Abstract: An engine start device includes a generator, a battery charged by the generator, a starter, an electric double layer capacitor and a DC/DC converter. The electric double layer capacitor is connected between the starter and the battery. The DC/DC converter has an input terminal connected to the battery and the electric double layer capacitor. The DC/DC converter has an output terminal connected to the starter and the electric double layer capacitor. According to voltage of the battery, internal DC resistance of the battery or internal DC resistance of the electric double layer capacitor, the DC/DC converter effects control of charge voltage of the electric double layer capacitor so as to stabilize voltage applied to a starter motor and stabilize the engine start.

Abstract: A method for converting a supported metal nitrate into the corresponding supported metal oxide comprises heating the metal nitrate to effect its decomposition under a gas mixture that contains nitric oxide and has an oxygen content of <5% by volume. The method provides very highly dispersed metal oxide on the support material. The metal oxide is useful as a catalyst or as a catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A catalyst for treating an exhaust gas has at least a carrier and plural layers formed on the carrier, wherein at least one layer of the above plural layers has an interstice in the layer, and at least one layer of the above plural layers contains a catalyst component. The above catalyst for treating an exhaust gas allows the enhancement of the diffusion of an exhaust gas in a catalyst layer, which results in the improvement of catalyst efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides providing a substrate, forming a sensor array on the substrate, forming a structured array of uncommitted logic surrounding the sensor array on the substrate, and providing electrical interconnects to the structured array of uncommitted logic, wherein the structured array of uncommitted logic forms functions that support the operation of the sensor array.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating hematological, cytological, or histological specimens deposited on slides are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first heating station, a second heating station, and at least one processing station adapted to receive specimen slides. A lifting device moves a first set of the specimen slides and a second set of the specimen slides among the first heating station, the second heating station, and the at least one processing station. A controller independently controls the temperature of the first and second heating stations and selectively positions each of the first and second sets of specimen slides within at least two of the first heating station, the second heating station, and the at least one processing station.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for monitoring a wireless network clock compared to an absolute time scale using the user mobile stations themselves. The major advantage is the capability to transfer GPS time to a Mobile Station in a wireless network, and thus to decrease the time necessary for the mobile receiver to perform position calculations, with minimal additional hardware required by the network.

Abstract: An optical system measures scene inhomogeneity. The system includes a mirror for receiving radiance of a field-of-view (FOV) of a scene, and reflecting a portion of the radiance to an optical detector. A controller is coupled to the mirror for changing the FOV. The optical detector provides a signal of the reflected portion of radiance of the scene. A processor determines scene inhomogeneity, based on amplitude of the signal provided from the optical detector. The controller is configured to modulate the FOV at a periodic interval, using a sinusoidal waveform, a pulse code modulated waveform, or a pseudo-random waveform.

Abstract: An electronic imager includes a plurality of pixels having photosensors for accumulating charge corresponding to individual pixel values of a sensed image. Each of the pixels includes an anti-blooming function which allows charge in excess of a predetermined amount to be drained from the photosensor thus reducing the charge from the pixel that migrates to adjacent pixels. The imager also includes circuitry which controls the anti-blooming function in response to image intensity to reduce dark current in the imager caused by the anti-blooming function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for synchronization (SYNC) detection of a received serial offset quadrature pulse shaped waveform modulated by a symbol SYNC sequence are provided. The waveform is serially demodulated into a serial baseband signal and correlated in parallel with segments of the symbol SYNC sequence. Correlation strength estimates of each of the correlated output signals are computed and used to adjust a SYNC threshold level. The correlation strength estimates or the correlated output signals are combined and a peak is determined in the resulting signal. The peak in the resulting signal is compared to the SYNC threshold level to detect synchronization.

Abstract: Implementation of an improved matched filter system for despreading a PN code from a spread spectrum signal utilizes a matched filter system that may be broadly conceptualized as a system that optimizes the number of multipliers and adders utilized by the system in despreading a PN code from a spread spectrum signal. This lowers the power consumption of the improved matched filter system and increases the speed at which the system despreads the PN code from the spread spectrum signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing settling time of a switched capacitor amplifier. The method includes disconnecting first and second capacitors from an amplifier. When the first and second capacitors are disconnected from the amplifier, they are charged by respective first and second input signals. The apparatus includes a plurality of sampling capacitors, each configured to sample a respective one of a plurality of signals during a sampling phase, an amplifier, and a plurality of decoupling switches configured to isolate the sampling capacitors from the amplifier during the sampling phase and to connect the plurality of sampling capacitors to the amplifier during the amplifying phase.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a wireless telephone and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed, the apparatus having a dual camera module. The dual camera module includes a flex interconnect on which a first image module and a second image module are attached, each image module adapted to capture images. The two image modules can be placed such that images can be captured in different directions; at different resolutions; at different times; independently or simultaneously; generating independent or composite data streams.

Abstract: A system for measuring properties of a medium includes an electromagnetic generator for forming a CW carrier, a digital encoder for forming a digital message, and a modulator for modulating the CW carrier with the digital message to form a digitally modulated CW carrier. The medium provides a channel for propagating the digitally modulated CW carrier. The system further includes a receiver configured to receive the propagated, digitally modulated CW carrier, and a processor for measuring at least one property of the medium. The medium may be disposed within a gaseous atmosphere, a body of water, or a cell of a laboratory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing light to a light sensor and filtering out an infrared component from the directed light. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an array of light sensors disposed on a substrate, wherein the light sensors are operable to convert light intensity into a voltage signal. The apparatus further includes a cover plate disposed over the light sensors such that the cover plate creates a cavity over the array of sensors. The apparatus further includes filter material disposed between the cover plate and the light sensors in the cavity formed between the light sensors and the cover plate. The filter material is operable to filter the light passing through the cover plate. In particular, in one embodiment, light having wavelengths in the infrared range may be filtered out.

Abstract: A 3-T buried-gated photodiode device that is suitable for use in a windowed array. The 3-T buried-gated photodiode device is configured such that the floating diffusion (FD) node of the device is held low when the device is not being specifically addressed, which ensures that the device cannot drive the corresponding pixel output line unless it is specifically addressed.

Abstract: A method of focusing a digital camera module with an image sensor including capturing an image of a test target with the digital camera module, determining a focus quality of the image with the image sensor, outputting a signal related to the focus quality of the image from the digital camera module to a focusing station external to the digital camera module, and determining whether a position of a lens from the image sensor within the digital camera module should be altered to improve a focus quality of subsequently captured images.

Abstract: A system for certifying a concentration of gas in a cylinder includes a gas cell configured to receive a sample gas from a cylinder, and an FTIR module coupled to the gas cell for scanning the sample gas and forming a beam spectrum. A processor is coupled to the FTIR module for calculating an intensity response of the sample gas based on the beam spectrum. A storage device is included for storing data points of a plot of intensity response of a known gas versus concentration levels. The processor is configured to interpolate between the stored data points of the plot to determine an interpolated data point corresponding to the intensity response of the sample gas. The processor provides to the user a concentration level of the sample gas, based on the interpolated data point.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for use in a camera identifies appropriate times to capture optical images with the camera. The apparatus includes a motion detector for generating movement data based on movement of the camera. A controller coupled to the movement detector identifies appropriate times to capture optical images based on the movement data.

Abstract: A device for calibrating a sensor using solar radiation includes a sensor configured to measure electromagnetic radiation received through a field of view (FOV) having a normal line of sight and at least two baffles removably insertable across the FOV of the sensor and inclined to the line of sight. Each baffle has first and second opposing surfaces, with the first surface disposed to face the solar radiation and the second surface disposed to face the sensor. One of the first or second surface is configured as a diffused surface, and the other of the first or second surface is configured as a specular surface.