Abstract: An insect repellent device that is wearable by a host or attachable to an object, such device comprised of: an elongated band having length and width comprised of an outer surface to face toward a host or object, an inner surface to face away from a host or object, a first end, a second end and at least one impervious region; at least one front panel having a plurality of apertures positioned over the second side opposite an impervious region and that is attached to the elongated band so as to form a vented pocket with an opening; an absorbent pad impregnated with natural oils that is slidably and removably insertable into the vented pocket; and, at least one means for securing connected to an end that provides the user with the ability to replace its absorbent impregnated pads instead of having to buy another new band.

Abstract: A system for distributing electronic coupons includes plural wireless mobile terminals, such as cellular phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs), a customer profile database, and a server capable of accessing the customer profile database and communicating with the wireless mobile terminals over a wireless network. The database stores customer profiles for each of the wireless mobile terminals. The profiles include customer data, such as customer preferences and the current location of each wireless terminal. The server selectively transfers one or more electronic coupons to at least one of the wireless mobile terminals based on a comparison between the customer profiles and seller filtering criteria. A seller interface permits sellers to enter the seller filtering criteria. The filtering criteria can include the physical location of the seller so that coupons are sent only to those wireless terminals at or near the seller's location.

Abstract: A radar detecting circuit adapted to be on the vehicle detects a radar signal and selectively provides a radar detect signal in response to detecting the radar signal. The vehicle's speed is determined such as indicated by a tachometer signal or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver adapted to be on the vehicle and providing a GPS speed signal representative of the vehicle speed. An alarm responsive to both the radar detect signal and the GPS speed signal provides an alarm indication when a radar signal is detected and the vehicle speed is above a preset maximum, such as the speed limit. The operator indicates the present maximum speed via an input device such as a keypad or via voice recognition software.

Abstract: A system for providing data related to discounted services available near a given location. The system includes a memory storing compressed service data representative of a plurality of services in various locations categorized by type of service and compressed coupon data representative of discounts available for the services. The system also includes a book of coupons corresponding to the discounted services wherein the coupon data includes identifying numbers which identify locations of coupons within the coupon book corresponding to the discounts available for the services. A data entry circuit receives and compresses input data identifying a desired category of services and the given location and a microprocessor, receiving and responsive to the compressed input data, selectively retrieves the service data and coupon data from the memory.

Abstract: A personal onboard information system for use in a vehicle. The system includes a portable, personal computer including a touch-responsive screen and a cradle mounted on the vehicle for detachably receiving the computer. The computer is programmed to generate characters of preset size on a display on the screen. The cradle has a lamp for illuminating the computer screen and a power supply for supplying the computer with power when the computer is in the cradle. The system further includes an interface communicating with the computer for formatting the display for use of the computer in the vehicle when the computer is in the cradle. The interface is resident in the computer or in the cradle and causes the display to display characters relatively larger than the characters of preset size so that the characters can be easily viewed by a passenger thereby facilitating use of the computer in the vehicle.

Abstract: A data processing device for providing data related to the categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input is disclosed. The device includes a memory, a keyboard for entering input data identifying a desired service and an origin position into the memory. The input data is compressed before it is stored in the memory. The memory stores predetermined data in a compressed form related to the categories of services available at locations along the highway. The device also includes a microprocessor for retrieving from the memory the predetermined data which is a function of the input data. The microprocessor expands the retrieved compressed data into an operator readable form and provides the expanded data to a display for displaying the expanded retrieved data such as restaurants, gas stations, motels, or other services along the highway.

Abstract: A satellite system for optical communications such as a multi-access laser transceiver system. Up to six low Earth orbiting satellites send satellite data to a geosynchronous satellite. The data is relayed to a ground station at the Earth's surface. The earth pointing geosynchronous satellite terminal has no gimbal but has a separate tracking mechanism for tracking each low Earth orbiting satellite. The tracking mechanism has a ring assembly rotatable about an axis coaxial with the axis of the field of view of the geosynchronous satellite and a pivotable arm mounted for pivotal movement on the ring assembly. An optical pickup mechanism at the end of each arm is positioned for optical communication with one of the orbiting satellites by rotation of the ring.

Abstract: A data processing device for providing data related to the categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input is disclosed. The device includes a memory, a keyboard for entering input data identifying a desired service and an origin position into the memory. The input data is compressed before it is stored in the memory. The memory stores predetermined data in a compressed form related to the categories of services available at locations along the highway. The device also includes a microprocessor for retrieving from the memory the predetermined data which is a function of the input data. The microprocessor expands the retrieved compressed data into an operator readable form and provides the expanded data to a display for displaying the expanded retrieved data such as restaurants, gas stations, motels, or other services along the highway.

Abstract: A pulse quaternary modulator especially to enable laser communication systems when working at high data rates to be able to operate on less laser power and on a modulation format that improves modulation efficiency. The subject modulation means can be used in transmitters and receivers and include means that make use of polarization changes in the modulator to create selective high speed electronically controlled optical time delays, and it also includes means for using a combination of polarization state and pulse position information to represent information choices. The subject means are also able to achieve M-ARY modulation when using as a source a mode-lock laser which produces output laser pulses.