Abstract: An ultra wideband (UWB) communication system and method for its use, allowing multiple users to communicate with the system without significant interference. The system includes multiple element antenna array, through which UWB pulses are transmitted to selected multiple users, by means of a selected combination of spatial multiplexing, frequency reuse and time slot reuse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, including at least one RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, and a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along the distribution path, wherein each interrogator of the plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with the RFID tag when the RFID tag is in proximity to the each interrogator along the distribution path. Each interrogator interrogates the RFID tag during the RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to the RFID tag. The RFID tag and each interrogator each includes a transceiver and memory.

Abstract: An invention is provided for a deskewer that corrects skew on a data channel. The deskewer includes a delay calculator that calculates deskew data indicating the amount of delay needed to correct skew on a data channel. Coupled to the delay calculator is a deskew circuit that receives the deskew data from the delay calculator and uses the deskew data to delay a bit stream on the data channel.

Abstract: A method for resolving RFID-based object traffic transactions to a single container in the presence of a plurality of containers, where the method includes the steps of: monitoring RFID object traffic transactions to a single container amongst a plurality of containers wherein the traffic transactions are between at least one RFID reader and a plurality of detected RFID tags detected by the at least one RFID reader; calculating a cumulative and weighted data set for each detected RFID tag of the RFID tags; and, comparing the data set for each detected RFID tag with the data set for other of the detected RFID tags and identifying one RFID tag of the detected RFID tags having a greatest cumulative weight calculated for its corresponding data set so as to resolve multiple detections and identifications of the detected RFID tags in the object traffic transactions to the single container.

Abstract: A low loss suspended substrate coupler includes a substrate having a first transmission line disposed on a topside of the substrate and a second transmission line disposed on the bottom side of the substrate, thereby providing broadside transmission line coupling. To provide closer mode velocity matching, the coupler has capacitive loading or coupling to ground at discrete intervals between the two transmission lines. The capacitive loading is formed by integrating stubs in each transmission line at pre-determined intervals, each of which is opposite a corresponding one of a plurality of ground stubs on the other side of the substrate. The ground stubs are connected to ground at the outer edge of the coupler area with substrate vias or directly to the coupler housing.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire 20 has a tread 24, a carcass 21, and a belt reinforcing structure 40. The carcass 21 has a steel cord reinforced radial ply extending from one annular bead to a second annular bead. The belt reinforcing structure 40 has at least two belt layers 40A, 40B having steel cords 14 with large filaments 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm in diameter twisted into a 7×7 cord construction.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire 20 has a tread 24, a carcass 21, and a belt reinforcing structure 40. The carcass 21 has a steel cord reinforced radial ply extending from one annular bead to a second annular bead. The belt reinforcing structure 40 has at least two belt layers 40A, 40B having steel cords 14 with large filaments 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm in diameter twisted into a 7×7 cord construction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, including at least one RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, and a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along the distribution path, wherein each interrogator of the plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with the RFID tag when the RFID tag is in proximity to the each interrogator along the distribution path. Each interrogator interrogates the RFID tag during the RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to the RFID tag. The RFID tag and each interrogator each includes a transceiver and memory.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has at least a pair of belt layers, and one layer comprising inextensible reinforcing cables inclined at substantially zero degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire assembly. The cables in zero degree ply have a tensile strength of at least 50,000 N.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has at least a pair of belt layers, and one layer comprising inextensible reinforcing cables inclined at substantially zero degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire assembly. The cables in zero degree ply have a tensile strength of at least 27,500 N.

Abstract: A method of associating a digital version of a document with a printed version of the document, the method being executable by a processor and comprising the steps: (a) instructing a printer to print the document; and, substantially at the time of printing, (b) transferring, to a portable solid state memory device, data interpretable by a processor to enable subsequent reprinting of the document. The invention also provides an electronic device electrically couplable to a printer, computer or network, configured to couple with a portable solid state memory device and to receive data corresponding to a print job, and operable to write data to the said solid state memory device, substantially at the time of printing of the said print job, to enable subsequent reprinting of the print job.

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is particularly suitable for use in a fruit machine, is constituted by a front part (5) to be located by an outer face of a glass panel (52) and a rear part (54) to be located by a an inner face of the glass panel (52) with the front and rear parts of the switch assembly being operably connected by magnets allowing the glass panel (52) to extend continuously therebetween, thereby avoiding the need to form a hole in the glass panel (52) and with the front part (50) including two magnets (66) which are arranged with their poles facing in opposite directions perpendicularly to the length of a reed switch (56) carried by the rear part (54) and which are displaced non-linearly with respect to the reed switch (56) as the front part (50) is rocked about a pivot (62).

Abstract: A computer peripheral device, electrically couplable to a personal computer having a processor operable to process digital audio data, the peripheral device comprising a user interface manually operable by a user to supply instructions to the said processor to specify processing operations to be performed by the processor on the digital audio data and to select an audio processing device for converting digital audio data to an analogue audio signal, the computer peripheral device further comprising an audio processing device for converting digital audio data to an analogue audio signal, said audio processing device being selectable by the user interface.

Abstract: A network has first and second audio data storage devices, each including a memory area storing one or more audio data files. A file selector enables a user to select at least one stored audio data file. A data processor accesses the selected files from the memory and processes the selected files with a profile to generate a processed audio signal. The first device communicates across the network to the second device so any data files in the first device memory which are not present in the second device are automatically copied to the second device memory.

Abstract: A feather molding process and the molded product produced therefrom. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) reducing feathers in a refiner, a pulper, or a combination thereof; (b) cleaning the feathers using a cleaning agent; (c) diluting at least a portion of the reduced feather material to form a slurry; and (d) delivering the slurry to a vacuum molding apparatus to form a molded product.

Abstract: An electrical assembly has first and second initially separated connection portions, of which the first is adapted to be secured to a first component, such as a microswitch, and the second is adapted to be secured to a second component, such as electrical wiring through insulation displacement, with the first and second connection portions further being capable of releasably fitting together, such as by means of a latch to bring the first and second components into electrical contact.

Abstract: Tire rubbers which are prepared by anionic polymerization are frequently coupled with a suitable coupling agent, such as a tin halide, to improve desired properties. It has been unexpectedly found that greatly improved properties for tire rubbers, such as lower hysteresis, can be attained by asymmetrically coupling the rubber.

Abstract: A method of processing feathers and products produced thereby. The method preferably comprises the step of reducing feathers in at least one of a refiner and a pulper. A cleaning agent is preferably added to the feather material before and/or after the reducing step. The cleaning agent will preferably be hydrogen peroxide, detergent, a surface acting surfactant, bleach, or a combination thereof. The method can also include the steps of (a) adding paper pulp to the reduced feather material and then (b) forming a product from the combined material.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus (1) comprises: a combined electronic camera (2) and swipe scanner (4), the electronic camera (2) having an associated optical system (8) and detector array (12) for remote capturing of a first image (46) and the swipe scanner (4) having an associated optical system (28) and detector array (34) for swipe capturing of a second image (38); and a data storage means arranged to store the first image (46) and the second image (38) in association with each other. The electronic camera (2) may be a moderate resolution color camera, and the swipe scanner (4) may have a grey-scale detector (34) array capable of scanning an object at a higher resolution than the camera (2). A display (6) is provided so that both images (38,46) can be viewed separately in association with each other, or combined into a combination image, which has color information from the camera (2) to colorize higher resolution pixels from the scanner (4).

Abstract: Tire rubbers which are prepared by anionic polymerization are frequently coupled with a suitable coupling agent, such as a tin halide, to improve desired properties. It has been unexpectedly found that greatly improved properties for tire rubbers, such as lower hysteresis, can be attained by asymmetrically coupling the rubber.