Abstract: Spatial light modulators (SLMs) and systems using same are described. Generally, the system includes a laser, a fixture holding a workpiece to be processed using the laser, illumination optics to illuminate the SLM with laser light, imaging optics to focus modulated light from the SLM onto the workpiece, and a controller to control the laser, the SLM, imaging optics and the fixture to scan the modulated light across a workpiece surface. The SLM includes an array of microelectromechanical system based diffractors, each including an electrostatically deflectable member coupled to a first light reflective surface and to bring light reflected from the first light reflective surface into interference with light reflected from a second light reflective surface in the SLM. The controller is operable to provide analog gray-scale control of an intensity of modulated light reflected from each diffractor by controlling an electrostatic force generated by a driver coupled thereto.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to detect particles in dense particle fields are described. A time varying signal is partitioned into a plurality of segments. Parameters are determined from the segments. The time varying signal is parsed into a plurality of individual particle signal components based on the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus to provide multi-beam imaging of particles includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) configured to generate a plurality of light beams that converge with each other to form a measurement volume within a particle field. The plurality of the VCSELs are configured to provide uniformity in a background illumination of the measurement volume. An imaging optics is coupled to at least one of the plurality of VCSELs. A digital camera is coupled to the imaging optics to obtain a shadow image of a particle passing through the measurement volume at a focal plane of the digital camera. A processor is coupled to the digital camera.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.

Abstract: An apparatus to provide multi-beam imaging of particles includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) configured to generate a plurality of light beams that converge with each other to form a measurement volume within a particle field. The plurality of the VCSELs are configured to provide uniformity in a background illumination of the measurement volume. An imaging optics is coupled to at least one of the plurality of VCSELs. A digital camera is coupled to the imaging optics to obtain a shadow image of a particle passing through the measurement volume at a focal plane of the digital camera. A processor is coupled to the digital camera.

Abstract: A shelving and package locating system for delivery vehicles includes one or more shelves for storing packages within a package-delivery vehicle during delivery. Each package is associated with both a geographic delivery address and an assigned location on a particular shelf within the package-delivery vehicle. A GPS unit determines the location of the package-delivery vehicle during delivery, and a computer provides the shelf location of a particular package when that package's delivery-location information substantially corresponds to vehicle-location information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.

Abstract: A listings system is coupled to a payment-settlement system and serves terminals operated by buyers and sellers of an agricultural product, such as cattle, as well as other users. The listings system and payment-settlement system communicate via network-based message passing. The listings system allows entering, viewing, and acceptance of objects representing listings for purchase or sale (offer) of the product and counteroffers. The listings system further provides for structured negotiations based on predefined attributes of the agricultural product, including structured negotiations for pre and post-delivery adjustments.

Abstract: A mobile device includes: a display; a data reader for reading data from an information bearing medium; at least one vehicle data collection device; a global positioning system (GPS); a wireless communications module; a memory device; a processor; and a housing configured for placement in a vehicle and supporting the display, the data reader, the vehicle data collection device, the GPS module, the wireless communications module, the memory device and the processor, wherein the vehicle data collection device facilitates monitoring at least one vehicle performance characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to detect particles in dense particle fields are described. A time varying signal is partitioned into a plurality of segments. Parameters are determined from the segments. The time varying signal is parsed into a plurality of individual particle signal components based on the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A shelving and package locating system for delivery vehicles includes one or more shelves for storing packages within a package-delivery vehicle during delivery. Each package is associated with both a geographic delivery address and an assigned location on a particular shelf within the package-delivery vehicle. A GPS unit determines the location of the package-delivery vehicle during delivery, and a computer provides the shelf location of a particular package when that package's delivery-location information substantially corresponds to vehicle-location information.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications; a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data to the processor comprising an array of alpha keys for alpha data entry and an array of numeric keys for numeric data entry, wherein entry of alpha data does not require use of numeric keys and numeric data does not require use of alpha keys; and a housing encompassing the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: a display; a data reader for reading data from an information bearing medium; at least one vehicle data collection device; a global positioning system (GPS); a wireless communications module; a memory device; a processor; and a housing configured for placement in a vehicle and supporting the display, the data reader, the vehicle data collection device, the GPS module, the wireless communications module, the memory device and the processor, wherein the vehicle data collection device facilitates monitoring at least one vehicle performance characteristic.

Abstract: A remote device monitoring system including a host server including at least a processor, system bus, user input interface configured to communicate with a user input device, display interface configured to communicate with a display, network interface configured to communicate with at least one remote device and at least one data storage means including a database, a performance look-up table and at least one analyzer module including program instructions that, when implemented by the processor, receive at least one performance parameter value from at least one remote device and query the performance look-up table.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications; a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data to the processor comprising an array of alpha keys for alpha data entry and an array of numeric keys for numeric data entry, wherein entry of alpha data does not require use of numeric keys and numeric data does not require use of alpha keys; and a housing encompassing the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corner protector of a window having a frame with an integral flange. The corner protector comprises a plurality of corrugated layers. The corrugated layers form two portions. A first portion is configured to be attached to a first portion of a window frame. A second portion is configured to be attached to a second portion of a window frame, wherein a corner is located intermediate the first portion and the second portion of the window frame. A free portion of the first portion of the member extends beyond the corner and overlaps the second portion of the member.