Abstract: A handheld device comprises a housing and an optical reader supported by the housing. The housing can include a corner portion at which the optical reader is accessible. Alternatively, the housing can define a major exterior surface at which the optical reader is accessible. The optical reader can include a scanning beam reader responsive to an orientation of the handheld device.

Abstract: A method of providing a resource in an electronic network (20) which includes receiving a signal associated with machine-readable data (16) read from a network navigation device (10). The network navigation device (10) has a human-viewable image (14). The method further includes identifying the resource based upon the signal, and communicating content of the resource. The method can be performed by a node (24) of the electronic network (20).

Abstract: A method of producing a network navigation device which includes writing machine-readable data (16) to a substrate (12), and writing a human-viewable image (14) to the substrate (12). The machine-readable data (16) provides an instruction for linking to a resource in an electronic network (20). The human-viewable image (14) is associated with the resource.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a noninvasive apparatus comprises a card-shaped housing which supports the transdermal delivery device (10). In accordance with a second aspect, a retaining member (18) retains a removable member (16) proximate to at least a portion of the transdermal delivery device (10). In accordance with a third aspect, a transdermal delivery apparatus comprises a processor (24) to receive delivery data via an interface (28) and to direct a transdermal delivery device (10) based upon the delivery data.

Abstract: A molecular detection device including a support member (36) and a plurality of molecular receptors (34) arranged at a plurality of sites of the support member (36). In a first aspect, the molecular receptors (34) are arranged in accordance with a mapping selected from the group consisting of a random mapping and a pseudorandom mapping. In a second aspect, data associated with the mapping is written to a member associated with the support member (36). In a third aspect, the molecular receptors (34) includes a first plurality of molecular receptors germane to an application and at least one molecular receptor extraneous to the application.

Abstract: An accounting system includes a point of sale terminal (20) to print a transaction receipt (26) having a nonpredictable bar code (36) and human-readable transaction information (34) based upon the transaction data. The point of sale terminal (20) communicates the transaction information to a transaction information system. The transaction information is downloaded from the transaction information system by reading the nonpredictable bar code (36) with a data reader (54).

Abstract: A food storage apparatus (22) comprises a container (26) to contain a food item (20), a humidity sensor (34) to sense a humidity within the container (26), and a transmitter (66) responsive to the humidity sensor (34) to transmit a signal based upon the humidity. A system for monitoring at least one food item within a storage place (24) comprises a receiver (88) to receive the signal, and an indicator (40) responsive to the receiver (88). Methods for monitoring at least one food item are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a noninvasive apparatus comprises a housing (42) having a grasping region (44), and a noninvasive extraction device (10) to noninvasively extract a sample from a hand of an end user at the grasping region (44). In accordance with a second aspect, a noninvasive apparatus comprises a card-shaped housing which supports the noninvasive extraction device 10. In accordance with a third aspect, a retaining member (22) retains a removable biosensor (16) proximate to at least a portion of the noninvasive extraction device (10).

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus includes a substrate (34) which supports a filling region (22) and a plurality of electrophoresis lanes (20). The filling region (22) communicates a sample to the plurality of electrophoresis lanes (20). A method of electrophoresis includes providing the above-described electrophoresis apparatus, applying a sample to the filling region (22), the plurality of electrophoresis lanes (20) receiving the sample from the filling region (22), and electrophoresing the sample in the plurality of electrophoresis lanes (20).

Abstract: A medical communication apparatus comprises a receiver (54) to receive a message and at least one output device (56) responsive to the receiver (54). The at least one output device (56) generates an alert for taking a first medicine and a second medicine in response to the message, and graphically indicates the first medicine and the second medicine.

Abstract: A molecular detection apparatus comprises a molecular receptor (20), a detection element (22) responsive to the molecular receptor (20), and a substrate (24) which supports the detection element (22). The molecular detection apparatus further includes a grasping member (26) and an elongated member (30) to couple the grasping member (26) to the substrate (24).

Abstract: An electronic network navigation device (10) comprises a substrate (12) which supports a human-viewable image (14) and machine-readable data (16). The human-viewable image is associated with an electronic address, and the machine-readable data includes navigation instructions for linking to the electronic address. A network access apparatus (24) utilizes a data reader (30) to read the machine-readable data (16). The network access apparatus (24) links to the electronic address based upon the navigation instructions.

Abstract: A bar code display apparatus includes a time-varying nonpredictable code generator (12) and a display device (14) responsive to the time-varying nonpredictable code generator (12) to display a time-varying nonpredictable bar code. The display device can provide a scrolling display by displaying a subsequent bar code portion having a bar removed from an end of the bar code. Alternatively, the display device can display a pulsed signal corresponding to the bar code. A housing, having an inset portion at which the display device is accessible, can support the time-varying nonpredictable code generator and the display device.

Abstract: An apparatus for navigating an electronic network (20) comprises a housing (240) which houses a data reader, a pointing device (236), and a transmitter. The data reader is to read at least one instruction for navigating to a resource in the electronic network (20). The pointing device (236) is to receive, upon navigating to the resource, a user-initiated action for navigating within the resource. The transmitter is to transmit a first signal associated with the at least one instruction and a second signal associated with the user-initiated action.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a binding assay comprises a machine-readable storage medium which supports a molecular receptor (22). In accordance with a second aspect, a support member (50) supports first (22) and second (24) molecular receptors and first (26) and second (28) data identifying the molecular receptors (22,24). In accordance with a third aspect, a support member has a first annular portion (106) to support molecular receptors and a second annular portion (108) to support machine-readable data identifying the plurality of molecular receptors.

Abstract: A foldable article comprises a sheet of material (20) having a first plurality of concertina folds (22) and a second plurality of concertina folds (24). The second plurality of concertina folds (24) are oriented transverse to the first plurality of concertina folds (22). A first tab (30) is disposed at a first edge of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A method of navigating an electronic network includes steps of reading a list of at least one resource in an electronic network, displaying at least a portion of the list, receiving a user-initiated selection of a resource from the list, linking to the resource upon receiving the user-initiated selection, removing the resource from the list. An article of manufacture directs a system for navigating an electronic network to perform the above-listed steps.

Abstract: A method of navigating an electronic network includes steps of reading a list of at least one resource in an electronic network, displaying at least a portion of the list, receiving a user-initiated selection of a resource from the list, linking to the resource upon receiving the user-initiated selection, removing the resource from the list. An article of manufacture directs a system for navigating an electronic network to perform the above-listed steps.

Abstract: An optical hinge (20) provides one or more free space optical communication links through the hinge (17) of an instrument (10). The optical links include a transmitter (24) in one section (14) of the instrument (10) and a receiver (34) in the other section (16) of the instrument (10). An optical coupler (27) connects the transmitter (24) to the receiver (34) through a hinge (17).

Abstract: A foldable article comprises a sheet of material (20) having a first plurality of concertina folds (22) and a second plurality of concertina folds (24). The second plurality of concertina folds (24) are oriented transverse to the first plurality of concertina folds (22). A first tab (30) is disposed at a first edge of the sheet of material.