Abstract: A medical instrument having a lighting system for illuminating a target area, the system comprising a light source and associated power controller, the system being configured to move from a first illumination mode to a second illumination mode based on a sensed or determined changed condition, such as predetermined temperature and/or change in a scene or brightness signal, or lack of change, from an image sensor that may be associated with the instrument.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, a communication interface, and a plurality of EIR devices. Each EIR device can be configured to output a decoded message responsive to reading decodable indicia. The EIR terminal can be configured to transmit via the communication interface to an external computer at least one decoded message corresponding to the decodable indicia read by an EIR device. The EIR terminal can be further configured to supplement the decoded message by a source identifier string identifying the EIR device.

Abstract: A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include at least one pressure regulator, a housing, and an actuation member. The housing has a first fuel hook-up for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, and a second fuel hook-up for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly. The actuation member can control a flow through the heater assembly based on whether the first or the second fuel hook-up is used.

Abstract: A data decoding system can comprise a client computer including an imaging device and one or more servers executing at least one decoding process. The client computer can be configured to acquire an image of decodable indicia and to process the acquired image by: (i) identifying one or more areas of interest within the image; (ii) cropping the image based on the identified areas of interest; (iii) clipping one or more images from the image based on the identified areas of interest; (iv) increasing or reducing a pixel resolution of at least part of the image; (v) converting the image to a grayscale image or to a monochrome image; and/or (vi) compressing the image using a compression algorithm. The decoding process can be configured, responsive to receiving a decoding request comprising the processed image, to decode the decodable indicia and to transmit the decoding operation result to the client computer.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided for insertion into a small body cavity like a nostril and a sinus. The endoscope includes a control section, an insertion tube, a working channel tube, and a grip portion. The control section has portions defining a working channel port. The insertion tube extends from the control section and has first and second sections. The proximal end of the second section is connected to a distal end of the first section. The second section is bendable with respect to the first section. The working channel tube is disposed within first and second lumens of the first and second sections, which defines a working lumen extending therethrough. The working lumen is in communication with the working channel port. The grip portion is connected to the control section, and the insertion tube and the control section are rotatable with respect to the grip portion.

Abstract: A computer can comprise a housing, a microprocessor disposed within the housing, a display, and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the microprocessor. The computer can be configured, responsive to locating decodable indicia within content viewable on the display, to decode the decodable indicia to produce at least one decoded message. The computer can be further configured to display the content with decoded message data being embedded into the content. The decoded message data can be provided by at least one decoded message, data derived from the decoded message.

Abstract: Methods for forming cell arrays of multiple cell samples arranged substantially in a monolayer on a single substrate particularly suited for diagnostic analysis are disclosed. The cell arrays are formed with a high-speed dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing small volumes in precise, complex patterns. Also disclosed are substrates upon which cell arrays may be formed, and methods for conducting diagnostic analyses on the formed cell arrays.

Abstract: There is set forth herein in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having an imaging assembly and an illumination assembly. The imaging assembly can comprise an imaging lens and an image sensor array. The illumination assembly can include a light source bank having one or more light source. The imaging assembly can define a field of view on a substrate and the illumination assembly can project light within the field of view. The imaging apparatus can be configured so that the illumination assembly during an exposure period of the imaging assembly emits light that spans multiple visible color wavelength bands.

Abstract: Embodiments of an indicia reading terminal have multiple fields of view (“FOV”). This feature allows decoding of decodable indicia that exhibit different characteristics. These characteristics may affect the ability of the terminal to identify and decode the information stored therein. In one embodiment, the terminal comprises an optical imaging assembly with at least two FOVs. One of the FOVs is adequate to acquire information from decodable indicia with higher density than other decodable indicia.

Abstract: A decodable indicia reading system can comprise a mobile communication terminal and a removable scanning module. The mobile communication terminal can comprise a microprocessor and a memory. The mobile communication terminal can further comprise at least one wired communication interface including a first electromechanical connector mechanically attached to the terminal housing. The removable scanning module can comprise an encoded information reading (EIR) device and/or an illumination module at least partially disposed within the scanning module housing. Both the mobile communication terminal and the scanning module can be at least partially received by a common housing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an image capture circuit and method for making the same. Electronic devices are formed on a first side of a substrate, each comprising a photo detector. A plurality of opaque shields are formed on a second side of the substrate corresponding to the electronic devices on the first side of the substrate and each directly opposite one of the electronic devices.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal can comprise a housing, a microprocessor disposed within the housing, a communication interface, an encoded information reading (EIR) device, and a coupling device for mechanically coupling the mobile communication terminal to the patient's body and/or a physical structure sustaining the patient's body. The mobile communication terminal can be configured to produce a message identifying the treatment by decoding optical decodable indicia or an RFID tag attached to a physical item associated with the treatment. The message can comprise the patient identifier, the treatment identifier and/or the treatment dosage. The mobile communication terminal can be further configured to validate at least one parameter of the treatment by retrieving at least a part of the patient's electronic health record (EHR) stored by the mobile communication terminal and/or an external computer.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor array can include a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row exposure periods have common exposure initiation times and sequential exposure termination times. An indicia reading apparatus can be controlled so that a light source bank of an illumination pattern assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is energized during an illumination period that overlaps a frame exposure period. The apparatus can be further controlled so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure termination time of the certain row.

Abstract: A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber and a burner. The heating apparatus can have an air shutter that controls the amount of air that mixes with fuel directed toward the burner. The air shutter can be controlled by rotating a shaft that connects to the air shutter. The heating apparatus can also have a system of channels along its front face which direct air along the front face.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, and an EIR device including a two-dimensional imager. The EIR device can be configured to output raw message data containing an encoded message and/or outputting a decoded message corresponding to an encoded message. The EIR terminal can be configured, responsive to acquiring an image containing decodable indicia, to pre-process the acquired image and transmit the pre-processed image to an external decoding computer for decoding the decodable indicia.

Abstract: A data decoding system can comprise one or more computers communicatively coupled to a network. The computers can execute at least one decoding process. The decoding process can be configured, responsive to receiving a decoding request comprising an image of decodable indicia, to locate the decodable indicia within the image, and to decode the decodable indicia into a decoded message. The decoding process can be further configured, responsive to completing a decoding operation, to transmit to the client the decoded message and/or the decoding operation completion code.

Abstract: A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include a fuel regulator valve including a main pressure regulator to regulate the fuel pressure, at least one auxiliary pressure regulator, a first fuel source connection for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, and a second fuel source connection for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly. The one or more auxiliary pressure regulators introduce a backline pressure to the main pressure regulator, thereby adjusting the fuel pressure to fall within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of generating social network posts and tweets based on financial account activity in a goal based financial account where posts and tweets are configurable by the financial account owner. Bank account owners are permitted to configure the message of the posts and tweets, the account activity that generates the notification(s), when the notification(s) is sent to the social network, and which social network site(s) receive the notification(s). Once generated and sent to social network sites, the notification is viewable through the account owner's wall on that social network.

Abstract: Asset reconciliation is facilitated by dynamically determining and applying a scan context to asset-describing tag data. Tag data representative of assets are received from RFID tags. A working scan context defining a scope of coverage of assets to be included in an asset reconciliation is dynamically determined based on the received tag data. Additional tag data representative of additional assets are received, and the dynamically determined working scan context is applied to the additional tag data to automatically identifying which assets of the additional assets are to be included in the asset reconciliation. Assets included in the scope of coverage of the working scan context are included in the asset reconciliation, and assets not included in the scope of coverage of the working scan context are not included in the asset reconciliation.

Abstract: A method of withdrawal of funds from a bank account to purchase retail gift cards and/or electronic retail gift codes generating cash rewards to consumer and/or revenue to financial institutions where the funds withdrawn from the bank account are used to purchase a retail gift card or electronic gift code at face value that was originally purchased at a discount generating a surplus in funds. The difference between the face value and discounted purchase price is divided into cash rewards for the consumer and revenue for the financial institution, at a percentage split determined by the financial institution.