Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assisting a person in determining the presence or identity of obstacles in the person's path, characterized by a housing, a laser projector for generating a laser pattern on a surface in said person's path, a receiver for at least receiving a plurality of images of the laser pattern reflected from the surface and for generating a signal corresponding to said laser pattern reflection and a processor for processing said signal to at least determine the presence or identity of an object, and a warning generator for generating a warning to the person.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assisting a person in determining the presence or identity of obstacles in the person's path, characterized by a housing, a laser projector for generating a laser pattern in a surface in said person's path, a receiver for at least receiving a plurality of images of the laser pattern reflected from the surface and for generating a signal corresponding to said laser pattern reflection and a processor for processing said signal to at least determine the presence or identity of an object, and a warning generator for generating a warning to the person.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assisting a person in determining the presence or identity of obstacles in the person's path, characterized by a housing, a laser projector for generating a laser pattern in a surface in said person's path, a receiver for at least receiving a plurality of images of the laser pattern reflected from the surface and for generating a signal corresponding to said laser pattern reflection and a processor for processing said signal to at least determine the presence or identity of an object, and a warning generator for generating a warning to the person.

Abstract: An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be connected to an external computer. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. When connected to the computer, the system has sufficient security features to allow the user to copy databases between the devices and to still protect the digital rights of the databases in memory. The security features uses encryption techniques to tie the database to the location in memory to regulate the access and readability of the databases.

Abstract: A portable electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a display section and a keyboard section. A pivoting transparent lid is provided on the display. The lid also contains a light to allow a user to clearly see the device and pages of a book.

Abstract: An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a main body that houses a display and a keyboard section. The main body is thin enough to be able to fit between the pages of the book. The top of the device is slightly larger than the main body and the battery is not housed in the main body.

Abstract: A portable electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a display section and a keyboard section. A pivoting transparent lid is provided on the display. The lid also contains a light to allow a user to clearly see the device and pages of a book.

Abstract: An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be connected to an external computer. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. When connected to the computer, the system has sufficient security features to allow the user to copy databases between the devices and to still protect the digital rights of the databases in memory. The security features uses encryption techniques to tie the database to the location in memory to regulate the access and readability of the databases.

Abstract: An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a main body that houses a display and a keyboard section. The main body is thin enough to be able to fit between the pages of the book. The top of the device is slightly larger than the main body and the battery is not housed in the main body.

Abstract: Capturing coordinate path data from a stylus moving across a surface of arbitrary size and shape. A first receiver is mountable to the surface, and is for receiving a first light beam from the stylus. A second receiver is also mountable to the surface, and is for receiving a second light beam from the stylus. The stylus either emits a plurality of divergent cones of light comprising the first and second light beams from an internal light source or provides at least one divergent cone of light comprising the light beams by reflection from at least one divergent light source that shines at least one divergent cone of light over the surface. The first light beam has a first angle with respect to a two-dimensional coordinate system defined within the surface, and the second light beam has a second angle with respect to the two-dimensional coordinate system. The first receiver determines the first angle, and the second receiver determines the second angle.

Abstract: Capturing the path of an object moving through a sensing volume defined by a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system. First, second, and third angle detectors are mounted in a common housing positionable at a vertex of a sensing cone encompassing the sensing volume, said first, second, and third detectors being separated from one another by known, fixed distances. Each detector receives a respective light beam from the object having a respective angle relative to a respective reference line of the 3D coordinate system, and provides a signal corresponding to said respective angle. At successive samples, successive coordinate positions of the object within the sensing volume are determined, given the first, second, and third angles at each said sample to determine said path, and the path is displayed.

Abstract: Non-contact gauges and methods of optical measurement are provided which include storing a signature indicative of an error associated with measuring a known dimension and then determining an unknown dimension in relation to this signature. The novel technique enables low cost production of preferred gauge designs using standard, off the shelf components. The non-contact gauge includes a radiation source directed toward the object to be measured and a scanning device, preferably a rotating drum having small slits disposed therethrough, for producing a signal responsive to an image produced by the radiation source upon the object. The device is capable of having a resolution of about 0.0001 inches and an accuracy of about +/0.00025 inches. The device can include a nuclear radiation source, such as X-ray radiation, for determining wall-thicknesses. The designs disclosed further produce cross-sectional images of solid and hollow objects.

Abstract: An access control system for use in connection with a data communication system, particularly a data processing system having a computer apparatus, at least one user terminal and a communication link for providing communication between the computer apparatus and the user terminal is comprised of a controller switch and a first programmed computer means. The controller switch is connected to permit transmission of electrical signals between the computer apparatus and the communication link. The first programmed computer means is connected to the controller switch for actuating the controller switch to connect the computer apparatus and the communication link only upon verification by the first programmed computer that an authorized user is operating the user terminal. The access control system also includes an accessor switch and a second programmed computer means. The accessor switch is connected to permit transmission of electrical signals between the user terminal and the communication link.

Abstract: A warning device (10), typically situated in an illuminated exit warning sign, broadcasts voice commands generated by a synthetic speech synthesizer (U3) via speaker (SP1). A programmable microcomputer (U2) senses a loss of AC power and generates a user initiated voice command. Upon the detection of a fire or smoke condition, the microcomputer (U2) generates a priority warning. The device (10) includes a self-contained, charged power supply (12) that powers the microcomputer (U2) and the synthesizer (U3) in the event that the externally supplied AC power ceases. Constant illumination is provided by lamps (32) or (40). A user operated switch aids in programming the microcomputer to provide two sets of audible phrases.

Abstract: A circuit for providing an indication to the operator of a motor vehicle that the engine or vehicle is operating under conditions likely to produce poor fuel economy. The fuel economy indicating circuit includes a first circuit for generating a first electrical signal having a magnitude proportional to the angular velocity of a component of the vehicle drive train, and a second circuit for generating a second electrical signal having a magnitude proportional to the angular acceleration of a component of the vehicle drive train. A third circuit combines the first and second electrical signals to generate a third signal having a magnitude that is a function of the magnitudes of the first and second electrical signals. An electrically actuable indicating device is controlled by a fourth circuit that is responsive to the magnitude of the third electrical signal to cause actuation of the indicating device when the third electrical signal reaches a predetermined threshold level.