Abstract: A helmet includes an inner and outer shell that are connected posterior of the head via a two degree freedom of movement rotating hinge. The connector allows for angular rotation about the inferior/superior and left/right axes. One potential mechanism for the connector is four springs, located left, right, inferior and superior of the connector, connected to both the inner and outer layers. The goal of the springs is two-fold to provide resistance in the event that the outer layer rotates with respect to the inner layer about either axis in response to an impact or applied force, and to rapidly return the outer layer to its equilibrium position post-impact or after the removal of the applied force.

Abstract: A helmet consists of an inner and outer shell that are connected posterior of the head via a two degree freedom of movement rotating hinge. The connector allows for angular rotation about the inferior/superior and left/right axes. One potential mechanism for the connector is four springs, located left, right, inferior and superior of the connector, connected to both the inner and outer layers. The goal of the springs is two-fold—to provide resistance in the event that the outer layer rotates with respect to the inner layer about either axis in response to an impact or applied force, and to rapidly return the outer layer to its equilibrium position post-impact or after the removal of the applied force.

Abstract: A method for causing visual images on the foveas of a patient to be differentially displaced from their default position by determining an optimal amount of displacement for each eye to maximize visual acuity while maintaining binocular vision, and fabricating lenses to achieve the determined differential displacements by use of two prisms of different dioptric strength. Optical devices, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, displace the images on the foveas of a patient by an amount sufficient to mitigate problems caused by non-fully functional foveas.

Abstract: A method for causing visual images on the foveas of a patient to be differentially displaced from their default position by determining an optimal amount of displacement for each eye to maximize visual acuity while maintaining binocular vision, and fabricating lenses to achieve the determined differential displacements by use of two prisms of different dioptric strength. Optical devices, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, displace the images on the foveas of a patient by an amount sufficient to mitigate problems caused by non-fully functional foveas.

Abstract: Eyeglasses for enhancing visual contrast through the use of hetero-chromic filters are provided. One lens of the glasses is tinted pale green while the other lens is tinted to be a slightly darker yellow. The resulting pair of glasses, when worn, creates color-retinal rivalry between the two eyes to encourage better visual contrast and provide improved vision quality, especially at night. Such hetero-chromic filtration may also be effectively embodied within contact lenses, whether hard, gas-permeable or hydrophilic soft lenses, by incorporating an appropriate dye into each contact lens that is both benign and non-irritating to the eye tissues.

Abstract: A portable card reader designed to be carried in a wallet or purse has an electromagnetic head that reads information from a magnetic strip of a card or information is read from the card by an array of Hall sensors. In a further embodiment, the card reader uses a magnetic sensor based on magnetoresistive sensing of magnetic transitions of a magnetic stripe, suitable for use with small, portable electronic devices. In each embodiment, the information read from the card may be converted to a sequence of electronic bursts of predetermined frequency, preferably in the audible or ultrasound range. The sound signals are output by a speaker to the microphone of a telephone. The signal is then transmitted over the telephone lines to a remote receiver. The receiver then converts the sound bursts into signal pulses, which can be read using the computer software of a conventional card reader.

Abstract: A system and method for objectively testing for ocular changes including age-related macular degeneration through reliance on involuntary physical reactions such as the fixation reflex and optokinetic nystagmus. A narrow band of visible blue light is beamed at the patient's eye through alternate apertures in a mask which are separated by a relatively small angle of subtendance at the entrance pupil. In the presence of a healthy macula, the blue light is filtered out and the fixation reflex is absent. Conversely, if the macula is in the process of degenerating by the progressive loss of protective pigments, then the impinging of the narrow band of visible blue light upon the macula, via the alternate apertures, will evoke the fixation reflex.

Abstract: A portable card reader is designed to be carried in a wallet or purse. In a first embodiment, the card reader has an electromagnetic head that reads information from a magnetic strip of a card. In a second embodiment, information is read from the card by an array of Hall sensors. In a further embodiment, the card reader uses a magnetic sensor based on magnetoresistive sensing of magnetic transitions of a magnetic stripe, suitable for use with small, portable electronic devices. In each embodiment, the information read from the card may be converted to a sequence of electronic bursts of predetermined frequency, preferably in the audible or ultrasound range. The sound signals are output by a speaker to the microphone of a telephone. The signal is then transmitted over the telephone lines to a remote receiver. The receiver then converts the sound bursts into signal pulses which can be read using the computer software of a conventional card reader.

Abstract: A cellular telephone device or other appliance or object is positioned in the field of sight immediately in front of a driver of an automobile. This may be accomplished by positioning the cellular telephone device on the dashboard of the automobile in a location adjacent to the peripheral edge of an imaginary line projected from the circle of the steering wheel. The driver of an automobile would then immediately be focused on the telephone device positioned in the line of sight customarily used for driving. A forward extension of the left or right arm would encounter the telephone device being held in a position so that the dialing numbers project towards the driver and are prominently displayed and immediately accessible. The cradle or bin holding the telephone device positions the telephone device to project above the dashboard and above the instruments of the automobile and in the field of view of the road immediately ahead of the automobile.

Abstract: A portable card reader designed to be carried in a wallet or purse. In a first embodiment, the card reader has an electromagnetic head that reads information from a magnetic strip of a card. In a second embodiment, information is read from the card by an array of Hall sensors. In a further embodiment, the card reader uses a magnetic sensor based on magnetoresistive sensing of magnetic transitions of a magnetic stripe, suitable for use with small, portable electronic devices. In each embodiment, the information read from the card may be converted to a sequence of electronic bursts of predetermined frequency, preferably in the audible or ultrasound range. The sound signals are output by a speaker to the microphone of a telephone. The signal is then transmitted over the telephone lines to a remote receiver. The receiver then converts the sound bursts into signal pulses which can be read using the computer software of a conventional card reader.

Abstract: A portable card reader is designed to be carried in a wallet or purse. In a first embodiment, the card reader has an electromagnetic head that reads information from a magnetic strip of a card. In a second embodiment, information is read from the card by an array of Hall sensors. In both embodiments, the information read from the card is converted to a sequence of electronic bursts of predetermined frequency, preferably in the audible or ultrasound range. The sound signals are output by a speaker to the microphone of a telephone. The signal is then transmitted over the telephone lines to a remote receiver. The receiver then converts the sound bursts into signal pulses which can be read using the computer software of a conventional card reader.

Abstract: An authorization card, such as a credit card, has a security feature. The authorization card generally has two operational states, a disabled state and an enable state. In the disabled state, which is the default mode of operation, access to confidential information stored on the card is denied. The card remains in the disabled state until a PIN code is entered on a keypad provided on the card. Once the card is enabled, access to the confidential information is permitted for a predetermined period of time, after which the card reverts back to the default disabled state. The security feature is implemented on a magnetic card, an electronic smart card, and passive electronic card.

Abstract: A hand held telephone having twelve push buttons arranged in a clock face orientation around a centrally located swivel button. The push buttons are arranged so that the number one button is arranged at approximately a one o'clock orientation, the number two button is set approximately at a two o'clock orientation and so on through the number nine button at an approximate nine o'clock orientation. A zero button is positioned at the approximate 10 o'clock orientation and "*" (star) button is positioned at an approximate eleven o'clock orientation and the "#" (pound) button is positioned at an approximate twelve o'clock orientation. By arranging the buttons normally found on a telephone in a clock face orientation, it is possible to move the forefinger of an individual to the approximate clock setting so as to key actuate an appropriate number. This can be accomplished without visually focusing on the clock face.

Abstract: A one hand, QWERTY keyboard angles the rows of keys away from the top and bottom parallel axes of the keyboard so as to eliminate ulnar-deviation of the actuating hand. This permits the orientation of the device to be parallel to the frontal plane of the body. Further, by positioning one or more keys on a front vertical surface of the keyboard, the thumb can actuate these keys in a natural-grasping, prehensile movement towards the fingers. The keyboard operates in two basic function modes. In a first mode, textual letters and symbols are input and in a second mode, numbers or symbols as for mathematical or scientific calculation are input. Once the user has turned on the device, the user can either press the "L" portion of a switch for letter usage or the "N" portion of the switch for number usage.

Abstract: An adjustable one-piece platform is constructed or molded with a plastic living hinge at a front edge to which is integrally attached an elevating projection. The front edge elevating projection can be rotated about the living hinge into one of several positions. This permits the bottom surface of the keyboard alignment device of the present invention to remain in a horizontal plane on a desktop or a computer work surface platform. Further, the keyboard alignment device is able to have the angle of inclination of the bottom surface changed with respect to a horizontal work surface. A traditional flat/rectangular keyboard is placed on an upper rear surface of the keyboard alignment device. The traditional keyboard maintains its front to rear taper when an elevating projection of the keyboard alignment device is at right angles to the desktop or work surface.

Abstract: A combined mouse and track ball are contained within an ergonomically designed housing or shell. The shell is curved to fit comfortably within the palm of the hand of an operator so that the forefinger and thumb are opposed to each other in a prehensile position. A single shell is operable by a left-handed or right-handed operator to change the mode of operation between use in a track ball mode and use in a mouse mode.

Abstract: A computer keyboard is designed such that a user may acquire total tactile familiarity with the keyboard, thus enabling the user to copy written material and look at the screen while typing without looking at the keyboard. One embodiment of the keyboard of the invention is divided at its midpoint by a central peak and the outer portions slant downwardly and away from the central peak and upwardly away from the user to form a shallow V-shape. The V-shaped keyboard configuration lessens ulnar abducted deviation and permits a relatively straight hand-wrist orientation. The center-peak design also lessens the amount of hand pronation, i.e. the rotation of the hands from a comfortable vertical posture into an uncomfortable horizontal posture. Further, the V-shaped arrangement enables the forearms to be separated, allowing for unobstructed visual access to a copy-viewing area. Strain on the hands and wrists is minimized and occupationally-induced injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are avoided.