Abstract: An interconnect element incorporates a plurality of smaller, substantially identical, interconnect modules. Multiple identical elements can in turn be combined to form larger interconnect networks. Signal paths in the elements can be implemented with optical fibers or electrical conductors.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating an acoustic detector. The method includes the steps of simultaneously transmitting an acoustic signal and an electromagnetic signal to an acoustic detector, receiving both signals, calculating a timing difference between the reception of the acoustic signal and electromagnetic signal, and setting a first time threshold used to determine if a glass panel is broken using the calculated difference and storing the first time threshold. A sensitivity level is also set based upon the determined timing difference. A unique key signature in the acoustic signal and electromagnetic signal is detected and matched with a stored signature to determine whether the signals are from a calibration signal. The timing difference is only calculated if both signals are calibration signals.

Abstract: A wireless communications system incorporates a plurality of synchronized wireless units. Each unit minimizes energy requirements by entering a low current, inactive, state between synchronizing signals. The unit automatically enters an active state prior to receipt of the next synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling power consuming devices within a user space. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of power control devices where each power control device of the plurality of power control devices controls a power consuming device within the user space, a base station controlling a power level of the power controlling devices in accordance with a set of parameter provided by a user of the user space, a solar detector detecting a solar input proximate the user space and the base station adjusting a power level of the power control devices in accordance with the detected solar input.

Abstract: A method of determining allergen activity in dust comprises: providing a dust sample; extracting from the dust sample at least one breakdown component or proteins or peptides; reacting the extracted at least one breakdown component with a colorimetric amine detection reagent such as TNBSA; and quantitatively measuring the intensity of any resulting coloration. The allergen activity may be gauged by the intensity of coloration.

Abstract: Regional physical information can be entered along with automatically sensed ambient condition information into regional monitoring system. Alarm decision processing can be adjusted in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A process is described for manufacturing gas diffusion electrodes, which process comprises: (a) treating an area of a pre-shrunk porous hydrophobic substrate so as to restrict the slurry deposited in step b) to the said area, preferably by forming a well in the area and/or treating the substrate in the area to render it less hydrophobic, e.g. by plasma treating the area; (b) dispensing a slurry of catalyst onto the said area, (c) removing liquid from the dispensed slurry, (d) treating the dried slurry to remove organic materials and e) cutting the catalyst and the underlying portion of substrate from the rest of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of automatically calibrating a motion detector and a motion detector adapted for calibration using the method. The method comprises setting the motion detector to a calibration mode, waiting a preset period of time for the installer to walk to the furthest distance, receiving a Doppler signal generated by motion at the furthest distance from the microwave motion detector within the protected area, measuring an amplitude of the Doppler signal and storing a motion detection threshold for the microwave motion detector. The motion detection threshold is a proportional to the measured amplitude.

Abstract: A system and method to detect acoustic signals from fire sprinkler heads discharging water and to locate such devices in a public building, airport, sports stadium or other structure which can include a system to measure speech intelligibility. Time and frequency domain analysis are carried out to establish the presence of signals characteristic of water discharge from a fire sprinkler.

Abstract: A computer peripheral connects to a host computer such as a PC to assist in a presentation. The peripheral includes a memory and receiver combined within a portable, lightweight housing. Presentation data is stored in the memory, while the receiver receives wireless signals from a handheld transmitter for paging through slides or other segments of the presentation using page up and page down instructions. The memory may be a USB hard drive, for example, or other portable storage media. The peripheral is connected to the host computer using a USB cable and an externally-accessible port in the housing, for example. A hub controller within the peripheral enables the memory and receiver to communicate with the externally-accessible port, thereby providing communication with the host computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for reserving spare bandwidth for a link in a communication network including a plurality of links. The method provides for monitoring the volume of traffic routed through each link of the communication network. A single link failure for each link is then simulated and the volume of traffic which would be rerouted through each link for maintaining communication and the volume of traffic removed from each link are determined for each simulated single link failure. The difference between the volume of traffic which would need to be rerouted through each link and the corresponding volume of traffic removed from each link is then computed, and a maximum difference value is determined for each link for all simulated single link failures. An amount of spare bandwidth equivalent to the determined maximum difference is then reserved for each link.

Abstract: A monitor is disclosed for monitoring an atmosphere for the presence of a target gas. The monitor includes an electrical gas sensor having a working (sensing) electrode and a counter electrode, an operational amplifier connected between the sensor electrodes, a detector, and a circuit. The sensor provides a current between the electrodes that is indicative of the amount of a target gas in the atmosphere. The operational amplifier generates an output signal according to the current flowing between the terminals where the output signal is indicative of the amount of target gas in the atmosphere. The detector detects when the current flowing between the sensor electrodes exceeds a predetermined threshold. The circuit restricts the potential difference between the sensor electrodes when the current between the terminals exceeds the predetermined threshold by supplying additional current or removing current from the working sensor electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a base and a remote device in a security system. The base receives an audio signal from a telephone network via a panel and then frequency modulates the audio signal at a carrier frequency to generate an FM signal. The remote device receives the FM signal from the base, determines a phase error signal representing the phase error between the received FM signal and an output signal of a voltage controlled oscillator, determines a difference between the carrier frequency and a center frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator, and, if there is a difference, then changes the center frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator to match the carrier frequency of the FM signal.

Abstract: An alarm indicating output appliance can be releasably affixed to a mounting plate. The plate carries wire receiving terminals which couple to the appliance. In the absence of the appliance, at least two of the terminals can be short circuited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fingerprint image capture process control method and the apparatus thereof particularly to a method for capturing and mapping fingerprint images and the apparatus for the same. The present invention determines the proper direction of mosaicing the slices to get correct fingerprint image by comparing the leading and trailing image blocks of two adjacent slices (frames) and uses the direction that is more affinitive as forward capture direction after the comparison. In addition, the identification of image direction may be processed repeatedly while mosaicing the slices, and calibrating the capture direction at any time while mosaicing the slices is allowed, thereby the error rate in mosaicing the slices is reduced and the efficiency of capturing and mapping fingerprint images is increased.