (410 & 412) are provided to aid the user in navigating even in systems with asynchronous communication.

Abstract: An information management system includes an indexing subsystem and a document management subsystem. The system layers an object-oriented architecture over a relational database to manage folders and files from a variety of file systems. Managed files are incrementally indexed by the indexing subsystem and can be retrieved by a user by knowing content of a managed file. Folders and documents are also logically organized for presentation to the user.