Abstract: An electronic door lock (“EDL”) is adapted to interact with an electronic key unit having a key antenna and a transmitter configured to transmit a radio frequency (“RF”) signal over the key antenna, the RF signal containing an identification (“ID”) code identifying the electronic key unit. The EDL can include a first antenna adapted to form a first directional radiation beam to receive the RF signal from the key unit, a second antenna adapted to form a second directional radiation beam to receive the RF signal from the key unit, and a processing component adapted to use RF signals received by one or both of the first and second antenna to determine whether the presence of an acceptable ID code is detected on the key. The EDL can determine the location of the key, and whether the key is inside or outside of the room.

Abstract: A method significantly reduces the average power for radio communication in a communication system, such as a system that has applications requiring low communication latency. The method may use a low power radio communication circuit (e.g., a non-heterodyne receiver) to wait for a communication request, taking advantage of the low power consumption of the radio communication circuit. Subsequent to receiving and validating the communication request, the communication system may switch to a more efficient—but higher power—communication circuit. Thus, effective communication is achieved without making undesirable tradeoffs, such as reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: A method significantly reduces the average power for radio communication in a communication system, such as a system that has applications requiring low communication latency. The method may use a low power radio communication circuit (e.g., a non-heterodyne receiver) to wait for a communication request, taking advantage of the low power consumption of the radio communication circuit. Subsequent to receiving and validating the communication request, the communication system may switch to a more efficient—but higher power—communication circuit. Thus, effective communication is achieved without making undesirable tradeoffs, such as reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: A sensing system senses whether or not a lock's bolt (140), e.g. deadbolt, is aligned with a hole (150) which the bolt is to engage in the locked state. In electronic locks, the bolt is not driven into the hole until the sensing system indicates that the bolt is aligned with the hole. Another sensing system senses the position of the bolt and/or a dead-latch bar (1310). This sensing system is spaced from the bolt's end engaging the hole in order not to interfere with the alignment sensing. The two sensing systems are used to determine whether the lock is locked or unlocked. A magnet system provides alignment assistance to align the bolt with the hole before the bolt is driven into the hole. Position encoding for lock and non-lock devices, and other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An antenna and a method for using the antenna in a wireless appliance are provided. The antenna includes a conducting surface having a length and a width; a dielectric slit having a slit length portion oriented along either the length or the width, the slit forming two lips on the conducting surface; the slit having an opening on one of the length and the width, the opening having a flare size; a feed-point element connecting the two lips; wherein the dimensions of the length, the width, the slit length portion, and the flare size are smaller than an effective propagation wavelength of the RF radiation in the antenna. An antenna including a conducting surface having a conductive plate with a plate area defined by a plate perimeter overlaying a portion of a conducting surface is also provided. A method to provide an antenna as above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radio device and a method to operate a non-heterodyne receiver are provided. The radio device is configured to receive a signal waveform and to provide a wake-up signal to a second communication circuit when the signal waveform is a valid communication request; wherein the second communication circuit switches from a power saving state to an operating state upon receiving the wake-up signal from the non-heterodyne receiver. The non-heterodyne receiver further including an Electromagnetic interference (EMI) rejection circuit, including a narrow band filter and a broadband filter to reject an EMI signal. A filter circuit for a narrow passband circuit is also provided. The filter including a buffer circuit; a crystal oscillator coupled to the output of the buffer circuit; and an inverting amplifier coupled in parallel to the crystal oscillator.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an amplifier, differential amplifiers, and FETs. The amplifier has an intermediate node and an output node, and the amplifier is adapted to receive an audio signal. Each differential amplifier amplifies the difference between an output voltage from the output node with a reference voltages. The FETs are coupled in series with one another between a first and a second voltage, and each FET receives an output from at least one of the differential amplifiers. Additionally, the intermediate node is coupled to a node between at least two FETs.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an amplifier, differential amplifiers, and FETs. The amplifier has an intermediate node and an output node, and the amplifier is adapted to receive an audio signal. Each differential amplifier amplifies the difference between an output voltage from the output node with a reference voltages. The FETs are coupled in series with one another between a first and a second voltage, and each FET receives an output from at least one of the differential amplifiers. Additionally, the intermediate node is coupled to a node between at least two FETs.

Abstract: A method significantly reduces the average power for radio communication in a communication system, such as a system that has applications requiring low communication latency. The method may use a low power radio communication circuit (e.g., a non-heterodyne receiver) to wait for a communication request, taking advantage of the low power consumption of the radio communication circuit. Subsequent to receiving and validating the communication request, the communication system may switch to a more efficient—but higher power—communication circuit. Thus, effective communication is achieved without making undesirable tradeoffs, such as reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: A process for production and novel physical forms of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) wherein tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) reacts within a range of about 30 to 50° C. with stoichiometrically slight excess of dimethyl sulphate and sodium hydroxide. The sodium hydroxide is added stoichiometrially in slight excess of dimethyl sulphate. A major portion of BHA formed in this reaction was recovered in a crystalline form in which 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (3 isomer) is at least at a level of about 99%, usually at about 99.5% or more, and TBHQ at 100 ppm or less. BHA remaining in a mother liquor after crystallization was recovered by distillation and had the same purity as the crystalline BHA. The crystalline form was prepared as a low density, as well as a high density, form and could also be converted into compressed forms including flakes, tablets and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of automating a microelectronic manufacturing process by configuring application objects that implement a domain knowledge for a piece of equipment and implementing a workflow using the application object where the workflow represents a sequence of steps in the microelectronic manufacturing process. The method is embodied in a computer program that is part of a computer system.

Abstract: A capital investment that creates operational flexibility using a financial framework and adequately valuing the capital investment using financial mathematics. The capital investment may be an intelligent well completion connecting surface production and injection facilities with an oil and gas reservoir. The intelligent well completion may reduce potential well intervention costs, increase production rate, and increase ultimate recovery. The capital investment described by the financial framework may also affect one or more physical variables that, in turn, affect valuation of a real asset. One or more financial formulas may be applied to the physical variable to adequately value the capital investment.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of automating a microelectronic manufacturing process by configuring application objects that implement a domain knowledge for a piece of equipment and implementing a workflow using the application object where the workflow represents a sequence of steps in the microelectronic manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of automating a microelectronic manufacturing process by configuring application objects that implement a domain knowledge for a piece of equipment and implementing a workflow using the application object where the workflow represents a sequence of steps in the microelectronic manufacturing process. The method is embodied in a computer program that is part of a computer system.