Abstract: The price verification device typically includes a barcode scanner, an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) reader and an optional key pad. To verify a price for an item, a user such as a consumer will scan a barcode printed on a label associated with the item using the barcode scanner, and read the price for the item as printed on the label using the OCR reader. The consumer can then optionally input a quantity for the item using the key pad. Thereafter, the final price for the item will be stored within the device. When the consumer checks-out, he/she can compare the stored price for the item to a register-based price as determined by a (cash) register.

Abstract: Testing a computer system by simulating the computer system activity that would occur under a number of projected user patterns by navigating through a decision tree. Each of the use patterns may perform a number of standard functions (e.g., phone, email, Web, or the like) that are inherent to the computer system. For each of the projected use patterns, weights are assigned to each of the standard functions. A standard function is then selected based on the weight assigned to the standard function given the projected use pattern. Then, a probability tree is navigated to determine a particular test to implement.

Abstract: A gateway for coupling a local area network coupled to a plurality of peripheral devices at a customer premises to one or more external networks that deliver analog signals bearing analog video such as regularly scheduled CATV, terrestial or satellite C-band broadcasts, or modulated with digital video-on-demand data, or IP packets bearing IP telephony data or data from the internet. The preferred construction is modular so that single expansion modules to interface only to DSL lines or only to a satellite dish or only to HFC, or some combination thereof may be added as needed. The gateway may be a standalone circuit also with hardwired interfaces to one or more external network types. The incoming analog signals are either digitized, compressed and distributed on the local area network or the digital data thereon is recovered and packetized as an IP packet if not already so packetized and distributed via a router process to the device that requested the data via the local area network.

Abstract: Testing a computer system by simulating the computer system activity that would occur under a number of projected user patterns by navigating through a decision tree. Each of the use patterns may perform a number of standard functions (e.g., phone, email, Web, or the like) that are inherent to the computer system. For each of the projected use patterns, weights are assigned to each of the standard functions. A standard function is then selected based on the weight assigned to the standard function given the projected use pattern. Then, a probability tree is navigated to determine a particular test to implement.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an oscillating reference signal at a reference frequency includes: (a) a light conveying element having a first end and a second end; the light conveying element conveying substantially all light received or reflected at one end to the other end; the light conveying element having a light transmission path intermediate the first end and the second end; the transmission path being related to the reference frequency; (b) a light transmitting element oriented to introduce light into the light conveying element at one end of the light conveying element; and (c) a light receiving element oriented to receive the transmitted light at one end of the light conveying element. The light conveying element, the light transmitting element and the light receiving element are implemented in a monolithic structure arranged on a single substrate.

Abstract: A merchant's point of sale terminal system for processing credit and debit card and other electronic purchases for a vision impaired purchaser, incorporating a removable or auxiliary handset with a manual keypad disposed on an arched surface between siderails, the keypad being a ten data key array in the familiar three by three over one pattern but displaced from any function keys. The system is further equipped and configured to provide an automated, contemporaneous, audio call out of at least the monetary total of the transaction being processed.

Abstract: A selective call receiver unit (700) capable of reducing data distortion and improving simulcast reception includes a selective call receiver (20), a demodulator (30) coupled to the selective call receiver and a circuit (36 and 300) coupled to the demodulator for reducing data distortion received at a selective call receiver. The circuit includes a detector (350) for detecting a simulcast signal, a filter (351) for windowing the symbol edge area in the simulcast signal providing a windowed symbol edge area, and a clipping circuit (36) for clipping the windowed symbol edge area.

Abstract: The invention concerns an EEG based activation system that may be used to turn an appliance ON or OFF. EEG signals have been used for control purposes using biofeedback methods. However, the drawbacks of this are the learning time required by a subject which may take days or months. The present invention provides a simplified EEG based system for activation of an appliance. The system has an input port to receive electrical signals from scalp electrodes (2, 3), an amplifier (5) to amplify the signals, a bandpass filter (6) to filter the signals and a signal averager (8) to smooth out the signals. Furthermore, the signal averager integrates any received signal in the passband of the filter and provides a ramping output, and the integrating time constant being between one and five seconds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing CF comprising: stimulating sweat production via .beta.-adrenergic pathway, by increasing cAMP production; collecting sweat into a sweat collection device; determining the sweat rate as a function of the weight of the sweat collected; correlating the sweat rate with the functional state of CFTR and/or presence or absence of CF. The invention also relates to methods of screening compounds for treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for synthesizing a network for use with pulse frequency encoded signals that has a smoothly saturating transfer characteristic for large signals based on the use of delay and an OR-gate. When connected to the output of a pulse frequency type of neuron, it results in a sigmoidal activation function.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variety of PC Card interfaces to interface from many different types of input devices to Personal Digital Assistants or palmtop computers through PCMCIA slots.The disclosed interfaces can receive data in undecoded format from laser based, wand based or CCD based barcode scanning engines, decode the data to alphanumeric characters and pass the decoded data to the PDA via the PCMCIA 68 pin bus. Other PC Card based interfaces are also disclosed which can accept input data in the form of ASCII or EBCDIC characters from virtually any type of input device which a standard serial or parallel output or custom output bus and input that data to the PDA through the PCMCIA bus.

Abstract: A portable barcode and RF ID tag reader that gathers information about items to be purchased etc by reading barcodes or RF ID tags. A store host computer gathers information about items to be purchased from the portable barcode/ID Tag readers and then the items are bagged by the customer at the checkout stand or by employees of the store at the checkout stand or in a separate warehouse from which the customer picks up the order. The portable barcode/RF ID tag reader can also be used in authenticating articles by accessing a factory computer using a serial number for the article scanned from an RF ID tag on the article. The portable barcode/RF ID tag reader is comprised of a microprocessor coupled to a bar code reader, an RF ID tag reader, a spread spectrum RF transceiver, a communication port, an audible feedback device, a touchscreen or light pen and display, a thermal printer and a magnetic stripe card reader and a smart card reader.

Abstract: Accelerated throughput of voice messages is accomplished by first filtering a normal 50-3000 Hz voice signal to a reduced bandwidth 350-1650 Hz (with loss of identifying features), the reduced signal then accelerated X3 and translated downward to bandwidth 50-3950 Hz for transmission. The receiver recovers the 350-1650 Hz signal.