Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for creating and recognizing a USN (Unique Signature Number) from an analysis of living entity's (e.g. person, animal or other multi-cellular being having neural activity) emitted electrical or electromagnetic signal in a given, normalized or calm state. This USN may then be used at a later date, in a comparison function of a number of stored USN's, in ascertaining the identity of an entity recently detected as being in proximity to an antenna of the apparatus. A further analysis process can also detect neural activity that is abnormal to that indicated by the USN of a given entity in a calm state and which neural activity may be indicative of excessive aggression, stress or even ill health said given entity.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for a universally operable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader base unit. An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags, one at a time, that are commercially available as well as communicate with data collecting entities using any of at least two communication standards. The reader comprises a microprocessor (microcontroller) portion having at least one set of plug-in connectors. The reader then operates in different operational logic processes in accordance with the types and parameters of attached plug-in modules. The plug-in modules will typically comprise RF frequency modules for communicating with the RFID tags as well as a communication standard model for communicating with a computer network. Additionally, the plug-in modules contain memory that contains data and code used by the microprocessor in performing the operations obtainable by specific types of plug-in modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for sensing a given situation such as the presence of operational aircraft for deactivation, or other modification, of a device such as wireless communication circuitry signal transmission circuitry while in the presence of the operational aircraft. The sensing of a situation may be by the presence of a predetermined signal, the arrival at a given location, a measurable change in air pressure and so forth. The sensor circuitry, upon detecting conditions suggestive of operational aircraft, operates to activate, deactivate or otherwise modify the performance of a device while in the presence or immediate vicinity of aircraft or other predetermined situation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for electronically and wirelessly monitoring a plurality of ID tags of assets as a service for a plurality of tagged asset users and notifying the tagged asset user and/or other authorized entities when conditions sensed by tag circuitry exceeds predetermined boundaries. Typically, the tag will include wireless GPS and/or other sensing circuitry along with telephone type circuitry for communicating sensed data, such as location, to the monitoring service. The notification may further include advertising or other information specifically helpful to the owner of the tagged asset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for strategically arranging ID tag antennas in a container to accommodate various sizes of tagged assets and to assure a reading of all assets in the container when the tagged assets have different packing densities. An antenna bus in each container, that is connected to a container ID tag reader, allows bus connector insertable antennas to be strategically placed for accommodating various asset packing densities. The containers are designed to readily interconnect the data outputs of all the tag readers when the containers are stacked in any of three dimensions whereby a single master unit collects data from all the readers and transmits the data to a central data collection point.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for a universally operable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader base unit. An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags, one at a time, that are commercially available as well as communicate with data collecting entities using any of at least two communication standards. The reader comprises a microprocessor (microcontroller) portion having at least one set of plug-in connectors. The reader then operates in different operational logic processes in accordance with the types and parameters of attached plug-in modules. The plug-in modules will typically comprise RF frequency modules for communicating with the RIFD tags as well as a communication standard model for communicating with a computer network. Additionally, the plug-in modules contain memory that contains data and code used by the microprocessor in performing the operations obtainable by specific types of plug-in modules.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags that are commercially available. Additionally, the RFID base unit can communicate with any number of devices, including but not limited to computer networks, which allow for dynamic access and updates to tailor the RFID base unit for virtually any situation. Particularly, the RFID base unit would be useful in safety and/or security applications to enable and disable automated devices.

Abstract: A message priority scheme for use in local areas networks (LANS) operating in accordance with carrier sense, multiple access/collision detect (CSMA/CD) bus access protocol. A LAN station having a high priority message to send ignores the carrier sense signal, and thereby obtains immediate bus access. If the high priority message collides with another message already on the bus, both messages are subject to a backoff period. However, the backoff period for a high priority message is guaranteed to be less than that of a low priority message for a certain number of re-transmission attempts. An intermediate priority status is assigned to a message that previously had a high priority status, after a certain number of transmission attempts. The intermediate priority message is deprived of its ability to transmit while ignoring the carrier sense signal, but retains its shorter backoff period.

Abstract: An EMI/RFI gasket provides a barrier to EMI and RFI radiation transmission to and from electronic circuits within an electronic system chassis having receptacles that receive electrical connectors and an electrically grounded cover plate that connects the chassis to an electrical ground. The EMI/RFI gasket helps to provide a 360.degree. EMI/RFI barrier for the electronic system chassis. The EMI/RFI gasket is a flexible, electrically-conductive material with sufficient surface area to adhere and electrically connect to the cover plate. The EMI/RFI gasket has a receiving slot that is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal axis of the gasket plate. A plurality of deflected teeth formed from the gasket plate are positioned around the receiving slot and deflected from the gasket plate to contact the connector at points separated by not greater than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is at least in part a function of the expected EMI and RFI radiation wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention disclosed includes both a method and apparatus for affixing an optic fiber tip in position with respect to a fiber communications circuit. In one embodiment of the method, a glass positioning member is located proximate the tip of the optic fiber. In another step, the glass positioning member is affixed to the fiber at a first position with respect to the fiber tip. The glass positioning member is also affixed in a second position with respect to the carrier. In a more detailed embodiment, the method of the present invention includes positioning the optic fiber through a channel of the glass positioning member. Heat is applied to the glass positioning member causing it to soften such that its channel collapses around and fuses to the fiber. In still further detail, the fused positioning member/fiber are affixed to a block, and the block is fused to a carrier.

Abstract: A circuit for maintaining a constant voltage across and constant current through an RF cavity includes a RF cavity comprising a common-gate or common-base transistor associated with a current control circuit maintains a constant current flowing through the RF cavity. The current control circuit has a current control BJT associated with the RF cavity and a resistor between the emitter of the current control BJT and the negative source voltage of the RF cavity. The current control BJT and resistor operate as a current source or sink as necessary to maintain a constant current flow through said RF cavity. A constant voltage regulation portion of the circuit maintains a constant voltage across the RF cavity and includes a zener reference diode and a voltage regulation BJT.

Abstract: A bit resolution phase detector can be realized for a parallel elastic store by comparing a write bit clock and a read bit clock to determine when stuff bits are required; upon detection of phase alignment between the write and read clocks, the phase detector will output a signal which will enable the insertion of a data bit into the stuff opportunity bit and cause the write clock to lag the read clock by one bit period.

Abstract: A method and system for handling transport overhead on a ring network. The system includes a ring network having a plurality of network elements communicating a signal along the network. In one embodiment, a method is provided for restoring transport overhead along the ring network. This method includes designating a first of the plurality of network elements as a master network element and inserting a first transport overhead break on the ring network by the master network element. The method further includes detecting a failure of the signal by a second network element and inserting a second transport overhead break on the ring network by the second network element in response to the detection of a failure. Finally, the method includes removing the second transport overhead break under the direction of said master network element.

Abstract: A system of managing memory used by communications tasks of a communications network operating with a multilayered communications protocol. Specially formatted buffers are used to contain data to be passed down the protocol stack of a source node, across a communications link, and up the protocol stack of a destination node. Before entering the source stack, message data is presegmented so that each buffer contains only so much message data as may be transmitted as a single data unit from source to destination, even after all layers of the source stack have added layer headers to that portion. Then, when the buffers are being passed within the source stack, any layer may segment the message data by simply unlinking buffers and adding its layer header to each segment. Inter-layer data passing is by means of exclusive access to buffers by one layer at a time. At the source stack, any layer that must send multiple copies of the message data may checkpoint the buffers and thereby regain the same buffers.

Abstract: A springy, low dielectric retainer device in the form of a rod, a triangle, an ellipse or whatever, is used in a compressed condition to hold RF energy absorber blocks in position juxtaposed "energy leaky" RF circuitry. The absorber blocks are held in position due to frictional forces provided by the compressed retainer. In this manner, the absorber blocks can be re-positioned to obtain optimum amplitude/frequency response characteristics from the affected RF circuit.

Abstract: A circuit is shown for arbitrating between inputs to provide all request inputs with the opportunity to be polled in substantially less time than is the case with known prior art round robin arbiters. This is accomplished by phase delaying the input clock to produce a plurality of different phase clock signals such that multiple arbiter circuits can be polled within a single clock cycle if the first few arbiter circuits do not have a request waiting. With proper speed of operation of arbiter circuits, the phase delay can be of a short enough duration that all of the arbiter circuits can be polled in a single clock cycle. With slower speed arbiter circuits, the total polling time can exceed one clock cycle but still be less than the number of clock cycles of prior art round robin circuits which typically was the number of arbiter circuits times a single clock cycle time duration.

Abstract: A routing method, performed by intelligent network elements of a data communications network having SONET applications, for selecting a path from a source network element to a next network element. Each network element has access to a database containing the addresses of its neighboring network elements and their types. To select a next network element, a routing network element first attempts to find a neighboring network element that is the same as the destination network element. If it has no such neighbor, the routing network element then attempts to find a neighbor that is in the same area as the destination, or failing such a neighbor, in the same routing domain. Optionally, the routing network element looks for a neighbor that has been selectively provisioned as a next network element. At each step, candidate network elements are eliminated by using data about their type and application to determine if they call for duplicate paths.

Abstract: A power coupler that is held in place at two different points along its length to substantially eliminate any movement thereof due to vibration of the environment. One of these holding means comprises a piece of dielectric which snugly encloses the coupler to prevent side-to-side movement while still allowing a vertical adjustment of the coupler element through the holding means. A constant impedance equal to that of an electrically connected circuit is maintained along a portion of the coupler by varying passageway opening sizes. The electrical connection to the circuit, which has a threaded terminal comprising a part of the adjustment means and the other holding means eliminates connector insertion loss and signal reflections inherent in prior art signal interfaces between the coupler and an electrical signal receiving circuit.

Abstract: An optical splice shelf (10) has optical splice trays (24, 26, 28, 30) stacked inside a frame assembly (14) slidingly withdrawable from a rear panel (12) and attached thereto with cable tray hinge (80) for maintaining no less than a minimum bend radius of optical fibers routed between the rear of the frame assembly and the rear panel; upon withdrawal, the frame assembly can be pivoted downward to expose the rear panel and the back of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A concept previously used for providing anti-rotational locking of complementary threaded devices is utilized in a RF tuning cavity to minimize anti-microphonic disturbances of the prior art caused by inconsistent ohmic contact between the prior art adjustable length threaded portions. The use of a resilient locking strip embedded longitudinally into the threads of an adjustable resonator provides substantially constant electrical or ohmic contact between the two threaded portions so as to maintain a standing wave in the tuning element. The longitudinal design of the locking strip is such as to prevent or minimize movement of the extremity of the threaded resonator which movement can also effect the resonant frequency.