Abstract: Inventory monitoring systems are configured for mounting within enclosures such as refrigerators, cabinets, closets or sets of shelves. The inventory monitoring systems include cameras, illuminators and processors provided within housings that are formed from plastics and mounted within an enclosure. The cameras capture images of items entering or departing the enclosure, and other data regarding conditions within the enclosure. The images or data are interpreted by either the inventory monitoring system processors or an external computer system to identify an item depicted therein, to determine whether the item has entered or departed the enclosure, or to otherwise identify conditions within the enclosure. A record of inventory or other conditions within the enclosure may be updated to reflect the entry or departure of the item accordingly, and information regarding the inventory or the conditions within the enclosure, as determined by the inventory monitoring systems, may be utilized for any purpose.

Abstract: A device for recreational and educational use includes a substantially cylindrical section having a first end, and a second end. A cavity is disposed within the substantially cylindrical section to receive fluid when the device is immersed in a body of fluid. The substantially cylindrical section decreases in radius toward the first end and present a low drag profile to impinging fluid flow. Control surfaces are included on the substantially cylindrical section. A stabilizer is coupled with the substantially cylindrical section, to stabilize motion of the device in the body of fluid when the device is launched by a user. The device can be hand-launched by a user. Energy storage assisted launch mechanisms are also described that assist the user during submarine launch of the device.

Abstract: A data viewer for displaying information selected from hierarchically organized data enables hierarchical searching by displaying hierarchical levels, or alternatively, by implementing an index search of selected data elements. If the index search is selected, an alphabetically ordered list of selected subjects, categories, and subcategories in the database is displayed for the hierarchically organized data. The selected subjects, categories, and subcategories are each associated with a database record and not with a lower hierarchical level that is a category or subcategory. Upon selecting an element from the index, the user is presented with a topical list. Any topic can be selected to display additional information. When an element is selected during an index search, the hierarchical relationship of the selected element to the hierarchical levels above it is also displayed, enabling the user to select a different hierarchical level that appears more relevant to the information desired.

Abstract: A data viewer for displaying information selected from hierarchically organized data enables hierarchical searching by displaying hierarchical levels, or alternatively, by implementing an index search of selected data elements. If the index search is selected, an alphabetically ordered list of selected subjects, categories, and subcategories in the database is displayed for the hierarchically organized data. The selected subjects, categories, and subcategories are each associated with a database record and not with a lower hierarchical level that is a category or subcategory. Upon selecting an element from the index, the user is presented with a topical list. Any topic can be selected to display additional information. When an element is selected during an index search, the hierarchical relationship of the selected element to the hierarchical levels above it is also displayed, enabling the user to select a different hierarchical level that appears more relevant to the information desired.