Abstract: A section of chain for conveying product along a material handling system includes a pin connecting a center link between two side links. The pin may have a sleeve portion around and at least partially along the shaft portion of the pin. The sleeve portion may engage a center link of the section of chain and may be movable relative to the shaft portion. The sleeve portion may comprise a polymeric material. The sleeve portion may be molded over an I-pin or the like, or may be slid or pressed onto a stud-ended pin or bolt or the like. The pin may include a generally spherical-shaped ball member or portion on the shaft portion to enhance flexibility of the section of chain. The pin may be dialable or selectably positioned at the side links to control and adjust the wear surface of the pin relative to the chain links.

Abstract: A receiver for ultra-wideband communications is provided. One feature of the receiver architecture is that includes only a single correlator. The receiver may be used in wireless and wire communication mediums. The single correlator may be used to update a locally generated signal based on an incoming signal and detect data. Another embodiment receiver may be used in a multi-path environment. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention describes a network communication system which includes a first slave transceiver configured to communicate a plurality of TDMA data packets at different data rates to a second slave transceiver. The second slave transceiver is also configured to communicate a plurality of TDMA data packets at different data rates to the first slave transceiver. A master transceiver manages data communications between the first slave transceiver and the second slave transceiver. Each transceiver includes a data modulation unit, a transmitter, an antenna, and a receiver. The data modulation unit is configured to generate a plurality of signals having variable pulse repetition frequencies and different modulation techniques. The transmitter is coupled to the data modulation unit and the transmitter is configured to generate a pulse stream according to the data modulation unit.

Abstract: A transmitter system is provided. In one embodiment, the transmitter system includes a data modulation unit, which generates a stream of data that is synchronized with a master clock. The transmitter system additionally includes a transmitter that transmits the stream of synchronized data by way of an attached antenna. In another embodiment the transmitter system includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer that includes a clock synchronization device, a frequency divider, a slot allocation unit, and a multiplexer/demultiplexer. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and a method for encoding and decoding ultra-wideband information are provided. An ultra-wideband transmission is encoded by positioning bipolar pulse pairs. The bipolar pulse pairs assist in detecting errors in the ultra-wideband transmission, before the entire transmission has been received. The transmission is analyzed for errors and an error rate is calculated. The calculated error rate is compared to one or more predefined acceptable error rate levels to determine whether the calculated error rate of the transmission is within at least one of the predefined acceptable error rate levels.

Abstract: A reliable Medium Access Control layer protocol and method employing centralized management of communication in a Time Division Multiple Access network architecture. The Medium Access Control layer protocol implements Quality of Service guaranties to the layers of the Open Systems Interconnection reference model above the Medium Access Control layer by providing guaranteed bandwidth links within the bandwidth range specified by those layers. The Medium Access Control layer protocol further provides variable data slot requisition, variable data slot allocation, dynamic data slot reallocation, and data slot deallocation.

Abstract: Golf training devices and methods of using a training device, that includes primarily for putting and chipping. The invention can include an attachment socket for attaching the device on top of a hand grip of a golf club and a plate extending from the top of the attachment socket at a bent angle approximately 45 degrees in elevation and at a twisted angle or preferably approximately 15 degrees away from the body of the golfer so that it rests against the lower inner forward forearm of a golfer during putting and chipping. The plate is narrow on a proximal end and wider on a distal end where it is slightly concave to conform to the shape of the forearm. The device is removably attached to the golf club by a fastener on the attachment socket having a threaded hole with an adjustment screw tightening an inner clamp against the grip of the golf club so that the grip of the golf club is fastened in the attachment socket.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping radio-frequency (RF) noise, and estimating channel quality in a multi-channel ultra-wideband communication system is provided. One method includes placing a plurality of time bins within a plurality of time frames and assigning a plurality of UWB communication channels comprising selected time bins. RF noise amplitude data is then sampled from selected time bins. The sampled RF noise amplitude data from the time bins is then averaged, thereby obtaining an average RF noise amplitude in each of the plurality of channels. The RF noise amplitude indicates the amount of RF noise present in a channel. The channels may then be ranked based on the characteristics of the RF noise.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a scanner or imager that employs a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitters that emit a multiplicity of UWB pulses, which are received by a plurality of receivers. An object or person positioned between the UWB transmitters and receivers can be scanned and subsequently imaged in extreme detail, due to the broad spectral content of the UWB pulses. The UWB scanner can be constructed as a stationary or portable device.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention provides a dynamic channel re-assignment capability between mobile units, base stations and sectors within base station coverage areas. The wireless devices used in the present invention may include impulse radio communication devices such as, for example ultra-wideband radio (also known as digital pulse wireless) communication devices. Ultra-wideband bandwidth and channel allocation can be effectively managed, even though link quality generally deteriorates near the outer boundary of the base station. By maintaining dual communications with an adjoining base station, the present invention reduces the bit error rate and maintains signal strength (e.g., RF signal strength). This procedure is termed a “soft-handoff”.

Abstract: A system and method to generate an ultra-wideband pulse is provided. One method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband pulse that includes a first section representing a first data symbol, and a second section representing a second data symbol. A second method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband that comprises a plurality of time bins, with each time bin comprising a data symbol that represents a multiplicity of binary digits. Another method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband pulse that comprises a plurality of time bins, with each time bin representing a first data symbol. The same ultra-wideband pulse also includes an amplitude that represents a second data symbol.

Abstract: A chain wear measurement system and/or method for determining an amount of wear in a section of chain comprises a chain or section of chain having a plurality of chain links connected together by a plurality of pins or bolts or the like. At least one end of at least one of the pins or bolts may have an extension extending longitudinally therefrom. A sensor is provided along a conveying path of the chain for sensing the presence of the pin or bolt and/or extension as the section of chain is conveyed along the conveying path. The sensor provides a signal indicative of a detection of the pin or pins or bolts. A control may be responsive to the sensor, such as to determine the degree of wear in the section of chain in response to one or more signals from the sensor.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband pulse modulation apparatus, system and method is provided. The pulse modulation method increases the available bandwidth in an ultra-wideband, or impulse radio communications system. A set of different pulse transmission, or emission rates are employed to represent different groups of binary digits. The modulation and pulse transmission method enables the simultaneous coexistence of the ultra-wideband pulses with conventional carrier-wave signals. This method may be used in wireless and wired communication networks such as CATV networks. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to guickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband pulse modulation apparatus, system and method is provided. The pulse modulation method increases the available bandwidth in an ultra-wideband, or impulse radio communications system. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a pulsed modulation system and method that employs a set of different pulse transmission, or emission rates to represent different groups of binary digits. The modulation and pulse transmission method of the present invention enables the simultaneous coexistence of the ultra-wideband pulses with conventional carrier-wave signals. The present invention may be used in wireless and wired communication networks such as CATV networks.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband pulse modulation apparatus, system and method is provided. The pulse modulation method increases the available bandwidth in an ultra-wideband, or impulse radio communications system. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a pulsed modulation system and method that employs a set of different pulse transmission, or emission rates to represent different groups of binary digits. The modulation and pulse transmission method of the present invention enables the simultaneous coexistence of the ultra-wideband pulses with conventional carrier-wave signals. The present invention may be used in wireless and wired communication networks such as CATV networks.

Abstract: A method to increase the available bandwidth across a wired network is provided. The method includes transmitting an ultra-wideband signal across the wired network. One embodiment of the present invention may transmit a multiplicity of ultra-wideband signals through a community access television network. The present invention may transmit an ultra-wideband signal across an optical network, a cable television network, a community antenna television network, a community access television network, a hybrid fiber-coax network, an Internet service provider network, and a PSTN network.

Abstract: A roof structure for covering a roof substrate includes a waterproof membrane having a layer of fleece material disposed on a first side thereof. The roof structure also includes a moisture curing, substantially non-volatile polyether based adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the first side of the waterproof membrane. At least some of the adhesive is disposed within the fleece material to permit bonding of the waterproof membrane to a roof substrate of a low slope roof of a building structure.

Abstract: A system and method to generate an ultra-wideband pulse is provided. One method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband pulse that includes a first section representing a first data symbol, and a second section representing a second data symbol. A second method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband that comprises a plurality of time bins, with each time bin comprising a data symbol that represents a multiplicity of binary digits. Another method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband pulse that comprises a plurality of time bins, with each time bin representing a first data symbol. The same ultra-wideband pulse also includes an amplitude that represents a second data symbol.

Abstract: A method to increase the available bandwidth across a wired network is provided. The method includes transmitting an ultra-wideband signal across the wired network. One embodiment of the present invention may transmit a multiplicity of ultra-wideband signals through a community access television network. The present invention may transmit an ultra-wideband signal across an optical network, a cable television network, a community antenna television network, a community access television network, a hybrid fiber-coax network, an Internet service provider network, and a PSTN network.