Abstract: Described are a vehicle optical communications system and network to exchange high bandwidth optical data between vehicles or between a vehicle and a stationary host. The vehicle optical communications system includes a communications module and a sensor having pixels for detecting an image in a field of view. Each pixel can generate a pixel data signal responsive to an incident optical data signal that includes vehicle data transmitted from a remote optical transmitter. The communications module provides remote data in response to the pixel data signals. The vehicular communications system optionally includes an optical transmitter to enable bi-directional communication. Data can be transmitted through a multi-node network of vehicular communication systems deployed in vehicles or on stationary hosts located between or around the data transmitter and intended data receiver.

Abstract: Described are a system and a method for optical tracking of assets. The system includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Each pixel is adapted to produce an electrical signal responsive to an incident optical data signal emitted by an optical tag attached to an asset. The system also includes a sensor processor in communication with the sensor and configured to generate an electrical data signal based on optical data signals incident on the pixels. The sensor processor also generates asset data in response to the electrical data signals from the pixels. The sensor and sensor processor can be implemented as an optical communications imager in which each pixel generates a communication data signal based on incident light. Alternatively, the sensor can include a digital video camera or an analog video camera for lower bandwidth communications.

Abstract: A new and improved method and apparatus for determining cerebral oxygenation. In one basic aspect, a new processing methodology for oxygenation determination, in particular cerebral oxygenation, is provided based on the apprehension and discovery that time-based photon quantity determinations of the wavelength-specific light leaving the head of the patient may be significantly improved, and simplified, by determining the quantity of returning photons in at least one set of two different but closely spaced points in time following the instant of injection, and then taking the ratio of the determinations in each set, to thereby cancel and remove several important sources of error.

Abstract: A sea-shell shaped enclosure includes a body having a size which can be clasped in a hand, which gives off sounds of the sea, or ocean, or related sounds by a sound generating member located within said enclosure (sounds that were recorded from natural, or artificial sources, and stored in said member) when said enclosure is picked up, for the purpose of amusement, since sounds of the sea coming from a sea shell are told of in myth only and never really emulate from sea shells in nature. The triggering device can be a motion sensor, or a heat sensor, or a manual switch, which would trigger the sound generating device to play the above sounds, for a preprogrammed period of time determined by the sound generating device. In addition to the sound could be the option of having the shell light up as well by a light emitting device within the enclosure, which will be energized along with the sound generating device for the same period of time.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for preparatory reading, for preparing people, particularly children, to read. The inventive device includes a series of cards imprinted with the letters of the alphabet and selected combinations of letters representing definite phonic sounds. The cards are separated into a first group composed entirely of the alphabet letters and a plurality of other groups composed of related ones of the letter combinations. The card groups are then individually reviewed, starting with the alphabet letters, until each group is mastered by the learner.

Abstract: Titanium is extracted from perovskite ores or concentrates by reaction of e perovskite ores or concentrates with sulfuric acid to form a sulfated residue, dissolving the sulfated residue in water or dilute acid, removing the precipitated calcium sulfate, and recovering the titanium in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of recovering titanium from perovskite by leaching with a strong sulfuric acid solution is disclosed. The leaching produces a sulfate solution containing titanium and a calcium sulfate residue when the time and temperature of leaching are controlled as a function of the grind size of the perovskite and concentration of the sulfuric acid. The titanium-containing solution and the calcium sulfate residue are then separated. The titanium in the leach solution is precipitated by heating, as a mixture of titanium sulfates, which are then redissolved in water or dilute acid solution. Titanium dioxide may then be prepared by hydrolysis of the titanium in the resulting aqueous solution.