Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing thermal protection for actuators used in haptic feedback interface devices. An average energy in the actuator over a predetermined period of time is determined, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator is reduced if the average energy is determined to exceed a predetermined warning energy level. The maximum allowable current level can be reduced to a sustainable current level if the average energy reaches a maximum energy level allowed, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator can be raised if the average energy is determined to be below the predetermined warning energy level. Preferably, the maximum allowable current level is reduced smoothly as a ramp function.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory cell is constructed using a floating-gate (FG) pFET Readout Transistor (RT) having its source tied to a power source (Vdd) and its drain providing a current which can be sensed to determine a cell state. The gate of the RT provides for charge/information storage. A control capacitor structure (CCS) having terminals coupled to a first voltage source and the FG and a tunneling capacitor structure (TCS) having terminals coupled to a second voltage source and the FG are utilized in each embodiment. The CCS has much more capacitance than the TCS. Manipulation of the voltages applied to the first voltage source and second voltage source (and Vdd) controls an electric field across the CCS and pFET dielectrics and thus Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of electrons onto and off of the FG, thus controlling the charge on the FG and the information stored thereon.

Abstract: Power measurement and control in transmission systems are affected by changes in load conditions. A method and system are provided for detecting and controlling power levels independent of such load conditions.

Abstract: Various 2?-beta-methyl-6-substituted adenosine analogs (including 2,6-disubstituted adenosine, 8-aza-6-substituted adenosine, and 2-aza-6-substituted adenosine) are prepared by conventional and combinatorial library approaches. Contemplated compounds are particularly useful as therapeutic agents, and especially as antiviral agents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing high strength, low frequency tactile sensations using an inertial actuator in a haptic feedback interface device, such as an actuator driving an oscillating inertial mass. A commanded low frequency is modulated or combined with a higher frequency at which the tactile sensations feel stronger, where the resulting signal is used to output a tactile sensation at the higher frequency and convey the commanded low frequency to the user. One embodiment provides higher frequency pulse bursts at the desired low frequency wherein the higher frequency pulse bursts are at or near a resonant frequency of the actuator; other embodiments modulate or otherwise vary the amplitude of the higher frequency signal according to the desired low frequency.

Abstract: A broadband power combining device includes an input port, an input waveguide section, a center waveguide section formed by stacked wedge-shaped trays, an output waveguide section, and an output port. Each tray is formed of a wedge-shaped metal carrier, an input antipodal finline structure, one or more active elements, an output antipodal finline structure, and attendant biasing circuitry. The wedge-shaped metal carriers have a predetermined wedge angle and predetermined cavities. The inside and outside surfaces of the metal carriers and surfaces of the cavity all have cylindrical curvatures. When the trays are assembled together, a cylinder is formed defining a coaxial waveguide opening inside. The antipodal finline structures form input and output arrays.

Abstract: An algorithm and a device manage a feature that allows a user to maintain an active session when moving from port to port. The device comprises a first memory, a second memory, and a verifier. The first memory stores a list of ports. The second memory stores a list of active sessions. Each active session identifies a port on which a user is connected. The verifier communicates with the first memory and the second memory and periodically checks each session in the list of active sessions. If a session is inactive, the verifier searches for the user on other ports. If verifier identifies the user on another port, the verifier updates the list of active sessions with the user identified on that other port.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing the movement of a shaft with a computer includes a support, a gimbal mechanism having two degrees of freedom, and three electromechanical transducers. When a shaft is engaged with the gimbal mechanism, it can move with three degrees of freedom in a spherical coordinate space, where each degree of freedom is sensed by one of the three transducers. A fourth transducer can be used to sense rotation of the shaft around an axis.

Abstract: A system is used to transport wind turbines on railroad cars. The wind turbines are partially disassembled into four types of components—nacelles, blades, rotor hubs and tower sections. The blades are stored in cargo containers suitable for use in multi-mode transportation of freight by ship, rail and truck. The nacelles and rotor hubs are not stored in containers but are affixed to transport structures. Brackets are affixed to the tower sections. Then the components are mounted on railroad cars.

Abstract: Provided is a distance calculating apparatus calculating a real distance from a map distance of a map path connecting a first point and a second point on a map, the apparatus including: a housing; a scale input unit into which a reduced scale is input, disposed in the housing; an optical sensor unit disposed in the housing, the optical sensor unit sensing movement of the housing using light and outputting an electrical signal when the housing is moved along the map path; a calculation unit disposed in the housing, the calculation unit calculating the map distance using the electrical signal input from the optical sensor unit and calculating the real distance using the map distance and the reduced scale input from the scale input unit; and a display unit disposed in the housing, the display unit displaying the real distance calculated by the calculation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an antenna to one or more radio receivers. The apparatus includes a hub that may be attached to an antenna by one or more fasteners. The hub is also fitted with latches that can receive a radio. Finally, the hub includes an aperture for receiving a feed-boom. The feed-boom communicates signals received by the antenna to the radio.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses prevent overtunneling in nonvolatile floating gate memory (NVM) cells. An individual cell includes a circuit with a transistor that has a floating gate that stores charge, and a capacitor structure for extracting charge from the gate, such as by tunneling. A counteracting circuit prevents extracting charge from the floating gate beyond a threshold, therefore preventing overtunneling or correcting for it. In one embodiment, the counteracting circuit supplies electrons to the floating gate, to compensate for tunneling beyond a point. In another embodiment, the counteracting circuit includes a switch, and a sensor to trigger the switch when the appropriate threshold is reached. The switch may be arranged in any number of suitable ways, such as to prevent a high voltage from being applied to the capacitor structure, or to prevent a power supply from being applied to a terminal of the transistor or to a well of the transistor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the transmissibility of inertial forces produced by an inertial actuator on the housing of a tactile feedback interface device. A tactile interface device, coupled to a host computer, outputs tactile sensations to a user based on interactions and events occurring in a displayed graphical environment. An actuator produces periodic inertial forces, such as vibrations, and a compliant suspension couples the actuator to the device housing. A compliance of the suspension is selected such that the suspension magnifies the periodic inertial forces for a particular frequency range of the inertial forces. The magnified inertial forces are transmitted to the housing to be felt by the user.

Abstract: The non-destructive test of a structure (10) such as an aircraft fuselage is done by placing an X-ray source (16) on one side of the structure, and placing a digital camera (24) on the other side. The microcomputer (28) analyzes the image output by the digital camera in real time. If this image is unusable, at least one setting of the source (16) is modified immediately and a new acquisition is made without wasting any time. The adjustment can then be made manually or using a slaving system. The adjustment may relate to the wave length of the X-ray beam, the dose level or the pose time if the fault concerned is related to the gray level of the image. If a directional source is being used, the defect may also have an influence on the sharpness of the image and may be caused by an alignment problem.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a resistive element positionable on a first surface. A pair of leads are on the resistive element, the pair of leads adapted to supply a first voltage, such as by being grounded. An intermediate lead is positioned on the resistive element between the pair of leads, the intermediate lead being adapted to provide a second voltage. A contact element is positionable on a second surface, the contact element adapted to contact at least a portion of the resistive element to detect a voltage at a contact position, the detected voltage being related to the position or movement of the second surface relative to the first surface. In another version, a position sensor comprises a resistive element comprising first and second resistive strips. A plurality of leads are positioned on each resistive strip to provide a voltage to each resistive strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping force signals for a force feedback device. A source wave is provided and is defined by a set of control parameters (including a steady state magnitude, a frequency value and a duration value) and modified by a set of impulse parameters (including an impulse magnitude, and a settle time representing a time required for the impulse magnitude to change to the steady-state magnitude). Optionally, application parameters specifying a direction of force signal and trigger parameters specifying activating buttons can also be provided for the source wave. Using a host processor or a local processor, the force signal is formed from the source wave and the sets of control parameters and impulse parameters, where the force signal includes an impulse signal followed by a continual steady-state signal after an expiration of the settle time.

Abstract: The invention provides for a real-time multi-task operating process in which a set of fixed adjustable duration observation windows are defined having an allocation stage, in each observation window, of a maximum execution duration for each task, during which a scheduler guarantees a minimum execution time for lower priority tasks; a calculation stage for the time used by each task during each observation window; and a sanction stage during which the tasks, which exceed their quota in a given observation window, are sanctioned and can only return to a central resource unit during the following observation window.

Abstract: A glue film (11) on a cellular structure (10) in order to form a regular glue strip on the edges of the partitions of the cells of the cellular structure (10), and the glue film (11) is exposed to a source (24) that emits radiation adapted to reactivity of the glue to only heat the glue selectively. The glue thus creeps without significantly triggering polymerisation. The glue strip is formed on the ends of the partitions without supplying an air flow through the openings of the cellular structure. The portion of the part located below the source is preferably kept approximately horizontal so that the glue strip is formed under the best possible conditions.

Abstract: A signal transmitter for sending a radio signal is made up of an input for receiving input data and a first circuit for generating an inphase signal and a quadrature signal from the input data. A second circuit produces a first signal associated with a cosine of a first frequency and a third circuit that produces a second signal associated with a sine of the first frequency. A first modulator, coupled to the first circuit and the second circuit, upconverts the inphase signal with the first signal and produces a first upconverted signal. A second modulator, coupled to the first circuit and the third circuit, upconverts the inphase signal with the second signal and produces a second upconverted signal. A third modulator, coupled to the first circuit and the second circuit, upconverts the quadrature signal with the first signal and produces a third upconverted signal.