Abstract: To configure a secure bus subscriber connected to a field bus in a secure control system, the secure bus subscriber being assigned a defined subscriber address, the invention provides a method having the following steps: an address allocation message is sent from a control unit connected to the field bus to the secure bus subscriber, the address allocation message comprising the defined subscriber address, the defined subscriber address is stored in a memory in the secure bus subscriber, and an acknowledgement message is sent from the secure bus subscriber to the control unit, the acknowledgement message comprising the defined subscriber address, where the address allocation message is sent on the basis of planning data for the secure bus subscriber connected to the field bus which are stored in the control unit. The invention also provides an appropriate control system.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is a launch system that includes a missile canister cover that, in use, is attached to a missile canister. The cover is capable of being blown off of the canister before there is any contact between the nose of the missile and the cover and is further capable of withstanding a higher ambient pressure than internal canister pressure. These capabilities are achieved based on an attention to material mechanics and the prevailing geometry of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switch suitable for efficient microfabrication. The switch elements are disposed in several layers. Various embodiments provide various switching capabilities and operational characteristics. The switches can be protected by suitable packaging, and can be efficiently fabricated in groups or arrays.

Abstract: The invention is in particular a supporting device for relative supporting loads with respect to a base comprising a load side part, a base side part, and an intermediate part giving support to the load side part, and thus defining a supporting direction with reference to the base and the load side, including a pressure chamber bounded by chamber walls.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, maintain, and monitoring a guideway database is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for disabling a small boat comprises at least two hulls and an entanglement device disposed therebetween. In the illustrative embodiment, each hull is an unmanned underwater vehicle. The system is launched from a vessel to intercept the small boat. When close to the small boat, the separating distance between the two hulls is increased, thereby deploying the entanglement device and causing it to become entangled with the small boat (e.g., the small boat's propulsion system, etc.).

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a target chemical with high signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a sensing region that is optically coupled with an attenuation region. The sensing region receives optical stimulation that comprises light characterized by an excitation wavelength. In response to exposure to the target chemical, the sensing region fluoresces at a fluorescence wavelength. The attenuation region receives light from the fluorescing sensing region that includes light characterized by the fluorescence wavelength (i.e., signal) and light characterized by the excitation wavelength (i.e., noise). The attenuation region conveys the light to a detector that provides an electrical output signal based on the target chemical. While conveying the light, however, the attenuation region improves the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating light characterized by the excitation wavelength more than light characterized by the fluorescence region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically detecting the presence of an analyte in a solution is presented. An embodiment comprises a waveguide resonator that is optically coupled to a fluid in a fluidic conduit so that the resonant wavelength of the waveguide resonator is based on the refractive index of the fluid.

Abstract: A mechanism for maintaining configuration or other vital data outside of source code is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a data manager software component serves as an interface between an external configuration data store and one or more applications, processes, and threads. In contrast with techniques of the prior art, the illustrative embodiment does not suffer from the risk of undetected corruption of vital data, and therefore is especially advantageous in safety-critical systems.

Abstract: A focal plane array suitable for use in hyperspectral imaging applications is provided. The focal plane array comprises pixels comprising arrays of photodiodes, wherein each photodiode in each array is selectively sensitive to a different wavelength of a set of wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for accessing a functional module (118, 128, 138) of an automation system, wherein the automation system comprises a device in the form of higher-level device (200) and at least one lower-level device (110, 120, 130) arranged under this higher-level device and wherein the functional module (118, 128, 138) is in the form of part of the one or more lower-level devices (110, 120, 130) and for executing at least one device function. In addition, a device in the form of the higher-level device (200) for performing the method in an automation system is also proposed, wherein at least one device (110, 120, 130) comprising a functional module (118, 128, 138) for executing at least one device function is arranged under the higher-level device.

Abstract: A software button and software agent downloaded to a computing in response to actuation of the button make it possible to create a communication connection providing privacy, security and dynamic control of service. In one embodiment an online telephone directory comprised of software buttons is provided, in which a calling party can select a called party by clicking a software button dedicated to the called party. The button provides an identification of the called party, but all contact information is hidden and inaccessible to the calling party. Upon actuation of the button server containing the directory causes download of a software agent to the calling party's computing device, causing it to establish communication with the called party. In a second embodiment, software buttons provide a communication service which is dynamic, the nature or type of service changing based on conditions predefined by the called.

Abstract: A device and method for arranging a housing in a specified position relative to a reference object. For positioning and/or aligning a housing with respect to a reference object, a detachable positioning element is constructed on the housing. The positioning element comprises at least one stop element that is brought into contact with the reference object. The positioning element also comprises a carrier arm that connects the housing and the stop element, wherein the connection of the carrier arm to the housing is designed as a fracture point. After mounting the housing in the desired position, the positioning element is separated from the housing.

Abstract: A distributed and coordinated electronic warfare system is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of autonomous, geographically-distributed, mobile units (e.g., soldiers, vehicles, etc.), each of which carries an electronic warfare module. Each electronic warfare module comprises: a telecommunications transceiver for enabling the electronic warfare modules and their users to communicate with each other, and a threat-detection receiver for detecting potentially hostile radio signals, such as those that are used to detonate IEDs; and a jamming transmitter for transmitting sequences of electromagnetic pulses to interfere with potentially hostile radio signals, and an electronic warfare controller for coordinating the efforts of the electronic warfare modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prism for inducing Brewster's angle transmission and a fluorescence detection apparatus for enhancing a signal-to-noise ratio using thereof, and more specifically, to a prism for inducing Brewster's angle transmission and a fluorescence detection apparatus for enhancing a signal-to-noise ratio using thereof, in which evanescent waves are generated when light is cast onto fluorescence material applied on a sample surface at an angle greater than a critical angle, and the evanescent waves are used as excitation light of fluorescence to induce total internal reflection of the light so that the light may pass through the prism at a Brewster's angle. Therefore, effects of the re-reflected light on the sample surface are removed, and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is improved at the same time. In addition, the prism is miniaturized, and therefore, usage of the sample area and efficiency of the light amount are improved.

Abstract: Measuring device for local measurement of an electrical property of the content of a container, wherein at least three electrodes are disposed adjacently of each other in height direction and electrically insulated from each other, wherein each of the electrodes can be connected to an electrical measuring circuit for measuring, via one of the electrodes and one other electrode connected to an electrical earth, the electrical property of the content of the container in the vicinity of the electrodes, and wherein the electrical measuring circuit is adapted to generate at least one electric measuring signal representing the measured electrical property, and a control unit for connecting the one electrode to the electrical measuring circuit and connecting the other electrode to an electrical earth.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is disclosed which may include a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) network having a plurality of network elements; at least one carrier data center; communication links enabling communication between the network elements and the at least one carrier data center, wherein the carrier data center is operable to receive a query describing a communication session active at a given one of the network elements, over one of the communication links, and to generate a routing table in response to the query.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods are provided for comparing, associating and deriving associations between two or more spatial temporal data trails. One or more spatial-temporal data trails comprising one or more places are received at a processor. Each place is identified by a spatial temporal data point. And each spatial-temporal data trail is associated with an individual. The similarity between pairs of places is determined to establish one or more groups of places or one or more groups of individuals. Similarity and/groups can be determined based on demographics associated with the place or individual.