Abstract: An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.

Abstract: An optical detector system provides output to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications by tracking a beam of incoming light using a fast-steering mirror (FSM). The optical detector system comprises an array of optical photodetectors, such array comprising one or more quad cells. The incoming light passes through one or more optical elements to generate a specified beam shape, such as a bar or cross, on the array. The resulting output from the array is highly responsive to changes in position of the reshaped beam on the array. As a result, noise equivalent angle (NEA) of the optical detector system representing pointing error is substantially reduced. A reduction in NEA facilitates more precise alignment, allowing incoming light to be aligned to a smaller area. For example, the incoming light may be aligned to a single mode optical fiber connected to a receiver system.

Abstract: Light is modulated at a source to encode data. An additional tracking signal is imposed on the light using polarization modulation (PM). PM modulates one or more values of polarization rotation or polarization ellipticity of the light. These values may be dithered within constraints to provide a specified modulation index at the optical receiver, without impairing the encoded data. At the optical receiver, a polarization analyzer is used to recover the tracking signal, converting the polarization modulation to amplitude modulation. For example, after the light passes through the analyzer, an array of optical photodetectors detects the changes in apparent intensity resulting in the interaction between the light and the analyzer that correspond to the tracking signal. Due to a high modulation index, the recovered signal exhibits a high signal to noise ratio (SNR). The high SNR improves a noise equivalent angle, improving tracking performance.

Abstract: An improved wrist band assembly is provided that mitigates against a potential loss of a device mounted to the assembly, particularly during intense physical activity. The assembly supports multiple different closing schemes for securing the assembly to a user's wrist.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a cell culture apparatus includes a port and a snap cap. The port has an annular sidewall defining an opening in communication with a cell culture chamber of a cell culture apparatus. The sidewall has (i) external threads for cooperating with internal threads of a twist cap and (ii) an annularly protruding snap cap engagement feature. The snap cap has a top and an annular sidewall extending from the top. The sidewall of the snap cap has an inwardly annularly projecting element configured to engage with the annularly protruding snap cap engagement feature of the port such that, when fully engaged, the snap cap is not readily removed from the port by unaided human force.

Abstract: An improved tote bag with a locking mechanism is disclosed. The bag provides a high degree of security yet still remains soft, unstructured, and fashionable.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a cell culture apparatus includes a port and a snap cap. The port has an annular sidewall defining an opening in communication with a cell culture chamber of a cell culture apparatus. The sidewall has (i) external threads for cooperating with internal threads of a twist cap and (ii) an annularly protruding snap cap engagement feature. The snap cap has a top and an annular sidewall extending from the top. The sidewall of the snap cap has an inwardly annularly projecting element configured to engage with the annularly protruding snap cap engagement feature of the port such that, when fully engaged, the snap cap is not readily removed from the port by unaided human force.

Abstract: An improved tote bag with a locking mechanism is disclosed. The bag provides a high degree of security yet still remains soft, unstructured, and fashionable.

Abstract: The format of the Presence Information Data Format-Location Object (PIDF-LO) as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is extended or modified to accommodate, within the standard PIDF-LO format, an association of geospacial location to XML content on the Internet. A geospacial location is associated with Extensible Markup Language (XML) content on the Internet. The XML content is identified by a universal resource locator (URL), and associated with geospatial location information (either a specific location, zone, or direction). The URL is inserted into a <presence . . . > section of a Presence Information Data Format-Location Object (PIDF-LO) compliant document as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). In this way, geospacial location information is associated with Internet based XML content using a standard PIDF-LO format.

Abstract: An SS7-based call protocol conversion gateway that translates between circuit-switched SS7 protocols and session initiation protocol (SIP) oriented protocol, allowing an E911 call initiated over a switched network to be routed by a VoIP network. The SS7-based call protocol conversion gateway provides a PSAP with MSAG quality (street address) information about a VoIP dual mode phone user without the need for a wireless carrier to invest in building out an entire VoIP core. Thus, wireless carriers may continue signaling the way they are today, i.e., using the J-STD-036 standard for CDMA and GSM in North America, yet see benefits of a VoIP network core, i.e., provision of MSAG quality location data to a PSAP.

Abstract: An autonomous system for automated monitoring of traffic patterns on a designated surface including at least one mobile monitoring and recording module. The at least one mobile monitoring and recording module includes at least one support and stabilization section and an erector section, at least one autonomous source of energy, at least one energy storage device, and at least one control and information storage unit. The at least one support and stabilization section incorporates a transportation subsection arranged to provide mobility when coupled to a source of a mechanical force and at least one stabilizing subsection arranged to stabilize the at least one mobile monitoring and recording module in a stationary traffic monitoring position. The erector section includes an erector arranged to erect at least one speed measuring device, at least one traffic imaging device, and at least one illumination device at respective predetermined heights above the designated surface.

Abstract: An autonomous system for automated monitoring of traffic patterns on a designated surface including at least one mobile monitoring and recording module. The at least one mobile monitoring and recording module includes at least one support and stabilization section and an erector section, at least one autonomous source of energy, at least one energy storage device, and at least one control and information storage unit. The at least one support and stabilization section incorporates a transportation subsection arranged to provide mobility when coupled to a source of a mechanical force and at least one stabilizing subsection arranged to stabilize the at least one mobile monitoring and recording module in a stationary traffic monitoring position. The erector section includes an erector arranged to erect at least one speed measuring device, at least one traffic imaging device, and at least one illumination device at respective predetermined heiqhts above the designated surface.

Abstract: An autonomous system for automated monitoring of traffic patterns on at least one designated surface including at least one mobile monitoring and recording module. The at least one mobile monitoring and recording module includes at least one support and stabilization section, at least one erector section, at least one autonomous source of electric energy, at least one electric energy storage device, and at least one control and information storage unit. The at least one support and stabilization section incorporates a transportation subsection arranged to provide mobility when coupled to a source of a mechanical force and at least one stabilizing subsection arranged to stabilize the at least one mobile monitoring and recording module in a stationary traffic monitoring position.

Abstract: An autonomous system for automated monitoring of traffic patterns on at least one designated surface including at least one mobile monitoring and recording module. The at least one mobile monitoring and recording module includes at least one support and stabilization section, at least one erector section, at least one autonomous source of electric energy, at least one electric energy storage device, and at least one control and information storage unit. The at least one support and stabilization section incorporates a transportation subsection arranged to provide mobility when coupled to a source of a mechanical force and at least one stabilizing subsection arranged to stabilize the at least one mobile monitoring and recording module in a stationary traffic monitoring position.

Abstract: The format of the Presence Information Data Format—Location Object (PIDF-LO) as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is extended or modified to accommodate, within the standard PIDF-LO format, an association of geospacial location to virtual content on the Internet. A filename of virtual content is associated with geospacial location information (either a specific location, zone, or direction). The filename is inserted into a <presence . . . > section of a Presence Information Data Format-Location Object (PIDF-LO) compliant document as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). In this way, geospacial location information is associated with Internet based virtual content using a standard PIDF-LO format.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a source of a light beam, an optical grating that generates a spatial pattern of interference fringes, and an optical detector which includes generally elongated detector elements that sample the interference fringe pattern at spatially separated locations along the direction of motion of the grating. Each detector element has one or more segments slanted along the direction of motion of the grating by an integer multiple of the period of an undesirable harmonic component of the fringe pattern, thereby spatially integrating the harmonic component and suppressing its contribution to an output of the detector. One specific detector type includes parallel elongated rectangular elements in a rectangular array that is rotated slightly about a Z axis; another type includes detector elements arranged to form a non-rectangular parallelogram.

Abstract: A flexible optical marker is applied to an optical scale substrate to make an optical scale assembly for an optical position encoder. The marker may be a limit marker, index marker, or other type of marker. The marker substrate may be a plastic film such as polyester, singulated from a “recombine” roll created by a web process. The marker has a microstructured pattern on one surface that is covered with a reflective metal coating. The marker also has an adhesive layer and is affixed to the optical scale substrate by a process of aligning the marker to an edge of the scale and then applying pressure to the upper surface of the marker. The marker may be applied with a handle portion that is separated from the marker after the marker is affixed. The marker may be especially useful with a flexible scale substrate such as a metal tape substrate.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a source of a light beam, an optical grating that generates a spatial pattern of interference fringes, and an optical detector which includes generally elongated detector elements that sample the interference fringe pattern at spatially separated locations along the direction of motion of the grating. Each detector element has one or more segments slanted along the direction of motion of the grating by an integer multiple of the period of an undesirable harmonic component of the fringe pattern, thereby spatially integrating the harmonic component and suppressing its contribution to an output of the detector. One specific detector type includes parallel elongated rectangular elements in a rectangular array that is rotated slightly about a Z axis; another type includes detector elements arranged to form a non-rectangular parallelogram.