Abstract: A control system of the present invention includes at least one device, a network interconnecting the at least one device, a control network portal coupled between the network and the Internet, and a master controller coupled to the network and operable to control the operations of the Internet and the at least one device, the Internet is controllable as a device coupled to the network.

Abstract: A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

Abstract: A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

Abstract: A method for sending messages to multiple locations in a control system is provided. The method includes defining a set of a plurality of locations in the control system. This set is capable of being dynamically changed to add and remove locations from the set. The method further includes executing an instruction to send a message to the set in order to send the message to each location in the set.

Abstract: A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

Abstract: A communication protocol includes a packet protocol, which includes a protocol field for indicating the type of protocol, a length of data field for listing the length in bytes of the data field, a data field containing sub protocol data, and a checksum for determining the integrity of the packet.

Abstract: A master controller (28) in a control area network system in a larger control area network (16, 18) may have a plurality of devices (33) coupled thereto. The devices generate data which the master controller directs to a destination device coupled to the same master controller, a different master controller in the same control area network or to a different master controller in a different control area network. The master controller directs the data using a connections table acquired from one or more other master controllers to which the master controller may communicate with.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for building and displaying control and non-interactive, non-control information on a touch panel. The method can include constructing a page for display on the touch panel, configuring one or more graphical display units and one or more sub-pages for display on the page, and displaying the page, graphical display units and sub-pages, selectively, on the touch panel. The method further includes determining whether any of the graphical display units is activated by a touch message applied to a location on the touch panel. Respective graphical display units may be selectively provided with features from a group of features that includes bitmaps, icons, borders and text. Two graphical display units having respective active touch areas may be displayed on the touch panel so that their active touch areas are separated by no more than one pixel.

Abstract: A system of multimedia display on a monitor screen includes at least one graphics source, a display file defining a page having a plurality of buttons, where each button has a set of properties including a specification of a graphics source. The system further includes a graphics controller operable to generate a pixel map, and a graphics arbitrator coupled to the graphics controller operable to select pixels between the pixel map and pixels from the at least one graphics source to be displayed for the page according to the display file.

Abstract: A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

Abstract: A system of multimedia display on a monitor screen includes at least one graphics source, a display file defining a page having a plurality of buttons, where each button has a set of properties including a specification of a graphics source. The system further includes a graphics controller operable to generate a pixel map, and a graphics arbitrator coupled to the graphics controller operable to select pixels between the pixel map and pixels from the at least one graphics source to be displayed for the page according to the display file.

Abstract: A master controller in a control area network system in a larger control area network may have a plurality of devices coupled thereto. Software and firmware on the master controller may be updated using an FTP server to contact a content provider in order to retrieve upgrades, updates and patches for the software and firmware on the master controller. In addition, a user may user a web browser in order to perform remote updates over the Internet.

Abstract: A system of multimedia display on a monitor screen includes at least one graphics source, a display file defining a page having a plurality of buttons, where each button has a set of properties including a specification of a graphics source. The system further includes a graphics controller operable to generate a pixel map, and a graphics arbitrator coupled to the graphics controller operable to select pixels between the pixel map and pixels from the at least one graphics source to be displayed for the page according to the display file.

Abstract: Sampling of a phototransistor in an optical encoding system is controlled by “turning on” the phototransistor, after light has already charged the base of the phototransistor at least somewhat, by applying a potential difference across the collector and emitter of the phototransistor, producing an essentially instantaneous emitter response, which is then sampled.

Abstract: A system and method for balloon-assisted retraction technique for the purposes of retraction of tissues and insertion of instruments in connection with advanced surgeries such as microscopic or endoscopic surgeries. A balloon assembly comprising an introducer, a balloon, and a sheath is inserted either manually or with the aid of stereotactic techniques. An endoscope may be used to ensure the proper docking of the introducer assembly. The balloon is then inflated slowly to retract the tissues, in order to create a corridor with minimal invasion. The corridor is expanded and retained using a series of dilators and retractor. The retractor comprises ports through which endoscope and other surgical instruments may pass. Surgical operation is performed through the corridor. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of conventional retraction systems by providing better visualization and enhanced manual dexterity, as well as providing minimal invasion to allow a shorter recovery period.