Abstract: Single Channel Autonomous Trunking (SCAT) radio frequency systems and methods use a single duplex Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) channel for the control and working channels thereof. By providing a single duplex TDMA radio frequency channel including a plurality of TDMA time slots in SCAT systems and methods, the SCAT systems and methods can simultaneously operate in a control channel mode and a working channel mode using the single duplex TDMA radio frequency channel.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting a portable radio and accessory devices. The connector attached to the accessory device includes a slot for initially engaging a tab on the portable radio, which provides proper alignment between the portable radio and the connector, while the connector is rotated toward the portable radio. Maintaining alignment ensures proper mating between the electrical contacts of the portable radio and the electrical contacts of the connector, and further ensures that a quarter turn latching device of the connector is properly received by a receiving member on the portable radio. The user then rotates the quarter turn latching device to urge the contacts against each other and secure the connector in place. Because the electrical connector includes a two-point attachment mechanism to the portable radio, rotation of the connector relative to the portable radio is prevented.

Abstract: A method for determining the endpoint of a plasma etch process is disclosed. The endpoint of the plasma etch process is determined using an acoustic cell attached to an exhaust port on a reaction chamber of a plasma reactor. The gas from the reaction chamber flows into the acoustic cell during the plasma etch process. Acoustic signals are periodically transmitted through the gas flowing in the acoustic cell and a first velocity for the acoustic signals associated with etching a first material layer formed on a substrate is determined. Thereafter, the endpoint of the plasma etch step is determined when the first velocity changes to a second velocity associated with etching the first material layer through its thickness to its interface with an underlying material layer. The gas from the reaction chamber flows through a compressor prior to flowing into the acoustic cell to increase the gas pressure in the acoustic cell.

Abstract: A communications controller is provided for empowering the user of a communications device, such as a telephone or other device, to assume control over incoming communications. Each caller is identified by unique identification information as information associated with an incoming communication. The user selects one of a plurality of different priority levels for a particular caller. The user also selects block time intervals for each priority to indicate times during which calls will not be passed to user's communications device or other appropriate action is to be taken. When that particular caller places a call to the user, the user's communication controller determines the caller's identification information and recalls the priority and corresponding blocking time interval for that particular caller. The call is accordingly passed to the communication device or blocked.

Abstract: A fiber-optic switch based on a unique retro-reflection scheme is used to create a 2×2 switch having two fiber-optic circulators and two polarization rotation devices. Passive and active noise filtering techniques maintain the high performance of the switch even when the polarization rotation devices have poor performance. The switch also has the advantage of zero relative time delay between two channels for any of two switch settings making it appropriate for cascading switching stages. The preferred embodiment of the 2×2 optical switch also has a simple design in terms of alignment since only two optical fibers need to be aligned with each other. The switch is also scalable to form N 2×2 optical switch modules for use in add/drop, N-wavelength, multiple fiber-optic networks where its novel retro-reflective characteristic allows the use of half of the required wavelength multiplexers/demultiplexers in the system compared to a transmissive switch add/drop filter.

Abstract: A fiber optic light bar and method of manufacturing the same wherein a plurality of spacers having grooves formed therein are wound on a spool as a fiber optic cable is guided around the spool. The spacers have a channel section formed therein which serves to collect the plurality of fiber optic cable strands. The spacers are cut to create an output surface having a plurality of fiber optic cable ends. A cap is attached over the channel and a solid state light source is provided at the input ends of the cables formed by cutting the cable bundle between opposed spacers. Four fiber optic light bar assemblies may be formed by attaching spacers on opposed sides of a winding spool.

Abstract: Calls are transferred from a first call to a second call in a trunked digital radio communications system that includes a first transmitting user terminal that communicates with a receiving user terminal or group of user terminals in the first call over a first working channel via a base station. A second call is transmitted from a second transmitting user terminal to the base station over a second working channel, that identifies the receiving terminal. Transfer data is transmitted from the base station to the receiving terminal or group of user terminals in the first call on the first working channel, the transfer data identifying the second call and the second working channel. The transfer data is detected in the first call on the first working channel at the receiving user terminal and the receiving user terminal transfers to the second call on the second working channel based upon the transfer data.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus is for laser welding an inner joint between first and second bellows diaphragms. The apparatus preferably includes a first clamp having an opening therein and having portions adjacent the opening defining a first clamping surface; and a second clamp having portions defining a second clamping surface, and wherein the first and second clamps are relatively movable to clamp the first and second metal bellows diaphragms together between the first and second clamping surfaces so that the openings in the bellows diaphragms are generally aligned with the opening in the first clamp. The apparatus also preferably includes a laser for generating a laser beam, and a beam directing element positioned in the opening of the first clamp and the openings of the first and second bellows diaphragms for directing the laser beam to weld the inner joint between the first and second bellows diaphragms.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for producing a substantially constant pulsed magnetic field for repelling rodents includes an electromagnetic coil for generating a magnetic field in response to alternating current (AC) power applied to terminals of the coil and a gated triac connected in series electrical circuit with the coil for controlling application of AC electric power to the coil. A gating circuit develops a sequence of gating pulses for application to the triac with each of the gating pulses having a substantially constant voltage value extending for a time duration of a plurality of cycles of AC power for continuously exciting the coil with AC power during the extent of each gating pulse.

Abstract: A coupler device for adapting a variety of excavator apparatuses to engage a variety of excavating buckets. The coupler device has a mounting plate, a connecting device for connecting the mounting plate to the excavator apparatus, and a device for connecting the mounting plate to the excavating bucket. The device connecting the mounting plate to the excavator apparatus may include a plurality of holes adapted to fit a variety of excavator apparatuses. The device for connecting the mounting plate to the excavating bucket may include a front hook, a rear hook, and a device moving the rear hook with respect to the front hook to adapt to a variety of excavating buckets. The device for moving the rear hook may include a captured bolt threaded through a cast box support that is attached to the slidable plate.

Abstract: Fiber-optic beam routing and amplitude control modules based on a unique fault-tolerant scheme using a macro-pixel to control an optical beam are proposed. The unique macro-pixel method involving multiple device pixels per beam inherently provides a robust digital technique for module control while adding to the optical beam alignment tolerance and resistance to catastropic failure for the overall module. The macropixel approach solves the speed versus alignment and failure sensitivity dilemma present in single pixel element based optical micromechanical systems (MEMS). Specifically proposed are fault tolerant fiber-optic attenuators and switches using several microactuated micromirrors per optical beam. Transmissive and reflective module geometries are proposed using small tilt and small distance piston-action micromirrors, leading to fast module reconfiguration speed fiber optic signal controls. The macro-pixel design approach is extended to other pixel technologies such as polarization rotating pixels.

Abstract: A golf game with a three dimensional target that utilizes hook and loop material. The game includes a club, a ball, a mat, and a three dimensional target. The ball and the three dimensional target have a hook and loop material (commonly referred to as Velcro®) affixed to them such that when the ball comes in contact with the three dimensional target, the ball will remain in position on the three dimensional target. The three dimensional target commonly is a cylinder with a hook material attached. A padded cushion can additionally be placed between the three dimensional target and the hook and loop material to buffer the contact between the ball and the three dimensional target. The ball has a material of a loop type surrounding it such that it will stay in position on the target as it contacts the target.

Abstract: A water craft having an adjustable fin assembly. The fin includes a base having a circular cross-section for rotating within a circular recess formed in a fin box attached to a water board. A means is provided for securing the fin at a predetermined angle of attack. The fin may be secured by a set screw or pin passing through the fin box and making contact with the base. The pin may pass through a hole in the base to provide vertical and rotational support for the fin. The pin may be moved between an engaged position and an unengaged position by the rotation of a gear interfacing with teeth formed on the pin. The fin base and fin box may include mating projections and slots for securing the angular position of the fin and an associated pin for retaining the fin within the fin box.