Author: claimsbot

1. An electro-optical hand-held distance measuring instrument comprising:
a housing (2) that can be held in the hand,
an electro-optical distance measurement module (3) with an electric beam source (5) for generating an optical measurement beam (S),
a beam receiver (8) for receiving portions of the measurement beam (S) that are backscattered by an object to be measured (MO), and an output device (7) for the determined distance (X), and
a mechanical distance measuring device (9,11) usable for a steady measurement of distances, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) is connected to the housing (2) and includes an optically readable measurement scale (20),
wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) has a control device (13) constructed as at least one contactless sensor that is connected with the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) and that is connected to the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) in a controllable manner; and
wherein the at least one contactless sensor senses the position of the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) relative to the housing (2) and that is sensitive to one of a permanent magnet and a transparent hole (14) arranged in the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11).
2. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, wherein a connection element (19) is provided that forms a manually detachable interface to the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11).
3. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, further comprising an externally accessible operator control (8) for activating the optical measurement beam (S) and triggering the optical distance measurement process.
4. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 3, wherein the externally accessible operator control (8) is a press button.
5. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) has a computing device (4) with additional calculation functions including the addition of distances.
6. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 5, wherein the additional calculation functions further include at least one of the subtraction of distances and the calculation of surfaces and volumes.
7. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) has a common first reference point (10a) for measuring the distance (X) with the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) and with the optical measurement beam (S).
8. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device is a measuring tape (9).
9. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 8, wherein the measuring tape (9) is a self-stiffening, spring pretensioned steel measuring tape.
10. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device is a folding rule (11).
11. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 10, wherein the folding rule (11) has between 5 and 15 rotationally swivelable members (17) with a length (L) between 10 cm and 30 cm.
12. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one contactless sensor is one of a Hall sensor and a photodetector.
13. An electro-optical hand-held distance measuring instrument comprising:
a housing (2) that can be held in the hand,
an electro-optical distance measurement module (3) with an electric beam source (5) for generating an optical measurement beam (S),
a beam receiver (8) for receiving portions of the measurement beam (S) that are backscattered by an object to be measured (MO), and an output device (7) for the determined distance (X), and
a mechanical distance measuring device (9,11) usable for a steady measurement of distances, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) is connected to the housing (2) and includes an optically readable measurement scale (20),
wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) has a control device (13) constructed as at least one contactless sensor that is connected with the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) and that is connected to the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) in a controllable manner; and
wherein the end of the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) whose length is changeable with respect to the housing (2) constitutes a second reference point (10b) whose reference distance (R) to the first reference point (10a) can be detected by the computing device (4) by the control device (13).
14. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 13, wherein the distance (X) determined by the computing device (4) is dependent on the reference distance (R).
15. An electro-optical hand-held distance measuring instrument comprising:
a housing (2) that can be held in the hand,
an electro-optical distance measurement module (3) with an electric beam source (5) for generating an optical measurement beam (S),
a beam receiver (8) for receiving portions of the measurement beam (S) that are backscattered by an object to be measured (MO), and an output device (7) for the determined distance (X), and
a mechanical distance measuring device (9,11) usable for a steady measurement of distances, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) is connected to the housing (2) and includes an optically readable measurement scale (20),
wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) has a control device (13) constructed as at least one contactless sensor that is connected with the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) and that is connected to the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) in a controllable manner; and
wherein the control device (13) is connected to a switching device (15) for a current-carrying connection of the electro-optical distance measurement module (3) to a power supply (16), wherein the switching device (15) is closed to conduct current exclusively when the mechanical distance measuring device (9, 11) is in a position relative to the housing (2) that is necessary for mechanical distance measurement.
16. An electro-optical hand-held distance measuring instrument comprising:
a housing that can be held in the hand;
an electro-optical distance measurement module with an electric beam source for generating an optical measurement beam;
a beam receiver for receiving portions of the measurement beam that are backscattered by an object to be measured, and an output device for the determined distance; and
a mechanical distance measuring device usable for a steady measurement of distances, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device is connected to the housing and includes an optically readable measurement scale;
wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module has a control device that is connected with the mechanical distance measuring device and that is connected to the electro-optical distance measurement module in a controllable manner; and
wherein the control device is constructed as at least one contactless sensor that senses the position of the mechanical distance measuring device relative to the housing and that is sensitive to one of a permanent magnet and a transparent hole arranged in the mechanical distance measuring device.
17. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 16, wherein the at least one contactless sensor is one of a Hall sensor and a photodetector.
18. An electro-optical hand-held distance measuring instrument comprising:
a housing that can be held in the hand;
an electro-optical distance measurement module with an electric beam source for generating an optical measurement beam;
a beam receiver for receiving portions of the measurement beam that are backscattered by an object to be measured, and an output device for the determined distance; and
a mechanical distance measuring device usable for a steady measurement of distances, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device is connected to the housing and includes an optically readable measurement scale;
wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module has a control device that is connected with the mechanical distance measuring device and that is connected to the electro-optical distance measurement module in a controllable manner;
wherein the end of the mechanical distance measuring device whose length is changeable with respect to the housing constitutes a second reference point whose reference distance to the first reference point can be detected by the computing device by the control device.
19. The hand-held distance measuring instrument of claim 18, wherein the distance determined by the computing device is dependent on the reference distance.
20. An electro-optical hand-held distance measuring instrument comprising:
a housing that can be held in the hand;
an electro-optical distance measurement module with an electric beam source for generating an optical measurement beam;
a beam receiver for receiving portions of the measurement beam that are backscattered by an object to be measured, and an output device for the determined distance; and
a mechanical distance measuring device usable for a steady measurement of distances, wherein the mechanical distance measuring device is connected to the housing and includes an optically readable measurement scale;
wherein the electro-optical distance measurement module has a control device that is connected with the mechanical distance measuring device and that is connected to the electro-optical distance measurement module in a controllable manner; and
wherein the control device is connected to a switching device for a current-carrying connection of the electro-optical distance measurement module to a power supply, wherein the switching device is closed to conduct current exclusively when the mechanical distance measuring device is in a position relative to the housing that is necessary for mechanical distance measurement.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A bed rail adapted for engagement to a bed having a first side, a second side, and a sleeping surface, with the bed having a mattress and box spring with respective first and second sides, with the first and second sides of the bed being opposite one another, wherein the bed rail comprises:
a) a pair of leg portions;
b) a rail portion engaged to each of the leg portions and confronting the first side of the bed;
c) wherein the rail portion extends from the leg portion to and beyond the sleeping surface to prevent a person on the sleeping surface from rolling off the bed;
d) wherein each of the leg portions extends from the rail portion toward the second side of the bed;
e) a member having an upper extension and a lower extension, wherein the upper extension confronts the second side of the mattress, wherein the lower extension confronts the second side of the box spring, and wherein the rail portion and member hug the bed therebetween;
f) tether portions, wherein one of the tether portions is engaged between said member and one of the leg portions and wherein another of the tether portions is engaged between said member and the other of the leg portions to keep the rail portion hugging the first side of the bed;
g) wherein said member is relatively drawable to and away from said leg portions via said tether portions;
h) wherein one of the tether portions extends at an acute angle relative to the leg portion from which said tether portion extends, wherein another of said tether portions extends at an acute angle relative to the leg portion from which said tether portion extends; and
i) wherein the rail portion and the leg portions can be relatively swingable to each other and away from each other.
2. A bed rail adapted for engagement to a bed having a first side, a second side, and a sleeping surface, with the bed having a mattress and box spring with respective first and second sides, wherein the bed rail comprises:
a) a leg portion comprising a tubular portion;
b) a rail portion engaged to the leg portion and confronting the first side of the bed;
c) wherein the rail portion extends from the leg portion to and beyond the sleeping surface to prevent a person on the sleeping surface from rolling off the bed;
d) wherein the leg portion extends from the rail portion toward the second side of the bed;
e) a first member having an upper extension and a lower extension, wherein the upper extension confronts the second side of the mattress, wherein the lower extension confronts the second side of the box spring, and wherein the rail portion and first member hug the bed therebetween;
f) a flexible member comprising a strap, wherein the strap is engaged between the leg portion and first member to keep the rail portion hugging the first side of the bed; and
g) wherein the rail portion and the leg portion can be relatively swingable to each other and away from each other.
3. A bed rail adapted for engagement to a bed having a first side, a second side, and a sleeping surface, with the bed having a mattress and box spring with respective first and second sides, with the first and second sides of the bed being opposite one another, wherein the bed rail comprises;
a) a pair of leg portions;
b) a rail portion engaged to each of the leg portions and confronting the first side of the bed;
c) wherein the rail portion extends from the leg portions to and beyond the sleeping surface to prevent a person on the sleeping surface from rolling off the bed;
d) wherein each of the leg portions extends from the rail portion toward the second side of the bed;
e) a member having an upper extension and a lower extension, wherein the upper extension confronts the second side of the mattress, wherein the lower extension confronts the second side of the box spring, and wherein the rail portion and member hug the bed therebetween;
f) flexible portions, wherein one of the flexible portions is engaged between said member and one of the leg portions and wherein another of the flexible portions is engaged between said member and the other of the leg portions to keep the rail portion hugging the first side of the bed;
g) wherein said member is relatively drawable to and away from said leg portions via said flexible portions;
h) wherein one of the flexible portions extends at an acute angle relative to the leg portion from which said flexible portion extends and wherein another of the flexible portions extends at an acute angle relative to the leg portion from which said flexible portion extends; and
i) wherein the rail portion and the leg portions can be relatively swingable to each other and away from each other.
4. A bed rail adapted for engagement to a bed having a first side, a second side, and a sleeping surface, with the bed having a mattress and box spring with respective first and second sides, wherein the bed rail comprises:
a) a leg portion comprising a tubular portion;
b) a rail portion engaged to the leg portion and confronting the first side of the bed;
c) wherein the rail portion extends from the leg portion to and beyond the sleeping surface to prevent a person on the sleeping surface from rolling off the bed;
d) wherein the leg portion extends from the rail portion toward the second side of the bed;
e) a first member having an upper extension and a lower extension, wherein the upper extension confronts the second side of the mattress, wherein the lower extension confronts the second side of the box spring, and wherein the rail portion and first member hug the bed therebetween;
f) a flexible member comprising a strap, wherein the strap is engaged between the leg portion and first member to keep the rail portion hugging the first side of the bed;
g) wherein the rail portion and the leg portion can be relatively swingable to each other and away from each other; and
h) wherein said first member is relatively drawable to and away from said leg portion via said flexible member.

1. A multi-layer composite product, featuring emissivity levels lower than 0.4 in the mid-infrared, wavelength range 2,5\u20135 \u03bcm, and far-infrared bands, wavelength range 8.0\u201314.0 \u03bcm, as well as reflectivity lower than 0.3 in the visible, wavelength range 0.3\u20130.7 \u03bcm, and the near-infrared bands, wavelength range 0.7\u20132.5 \u03bcm, and featuring the inclusion of a base constructed using low-density andor high thermal-resilience structural materials, coated with a coating,
wherein the low density and high-thermal-resilience structural material is a composite with carbon fibers, and
wherein said coating consists of an outer layer made of a material selected from the group consisting of In2O3 doped with tin, CdIn2O4, Zn2In2O5, ZnO doped with aluminum, ZnO doped with tin, SnO2 doped with antimony, SnO2 doped with fluorine and CdO doped with tin, and an intermediate layer made of a material selected from a group consisting of indium, cadmium, zinc, tin, aluminum, antimony or their alloys, oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of indium, cadmium, tin, aluminum, titanium, tungsten, which are optionally doped with elements selected from the group consisting of tin, aluminum, antimony and fluorine.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-86. (canceled)
87. A system comprising:
a presentation unit;
a physiologic activity measurement unit;
an association unit; and
a population cohort identification unit.
88. The system of claim 87 wherein the presentation unit comprises:
a display.
89. The system of claim 88 wherein the display comprises:
at least one of a desktop display or a mobile display.
90. The system of claim 87 wherein the physiologic activity measurement unit comprises:
a brain activity measurement unit.
91. The system of claim 90 wherein the brain activity measurement unit comprises:
a functional near infra-red imaging module.
92. The system of claim 90 wherein the brain activity measurement unit comprises:
a functional magnetic resonance imaging module.
93. The system of claim 90 wherein the brain activity measurement unit comprises:
a magnetoencephalography module.
94. The system of claim 90 wherein the brain activity measurement unit comprises:
an electroencephalography module.
95. The system of claim 90 wherein the brain activity measurement unit comprises:
a positron emission tomography module.
96. The system of claim 90 wherein the physiologic activity measurement unit comprises:
a surrogate marker measurement unit.
97. The system of claim 96 wherein the surrogate marker measurement unit comprises:
an iris response module.
98. The system of claim 96 wherein the surrogate marker measurement unit comprises:
a gaze tracking module.
99. The system of claim 96 wherein the surrogate marker measurement unit comprises:
a skin response module.
100. The system of claim 96 wherein the surrogate marker measurement unit comprises:
a voice response module.
101. The system of claim 87 wherein the association unit comprises:
an emotion association module.
102. The system of claim 87 wherein the association unit comprises:
an attention association module.
103. The system of claim 87 wherein the association unit comprises:
a cognition association module.
104. The system of claim 87 wherein the population cohort identification unit comprises:
a population cohort identification unit configured to identify at least one of an age cohort, a gender cohort, an ethnicity cohort, or a purchasing cohort.
105. The system of claim 87 wherein the population cohort identification unit comprises:
a population cohort identification unit configured to identify at least one population cohort based on at least one measured mental state of an individual.
106. The system of claim 87 wherein the population cohort identification unit comprises:
a population cohort identification unit configured to identify at least one population cohort showing brand preference proximate to a presented object.