Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing an FM transmitter and FM receiver in a single chip FM transmitter and receiver are disclosed and may include receiving an FM signal from each of multiple selected antenna configurations. The received signal strength obtained for each configuration may be measured and stored in a memory, and FM signals may be transmitted and/or received utilizing a configuration that generates a received signal strength above a desired threshold from the measurement. The FM transmitter and receiver may be integrated on-chip, and may be impedance matched to the antennas utilizing selectable capacitors integrated on-chip and/or off-chip and selectable inductors located off-chip. The multiple antennas may comprise antennas that are internal and antennas that are external to the wireless device, each of which may be tuned for one or more wireless protocols. One or more of the antennas may comprise metal components within the wireless device.

Abstract: The method may include determining a protocol associated with a communication signal for an access point. A compatible processor may be allocated and selected from a pool of available processors and subsequently utilized to process the communication signal. In one aspect of the invention, a processor may be made compatible by updating it with compatible protocol code that may be used for processing the communication signal. The compatible protocol code may be downloaded to the processor from a memory. The processor may associate a particular protocol code with a particular portion of the memory. Accordingly, the protocol code may be retrieved from the memory based on the association. The processor may be a digital signal processor (DSP), which may be adapted to process 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and Bluetooth protocols, for example.

Abstract: A system and method providing variable-frequency IF conversion in a multimode communication device. Various aspects of the present invention provide a multimode communication device comprising at least one RF signal receiver adapted to receive at least a first RF signal corresponding to a first communication protocol and a second RF signal corresponding to a second communication protocol. A controllable frequency source may, for example, be adapted to output a mixing signal characterized by one of a plurality of selectable frequencies. Such selectable frequencies may, for example, comprise a first frequency corresponding to the first communication protocol and a second frequency corresponding to the second communication protocol. A mixer may, for example, receive a received RF signal from the RF signal receiver, receive a mixing signal from the controllable frequency source, and convert the received RF signal to an IF signal utilizing the received mixing signal.

Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for a power factor correction power converter are provided. The control apparatus is configured to reduce the variation rate of a reference signal with a rising portion and a falling portion. When the primary winding almost completely releases the stored energy, and the falling portion of the reference signal reaches a determined condition, the control apparatus turns on a switch for increasing the stored energy of the primary winding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for holding mobile electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a wristband that can be worn by a mobile electronic device user and a clip that can be removably connected to a mobile electronic device and used to removably connect the mobile electronic device to the wristband. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes the steps of connecting a clip to a mobile electronic device and removably connecting the clip to a wristband that can be worn by a user of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine includes induction conduits of effectively equal flow resistance for guiding separate air and fuel streams to each of the cylinders of the engine. Each induction conduit includes at its entrance a sleeve venturi for inducing fuel into the air stream and a booster venturi. A fuel injector applies fuel at high pressure to the booster venturi. Flow modifiers may be positioned in the venturi throat and down stream of the venturi for modifying the flow of the stream of air after the fluid has been induced and injected into the stream of air for further subdividing the fuel vapor for increased effect of combustion of the fuel and air mixture.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes various problems by defining two upstream masks (U1, U2) and two downstream masks (D1, D2) and using a mask selectable system for the long reach digital subscriber line (LDSL), in which a unique modem feature is activated during handshake to automatically check for physical layer status in terms of spectral compatibility and, thus, automatically optimize the boosted mode with the use of the mask selectable system choose the best combination of upstream/downstream masks in any physical layer noise scenario.

Abstract: A plastic sleeve is applied to a pole of varying cross-sectional area. A series of poles are advanced along their lengths through the opening of an extruder die, plastic is extruded onto the pole to form a cylindrical sleeve, and the rate of advancement of the pole through the die is adjusted in accordance with the increasing or decreasing diameter of the pole, so as to assure an even application of the plastic about the pole. The ends of the plastic are gathered while the plastic is still hot, forming a closure of the plastic about the ends of the pole.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and corresponding method for distributed processing of packet data containing audio information. The system includes a host processing module for exchanging packet data containing audio information with a data packet network, wherein the host processing module includes host logic for performing non-real-time processing of the packet data. The system also includes a slave processing module coupled to the host processing module for exchanging packet data with the host processing module, wherein the slave processing module includes slave logic for performing real-time processing of the packet data, and for interfacing with a media device.

Abstract: A rotor for a pneumatic tool having electricity-generating capabilities includes a shaft and an integral rotor body. The rotor body includes recesses dimensioned to receive an insulated subassembly having a magnet received within a nonmagnetic insulator to allow flux to be concentrated against stator windings. The rotor can be used in a conventional pneumatic tool, but can also be fitted with the insulated subassemblies in order to cooperate with a stator in the tool to generate electricity upon rotation of the rotor when pressurized fluid is applied to the vanes. A ring stator is connected to a supporting circuit by a connector and is supportable by a nonmagnetic end plate of the pneumatic tool and is disposed between the rotor and the rotor bearing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an e-mail communications system that minimizes the number of duplicate copies of common attachment files to e-mail communications that are stored in the mail store of an e-mail server. When the e-mail server receives an e-mail attachment file that is larger than a threshold size, the server performs a database search for another copy of the attachment file in the mail store. If another copy is located, the system creates a pointer in the mail store that associates the located attachment file with the e-mail for the additional recipient(s). Attachment files are deleted only after the recipients of the associated e-mail communications delete each of the respective e-mails.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses for splitting a ray bundle of illumination light into a plurality of convergent partial ray bundles which illuminate a sample simultaneously at several measuring points; a beam splitter for separating a beam path of the illuminating light and a beam path of sample light originating from the illumination of the sample and captured in an inverse direction with regard to the illumination light; a pinhole diaphragm array having a plurality of pinhole diaphragms arranged in the beam path of the sample light and corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light; and a further microlens array having a plurality of microlenses corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light. Said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light and said microlenses of said further microlens array are arranged in the beam path of the sample light.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using tolerances obtained from a user together with historical information about a communication network to analyze the network's performance and to calculate and recommend a specific change to the committed information rate (CIR) over a given frame relay permanent virtual circuit (PVC). The historical information, which is collected by a network management system connected to at least two communication devices in a communication network, relates to various performance parameters, which may include the total data transmitted, received and dropped above and within the original CIR, and the burstiness of the data. The historical information is automatically analyzed in view of the user's designated tolerances to determine the network's data transmission performance, and a forward-looking recommendation of an optimum CIR is made, based on the analysis. The results of the analysis and the recommended change to the CIR are displayed to the user in a graphical format.

Abstract: Electroless copper plating solutions and methods of use thereof are disclosed. A representative electroless copper plating solution includes a reducing agent that is a source of hypophosphite ions and at least one accelerator compound that accelerates the rate of copper deposition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having an improved ohmic contact system to epitaxially grown, low bandgap compound semiconductors. In an exemplary embodiment, the improved ohmic contact system comprises a thin reactive layer of nickel deposited on a portion of an epitaxially grown N+ doped InGaAs emitter cap layer. The improved ohmic contact system further comprises a thick refractory layer of titanium or other suitable material deposited on the thin reactive layer. Both the reactive layer and the refractory layer are substantially free of gold and other low resistivity, high conductivity metal overlayers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling a flame. One embodiment comprises a reservoir for a flame-fueling liquid, a wick, and a collar surrounding the wick. The first end of the wick is within the reservoir and a flame-bearing end is above the first end. Flame-fueling liquid is supplied to the reservoir and is communicated up the wick to fuel a flame emanating from the flame-bearing end of the wick. The collar is slidable along a vertical axis between a first and second position. In the first position, the top of the collar is located above the flame-bearing end of the wick to block the flow of air from reaching the wick. In the second position, the top of the collar is located blow the flame-bearing end of the wick, such that it does not substantially block the flow of air from reaching the wick.

Abstract: A network server runs a routine that is triggered by an external database management program. The routine receives configuration parameters from the database, and configures application programs resident on the server in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A communications and computing based urban transit system based on digital cellular communication, GPS locating technology, and digital computers to provide real-time command and control of passengers and vehicles with the objective of minimizing the social costs of urban transportation.

Abstract: A track lighting fixture includes a first housing half and a second housing half. The first housing half includes a surface, an inner perimeter, a recess in the surface, and mating ramps extending from the inner perimeter. The second housing half includes a surface, a protrusion extending from the surface, and mating arms extending from the surface.

Abstract: An injector for water free of external torch external torch gas injector comprising an outer tube, a first inner tube and a second inner tube. The outer tube has a side tube and a plurality of outer tube emission holes. The outer wall of the outer tube joins with a ball-and-socket joint. The plurality of outer tube emission holes is at the front end of the outer tube. The outer tube encloses the first inner tube. The first inner tube has a side tube and an inner tube emission hole. The inner tube emission hole is also at the front end of the outer tube. The outer tube also encloses the second inner tube. The second inner tube has an inner tube inlet and an inner tube emission hole. The second inner tube inlet is at the back end of the outer tube. The second inner tube emission hole is on the wall of the outer tube, near the largest cross-section of the ball-and-socket joint.