Abstract: A high frequency, large bandwidth electronic device for transforming balanced/unbalanced electrical signals. In one embodiment, the device comprises an auto-transformer mounted on substrate interposed between the balanced and unbalanced port so as minimize parasitic losses. Bonded bi-filar wire is wound around the auto-transformer core which facilitates a low, balanced leakage inductance thereby further enhancing device bandwidth. A method of manufacturing the aforementioned electronic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An advanced multi-connector electronic assembly incorporating different noise shield elements which reduce noise interference and increase performance. In one embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a plurality of connectors with associated electronic components arranged in two parallel rows, one disposed atop the other. The assembly utilizes a substrate shield which mitigates noise transmission through the bottom surface of the assembly, as well as an external “wrap-around shield to mitigate noise transmission through the remaining external surfaces. In a second embodiment, the connector assembly further includes a top-to-bottom shield interposed between the top and bottom rows of connectors to reduce noise transmission between the rows of connectors, and a plurality of front-to-back shield elements disposed between the electronic components of respective top and bottom row connectors to limit transmission between the electronic components. A method of manufacturing the assembly is also disclosed.

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: The ultra-wideband communication system includes a transceiver configured to receive an ultra-wideband communication signal, which has embedded power level data. A measurement circuit in the transceiver measures the strength of the received signal. An attenuation factor is computed that compares the measured signal strength to the data embedded in the signal. A feedback circuit uses the attenuation factor to select a power level for a next transmission. In a preferred configuration, the transceiver also has a positioning circuit that is used to accurately determine the distance from the transceiver to the source of the communication signal, and the feedback circuit uses the distance to tune the power level for the next transmission. In another preferred configuration, a bit error rate is used to set power level for the next transmission.

Abstract: The rotating pile for undergrounding contains a pile-head pipe having a longitudinal center line, a pipe wall, one end portion, and the other end portion opposite to the one end portion. Three or four recessed portions in which the pipe wall is recessed toward the center line are formed in the one end portion. Blades defined by the pipe wall are formed between the adjacent recessed portions. Each of the recessed portions is inclined from the circumferential surface of the pile-head pipe toward the center line. The pipe wall defining one of the adjacent recessed portions contact with the pipe wall defining the other recessed portion so as to cause the one end to be substantially closed. The blades extend radially outward from the center line. The blades gradually expand in the circumferential direction of the pile-head pipe from its top end toward its base end portion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: Discloses a bristle head oscillation mechanism for an electrically driven toothbrush. A toothbrush bristle head is rotatably disposed at an end of an elongate housing. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed in the elongate housing and has an offset end coupled to one end of a pivot arm. The other end of the pivot arm is coupled to the toothbrush bristle head. Rotation of the drive shaft pivots the pivot arm to effect oscillation of the bristle head with respect to the elongate housing.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for determining a location of a wireless device in a wireless communication system. In general, an initial request is transmitted to wireless devices having known locations for positioning information so that a location can be determined for a first wireless device having an undetermined location. Those wireless devices with known locations that receive the initial request in turn transmit positioning information to the first wireless device. If positioning information from less than a sufficient number of wireless devices with known location is received by the first mobile wireless device, an additional request is then transmitted for responses from these responding other wireless devices.

Abstract: Discloses a bristle head oscillation mechanism for an electrically driven toothbrush. A toothbrush bristle head is rotatably disposed at an end of an elongate housing. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed in the elongate housing and has an offset end coupled to one end of a pivot arm. The other end of the pivot arm is coupled to the toothbrush bristle head. Rotation of the drive shaft pivots the pivot arm to effect oscillation of the bristle head with respect to the elongate housing.

Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components. 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: An ultrafast sampling system includes an interposer and a sampler that include series of Schottky diodes configured with a non-parallel waveguide to form shocklines or nonlinear transmission line (NLTLs) that produce a differential strobe pulse. The shocklines are defined by non-parallel conductors that are configured as, for example, triangular, dentate, arcuate, or other shapes, or as conductors that have edges that are triangular, dentate, arcuate, or the like. The conductors are defined with respect to a substrate, and are airbridged so that at least some portions of the conductors are displaced from the substrate to reduce waveguide capacitance. Electrical connection to the sampler is made with airline having a inner conductor that is deformable to contact an input pad defined on the sampler.

Abstract: A connector assembly (1) has a lower row of side-by-side terminal arrays (28) having a common dielectric carrier (30), and an upper row of side-by side terminal arrays (34) having a common dielectric carrier (3), each of the carriers (30) has guide sections (40) at opposite lateral ends, the carriers (30) are installed one behind the other, with the guide sections (40) being guided along common guides (19) of the housing (4), and the housing (4) has a resilient latch arm (20) that extends between the side-by-side terminal arrays (28 and 34), and holds the carriers (30) one behind the other.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampler includes a series of Schottky diodes configured with a coplanar waveguide to form a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that compresses a local oscillator input to form a series of strobe pulses. Strobe pulses of opposite polarity are capacitively coupled to sampling diodes to obtain samples of a signal applied to a signal input. The samples are directed along an intermediate frequency waveguide to, for example, a signal processor such as an oscilloscope, for storage and analysis. The intermediate frequency waveguide is configured so that conductors of the intermediate frequency waveguide receive signal samples of a common polarity and strobe samples of opposite polarities so that portions of strobe pulses delivered to a signal processor are distinguished from signal samples.

Abstract: A system add method for controlling the execution or display to one or more pieces of software developed using the developer's software is provided. The system permits the developer to receive revenue for use of the software without inconveniencing the customer or the user. In more detail, the system has a customer site with one or more locations containing one or more assets wherein a master key is purchased by the customer from the developer that specifies the one or more locations on the site of the customer where the software is located. The master key is stored at a particular location on the site of the customer and each asset contains a content key that identifies the location of the master key. The system further includes a user computer that determines if the execution or display of the asset downloaded from the customer's site is authorized by the developer.

Abstract: A method which allows for operating a baseband transmitter and provides reduced interference to a narrowband receiver having a passband around a frequency f. The baseband transmitter generates pulses at a nominal pulse repetition rate having at least one harmonic falling within the passband of the narrowband receiver, and then continuously varies the nominal pulse repetition rate in amounts such that the average time that the harmonic falls within the passband is less than 100%.

Abstract: The rotating pile for undergrounding contains a pile-head pipe having a longitudinal center line, a pipe wall, one end portion, and the other end portion opposite to the one end portion. Three or four recessed portions in which the pipe wall is recessed toward the center line are formed in the one end portion. Blades defined by the pipe wall are formed between the adjacent recessed portions. Each of the recessed portions is inclined from the circumferential surface of the pile-head pipe toward the center line. The pipe wall defining one of the adjacent recessed portions contact with the pipe wall defining the other recessed portion so as to cause the one end to be substantially closed. The blades extend radially outward from the center line. The blades gradually expand in the circumferential direction of the pile-head pipe from its top end toward its base end portion.

Abstract: A multi-layer and multi-functioning printed circuit board (PCB) defines a magnetic component formed using planar technology and multiple PCBs, each having four or six layers and each including a single winding. One set of windings is configured as an inductor and a second set of windings is configured as a transformer. The PCBs are stacked in an offset arrangement such that pins connecting one set of windings on a PCB or PCBs to a main circuit board do not penetrate the PCB or PCBs including another set of windings. The invention is configured to function both as an inductor and a transformer.

Abstract: A multi-piece microelectronic connector is disclosed which permits rapid assembly of the connector components during manufacture. The connector is comprised of an insert and a connector body. The insert has a cavity configured to receive at least one electrical component. The insert also has leads for electrically connecting the electrical component with a modular plug. The connector body has a front, a back and a dividing wall separating the front and the back. The front of the connector body has a cavity for receiving a modular plug therein. The back has a cavity for receiving the insert therein. The dividing wall has a set of openings providing communication between the cavity in the front and the cavity in the back. The set of leads of the insert are configured to protrude through the set of openings in the dividing wall and into the cavity in the front of the connector body.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for determining aortic valve abnormalities. The method first includes the step of providing a sphygmomanometer device for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient. A data stream receiver is provided for receiving a stream of data relating to the pressure response of the pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient. A data processor is provided for processing the data to create a series of time dependant pulse wave forms. The data can be converted by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) to obtain Power Spectrum (PS) which comprises a frequency dependant array of pulse signals. Both of the time dependant and frequency dependant (Power Spectrum) data can be displayed and analyzed to help determine the condition of the aortic valve and the percentage of regurgitation of the patient.