Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for, and method of, reading an RFID tag to obtain data, includes an RFID module supported by a housing and including an antenna for propagating an electromagnetic field over a field of view, as well as an illuminator supported by the housing for visibly illuminating the field of view to enable an operator to see the illuminated field of view and whether the RFID tag is within the illuminated field of view.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for, and method of, reading an RFID tag to obtain data, includes an RFID module supported by a housing and including an antenna for propagating an electromagnetic field over a field of view, as well as an illuminator supported by the housing for visibly illuminating the field of view to enable an operator to see the illuminated field of view and whether the RFID tag is within the illuminated field of view.

Abstract: Described is a device which includes an attachment arrangement for coupling the device to at least one finger of a user. The device also includes a trigger arrangement which, when the device is located anywhere along a length of the at least one finger, is positioned for activation by a thumb of the user regardless of a position of the at least one finger. When the at least one finger is in a folded position, a first end of the trigger arrangement is positioned for activation by the thumb and, when the at least one finger is in an unfolded position, a second end of the trigger arrangement is positioned for activation by the thumb.

Abstract: Described is a pad for interposition between a limb of a user and an apparatus to be attached to the limb. The pad comprises a first cushion element extending along a first portion of a first side of the pad and a second cushion element extending along a first portion of a second side of the pad. The first and second cushion elements are separated from one another by a first reduced thickness area which, when the pad is mounted in a desired orientation, extends between the first and second cushion elements substantially along a longitudinal axis of the limb so that, when interposed between the limb and the apparatus attached thereto, the pad bends along the longitudinal axis to maintain the first and second cushion elements and the reduced thickness area in contact with the limb.

Abstract: A method for deploying a floating platform includes storing buoys on a hull of the platform. Tension devices are mounted to the hull, each being connected by a line to one of the buoys. The operator tows the hull to a ballast down site while the buoys are stored on the hull. While adding ballast to the hull, the operator feeds out the lines from the tension devices at a selected tension. The hull moves downward in the water while the buoys float at the surface to maintain stability during the ballasting. The buoys are detached from the lines after the hull is ballasted to a desired depth.

Abstract: A method for deploying a floating platform includes storing buoys on a hull of the platform. Tension devices are mounted to the hull, each being connected by a line to one of the buoys. The operator tows the hull to a ballast down site while the buoys are stored on the hull. While adding ballast to the hull, the operator feeds out the lines from the tension devices at a selected tension. The hull moves downward in the water while the buoys float at the surface to maintain stability during the ballasting. The buoys are detached from the lines after the hull is ballasted to a desired depth.

Abstract: A portable biofeedback apparatus and method for simultaneously gathering information regarding more than one type of musculoskeletal stress. The apparatus has at least two different types of user-selectable sensors for converting different kinds of musculoskeletal activities into electrical signals. An analog-to-digital converter samples the electrical signals at predetermined rates. A memory receives and stores the digital signals. A processor centrally controls the collection, sampling, display and transmittal of the digital data. Magnitudes of the digital signals are simultaneously and in real-time graphically portrayed as a function of time.

Abstract: A portable biofeedback apparatus and method for simultaneously gathering information regarding more than one type of musculoskeletal stress. The apparatus has at least two different types of user-selectable sensors for converting different kinds of musculoskeletal activities into electrical signals. An analog-to-digital converter samples the electrical signals at predetermined rates. A memory receives and stores the digital signals. A processor centrally controls the collection, sampling, display and transmittal of the digital data. Magnitudes of the digital signals are simultaneously and in real-time graphically portrayed as a function of time.

Abstract: An electronic system for adjusting a load bearing surface such as a chair or bed to provide a desired level of comfort includes an array of pressure sensors located within the load bearing surface. The pressure sensors generate data indicating the actual distribution of pressure exerted by a user on the load bearing surface. An electronic processor processes the data generated by the array of pressure senors. The processor compares the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface with a desired range for each region. If the fraction of total load for any region is not within the desired range, a servo-mechanism is activated to change the shape of the load bearing surface so that the fraction of total load on each region is within the desired range, so as to provide a desired level of comfort to the user.

Abstract: An electronic system for adjusting a load bearing surface such as a chair or bed to provide a desired level of comfort comprises an array of pressure sensors located within the load bearing surface. The pressure sensors generate data indicating the actual distribution of pressure exerted by a user on the load bearing surface. An electronic processor processes the data generated by the array of pressure sensors. The processor compares the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface with a desired range for each region. If the fraction of total load for any region is not within the desired range, a servo-mechanism is activated to change the shape of the load bearing surface so that the fraction of total load on each region is within the desired range, so as to provide a desired level of comfort to the user.