Abstract: An antenna for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a method for communicating in an RFID system are provided. The antenna includes a first port configured to provide RFID communication in a first polarization plane and a second port configured to provide RFID communication in a second polarization plane. The first polarization plane is orthogonal to the second polarization plane.

Abstract: An architecture for robot intelligence enables a robot to learn new behaviors and create new behavior sequences autonomously and interact with a dynamically changing environment. Sensory information is mapped onto a Sensory Ego-Sphere (SES) that rapidly identifies important changes in the environment and functions much like short term memory. Behaviors are stored in a DBAM that creates an active map from the robot's current state to a goal state and functions much like long term memory. A dream state converts recent activities stored in the SES and creates or modifies behaviors in the DBAM.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating short electronic pulses using a modified differential trigger that is partly an analogue sinusoidal voltage and partly a selectable, DC voltage. The differential trigger is applied to a differential base band pulse generator having a NAND gate and AND gate. The trigger is applied to both NAND inputs and to one AND input. The NAND output is applied the other AND input. Such a circuit is an OFF state for all input states. However, as the input switches state, the NAND gate delay causes the AND gate to be ON briefly, generating a short pulse. The timing of this pulse can be controlled by varying the constant DC voltage. By using fast switching SiGe CML gates, short pulses with a controllable time off-set can be generated that are suitable for use in automotive radar applications, using only sub-GHz clocks.

Abstract: A receiver circuit including an oscillator, a mixer coupled to the oscillator, a switch coupled to an output of the mixer, and an envelope detector coupled to the oscillator, such that the envelope detector generates a timing signal for actuating the switch based on the envelope of a signal produced by the oscillator. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver circuit may be used as part of a radar based sensor system.

Abstract: A machinable austempered cast iron article has improved strength, machinability, fatigue performance, and resistance to environmental cracking. A method of making the machinable austempered cast iron article includes austenitizing an iron composition having a substantially pearlitic microstructure in an intercritical temperature range of between 1380° F. and 1500° F. This produces a ferritic plus austenitic microstructure. The ferritic plus austenitic microstructure is quenched into an austempering temperature range of between 575° F. and 750° F. within 3 minutes to prevent formation of pearlite. The ferritic plus austenitic microstructure is then austempered in the austempering temperature range of between 575° F. and 750° F. to produce a microstructure of a continuous matrix of equiaxed ferrite with islands of austenite. Finally, the microstructure of the continuous matrix of equiaxed ferrite with islands of austenite is cooled to ambient temperature to produce the machinable austempered cast iron article.

Abstract: A plurality of compression schemes are provided that achieve improved compression ratios. A first embodiment provides for compression of each pixel by one of a plurality of different entropy-based compression schemes based upon a probability cost analysis. A second embodiment provides for compression of each pixel based on a hybrid context formed using a plurality of compression schemes for improved probability determination, and thus improved entropy encoding. In embodiments of the invention, a context compression scheme similar to JBIG is applied, as well as an inverse scheme. The context scheme forms a statistical context from a concatenated sequence of previous pixel values. The inverse scheme provides a gray value estimation method based upon previous pixel values and respective threshold values. Statistics are maintained with respect to the actual current pixel value and the difference between an estimated gray value and the current pixel threshold value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for electromagnetic communications that includes a semiconductor die; at least one amplifier on the die to amplify an input signal and generate an output signal; and an active bias control component on the die for adjusting biasing of the amplifier so that the amplifier is operable in a plurality of frequency bands. In one embodiment, a PCS band and W-CDMA power amplifier may be integrated on the same power amplifier die, and different output power requirements may be addressed by the use of an Si DC-DC converter. Such a converter may provide efficiency enhancements to the overall system through the use of dynamic bias control under active power control situations from the network. In addition, the converter may be used in a voltage up-converter state that allows a W-CDMA optimized power amplifier to operate at PCS frequencies and output power levels.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a component containing (i) an acidic oxide support, (ii) an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof, (iii) a transition metal oxide having oxygen storage capability, and (iv) a transition metal selected from Groups Ib and/or IIb of the Periodic Table provide NOx control performance in FCC processes. The acidic oxide support preferably contains silica alumina. Ceria is the preferred oxygen storage oxide. Cu and Ag are preferred Group I/IIb transition metals. The compositions are especially useful in the cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks having above average nitrogen content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved analytical method and apparatus therefor, in particular to a method and apparatus for continuous titration in which at least one parameter of at least one compound in a test mixture may be monitored as the composition of the mixture is continuously varied. The method comprises the steps of continuously mixing at least two component fluid streams to form a test mixture stream and passing the test mixture stream through a spectrophotometric detection zone, with the volume to volume ratio of at least two of the component streams forming the test mixture stream continuously and linearly varied with time by alteration of the relative proportions of the component streams forming the test mixture, while the total volume of the test mixture stream remains constant.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of binding a gas or volatile compound in a cucurbituril, by contacting the gas or volatile compound with the cucurbituril to form a cucurbituril-gas/volatile complex. There is also provided a method of separating a gas or volatile compound from a mixture of compounds wherein the mixture is contacted with a cucurbituril and whereby at least some of the gas or volatile compound is bound to the cucurbituril to form a cucurbituril complex, followed by the release of at least some of the bound gas or volatile compound from that complex. The present invention is thus advantageous in that it allows use of cucurbiturils in binding gases and volatile compounds for storage, safety, delivery or other uses, such as the trapping of an unpleasant or toxic gas or volatile compound.

Abstract: A plurality of compression schemes are provided that achieve improved compression ratios. A first embodiment provides for compression of each pixel by one of a plurality of different entropy-based compression schemes based upon a probability cost analysis. A second embodiment provides for compression of each pixel based on a hybrid context formed using a plurality of compression schemes for improved probability determination, and thus improved entropy encoding. In embodiments of the invention, a context compression scheme similar to JBIG is applied, as well as an inverse scheme. The context scheme forms a statistical context from a concatenated sequence of previous pixel values. The inverse scheme provides a gray value estimation method based upon previous pixel values and respective threshold values. Statistics are maintained with respect to the actual current pixel value and the difference between an estimated gray value and the current pixel threshold value.

Abstract: A method for producing cucurbit[n]urils, where n is from 4 to 12, comprising mixing substituted and/or unsubstituted glycoluril with an acid and a compound that can form methylene bridges between glycoluril units, and heating the mixture to a temperature of from 20° to 120° to thereby form cucurbit[n]. Novel cucurbit[n]urils, where n=4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and substituted cucurbit[s,u]urils, where s=number of substituted glycoluril units, u=number of unsubstituted units and s+u=4-12 are also described.

Abstract: A wave device for supporting electromagnetic waves, the device including a first pair of inputs for setting up a first standing wave therebetween a second pair of inputs for setting up a second standing wave therebetween and positioned such that the input signal of each of the first and second pairs of inputs is unaffected by the other of the first and second pairs of inputs and an output positioned so as to receive power from both the first and second standing waves.

Abstract: The invention provides for the application of a plurality of compression schemes to data such that improved compression ratios are achieved. A first embodiment provides for compression of each pixel by one of a plurality of different entropy-based compression schemes based upon a probability cost analysis. A second embodiment provides for compression of each pixel based on a hybrid context formed using a plurality of compression schemes for improved probability determination, and thus improved entropy encoding. In embodiments of the invention, a context compression scheme similar to JBIG is applied, as well as an inverse scheme. The context scheme forms a statistical context from a concatenated sequence of previous pixel values. The inverse scheme provides a gray value estimation method based upon previous pixel values and respective threshold values.

Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of compression schemes that provide improved compression ratios. An exemplary embodiment compresses each pixel by one of a plurality of different entropy-based compression schemes based upon a probability cost analysis. Another exemplary embodiment compresses each pixel based on a hybrid context formed using a plurality of compression schemes for improved probability determination, and thus improved entropy encoding.

Abstract: A machinable austempered cast iron article has improved strength, machinability, fatigue performance, and resistance to environmental cracking. A method of making the machinable austempered cast iron article includes austenitizing an iron composition having a substantially pearlitic microstructure in an intercritical temperature range of between 1380° F. and 1500° F. This produces a ferritic plus austenitic microstructure. The ferritic plus austenitic microstructure is quenched into an austempering temperature range of between 575° F. and 750° F. within 3 minutes to prevent formation of pearlite. The ferritic plus austenitic microstructure is then austempered in the austempering temperature range of between 575° F. and 750° F. to produce a microstructure of a continuous matrix of equiaxed ferrite with islands of austenite.

Abstract: A polymer additive for alkaline zinc and zinc alloy electrodepositing media and processes comprises the reaction product of one or both of (i) a first di-tertiary amine of the formula:  where R′ represents  and q is 2 to 6, R represents CH3 or C2H5 and each R may be the same or different and m is 2 to 4, and a second di-tertiary amine of the formula:  where B is CgH2g+1 and g=0 or an integer the respective B groups being the same or different, and f=0 o an integer, and R″ represents CH3 or C2H5 and each R″ may be the same or different, with (ii) a di-halo alkane of the formula: A—(CH2)n—A where A represents a halogen atom and n is at least 2. The resulting polymer preferably has the general structure: Where: 0≦x≦1 0≦y≦1 and: either (x or y) or (x and y)=1 z is at least 2 and when y=0, n is at least 3.