Other

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.

Luis A Figarella

Harry R McKinley

Howard K Stern

Philip E McKinley

John H Dowling

Jon E Van Tassell

David A Imrie

William T Plummer

Stephen D Fantone

Daniel John Nelson

Jose L Gonzalez

Jason J Lee

Miguel Serrano

Elizabeth Figarella

Steve Meister

Arthur Woodbury

The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, to an apparatus that would allow callers to time-share telephone, telecommunication or communication lines in order to truthfully vary the telephone line from which they are calling parties through the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN). The system would allow customers to manage the identity of their calls in ways that would maximize the probability that a called party would answer.

Familiarization augmentation system and technology (FAST) dialer

A bolt and receiver are provided to securely attach a device (e.g. light reflector or a lane marker) to a surface (such as a roadway). In addition to initially attaching the device to the surface, the bolt will nest progressively within the receiver as the surface thickness erodes or deteriorates over time, thus reducing the bolt's effective overall length (and thus the bolt's height above the surface), in order not to protrude and puncture or damage tires.

Bolt and receiver for adaptively attaching to surfaces

At present, there exist systems which send SMS text messages across national boundaries and telephonic carriers from one mobile phone operator to another. The proposed system would create a series of real number to virtual number(s) mappings, allowing the sending and receiving of messages across national borders without incurring international charges.

International text messaging bridge system

An optical apparatus relates to the field of optical magnification and stereoscopy, more specifically to the problem of optically magnifying an area stereoscopically and displaying this information to an operator in a comfortable manner.

Stereo video microscope

Link2File, A method to allow computers connected to the Internet to find each other, identify specific files, video and/or audio channels within them and automatically initiate actions (such as peer-to-peer file transfers or video feeds), even when their Internet Protocol (IP) address is reassigned at random by a third-party.

Link2File automated computer location and linking system

A hand-held imager which is capable of reading both linear and two dimensional symbologies, which can perform focusing and illuminating steps quickly and accurately so as to eliminate variation in the position of the imager relative to the code becoming a negative factor, in which can operate in environment where the imager is anywhere from 1.5 inches to 16 inches from the code. The imager includes an imaging system having a focusing system, an illumination system, and a two-dimensional photodetector which forms an image of the coded symbology. After achieving targeting of the coded symbology, the scanning system adjusts the focus between multiple different focuses, and utilizes a portion of the two-dimensional photodetector to determine the optimum focus. Upon the determination of optimum focus, the focusing system is returned to the focusing configuration established in the initial focusing step, and an image is created using the entire two-dimensional photodetector. Optimum illumination is determined using the same two-dimensional photodetector.

Optical symbologies imager

Diffuse &ldquo;dark field&rdquo; illumination and &ldquo;bright field&rdquo; illumination are each provided for a hand-held encoded symbology imager/reader; to be projected therefrom upon symbology disposed on a target (component part, goods, package, etc.). The imager/reader is encased in a housing ergonomically configured to be griped in more then one manner and to thus facilitate holding the imager/reader steady. The symbology to be imaged is targeted by a line that not only spots the symbology, but by extending a length commensurate with that of the symbology, indicates that the symbology is in the field of view of the imager/reader. A CCD, disposed to receive light reflected from the symbology, has its readout controlled so that only selected portions of the CCD need be analyzed for illumination and focusing purposes. To optimize imaging and decoding time, and to optimize use of power, readout from some portions of the CCD is accomplished in relatively rapid time by speeding up the readout of the CCD in some of its active area; while reverting back to a slower readout for data to be analyzed for illumination and focusing control and decoding purposes. In addition, special application of entropy principles facilitate determining the optimum focus and illumination conditions for the imager/reader.

Symbology imaging and reading apparatus and method

A hand held, omnidirectional symbology or bar code reader for imaging linear and two dimensional (matrix, maxi-code) bar codes over relatively long working distances. The reader includes an imaging system including a focusing objective taking lens and a two-dimensional photodetector that operate to form an image of a bar code in X and Y directions simultaneously and generate an electrical signal representative of the code for subsequent downstream processing which extracts information embedded in a bar code. Focusing is achieved via a rotating disk that carries a plurality of optical shims for different focus zones. A through-the-lens (TTL) targeting system is provided to visually assist the user in positioning the reader for a variety of code modalities to assure that a bar code will be captured within the field of view and be sharply imaged on the photodetector when the lens is focused. Two different forms of artificial illumination are provided to accommodate nearby codes that may be either specular or partially diffuse and more distant codes where the reflection characteristics have less impact on code contrast. Elements of the photodetector are used to assess available light levels and activate the artificial illumination system when ambient light levels are low. Ranging through the lens using elements of the photodetector is included to provide information to set the focus of the objective lens in one of many possible focusing zones. All of the reader's components are housed in an ergonomically designed shell to reduce user repetitive stress injuries while providing access to a user interface and a protective cover for the reader's various systems.

Optical focusing device and method

A focusable imaging system particularly suitable for use in acquiring digital images for subsequent processing such as in a hand held, omnidirectional symbology or bar code reader by which linear and two dimensional (matrix, maxi-code) bar codes may be imaged over relatively long working distances. The imaging system includes an focusing objective taking lens and a two-dimensional photodetector that operate to form an image of an object such as a bar code in X and Y directions simultaneously and generate an electrical signal representative of the object or code for subsequent downstream processing by which information embedded in the object or bar code may be extracted. Focusing is achieved via a rotating disk that carries a plurality of optical shims or other light controlling surfaces to provide for different focus zones. A through-the-lens (TTL) targeting system is provided to visually assist the user in positioning the reader for a variety of code modalities to assure that a bar code or the like will be captured within the field of view and be sharply imaged on the photodetector when the lens is focused. Two different forms of artificial illumination are provided to accommodate nearby objects or codes that may be either specular or partially diffuse and more distant objects or codes where the reflection characteristics have less impact on image contrast. Elements of the photodetector are used to assess available light levels and activate the artificial illumination system when ambient light levels are low. Ranging through the lens using elements of the photodetector is included to provide information to set the focus of the objective lens in one of many possible focusing zones.

Growing community of inventors

Nashua, NH, United States of America

Luis A Figarella