Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader includes an optical scanning system, a programmable memory system and an output circuit and is user-switchable between a scan mode, a record mode and a playback mode. The optical reader transmits a code to a first computer disposed on the network. When the optical reader is in the scan mode, the code is indicative of information extracted from an encoded indicia just scanned by the optical scanning system. When the optical reader is in the playback mode, the code is indicative of information retrieved from a user-selectable memory in the programmable memory system. The information in the user-selectable memory was previously stored in the user-selectable memory after being extracted from an encoded indicia scanned by the optical scanning system when the reader was in the record mode. In response to the first computer receiving the code from the optical reader, a second computer disposed on the network is accessed.

Abstract: An interlocking attaching system comprises a substrate adapter, an accessory adapter and a discrete locking member. The substrate adapter includes a base for affixing to a substrate object and a plurality of spaced apart raised regions disposed along a first longitudinal axis. The raised regions have slots defining a first plurality of passages oriented parallel to the first longitudinal axis and aligned with one another. The accessory adapter includes a base for affixing to an accessory object and a plurality of spaced apart raised regions disposed along a second longitudinal axis. The raised regions have slots defining a second plurality of passages oriented parallel to the second longitudinal axis and aligned with one another. The spacing between the locations of the raised regions of the adapters are dimensioned to position at least one raised region of one of the adapters between at least two raised regions of the other adapter when the adapters are in operational alignment, i.e.

Abstract: A DC to DC boost converter circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts it to a DC output voltage at a different voltage level than the DC input voltage. The DC to DC boost converter includes a switching power converter for receiving the input voltage on an input and converting the input voltage to an output as the DC output voltage in response to pulse control signals. A switching controller generates the pulse control signals during a switching cycle. The switching controller further includes pulse skipping circuitry for generating a pulse width modulated signal to the switching power converter. A pulse width of the pulse width modulated signal is decreased responsive to a voltage level of an output voltage of the DC to DC boost converter being less than a control saw tooth waveform and the pulses width of the pulse width modulated signal is increased responsive to the voltage level of the output voltage of the DC to DC boost converter being greater than the control saw tooth waveform.

Abstract: Antennae in which the corresponding radiative element contains at least one multilevel structure formed by a set of similar geometric elements (polygons or polyhedrons) electromagnetically coupled and grouped such that in the structure of the antenna can be identified each of the basic component elements. The design as such that it provides two important advantages: the antenna may operate simultaneously in several frequencies, and/or its size can be substantially reduced. Thus, a multiband radioelectric behavior is achieved, that is, a similar behavior for different frequency bands.

Abstract: A method for accessing information over a network. A tool is utilized in conjunction with an operation on a user's processor at a user location on the network. The tool has associated therewith a unique tool ID. In response to utilizing the tool, the user's location is interconnected on the network to a predetermined destination at a remote location on the network, which destination has an association with the unique ID of the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an irrigation system having multiple irrigation zones. The apparatus comprises a processor with associated memory, a plurality of valve controllers, an input device and a display screen. Each of the valve controllers is selectively activatable by the processor to provide a control signal to a respective zone valve, if connected thereto. The input device is adapted for inputting to the memory first data designating which of the controllers are available for activation, second data designating how many of the available controllers are to be activated simultaneously and third data designating how many times during a predetermined time period each of the available controllers will be activated. The display device is connected to the processor for displaying the first, second and third data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the software interface of a user's computing device to display information on a display in proximity to the physical location of the user's computing device. The interface is operable to display to a user on the display at least one access window that is operable to access information about a product, which access window requires the user to input a unique string of characters associated with the product, which user's computing device is connected to a network at a user location on the network. In response to the input of the unique string of characters, the user's computing device is controlled from a remote intermediate location on the network to connect over the network to a content provider location on the network, which content provider has an associative relationship with the string of characters at the remote intermediate location on the network.

Abstract: A system and method for an anti-pinch powered window system includes a window and a mechanical drive mechanism for raising and lowering the window. An electric motor drives the mechanical drive mechanism responsive to a command. A microcontroller unit generates the command responsive to a measured load current of the electric motor. A command to change direction of the window is generated responsive to a determination that the measured load current has exceeded a variable threshold level indicating that the window has stopped due to an obstruction. The variable threshold level is determined by the load current data stored within a memory.

Abstract: A distributed power system delivers DC power to a plurality of loads. The distributed power system includes a plurality of power converter modules having an associated DC to DC power conversion operation. Each of the modules includes a power regulation section for receiving a distributed input power from a distributed power line to generate a DC output by controlling the operation of the switching pulse generator. A processing section within the module interfaces with a data communications line for interfacing with the commands. The processing section is capable of operating in both a slave mode to receive commands from said data communication bus and a master mode for generating the commands. In at least one of the modules operating in the master mode, the processing section generates the commands for transmission over the data communications line to an address of one of the other modules.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hermetically sealed micro-device package encapsulating a micro-device. The package includes a transparent window allowing light to pass into and out of a cavity containing the micro-device. A first frame-attachment area is prepared on semiconductor substrate having a micro-device operably disposed thereupon, the first frame-attachment area having a plan that circumscribes the micro-device. A second frame-attachment area is prepared on a sheet of transparent material, the second frame-attachment area having a plan that circumscribes a window aperture portion of the sheet.

Abstract: A DC-DC digital pulse width modulated power supply is disclosed for generating a DC regulated output voltage. A digital control node has a digital control voltage disposed thereon for controlling the operation of the supply, wherein the digital control voltage has a substantially zero voltage when the output voltage of the supply is at a desired regulation, the digital control voltage having a resolution defined by a least significant bit (LSB). An input node receives a DC analog reference voltage defining the output voltage of the supply. A difference device determines the difference between the analog reference voltage and the output voltage to generate said digital control voltage. An LSB variation device varies the size of the LSB without varying the value of the digital control voltage for a substantially zero difference between the analog reference voltage and the output voltage.

Abstract: An authentication process is performed by receiving a challenge and retrieving stored seed values. A response is generated based on the challenge and the seed values.

Abstract: A biofeedback electronic stimulation device includes a processor for generating a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals responsive to at least one input signal. Transformer circuitry generates a stimulation signal including packets of at least one pulse responsive to the first control signal. Pulse circuitry configures the at least one pulse in the packet to a selected one of a plurality of configurations responsive to the plurality of second control signals. Output electrodes apply the at least one pulse in the packet to a user and detector circuitry detects zero crossings of the at least one pulse in the packet. The processor further causes generation of an indicator responsive to the detected zero crossings.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a processing core and an internal oscillator. The processing core operates on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. The internal oscillator provides a system clock for the integrated circuit package. The internal oscillator has associated therewith an internal control register for controlling the operation of the internal oscillator responsive to control bits of the internal oscillator controlled by the processing core.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein comprises a method for completing an electronic commerce transaction over a global communication network initiated between a vendor and a potential consumer. The method includes the steps of associating a unique transaction code with the initiated transaction between the vendor and the potential consumer for use by the consumer in completing a specific electronic commerce transaction; associating in a reference server user information with the unique transaction code to provide a transaction packet; communicating the transaction packet to a remote vendor location from a user location; and completing the specific electronic commerce transaction upon receipt at the remote vendor location the transaction packet containing the user information in association with the unique transaction code.

Abstract: The integrated system on a chip with LINBUS network communication capabilities includes processing circuitry for performing predefined digital processing functionalities on the chip. A free running clock circuit generates a temperature compensated clock that does not require a synch signal from external to the chip. A LINBUS network communications interface digitally communicates with off-chip LINBUS devices. Communication between said on-chip LINBUS communications interface and the off-chip LINBUS devices is affected without clock recovery. The LINBUS network communication interface has a time base derived from the temperature compensated clock which is independent of any timing information in the input data received during a receive operation. The temperature compensated clock further provides an on-chip time reference for both the processing circuitry and the LINBUS network communications interface.

Abstract: Antennae in which the corresponding radiative element contains at least one multilevel structure formed by a set of similar geometric elements (polygons or polyhedrons) electromagnetically coupled and grouped such that in the structure of the antenna can be identified each of the basic component elements. The design is such that it provides two important advantages: the antenna may operate simultaneously in several frequencies, and/or its size can be substantially reduced. Thus, a multiband radioelectric behavior is achieved, that is, a similar behavior for different frequency bands.

Abstract: Clock recovery method for bursty communications. A method is disclosed for recovering the clock from a received data stream that comprising bursts of data with zones of substantially no data between the bursts of data. A receive clock is provided that operates within a reference frequency range. The time between data transitions in the received data is then measuring relative to the receive clock. A determination is then made if the measured time is substantially an integral of the receive clock. If not a substantial integral of the receive clock, the frequency of the receive clock is adjusted to compensate for the difference.

Abstract: USB integrated module. A modularized serial data module is disclosed for interfacing with a serial data line operating in accordance with a first serial data protocol that transmits/receives data and also provides power to the modularized serial data module. The module includes a connector housing for providing a physical interface with the serial data line. A processor housing is disposed adjacent the connector housing and operable to interface therewith. A processor is disposed within the processor housing and operable to be powered by the serial data line through the connector housing and is also operable to interface with the data portion of the serial data line through the connector housing. The processor is operable to provide processing of information based upon data received from the serial data line through the connector housing or processing of information for transmission to the serial data line through the connector housing.

Abstract: A shaft for a balloon dilation catheter comprises a proximal portion wherein a guidewire tubular member is disposed coaxially within an outer tubular member, a shaft transitional portion, wherein the guidewire member is disposed within the outer member, with at least one distal tubular member not present in the proximal portion, a shaft distal portion, wherein the guidewire member and the distal members are disposed side-by-side and encased within a distal body, and fluid-tight barrier within a proximal lumen blocking the flow of fluid in the proximal lumen, but allowing the proximal lumen to remain in fluid communication with a distal lumens.