Abstract: The present invention relates to a docking station that is operable as a host. The docking station is suitable for docking a portable device that is operable as a slave. The portable device may be, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a mobile phone. The docking station includes determination means for determining an operational voltage of the docked portable device. An adjustable power supply outputs a supply voltage to the docked portable device in accordance with the determined operational voltage. Typically, the power supply includes control means (e.g. microcontroller) for controlling the supply voltage outputted from the adjustable power supply. The present invention also relates to a method for outputting the supply voltage from the host docking station to the docked slave portable device.

Abstract: An interactive interpreter of synchronous or asynchronous selective data from an annular indicia. The annular indicia has data contained thereon that is formatted into bit-cells. The bit-cells are angularly positioned about the circumference of the annular indicia. The annular indicia may, if desired, be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction enabling the interpretation of data encoded as bit-cells. A controller with memory, the memory having stored therein a software program that provides interpretation of the data contained on the annular indicia and the directional rotation of the data. The rotation of the annular indicia may, if desired, be started and stopped at any convenient time without loss of data or reinterpreting of data. The data contained on the annular indicia may, if desired, be selectively disposed about the circumference of the annual indicia.

Abstract: An interactive interpreter of synchronous or asynchronous selective data from an annular indicia. The annular indicia has data contained thereon that is formatted into bit-cells. The bit-cells are angularly positioned about the circumference of the annular indicia. The annular indicia may, if desired, be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction enabling the interpretation of data encoded as bit-cells. A controller with memory, the memory having stored therein a software program that provides interpretation of the data contained on the annular indicia and the directional rotation of the data. The rotation of the annular indicia may, if desired, be started and stopped at any convenient time without loss of data or reinterpreting of data. The data contained on the annular indicia may, if desired, be selectively disposed about the circumference of the annual indicia.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interpretive BIOS machine for controlling the cooking of food in a microwave oven or the conduct of a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream wherein the microwave oven or process stream functionally operates by user independent commands. The interpretive BIOS machine is implemented by a microprocessor or computer having a memory for the storing of a program that contains the operating instruction for the present invention. Data is received into the interpretive BIOS machine from a data entry mechanism. That data is specific code that represents a plurality of desired cooking or process instructions selected by the user of the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention interprets the received data and transforms that data into time duration(s) and scaled power level(s) settings for the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention monitors and adjusts the work performed on a specimen disposed within the microwave oven or process stream.