Abstract: An orthogonal code division multiple access (OCDMA) communication system having multicarrier modulation. The incoming input data stream is broken into multiple parallel streams, each of which modulates its own frequency-division multiplexed carrier. This reduces the chipping rate such that the delay spread does not cause excessive access noise. Particularly robust delay lock loop (DLL) code tracking and particularly robust automatic frequency control (AFC) are provided in the presence of frequency-selective fading.

Abstract: A GPS system has a plurality of satellites transmitting time and location data over radio frequency signals which enable a mobile GPS receiver on the ground to determine its position, includes a source of satellite data message block containing the ephemeris and time modes of the GPS satellites which is independent of the satellites, and an independent cellular telephone channel having a voice channel, a data-in-voice modem including a notch filtering circuit in the voice channel (transmits and receive) and circuits for inserting and retrieving data in and from the notch for accessing said satellite data message block and controller means connecting said satellite message data block to said mobile GPS receiver.

Abstract: An OCDMA spread spectrum communication system is provided with a PN encoded acquisition channel signal which is free of Radamacher functions. This provides a technique for very rapid acquisition of the PN code and data symbol timing; enables accurate PN chip time tracking with a minimum of power; enables accurate frequency tracking with a minimum of power; provides a technique for accurate signal power measurement at the receiver; enables the receiver to maintain code lock during deep fades; and penetrates into areas of high attenuation for paging or to alert user that he has a call waiting.

Abstract: Positioning system for locating a mobile body comprising a plurality of earth based spread spectrum (SS) broadcasting stations arranged geographically in a cellular pattern. Each SS broadcasting station include a modulator providing a channel signal structure which is substantially orthogonal with respect to adjacent stations in the cellular pattern, each channel signal including navigation beacon data including a unique beacon identification, station latitude and longitude, time slot and phase stations. In one embodiment, each modulator provides a chirped SS signal in which the navigation beacon is a frequency tone that is repeatedly swept over a selected frequency band for each station. A receiver on the mobile body receives the SS signals from at least three of the SS broadcasting stations and determines the location thereof. A fourth SS broadcasting station provides altitude. GPS satellite signals can be used for timing control.

Abstract: A spread spectrum CDMA communication system in which a station transmits a short synchronization signal to allow a second station to (1) recognize that a signal is present, (2) resolve frequency uncertainty, (3) acquire the spreading code timing, (4) acquire frame and symbol synchronization, and (5) demodulate data which may contain user identification and other data. The rapid acquisition channel (RAC) includes a burst signal comprising of an Acquisition Field during which the carrier is biphase modulated with a pseudo-noise (PN) sequence, a Sync Field during which a synchronization sequence is mod-2 added to the PN sequence with one chip of the sync sequence equal to one or more periods of the PN sequence, and a data field with m-ary orthogonal code words mod-2 added to the PN sequence with one chip of the code word equal to one or more periods of the PN sequence.

Abstract: A quick connect electrical connector for connecting the bare ends of a pair of electrical wires. It comprises a non-conductive first coupling member, having a plurality of connection chambers, each connection chamber having a threaded wall and a central axis. A common conductive connector member is fixedly mounted in the coupling member and having a plurality of bullet-shaped ends, one in each connection chamber with the end surfaces of the coupling member tapering inwardly to a tip. A corresponding plurality of non-conductive second coupling members having an externally threaded wall and internal throughbore having first and second ends and a first conically shaped annular wall surface. The first conically shaped surface and the bullet-shaped connector portions are spaced a variable distance apart when the threaded surfaces are engaged.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a very durable, lightweight, front fork assembly for use on competition bicycles. The invention provides improved fatigue and impact resistance compared to prior art designs. The invention makes maximum use of advanced, high strength composite materials and high strength, lightweight metal alloys, improving its stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. The superior structural performance of the invention is provided by a unique section geometry and ply configuration that efficiently utilizes the material to maximize bending and torsional stiffness while minimizing weight. The improved strength also comes from the superior control of the molding process, made possible with a removable pressure bladder that remains connected to the pressure source, and is regulated, during the molding process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the quantification of solute removal during hemodialysis. The method relies upon discontinuing the flow of fresh dialysate to the dialyzer and recirculating the dialysate in a closed loop through the dialyzer. Recirculation is continued until a steady state concentration of solute (e.g. urea) in the dialysate is achieved. Analysis of the dialysate by suitable means at this time yields a value equal to the solute concentration in the blood without the need for blood sampling. Normal dialysis is resumed by discontinuing the recirculation and providing fresh dialysate to the dialyzer. Determination of solute concentrations at least at the beginning and end of the dialysis period allows the determination of solute loss and the quantification of dialysis therapy and its on-line prescription.

Abstract: The extraction of proteins from selected naturally occurring membranes without any harmful, adverse, or other deleterious effect(s). In one preferred embodiment the detergent is prepared from the reaction of a cycloalkyl aliphatic alcohol and a saccharide.

Abstract: A universal fuse holder and cut-out is provided with a slot having a length L and width W aligned with the fuse tube and engageable with the fuse tube and engageable by a projecting arm or member of a hot switch stick so as to enable safe and expedient maintenance and service, particularly in high wind and storm conditions. One contact assembly is lengthwise and rotatably mounted to accommodate long and short fuse tubes and different manufacturer styles of switch assembly.

Abstract: The OCDMA waveform of the present invention uses bi-phase PN modulation (BPSK PN chip modulation) in conjunction with MPSK or MQASK data modulation (QPSK data modulation is one preferred embodiment) to increase bandwidth efficiency. The number of orthogonal users that can be placed on a single carrier is equal to, at most, the length of the orthogonal binary sequence. The Radamacher-Walsh (RW) sequence chip rate must be 4.sup.n times the symbol rate (where n is a positive integer) since the symbol transitions must be synchronized to the RW period to guarantee orthogonality of the multiple users when data transitions are present. The symbol rate for QPSK modulation is one-half that for BPSK modulation. As a result, twice as many orthogonal functions are available for a given clock rate for QPSK as for BPSK modulation. That is, an OCDMA system with QPSK data can support twice as many users in a given bandwidth as an OCDMA system with BPSK data.

Abstract: An OCDMA satellite communication system in which an earth-based hub station receives, via a satellite, a plurality of spread spectrum signals from a corresponding plurality of earth-based subscriber stations on a selected frequency channel, each signal from a subscriber station being composed of data symbols overlaid with one set of orthogonal Rademacher-Walsh (RW) functions and a pseudo-noise PN sequence, the signals from subscriber stations being synchronized to arrive at the hub station in time and frequency synchronism. A subscriber station net entry channel (NEC) is comprised of a transmitter function at the subscriber stations for transmitting a spread spectrum NEC signal located in a spectral null of the OCDMA signals between the earth-based hub station and the subscriber stations.

Abstract: A universal interactive control system for the downloading and playback of information and entertainment services from one or more network distribution centers, said one or more network distribution centers providing information and entertainment signals selected from video and audio programs, video catalogs, and data files, said universal interactive control system. The interactive control system includes: a controller circuit, a data distribution circuit controlled by the controller circuit, a data processor circuit controlled by the controller circuit, and a first plurality of interface connector circuits, with a first of the interface connector circuits for connecting the distribution circuit to a display device under control of the controller, and a second of the interface connector circuits for connecting the data distribution circuit to a storage device under control of the controller circuit.

Abstract: A windshield washer system has a nozzle mounted on a vehicle for issuing wash fluid to a windshield and a check valve for a fluid circuit from a supply of wash fluid to the nozzle. The nozzle has a fluid feed tube integrally formed therewith with annular walls defining a washer fluid flow path and a diameter of at least D. The feed tube has an external surface adapted to receive and retain a flexible hose from a supply of wash fluid. A spring shoulder receives a coil compression spring having upstream and downstream ends with the downstream end bearing on the spring shoulder. A valve element bears on the upstream end of the spring element, and a tubular insert having an inner end and an external diameter at least D and sufficient to form an elongated wash fluid seal with the annular walls defining a washer fluid flow path, and complementary-shaped valve seat formed on the inner end.

Abstract: The satellite radio communication system of this invention provides communication between one or more service centers and an ensemble of fixed and mobile user terminals. One or more earth orbiting satellites are provided with each satellite having transmitter forming a down-link channel which is slow frequency hopped, and a multi-beam antenna system with a single channel per beam to time division multiple broadcast signals to all user terminals covered by each said beam, respectively. Each user terminal includes a transceiver for receiving a down-link channel broadcast from the one of said beams in whose path it lies, and a return link comprised of a dedicated narrow band broadcast channel with slow frequency hopping of down-link channel. There is a fixed set of frequencies through which the frequency hopping is carried out, with the plurality of fixed and mobile user terminals using the same set of frequency hopping frequencies.

Abstract: A satellite network communication system in which a plurality of subscriber handset terminals communicate with a ground hub station on traffic frequency channels using spread spectrum orthogonal CDMA transmissions. The hub station includes a control generator for generating a net entry control channel for communicating synchronization correction signals (timing, frequency and power) to subscriber handset terminals and a return link receiver. Each subscriber handset terminal has a subscriber unit control channel receiver for receiving the control channel synchronization correction signals and a subscriber unit return link transmitter connected to receive the synchronization correction signals so that signals from all subscriber handset terminals arrive at the hub station in time, power and frequency synchronism. The subscriber unit return link transmitter includes frequency hopped spread spectrum carrier such that none of the signals occupies the same frequency bin at the same time.

Abstract: A fingerprint recognition and retrieval system in which the positions of fingerprint minutiae points and an index number for each minutiae point are recorded in a storage medium. The local ridge flow direction in the vicinity of each minutiae point defined by ridge endings and ridge bifurcations is determined and a generating line is projected at an angle to the local ridge flow direction. The generating line has a length sufficient to span a predetermined number of ridges to each side of each of the minutiae points. Each ridge is traced, in two directions, from the point of crossing of the projected generating line along any crossed ridge line. The first occurring topological event is assigned a type code (T) to the topological event. A topological event code vector is generated for each minutiae comprising an ordered sequence of topological type codes encountered during the tracing and any associated minutiae reference numbers and sets of the vectors are stored in a machine searchable database.

Abstract: A position monitoring system having a position finder subsystem connected via a cellular telephone to a central monitoring station, a receive/transmit device carried with the position monitoring subsystem. A remote personal signalling subsystem comprising an RF coder modulator for transmitting a coded RF signal, and operating switch for activating the RF coder modulator. A receiver/transmit device is carried with a position monitoring subsystem for receiving the coded RF signal, decoding same and transmitting a coded RF acknowledgement signal. The remote personal signalling subsystem includes an RF decoder and demodulator for receiving and decoding the coded RF acknowledgement signal and a tactile signalling device is operated by the RF decoder and demodulator upon receipt of the coded RF acknowledgement signal and provides a tactile signal to a user that the RF coded signal had been properly received by the position finding subsystem.

Abstract: A paging/messaging system using the L3 transmission channel of a constellation of GPS satellites orbiting the earth, is comprised of an earth-based injection terminal having a source of paging/messaging signals and a radio transmitter for broadcasting paging/messaging on the L3 transmission channel to in-view ones of the constellation of GPS satellites. A plurality of earth-based mobile receiving stations, each mobile receiving station having an omnidirectional receiving antenna and an L3 transmission channel receiver for receiving the L3 transmission channel broadcasts from the in-view ones of the constellation of GPS satellites and demodulating and decoding to recover the paging/messaging signals, a display as used to present the paging/messaging signals to a designated user the recovered paging/messaging signals.