Abstract: The method and system is provided where patients and their designated family and friend supporters are provided with daily, interactive, recovery support for up to 90 days following their hospital discharge. By using internet, mobile, and traditional fixed-line communications, the present invention in conjunction with supporting staff will automatically follow-up with patients on a daily basis in order to identify potential problems as they emerge while simultaneously providing a personalized recovery plan that includes daily recovery guides, medication reminders, and condition specific education, all designed to improve a patient's adherence to their doctor's prescribed treatment. By identifying recovery problems in their early stages and improving patient adherence to prescribed treatment, the present invention will lower the risk of re-hospitalization, improve quality of care, and lower overall health care costs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for implementing a high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode of operation in a free-space optical communication system are disclosed. Functions of the high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode may be implemented in response to one or more engage signals generated and transmitted in response to a sensed inclement weather condition, such as fog or the like, which may interfere with communication of an optical signal between a pair of free-space optical terminals in the free-space optical communication system. Implementation of the high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode facilitates maintenance of the alignment between the pair of free-space optical terminals throughout the duration of the inclement weather condition to allow data communication to resume fully after the inclement weather condition has diminished.

Abstract: A baffle containing a plurality of small apertures is mounted on the receiver aperture of an optical receiver, such as a wireless optical telecommunication system receiver. The baffle attenuates ambient radiation that may interfere with the optical receiver. The baffle includes a plurality of apertures that have their axes substantially parallel to the optical axis of the receiver.

Abstract: A holographic optical element (HOE) device is mounted in a receiver unit, such as a wireless optical telecommunication system receiver. The HOE device includes a developed emulsion material having an interference pattern recorded thereon, sandwiched between a pair of elements, such as a pair of clear glass plates. In operation, the HOE device uses the recorded interference pattern to diffract incident light rays towards an optical processing unit of the system receiver. The optical processing unit includes a photodetector that detects the diffracted light rays. The system receiver can include various other components and/or can have various configurations. In one configuration, a plurality of mirrors is used to control the direction of the light rays coming from the HOE device, and a collimating optical assembly collimates these light rays. A beam splitting optical assembly can be used to split the light rays into a tracking channel and a communication channel.

Abstract: An optical communication system is provided that has a network including a transmitter station that conveys data through a wireless pathway to a receiver station. An obstruction of the pathway is determined by measuring the attenuation of an optical beam arriving at or intending to arrive at a target receiver station and comparing the value with the attenuation of other optical beam(s) arriving at or intending to arrive at one or more reference receiving stations in the optical communication system. The values are interpreted to determine the nature of the blockage and various parameters in the optical data transmission system controlled according to the presence of a local blockage or global blockage. A further consideration in determining the type of blockage may be through measuring the backscattering of the optical beam. In addition, other aspects of the present invention relating to the storage and transfer of selected transaction data are described.

Abstract: A holographic optical element (HOE) device useable for an optical receiver system has a first element having first and second surfaces, with the first surface being positionable to face incident light rays. The incident light rays can comprise laser light having data modulated thereon. An emulsion material is disposed over the second surface of the first element and has a recorded interference pattern that diffracts the incident light rays that pass through the first element. A second element overlies the emulsion material and is structured to pass resulting light rays derived from the incident light rays and diffracted from the recorded interference pattern. A plurality of reflective elements are positioned adjacent to the first and second elements. The reflective elements fold the resulting light rays within the second element, thereby allowing a reduction in separation length between the emulsion material and receiver electronics.

Abstract: A mount for an electro-optic system, such as an optical transceiver system, is usable to compensate for motion that affects alignment with respect to an optical communication signal. The mount can include inner and outer elements having pivots spaced 90 degrees apart relative to each other. The outer element is fixed, and the inner element is capable of movement. The electro-optic system is pivotally coupled to the inner element. A first set of pivot elements between the inner element and the outer element allows rotation about a first axis, while a second set of pivot elements between the electro-optic system and the inner element allows rotation about a second axis, which may be orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: A cover plate on a holographic optical element (HOE) device corrects for aberrations, such as spherical aberrations. The HOE device includes an emulsion material, having a recorded interference pattern that can perform diffraction, sandwiched between a first element and a second element, wherein the second element functions as the cover plate. One of the surfaces of the second element is aspheric to correct for aberrations. The aspheric shape of the surface adds approximately equal and approximately opposite aberrations associated with light rays diffracted by the recorded interference pattern, thereby substantially improving focus.