Abstract: A high side current monitor circuit includes an op amp which is coupled across a sensing element which carries a current Isense and develops a shunt voltage Vsense. A feedback transistor driven by the op amp output conducts an output current Iout through a resistor to a current output node necessary to make the op amp inputs equal, such that Iout is proportional to Isense. Iout is conducted through a resistor to generate a ground-referred voltage proportional to Vsense. When the common mode voltage of Vsense is greater than the op amp's breakdown voltage, a discrete transistor is connected between the current output node and ground to stand off the voltage across the amp. The monitor circuit is arranged such that it can be powered with a limited fraction of the common mode voltage when used with a discrete transistor, and is self-biased when used without a discrete transistor.

Abstract: A character having a plurality of attributes is created by a network user while within a character-enabled network site. Each attribute is defined by at least one of either audio data and/or visual image data and is selected by the user from a plurality of attributes presented to the user through a user interface. The combination of attributes define a persona for the character. At least one of either an audio presentation and/or a visual image presentation is provided to the user interface. The presentations presented are selected from a plurality of presentations based on the character's persona. Data related to character attributes are stored in a database. One or more of the presentations presented to the user may be interactive, in that it allows for the user to make choices. In response to a user's interaction with the interactive presentation, additional audio presentation and/or a visual image presentation is provided to the user interface.

Abstract: New Group III based diodes are disclosed having a low on state voltage (Vf), and structures to keep reverse current (Irev) relatively low. One embodiment of the invention is Schottky barrier diode made from the GaN material system in which the Fermi level (or surface potential) of is not pinned. The barrier potential at the metal-to-semiconductor junction varies depending on the type of metal used and using particular metals lowers the diode's Schottky barrier potential and results in a Vf in the range of 0.1-0.3V. In another embodiment a trench structure is formed on the Schottky diodes semiconductor material to reduce reverse leakage current. and comprises a number of parallel, equally spaced trenches with mesa regions between adjacent trenches. A third embodiment of the invention provides a GaN tunnel diode with a low Vf resulting from the tunneling of electrons through the barrier potential, instead of over it. This embodiment can also have a trench structure to reduce reverse leakage current.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is disclosed that includes successive emitter, base and collector and sub-collector epitaxial layers and emitter, base and collector contact metals contacting the emitter, base and sub-collector layers respectively. A passivation material is included that covers the uncovered portions of the layers and covers substantially all of the contact metals. The passivation material has a planar surface and a portion of each of the contact metals protrudes from the surface. Planar metals are included on the planar surface, each being isolated from the others and in electrical contact with a respective contact metal. A method for fabricating an HBT is also disclosed, wherein successive emitter, base, collector and sub-collector epitaxial layers are deposited on a substrate, with the substrate being adjacent to the sub-collector layer.

Abstract: Receiver systems and methods are provided for processing transmit signals Str that are received over a receive channel Crcv which is formed by a plurality of receive paths. Method embodiments comprise the steps of a) receiving the transmit signals Str with a plurality of spatially separated antennas to form respective receive signals Srcv, and b) spatially and temporally processing the receive signals Srcv to form a combined corrected signal Scrctcmb that reduces errors in at least one signal parameter. Exemplary signal parameters include signal preambles, codes, spreading codes and modulations.

Abstract: Simple, inexpensive, lightweight secondary display systems are provided which extract video data and a direct coupled (DC) voltage from the CardBus slot of a computer. The video data is converted to a video display signal in a video controller and preferably coupled to a head-wearable display (HWD) over an optical fiber. The HWD is powered by the DC voltage which is coupled to it by a metallic conductor bundled with the optical fiber.

Abstract: A multiple-phase DC—DC converter adds at least one additional phase to an N-phase DC—DC converter to improve the converter's response to changes in load. In one embodiment, an additional phase operates at a switching frequency greater than that of the N phases, to generate a current which is added to the N phase currents to improve the converter's response to changes in load. In another embodiment, an additional phase is configured to improve the converter's response to a load release. Here, the additional phase is kept off during load increase and steady-state conditions. However, when a load release occurs, the additional phase is turned on and acts to extract current from the converter's output terminal while the N phase currents slowly fall, to reduce the magnitude of output voltage overshoot that occurs on load release.

Abstract: A dual voltage switch enables the generation of a pulse which toggles between user-provided first and second voltages (V1 and V2), for which the positive and/or negative slew rates are programmable by means of a user-provided capacitance. A first switch conducts a current I1 between V1 and a common output node in response to a first control voltage, and a second switch conducts a current I2 between V2 and the common output node in response to a second control voltage. A capacitance C is connected to the common output node. A control circuit alternately provides the first and second control voltages such that the common output node is pulled up to V1 at a transfer rate of I1/C when the first control voltage is provided, and pulled down to V2 at a transfer rate of ?I2/C when the second control voltage is provided.

Abstract: A system for applying hair extensions to natural hair growing on the scalp of an individual comprises flared cylindrical tubes, a threading hook and a crimping tool. The threading tool is used to feed scalp hair through the flared tube. The hair extension is then inserted into the flared end or the tube and the tube is crushed flat trapping the threaded scalp hair and hair extension within the crushed structure. The removal of the hair extension is facilitated by use of a removal tool designed to open the crimped flared tube.

Abstract: An electrical fixture is disclosed that has an electrical enclosure, a knockout plug coupled to the electrical enclosure with an interference fit, and a seal coupled to a circumference of the knockout plug between the knockout plug and electrical enclosure so that the seal provides an environmental barrier between an interior and exterior of the electrical enclosure. A method is also disclosed for providing an environmental barrier for a tapered-threaded knockout of an electrical enclosure including placing a seal on a knockout plug and pressing the knockout plug into the tapered-threaded knockout to establish an interference fit between the knockout plug and tapered-threaded knockout. The knockout plug is detachably coupled to the tapered-threaded knockout, with the seal providing an environmental barrier between interior and exterior portions of the electrical enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for inexpensive transparent microwave antennas with high efficiency. Conductors for the antennas are formed from metallic meshes with a net transparency greater than 70% and supported by a clear substrate. The associated antenna gain efficiencies are greater than 50%.

Abstract: A channel letter lighting unit according to the present invention comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of linearly mounted light emitting elements. Input wires transmit a power signal to the PCB to illuminate the plurality of light emitting elements, and output wires transmit the power signal from the PCB. The PCB is mounted in the extrusion and the light emitting elements transmit light away from the extrusion. The extrusion promotes the dissipation of heat from the light emitting elements. A mounting mechanism is included for mounting the extrusion within a housing. A further embodiment according to the invention comprises a plurality of channel lighting units electrically connected to one another so that a power signal applied to the lighting system is transmitted to each of the plurality of lighting units. A still further embodiment according to the invention comprises an illuminated channel letter system having a housing in the shape of a letter.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for reducing pointing errors ? of satellite antennas and for generating broad field-of-view satellite attitude acquisition patterns. In one method embodiment, satellite transmit beams have estimated pointing attitudes ? and are transmitted to overlap on a ground-based receiving terminal which has a known terminal location ? and which measures received signal strengths ?. Pointing errors ? of the transmit beams are then determined from the estimated pointing attitudes ?, the terminal location ? and the signal strengths ? and the pointing errors ? are subsequently reduced by revising the pointing attitudes ?. Other method embodiments utilize known signal-strength functions and antenna signals with known signal parameters such as frequencies and/or modulations.

Abstract: A multi layered high impedance structure presents a high impedance to multiple frequency signals, with a different frequency for each layer. Each layer comprises a dielectric substrate, and an array of radiating elements such as parallel conductive strips or conductive patches on the substrate's top surface, with a conductive layer on the bottom surface of the bottommost layer. The radiating elements of succeeding layers are vertically aligned with conductive vias extending through the substrates to connect the radiating elements to the ground plane. Each layer presents as a series of parallel resonant L-C circuits to an E field at a particular signal frequency, resulting in a high impedance surface at that frequency. The new structure can be used as the substrate for a microstrip patch antenna to provide an optimal electrical distance between the resonator and backplane at multiple frequencies.

Abstract: A mechanical translator includes at least one magnet that is disposed on a substrate to carry a load and has a magnetic axis generally transverse to the substrate, establishing a magnetic field with maximum external density adjacent the substrate. An ultra low friction interface is obtained with ferrofluid bearings, such as a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid, which establish a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, and preferably less than 10 minutes. A controller of magnetic material can be placed on the opposite side of the substrate to control the movement of the magnets.

Abstract: An image processing system and method visually documents and displays changes between historical and later mammographic images, preferably in three dimensions. A composite image is created which visually emphasizes temporal differences between the historical and later images. Preferably three-dimensional, digitized images, displayable in various projections, are stored for archival purposes on computer readable media. An image processor preferably exploits an optical correlator to register the historical and later images accurately and provide correlation values as temporal scalars of the differences. The registered images are then compared, voxel-by-voxel, to detect temporal differences. The composite image is displayed with synthetic colors or other visual clues to emphasize apparent changes (for example, tumor growth or shrinkage).

Abstract: A high power switch includes diode and BJT structures interdigitated in a drift layer and separated by insulated trench gates; electrodes contacting the diode and BJT structures provide anode and cathode connections. Shallow N+ regions extend below and around the corners of the oxide side-walls and bottoms of respective gates. A voltage applied across the anode and cathode sufficient to forward bias the diode's p-n junction causes electrons to be injected which provide a base drive current to the BJT sufficient to turn it on and enable current to flow from anode to cathode via the diode and BJT structures. A gate voltage sufficient to reverse bias the junction between the shallow N+ regions and the drift layer forms a potential barrier which blocks current flow through the diode and BJT structures and eliminates the base drive current such that the BJT and said switch are turned off.

Abstract: A signal conditioning system includes first and second converters coupled to a random clock which provides a random sampling rate. Corresponding offset sensor coupled with the first and second converters sense and adjust an offset signal difference. A gain sensor is coupled with the first and second converters to sense a gain difference between the first and second converters and a gain corrector is coupled with the gain sensor to adjust the gain difference.

Abstract: A glove with an integrated illumination device is disclosed, comprising a glove having a palm portion, a back portion, and a knuckle portion, and an electrical circuit that illuminates an illumination device when activated. The glove further comprises a first housing adjacent to the knuckle portion of the glove configured to contain the illuminating device. A second housing adjacent to the back portion of the glove is included and comprises a power source to power the electrical circuit, and a switch that, when activated, activates the electrical circuit, thereby supplying power to the illuminating device. Electrical conductors are included to interconnect the first and second housings.