Abstract: A credit card system and method for configuring a vehicle specific to a user and for transacting financial transactions, the system comprising a User Preference and Information Database containing information specific to said user for configuring a specific vehicle, a credit card capable of storing financial transaction information and information to access said User Preference Database, a credit card data receptacle located in said vehicle, a global communication network, a User Transaction History Database containing information about said user's prior transactions, a display monitor located in said vehicle, and a point of sale where said credit card is used for a financial transaction.

Abstract: A distributed receiver system for communicating transmitted reference ultra wideband communications signals includes a receiver front end downconverter having a correlator for producing ultra wideband pulses from the transmitted reference ultra wideband communications signals. A digitizer is connected to the receiver front end downconverter for receiving and digitizing the ultra wideband pulses. A high bandwidth cable is connected to the digitizer for receiving the digitized ultra wideband pulses. A centralized digital processing module is connected to the high bandwidth cable for interpreting the digitized ultra wideband pulses.

Abstract: A dual transceiver enhanced bridge is provided for wirelessly radio frequency (RF) broadcasting messages received on a power line communication system. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge includes a power line carrier (PLC) modem connected to the power line by a connecting plug. The PLC modem is connected to a memory unit. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge also comprises an RF modem connected to the memory unit. A controller is connected to the PLC modem, the RF modem, and the memory unit to control transmission of messages from the connected devices.

Abstract: A dual transceiver enhanced bridge is provided for wirelessly radio frequency (RF) broadcasting messages received on a telephone network. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge includes a telephone subscriber loop (TSL) modem connected to the telephone network. The TSL modem is connected to a memory unit. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge also comprises an RF modem connected to the memory unit. A controller is connected to the TSL modem, the RF modem, and the memory unit to control transmission of messages from the connected devices.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communications system combines the techniques of a transmitted reference (TR) and a multiple access scheme called delay hopping (DH). Combining these two techniques using UWB signaling using a continuous noise transmitted waveform avoids the synchronization difficulties associated with conventional approaches. This TR technique is combined with the DH multiple access technique to create a UWB communications scheme that has a greater multiple access capacity than does the UWB TR technique by itself.

Abstract: An integrated tracking, telemetry and local area networking system is provided. A communications system comprises a broadband subsystem comprising at least one UWB node including a first UWB transceiver and at least one application node linked to the UWB node by a broadband link. The system further comprises a wireless subsystem comprising at least one remote communicator, the remote communicator including a second UWB transceiver. The first and second UWB transceivers are configured to communicate with each other via an UWB communications link.

Abstract: A credit card system and method for configuring a vehicle specific to a user and for transacting financial transactions, the system comprising a User Preference and Information Database containing information specific to said user for configuring a specific vehicle, a credit card capable of storing financial transaction information and information to access said User Preference Database, a credit card data receptacle located in said vehicle, a global communication network, a User Transaction History Database containing information about said user's prior transactions, a display monitor located in said vehicle, and a point of sale where said credit card is used for a financial transaction.

Abstract: An antenna comprising two essentially identical electrically conducting rectangular plates lying in parallel planes and separated so that a gap is formed between the plates also includes a dielectric situated within the gap and exhibiting a relative permittivity that changes with frequency. Electrical connectors connect the plates to corresponding conductors that carry the signal to be radiated by the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna comprising two essentially identical electrically conducting rectangular plates lying in parallel planes and separated so that a gap is formed between the plates also includes a dielectric situated within the gap and exhibiting a relative permittivity that changes with frequency. Electrical connectors connect the plates to corresponding conductors that carry the signal to be radiated by the antenna.

Abstract: A system for communicating over a plurality of wireless data networks, the system comprising a software defined radio capable of being configured to operate with a plurality of wireless network services; a radio controller for reconfiguring the radio to operate over a wireless data network; a first database containing information about wireless data networks; wireless location technology used to determine a location of the radio; wherein the wireless location technology determines a location of the radio and the controller compares the location with information contained in the first database to determine available wireless data networks.