Abstract: A handheld control device provides a way for controlling one or multiple mobile robotic vehicles by incorporating a handheld computer with a radio board. The device and software use a personal data organizer as the handheld computer with an additional microprocessor and communication device on a radio board for use in controlling one robot or multiple networked robots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining characteristics of tissue is disclosed. The method comprises supplying optical energy to a tissue and detecting at a plurality of locations consequent energy scattered by the tissue. Analysis of the scattered energy as taught herein provides information concerning the properties of the tissue, specifically information related to the fat and lean content and thickness of the tissue. The apparatus comprises a light source adapted to deliver optical energy to a tissue. A plurality of detectors can be mounted at different positions relative to the source to detect energy scattered by the tissue. A signal processor as taught herein can determine characteristics of the tissue from the signals from the detectors and locations of the detectors, specifically information related to the fat and lean content and thickness of the tissue.

Abstract: A hot wire sensor has a cylindrical light-transparent tube having two opaque patches adjacent the two tube ends, respectively, and with one platinum "hot" wire mounted about centrally therein and another platinum wire mounted adjacent thereto. A gas flow monitor includes a resistive bridge circuit, connected to the hot wire sensor. In the bridge circuit, the two platinum wires become two of the adjacent bridge branches. A DC voltage supply of the monitor is connected across the bridge at the bridge junction of the platinum wires, heating the one but not the other owing to disparate resistances in the bridge branches. A calibration socket is mounted vertically on an outer wall of the monitor housing. To calibrate the sensor, a tube end is inserted into the socket holding the tube axis horizontal and the tube is rotated until the opaque patch breaks a light beam between a LED and a photo transistor at the periphery of the socket.

Abstract: A hot wire sensor has a cylindrical light-transparent tube having two opaque patches adjacent the two tube ends, respectively, and with one platinum "hot" wire mounted about centrally therein and another platinum wire mounted adjacent thereto. A gas flow monitor includes a resistive bridge circuit, connected to the hot wire sensor. In the bridge circuit, the two platinum wires become two of the adjacent bridge branches. A DC voltage supply of the monitor is connected across the bridge at the bridge junction of the platinum wires, heating the one but not the other owing to disparate resistances in the bridge branches. A calibration socket is mounted vertically on an outer wall of the monitor housing. To calibrate the sensor, a tube end is inserted into the socket holding the tube axis horizontal and the tube is rotated until the opaque patch breaks a light beam between a LED and a photo transistor at the periphery of the socket.