Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a portable robot face coupled to a remote station. The robot face includes a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker and a robot microphone. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The portable robot face can be attached to a platform mounted to the ceiling of an ambulance. The portable robot face can be used by a physician at the remote station to provide remote medical consultation. When the patient is moved from the ambulance the portable robot face can be detached from the platform and moved with the patient.

Abstract: The user's movement of the joints on a master mechanism is converted to electrical energy to control a kinematically similar arrangement of joints on a slave mechanism. Bi-directional, dynamic, force reflecting control of the slave mechanism is provided without a need for sensors, software, computers, or external power sources.

Abstract: A remote control station that accesses one of at least two different robots that each have at least one unique robot feature. The remote control station receives information that identifies the robot feature of the accessed robot. The remote station displays a display user interface that includes at least one field that corresponds to the robot feature of the accessed robot. The robot may have a laser pointer and/or a projector.

Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed that comprises a laser module that is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A passive inertial stabilizer is utilized for stabilizing the laser module to suppress laser dot jitter associated with hand tremor. To achieve the above object, a collimated laser diode module is mounted on a stage that is suspended by a low-friction gimbal that pivots with respect to the housing of the pointer on two intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes. The inertial stage is coupled to the housing via a spring and damper.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot with a head that supports a monitor and is coupled to a mobile platform. The mobile robot also includes an auxiliary camera coupled to the mobile platform by a boom. The mobile robot is controlled by a remote control station. By way of example, the robot can be remotely moved about an operating room. The auxiliary camera extends from the boom so that it provides a relatively close view of a patient or other item in the room. An assistant in the operating room may move the boom and the camera. The boom may be connected to a robot head that can be remotely moved by the remote control station.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a robot and a remote control station. The robot includes a binaural microphone system that is coupled to a speaker system of the remote control station. The binaural microphone system may include a pair of microphones located at opposite sides of a robot head. The location of the microphones roughly coincides with the location of ears on a human body. Such microphone location creates a mobile robot that more effectively simulates the tele-presence of an operator of the system. The robot may include two different microphone systems and the ability to switch between systems. For example, the robot may also include a zoom camera system and a directional microphone. The directional microphone may be utilized to capture sound from a direction that corresponds to an object zoomed upon by the camera system.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot with a robot camera and a battery plug module, and a remote control station that transmits commands to control the mobile robot. The system also includes a battery charging module that mates with the mobile robot battery plug module, and an alignment system that aligns the battery plug module with the battery charging module. The battery modules may also be aligned with the aid of video images of the battery charging module provided to the remote station by a camera located within the battery plug module.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a remote station and a robot face. The robot face includes a camera that is coupled to a monitor of the remote station and a monitor that is coupled to a camera of the remote station. The robot face and remote station also have speakers and microphones that are coupled together. The robot face may be coupled to a boom. The boom can extend from the ceiling of a medical facility. Alternatively, the robot face may be attached to a medical table with an attachment mechanism. The robot face and remote station allows medical personnel to provide medical consultation through the system.

Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed wherein the laser beam is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A laser beam is directed toward a pair of passively inertially stabilized mirrors disposed within the housing that are biased to a neutral position by a spring and damper. Both the laser beam that exits the housing and the laser dot appearing at a target are minimally affected by laser jitter associated with hand tremor.

Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed wherein the laser beam is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A laser beam is directed toward a pair of passively inertially stabilized mirrors disposed within the housing that are biased to a neutral position by a spring and damper. Both the laser beam that exits the housing and the laser dot appearing at a target are minimally affected by laser jitter associated with hand tremor.

Abstract: A manually powered teleoperable electromechanical device is disclosed. The user's movement of the joints on a master mechanism is converted to electrical energy to control a kinematically similar arrangement of joints on a slave mechanism. Bi-directional, dynamic, force reflecting control of the slave mechanism is provided without a need for sensors, software, computers, or external power sources.

Abstract: A tire storage system is disclosed, for securely storing one or more tires. The tire storage system consists of two identical tire caps and a connecting spacer. One of the tire caps is placed horizontally on a flat surface. The used tire is placed upon one of the tire caps, such that part of the tire cap extends upward through the opening of the tire. The spacer is securely affixed to the tire cap, and generally fills the rest of the tire opening. The other tire cap is placed horizontally over the tire and is also secured to the spacer. The tire storage system seals the inside of the tire from outside access, so as to prevent mosquito breeding and infestation. The tire storage system can be used to stack multiple tires of different sizes, for efficient storage, and can be recycled with the tire at a later time. The tire storage system can be made from or treated with fire-retardant materials, to inhibit unwanted fires.

Abstract: An elongate floor-supported platform having sliding handgrips mounted thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the handgrips, which are constrained to move only along a track, which may be linear or curvilinear and lying in a substantially horizontal plane, are interconnected by linking means such as belts. The linkage is such that the handgrips remain equidistant from a fixed centerline midway between the handgrips throughout their range of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the linking means are belts that are supported by pulleys housed within the floor-supported platform. In yet a further embodiment, the platform includes wall and/or ceiling attachment means and can be employed for performing pull-ups.

Abstract: An elongate bar having sliding handgrips concentrically mounted thereon adapted for use with a resistance-type exercise device. In a preferred embodiment, the bar has at least two, and more preferably four, axially oriented grooves in the outer surface thereof dimensioned to accommodate handgrip linking means therewithin. The handgrips, which are constrained to move only in an axial direction, are interconnected by linking means such as belts, in such a manner that the handgrips remain equidistant from the center of the bar throughout their axial range of motion. The interconnecting belts or cables are disposed to travel within the elongate grooves on the bar to provide the bar with a low profile. In the preferred embodiment, the linking means are belts that are supported by pulleys housed within recesses in the bar and rotatably attached thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting items along a conveyor for a checkout system may include starting a conveyor in a transporting direction upon an item being placed in proximity to a start sensor, transporting the item beyond the start sensor and stopping the conveyor prior to the item reaching an end of the conveyor if a checkout sensor positioned in a checkout area indicates that a user is absent at the checkout area. The system and method may further include transporting the item toward the end of the conveyor if the checkout sensor indicates a user is present at the checkout area, transporting the item toward the second end of the conveyor upon a second item being placed in proximity to the start sensor and stopping the conveyor upon the item being sensed by a stopping sensor.

Abstract: A tire storage system is disclosed, for securely storing one or more tires. The tire storage system consists of two identical tire caps and a connecting spacer. One of the tire caps is placed horizontally on a flat surface. The used tire is placed upon one of the tire caps, such that part of the tire cap extends upward through the opening of the tire. The spacer is securely affixed to the tire cap, and generally fills the rest of the tire opening. The other tire cap is placed horizontally over the tire and is also secured to the spacer. The tire storage system seals the inside of the tire from outside access, so as to prevent mosquito breeding and infestation. The tire storage system can be used to stack multiple tires of different sizes, for efficient storage, and can be recycled with the tire at a later time. The tire storage system can be made from or treated with fire-retardant materials, to inhibit unwanted fires.