Abstract: A method for reading symbols having data identifying characteristics is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a nose portion that forms part of a symbol capture device. The nose portion has a plurality of spaced apart light sources that are adapted to put images on a surface. The images can be used to ascertain proper positioning and focal plane of the device.

Abstract: An attachment device is provided comprising at least one fluid filled cavity formed therein. The attachment device is preferably in the form of a carabiner in which at least a portion of the carabiner body is formed of a transparent material such that the fluid filled cavity is visible. In a preferred embodiment an indicia bearing means is visibly disposed within said cavity.

Abstract: A method and system used in the barcode sensing process are disclosed, in which at least two instances of an optical signal are obtained from the same barcode in different time periods, and digitized by a first digitizer with a first threshold. The digitized results from the at least two instances are then applied with an AND algorithm to eliminate the noise, whereby create a correct digitized output. Preferably, the instances of the signal are also digitized by a second digitizer with a second threshold, which are used to synchronize the timing of the digitized results created by the first digitizer. The second threshold is preferably larger than the first threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data backup is disclosed in which prior to actually performing a backup operation from a subscriber computer, the backup server device checks a specified server to determine if parts of the subscriber data to be backed up can be backed up or replicated from data on the specified server. If it can, the backup server uses that specified server to create a backup of the subscriber data to be backed up. If it cannot, then the data is backed up from the subscriber computer.

Abstract: Methods and/or apparatus are contemplated for establishing a plurality of investments in a portfolio among which an allocation of assets is to be made; establishing one or more factors to be associated with the plurality of investments, at least one of the factors having values that are time variant; and computing the allocation of assets among the investments as one or more functions of the one or more factors such that a time variant allocation of the assets among the investments is obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sonotrode for irradiating ultrasonic energy into fluid or pasty media, wherein the ultrasonic sonotrode in the longitudinal direction (z) includes: a coupling section for coupling an active ultrasonic system which excites longitudinally in the longitudinal direction (z); a base section, wherein the largest dimension of the base section transverse to the longitudinal direction (z) is larger than the length of the base section in the longitudinal direction (z), wherein the dimensions of the base section transverse to the longitudinal direction in the border region to the transition section are always ??/4 and the shortest length of the base section in the longitudinal direction (z)<?/4; a transition section for the reduction of the cross section in at least one cross-section with respect to the base section; and a flat section with an end-face region as an irradiation surface, wherein the flat section is divided by way of at least one slot into several tongues which are unconnected in the end-f

Abstract: Eye measurements taken on a patient being fitted for contact lens will include a refraction test and an additional measurement representing corneal depth variation on the surface of an imaginary cylinder having the same diameter as the lens. This information then used during lens manufacture to produce lens in which the perimeter is not circular and does not lie in a plane, but which drops backwards towards the eye at appropriate points to produce a saddle-shaped perimeter.

Abstract: An improved document generation tool which intercepts data from a print spool and utilizes that data in conjunction with the database to cause certain changes to the final printed data.

Abstract: A dual mode cradle, base station having a re-charging mode and a transmitting mode for wireless communication with a remote device and recharging a handheld scanning device is provided. The dual mode cradle, base station includes a transmitting subunit for wirelessly transmitting data originating from the handheld scanning device to a remote device; a re-charging subsystem disposed to be coupled to an electric power source for charging a battery within the handheld scanning device; and a scanning subsystem. The scanning subsystem includes the handheld scanning device; a polygon mirror adapted to rotably reflect a light path originating from the handheld scanning device, the light path disperse into a pattern for scanning a symbol.

Abstract: Monitoring of the input power is performed on-chip and is used to monitor and maintain performance, detect failure and trigger network protection strategies. An optical power-monitoring technique uses a photodetector monolithically integrated with the semiconductor optical amplifier—Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit to monitor the P2R device and keep the output stable while the input power varies.

Abstract: A method for encoding a symbol such as a barcode with a finder of a known pattern, comprises steps of determining a potential point on the finder edge and tracing and verifying a path representing the finder edge by checking the color of each point on the path against a threshold. The threshold is preferably reevaluated at least every several pixel movements along the path. The method may decode the barcode directly from the gray image displayed on a LCD screen without a need of a whole characterized image.

Abstract: A barcode scanning system is provided, which comprises an amplitude compensation circuit to change the amplitude of signals corresponding to each location on the barcode such that all the signals have the same amplitude. The changing of the amplitude may be determined according to an angular position or an oscillating velocity of an mirror. Preferably, the cutoff frequency of a low pass circuit in the barcode scanning system is variable according to the oscillating velocity or the angular position of the mirror too.

Abstract: System and methods for collecting and preparing fat for autologous fat transplantation. The system includes a centrifuge, syringes, and filtering and transferring assemblies coupled with the syringes. Substances, including oil, fat, and denser substances (tumescent fluid, connective tissue, and other non-fat substances), are harvested into a syringe. A dye is provided or injected in the syringe. Centrifugation of the syringe stratifies the substances into a top oil stratum, a middle fat stratum, and a bottom denser substance stratum. A superficial layer of less viable fat tissue in the middle stratum is highlighted by the dye. Denser substances are filtered out of the syringes during centrifugation. Oil and the less viable fat tissue are removed through a port in the plunger head of the syringe plunger. More viable fat tissue is transferred into smaller syringes through an adapter in the assembly coupled with the syringe and the smaller syringes.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which includes a signal generator providing a first signal having a first frequency; a clock tree operative to propagate the first signal to at least one clock mesh of the apparatus; and a final buffer operative to receive the first signal, provide a second signal having a second frequency, synchronize the second signal with the first signal, and propagate the synchronized second signal to at least one other clock mesh of the apparatus.

Abstract: A carabiner-type attachment for writing instruments in which the carabiner-type attachment device is attached to the side of said writing instrument or the cap therefor. The attachment device is preferably in the form of a carabiner in which at least a portion of the carabiner body is integral with a pen or pen cap. In alternative embodiments the attachment device is removable from said writing instrument or the cap of the writing instrument.