Abstract: A mobile bar code driven information access terminal for remotely accessing package delivery instructions for an Internet information server on the Internet. A programmed bar code symbol reader is integrated within a hand-supportable housing, for reading a bar code symbol encoded with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) specifying the location of an Internet information resource to be accessed and displayed. The bar code symbol is applied to a package to be delivered to a destination. A computing platform is disposed within the hand-supportable housing, and supports an Internet browser program for accessing and displaying the Internet information resource specified by a URL. A network communication device interconnects the Internet browser program to an Internet information server by way of a 2-way wireless telecommunication link.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle classification and identification (AVIC) system for installation along a roadway. The system comprises first and second planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based imaging and profiling subsystems mounted above and along side of the roadway. The function of these subsystems is to profile the geometry of top and side surfaces of each vehicle travelling under the subsystem and generate vehicle profile data for each such vehicle, and also, to capture digital images of both the front and rear license plates mounted on each vehicle, and generate vehicle image data representative of each captured digital image thereof. A computer system is provided for receiving vehicle image and profile data generated by first and second PLIIM based profiling systems, and processing the vehicle image and profile data so as to automatically identify and classify each vehicle travelling along said roadway.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for designing and constructing miniature optical systems and devices employing light diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for modifying the size and shape of laser beams produced from a commercial-grade laser diodes, over an extended range hitherto unachievable using conventional techniques. The systems and devices of the present invention have uses in a wide range of applications, including laser scanning, optical-based information storage, medical and analytical instrumentation, and the like. In the illustrative embodiments, various techniques are disclosed for implementing the DOEs as holographic optical elements (HOEs), computer-generated holograms (CGHs), as well as other diffractive optical elements.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in a handheld portable data terminal including a display screen and touch screen for sensing location of user contact. The graphical user interface includes a display sequence that displays multiple virtual regions on the display screen, wherein each virtual region corresponds to an event identifier. An event handler identifies one of the virtual regions that corresponds to the location of user contact sensed by the touch screen, determines a specific event identifier corresponding to the identified virtual region, and processes a predetermined sequence for the specific event identifier. The multiple virtual regions displayed on the display screen by the display routine preferably includes one of a virtual keypad for entering symbols associated with keys of the keypad, at least one scroll bar, at least one rolling key, multiple icons, a menu screen and a graphing screen.

Abstract: A bioptical laser scanning system employing a plurality of laser scanning stations about a two independently controlled rotating polygonal mirrors. The system has an ultra-compact construction, ideally suited for space-constrained retail scanning environments, and generates a 3-D omnidirectional laser scanning pattern between the bottom and side-scanning windows during system operation. The laser scanning pattern of the present invention comprises a complex of quasi-orthogonal laser scanning planes, including a plurality of substantially-vertical laser scanning planes for reading bar code symbols having bar code elements (i.e. ladder type bar code symbols) that are oriented substantially horizontal with respect to the bottom-scanning window, and a plurality of substantially-horizontal laser scanning planes for reading bar code symbols having bar code elements (i.e. picket-fence type bar code symbols) that are oriented substantially vertical with respect to the bottom-scanning window.

Abstract: Fuel cells (e.g., air-depolarized fuel cells) are stacked, supported and electrically interconnected into a battery structure with a connector block. The anode and cathode elements of each fuel cell are provided with conductive terminating elements (e.g., plug connectors), preferably extending in downward “U” shaped configuration from the upper ends of the anode and cathode elements respectively. The connector block comprises a series of conductive apertures, positioned and sized, to accommodate the conductive terminating elements of the anodes and cathodes therein. When the conductive terminating elements of the anodes and cathodes are slidably engaged with the conductive apertures of the connector block, the connector block mechanical support the anodes and cathode so engaged.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging system for illuminating an object and forming an image thereof. The planar laser illumination and imaging system which comprises an image formation and detection module having a field of view (FOV) focused at an image detecting array. A planar laser illumination array (PLIA) constructed from an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) is arranged in rectilinear manner.

Abstract: A portable hand-supportable data terminal for allowing an operator to enter, collect, and display data. The data terminal comprises a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture and an automatically-activated bar code symbol reading subsystem integrated therewithin. The bar code symbol reading subsystem includes a bar code symbol reading mechanism. Each instant a bar code symbol is read within a predetermined time period, a symbol character data string representative of the read bar code symbol is automatically produced. A manually-activatable data transmission switch generates a data transmission control activation signal in response to the activation of the switch. A system controller controls a data transmission circuit so that the symbol character data string, produced at substantially the same time when the data transmission control activation signal is generated, is transmitted to a data storage device aboard the data terminal or to a host system in communication therewith.

Abstract: A garment-concealable jewelry case having a front opening with a front cover panel portion that can be either moved or configured to reveal a plurality of parallel-running isolated storage compartments each having an interior storage space which is accessible through a front opening revealed when the front cover panel is removed or reconfigured. Through the front opening of each storage compartment, one or more necklaces, pendants, bracelets or other strands of jewelry can be securely hung on a pair of jewelry support posts adapted for spatial separation on the back wall portion of the storage compartment in order to accommodate the length of jewelry strands being supported.

Abstract: A portable hand-supportable data terminal for allowing an operator to enter, collect, and display data. The data terminal comprises a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture and an automatically-activated laser scanning bar code symbol reading subsystem integrated therewithin. The bar code symbol reading subsystem includes a bar code symbol reading mechanism. Each instant a bar code symbol is read within a predetermined time period, a symbol character data string representative of the read bar code symbol is automatically produced. A manually-activatable data transmission switch generates a data transmission control activation signal in response to the activation of the switch.

Abstract: A multi-tiered computing system having a touch-screen-enabled handheld interface for data entry by the user. The system includes an input computing platform that is coupled to a local database and that communicates to the hand-held interface over a communication channel, such a wireless communication channel (for example, carrying IR signals). The input computing platform communicates with other input computing platforms and a master server through a communications network. The handheld interface includes a touch screen which is preferably operated through an event driven architecture. The user is preferably allowed to enter data through virtual rolling keys, a scroll bar, virtual key pad, bar code reader, and the like. The system preferably minimizes transmission time by minimizing the necessary information transmitted and by synchronizing the operation of the handheld interfaces with the corresponding input computing platform.

Abstract: In a planar light illumination and imaging (PLIIM) system, a planar light illumination module (PLIM) of compact construction produces a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) which emanates substantially within a single plane along the direction of beam propagation towards an object to be optically illuminated and imaged. The PLIM comprises a module housing which has an axial extent, first and second end portions, a central bore formed along the axial extent, and a recess integrally formed in the second end portion. A visible laser diode (VLD) is mounted along the bore at the first end portion of the module housing, for producing a laser beam generally along the axial extent. A focusing lens is mounted along the bore between the first and second end portions, for focusing the laser beam to a predetermined focal point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for mechanically-assisted liposuction treatment. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable housing, an electro-cauterizing cannula assembly, and a reciprocation mechanism. The hand-holdable housing has a cavity adaptable for receipt of a portion of the electro-cauterizing cannula assembly. The electro-cauterizing cannula assembly has a distal end and a proximal end and at least one aspiration aperture about the distal end. The reciprocation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably associated with either the cannula so that the cannulas can be selectively caused to reciprocate relative to the housing. As the cannula is caused to reciprocate relative to the housing, the aspiration aperture formed through the distal end of the cannula assembly is caused to undergo periodic displacement.

Abstract: A bioptical holographic laser scanning system employing a plurality of laser scanning stations about a holographic scanning disc having scanning facets with high and low elevation angle characteristics, as well as positive, negative and zero skew angle characteristics which strategically cooperate with groups of beam folding mirrors having optimized surface geometry characteristics. The system has an ultra-compact construction, ideally suited for space-constrained retail scanning environments, and, generate a 3-D omnidirectional laser scanning pattern between the bottom and side scanning windows during system operation. The laser scanning pattern of the present invention comprises a complex of pairs of quasi-orthogonal laser scanning planes, each composed by a plurality of substantially-vertical laser scanning planes for reading bar code symbols having bar code elements (i.e.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based camera system capable of producing digital images with reduced levels of speckle-pattern noise. The PLIIM based camera system comprises a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) including a plurality of laser diodes for producing and projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) through a light transmission aperture, so as to illuminate an object as it is moving past said PLIIM based camera system. An image formation and detection (IFD) module is provided having a image detection array and imaging forming optics for providing said image detection array with a field of view (FOV). The PLIB and FOV are arranged in a coplanar relationship along the working range of the PLIIM based camera system so that the PLIB illuminates primarily within the FOV of the IFD module.

Abstract: A method of extending the working distance of a planar laser illumination and imaging system without increasing the output power of the visible laser diode (VLD) sources employed therein. The method comprises the steps of: providing a planar laser illumination and imaging system having (1) a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs) for producing a planar laser illumination beam, and (2) an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having a field of view along which the planar laser illumination beam extends, wherein each PLIM has a visible laser diode (VLD) source and beam focusing optics and beam planarizing optics, and the IFD subsystem has image formation optics for determining the maximum working distance of the system; adjusting the imaging optics of the IFD subsystem from an original working distance of the system to an extended working distance thereof; and adjusting the beam focusing optics so that the planar laser illumination beam is focused at the extended working distance.

Abstract: A transportable basketball system having a wind-transmissive backboard structure and sand-anchorable post assembly with threads and handles for safe, simple and quick installation along beaches, shorelines and other sand-covered outdoor environments.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLLIM) based camera system capable of producing digital images with reduced levels of speckle-pattern noise. The PLIIM based camera system comprises a planar laser illumination array (PLIA) including a plurality of laser diodes for producing and projecting a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB), so as to illuminate an object as it is moving past said PLIIM based camera system. An image formation and detection (IFD) module is provided having a image detection array and imaging forming optics for providing the image detection array with a field of view (FOV). The PLIB and FOV are arranged in a coplanar relationship along the working range of the PLIIM based camera system so that the PLIB illuminates primarily within the FOV of the IFD module. A speckle-pattern noise reduction subsystem is integrated with the PLIA, for reducing the temporal-coherence of said planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) before the PLIB illuminates a target object.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid crystal phase-retarders and linear polarizers and methods and apparatus for making the same. The liquid crystal phase-retarder is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having one or more phase retardation regions formed therein. Each phase retardation region has an optical axis specified by the direction and depth of orientation of liquid crystal molecules along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure. The liquid crystal linear polarizer is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having a chiral phase region within which liquid crystal molecules are cholesterically ordered (FIG. 3). One or more nematic phase regions are formed along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure within which liquid crystal molecules are oriented along a direction and to a surface depth sufficient to realize one or more phase retardation regions therein having optical axes along the direction of liquid crystal molecules orientation.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based system employing wavefront control methods for reducing the power of speckle-pattern noise within digital images acquired by the system. The system comprises a housing having a first light transmission aperture, a second light transmission aperture, and a third light transmission aperture, wherein the first and second light transmission apertures are optically isolated from said third light transmission aperture spatially aligned on opposite sides thereof. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted within the housing, for producing and projecting a first and second planar laser illumination beams (PLIBS) through the first and second light transmission apertures respectively, thereby producing a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) outside of the housing, and illuminating an object therewith as the object is transported past the first, second and third light transmission apertures.