Abstract: Disclosed herein is a floor contact sensor system having a data acquisition terminal and a sensor sheet assembly having at least one sensor sheet. Each sensor sheet has a base sheet and selected spaced conductive portions extending upwardly therefrom that are in communication with the data acquisition terminal. The conductive portions are a composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler such that the conductive portions can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The floor contact sensor system can be configured to provide real time dynamic contact information for overlying flooring materials during use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a floor contact sensor system having a data acquisition terminal and a sensor sheet assembly having at least one sensor sheet. Each sensor sheet has a base sheet and selected spaced conductive portions extending upwardly therefrom that are in communication with the data acquisition terminal. The conductive portions are a composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler such that the conductive portions can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The floor contact sensor system can be configured to provide real time dynamic contact information for overlying flooring materials during use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular aspect, the sensor can be used to properly balance the knee ligaments in a total knee replacement surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use.

Abstract: An automatically provisioned network element (26) has the ability to detect a heartbeat message interval used by a remote network element (22, 24) and to automatically adjust a heartbeat interval timer value that it uses for sending subsequent heartbeat messages. The adjustment is responsive to the interval used by the remote network element 50 that they correspond to each other. By automatically configuring the heartbeat timer interval value so that there is correspondence between the intervals used by the end points on a link over which Cisco HDLC SLARP communications occur, for example, the chance of a link being considered to have failed is decreased. In a disclosed example, the heartbeat interval timer value is initially set to a value that is expected to be higher than that used by the remote network element and only automatic reductions in the heartbeat message interval timer value are permitted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel contact sensors. The contact sensors of the invention include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular embodiment, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. If desired, the sensors can be formed of the same polymeric material as the bearing that is being examined. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular embodiment, the sensors can be used to examine dynamic wear characteristics of artificial joint bearings such as artificial knee, hip, or shoulder bearings.

Abstract: A load cell is presented that has a load cell housing defining an interior cavity. The load cell housing also defines an bore in a first exterior face. In another aspect, the load cell has a load member positioned within the interior cavity, where a load knob protrudes out of the bore and above the first exterior face. In one aspect, the load cell also has a first electrode and a second electrode positioned within the interior cavity. In another aspect, a conductive polymer element is positioned therebetween the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular aspect, the sensor can be used to properly balance the knee ligaments in a total knee replacement surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel contact sensors. The contact sensors of the invention include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular embodiment, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. If desired, the sensors can be formed of the same polymeric material as the bearing that is being examined. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular embodiment, the sensors can be used to examine dynamic wear characteristics of artificial joint bearings such as artificial knee, hip, or shoulder bearings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel contact sensors. The contact sensors of the invention include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular embodiment, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. If desired, the sensors can be formed of the same polymeric material as the bearing that is being examined. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular embodiment, the sensors can be used to examine dynamic wear characteristics of artificial joint bearings such as artificial knee, hip, or shoulder bearings.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (20) includes a capacity allocation module (35) that adjusts an allocation of an authorized total capacity among a plurality of base stations (22, 24, 26). A disclosed example includes determining a peak capacity requirement for a plurality of base stations at any given time. An authorized capacity corresponds to the peak requirement for the plurality of base stations. The disclosed example includes adjusting an allocation of the authorized total capacity among the plurality of base stations to meet different traffic requirements at each of the base stations at different times.

Abstract: A core network architecture for supporting an internet protocol based network is disclosed. The system includes a base station which is configured to convert a signal from a first network to an internet protocol network signal and send the converted signal through the internet protocol base network. The network also includes a gateway which is configured to receive the converted signal and deploy the converted signal through the internet protocol base network. In this sense, the internet protocol base network manages the call mobility and delivery of the signal. The base station in this disclosure may be a femto base station and the first network may be a code division multi-access (CDMA) network.

Abstract: A connection system for sealingly interconnecting components of a high pressure fluid flow system, for example, an automobile engine air intake. The system can include a conduit defining a groove that is locked in a corresponding groove defined by a component, for example, an engine intake. An interlock ring is placed in the conduit groove. A clamp is placed over the interlock ring, however, the clamp and ring can be an integral component. When tightened, the clamp forces the ring into the conduit groove, which presses the conduit into sealing and/or locking engagement with the component groove.

Abstract: An automatically provisioned network element (26) has the ability to detect a heartbeat message interval used by a remote network element (22, 24) and to automatically adjust a heartbeat interval timer value that it uses for sending subsequent heartbeat messages. The adjustment is responsive to the interval used by the remote network element 50 that they correspond to each other. By automatically configuring the heartbeat timer interval value so that there is correspondence between the intervals used by the end points on a link over which Cisco HDLC SLARP communications occur, for example, the chance of a link being considered to have failed is decreased. In a disclosed example, the heartbeat interval timer value is initially set to a value that is expected to be higher than that used by the remote network element and only automatic reductions in the heartbeat message interval timer value are permitted.

Abstract: A method of increasing a number of possible users in a wireless communication system comprises directing steered beams to users within a sector of the system so that each user receives data via its own unique steered beam from a base station. The steered beams prevent more than one user from receiving data carried on the same beam. If the steered beams for at least two users are far enough apart so they do not interfere with each other, the base station assigns the two users the same code, such as the same Walsh code, for coding and decoding purposes to allow the base station to assign the same code to more than one user in a given sector.

Abstract: A modem which includes connections for both land lines and a cellular phone. The modem contains high and low level routines that allow it to perform standard AT commands rationally when connected to a cellular phone, and further perform additional AT commands that access cellular specific features. An applications software program in a computer connected to the modem can provide a number of options for determining whether to use the land line or the cellular phone when both are connected. First, it can default to the land line and only use the cellular phone if the land line is not available. Alternatively, it can first use the cellular phone and only use the land line if the cellular phone signal strength is not sufficient. Further, cellular file transfer operations can be aborted if the remaining battery life in the cellular phone is insufficient to reliably complete the transfer.

Abstract: A modem which includes connections for both land lines and a cellular phone. The modem contains high and low level routines that allow it to perform standard AT commands rationally when connected to a cellular phone, and further perform additional AT commands that access cellular specific features. An applications software program in a computer connected to the modem can provide a number of options for determining whether to use the land line or the cellular phone when both are connected. First, it can default to the land line and only use the cellular phone if the land line is not available. Alternatively, it can first use the cellular phone and only use the land line if the cellular phone signal strength is not sufficient. Further, cellular file transfer operations can be aborted if the remaining battery life in the cellular phone is insufficient to reliably complete the transfer.