Abstract: Establishing a mesh network. A gateway in the mesh network may broadcast a wireless message to neighboring nodes of the gateway in the mesh network. The neighboring nodes may store first hop count information based on the wireless message received from the gateway. The neighboring nodes may each broadcast the wireless message to other neighboring nodes in the wireless mesh network. The other neighboring nodes may store second hop count information based on the received messages from the respective neighboring nodes. The second hop count information may indicate a greater hop count than the first hop count information. The first hop count information and the second hop count information may be used to establish routes from nodes to gateways in subsequent communications in the mesh network.

Abstract: Establishing a mesh network. A gateway in the mesh network may broadcast a wireless message to neighboring nodes of the gateway in the mesh network. The neighboring nodes may store first hop count information based on the wireless message received from the gateway. The neighboring nodes may each broadcast the wireless message to other neighboring nodes in the wireless mesh network. The other neighboring nodes may store second hop count information based on the received messages from the respective neighboring nodes. The second hop count information may indicate a greater hop count than the first hop count information. The first hop count information and the second hop count information may be used to establish routes from nodes to gateways in subsequent communications in the mesh network.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a collimating device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the method includes a step of constructing a reflective layer. After the reflective layer is constructed, a step of constructing an optical element layer follows, including a step of forming an array of microstructures in the optical element layer. Next, the array of microstructures is abutted against the reflective layer. Heat and pressure are then applied to the optical element layer to puncture the reflective layer and penetrate a predetermined distance through the reflective layer. Sub-assemblies are also defined, wherein optical elements are coupled to prevent light loss.

Abstract: A method of processing a general-purpose, high level language program to determine a hardware representation of the program can include compiling the general-purpose, high level language program to generate a language independent model (100) and identifying data input to each component specified in the language independent model to determine a latency for each component (220, 225). The components of the language independent model can be annotated for generation of control signals such that each component is activated when both control and valid data arrive at the component (230). Each component also can be annotated with an output latency derived from a latency of a control signal for the component and a latency determined from execution of the component itself (235).

Abstract: A method of processing a program written in a general purpose programming language to determine a hardware representation of the program can include generating a language independent model of the program written in a general purpose programming language (100) and identifying a loop construct within the language independent model (705). A determination can be made as to whether the loop construct is bounded (725). If so, a loop processing technique can be selected for unrolling the loop construct according to stored user preferences 735). The loop construct can be replicated in the language independent model as specified by the selected loop processing technique (740, 755).

Abstract: A method of embossing a sheet material includes: heating at least a portion of the sheet directly or indirectly with radiant energy from a radiant energy source; pressing a tool against the heated portion of the sheet, thereby patterning a surface of the sheet; and separating the sheet and the tool. The radiant energy may travel through a solid material that is relatively transparent to radiation, on its way to being absorbed by a relatively-absorptive material. The relatively-transparent material may be an unheated portion of the sheet, and the relatively-absorptive material may be either the tool or the heated portion of the sheet. Alternatively, the relatively-transparent material may be the tool, and the relatively-absorptive material may be all or part of the sheet. The method may be performed as one or more roll-to-roll operations.

Abstract: The compilation of a high-level software-based description of an algorithm into efficient digital hardware implementation(s) is addressed. This is done through the definition of new semantics for software constructs with respect to hardware implementations. This approach allows a designer to work at a high level of abstraction, while the semantic model can be used to infer the resulting hardware implementation. These semantics are interpreted through the use of a compilation tool that analyzes the software description to generate a control and data flow graph. This graph is then the intermediate format used for optimizations, transformations and annotations. The resulting graph is then translated to either a register transfer level or a netlist-level description of the hardware implementation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cholesteric liquid crystal display that includes a homogeneous alignment surface effective to provide increased brightness, low focal conic reflectance and/or reflected light treat is to a significant degree circularly polarized. The homogeneous alignment surface substantially homogeneously aligns the liquid crystal director adjacent thereto. The homogeneous alignment surface may be disposed on one or both sides of a cell of the display. In the case of a cell in which the homogeneous alignment surface is disposed on only one side, the substrate with the inhomogeneous alignment surface may be upstream or downstream of the substrate with the homogeneous alignment surface relative to a direction of incident light. Also included especially in the case of a cell that has the homogeneous alignment surface on both sides is the use of a polarizer to provide very good brightness and low focal conic reflectance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cholesteric liquid crystal display that includes a homogeneous alignment surface effective to provide increased brightness, low focal conic reflectance and/or reflected light that is to a significant degree circularly polarized. The homogeneous alignment surface substantially homogeneously aligns the liquid crystal director adjacent thereto. The homogeneous alignment surface may be disposed on one or both sides of a cell of the display. In the case of a cell in which the homogeneous alignment surface is disposed on only one side, the substrate with the inhomogeneous alignment surface may be upstream or downstream of the substrate with the homogeneous alignment surface relative to a direction of incident light. Also included especially in the case of a cell that has the homogeneous alignment surface on both sides is the use of a polarizer to provide very good brightness and low focal conic reflectance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cholesteric liquid crystal display that includes a homogeneous alignment surface effective to provide increased brightness, low focal conic reflectance and/or reflected light that is to a significant degree circularly polarized. The homogeneous alignment surface substantially homogeneously aligns the liquid crystal director adjacent thereto. The homogeneous alignment surface may be disposed on one or both sides of a cell of the display. In the case of a cell in which the homogeneous alignment surface is disposed on only one side, the substrate with the inhomogeneous alignment surface may be upstream or downstream of the substrate with the homogeneous alignment surface relative to a direction of incident light. Also included especially in the case of a cell that has the homogeneous alignment surface on both sides is the use of a polarizer to provide very good brightness and low focal conic reflectance.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of a novel offset-printing process to apply the gasket seal on microdisplay arrays in a wafer scale manufacturing process. Gasket seal material is applied to an anilox roll, which has a matrix pattern of indentations or cells at a fixed line screen spacing and depth which corresponds to the desired height of the gasket material prior to contact with the glass layer. The amount of gasket material transferred to the substrate is controlled by the volume of the cells of the anilox roll. The anilox roll continuously rotates and excess material not filling in the cells is removed from the roll by a doctor blade. A letterpress, attached to a print roll, rolls in contact with the anilox roll and material is transferred from the anilox roll onto the letterpress. Raised portions of the letterpress apply a gasket design to the substrate in accordance with the matrix of multiple microdisplay devices.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of a cathodic protection system are disclosed. In one embodiment of a system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, a remote telemetry device may be communicatively coupled to at least one cathodic protection device operable to provide direct current to a metallic object, the telemetry device may be programmable to communicate with a central station, and the telemetry device may incorporate a transmitter and a processor. The processor may include memory and programming code to control operation of the telemetry device, and the transmitter may be operable to communicate information to a central station.

Abstract: A system comprising a remote telemetry device to monitor at least one sensor input, a central station, responsive to the remote telemetry device, a central database to store and organize information communicated by the telemetry device, and a computer network user interface that provides a user with remote access to the information stored at the central database. The telemetry device may be programmable to communicate with a central station upon at least one of an alarm condition and a regular time interval. The central station may include a central station computer server and software embedded therein to provide connection with a wide area network communications module, a database hosting module hosting a central database, and a notification module to issue alarm notification messages.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving data with a reliable communication protocol. The system includes a computer at a node having a backplane, a CPU board plugged into the backplane, software instructions for the CPU, and a special network board plugged into the backplane. The CPU board, software, and network card act to implement the TCP/IP protocol suite. The network card or board includes an interface to receive data packets from the physical layer, and circuitry to verify the TCP checksum before de-encapsulation and routing of the TCP segment by the network layer software. It also includes circuitry to automatically prepare the acknowledgement signal to be sent by the receiving computer to the sending computer. It additionally includes circuitry to calculate the error detecting code on outgoing signals from the sending computer to the receiving computer.

Abstract: A method and system for programming the hardware of field programmable gate arrays and related reconfigurable resources as if they were software by creating hardware objects that implement application level functionalities, operating system functionalities, and hardware functionalities. Further controlling and executing the hardware objects via high level software constructs and managing the reconfigurable resources, such that the reconfigurable resources are optimized for the tasks currently executing.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving data with a reliable communication protocol. The system includes a computer at a node having a backplane, a CPU board plugged into the backplane, software instructions for the CPU, and a special network board plugged into the backplane. The CPU board, software, and network card act to implement the TCP/IP protocol suite. The network card or board includes an interface to receive data packets from the physical layer, and circuitry to verify the TCP checksum before de-encapsulation and routing of the TCP segment by the network layer software. It also includes circuitry to automatically prepare the acknowledgement signal to be sent by the receiving computer to the sending computer. It additionally includes circuitry to calculate the error detecting code on outgoing signals from the sending computer to the receiving computer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes cell wall structure and a chiral nematic liquid crystal material. The cell wall structure and the liquid crystal cooperate to form focal conic and twisted planar textures that are stable in the absence of a field. A device applies an electric field to the liquid crystal for transforming at least a portion of the material to at least one of the focal conic and twisted planar textures. The liquid crystal material has a pitch length effective to reflect radiation having a wavelength in both the visible and the infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum at intensity that is sufficient for viewing by an observer. One liquid crystal material may be disposed in a single region or two liquid crystal materials may be used, each in separate regions. One aspect of the invention is directed to a photolithography method for patterning a substrate of the display. The display may also have multicolor capabilities by including at least two materials that reflect visible light.

Abstract: A programmable circuit assembly and methods for high bandwidth data processing. The assembly includes an array of in-circuit programmable logic packages interconnected with an array of memory packages, allowing for elastic buffering of data in a variety of directions. Each programmable package includes package leads, a memory, and output drivers. Each output driver is connected to a respective package lead, which is configured to generate a logic function defined by programming data stored in the memory. A method includes storing programming data for operating the assembly to send signals on different paths between a programmable package and a memory package.

Abstract: A fiber optic display sign is provided comprising a plurality of magnetically actuatable indicator elements, each having associated therewith at least two fiber optic cables for transmitting light. Each of the fiber optic cables has an end face for emitting light which terminates in an indicator element, and an end face for receiving light which is positioned in close proximity with the other light receiving end faces to form a light receiving surface. A light source assembly moveable with respect to the light receiving surface includes a primary light source and a secondary light source each adapted to illuminate the light receiving surface when aligned therewith. The light source assembly is alternatively moveable to a first position at which the primary light source is aligned with the light receiving surface or a second position at which the secondary light source is aligned with the light receiving surface.

Abstract: An inductive coupling device for external circuitry to pass electric currents therethrough via inductively coupled electrodes, comprises a monolithic, dielectric, ceramic block made from a multiplicity of stacked dielectric ceramic plates or layers all bonded together. First and second flat rectangular Z-shaped electrodes are embedded in the block between the ceramic layers and bonded thereto. The electrodes are spaced apart by one dielectric layer and generally overlap at least in part for effectively coupling to each other. The block also carries electrically conductive grounding films or layers bonded to the underside of the top and bottom dielectric layers of the block. These films are coupled to adjacent ones of the Z-shaped electrodes. The block may be rectangular in configuration. Conductive stripes on lateral and end faces of the block contact ends of the Z-shaped electrodes and ends of the grounding films and serve as terminals for connecting external circuitry thereto.