Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for scheduling an indexed data broadcast such that both mean access time and mean tuning time are reduced to a practical minimum. In one embodiment of such a method, data items are first scheduled for broadcast. Such data items are advantageously scheduled such that: (1) all data items to be broadcasted are equally spaced; and (2) when indexed with appropriate “indexing keys,” the indexing information can be efficiently stored and broadcasted. In one embodiment, a schedule having a mean access time about 1.5× that of the theoretical minimum is provided. The indexing information is advantageously arranged in a way that allows for efficient delivery thereof to clients to apprise them of the broadcast schedule of the data items. The indexing information is advantageously arranged in a tree structure referred to herein as an “indexing tree.

Abstract: A stable, reliable ohmic contact, and improved semiconductor articles and opto-electronic circuits incorporating same, are disclosed. According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, an ohmic contact having a plurality of thermodynamically-stable layers and layer interfaces is formed by providing a structure comprising multiple, appropriately-thick and specifically-organized layers of suitably-selected material, and exposing the structure to heat to cause reaction to take place between the various layers. Due to the thermodynamic stability of the resulting reacted layers and the interfaces between such layers, there is substantially no tendency for further reaction to occur within the ohmic contact.

Abstract: A miniature, multi-branch patch antenna suitable for operating in the 1 GHz to 100 GHz frequency range, a method for making same and a communication system using the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a planar dielectric substrate, a plurality of conducting antenna elements each having a feed port, a ground plane and a septum located between each conducting antenna element. In a second embodiment, the antenna comprises a planar dielectric substrate, a plurality of conducting antenna elements each having a feed port, a ground plane and a superstrate that is disposed on the plurality of conducting antenna elements and at least a portion of the dielectric substrate. The septum and the superstrate suppress undesirable coupling mechanisms. In a communication system according to the present invention, the miniature, multi-branch patch antenna is coupled to a transmitter and/or receiver.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the power with which a wireless terminal transmits is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention comprises: transmitting a first signal at a first power level; receiving a series of n power control signals, bi−n+1 through bi; setting a step size based on a measure of dispersion of the n power control signals; and transmitting a second signal at a second power level that is based on the first power level and the step size.

Abstract: An article for de-embedding parasitics and/or acting as an on-wafer calibration standard is disclosed. In particular, some articles in accordance with the present invention provide structures on integrated circuits that mitigate the severity of parasitics Furthermore, some articles in accordance with the present invention are well-suited for use with conductive substrates that operate at high frequencies. In an illustrative embodiment, conductive elements are used to construct structures near and/or around the leads on the integrated circuit. When the structures are grounded, the structures function to (at least) partially shield the leads to and from the DUT in a manner that is analogous to stripline, microstrip and coaxial cable. Because the electric fields emanating from the leads terminate in the grounded structure and not in the conductive substrate of the integrated circuit, the severity of the parasitics in the leads in mitigated.

Abstract: A server in a telecommunications system is disclosed that prioritizes message signals queued for transmission over a telecommunications channel. A server in accordance with the present invention generalizes a wide range of specific queue disciplines into: (1) a generic sequence, and (2) a set of scalar parameters used in the sequence. Thereafter, the server is capable of mimicking any one of many specific queue disciplines (e.g., FIFO, LIFO, etc.) by appropriately setting the values of the parameters and without changing the generic sequence.

Abstract: An article comprising a Z-axis positioning stage is disclosed. The Z-axis positioning stage includes at least one collapsible/expandable cell or cavity that is defined within a region bounded by a lower and a movable upper surface and a side wall depending therefrom. Means for collapsing/expanding the cavity is operatively connected to the cavity. During collapse of the cavity, the upper surface drops towards the lower surface. During expansion of the cavity, the upper surface rises away from lower surface. The upper surface thus functions as a movable stage, which is capable of moving an object placed thereon in a vertical direction (i.e., along the z-axis).

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system is disclosed that mitigates multipath fading through an improvement in transmit diversity. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention are well-suited for use with all forward channel multiplexing schemes (e.g., frequency-division multiplexing, time-division multiplexing, code-division multiplexing, etc.) and all modulation techniques (e.g., amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, etc.). An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: a signal inverter for inverting and alternately not-inverting a first signal in accordance with a schedule to create a second signal; a first antenna for transmitting the first signal; and a second antenna for transmitting the second signal.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system is disclosed that provides both telecommunications service and navigational assistance to travelers. In particular, the present invention addresses three common navigation problems. First, to aid a traveler who takes the same trip infrequently, the present invention records the movement of the traveler during one trip and, thereafter, provides navigational assistance on how to recreate the trip again at a later time. Second, to aid a traveler in making the homeward portion of a trip, the present invention records the outward-bound portion of the trip and, thereafter, provides navigational assistance on how to get home. And third, to aid a traveler who is trying to recreate the trip of another traveler, the present invention records the movement of one traveler when taking a trip and, thereafter, provides navigational assistance to other travelers on how to recreate the trip taken by the first. In general, the present invention performs two distinct steps.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed that comprises structures that confine, shield and/or manipulate the electric fields generated within the integrated circuit so as to improve the performance of the integrated circuit. Such structures include, but are not limited to, transmission lines, capacitors, inductors, filters, and couplers. Although embodiments of the present invention are advantageous for use on many integrated circuits, they are particularly well suited for use with integrated circuits that are disposed on conductive substrates and that operate at high frequencies.

Abstract: A block radio design is disclosed that prevents the primary analog-to-digital converter from saturating and thus prevents the introduction of intermodulation products into the multi-carrier signal. The block radio comprises a strong signal suppressor that selectively suppresses any carrier signal in the multi-carrier signal before the multi-carrier signal is digitized by the analog-to-digital converter, thus preventing the possibility that the analog-to-digital converter can be saturated. Furthermore, the strong signal suppressor attenuates the stronger carrier signals without affecting the weaker carrier signals.

Abstract: A technique for preventing the user of a wireless terminal from carrying a wireless terminal into the umbra of a fade is disclosed. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention notify the user that the user is in danger of entering the umbra and assist the user in navigating from the fade. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: creating a first measurement of signal quality, SQ(n), of a signal received from a wireless terminal; and, when the first measurement of signal quality, SQ(n), is unsatisfactory, transmitting a first message to the wireless terminal to direct a user of the wireless terminal to move the wireless terminal in one direction.

Abstract: Flat-panel displays, a substrate for use in such displays, and methods for making the displays and the substrate are disclosed. The substrate is a hybrid composite containing an organic component and an inorganic component. The substrate possesses attributes of the organic component, which is typically a plastic, such as light weight and impact resistance, as well as attributes of the inorganic component, typically silica particles, such as high temperature stability. A variety of flat-panel displays can be made by depositing appropriate device layers, using standard fabrication procedures, on the hybrid composite substrate. The monomer is selected, and the relative concentrations of the organic to the inorganic component in the composite are established, based on the thermal processing requirements for making the type of display for which the substrate is intended.

Abstract: Compliant standoffs are disposed on a support surface of a semiconductor or hybrid semiconductor device. The standoffs extend further from the support surface than other active or passive structures associated with the (hybrid) semiconductor device, and are spaced at least a minimum distance from such associated structures. Each compliant standoff provides a surface at which auxiliary devices, such as optical subassemblies, lightwave circuits and the like, can be attached. Since the compliant standoffs extend further from the support surface than other associated structures, such other associated structures are protected from potentially damaging contact with the auxiliary device(s) being attached to the compliant standoffs.

Abstract: An improved packing member includes a rigid interior portion enclosed by a resilient exterior portion. The exterior portion is physically adapted to generate a force in response to, and opposing, the motion of an elongate object thereover. The generated force advantageously increases in magnitude as the object moves across a packing member. In some embodiments, a frame receives the improved packing members. In one embodiment, the frame comprises two vertical side portions that receive one or more packing members. The frame advantageously includes a variable-positioning element, so that the packing members are freely positionable along the height of the vertical side portions. In conjunction with the improved packing member, the variable positioning element enables embodiments of the present invention to be used with multiple object diameters/geometries.

Abstract: A method of compressing a source (e.g., a video signal, a still image, an audio signal, etc.) is disclosed that does not require the transmission of changes in the quantization step size and more evenly affects the fidelity of the source than techniques in the prior art that change the quantization step size at various points in the compression process. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention involves transforming a source (e.g., a video frame, audio sample, etc.) into m coefficients, in well-known fashion, wherein each of the m coefficients is represented by a known number of bits. Then, only n of the m coefficients are used for transmission or storage, as appropriate, where the n coefficients are more perceptually significant than the m—n coefficients not used.

Abstract: An incremental positioner is disclosed. In one embodiment, the incremental positioner includes a motor, a drive shaft, a motion converter and a rack. The motion converter engages the rack and, impelled by the motor and drive shaft, causes the rack to move. The motion converter transmits and converts the continuous rotary motion of the motor to a linear intermittent motion of the rack. To generate such intermittent motion, the motion converter is physically configured so that even though the motion converter is in constant motion, it urges the rack to move on a periodic basis. In other words, during each revolution of the motion converter, the rack “dwells” (i.e., does not move) during a first portion of the cycle, and advances during a second portion of the cycle. Each time the rack advances, it does so by a characteristic incremental distance.

Abstract: An article for directing optical signals among optical waveguides is disclosed. The article comprises a plurality of mirror elements that are mechanically and electrically interconnected to form a reflective surface. The reflective surface is deformable upon application of a voltage. Optical signals delivered from a source waveguide may be directed to different destination waveguides as the reflective surface is deformed. The plurality of mirror elements is actuated by a single actuator.

Abstract: An improved arrow rest and archery bow are disclosed. The arrow rest has guides for directing an arrow shaft to an arrow support region defined between the guides. Preferably, two adjustable, spring-biased contacts are disposed in the arrow support region for supporting the arrow. The guides allow an archer substantial latitude for initial placement of the arrow shaft on the rest. Furthermore, the guides will return a jarred arrow shaft to the arrow support region. A support structure interconnects the guides with an archery bow.

Abstract: An electronic AC light dimmer, lighting system and method are disclosed that provide two-channel operation by allowing independent control of positive and negative half cycles of AC power. In one embodiment, the dimmer comprises a positive half-cycle control circuit for controlling an mount of current flowing through the dimmer during positive half-cycles and a negative half-cycle control circuit for controlling an mount of current flowing through the dimmer during negative half-cycles. In a further embodiment of the invention, the dimmer is wired to at least two light bulbs that are part of a common circuit, and a channel selection circuit. Preferably, the channel selection circuit comprises at least two diodes, each diode connected in series with one of the bulbs. The action of the dimmer and the diodes provides two channels, each channel being associated with either positive or negative half cycles.