Abstract: A wireless hand-supportable Internet-enabled transaction-enabling terminal for enablign a user to information-related transaction. An HTML-encoded document, and code associated with a transaction-enabling Applet, are created and stored in an http information server for use in enabling the predetermined information-related transaction. The transaction-enabling Applet is encoded within a bar code symbol. When the Applet-encoded bar code symbol is read using the wireless hand-supportable Internet-enabled transaction-enabling terminal of the present invention, the corresponding code is automatically accessed from the HTTP server, the HTML-encoded document is displayed at the terminal, and the transaction-enabling Applet is initiated for execution so that the customer, consumer or client desiring the transaction can simply and conveniently conduct the information-related transaction over the Internet.

Abstract: A bar code symbol scanning system for laser scanning bar code symbols within a 3-D scanning volume and automatically producing bar code symbol position information specifying the position of each bar code symbol detected within said 3-D scanning volume. The system comprises a laser scanning mechanism and a scan data signal processor. The laser scanning mechanism generates and scans a laser beam so as produce a laser scanning pattern which is substantially confined within a 3-D scanning volume having a plurality of focal planes. During system operation, the laser scanning pattern, consisting of a plurality of scanlines disposed within each focal plane, scans the bar code symbol on each object transported through the 3-D scanning volume. In response thereto, the laser scanning mechanism automatically produces scan data indicative of the scanned bar code symbol.

Abstract: The present invention concerns computer-produced carved signs and methods and apparatus for making the same. A computer-produced carved sign embodying a signage work having three-dimensional surfaces, is produced by a method which comprises, designing on a computer-aided design system, a three-dimensional graphical model of the signage work having three-dimensional surfaces to be carved in a signboard. On the computer-aided design system, a desired mathematical representation of the three-dimensional graphical model of the signage work to be carved in the signboard, is determined, and the desired mathematical representation is provided to a computer-aided machining system having a carving tool.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: The first scanner generates an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern within a large 3-D scanning volume in order to detect the location of a code symbol therewithin and produce data indicative of its location therewithin. Using this location data, the second scanner produces a high density scanning pattern to aggressively scan the region in which the code symbol has been detected, and collect scan data for decode processing. In the illustrative embodiment, the first scanner is realized as a multiple-focal plane holographic scanner, whereas the second scanner is realized as a high-speed 2-D scanner. By virtue of the system and method of the present invention, it is now possible to read bar code symbols located anywhere within very large volume of space, with a high degree of accuracy hitherto impossible using prior art techniques.

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: An automatic bar code symbol reading system for automatically reading bar code symbols on packages transported along a conveyor belt through a 3-D scanning volume. The system includes a holographic-based bar code symbol detector and a bar code symbol scanner mounted above the conveyor belt. The holographic-based bar code position detector produces a first laser scanning pattern within the 3-D scanning volume, and scans each transported package, detects the position of the bar code symbol therein, and automatically produces bar code position data specifying the position of the detected bar code symbol. In automatic response to the produced bar code position data, the bar code symbol scanner is steered so as to collect light reflected off the detected bar code symbol, and produce scan data indicative of the detected bar code symbol.

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus for aggregating data elements in multidimensional databases (MDDB) realized in the form of a high-performance stand-alone (i.e. external) aggregation server which can be plugged-into conventional OLAP systems to achieve significant improvements in system performance. In accordance with the principals of the present invention, the stand-alone aggregation server contains a scalable MDDB and a high-performance aggregation engine that are integrated into the modular architecture of the aggregation server. The stand-alone aggregation server of the present invention can uniformly distributed data elements among a plurality of processors, for balanced loading and processing, and therefore is highly scalable.

Abstract: A method of and system for automatically identifying packages during package transport operations carried out by a human operator walking through the doorway of a storage container parked up to a loading dock, wherein a laser scanning system is supported above the doorway defining a passageway of 3-D spatial extent, through which a human operator may walk while manually transporting packages bearing bar code symbols. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser scanning system includes a housing having a light transmission aperture, and a laser scanning pattern generator disposed within the housing. During operation of the system, the laser scanning pattern generator employs a holographic scanning disc to project through the light transmission aperture, an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern which is substantially confined within the spatial extent of a predefined 3-D scanning volume that spatially encompasses a substantial portion of the passageway.

Abstract: The effects of papers/substrate noise are significantly reduced in multi-focal zone laser scanning systems by processing analog scan data signals with a scan data signal processor having a plurality of pass-band filters and amplifiers that are automatically selected for passing only the spectral components of an analog scan data signal produced when a bar code symbol is scanned at a particular focal zone in the laser scanning system. Two or more different pass-band filter structures can be provided for use in the scan data signal processor, wherein each pass-band filter structure is tuned to the spectral band associated with a particular focal zone in the laser scanning system.

Abstract: A holographic laser scanning system for producing a highly defined 3-D scanning volume for omni-directional laser scanning of bar code symbols therein having a minimum element width on the order of about 0.017 inches or less. The holographic laser scanning system comprises a housing, a plurality of laser sources, a holographic scanning disc and a plurality of photodetectors. The plurality of laser sources are disposed within the housing, for producing a plurality of laser beams. The holographic scanning disc is disposed within the housing, and has a plurality of holographic optical elements for scanning the laser beams and producing a plurality of laser scanning planes for scanning a code symbol. Each laser scanning plane has predefined beam characteristics and is spatially confined within a highly-defined 3-D scanning volume having at least three focal zones, a depth of field of at least 10 inches, and a scanning volume of at least 1,440 cubic inches.

Abstract: A code symbol driven system and method are disclosed for producing graphical user interfaces which enable prespecified information-related transactions over the Internet. In the illustrative embodiment, the code symbol reader is integrated with a Java-enabled Internet terminal. The code symbol reader is used to read a code symbol (e.g., magstripe or bar code) encoded with information related to or specifying a predetermined Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The predetermined URL specifies the location of a HTML-encoded document that is stored in an HTTP server and contains one or more transaction-enabling Java-Applets. When the code symbol is read using the code symbol reader, and data representative of the URL is provided to a Java-enabled browser program, the corresponding HTTP document is automatically accessed and displayed at the terminal.

Abstract: An improved method of and a system for managing data elements in a multidimensional database (MDB) supported upon a parallel computing platform using modular-arithmetic based address data mapping (i.e. translation) processes on integer-encoded business dimensions. The parallel computing platform has a plurality of processors and one or more storage volumes for physically storing data elements therein at integer-encoded physical addresses in Processor Storage Space (i.e. physical address space in the one or more storage volumes associated with a given processor). The location of each data element in the MDB is specified in MDB Space by integer-encoded business dimensions associated with the data element. A data loading mechanism loads the integer-encoded business dimensions and associated data elements from a data warehouse. The address data mapping mechanism performs a two part address mapping processing.

Abstract: An Internet-based system and method is provided for routing, tracking and delivering packages. Bar code symbols encoded with URLs and ZIP-CODE information are applied to packages to be routed and tracked within the system. At different points in the system, these URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbols are read to automatically route and track packages.

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 novel transaction method and system, wherein a transaction Java-Applet is embedded within an HTML-encoded document stored in an HTTP server at predetermined URL. When a code symbol (8) encoded with the URL is read using a code symbol reader (7, 7A) interfaced with a Java-enabled Internet terminal, the corresponding HTML document is automatically accessed and displayed at the terminal, and the transaction Java-Applet initiated for execution so that the customer, consumer or client desiring the transaction can simply and conveniently conduct the information-related transaction over the Internet. The transaction-enabling Internet terminal (3) can be in the form of an Internet kiosk installed in a public location, in the manner as conventional ATMs.

Abstract: A data retrieval and acquisition system having a wireless handheld interface for data entry by the user. The system includes a communiation server for communicating, such as throuhg IR signals, with the handheld interfaces. The communications server communicates with multiple command servers and with a master server and/or other communication servers through a communications bus. The handheld interface includes touch screen which is operated through an event driven architecture. The user is allowed to enter data through virtual rolling keys, a scroll bar, virtual key pad, bar code reader, and the like. The system minimized the transmission time by minimizing the necessary information transmitted and by synchronizing the operation of the handheld interfaces with the corresponding communications server. The communications server transmits information to the handheld through a first unique protocal and to the command server through a second unique protocal.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: Improved method of and apparatus for joining and aggregating data elements integrated within a relational database management system (RDBMS) using a non-relational multi-dimensional data structure (MDD). The improved RDBMS system of the present invention can be used to realize achieving a significant increase in system performance (e.g. [deceased] decreased access/search time), user flexibility and ease of use. The improved RDBMS system of the present invention can be used to realize an improved Data Warehouse for supporting on-line analytical processing (OLAP) operations or to realize an improved informational database system or the like.

Abstract: A universal transaction machine (UTM) is disclosed, wherein a code symbol reader is integrated with a Java-enabled Internet terminal to enable the reading of a code symbol (e.g. magstripe or bar code) encoded with information related to a predetermined Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The predetermined URL specifies the location of a HTML-encoded document stored in an HTTP server and contains one or more transaction-enabling Java-Applets. When the URL-encoded symbol is read using the code symbol reader and provided to the Java-enabled browser program, the corresponding HTTP document is automatically accessed and displayed at the terminal. Preferably, the transaction-enabling Java-Applets are executed in order to produce a graphical user interface on the display screen of the terminal, thereby enabling the user to carry out data read and entry operations related to the prespecified information-related transaction.