Abstract: A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network.

Abstract: A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network.

Abstract: Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and associated antennas may be selectively added to a base terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with specific types of business environments. Modularity exists in both the hardware (splitting data collection and processing control circuitry from radio transceiver control circuitry) and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level communication protocol from generic, higher level communication protocol). The control circuitry, including associated microprocessors devices, interact to selectively activate communication circuits to perform necessary communication or data processing functions and enter and remain in a power-saving dormant state during other times. To support such dormant or “sleeping” states, a series of communication protocols provide for channel access to the communication network.

Abstract: The present invention is a detection device, system and method for detecting an external electromagnetic event such as lightning or a high intensity radiated field. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection device includes a free space capacitive sensor and a protected amplifier circuit coupled with the free space capacitive sensor. The free space capacitive sensor and the protected amplifier circuit are configured to respond to a voltage waveform produced by an external electromagnetic event. The free space capacitive sensor serves as a single input capable of detecting the external electromagnetic event and the coupling of the free space capacitive sensor to the protected amplifier circuit allows subsystems in communication with the sensor and amplifier circuit to generate a coordinated response to the detected external electromagnetic event.

Abstract: Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and associated antennas may be selectively added to a base terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with specific types of business environments. Modularity exists in both the hardware (splitting data collection and processing control circuitry from radio transceiver control circuitry) and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level communication protocol from generic, higher 1 vel communication protocol). The control circuitry, including associated microprocessors devices, interact to selectively activate communication circuits to perform necessary communication or data processing functions and enter and remain in a power-saving dormant state during other times. To support such dormant or “sleeping” states, a series of communication protocols provide for channel access to the communication network.

Abstract: A portable hand-held reader unit includes a photosensor array interiorly of the unit and optics for focusing an image of indicia of information contained on and occupying a predetermined area on a label exteriorly of the reader unit. The reader unit further includes a flashable light source such as a xenon flash tube which is disposed in a ring-like manner about the optical field of view of the reader unit. A marker source which in a preferred embodiment comprise four light sources such as photo diodes or laser diodes, for example, are peripherally disposed interiorly of the reader unit laterally adjacent the photosensor array or in another embodiment at the four corners of the photosensor array. Light emitted from the light sources is projected through the optics of the reader unit peripherally of the field of view of the reader unit as marker beams which impinge a surface toward which the reader unit may be pointed in marker spots peripherally of the predetermined area.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for transmitting data between two objects via a free space optical data link. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the method may start with a step in which a laser beam modulated with data is transmitted to the vicinity of an optical collector. The laser beam may be transmitted by a modulated laser transmitter. The laser beam may cause atmospheric nitrogen in the vicinity of the optical collector to fluoresce and emit a set of characteristic line spectra. The set of characteristic line spectra may be received by the optical collector, and at least one characteristic spectral line may be obtained with an optical filter. Preferably, a wavelength of the at least one characteristic spectral line is selected from a group consisting of 3995.00 angstroms, 4630.54 angstroms, 5005.15 angstroms, and 5679.56 angstroms, which have high relative amplitude.

Abstract: The present invention is a detection device, system and method for detecting an external electromagnetic event such as lightning or a high intensity radiated field. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection device includes a free space capacitive sensor and a protected amplifier circuit coupled with the free space capacitive sensor. The free space capacitive sensor and the protected amplifier circuit are configured to respond to a voltage waveform produced by an external electromagnetic event. The free space capacitive sensor serves as a single input capable of detecting the external electromagnetic event and the coupling of the free space capacitive sensor to the protected amplifier circuit allows subsystems in communication with the sensor and amplifier circuit to generate a coordinated response to the detected external electromagnetic event.

Abstract: A method of providing extended shelf life fresh meat products involves irradiating the meat products in a first controlled atmosphere and packaging the irradiated meat products in a second controlled atmosphere. The packaged irradiated meat products are then distributed to a retail store. In an exemplary embodiment, the first controlled atmosphere excludes oxygen and the second controlled atmosphere is high in oxygen. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, an antioxidant is added to the meat products either prior to or following the step of irradiating the meat products in the first controlled atmosphere, to extend the color-life of the meat products.

Abstract: EMI radiation in an integrated circuit device package (10) is reduced or eliminated by the introduction of a magnetic material into the encapsulating medium (14). The permeance of the magnetic encapsulating medium (14) affects the inherent series inductance of the lead frame conductors (16) to thereby reduce electromagnetic interference. Ferrite microbeads (30) are formed around the lead frame conductors (16) to contain the magnetic flux (32) generated by an electrical current signal and to attenuate the effects of mutual inductance.

Abstract: Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and associated antennas may be selectively added to a base terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with specific types of business environments. Modularity exists in both the hardware (splitting data collection and processing control circuitry from radio transceiver control circuitry) and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level communication protocol from generic, higher level communication protocol). The control circuitry, including associated microprocessors devices, interact to selectively activate communication circuits to perform necessary communication or data processing functions and enter and remain in a power-saving dormant state during other times. To support such dormant or “sleeping” states, a series of communication protocols provide for channel access to the communication network.

Abstract: A bulk material irradiation system includes an input for inserting bulk material. A bulk material tube is connected to the input, forming a path for bulk material flow. A pressurizing assembly is connected to the bulk material tube for forcing the bulk material to flow through the bulk material tube. An irradiation assembly provides ionizing radiation to irradiate the bulk material passing adjacent to the irradiation assembly in the bulk material tube. Irradiated bulk material exits the bulk material tube through an output.

Abstract: A passive sensing system for determining a physical position of a mechanical device includes an encoding system configured to convert a position signal representative of the physical position of the mechanical device into an encoded signal in a binary format. The sensing system also comprises a plurality of secondary optical paths coupled to a primary optical path positioned between a light source and the encoding system. The encoded signal comprises a plurality of pulses of light each sequentially delayed by the secondary optical paths. A system for determining a physical position of a flight control surface of an aircraft is also disclosed. A method for determining a physical position of a flight control surface of an aircraft is also disclosed. A passive sensing system for determining a physical position of a flight control surface of an aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power transceivers through a communication controller with a printer device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The collected weight and size data are combined with origin and destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at each stage of the shipping process have the capability of transferring received and updated status information on the shipped articles to a central data station.

Abstract: A portable hand-held reader unit includes a photosensor array interiorly of the unit and optics for focusing an image of indicia of information contained on and occupying a predetermined area on a label exteriorly of the reader unit. The reader unit further includes a flashable light source such as a xenon flash tube which is disposed in a ring-like manner about the optical field of view of the reader unit. A marker source which in a preferred embodiment comprise four light sources such as photo diodes or laser diodes, for example, are peripherally disposed interiorly of the reader unit laterally adjacent the photosensor array or in another embodiment at the four corners of the photosensor array. Light emitted from the light sources is projected through the optics of the reader unit peripherally of the field of view of the reader unit as marker beams which impinge a surface toward which the reader unit may be pointed in marker spots peripherally of the predetermined area.

Abstract: An irradiation assembly is effective to irradiate large articles, up to about 48 inches thick in an exemplary embodiment. The assembly provides radiation to an article from all sides in a 360 degree exposure range, and includes at least one irradiating subsystem that provides x-ray radiation in a portion of the 360 degree exposure range. A conveying system carries the article through the at least one irradiating subsystem in a number of passes appropriate to provide x-ray radiation to the article in the full 360 degree exposure range. Each irradiating subsystem is configured to direct radiation toward a center point of the article being irradiated. An accelerator generates an electron beam, and a magnet assembly shapes and deflects the electron beam in a sweep path through a scan horn. A compound bending magnet directs the electron beam toward a center point of the article being irradiated along the entire sweep path. An x-ray conversion plate converts the electron beam into an x-ray radiation beam.

Abstract: A data communications device includes a base unit having a first microprocessor and a data and communication module received by the base unit that includes a second microprocessor and a transceiver. The data and communication module is selected from a plurality of data and communication modules each having different types of transceivers. A program is stored in one of the base unit and the data and communication module to control communication of control signals and data between the first microprocessor and the second microprocessor according to a uniform data protocol that is understandable to the base unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically reading information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photosensor, and a reading system capable of generating a decoded signal regardless of the orientation of the optical indicia relative to the photosensor. The method includes steps of positioning an optical reader containing a photosensor, imaging an information area onto the photosensor without requiring prior angular movement of the reader, and generating a digital representation of content imaged from the information area onto the photosensor for any angular relationship between orthogonal axes of the information area and the pixel axes of the photosensor.

Abstract: An irradiation system includes a conveying system for moving material to be irradiated through a processing area. An irradiation source applies radiation to material in the processing area. The conveying system is enclosed by a sealed conduit in at least the processing area, providing the capability to control the atmosphere inside the sealed conduit and to clean the interior of the sealed conduit according to industrial sanitation methods.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the integrity of a system which uses a high performance, low assurance, general purpose microprocessor to execute an avionics software application and uses a high assurance, low performance microprocessor to monitor the output of the general purpose microprocessor, without the need for comparison of outputs from parallel processors executing functionally equivalent versions of the avionics software application. The monitoring microprocessor is used to analyze state transitions of the first microprocessor and to analyze the computed values output by said general purpose microprocessor, against predetermined limitations based upon aircraft limitations.