Abstract: An optical system for a camera includes a convex reflector, a decompression lens, and an image sensor. The convex reflector has a first diameter and a non-parabolic, axially symmetric, aspheric surface that provides a virtual curved and compressed image of a scene having a non-parabolic image compression. The decompression lens is positioned to receive the virtual curved and compressed image. The decompression lens is configured to decompress the virtual curved and compressed image into a real image having a parabolic image decompression and project the real image. The image sensor is positioned to receive the real image. The real image has a second diameter at the image sensor that is less than the first diameter. A ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between 6.5:1 and 2.3:1. The optical system provides a polychromatic modulation transfer function of 30% or more for 150 cy/mm.

Abstract: An optical system, apparatus, and method for sensing 360-degree horizontal and wide vertical field of view are shown. Powerful optics creates high resolution decompressed images on an image sensor. The compact panoramic camera includes two major optical components: (i) an axially symmetric convex aspheric reflector incorporated into a catadioptric optical element capable of providing a virtual curved image of a 360-degree panoramic scene with a specific image compression and (ii) a decompression lens with hardware aperture. The decompression lens is comprised of three single lens elements and accepts the virtual curved and compressed image and projects it onto the image sensor with high optical resolution and desirable image decompression to achieve a high digital resolution at the same time. Another version of decompression lens is comprised only of a single lens element and projects high resolution decompressed images onto an image sensor.

Abstract: An optical system, apparatus, and method for sensing 360-degree horizontal and wide vertical field of view are shown. Powerful optics creates high resolution decompressed images on an image sensor. The compact panoramic camera includes two major optical components: (i) an axially symmetric convex aspheric reflector incorporated into a catadioptric optical element capable of providing a virtual curved image of a 360-degree panoramic scene with a specific image compression and (ii) a decompression lens with hardware aperture. The decompression lens is comprised of three single lens elements and accepts the virtual curved and compressed image and projects it onto the image sensor with high optical resolution and desirable image decompression to achieve a high digital resolution at the same time. Another version of decompression lens is comprised only of a single lens element and projects high resolution decompressed images onto an image sensor.

Abstract: An optical system, apparatus, and method for sensing 360-degree horizontal and wide vertical field of view are shown. Powerful optics creates high resolution decompressed images on an image sensor. The compact panoramic camera includes two major optical components: (i) an axially symmetric convex aspheric reflector incorporated into a catadioptric optical element capable of providing a virtual curved image of a 360-degree panoramic scene with a specific image compression and (ii) a decompression lens with hardware aperture. The decompression lens is comprised of three single lens elements and accepts the virtual curved and compressed image and projects it onto the image sensor with high optical resolution and desirable image decompression to achieve a high digital resolution at the same time. Another version of decompression lens is comprised only of a single lens element and projects high resolution decompressed images onto an image sensor.

Abstract: A tag has a transmitter for transmitting first wireless signals, and a receiver for receiving second wireless signals from which the tag can determine its current physical location. A different embodiment includes a tag having a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals, and a reader having a receiver for receiving the wireless signals, the receiver in the reader being an ultra-sensitive receiver.

Abstract: A part can receive a communication that originates externally of the part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with the protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to the protocol. The part extracts the payload information from the security provision.

Abstract: A tag has a transmitter for transmitting first wireless signals, and a receiver for receiving second wireless signals from which the tag can determine its current physical location. A different embodiment includes a tag having a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals, and a reader having a receiver for receiving the wireless signals, the receiver in the reader being an ultra-sensitive receiver.

Abstract: A part can receive a communication that originates externally of the part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with the protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to the protocol. The part extracts the payload information from the security provision.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a carrier, and a system that is responsive to wireless signals transmitted by tags on items carried by the carrier for maintaining a local inventory of items carried by the carrier. A different apparatus involves a carrier having a container with an interior, a sensor for detecting a condition externally of the container that can be related to an environment within the container, and a system that handles information from the sensor in a manner facilitating an evaluation of the likelihood that a problem exists within the container. Another apparatus involves a carrier for a plurality of items, and a system that is responsive to wireless signals received from a remote location for determining a current location of the carrier and for evaluating whether the carrier is proceeding along an intended route.

Abstract: One aspect involves a communication that contains a portion encrypted with a selected key can be wirelessly transmitted by a part for reception and decryption by plural tags. A different aspect involves a tag receiving a first sequence of wireless communications that each contain sequencing information regarding the first sequence, while receiving a second sequence of wireless communications that each include sequencing information regarding the second sequence, and further involves monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the first sequence while separately monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the second sequence.

Abstract: Polymers including two or more different recurring units are disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are methods of using such polymers to deliver nucleic acids to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention is a system to track one or more indoor persons that includes an application server with a first processor, a base station, a plurality of tags, a plurality of medical device sensors that includes a wireless blood pressure sensor, a wireless temperature measurement sensor, or a wireless heart rate sensor with a plurality of predetermined boundary readings that are in communication with the tags, a camera that is in communication with the base station and transmits video or a plurality of picture images to the base station and a mobile device that is in communication with the base station within the system. The system can also be modified to track one or more outdoor persons and one or more new or used vehicles as well.

Abstract: One aspect involves receiving by a tag of wireless communications that utilize a first security provision, and wireless communications that utilize a second security provision different from the first security provision. A different aspect involves receiving by an entity of an authentication request that is based on a first digital certificate unknown to the entity, and determining by the entity, without external authentication of the first digital certificate, whether the first digital certificate is in a trust relationship with a second digital certificate that is different from the first digital certificate and that is known to the entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing expanded compatibility in identification tags such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices. Integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tags configured for compatibility with passive and active readers, respectively. Additionally, the integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tag readers for compatibility with passive and active tags, respectively. A first combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag reader for collecting information over a passive channel, and sending the information over an active channel. A second combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag receiver/transceiver for communication over both active and passive channels. A third combination comprises an active tag and an active tag reader for collecting information over an active channel, and sending information over an active channel.

Abstract: One aspect involves a communication that contains a portion encrypted with a selected key can be wirelessly transmitted by a part for reception and decryption by plural tags. A different aspect involves a tag receiving a first sequence of wireless communications that each contain sequencing information regarding the first sequence, while receiving a second sequence of wireless communications that each include sequencing information regarding the second sequence, and further involves monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the first sequence while separately monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the second sequence.

Abstract: A response to an event involves transmitting a communication for propagation away from a part externally thereof, the communication containing first and second segments that are respectively subject to first and second security provisions that are different.

Abstract: A part can receive a communication that originates externally of the part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with the protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to the protocol. The part extracts the payload information from the security provision.

Abstract: One aspect involves receiving by a tag of wireless communications that utilize a first security provision, and wireless communications that utilize a second security provision different from the first security provision. A different aspect involves receiving by an entity of an authentication request that is based on a first digital certificate unknown to the entity, and determining by the entity, without external authentication of the first digital certificate, whether the first digital certificate is in a trust relationship with a second digital certificate that is different from the first digital certificate and that is known to the entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve storing in a tag a selected digital certificate that permits secure access to said tag from externally thereof.