Abstract: Methods and devices for, among other applications, locating an emitter, comprises an array of receivers configured in different angular positions about the array relative to a corresponding array location axis, to receive a signal from the emitter having at least one burst containing a train of pulses, and at least one processor configured to profile pulse count values at each receiver, from one receiver to another in the array in relation to their respective angular positions, to designate a maximum peak angular position associated with a maximum pulse count value, and to attribute the peak angular position to an angular emitter location.

Abstract: A system and method for projecting a holographic image of an object, the system preferably comprising a mobile or smart phone having a power supply source; a central processing unit; software provided by the smart phone for transforming a two dimensional image to project an untethered or seemingly suspended holographic image, the smart phone preferably providing the light source and a holographic, table top projection device having a display window configured to permit the holographic image to be projected therethrough and into space adjacent to the table top device, wherein the optical elements for enabling the holographic projection, namely, a spherical mirror, a circular polarizer, and a beam splitter are housed in the table top device and the same is provided with a slot or pocket configured to hold and maintain the smart phone in mechanical and electronic connection to the table top device.

Abstract: A light switch network comprises a plurality of light switch units, each comprising a gesture interface to sense a user gesture by receiving at least one gesture signal from a sensing zone, and configured to exchange one or more gesture status signals with at least one other switch unit in the network in relation to the received gesture signal; each switch being enabled, on receiving the gesture signal: in a first mode, to change a designated switch mode and/or state in response to the gesture signal; or in a second mode, to not change the designated switch mode and/or state according to one or more conditions associated with the status signals received from the other switch unit.

Abstract: Methods and devices for, among other applications, locating an emitter, comprises an array of receivers configured in different angular positions about the array relative to a corresponding array location axis, to receive a signal from the emitter having at least one burst containing a train of pulses, and at least one processor configured to profile pulse count values at each receiver, from one receiver to another in the array in relation to their respective angular positions, to designate a maximum peak angular position associated with a maximum pulse count value, and to attribute the peak angular position to an angular emitter location.

Abstract: A light switch network comprises a plurality of light switch units, each comprising a gesture interface to sense a user gesture by receiving at least one gesture signal from a sensing zone, and configured to exchange one or more gesture status signals with at least one other switch unit in the network in relation to the received gesture signal; each switch being enabled, on receiving the gesture signal: in a first mode, to change a designated switch mode and/or state in response to the gesture signal; or in a second mode, to not change the designated switch mode and/or state according to one or more conditions associated with the status signals received from the other switch unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ranging finding of signal transmitting devices is provided. The method of signal reception is digitally based only and does not require receivers that are analog measurement devices. Ranging can be achieved using a single pulse emitting device operating in range spaced relation with a minimum of a single signal transmitter and a single digital receiver and processing circuitry. In general a plurality of transmitting pulsed emitters may be ranged and positioned virtually simultaneously in 3-dimensions (XYZ coordinates) using a configuration of a plurality of digital receivers arranged in any fixed 3-dimensional configuration. Applications may involve at least one single transmitter to receiver design to determine range, or at least one transmitted reflecting signal off from an object to determine range.

Abstract: An aerial projection system and method having a housing for positioning low cost optical elements capable of generating a three dimensional aerial images at video rates without reflected artifacts or visible display of the display screen. A method for generating the display images is based on a set of rules that eliminate boundary transgressions and maximizes the illusion of a three dimensional aerial image. An optional second display is a transparent imaging panel that acts selectively as a light valve, as a display platform for special effects or for providing the appearance of linear motion towards or away from the observer. The aerial projection system includes a plastic spherical mirror having a plastic part of at least the following descriptions: mirror surface of sufficient sphericity supported by wall structures, of a plastic material formulation, excellent optical grade finish, has a reflective metal coating and a protective overcoat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ranging finding of signal transmitting devices is provided. The method of signal reception is digitally based only and does not require receivers that are analog measurement devices. Ranging can be achieved using a single pulse emitting device operating in range spaced relation with a minimum of a single signal transmitter and a single digital receiver and processing circuitry. In general a plurality of transmitting pulsed emitters may be ranged and positioned virtually simultaneously in 3-dimensions (XYZ coordinates) using a configuration of a plurality of digital receivers arranged in any fixed 3-dimensional configuration. Applications may involve at least one single transmitter to receiver design to determine range, or at least one transmitted reflecting signal off from an object to determine range.

Abstract: A system and method for selling and/or dispensing consumer products from a vending or transactional-based machine is disclosed. The vending or transactional-based machine comprises an aerial display device that displays an aerial image designed to attract the attention of potential consumers and sell advertising, special promotions or certain products. Once a consumer begins to interact with the vending machine, demographic data is collected or correlated with the product purchased or dispensed. The consumer can initiate and conclude a purchase by merely pointing at the desired product. A mechanism is provided that accepts payment by currency, credit card or electronically.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include one or more wireless transmitting devices and an array of receiver units for receiving wireless communications from the transmitting devices. The transmitter devices and receiver units can be arranged in one, two or three dimensional configurations. Signals are transmitted from the devices for identification and accurate location determination. Spread spectrum techniques can be used, such as DSSS, FHSS, THSS, and pseudo-noise (PN) coding schemes, or combinations thereof. The transmitting devices can generate one or a plurality of data signals that are orthogonal-code modulated, to be decoded by the receiver units and a processor associated therewith. A plurality of transmitter signals can be received, identified, located, and data demodulated substantially simultaneously using embodiments of the invention. The combined use of array processing methods and diversity schemes can be used to reduce the effects of signal multi-path and occlusion.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing aerial images is disclosed employing a combination of plastic spherical mirrors, beamsplitter polarizing filters, and light sources. An object to be displayed is illuminated, and its image is partially reflected by the beamsplitter to a focusing mirror and reflected to an aerial position. A polarizer prevents ambient lights or images from degrading or interfering with the aerial images. A clock radio, a personal television display counter, as well as animated mannequin versions are disclosed.

Abstract: An aerial display system comprising inexpensive optical elements and a highly brightened LCD display or similar video image display types provides floating images in an expensive enclosure. In the aerial display system, either an anti-reflective acrylic plastic layer or a circular polarizer is disposed proximate and parallel to a beam splitter so that the focal point of the floating image is proximate to the plastic layer or polarizer. This image position yields both a wider filed of view and wider perceived field of view. The aerial projection system includes a plastic spherical mirror of low cost, which includes a plastic part of at least the following descriptions: mirror surface supported by wall structures of sufficient sphericity, of a plastic material formulation, having excellent optical grade finish, a reflective metal coating, and a protective overcoat.

Abstract: An aerial image projection device capable of generating an aerial image projection that is a combination of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional video images includes a housing containing the following: a first and a second video display device, a beam splitter, a spherical mirror and a polarizer. The first and the second video display devices, the beam splitter, the spherical mirror and the polarizer are optically aligned so that video images generated by the first and the second video display devices are projected by the spherical mirror as the aerial image projection. The first and the second video display devices include high bright superblack liquid crystal displays, and a polarizer is optically aligned so that images of a viewer are not reflected by and thereby projected from the spherical mirror.

Abstract: A device using a low-cost plastic curved mirror and several combinations of methods for reducing aberrations to improve a real image projection system is provided, so as to reduce ghost and astigmatism phenomenon. The real image projection system includes a curved mirror having two different optical surfaces of revolution, one on a convex surface and the other on a concave surface. The real image projection system may include at least a curved reflector positioned in a tilted configuration, and an optical axis of the reflector does not coincide with a viewing axis. A beampath between a target source and the curved reflector neither passes through a beamsplitter nor is reflected thereby. The real image projection system may further include a circular polarizer for circularly polarizing a light beam in a primary light path between the mirror and the real image, eliminating ghost image caused by outside light sources.

Abstract: A vending or transaction-based machine having an aerial display system is provided. The aerial display system having a low-cost plastic spherical mirror includes an aerial display system having an inexpensive optical device and a high luminance liquid crystal display (LCD) imaging display to provide expensive envelope images. A display design thereof is designed to attention of potential consumers and sale advertising, promotion coupons or three-dimensional images of products. Once consumers begin to interact with the vending machine, demographic data are collected or correlated with the product purchased or dispensed. The consumer can initiate and conclude a purchase by merely pointing at the desired product. A mechanism is provided that accepts payment by currency, credit card or electronically.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a plastic spherical mirror is disclosed. First, a plastic part with a mirror surface supported by a plurality of wall structures is designed. Next, a metal mold including mold for forming the plastic part according the above design specification is provided. A mirror surface of the metal mold is polished to an A1 optical grade finish. The metal mold is heated and chilled to form a curvature of the mirror surface of the metal mold. A plastic material formulation is selected and heated until a melt thereof is obtained. The melt is injected into the mold of the metal mold and the injected melt in the mold is cooled to form the plastic part. A thin layer of a reflective metal coating is deposited on the mirror surface of the plastic part and a protective overcoat is formed on the reflective metal coating.

Abstract: A device using a low-cost plastic curved mirror and several combinations of methods for reducing aberrations to improve a real image projection system is provided, so as to reduce ghost and astigmatism phenomenon. The real image projection system includes a curved mirror having two different optical surfaces of revolution, one on a convex surface and the other on a concave surface. The real image projection system may include at least a curved reflector positioned in a tilted configuration, and an optical axis of the reflector does not coincide with a viewing axis. A beampath between a target source and the curved reflector neither passes through a beamsplitter nor is reflected thereby. The real image projection system may further include a circular polarizer for circularly polarizing a light beam in a primary light path between the mirror and the real image, eliminating ghost image caused by outside light sources.

Abstract: An aerial projection system and method having a housing for positioning low cost optical elements capable of generating a three dimensional aerial images at video rates without reflected artifacts or visible display of the display screen. A method for generating the display images is based on a set of rules that eliminate boundary transgressions and maximizes the illusion of a three dimensional aerial image. An optional second display is a transparent imaging panel that acts selectively as a light valve, as a display platform for special effects or for providing the appearance of linear motion towards or away from the observer. The aerial projection system includes a plastic spherical mirror having a plastic part of at least the following descriptions: mirror surface of sufficient sphericity supported by wall structures, of a plastic material formulation, excellent optical grade finish, has a reflective metal coating and a protective overcoat.