Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a housing forming an internal cavity, an elastomeric diaphragm within the internal cavity, the elastomeric diaphragm combining with a first end of the housing to form an air spring within the internal cavity, a mechanical spring in series with the air spring within the internal cavity; a mount in series with the mechanical spring opposite the air spring, an annular elastomeric stopper between a second end of the housing and the mount, wherein the mount and the annular elastomeric stopper combine to seal the second end of the housing to form a chamber within the internal cavity between the elastomeric diaphragm and the second end of the housing, and a plate seated on the mount within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for treating anal incontinence is provided, in which a support member is implanted in a tissue pathway extending from a first location posterior to and adjacent the anus, through the perineum anterior to the anus and terminating at a location posterior to and adjacent the anus opposite the first location.

Abstract: A method for treating anal incontinence is provided, in which a support member is implanted in a tissue pathway extending from a first location posterior to and adjacent the anus, through the perineum anterior to the anus and terminating at a location posterior to and adjacent the anus opposite the first location.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing mobile devices to simultaneously access a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) are disclosed. The SIM contains a wireless transceiver, and the SIM may be located within a mobile phone, or it may be a stand-alone device. The mobile devices use a wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, to retrieve identification information from the SIM. The devices then use this identification information to connect to a wireless communications network, such as a wireless local area network. Through this network the devices will be able to access the Internet. The SIM will never need to be removed and inserted from one device to another, and multiple devices can use the SIM simultaneously. Thus, the mobile phone will work regardless of whether other devices are also using the SIM.

Abstract: Sensors mounted on vehicles (e.g., buses, taxis, police cars) and public personnel (e.g., policemen) are used to monitor various conditions and situations such as air quality, potential biological and chemical attacks, and road and traffic conditions. The invention improves upon the typical approach that deploys fixed sensors at every geographical position of interest. The total number of required sensors and the size and the complexity of the network infrastructure required to connect the sensors are reduced and simplified. A method for estimating the number of mobile sensors required to cover a region of interest also is disclosed. A relatively small number of mobile sensors may be sufficient to cover a large area at a lower cost and less complexity than a fixed sensor network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting particulate material by interparticle comminution in a bed of particles are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vertical roller mill with a horizontal grinding table rotating about a vertical mill axis. At least one grinding roller presses resiliently against a bed of particulate material on the grinding track and applies a compressive force. The geometry of the mill is such that the roller engages the bed of particulate material with a substantially pure rolling action. This minimizes shear forces applied to the particle bed and minimizes the reduction of fines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting particulate material by inter-particle comminution in a bed of particles are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vertical roller mill with a horizontal grinding table rotating about a verticle mill axis. At least one grinding roller presses resiliently against a bed of particulate material on the grinding track and applies a compressive force. The geometry of the mill is such that the roller engages the bed of particulate material with a substantially pure rolling action. This minimises shear forces applied to the particle bed and minimises the reduction of fines.

Abstract: The present application discloses, inter alia, a system for improving the aggregate throughput of a wireless local area network which includes: at least one access point that is equipped with at least one transceiver configured to simultaneously transmit and receive at multiple frequencies using multiple channels; and the access point being configured to acquire channel conditions of users and to pool sets of users on the channels based on the channel conditions.

Abstract: A helper station system is disclosed that can enhance communications in a wireless network having at least one slow or unreliable link. In preferred embodiments, the helper station system includes at least one helper station configured to wirelessly re-transmit an original wireless transmission from at least one sender station to at least one access point without having to re-contend for access to the wireless medium.

Abstract: According to some of the preferred embodiments, a method for proactively establishing a security association between a mobile node in a visiting network and an authentication agent in another network to which the mobile node can move includes: negotiating pre-authentication using a flag in a message header that indicates whether the communication is for establishing a pre-authentication security association; and one of the mobile node and the authentication agent initiating pre-authentication by transmitting a message with the flag set in its message header, and the other of the mobile node and the authentication agent responding with the flag set in its message header only if it supports the pre-authentication.

Abstract: For tracking a person such as a security guard at a construction site, RF-ID tags are placed at a plurality of locations at the site. The person carries a portable RF-ID tag reader while visiting at least some of the locations, and the portable RF-ID tag reader detects the presence of the RF-ID tags at these locations and reads tag identifiers identifying these locations. The person is tracked by monitoring a sequence of the tag identifiers read by the portable RF-ID tag reader. For example, the person also carries an Internet capable cell telephone that transmits the tag identifiers over the Internet to a computer at a location remote from the site, and the computer detects when the person deviates from an assigned path at the site.

Abstract: The Internet provides communication between a server and security officers, supervisors, client representatives, and a security system computer at a client site. On-line access to the server provides integration and management of security system functions such as maintenance of call lists and reports, shift management, and supervision of security officers. The use of the Internet for communication between the server and the client site computer not only provides faster and more reliable communication but also enables the client site computer to request the server to schedule a contingent future event including a need to service a call list unless the client site computer reports a condition warranting the removal of the contingent event from the schedule. For example, the failure of a security officer to visit a check point at a scheduled time results in the server accessing a call list to notify a designated recipient.

Abstract: For tracking a person such as a security guard at a construction site, RF-ID tags are placed at a plurality of locations at the site. The person carries a portable RF-ID tag reader while visiting at least some of the locations, and the portable RF-ID tag reader detects the presence of the RF-ID tags at these locations and reads tag identifiers identifying these locations. The person is tracked by monitoring a sequence of the tag identifiers read by the portable RF-ID tag reader. For example, the person also carries an Internet capable cell telephone that transmits the tag identifiers over the Internet to a computer at a location remote from the site, and the computer detects when the person deviates from an assigned path at the site.

Abstract: A highly-sensitive, rapid response fluorescent probe is based on the affinity of a polymer matrix for an analyte of interest. The probe includes a polymer matrix and a dye immobilized in the matrix. The polymer matrix has an affinity for an analyte of interest and the dye has little or no sensitivity to the analyte of interest when excited by an excitation source in a free state but has significant sensitivity to the analyte of interest when excited by the excitation source when immobilized in the matrix. Sensors incorporating the polymer/fluorophore probes of the present invention have the sensitivity and rapid response needed for detection of chemical agent and biological materials. Sensors using the probes provide sensitivity to Sarin at several hundred parts per trillion in one second or less. That is a notable advance over state-of-the-art detectors that require preconcentration steps, which in turn restrict response times to one minute or more.

Abstract: Magnetic modules and a process for manufacturing magnetic modules are provided wherein magnetic material is deposited into one or more cavities patterned into a non-magnetic substrate die to form a plurality of magnetic cores. The patterned substrate board, which may be a composite of graphite, a composite of alumina or other non-magnetic ceramic, provides a surface for winding windows, inductor air gaps, isolations, and a mounting surface for other system components.

Abstract: An instrument for total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy having modular probe that inexpensively monitors vapors and liquid-phase analytes under field conditions is described. The system is particularly helpful in evaluating multiple analytes using the fluorescence of a material immobilized in a thin sorbent polymer coating. At the same time, the system is capable of monitoring trace quantities of analyte using a fluorescence-read immunological reaction. The device includes a diode laser source, a shaped optical element (which may be as simple as a microscope slide), and one or more amplified photodiode detectors. The shaped optical element propagates light from the diode laser in a series of internally reflective bounces.

Abstract: The present sensor allows the user of any diode laser structure to be employed to provide sensitive chemical and biological detector. A diode laser electrochemical sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,407 “Laser Diode Sensor”. The present invention surpasses the capabilities of those sensors by measuring changes in the output power, output spectral characteristics or output signal auto-correlation function to detect the presence of chemical or biological films within the sensitive region.

Abstract: An optical fiber fluorescence sensor system capable of compensating fiber bending loss is provided. The system uses a modulated light-emitting diode and digital-signal processing chips to enhance the measurement of fluorescence signals. A fiber-optic oxygen sensor system suitable for measuring oxygen levels in gas and in aqueous media is provided. The system alleviates fiber bending loss. Detection of the signal-to-noise ratio of the system which exceeds 30 dB is done by using inexpensive components.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of triple-beam and triple-sensor in a laser speckle strain/deformation measurement system. The triple-beam/triple-camera configuration combined with sequential timing of laser beam shutters is capable of providing indications of surface strain and structure deformations. The strain and deformation quantities, the four variables of surface strain, in-plane displacement, out-of-plane displacement and tilt, are determined in closed form solutions.

Abstract: Optical chemical probes have layers of anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes and one or more dyes incorporated into these layers. The probes are placed into the medium and the dye or dyes react in the presence of the corresponding chemical. Color changes may be observed manually or by a photo detector. A light source may be employed to increase the optical signal received from the probe. Further, a waveguide may be used to trap multiple optical signals. The invention is used for chemical analysis.