Abstract: A Solar Car that is safer and far more ecologically benign than any automobile on the road today. All of its solar panels would serve a secondary purpose besides providing power. As a thin vehicle whose chasis was no wider than forty five inches, it would need an electrical system less than ninety seven volts. Connected in series, the four or five solar panels contemplated in this patent would provide most of the power. To make sure that one could use their vehicle regularly, there would also be a supplemental plug in capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically positioning a rotary actuator that positions an objective lens in three dimensions relative to the surface of an optical disk. A first voice coil motor positions the actuator generally in two dimensions parallel to the surface of the disk and a second voice coil motor positions the objective lens generally along an arcuate path orthogonal to the surface of the disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to real estate investment techniques for facilitating foreign investment in domestic real estate assets.

Abstract: A method of treating elevated plasma total homocysteine levels (tHc) in subjects with end stage renal disease (ESRD) is disclosed, said treatment comprising the administration of sodium 2-mercaptoethylsulfonate (MESNA) immediately prior to, or concurrently with, performing hemodialysis on said patient.

Abstract: A power and data delivery system for a machine. The system includes a conductor located throughout at least a portion of the machine for delivering power, a plurality of nodes, each connected to the conductor at a respective location, and a plurality of devices, each connected to a corresponding node. At least one node controls the delivery of power and data by way of a message containing a unique identifier for that one node.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly. The connector may include a top housing and base housing for a conductor. The base housing may include a base conductor channel extending along a longitudinal axis, a conductor partition, and at least one conductor contact having corresponding prong transverse the longitudinal axis. The top housing may include a top conductor channel corresponding to the base conductor channel and a connector interface operably connected to the at least one prong.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless network planning utilizing raster data, stored and manipulated in raster data planes (204-212) and vector data (522) stored and manipulated in vector data planes (528-532). The invention increases the accuracy of network planning by simultaneously utilizing vector data planes (528-532) and raster data planes (204-212) to perform computations using vector features contained within map pixels (604). The disclosed method makes it possible to perform accurate computations such as propagation loss to vector points (602) contained within map pixels (604). Accuracy is further increased because other characteristics such as received power, elevation, and best server can be computed to the vector features rather than processing them with traditional raster resolutions.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless network planning utilizing raster data, stored and manipulated in raster data planes (204-212) and vector data (522) stored and manipulated in vector data planes (528-532). The invention increases the accuracy of network planning by simultaneously utilizing vector data planes (528-532) and raster data planes (204-212) to perform computations using vector features contained within map pixels (604). The disclosed method makes it possible to perform accurate computations such as propagation loss to vector points (602) contained within map pixels (604). Accuracy is further increased because other characteristics such as received power, elevation, and best server can be computed to the vector features rather than processing them with traditional raster resolutions.

Abstract: A networking system may include a traffic generator. The traffic generator may include a scripting module configured to create a script. The traffic generator may execute the script to send and/or receive network messages within the networking system, which may help test one or more components of the networking system. The script may include one or more entries. An entry may be configured to instruct the traffic generator to send one or more network messages.

Abstract: A cellular network configuration tool is described that performs frequency assignments for use in a cellular network. The channels are assigned in accordance with input configuration data such as a channel separation matrix, geographic data, and requested channel assignments for each sector included in the cellular network being configured. The configuration is performed in accordance with predetermined constraints and criteria and quality of service input. The tool uses frequency assignment techniques to perform the channel assignments in accordance with varying constraints and criteria.

Abstract: A power and data delivery system for a machine. The system includes a power and data conductor located throughout at least a portion of the machine, a plurality of processing nodes, each connected to the conductor at various locations, and a plurality of devices, each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of processing nodes and controlled by the processing node, wherein each processing node may be connected at any location of the conductor.

Abstract: An ophthalmoscope has illuminating optics (10) for projecting a beam of light into an eye under examination and imaging optics (14) for creating an image of said eye for viewing by a user. The imaging optics comprises an objective lens system (16) and an eye piece lens system (20). Two corneal reflex stops (138 and 148) are positioned one on either side of the corneal image formed by the objective lens system. The stops block reflections from the cornea of the eye under examination over a range of distances of the ophthalmoscope from the eye. The use of the two corneal reflex stops results in the precise positioning of the ophthalmoscope relative to the eye under examination not being critical to the blocking of the corneal reflex.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the flow control valve includes a valve element and a support element. The valve element is configured to deflect responsive to a change in pressure difference across the valve element. The support element cooperates with the valve element to present an effective flow-through area that changes as the valve element deflects. The amount of relative engagement between the valve element and the support element changes as the valve element deflects. External vibration causes the valve element to vibrate to reduce stiction or ice buildup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dynamically positioning the objective lens in an optical disk drive to maintain focus despite loss of perpendicularity between the light beam and the information layer of the optical disk. Loss of perpendicularity may occur as a result of any number of factors, including irregularities in the manufacture of the disk, manufacturing tolerances and assembly of the disk drive components, bearing defect frequencies, shock and vibration. Failure to maintain perpendicularity may interference with the ability of the optical pick up unit of the drive to accurately read and write. The tilt focus mechanism of the present invention utilizes a rotary actuator that positions the objective lens in three dimensions relative to the surface of the optical disk.

Abstract: A cellular network configuration tool is described that performs frequency assignments for use in a cellular network. The channels are assigned in accordance with input configuration data such as a channel separation matrix, geographic data, and requested channel assignments for each sector included in the cellular network being configured. The configuration is performed in accordance with predetermined constraints and criteria and quality of service input. The tool uses frequency assignment techniques to perform the channel assignments in accordance with varying constraints and criteria.

Abstract: Various configurations of cartridges for optical disks, particularly first-surface optical disks, are provided. The cartridges include a plurality of protectors for use in safeguarding the optical disk when certain conditions are present or certain events occur. The protectors include an elongated shutter that covers the hub assembly, at least annular slot portions inside of the cartridge to restrain movement of the disk within the cartridge, a locking subassembly to hold the shutter in a desired position, and a mechanism for preventing complete insertion of the cartridge into an optical drive when the cartridge is in the wrong orientation relative to the drive.

Abstract: A capacity gauge is provided that measures a selected battery capacity of a plurality of batteries in a multiple battery system. A capacity gauge and a battery current sense resistor reside on the end equipment, while the battery pack contains minimal information associated with the battery pack. Control circuits provide for proper pack selection and pack connection timing, as well as capacity gauge synchronization. Power up/down circuits provide power to control logic, the selection circuits and capacity gauge at power up, power down and battery pack removal. The system is powered by a selected battery pack after the battery pack selection is executed, and the selected battery pack monitored by the capacity gauge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminated actuator assembly and the method for making the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is intended for use in miniature personal electronic devices, but could be used in any type of disk drive. The actuator is primarily constructed from strong, stiff, lightweight composite materials. The upper and lower planar elements of the actuator assembly, each comprising multiple composite layers, include a forward portion and a rearward portion. A flexure member, typically positioned between the layers of composite material, allows the forward portion of each planar element to pivot in unison relative to the rear portion of each planar element. In this manner, the position of an optical pick up unit or other read/write device positioned at the distal end of the actuator assembly can be adjusted relative to the surface of a data disk. The composite and flexure planar elements are formed in arrays of multiple component pieces with aligned registration members.

Abstract: A method, executed on a simulation system (20), characterizes propagation of a radiofrequency signal (56) in a three-dimensional environment (52). The method includes forming a database (42) of propagation paths (54) of the radiofrequency signal (56) transmitted from a transmitter (58) at a fixed location (66) in the three-dimensional environment (52). The propagation paths (54) are represented by a plurality of line segments (120, 122) in the database (42). Local line segments (188) are selected from the plurality of line segments (120, 122) to establish a subset (47) of the propagation paths (54). The subset (47) includes those propagation paths (54) each having one of the local line segments (188) proximate a location (182) of a receiver (72) in the environment (52). Distinct multipath components (246) representing distinct wavefronts of the radiofrequency signal (56) are subsequently identified from the subset (47) of the propagation paths (54).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminated actuator assembly and the method for making the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is intended for use in miniature personal electronic devices, but could be used in any type of disk drive. The actuator is primarily constructed from strong, stiff, lightweight composite materials. The upper and lower planar elements of the actuator assembly, each comprising multiple composite layers, include a forward portion and a rearward portion. A flexure member, typically positioned between the layers of composite material, allows the forward portion of each planar element to pivot in unison relative to the rear portion of each planar element. In this manner, the position of an optical pick up unit or other read/write device positioned at the distal end of the actuator assembly can be adjusted relative to the surface of a data disk. The composite and flexure planar elements are formed in arrays of multiple component pieces with aligned registration members.