Abstract: An adjustable book cover (10) comprising a front cover (12) and a rear cover (30) that is integrally attached to the front cover (12). A front cover retaining pocket (48) is attached to the front cover's inner surface (24), and a rear cover retaining member (70) is attached to the rear cover's inner surface (42). Attachment means (92) are located on the rear cover's inner surface (42) and the retaining member's outer surface (80). The book cover (10) is dimensioned so that when the book cover (10) is placed on a book (100), the rear cover's left edge (36) can be folded inward, which allows the attachment means (92) on the rear cover's inner surface (42) to interface with the attachment means (92) on the retaining member's outer surface (80). The rear cover's left edge (36) can be folded inward various distances to accommodate books of different thickness.

Abstract: A flexible, preferably elastic empanelled book cover (12) that has pocket portions (25) to receive the covers of a book (10) that is inserted therein. The cover (12) consists of a unitary hexagonal sheet of pliable material such as “SPANDEX”, having extended upper and lower edges, with each edge bisected by a slot (32) of predetermined width that extends orthogonally. Fold lines (34, 36 and 38) form a laterally-extended rectangle, with the side fold lines (38) forming the lateral apices of the hexagon two triangular flap portions (20) of the cover pockets. The in-folded upper and lower flap portions of the hexagon are attached to each other and to the triangular side flap portions, to form the pocket portion (25), with lock stitching (27) at the innermost juncture by the spine opening. A central top and bottom fold-over engages the spine of the book in stabilizing relation. The unitary hexagonal blanks can be economically mass produced from roll material (40).

Abstract: This invention comprises plurality of edge illuminated photodiodes. More specifically, the photodiodes of the present invention comprise novel structures designed to minimize reductions in responsivity due to edge surface recombination and improve quantum efficiency. The novel structures include, but are not limited to, angled facets, textured surface regions, and appropriately doped edge regions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards radiation detectors and methods of detecting incident radiation. In particular the present invention is directed towards photodiodes with controlled current leakage detector structures and a method of manufacturing photodiodes with controlled current leakage detector structures. The photodiodes of the present invention are advantageous in that they have special structures to substantially reduce detection of stray light. Additionally, the present invention gives special emphasis to the design, fabrication, and use of photodiodes with controlled leakage current.

Abstract: The present invention provides for reduced radiation damage susceptibility, decreased affects of crosstalk, and increased flexibility in application. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a back side illuminated photodiode array with a back side etching that minimizes the active area layer, thereby decreasing the affects of crosstalk. The back side etching is preferably, but by no way of limitation, in the form of “U” or “V” shaped grooves. The back side illuminated with back side etching (BSL-BE) photodiodes are implemented in an array and have superior performance characteristics, including less radiation damage due to a thinner active area, and less crosstalk due to shorter distances for minority carriers to diffuse to the PN junction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a detector structure, detector arrays, a method of detecting incident radiation, and a method of manufacturing the detectors. The present invention comprises several embodiments that provide for reduced radiation damage susceptibility, decreased affects of cross-talk, and increased flexibility in application. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a plurality of front side illuminated photodiodes, optionally organized in the form of an array, with both the anode and cathode contact pads on the back side. The front side illuminated, back side contact photodiodes have superior performance characteristics, including less radiation damage, less crosstalk using a suction diode, and reliance on reasonably thin wafers. Another advantage of the photodiodes of the present invention is that high density with high bandwidth applications can be effectuated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital signal processors with an integrated module configured to compute a Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC) in a pipeline. The pipelined module can advantageously complete computation of one CORDIC computation for each clock pulse applied to the CORDIC module, thereby providing a CORDIC computation for each clock pulse. One embodiment advantageously computes a first portion of a computation with a lookup table and a second portion in accordance with a CORDIC algorithm. Advantageously, data in a CORDIC pipeline is automatically advanced in response to read instructions and can be automatically advanced from the beginning of the pipeline to the end of the pipeline to reinitialize the pipeline. This allows information to be retrieved from the CORDIC pipeline with relatively little overhead. The automatic starting and stopping of the CORDIC pipeline advantageously allows the retrieval of computations from efficient pipeline architectures on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a pulse oximetry system for the determination of a physiological parameter capable of removing motion artifacts from physiological signals comprises a hardware subsystem and a software subsystem. The software subsystem is used in conjunction with the hardware subsystem to perform a method for removing a plurality of motion artifacts from the photo-plethysmographic data and for obtaining a measure of at least one physiological parameter from the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides for adaptive filters that have improved computational and memory bandwidth proprieties. When applied to telecommunication applications, the present invention additionally provides for improved methods and systems of canceling echoes. In one embodiment of the adaptive filter of the present invention, a filter, preferably an adaptive finite impulse response (FIR) filter, of an appropriate length, N, is chosen. Once the filter is chosen, convergence is achieved and the filter is converted to an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter. In the course of operation, data is received from an input source and used to adapt the zeroes of the IIR filter using the least means square (LMS) approach, keeping the poles fixed. The adaptation process generates a set of converged filter coefficients that are then applied to the input signal to create a modified signal used to filter the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for monitoring physiological data such that a health care provider is able to effectively monitor a patient's health status, including, for example, blood flow characteristics, without having to maintain constant visual contact. In one embodiment of the present invention, a physiological data monitoring system measures at least one physiological characteristic wherein the physiological data monitoring system comprises a sensor unit and a monitoring unit in data communication with the sensor unit. The monitoring unit has a sonification module that comprises one programmable sound generator module to produce a plurality of signals indicative of a physiological parameter and a memory module for storing a plurality of control parameters for managing the programmable sound generator module, wherein the plurality of signals produced have a plurality of frequencies modified in accordance with at least one physiological data value.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that decode convolutionally encoded data, including trellis-coded modulation (TCM) systems. One embodiment of the invention shares a memory device with a main processor, such as a microprocessor or a DSP, and advantageously relieves the main processor of the relatively time-consuming task of decoding the convolutionally encoded data. This frees up the main processor to execute other tasks. One embodiment of the invention includes a micro-coded state machine that can be programmed to control the decoding of the convolutional codes.

Abstract: The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The inspection system comprises an inspection module that, in a preferred embodiment, is in the form of a mobile trailer capable of being towed and transported to its intended operating site with the help of a tug-vehicle. The tug-vehicle preferably includes at least one source of electromagnetic radiation, a hydraulic lift system to load and unload the radiation source, and at least one radiation shield plate positioned on the back of the driver cabin of the tug-vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic spacing and diverting of packages on a conveyor system ensures an adequate gap between packages deposited onto a loading conveyor for subsequent inspection. A speed ratio between the loading conveyor and an inspection conveyor, a package detector disposed between the loading conveyor and the inspection conveyor, an interruption device controlling the loading conveyor and a controller to permit a signal from the package detector to command the interrupting device to temporarily halt the loading conveyor are used to ensure proper spacing between packages passed to a scanner. The apparatus may also include a package diverter for diverting a package to another area for further inspection.