Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling a circuit board or data storage module located within a slot in an enclosure to determine the identification of the slot by detecting a characteristic feature of the slot. In this manner the circuit board or data storage module can be instructed to operate in accordance with the function of that slot. This is important when a plurality of slots having different functions contains identical circuit boards or modules.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a circuit. The system includes a protection circuit that includes an inverter and a capacitor coupled to the inverter. The inverter and the capacitor are implemented using logic circuits of a circuit core, and the inverter shunts electrostatic discharge ESD current through the capacitor. According to the system and method disclosed herein, because the protection circuit shunt circuit shunts ESD current using logic circuits of the circuit core, ESD protection is achieved while not requiring large FETs. Also, the protection circuit protects circuits against ESD events that conventional FET cannot protect.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices and methods for generating user-defined test patterns within serial controller to facilitate signal testing and verification. These user-defined test patterns may be generated to more accurately reflect the actual traffic of a device-under-test or system, as well as allow a test engineer to more accurately test the boundaries of the device or system. In various embodiments of the invention, a programmable patterns generator is provided for generating user-defined test patterns that may be used during a testing procedure. This programmable pattern generator allows a user to define a particular test pattern by providing bit-by-bit test values, by defining a combination of canned sequences, or by supplementing one or more canned sequences with additional test bits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a FIFO peek access device that utilizes a peek signal to access data stored in a FIFO without losing or erasing data. The peek signal is applied to read address logic and prevents the incrementing of the pointers in the peek address logic, so that after a read enable signal is asserted, the same data block can be accessed again on the next read enable signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical system and method for centering a tree within a tree spade apparatus that is mounted to a vehicle. Typically, the center point of the tree spade is difficult to align with the axis of the trunk of the tree. The present embodiments describe a projected pattern of light incident upon the tree trunk that assists the operator of the tree spade in centering the spade around the tree without additional assistance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for providing data management between a serial interface and another component. A variable rate buffer manager and state machine progress data on a serial link relative to a width and clocking frequency of a parallel bus that interfaces within the serial link. Event scheduler logic is provided that controls the mode of operation of the buffer manager and state machine.

Abstract: A swallow challenge medium is thixotropic for easy swallowing and to provide enough viscosity for effective challenge to peristalsis and has high ionic density for effective impedance measurements by contact with electrodes positioned in a person's esophagus or oropharynx during swallow testing. The medium also has a high surface tension so as not to adhere to or coat the electrodes or probe surfaces. These physical characteristics are stabilized and consistent enough to provide standard for esophageal and/or oropharyngeal function testing and diagnostics.

Abstract: A simulated battery test device and method that is capable of testing a battery charging circuit and logic circuit to determine proper operation. An operational amplifier is used that can both source and sink current to simulate the operation of the battery. A battery low signal can be generated using the simulated battery test device to test a battery charging circuit and logic circuit in a battery low condition. In addition, a battery open signal can be generated to test the battery charging and logic circuit in a battery open condition. Charging currents are detected to determine if currents fall within an acceptable range.

Abstract: A photoelastic modulator excited by a plurality of piezoelectric transducers affixed to the surface of a photoelastic bar for generating elastic waves in a plurality of cells each bounded by piezoelectric node drivers between which an antinode driver is disposed, is described. The standing elastic wave in each cell can be made independent of those in the neighboring cells by controlling the phase and amplitude of the drivers. The resulting elastic waves generate birefringence along the optical axis of the bar such that a linearly polarized optical wave propagating along the axis and having an initial phase, experiences a retardation of the phase as it passes through each cell. The cells may be controlled such that the phase of each standing wave does not change between cells and the phase retardation of the optical wave increases monotonically as the optical wave propagates through the bar, thereby, in theory, permitting an arbitrarily large retardation to be generated.

Abstract: A large pressure differential is created between the leading face of the rotor blade and the trailing face of the rotor blade during the power cycle which creates a large amount of force that rotates the rotor blade about the central shaft. In some embodiments, gaps are provided between the inside edge of the rotor blade and a stationary shaft which vents wind collected by the rotor blade during certain portions of the rotation cycle. The vented wind increases the pressure on the trailing face of the rotor blades during the return cycle to further assist in the efficiency of this system. In addition, an integrated power plant is disclosed that provides a source of renewable energy in the form of a cross-flow wind turbine that includes solar cells mounted on south facing surfaces of the stators. The stators can be used to store liquids and fuels generated by the renewable energy sources.

Abstract: Eyeglasses having at least one video display with a surface substantially equal in area to that of a lens of the eyeglasses, that may be pivoted forwardly and outwardly to an open position for viewing, and may be folded rearwardly and inwardly to a stored position for retention by the temple members of the eyeglasses when not in use, is described. Telescoping arms permit adjustment of the distance between the video display and the corresponding lens to suit a user. The video display may be mildly concave in shape so that when in the closed position against the corresponding temple member, the eyeglasses present the appearance and function of conventional eyewear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for reducing power consumption of a sound processor. Aspects of the invention include providing a sound processor access to at least one register having a plurality of bits corresponding to sound operations capable of being performed by the sound processor; and allowing a host processor to write a value to at least a portion of the plurality of bits in the register during sound processing to selectively disable individual operations performed by the sound processor.

Abstract: A flexible architecture component for providing data integration and exchange between a plurality of client applications is disclosed. The client applications are coupled to a network and access respective data sources, wherein the data sources of each of the client applications may be stored in different formats and are not directly accessible by the other client applications. Aspects of the present invention include providing an adapter API that provides a first set of methods for the client applications to use to translate data into XML. Each of the client applications is then modified to invoke the methods in the adapter API to convert data in their respective data sources into XML format and to have the XML formatted data imported into a database on a server, thereby standardizing the data from the data sources.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a chosen, relatively uniform size of particles having a dry-to-the-touch feel and a pleasant odor from chipped slash or other vegetative material is described. When pine sap and/or other liquids are present in the starting materials, the teachings of the present invention permit the generation of particulates into which such substances are substantially uniformly absorbed. The process of the present invention has been successfully applied to chipped, live trees, dried tree materials, branches, needles, pine cones, hay, flowers, grass, berries, and shrubs.

Abstract: An interposer card used during qualification tests on integrated circuit packages is disclosed that eliminates the need for sockets and custom boards. The interposer card includes pads for mounting the I/Os of a test package; edge card connectors for connecting the interposer card directly to a test board and for performing bias testing on the test package; and pads for replicating the test package I/Os for connecting the interposer card to an automated electrical testing (ATE) system for performing ATE tests on the test package.