Abstract: A device for intracavity stimulation of the left atrium and/or ventricle of the heart from the prepectoral region through a less invasive and lower-risk approach is provided that allows the implantation of an intracavity catheter in the left cardiac chambers through a femoral approach atrial transseptal puncture, and the removal of the catheter proximal end by the retrograde venous route.

Abstract: A method for finger biometric processing may include selecting at least one enrollment spot from finger biometric enrollment data comprising a plurality of pixels, and selecting at least one verification spot from finger biometric verification data comprising a plurality of pixels. One or more spot properties is determined for one (or both) of the at least one enrollment spot and the at least one verification spot. The method may further include comparing the at least one enrollment spot with the at least one verification spot based upon a function of corresponding pixel values of the at least one enrollment spot and the at least one verification spot, and also based upon the at least one spot property.

Abstract: A security system includes at least one audio sensor located at a premises that receives audio signals and converts the audio signals to digitized audio signals. A server is located remote from the plurality of premises and receives the digitized audio signals from each of the premises. A plurality of clients are in communication with the server, which is operative for selecting the client for receiving digitized audio signals for a selected premises. The client is operative for converting the digitized audio signals from the selected premises into audio for an operator that is monitoring the premises.

Abstract: A limited acknowledgement-based communication methodology increases the throughput efficiency of a relay-based, extended range, wireless packetized data transmissions to a data-reception site from a data-sourcing site, geographically remote with respect to the data-reception site. Rather than return an acknowledgement for each received packet, the data-reception site returns an acknowledgement only after receipt of a group of packets. When returning an acknowledgement, the data-reception site identifies which packets of the group were not successfully received. Missing packets may be retransmitted by the data-sourcing transmitter either immediately, or in response to a subsequent poll.

Abstract: A structural printed wiring board panel includes a multilayer printed wiring board having opposing, outer faces and interlayer interconnects that route RF, power and control signals. Connection areas are formed in or on at least on one face for connecting the interlayer interconnects and any electrical components. A metallic face sheet is secured onto at least one outer face, adding structural rigidity to the multilayer printed wiring board. A metallic face sheet can have apertures positioned to allow access to connection areas. RF components can be carried by a face sheet and operatively connected to connection areas. Antenna elements can be positioned on the same or an opposing face sheet and operatively connected to RF components to form a phased array printed wiring board (PWB) panel.

Abstract: A decoding circuit and associated method are provided for decoding a biphase signal. The decoding circuit may include a precharging register to precharge a pair of states of the biphase signal, where a state of the pair of states is precharged at each pulse of a periodic precharging signal. The decoding circuit may further include a verification circuit to compare the two states of the pair of states and give an active error signal if the two states are equal.

Abstract: Operation of a logic circuit for performing a desired logic function is scrambled. Logic gates and/or transistors are provided in the logic circuit so that the logic function is performed in at least two different ways. The way in which the logic function is performed is determined by the value of a function selection signal applied to the logic circuit. The function selection signal is random and is applied to the logic circuit, and the function selection signal is refreshed at determined instants for scrambling operation of the logic circuit. For identical data applied at the input of the logic circuit and for different values of the function selection signal, the polarities of certain internal nodes of the logic circuit and/or the current consumption of the logic circuit are not identical.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensing structure includes a photodiode, in which an epitaxial layer is on a P-type substrate. The photodiode includes an N-well collection node in the epitaxial layer. An isolation trench is provided around the collection node to provide better control of the width of the collection node. The collection node can be surrounded by P-wells or by epitaxial material. It can also be surrounded by epitaxial material with the isolation trench being outwardly extended to ensure compliance with existing design rules.

Abstract: A substrate, in particular, a multilayer substrate, includes a mounting and electrical-connection support, and a face for mounting at least one integrated circuit chip (IC chip). The substrate and the mounted IC chip are placed in an injection mold. The injection mold has two parts that surround the periphery of the substrate. One part of the injection mold defines a cavity for molding an encapsulation material thereby encapsulating the IC chip, and includes a face for bearing on the mounting face. At least one recess is provided in one part of the injection mold. The recess defines, above the mounting face, a slot for providing a vent for venting gases. The mounting face includes a region on which a metal outer layer is placed. The metal outer layer extends along the recess and on the bearing face on both sides of the recess.

Abstract: The discone antenna includes a conical antenna element, having an apex, and a disc antenna element adjacent the apex of the conical antenna element. An inverted antenna feed structure, such as a flanged coaxial connector or coaxial cable, is connected to the disc and conical antenna elements and extends outwardly from the disc antenna element on a side thereof opposite the apex of the conical antenna element. The discone antenna with such an inverted feed structure facilitates an inverted positioning, for example, on vehicles, rooftops and/or control towers, etc., that will increase the bandwidth pattern in the direction of the potential target.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for managing mobile workers in an object oriented programming environment is disclosed. A plurality of target objects that correspond to facilities assets to be worked on by a mobile worker are classified within a database of the computer. The attributes of each target object are defined, including a task to be performed on each target object. Mobile workers are scheduled for the tasks to be performed on target objects by running a rule engine to determine the algorithms and heuristics to be used to schedule mobile workers for the tasks to be performed. The scheduled jobs are then output to the mobile workers.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor has an array of pixels in which each column has a reset voltage line and a read line. The sensor is reset and read a row at a time, with reset-related values held in a frame buffer for subsequent subtraction from read values. Reset-related values are derived in each column by sampling the voltage during reset on one capacitor and the voltage on release of reset on a second capacitor, and differencing these values to provide an output for the frame buffer. This provides a reduction in the size of frame buffer which would otherwise be required.

Abstract: A MIMO communications system includes a transmitter, and a receiver synchronized with the transmitter. The transmitter changes the power levels for each layered space data stream on a time slotted basis. The data streams arrive at the receiver with various power levels, which provides suitable differences in the received signals for population of a mixing matrix for signal separation processing.

Abstract: A communications device for separating source signals provided by M signal sources includes an antenna array comprising N antenna elements for receiving at least N different summations of the M source signals, with N and M being greater than 1. The N antenna elements include at least one antenna element for receiving at least one of the N different summations of the M source signals, and at least two correlated antenna elements for receiving at least two of the N different summations of the M source signals. The at least two correlated antenna elements are uncorrelated with the at least one antenna element. A receiver is connected to the antenna array. A blind signal separation processor is connected to the receiver for forming a mixing matrix comprising the at least N different summations of the M source signals, and for separating desired source signals from the mixing matrix. The mixing matrix has a rank equal up to at least N.

Abstract: A high bandwidth, feed-forward oscillator generates a ramp or sawtooth voltage for controlling the operation of a pulse width modulator-based, switched DC power supply circuit. The oscillator is operative to effectively immediately adjust the slope of each rising and falling portion of the ramp/sawtooth signal, as necessary, in proportion to the magnitude of the input voltage, while maintaining the frequency of the ramp waveform effectively constant. A comparator network establishes a difference between peak and valley portions of the sawtooth in accordance with input voltage. In response to a change in input voltage a control circuit modifies the value of the difference between the peak and valley portions to define a new set of respective peak and valley portions VpeakNEW and VvalleyNEW, and immediately causes the sawtooth waveform to transition to the new set of respective peak and valley portions VpeakNEW and VvalleyNEW at said prescribed frequency.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for generating, by interaction(s) with three or four waves from one or several incident optical radiation(s), one or several emergent radiation(s) tuneable at least in frequency. The invention is characterized in that it consists essentially of a crystal with non-linear optical property whereof the surface defines a cylindrical volume with complete revolution, or truncated on at least two opposite faces symmetrical relative to its axis of revolution, or partial on one of two said faces. Said device is particularly designed for applications in spectroscopy, remote sensing, long-distance transmission, remote guiding. The invention also concerns a method using said device.

Abstract: Fiber optic modules, retention mechanisms, cages or receptacles and their electrical connections. An conductive elastomer is used to provide an electrical connection between contacts of a fiber optic module and contacts of a host printed circuit board or between contacts of a fiber optic module and contacts of an electrical connector. Hot-pluggable electrical connections for fiber optic modules are also described including parallel data connections for small form factor fiber optic modules.

Abstract: A full-wave rectifier for monitoring the amplitude of a differential analog signal includes a differential Track&Hold stage controlled by a first differential logic timing signal tracking the differential analog input signal during a tracking phase that corresponds to a high logic stage of the first differential timing signal. This produces a differential output signal that is a replica of the input signal and the signal is stored during a successive storing phase that corresponds to a low logic state of the first differential timing signal. A first differential output amplifier includes inputs coupled to the output of the Track&Hold stage. A differential bistable circuit, controlled by a second differential logic timing signal, includes inputs coupled to the differential outputs of the first amplifier and produces a third differential logic control signal.

Abstract: A method is for implementing at least one clock tree in a synchronous digital electronic circuit. The method may include selecting an interchangeable programmable delay buffer stage, calculating an expected skew based upon the selected interchangeable programmable delay buffer stage, and interchanging the selected interchangeable programmable delay buffer stage with another if the expected skew is different from a desired skew. A related synchronous digital electronic circuit includes a plurality of clock trees, and an interchangable programmable delay buffer stage connected to each of the clock trees.