Abstract: A robotic system that includes a robot and a remote station. The remote station can generate control commands that are transmitted to the robot through a broadband network. The control commands can be interpreted by the robot to induce action such as robot movement or focusing a robot camera. The robot can generate reporting commands that are transmitted to the remote station through the broadband network. The reporting commands can provide positional feedback or system reports on the robot.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a robot and a remote station. The remote station may be a personal computer coupled to the robot through a broadband network. A user at the remote station may receive both video and audio from a camera and microphone of the robot, respectively. The remote station may include a graphical user interface that can be selected to generate an alert input to the robot. The user initially establishes a voice communication between the remote station and the robot. To obtain video access the user may select a graphical icon to generate and transmit the alert input to the robot. The caller recipient at the robot may grant the request for video of themselves by inputting a response into the robot. This procedure allows someone at the robot to control the initiation of a video-conference with the user of the remote station.

Abstract: A portable electrical mouse trap that has a housing in the shape of a cat to which a handle is attached. An interior cavity of the mouse trap contains a primary motion sensor near its entrance, a retractable primary gate, a reservoir of a fragrance that smells like fresh cheese, a secondary motion sensor near an entrance to the collection chamber, a retractable secondary gate and a vacuum source. The primary motion sensor and secondary motion sensor detect the presence of a mouse inside the interior cavity. The primary gate automatically opens when activated by the primary motion sensor and the secondary gate automatically opens when activated by the secondary motion sensor. A vacuum tube connects the vacuum source and collection chamber. The vacuum source sucks the mouse fully into the collection chamber and thereby suffocates it. A speaker informs a user when the collection chamber is full.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient.

Abstract: A wavelength locker for use with tunable optical devices, such as tunable lasers, detectors, or wavelength selection filters is described. The invention enables the determination of an optical wavelength or waveband position of a tunable device. Embodiments of the invention supply a reference wavelength which may be used to tune the tunable device to a specified wavelength or waveband. The invention enables the tunable device to be locked to a desired wavelength. The invention enables discrete and continuously tunable optical wavelength determination and locking across a waveband. Applications for the invention include utilization in optical networks. For instance, the invention may be utilized to reference, tune, and lock an incoming signal at the receiving end of an optical network link. In particular, the invention may be used in tunable laser sources, tunable detectors, or tunable optical signal filters as used in optical fiber communications and DWDM applications.

Abstract: A surgical system that may include a remotely controlled surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be coupled to a tool driver that can spin and actuate the instrument. The instrument may include an actuator rod that is coupled to an end effector and detachably connected to a push rod. The push rod can move relative to the handle to actuate the end effector. The end effector may include a fixture that conforms to the shape of a needle. The handle can be secured to the tool driver by inserting pins into corresponding slots that are located on both the instrument and the tool driver. The instrument can be controlled by an operator through a pair of handles. Each handle may be mechanically balanced by a counterweight. The surgical system may also include a touchpad that allows the operator to enter parameters of the system.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom having a plurality of spike openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are positioned within the outsole housing and include a plurality of spikes attached for movement between a spike-extended position through the spike openings and a spike-retracted position. Springs engage the rear and front spike plates for normally urging the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes upwardly into the spike-retracted position. A mechanically-actuated slide overlies the rear and front spike plates for controlling movement of the spike plates between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: An athletic shoe including a shoe upper and an outsole connected to the shoe upper is provided. The outsole defines a plurality of spike receiving openings therein. A plate is located between the shoe upper and the outsole, and includes a plurality of spikes attached thereto. The plate is movable within the upper between a spike-exposing position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly through respective openings formed in the outsole, and a spike-retracting position. An inflatable bladder is located between the plate and the outsole. When inflated with a fluid, the bladder lifts the plate upwardly into the spike-retracting position, and holds the plate in the spike-retracting position during shoe wear. An exhaust communicates with the bladder for exhausting the fluid contained in the bladder. When the fluid is exhausted, the plate is movable into the spike-exposing position by the weight of the wearer during shoe wear.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: An athletic shoe including a shoe upper and an outsole connected to the shoe upper is provided. The outsole defines a plurality of spike receiving openings therein. A plate is located between the shoe upper and the outsole, and includes a plurality of spikes attached thereto. The plate is movable within the upper between a spike-exposing position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly through respective openings formed in the outsole, and a spike-retracting position. An inflatable bladder is located between the plate and the outsole. When inflated with a fluid, the bladder lifts the plate upwardly into the spike-retracting position, and holds the plate in the spike-retracting position during shoe wear. An exhaust communicates with the bladder for exhausting the fluid contained in the bladder. When the fluid is exhausted, the plate is movable into the spike-exposing position by the weight of the wearer during shoe wear.