Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed that comprises a primary proportional, integral, differential (“PID”) controller capable of receiving a first setpoint and a first process variable and generating therefrom a second setpoint; and a secondary controller capable of receiving the second setpoint and a second process variable and generating therefrom an output control signal, wherein the primary PID controller is capable of receiving from the secondary controller a feedback signal 1) that indicates that a previous value of the second setpoint exceeds a limit associated with an output control signal of the secondary controller, and 2) that transfers a value of a signal from the secondary controller. The primary PID controller is then capable of limiting the contribution of the integral calculation component in a PID calculation that generates a new current value of the second setpoint.

Abstract: Controllers and methods of operating the same are introduced for use with a process facility that includes a plurality of associated processes. An exemplary controller includes circuitry that maintains a range of possible values of at least one measurable characteristic associated with at least one process of the plurality of associated processes, and a processor. The processor is capable of selecting at least one value of the range of possible values from the circuitry in response to one of an input or an output of the at least one process, and generating control data as a function of the selected at least one value of the range of possible values and the input or the output of the at least one process. The controller is capable of using the control data to manage the at least one process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a redundant process controller for use in a process facility having a plurality of process systems that produce process data, wherein the process data are gathered by process controllers associated with the process systems and are exchanged by the process controllers via a network. The redundant process controller is associated with a first selected process system and is capable of receiving process data from at least one remote process controller and intermittently transferring the received process data to the first selected process system.

Abstract: Introduced is a device that may be used to treat the effects of macular degeneration and other eye disorders by increasing the optical effect of the retinal surface of the eye. This may be accomplished using a device whose body has a shape prescribed to increase the depth of the fovea and, in the process, make the sides of the clivus more convex, thereby utilizing the varying optical properties of the retinal area. A suitable association of this device with the eye will cause an image beam traveling from the lens through the vitreous humor to magnify and impinge an image perception area encompassing the macula. According to one advantageous embodiment, the device includes a body adapted for association with the eye to manipulate the retina of the eye to effectively augment the photoreceptor cells proximate the macula of the eye.

Abstract: A method of attaching a lid with at least a metallic surface thereon to a substrate to enclose a surface acoustic wave electronic circuit using a fluxless solder preform having an undesired oxide surface and associated with the metallic surface on the lid and in superimposed and abutting relationship with a gold seal ring surrounding the electronic circuit to form a unit that is heated in a furnace having a hydrogen atmosphere such that the hydrogen removes any undesired oxide surfaces from the solder preform and the metallic surface on the lid by combining with the oxygen therein to form moisture so as to remove any oxide surfaces from the solder preform and the lid metallic surface and enable a complete bonding of the fluxless solder preform with the gold seal ring and the lid metallic surface thereby forming a hermetically sealed package.

Abstract: There is disclosed a launch delay controller, for use in a wireless messaging system having a defined coverage area. The launch delay controller controls the transmission of paging messages from a plurality of transmitters in the wireless messaging system. The launch delay controller comprises: 1) a memory capable of storing a) a delay spread associated with a selected point in the coverage area between a first signal transmitted by a first of the plurality of transmitters and a second signal transmitted by a second of the plurality of transmitters, and b) distances between the selected point and the first and second transmitters; and 2) a processor capable of determining from the delay spread and the distances an offset delay, wherein the offset delay is used by the first transmitter to delay a transmission of the first signal with respect to a transmission of the second signal, the delayed transmission of the first signal thereby reducing the delay spread.

Abstract: A communications controller is disclosed for use in a wireless communication system having a plurality of antennas capable of simulcasting forward-channel messages at a first downtilt angle below horizon and receiving reverse-channel messages at a second downtilt angle, wherein the second downtilt angle is less than the first downtilt angle. The communications controller, which is associated with the plurality of antennas, is capable of (i) scheduling transmission of ones of the reverse-channel messages at a same frequency in a same time slot, and (ii) receiving reverse-channel messages of two communication units proximate a local antenna at separate more remote antennas in response to the second downtilt angle of the separate more remote antennas.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved base station for communicating with communication units in a wireless messaging system. According to an advantageous embodiment, the base station comprises: 1) a transmitter that is capable of transmitting messages to the communication units in a forward-channel having a first frequency range; 2) a receiver that is capable of receiving messages from the communication units in a reverse-channel having a second frequency range; and 3) an antenna that is capable of transmitting the forward-channel messages at a first angle of electrical downtilt below the horizon and receiving the reverse-channel messages at a second angle of electrical downtilt, wherein the second angle of electrical downtilt is less than the first angle of electrical downtilt.

Abstract: A variable focus lens is constructed by making small changes in the equatorial diameter of an elastically deformable lens. The lens may be deformed by radial tension exerted in a plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis. The radial tension may be exerted by radially acting mechanical apparatus or by means of rings embedded or attached at the equator of the lens, whose diameter can be altered by heating, or by imposition of electrical or magnetic fields.

Abstract: Presbyopia is treated by implanting within a plurality of elongated pockets formed in the tissue of the sclera of the eye transverse to a meridian of the eye, a prosthesis having an elongated base member having an inward surface adapted to be placed against the inward wall of the pocket and having a ridge on the inward surface of the base extending along at least a major portion of the major dimension of the base. The combined effect of the implanted prostheses is to exert a radially outward traction on the sclera in the region overlying the ciliary body which expands the sclera in the affected region together with the underlying ciliary body. The expansion of the ciliary body restores the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye and thereby increases the amplitude of accommodation. Hyperopia, primary open angle glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension can be treated by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle according to the invention.