Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electromagnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.

Abstract: A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap.

Abstract: An image storage and display system transmits required image data such as original image data and irreversible compressed image data expediently. Original image data input to the image server from the input modality is subjected to a data compression process by the server computer ad irreversible compressed image data having a decompression ratio of 1/20, 1/50, etc. is thereby produced. In this way, three versions of image data, original image data, and two irreversible compressed image data having different compression ratios are created for a single image and stored in a temporary storage medium. A request is issued from a workstation, connected to the image server via a network, for transmission of the version of image data to be acquired, and the requested image data is read out from the temporary storage medium, transmitted to the workstation and displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap.

Abstract: A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap.

Abstract: A ride-on toy vehicle including an on/off input device, a direction input device and a speed input device. A pair of electrical motors are connected by a switching circuit to the battery in parallel or in series based on the speed input from the speed input device and in a first or second polarity based on the direction input from the direction input device.

Abstract: In an image transmitting system comprising an image server and a display terminal, transmission of image data for use in remote diagnosis is simplified. A communications circuit having a low data transmission rate, such as a telephone line, connects the image server and display terminal. From the display terminal, the subscription of a folder, based on the predetermined subscription conditions, is specified to the image server. The image server classifies image data satisfying the subscription conditions into a folder and manages it. When new image data satisfying the subscription conditions is stored in the image server, notification thereof and/or said new image data is transmitted to the display terminal.

Abstract: A device for displaying messages includes a passive display unit having a display screen, a receiver that receives downloaded information and a processor for processing and storing the downloaded information and providing control to the passive display unit. The display system may include a computer which stores information and a transceiver which downloads and stores the information received from the computer. A method of transmitting and displaying information on the passive display unit is also provided.

Abstract: An image storage and display system transmits required image data such as original image data and irreversible compressed image data expediently. Original image data input to the image server from the input modality is subjected to a data compression process by the server computer ad irreversible compressed image data having a decompression ratio of 1/20, 1/50, etc. is thereby produced. In this way, three versions of image data, original image data, and two irreversible compressed image data having different compression ratios are created for a single image and stored in a temporary storage medium. A request is issued from a workstation, connected to the image server via a network, for transmission of the version of image data to be acquired, and the requested image data is read out from the temporary storage medium, transmitted to the workstation and displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: In an image transmitting system comprising an image server and a display terminal, transmission of image data for use in remote diagnosis is simplified. A communications circuit having a low data transmission rate, such as a telephone line, connects the image server and display terminal. From the display terminal, the subscription of a folder, based on the predetermined subscription conditions, is specified to the image server. The image server classifies image data satisfying the subscription conditions into a folder and manages it. When new image data satisfying the subscription conditions is stored in the image server, notification thereof and/or said new image data is transmitted to the display terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for validating access to a computer system in an unobtrusive manner. A finite ordered series of substantive activities, such as icon manipulations, application invocations or file manipulations is specified and stored for future reference. Thereafter, each time access to the computer system is attempted, the initial activities of a prospective user are identified and compared to the stored finite ordered series of substantive activities. Access is validated and continued access permitted in response to a match between the prospective user's initial activities and the stored finite ordered series of substantive activities. In this manner, access to a computer system may be validated without the necessity of utilizing an explicit access/password screen which may be compromised. In one embodiment of the present invention, a selected application may be automatically invoked or a particular activity automatically executed in response to a validation of access.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an ultra-stable measurement of the density of a fluid/gas species such as ozone in a mixture. The technique is based on information extracted from multi-wavelength light absorption, at which the species exhibits different absorption properties (coefficient values). The technique provides real-time compensation for short- and long-term instability in the light source and detector, and for detectable changes in the optical characteristics of the cell, thus improving the accuracy of the measurement while making frequent zeroing of the instrument unnecessary. In addition, the invention provides a high-performance technique for measuring ultra-high ozone densities using absorption at the Chappuis band.

Abstract: A gas detection and measurement system includes a light source, a light sensor, a test cell body having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and first and second optical paths from the light source to the light sensor through the test cell. The first and second optical paths have different lengths. As fluid flows through the test cell body, light intensity measurements are taken along the first and second optical paths so that the concentration of a target gas within the fluid can be calculated.

Abstract: A gas detection and measurement system includes a light source, a light sensor, a test cell body having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and first and second optical paths from the light source to the light sensor through the test cell. The first and second optical paths have different lengths. As fluid flows through the test cell body, light intensity measurements are taken along the first and second optical paths so that the concentration of a target gas within the fluid can be calculated.

Abstract: A method and system utilizing a data processing system for the efficient designation and retrieval of particular segments within a multimedia presentation. Operation of the multimedia presentation may be controlled by operation of a plurality of data processing system user interface commands. A digital counter is established for multimedia presentations which do not have an existing digital counter, or for multimedia presentations which have an existing digital counter whose output may not be accessed by the data processing system. Thereafter, a particular rate of change for the digital counter is correlated with each user interface command which has been registered within the data processing system, enabling a user to thereafter access and automatically position particular segments within the multimedia presentation in a random order utilizing the user interface commands.

Abstract: A system is provided for obtaining enhanced quality grayscale printing using standard printer architecture. An image to be printed is scanned to produce several bit maps for image pixels having different optical intensities. The different bit maps are handled by a standard print engine separately, in the same manner as multicolor bit maps would be handled. The image is then printed using a print head assembly having separate print heads for grayscale printing using different optical intensities. Thus, a printed image having enhanced resolution and quality, because of the optical intensity discrimination, is produced using a printer architecture which is the same as a standard multicolor printer architecture except for the front end, which scans for optical intensity, and the print head assembly, which has different print heads designed to produce different optical intensities.

Abstract: A gas measurement system includes a first test unit for measuring the concentration of a selected gas at a first location, a second test unit for measuring the concentration of the selected gas at a second location, and a comparator for comparing the measured concentration of the selected gas from the first location with the measured concentration of the selected gas from the second location. An alarm indication is provided when a difference between the first and second measurements is greater than a user defined value or percentage. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas measurement system is configured to detect an ozone leak.

Abstract: An on-board robotic system used to control the acceleration, cruising, coasting, braking and idling of electric vehicles. It comprises a microprocessor having a non-volatile memory, a fifth wheel, a stall detection module, an anti-roll module, a brake release and a switch along with a plurality of custom sensors and transducers for actuating various controls of the electric vehicle. The DRIVE which is an acronym for Dynamic Robotic Interface for Vehicle Evaluation mounts in an electric vehicle and regulates the vehicle's speed on a track while a human controls the steering. The system also can test vehicles on a chassis dynamometer without any modification. The main purpose of the DRIVE is to determine driving range of the electric vehicle.