Abstract: A pontoon boat having a deck disposed over distal, watertight pontoons. Each pontoon comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical shell having a bow end consisting of an eccentric conical section extending upward at an angle out of the water. Splash rails, comprising fins protruding from the pontoon's shell, are disposed along the pontoon's inner and outer surfaces so that they extend substantially from the pontoon's bow end to its stern end. Each pontoon may also includes a splash guard comprising a second, larger fin mounted to the inner surface of the pontoon's shell near the its bow end. The deck of the pontoon boat includes a motor transom for mounting an outboard motor.

Abstract: A scanner for reading two-dimensional optical information sets is described which includes a housing for supporting a photosensitive array associated with an optical string adapted to focus optical information on the array. Also provided are array and optical string controls for controlling the array and optical string such that the output of selected images on the array are processed via pattern recognition means. Images recognized to contain decodable optical information are displayed and highlighted by a display. In this fashion a user is assisted in aiming, recognizing, confirming the decodability, and decoding images of optical information incident on the array.

Abstract: A water supply system which includes an adjustable bury pressure tank having an adjustable float pump control assembly. The water supply system may be adapted for use in a wide variety of climatic conditions.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising a mounting bracket having a cylindrical aperture for mounting a cylindrical electronic components such as a light emitting diode or the like. A mounting bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used to mount an infrared (IR) assembly in a hand-held data collection terminal. This IR assembly may comprise one or more infrared light emitting diodes for transmitting infrared data transmission signals and may also comprise an infrared receiver for sensing and receiving infrared data transmission signals from an infrared data transmission source. Also described is a process for making a small part having a cylindrical aperture, such as a mounting bracket for an IR assembly, is also disclosed. According to this process, cylindrical apertures may be molded into the part without the use of slide pins.

Abstract: An improved data collection system utilizing at least partially integrated data collection and gathering devices and related peripherals. The system includes an at least partially wearable data collection terminal, associated peripherals, and a communication system. The data collection system may utilize a wearable data collection terminal having a computer processor, associated memory, inputs, and outputs. Associated peripheral devices may include voice inputs and outputs, an optically readable information set reader, a keyboard and/or touch-panel, intelligent-body-conforming battery packs, mass storage devices, user position and next task location device, a display, a printer, and a data communication system for both local area and wide area communication.

Abstract: A time-domain dielectric spectroscopy device and method are described wherein measurements are taken of the absorption and dielectric response function of a dielectric material in order to identify dielectric materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of Serpulina hyodysenteriae in a biological sample, an oligonucleotide primer and an S. hyodysenteriae-specific oligonucleotide probe useful in that method, and an article of manufacture that contains the primers and/or probe. Also provided are an about 2.3-kb DNA fragment derived from genomic DNA of S. hyodysenteriae and encoding for an about 56 kDa polypeptide, a recombinant expression vector containing the DNA fragment, the 56 kDa polypeptide and a monoclonal antibody reactive with the peptide, and a method of assaying for antibodies reactive with the 56 kDa peptide.

Abstract: Natural numbers are assigned to represent DNA and mRNA nucleotide bases (n-numbers 0, 1, 2, 3), base pairing numbers in RNA (p-numbers 0, 1, 2, 3), and amino acids in protein (z-numbers with seventeen prime numbers and odd numbers 1, 25, 45; all smaller than 64). These numbers reflect intrinsic properties of the nucleotide bases, their triplet-base codon combinatorics and chemical bonding properties (hydrogen bonds, hydrophobicity, codon positions, and molecular sizes). Gene and protein sequences may be represented, characterized and interpreted by their specific n-sums and z-sums. Base dimers/oligomers and dipeptides/oligopeptides are found to correspond to their sums, as verified by using statistical and other methods. Utility rules are devised for applications in base dimers distribution, RNA base pairing, oligomer repeats and the encoded oligopeptide repeats. Conserved base pairs in four stems of a given mitochondrial tRNA correlate well with the z-number in the encoded hydrophobic amino acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ detection and concentration measurement of trace elements in an analysis sample is disclosed. The invention uses laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) wherein femtosecond pulsed laser energy is employed to produce the plasma. The femtosecond pulsed laser energy is focused on the analysis sample to produce the plasma and the resulting emission is delivered for spectral analysis. Because the method and apparatus of the present invention allow breakdown of the analysis sample without propagation of energy to the sample-air interface, a plasma is produced that consists essentially of sample materials without being contaminated by air plasma formation. Thus, the background emission is reduced and there is no need to wait for the plasma to cool down over time before detecting the spectral lines of the sample. Because there is no need to wait for cooling before spectral measurement, lower detection limits are possible.

Abstract: A hand-held optically readable information set reader having one or more photosensor arrays, at least one information set illuminator, and an information set image transfer system for projecting a readable image of an information set onto the one or more photosensor arrays.

Abstract: A hand-held optically readable information set reader having one or more photosensor arrays, at least one information set illuminator, and an information set image transfer system for projecting a readable image of an information set onto the one or more photosensor arrays.

Abstract: An infrared data communications system employs echo cancellation to remove echo signals of infrared transmissions received by an infrared receiver transducer. A version of the data pulse signal to be transmitted is subtractively combined with the received data pulse signal in order to remove echos of the transmitted signal from the received data pulse signal. A pulse stretcher circuit is utilized to increase the pulse width duration of the version of the data pulse signal to be combined with the received data pulse signal in order to ensure correct timing and cancellation of received echo signals over a range of echo signal propagation delay time.

Abstract: A trampoline basketball game structure comprising an elevated horizontal rebound surface, two opposing and facing goals, and a resilient barrier separating the horizontal rebound surface into two playing areas is disclosed. Also disclosed is a game employing the structure.

Abstract: An information transducing system including a data tag for digitally storing data and a tag reader for selectively activating data tags such that a terminal may at least receive the digitally stored data in a selected data tag for storage and/or transmission of the digitally stored data in the data tag. The tag reader may be operated so as to transmit a unidirectional beam of radiant energy such that it impinges on a data tag to be read. The radiant energy radiating from the tag reader activates the data tag causing the data tag to transmit its digitally stored data via radiant energy to the tag reader and/or a terminal operably coupled to the tag reader.

Abstract: A high coercivity longitudinal recording media comprising FePt or similar thin films that are vacuum deposited by RF and DC sputtering. The as-deposited multilayered films are subjected to vacuum annealing. Due to the formation of the ordered phases of FePt or the like, which have very high crystal anisotropy, the annealed FePt films have large coercivity and fine grain size, suitable for use as ultra-high density magnetic recording media.

Abstract: A contrast controller for a liquid-crystal display maximizes the display contrast by using a light sensor to detect ambient light levels and light blocked by the LCD panel. The display contrast is maximized by maximizing the difference between the ambient and blocked light levels. Further contrast maximization is accomplished through variable control of the LCD backlight in accordance with sensed light levels.

Abstract: A portable optical reader system for reading optical information over a substantial range of distances includes a casing having a light receiving opening for alignment with optical information. Further included is a reading sensor for converting a reflected light image of optical information into an information signal and reflected light optical elements for forming a reflected light image. The optical system is adjustable to tend to focus a reflected light image of optical information, located within a substantial range of distances, onto the reading sensor. A light beam generator is associated with the casing and directed relative to the optical elements and the light receiving opening such that a light beam generated thereby will impinge on an information carrier, having optical information to be read, and will be reflected therefrom through the light receiving opening and via the optical elements to the reading sensor.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data collection terminal unit is of modular structure including, among other modules, multiple endcap modules and radio frequency communications pod modules, each of which may be chosen from a plurality of modules available for assembly into the terminal unit thereby providing a plurality of modular combinations thereof. Consequently, a wide combination of terminal units may be assembled form the available modular choices in order to adapt and optimize the utility thereof for particular data collection and communications operations. The modules provide various modes of connectivity and data transfer capability.

Abstract: An optical indicia reader for reading information encoded in optical indicia is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the optical indicia reader comprises a light source positioned within the indicia reader to illuminate an imaging area containing optical indicia, an oscillatory system for scanning a light beam over the optical indicia, and a controller for controlling the oscillatory system. The controller is capable of directing the oscillatory system to position the light beam in a fixed relationship to an aiming axis of the reader. The oscillatory system may be fixed in position when the optical indicia reader is in a proximity sensing mode.