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 improved connector assembly for use on, inter alia, a printed circuit board or other device is disclosed. The assembly comprises a connector housing having one or more modular plug recesses for receiving a modular plug such as an RJ-type plug; a plurality of conductors disposed within the recess for contact with the terminals of the modular plug; and an electrical pathway between the conductors and a corresponding set of circuit board leads. The connector assembly also includes at least one other recess for receiving a light source sub-assembly. Each light source sub-assembly provides one or more light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes) adapted to permit viewing of status indications during operation. Each light source sub-assembly is constructed to substantially reduce electromagnetic coupling between the light source and the connector's signal paths. The light source sub-assembly further simplifies the manufacturing of the connector assembly.

Abstract: An advanced modular plug connector assembly incorporating a substrate disposed in the rear portion of the connector housing, the substrate adapted to receive one or more electronic components such as choke coils, transformers, or other signal conditioning elements or magnetics. In one embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a single port pair with a single substrate disposed in the rear portion of the housing. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a multi-port “row-and-column” housing with multiple substrates (one per port) received within the rear of the housing, each substrate having signal conditioning electronics which condition the input signal received from the corresponding modular plug before egress from the connector assembly. In yet another embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) received within the housing. Methods for manufacturing the aforementioned embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An advanced modular plug connector assembly incorporating a substantially planar, low profile removable insert assembly with associated substrate disposed in the rear portion of the connector housing, the substrate adapted to optionally receive one or more electronic components. In one embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a single port with a single insert assembly. The conductors and terminals of the connector are retained within respective molded carriers which are received within the insert assembly. A plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) are also received within the housing, the conductors of the LEDs mated with conductive traces on the substrate of the insert assembly. In another embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a multi-port “1×N” device. Methods for manufacturing the aforementioned embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual frequency transmitter, for use in remote monitoring of the heart rate of a living animal or human body, emits a first radio signal having a frequency of about 5 KHz and a second radio signal having a frequency substantially greater than 5 KHz. The dual frequency transmitter is preferably incorporated into personal property of the user, such as a wristwatch.

Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components and method for manufacturing the device. A non-conducting base member having a component recess and a plurality of specially shaped lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the wire leads of the component are routed through the lead channels. A plurality of lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the specially shaped lead channels, are received within the lead channels, thereby forming an electrical connection between the lead terminals and the wire leads of the electronic component(s). The special shaping of the lead channels and lead terminals restricts the movement of the lead terminals within the lead channels in multiple directions during package fabrication, thereby allowing for the manufacture of larger, more reliable devices.

Abstract: A magnotherapy device is provided which contains a magnet within an enclosure. The device is associated with a further magnetic attachment means 32 which is itself attracted to the magnotherapy device such that an item of clothing can be clamped between the magnotherapy device and the attachment means.

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.

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 method and apparatus for generating a baseband signal from a data pulse to approximate a filter transfer function is disclosed. The method comprises generating the data pulse, generating a plurality of delayed short pulses from the data pulse, and generating an output baseband signal from the of delayed pulses. The apparatus for generating a baseband signal from a data pulse to approximate a filter transfer function, comprises an input node coupled to the data pulse, an output node, a pull-up circuit coupled to said output node which generates positive going excursions of the baseband signal, and a pull-down circuit coupled to said output node which generates negative going excursions of the baseband signal.

Abstract: An advanced microelectronic coil device incorporating a toroidal core and a plurality of sets of windings, wherein the windings are separated by one or more layers of insulating material. In one embodiment, the insulating material is vacuum-deposited over the top of a first set of windings before the next set of windings is wound onto the core. In this fashion, the insulating material insulates the entire first winding from the second without the need for individual insulation on each of the windings, or the use of margin tape. The use of the vacuum-deposited insulating layer(s) provides a high degree of dielectric strength, yet consumes a minimum space since the insulation on each winding is minimized. The toroidal core is also optionally provided with a controlled thickness gap for controlling saturation of the core.

Abstract: A multi-layer micro-printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed, which defines a magnetic component, such as a transformer, using planar technology. Instead of using the traditional twelve-layer PCB incorporating both a primary and a secondary winding, this invention stacks multiple PCBs, each having four or six layers and each including a single winding (either the primary or the secondary). The PCBs are stacked in an offset arrangement such that the pins penetrating the PCB or PCBs including the primary winding or windings do not penetrate the PCB or PCBs including the secondary winding or windings. Additionally, this offset arrangement prevents the pins penetrating the secondary PCBs from penetrating the primary PCBs in the same manner. This offset configuration thereby avoids significant flashover problems associated with current planar components.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for treating membrane-containing material with electrical fields, in vitro, and with an added treating substance. With the method, a plurality of electrodes are arrayed around the material to be treated and are connected to outputs of an electrode selection apparatus. Inputs of the electrode selection apparatus are connected to outputs of a pulse sequence generator. A treating substance is added to the membrane-containing material. Electrical pulses are applied to the electrode selection apparatus and are routed through the electrode selection apparatus in a predetermined, computer-controlled sequence to selected electrodes in the array of electrodes, whereby the membrane-containing material is treated with the added treating substance and with electrical fields. The routing of applied pulses through the electrode selection apparatus to selected electrodes can be done in an enormous number of ways.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for delivery of macromolecules into biological cells, such as Langerhans cells (22) in the epidermis (20) of a patient, which includes the steps of coating electodes (16) in an electrode assembly (12) with solid phase macromolecules to be delivered, such as a DNA, and/or RNA vaccine or a protein-based vaccine, attaching the electrode assembly (12) having the coated electrodes (16) to an electrode assembly holder (13), providing a waveform generator (15), establishing electrically conductive pathways between the electrodes (16), and the waveform generator (15), locating the electrodes (16) such that the biological cells are situated therebetween, such as by penetrating the needle electrode (16) into the epidermis (20) above the epidermal basal lamina, and providing pulse waveform from the waveform generator (15) to the electrodes (16), such that macromolecule on the electrodes (16) is driven off of the electrodes (16), and delivered into the biological cells, s

Abstract: A system and method for three dimensional character animation provides a rapid download of the animated character since the persistent data of the animated character may be downloaded initially to begin the animation. One or more behavior files may then be downloaded as needed which reduces the initial download time of a character. The system may store the persistent data in a character cache. To reduce the size of the behavior files, the persistent data may include morphlinks, for each polygon on the character, that determine the contributions that the movement of each joint in the character make on each polygon of the character.

Abstract: A Medium Access Control protocol software architecture which comprises a microcode component providing the protocol implementation level functions and an engine component providing hardware level functions. The Medium Access Control protocol and method for use in a network system allows for centralized management of all MAC-level services by a master device. The Medium Access Control protocol provides an improved protocol message throughput via the sequence retransmission request protocol scheme. The Medium Access Control protocol provides a reduced data transmission latency and provides dynamic allocation of data slots within a Time Division Multiple Access frame definition. The Medium Access Control protocol also provides a set of failure management functions and power control support.

Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components. A non-conducting base member having a component recess and a set of specially shaped lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the conductors of the component are routed through the lead channels. A set of insertable lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the specially shaped lead channels, are received and captured within the lead channels, thereby forming an electrical connection between the lead terminals and the conductors of the electronic component(s). A method of fabricating the device is also disclosed.