Abstract: Exception event recorders and analysis systems include: vehicle mounted sensors arranged as a vehicle event recorder to capture both discrete and non-discrete data; a discretization facility; a database; and an analysis server all coupled together as a computer network. Motor vehicles with video cameras and onboard diagnostic systems capture data when the vehicle is involved in a crash or other anomaly (an ‘event’). In station where interpretation of non-discrete data is rendered, i.e. a discretization facility, captured data is used as a basis for production of supplemental discrete data to further characterize the event. Such interpreted data is joined to captured data and inserted into a database in a structure which is searchable and which supports logical or mathematical analysis by automated machines. A coupled analysis server is arranged to test stored data for prescribed conditions and upon finding such, to initiate further actions appropriate for the detected condition.

Abstract: Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.

Abstract: Vehicle event recorders are arranged with integrated web servers to provide a simple user interface and control mechanism which may be address with commonly available hardware and software. A vehicle event recorder of these inventions couples to a network having a workstation node. The workstation having either of the many available web browsers can be used to view, address, control, perform data transfer, et cetera, by way of data exchange in accordance with simple IP protocols. A vehicle equipped with these systems returns to a household to make a network connection. A local server is used to see all exposed system controls as provided by predefined web pages provided by a web server integrated as part of the vehicle event recorder unit.

Abstract: In vehicle event recorders which capture video as discrete image frames, a managed loop memory and management system is provided to realize a virtual ‘timeline dilation’ effect. For a buffer memory of limited size, the maximum extent of a video series in time is extended by trading a reduction in temporal resolution for an increase in temporal range. Memory cells are overwritten in an ‘interleaved’ fashion to effect a reduced frame rate for certain periods in relation to an event moment. In time periods furthest from the event moment, an effective frame rate is minimized while at time periods closest to the event moment, an effective frame rate is maximized.

Abstract: Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged with three stage memories and special mechanism to manage those memories including transfer of data there between. Namely, a managed loop memory receives data from a video camera in real-time and continuously overwrites expired data implicitly determined no longer useful. Data in a managed loop memory is only passed to a more stable memory, a high-capacity buffer memory, in response to an event having occurred. An event trigger produces a signal, which causes data transfer between the managed loop memory and an on-board, high-capacity buffer memory. The high-capacity buffer memory is suitable for storing video series associated with a plurality of events. Finally, a permanent data store is arranged to receive data from the high-capacity buffer memory whenever the system returns and falls within a predetermined proximity of a download station.

Abstract: Vehicle recorder systems are arranged in configured with a video camera, light-weight memory systems, and radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an automobile. An automobile equipped with these video recorder systems used normally throughout the service today, provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. Events such as accidents, near-miss incidents, driving of use, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replay of these images yield information regarding cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly arranged about, and in support of fleet use of vehicles. That is, groups of vehicles are arranged and coupled together whereby a plurality of such vehicles may communicate with a common system providing a fleet manager advanced fleet management tools.

Abstract: Vehicle recorder systems are arranged in configured with a video camera, light-weight memory systems, and radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an automobile. An automobile equipped with these video recorder systems used normally throughout the service today, provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. Events such as accidents, near-miss incidents, driving of use, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replay of these images yield information regarding cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly arranged about, and in support of fleet use of vehicles. That is, groups of vehicles are arranged and coupled together whereby a plurality of such vehicles may communicate with a common system providing a fleet manager advanced fleet management tools.

Abstract: Vehicle recorder systems are arranged in configured with a video camera, light-weight memory systems, and radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an automobile. An automobile equipped with these video recorder systems used normally throughout the service today, provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. Events such as accidents, near-miss incidents, driving of use, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replay of these images yield information regarding cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly arranged about, and in support of fleet use of vehicles. That is, groups of vehicles are arranged and coupled together whereby a plurality of such vehicles may communicate with a common system providing a fleet manager advanced fleet management tools.

Abstract: Tissue substance measurement systems are arranged with highly specialized optical sources. Quantum cascade lasers are high power semiconductor lasers which are tiny in size and highly tunable with respect to wavelength. When deployed in non-invasive tissue substance measurement systems, quantum cascade lasers offer system advantages such as high accuracy, small size, convenience, efficiency, among others. These specialized semiconductors may be used with systems based upon photoacoustic principles. Systems may be formed of a plurality of quantum cascade laser in an optical source, mechanism to couple light into tissue, an acoustic detector and a signal processor. In some versions, user interfaces provide a reporting and feedback function to a user.

Abstract: Photoacoustic measurement system are configured with a special view towards efficient coupling of optical and acoustic energy between respective transducers and a tissue test site. In particular, a disposable substrate provides support for advanced optical paths including, for example, windows, lenses, and index matching gels or fluids. In addition, substrates may also accommodate arrays of coupling sites corresponding to a plurality of acoustic detectors spatially separated. These substrates may additionally include means to affix and secure the device to a measurement head having optoelectronic and electromechanical transducers therein. Further, these substrates include mechanisms which help to affix the substrates to test sites in stabile and secure fashion.

Abstract: Non-invasive wearable systems for continuous measurement of blood glucose concentrations help diabetics maintain best awareness and control. A wearable article such as a wristwatch includes elements integrated therewith to provide for biometric measurements. Specifically, both optical and acoustic transducers are arranged within an article such that they are coupled to tissue in a manner which permits blood analytes measurements to be made. In best versions, a quantum cascade laser is arranged with crystalline acoustic detectors in a photoacoustic effect measurement scheme. Laser pulses stimulate special vibrational states of glucose molecules to produce an acoustic return signal to be received at a piezoelectric detector. A wristwatch case may include a back member which supports arrangements and coupling between the back of the watch, elements contained therein, and tissue in contact with the device.

Abstract: Acoustic detectors having special arrangements and shapes which favor receipt of energy from a particular direction are presented for use in bio chemical concentration measurement. These detectors may include those which aim to receive acoustic energy from a portion of tissue lying slightly below the surface where interstitial fluid containing glucose and glucose indicators may be probed with middle infrared electromagnetic radiation. These devices may be arranged to listen not only to a particular direction in the tissue, but additionally to a particular chosen point. In some versions, acoustic detectors are formed of concentric ring elements having geometries which facility constructive interference between successive wave fronts of a received acoustic wave. Alternatively, spherically shaped reflecting surfaces may be used as a lens to couple the energy emitted from interstitial fluid to a transducer which lies at or near the skin surface.

Abstract: Free space optical communications systems which resist atmospheric attenuation of optical beams is presented. Very long link distances remain highly reliable despite fog and other inclement weather conditions which otherwise tend to hamper optical transmissions in an atmospheric air column. Systems include primary elements as follows: a plurality of transceivers and at least one air column optical path. Each transceiver includes specialized light sources which produce radiation in the Mid-IR spectral region. In addition, these sources are very compact and well organized in view of their intended deployment environment. Further, special modulation means are joined with particular light sources to address high bandwith needs. In addition, specialized detection strategies are presented whereby sensitivity is improved. Alternative versions and configurations directed to specialized function are also described in detail.

Abstract: Free space optical communications systems operable at elevated temperatures include a special highly sensitive, low noise LWIR detector. The optical train is terminated at a special detector arrangement where a semiconductor photodetector and optical immersion type lens are combined and highly integrated as a single element. The detector active region is much smaller than comparable devices which affords a low noise factor critical in IR systems to be operated at high temperature.

Abstract: Automotive collision avoidance systems operable in inclement weather and harsh environments such as motorways are presented. Anticollision systems of these inventions are configured with specialized source and detection subsystems to provide operation with energy beams having relatively long wavelengths. Optical beams characterized as middle infrared or ‘mid-IR’ are used for their ability to stand up against factors which tend to strongly attenuate optical beams of more common spectra such as near IR. In some versions, specialized quantum cascade lasers are arranged as optical beam sources. Quantum cascade lasers efficiently generate high energy beams of long wavelength; for example between 3 and 30 micrometers. These beams of long wavelength tend to better penetrate free-space contaminated with small particulate matter. In addition, these systems include specialized detection subsystems which operate with high detectivity in the mid-IR spectral region.

Abstract: A special infrared photodetector is operable at high temperatures. The detector is a very wideband detector which may be operated in a direct detection mode or in a heterodyne mode. A multiple quantum well photodetector includes a plurality of wells and a plurality of barriers formed of alternating layers of gallium-arsenide and aluminum-gallium-arsenide material respectively. The gallium-arsenide layers are highly doped with an n-type dopant such as silicon atoms. The high doping produces an unexpected result of improved operational efficiency at elevated temperatures. Photodetectors of these inventions have a large number of quantum well structures to improve absorption or interaction cross section. In all versions, the middle portion of wells include a special region of a highly doped gallium arsenide material in a density of about one to three trillion silicon atoms per square centimeter.

Abstract: Windows for infrared Mid-IR optical systems include thin film materials stretched over a rigid frame. The windows form a barrier between sensitive optics in an optic head and damaging elements of weather and environment. Windows and methods for making windows for free space optics communications systems include use of specialized materials and structural components to form durable inexpensive barriers in agreement with these inventions. Barriers can be used to provide protection of optics contained in an optical transceiver from an atmosphere composed of matter hostile to optics elements. The barrier can operate in conjunction with an enclosure housing to form a complete barrier between those optics and that atmosphere. These windows may be removable from the housing for replacement or maintenance. Advanced versions of these windows may also include specialized condensation prevention means.