Abstract: In a method and system for deriving a seed position of a subscriber station in a wireless communications system in supporting unassisted GPS-type position determination is provided, the subscriber station receives overhead messages from the wireless communications system, and derives the seed position from the parameter values. The subscriber station may use a data structure in its memory and map possible parameter values to corresponding positions that may serve as the seed positions.

Abstract: A system for geographically locating and tracking mobile stations within a mobile communication network. The system includes an equipment identity register (EIR) comprising equipment identifiers, such as internal mobile equipment identities (IMEIs), subscriber identity modules (SIMs), or some combination thereof, that are each uniquely associated with mobile stations operable within the network. Each IMEI may be used to identify a particular status of an associated mobile station. A mobile switching center (MSC) or an external location services (LCS) client may be configured to identify a targeted mobile station based upon its status (for example, lost, stolen, malfunctioning, and the like). A serving mobile location center (SMLC) responsively provides position location information for the targeted mobile station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the processing of false alarms in position determination. At least one embodiment of the present invention estimates and uses measurement false alarm probabilities in the position determination process. In one embodiment, the estimated measurement false alarm probabilities are combined to determine the reliability of the determined position solution or the reliability of the set of measurements as a collection. In one embodiment, the estimated measurement false alarm probabilities are used in the isolation and elimination of faulty measurements. For example, the traditional geometry based metric for identifying a faulty measurement is further weighted according to the measurement false alarm probabilities in order to determine the faulty measurement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various methods and devices for suppressing cross-correlation effects in positioning signals. When there is a power imbalance between a weaker positioning signal and an interfering positioning signal, and certain Doppler offsets exist, cross-correlation may make it difficult to acquire the weaker signal. However, a receiver may use the transmit signal spectrum of the interfering signal to identify frequency bins which contain a lower power for the transmitted interfering signal. The receiver then emphasizes the identified frequency bins in the detection of the desired positioning signal.

Abstract: A load cell utilizes a plurality of strain gauges mounted upon the load cell body such that there are six independent load-strain relations. Load is determined by applying the inverse of a load-strain sensitivity matrix to a measured strain vector. The sensitivity matrix is determined by performing a multivariate regression technique on a set of known loads correlated to the resulting strains. Temperature compensation is achieved by configuring the strain gauges as co-located orthogonal pairs.

Abstract: An interdigital (Wideröe) linear accelerator employing drift tubes, and associated support stems that couple to both the longitudinal and support stem electromagnetic fields of the linac, creating rf quadrupole fields along the axis of the linac to provide transverse focusing for the particle beam. Each drift tube comprises two separate electrodes operating at different electrical potentials as determined by cavity rf fields. Each electrode supports two fingers, pointing towards the opposite end of the drift tube, forming a four-finger geometry that produces an rf quadrupole field distribution along its axis. The fundamental periodicity of the structure is equal to one half of the particle wavelength ??, where ? is the particle velocity in units of the velocity of light and ? is the free space wavelength of the rf. Particles are accelerated in the gaps between drift tubes. The particle beam is focused in regions inside the drift tubes.

Abstract: An optical sensing enhancing material (and corresponding method of making) comprising: a medium, the medium comprising a plurality of aggregated nanoparticles comprising fractals; and a microcavity, wherein the medium is located in a vicinity of the microcavity. Also an optical sensor and sensing method comprising: providing a doped medium, the medium comprising a plurality of aggregated nanoparticles comprising fractals, with the material; locating the doped medium in the vicinity of a microcavity; exciting the doped medium with a light source; and detecting light reflected from the doped medium.

Abstract: A method of full-duplex electromagnetic communication wherein a pair of data modulation formats are selected for the forward and return data links respectively such that the forward data electro-magnetic beam serves as a carrier for the return data. A method of encoding optical information is used wherein right-hand and left-hand circular polarizations are assigned to optical information to represent binary states. An application for an earth to low earth orbit optical communications system is presented which implements the full-duplex communication and circular polarization keying modulation format.

Abstract: A linear accelerator of the interdigital (Wideröe) type, employing two-part drift tubes and associated support stems that couple to the electromagnetic fields of the interdigital linac structure, creating rf quadrupole fields along the axis of the linac to provide transverse focusing for the particle beam. Each two-part drift tube comprises two separate electrodes that operate at different electrical potentials. Each electrode supports two fingers, pointing inwards towards the opposite end of the drift tube, forming a four-finger geometry that produces an rf quadrupole field distribution along its axis. The fundamental periodicity of the structure is equal to one half of the particle wavelength &bgr;&lgr;, where &bgr; is the particle velocity in units of the velocity of light and &lgr; is the free space wavelength of the RF. Particles are accelerated in the gaps between drift tubes. The particle beam is focused in the regions inside the drift tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of optical switching wherein the output ends of input optical channels 142 are held by and movable by actuator arm 108 of a conventional computer disk drive assembly and the input ends of output optical channels 144 are held by and movable by the disk 102 of the assembly. Fixed supports 120 and 136 stabilize the input and output optical channels prior to entry into the optical switch 100. A high resolution voice coil motor receives the switching signal and moves the actuator arm which in turn moves the input optical channels to align them with the selected output channels. Disk 102 is preferably partially rotatable by a disk motor so that the output optical channels are movable and switching speed can be increased. A linear embodiment operates in an equivalent manner with a linearly movable disk and linear actuator arm. An alternative embodiment operates with two or more voice coil motor driven actuator arms, without the use of a disk.

Abstract: A hook and tab apparatus for supporting concessions upon a stadium chair armrest having a support arm attachable to the armrest and a receiving arm connected to the support arm. A tab is affixed to the concessions container and defines an opening for hanging the container over the receiving arm.

Abstract: A bi-directional pulsed ring laser that produces bi-directional light pulses that interact in such a way that they are phase conjugated. A nonlinear substance, such as a nonlinear crystal or fluid, that has an index of refraction that is dependent upon light intensity is located near a beam waist of the laser cavity to provide a self-lensing effect. Methods for reducing dead band beyond observable limits are also provided. The increased sensitivity of the bi-directional pulsed ring laser provides application in detecting magnetic susceptibility by detecting the change in phase between the arrival times of the bi-directional pulses at a modulator and the electrical signal of the modulator to determine the change in frequency of a coil that has magnetic susceptibility.

Abstract: A portable lamp for providing mixed direct and diffused light. The lamp is especially suited for providing pleasant lighting conditions at a table or workbench. A hollow cover is mounted upon a base. A light bulb inside the cover provides light, the bulb being powered by a self contained power source such as a battery. The cover, which may be spherical, has a translucent upper portion for transmitting diffused light, a medial transparent portion for transmitting undiffused light directly to the tabletop, and an opaque lower portion. A conical shaped reflector within the cover serves to reflect light emitted by the bulb to the translucent and transparent portions of the cover. Colored translucent disks may be removably attached inside the cover to add color to the diffused light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced optical emissions, the apparatus comprising a light source, a microcavity, and a medium comprising nanoparticles, located within or near the microcavity. The nanoparticles are either non-aggregated or are aggregated in the form of fractals. The nanoparticles and microcavity exhibit enhanced linear and non-linear optical emission. The light emitting apparatus can be used for wavelength translation, amplification, optical parametric oscillation, light detection and ranging, increased sensitivity, high density optical data storage, and near-field optical spectroscopy.

Abstract: A thin, non-metallic toe protector comprising short particles and method of making same. The particles are preferably less than 0.25 inches long. The preferred toe cap has a thickness of preferably less than 0.165 inches and a reinforcing matrix. The toe protector meets or exceeds national safety standards.

Abstract: A ladder stabilizer for supporting a ladder against a structure and protecting surface features of the structure. Two stops 12 prevent the ladder from excessive lateral movement. A support bar 16 affixed to and extending between the stops provides support for the ladder. A mounting bracket 14 attached to each stop 12 is attached either directly to a structure surface, or to a U-shaped bracket 24 that fits around a rain gutter. Each U-shaped bracket fits over or under the rain gutter and is attached to a structure surface. In a second embodiment two support legs 118 bent at obtuse angles in two locations comprise an attachment portion 106 for attaching to the roof of a structure, a ramped portion 116 for extending beyond the roof eave, and a stop portion 114 for preventing excessive lateral movement of the ladder. A support bar 102 is affixed to and extends between the stop portions for supporting the ladder.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus (100) and method having a variety of interchangeable input/output cards (10) capable of communicating with a variety of parameters including analytical parameters. A programmable central processing unit (124), input/output cards (10), data bus (30), display (102), and keypad (104) are integrated into a single integrated apparatus (100). Analytical parameters are received directly by the appropriate input/output cards for direct communication with the central processing unit (124). The central processing unit also outputs control parameters through the input/output cards.

Abstract: A power control system (10) for managing power output from a battery (11) includes an output terminal (12) for delivering power from the battery (11) to a load, control means (14) connected to the battery (11) to sense pre-selected operating parameters of the battery (11), and in a first mode of operation to provide power from the battery (11) to the output terminals (12). A first capacitor (15), which stores a predetermined quantity of power is connected between the control means (14) and the battery (11), supplies its stored power to the battery (11) in response to a signal from the control means (14) which is in a second mode of operation. A second capacitor (16), which stores a predetermined quantity of power and is connected between control means (14) and the output terminals (12), supplies its stored power to the output terminals (12) in response to a signal from the control means (14) in its second mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a note locator for stringed instruments and method of use. Note locator (10) comprises a flexible planar top and bottom surface wherein the top surface has note position indicators (60) of color and the bottom surface has an adhesive for placement beneath the strings of the instrument along the fingerboard without interfering with the normal operation of the instrument. The user learns correct finger placement by visually identifying colors with notes of the equitempered chromatic scale. Diatonic scale note position indicators (32, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, and 52) are indicated with various distinct colors while other half step note position indicators (30, 34, 40, 44, and 48) are indicated with a color different from that of the diatonic scale note position indicators. Segmentation (70,72) is provided for dividing note locator (10) so that segments can be added or removed from the fingerboard if desired.

Abstract: A stackable heat sink having a core shaft in heat-engaging relation with a semiconductor device and a plurality of individual thin fins having an opening for receiving the core shaft in press fit relation so that a plurality of the fins, when mounted on the shaft, define a plurality of air passageways and the fins and shaft efficiently transfer heat away from the semiconductor device and into the surrounding atmosphere. In an improved version of the heat sink, the heat-dissipating fins may be corrugated so as to increase the surface area of each individual fin without increasing its perimeter. A heat pipe may be used in conjunction with the core shaft or base of the heat sink so as to facilitate heat transfer away from the electronic component. An improved heat sink may also include a base having a plurality of openings and a small fan connected to the portion of the base with the openings, so as to direct air across and between adjacent fins.