Abstract: A method and system for storing and sending multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages is provided which allows a called party to receive a video message even though he may not have the capability to receive video. In an embodiment of the invention, the called party, who may have the capability to receive video messages but is unable to do so at that time because the telephone is busy, not answering or not switched on to receive calls, may retrieve the video message being sent to him.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering unanswered telephone calls is provided. The method includes directing the unanswered call to an external server, recording details of the calling telephone, including the telephone number of the calling telephone (caller ID), the time and the date of the call, and notifying the called telephone of the details of the unanswered telephone call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering unanswered telephone calls is provided. The method includes directing the unanswered call to an external server, recording details of the calling telephone, including the telephone number of the calling telephone (caller ID), the time and the date of the call, and notifying the called telephone of the details of the unanswered telephone call.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging and storing telephone messages is provided. The method includes the steps of a sender recording a message for an addressee at a first server (20) and the first server (20) converting the message to an attached file in e-mail format and sending the e-mail format message via the Internet to a second server (40). The second server (40) is located in the nearest local telephone code area of the addressee.

Abstract: An automatic traffic monitoring system for enforcing traffic laws and regulations and for general purpose traffic monitoring includes a novel passive road sensor that accurately detects the kinematics of moving vehicles. A passive road sensor includes a detector protected in an enclosure, which is embedded in a road opening, is in a continuous listening mode. When the wheels of a passing vehicle come in contact with either the road opening, the enclosure, or both, the resulting mechanical impact generates a disturbance that triggers the detector. A processor unit of the automatic traffic monitoring system records the signal sensed by the detector and analyzes its temporal characteristics to determine the precise time of impact.

Abstract: An automatic traffic monitoring system for enforcing traffic laws and regulations and for general purpose traffic monitoring includes a novel passive road sensor that accurately detects the kinematics of moving vehicles. A passive road sensor includes a detector protected in an enclosure, which is embedded in a road opening, is in a continuous listening mode. When the wheels of a passing vehicle come in contact with either the road opening, the enclosure, or both, the resulting mechanical impact generates a disturbance that triggers the detector. A processor unit of the automatic traffic monitoring system records the signal sensed by the detector and analyzes its temporal characteristics to determine the precise time of impact.

Abstract: A process for the transmission and/or storage of information defined in digital form comprises transforming the clear file, containing said information, to graphic equivalent form, transmitting and/or storing the same in such graphic-equivalent form and bringing it back to digital form.

Abstract: A file encryption method is provided which includes the steps of encrypting the text of the message to be sent, concatenating the encrypted text together with a password to the end of a decryption application to produce a combined file and converting the combined file to an electronic mail format. The file encryption method further includes the steps of transmitting and receiving the converted combined file, reconverting the converted combined file to its previous format and executing the combined file thereby to operate the decryption application on the encrypted text and thereby to produce the text of the message.

Abstract: An apparatus for composing a printable text, comprising coded characters, comprises: A--a text-composing device; B--a memory for storing character grids, representing clear characters, arranged in at least a coded font wherein the character grids are derived from a common, scrambled reference grid; and C--means associated with said text-composing device for selecting clear characters or character grids, as desired. A process for composing a printable text, comprising coded characters and graphic matter obtained thereby, are also described.

Abstract: A system for broadcasting and receiving broadcasted information. A first fax or modem is connected through a transmitter interface to a radio transmitter. A second fax or modem is connected through a receiver interface to a radio receiver. Information to be broadcast is encoded by the first fax or modem, transmitted through the transmitter interface and broadcasted. One or more receivers capture the broadcasted information and transmit the captured information through their respective receiver interfaces to their respective second fax machines where the information is decoded and recorded.

Abstract: The invention provides a device to be connected to a telephone line and, alternatively, to a telephone set or a printer. The device comprises a switch device for automatically operating the one or the other connection according to the signals received through the line. When modulated telefax signals are received, they are transmitted to a modem which transforms the signals to sequential digital signals, these are stored in a buffer memory, at least to an extent corresponding to a line of print, and they are then transformed by a microcircuit to matrix digital signals, which are transferred to the printer. Fax messages transmitted through the telephone line are thus automatically printed out. The invention also provides a printer, which incorporates a modem, a buffer memory and microcircuit for performing the aforesaid operations, through which the printer may selectively be connected to a telephone line, and which may be by-passed to connect the printer to a computer.

Abstract: Optical examination apparatus is described including a basic setup comprising a point source of light, a first optical system forming a converging beam of light reflected from the examined object, and a second optical system located to receive the intercepted beam of reflected light, to collimate it, and to direct the collimated beam to a viewing device. The basic setup is capable of combined operation as a Fizeau interferometer, a schlieren device, and/or a moire deflectometer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moire ray deflection mapping for determining properties of an object in which a point source of light producing a diverging beam of direct light is passed through a first optical system including the object to be examined, which system retraces the light in the form of a converging beam of reflected light from the examined object back towards the point source. The converging beam of reflected light is intercepted before reaching the point source and is passed through a second optical system which collimates the beam of reflected light. The collimated beam is then directed through first and second gratings at a preselected angular orientation with respect to each other to produce moire fringe patterns providing an indication of the properties of the examined object. An important advantage in the above novel method is that the same setup can be used for measurements of both phase objects and specular surfaces.

Abstract: A method of encoding an optical image comprises: converting the optical iamge to an image grid comprised of an image matrix of pixels each having at least two possible intensity values; providing a master grid comprised of a master matrix of pixels each having at least two possible intensity values; and transmitting, for each pixel location of the image matrix, a pixel intensity value representing the intensity value of the master matrix at the corresponding location, its complement, or a random intensity value, depending on the intensity value of the pixel in the image matrix at the corresponding location. Also described is an apparatus for carrying out the above encoding method.

Abstract: A Moire system for linear measurement of an unknown distance defined by two surfaces, a collimated light source, a first grating between light source and the surfaces, a second grating positioned to receive collimated light from the surfaces after the light has reached the surfaces from the first grating, the first and second gratings being rotated relative to each other by a small angle .theta., a screen located after the second grating for receiving Moire patterns caused by the first and second gratings, and a mechanism for shifting the patterns as a function of the unknown distance whereby measurements of the amount of shifting is determinative of the unknown distance.

Abstract: A system and method for determining modulation transfer function (MTF) of an optical element or system employs a moire deflectometer. A selected central portion of monochromatic light is directed to the first grating of the moire deflectometer through or from the optical system, resulting in a moire pattern in which the contrast along an axis incident to the moire fringes is indicative of the MTF of the optical system for a particular spatial frequency, which is dependent on the spacing between the gratings of the moire deflectometer.

Abstract: A night sight assembly includes a backsight and a foresight. The foresight has a glowing portion, while the backsight is in the form of a diffraction grating.

Abstract: An optical instrument arrangement for determining the horizontality of a measured surface, where the arrangement comprises a solid reflecting device on a measured surface, a liquid reflecting device on a measured surface, a collimated light source positioned to direct collimated light beams onto both the solid reflecting device and the liquid reflecting device, a device for generating a first Moire fringe pattern from the solid light reflecting device and for also generating a second Moire pattern from the liquid reflecting device; and a device for simultaneously viewing the first and second Moire patterns to determine the horizontality of the measured surface from the shift of the second Moire pattern relative to the first Moire pattern.

Abstract: A level comprises a sealed casing which holds a liquid and has a flat bottom end. It also includes a light admissive top section, bearing a periodic grating of alternating transparent and opaque stripes. A float is in the liquid inside a compartment of the casing underneath the light admissive top section. The float is capable of changing its position inside the chamber so as to retain its position relative to the horizon when the chamber is filled, and a mirror on the top face of said float.

Abstract: A moire microscope comprises an objective lens, a collimating lens, and a pair of spaced-apart gratings arrayed along an optic axis and adapted for providing a magnified moire deflectogram of a phase object. The microscope provides a simple apparatus for preparing a map of optical thickness gradients, from which quantitative data concerning the object can be computed.