Abstract: In one aspect, a phone-interface device determines whether a problem has occurred at a control panel by determining whether a signal from the control panel has been received, and when a signal has not been received within a period of time, the phone-interface device transmits an error message to a monitoring station. In another aspect, the control panel determines whether a problem has occurred at the phone-interface device by determining whether a signal from the phone-interface device has been received, and when a signal has not been received within a period of time, the control panel transmits an error message to a user. In another aspect, the phone-interface device contains memory to buffer data transferred between the control panel and a monitoring station. In this way, a high-speed connection between the phone-interface and the monitoring station can be accommodated while using a lower-speed connection between the phone-interface device and the control panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a one-dimensional, continuous signal, such as a sound wave, as a printed pattern and for recovering the sound wave from the printed pattern. The method decomposes the one dimensional signal two-dimensional function that is continuous in both dimensions. The two-dimensional function can be printed as a pattern on to a paper substrate using a standard printer. The audio signal is recovered by scanning the pattern and processing the scanned values.

Abstract: Hardware-enforced zoning is provided in Fibre Channel switches to protect against breaching of assigned zones in a switch network which can occur with software-based zoning techniques. The invention provides logic for performing a hardware-based validation of the Source ID S_ID of frames both at the point where the frame enters the Fibre Channel fabric, and at the point where the frame leaves the fabric. The S_ID is verified against an inclusion list or table of allowable S_IDs, which can be unique for each fabric port. The invention provides a way to increase the range of sources an inclusion table can express, by implementing wild cards, on an entry-by entry basis. If the S_ID is valid, it will enter the fabric and route normally. If invalid, the frame will not be routed but will be disposed of by the fabric according to FC rules.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone for providing an electrical signal representative of a received acoustic signal, a means for filtering the electrical signal and a means for automatic switching. Upon detecting a presence of a magnetic field, the means for automatic switching enables the means for filtering to modify a frequency response of the hearing aid to boost a low frequency gain and reduce a high frequency gain. Such filtering can be used with or without a telecoil. A hearing aid including a telecoil is configured with a preamplifier, a inductive element, and a switch control integrated onto a single common circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the detection of the wear state of machine parts which are subject to mechanical wear, by means of an electronic transmitting/receiving device (38) and at least one transponder device (36), which is embedded in the machine part (16) and sends back an acknowledgement signal in response to a transmitted signal which is transmitted by the transmitting/receiving device (38), in which case the reaching of a predetermined wear value can be indicated by the destruction of the transponder device (36) and by the lack of the acknowledgement signal associated with this. The invention is based on the discovery that the arrangement of a transponder device at a specific position which is a measure of a predetermined wear state means that the operational readiness of the transponder device, on the one hand, is indicated in advance by its signal return, and the reaching of the predetermined wear value is indicated by its destruction.

Abstract: An efficient method for codebook search, employed in speech coding, uses an optimal pulse-position grouping and a split track arrangement, based on a likelihood estimator. Also disclosed are codecs, mobile voice communication devices, telecommunications equipment and telecommunications methods.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system that provides an indication of patient well-being based on the autonomic balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic/vagal components of the autonomic nervous system, using time-domain processing of frequency components of a heart rate interval signal.

Abstract: A wireless coordinate input system for a display system includes a stylus that transmits ultrasonic energy to a plurality of ultrasonic receiving stations in a projection plane. In an embodiment, the stylus may include one ultrasonic transmitter used for determination of three-dimensional coordinates of the stylus relative to the projection plane. The stylus may also include a second ultrasonic transmitter controlled by a pressure-activated switch. When the stylus is pressed against the projection plane, the second transmitter turns on and is used for determination of two-dimensional coordinates of the stylus in the projection plane. The stylus may also include a higher frequency burst transmitter used to generate a time reference. One or more of the ultrasonic receiving stations may also include an ultrasonic transmitter for calibration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a communications channel comprising a link level protocol, a driver, a receiver, and a canceller/equalizer. The link level protocol provides logic for DC-free signal encoding and recovery as well as supporting many features including CRC error detection and message resend to accommodate infrequent bit errors across the medium. The canceller/equalizer provides equalization for destabilized data signals and also provides simultaneous bi-directional data transfer. The receiver provides bit deskewing by removing synchronization error, or skewing, between data signals. The driver provides impedance controlling by monitoring the characteristics of the communications medium, like voltage or temperature, and providing a matching output impedance in the signal driver so that fewer distortions occur while the data travels across the communications medium.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively increasing the thermal effect of a radiant energy source to the surface of an object relative to the substrate is described in the context of rapid thermal processing of semiconductor wafers, and apparatus produced therefrom. A radiation-absorptive atmosphere is introduced between the radiant energy source and the object to increase conductive heat transfer to the surface of the object and reduce the available radiant heat transfer to the substrate, thereby increasing the thermal effect to the surface relative to the substrate.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to discontinuous conduction mode switch mode power supply (SMPS) controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe an SMPS controller which integrates a feedback signal from a point determined by a target operating voltage to a peak or trough of an oscillatory or resonant portion of the feedback signal when substantially no energy is being transferred to the SMPS output. When regulation is achieved this value should be zero; the difference from zero can be used to regulate the output voltage of the SMPS.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a dual-use sensor such as a single accelerometer that senses an acceleration signal. A sensor processing circuit processes the acceleration signal to produce an activity level signal and a heart sound signal. The implantable medical device provides for rate responsive pacing in which at least one pacing parameter, such as the pacing interval, is dynamically adjusted based on the physical activity level. The implantable medical device also uses the heart sounds for pacing control purposes or transmits a heart sound signal to an external system for pacing control and/or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes a lead assembly for intracardiac mapping, pacing, and drug delivery. The lead assembly includes an implantable endocardial lead having a proximal end for connection to an implantable cardiac rhythm management device and a distal end for disposal in an intracardiac region. The lead includes a pacing-sensing electrode and a drug delivery device, both located at or near the distal end. A lumen is within and extends throughout the lead, with an opening at or near the proximal end and another opening at or near the distal end. The lumen provides for access to the intracardiac region by a steerable stylet and a hollow needle, one at a time. The steerable stylet allows for electrophysiological mapping of the intracardiac region. The hollow needle allows for delivery of chemical, biochemical, and/or biological substance to the intracardiac region.

Abstract: An electrical component includes a substrate, a first integrated circuit attached to the substrate, a metal portion coupled to the first integrated circuit, and a second integrated circuit attached to the first integrated circuit. The metal portion is sandwiched between the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit.

Abstract: A stress-relief layer is formed by dispensing a polymer upon a substrate lower surface under conditions to partially embed a solder bump that is disposed upon the lower surface. The stress-relief layer flows against the solder bump. A stress-compensation collar is formed on a board to which the substrate is mated and the SCC partially embeds the solder bump. An article that exhibits a stress-relief layer and a stress-compensation collar is also included. A computing system that includes a stress-relief layer and a stress-compensation collar is also included.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a mobile unit may detect and connect to a wireless local area network, contemplating worldwide multiband networks and multiple regulatory domains, with a shorter searching time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes replicating data in a storage disk. The method also includes storing the data in an Internet Protocol Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) boot disk that is associated with a diskless iSCSI server. A part of the data, which is related to a device on which the data is executed, is updated during the storing of the data in the iSCSI boot disk.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may provide operating system-independent geolocation information. A compact software and/or firmwave environment may be established prior to loading and/or initializing the main operating system. This environment, sometimes known as a pre-boot environment, may determine geolocation information and/or may provide user access to configuration information and methods, even when the operating system is absent or unavailable.

Abstract: A wireless transmitter system for use in maintaining a wireless link with a remote transceiver includes a beamforming transmit antenna structure and a power control unit for controlling transmit power levels. The system determines the direction of the remote transceiver and then generates a transmit antenna beam in that direction. The power control unit then determines the antenna gain of the generated beam and uses the antenna gain information to adjust the transmit power level of the system so that it does not exceed government mandated limits. In one embodiment, the average transmit duty cycle of the system is also used to adjust transmit power. The system is capable of achieving a maximum transmit power without exceeding applicable power limits.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the use of a program signal in a broadcast system, comprising one or more broadcasters and a number of receivers, at least a part of the receivers can be provided with a storage medium for storing program signals. The program signal comprises content signals of a first and a second type, wherein the second type of content signals is inserted in time slots in the first type of content signals. At least the first type of content signals is scrambled using control words as scrambling keys to obtain a scrambled program signal. The program signal is scrambled using control words as scrambling keys and the scrambled program signal is broadcasted together with entitlement control messages (ECM's) containing the control words in an encrypted manner using a second key. Decrypting means are provided at each receiver for retrieving the control words from the ECM's by decrypting the ECM's, wherein the control words are delivered by the decrypting means for descrambling the program signal.