Abstract: The present invention consists of an electrical communications device including a three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of electrical devices attached thereto. The substrate is preferably a dielectric. The electrical device is preferably of the sort needed to conduct high frequency communications, such as a microwave antenna and photonic receivers and transmitters. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate at the connection points described by the intersection of a series vias and one of the substrate surfaces. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate in numerous ways, including solder, flipped chip ball bonds, wire bonds, or a gold stud assembly. In particular, the gold stud assembly is utilized to attach the antenna to the substrate, thereby providing a predetermined air gap therebetween.

Abstract: A non-mechanical fluid level sensor based on light communication channel (LCC) technology. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the LCC is connected to a signal source while another end is connected to a sensor. The LCC is dipped in a fluid container and a signal propagates and undergoes internal reflection through the LCC towards one of its ends which is connected to the sensor. The fluid level is detected preferably by measuring the intensity of the signal reflected with the LCC that reaches a sensor. Different fluid levels preferably correspond to linearly varying detected signal intensities. A main LCC bus may communicate remotely with the sensor without wiring or other electrical connectors.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an electrical communications device including a three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of electrical devices attached thereto. The substrate is preferably a dielectric. The electrical device is preferably of the sort needed to conduct high frequency communications, such as a microwave antenna and photonic receivers and transmitters. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate at the connection points described by the intersection of a series vias and one of the substrate surfaces. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate in numerous ways, including solder, flipped chip ball bonds, wire bonds, or a gold stud assembly. In particular, the gold stud assembly is utilized to attach the antenna to the substrate, thereby providing a predetermined air gap therebetween.

Abstract: A voice-activated control system in which a voice command transmitted to an audio signal receiver such as a microphone is digitized by a voice recognition program that produces an address and a function corresponding to the component to which the voice command is directed. The digitized signal is converted by an IR transceiver or an encoder/decoder to an IR signal, which is transmitted via an LCC bus to one or more devices attached to it. The device that has the appropriate address is actuated to perform the function and/or provide feedback to the system. The invention also includes voice-activated systems that rely on a centralized control approach while a third type of system uses a hybrid system that uses both lcc-based and electrical-based input. The present invention is also directed to various methods of activating and controlling one or more components of a system through a voice-activated system.

Abstract: A central power source and method for distributing power to at least one sensor and/or actuators connected to or integrated in an LCC. In an aspect of the invention, a power distribution system is provided comprising a power source, at least one sensor, an LCC structure, and at least one routing means for directing the energy through the LCC structure. In another aspect, the at least one sensor is connected to an LCC bus connected to an electronic system. In still another aspect, an energy storage means for storing the energy received by the at least one sensor is provided. The invention is also directed to a method for distributing power comprising transmitting energy using a power source, directing the energy through an LCC structure, and receiving the energy from the power source using the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A non-mechanical fluid level sensor based on light communication channel (LCC) technology. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the LCC is connected to a signal source while another end is connected to a sensor. The LCC is dipped in a fluid container and a signal propagates and undergoes internal reflection through the LCC towards one of its ends which is connected to the sensor. The fluid level is detected preferably by measuring the intensity of the signal reflected with the LCC that reaches a sensor. Different fluid levels preferably correspond to linearly varying detected signal intensities. A main LCC bus may communicate remotely with the sensor without wiring or other electrical connectors.

Abstract: A comparator with hysteresis which has a bias current circuit, a differential input stage, and an output stage is disclosed. The differential input stage uses a parallel transistor and an enabling transistor connected in parallel to one of the differential pair transistors to create hysteresis. The parallel transistor and enabling transistor are used to generated an effective offset voltage which must be overcome for the comparator to switch states.

Abstract: A comparator with hysteresis which has a bias current circuit, a differential input stage, and an output stage is disclosed. The differential input stage uses a parallel transistor and an enabling transistor connected in parallel to one of the differential pair transistors to create hysteresis. The parallel transistor and enabling transistor are used to generated an effective offset voltage which must be overcome for the comparator to switch states.

Abstract: A comparator with hysteresis which has a bias current circuit, a differential input stage, and an output stage is disclosed. The differential input stage uses an analog switch to connect the body of a field effect transistors to either a first voltage or a second voltage. The analog switch in the preferred embodiment is a double-throw switch.