Abstract: A system and method for centralized security screening of packages including baggage. The system creates images and data concerning baggage to be reviewed, packetizes the data long with additional identification information, and conveys the data packets to a central screening location. All analysis of the baggage information is accomplished in a centralized way with risk assessments being provided to each image. Upon sensing of a package or baggage of concern, alerts may be sent to the screening location for action. Artificial intelligence tools are used to pre-screen images to assist with workload assignment.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing an alarm when the separation distance between a monitoring module associated with an object (animate or inanimate) and an alert module exceeds a preset threshold distance thereby forming a leadless electronic tether between the object and the object owner. A monitoring module comprises a portable transmitter provides a signal to an alert module comprising a receiver and a processor. The alert module is adapted to determine a separation distance between the monitoring module and the alert module based on an attribute of the signal. When the separation distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the alert module issues an alert.

Abstract: Sequential GPS Doppler carrier phase count measurements are used for precision sequential determination of position and velocity of a GPS receiver, such as for orbit determination and geolocation, with minimum throughput time. Real-time orbit determination and geolocation performance is enabled with an optimal sequential filter, and near-real-time performance is enabled with an optimal fixed-lag smoother. Many problems associated with prior art orbit determination are eliminated by addressing the “cycle slip” problem, the unknown initial range problem with RANGECP measurement representations, the problem of serial correlation in the measurements due to reprocessing of overlapping thermal noise. Also, the present invention significantly attenuates the carrier signal phase variation due to rotation of receiver antenna relative to transmitter antenna because the sequential phase count time intervals are sufficiently short.

Abstract: A selective blocker for targeted mobile terminals. A signal monitor determines when a targeted mobile terminal is transmitting a signal to a base station. A signal analyzer identifies characteristics of the terminal signal and a processor produces a blocking response based on one or more characteristics. The blocking response is transmitted to the targeted mobile terminal to block communications between the targeted mobile terminal and the base station using the minimum power needed to effectively block the terminal signal so as to limit interference with non-targeted mobile terminals.

Abstract: A method for proving the validity of a record digitally signed by a user having a digital certificate issued by a certification authority within a hierarchy of certification authorities. The user signs the record, and obtains the digital certificates and certificate revocation information for all the certification authorities in the chain of the hierarchy extending from the user to the root certification authority. A timestamp is applied to the record, the digital certificates and the certificate revocation information to establish a point in time in which all items were created, current and valid. If, at some later point, one or more of the digital certificates either expire or are revoked, the timestamp serves as evidence of the integrity of the signed record.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing an alarm when the separation distance between a monitoring module associated with an object (animate or inanimate) and an alert module exceeds a preset threshold distance thereby forming a leadless electronic tether between the object and the object owner. A monitoring module comprises a portable transmitter provides a signal to an alert module comprising a receiver and a processor. The alert module is adapted to determine a separation distance between the monitoring module and the alert module based on an attribute of the signal. When the separation distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the alert module issues an alert.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the detection of harmful agents, known or previously unknown, using a biosensor. The biosensor makes use of non-living biological or biochemical sensor molecules for detecting and classifying chemicals, poisons, particles, vira, and bacteria in fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the bioreceptor comprises sensor molecules packaged in a collection device and treated to evoke an optical response to the presence of harmful agents, allowing for photocell detection and signal processing. The sensor molecules are selected from the group of biological molecules consisting of aptamers, single-chain nucleic acids, double-chain nucleic acids, hybridized chemicals incorporating these molecules and combinations thereof that bind with harmful agents. The harmful agents can also be collected in this manner for further analysis, and antibodies produced by the apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic earplug for wideband control of pressures at, the tympanic membrane is presented. A unique methodology of determining effective component placement inside an earplug that provides acoustic isolation between the ambient noise and tympanic membrane is explained. Methods for providing accurate dosimetry and improved active control result from the unique earplug design process, leading to very wideband active noise reduction at the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. Sensors are deployed at a theatrical event to detect a focusing signal and/or the RF signal of an unauthorized imaging device. De-focusing signals are used to disrupt the auto focus system of imaging devices that do not use IR focusing systems. A thwarting signal comprising invisible light frequencies may be combined to produce a thwarting signal that is received by the CCD of an imaging device as white light thereby rendering the recorded image unusable.

Abstract: A network switching hub is implemented on an IC chip, and has a bus connected to external ports through sets of queue switch transistors, source to drain for data switched onto the bus, the queue switch transistors gated simultaneously by control lines from an on-board arbitrator controller following a preprogrammed arbitration scheme. Data is switched off the bus and hub by port adapter controllers connected to read amplifier receivers connected directly to the on-chip bus, the port adapter controllers enabled by the arbitrator controller following the same preprogrammed arbitration scheme. Ports may be serial or parallel, and may be adapted to special purposes, such as PCI and hub to hub connection for expansion.

Abstract: A ribbon drive pumping apparatus and method for substantially incompressible fluids, such as liquids, is disclosed. The pump has an extended tube having an intake at a first end and an outlet at a second end. A ribbon formed of helical coils is mounted in the tube for rotation and the frequency of the coils decreases from the first end to the second end of the tube. Substantially incompressible fluid is collected at the first end, an axial component of velocity is increased via the rotating ribbon, and the substantially incompressible fluid is ejected from the second end to provide pumping of the liquid. Additional fluid is added to an interior portion of the pump, preferably to a low pressure region, for various purposes such as mixing, cavitation prevention, increased throughput, etc.

Abstract: A jewelry ring and an associated assembly method involves the ring being assembled with a set of easily fabricated components that allow for mass production, easy custom fabrication, and use in hobby kits. The ring employs a U-shaped shank formed of sheet material and a bezel formed of sheet material that are attached to each other in a manner that imparts the ability for the bezel “float.” The bezel has an upper portion formed with sheet material to provide for ornamentation with designs or gemstones. The bezel further includes a lower portion that has a plurality of parallel ferrules. The shank includes a plurality of holes in each end and the bezel is attached to the shank with bars or wires that are inserted through one end of the shank, through the ferrules and through the other end of the shank and secured with retainers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniquely identifying signal sources in a multisource signal. True levels of signal components transmitted by each of the co-channel base stations in the area under test in a wireless network are measured and associated with the appropriate (originating) base station in presence of co-channel and adjacent-channel interference without interrupting service. The present invention is based on an “area-measurement” approach and relies on relative time-of-arrival (RTOA) measurements of the signal components impervious to the existence of the phase drift between the scanner and base stations.

Abstract: A power management system for computers compresses contents of system RAM and stores the contents on a non-volatile storage device before power is suspended to a motherboard, which removes power also from RAM. By compression, the capacity required of the non-volatile storage device is minimized. In a variation, zeros are stored in all RAM area used by memory management software before compression and storage on the non-volatile device. In another variation, areas of RAM used by memory management software are identified, and only those areas not used by memory management software are stored on the non-volatile device. The capability is provided in several ways in different embodiments.

Abstract: A database having information sought by a consumer, a database containing consumer attributes, and a database of advertising messages are made responsive to telephone calls placed to an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Alternatively, the databases can be linked to a web site responsive to consumer input. Either system can deliver the advertising messages to the consumer. The database of consumer attributes contains information already known about the consumer that can be used to decide on which advertising message to deliver. The consumer initiates activity by calling the interactive voice response system or accessing the web site. Software identifies the consumer via the consumer-inputted identification and delivers an advertising message likely appeal to the consumer. The advertising message can include an offer to purchase a product or service. The offer can be taken during the advertising period and recorded so as to be sent to a sponsor.

Abstract: A system for management of an integrated communications provider comprising a means of automatically retrieving customer service records and preparing sales proposals therefrom. The invention further comprises components for pre-ordering management functions, circuit management, design management, service management, and gateway to incumbent local exchange carriers and trading partners. The system incorporates features that automate comparisons between existing services and proposal services, alarming of failures of confirmations, optimizing on-net and off-net services, creation of cutover reports and issuance of service requests to local exchange carriers and trading partners.

Abstract: An Internet Broadcast Search Paradigm (IBSP) is disclosed, which causes a search for information on the world wide web to be distributed to all website computers on a network. The IBSP three basic embodiments: a direct broadcast server, a broadcast server, and a firewall server embodiment. However, other combinations are also possible. The IBSP direct broadcast process involves a client (and user) computer, a website computer, and an IBSP server computer. Each individual user conducts any desired search. In addition, website computers are present and are those computers which typically host and serve a website to the public. In general, there will be a single IBSP server computer although this is not meant as a limitation. In order to speed up the system and to accomplish load balancing, multiple IBSP server computers may be present in the system, although they are not necessarily required.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the security of containers and the goods within them and for tracking a shipping container from its origin to its destination. A shipping container uses a breach containment system comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a processor, a status record and a plurality of conductors to detect any breach of the shipping container structure. The conductors are embedded in, or applied to, the structures that form the shipping container and are connected a processor. The processor maintains a local timer. Upon the sealing of the shipping container, the conductors form circuits and the local timer contributes a time value to the status record. An open circuit condition experienced by circuits formed by the conductors causes the local timer to be reset and status record to be revised to reflect the revised time value. A monitoring station maintains a master timer that is synchronized with the local timer when the shipping container is sealed.

Abstract: A memory configuration scheme that enables parallel decoding of a single block of turbo-encoded data is described. In this scheme a single code block is divided into multiple subblocks and decoding is performed on subblocks in parallel. The turbo decoder memory is configured so that subblock decoders can access the common memory resources independently of each other. This scheme is different from existing parallel decoding schemes in that it achieves the parallel implementation by applying multiple decoders to a single code block, not by assigning multiple decoders to multiple code blocks. The advantages of this scheme include minimum memory requirement and minimum decoding latency. The minimum memory requirement results from the fact that it needs memory resources only for a single code block regardless of the number of decoders used. The decoding latency is minimum since decoding of a code block is over when decoding on subblocks is completed.